3 Weeks Old

Dear Carter,

You have a cute little butt. We are dying to hold you. We love you.

Auntie B & Uncle Brian

Puppies, Underwear and Vets

I came home yesterday and was greeted with a fowl smell when I opened out front door. Immediately knowing what the smell was, the next thing to do was to check the puppies in their crates to see which one had left me such a wonderful surprise.

I will spare you the details, but it wasn't pleasant, and I found a sock or some sort of clothing that one of the puppies had thrown up. I was glad she had thrown it up vs. the expensive alternative of a stomach blockage.

Later, we left for a few hours and I returned to the same welcoming smell. This time I found a half eaten pair of underwear in the debris of the crate.

This morning I took the puppy to the vet for her spay. He was kind enough to call to let us know that they surgery had gone well, but also left a message saying" Please call, we found something else"...that something else was a pair of panties...mostly likely a thong...in her stomach.

I will be wearing a hat and dark glasses when I go to retrieve her tomorrow!

So the journey begins

The journey of parenthood begins...or should I at least say the journey of trying to become parents begins...

While my lab tests were mostly normal, my ultrasound was not. My ob said that since PCOS runs in our family and I am 33, she will begin treatment for the diagnosis of PCOS.

First things first, my ob wants Brian to "get checked out". I was not expecting her to give us that advice so early on, so it made me burst out laughing when she said it because I couldn't wait to see the look on Brian's face when I shared the good news. She said she does not want to be 6 months in, and than find out something with his swimmers is off.

Assuming all is well with Brian, next month we will begin Clomid, which is the ferility drug that brought me my beautiful nephews. If something is off, than she said we will move straight to IUI ( ariticifial insemination).

We were both surprised with her direct and to the point treatment plan, but also thankful that we are working with a proactive doctor. We laugh all the time that we are actually doing this, actually trying for a baby. The excitement is overwhelming.

Why I love my husband....

One of the many reasons why I love my husband is because he fell in love with me even though I have "crazy dog lady" tendencies. I love him even more than that that because he has become a crazy dog person in his own right. I love him even more than because he still agrees to foster, and let me bring in two homeless puppies into our home a few weeks ago until they are adopted. I love him even more than that because today when I was uploading pictures, I found this picture which he must have taken.

Drunkin Punkin Carving

Chels came up with the idea to get everyone together do a little pumpkin carving. To get the husbands/boyfriends on board with the idea, we named the party " Drunkin Punkin Carving", and they suddenly were more than happy to show up.

Chels, The Doyles and the Condons created quite the pumpkins with the help of some pretty cool templates. Brian and I carved a pumpkin which Gabe realized looks just like Brian:




and the Selvages showed up with 4 HUGE pumpkins that they just randomly carved. Kari quickly carved a flower all the while declaring " I hate Halloween"! Gabe was master of the shot glass with vodka in hand! I can't tell you the last time I carved a pumpkin before last night, but it was actually a lot of fun, and everyone was very proud of their creations!

Samantha

Through my good friend, Heidi, I've gotten to know her friend Heather. Heather is married to Bart and they are the proud parents of Samantha.

Samantha has not had the easiest of journeys, nor have Heather and Bart. Though, I am always amazed at the smile I see when I see Heather, and when she finds the time to send me nice notes to ask about our wedding when she clearly has such bigger things going on in her life.

Samantha is in the hospital right now and needs some extra prayers.

Check our Heather's blog to read about their journey:

http://www.samsmom-heathers.blogspot.com/

I Love you Little....

I may have posted this already, and if I did, I dont care!

I just found this post again, and it really makes me smile.

The background behind this is that our Grandpa always used to say this to Nik and I!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTi6TFGPhdk

Baby Fever

Baby fever...yup, I have it. Maybe it's because I adore my nephews, or that I have little Ella to love now, or that I figure if Trix can be a mom than I can be a mom. Maybe it's cause there are pregnant people everywhere..or maybe, just maybe, its because I can't wait to see what the love Brian and I share can create?

I figured I might as well blog about the baby fever since I blog about everything else. Maybe add a few posts about the journey?

I am truely shocked at how much infertility exists--I am shocked at how many of my friends are struggeling with it right now. Recently one of them said to me, " I wouldn't wish this on anyone!".

Brian and I are beginning our journey towards parenthood...I assume there will be bumps along the way as that we are in the middle of my diagnosis of PCOS...but I also know it will happen when it is supposed to happen...we may need the help of some fertility drugs (my sister-n-law is voting for twins...shame on your Becky!)...but I am sure it will happen. If not, surely Nik will be a surrogate :) ??

Mason's Wish, raising $$ for Cancer

Please read this post on my sister's blog. It is the story of one of her patients- a 40 year old father of 3, diagnosed with cancer. His 10 year daughter began a campaign to raise money for cancer in hopes she can help save her dad.

The fundraiser is for candles-and great smelling ones at that! Our family has been buying them for over a year- they have tons and tons of scents and smell great.

The instructions for ordering are posted on her blog. Please support Mason and her family if you can! I just got my order of 5 candles tonight and our house smells like pumpkin spice!

http://ordinaryfour.blogspot.com/

Life and bills...

Everyother Friday morning is the same....pay day...complete and utter frustration with money! As I was paying bills this morning, b*tching at Bri about money, I took a break and checked my sister's blog. She had this list-well, actually she copied it from someone else's blog and I than quickly did the same. Plagerism isn't really a thing if you're not in school, right? It's a nice reality check. Looks like us BDew's have a lot of things left to tackle.!

Bought everyone in the bar a drink
Swam with wild dolphin
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Taken a candle lit bath (How about a shower? We are TOO big for the tiny tub)
Been inside a Pyramid
Held a tarantula (No, but Chels has one as a pet which I still think is creepy!!)
Said I love you and meant it (multiple times a day to my hubby
(Hugged a Tree
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightening storm at sea
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
Seen the Northern Lights
Gone to a huge sports game (Um, CU vs CSU is a HUGE game)
Walked the stairs to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Slept under the stars
Changed a baby’s diaper
Taken a drip in a hot air balloon
Watched a meteor shower
Gotten drunk on champagne (Lambda Chi, Xmas party '97))
Given more than you can afford to charity (Is it a problem that I was trying to figure out how to stop the automatic withdrawals just this past week?)
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Held a lamb
Seen a total eclipse
Ridden a rollercoaster
Hit a home run
Danced like a fool, not caring who watched (Our wedding video shows a few of these examples)
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Actually felt happy about your life, even for a moment
Had two hard drives for your computer
Visited all 50 states
Taken care of someone who was too drunk
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Hitchhiked in Europe
Taken a road-trip
Gone rock climbing
Midnight walk on the beach (How about the moonlit walk we took on our honeymoon? There was a porch swing, right in the sand, sat there and rocked a while)
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer than you were in love
In a restaurant sat at a stranger’s table and ate with them
Visited Japan
Milked a cow
Alphabetized your CDs
Pretended to be a superhero (Wonderwoman)
Sung karaoke
Lounged around in bed all day
Posed nude in front of strangers
Gone scuba diving
Kissed in the rain (How about snow? I can think of a few of those with BDew)
Played in the mud
Played in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (Babycakes)
Toured ancient sites
Taken a martial arts class
Played a computer game for more than 6 hours straight
Gotten married (2 months and counting!!)
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced (never!!)
Gone without food for 5 days
Made cookies from scratch
Won first prize in a costume contest (Ridden a gondola in Venice
Gotten a tattoo
Rafted the Snake River
Been on television news program as an “expert” (Does the Great Dane expert on 9News count?)
Got flowers for no reason (This week from my hubby)
Performed on a stage (Hell yea, Greek Week '96)
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded Music
Eaten shark
Had a one-night stand (Does it count I was in college?)
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Buried one/both of your parents
Been on a cruise ship
Spoken more than one language fluently
Performed in Rocky Horror
Raised children
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city
Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge
Sang loudly in the car and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
Had plastic surgery (not yet, but certainly planning on it)
Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have
Wrote articles for a large publication
Lost over 100 lbs
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Piloted an airplane
Petted a stingray
Broken someone's heart (Sorry Nausiating Man & Peanut Butter Boy)
Helped an animal give birth (Great Dane litter of 8)
Won money on a TV game show
Broken a bone (#1 thanks to my sister, #2 thank to crappy roller skates)
Gone on an African safari
Had a body part below the neck pierced
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Eaten mushrooms gathered in the wild
Ridden a horse
Had major surgery
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Slept for more than 30 hours over 48 consecutive hours
Visited more foreign countries than US States
Visited all 7 continents
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten Kangaroo meat
Eaten sushi
Had your picture in the paper
Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
Gone back to school
Parasailed
Petted a cockroach
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read the Illiad
Selected one important author who you missed school to read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Skipped all of your school reunions
Communicated with someone without sharing a common language (Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
Had to put someone you love in hospice care
Build your own PC from parts
Sold your own artwork to someone that didn’t know it was yours
Had a booth in a street fair
Dyed your hair
Been a DJ
Shaved your head
Caused a car accident (I am expecting Frank Azar any day now...)
Saved someone’s life

Wedding Video

Our wedding video arrived last night, and it is incredible. We immediately sat down last night, and we were both crying within minutes. They captured so many touching moments...the boys both hugging Brian, us seeing eachother for the first time, me laughing with my bridesmaids, the beautiful scenery...I could go on and on.

It was so fun to watch the ceremony and hear our vows to one another. I loved the little looks we gave eachother during the ceremony, I can still remember Babycakes squezing my hand through the ceremony. It was perfect.

The message from our parents and bridal party are priceless, and made us start crying all over again. It is a wonderful feeling to be so loved!

During the "montage" part of it, they plaed Mark Cohn's, "True Companion". It really summed up our day perfectly.


Baby I've been searching like everybody else
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel
And sometimes I'm cruel
And when it comes to love
I'm just another fool
Yes, I'll climb a mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God girl
Could keep you safe from me
My arms are reaching out
Out across this canyon
I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion

So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you allright
And when I take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers
And I'll lift up your veil
Then I'll take you home
And with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
True companion

When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like the couple on the corner do
'Cause girl I will always be in love with you
And when I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark
Then when I leave this Earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion

Happy Birthday, Deacon!

Since we don't have a baby to post about yet, I will wish our puppy Happy 1st Birthday!

Deacon turned 1 yesterday, we had a little gathering on Saturday night with Holly/Brian, Celeste/Rob who each own one of Deacon's littermates, they also happen to be his breeders.

The dogs ate birthday cake and we drank margs...everyone won!

Even as a mom, she's still funny

Text conversation between Linds and I today:

Me: "How is the Monkey?"

Trix: "He's so sweet!! He kept me up from midnight to 7 this morning. What a little jokester!"

Me:" What the he!!? Why? Maybe you should spank him..that is what I plan on doing!"

Trix: " You're right. I am making him get a job today! Free ride is over!"

Sorry baby Carter, you are 7 days old and looking for a job. We tried to warn you about her :)

Granny

Granny is 89 year old, will be 90 in February. If you ask her, she's pushing 50...

She does art classes, participates in water aerobics, sews and enjoys a glass of wine or two or three or eight(from a box, I may add). She loves to argue, loves to push buttons. She loves her horrid looking, man-biting Chihuahua, Curly. And, back in the day, she was an avid hunter and fisherwoman.

Grandpa died 5 year ago, and my mom and aunt denise have been her main support system through all that comes with losing a spouse and the medical issues that come with age.

Over the last two years she has had her knee replaced (seriously, what doc replaces an 87 year old's knee?), battled through pneumonia, battled though several hospital stays where we all thought we might be getting "the call".

Two weeks ago, we discovered she had a ruptured appendix- the docs hadn't seen someone so old even be faced with such a dilemma...leave it to granny. Brian and I went to see her in the hospital, she was so glad we had come. After hugs and kisses goodbye, she said "Bree, why don't you ever brush the back of your hair?"..hello? Granny, for the 100th time, I have curly hair! It does not brush!!!

Anyway, she was back to the ER last night- they think it is a blood clot. I spoke with her this morning, she was high on morphine and said Nikki and I were floating above her in bed, rubbing her blisters...huh? In all seriousness though, it is scary to see her continue to go through all these medical scares, and not wonder when is her strength going to run out? When is her 89 year old body going to catch up with her 50 year old mind?

It is normal?

Is it normal that I seriously cannot stop looking at our wedding photos? I teared up at my desk when I first saw them, and have gone back to them over and over again this weekend. I get that "butterfly" feeling in my stomach when I look at them- I remember the anticipation, excitement, nervousness and happiness and so wish we could go back and do it all over again.

You plan for so long and it's over in a blink of an eye- I am so relieved that not a moment was missed by our photographers.

My next concern is that I do not have enough wall space for all the shots!

Our Wedding Day..from the view of our photographer

Brian and I just our weddnig pictures back- and we ADORE them! If you need a photographer they are the best. Nik has used them to do family photos, and we will most certainly be doing the same!! They work all over the state, and have main offices in their home in Colorado Spring, and one in Denver. www.trystanphotography.com

I was pleasantly surprised to see he had written about our day on his blog...turns out not only is are they wonderful photographers, but also great writers.

http://www.trystanphotography.net/2008/10/siverthorne-pavilion-wedding/

Carter Edward Phillips

Baby Carter arrived last night weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 9 oz, 21 inches long.

Chris said Linds did great- she was a happy girl with her epidural. In fact, Chris had a very funny bit, he said " I've seen her have a harder time getting ready for work in the morning!"

Trix is in labor!!!!

Trix, aka Lindsey, FINALLY got the call last night to proceed to the hospital for her induction!

I spoke with her a while ago and she is super excited and happy---clearly the contractions are not strong :0) Her biggest complaint right now is that she is starving!

This has been a big week of babies for our family...I can feel my heart stretching as I type....

Gabriella Madison Hayes

After 30+ hours of labor, Becky gave birth to a healthy little girl. She weighed in at 8lb, 4 oz! We are so happy for Becky and Mike, and feel so lucky to have another little one to love. Plus, she is our first neice, so let the spoiling begin!

Congrats Becky and Mike!!

Baby Hayes is on the way!!!

My sister-n-law, Becky, is in labor as we speak. Her water broke last night and she is currently in the middle of trying to tough through labor without drugs! I told her she is a stronger woman than I!!!!

Last I heard, which was this morning, was that they had started the pit and were waiting for things to really get moving along.

Becky and her hubby, Mike, chose not to find out the gender, so we are all so anxious to see what they have.

I check my phone for text updates every 10 minutes....

On a sidenote...Lindsy is on stand by, and has been since midnight last night, for the hospital to call for her induction. The wait is torture on her....and me :)

My baby sister as a mom....

Nik called me last night on her way home from work, completely exasperated by her 7 year old son, Jack. Jack's awful behavior earlier in the day towards the babysitter reached an all time high. Nik and Mike were at work,and were forced to try to deal with the situation over the phone. Frustrated, Nik walked down 2 flights of stairs to the floor my mom works and was forced to call in reinforcements. Funny how you even when you are a mom, that still look to your mom for help.

here is a link to her blog:

http://ordinaryfour.blogspot.com/