Gifts

In light of some recent events that have taken place, I am convinced more than ever that each day is a gift. Treat it as such. I sometimes have abused months worth of gifts...wishing days away while I aimlessly browse the internet and wish away moments that once passed are gone forever. So for this upcoming Thanksgiving, I am thankful for every day because every day spent with those you love is a true gift to be treasured. I hope to truly live my life like someone that is thankful.

Historic Moments

I had my own personal historic moment last night. For the first time in at least an entire year I slept straight through the night. No midnight feedings. No interruptions. Oh the bliss of a full night's sleep. I feel like a million dollars!

Happy Costume Day

So it was another Halloween last night. And as I sit here typing I am soooo glad that it was last night and not tonight because we would have been wet. Last night was Liam's first real trick or treating experience. We usually have just been doing church stuff on Halloween, but this year we had nothing going on so we took the kids out trick-or-treating. Liam has been very opposed to wearing costumes lately and if you remember from the Halloween photos that I put on here last year, he's been crying his little eyes out every time I try to put something on him. So I had to get creative and think of something that was just like wearing normal clothes. So he went as a campaigner or politician or what have you. We even made his little Vote 08 sign out of a thomas the tank engine track and a priority mail envelope (that doubled as a candy-holder). He looked sharp in his suit and he was so darn cute every time when someone answered their door he would proudly say "trick or treating". We kept trying to get him to just say trick or treat, but he always added the "ing". And River was a beautiful little ballerina for her first Halloween. She was adoreable and kept trying to suck on the tutu. And here we are, your all-American family going out for trick or treating. It was a fun night had by all. Thank God it only happens once a year!

Vote People!

I sometimes forget to send in my ballot during local elections. I am quite ashamed of it actually. I really feel like it is a privilege and an honor to be able to vote. Many people over the course of history have fought and died for their right to vote. To think that it was only several hundred of years ago that we declared our indendence is somewhat baffling. We formed this country and with it a government that is for the people and by the people. That in itself should be enough incentive to make sure you vote. Consider the fact that blacks have only been able to vote in US elections since 1865. And fellow girlfriends, you better make sure you participate because you have only had the right to vote in all US elections since 1920, a mere 88 years. Does your vote matter? Yes. Get out there, become informed, and make the choice to vote people! It's an honor as a US citizen...do it for all the people who fought so hard to earn you that vote!

Where's River?

My favs

Without any hesitation summer is the best time of year in the Pacific Northwest in my opinion. Waiting for summer is kind of like a kid waiting for Christmas, at least for me. Waiting all year through fall, winter, and spring and rain and cold and rain and sometimes snow and more rain for all that to pay off in the summer when you get to enjoy the heat of sunshine amidst a beautiful backdrop of greenery. I don't think that I would appreciate summer nearly as much if I lived in a place where it was like summer all year long. But this year I have come to realize that I have a favorite month. Other months just can not compare to September. There is still the summer heat and beautiful sunsets AND you can enjoy peace and tranquility at the park while all other children have gone back to school. It is like the best of all worlds. We have been going to the beach almost every day since it has been warm enough and as soon as school ends in June, the beaches around here are swarming with children and boys and girls clubs...busses full of boys and girls club with matching colored t-shirts. And then September rolled around and it was just Liam and River and I and practically an entire beach to ourselves. Those are the days. And then you blink and September is gone. I miss you sweet September.

Every year when Liam and I go to the beach, our experience has changed. During his first summer, he would just sleep in his stroller. Then he would maybe wake up and we would take him in the lake and then he would sleep more. Last year he was afraid to walk on the sand without shoes and he was terrified of the water. The only water I could get him in was mudpuddles that I made for him. And this year, he has grown to be so independent. He walks barefoot on the sand. He is not afraid of the water. And he can dig his own hole and fill it with water all on his own. And he has been such a good friend to all the kids he has met on the beach. He makes up all sorts of fun little games to play at the beach to. Most of his games involve either cars racing or burying cars and finding them or driving them in the mudpuddles. It was a fun summer at the beach.River liked the beach too. She thought it was fun to be outside and she just stares at the trees. She's not to fond of the water, but by the end of the summer she liked to wiggle her feet and splash in it. And she took some awesome naps in the great outdoors.

So I used to complain a lot about fall and winter and all the darkness and wet dreariness and get all sad and depressed and tell Jeb how much I miss summer about this time of year, but now that I'm supposed to be a grown-up I'm trying super hard to appreciate all seasons for what they are. My favorite thing about fall is to go out for a walk and step on the crunchy leaves and pinecones. I just like the sound that it makes when they crinkle under your feet. And I love it right before the leaves fall. It's just a few weeks away and all the trees outside our window are going to be a flaming red and orange colors. Yay for fall...it might not be as great as summer, but it's going to be here soon so I might as well greet it with open arms. Happy Fall people.

Liver!

Recently when I was hurriedly saying my children's names, out of my mouth came "Liver!" How come I didn't think of this before hand? At least it will be easier to call them both at the same time this way. It just will sound a little strange on the playground for a mom to be shouting about meat. I sure love my liver!

Time sure does fly. A lot has happened these past couple of months. River has grown to a whopping 14 lb chubby girl! She is darn cute with all the little rolls under her chin, in her arms and her legs. Liam has mastered the skill of going potty in the toilet and now exclusively wears big boy underwear even at night and can go standing up with relatively good aim. (It gets a little messy though when he is distracted). Jeb spent nearly two weeks in Ecuador for mission trip and has had a summer full of youth activities. And as for me, I feel like I just wake up every day and see what is going to happen. My life revolves around my side-kick, little River. We are pretty much best buds since I am her most fav person on the planet right now. Since it has been a full two months and because my sister keeps on asking for pictures, I think that's about all I have to say. Enjoy the pics that are all about a week-by-week update of our girl. You can see how much she's been growing!

Here are just some fun pics of what Liam has been up to:

With cousins Eleesha and Jayden. They are praying.

JumpingDiggingPlaying with cousin JacksonFirst train ride (that he can remember). He is a HUGE fan of trains.
Of couse hanging with sissy.Playing with Maddie and LandonClimbing all over dad. He loves to jump and climb on Jeb!

She's Here!

With joy we introduce the newest member of our family

A Baby Girl

River Elizabeth Bristow-Hanna

Born June 21, 2008 at 10:15 am

7 lbs 5 oz

19 1/4 inches long

Big Brother Liam loves his sister

Mom and Dad are doing well and feel very blessed

Guess away!!!

Per Gina's suggestion, I do think we should have a bet to see who can be the closest to when this child will come. I love guessing things, so hopefully you will to. For your information, Liam was due June 15 and was born June 9 at 1:15 pm. So, let the betting begin...let's hear your best guess at if you think it will be a boy or girl and when they will arrive (due date is 4th of July).

The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

I remember distinctly on November 2 telling Jeb that I was pretty certain we were having another baby. We had gone to PF Chang's for dinner and a table opened up for us despite the fact that everyone else was going to have a 2 hour wait. We got in quickly and everything was perfect! Well, now it's our turn to wait. It's almost hard to believe that it is nearing the end of June and that our baby is due in 2 weeks. He/she could come tomorrow or a month from now. It's a pretty exciting time in our life although it just doesn't seem possible that the time is already here. Here is to some patience. And here's a most recent photo of my ever-growing self. I was telling Jeb today that I am a little unaware of the size of my midsection because I keep bumping into things with it.

Happy Birthday Liam!

Liam three years ago
Liam today

I distinctly remember where I was and what I was doing three years ago last week. Jeb and I had stayed up all night long and had not even a wink of sleep. It was painful. It was dramatic. But the end result was so perfect and beautiful. Liam was born. Last week was Liam's third birthday. It is strange to think that it has already been three years with this sweet boy, but it has. Every day is a new day to learn more about him and his personality. Liam has a very sweet and easy going personality, a lot like his dad I think. The majority of the time he is pretty quiet and doesn't say a lot unless he is really wound up or he is really passionate about something. He has really grown to be independent lately too. He can change his own diaper. He can dress himself. He likes to fasten and unfasten his own car seat. Around our house it is not unlikely to find him playing in his room by himself or simply doing his own thing. And while he does have a very secure nature about him, he is also so sweet and loving. He is a great cuddler and likes to be snuggled to sleep, he likes to sit on our laps and read books and he likes to be carried and lay his little head on our shoulder. Some things that I have enjoyed watching him grow and learn and do over the past few months have been to watch his imagination truly come to life. He likes to take all of his cars and they talk to each other, he tells them to go to time out, he puts them down for naps, and the cars "play" together. It is a pretty funny sight to see. Liam likes to do crafts and arts. He loves to paint and color. He is really good at using scissors and he likes to tape things. He is also getting really good at building things with legos all by himself. He can build towers and fences and buildings. I appreciate that Liam likes to help a lot. If we ask him for help, he is very willing whether that means to carry his things to the car, throwing things in the garbage, cleaning up his toys, or helping mom cook in the kitchen. I must say that Liam is extremely helpful in the kitchen, his specialties include, but are not limited to stirring, pouring things, and salad spinning. I have never met such an eager salad spinner in my life! Liam is a good singer. He can sing so many different songs and my favorite ones to hear are all of his songs from Sunday School. And my favorite moments of him singing are when he is oblivious to anyone listening to him. I have enjoyed every moment of watching him grow from a new baby to a little boy. His day is special to me because it reminds me of the birth of my son, the gift of life, and it was also the day that I became a mom. Thank you Liam, you are a real gift. I look forward to watching you grow.

Helping

Blowing out the candles

Young Life

Our baby at 33 weeks

Being pregnant definitely has its ups and downs. There's the sickness, the aches and pains, the stretchmarks, the swollen feet, the sleepless nights, the uncomfortable feeling that just doesn't go away, and the list could grow longer and longer. There are also the perks...everyone jumping to help you or give you special treatment, the baby kicking and moving, the mystery of growing another human being inside of your body. The outcome is very promising, to bring new life into the world. It is an amazing and humbling and honoring process. I am honored to be this child's mother and I look forward to meeting them even though a part of me already knows them. I leave you with this verse that meant so much to me after Liam was born:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Happy Anniversary To Us!

May 18, 2002

May 18,2008

It is so good to have a companion in life. I'm so glad that you picked me Jeb! Life has been full the past six years. And I would not trade going through any of it with anyone else but you. The good and the bad...it is all so much sweeter with someone to help you through it all. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for leading our family. Thank you for being a good father. Thank you for being a compassionate husband. Thank you most for being a godly man. I love you, your personality, your humor, your looks, your humble heart, your faith...I love it all. I just want you to know how much you mean to me today.

Fun Pics

Before Easter, we colored eggs. Liam is Mr. crafty. Anything having to do with coloring or cutting or gluing or any sort of thing is totally fun. Here are his Easter creations.Yummy Easter candy. But to be honest, he really doesn't love candy. He loves gum. We (Jeb and I) have basically eaten all of his candy because he only wants to chew gum. Even today we went somewhere for ice cream and he turned it down. He did not want any. What is the matter with our kid? Don't all kids want ice cream?

This picture was actually taken 3 weeks ago at 25 weeks gestation. I am now in my 28th week and working on the third trimester. Baby is healthy and I am healthy and the family as a whole is doing good.

Maternity Clothes and Sex (As in a baby boy or girl)

I love maternity clothes. It's not that I like getting bigger and rounder, but the fact that I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe of clothes to pick from every morning is super fun. With both pregnancies I have had someone loan me all of their maternity clothes in addition to my own maternity clothes which makes it doubly fun to get dressed every morning...almost like college when I had 3 different people's clothes to choose from every morning! Every day is a new day with a new outfit to wear! So much fun.

Early this week we went in for our very anticipated ultrasound to find out the sex of our child. And wouldn't you guess, they had their legs pinned together the entire time with the umbilical cord between the legs. The technician even had me leave and go get lunch and come back after an hour and our darling boy or girl still had their legs stuck together. But they are healthy, they have two legs and two arms, 4 working chambers of the heart, etc. It was a success, but we're going to be surprised at the birth. I am glad that God has given us this surprise, because I never could have waited to find out if He hadn't hidden it from us. I like surprises, but they also drive me crazy. This will be a good one!

Samoas and other stuff

I realize that my blog is constantly only talking about food or baby...they are possibly of my two favorite things. Maybe it's just from having to go a few months without being able to enjoy food has reminded me once again how very good it is. Well...I can't stop talking or thinking about Girl Scout Cookies. One of the girls from church was selling some and I bought 5 boxes from her. Samoas are my all time favorite. Absolute deliciousness, but we also like the Tagalongs and Thin Mints and I don't know how I came away without any of the shortbread cookies because those are good too. 2 boxes are almost gone (it's not just me eating them) and I am sure the others will be gone soon. Here's to all those little girls standing outside of Safeways and Fred Meyers across the country...Thank you for the cookies! They are so good!

Sometimes I forget that I am having a baby. It's not that I don't know I'm pregnant, but my experience with this second child has been so much different than with my first. When I was pregnant with Liam, the world revolved around my round and growing belly. It was all I thought about, talked about, and cared about. I feel like I have so much keeping me busy, that I can hardly believe I am almost half way through this pregnancy. The time went by so slowly with Liam and I was so impatient for every new thing. Everything is zooming past me right now that I wish in some ways that it would all slow down a little. But there are still those very special moments where time seems to stand still, like feeling the baby move and it reminds of me of this special little person God has created.

I wanted to share some pictures of little man/woman and I at 18 weeks.

I sure love these boys. I have been working on Jeb's days off for about 6 months and my schedule changed this week so that we are going to have one day off together every week. Today was spent with these most special boys in my life and I have enjoyed every minute of it!

Home Sick

We are staying home from church today, Liam and I. He is sick. He woke up last night having all sorts of horrible croupy symptoms. He sounded like a dog barking when he coughed and had wheezy breathing. I was just reflecting on how since he has been born I have stayed home from church probably more than the rest of my life combined. I miss being there with everyone. At the same time, I love being here for my baby when he is so helpless and down in spirits. I love being with him when he's sick because there is so much cuddling and he is so relient on someone to be here for him. But it hurts my heart to see a little person who is normally full of energy and with such a positive disposition to be so helpless. To make it worse, I can't tell him it's Sunday either, because he would be so upset to miss church because he LOVES church. Usually when I ask him what he would like to do for fun on any given day he says he wants to go to children's church. Poor little guy. Now he has to wait until next week!

Magically Delicious

I indulged myself lately when I was shopping while hungry at the grocery store which is a very bad idea when you are pregnant AND hungry. So as I was strolling down the cereal aisle I noticed my childhood/college favorite cereal was on sale. I usually try to avoid cereals like this one because of all the sugar hype and lack of nutrition, but I just couldn't resist this time. I threw it in the cart and told Liam we would have it for breakfast in the morning. The next morning I pour a bowl and he goes straight for the marshmallows. I ate two bowls and they took me back to Saturday morning breakfasts in the cafeteria in college and to my Great Grandma's house where we always got to pick out a special box of cereal to eat and my choice was always none other than Lucky Charms. It is soooo yummy. Plus I get the added fun of every morning Liam asking for the cereal with "Peter Pan" on it. I don't have the heart to tell him it is really a leprechaun...at least not yet.

The bun in the oven

Things have finally turned a bend for me these past few weeks as far as my pregnancy goes. There were days and sometimes a week here and there when I seriously didn't know how I was going to make it through nine months of feeling the way I did, but those symptoms have started to fade. My energy is up. My appetite is back. Food tastes good again. There are moments of being sick that still pop up here and there, but overall, I feel a million times better. I have even started excercising again this week in hopes of keeping somewhat fit. I am in my 15th week now and Baby Bristow-Hanna is due the 4th of July! We'll be finding out if the baby is a boy or girl in about a month! What do you think it's going to be?

Happy Holidays in January!

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Hope yours was great!!!

Ahhh...it's so nice for Christmas to be all over and for a new year to have begun. I like winter, I like the decorating, I like the tree and all the lights, I like giving gifts, I like the good food, I love seeing family and friends, but I also like the calm after the busyness. On a different note, Liam really got Christmas this year. Up until now he has been oblivious to the presents and everything, but it gave me so much joy to watch him open each present and be completely enamoured with the gift. Christmas was pretty awesome because we had snow. Not just a little, we had a whopping 3 feet of it. Enough snow to build a snowwoman with Liam and my nieces. We had a wood fire crackling around the clock to keep us nice and toasty inside. That was what I liked about Christmas.

Eleesha and Jayden's snowwoman
Liam kept getting stuck in the snow

All the cousins eating breakfast together. You can't tell, but they are watching a movie. They watched the movie "Cars" probably 10 times in one week!