Gunner Wesley

Our hearts are breaking for the loss of our little nephew Gunner Wesley. He was born with heart problems, the first 6-8 months Wes and Aubrey spent their time at Primary Children Hospital going day to day with Gunner in surgery and hooked up to machines. Finally they were able to bring him home, and this last month his heart was great, he was able to get his feeding tube out and he was doing great. Until Dec. 29th when he started having heart trouble and returned back to his heavenly father.
I cant even imagine how hard this is for them, I look at Rydge and just fall apart because the unconditional love you have for your child, I couldnt imagine loosing him!! There are no words that you can say to make things better. All I could do was hug them both. The funeral is Monday morning in Laverkin, with a viewing Sunday evening.
I honestly dont know how Im going to hold it together for either one of them, and the family. Since this coming year will be 4 years since my family lost my sister. I can say the pain never goes away, but it does get easier as time goes by. TIME! Is everything.

We love you little Gunner, and he is in a better, happier place, and we have another little sweet angle watching over all of us.

A Month Old!!!

SHESH!!!! I cannot believe my baby boy is already a month, and he is changing so fast! He is starting to grow into himself, his features are settling in. His face is filling out, his eye lashes are growing so fast, his body is chunking up! He is starting to hold his head up on his own, each day is a little longer that he holds it up. His legs are stronger, and he is starting to stand up on them (with me holding him of course). He is awake most of the day and loves looking at everything. His eye color is going to be a dark blue, with a darker outline around the eye (kind of like mine.) He looks like his dad but people are starting to say that he is getting a lot of my features, some of the faces he pulls remind people of me. He is ALMOST growing into his 3 month old clothes, but they are still kind of big on him. Which is fine. I dont want him growing up to fast.

Brent and I are enjoying every minute of being parents!!! And the time really does go by so fast. I cant believe my due date was the 9th of this month, and he came Nov. 24th! My little one is already a month old HOLLY COW!!! It has been wonderful, stressful, exciting, hard and worth every little bit of it!!

I am excited to start loosing this baby weight!! haha.. But, I figured it would be stupid to start now, since people keep bringing us yummy goodies!!

He is holding his head up on his own!!

Loves his daddy

Also, I figured I should share some FLOOD pictures with you, since this week has been raining like crazy, and our washes have filled up!!!

The fence is under water, all you could see was the tip top part.

The road in Ox Valley is washed out

Our community getting together sand bagging!

Clay and Rydge

One more thing, our good friends Bill and Jessie had there little baby Three weeks after little Rydge!!! Brent and Bill grew up together, and I cant imagine the trouble little Clay and Rydge are going to get into!!!

This ia my FAVORITE time of year, hopefully you all can enjoy the Season, have a great Christmas, hope SanTa finds you all!!!  love you all!!!!

RydGey BoY!!!!

This post you get pictures!!! haha!!

He loves his swing!! This thing is AWESOME!! When I need to shower, or clean.. or get something done, this is where he goes, unless he is passed out on the couch! haha!

His cute little snow suit!!!

I LOVE his cute little face here!

He sleeps on his side ALL the time, if he is on his back, 5 min later he is on his side!

He is SO sweet!!!

Live Nativity!

So! At last minute Jen and I decided to go to the live nativity at Tuachan. We called up Ashlee and she met us there!!! Let me just say, i LOVED it!!! I think ill make it a tradition for the family!! We had hot chocolate, enjoyed the lights, the nativity scene (which was really good), bundling up in hats, scarfs and warm clothes, and enjoying the evening!! I would recommend every one into going!!! I hope next year I can talk my hubby into going. haha!!! (Thanks Ash for the pictures!!!)

Up to Date!

Brent, Rydge and I FINALLY got our tree :)!!! First off, WE had to tall of a tree.. It didnt fit into our house, haha, We pushed it through the door, set it up and it bent over the the ceiling. So, we took it out, went back out that next weekend for a second tree.. and luckily it fits perfect!!! I love our christmas tree!!

A couple girl friends and I went down to the dickens festival last week.. OH MY GOSH!! I LOVE it!!! Makes Christmas so much more funner :)! haha. I didnt buy anything except for a stocking for little Rydge! ITs so cute.. its a camo moose stocking. By the time we got home I was wiped out! I think the babe was too.

I really want to go down to the live nativity at tuachan, but the nights are SO cold and I dont want to take the little one out yet :(. But, maybe If I could bunddle him up real tight we could go. Well have to see. Anyway, I love christmas as many of you do and am enjoying day by day because it goes by SO fast!!!

On cloud 9*

Just a quick note...

*Mornings are my FAVORITE time of day!!! Me and my 2 most favorites boys in the world laying in bed, laughing, drinking coffee and relaxing.
* When Brent holds Rydge and looks at him with those proud daddy eyes makes me love him even more.
*When Rydge gets done eating he gets BIG smiles on his face, I love to see him smile.
* I love when Rydge is awake and his little eyes are wondering around and he is pulling the MANY faces that he has, making Brent and I smile.
*He makes little noises in his sleep, just like his daddy.
*I cant stop looking at his cute little face because I dont want to miss anything
AH! The Brackens are on "Cloud 9" and loving every little minute of it!!!

 

The Scoop!

Ok Folks! 19 Hours of labor, which started at 3 am and ending at about midnight is a LONG day! But, we made it :)!

I woke up at 3 to use the bathroom and I had slight crampings in my lower back and front. Which really just felt like "period cramps". They were just minor, finally 6 rolled around and they were starting to get a little bit more intense. Well, Brent and I headed to the hospital and on our way down we timed the contractions which became 6 min apart. Got to the hospital, they checked me and I was only dilated to a 2. The nurse told us they would check back in an hour and see if I have progressed at all.. well I hadnt. So, 9 Am they sent us on our way home which later felt like the WORST mistake ever! Once we got home I laid down because the pain hurt so bad, well within the 4-5 hours I was home the pain INCREASED massively and I really wanted to DIE! oh my gosh, Horrible. Went back to the hospital which felt like the longest drive of my life, my contractions were 4 min aparts and let me tell ya, I felt really bad for the driver! ;)!!

Once we got to the hospital I met the girl in the hallway, with tears running down my face and bent over because I couldnt stand.. horrible!!! They got me to a bed, checked me, I was dilated to a 5. Finally they admitted me, hooked me up to everything and gave me the thing I was looking for.. the Epidural..:)! After that things were peachy, plus I slept alot, With family in and out the time passed, and it was time ..TIME TO DELIVER THIS LITTLE BABY BOY!!! Wow.. I pushed for about 30 min and he was out! I didnt tear, he didnt have to cut me.. The doctor said for my first baby things went fantastic and very well.

Rydge was very healthy, and perfect in every way!!! I couldnt believe that he was finally here, and we were going to be bringing home a little baby. These first few days have been great, lots of help and love from our family and friends. Rydge is a REALLY good baby, and Brent and I are SOO happy and excited. It is true that you never know how much you could love someone so much until you hold your little baby in your arms!!! It is truly a different feeling!!!!

:P I LOVE OUR LITTLE FAMILY!!!!

Rydge Kirk Bracken

RYDGE KIRK BRACKEN
Born November 24th at 1143 PM. 7 Pds and 20 1/2 in long!!!!
                                                             

 Our FIRST official family pict!!! I look like Ive been hit by a BUS, but, oh well.. what do ya do! Totally Worth it!

Daddy and Rydge!!! He for sure has his daddies looks.. Uh!! i LOVE these two so much. Were so excited!!!! I will get on later with the whole story, and more pictures!!!
Love ya all, hope you had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!! We sure did :)!

ThAnkFul For..

Since its the THANKS giving holiday shortly approaching us I decided to list a few things Im Thankful for!

* My Hubby!!! Without him I dont know what I would do sometimes. I LOVE when he talks about our little boy :), When he snuggles me on the couch, Lets me watch the Hallmark channel :), Builds me a fire when he sees that Im freezing, Changes the channel when he sees that Im getting emotional, or crying! Takes me out and about on rides just to get out of the house. I Love him so much, and Im so excited to start our family and cant wait to see what adventures are to come with each other.

* My Grandparents, Family and in laws! They are wonderful and help us out so much and are always there for us. I Love them all very much!

* HoT cHocolate and Fires!!!! I LOVE them... I live off Hot Coco in the fall and winter season, and of course cozy fires! It makes the season come together!!!

* My Doggies! They are pretty much my kids! I love them so much, they make me smile every day..

* FRIENDS! I love all of them so much! They are always there when I need them, and even though I dont see ALL of them ALL the time, I can always count on them. I dont know what I would do without them, thanks for always being there and helping me out when needed!! Or just a shoulder to cry on, or to laugh with! Love you all.

* My SOON to be little BOY!!!!! I am thankful that I am ALMOST due because I am SO uncomfortable!! BUT, I cant wait to see him, hold him, and just have him here with Brent and I! ITs scary that were becoming Parents.. Knowing that we have someone else to take care of besides our selves... We are waiting for his arrival, the sooner the better :) hehe..I am ALREADY in love with our little Brutis, and cant wait to be even more.

* PePsi. Yes, PEPSI!!! This is my DRINK!!! and I would probably not be normal without it! haha.

I am thankful for so many things!! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, and eat lots!!! Love you all!!

PICTURES!!!!!

These are just a couple of the maternity pictures that we took, Kelsha took TONS of them!!!! And they turned out SOOOO cute :)! My face looks chubby, but oh well, I really like the way they turned out. I wish I could post ALL of them.
I do have my doctors visit tomorrow, im interested to see how things are going in the whole baby situation. I have had a few pains/cramps/ contractions (however you want to put it) today...so I dont know if Im progressing or just having braxton hicks? Ill keep ya posted!!!

AWWWWW!!!!!!

Went to the doctors today and he said that I am dilated to a 1 1/2 and thinning at 70%! He said we will probably be having a baby within the next couple weeks.. Hell be really surprised if the baby doesnt come before Dec.. and our due date! SO... WOW! Brent and I could be parents any time now.

I dont want to get my hopes up TO much because Ive heard of people being dilated to a certain place for a few weeks, even a month. BUT, with me thinning already to 70% I have hope! :). I have been having contractions here and there, but nothing to rush us to the hospital. I cant believe it, I feel like I have SO much to do, havent started on his room.. I need to pack my hospital bag, and mentally prepare myself!

I cant wait to meet him and see what Brent and I's good looks makes! HAHA ;). I had to reschedule our maternity picts to Sunday.. I cant wait!

SnOw! sNoW! sNow!

ToDAy I woke up to SNOW!!!!!!!! But, last night while it was snowing we had HUGE snowflakes falling. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! But, we got our first snow fall of the season!!! and I am SO wanting to go play in it. Building a snowman, or drinking hot chocolate!!! lol!!!!!

36 Weeks

I cant believe I am 36 weeks!! I am for sure feeling the "stretch". UH!!!!! My belly is getting bigger, I am feeling him move more and more every day!! He is so active :P!! I love it, but when he sleeps it scares me because he is usually always moving! My belly is ALWAYS lopsided!!! lol. He likes the left side more than the right, but you can always see his body..or butt stick pop out of my stomach! Its so CRAZY!!! I love when im in the bath and just watch my belly ripple from side to side. Brent finally saw it the other night when we were in bed and he thought it was the craziest thing ever!!! (Brent's not a big a fan of the belly.. it scares him. haha). My feet aren't swollen yet, I am very vainy though. I am a BOTTOMLESS PIT!!! Its ridiculous, I can eat every 15 min if I could.. BLAH!I pee every hour on the hour..Which means Im NOT sleeping! No Cravings?? Just food period rocks! I LOVE sweats, there my best friend! I can still fit into my jeans, doing them up with a hair tie (love that trick).

I am so excited I am taking Maternity Picts on Tuesday :)!!! I brought ALL the baby stuff home from my Grandparents today and cant wait to go through everything that I got from the shower.. and to show Brent!! Things are starting to sink in that were going to be parents.

Anyway there is your update and pictures to come at the end of the week!!!!

BeLla..PumPkinS!!!

SO!!! My friend Jessie talked me into painting my belly as a pumpkin... I caved, and did it!!! It was SOOO flippin hillariouse!!!! We had a good laugh out of it!! She is due 2 weeks after me (Dec 26th) Me (the 9th). Anyway, thought I would share a little halloween laugh with you all!!!

Need I say more??

:)!!! Dropped him with 1 shot.. gotta love my prego ness with the little forked horn deer!!! Just glad we have some meat.

Baby Brutis' Shower!!!!

Sautrday was the baby shower and we got SOOO spoiled :)!!!!! First I have to say THANK YOU to all that came and the gifts you brought. I loved EVERYTHING!!!! I really cant wait to move and set up up his room and go through everything again.. and again.. and again!!

The baby got tons of cute blankets (my grandma went crazy.. and spoiled this little one) Cute clothes, bath stuff, toys, diapers.. LOTS and LOTS!! my grandma made him some cute western shirts, and my favorite was his blessing outfit. I started to cry, and felt like a tard! But its soo cute!!! I loved it!!! Ah.. I cant wait to set up his room with Brent!!! I still cant believe that Brent and I are going to become parents in a month and 2 weeks.

I didnt get any pictures on my camera because the dang thing was out of batteries :(, so Im hoping I can get copies from my mom's camera. But ill post pictures of some of the items once I can.

Brent and I get to move this coming weekend.. so this week will consist of PACKING :( YUCKY! oh and the deer hunt, hopefully well both get lucky and shoot one! ha!!  Thanks again everyone. Love ya!

Diaper Bags

So.. I found this cute blog called the crafty moms!!!! Alot of you probably know of it already, anyway she has some WAY cute diaper bags on there.. but im not sure if there "roomie" enough, or if they would be good.. Or if it really even matters??? Any Diaper bag input I would LOVE it!!! haha!!! Thanks! Hmm.. and does it REALLY matter i f you have "girly bag" or a "boyish bag" for the gender your having. lol!!!!!

32 weeks!!!! and a Shower!!!

Saturday Karalee and I threw my friend Sarah a Bridal shower!!! It was a great turn out.. and we had lots of fun!!! Lots of laughs!!! and of course TONS of food!!!

 I am now 32 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it! Uh.. Its going by so fast!! My baby shower is in 2 weeks :), and then a month really to go! Its so crazy... I cant wait to see this little guy and just Fall in love even more!!! ( I feel like I look like an ompa lompa! haha).. and I am for sure feeling the UGH part of the pregnancy!!!

Brent and I have a lot to do in the next month.. the big one is moving!!! We are FINALLY moving out of this place, into a smaller but "homier" place. Its still in Enterprise ( I dont think well every leave, we love it here.) Anyway, I feel bad because I cant really lift of do anything, so its a good thing we have such GREAT friends that will help us!!! And hopefully I can get the new house all settled and ready before Brutis gets here! Which I think I will, because I love unpacking and decorating!!! Plus, it will give me something to do! ha!