Belize videos

In an impossible attempt to capture every cute Belize moment . . . .

Christmas in Pictures

Winter storm (not your average Seattle storm aka rain mixed w/ snow) 2008

Okay, I'm going to try to sum the last couple weeks up! Brannon got his Christmas wish and after hundreds of newscasts and accuweather.com checks . . . it snowed and snowed and SNOWED! He turns into a little kid/adult maniac and immediately packs everyone and their gear into the car to visit both of the grandparents (they tend to get more snow then we do). Belize was giddy with excitement! She also bonded with Nala and now they are good friends.
Rio lasted about 2 minutes outside until the snowflakes got in his eyes.
Belizism: One morning Brannon was trying to get me out of bed quickly and I told him to "Hold his horses!" Belize ran into her bedroom and came back with a toy cow and sheep and said, "I holding my cow, holda da sheep Mom." Apparently she couldn't find her horse.

We visited Belle Square for the drumline Christmas show, it was awesome, they even have bubble snow!

Happy boy

I am falling head over heels for my little angel boy. He still has tummy troubles but mostly when he's awake he's looking around, smiling and trying to talk. Brannon and I have decided that he doesn't really look like either of us right now so it will be fun to see what he looks like, he sure is handsome! Sometimes he accidentally finds his hand in his mouth and he's letting us all get a little more sleep. For a few days he was sleeping 6 hours but apparently that was a fluke.

I hate the potty.

Potty training is exhausting, I feel like gluing Belize's bum to the potty permanantly!! And it would serve a double purpose to scare off all potential boyfriends! So far she's gone pee in the potty 5 times so that makes a 50% success rate. Most of those times she's been watching TV while sitting on her potty chair and I don't think she realizes what's happening. Does anyone want to potty train my kid? PLEASE!!!!!!!

Are you lisnen?

Christmas time is in full swing at our house. Belize was not pro-santa at the West Seattle ward primary activity so we'll see how the next visit goes tonight at our ward church party. We got our first tree this year and Belize did such a good job decorating it (note: ornaments are all concentrated in one small area).


We went to "Dr. Becher's" today for a check-up and shots. Belize and I didn't cry at all when we got our shots but Rio was another story. He is chunking up right nice and is in the 82nd percentile at 13lbs! Belize now weights over 28 lbs and 34 inches tall.

Love Lockdown

Belize is obsessed with the song, "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West, she asks us to listen to it all the time and her little body can't help but dance. She is really into music, we love our little rockstar! Take a listen on the song playlist on the right.

Interview Updates

So far Brannon has gotten invitations to interview at:

Oregon Health and Sciences
University of Washington
Hospital for Special Services at Cornell (Manhattan, NY)
William Beaumont (Royal Oaks, MI)
Albert Einstein (Long Island, NY)
Brown University (Rhode Island)
Boston University


This is a nerve-wracking time for us, but I feel peace that where ever the Lord wants us to be will be wonderful.

We are truly blessed.

Oh, our little man! Rio was blessed this Sunday, he looked so handsome in his little white outfit. And here is another attempt at a family picture.

Party!!!

Birthday girl!!! How old are you? "I not one, I two." The last picture is a video that you have to click on to see- it pretty much sums up how Belize feels about being 2. I did my first attempt at fondant by making a teacup because Belize wanted a tea party birthday. It turned out kinda funny, but I don't think she cared. She was really into the frosting but REALLY didn't want to open presents. Her favorite gift ended up being the food packed in a new backpack from her Abuela and Abuelo.

From Thanksgiving2008

1st Smile

Rio started smiling this week, I just love all these firsts!

Thanksgiving Marathon

We did it! We survived another marathon that is Thanksgiving. Racking up plenty of city miles and extra carbs we spend Thanksgiving with Brannon's family and mine. Aunt Richelle, GGG (Great Grandma Gregg), Great Uncle Walt and Aunt Nancy came to visit this year. Here are the Grandmas loving on Rio and Belize cooking with Tia Xochi. Belize is, much to my liking, developing a love for cooking, she likes to taste everything we bake after each ingredient is added. :)

Getaway

Brannon's sister, Carissa returned from a few years of living in the motherland (Mexico) a couple of weeks ago. Brannon no longer has any rotations til February- YEAH!!! So we took a day trip to the Hood Canal cabin with the Orton Family (minus Xochi). Carissa brought her dog, Nayla, back from MX with her, its a cross between a German Shepard and a mangy mutt. She's been a little nervous around Belize, I also get nervous when Belize freaks out but they've been doing better and this was the first time Belize would get close enough to pet her. Belize instantly bonded with Tia Carissa (aka Carissy) and was wanting to show her everything. On the ferry Brannon and I were cleaning up one of Rio's projectile spit ups and a random guy informed us that our daughter was escaping down the stairs -aren't we great parents? Rio finally is over his cold but I think he's gotten in the habit of feeding every hour or so and its killing me slowly.

Belize and Rio at 5 weeks

Tired

Rio has been sick for 2 weeks now so we're all a little tired . .

Happy Birthday!

My baby is 2 years old! It seems like yesterday she was born. Belize is the most amazing girl, she is helpful, polite, sweet, lovey, and so much fun. I love spending everyday with her and I love being her mom! She is a great big sister and is constantly loving on Rio.

Update: Last week Belize sang Happy Birthday and counted to 13 (minus the number 5). She refers to me as Shauna half the time and has started saying things like:
"Shauna, I told you" when she's upset w/ us.
"Don't push me Mom" when we move her.
"Dad, don't hit me" when we touch her.
Can't wait til we're in public and someone calls CPS! Sweet sassy molassy! She started to be much more interested in dress up and wore her tutu to the store yesterday. She cracks me up and makes me smile every day, she is just a joyful child!

Rio bi Dio

Rio is 1 months old! This week has been pretty miserable because he's had a nasty stuffy nose, sleep is a distant memory . . . sigh. He's has really good control of his head and looks at whoever is talking to him. He can also follow an object around. He's more awake and i think he's starting to recognize us! His eyes are still dark blue and his body is filling out into some little rolls. Grandma Hawkins has the magic touch and he fell fast asleep in her arms, how sweet.

Yummy!

I made these Double Chocolate Little Cinnamon Spice Cakes w/ Caramel Butter Cream from Picky-palate. Only they weren't cinnamon at all, cause I couldn't find cinnamon chips anywhere so I used butterscotch!!! They were rich and delicious,the frosting was best I've ever had!

Double Chocolate Little Cinnamon Spice Cakes with Caramel Butter Cream

Crazy 8 Tag

Crazy 8 Tag

Krysten Tagged me so here goes,

8 favorite TV shows...
1. Burn Notice
2. The Office
3. 30 Rock
4. DTWS
5. TLC's What Not to Wear
6. John & Kate plus 8
7. My House is worth What?
8. Chuck

8 favorite restaurants...
1. Tucanos
2. Jai Thai
3. Cedars
4. Specialties
5. The Georgian Room (I've only been there twice but dang, it was good!)
6. P.F. Changs
7. Bizarros
8. Nana's soup kitchen

8 things that happened yesterday...
1. I nursed a baby
2. I watched raising Helen w/ Michelle
3. I changed multiple bibs and diapers
4. Read a book to Belize
5. Went to the grocery store BY MYSELF!
6. Ate leftovers
7. Checked my email, my blog and facebook several times in that order
8. Took a very interrupted 20 minute nap.

8 things I look forward to...
1. being able to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time
2. Rio smiling!
3. Belize saying, I love you (these are few and far between but very cherished!)
4. A house with a yard
5. Girls night
6. Christmas shopping (I don't really like the shopping part but getting gifts for people is exciting)
7. Going on vacation someday with out the kids
8. dinner with the Garcias (their food is always so much better than ours!!!!)

Pic of the day

Rio showing off his 10th bib of the day.