Running in Circles

Brice

- Is really excelling at his job and enjoying the little perks like being taken out to lunch often.

- can be found listening to pod-casts during his commute

- Finally got a calling- Stake Technology Assistant. His calling entails a lot but recently he was working hard to make sure Stake and General Conference were broadcasted to the church building well.

- recently built and painted Hazel a stool (to help her sit on the potty easier)

-Is running three times a week at 6:45 in the morning. This last Saturday he ran 5 miles (which is his longest run since leaving Provo)

- loves coming home to Hazel, who runs up to him and gives him hugs and kisses right away and to a home cooked dinner pretty much ready to eat.
- So far doesn't love any boy name suggested.
- Brice and Hazel love working on projects together. Here Brice is making Hazel a sword for her Halloween costume. Shoes are mandatory but clothing is optional.

Breann

-has 86 days until due date
- I called Brice 5 minutes before he was leaving work last night to say- I wanted greasy pizza! I had dinner all prepped and ready to start cooking, but we ate greasy pizza and it was so good!

- so grateful for the good friends I've made here in Dallas.

- looking forward to having visitors (Doug & Lucinda) next week and then finally having a car again :)

- Spoke in Sacrament Meeting this last Sunday and for some reason was terrified!

- Feeling pretty unprepared for another baby in the house

- Grateful for electricity and 72 hour kits.
- We've had a few exciting weekends between losing power, Ebola, General Conference, Hazel's 2nd Birthday, and this weekend we're going camping.

Hazel

-Has started throwing herself on the floor when she's upset (but has quickly learned that she doesn't get the attention that she's hoping for)

- Had one of those huge diaper blowouts in her carseat today. I don't even remember the last time I cleaned up a mess like that.
-Asked me to buy "running shoes" and now refuses to take them off. Last night she tried to put them back on, even after she had her jams on.
- Is going to be a little pirate for Halloween. Maybe not the cutest costume ever, but she put on the eye patch and started saying "Arrgh" so we're sticking with it!
- Has gotten really into Halloween. She loves driving down Spooky Street (a street close by that the houses are well decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, giant black cats, spiderwebs, and ghosts!)
She even woke up twice this week yelling "GHOST" and crying hysterically.

I'm in my last week before entering the third trimester of pregnancy! 

That means baby boy is practically here right?! I know... I know...

I've been feeling pretty good lately but still struggling with a few things! 

The good things first:

- I feel healthy, fit, and strong! I'm running a big number of miles a week still (50+) which I am super grateful for. The weather has cooled down so morning runs feel so good!
- my mile times range from 7:50- 9:00

- I sleep like a rock at night. I still can't stay awake much longer than 10 pm though.

- I love feeling baby boy move around- kicks are starting to get stronger now, but he is still way less busy than Hazel was.

- I've started nesting already- I want to get rid of things, clean things, and organize almost every day! 

-Finally not breaking out anymore!

- No real cravings- still eating lots of sandwiches because they're simple enough.

The not so great things:

- I am so tired still- 2'oclock comes around and I am barely able to keep my eyes open!

- I had to switch Obgyns (I got a letter a month ago saying she was leaving her practice) 

- Weight: I've gained 17 pounds, which seems like a lot 

- I still have no appetite! Only once or twice an entire week does food sound good and I can find something that actually sounds good!
-We really should start thinking of baby names- we have none were considering
- a little bit or heartburn but its a once a week thing

Happy Birthday Hazel!

  In two years we've watched you grow so much and change from a baby to a little girl! You are so sweet and thoughtful, quick to apologize and even quicker to snuggle with us on the couch. You amaze us daily with the words you know and how big you are! You are so good at following directions and you listen pretty well to your dad and I. You are quick to share with friends and love holding their hands and giving hugs goodbye! You love talking to family members on the computer and you love hanging up on them all by yourself too ;)

You love to shower with mom or dad and be a helper in the kitchen. You love coloring pictures of aunts and uncles, you love reading books (especially Pinkalicious), you love jumping on the bed, the couch, and daddy! You love singing songs and have most of the words down to Book of Mormon Stories, Row Row Row Your Boat, No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, and I am a Child of God.

You definitely love to ask questions and figure things out on your own. You love going outside with daddy on adventures, laying with bigger kids, and swinging at the park. People always comment on how active and brave you are for being such a little girl. 

You like watching Paw Patrol or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when we need a break, but you would much rather be playing or reading. You love saying the prayer before dinner or bedtime and you love putting yourself to bed in your big girl bed. You love animals and insist on saying hi to every dog we see, no matter how big or small they are! You love being in nursery with your friends and you always tell us what you did on the car ride home from church.  You are so much more aware of my growing belly than I thought you would be. You love talking to your baby brother and telling him to be happy inside my tummy. You love practicing with your baby doll, gathering sticks outside, and spotting bugs. You are so interested in sitting on the potty and using your stool daddy made, but aren't quite ready to be done with diapers. You love stickers and painting and getting dressed on your own. 

I'm trying so hard to type exactly how you are at this point in your life, but I just can't. You are so loved by friends, family, Heavenly Father, and your parents. We love spending our days and nights with you and hope we get to celebrate many more birthdays together!

Happy 2nd Birthday Hazel Rae!