Christmas with the Britt's

This was our Christmas Tree this year. For the past 6 years we've made our tree from some kind of recycled item. This year it was all those picture frames you get as gifts that we have way more of them than we have wall space to put them.








Grandma Swecker came to visit all the way from Washington state. Hendrix and her had a great time at McCormick Park. Choo- Choo!

Santa knew just what everyone wanted. Leah got money for shopping and an extra month of maternity leave (Mike had been saving his bonus checks for the past few months, how sweet is that?!!!) Mike got a camping stove and a coupon to get a larger camping tent, we've out grown our two man tent.

Our Christmas Eve tradition :
Homemade Enchilladas from Grandma Swecker and making Christmas cinnamon bears to munch on for Christmas breakfast.

MilaBelle had no idea what was going on, but I know she loved all the time she got to spend with

Grandma, who babysat as much as we let her. Which was a lot, we needed the break. Thanks Mom!!

Hendrix got planes, trains, and automoblies. All of which he LOVES!!! He loved opening packages.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, we certainly did.

Smiling's my favorite

MilaBelle is a little smiler now and we just love it. She smiles everytime she see Leah and it's time to eat and then after each meal we can catch a whole lot of cutie grins.

Here's Hendrix and Uncle Jared giving a tribute to Elf this Holiday season at McCormick Park, which by the way was really fun. They have the Christmas lights up from 6:30pm-9pm through Jan. 5th. Check it out, you're kids will love it.

My little Nap Dodger

So, Hendrix has decided he doesn't want to take naps anymore, he'd rather play. The last two days I've still made him stay in his room for 'quite time' at least. So, today I didn't hear him for a while, I went to shut his door, so he'd nap better. I peeked in to see a lump under his blanket, thinking my little boy was so cute tucked under his blankie. Then I heard something in his closet. I said "Hendrix?", Yup, it was him playing in the closet, not sleeping at all. The lump on his bed was a stuffed animal. Little punk. I am not ready for him to give up naps. I still want naps. Are they supposed to give them up this soon? Does anyone have any advice on how to get him to take a nap.

I'm Only Happy When It Rains

I LOVE THE RAIN – it’s cleansing, it’s beautiful, and it’s refreshing. It makes me want to curl up in bed, pop in a chic flick and snuggle with my man.

Here are my favorite RAIN moments

Last week when I packed up the ‘kids’ to meet Mike for lunch. We ate at this great place – Nothing But Noodles. I know what you’re thinking and the answer is ‘YES, they have other things to eat then Noodles.

When Mike and I were dating and we went walking in the rain. We splashed in puddles and played like we were kids.

Living in Washington when I was 10 and listening to the rain fall on the metal roof. My grandparents had a metal roof for only 2 reasons, one was so the snow would melt quickly and the other was the sound the rain made as it fell over their home. It was so relaxing.

My Upside down Kiss with

Spiderman

oh, wait,

that wasn't me.

Rainbow Bright

This summer spending time with my mom in Washington and watching Hendrix walk the shoreline, throwing rocks and watching them splash.

Mike’s and my 3rd wedding anniversary. I had school that day, and afterwards, I came home, cranked the heat up and made Mike a scavenger hunt/maze to the bedroom, where we fogged up the windows if you know what I mean. Wink, Wink.

Skinny-dipping in hot springs while it rained – Mom, if you’re reading this it wasn’t me and it never happened.

Walking along side the beach in Alaska when I was 16, it was only lightly raining, but the ocean was gorgeous and even though it was freezing, I walked bare foot on the sand, because it was my first trip to the ocean.

Last night, checking on my babies, sleeping, Hendrix snuggled up with his Batman blanket and MilaBelle tightly swaddled in her cradle my Grandpa Poncho made her and listening to Mike’s soft breathing at 5 in the morning.

Songs About Rain That ROCK!!!

I love the rain and had to listen to my fav songs. Mike also introduced me to some new ones by Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song and Fool in the Rain. These are songs I've heard before, but never sat and listened to the lyrics, they also rock, and here's a few more.













Rain King or Raining in Baltimore by Counting Crows -
Counting Crows is so Chill, you can just sit listening to them and the rain for hours







Who'll stop the Rain or Have you ever seen the Rain by Creedance Clearwater Revival
How much does John Fogerty(second guy from the left) look like a young Steven Martin.



November Rain by Guns N' Roses - this is the song says 'Nothin' lasts forever', but this song certainly feels like it. They would play this song at School dances and you better totally like who you're dancing with. I had a crush on one of my friends - Cameron Adams, I asked him to dance to this song - he said "Dude, this is the song you get someone you like, not friends." Clueless Cameron. It worked out best though, we were awesome friends.
++ It has that awesome part when you think it's almost over, and then it goes on for like 2 more minutes.

No Rain by Blind Melon - this song brings me back to high School with Natalie Cardon and Julian Peterson, we drove to Flagstaff for an tour of NAU and a band audition. Cruzing down the street in my mom's blue minivan, rain fallin' down, diggin' the tunes. Independent and lovin' it.

What's your fav rain songs?

Should Mitt explain Mormonism?

I was watching The View this morning and heard that Mitt Romney is going to explain his religion. A newscaster was on saying that he has interviewed Mitt in the past and has asked him, "How do you explain your religion?' Mitt: "I don't" So... why now? I'm sure it's because he's behind in the poles right now. Obviously I wasn't there, but I know when John Kennedy was running for President it was an issue that he was Catholic. President Kennedy said that because church and state is seperate, his religious beliefs would not govern his way to the run the country.
So...
Do you think our religious beliefs affect how we act, judge and live our life? Can the President leave his beliefs on the doorstep of the White House?

Do you think Mitt should have to explain his religion?

Do you think it matters that the President of the United States believe in God? Does it need to be the same God as you?

Would you want to be the President's Home Teacher or his wives Visiting Teacher? Can you imagine trying to set up an appointment or drop off cookies?

My thoughts: At first I was offended that Mitt Romney would have to explain his religion, the American public could care less if he were Baptist, but then after hearing the women on The View frequently refer to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as Mormonism, calling The Book of Mormon 'our bible' and making the statement, "Mormons didn't allow blacks into the organization until 1970". I realized the American public is clueless on what 'The Mormons" really believe. I'm not sure how Romney will 'sum' up our religion, but I do hope it will bring more knowledge to the voters about the church. Then maybe I wouldn't have someone at work ask me if it bothers me that my husband has other wives. True story, I knew this girl about a week, when she found out I was Mormon and asked me about the 'other wives' I live with. I asked her: "My husband has other wives? Do you know them or something, because I've yet to meet them."

Those our my thoughts? What's yours?

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

This is our gorgeous MilaBelle.

She's already gained a pound and a few oz. She's a very healthy eater. I've been able to lengthen her feeding though - Finally - she was eating every 2 hours, it was killing me. But we've gone two nights with her sleeping 7 hours and then 5 hours in a row.

One Week Old

Mommy or Maid?

My friend Burgess' blog inspired me to write some of my thoughts about Motherhood. There's not much I regret in my life, mostly because any decisions I've made in the past, good or bad have brought me where I am in my life now. And although things aren't perfect I am married to a man I'm madly in love with, and due to his incredible cuteness I have two gorgeous children. I do however regret a moment in my life when I was a teenager. I told my mom that I never wanted to become like her, that I was afraid I wouldn't go on to be a famous rockstar and I would be stuck at home with children doing the "mormon mom thing". The funny thing is I don't remember her looking upset, maybe a little disappointed, but mostly the face I remember her giving was one of knowledge, a smile of wisdom. She knew what I didn't know then that I know now. And that was...

Being a mom is the most rewarding, difficult, fulfilling, enjoyable, peaceful, challenging, closest to our Heavenly Father I ever felt responsiblity. Growing up I believed society, that you had to have a degree to be thought of as smart, you had to have a career to be viewed as valuable, and you had to make your own money, have your own free time and be completely independant to be "somebody".

My definition of "The Mormon Mom" has changed from uneducated baby maker to a Divine calling from God himself. A crucial parent that will raise our future leaders. A loving, nuturing, essential character in our children's lives. -That how I raise them determines how they will raise their own family and generations to come. I feel honored to have a son who will one day serve a mission and bring the light of Christ to others. I am blessed to have a daughter who will have a family of her own. And in the words of President Hinckley "When you save a girl, you save a generation." I am so very thankful to my own Mother, and the example she set of loyalty to her family, love for the Church and respect for herself have taught me many lessons.

Some days are like this... Us on Thanksgiving - trying to get a family photo - trying is the key word here.

I set out to write a debating blog if all the mundane things we do as moms (clean dishes, do laundry, wipe faces, wipe dirty bums, play dinosaurs, fight to change a two year old, spend almost 8 hours a day breastfeeding) make us moms or merely maids (wet nurse for the last thing mentioned). But I've realized very early on that there is no debate, because
You can't pay someone to do what a mother will do for free.


So, to all my Mommy friends out there - YOU ARE AWESOME - keep the faith.


And Other days are like this...

Halloween was how long ago?

The Britts at Halloween 2007

I just realized we never posted anything from Halloween. My brother always throws a great Halloween party. Everyone dresses up and there's great food, fun games and a costume contest.

I won 'Most Creative' with my 'Bun in the Oven' costume.

Mike won 'Funniest' with his awesome Ron Burgurdy impression...

"I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly, mmm mmm mmm "

Hendrix's love for Batman began this summer when I bought him a hat and was reinforced by a blanket our friend Rachelle had given him when he was born. He has to sleep with both every night. He likes to hum the theme song. So what else could he be than his fav super hero. He liked the trunk or treat party our ward had, but after about 3 cars, he decided he had enough candy and found a comfty spot in the yard to chill.

Some old photos from this summer

Bird Watching and the petting zoo.

Hendrix at the Zoo

First Happy Meal in Washington

Our little Breadmaker.

These are words that go together well: MilaBelle

Introducing MilaBelle Luz de Saffron Britt, and since the date says Nov. 11th on the picture, you know this is of our little girl at about 2 days.

*Again, we remind you that none of these pictures are ones we took, but we thank those of the family that donated their shots to us to post here and send to family/friends living far away, since it appears we did lose our camera :(*

Born November 9th at 3:51pm Weight: 7lbs 13oz Length: 18.5inches (?) They said she was 18.5, but 4 days later at her first doctor's appointment she measured 19.25 inches. -So either she grows quickly, or our nurse in the hospital was high on the wacky when she cleaned and measured our little angel.

Here's a good shot of her blonde highlights.

The New and Improved Britt family. Hendrix doesn't look that trilled for the picture, but trust us, he loves her.
Grandma Britt with her 17th grandbaby. This was take home day and attire.
Mom and baby. She's so precious.
Here's one last one of the squirmy girl, still with the love-line clip in place. This clip is of course now since removed & we're just waiting for that thing to fall off and her little bellybutton to be healed all up to see if she'll have an inny or an outy!

And the Winner is...

Well although Melissa guessed closest to the weight and length, everyone overbid when it came to when our little girl would grace us with her presence. Even we were surprised.
MilaBelle Luz de Saffron Britt was born on Friday, November 9th at 3:51pm. She weighed 7lbs 13oz and was 18.5 inches long. She has brown hair with blond highlights and is totally cute.

Unfortually we don't have any pictures to post at this moment. Our entire house is flipped upside down and we've misplaced the camera. We've been staying at Mike's parents house while we had new flooring put in our condo. They were supposed to finish the job on Friday afternoon, but Mike and I were otherwise busy. Mike is home for a couple of days, so we'll get this house in order soon.

In the meantime trust us, SHE'S A CUTIE!!!

The Countdown begins

Can you guess when our little baby girl will be born? She's due November 19th, but of course we wouldn't mind if she comes early.

The Contestant Questions...

Date and Time She'll be born

Weight and Height

Have fun with your guesses, the winner will receive not only the gratification of knowing you are the winner but also a night of babysitting our new little girl, just kidding.

We're very excited and will let everyone know when she arrives.

No More Diapers?

Hendrix received a present a while ago. We haven't quite weened off diapers yet, but he is very excited about his present and has already used it several times, including #2! We had a potty party.

We try and sit in it as much as we can and read books. I think Hendrix could hang out there all day, but Mommy gets a little bored.

Showing Daddy how it works