My beautiful birthday girl

Three years ago I became a mother. Three years ago my heart exploded with love, excitement, hope, and pure joy. I am beyond privelaged to be Ryanna's mother and friend. She makes me laugh everyday. She is so smart and sweet. It's kind of funny but I pretty much dread her growing up and becoming the sassy teenager she's bound to be (just like I was). The reason for my dread? It is close to heartbreaking to think of a time when I'm not the coolest person to her, the center of her universe. Call me delusional or weird but there is nothing in the world that can make you feel as good as the unconditional, clingy love of a child.

In ways you are a daddy's girl Ryanna (Brian could write his own novel on how special his girl is) BUT I'm your mommy and always will be. I consider myself blessed everyday to be the mommy for you. :) Love you sweet girl!





Brian asked Ryanna what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said she wanted to play with Maddi and see Katie in Salt Lake. Maddi is the adorable little girl in the videos with the pink sweater. So we drove out Saturday morning, went to Brian's Mom's new apartment, then had a party for Ryanna at a McDonalds with a cool playground. We had a blast and drove home that night. The trip was well worth it and Ryanna had a great time. Friends who made it: The Bakers(Kristen, Scott, Maddi, and Sydney), Meakins(Allison{BYU roomie who is expecting twins!} and Ben), and Jen Butler{BYU roomie, mommy of 2, and clorax poster child:). Brian's mom Arlene was there for some Baldwin representation and my brother Jim for the Scoffields. It had been WAY too long since we'd seen either one of them. It was great to catch up for a bit. Jim is the best gift giver and Ryanna has loved dressing up her new barbie doll. Also we are thrilled to have Arlene living closer so Q and Ryanna can get their fill of Grandma!!

Be Mine Valentine!

Guess what Brian got me for Valentine's day??

Pics from February

Mr. Photogenic Princess shoes for the Tea Party
A big smile after a fun party
Bipitty-Boppidy-BOO!
Hey, Look, the camera is on me again!

Quick MT trip and other misc

Roadtrips are surprisingly painless now that we have the van. Both kids did great on the drive there and home.

Aunt Kayla had her first basketball game on Saturday. It was so fun to watch her play and she really did great! Clearly my athletic skills were donated to the younger siblings. :)

Quinten LOVED playing with Uncle Jared (aka stealing his hat).

Just look at this girl! She's a natural. Love you Kayla!

Ryanna liked the horse from a distance while Quinten wanted to feed the horse his hand.

Grumpy, I mean Grandpa, actually smiled! He calls Quinten Oscar.......I know! But what can you do?!?!

Jared and his girlfriend Ali spent lots of time with us. The kids especially enjoyed their company. Ryanna could be heard quizzing Ali on her colors and then we'd hear "Good job!" Pool is a favorite pasttime when hanging out at Grandpa Don and Grandma Pat's house.

Sunday dinner - how I love thee. Let me count the ways....

So much of my childhood was spent with my grandparents at their home. I was excited to see that Brian took pictures of their home, inside and out.

This picture makes me realize that Quinten is getting to be more of a toddler and less of a little baby. :( Sometimes tough for a Mommy to admit.

The women are usually found in the kitchen having INCREDIBLY important discussions. I won't get into them because they might blow your mind.

We had a little birthday party for Ryanna who will be turning 3 in February. Thanks Mom for the cute cake and Janet and Mal for the perfect presents! Is my help blowing out the candles too obvious??

Like usual Quinten spent some quality time with Mal and took a nap on her. Can't wait for the wedding Mal!!

Birthday girl.

I never expected the weather to be soooo gorgeous and NO snow! So beautiful.

Big Sky country

I can't even tell you how many times I've mowed that lawn and then drank a shasta soda on that step with Grandma Pat. I've been beyond blessed with loving grandparents and a grandmother I can only hope I am like.

Ryanna loves to do anything and everything that Aunt Kayla is doing.

Random pics from last week

Cute picture....hoping for a better playoff performance next season!

"I have a gallbladder and the Doctor isn't going to poke me." -Ryanna

There has been a lot of gallbladder talk around here lately and even Ryanna has joined in on the conversation. I started having gallbladder problems at the end of my pregnancy with Quinten and found out I had gallstones in August. I cut out certain no-nos from my diet and things improved drastically. In October I heard that the birth control I'd been using for 6 years could be a contributer so I traded that in. December, however, proved to be too much for my little bile squirting organ and after several hellish experiences, two ER visits, one idiot specialist, and one excellent surgeon later I am now gallbladderless. The surgery was last Monday and I've felt better every day since. I held off filling my pain med perscription and instead survived with just one day finishing off what the ER had given me. I'm plenty sore but I have to tell you, orthoscopic surgery is AMAZING! Rather than one long incision, the surgeon makes 3 tiny and 1 small incision. They go in there with cameras and stuff(couldn't really tell you exactly) and then pull that sucker out of your bellybutton! I guess our bellybuttons really do serve a purpose....
My angelic mother drove down from Montana and basically did what Mommies do best: took care of us all! If I was smart enough to photo shop a halo over her head I would do it. Thank you so much Mom!! We miss you already.

Quinten was a real trooper through this all considering life turned upside down in a few ways. Perhaps the biggest jump was switching from breastfeeding to bottle in an instant. He did much better with cold turkey than my poor self. Fortunately I was in too much pain in other places to really dwell on it. Also he had several new nighttime caretakers: daddy and grandma. Again it didn't seem to phase him at all. He is perhaps the most easy going baby that ever lived on this earth. :)

Ryanna didn't really miss a beat either. In fact, she thought the whole thing was a great vacation since we stayed at my cousin Scott's home over the weekend until the surgery. Playing with Caden, Ian, Buddy(their dog), and Stephanie was the highlight of her week. It is truly amazing how selfless and giving some people can be. I really can't express how grateful I am for their love and support - just opening up their home like they do. I hope you guys know we appreciate you SO much!

Finally here is a nod to the man BEHIND the camera. That's right Brian! I'm talking about YOU. Well I personally am grateful that noone is or is expected to be perfect in marriage and honey you and I both fit that catagory. But I have no problem saying that my husband is getting better all the time. He has become MORE loving, MORE helpful, MORE superdad, MORE easy-going, MORE empathetic than ever before. That's a lot of MORES, am I right?!?! We celebrated our 6 year anniversary in December too and all I have to say is bring on the next 6!! Can't wait to see what else we'll enjoy and endure together. I just hope it has nothing to do with gallbladders....

The party never stops around here.

See my big cheesy smile??? Well it is celebrating that most of the fun of having a dry socket has passed. Thank you clove oil and ibuprofen.

Little Mister Mischief

Obviously I should clean up as I go while cooking. I took a break to lay Quinten down only to find my little helper sampling the flour. And she loved it....gross.

8 months and ALWAYS on the go...

Grew an inch in the night and the big toe just popped out!

Best Buds

Dad says, "Hey sweet pea." Dilly responds, "Hey sweet dad."

Adventures in potty training: doesn't this pic just say it all?!?!

She insisted she could "DO IT MYSELF!" At least one cheek got covered. hehe.

Both kids LOVE the lights and tree. We strategically placed the tree out of Quinten's reach.

He pushed this chair through the kitchen and under the table.

I've been told that kids will be more willing to try new food if you let them help prepare the meal. Well this certainly proved true. Ryanna would never even touch lettuce before. She shredded it for our tacos and has gobbled it up ever since! Who woulda thought?

An apple day? Not a problem for this silly girl.