Of Couches and Brothers

The year was 2001.  I had just graduated college, finished up a temp teaching job in Cokeville, Wyoming, and was coming back to Utah to start my career as a music teacher for Jordan School District.  I finally found an apartment in Draper.  I loved that place.  However, I had no furniture.  

Enter my brother, Spencer William Stirland.  He was recently married and working a job for Furniture Warehouse.  He told me I needed a couch.  He asked me where were people going to sit when they came and visited me?  I asked him, "what people?"  Then we discussed what came first, the couch or the people. Long story short, my little brother Spencer can talk me into anything.  So, I came to his work and looked at couches.  I found the one you see in the picture below.  (By the way, it should be noted that he also tried to talk me into a bunk bed.  Said it would be great when I got married....)

Years later, my little brother and his wonderful wife talked me into internet dating.  Hence the sweet handsome husband you see on the said couch in the picture below.  

I can honestly say I would not be who I am or where I am without my little brother.  He quietly in his own loving way pulled me out of my calm solitude and put me into a more social friendly atmosphere.  For that, I am truly grateful.  Even writing this silly post, I am tearing up.  (Of course that may be also from the lack of sleep.)    

Recently we had to get rid of the couch.  It had broke in the move to my Cottonwood Height's condo and got increasingly worse on the move to New York and the many months thereafter.  It was hard to say goodbye to my couch (I'm such a silly girl and get attached to everything), but I will always be grateful for the couch.  It will always hold a special place in my heart.  Somewhere near the place held my dear little brother.  

Indiana Trip

Last month we took a little trip out to Indiana to see Grandma Walker.  It was a 14 hour drive there.  I had no idea what I was getting into.  But neither did mama and daddy....

First stop, meeting Daddy's friend Steve.

Then we didn't stop for a long time.  A really long time.  I had to let daddy know I needed a break and to stop the car.  I let him know really loud just incase he missed it.  But we still didn't stop.  So then I realized it was probably the fault of the other cars on the road.  So I got louder to let the other cars on the road know we needed to stop and they should get out of the way.  I was just trying to help daddy.  It work. 

We finally stopped and got out of the car, but more importantly out of that car seat.  WHEW!  But we weren't there yet, so eventually we had to get back into the car.  I was sleepy, so I slept.  Daddy drove and drove and drove - 6 hours with out stopping.  Mama says it was out of fear that I'd wake up.  So nice of him to not want to interrupt my sleep... 

We finally made it to Grandma's!  This is her beautiful back yard.

I love vacations.  I got to wake up with Daddy.  He still looks sleepy.  Wonder why that would be....

Daddy and Grandma gave me a present.  A wonderful bed that's all mine!  Here's me chillin' in my crib.

There was lots of time for play...

And for pictures with Mama...

Here's my model shot... (Aunt Courtney would be proud.)

And LOTS of time with Grandma!  

She bought me this shirt.  It says:

Mom's cranky? 

Dad's not home?

Call 1-800-GRANDMA.

(I would, grandma, but mama doesn't let me use the phone yet...)

More play time with Mama... 

And lots of conversations with Grandma

And changing time with Grandma.... (remind me to ask mama how old I get before she'll stop posting pictures of me getting changed...)

But we eventually had to go home.  Mama and Daddy were a little concerned about another car trip, so we tested the plane.  I loved the Indiana Airport!  Everyone was so nice.  

Here's our seat.  

But I just can't stay sitting down.  I'm a mover and a shaker!  Must be up and about.  Daddy was kind enough to oblige. 

We made it home.  Indiana with Grandma Walker was fun!  Now, I can't wait to take the trip to Utah and see the Stirland family.  But I think Mama and Daddy are still recovering....

The Value of a Good Walk

The other day I received a phone call from my cousin Nicole.  She use to be a New Yorker - Manhattan and everything.  Yes, brave girl.  Anyway, we talked about Rebekah.  I mentioned I wanted to take Rebekah on walks, however, when I took Rebekah for a walk in early December, just when it started getting cold, some lady in the apartment community pulled me aside and scolded me about my little girl getting cold and told me to stop.  Nicole encouraged me to pay no attention to the crazy lady, and to bundle up Rebekah and get out in the fresh air.  So, I did.

One of the hand-me-downs we received was this coat.  Nice WARM coat.

Yes, I know.  ADORABLE.  :D

Don's friend, Adda, gave us a hand-me-down Bjorn.  A while ago I carefully read the warning label and was sad by the fact that I couldn't use it, Rebekah already being over 13 pounds, and it's weight limit was 11.  I almost gave it away, but Don stopped me.  Come to find out upon further inspection it was 11kg, which turns out to be 25 pounds.  Yay for Don!  So, I put Rebekah in it and we ventured out.

It was so wonderful I almost cried!  (But then again, my emotions are still working on getting back to normal, so crying for me isn't hard....) 

This is us after our venturing

We go for daily afternoon walks.  Each time Rebekah ends up falling asleep.  I love the hour of peace and quiet.  Then we get home and I very gently take Rebekah out of the Bjorn and softly lay my sleeping little one down on the bed.  She sleeps for another minute or so, then it's up and time to play again.  

Cell Phone Download

I've had these random pictures on my cell phone for quite some time.  While in Indiana I found time to download them to my computer.  Each one has a little story, but "there is too much.  I will sum up...." (Yes, that's from a movie... 10 points if you guess which one!) :D

There's a spider under there.  Yes, that's right.  You heard me.  There's a spider under there.  I hate spiders.  Actually, that's an understatement.  I have an insane fear of them - I simply can't handle them.  So, my sweet, understanding husband takes care of them for me.  But sometimes they come out when he's not home.  So, when that happens, I have to trap them.  The one under here was huge! "Could have put a saddle on it."  I put the lid on the spider (which was a victory for me in itself) but then I envisioned the lid moving because the spider was so huge.  So, I put a jug of water on it to hold it down.  Then it was just a matter of waiting until my sweet husband came home and saved the day.  Yay for my sweet husband!  

(Also, it should be noted that before Don did this chore for me, my wonderful brother Joseph did.  I have been very spoiled by good men who take good care of me.)

Here's the one and only pregnancy test I took.  

Here's the one and only pregnancy side shot that I (or rather Don) took.  (I think this was 7 almost 8 months along.)

Here's the first time I held my little one.

Close up of my little one.

My little one going to her first doctors appointment.  I love her tiny little hands.

Speaking of little hands...

And little sleepy babies....

My speed racing husband...

I love this picture - my exhausted little one...

And here she is dreaming about hula dancing...

Now she's dreaming about being in the military... "YES, SIR!"

Now she's dreaming about football.  "SCORE!"

Here's her "I'm in my bumbo chair but I'm not sure I like it" picture...

Breakfast time with mama...

Play time with mama...

3rd Month

2 Months Old!

(13 pounds, 1 ounce and 23 inches long)

9 Weeks

10 Weeks

11 Weeks

12 Weeks

13 Weeks

In Rebekah's words:

Stage 2 diapers! YAY for growth spurts!

Touching toys are a lot more fun than just looking at them

My shirts taste as good as my fists

Rolling over is fun (especially when it gets me out of tummy time)

Both fists don't fit in my mouth at the same time, but that doesn't stop me from trying

The bib is a wonderful after dinner treat.  It tastes SOOO good!

Each month with my little one is priceless.  She is a lot of work but it is so fun to see her grow.  I love the recognition in her eyes as she looks at me or her daddy.  I love that she looks at me in the morning, waiting in anticipation for our "wake up to the morning songs" and when I sing them to her, she smiles.  I love her smile.  We are truly blessed.