Rolling Over A New Year

Brook's Christmas present to everyone was rolling over Christmas morning as we opened our presents! She got close on Christmas Eve, but surprised us all the next day.

Today we were all in the living room coaxing her on when she decided to put on a show. Once she figured how to roll over (thanks to some help from her aunt Tracy) she couldn't get enough of it! Or maybe she loved the applause she received each time she did it! Love it!

Not only does this video show Brooklyn, but it also stars Matthew as the "shakin' baby". Enjoy!

Oh the Dancing Joy! (12/26/10)

Here's a video of Elisabeth, Rick, Russ and Josh movin' to the groovin' (or what their interpretation of "dancing" is). This is a fantastic game!

The Amazing Talents of Sissy

I thought I would share some amazing images with you of the talent my little sister possess. The two resulting artworks came from conversations I had with her. Artifact #1: "Tree of Life"...I asked if she would draw me a tree of life using her ability to create Celtic knots (she's amazing, by the way, at drawing Celtic knots). Artifact #2: my Grandpa shared a story with us one family reunion about knowing and remembering who you are and the theme was "I was born to be a King." I asked Sissy (Melissa) to draw a crown with the phrase "I was born to be a Queen" on it for Brooklyn. She took it one step further and taught herself how to burn into wood. Needless to say she never ceases to amaze me. I love, LOVE, the details on the crown. Enjoy

Giggles

Yes, yes. It's true. Not even 3 months old and Brooklyn is giggling. She just loves life too much to not enjoy every second of it. Here is a video of her laughter. Enjoy!!!

Gratitude, Beauty, Family and Icy Roads

We are so grateful for our families and for the blessing they are to us! We have been given so much and we are grateful to share it with so many amazing people.

This past week was an amazing time for us! We were able to spend a little time with almost everybody! Last Sunday (Nov 21) we braved the snow and made our way up to Boise. Even with the road conditions, the snow and the scenery was gorgeous and it made for pretty drives. The 5 hour drive to Boise turned into a 6 1/2 hour drive because of the icy roads--note: we did not hit snow until Josh was driving (tee-hee). We had one very close call where two cars were stopped on either side of the freeway with a small space between them. Josh said that he was on ice and expertly "slid" the car between the two other ones. Our angels were working overtime for us.

Monday morning we woke up and drove yet again in the snow to see Sandy in La Grand (that is Spanish for "The Grand:P), Oregon. It was fun spending time with the Nelson bunch. I loved their cute house they are living in and I am totally jealous of Bella and Ashes' bedroom. On Tuesday we went back to Boise and spent time with the Grandparents and Tracy's family. (Isn't it funny once you have a child they expect to spend time with their grandchild...oh, and some time with you?) We had so much fun being with them.

Wednesday on our way home we were able to stop in Burley and see a small portion of the Lindsay clan. We loved seeing everyone and it was especially nice to meet Kevin and Debbie who were in town to visit for the holiday.

Thanksgiving day was at the Post house and we had a blast eating, playing games, coloring turkey pictures, eating, laughing and eating.

Here are some pictures of the week's adventures and of the views we saw during our travels.



Gorgeous sunset on the drive home to Utah.

Brooklyn with Tracy
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Road between La Grand and Boise. I love the perspective the picture gives and it looks pretty, though Josh was white-knuckled as he drove.
This is a wonderful red brick church in front of where Sandy and Rick live. I loved the red brick and the white trimming. Couldn't resit the photo op.
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Brooklyn and Bella...two gorgeous girls!
Brooklyn with Ashes...and red eyes.
Sunset pic taken from the car. While I was driving I made Josh take pictures of the prettiness around us; this is one such picture.
Kellie and me at Michael Dowdle concert. He's an amazing guitarist and it was a fun concert.
Brooklyn with Josh as he plays a video game. We have recently rediscovered our X-Box.

Tricks and Treats

This week has been of changes and check-ups. Brooklyn had her 2 month check-up on Tuesday. She is a good weight (9 lbs 1 oz), head circumference is great and she is still really tall (23 3/4 inches long). And, of course, she is still gorgeous!!! She also had her immunizations which made for a fussy afternoon but with the shock of the shots, the pain and the infant Tylenol we gave her she slept 10 hours Tuesday night...not straight, but total. It was glorious! I have not slept that much in months; Josh, on the other hand, had a normal sleeping night.

We also decided to move Brooklyn over to her bedroom and crib this week. The first two nights were a little more difficult, but she is used to the new space and both she and I seem to be sleeping much better (again, Josh sleeps normally...you know how he is, but we still love and adore him!). So, our transition is complete and was a lot more smooth than I was expecting, which is fantastic!!

We had a blast this Halloween. The Thursday before we went over to the Post house and carved pumpkins. Josh helped Parker clean this beast of a pumpkin out (well, Josh cleaned it out and Parker watched repeating the phrase "I'm so proud of my big boy" referring to the pumpkin not Josh). Melissa, my little sis, then carved the smallest pumpkin and wanted to put it in the teeth of the large one, but ended up putting it on the inside which was equally cool!

My mom helped 4-year-old Lucas put Mr. Potato Head faces on these pumpkins. Trust my mom to come up with things like that.
This was my pumpkin I carved. I decided to do Jack Skellington, which I think turned out well.
Since I only get a couple of short years before Brooklyn tells me what she wants to be I decided she should be Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender (the T.V. show not the horrible movie). This is also my first attempt at making a costume, which was fun to figure out and make and I know how I might make it differently next time.

Josh's school is going very well. It's been fun for him to teach debate this year. He is also fully adjusted to his calling. I have signed up for my two classes next semester. I'm taking a Stage Management class and a Contemporary performance class which I am very excited for. My sister Anne will watch Brooklyn in the mornings while I go down to school, which we are grateful for.

Blessing and Fun

Brooklyn Marie Wallace was blessed last Sunday by her daddy. It was so special! We only wish that everyone could have been there. We are grateful for the love and support we have received from so many awesome people we are blessed to know! She wore the same blessing dress and booties I wore over 28 years ago when I was blessed. How cool is that? I'm going to scan a picture of me in the dress when I can borrow it from my mother so everyone can compare her to me:)
Taking her blessing dress off it got caught on her head.
Her cousin Luke wanted to read some books to her while Grandma post helped. Luke would go through the book and when he finished it he would close it and say "Amen!" Too cute. He dotes on Brook.
Here she is with her Great-Grandma "Nan" Post.

This week has been so much fun. Brook is started to react socially and it makes her awake time all the more entertaining (though I have to admit sometimes just watching her sleep can be pretty entertaining).



I also found out this week that I lost one of my friends. It is a testament to me that the Lord sends people into our lives to help us along our paths; I met her during Spring Term and had two classes with her and she acted in one of my scenes I directed. I know she is one of the kindred spirits sent to touch my life. She was an amazing woman, and inspiration to me and I will miss her dearly. Life is beautiful. We need to embrace it.

Here is an icky picture of a recent neighbor to move into our complex. It's body is at least 1 inch from bum to head. Eeewwww! I get the creepies every time I look at it.

Here are a couple of pictures from a recent outing with my sister Melissa and our nephews: Nick, Parker and Lucas. We went to the Temple Quarry in Little Cottonwood Canyon where the granite was taken to build the Salt Lake Temple. In the first picture they are standing in the river bed that floods with winter run-off every spring but, obviously, dries up at the end of summer. The big stones are granite.

More Brooklyn...the full proprietor of my time

Here are some more pics of Little One.

Her first ride in her swing. (Thanks Tracy!)
She has Josh eating from her hands!
This is the only dress that kind of fits her. This was taken her first day going to church a couple of weeks ago. Cute face, huh?
Her first outing to nature. Silver Lake, Brighton.



Sticking her tongue out at Grandma Wallace.


With Grandpa Wallace
This morning, waving at the camera.
Which one looks more tired?

Here's a video: Gabbers and Hiccups

Cross-eyes

My sister Kellie was visiting last night and just had to record Brooklyn going cross-eyed. Kellie is the one filming and giggling for the duration of this video. Too cute!!

Official Tour: Brooklyn's Room

Here is the long awaited tour of the nursery. If i look a little sleepy that would be due to the two hours of sleep I got last night--oh the joys of being a new mom (I wouldn't trade it for anything!).

Brooklyn Marie Wallace

Yes, I labored on Labor Day and we now have a gorgeous daughter!!

Brooklyn Marie Wallace
September 6, 2010
5:05 a.m.
7 lbs 5 oz
21 inches
Wide awake and ready to dazzle!
First bath at home. This is the only time she cried. Is it bad to think that little pout is too cute?!?
Chilaxin in the bath.
Wide asleep.
We all had to wear these wristbands with the same ID number on it so that we could be recognized as a family:). Brooklyn also had a "HUG" on her left leg that would set off an alarm if it got too close windows, elevators, or exits from the nursery area.

Having 3 Nonstress Test in one week...really not that stressfull

Well, Josh is about to finish is first week back at school with students and he is definitely ready for a weekend. It is always interesting to find the balance between school, calling and home, but it will work out fine. Josh's new calling (Executive Secretary in the ward) is keeping him occupied during some of his down time and we are able to catch up on watching some of our instant play list on NetFlix. Lately we've been watching "Pushing Daisies" which only lasted for two seasons but is one of my favorites shows.

This week I had three (that's right 3) Nonstress Tests because of the two vessel chord. On Monday afternoon we went in for our normal weekly appointment and everything went well. I received a call from my doctor's office Tuesday afternoon: the "on call" doctor wanted me to go in for another NST. Since we didn't get there until 5 we ended up going to Labor and Delivery for the test. At first, the nurse said that the doctor "wasn't pleased" with the results of the test but after we had the test and the doctor looked at it, the LD nurse told us the doctor did not feel comfortable signing off on a test done the day before (apparently they didn't get the NST results from Monday until Tuesday afternoon). But, everything went well. The doctor then said they want me to come in twice a week until I deliver for NSTs so I set up another appointment for yesterday (Thursday). Everything went well yet again and they even did a different test called a "biophysical profile" where they watch the baby using an ultrasound and monitor/count her movements. She passed with flying colors (they even gave me a picture of one of her ears...good to know she has at least one of those:)).

My doctor said that if I haven't delivered by my appointment on Monday we will set up a day for induction...but I hope my body can do this on its own.

I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about the whole labor and deliver process, mostly because of the "unknowns." My biggest concern is whether or not my body really knows what to do and will go into labor on its own (which I hope it will). These next few days will be interesting. It will be a new experience unique to me, but I know it will be amazing at the same time. I know those of you who have gone through it know what I'm talking about. The unique "creative" ability of women is such an incredible thing and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

4 weeks left!

36 weeks and counting...

Josh started work this week--he is doing a training to learn a new program that tests the writing ability of the students. It's been a long week as he has tried to get used to getting up early a few days in a row. I think it's good practice for him.

The 9th month of pregnancy has brought on more excitement, more tiredness, lower backaches and more swelling in my feet. Last night we were laughing about how my calf muscles seem to go straight down my leg, flow through my ankles and move all the way down to my toes. I have been working long days for two days now and have been getting home around 10 at night--my feet show us what a long day I have had. But, it's all good! I was trying to figure out a creative name to call the swelling and it's affect on my legs at night by combining calf-ankle-feet: cankles, feenankles, cankfees...it's a work in progress.

We started Non-Stress Tests three weeks ago and they are going well. It requires me to sit on a comfortable reclined chair, drink juice and relax with two monitors on my belly, one for baby's heart rate/movement and one for contractions. At the beginning of each test they perform an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid which fluctuates each time we go in--each time it has been within the normal range--and it has been fun to see baby girl every week, or at least see as much as you can on an ultrasound. The first week the technician showed us her little face for a couple of minutes as she was facing out toward the sonogram. So cute! Every time we have gone in baby girl gets sleepy and does not move too much at the beginning of testing (one of the purposes of the test is to monitor her movements--they want at least 2 big movements to measure her heart rate). As a result of her sleepiness the technicians have different ways to "wake her up" and get her moving. Josh's favorite technique is what they call "the buzzer"--it is a little device that vibrates and makes a noise that they baby can hear inside the womb when it is pushed onto my belly. The first week they hit the button and baby girl went "bazerk" and moved for 5 minutes straight. It was funny to watch my belly move around and the monitors on my belly bump up and down. We'll be doing Non-Stress Tests every Monday until I deliver.

We have painted the baby's room and put up bead board to add some texture to the room. I think it looks fantastic! I'll post some pictures of it later so that you can see how it all turned out. We are starting to get things that we need for her little by little and everything is going well.

We are getting very excited for our new arrival. I have been preparing myself as best as I can for the things that I will be required to do (taking classes, reading up on things, talking to some friends) though I feel that nothing can really prepare me for what it will be like for me--but at least I have some idea. Josh is very supportive and just as excited to be a new father.

THE James Taylor and MISS Carole King--A-MAZ-ING!

For my birthday I got two tickets to see James Taylor (thank you Wallace's!) and the concert was last night. I cannot blame my tearing up 4 times to my pregger hormones because it was absolutely A-MAZ-ING and I would have cried anyway. Carole King sang some of my favorite songs of hers: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, You've Got to Get Up Me Tomorrow, You've Got to Get up Every Morning and Far Away. I had two JT songs in mind that I really, really wanted to hear and he sang both of them! Secret of Life and Close Your Eyes. Close Your Eyes was the last song they sang during their encore and the harmony was A-MAZ-ING. Could I say amazing any more? A-MAZ-ING!