Santa Came Early!

I never thought that adding 1 more person to the family would cause there to be SO MUCH MORE LAUNDRY! But, it has. Brandon had the brilliant idea to get a frontloading washer and dryer for Christmas to help with this. Yay for great husbands!! I love my new washer and dryer! Here are my top 5 reasons why I love them so much.

1. They're pretty.
2. They work faster.
3. They have lots of cool buttons and settings.
4. They are going to save on water and electricity.
5. Brent can now do laundry. Look and see...


Loading the washer.


Moving the clothes over to the dryer.

I think I should sell these pics to whoever makes Kenmore appliances. It is a great selling feature that they leave out in their ads. :)

Happy 2 Months "Little Leigh"

Brandon calls Owen "Little Leigh" because he thinks he looks just like my mom. I told him he is going to have to quit calling him that as he gets older. I don't care who you are, no little boy wants to be known for looking like his grandmother.

Owen's looks have changed some, but for the most part he still favors my side of the family. His reflux is still pretty bad but we have gotten used to it and just do A LOT of laundry! He is a super gasy little man too. With the combination of those 2 things, he tends to be pretty moody. For the most part he is sleeping great at night, 6-7 hours straight through. His naps are okay. He would much rather be out in the living room watching what Brent and I are doing or being held:) He is grinning GREAT BIG now and I love it! I forgot how sweet it is when they first start smiling. I don't care if it's at 3 AM, it is the most adorable thing!

He just had his first shots today. Talk about breaking my heart! Some things just don't get easier the second time around. He weighs 11 lbs 4 oz (25-50%) and is 22 inches long (25%). It is so much fun watching him grow and seeing the differences/similarities in him and Brent. I love you and Happy 2 Months Baby Owen!

Goodbye Thanksgiving, Hello Christmas!

I can't believe it's that time of year again and our family is even bigger and better this Christmas! We have a tradition to put up the Christmas tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Well, that didn't happen because life happened. Actually, we had a dishwasher and dryer tear up within a week of each other so Brandon was playing "handy man". Well, after those problems were fixed, Brandon had to go out of town for 3 days for work so we just did it without him. Trust me, he does NOT mind! I remember last year Brent was just a little bit older than 1 and into EVERYTHING so I had to be real careful about breakable decor. I think (and hope) things will be a little different this year. He was so excited about putting up the tree, lights and ornaments and was a BIG help. He is pretty talented too. He managed to hang about 9 ornaments on one branch! I don't know if I could even do that. I thought it was so cute. I told myself I would move them once he went to bed but it makes me smile every time I look at the tree so I might just leave it like this for a little while. Atleast until Daddy gets home.

A Baby Blessing

This past Sunday was a special day for our family because Brandon gave Owen his baby blessing at church. In this blessing he was promised many wonderful things if he chooses to make good choices in life and follow God's path. It's days like this that make me feel so happy and blessed to have my eternal family and a testimony of the true everlasting gospel. Life is good!

4 Weeks

Owen is 4 weeks old today. And I thought time flew by with 1 kid! He is such a sweet boy and fits just right in our family. Overall, we have had a pretty good first 4 weeks. He is a fairly predictable baby which is really nice with 2. He eats every 3 hours or so, spits up A LOT, sleeps a lot, and poops a lot. The doctor diagnosed him with acid reflux this week and put him on some medicine. Brent had the same deal-I think our children are just destined to have this. Hopefully he'll just grow out of it like Brent did. Good news is, it is not affecting his growing. He already weighs 9 lbs!

Owen is so sweet when he is awake. He just lays there and stares at you in awe. I am so anxious to see how he looks as he gets older because he doesn't look a thing like Brent as a baby. Here are some cute pics I took of him in a pumpkin. Such a good sport!

Trick or Treat

I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to participate in all the Halloween Festivities this year because of the timing of Owen's arrival. But with the combination of him showing up a week early and being such a good baby that I can just take anywhere and he sleeps, we carried on the Halloween tradition as usual.

Now that Brent is getting older it's fun to do things in the kitchen with him. We decided to make some Halloween sugar cookies. He thought that the cookie dough was playdough and refused to eat it because he knows eating playdough is a BIG NO-NO.
Can't argue with that!





We actually went to a couple of Halloween parties but the biggest was our church's annual trunk-or-treat/chilli cook-off. It was a lot of fun and Brent sported his new red trike dressed up as a "biker dude" while Owen was a little angel and slept dressed up as a "little devil".

2 Weeks

Wow what a journey these last 2 weeks have been. My life has been flipped upside down in more ways than one. Having 2 children is wonderful and exhausting all at the same time (just as I knew it would be). I have had so much help from family and friends around me which I can't say "thank you" enough for.

Owen has been a wonderful baby so far. He eats, sleeps, and then eats and sleeps some more. He is starting to stay awake after a couple naps each day now for about an hour each time. I can already see him losing that "newborn look". It always goes away too quickly.

The biggest challenge for me has been balancing the schedule of a newborn with the schedule of a toddler. Both so different and so demanding. Brent wants to go, go, go while Owen needs my sit-down attention to nurse every 3 hours. I feel like I have a pretty good combined schedule going right now which helps. I am such a schedule person. I'm lost without one.

Owen had a check-up this week and he is almost back up to birth weight (7 lbs. 12 oz.). He is a little jaundice and the doc is pretty sure he has acid reflux but it doesn't seem to bother him. Brent had this too but it affected his sleep so we had to put him on medication. We go back Friday for another weight check and to re-evaluate his jaundice.

So, happy 2 weeks Owen! I am a very proud, happy, and tired mom! Off to bed...

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen Landry arrived at 2:36 am Wednesday October 6 weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. and 20 inches long. This is how the story goes...

Tuesday morning I went in for my regular 39 week check-up at the doctor. He performed his usually painful exam and told me that I was dilated to a 3. After leaving the doctor I proceeded to have sporadic contractions all day and just felt plain miserable. Brandon and I spoke that afternoon and we both predicted that I would probably go into labor that night.

Around 6 that evening my contractions started getting really regular and we decided to go for a walk. They started coming every 2-3 minutes and were getting more and more painful so we decided to call the midwife. She told us to come on in and she would check me out. We got to the hospital around 8:30. The midwife examined me and said I was dilated to a 5 and told us we were going to have a baby!

I received an epidural about 30 minutes later and was SO grateful for it because I was really getting wore down by then. My water broke around 10 and by 11:30 I was completely dilated. Since I was comfortable with the epidural the midwife suggested that we just let the contractions do most of the work and then when it was time I could just push a couple times and he would be here. Well the plan worked great and by 2:36 am Owen was here!

As soon as they put him in my arms and I looked at him I noticed that he looked nothing like Brent. Hopefully I won't make a habit of comparing everything about Owen to Brent but I couldn't help but do it this one time. It was so fascinating to me to see how different he looked. I know it may not be that obvious to other people, but as their mommy, I could see it. Actually, for the most part everyone else has said the same thing. Brent obviously takes after Brandon and his side of the family whereas Owen takes after my side of the family (so far).

We were discharged from the hospital Thursday morning and are now back home enjoying our family of 4. So far, Owen has been the ideal baby. He sleeps and eats like a champ and just fits in perfectly. For the most part, Brent just does his own thing but shows interest in certain things about Owen. He likes to watch him sleeping in his crib, he likes to give him his paci (i.e. shove it in his mouth :), and he is really intrigued by me nursing Owen. He still hasn't figured out what that is all about. He doesn't care to hold him but gives him kisses and tells him "I love you".

Life is good and we are SO SO blessed.




This was post-epidural. I was probably around a 7 at this point.









Leaving the hospital.



Brothers :)

Oh the things they say...

This is a conversation between Brandon and Brent the other morning:

Brandon: "Brent, are you Daddy's little man?"

Brent: "Yeah Daddy, I'm the man."

Brandon and I bust out laughing!

38 weeks

Sorry-no pic tonight. I'm tired and very pregnant. Just wanted to update my blog after today's doc appointment. The doctor checked and I am dialated 2.5 cm. Better than nothing! Maybe not too much longer. I am really missing my old body and am ready to burn my maternity clothes! Very ready to meet this little guy :)

37 weeks and an outie

This pregnancy has been very similar to when I was pregnant with Brent but in some ways very different too. The main difference is my body. I haven't gained nearly as much weight, I am able to get around and do things a lot better, and my belly button has popped out! It actually popped out about 2-3 weeks ago but it is really sticking out now. I think it is SO COOL but it freaks Brandon out.

Another difference is the fact that I have already felt contractions. My last pregnancy I didn't feel my first contraction until I was in labor. However, the last week or so whenever I exercise I have been feeling some contractions. I think it is a good thing that this has been happening because I am totally in denial that I am about to have a new baby in a matter of weeks. This pregnancy has gone by so quick and I have had to do so little to prepare since I already have everything I need. The contractions are certainly a reminder that this is real and it is almost here.

I had my 37 week appointment this morning and everything is going great and the doctor is predicting a 7-7.5 lb. baby. We shall see!

A Mutual Weakness

So it appears that Brent and I have the same weakness for cowboy boots. I personally own a pair and LOVE them and when we spotted these today at the mall we just had to have them. It was fate. There was only one pair left and they were his size! I put them on his feet and he strutted all around the mall like a true cowboy. Who says you can't play dress up with little boys!?

In Position

I know some of you really don't care to hear this much information on my pregnancy but I am going to share anyway. My last 2 appointments the doctors commented on how Baby Owen was lying sideways in my belly and that I should be expecting him to shift his head downward any day. As of last week I could still tell that he was lying sideways, practically up in my ribs, ouch! However, I felt a shift this Tuesday and the doctor confirmed today that the baby is head down and in position! Yay!!! It is certainly more comfortable and easier to breath. However, it is a trade off because now my tail-bone hurts and I have to pee twice as much as I did before. I didn't even know that was possible! Anyways, things are going great and we are getting SO EXCITED around here!! My favorite time of year is quickly approaching and soon we will be a family of 4!!

Turning Two

I absolutely can not believe that my little Brent has turned 2! Today is his birthday and we celebrated BIG TIME this past weekend. We had family and friends join us for a Backyard Luau. We had a blast with water & sand activities, jumping, the Limbo, food, punch, and cupcakes! It was so nice to have everyone come together and enjoy each others company while celebrating another year with such a special boy. Brent was showered with many AWESOME gifts which he has spent hours playing with ever since. We wrapped the party up with a much needed hair cut from Aunt Steffy and a nice long nap for all who remained.

After 2 years together we have really grown to know you and love you more and more. Here are 5 things about you that make you unique and so easy to love!

1. You love to learn. I could just sit around the house and teach you stuff all day long and you enjoy it as well as make me feel like a smart mommy ;)

2. You are rough, tough, and loud just as all little boys should be!

3. You are such a neat freak. You put your toys back exactly the way they were before playing with them and even fuss at your friends when they aren't as efficient :0

4. You have such good manners. You stand on the other side of your bedroom door and beg "Please Mommy, out please Mommy" when you should really be sleeping. You walk around the house all day saying "Thank you Mommy" for things that I haven't done.

5. You make me a better person just by being my son. Although I'm far from perfect, I've never tried harder to be good so you can learn from me and grow up to be a righteous young man who makes his Heavenly Father proud.

Happy Birthday and I love you!

Enjoy pics from the Luau to the right!

Three Simple Words

May I just start this post by saying, I love being a mom. Sure, there are days where I want to scream (and I do) or shut my child in a room (and I do..baby-proofed and for just a few minutes) but days like yesterday always make up for those moments.

Yesterday, for the first time, Brent initiated saying "I love you". He has been repeating us when we tell him first for months now but never saying it on his own. We were playing in his room and he shut himself in the closet to hide. As he did he said, "Bye Mommy, I love you." I about melted when he said it! And then later in the day I went to put him down for a nap and as I leaned in to kiss him he looked up into my eyes and said, "I love you Mommy". I was beaming from ear to ear and had to call Brandon at work just to tell him (and rub it in). Not in a mean way. Just letting him know how lucky I am to be married to a man who works so hard so that I can stay home and have the best job in the whole wide world!

32 weeks and tired

This pregnancy has been such a breeze so far I have had absolutely nothing to complain about! As the end draws nearer the typical pregnancy symptoms are creeping in and I am really feeling pregnant these days. Mostly just tired, sore, and somewhat irritable (says Brandon). But mainly just tired. I have really been enjoying Brent's 3 hour afternoon nap by joining him :) I think my body is just storing up all the rest it can possibly get these last 2 months so I will be prepared for all the sleep I am going to have to do without come October.

Baby Owen is doing great and growing right along schedule. He moves ALOT and that's where some of the soreness comes in. Brent moved a lot too but I think Owen is stronger or bigger. Who knows? I can't believe I only have 8 weeks left! It has gone by so so fast! I can't wait to meet this little guy and hold him!

Annual Waves Vacation

Every year for the past 3 years we have gone on vacation with Brandon's family to Waves, NC. We always have such a blast and come back fatter and tanner. This year the weather was so nice and we spent almost every day out on the beach. The waves were BIG and the water was COLD. Brent had a lot of fun playing with his cousins in the sand and in the pool. We got him some wings this year (I forgot to get a pic of them) and he loved wearing them in the pool. It gave him complete independence to swim all around without someone holding him or having to sit in a floatie. We did have one rainy day which we spent at the aquarium. It was so nice to get away from everything for a week and spend time with family. Brent and I really got spoiled having Brandon around so much. We have really missed him this week!


Brandon and his Dad in the pool. No, his Dad is not a professional wrestler :)


I thought this pic was really cute. (No big foot jokes allowed!)


Brent and his cousin Kara in the hot tub.


By the way, just so yall aren't thinking I'm a terrible parent...we turned the hot tub temperature way down so Brent and I could get in.



The water washed up onto the shore past where we were sitting and made a little pool area for the kids to play in.




Brent and his cousins Kara and Deanna.

A Sexy Cake

My baby brother gets married in 10 days! I just can't believe it! We threw his fiance (Amber) a Bachelorette Party this past weekend and it was lots of fun! I absolutely love this girl and my brother is so lucky to have her. Anyways, I made this lingerie cake for her party. It was a lot of fun to make and eat!

"My son looks like a redneck!"

Brent and I share the some love of being outdoors. Brandon enjoys it too but not to the extent that Brent and I do. I do most of the yardwork around the house simply because I enjoy it. Now that Brent is a little older I let him help me mow the lawn. He absolutely loves it and asks to do it every day! We were mowing the other day and Brent just happened to be dressed in some overalls and a NC State hat. Brandon came home from work and looked at us and said, "My son looks like a redneck!". It was pretty funny. He really did. So I had to take a picture to post.

Food in Strange Places

I knew the day would come when I would be able to tell this story. I'm pretty sure just about every child out there has stuck food up his or her nose at some point in time. Well, Brent had his first this past Sunday. Any guesses as to what it was? A pancake. We were sitting at the table eating breakfast and Brent started complaining about his nose. He was very persistent so I took a peek up there and discovered pancake stuffed in one of his nostrils. Luckily it was really easy to get it out. Just a pinch and a finger swipe and it was gone! It may not sound that exciting to some of you out there but these funny moments are the highlight of a stay-at-home mom's day!

AB 2010

We went to Atlantic Beach this past weekend for 4 days to celebrate my mom's birthday, my sister's birthday, and hot weather! We had such a great time! Our weekend was filled with birthday celebrations, a firetruck ride, friends, family, the beach, and the aquarium. Brent loved it all! Enjoy the pics! (to the right)

Myrtle Beach for 2

Brandon won some competition at work and his prize was a weekend getaway with his wife. So, we went with another couple to Myrtle Beach! Brandon's parents kept Brent and my parents kept Pumpkin. Thank goodness for Grandparents who live close! Before leaving on our vacation we discussed that all we really cared to do was relax on the beach all day and eat good food. This is exactly what we did. And it was wonderful! We missed Brent like crazy and pointed out how he would love everything around us, but the break was necessary and good!



Good and preggers.




Check out THAT farmer's tan!

A Shoe Fetish

Never in my life have I seen a 1-year-old so obsessed with shoes! Ever since Brent started wearing shoes he has shown a special interest in them. He goes through our closet every day and picks out shoes to wear around the house. Whenever we have company over he'll slip on their shoes or move them to strange places (Carla-kitchen table). I don't really know what it is about shoes but he's in love.

He's always had his favorite pair in each size. Usually, it is the tennis shoes. Just recently Brent unexpectedly went up another shoe size. I say unexpectedly because I went and bought him shoes for the summer thinking they would get him through the whole summer and now they don't fit! Anyways, so we got him some new kicks just last week and he is absolutely obsessed! He wears them all day long no matter what he is doing or where he is. If you try to take them off you get to experience a nice little tantrum. And now, his new things is untying his shoes. No matter how tight or how many knots we make in his laces, he always manages to untie them. So we go back and forth all day long tying and untying shoes.

Just yesterday Brent rolled out of bed from his nap and the very first thing he did was slip his new shoes on. It cracked me up because he was still half asleep but he was just content to have them on.




On the wrong feet ofcourse.



Later that afternoon Brent went into his drawer and brought Brandon his black dress shoes, a brown belt, and green socks. Nice. So, Brandon put them on. If shoes is what makes this little boy happy, shoes is what he'll get.