A New "Job"

There is a lady that Jesse works with who has a daughter named Cindy with a mental disorder. She is 30 years old but she can't talk very well and she is like a child. She asked me if I would be willing to let her come to our house when they needed someone to watch her. She is part of a program where the state will pay people to take care of her. So I get to stay home and do my normal thing and get paid while she is here. She loves kids and babies and is willing to help with them. She came over today and played with Atreyu and helped with Cambria. She is a really sweet girl and it was nice for Atreyu to have someone to play with.

7 1/2 Weeks

Cambria had a check up with the doctor on Monday. She was about 7 1/2 weeks old. Even though she has had trouble with the reflux, she is gaining weight and she weighed in at 11 lbs 3 oz. She is filling out and getting so cute and chubby. She was 22 3/4 inches long. She really isn't a newborn anymore. It's crazy to me how they grow up way so fast right before our eyes and we don't even notice it all the time.

The day I took Cambria into the doctor, I had given her a suppository because she was having trouble. I told him about the constipation and he said to continue doing what we were doing and since then, she has pooped everyday. I guess she just needed a visit with the doctor. She can be really fussy somedays and a little angel others. I need to remember how much I wanted another baby on her bad days. I think she has been sent to teach me patience seeing as how I am incredibly impatient. She really tries me some days and it seems that on those days, Atreyu is a bit more cranky himself. I love my babies so much, though, and I wouldn't trade either of them for anything.

Breast Cancer

This summer my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. You hear about people getting cancer but you never think it will be you or anyone in your family. It was rather shocking but she had a good prognosis so it's been a bit easier to stay positive. She just underwent surgery to have the cancer removed and they were able to get all of it and she will not have to undergo chemo or radiation. I know that this is a very big trial for my mom to go through and I can only imagine what it must be like but I know that she is a strong woman and with the help of our Heavenly Father she and all of us will be able to make it through this trial. Atreyu painted a picture for Grammie to have to help brighten her day. Here are some pictures of him and Cambria as he painted.

As I said, you never expect someone in your family to be diagnosed with cancer but you really never expect 2 people in your family to be diagnosed with the same type of cancer within months of each other. That's right...my maternal grandmother was just diagnosed with breast cancer as well. She doesn't want to do much about it since she is in her 80's and my grandpa passed away a few years ago. I understand the way she feels but it's difficult for me to think that she might have to suffer so much before the cancer may take her. She is meeting with some doctors to discuss some options so we will see what happens. With both these dear women being diagnosed with breast cancer, it is making me more aware of the disease and the precautions I need to take. It is a scary disease but there is a much higher rate of survival if it is caught early so I am going to do what I need to do and be an example to those around me about breast cancer awareness.

Home Projects

Forever ago Jesse and his dad built me some shelves and I finally got them stained and painted. I think they turned out really well. The first one is the bookshelf that we hung in Atreyu's room. I knew that we had a lot of books but I really didn't think they would take up all the room. I told Jesse he's going to have to build me some more. We'll see how that goes. The second one is my "baby" shelf. We hung it in the hallway and it's a shelf where my babies will stay babies forever. I think it's really cute!

They also built me another shelf I hung in my bathroom but I haven't gotten it decorated the way I want so maybe a picture to come later.

My Babies

The update on Cambria is that she is finally starting to get better. I think the medicine she is on for the reflux might be causing her to get constipated a bit but she is pooping every few days and doesn't seem to be as uncomfortable as she was the first time. We have all gotten over those nasty colds and that has made Cambria a much sweeter, happier baby. Occasionally she will sleep 4 to 5 hours a night but usually she wakes up every 3 hours to eat. I'm looking forward to her sleeping longer every night. Here are a few pictures of her that I took with my camera that I hadn't uploaded to the computer yet so some of them are from right after she was born.

I think Atreyu does get a bit jealous of the attention I give to Baby Bri. He throws more fits than he used to and just seems to get upset a little easier but he has never taken out his frustration on her. He loves to give her kisses and "nuvs" (hugs). If he doesn't know where she is he asks, "Where baby Bri go?" It's so sweet and it makes me happy that he loves her so much.

I think Atreyu gets smarter everyday. He just seems to know so much and he is so good at communicating. I love that we understand each other (most the time). With just a little help he can count to 12. He knows his colors and he is learning his shapes. He is such a smart kid and I would love to take credit for it but I think he is just naturally smart. I am so proud of him! He loves to pretend that he is riding 4-wheelers with anything in the house and he likes to pretend he has hooked up a trailer to his tractor. He is such a boy.

One Thing After Another

When we brought Cambria home, we realized she had a difficult time burping and she acted like she just didn't feel good. She would arch her back and she was very fussy at night. Jesse talked with some of the girls he works with and one of them said that she had a baby the same way and it turned out the baby had reflux. We started Cambria on a prescription of Zantac and it seemed to offer a little relief but not enough to help settle her. We then started her on Prilosec and that has made a world of difference. She isn't nearly as fussy and she sleeps better. I am so thankful we have been able to get her on something so that she isn't hurting.

However, it seems that Cambria has one thing after another (my poor baby). After everyone left after her blessing, I got the cold that had started going around and then, of course, Cambria got it as well. It's just made her a little more fussy and she has a little more difficulty sleeping. It is slowly starting to clear up (I still have it over a week later) and she is starting to act a bit better. But in the midst of this cold she got constipated. I didn't know that breastfed babies could get constipated but apparently it does happen. I could tell that made her very uncomfortable and one night she was so fussy I think she woke me up about 7 times. It made for a very grouchy mommy the next day. We were told to give her a glycerin suppository and it worked immediately. She had 3 big bowel movements and slept very well.

I feel so badly that all these yucky things keep creeping up on my sweet baby. I had a mini breakdown the other day because of lack of sleep and the fact that I felt that there was nothing I could do to help her. It's awful to see your child in pain knowing that there's not a lot you can do for her. I am really hoping that everything starts to go a bit more smoothly and that she will just feel better.

Cambria's Blessing Weekend

We blessed our sweet baby girl this past weekend and we had so many family and friends here. It was great feeling all the love and support from everyone. On Saturday the kids were able to ride 4-wheelers and then we all went out to the lake. The weather was beautiful when we got there but a few storms starting blowing in. We didn't get rained out but the winds picked up and the temperature got progressively colder. We decided to pack everything up and head home. We all ate at Eddie and Bernie's and then a few of the girls had Mary Kay facials before bed. It was fun having some girl time.

Jesse gave Cambria a beautiful blessing on Sunday. I am so thankful for the priesthood that he holds and that he is able to bless our family. It's such a wonderful thing to have in our home. After church Seth took some family pictures for us and then we had a nice lunch outside with all our company. The weather was perfect and we were able to sit outside and visit all afternoon. That night we used the fire pit in our backyard and had a hot dog roast. It is starting to cool off and become fall but it's nice that we do have a few weeks left of warmer weather so that we are able to spend time outside.




I think Jesse looks so handsome in these pictures. He has done so well losing weight and he looks awesome! We had such a wonderful time this weekend. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful, loving family and I am so grateful we have the gospel in our lives. I really am a very lucky girl!