Sentimental Part

I just want Clark to know how much I love and appreciate him. Honey, you are the best thing that has happened in my life and so grateful to be married to a wonderful Husband, a great Father, and My best friend!! This road we are on together is full of passion, love, laughter, joy and its because of you its so full of life. Here is to the 2 years so far and much more to come, Love you with all my heart!!

Happy Anniversary!

Last Friday Clark and I celebrated our 2ND anniversary, 07/25. We didn't really do anything on Friday because I had planned it for Saturday. Clark and I decided last year that we would rotate who is in charge of planning our anniversary so last year we went to Roy's for dinner and then to the Michael Buble concert which was a great evening. This year it was my turn and I made it a surprise.
What I did was i rented a corvette for a day for us to drive around in and enjoy which Clark would absolutely love!! When it came to Friday Clark wanted to know so bad what we were doing but I wouldn't say. Well he guessed it and instead of giving up I told him no and somehow convinced him that we were flying somewhere because I had told him his dad would take us to the airport, which wasn't a lie the car rental was at the airport! So when we got there Bob pulled up to the terminal 3 departures, we got out our one suitcase (yes I went his far to make him believe), and walked up to the Jet Blue airlines. I then started to laugh and told him that's not what we are doing, and ran out back to the car. Clark was so confused...It was GREAT!!
Well we got the car and spent the rest of the day enjoying the big powerful corvette. We drove to the Burger House which is just a little more east of lake Superior and then of course out to Ashley and Chads. Clark had to show off to him. Clark let them drive the car. Clark said Chad was giddy the whole time. When we got back home he let all his family take a turn in it and driving.
Sunday he piked up his grandmother and took her for a ride to church, she loved it. Clark and his brother Dan took it for one last drive before they had to turn it back in, in which case they barely made the time. All in all it was a great weekend and now both Clark and I have come to the conclusion that we want one before we die!!

Back to Work

When I got back from my trip I had one hour of sleep and had to leave my baby Brooklyn at home and go back to work for the first time in 3 months...It STUNK!! Luckily Sammy and Dan offered to watch her, giving my sister time to recover from the trip. It was a hard day for me last monday and each day this past week. For those of you mothers out there that don't have to work you are truly blessed and should be very greatful to your husbands who work enough for the both of you! Honestly its a blessing!! I know it won't be long till I can quit because the only reason I am back to work is because we are in the process of buying a home and need my income in order to qualify for the loan. Clark just got a promotion in june but it has't been long enough to use that income so thats why I have to work, atleast for now. Once we are funded I can quit my job and spend my days at home watching Brooklyn grow and helping her grow. Well, its been a week and I have already had a half day of vacation on friday (2nd year anniversary with Clark and wanted time with Brooklyn) and have 2 more half days planned in the next 2 weeks! Well, wish us good luck and hopefully I will return to my baby soon enough!
Aunt Sammy did a great job of dressing her up and taking care of her!!

NYC Here we come!!

On July 15Th my sister Ashley and I flew to CT to stay with my mom and younger sister Meagan. We left at 12 at night and got in at 7 in the morning their time...No need to mention the sleepless flight and my chair that wouldn't recline at all, yeah it sucked.

Wednesday we pretty much slept and hung out around home. We went and rented "Serendipity" because the following day in NYC we were going to eat at the restaurant. We also went out to dinner to celebrate Ashley's 26Th birthday, wahoo! (man she is getting old!!)We went to bed early so we could get up for the big day ahead in NYC.
So Brad, my step dad, dropped us girls off at the train station and the first thing we did when we got to the big city was walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
It was a fun experience, one that I haven't done in NY yet.
(my mom in her Socks and Clogs..I don't know if thats what you call them...its still funny though) After that we headed off for some major shopping. We went to Daffy's and Conways which was a blast. I bought some outfits for the first time since having Brooklyn and it was a definite self esteem booster feeling good in what I was wearing. (I didn't realize how much wearing clothes that fit make you feel so good) Then we took a break by a cafe next to the temple...We were going to do a session but didn't have time.
We went to lunch/dinner at Serendipity and their ice cream was amazing...They are known for their frozen hot chocolate.
After eating Brad picked us up and him and my mom dropped us girls off to see Wicked on Broadway...IT WAS AMAZING!!! I loved it, I loved it, I loved it...wow, can't say enough. Then we headed home.
Friday we decided to have a chill day and go to the shore. It was a fun outing. Mom was shoo-ing the birds which was hilarious
and Ashley collected sea shells for Taylor. The water was pretty warm but not as warm as they say. After spending a late lunch there we headed back to another evening chilling.
Well, us girls decided to setup a tent in the Huge yard they have and kick it outside. We got extension cords to watch a movie and to also hook up a fan (the humidity really is dreadful there). We had a fun time watching the movie and enjoying our "camp out". Meagan went inside early in the morning...yeah cheap.
Saturday us girls went and got our nails done, and relaxed again at home...(it was a relaxing trip for the most part)oh and Meagan got her toes done and felt left out because she didn't have a FAT ring...just messin...no really...
Sunday we went to church, witnessed their ward chorister who totally out beat ours growing up..( you know who i am talking about). Ashley and I played with strangers babies because we missed our own. Then after church we went back to the city to make some returns, walk through the park and last make our way to the airport to head home.
Our plane was about 4-5 hours late so we got in at 2:30 and we got home at 3:30. Then for me to wake up at 4 to feed Brooklyn, and only get 1 hour of sleep before going back to work, which is another story!! Needless to say our trip was a Blast and I needed the girl bonding time with my sisters and mom. Thank you mom for the plane ticket, the room and board, and a whole lot more. Oh and of course that goes to Brad too!! There are many fun memories and way too many funny stories!!

a BIG thanks...

Before I go ahead and blog about my fun trip to CT to see my mom and hang out with my sisters I just wanted to thank everyone who helped watch my little angel Brooklyn and who also watched my other child Clark. So here are the names: Lindsay, Trent, Sammy, Dan, Julie, and Bob...You guys were such a big help and I appreciate everything you did...

Family

About 2 weeks ago, July 4th weekend, All the Farmer boys came to AZ to do Hell's Gate. We also got the pleasure of having Caroline come with Devin too. I know its been a while but I didn't get a chance to take some pictures so Caroline sent me a few so I could share them. It was so nice to see Marc, Brenon, Devin & Caroline for the weekend and wish it could have been longer! Wednesday night we all went to Macaroni Grill for Caroline's birthday and had a fun time chit chatting and enjoying each other's company. Then on Sunday we all got together again before they left...Man, I miss big family gatherings and can't wait for our family reunions to start up. It will be so much fun!
Clark feeding Brooklyn

This was Darrik on sunday, I think Hell's Gate did him through!
Caroline got Kaylee to sit with her, Good job!!
I promise we didn't give Chad anything!!
Brenon, Melissa, and Garrett kicking it
And of course Taylor who didn't have an ounce of sugar but was off the walls, we love her anyway!

Okay I don't have any pictures with Devin...can you guess who took the pictures??

Cousins

Yesterday Brooklyn and I made a trip over to my sister's house to chill. While we were there Ashley and I started working on her bedding, which is turning out CUTE!! Brooklyn got up from her nap and Taylor was wanting to hold her. Taylor sat in her father's HUGE recliner (huge for taylor) and put Brooklyn in her lap. It was the cutest thing, Taylor was trying to rock that big chair and was singing primary songs to Brooklyn. Brooklyn was enjoying it, she didn't make a peep for about 45 minutes and Taylor even got to feed her. I loved it because Brooklyn loves to be held and she is very much a cuddle bunny and sometimes I can't get things done. And her mother, Ashley, was excited to see Taylor so helpful knowing they will have a baby in the house soon enough. (No she isn't pregnant yet) Next time I need to get some things done I will defiantely have to invite Taylor over! After I took Brooklyn from her the rest of the day she kept asking to hold her again and again and again...Thanks Taylor for being such a great cousin and for helping Aunt Kelsey!! You are the best!!

July 4th

This year for July 4th Clark's family all got together at his parents house (our current residence) and had a bbq. It was fun to be with everyone. We took a picture of all the grandkids decked out in their american colors. Too cute!



Then after the bbq the family had our 1st Annual 4th of July Wii Bowling Tournament! It was tons of fun!! So Clark had to battle his Grandmother and he barely won. In the end it was between Lizzie and Clark and Clark got schooled! (Thanks lizzie for humbling the man)





Here are some other photos of the day...


Brooklyn and Bub (new name for bob and he's not a fan...love ya)


Okay so two seconds before I took this picture Logan was being so sweet to brooklyn and she WAS happy and I guess you could call this the wrong picture and the wrong time...it looks like Logan is chocking her and she is terrified...

Picture overload...

Okay so I found everything I needed to download my pictures so I am gonna lay it on you with the pictures...


Brooklyn was really young in this picture, I would say about a week or so old...Can tell because she still had the hospital bow..



Brooklyn pimping it out with her collar up...


Her shirt reads: "What part of princess don't you understand?" Her great Aunt Cindy gave that to her. She already knew how it was gonna be


This is my favorite of Clark and her because its so her. She makes the nastiest faces when she isn't happy and for the first month of her life we saw it a lot...

Bath time

Since the first few minutes of Brooklyn's life we knew she would love bath time! The nurse washed her hair and brooklyn almost fell asleep during it. Well Clark and I gave her a bath together after her cord had fallen off and again she loved it. I think sometimes she has blow outs just so I will have to stick her in the tub!! Here are some pictures of the experience...


The both of us going crazy with the baby wash!


Brooklyn Chill-laxin in the tub


She is all wrapped up and Daddy is giving kisses. And she does not like it when we take her out, you think we were seriously hurting her by the way she screams

Colicky Baby Changed

So I thought I would update everyone on how Brooklyn has been doing these past 5 1/2 weeks of her life. The First two weeks were really good. She slept a lot and was a pretty happy normal newborn. Her day included Sleeping, eating, pooping, and more sleeping. Then at about the 3rd week or so she got really fussy and Clark and I didn't know why. She wasn't her normal self and it was bothering us that we couldn't find out why but we stuck it out. After about a week of her still being fussy we were out at my sister's house. My brother in law Chad has been helping us look for houses out there in Queen Creek and we had just made our rounds on looking at homes. I breastfed Brooklyn for about 45 minutes to get ready for the drive home so that would "help" her. Unfortunately she was immediately fussy and so my sister recommended topping her off with a bottle. Oh my goodness, that girl downed 4 ounces flat and then slept for 5 1/2 hours right after that. Poor girl, I was starving her and not even knowing it!! So I started to make sure I topped her off after each feeding. Things got better....but

But not as well as we thought she would. I took everyones advice about how to help her: giving her a bath with soothing baby wash, then lotion, colicky medicine to put in her bottle, just about everything!! I hit my breaking point last week. I was in tears and so stressed. This past weekend I had my family here because Darrik, my younger brother, went through the temple for his endowments. My loving husband, seeing I was just about run off the deep end, let me take off Friday night to be with family while he watched Brooklyn. It was so needed. But I still didn't know what to do with Brooklyn and not looking forward to going home and not knowing what to do to help her be happy.

Saturday was when my brother went through the temple. The whole time I was there I was saying a prayer for not only Brooklyn but for myself and Clark. As I was pondering and praying the thought came in my mind to ask my parents what to do. So as I was at dinner I asked my mom what I should do. She did after all have 8 kids!! My mother said she had 2 colicky babies, the very first 2. She advised me to put her in a dark room and make sure she is getting enough sleep. She said once the baby gets fussy being awake to put her down and if I have to, let her cry it out. I was so ready to do anything.

Today is Wednesday and can I say I am so much happier, Clark is so much happier, and our little angel is so much happier. Grant it she does cry for 40 minutes sometimes before she falls asleep and as hard as that is I know its worth it when she wakes up and is happy. She use to cry all the time, to the point where Julie my mother in law said there was something wrong with her!

Brooklyn is cooing now (ahead of the game) and smiles a lot! I guess she is like her mother and doesn't want to miss out on anything going on around her, she wants to stay up and party. She sleeps 6 hours at night now if not another half hour more. Thank you mom for your advice, Ashley for letting me use your port-a-crib, and mainly thank you heavenly father for hearing my prayers and helping me find my answers!