One month of one bebe

I haven't blogged in over a month but as most of you know I had a baby. I've been spending the last month taking care of and getting to know my son rather well! It's hard to believe my sweet little angel we brought home has grown so much...No longer is my baby quite like this....

Our little guy is already a month old...And I already can tell you so much about this little stranger that was blessed into our lives and brought into our home. Parenting has been one of the harder things I've had to go through and adjust to, but I've enjoyed watching our little man explore and develop already over the past month. Here are a few things I already can tell you about this little guy...

Obviously from the pictures you can see his favorite sleeping position! I think he could pretty much sleep half the day away if you let him sleep on your shoulder like this. He's been a snuggling and a holder from the start. Even in the Hospital if we set him down in his bed he just cried, but being held close to someone especially in this position is his favorite. He just likes to snuggle and be close! This has resulted in a little spoiling and catering a little too much on our parts. We've been having a tough time getting him to want to sleep in his bed since he's been so spoiled with loving warm arms to hold him his first month of life! We're trying to gently break that habit by having him sleep in his bed for naps and at night. No more arms 24/7!

This little guy cracks me up in that he's only 1 month old and yet he LOVES to sleep with something under his head like a pillow! In his bed right now we have a pillow to lay his head on because he hates to just lay flat. He also LOVES to sleep on his side, but I'm a little more hesitant to do this during the night when I can monitor him from rolling over. The preferences of this little guy are just too cute and too funny. :)


One thing that didn't last more than a couple weeks that bebe did was suck his thumb...But not just like your usual sucking of the thumb...he sucked it just like in the picture above. It was sure cute and it sure did help a ton for him to sooth himself at all my Dr. visits, but ultimately it's probably a good habit he decided to quit because breaking kids of it I hear can be a real tough task.

When we first brought our little man home we were anxious to try out his "toys" as we call them. He's got this vibrating chair as well as a swing that we were anxious to see if it would sooth and occupy him during the day. I'd heard so many people say they could let their baby sleep for hours in either or, so I was anxious to see if it would allow mommy some hands free time during the day! Our little man ended up hating both and we have just now been able to start using them. Like I said...he's just more of a cuddler and wants to be near you than in these electronic fancy devices. Oh well...Maybe our other kids will like and appreciate them more! :)

One of the funnest things to experience as baby Robby has gotten older is how alert he is! It's so fun to watch him track things around the room and just be so alert and alive about his surroundings. He LOVES to be around people and just watch you talk and interact with him. Whenever I do have him propped up somewhere or in one of his fancy electronic devices the moment I leave his sight he starts to cry. He just doesn't like to be alone, which is probably gets from his momma, and wants to see you. I'm pretty sure he's going to be a genius.

This just happens to be one of my favorite pictures of him I snapped a few mornings back. I had just gotten done feeding him and put him on daddy's side of the bed so he could be all snuggly with me in bed. You can see he's starting to try and smile now too, which is so fun. He really is a joy to have in our lives, and even though I do get frustrated at times, mostly at night, I'm still so thankful we were able to have him. I've been so incredibly thankful from the get go that he was healthy. I remember thinking in the Hospital when I was having complications and the weeks prior to delivery at home that were rough for me that I was just so grateful he was completely healthy. From the moment he was born we didn't have to worry about him and he was just healthy and still thrives and is developing wonderfully. I couldn't be more happier that our little man is so good.

Even though he's SO much work...Mommy still loves him and is so grateful to have him in her life. :)

8 months down...1 more to go

Yesterday was my 8 month mark in my pregnancy. And though it is quite a feit to have accomplished 8 months out of a 9 month pregnancy, I really didn't think much of it past the fact that I had 1 more month to go of bearing around this huge belly. I started my day like most days growning and moaning towards the bathroom, and after some goodbye kisses to my hunny and breakfast in my tummy I felt energized enough to do some house cleaning. I started on my chores when around 1PM I heard the doorbell ring. Robby had mentioned about expecting something today, and since he had recently ordered something from Disney I thought that was probably what it was. So I made my way to answer the door when to my surprise it was a delivery from proflowers!

As I opened my package anxiously I began to assemble my bouquet and read the wonderfully added note. I love love flowers, but I also always enjoy the little messages attached to the flowers when delivered. I figured that this delivery would be from my hunny, but I was wrong..

It was from my baby's Daddy ;)

If you can't read the note...It says:

One more month to go! I just wanted to let you know that I love you and thank you for sacrificing so much to bring out little bundle of joy (hopefully :) into the world! You truly are a very selfless person and will be blessed for it. Love, Your baby's Daddy

I think that is one of the top 5 nicest things that's ever been said to me for sure. It simply made my day and the fact that my hunny does see all the work, sweat, and pain I'm going through really meant alot to me. I really didn't see it as that much of a sacrifice...I mean...This is what you do to have a baby, and I wanted to have a baby. I didn't see it being that big of a deal giving up my body to have a baby. I'm not a vein person to begin with so stretchmarks and a huge tummy wasn't something I was going to freak over. But the fact that Robby views what I'm doing as a sacrifice really made me feel special and that he truly notices what I'm going through. I love you hunny! :)

I can't believe how far I've come since starting this pregnancy. In eight months...Well...as you can see...

I've grown quite a bit! It's been quite an adventure and I'm thankful for having such a smooth pregnancy as well. We pray every night for our little peanut that he'll be safe and keep growing healthy and strong. I can't beleive it's only one more month...One more month till this huge belly becomes a bundle of happiness I can hold in my arms!

Self Perspective

I know...With a title like "Self Perspective" you're prolly guessing this blog is going to be ALL about ME talking about myself eh? Well...You'd be right...But "me" has been a pretty iffy topic ever since I was a teenager. You all know that stage in life when you are awkward and aren't really sure about anything regarding yourself. Your body changes, your perspective changes, your friends change, and just about everything in life leads you down a path until you get to that part in life where stability and confidence ring in. But as a teenager I never thought I'd get to the day where I discovered the realization of it all and what I'm made of.

As a teenager I was the typical teen girl; I didn't think much of myself. I thought I was fat and not pretty and no one liked me and I always felt alone and I was never good enough and I had no talents and blah blah blah. Yet every Sunday I would go to Young Women's at Church and they would gloat and glorify how special I was and how many talents and gifts I had. All I thought was "You've got to be joking me...I've got a face full of acne, I'm not pretty, and I have nothing going for me...Are you for real?" Yet all I heard growing up was how special and talented I was. The only things that came to my realization back then were:

A.....I had nice teeth
B.....I could sing (I really enjoyed singing in choir and amongst an audience and did it as often as I could)
C.....I got good grades (But not as good as my smart friends)
D.....I was funny
and E the most important as a teenage girl....I was a good babysitter and made lots of money off it!

I constantly remember as a teenager putting myself down and even after I graduated and moved onto college life I still remember always putting myself down. I've always been a pretty tough critic on myself and have never thought of myself as worth much. But over the past year or so I have had some instances that have really helped me realize my potential and what I am capable of. Now, I'm not trying to brag or gloat or anything, but this has truly come as a magnificent realization to me just how talented and capable I am.


A little over a year ago I decided to take a sewing class on campus. Not only because I was required to for my minor, but it seemed like everyone in my family was capable of sewing to some degree or another, and my own experience with sewing ended with my Grandma finishing the project for me. I was terribly terrified with a sewing machine and I can still remember that first day wondering what I had gotten myself into. As time passed I not only took Clothing Construction, but I took Home Decor Sewing and Children's Clothing Construction as well. My favorite class by far was Children's Clothing given the fact that I was pregnant starting the class and knew the little projects I completed would be going to a little someone special later down the line. So....the first realization I have come to discover about myself is that...I can sew....I'm not that bad at it either....And I really enjoy it!

Not only can I make pajama bottoms, skirts, and blouses...But...

I can make table runners.

I can make pillows.

I can make blankets.

But my FAVORITE thing to sew currently is baby stuff! :)

I can make hats and booties.

I can make little pants and shirts.

I can make cozy sleepers.

I can make adorable church outfits!

 I LOVE the little pocket and tie :)

AND...My pride and joy...My project that took me WEEKS of dedication and painstaking work to complete (just ask my husband I spent countless evenings in the sewing lab)...This beauty which I pray God will let me be able to use someday!

I can make baby blessing dresses.

 Layers and layers of frilly ruffles that I made from scratch.

And...That's not all I can do either. :) Recently I took on the task of making an apple pie...And the beauty that I pulled from the oven I thought was rather tasty and impressive too.

I looooove to bake! And the only thing that stops me from baking is the fact that I'd make some people in the house rather plump if all I did was bake goodies and have them sitting around the house. So, I must refrain from baking as much as my heart would desire. :)

Not only have I discovered I can sew and enjoy sewing, can bake and have gotten better at it, but I have developed an increased joy and interest in scrapbooking as well.

This may seem like bragging to some, but let me re-assure you this is a revelation of sorts in regards to myself. I have realized as of late that I am not only an accomplished college scholar, a caring and doteful wife, and soon to be mother. But I am also a very talented woman who can sew, bake, scrapbook, organize, sing, and make other's happy. It's taken over 10 year for me to finally realize that what people were saying to me as a teenager is true. I have talents and abilities that make me unique; I myself as in individual am unique but beautiful. I may not be 5'11" with long luscious legs and have a rising music career. But what I am is talented and beautiful in my own way.



I am Brittany Ladle. I am a daughter of God.

I am...

Silly

Playful

Adventurous

Talented

Creative

Organized

Beautiful

Loving

Dedicated

I can...

Sing

Sew

Bake

Scrapbook

Organize

Write

Love

and be the best that I was designed to be.





3 Year's Just Isn't Enough...

So yesterday was Robby's and my 3 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that 3 years ago yesterday I said 'yes' and promised my entire heart and soul to one man. One man I've been able to laugh, cry, kiss, and love so fiercly I thought I couldn't possibly love him more than I already do. And yet every day I love him more and more!

3 years ago...I married my best friend.

3 years ago...I married the love of my life in my dream location...I pretty much got everything I ever wanted on that day.




So for some silly reason Robby and I started this thing where we take turns planning Valentine's Day and our Anniversary. So this year it was his turn to plan our anniversary. I figured we wouldn't be going anywhere too far away, since I am after all almost 7 months pregnant and not suppose to go too far in my last tremester. But I really had no idea what was under Robby's sleeve, everything involving our anniversary was hush hush. So to not feel totally left out..I made him a secret bag that I waited till last night to give him.

My theme was "The things I've learned while falling in love with you":

Some of the things I learned were just attached on the outside of the bag, like:

• You're a cuddler and a snuggler (which I love).
• You're incredibly talented in the kitchen.
• You're SUCH a hard worker.
• You're romantic and loving (And give the softest kisses <3).
• You talk in your sleep, and whisper sweet nothings to me... (On a regular basis I'm told while he's talking in his sleep that he loves me so much and how he's so lucky to be with me).
• You served your mission in Chile...Chi-chi-chi! Le-le-le! Viva Chile!

Then as he opened the bag I made him take each item out one at a time:

I've discovered the boy LOVES to go huckleberry picking and he LOVES huckleberry syrup. When we have pancakes his topping of choice is always his huckleberry syrup. So I thought I had better get him some more!

His drink of choice if we're talking about soda is Mountain Dew. He almost couldn't contain himself from opening it as soon as he pulled it out.

Robby loves to play video games! And instead of me trying to pick him out a new game or gadget I thought a video game fund would be much more useful.

This one certainly explains itself. :) You can't see but it's a magnetic picture so he can put it in his work locker...

I've learned that this is ma hunnies team, and as a good wife I'm becoming more and more a supporter. Even if I'm not a big football junkie...Go Noles!

I learned early on that we had ALOT in common. One of them being we both are crazy for anything Reeses, or anything peanut butter and chocolate for that matter!

Fact is fact...Now...This wasn't one of those things I found out while falling in love (cause that'd be kinda bad...Since we weren't married). But I found out as I fell more in love...And I had to throw it in there ;)

So...While I had my secret all ready I awaited Sunday night (which was when Robby was going to reveal the first clue of our anniversary to me).

Sunday consisted of Robby handing me an envelope, as I opened it I discovered a piece of paper that said this:

Dear Sexy Wife!

  Well we made it to our third year of being married! Since this will be our last anniversary together just me and you for a very long time, I figured that we should do something fun. So I bought first class airplane tickets to see some of the best countries around the world, but don't worry you won't have to pack very much. ;)

Love, Hubby

Then...There were 4 "first class tickets" to Paris, Hong Kong, Italy, and Egypt. :) All for me!! I was pretty excited and curious as to what our anniversary was going to bring! What did my hunny have up his sleeve?

So Robby woke me up at 8:30 yesterday because that was what time my "first flight" arrived, so I had to be up and ready for Paris, France.

When I was brought into the kitchen I was in Paris! This...was my welcome to Paris and the Eifle tower was right outside our window. ;)

My Paris breakfast consisted of 'French' toast...Since we were after all in France. :)

Next we'd be heading to Hong Kong at 11:30. So after breakfast I had to get ready for my next flight onto Hong Kong!

When we arrived in Hong Kong we had lunch..Which was at Panda Express...A very legit and authentic place in Hong Kong. :)

After lunch it was onto see the Bodies exbibit...Since most of the bodies donated are asian orientation it fit right along with China.

Next was our arrival at 5:45 to Italy. So of course we visited Johnny Carinos for some authentic Italian cuisine.

The day had been full of shopping, fun, and unexpected twists that I excitely had anticipated. But the biggest anticipation was Egypt! What on earth was Egypt going to have for me? I soon found out as we ended our evening at Destination's Inn.

Egypt???

I was in Egypt! Robby had gotten us a themed sweet at Destinations Inn, and though a themed sweet seems kind of cheesy and lame this room was pretty awesome! We had so much fun looking at everything and just having fun in our very large, very romantic room!

 Our room not only had an awesome jet tub it had a sauna too! We didn't end up using it since boiling our bebe wasn't really on our wish list...But I've never seen a room with a sauna!

Our room even came with complimentary sparkling cider and cheesecake. Which later we enjoyed while soaking in our jetted tub. :)



Welcome to the Ladles! Why thank you! :)

The room looked so fancy and soothing. I really loved our tub area!

The room came with a screen that came down from the ceiling that you could watch movies or tv on. It was connected to a projector above the bed. Pretty fancy!

So happy to be with this clever and sweet guy!

King and Queen Tut ;)


Ultimately most may look at this and think it's pretty cheesy....But I'm the type of girl who likes the cheesy sweet things my hubby goes to the effort to put together just for me...

This guy...Knows how to make...

This gal...Certainly happy and feel appreciated and loved! 3 years just hasn't been nearly enough time to love and be with Robby...Thank goodness it's an eternity together! :)