*Christmas/Reflections 2012*

Christmas was tons of fun this year and very busy for our little family. The week before Christmas we went to Utah and stayed in the Ophir cabin so we could celebrate with Josh's grandparent's and extended relatives. Jaden LOVED the Ophir cabin this year because there are loads of fun toys for him to play with and an entire train table/set which occupied him for hours. We also went to the SLC Temple to look at the lights and my sister in-law got engaged there! We are so happy for her and can't wait for her and Wade (my soon to be brother in-law) to be married. The trip was short and sweet, and Jaden was a trooper riding in his car seat for the 12 hour trip there and back (got to love the iPad and Leap Pad).

Christmas day we split up between Josh's family and mine (which is getting to be a lot of driving hahha so we need to reevaluate that next year.) So we woke up and did our little Christmas at our house, went to Josh's parent's house and opened presents there, then went to my house and opened presents, back to Josh's house to talk to his brother calling from his mission in Argentina, then back to my parent's house for dinner. Lot's of traveling but being with family is so worth it so really I don't mind too much.

Jaden was fun to watch opening presents this year because he actually does it himself! He doesn't really get the whole Santa thing yet so we didn't go too crazy, but next year I think we will be in full Santa swing so will have to put on our A game starting then.

Next set of pictures are at Papa and Grandma's house opening presents. Josh's parent's got us a new TV, which now fits nicely in our house and is an upgrade from our little TV.

Last but not least is pictures at Grandpa and Grammy's house. My parents got us a beautiful new kitchen table! I'm so in love with it and it's a great new addition to our home. I was also so happy to have my own wonderful Grammy there with us for Christmas. Her health is not good and am not sure how much longer we have with her so was especially happy to be with her this holiday season.

So much to be thankful for this Christmas and this past year. Reflecting on 2012 Josh and I have accomplished many things and have grown a lot as a couple and little family.

Together: We bought and moved into our first home (changed and upgraded it A LOT)
Deciding to add a new addition to our family: baby boy Bracken due January 23, 2013
Celebrated 4 wonderful years of marriage
Gaining patience and learning how to raise our sweet/naughty little toddler
Loving our sweet little Jaden and watching him grow and learn new things

Josh: Accelerating and advancing his career at Boeing
Doing all of the upgrades to our home
Being a wonderful husband/father/and provider
Becoming assistant scout master for his calling at church
Starting his masters degree

Christy: Being pregnant with what feels like the whole year (but worth every moment)
Trying to be the best stay at home wife/mommy I can be
Growing in my new calling as the Assistant Secretary in the Relief Society (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE so much and is definitley the best calling ever!)
Sold my 2000 Dodge Neon (my first car)
Loosing my sister to moving to New York City (Lol still not over it and will never be haha)

Jaden: No more bottle (August) or binki (November) which he gave up both very easily THANK HEAVENS!
Saying full sentences
LOVES Thomas the train and all trains more than anything
Sleeps like a champ
Going to be an awesome big brother
Still skinny but can fit into most 2T clothes now

That is the Bracken trio in a nut shell for 2012. Can't wait to see what fun and crazy adventures 2013 has to bring us! HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Thanksgiving at the Dunes 2012*

Dune season is officially in full swing and of course the first trip of the season was during Thanksgiving. There is nothing better then riding quads/rhinos eating yummy food with friends and family. I was very grateful to my father in-law for buying a rhino this year (basically a souped up golf cart)so that he can take grand kids on rides and of course pregnant ladies such as myself! We were at the dunes from Wednesday through Saturday and had a blast. Everyone brings a contribution to the Thanksgiving feast and we eat everything you would normally eat at a home Thanksgiving dinner.

Jaden had so much fun riding in the dunes all safe and snug in his car seat, with his cool helmet and goggles. He even survived me rolling the rhino over upside down. Luckily no one was hurt and just a little scared, I pretty much fired myself from ever driving again hahaha. Also while we were there both of the binki's I had for Jaden he chewed up, so of course he wanted nothing to do with them the whole trip..AWESOME.

I did find one more binki that is good at my mom's house tonight, and tried giving it to him at bedtime because he was fussing but he spit it out. I think it's almost safe to say we are binki FREE and that he doesn't want one anymore. Which makes me happy that he kicked the habit on his own and I didn't have to be the bad guy!! Thanksgiving was wonderful this year and I feel very grateful to my Father in Heaven for my wonderful little family and all that we are blessed with, I really do love this time of year when we can reflect on all the things we are thankful for and for all the fun memories we get to make around this festive holiday season.

*Snuggle Time*

I recently started a new bedtime routine with Jaden for a few different reasons. I used to just give him a bath, put on pj's, play a little and then right to bed. My friend came into town and I noticed that she would always give her son a time frame such as "You have 5 more minutes to play then it's bedtime", or they also would read books. Anyways, I asked her why she gave him so much time before she would put him to bed hahah? I thought just put him to bed and be done with it, not give all this extra time to dilly dally around. She then gave me some very good parenting food for thought and said "How would you like to be right in the middle of doing something, and all of a sudden be ripped away from it with no warning and put to bed?" Hummmm I never thought of it like that, so it made me think of doing a different routine with Jaden, and also ever since Halloween he was a little freaked out so going to bed was getting to be difficult.

With all that said I started "Snuggle Time" before bed. Jaden has never been too much of a snuggler. Now since I give him the opportunity to come lay in my bed with me for about 15 minutes, sing songs and snuggle before bedtime, it has definitely worked to my advantage. I LOVE IT, I look forward to this every night when he will just come lay in my arms and snuggle with his mommy, and for the last few nights has actually fallen asleep! Usually we sing songs and then I just put him in his crib and he'll lay down and go to sleep with no fuss, so having him fall asleep next to me is a bonus. It's the moments when he is snuggled up in my arms that makes the hard job of being a mommy all worth it. I love my sweet little boy more than words can ever say, and thank my Heavenly Father for trusting me with such a sweet little spirit.

I'm also glad that I started this new routine before the baby comes, because it gives Jaden and I that extra time together before things get crazy. I'm definitely nervous to enter into the life of parenting TWO little ones.....YIKES!!

*Trick or Treat*

Halloween this year was actually very fun and eventful. Last year we were in Washington and Jaden was still too little to understand, and just the fact that we were in WA made it not worth dressing him up because none of our family would get to enjoy it with us. This year I did dress my sweet little boy up as the cutest little pirate you have ever seen. It was I admit hard to buy a costume because they are expensive, everything is too big for him, and I didn't really find anything I liked. However, I happen to be at Babies R Us and saw the 18 month pirate costume on super sale, so of course I had to get it! Jaden was seriously the cutest trick or treater ever, and when he went to each door would say "treat" hahah soooo adorable. Before we went out trick or treating, my sister-in-law made a super cute Halloween themed dinner with ideas she got from pinterest..very yummy.

After we went trick or treating in our neighborhood I took Jaden over to my parent's house so they could see him all dressed up and take him around there neighborhood. Awww there is nothing like being with all your family on the holidays, especially when you have children. I truly love and feel so blessed that both of our families get to watch Jaden grow up, and share with us all these fun eventful times through out his childhood years. I am currently 28 weeks prego and feeling and looking huge. I don't like pictures of my face when I'm pregnant or really any part of me except for my growing belly. Don't get me wrong I love being pregnant and feeling those sweet little movements all the time, but it's hard when you feel so unattractive and hate pictures of yourself. Awww if only my sister were here she could work her magic and me look decent again haha. Anyways, life is good and I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas because that means DUNE SEASON is upon us yeaaaaaaaa!!

My sweet sister in-law made a cute little paper skeleton baby to stick on my belly, so that was my awesome costume for this year.

Can't wait for next year when Jaden understands it just a little better and of course he will have a little brother to share in the excitement with!

*Jaden's 2nd Birthday*

Where has the time gone? I can't believe that my sweet little baby is now the big TWO years old hahah we have now entered the terrible two stage. Jaden had a wonderful Thomas the Train birthday party with all of our family and friends, and this little boy was spoiled rotten. He was so overwhelmed with gifts that we didn't even give him ours, which we are just going to save for Christmas in a few months. Here are some two year stats for my little guy:

Sleep: 12 hours and still takes 2-3 hour naps

Weight: 21 lbs (he does well on eating now but is just skinny I guess)

Height: 33 inches

Favorite Food: Pizza, peas, carrots, gold fish, animal crackers, anything with ketchup and anything sweet

Favorite toys: Anything Thomas the Train, trucks, cars, and of course the iPad/iPhone

Binki: Unfortunately  yes, we are going to try and take it away soon, but I'm torn between doing it now or after the baby is born. Any suggestions on that?

Crib: Yes, and I have decided to keep him in it until a little after the baby is born. I will switch him over to a toddler bed once the baby goes into the crib.

Dislikes: When we take his binki away, putting his toys away at grandma and papa's house, and sitting in his highchair for a long period of time.

Achievements: Can recognize and say all letters of the alphabet, knows numbers 1 through 10, can recognize and say people's names, very good at holding a pen/pencil the correct way, and has not taken a bottle for two months hahah don't judge me.

Things we hope to achieve in the next year: NO BINKI, toddler bed, potty training, better listening skills, no more highchair (which he does well at the table in a big chair, but I prefer to keep the mess small still haha) and help him be the best big brother ever!

Here is a picture overload from the party (I am 6 1/2 months prego and already huge, so no judgement please. Also our house is still not all the way furnished or done yet so those pics are still to come)...

 He was upset because I took his binki away for the picture haha

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I feel so blessed to have my sweet little toddler and can't wait to see how he grows and progresses in the next year. It is definitely challenging and rewarding going through the toddler years but worth it all. Jaden's birthday was also very emotional for me because it was my sister's last day/night in Arizona. Her husband received a great job opportunity in New York City so they up and moved to the big apple. They will be living right in Manhattan, basically on Wall Street, so it will be lots of fun to visit every year. My sister is truly my best friend and I feel as though part of my heart is gone now.

I know she is  a plane ride away, but it's not the same as when I could just go see her whenever I wanted too. Every Thursday she had off we would hang out and just have fun together, she is also the greatest aunt to Jaden and the biggest help to me with him. I dropped them off at the airport this morning and ever since just feel like crying, I miss her so much already. On the upside she is coming to visit right after the baby is born so I just have to make it a few more months until we are reunited again. So to end things on a happy note haha life is good, Jaden's birthday was a great success and I just blogged!!