My Baby turned THREE!

     I cannot believe it's been three years since Raelee was born. Man, this time has flown by! She is so big now, I love having conversations with her, listening to her sing in the backseat of the car to Taylor Swift, and playing pretend games. The newest has been our house being a jungle, complete with jungle animals. The couch is a tree, the stairs are a mountain, the sink a water fall, the shower is a cave that has a waterfall in it, the rug is the river, complete with alligators. It's so funny watching her explore the jungle and take pictures of all the animals lol. Her personality is so sweet and fun. Brad and I love having us some Raelee in our lives. We decided to just do a family party this year, thinking it would be a bit more stress free, which is was. Raelee summed it up in her prayer tonight "thank you for my lots of family". It's always so fun to have my family and Brad's family get together, I think we mesh pretty well. We had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows  because Raelee LOVED doing that when we went camping and talks about it all the time. Our theme was very loosely owls( the girl loves owls) and my dad made her an awesome cake. Very realistic. and tasty. Raelee also received many blessings in the form of toys. I think we might be able to skip Christmas gifts this year. Just kidding. I already feel bad enough about having her so close to Christmas. I was a little sad that Raelee didn't get a shout out on Sprout, but otherwise I think she had a pretty great birthday. Enjoy the pics :)

She hasn't quite gotten down holding up three fingers yet.

Santa Claus came to town

I don't have the pics yet, but on Saturday Raelee met Santa Claus. For the very.first.time. Bad mom award right here, my child's about to turn three and has just now met Santa. For some reason in years past it just hasn't worked out and I know the reason. My co-worker(and very close friend)'s husband Steve is Santa for the hospital parties. My unit also used to have a fabulous family party at their house and then Santa would come in and bring toys to all the children. I'm talking serious Christmas magic here. Carol sadly has had some health problems, so since Raelee's been here we haven't been able to have the party. Steve makes such a legit Santa that I really, really, really wanted that to be the first Santa Raelee met. Sooo long story short(lol) it finally happened this year. Raelee was so cute, she was super nervous standing in line. Afterwards when Santa left, he made his way through the room and told Raelee bye(hey it helps to know people in high places, a mom can't get much better then being personal friends with Santa). My niece Makenna was there too, so we were able to get a picture of the cousins on Santa's lap. Makenna showed how smart she is, by trying to revel Santa's identity to the rest of the children when she tried to pull his beard off! We then went to the mall and Raelee ended up seeing Santa there, and then that night at our ward's Christmas party she saw Santa again! So my thoughts are, that seeing Santa 3 times in one day makes up for not ever seeing him before right?

Out of the mouths of babes...

Raelee cracks me up with her sayings and other times she strikes me with her knowledge. Today's Raelee quote:
   Raelee "Where's Daddy?"
   Me "He's at work".
   Raelee "Oh...so he can make money and buy me toys".
My two year old understands a concept that so many in our country do not. She understands that you can't have the "toys" without the work being done. Now how do we go about teaching this basic principle to the grownups who just don't get it?
     On another slightly related note,we went with my younger brother to Chick-Fil-A today while he dropped off his app. When Raelee was saying her prayers tonight, she prayed for "Matt-matt to get the job at chick-fil-a." This was awesome to hear because she's been saying repetitive prayers for awhile now, and every night I tell her to think about her day and pray about it to Heavenly Father and then she'll say the same exact prayer. This was the first time she's changed it up. So here's hoping(and praying) that Matt gets the job!

Thanksgiving

     Thanksgiving was a super fun day. We had beautiful weather. I was able to change my schedule at work so I was able to have Wednesday off, which in turn lead to us being able to get together with Brad's family and my family on Thanksgiving Day. We were originally going to split the days up, but Brad became sickish, so he opted out of playing football, I still was't feeling good, so no Turkey Trot for me and I was able to rest on Wednesday, so long story short, we're glad it worked out to see both families lol.
     We went to Quincy to Brad's grandparents for brunch with his grandparents and parents. It was super fun and yummy. After we ate we shot guns for awhile and then road around the farm in the truck. Can I say that shooting targets is really, really, really fun! Brad and I definitively have a new hobby. I LOVE our rifle.
     We had dinner at my parents. My mom did a fabulous job cooking. Growing up we always did Thanksgiving in Alabama at my grandparents house and it's been sad not going there anymore since my grandparents passed away, but my mom did a great job in keeping their memories alive through the food. It was a great day to spend time with family and reflect on all the amazing blessings in our lives.

our neighbor made this for Rae

goin for a ride round the farm

Gigi and Rae

Brad

Spoons!

Gramps

I LOVE this pic of Brad

Raelee dancing with the Rockettes

very random

     Work update. I did a delivery start to finish with minimal assistance from my preceptors. Yay for me! Only 1 more month until I'm on my own. Wow, has this 8 weeks flown by! I successfully placed my first FSE(fetal scalp electrode). This is what is placed on the baby's head during the labor process( so while baby's still inside momma) to more accurately monitor the baby's heart rate. Obviously this is not very easy to place due to not being able to see and having very limited space...hello birth canal? :p Did it right my first time, I was super excited. So excited that I forgot that the part you pull out that guides the wire in was covered in amniotic fluid and other lovely bodily fluids from the nether regions, and almost placed it right on my lap. That would have been not gross at all. One of my patients I was able to have through admitting her, then a full day of pitocin, placing her cervidil and then another half day of pitocin until delivery. I thought we had bonded until she kicked me while I was doing a vaginal exam and told me to "get the --- out of her". Oh and "not to come back in her room without the ------- epidural or she would ------- strangle everyone in the room". That was super fun too. Guess this job is going to toughen me up for sure lol.
     This cold/flu has still been hanging on. I was over the worst of it and thought I was on the mend, but then started feeling crummy again. I've had two 4 hour naps this week. Which, hey I am NOT complaining about, but I really feel like my days off have been kinda wasted-ish. I'm ready to feel better and get back to exercising. I need my exercise! Gotta shape up before Christmas lol.
     On a lighter note, Brad and I watched the new Spider Man movie and LOVED it! I was a spidey fan growing up(have brothers) and watch the cartoon and read the comic book. When the last set of Spidey movies came out I was super excited...until I saw them. Umm...fail. In my opinion,  they took Peter Parker from being nerdy cool, to just being nerdy and not cool and definitely not cute. It took me awhile and encouragement from family and friends who had seen the new one to finally watch it. Great job Marvel! Thank you for not being afraid to admit your mistake and remake the movie. Loved the new Peter Parker and the chemistry between him and Gwen was great. You're welcome for my movie review of the week:)
     On Survival. Ugh....go home Abi! Can.not.stand.her.
     On Revolution. Really...I have to wait until 2013? I needed a bit more from the season finale. Good, but needed a bit more punch or something. Is Miles really the same guy that's Bella's dad? Weird.
     Starting my 3 day weekend...whoohooooooo!!!    ~Shells

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

     Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!!

My thankful list(not inclusive or in any particular order)

1. My husband and best friend Bradley. Everyday I am more grateful for the relationship we have. God for sure had a hand in our meeting and I'm grateful for it everyday.

2. My sweet daughter Raelee. She is everything. Her sweet spirit has brought so much into our family. I can't imagine life without her in it.

3. Family. Brad and I are blessed with the best families. I am so grateful for the friendships we have with both sets of our parents. 

4. Jobs. I am thankful that Brad and I are both employed  and were raised with having a great work ethic and view of work.

5. This great country. I am so, so, so thankful to live in America.

6. The military. Where would we be without them?

7. Health. I am thankful for our good health and that of our families, especially my mom and Brad's dad. I'm thankful that they are both here to celebrate thanksgiving.

8. Books! I went to the library today, I've been on a dry spell lately, it's been a few weeks since I've read a new book and I've been craving one so bad. I hit the jackpot on this visit. I think I might have found a few new series to read. 

9. My home. As much a pain home ownership has been this past year, I truly do love my home and am so thankful to be able to afford it.

10. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This brings so many blessings into my life there is no way to list them all. 

11. Technology? Depending on the day, I might not like this so much lol. But for the most part, I know it's a blessing to have.

12. My new gun. I am super excited to learn how to shoot and maybe go hunting? Tomorrow I'll get to shoot it for the first time and I.can.not.wait!

13. Florida. I truly do love living here. I think it's such a neat place and there's so much to do.

14. Good movies and TV shows. "Once Upon a Time", "Revolution", BD2... 

15. My hair. This probably would not make the list were it summer lol.

16. A stove and oven that works.

17. The new Taylor Swift album. Love it!

18. My new curtains that still aren't hung up. One day...:)

19. Camping trips. Love getting away and just being.

20. Myself and the awesome life I have. Not the perfect life, cause it's far from there, but this awesome life :)

Fabulous week of work! I finally felt independent(ish). Definitely not ready to fly solo, but the dots are starting to connect. It is really neat to take care of someone throughout the labor and birth process. Such a neat bond is created with my patients that I've had only a few times in my previous years of work. It's so special to work all day(s) to get this sweet little spirit to earth safely, to be tracking the  baby's heart rate and contractions and how to baby's handling it all. I already feel a connection to the baby and then to finally see the baby born is such a special feeling. I love it!
     I'm sitting here looking at Raelee and I'm amazed at how fast she is learning and growing. She is such a person now. The things she says are constantly cracking me up. Every time I get off the phone now, she'll ask me" Was that Me-maw  Matt-matt, Papa, Daddy, who?" Then she says "What did (insert name) say to me?". Ha, since everything is definitely about her in her world! She is so happy and sweet all the time, I have been so blessed with her.  She is still in love with books, I redid her room this week, packed up a bunch of her toys and put almost all her books in their place. She loves to read. The other day, she woke up from her nap and read books for over an hour. I though about getting her a few times, but figured she just needed some alone time and sure enough, after about an hour, she knocked on her door and said "I'm ready to go backstaires(that what she calls going downstairs) now mommy". She is getting so strong too. If you haven't noticed she kinda has a big head. Well I think she is finally growing into it. Last night in gymnastics she was able to hold a handstand for over 5 secs, which doesn't sound that long, but she's never been able to hold herself up at all due to her heavy noggin. She was so excited for herself, it was really cute to see.
     Anyways, just my thoughts today. Hope everyone is having a grand Friday!

 

Random

     Well so far I really like working in Labor and Delivery. The 12 hour days go by so much faster. The days are definitely busy, but not as physically demanding as nursery days. I would come home from those completely wiped out. Now I come home tired, but energized at the same time. I took care of my first patient that did a completely un-medicated birth and she rocked it! It was an awesome experience. She was so in control and calm the entire time, it was pretty inspiring. I still miss working in the nursery(a tad), but I honestly am not missing post partum(other than missing my co-workers).
     We're getting trees cut down in our yard(for free!!!) this week. This guy is selling the lumbar. I'm super excited to see what our yard starts to look like as it gets cleared more and more.
     On a sad note, I bought a new CD(The Civil Wars) who I've been dying to listen to in the car,  but........the radiator in my car has a hole in it, the same day I bought the CD. And Brad's car doesn't have a CD player. I know I could just listen to it in the house, but it's just not the same as jamming in the car. Hopefully Brad will be able to fix the car this weekend. Is it sad that I'm more upset about the CD than the car? Lol, I think I'm just getting used to something always being broken, whether its on the car or the house. That's life for us :)


   
   

Lately

    It's been an interesting last few weeks. We took Raelee to Disney World for the first time, which was AMAZING!!! The wonder and excitement in her eyes was so magical. Makes me want to cry thinking back on it. She was so, so, so happy to see all her "friends" as she calls the various Disney characters. She was the first child of the day to meet Micky and Minnie Mouse, it was so cool that I was nervous! She took lots of pictures with them and even got a certificate saying that she was the first to meet them of the day. Since daddy missed that part(so sad) he had to privilege of taking her on her first ride, the teacups(which awesomely enough make me sick, so I was not sad to miss this). Raelee LOVED all the rides. I wish I could post all the videos and pics, because she was so stinking cute! She even went of her first roller coaster, though they measured her 4 times just to make sure she was really tall enough, she looks so little. I rode with her on this one and we sat in the very first car and Raelee loved it! She kept saying that it went fast and tickled her tummy. Dumbo of course was the favorite ride of the day. We watched the fireworks that night from behind the castle and let me tell you, it was awesome! They were being shot in the air all around us, we had to keep spinning to see them all, and then it was raining too...seriously a magical moment. Brad's parents were able to go with us, it was awesome to be able to spend that time with them. Disney, downtown disney, IKEA, getting a new stove, and the debate, what a vacation! 

     We were sooooo excited to have a new stove and oven, we've been ovenless since last Nov. and down to 1 stovetop burner. Then the new one wouldn't fit...by just a few inches...noooooo!!! Poor Brad had to spend the first day back cutting our counter tops trying to get it to fit, then our well had a pretty major leak, and we had a pipe bust and leak to the downstairs  all within the 2 days of being back home. Add to that was some personal drama, so that was not a great weekend. But the house is fixed, we're able to cook, we have water..so yay!!!

      Monday I started my labor and delivery training and it.is.awesome! I was definitely super, super nervous, but I feel like I've learned so much in just a week. Not to be braggy sounding, but I've worked post partum and nursery for over 7 years, so I've pretty much seen it all, and it had gotten very mainstream for me. Which is good, but at the same time I want to continue to grow in my knowledge and ability as a nurse, so I'm so glad for this chance to become a L&D nurse. I hope reading the fetal monitor strips clicks soon, I feel like that's going to be the hardest part for me. But I already can read more off of it then I could Monday, when it was just a bunch of squiggly lines, so that's a plus. I really have liked coming home from work energized, it's so fun to learn something new. Seeing a baby born, and being part of that birth is pretty much the coolest thing ever!!!