It's Twitchell Time

T-Ball...

2011-07-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

This year Keagan played T-ball and loved it. His favorite part was playing on the same team as his best friend, Lucy!

He got quite a big head playing because everyone cheers for everyone....on the car rides home he would often tell me how he was the fastest, best, player ever. lol

Trip to Big Bear, CA

2011-07-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to Big Bear for a couple days just to get away. We took the Bergener family with us. It was such a blast! It is weird that this beautiful place is only an hour from our desert home...

they wanted to sleep out on the balcony....funny kids

Happy July 4th:)

2011-07-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

July 4th T-shirts...

2011-06-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

My friend Cristil makes these super cute shirts. She gives me some free to take pictures of my boys for her shop. Check them out HERE.

Here are some other etsy finds lately....

This cute tie for 5$

Earrings for only 4$

Men are that they might have JOY necklace...LOVE!

cute wallet from HERE

and cute leather headband from HERE

Krew's 10 months!

2011-05-31T01:58:00.000-07:00

He wanted the camera and wasn't too happy I wouldn't give it to him.

Krew weighs the same as his 2 year old cousins lol

2011-05-31T01:54:00.000-07:00

Bootcamp...

2011-05-31T01:10:00.000-07:00

This past year I have really been struggling getting my baby weight off. After Keagan I was back down about 1 month but with Krew I gained 30 pounds during pregnancy and then only lost 10 after :( Anyway forget the details, I have just not felt good in my skin. I have been trying hard but just seem stuck. I joined a fitness bootcamp for 7 weeks at 5am 5 days a week. At the end of the bootcamp, I ran a race, it was 3.6 miles. I should have read more about it online but it was a desert run in the SAND and 2/3 uphill, 1/3 downhill. I got 3rd of the 18-29 year olds. I'm fit and fat, story of my life. Hopefully my crazy pcos hormones will stop freaking out and I can feel good in my skin again when I am done nursing. I forgot my camera at the race but here is one Keagan took:)

Gardens do grow in the desert:)

2011-05-30T16:34:00.001-07:00

Cute boys:)

2011-05-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

My cute husband sent me some of these (via my sister & brother in-law Don)....

when I was in phoenix for mothers day:)

My baby brother brian and krew:)

Mother's day shirts from my friend Cristil

My cute little man keag

My dad when he was a boy:)

How did I get so many cute boys in my life?

Baby shower for my friend Melanie:)

2011-05-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

The theme was Melanie's about to POP!

Easter....

2011-05-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

Keagan said ....the Easter bunny poops jelly beans!! lol

Fun Easter egg hunt with Keagan's friends...

Carpi Jewels...my new niece!

2011-05-30T05:54:00.000-07:00

Isn't she lovely? I got to go to phoenix for a week to witness her birth:)

Hello? Is anyone out there?

2011-05-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sad that I have been too busy for blogging lately because I love to keep a record of our family and what we do and how we are growing. I really want to be more consistent with it for those reasons. So lets play picture catch up today since I have strep throat and have been on the couch for 2 days.....Here are just some random pictures:

Our favorite Sunday naps:)

Don't feed the animals

I love my blue toes this summer:)

Krew has 5 cute teeth.

9 months

Took a trip to St.George:)

Keagan started playing t-ball. He loves to hit the ball but gets bored out on the feild lol

My Mommy.....

2011-03-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

My mom's cancer was clear in her PET scan this week! She will still suffer 3 more chemo treatments and a bone marrow transplant to do all we can to keep it from coming back. Thank you Heavenly Father!!! Thanks for all those who have been praying for my mom! I have not written too much on here but it has defiantly been hard and I know there is still hard times coming. I feel like I found my "happy" again since finding out the chemo treatments are working. This doesn't make sense but I have peace in my heart and worry in my brain. I know that my mom has lives a great life and should be translated. She is happy and positive and it is contagious. I feel peace about it. At the sometime watching her lose weight, suffer through these chemo treatments, and worry about the odds of this type of cancer make me crazy in my mind. It is hard for me to imagine having a baby without my mom here, or Christmas, or always on the other line when I need her. My dad is so young, it would be very hard to lose her. She is a light in this dark world. So that doesn't make sense but I have peace and worry at the same time. I guess peace in the plan of eternity but worry for the now. When I heard her scan was cleared I broke down and cried and said a prayer of gratitude. I love her so much.

I love this poem about cancer....

Cancer is limited.

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot eat away peace,

It cannot destroy confidence,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot shut out memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot reduce eternal life,

It cannot quench the Spirit,

It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection

A couple of weeks ago my sister Julie flew out and so 4/6 siblings visited my parents. I wish I could just drop everything and be in St. George during all this. It was wonderful to see my siblings. Thank you for all your prayers, we pray it will not return anytime soon!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

Cute shirts...

2011-03-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

Cristil over at lilsteinstyles sent us these cute shirts free in exchange of pictures of Keagan and Krew in them:)

Staying still for a picture is hard these days:)

Blog Love....

2011-02-10T22:53:00.001-08:00

Cute bib shop

2011-01-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

I love these bibs from this ETSY shop! You can whip them clean, super cute fabrics, and they leave their clothes clean. I'm addicted to ETSY:) This is "Krew driver" getting excited to eat his rice cereal:)...not sure why he is so happy, its kinda gross. Yes I tried it.

Sumo baby. Just don't tell him that, he is a little sensitive about his thighs:)

Planning enrichments nights once a month can be stressful but fun. I love thinking up fun ideas just not carrying them out:) I need to get a committee under 80 years old lol This month we are doing "Visiting Teaching with heart" and doing the whole wizard of oz theme. Doing your visiting teaching with the heart of the tin man, the courage of the lion and the brain of the scare crow:) Here is a little pin the heart on the tin man game when they walk in...

And then we are having sisters dress up as the charaters, the lillipop guild, etc. come and speak, sing, etc.Then for dessert we are having fruit ca-bobs with a fruit of each color of the rainbow and laid on the table like a rainbow with ice cream and granola too and this sign.... Anyway its work but what doesn't kill me makes me stronger I guess....but one day it might just kill me:)

Well better get to bed before this little one gets up. He is sleeping from 7:30- 1 or 2 and then eats then is up at 6am to eat then goes back to sleep til 8:30. I don't really even notice..Its like sleep mommying:) Once we do more solids during the day he should sleep longer but right now I am mostly just nursing...which I love.

my house/backyard is being over taken by toys.... ok just keagans room and the yard but it drives me nutso. Only like 10 or so more years of this:)...love the kids, not the toys everywhere.

cute....

2011-01-26T23:03:00.000-08:00

I think he is in love:) Keagan has a new bestie.... Lucy:) He follows her around, plays strawberry shortcake with her, and even put his cucumbers on his eyes with her today at lunch today:) lol We love Lucy:)

K R E W & breastfeeding

2011-01-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

Krew is almost 6 months old now. He is growing so fast. He can sit now but still needs pillows around him because he will randomly through himself back. He smiles on demand and is such a happy little man. Krew got some shots 2 weeks ago and he didn't even cry but I was about to. He is my 20 pound baby, 100% all around, we must be related! He has been teething and drooling and all that baby stuff. Krew has rolled over a couple times but not very often, I think he has too many rolls to roll:)

I have been exclusively breastfeeding Krew and I love it. He never gets sick, its free, and it is natural. It just seems so easy to nurse in the night and not have to make a bottle. I know all moms can't nurse but I really love it. When I took Krew to his doctors appt. the doctor was shocked that he had never had formula before and he said that is almost unheard of these days. In Utah i knew lots of freinds who did but things here in California are a little different. I was at a playplace and there were just moms there and Keagan was playing. I have an "utter cover" for when I nurse and I nursed right there (I usually don't in public but there were just moms and it seemed convenient and no one could see anything). I could not believe the looks I got. Dirty looks? How did something natural that our bodies were created to do for turn into something weird? Anyway Krew is growing like a weed and maybe it is getting closer to thinking about another sibling:)

Trying rice cereal for the first time:)

K E A G A N these days.....

2011-01-17T14:33:00.000-08:00

Keagan fell off his bike and hit a wheel barrow straight between the eyes:( He had a helmet on but we must have forgotten his face mask! I swear I'm just going to wrap him in bubble wrap when he goes outside! He loves to ride his bake but has not gotten the brakes down quite yet hence the crash!

Keagan is starting to write. He will ask me how words are spelled and write his letters. My fridge is full of his papers. I am thinking of putting a clothes line on his wall to hang up his words. We do "school" everyday and then next year he will go to pre-school... :( (I wish he could stay in our little bubble forever but it will be good for him)

He is obsessed with Thomas the Train and even will talk like him....one day he said..."mom stop, you are causing much confusion and delay!" lol He also love to play the Wii. He has a fun game for preschoolers and does the wii fit with me too. He is now a star 4 at church! He still needs a nap or he is grumpy. He loves his brother and when he cries he says..."I don't like that noise" and runs to give him a toy or binky. We sure love our Keagan.

A few pictures from CHRISTmas time...

2011-01-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

Keagan & cousin Christopher

I see this alot, Jeremy so great at getting on the floor and playing trucks for hours....I need to be that patient!

Keagan and cousin Elise

Our family at Jeremy's brothers wedding

Opening presents:)

SIL, Diana...Krew is half her size:)

The only way to have a white Christmas in St. George is to go to the temple!

Christmas jammers

Some sad news....

2010-12-28T23:45:00.000-08:00

The ~~Grinch~~ Cancer who stole Christmas.

My sweet angel mother was diagnosed with lymphoma stage 4 cancer a couple weeks ago. A week before Thanksgiving my mother was having some pain and went into the doctors. They told her it might be cancer of the lymph nodes and proceeded with a biopsy. Oddly the biopsy came back normal and they told her no cancer! It was a very thankful and happy Thanksgiving! They went ahead and did further testing just to make sure and it was confirmed on Tuesday December 14th that she indeed has lymphoma cancer and it was very aggressive, reoccurring cancer and so they wanted to start chemotherapy before Christmas:( I very much dislike reading about this type of cancer because the odds are not great and my mother isn't even 60 yet and her hair isn't grey yet. We found out that 50% of individuals with T-cell lymphoma die in the first year, 70% die within the second year. We are hopeful to be that 1/3 and continue to be prayerful. We understand the Lord is over all things and His will be done but still this is a very hard time. I have had a mix of emotions not knowing what to plan for (I am such a planner) and have been very prayerful that I will be able to handle whatever the Lord has planned. My mother thus far has lived a wonderful life. Had 6 children all married in the temple, 2 boys and 2 girls served missions, has a great marriage, she served a mission, etc. etc. etc. She has lived a full and happy life and my worry is not death. I know she would love to serve on this side or the next and would be relieved of all the earthly cares and the craziness of the last days. My 2 biggest concerns are 1. My dad. He is still in his 50's and could have lots of life to live. His dad is in his later 80's and still in good health and his dads dad died at 98. I worry my dad might be alone for a while. Maybe we would move to St.George (yes please)? I also worry about mom mother having to suffer through the chemo treatments, bone marrow transplant, losing her hair, etc.

On Wednesday my mom had surgery to install a Port below her left collar bone. The Port is used to transfer chemo fluid to the heart and to draw her blood. She had her first chemo treatment on Thursday. On Christmas morning she had shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate. We opened gifts Christmas morning. Then around 10, she will still having trouble breathing and her heart was racing so she called a Doctor and was told to go to the ER. It was determined that when the Doctor installed the Port on Wednesday he accidentally punctured her lung?!? What more can she go through? The air escaping from the lung built up air pressure and started collapsing the lung which resulted in shortness of breath and a rapid heart beat (to increase oxygen).

We spent 7 hours in the E.R. on Christmas day.

My mom will 100% be losing her hair within the next 10 days but she is excited for her new wig. I think it makes her look 10 years younger. Here are a few pictures.....

Hot momma!

Me as a brunette.... lol!
My heart is just hurting for my mother but I am so glad I have been able to spend this past week with my mom and see how faithful and positive she is and what a powerful testimony she has. She is always worrying about others and never herself. I love her so much and so glad that I have her forever! I wish i was more like her.

Matchy Matchy:)

2010-12-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

Matching...again:) This makes me a happy momma:)

He told me he was thinking about climbing in the manger with Jesus. So glad he didn't:)

My goal til Christmas.....

2010-12-21T22:58:00.000-08:00

Christ Centered Christmas

2010-12-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

The Provo tabernacle was ruined by a fire this last weekend. This painting "the second coming" by harry anderson should have been completely burned but I love that the Savior still stands with His arms open wide to us. What a great reminder to keep Christ in Christmas this year.

Here are some ideas to help your family have a Christ centered Christmas.....

Have a "white" Christmas--attend the Temple

Give a gift of the Book of Mormon to share with friends the love of the Savior.

Share your testimony of the Savior before Christmas dinner

Watch the First Presidency Christmas Message

Each year purchase a Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD and play it throughout the season.

As part of your Christmas decorations, purchase a calendar from Deseret Book with art of the Savior and frame the pictures to display in various places in your home.

Go Christmas caroling to the elderly or single sisters.

Light a single candle each night during dinner to remind us of the LIGHT of Christ and the reason for the season.

Pick a family or a person who is in need. Be their secret Santa and give them a gift secretly, maybe even ring the doorbell and run.

Hang a white stocking for Jesus. Have each person in the family write down something they will give to Jesus that Christmas. ex. A bad habit.

On Christmas Eve have a meal of “loaves and fishes” and read from the New Testament of the miracle of the loaves and fishes Christ preformed and then talk about celebrating not only the birth of the Savior but His life.

When Santa Clause is no longer in the picture, open all the gifts on Christmas eve and save Christmas day as a celebration of the Savior.

Only open 3 gifts on Christmas just like the Savior received 3 gifts from the 3 Wisemen.

1. Make a cake on Christmas day with young children and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Set up a Nativity set in the main part of your home. Act out the Nativity in costumes.

3. Each night in December, tell an account of the Savior for a bedtime story.

4. Give a tangible gift to the Savior. Save money as a family and buy a new toy for the Nursery, or a new book for the ward library, etc

5. Create a scavenger hunt around your home. Dress as Wisemen and follow the stars (clues). End the hunt at the Nativity and read about Christ’s birth.

6. Have your children do chores around the house to earn coins. Each time they go shopping help them put the money into the Salvation army bell ringers pot. Teach them when we give to others we give to the Savior.

I love this video of sacrifice and love for the Savior.....

Gingerbread house decorating....

2010-12-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

We hope this letter finds you and your family very MERRY & BRIGHT this Christmas season. We wish we could be together with all of our family and friends but we know that is not possible. A little Christmas update will have to do til we meet again.

JEREMY (27) accepted a new job this year as the senior manager of a GNC store. He loves the sales aspect and is learning to love the sports medicine part of his job. We recently bought our first home in Barstow, CA and Jeremy is enjoying landscaping the yard with rock, retaining walls, etc. Spending time outside makes Jeremy very MERRY & BRIGHT. Jeremy serves in the Elders Quorum Presidency in our ward. Jeremy is very MERRY & BRIGHT when he gets to spend time with his 2 sons and going to Home Depot for man time together. Jeremy loves to play basketball each week. Jeremy is a man of many hobbies and knows how to make life fun and light. He is just a MERRY & BRIGHT, easy going guy that tries to keep his crazy wife calm. Love him.

KATHY (29). I get to be the mother of 2 little handsome sons and enjoy teaching them and loving them. Could there be a better job? They make me so MERRY & BRIGHT. We enjoy going to parks and enjoying beautiful California weather, going to the library story time, shopping the sales racks, playing “school” and getting together with friends. I serve on the Relief Society Presidency in the ward and enjoy planning activities to strengthen friends and testimonies. I started my own graphic design business, The Modern Polkadot (www.themodernpolkadot.com) and enjoy being creative and developing my talents. Designing makes me so MERRY & BRIGHT that I often am designing in my dreams. I love that I can use my degree doing something I love and stay home with my boys. Mom by day and graphic designer by night! I run on the treadmill or do the Wii Fit and love it AFTER I am done. I also enjoy photography and learning more about photo editing. In this stage in my life I don’t find myself wanting a different stage like I have in the past, just soaking up each day.

KEAGAN (4) is our determined star of a 4 year old. He just had a birthday and had a fun Thomas party with some of his friends. Although sometimes shy one on one, performing makes Keagan MERRY & BRIGHT . If you are in our ward you know Keagan because he bares his testimony with no help each month. Keagan is our little comedian and is always making us laugh. Keagan loved his Sunbeams class this year gave his first talk. Keagan has a love for trains and tractors and loves to play outside. He loves his little brother and will ask me to move Krew’s bumbo seat next to him while he plays. Riding his bike makes him MERRY & BRIGHT. He is interested in how different names are spelled and will often respond to another child asking his name K-E-A-G-A-N.

KREW(4 months) made his grand entrance into the world on July 30^th. We enjoy his MERRY & BRIGHT personality. He is such a little light in our home. He eats, sleeps, and poops- hard life! He is now giggling and smiling. He brings much joy to many of the elderly people in our ward by flashing his smile their way. We love him, he makes our home so MERRY & BRIGHT.

We love each of you and hope you have a wonderful year in 2010!

Love,

The Twitchell Family

Happy 4th Birthday Keagan!

2010-12-18T23:49:00.000-08:00

I'm just glad he was potty trained by 4 haha. That really was my fear that he would be wearing diapers in kindergarten lol

Cute Boys!

2010-12-18T23:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas program...my little angel.

We went to see Santa today but the line was miles long so Keagan took a helicopter ride instead:)

I usually take pictures when we are dressed up or doing something fun but I often look like this with no make up and pajamas. It just comes with motherhood:) lol

I love you with all 5 senses!

2010-12-18T23:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Jeremy and I celebrated our big 5 year anniversary! It was funny because we decided this year we were just going to go out to dinner and not buy gifts and go all out. We just have so many things going on with me being in the Relief Society presidency, Keagans birthday, Christmas, Jeremy's brother is getting married a few days after Christmas, etc. etc.etc. So we both vowed no gifts, nothing big:) We both bought gifts lol!

For our 1 year anniversary we had a baby:)

2nd we did this...HERE

3rd we did this...HERE

4th we did this....HERE

I can't believe that 5 years has already passed. I'm so happy to be married to my best friend! Love him more then ever. Jeremy said the other day I feel like we are still in the honeymoon stage but now you will pass gas in front of me haha lol. Sorry I thought that was so funny. I told Jeremy how through these 5 years I have loved him with all of my 5 senses.

I played our song and we made out:) haha

I made a DVD of pictures from the last 5 years with music, I cried.

I gave him a back massage:)

I gave him cologne:)

Went out to dinner:)

Then I told him how much I appreciate him leading me and our family with the priesthood and gave him a GPS to help continue to guide us through life:) Happy 5 years!!!

Baby Krew Pictures:)

2010-12-14T00:10:00.000-08:00

I love this little man. Its the way he smells after his bath, the way he coos and laughs even in the middle of the night, its the way he flashes me a smile, its the rolls on his thighs, its the way he brings me so much peace when we cuddle and nurse. He just is such a little light in my life. It brings tears to my eyes, I just have this fear of him growing up and us not being able to get pregnant again. I cherish him everyday and second just in case. I love having a baby, I feel so complete. Anyway enough of my mushiness, here are some pictures......

His legs and arms are always in motion!

The Bishop always holds and loves Krew, I think it's cute!

His first tooth broke ground this week.... drool and teething tablets!

We love Christmas:)

2010-12-13T23:38:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving at Jeremy's parents ranch. Keagan love playing with his cousins.

Our tiny little Christmas tree. haha We need a big fake full one, maybe next year. I am in the relief society presidency and have enrichment each month to plan. We had our big activity last Tuesday and man o man that was work but it turned out great and I learned alot.

Love my cute boys. Jeremy is so helpful with the boys and always plays with them when he gets home.

Keagan will be 4 in 4 days:)

2010-12-13T23:18:00.000-08:00

My little baby boy is growing up! Keagan loves Thomas the Train so we are going to have a Thomas party, he is pretty excited. I think it is funny because he talks like Thomas. The other day he said "Mom, stop you are causing confusion and delay". haha Love this little boy!

We made some treats for the missionaries tonight so he wanted to practice blowing out candles for his birthday.

We have a little Christmas mouse at our house! Little Keagan likes to peek.

Reading Christmas stories:)

Keagan loves to "hangout" with his little brother, He is such a good brother. If Krew is fussy he says...I don't like that noise and will put his binky in or read him a story. It melts my heart!

Keagan loves to play trains on the floor, outside, in the tub, everywhere. Keagan loves to sing primary songs, "play church" and give talks and prayers, find dirt roads to off road with his dad, go to Home Depot, and will often request eggs, toast, sausage, pancakes, juice, pizza, and ice cream for breakfast. haha

Love my little man, can't believe he is almost 4 years old!

The Joy of a BOY!

2010-11-21T22:21:00.000-08:00

Keagan is really a funny kid and he has no idea:) I need to record the things he says more often...here are a few from today:
1. Me: Keagan fold your arms for prayer please
Keagan: These are not arms, these are muscles.

2. As he sat and was eating a bowl of peas, carrots, and corn.....Mom, these M&M's went bad. haha

3. He went to the bathroom during Sacrament meeting and came marching back in and said...Mom, i peed on my tie. :) joy.

4. We just finished lunch after church and Keagan said he needed to go to the bathroom and got up and left the kitchen. It was quiet for a while we were cleaning the kitchen and I walked out to find Keagan like this on the couch. Guess he was too tired to pull up his pants. This kid keeps me laughing!

Oh the joy of a boy!

Guess who is 4 months old?

2010-11-21T00:26:00.000-08:00

Guess who is already 4 months old?

Krew!!!

( He can't believe it either)

He could be entertained by the Christmas tree for hours:) Does he have to grow up?

He likes to be naked after his bath and kicks his legs so fast. He would be happy to never have to wear clothes again. Krew wears a size 3 diaper....and so does Keagan at night:) haha Still working on Night training which is ok. Glad he is potty trained during the day at least!

Krew is 4 months and Keagan is almost 4?? They grow too fast! Here is my sleeping beauty taking a Sunday nap......

Family Pictures....

2010-11-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

Family picture with 2 has proven to be much harder. Keagan was making funny faces and Krew was half asleep but we got a couple that I like. I will do an update of our lives soon instead of just posting pictures but my life has been CRAZY. Maybe I will do that tomorrow?

Keagan's first talk...

2010-11-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Keagan practicing for his first talk. I thought it was funny because I went into primary to help him turn the pages and when I went and stood next to him he told me I need to go sit down in my chair, Mr. Independent he is! My little 3 year old is growing up! My favorite part was when he said...when you are in the service of your God you are in the service of your BEANS:) haha

Bald is beautiful:)

2010-11-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

Just a few random pictures...

2010-11-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

This banana wouldn't be so happy if he knew

there was a monkey behind him about to eat him up:)

Krew for the last 2 weeks has not been the best napper. I would lay him down awake and he would fall asleep without fussing but then wake up like 10 minutes later. This would go on all day. Krew was surprisingly happy so I thought maybe this baby just doesn't sleep as much as Keagan did. On Wednesday I caught Keagan reaching in his bed and pinching his nose...not hard but enough to wake him up. Little stinker! Today he is gone with Jeremy riding horses at the ranch and Krew is going on 3 hours of napping. haha

Cheeks:)

2010-10-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

I call this picture: CHEEKS!

Decisions?

2010-10-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

So we have marrowed it down to 2 choices....
Tahoe

Sienna

What do you guys prefer? I like the looks of the Tahoe better but the Sienna seems more practical. Anything thoughts to help us decide?

FREE Christmas cards!!!!

2010-10-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Check out my design site HERE to find out how to get a FREE Christmas card design including photo editing!

And the Heavens open....

2010-10-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Man, talk about a crazy month. It all started with my 6 week postpartum Dr. appt. My doctor said after I had Krew we could work on balancing my hormones because I have pcos, a hormone disorder that has numerous side effects. My least favorite of these side effects is insulin resistance (instead of my body metabolizing sugars it stores them as fat)....joy. It is genetic so if I have girls they have about 50% chance of also having it. Anyway my doctor was doing a 2 month "trial" and gave me some hormone and a diet and exercise plan to follow hoping to balance my hormone to allow me to lose weight. First it made me VERY emotional. Crying one minute laughing the next. Highs and lows hormones are not fun to mess with. Crazy. Poor Jeremy. He would ask why i was crying and I really had no idea. After 2 weeks on the hormone I gained 12 pounds...blah! It made me start my period and I was on it for like 16 days:( This was hard for me to lose some of the baby weight and have it come back! I had gotten so behind in my business because i was so tired and drained from having my period for over 2 weeks and Keagan was not consistently taking naps. Lots of clients were not happy with me. and the deadlines were stressing me out. Then Jeremy's district manager transferred a girl from another store to be his assistant manager. I really don't like this situation that he is with another girl 3-4 days a week. I really trust him but just not a good situation. She is married and has 2 kids but it just bugged me for some reason. Maybe because I was so emotional? Keagan was constantly having accidents. I know this seems small but I was just feeling inadequate as a mother and not knowing why I could not teach him to be potty trained. Really made a big deal over a small thing I guess. Then the hormone started to dry up my milk supply and Krew would not take a bottle. I immediately stopped taking the hormone when this happened and it came back slowly. I was just feeling overly emotional and just a heavy feeling and not feeling like I could handle it all. I'm weak, I know but I am sure we have all been there. Then I was called in the relief society presidency on Sunday...this was 2 Sunday's ago. I am really happy and excited but was already feeling overwhelmed even before the calling was given so a bit nervous to add more to my mix...

On Saturday after I talked with the Bishop, I went home and prayed and cried and prayed some more. I just felt so heavy and could not handle it all. I asked for help to be lifted and to have more energy to keep up. Help came. Keagan has not had an accident since that day and been so happy and confident the last 2 weeks now that he is now fully potty trained (only took a year of trying:), I have my energy back and have been waking up early to work before the boys wake up to work and study, Jeremy's assistant manager is getting transfered to another store:), I jumped on the scale and have lost 10 pounds, I have not cried or felt emotional since I got off my knees, and Keagan has taken naps in the afternoon helping me get caught up with my business. WOW. And the Heavens open. He is listening. I have just felt very close to Him. Just thought I would share. I feel like my happy self again. He knows us and loves us. Reminded me of the Story of the Silversmith HERE. My intention for this post was not to complain but to share my testimony that I know God is real, He is our Father, and He is very aware of our daily little struggles that we all struggle with.

Maybe I am too personal on my blog:)? haha

Halloween Parade...

2010-10-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday night we went to a Halloween parade. It didn't start until 7 so it was dark but really fun with the fire trucks and cool lights. Barstow does things a little different. Most cities might do things in the light but from my experience things sometimes look better if its dark:)

Krew was pretty excited!

Baby Krew.....

2010-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

Krew has been such a little blessing in our home. Here are some thing about him....

+ Krew will go days between crying, he is such a mellow baby.

+ He has a hard time nursing sometimes because he keeps smiling at me.

+ He loves to "talk" and coos alot, especially with his brother.

+ Its hard to get him out of the bobby because of his cute thunder thighs:)

+ He sleeps about 6-7 hours at night then nurses and goes back to sleep.

+ He is a 95th percentile baby:)

+ He loves to be outside and go on walks.

He really has such a soft easy going spirit and I love each day the time I get to spend with him. I hope he stays this way:) I'd have 10 of him. Defiantly worth the wait.

Keagan and Krew "talking" to each other:)

2 month doctors appt. .....16 pounds:) I think he looks more like Jeremy and Keagan looks more like me? What do you think?

Happy but still no hair:)

I used to love his binky but lately he just sucks on his hands and makes loud noises.

Caramel apples

2010-10-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

Making caramel apples...

Too sticky for Keagan...

Our landscaping is slowing coming along. Jeremy put in the sprinkler system last Saturday. Can't wait til it is all finished along with our other little house projects. Just need more time in the day!

Pumpkin Patch!

2010-10-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch, fabulous family fun as always. My 3 year old was perfectly behaved and didn't drop his pants and start peeing in front of lots of people ;).....that was someone elses child right. We really did have a great day of fun picking pumpkins, going out to lunch, and shopping. Lucky date with 3 cute boys for me!

Pictures....as usual:)

2010-10-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

We got some cute free shirts from LilSteinStyles in trade for some pictures of my boys in them....Trading is great. Here they are...

Keagan making some Halloween treats, excuse the no pants:)

Chillin' at the park...

Kensington's blessing

2010-10-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

My cute niece Kensi was blessed yesterday. Really wish we could have been there to hear my baby brother bless his baby girl. Such a cute little family they are:)

I LOVE Krew's smile:)

2010-10-08T16:43:00.001-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Recent Pictures....

2010-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

I like taking pictures. I'm no photographer but its kind of a fun hobby. I have been trying to learn different ways to edit so here are some recent ones....

Time savers.....

2010-10-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I wrote a post about some of the mundane things that fill my life with but that life is good. I got a few emails, messages, etc. about fitting so many things into a day. Moms, try writing down everything you do in a day and you will be amazed. Even if we have nothing on the calendar, we are always busy, right? As I STRUGGLE through the 24/7 job of motherhood that I love, there are a few things that have help me save time and be more productive throughout the day giving me more time with my boys playing, here are some of them....

+ Do, delete, delegate. I always have an on going to do list. I go through it each day and make not of what I need to do, what can I delegate to Jeremy or someone else, and delete some or write them on a long term to do list. My sister uses Evernote. Check it out.
+ Buy in bulk. When I go shopping I try to buy in bulk so I don't have to make numerous trips to the grocery store always needing things. I usually go once a week for bread, milk, eggs, cheese and produce.
+ Buy online...Walmart ships for 99 cents. Its faster to just order things online. I have also ordered diapers and my new favorite is stamps. Waiting in line for 30 minutes for stamps at the post office with 2 kids is not fun.
+ Playland time. We will often go to the playland or the park for hours. This is a good time for me to read my scriptures, do the bills, plan my primary lesson, etc. I don't have many freinds here so we are usually by ourselves.
+ Power cooking. When I grill chicken I always grill enough for the week. That way I have grilled chicken for fajitas, chicken alfredo, etc. This makes dinner easy and fast. Same with rice and beef. I also wash and cut up our fruit and veggies so they are ready to eat. Kraftfoods.com is great for fast recipes.
+ Basket tidying. I am a tidy freak. I hate things out. I am not a super clean freak but a tidy freak. Jeremy always jokes about not being able to put something down because he won't be able to find it in 2 minutes. Anyway, I was always running around the house putting things away. Now I have a large basket in the living room. I tidy throughout the day and just put things in the basket. Then once a day I put everything a way. Seems to have saved me time.
+ Weights. I have weights next to my desk. I will do reps throughout the day. Or do sit ups while playing on the floor with Keagan and Krew.
+ Set a timer. If there is something you do that is a time waster set a timer or limit. I love to go on facebook so I will say..ok i have 10 minutes. I always use our kitchen timer and say all the toys need to be cleaned up before the timer goes off, keagan loves the game.
+ Wii Fit. We just got one. I used to go to the gym everyday but they don't have one here with a daycare. I like that I can just take 30 minutes at home and get in a good workout. I don't love workout videos but I love this. I like it because we can do it as a family and helps us be more active!
+ Tote. We have a tote that hangs on the back door leading to the car. I put mail that needs to go out, bills, library books to be returned, redbox movies to be returned, shopping list, snacks for Keagan, water, packages to be sent...etc. That way when it is time to go I can just grab the bag and head out the door. It saves time trying to get everyone ready, nurse Krew, get our things together, etc. Seems to take so long to get out the door but this helps.
+ Know your mission. Each day it is good to know your main goal. Like mine today is deep clean the kitchen and catch up on business orders. I think just having this in mind helps things get done.
+ Effective TV watching...TV is a waste of time usually but we like to have a night that we watch TV but we always fold laundry or do something productive while watching.
+ Time alone- over do it. Every mom needs a little time alone. Easier said than done. Make the time worth it. Instead of a shower, take a bath with a book and candles. Just make the time as refreshing and rejuvenating as possible.
+ Soup. I eat it for lunch. Open a can, its done. Veggie soup or chicken and rice. Fast, saves time.
+ Sleep. Kids need it. Getting your kids on a routine of taking naps at the same time is an art and lets you have some time to get things done. Don't give up on naptime. I'm not anytime soon.
+ listen to talks online. Our laptop is in the kitchen so I listen to conference talks while I do the dishes, make dinner. Makes the mundane times of the day more useful.
+ Two day hair. It takes me forever to shower and get ready in the morning when I have to get the boys ready fed etc. Just takes 2 hours to get out the door. I have been having 2 day hair. On the second day you spray your hair with a little water, re-blow-dry and you would never know the difference. My hair school sister in law taught me that and it saves time.

Anyway I am a nerd.

Look who is 2 months old!

2010-10-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

My Matching Boys...

2010-09-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

I hope they will always let me dress them up in matching clothes...odds are slim but I can hope right?

Krew: 6 weeks

2010-09-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

Krew is 6 weeks old already and looks 6 months old, he sure has grown fast!

When he is awake, he is always on the move. Keagan says he is doing his exercise.

In the morning he comes in our bed to cuddle until Keagan wakes up. Love snuggling with him.

See...always on the move:) Not so good for pictures.

Cute brothers:)

My happy makers:)

....except when I am frustrated with Keagan not listening to me and having fits.

The story of my life.....

2010-09-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

Today I....

+ went running
+ rented a Redbox movie...Letters to Juliet or something. I never can sit through a movie..ADD....but its fold laundry night. Yes I know Friday night. Jeremy works Saturday so its not really like our weekend.
+ went grocery shopping
+ changed about 10 diapers
+ Cooked grilled yummy veggies on the grill.
+ Clean one of the bathrooms
+ kissed Krew all day...and Keagan when he would let me.
+ answered my work emails (30-40 emails a day)
+ wrote a few thank you letters
+ got the mail
+ played trucks in the backyard
+ Read about 10 books. Mostly about Thomas the train, as usual.
+ weighed myself
+ watched a mormon messages video. Love those. I am a Spirit junkie and those give me a quick fix. I watched the one about forgiveness...tears.
+ put a vinyl sign on the wall...a little crooked but I made the picture above it a little crooked too so I don't think you can tell.
+ ordered Keagan and Krew's Halloween costumes.
+ wasted time reading facebook statuses...although I love it.
+ tried to teach Keag to catch a baseball with his glove
+ picked up some birth control pills at Rite Aid
+ clipped krew's fingernails.
+ unloaded the dish washer, loaded it
+ email client proofs & worked on rush orders
+ read through my primary lesson
+ nursed Krew every 2 hours. He does great at night but during the day he is a nursing machine!
+ Took a 20 minute nap. I was tickling Keag's face before his nap and I fell asleep. When I woke up he was playing with his toys on the floor:)
+ Put on some zit cream, lots. Darn hormones and pcos
+ Texted Jeremy, Karen, my sis Bren
+ mailed some birth announcements
+ read minivan reviews
+ went to the park
+ Downloaded some new cute fonts.
+ made of list of things to do in St. George next week.
+ Made everyone's bed
+ talked to my mommy on the phone
+ Made lunch and dinner
+ Read a chapter in my "Women, Food, and God" book.
+ Read The Book of Mormon
+ Rocked Krew in the rocking chair and wished I could stay there all day.
+ Put Keagan in time out for having a fit. I think it was about wanting to eat his food first and say the prayer when he was done.
+ wrote a to do list for tomorrow.

Then when Jeremy asked what I did today....oh not much, what about you:) haha My life is completely drama free right now, and usually is. My life may being a little boring, mundane, and I am lucky to be able to take a shower for more than 10 minutes without someone needing me but I love my life, my boys, everything. Well maybe not the baby weight but everything else:) Glad to be here, just where I am. A mom and a wife. I've always wanted to be where I am. It's hard some days.....ok everyday and I go to sleep exhausted and pray for patience with Keagan but when I have time to think about it, I'm happy. Life is good....knock on wood.

He Pooped!!

2010-09-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

Jeremy is so sweet. He wakes up every morning and fixes Keagan breakfast, gets him ready, changes Krew's diaper and holds him til I wake up. I work late so this really helps me and I love him for it. Today while I was still sleeping, it was 7:30 am and Jeremy says really loud.... Kathy, Kathy, oh my Gosh, hurry. I jump out of bed and run into the living room. I thought someone was hurt badly or the house was on fire. Jeremy says in a terrified voice..."He pooped everywhere and its all over his clothes!!!" haha. I laughed and went back to bed. I love this article about well intentioned husbands.... totally fits:) I love Utah because this is in the news paper instead of murders like Cali:) haha Here is the story of my life...(click to view larger)

Keagan's Ice Cube tray lunch....

2010-09-15T14:23:00.001-07:00

K n' K

2010-09-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Keagan, oh Keagan. I say that alot. I'm nuts about him and he drives me nuts:) haha...Here are a few things he has said/done in the last couple weeks:
+ I had given Keagan his little gummy vitamins with his dinner one night. When I was clearing the table I noticed his vitamins were inside his green beans. I asked him why he put them in the beans. His response....I was putting the vitamins in the beans like Heavenly Father does.
+ We were playing in the backyard and Keagan was kicking the soccer ball around and Keagan ran up to me and handed me a ring and said....can you hold my ring while I play? It was my WEDDING RING! So grateful it wasn't lost in our backyard!
+ I took Keagan to play at the McDonald's playland with some friends and just got him a yogurt. He was mad at me because he wanted a happy meal (um no) and when we got home I made him lunch. He looked at it and said... mom, this is not a happy meal, this meal looks very very sad:( haha
+ This week he said...I like being a boy. Girls don't have fire hoses like I do.
+ Every time Krew cries, Keagan tells him to go sit on his bed until he is done having a fit and is ready to be happy:)
+Keagan was asked to sing I am a Child Of God for the primary program. I'm more nervous than he is. Here he is practicing for FHE.....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Krew is starting to be very vocal, its cute. He finally decided to show us his dimples. I'm jealous that Jeremy, Keagan and Krew all I have dimples and I don't. Krew has started to get little nicknames...Krewgar, Krew B Do, and Krewser are the ones we use most often. Here are a couple pictures...one of his cute dimples and one of him all studly for church. I love dressing my boys. I never thought it would be fun to dress boys but I really love it. They have such cute things if you look hard.

OUCH!!!

2010-09-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Reminder to my husband: don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet when you go to the beach:)

Teaching Primary.....

2010-09-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have always been in Young Womens since we have been married but now I serve in the primary for my church. I have 12 6-7 year olds, I have really grown to love being in primary. They are so pure and cute and are still in the stage of getting excited for primary. I love watching Keagan in his Sunbeam class wiggling in his chair, singing songs, giving prayers etc. They asked Keagan to sing I am a child of God in the primary program in 5 weeks, I am a little nervous but I am sure he will do fine.

Krew's Baby blessing pictures....

2010-09-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

We had our parents and Jeremy's sister and family here. Isn't my niece Maci adorable?

Long day calls for a long nap:)

Santa Monica

2010-09-05T00:04:00.000-07:00

My handsome boys at the beach today. Krew and I stayed home cause he loves to sleep all night, nurse all day and its too hard to stop every hour to feed him so we just stayed home and I got caught up on my business quite a bit. I like it when I can catch up a bit and not be stressed about it anymore. I have a love hate relationship with my little business. Love the money and love to design but hate that it is something I HAVE to do and not just do it when I want to or have time to do it. More of a blessing though. Tomorrow is Krew's baby blessing! We have 9 visitors for the weekend, love family. Can't wait to see him in his little outfit. I love Krew so much but not so much as the weight that came with him. I can either wear my pre-prego jeans or breath but not both of them. I ran a mile the other day and it really felt great. I was surprised that my c-section incision didn't hurt at all. It hurt worse before the surgery. I think it is just numb now so I can't feel a thing:) I wish that I didn't think about weight so much, I annoy myself. I sometimes wonder if I will get to a weight where I feel comfortable and not worry about it? I haven't yet but that would be nice. Anyway, it was nice to have a day, just Krew and I to get caught up and I even took a little nap:) It has been really fun to have family staying with us for the 5 weeks but I am also excited to just have it be our little family for a while. I'm sure jermey and Keagan will be happy to walk around in their underwear again...oh wait Keagan does that anyway:) Love me.

funny

2010-09-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

This totally made me laugh today because I feel like living in California now where people dress a little different than in Utah, I think this all the time:) I sometimes want to blindfold Keagan when we go out. People put some clothes on, Thanks much! haha

Big Fat Blog Post....

2010-09-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

My sister Brenda and her son Brody came to visit for a few days last week. We have had family here for a month now and then our families are coming again Friday to Monday for Krew's baby blessing.

Cousin Brody:)

Playing at the park

Playing at the mall...cute cousins. They played really well together.

I have a new niece, Kensington Lowe!

Krew & Kensi are only 2 weeks apart! She is precious.

I can't believe my BABY brother has a baby of his own!

Keagan

Watermelon mouth:) Keagan is really beginning to adjust to having a baby brother. He has really become a big helper. We still have moments, usually when he is tired but overall he is doing pretty well.

My matching boys:) Hopefully they will let me match then for a couple more years!

He feeds, changes, and carried his little stuffed monkey around. We have fun taking care of our babies together:)

He sometimes wants to be a baby, just drink milk, and wear diapers but we are working on this. It's cooler to be a big boy.

One night a week while Jeremy is playing basketball and Krew is sleeping we stay up late and watch a movie of his choice and make smores on the gas stove:) He thinks I'm pretty cool on our date nights.

Look who is a month old, KREW!

Posing for the camera before church.

Growing like a weed!

He is such a mellow baby. He does well running errands.

Baby cowboy boots:)

Love my little man, he smells so sweet. Can't believe he is already a month old!

Guess what....

2010-08-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

I'm 3 weeks old and almost 11 pounds already!

I got circumsized this week and my mom cried more than I did.

My eyes are turning blue:)

My big brother is catching on and being a big helper now!

That is all....

Just ramblings form my brain.....

2010-08-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

+ Since my 2 little monkey boys are in bed- I'll blog:)

+ I ♥ my sisters new TECHNOLOGY blog. Must read. I love computers and technology but really can get frustrated when I can't figure something out. I always call her with my questions. She rocks the geeky tech world. Geeks get rich:) I wish I was more of one.
+ Krew laughs out loud in his sleep and smiles but not when he is awake. When he is awake he doesn't cry but grunts.

+ I ♥ baby shoes. Just so cute.

+ We are getting ready to landscape our yard. The front yard is just grass but we are going to put lots of rocks, bushes,retaining wall, etc. The backyard is a clean slate. I am excited, Jeremy is going to build a playhouse, sandbox, etc. We will put the grass in September. Jeremy worked for a landscape company for a while so I am glad he can do it himself. Just might take a little while with his days off.

+ I made a moby wrap and love it.

I found the tutorial HERE and a how to site HERE. I love it because I can do dishes, vacuum or whatever and he is happy and content in there.
+ Shade is going out of business and everything must go. Up to 75% off... I stocked up last night. Check them out HERE.
+ Here come the chubby cheeks. Keagan was always in the 95% for weight and height until I stopped nursing then went down to 50th. I think Krew might be the same. He does good at night and wakes up once or twice in the night but eats all day long! He was 8lbs.11oz. on Thursday.

+ I am excited to be feeling good again. I was going stir crazy. We run errands now and it feels great to be out and about. My c-section wound is completely closed and feels almost normal again. Except that my lower abs and lower back are numb...hopefully that will go away. They probably cut a few nerves. I am off all pain medication now. This birth was cake, never thought I would say that after Keagans birth. I love getting out of the house and going to the park, shopping, library, etc.
+ Why do my children refuse the binky no matter how hard I try? Because I nurse them maybe?
+ I have not been to church in a couple weeks but I just have my own little church and read and listen to thing HERE. Many clients from my business have said that they read my blog so if you don't know I am a member of the LDS church. It's my life. My whole purpose.
+ I work at night on my design business and listen to music and sometimes listen to the news on Hulu. i really want to start following a show or 2...any suggestions on good tv shows that are clean?
+ I have a brand new niece, Kensington Lowe or Kensi. She was born 8.12.10 weighting 6lbs. 12oz. She has the cutest little nose, pictures to come!
+ So glad we decided on the California King bed... snuggles on Sunday mornings before church are heavenly.

+ Redlands, CA temple here we come. We are heading to the temple and to my favorite Sweet Tomatoes & Ikea!!! yay! My 3 favorite places.

+ I ♥ setting goals. I am such a goal setter and am always trying to improve my life. I am good at setting them, not always accomplishing them but I make improvements. Sometimes I have too many goals and get overwhelmed and am left feeling inadequate so now I am downloading these goal calendars HERE each month and am only focus on a few goals at a time.

+ I got the cutest little package this last week from a friend, Hilary.

Check out her cute etsy shop HERE, cutest fabric. I love the new apples and whales fabric. What could I makes?
+ I ♥ facebook. So many of the women I visit teach are inactive so when I got my list and added them as friends on facebook. I have gotten to know them through facebook and are now friends, its great. What a great visiting teaching tool.

My cute boys:)

Note to self....

2010-08-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

Riding bikes at the church tonight. The church a second away. Trying to get Keagan out of the house so he will be happy and stop trying to get attention by taking all the books off his book shelf, pretending to be a baby, throwing tantrums, etc. Note to self: newborns = pooping. alot. everywhere. Bring onesies everywhere you go.

I am going to try to blog more regularly, Ive kinda slacked lately.

Birth Announcement....

2010-08-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did the dishes for the first time in 2 weeks... sad day:) No more grandparents here so now life is back to reality....me and my boys. I love the mornings when we are all in our PJ's cuddling, reading books, being lazy together. Favorite time of the day when we don't have to be somewhere at a certain time. I love my boys....now if I could just love my body. It's diet time:( The story of my life. Because of my PCOS the doctor said after I have Krew I should go back on the pcos diet, joy. Who needs bread anyway right? I really hope my daughters don't end up with pcos, maybe I'll just have a house full of boys:) Anyway, I'm not sure which announcement to have printed yet? Which do you like better?

Photo-shoot...

2010-08-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Krew is still too little to go to church and I still look 6 months pregnant so we didn't go to church. While Jeremy and Keagan were at church Krew and I had a little photo-shoot. Ready. Set. Photo overload....

If you couldn't tell...I'm in love:)

Random thoughts & pictures.....

2010-08-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

+ My dad took Keagan to the McDonald's playland. He didn't have his cell phone on him and I started getting nervous after 4 hours of being gone. I wondered if he broke his arm or something. When they finally got home I asked him where they went and he said " we were at the playland for 4 hours, I just waited unitl Keagan was ready to go:)" wow patience.

+ Its amazing to have 14 staples in your stomach and not feel them. I heart drugs:)

+ Lost 20 pounds this week. Can it always be that easy please?

+ Krew poops alot, all day long. I forgot about that.

+ Can my mom just stay forever please.... house is cleaner, meals taste better, Keagan's happy going on Grammy dates every afternoon, I get to sleep in longer, friend to talk to, pretty much Heaven.... sorry Dad I think I'll just keep her!

+ I am getting a new niece next week...Kensington Lowe {Kensi} Can't wait to see her!

+ I go stir crazy staying home but do get lots done.

+ I have found that Krew's crib is now less of a place to sleep and more of a protection from his older brother.

+ Itching to buy clothes that are not maternity!!!

+ I love smelling Krew. I love his breath...weird?

+ My mom insisted on lotioning my feet everyday while she was here. She is such a service oriented person.

+I don't eat red meat. I just don't like it. I lost alot of blood and my iron is low and the doctor told me to eat red meat and take an iron supplement. Beef, its whats for dinner.

+ I am loving our new neighborhood, our ward, our house, our little family..... Barstow, CA...um its not really growing on me.

ok I'm rambling.... here are a ton of recent pictures.....

Brothers!!!

He never stays still.... even when he is asleep!

Keagan always asks me daily to go on walks in the new stroller. Keagan likes it cause he gets to steer...maybe in a week.

Looks comfortable holding your nose and sticking your finger in your ear:)

Loved having my mom here. I cried when she left:(

Eat. Sleep. Poop. ....hard life huh?

Free car wash!

Playing tug of war at a primary activity.

Keagan would change sides depending on who was winning haha.

He seems so big now compared to Krew. He really has done pretty good with all the changes besides the occasional pretending to be a baby.

I'm trying to use a Binky. we'll see if it will be a success?

Grandma Twitchell

Nightly push ups.

I can't believe he was inside of me a week ago?

The Delivery....this won't be long.

2010-08-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

The two weeks leading up to Krew's arrival were so crazy, I'm surprised I didn't go into labor. We moved and got the house all in order. I finished unpacking the last room the night before Krew's birth. I went to bed at 2 and got up at 3:30 to be at the hospital at 5. Jeremy was cute, all nervous and couldn't sleep. Jeremy's parents were there to take care of Keagan for a few days. Jeremy gave me a blessing, we cried. We got to the hospital and I got in my gown and they gave Jeremy his OR clothes. At first I really didn't want to have a c-section because of the complications I had last time. They had to leave my incision open for 3 months and I had Home Care come to my house daily for 3 months to pack my wound...it was gross and painful and had anxiety about that happening again but my dad gave me a blessing and said that would not happen again and everything would go smoothly the next time. Anyway I went into the operating room and they gave me a spinal and was numb in minutes. Last time I was in labor for 12 hours before the c-section and was so out of it. This time I was all there the whole time. The doctor walked in and cracked a few jokes and literally 3 minutes later I heard Krew cry. Didn't feel a thing. I had such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and peace. Krew didn't have to go through labor so he was really awake and alert. They gave him a 9.9 Apgar score. Krew Packard Twitchell was born on July 30, 2010 at 8:34am weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz. We LOVE the name Krew and Packard is my amazing Grandfathers middle name. They cleaned Krew off and gave him to Jeremy. I went to recovery after they stapled me up and they brought Jeremy and Krew in so I could nurse. He latched on right away...like he has been doing it for years. I love nursing my babies. I think people thought I was a little weird cause I nursed Keagan til he was 15 months. Got weird looks in the mothers lounge at church but I just didn't want to stop. Anyway I was in the hospital for 3 days and kept Krew in my room the whole time and loved him. He is such a mellow baby so far. He usually wakes up 2-3 times in the night to eat and goes right back to sleep. I love when he has gas he smiles and had cute little dimples. There is something about having a fresh baby that makes Heaven closer. He is a week old today! Here are some pictures....

Getting prepped, IV, and all that jazz.

Fresh Krew baby.

Cleaned off...

First meeting.

Recovery room...

Keagan meeting his brother for the first time.

Relaxing in the hospital

Heading home from the hospital.

Love him.

Happy.

Krew Packard Twitchell is here!!!

2010-08-02T22:55:00.000-07:00

Krew Packard Twitchell was born on July 30, 2010 at 8:34am weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz. We are so in love. More pictures, delivery story, and then some more pictures to come soon!

2 days..... Ready or not!

2010-07-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

I somehow forgot how to have a newborn, any good advice?

My random thoughts for today.....

+ Somewhere in the mix of buying a house, Home Depot has become my new Target.
+ It's weird to think I can love another baby as much as I love Keagan...is that weird?
+ Crystal light slurpees at 7 Eleven are super yummy when its super hot. Mango flavor is where it's at.
+ Missing the fam while they are all vacationing together this week in Zions and Yellowstone park :(
+ Hit 500 sales in my Etsy shop this week and celebrated my 1 year business anniversary! LOVE my "job".
+ More prepared for what post baby body looks like and am more prepared for PJ's in August!
+ Shouldn't have watched that c-section video on Baby Center.
+ Watermelon + me + a spoon = :)
+ Really needs a "toy room" in the new house, the backyard and office are being taken over by toys...everywhere.
+ How do you stop your kids from peeing when sleeping? We made a nice path in Children's Place after falling asleep in the stroller.
+ Loves my cute primary class. They tell me all their family's secrets.
+ Pedicure time, bad.
+ Needs a best friend here in CA... missing my Cedar friends.
+ 98 degrees is the high today. A little chilly compared to the 110 that it has been.
+ Loves it when you buy a new washer and dryer and the next week they are on sale for 100$ less each. Joy.
+ Reads and re-read Elder Uchtdorf's talks. He speaks to my soul.
+ Whats to paint our kitchen cabinets an antique white. Nervous but I think it will be so cute when I am finished.
+ Loves that we have a cute little drive in movie theater in this town. Vintage like.
+ Needs to find a cute, cheap photographer for Baby K's newborn pics.
+ I heart tanning lotion. Wrinkle prevention.
+ I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints 21 years ago today. Best decision of my life...made at age 8.
+ 1:25am goodnight!

{Keagan 9 days old}

Ready or not!

Ready Set Nest...

2010-07-21T22:43:00.000-07:00

So we have 9 days left til Baby K is here!!! I am beyond excited to have him here! It has been a crazy week moving but we are all moved in...well kinda. 1/2 of our boxes are unpacked and on to the nursery. Let the nesting begin.....
Tonight Jeremy and I went on a date for my birthday with another couple and I got out of my pajamas so I thought I better take a picture. last one. The big 29. I decided I will be 29 for the next 5 years....30 scares me. My favorite birthday present was from Jeremy. I was going to be cleaning our rental house the last few days but he hired cleaning ladies to come and clean it for me....love him. Be looking for my next blog entry: Baby K!

How far along? 39 weeks! Although I have huge swollen cankles, complain about the desert heat, and can't breathe when I sit down, I am so grateful to have gotten prego and to be having a baby boy! Can't believe he is almost here!
How big is baby? Last Wednesday the baby was a little over 6 pounds so I am guessing he will be around 7.5 when he gets here, we'll see.
Weight gain? 26 pounds from pre-pregnancy. I only gained 17 with Keagan but I think the water retention and Mexican food cravings have done me in.
Maternity clothes? Getting sick of wearing the same things over and over. I kept thinking about getting a couple new outfits but getting closer to the end just didn't.
Stretch marks? Not yet and hopefully never but its not like anyone will see my stomach anyway.
Sleep? Once I hit the pillow I am out and can pretty much pee in my sleep now. I have a hard time going to bed at night because the house is quiet and I get so much done at night so I am looking forward to the hospital stay to sleep!
Best moment this week? Keagan lifting up his shirt and saying "oh my big belly hurts, I need a rest, I'm not comfortable:)" haha I guess I complain too much!
Movement? I thought he would slow down because he is squished in there but he is still moving everywhere. I like it so I know he is ok.
Gender? Boy...We finalized the name.....
Labor signs? Lots of tightening...braxton hicks. When I stand up I sometimes feel like he is going to fall out- is that normal?
Belly button in or out? In, didn't pop last time, we'll see if it does this time.
What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach, feeling attractive, running and feeling more in shape.
What I am looking forward to? Having the nursery all put together.
How do you feel? Hot and happy. I have not really gotten too nervous like I was last time. I'm sure on the way to the hospital it will hit me!

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

Jeremy and Keagan went to a family reunion on Saturday for Jeremys family. My doctor said he didn't want me to go because it was too close to delivery so I stayed home and worked and got organized. They both came home happy and tried.

Sunday night our ward got together in the parking lot and watched fireworks. Keagan got scared at first but warmed up to them and then didn't want to leave.

Keagan took this picture of us in our red white and blue...and yes my sink is over flowing with dishes:)

Red white and blue for church...

Proud to be an American....even with his zipper down...haha

Happy Sunday naps is a must after church. I thought it was cute that Jeremy was smiling in his sleep.

Now back to working on the house.....

Only 23 days left!!! Last time with Keagan I was in a blissful state in my motherhood ignorance but this time I am fully aware of the sleepless nights, diapers, tantrums, post baby body etc. but for some reason I am even more excited!!! The good days outweigh the bad ones. I got to see baby K today, he is weighing 6 pounds and right on track!

July....

2010-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

To Do in July.....
~~1. Paint new house~~
2. New carpet
3. Move in
4. clean rental house
5. turn 29
6. have a baby

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

2010-06-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy update....

2010-06-27T01:41:00.000-07:00

"There is happiness ahead.

Some blessings come soon.

Some come late.

And some don't come until Heaven.
They come.
It will be alright in the end.
Trust God & believe in good things to come.

- Elder Holland

1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

I have had drama with my Doctor. She decided to go to Haiti, which is great. She was gone for a month and I was trying to get a hold of her office to make an appointment but they would just transfer my calls to an answering service and knew nothing. I called and left a message everyday for a week or so and nothing. I was freaking out because she was a specialist and had other patients who had the same problems I did last time. Our real estate agent referred us to a different Dr and he is great and everything is fine now. The new Dr. said..."so from reading over your records I can see that you have never smoked, never drank, your married, you just moved from Utah and pregnant....let me guess, you are a Mormon". Why yes I am! I will have a c-section most likey the last week in July unless I go into labor sooner. We'll see!

Baby Story:

How far along? 4.5 weeks left!!! Lots to do but really cannot wait til he is here. We are painting and carpeting out new house this week then moving in then its baby time!
How big is baby? 18-20" and 5.5-6 pounds! I was hoping for a 24 pound baby to be in there so I could bounce back:)
Weight gain? 24 pounds from pre-pregnancy.
Maternity clothes? Done wearing them.
Stretch marks? Not yet and hopefully never but its not like anyone will see my stomach anyway.
Sleep? I can sleep great, its just pulling myself away from whatever I am doing and going to bed!
Best moment this week? I took Keagan to the Doctor and when they listened to his heart he said,shhh do you hear the love in there. Movement? We have an active little man in there.
Food cravings? I actually have been craving IKEA lately more! I found that it is possible to be starving and feel like you just ate thanksgiving dinner at the same time:)
Gender? Boy...I think we have his name picked out but we will share his name when he gets here in July.
Labor signs? no not at all. I didn't even have signs of labor with Keagan and was induced at 41 weeks.
What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach, running, kissing my husband without my stomach being the first thing that touches him:) and feeling more in shape.
What I am looking forward to? the peace that comes with a new baby in the house and being all settled after moving.
How do you feel? I have been walking with a friend Mary and that has really been helping to walk a couple miles everyday. I feel kinda stressed with everything going on but it is all good things happening, just all at once:)

This was taken today so like 35-36 weeks along. Don't see my toes very often. Have cankles. Can't breathe when I sit down but I love this feeling. I love knowing he is almost here!!!

First Home....

2010-06-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

We closed on our house this week! Nothing fancy but we like it. We are really excited to finally own a home and be able to paint and do what we want with it. We have a list of fun projects! I have been having intense pregnancy cravings for IKEA shopping, we might just have to make a trip. I am excited for Keagan to have a big backyard to play in, our little square in the back at this rental house is getting old. Now we have a month to carpet, paint, cabinets, move in, clean our rental house and have a baby! Busy and exciting month ahead! Grateful for all the help from family and home depot:)

Keagan and his friend Abby gonna go swimming...

Jeremy and Keagan have "man day" on Jeremy's day off for a few hours. This week they went to an old mine town. They have a train, you can sift for gold, etc.

...in the mine...

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

2010-06-25T03:44:00.000-07:00

We put 3 candles on his cheese cake to represent the years he has until he turns 30:) Fathers day and a birthday in the same week = Jeremy week:) Jer is 2 years younger than me. Next year when I am 30 and he is 28 I am sure I am going to hear about it. Even thought Jeremy is younger then I am he always gets the last words in.....YES mam:) We didn't do much for his birthday but go to dinner and I bought him a sander. Well kinda. I thought I bought him a sander until he said....what can we use our metal grinder for? Home depot really need to make those not look so much alike to spare wives the embarrassment!

Happy Father's Day.....

2010-06-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have these two.... and to have Jeremy as the father to Keagan and future children. Jeremy is a man of few words but his love and example speaks so loudly. He would do anything for anyone. He never loses his temper with Keagan and is so patient with me. Jeremy is the best decision I have ever made.

I have been thinking alot about my DAD this month. He is almost 60 but decided to go on a 7 day canoe trip with my brother. He never slows down. He has had 2 heart attacks...one training for a marathon and one on his mission in Las Vegas. I was thinking if something happened to him and the memories I have of him. I shouldn't think about him dying but this trip made me worry. I am a worrier. I really love him so much and the relationship we have developed the last few years. He really is my hero and I want to be just like him. Growing up I was (still am) very emotional and lovey and my dad was not a dad who hugged me everyday and kissed me and told me he loved me everyday BUT he showed it in everything he did and his example. I didn't see that until I got older and love him for everything he is and hat he taught me.

My Dad....

Cute Dimples.

Hand worker.

Money saver.

Served 2 missions.

Always planned family vacations.

Bishop.

Ran a marathon.

Sets high goals.

Education is very important.

Amazing public speaker.

Always helped my mom with dishes and chores.

Never late, 5 minutes early is late.

Long term mind.

Serves to show love.

Never lazy.

Always exercising if he was watching TV.

Same haircut for life.

Would do anything for anyone.

Retired.

Loved frozen yogurt.

Would do anything for anyone.

Always home teaches.

Makes others laugh.

Will drive cheap cars to save money.

Loves to check his stocks daily.

Always hold my moms hand.

Wakes up at 5 daily.

Cries alot in his old age:)

Works in the temple.

Loves to travel.

Motivated.

Loved by his 6 children.

Gives the most amazing specific fathers blessings.

I am one lucky daughter to have him as my father and one lucky wife to have Jeremy as the father to my Keagan and future children.

the end.