The Moody's Do Atlanta!!

Roots

2012-02-06T06:59:00.000-08:00

Now that we are feeling a bit better, and the sun has been sunny and warm, we have been able to let the kids play a bit more in the yard. This is where they always want to be, so it is hard for them when it is rainy, or they are sick. Now that we have Trixie, the yard is even more of an adventure, but also keeps Bryce and I on our toes to keep all of the 'treasures' cleaned up. I forgot how much it sucks to scoop dog poo. This weekend while I was scooping, and the kids were playing, I noticed that Brooks had a mouthful of dirt. So, always one for interesting conversation, Ella chimed in with her 2 cents.

Me: Brooks! Stop eating dirt!!
Ella: Yeah Brooks, that's gross. You're not an Indian.
Me: (Surprised and kind of laughing) Actually El, you and Brooks ARE a little bit Indian.
Ella: I am? Ew.
Me: What do you even know about Indians?
Ella: Well, I know that they eat dirt.

This girl. She kills me.

It's January What????

2012-01-31T18:58:00.000-08:00

It simply cannot be the last day of the first month of the year. Where did the time go? How did we spend our days? We started off well enough...Bryce in the second half of a 12 week Internal Med rotation, Ella starting up the 2nd half of Pre K and turning 5(!), and Brooks my little lover, still as sweet as can be. However. . .these kids just can't seem to stay well for long. Ella brought some funk home from school with her which led to fevers, coughing, 4 days home from school, a trip to urgent care, and an ear infection (the first in her whole life). Which equates to antibiotics and diarrhea. Then she graciously passed along said funk to her brother. My poor boy. He is a pathetic little thing when he is sick...wanting to be held all day. And all night. Mom is exhausted. And has a headache.
I left the house exactly 3 times in a week. Once to the grocery store, once to take Ella to urgent care, and once to pick up Ella's antibiotics from Walgreens. Today was Bryce's first day of a 6 week GI rotation, and didn't make home until dinner was on the table. I still don't know how I got dinner to the table. Between Brooks crying, and crying, and coughing, and coughing, and Ella whining that she is bored, it really, REALLY is an accomplishment. Here's to a healthier February!!

Here's my baby boy. Sleeping with Ella's Woody doll. She bought him with her birthday money. What a sweet sis to let her baby brother sleep with her birthday present each night. It does seem that most of our blankets are pink...poor boy.

The devoted pup, keeping a close eye on her boy.

Here is my Ellie Belly getting a breathing treatment at the urgent care. She was complaining that the Albuterol was stinging her eyes.

Again, this pup puts up with a lot from these kids, and she seems glad to do so because they willingly give her all the snuggles any pup could ask for.

*I brought Brooks to the doctor today (2-1) and on top of the bronchiolitis, he has significant wheezing. We are the proud new owners of a nebulizer, and little Brooksie Boo gets to have treatments 4 times a day. Jealous????

Future plans

2012-01-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

At dinner tonight, Ella was laying out her future plans for us. It started when we told her jokingly that she couldn't live with us forever. That she needed to go have her own family. Little did we know, she's thought it all out already.

Apparently, she is going to live in Miami after she gets married. She will have 3 children, two girls and a boy. Their names will be Isabell, Brooke, and Cucumber. (She reminded me that Brooke is the boy)

Such a creative mind she has.

So long 2011!

2012-01-01T16:42:00.000-08:00

After another adventure filled year for the Moody's, we think that 2012 just might be kind of quiet. Let's sum it up, shall we?

*We started out the year living with my parents in Scottsdale, Az. Bryce was studying like mad for Step 1, I was working like mad at Phoenix Children's, and the Brooks and Ella were adjusting to being back in Arizona with their number 1 fans, Nana and Papa.
*Ella turned 4 and had a cowgirl birthday party
*Gina hit the 3-0 mile marker...
*Bryce took, and passed the first of 3 licensing tests
*We moved our family to the ATL
*Ella started Pre K
*Bryce finished 4 of his six core rotations
*Brooks turned 1, and started walking
*Gina decided to go for her BSN
*And we all learned that we love the south!

I'm sure 2012 will bring it's own challenges and rewards, and all I can say is BRING IT!!

May your days be merry and bright!

2011-12-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas, and we hope you did too! Christmas Eve was mostly spent relaxing and tidying up the house. We went for a special dinner at Macaroni Grill, then came home and bathed the kids and put them to bed. We waited an hour, to make sure they were asleep....and they were not. Well, one was, and the other was not. I'll let you guess who was not. After that little stink was fast asleep, we brought out all the gifts from their hiding places and made two neat piles. Luckily, Santa's elf...aka Bryce, only had a single toy to assemble. A wheelbarrow for the boy. I had been slowly wrapping things all week, and I'm happy to say that on Christmas Eve, I only had 2 things left to wrap! After filling the stockings and watching the first showing of 'A Christmas Story' on TBS, we went to bed.

Christmas morning was very fun this year. Ella is at that wonderful age were Christmas magic is alive, and Santa is real. I'm already dreading the day that some dumb kid at school tells her otherwise. Our kids were so spoiled this year by their grandparents, and our other friends. They played with their new toys, our front room looking like our Christmas tree threw up all over the place. I made Eggs Benedict for breakfast, and then we played some more. We got ready, and went to church, and then came home and talked to our families on Skype. Then Bryce grilled some bacon wrapped sirloins, and I prepared the rest of the side dishes. Ella ate an entire 6 oz steak before i had even buttered my rolls. It has been quite a while since we have had steak....think 6 months... It was a great dinner. And it was fun to begin our own traditions. We missed being with family, but were content with spending the entire day with just each other.

Puppy Lovin'

2011-12-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

Trixie has been a good little pup so far. She loves the kids, and she loves to be with us. She especially loves Brooks, because he always seems to be sticky. She is working on NOT peeing in the house, and sleeping in her crate. She has been so fun to have around, and I can't believe that she is ours!

As you can see, the baby crate training is going fine. The puppy is doing fine with it too, but doesn't show quite the excitement of being locked in there that Brooks does.

~~Elmira~~ Ella loves the pup. To death.

Of course, right after we got the puppy, we had a nasty bug hit our house. Between Ella puking, and Brooks nasty croup, we were a hot mess. Luckily, our pup enjoyed all the 'quality' time we were getting to spend all together. Bryce was the only one who wasn't affected.

And here is Ella, our dancing queen! Her very first recital. It was a Christmas spectacular, and between Ella doing the dances with her eyes closed, and improvising a little bit here and there, you know she kept it interesting. It was fun to see her, and she loves her dance/sing class that she is in!

Even Santa heard about the Christmas concert, and made a debut! Maybe I will try and upload one of the videos later on today! (I know the grandparents would appreciate that)

Today is...

2011-12-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

6 years of

hard work

laughs

late nights

early mornings

adoration

compromise

and of course, love.

Early Christmas Surprise

2011-12-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

So daddy couldn't resist having a little premature Christmas fun. Today I had the day off, so Gina and I drove down to Newnan, GA to a bailbondsman's office. There we found a litter of Boxer puppies. We found the PERFECT one, dropped some cash, and made the drive back to our place. Brooks was enthralled the whole time, but wasn't sure what to do with her.

Ella was at school, so when Gina picked her up, she asked her if she would like to open one Christmas present early. When she walked in the door, we sat her down at the kitchen table and told her she had to go on a little journey to find her present. Below is the entire event as it unfolded. Although the revelation of the puppy behind the bedroom door wasn't everything I dreamed it to be, Ella can't stop playing with, looking at or talking about Trixie.

More things Ella says.

2011-12-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

1.
(In the car parked at the high school waiting for Bryce so we can kid swap before I have to be up at the church for an activity)

Me: Look Ella, it stopped raining.
Ella: What?
Me: It stopped raining.
Ella: Um, I didn't hear you again.
Me: It's ok, it's not important.
Ella: Is anything you say ever important?

2.
Ella: Mom, why don't you put the cereal in that old place in this closet right here?
Me: Because you kept eating all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms, so I had to move them to a place where you couldn't reach.
Ella: I know, that was awesome.

Our Christmas Mantra

2011-12-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

While thinking of what we want for Christmas, what we should buy for the kids....what we should buy for each other, and if we have done enough, it is easy to get lost and go overboard. Not only because we have obvious limitations to what we spend, but because we would like to keep perspective on what this holiday is about, we have decided on this philosophy for our gifting to one another this year, and beyond...

Something you want,

Something you need,

Something to wear,

and something to read.

I feel less stress already. :)

Living Social

2011-11-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of blog as of late....but we have just been so busy! Have I mentioned before how amazingly lucky we are that we chose to move here, and come into contact with the most amazing people?! Here are a couple of examples of what I mean...

*Recently I noticed a gasoline smell coming from our car when I drove it. I tried to ignore it (because car repairs are soooo dang expensive), but it just got worse. I made a good friend down here who's husband was a helicopter mechanic in the military (He now works for the department of Homeland Security) and he told me to bring it by. He found the problem, drove AN HOUR to pick up the part to fix it, and then refused (and I tried my hardest) to take any money from me. Not even money for the part! I tearfully told them how grateful I was, and I still can't believe how blessed I am for so many kind people looking out for me and my family.

*We were invited to attend Thanksgiving dinner with some friends, and their family, and it was DELICIOUS!! I WISH I had brought my camera to take a picture of the spread, because it was amazing! Southerners certainly know how to do T-Day right! I have never particularly liked Thanksgiving food, but I LOVED this meal!!!

*Ella is averaging a birthday party just about every weekend, and while it may break our bank... she is loving having so many little friends. And I love that she finally has some stability in her life...I feel like maybe Ross won't screw her up after all!

*Bryce and I went bowling with 8 other couples our age, and we had such a good time!! It was our first time going out without our children, and it felt good! Our new friends are such a blast to be around, and everyone has been so nice and welcoming to us.

It really does make it easy to dream of making this our home forever. I don't know if I will ever want to leave. I recently read on some of our friends blogs that they haven't been so lucky in scheduling their rotations with Ross, and I am truly so grateful that it worked out for us.

Sharing Picnics ... and other backyard fun

2011-11-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Our kids love having a yard to play in. Ella has always, always enjoyed and preferred to be outdoors, and Brooks is looking to be of the same opinion. While we stayed with my parents in Scottsdale, they played outside quite a bit, and so we made having a yard with a fence on our 'must have' list when looking for a house in Georgia.

The cool fall weather is perfect for backyard adventuring, and I am so happy that they are having so much fun outside. When Ella gets home from school, I make them a snack to share and they both sit on a blanket outside to eat it. Ella calls it 'Sharing Picnics' and they both seem to love it a lot.

Since Brooks is home with me all day, I usually keep the backdoor open and he will go in and out all day long.

Bryce did a little tree trimming, and made them a little fort with the clippings. It certainly kept them busy. Ella brought her baby dolls out for an outdoor nap in the fort.

They play so nicely together...

And this little stinker loved it too (once he was brave enough to go in).

I will be sad when it gets too cold to play outside each day, but I'm looking forward to experiencing a 'real'-ish winter.

Halloween in Atlanta

2011-10-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

We had a great time picking out pumpkin's and carving them for Halloween. Bryce is quite the go-getter when it comes to pumpkin carving, and he always makes them look so great!

Ella jumped right in with the slimy stuff.

Brooks helped by hanging out with mommy in the kitchen, and staying out of the way.

Ella wanted to make sure that she was a "scary" witch...and not a good witch. We painted her face green, but after about 30 minutes, she said it was too itchy, so we ended up washing it all off. Here she is, in her green face paint before our church halloween party!

And here are Ella, Bryce and Brooks all dressed and ready to go. Bryce was a "Biker", and I was the bump on a log who didn't dress up.

Here is superman trying to convince me that he needs to save the day in the backyard. This kid would LIVE in the backyard if we let him.

And here are my two little stinkers. They really are buds, and love that they love each other so much.

Here is Brooksies Elmo pumpkin

And here is Bryce's intense Zombie pumpkin. Somehow I missed getting a picture of Ella's witch pumpkin, so I'll have to get one tonight!

How is this for Halloween excitement...We had trunk or treat and a party at the church on Saturday, today Ella has a Halloween party at school and got to wear her costume, and tonight she gets to dress up again to go trick or treating in our neighborhood!!

could somebody get this kid some water please??

2011-10-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

the haps

2011-10-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

So truth be told, I have never actually experienced fall before. I lived in Arizona for as long as I can remember, and then in Dominica, and then shortly in Miami. All three places don't do fall. I kinda dig it! Our street is lined in trees that are all turning red, our A/C has been off since mid September, and I am starting to think my long sleeve shirts are not going to be enough to keep me warm come November. I don't even own a winter coat. This is definitely going to be an experience. luckily, the weather in Atlanta is more mild then NYC, or Chicago so I won't have to deal with driving in snow (which I have never actually done either).

The kids are also digging the weather, and are loving playing outside. Especially Brooks. I can leave our back door open, and he will go in and out all day long. He loves it. Now I'm on the hunt for some good backyard toys. In Arizona, Ella had a kitchen outside, and it kept her busy for hours. She made mud pies, "cooked" us meals with dirt and leaves and garnished them with flowers. You know, the good stuff. Maybe I'll hit up craigslist to try and find another.

Bryce is 2 weeks from completing Pediatrics. If you're keeping count, that is (almost) 3 core rotations down, and 3 to go!! Next up will be internal medicine (think House, the TV show, not the dwelling.) And this will be a LONG rotation. 12 weeks. He'll start before Thanksgiving, and end after Christmas. Fun.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I am also 'back in school'. I am doing an online BSN program, and wow...sometimes I wonder what I was thinking. Gluten for punishment, I guess.

Brooks can now say "Touchdown", along with some other simple words. He loves to eat, even though you wouldn't know it by his runty appearance. He is still as sweet as can be, and don't worry folks, he still loves his sleep. And I love it too. I recently tried to cut him down to 1 nap a day, but he would just go to his bed every day and point to it and cry. He'd look at me like "Mommy, why? I just want to take a nap and snuggle with my blankies and my elephant!" So, really, how am I supposed to say "No" to that??

Ella had picture day at school. The pictures are darling.

The prices of said pictures?? Not so darling. I really am struggling with this, because usually, when we ask her to smile it looks like this....

I don't know. How much is too much to pay for school pictures???

*In addition to getting out when my parents were here, we have also been able to do some fun things as a fam. We went to a Grayson High School football game not long ago. Football is a BIG deal here in GA. There is a 16 year old defensive back on the team who is 6'8" and 268 lbs. Watch out for this guy...I think he is NFL bound.

We were also able to score some really sweet tickets to the Georgia Aquarium!! It is the biggest aquarium in the country, and thanks to my friend Becky, we were able to enjoy it for free!! Becky has her masters degree in Marine Biology and works at the aquarium. Thanks Becky!! We all loved it, but I think Ella loved it the most!

Now...who's ready for Halloween? We're working on it.

Visit from Nana and Papa!!

2011-10-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

My parents made their way out to visit us last week! We didn't tell Ella that they were coming, and let her be surprised!! To say she was excited is an understatement. Brooks was very excited too, which caught me a little off guard. Usually he is more cautious, and it certainly took him a little longer to warm back up to them in Phily. He ran right to them, and continued to go back and forth between them, hugging them. So endearing.

We kept real busy while they were here. We went to the Coca Cola factory downtown, and of course we went to Stone Mountain. We showed them around our little town that we live in, and just enjoyed being together again!

The Coke factory was a blast, and we especially LOVED trying all the coke products that are served from all over the world! Some of them were delicious, and some were disgusting. Ella's favorite was from Costa Rica, and everyone agreed that the worst was the one from Italy that tasted like Robitussin.

The BEST (of course) was the Coke on tap that was perfect temperature, and perfectly carbonated. MMMmmmmmmmmmm, I can't wait to go back!

Stone Mountain is ALWAYS fun, and it was fun to enjoy it with my parents! My mom's favorite was the lazer show, and my dad liked the Sky Hike.

Ever since they left, Brooks has been looking for them. He looks in the room where they slept, and if I ask him "Where is Nana and Papa?" He shrugs his shoulders as if to say, "I don't know"

We hope they can come again soon!

Dinner Dance

2011-09-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

A lot of my interaction with the kids is at dinner since I'm gone all day most days. This is another one of Brooks' latest skills.

Sunday Laughs

2011-09-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

We are always perplexed as to why Brooks finds Ella so funny, but we are always entertained with the two of them. This is one of their moments on a Sunday before church.

Pirate Face... Arggg!

2011-09-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Brooks has discovered how to get in touch with his inner pirate.

Things that make you go Hmmmm.....

2011-09-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of being a parent are the random things that come out of your kids mouths. We have documented many of these online, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to add a few more.

Example #1. Ella comes bounding down the stairs. With a blanket over her head. This kid can hardly walk down the hall without tripping over her own two feet. I tell her:

"El, don't walk down the stairs with a blanket over your head, you could hurt yourself"

Ella: "It's OK mom, I was doing lateral movements."

Example #2. (this one made it to facebook, but is worth putting on blogger too) I am making a PB&J sandwich for her lunch, and she says that it is missing a "crunch". (Perhaps we watch too much Chopped?) I get out rice krispies, and proceed to make a smiley faced girl out of rice krispies on one side of the bread. Ella gets in on the action and tells me she is making a sad face boy on the other side. I ask her why he is sad. She replies, "He got kicked in the balls."

Example #3. As mentioned before, we traveled to Phili for a wedding. The wedding took place in a Catholic church, and on the following Sunday, much of my family was getting ready to go to church.

Ella: "Mom, are we going to church too?"
Me: "No, not today."
Ella: "Well, do we have to go back to that church where the man wears a dress?"
Me: (chuckling) "No."
Ella: "Ok, cause that was really weird."

I guess that it is normal to say it like it is at the ripe old age of 4. And for the record, after further probing, I discovered that she has no idea what "balls" are. Just a reminder that they are always, ALWAYS listening.

Brooks is pretty funny too, but all he says is Uh-oh. I'm trying to figure out how to lock up the trash can, cause he won't leave that dang thing alone!!

Gumacologist

2011-09-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Bryce is in his 3rd week of OBGYN. This is the rotation he was the least looking forward to. I think now that he is half way into it, he would say that it isn't as bad as he thought. I still don't think he will be attempting an OBGYN residency in this lifetime. Some of his highlights include scrubbing in on a C-section, and delivering his first baby. Some lowlights are... better left off of the WWW. I WILL say that the title of this post is a direct reference to one of his patients. She was a regular to her "Gumacologist." 3 more weeks, and next up is Pediatrics!! (My personal fave!) I had a picture of Bryce in his scrubs, but I'm not sure which camera I took it with.

Ella, Brooks and I made a trip out to Philadelphia in mid August to go to what is probably the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. I have a LOT of cousins, and my favorite one, Meaghann, got married. It was such a fun trip, and sometimes I forget how lucky I am to have such a fun and BIG family.

Here is the beautiful couple, Meg and Steve!!

(A sort of goofy picture, but a good display of their awesome personalities, and the vibe at the wedding!!)

Here we are, sans Bryce, before the wedding. I think we clean up pretty good.

Ella looking so sweet, pre-wedding

And of course, Brooks looking dapper in his suit. He was growing out his faux hawk for quite some time for the occasion.

In other news, Ella is quite the socialite these days. On top of the pre-k excitement, she also has a fun and cute little group of friends. They are all in dance together, go to church together, and have play dates quite often. We are planning a pajama movie night at our house next weekend for these little gals!

This was taken at Emma Grace's Princess birthday party. Aren't they cute??

L-R, Cozette, Lacey, Emma Grace, Ella, Annabelle

Also, I recently took El and Brooks to the doc to have a once over, and Ella is in the 99th percentile for height/weight. She is the size of an average 6 year old. Brooks? Oh, he is in the 10th percentile for weight, and 50th for height.

Apparently it is exhausting having all these places to be and people to see.

First Day of PreK

2011-08-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today I brought Ella to her first day of PreK. She went to preschool last year 3 days a week from 9-11:30 when we moved back to Arizona from Miami. This time, she will go 5 days a week from 8-2:30. She will be a busy little bee. Her first day was supposed to be yesterday, but we were still in Philadelphia.

By 11 I was missing my little buddy. I know she is going to love school, and I'm excited that she has the opportunity to go.

I love my little bug.

8/9/11

2011-08-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

Our little boy's 1st birthday was yesterday. We had a special birthday dinner with just the 4 of us. We had birthday cake, and gave Brooks the few gifts that we got for him, and that his nana and papa sent. He loved every minute of it. And we love him.

Almost there

2011-08-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

We are just one short week from our little Brooksie Boo's very 1st birthday!! This kid is the type that will fool you into thinking you could have about 3 or 4 more. (Not happening, sorry mom.)

But really, we are just waiting for the inner rascal to be unleashed.

We've seen glimpses of said rascal.

But really, he is quite a mellow guy. And such a ham before church.

Taking more steps these days before resigning to the speed crawl.

Why is it that I feel that these angelic days are numbered??

Let me count the ways

2011-07-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

So I've probably mentioned before how much we like it here in Georgia. Well, it's no lie. We like it. A lot. So much in fact, we are looking into possible resident positions in the area. It's great here. Really.

I had my very first invitation to 'Girl's Night' this week, and it was so fun to get out and not have the kids attached to my hip. It felt good to be included, and the group of girls are amazing and fun! We watched the Bachelorette, ate a ton of junk food, and chatted about babies and husbands and boobs and child birth...you know, the usual! I can't wait to go next week, and I'm SO grateful for some new found friends.

I've also been taking Ella and Brooks to the library each week for their 'Kids Summer Program' activities. Last week was a marionette puppet show, this week was a magician. Ella almost peed her pants when he pulled a real live rabbit out of his hat! Brooks, the angel child that he is, just sits on my lap and watches the entire thing. I could not have brought Ella to a show like that at 1 year...she would've been climbing the walls. I'm so grateful for my kids different but amazing personalities.

I'm signing Ella up for a combo music/theater/dance class that a gal from our church does. Can you just imagine? I'm sure my Ella will keep it interesting.

Pre K starts in 3.5 weeks!!!! We are on the hunt for a characterless backpack (School rule) and some other school essentials.

Some reasons Bryce loves Georgia:

*More house/land for your $

*Cheaper state sales tax

*Sports oriented area

*Pretty/green

Some reasons Gina loves Georgia:

*Beautiful homes outside and in

*Friendly people

*Historical sites around every corner

*Green and Lush

*Our house

Some reasons Ella loves Georgia:

*All the more lights

*Stone Mountain Park and Fireworks are pretty cool

*I have a cool bed with a thing that doesn't let bugs bite me

*There is no cactus to getcha

Brooks loves it too. I can just tell.

*Ella jumping in at a Primary Pool activity.

Everyone tells her what a good swimmer she is.

"Yes, that's because I lived in Dominica and swam everyday."

It's true. :)

Half way thru Family Med!

2011-07-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Yes folks it's true!!

Bryce is half way done with his first core rotation, Family Medicine!! Bryce has been a busy little bee ever since his rotation started. He has been with a family practitioner each day at his practice in Decatur, GA. He starts out the day at the practice, and then goes to the hospital each afternoon to see patients as well. He has been quite busy, and is happy that he is getting so much hands on experience. He does everything from the physical assessment and patient interview, to writing out their prescriptions and entering documentation into their Electronic Medical Record. We are glad he is enjoying this rotation.

I (Gina) have been trying to get everything else done and settled in our home. I am working on a DIY variation of THIS bedding that I heart from Anthropology...I'll keep you posted on that. I am not known for my crafty skills. I have found a pediatrician for the kids, and already had to take Ella for her Eye/Ear/Dental exam for school. After a doozy of an appointment back in January, I am happy to say that Ella has completed all of her childhood immunizations! No more pokes for her. Poor Brooks still has a ways to go.

Sadly, I have not started our sunflower hut, or garden just yet. But Ella reminds me just about everyday that we need to get on it.

Brooks is turning 1 shortly. I just can't believe how time flies! He still feels like my little baby. Probably because he still acts like a newborn, and averages only 6 waking hours each day. Seriously. This kid LOVES his sleep! Who can complain about that? Maybe Ella...she would like more time at the pool, and less time being told to wait until Brooks wakes up.

Up on the docket.....

Bryce: OBGYN

Gina: Flying to Philadelphia for a wedding with 2 midgets (My midgets, not a midget wedding)

Ella: First day of Pre K August 21st

Brooks: 1st Birthday August 9th. (Seriously, how cool is the birth date 8/9/10?)

Lot's of fun coming up, so stay tuned!!

PS... WE LOVE GEORGIA!!

E & B

2011-07-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

They really are best little pals.

And Nolan makes a debut as well. We miss our cousin Rollie Nolie.

Putting the Pumpkin back in the patch!!

2011-07-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Something you may not know about our new house...I actually did not want to rent it. Bryce was all about it, but I was a lot more hesitant. Bryce accused me of being "too picky", so I said "fine, you choose"... And he did. My biggest issue with this house was the color of the downstairs. Pumpkin Patch Orange. I thought it was hideous. Bryce thought I was picky. As you may remember, he arrived before I did at the house. I remember when he called me the morning he met with the realtor..."You're right, it's hideous."

Also, as with most rentals, the house had some issues that we were not anticipating. Like this...

The owner removed her TV, and left a shoddy repair an unpainted patch right smack in the middle of the family room. Also, she left her surround sound speakers which are mounted into the wall. Thanks.

Cute boy, ugly paint.

Then, after working out some issues with the management company, they finally agreed to let us paint, and they repaired the wall and removed the ugly faux mantle.

It wasn't actually my first choice in paint color, but I am really happy with it. WAYYYYY better then the pumpkin patch orange.

*Remember when I said Ella is into horses?? She watches the show 'Horseland' on Netflix over and over and over. And she begs and begs for a horse. Can you see it on the TV? Funny.

Saying goodbye to Arizona

2011-07-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

So, I have realized that I have neglected uploading pictures from my camera for quite some time. These were taken when Bryce's parents and brother came to visit in April. We went to the Mining Camp restaurant at the base of the Superstition Mountains. It was hot, but we took a stage coach ride into the desert and it was beautiful.

Ella is pretty into horses right now. My mom has been teaching her about the different types of horses, and so the stage coach driver was pretty impressed when she started spewing facts about this particular horse.

Also before we left, we took a hike to 'Hole in the rock' and said goodbye to the valley of the sun. We will miss you.... but we sure are enjoying having some greenery! PS...I think I prefer the dry heat to the humidity....although it does actually cool down at night which cannot be said for Phoenix.

Ella Christine Moody

2011-07-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

*A blog entry by Ella (typed verbatim by her mother....)

The fireworks and the lazer show was so so fun. And the ice cream was yummy yummy yummy. And that man tried to steal that instrument that little boy was playing. And it was so so fun after all, then I got very sleepy and I even fell asleep on the drive. Oh yeah, and something hurt very much and it was a bee sting I got on my leg. Now it is itchy from that bee with that bee nest. My daddy found a nother bee nest but all the bees were dead in it. And that is the end. And don't reget to tell them that the bee sting got bigger today.

ella
(she did type her own name at the end)

So.....we're here!

2011-07-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

We made it to Atlanta! After a lot of drama with the car dealership, we FINALLY hit the road at about noon on Tuesday. So 3 days and waaaayyyy too many potty breaks later, we made it to the Atlanta area, and to our home for the next two years! I had Shari to help me with the kids, and driving for the trip across country, and she stayed 4 days to help me unpack and get things situated around the house. I am so grateful she was able to come with us! While she was here, we went down to Stone Mountain Park for a day, and ended up buying the season pass for our family. The "firework and lazer show spectacular" was especially amazing, as was the funnel cake we got to enjoy while lying on a big blanket on a grassy hill surrounded by trees! We are still trying to set up shop around here, but the kids are LOVING have all this space, and especially love their playroom! It was so worth it to have them share a room and have a room especially for playing and toys and imagination. I promise to post pictures soon...as soon as I figure out where I packed the camera cord.

*Bryce starts out with his 6 week rotation in Family Medicine on July 5th. He is in the process of trying to find a car, and I am going to start shopping Pre K programs for Ella. We also welcomed a 47 inch HD Vizio into our home. Olivia is MUCH better in high def.....just ask El.

Dreaming of Sunflowers and Fireflies

2011-06-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

We are nearly packed up now, and ready for the big move on Saturday. We are ready for our own space, our own stuff, and to start the next chapter in our lives. I'm ready for some lazy summer days of playing outside, getting Brooks aquatinted with the pool, and letting Ella grow and play in a new and different environment.

I mentioned before that I want to start a garden once I get to GA. I have been looking up lots of good info about gardening with kids. I even found a great idea for growing a sunflower fort. I can't wait to get it started! I have been thinking of starting a special blog to document our adventure in "growing". The idea would be to keep a record of this time, and have the growing garden parallel Ella's growth into a school age girl. I don't know if I will be able to pull this off, but it is an idea I have been kicking around. I would like to make it in to a book in the end, and then she will have it as a keepsake. I am having a hard time coming up with a creative name for this venture, so any suggestions would be appreciated ;)

*I bought a pair of gardening boots for little El Bell. She wears them all the time.

In other news.... Well, there really isn't any other news. Bryce is busy getting things ready for the move, and Brooks is a big 10 month old who growls and likes to eat. Such a man.

Home sweet home...

2011-05-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is. We went with a newer home in a swim/tennis community in Grayson, GA. It is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, and it is beautiful inside! Lucky for us, I was able to get in touch with an awesome, AWESOME family who is also in Atlanta doing rotations for Ross. She met with realtors for us and viewed a bunch of properties, and even took video of them! I know, AMAZING right? There is a big, fenced backyard, and has everything we were looking for! We are so excited to be making this move! I have a call in to an excellent preschool which is right down the road, and really, things are just falling into place. We have a reservation for a huge Penske truck, and I have talked Shari into coming with us on the 3 day drive! Now it is just a matter of getting things packed up and organized.

As I mentioned before, Bryce starts his family med rotation the first week of July. He was lucky enough to get EVERY core scheduled already in Atlanta. So we know we will be there for sure doing core rotations until July 2012, and then he will decide where he wants to do his electives. Usually you try and do them in hospitals that you are interested in applying for residency at.
I am working a TON right here at the end of my stint at the hospital, but luckily for us, they offered a HUGE bonus for picking up extra shifts during the first 2 weeks of june. I signed up for 7! Crazy! I am of course sad to be leaving again. I really have a good thing going, and I am so greatful for the ability to work a job that I truly love. I'm also relieved that I was able to ease the financial burden, and bulk up our savings account while we were here in Az for the past 5 months. It has been a huge blessing.

We're Moving.......

2011-05-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

To ATLANTA!!!!

We are very excited. It was our first choice for clinical rotation sites that Ross offers. Here are a couple of reasons we are excited...

1. 3-4 bedroom houses with beautiful backyards are available for rent for under 1K/month. And a cost of living that is right in our student loan budget.
here is an example....

These are only 2 of several that are in our price range.

2. With a big fenced backyard comes another addition to the family....A DOG!!! We are so excited to get a dog, we can hardly stand it. Also, a garden for Ella and I to create and look after! Lightning bugs. I am so darn excited for Ella to get the chance to chase and catch lightning bugs....I am so gosh darn excited!

3. The school district in the area that we are looking (north east of the city, Gwinnett county) ranks in the top 10% in the country! They also have a county pre-K program called 'Bright from the start' which is known for successfully preparing kids for kindergarten and beyond. I know that she will ONLY be in kindergarten, but education is important, right from the start!

4. Paula Deen's renown restaurant is in Savannah....right around the corner! Gladys Knight has a killer restaurant in Atlanta. The Atlanta Aquarium has some awesome perks for season pass holders, and the price is very do-able. Public Swimming pools are close by, parks, milder climate then in Chicago or NYC. The US history.................I will be in heaven!

5. As far as Med school goes, there have been very good/positive reviews from students who have rotated at DeKalb MEd Center, and Bryce is excited to start on July 5th!

That brings another reality............we are moving cross country in a month..........time to get on it!!!!

*Fellow Rossies....we hope to see you there!!

The last few months in pictures

2011-05-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ever since I got my new smart phone, I have been lazy with my camera. It is more convenient to whip out my phone. I Just got around to emailing the pics to myself, uploading them to iphoto, and now uploading to blogger.

This was when Brooks was in the hospital with the Flu. Poor baby boy, so glad that is over with.

Here is Ella when I came home from the hospital with Brooks. Bryce was babysitting, and she is wearing a pair of Brooks' pants, size 3-6 months. Nice.

Enjoying a special treat at Costco.

We went to see Rango at the movie theater and had the entire theater to ourselves!

While Bryce's parents were here we went to the Minor's camp restaurant out at the base of the Superstition Mountains.

Brooks found a best pal in Uncle Braden.

Again, I came home from lunch while Bryce was babysitting. He was asleep in the back bedroom, and Ella looks like she drank blood, and is now on MY laptop.

We had a fun date with Nana at 'As You Wish'. We got to pick out and paint pottery, and then they glazed and fired it for us. It was so much fun, and our little artist was in heaven.

And Brooks figured out he has some mad chin lifting skills!

Onward and upward

2011-05-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

There are probably many reasons that you should not blog at 5am. Unfortunately, this seems like the only time I have to fill in the world on the happenings of our family. Some exciting things have gone on in the past 4 weeks, and I just haven't declared to the blogging world.

1st, Bryce passed his 1st licensing test! We are very proud of him, and know that he is on his way to becoming a great physician.

2nd, We're moving. Again.

After making numerous phone calls to programs in the state, we have learned that doing all rotations here in Arizona is just not possible. Bummer. Where are we going? We're still waiting to find out. We'll keep ya posted.

3rd, We had a nice visit from Bryce's parents, and youngest brother. We did a ton of stuff with them while they were here, and the kids really enjoyed hanging out with them. They really miss their uncle Braden.

4th....Ella has a little bit of the fever. Bieber fever, that is. Ok, that isn't entirely true. Her best friend Lia, has a sister who is 9. She has the Bieber fever by default. I downloaded a Bieber song for El after she kept asking me about 'Justin Beaver'. She sings Baby, baby, baby OOOO ALL the time now. The other day she asked me something funny...

E: "Mommy, is Justin Beaver brown?"

...in my head I am wondering if I am mature enough to have a conversation with a 4 year old about race...

G: "No, he is white." "Why?"

E: "Because beavers are brown"

She is right. Beavers are brown.

Mile Stones

2011-04-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

After the 3.5 months of studying, reading, memorizing, rereading, and more studying, the day came for Bryce to take the most important test that he will ever take in his career. It took him about 6 hours, and in the end he says he feels pretty good about it! We are so proud of him!! Now....we wait. Bryce's parents are coming on Saturday to see us and to meet Brooks for the first time! We're going to head up North for some cabin time, and probably hit Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Thank you to everyone for the prayers, kind words, support, love, and good vibes. We appreciate it more then you know!

These Days...

2011-04-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

-We (all) are feeling a lot better, my immune system held out and I never did end up catching the flu.

-Bryce is sitting for the STEP 1 on Thursday, prayers would be appreciated.

-Rumor has it that Ella is quite the social butterfly at school. Her best friend is Lia, but she also has many friends in the older classes. Also, she has a crush on the naughtiest boy in the class. Of course she does.

-Brooks has moved in to Ella's room. It is so cute to hear them playing in there in the mornings. He has done pretty well with it. We plan to have them share a room when we move into our own place as well, and then use the third bedroom as a playroom. I'm hoping that a playroom will cut down on the the baby/kid clutter, and I won't feel like it is taking over my house and life. We'll see how it goes.

See.......they love each other soooo much

-Brooks also got another haircut. Let me paint this picture for you...Brooks sitting nakey in his bumbo chair as I set up the laptop on the floor in front of us with a "How to cut a baby's hair" video on Youtube. I have to say though..........it didn't turn out half bad! And look how big....8 months!

Sickie update

2011-03-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Well.... After day 4 of high fever for ella, and a feverish and lethargic brooks, I took them in to the doctor. They both tested positive for influenza a. Brooks unfortunately, was not doing so hot....at all. After a breathing treatment and some more motrin, the doctor decided to admit him to the hospital for more monitoring and some iv fluids. So that's where we're at now. Hopefully we'll be on the upswing soon. Bryce also ram down to urgent care and was positive as well. Lets all cross our fingers that I won't be next.

Meet the Sickies..

2011-03-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

and 3

A bug has taken over this house! Ella has been febrile for 3 days, and today Bryce and Brooks join the ranks. So far, my cast iron immune system has held out. Let's hope it continues to fight off whatever it is that has hit this house! Poor Ella has the chills, and her eyes are bloodshot and watery. Brooks has spent most of the day snuggled up in my lap, which is good and bad, but mostly bad. Bryce has been in our room "Studying" (sleeping) today. To his defense, he would rather be studying and you can see that he is putting forth some effort with his notes out on the bed right next to the saltines. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow. It's a good thing I don't have to work until Friday! Seems my skills are needed here at home at the present.

More of the same

2011-03-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

I really have nothing exciting to report from Az. Same old thing around here. Bryce is at the library. I am home with the kids and working tonight. I seem to have mastered the art of being fully functional on 3 hours of sleep. No easy feat mind you. Ella had spring break last week and so we went the cabin for the weekend. The kids haven't been feeling great, so we just took it easy while we were there, but it was nice to get out of the valley for the weekend.

Bryce and I bought new cell phones, and I snapped this picture in the Sprint store. We ended up going with Sprint over Verizon b/c it is much, much cheaper. So far, we don't regret it.

Here's my Brooksie Boy showing off his two "toofs" (Ella's words)

I can't get enough of these big blue eyes! Brooks looks just like my uncle Richard when he was a baby (So I am told by my mother). He definitely has the McArdle mouth....it's always hanging open! His cousin Nolan, and Uncle Jack have the same.

6 months

2011-02-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Our little Brooks is 6 months old!

He weighs 16 lbs, and has two teeth!

He loves bath time, especially when he gets to take baths with his big sister.

He had minor surgery earlier this month, and recovered very well. I was a mess, but he seemed to do just fine.

He army crawls all over the house.

He is a little lover, so cuddly and perfect! He sleeps thru the night, and takes two 2-3 hour naps during the day. He is so good.

And his eyes are still BLUE! And they haven't shown any signs of changing any time soon!

Tea time

2011-02-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

Ella's preschool has a special 'High Tea' party for all the kids and their Mothers. They have been working on decorating their place mats and table centerpieces for this grand event. Ella was perplexed though, and went to her teacher with her concerns.

Ella: Mrs. Carlson, my mom doesn't drink tea.

Mrs Carlson: Well that's ok Ella, we will have lemonade and other things that she can have.

Ella: Well, my Nana drinks tea, so can I just bring her instead?

Mrs Calson thought this was pretty funny and filled me in came to pick Ella up. Apparently 4 year olds have excellent problem solving skills.

ella's birthday party

2011-02-09T16:57:00.000-08:00

"4 years old is a big deal." - ella moody

I would like to say that the party was a success. Ella had a ton of fun, and was totally in her element. We played 'Pin the badge on the sheriff', colored cowboy vests, and even panned for gold. The panning for gold was definitely the highlight of the activities. Then we had some homemade mac&cheese, nathan's hotdogs, sliced apples, and rootbeer punch. We had horse shoe cupcakes, and then opened presents. I'm glad birthday's are only once a year!

I bought cowboy hats, bandana's, and sheriff badges for all the kids. A couple days later, my friend said she is still fighting with her boys to take them off.

I should've been a PI

2011-02-05T14:46:00.001-08:00

Double click for full frme

I was much better in Miami...

2011-02-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been updating as frequently, but that has a lot to do with my work schedule. I do have pictures from Ella's birthday party, and some video of Ella riding her new bike, but those will have to wait for another day. I just got home from work, and need to catch some ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's while I can. But here is Ella in her skinny jeans! *It kind of weirds me out that I have to shop in the 'Girls" section now.

And of course both little rugrats before heading to preschool (Ella), and Meg's house (Brooks)

Babes

2011-01-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just don't know how I got so lucky. Brooks is seriously the best baby! I can just lay him in his bed and he will go to sleep. If he isn't tired, he will just play in his crib like in this video here. He is just so easy, and makes us all so happy!

It seems that right now I have a lot of friends who are expecting. After being asked a number of times for product advice, I thought I'd give the Gina top 5 baby items that I could not do without.

#1 Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper

This baby bassinet pushes right up to the side of your bed. Your infant is literally just an arm's reach away! This way, you don't have to worry about rolling on, or suffocating your sweet babe but at the same time, they are as close as possible! Brooks is still in his co-sleeper, and he loves it! I'm planning to make the switch to his crib after he is fully recovered from surgery next month.

#2 Podee baby bottle

This AMAZING contraption saved our lives while driving from Miami to Az!!! I would sit in the front seat and pump a bottle of breast milk, transfer it to the Podee, and Brooks would happily eat without any further assistance! The flexible straws allow you to tuck the bottle into the side of the carseat, and the nipple acts like a pacifier! So Fab! It is says right on the box that it is proven to reduce ear infections. Brooks has never had an ear infection, although I can't say that this is the reason. I now use the Podee any time he drinks from a bottle. There is even an attachment for when they are old enough to hold their own bottle, and they won't have to tip it up to drink. So genious! You can get these treasures at Babies R us!

#3 Burt's Bees Apricot baby oil

This product is grand at any age, but especially good for newborns! It helps with all their dry peeling skin from soaking in amniotic fluid for 10 months. Just add a capful to their bath water, and they smell and feel amazing afterward! I ran out, and it is on my grocery list for next week! You can now buy burt's bees product at numerous grocery stores, and health food stores. They even have it at Target.

#4 Snap N go!

This stroller is awesome! Your car seat literally just snaps in, and it is easy to maneuver! While they are such little things, it is hard to imagine putting them in a stroller that just seems so big for them, but this takes care of that problem. We actually ended up getting a Sit n Stand so that we could keep Ella more contained as well. This is a good option if you have more then 1 child stroller age.

#5 Moby wrap

This infant carrier was a huge help while we were in Miami. It is more snug then the baby bjorn, although Brooks now prefers the bjorn now that he is older. The Moby wraps your baby up snug against you and in a position that is comfortable for them. Brooks slept about 6 hours in his Moby when we went to Disney World. I have to tell you though, it is an overwhelming amount of fabric. Bryce refuses to touch it, although he will wear the Bjorn.

Happy shopping Mom's to be!!

Some things we've missed...

2011-01-12T20:37:00.000-08:00

I don't have quite as much free time as I did while in Miami, so my blog has started to be updated less frequently. Here are some of the things we've been doing over the last couple weeks.

We took the kids to see the "Real" Santa at Bass Pro Shop...

They both fell asleep on the way there.

Ella was so excited to put her "List" (Yes, the same one we've been working on since September) in Santa's mailbox!

Finally it was our turn to see Santa who had a southern accent....hmmmm.

And Brooks wouldn't look away from...

The taxidermy reindeers. He was mesmerized.

Then we made our way up to Tucson to visit with Great Grandma Moody, and go to 'Winter Haven' with our friends The Merriman's.

There was a snow machine...and Ella loved it!

Little Brooksie Wooksie Woo! He enjoyed the people watching from his stroller.

THIS is Brooksie's baby. Well, it's Ella's baby "Rosie", but Brooks LOVES her, and holds her and plays with her. And tries to suck her thumb. It's super cute.

I thought I had flipped this picture but I guess not. This is before Brooks' first day with his new baby sitter, Meg. He goes on Monday and Wednesday from 830 to 12 while I sleep after working all night.

And her is Ella with her Papa in the back yard. She is his little pal. Brooks on the other hand, LOVES his Nana, and always wants to snuggle with her.

So that's what you've missed...nothing too fancy.

Bryce has set up shop at the Scottsdale Library, and pulls the 9-5 study routine there Monday thru Friday. I am back to work and adjusting to the night hours. So far it hasn't been so bad. Especially b/c it is so part time. And I hate to sound like a broken record, but i LOVE my job, and I am so happy to be back to taking care of kids again. I also LOVE that I don't HAVE to work full time, and can spend the majority of my time with my own kids. I kind of love them too!

Ella's Day!!

2011-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:00

Ella Christine Moody....you are 4 years old!!

Ella brought cupcakes to preschool today and was welcomed back by being the star of the day! Then, she helped make cupcakes with Nana.

I feel so lucky to be Ella's mother. I love her so much! i had to work on Ella's birthday (january 6), so we just told her that her birthday was on the 7th. She will never know the difference, and that way, I was able to be there for cake/icecream/presents.

Here is Ella already for her first day back to preschool! (she was sick earlier in the week)

Notice the self applied chapstick? She has a whole purse full and she walks around the house asking everyone if their lips are dry.

Ella has also elected to have a "Cowgirl" birthday party later this month! Look for your invitations in the mail pretty soon!! (Here is a sneak peak!!)

Somebody got a hair cut!

2011-01-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Before

After

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

2011-01-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

We've been busy this Christmas season, but here a couple pictures that we took that day!

Ella and her 'pram' with baby Bell.

Brooks in my dad's new Steelers hat!

Brooksie likes my new snuggie! So do i!

Bryce helped Ella build a marble tower!

My cute little Santa babies!

Que vas hacer, hermano!!

2010-12-20T20:47:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share a story from our stay in Miami..... I never got around to writing about it while we were there.

Sometimes as mothers, we expect to see our daughters exhibit some of the same mannerisms and personality quirks. I didn't expect our first kiss scenarios, however, to have so many parallels. Both of our first kiss was from a Cuban Mr.

Ella was kissed by a little cuban boy in the mall behind a plastic dolphin. I was kissed for the first time by a cuban boy in a traveling circus on his last night in town. He was part of 'Circus Flora', and did flips on a horse. He had a pony tail. I snuck out of my house at 10pm on a Sunday night in the summertime, and rode my ten speed to the park where their circus tent had been set up for the past month. (I was 12, give me a break!) He kissed me goodbye behind the elephant trailer. A little bit hideous. Ella's little pseudo boyfriend's mom took a picture of them together as they ran around the mall play area holding hands. So moral of the story is watch out for those cubans......they're charmers!

Weeeeeeeeeee're Back!!

2010-12-07T18:12:00.001-08:00

Things are falling into place for this Moody family!! Gina is going back to work for Phoenix Children's and Ella is able to go back to the preschool class she was in before we left for Miami. We found someone great who is able to watch little Brooksie once or twice a week, and Bryce is getting ready to buckle down and study his tail off for the next couple months! Now if we can only find a way for Bryce to do all his rotations here...

I am really grateful to be able to go back to work. I will only have to work 3 shifts in a 2 week period, with the ability to pick up more if I choose to. It is nice to be able to have some flexibility! I am also going back to nights. I swore I would NEVER work nights again because it is so brutal on your system... but with our current situation, it is what will work best. I have hospital orientation next Monday!!!

Bryce and I have yet to even start our Christmas shopping. Hideous. That is what we'll be catching up on this week.

On the Road

2010-12-04T17:57:00.001-08:00

We're in the process of driving from Miami to Scottsdale. Today was long. We drove from Pensacola, FL to San Antonio, Texas. It took us almost exactly 12 hours. This is a conversation that took place while driving.

(Bryce and I were commenting on how we knew we were in texas b/c of all the pro republican bumper stickers.)

Ella pipes up from the back: "What guys?"

Bryce: "Nothing....we're just talking politics."

ELla: Oh. Can I have some?

Bryce: Do you know who the president of the United States is?

Ella: Um...Jesus?

Bryce: No. But some people think he's Jesus. It's Barrack Obama.

Ella: I don't like that girl.

Bryce: I don't like that girl either.

Friday 5 (on Saturday)

2010-11-27T20:40:00.000-08:00

Ella

1. Says "hey guys" when talking to Bryce and I.

2. Knows how to navigate most kid websites, and somehow knows how to add and delete icons on my desktop. We're thinking about getting her a geek squad hotline to help trouble shoot. That, or she'll write a book: 'Nickjr.com for Dummies'

3. Never forgets ANYTHING we promise her.

4. Loves to play with her brother, and says "Hi baby boy" in the highest pitch you can imagine... and he squeals with delight every time.

5. Can't wait to see her Nana and Papa... or PapaNana (one word) in a week!

Brooks

1. Will watch an entire football game on TV. He loves Football.

2. Is trying to suck his thumb.... uh-oh!

3. Babbles to us all day

4. Loves the Mickey Blankie Ella picked out for him at Disney World

5. Can't wait to see his Nana and Papa!

B & G

1. B passed his physical exam and has only 1 test left!

2. G played patient with B all week while he prepared for his Physical Exam.

3. B booked all our hotels, and mapped out our 3.5 day drive from Miami to Scottsdale.

4. G created a job chart/reward chart for Ella

5. B & G can't wait to get back to Az for the Holiday's!!!

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

2010-11-25T11:12:00.001-08:00

We spent all day at Disney World. We were there when the gates opened, and we left on the last bus back to our resort. It was so amazing to experience Disney for the first time with your kids. Ella's favorite ride was Splash Mountain!! (I think she is the only 3 year old in history who made the height requirement!!) We hit up all the rides in Fantasy Land, and most of them twice!! We all had a great time, and I think Disney met it's goal. Even Bryce and I felt like we were kids again!!

We got up EARLY so we could be there when the park opened!

All ready to go. Complete with Minnie Ears.

If you are wondering what is up with Ella putting her hands on her hips in every picture... yeah, I have no idea, but she is seriously doing it in every picture!!

Waiting for the Bus

Me and El on the Monorail

This is Ella as she sees Cinderella's Castle for the 1st time!!

Our first ride. Snow Whites Adventure. Ella was terrified of the wicked queen.

Brooks waiting in line for Peter Pan.

It's a small world

Taking it all in

Carousel

Haunted Mansion

Ella's BFF. Jessie the cowgirl!!

7th Heaven

Pirates!

What a trooper!

Buzz Lightyear ride! We got to shoot the mean toys and the Emperor Zurg!

Ella and Emmy with Zurg. (Emmy has a disney season pass, so she was quite the pro.)

Dumbo....in the rain.

Right after Splash Mountain. Brooks isn't so happy.

The castle all lit up for Christmas.

In front of Winnie the Pooh's Blustery Day

Watching the Fireworks!

They were amazing!

11:30 pm right before the electric parade!

On the bus ride back to our resort, Bryce and I are the last ones standing.

The next day....Brooks still loves Mickey!!

And Ella has a Disney Hangover!!

Down Town Disney

2010-11-25T10:28:00.000-08:00

We stayed at a Disney Resort, and got to enjoy the heated pool, and hot tub that 1st day.

Then we headed to Down Town Disney.

Before heading back to Miami, we hit Down Town Disney one more time!

Our resort was literally right across the street from Down Town Disney. We went there the night before and the day after our 'Magical Kingdom' experience. We ate lunch at a restaurant called 'T-Rex '. It was similar to Rainforest Cafe, and just as over priced.

The Disney Store was GINORMOUS!! Like the size of a Sports Authority. Ella had some money that her Grandma Moody gave her to spend, so we walked around this store for a while so she could pick something out. I am so OVER trying to make her like the Disney Princesses. She is just not interested. At all. In fact, the last day she still had some money to burn, so I asked her if she wanted to walk through the Princess section again. She said "Mom, I already told you, I DON'T want ANY princess stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!" Well what did she buy then?? A Woody and a Bullseye, a pirate sword, hand cuffs, telescope, and a hook from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, A baby Mickey for Brooks, 3 lollipops, a minnie mouse backpack, art set and keychain. I pretty much forced her to get the minnie mouse stuff. Figures. As a last attempt, I asked her just this morning who her favorite Disney Princess is.......she said Hannah Montana. Oh brother! How does she even know anything about Hannah Montana??? She has never even watched that show!!

Miami > Michigan

2010-11-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

The great debate in Ross U is which site is better for 5th semester. Saginaw, Michigan or Miami, FL. So far, Miami has been a nightmare as far as school goes. Bryce never has his schedule on time... he's shown up to places where they had no idea he was going to be there... things are never graded in a timely fashion, and he has had to travel all over Miami (which is huge) to different hospitals and clinics. From what I hear, Michigan has their crap together. It is also cheaper. BUT, it is not a short drive away from the happiest place on earth, and that, my friends, puts Miami in a different league. I took 186 pictures of our disney weekend, and will post them soon! Pinky swear!!

Friday 5

2010-11-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ella:

1. Has been threatened this week more than once that I am going to call Santa and tell him about her behavior. Snaps her right back into line.

2. Has been playing with the extra pair of gloves that Daddy brought home from the ER all week.

3. Somehow already has the Toy Story 3 movie memorized after seeing it twice.

4. Made a new friend at McDonald's named Kylee. She speaks english!! Hooray!!

5. Says 'GoGo my walking pup' is #1 on her Christmas wish list. Stupid commercials.

Brooks:

1. Size 2 diapers.

2. Likes when daddy throws him in the air, but not when mommy does it.

3. Sucks on his hands all the time.

4. May need to getting a hair cut soon.

5. Loves his tag blankie.

B & G

1. B has only 3 weeks left of school!

2. G has been helping B all week prepare for his physical exam practical.

3. B has also practiced with Ella as his patient, but she can't won't still when he is checking her lymph nodes. She's too ticklish.

4. G has a hard time with the lymph node check too.

5. B & G are looking forward to going back home to Arizona! We have enjoyed Miami, but we are ready to just be home. We really hope to be able to stay and finish out B's clinicals there, but we'll see.

A special day for Brooks

2010-11-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today was Brooks' blessing day. Bryce gave him the sweetest blessing. We are so blessed to have this little guy in our lives.

Oh how we love him.

Friday 5

2010-11-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Ella

1. Likes lima beans. She calls them "Slima beans" and picks them out of her mixed steamed veggies, and eats them FIRST! Bryce is horrified, and I am proud.

2. Is a total klutz in her cowgirl boots. They are still a little bit big, and she trips all the time while wearing them.

3. Wears a cape all day long to be like the 'Wonder Pets'

4. Told me today that she wants to be old like me. I told her that I wanted to be little like her, and asked what was so fun about being old. She said that she could then check her email, and have a wallet with real money.

5. I asked her what her favorite movie. She said 'The Tinkerbell Movie'. This was also while she was playing the tinkerbell game on Bryce's iTouch, so who knows how legit that is.

Brooks

1. Eats

2. Sleeps

3. Poops

4. Burps

5. Smiles, and Laughs

B & G

1. G is starting to make plans for Disney World.

2. B survived his first week in the ER.

3. G is trying to find a restaurant that is open for Thanksgiving in the Miami area.

4. B has two presentations to give next week.

5. B & G are giving up regular soda. Sniff.

2 Years Later

2010-11-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Shortly after the election of the Anointed One, I made a rare blog entry with my predictions for the political future. Let's revisit those in light of the midterm elections.

The fall of the Democrat party as we know it. They are putting all their eggs in one basket and when the scrawny armed B.O. drops the basket those eggs will crack leaving a sticky, gooey mess that the Democrats will not be able to recover from for decades to come.

This is still an ongoing process. We have seen "stimulus," "reform," and entitlements leading to the most drastic increase in the national debt in our nations history. Barak Obama was who we thought he was (said in my best Denny Green voice)! As went his party on Tuesday, so will his presidency.

Immediate shift in powers within Congress back to Conservative leadership. Conservatives are riled up and there is a new generation of Conservatives anxious to lead us and provide the solutions we need to correct liberal policy and keep America as the leader of the free world.

Check! 66 seats won in the House, 3 seats lost, net +63. There are still a few races yet to be determined, but no matter the outcome of those few, America has overwhelmingly rejected the liberal agenda of he who dances with Ellen and all his beltway cronies. Now it's time to defund and repeal.

A dramatic change to the tax code as we know it. Let's face it, the stink of B.O. precedes him. He will repeal the Bush tax cuts (thus an instant tax increase), increase taxes on the wealthy and big corporations (increasing the cost of their products and services), and implement social programs that increase total government spending forcing him to raise taxes on everyone in every tax bracket. Conservatives will then have the opportunity to strengthen the American economy by lowering the corporate tax rate and implementing a flat or fair tax (I'm in favor of the flat).

Only after Tuesday's results is Da Prez willing to negotiate with Republicans regarding the Bush tax cuts for all people, meaning the middle class and the wealthy. No need to negotiate with the One who spoke of Republicans saying, "We're gonna punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us." Let's just hope that the newly elected will do as promised... keep your eyes on Marco Rubio. He's going to be a big deal.

Shift in political leaning of coastal states. Yes, I said it and I believe it. We will see coastal states like California, New York, Pennsylannia and Florida become strong Republican strong holds.

CA - Gov = DemocRAT ("loss" although I don't consider the Governator to be a Republican), Senators = DemocRAT, Congressmen = 20/53 (Held all seats with no gain)

NY - Gov = DemocRAT (Hold), Senators = DemocRAT (Hold), Congressmen = 8/21 Republican (Gain of 5 Congressional seats)

PA - Gov = Republican (Gain), Senators = Republican (Gain), Congressmen = 12/19 Republican (Gain of 5 Congressional seats)

FL - Gov = Republican (Hold), Senators = Republican (Hold), Congressmen = 19/25 Republican (Gain of 4 Congressional seats)

2 out of 4 ain't too bad. There's just too much liberal poison in the water supplies of CA and NY, but slowly we'll see shifts.

Week 7 & 8 Miami

2010-11-02T16:41:00.001-07:00

Last week was pretty eventful for us. First, we had some visitors! Our friends The Cooks were coming home from Dominica, and had a full night lay over here in Miami. We picked them up from the airport, and had the mother of all sleep overs in our hotel room!! Nothing can quite

explain the feeling of coming back to America after being in Dominica for almost a year. I am so glad we were able to spend some time with Kristy, Tayler, and Tyler before they headed back to the West Coast.

We had 2 nights of Halloween fun, 1st the Splash and Scream at our favorite place, the Miami Seaquarium. Ella finally went into her first haunted house. She begged and begged me all night. I told her it was too scary, but she did not let up. I finally said "OK" in my most defeated mom voice. As it neared our turn, I told the lady at the front entrance that we would just be going in the entrance, and then probably coming right back out. She said that was fine, and sent us up to the house. As soon as we got in the door, there was a skeleton laying in a coffin to the right of us, and someone started banging on the wall to the left. Ella froze, her eyes about bugged out of her head. I asked her if she was ready to go back out, and she nodded her head yes! We walked out and she turned to me and said "Mom...I peed in my pants. I was so scared." Poor girl! I knew she would be scared, but I knew she had to see for herself, otherwise she would have whined about it all night!!! On the bright side, we were able to do lots of fun stuff before the accident. They had some "spooky" versions of their dolphin and sea lion show, carnival rides, and trick or treating. I took Ella on the ferris wheel, and I almost peed my pants. I underestimated how nervous I would be on a ride that goes up 50 ft in the air and has no seat belts with my 3 year old! I was begging her to just SIT by me and not to move. She wasn't scared of THAT at all!

The next night we did trunk or treat at the church. This time Brooks came too. He was a good boy (as always) and helped me pass out the candy while Bryce took Ella around the parking lot. Unfortunately, I had started feeling under the weather and was having a major sinus headache. Bryce and I both had to speak in church on Sunday, but we left right after our talks. Luckily, we are all feeling better now.

Bryce had his first night shift at the ER on Monday. He found out he had to report on Monday morning so he didn't get much sleep before his shift. Then he had an assignment due and a lecture the next day, so he didn't get much sleep the day after either. I think he has finally regulated, but he has to be back for another 12 hours on Friday and then again on Sunday. His ER shift sounded pretty eventful. I think he just would have liked more notice.

And of course, here are some pictures.

This is B and I before the big game.

Our little "Where's Waldo". I didn't end up drawing on glasses...I didn't want to have to scrub them off afterward. We joked that this Waldo had Lasik Eye Surgery.

We were trying to get Ella to do the guns with her fingers, but it looks more like gang signs.

Brooks helping me pass out candy.

Ella flying high on the Ferris Wheel. Notice the lights in the background. That is downtown Miami.

The Cooks. Tyler's face is priceless...this is right after his first bite of steak in a year!

My first clue...this was as close as she would get to the Skeleton driver.

Can you believe it is already November???? In 30 days we will be packing up and heading back to Arizona!! We can't wait. Ella is dying for her Papa and Nana.

Friday 5

2010-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Ella

1. New favorite movie is 'Pippie Longstocking'

2. Says "exactly" when she means "actually"

3. Had her first ferris wheel ride

4. Talks in her sleep

5. Got to go to the haunted house (entrance) and peed her pants. (Literally, not figuratively)

Brooks

1. Is getting sick :(

2. Had a 'Guys night' with Daddy

3. Is getting more chatty

4. Loves his crunchy lion toy

5. Hates the bulb syringe (Who wouldn't?)

B & G

1. Had an awesome time at the Steelers game

2. Have to speak in Church this Sunday

3. Got to see some good friends this week during their layover in Miami

4. Had to move rooms at the Extended Stay

5. Looking forward to Trick-or-Treatinig this weekend

Week 6 Miami

2010-10-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

This last week was a hot one here!! I seriously felt like I was back in Dominica! I am seriously ready for some cooler weather... going on 18 months of summer is starting to get to me.

Bryce was following a family practitioner this week. He did the ol' 9-5 routine, and said his days went by super fast. He was able to do lots of patient interviews, and said that he liked family practice way more then he thought he would.

The kids and I went to the Seaquarium this week, and I let Ella sit in the splash zone during the killer whale show. She got soaked, and I don't think she is going to bug me again about sitting in that section ;)

Bryce and I got to go to the Steelers/Dolphins game. It was so much fun!! We were really surprised at how many Pittsburgh fans there were. It was almost like being at a home game! The Steelers won...but it was ugly. We had a great time, and we're so lucky to have such great friends (Liz and Jason) who were willing to watch the kids so we could go.

Here's some more pictures of the Seaquarium:

Lolita the Killer Whale

Ella and Flipper

Brooks sleeps the majority of the time we are there each week.

Ella holding more wild life

*I have the pictures from the game on our other camera, so I will upload and post them later in the week.

But I DO have some pictures of Ella in her Dad's new Steelers hat!

And here is my little man. He fills a void in my life that I didn't even know I had. I love him so much.

Friday 5

2010-10-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ella

1. Can write all the letters of the alphabet, and displayed her skills while I was making our grocery list.

2. Is going to be a cowboy when she grows up. She asked me 3 times this week if she could put a 'real horse' on her Christmas List.

3. Is working on her Christmas list for Santa (This also serves as a way to say no without saying no while out at the mall....I just tell her to put it on her list)

4. Watched 'The Muppets take Manhattan' on netflix, and LOVED it! Her favorite muppet is Kermit.

5. Has a crush on my cousin Paul (He is in 7th grade) and talks about him ALL the time. This week she tried to convince me that she wouldn't be scared to go in the haunted house if Paulie came with her.

Brooks

1. Likes to eat and has been eating more often

2. Looked handsome in his church clothes on Sunday :)

3. Can roll over from front to back

4. Is going to be 'Where's Waldo' for Halloween

5. Watches everything his big sister does. He has really started to notice and watch her.

B & G

1. B liked family practice more then he thought he would

2. G loves having a stroller that accommodates both kiddies

3. B got a haircut

4. G needs a haircut

5. We are GOING to the Steeler game!! Here we go Steelers, Here we go!

Week 5 Miami

2010-10-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

Another week gone by out here in the Sunshine State. The surgeon that Bryce was following this week was on Vacation for a few days, so Bryce had a few days off to spend with us! We went to 3 different malls this week with him! The Dolphin Mall, the International Mall, and the Sawgrass Mills Mall. We purchased a dress for church for Ella from Sawgrass Mills, but it was our only purchase. 3 malls and 1 purchase...that is what I call willpower! I also bought a new stroller. This one has a space for Ella to sit or stand, and it is WAY easier to keep her at bay.

We also went to an alligator farm with some friends of ours from Dominica, Jared and Angie. Ella even got to hold a baby alligator. She wasn't scared one bit!!

Kind of creepy that the only thing separating my bite size 3 year old and a pool full of alligators is a fence made of chicken wire...

Ella doing her best indian impression...

On our Seaquarium day, the weather was yucky....so we met Liz and Emmy at Chucky Cheese instead! The girls had a grand time, and Brooksie was a good boy and hung out with me and Liz.

Bryce finished up his surgery rotation for the 2nd week and is moving on to family practice next week.

We are about half way done out here in Miami. Only 7 more weeks.

The Friday 5

2010-10-15T17:34:00.001-07:00

If you haven't noticed, I've been trying to be better about blogging. I have decided to do a weekly blog on Mondays with pictures and events from the week. I also have a friend who does the "Friday 5" where you tell 5 things about each person in your family from the week. I think it will be a neat way to remember what was going on at this point in our lives. You should consider doing a Friday 5 too!!

Ella

1. Has changed her mind (with a little coaxing) to be the cowgirl Jessie for Halloween.

2. Has an invisible horse named Bullseye, an invisible dragon, and an invisible hippo. She calls them her "disappeared friends."

3. Has started to speak a spanish sounding gibberish to people who talk to her spanish here in Miami.

4. Loves to eat lunchables. Like...everyday.

5. Says she wants to go to a haunted house, but can't even go into the halloween store without hiding her head under Bryce's shirt!

Brooks

1. Sleeps about 8 hours in the night

2. Has not lost any of his fluffy hair

3. Eyelashes are getting longer

4. Loves bath time, but hates getting out and getting dressed after

5. Finally fits into 0-3 month clothes and has grown out of newborn.

1. Bryce has finished up his surgery rotation and moves on to family practice next week

2. Gina knitted a hat for Brooks' Halloween costume

3. Bryce thinks he is getting an iphone when we get back to Az

4. Gina thinks that #3 is pretty funny

5. We have started looking for tickets to the Steelers Vs Dolphins game in 2 weeks!!

See ya Monday for a full re-cap of this week!

Another week gone by

2010-10-10T15:49:00.001-07:00

Bryce had to be up early this week for his surgery rotation. He left at 6am!! Since he had the car, I was home with the kids. We slept in...

made a fort,

Fell asleep in the fort...

and talked about the letters I & H. I am trying to work with Ella on letter recognition. I found a fun work book, and she loves to have "School day with Mommy".

Bryce got to see some cool things in his surgery rotation. He was able to observe an aortic valve replacement and of course thought that it was awesome. Just thinking about heart surgery gives me anxiety, let alone doing one!! Also got to see some Laproscopic procedures and a hysterectomy using the new Davinci equipment. He is enjoying it!

We also made our weekly trip to the Seaquarium. This is pretty much the only day that we get the car, and get to leave this hotel room for the day. On this particular day, we got to the park right as they opened. The dolphins were real playful as we came up to the viewing tank. I think they were lonely that night and excited to see people again. This dolphin in particular was extremely interested in Ella. He/She was following her, and interacting with her through the glass. It was really cute. Ella and Emmy also played with Salty the Sea Lion...or at least the statue of Salty. I promise to get some pictures of Salty and "Woe-Wita" next week.

Brooks is still a good baby, and I can't believe how fast he is growing up! He is a happy boy, and loves to sleep, eat, and hang out with us.

Next week, Bryce is in Surgery again!! And he has some days off during the week, so we get to hang out with him and maybe even get out of this hotel more than once!!

Hooray!!

2nd week Miami Style

2010-10-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

Brooks is 2 months old today :)

It's hard to believe we have only been here for 2 weeks... It already feels like a lot longer. So here is what we did last week.

Monday: Bryce had the day off so we packed up the kids and headed to the Seaquarium. My Camera died (of course) the moment we arrived, so no pictures from this trip. It was a hot, sticky day, and it really reminded me of Dominica. (The weather, not the Seaquarium.) We saw the "Salty the Sea Lion Show", Lolita the Killer Whale Show (Ella calls her Woe-Weeta), and the Top Deck Dolphin Show. Ella played on the playground/spray pad, and we saw some alligators and sea turtles. Ella started to get a little restless and was tired of walking. (We don't have a double stroller, so she has to hoof it now.)

Tuesday: Bryce had lecture most of the day, and so the kids and I hung out at home.

Wednesday: Bryce had his 'Large group meeting' downtown. This is normally when we plan to drop him off and then go back to the Seaquarium, but this particular day it was raining, so we stayed home.

Thursday: Bryce didn't have to be anywhere until the afternoon, so we hit up a pizza buffet for lunch and then ran some errands. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home while Bryce was at class. When Bryce came home, we ate dinner and then went to cold stone creamery for desert! They were having a free ice cream give away! Delicious.

Friday: Bryce had fundoscopy physical exam practice in the morning, and BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support) in the afternoon, me and the kids met up with Liz and Emmy at the Seaquarium! It wasn't as hot this time, and much more fun for Ella to have a friend there. I remembered to bring my camera this time, but I'm having issues uploading the photos. After the Seaquarium, us girls (and Brooks) met the guys at Chili's for our first ever Non-Island meal together! It was great!!

Bryce also had BTLS on Saturday and he got to suture pigs feet, learned how to start an IV, and even watched a video on how to deliver a baby.

This week Bryce is following a Surgeon and will be gone all week. He will hopefully have the weekend off!!

Happy guy(s)

2010-09-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

I have 2 happy guys in my life right now.

This one

is just happy to be held by mommy...or daddy...or anyone really.

This one

just found out he gets to spend the next week in the OR (Operating Room)

How do you say "Scalpel please?" in espanol anyway???

Where we live now...

2010-09-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to room 206 at the Extended Stay Delux in Doral - Miami.

This is our front door, kitchenette, and Bryce's desk.

Right across from the Kitchen area is our "living room" area with our couch (which doubles as Ella's bed), coffee table, and TV that swivels :)

Our bed and Brooks' bed

Bathroom sink and vanity area

Our closet

Mr. Smiley

Miss Smiley in her pull out bed.

Incase you were wondering, we did choose to bring our own bedding. We'll be here a while, so we might as well get comfortable.

Beyond the room tour, I thought I'd give some insight as to what it's like for Bryce in his 5th semester.

B made the long drive from Arizona to Miami just a week after he came home from Dominica. It took 3.5 days, but he made it. He arrived Sept 1, and got started on his studies for the "COMP" which is a comprehensive exam over the first two years of medical school. Ross U gives you 3 chances to pass this test. Without passing, you cannot move on in your schooling. Luckily, Bryce used his 11 days with no kids or wife around to really buckle down and PASSED the first time around!! Ross has a pretty low percentage of students who pass the 1st time, so we are VERY proud of him!! :)

5th semester is his 'Into to Clinical Medicine' or ICM. He must complete a predetermined number of clinical hours before taking the Step 1 and advancing into his clerkship. He is also completing his BLS (Basic Life Support), and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. Today he had his first day in the long-term care facility. I'm sure he is starting on his 1st H&P of his medical career. So far his schedule is all over the place, and we're hoping he at least will get a full schedule for the semester soon, instead of finding out just a few days ahead of time where he is expected to be.

Ella, Brooks and I....well, we've been hanging out in our cool digs. Only having 1 car is kind of a bummer. Brooks is still pretty young though, so I guess I wouldn't want to do too much galavanting anyway. We do have big plans in our future though... Miami Seaquarium is only $50 for an annual pass!! This place has it all. From Dolphins to Killer Whales, to spray pads, to splash rides... Ella will love it. We hope to go at least once a week the entire time we're in Miami. Get the most out of that $50!!

Bienvenido a Miami!

2010-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

We made it!!! All I can say is that I am a lucky girl... Brooks slept all but 20 minutes of our 7 hour travel day, and Ella was awake to Denver, then slept all but 30 minutes of our flight from Denver to Miami!! I was so afraid it would be disastrous, but it everything worked out. Now we are here in our Extended Stay Hotel, all comfy and cozy, and loving being all together again. This time for good. I will take some pictures of our little cozy place when my camera battery charges. For now, I do have a couple of the kids to hold the grandmas over.

A day in the life of BROOKS:

1st I get curious and look around...with my INSANE head control (and my cool hair).

Then...I scream.

Then, I sleep.

Sometimes I chill with Ella.

I love to watch her. She's pretty goofy.

There's also eating and pooping in there somewhere, but I'll spare you those images.

More pictures of Miami to come.

So far, the weather is great and HOLY ESPANOL!! EVERYONE here speaks the spanish. No Habla... uh-oh...

Lashes

2010-09-15T20:11:00.001-07:00

Check out Ella's lashes... sheesh kid!

Target or Bust!!!

2010-09-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

I took my first legit trip out of the house today with both kids. Hideous. It took me 2 hours to get out the door. Between having to get Ella fed, bathed, dressed, hair done, and shoes on... getting myself fed, bathed, dressed, hair done, and shoes on... and getting Brooks fed, dressed, then dressed again after spitting up, then fed again...yes, that equals 2 hours! I left the house, which by now looked like a disaster area, and headed to Target. I forgot my list and had to wing it. Ella somehow ended up with 3 toys in the cart...I think she enjoys the fact that Brooks car seat blocks my full view of what she is doing. Then Brooks started to cry/scream because he kept getting startled awake with all the happenings at the store. I left the store under high stress because I knew I had forgotten some things, and Brooks was still cry/screaming. I had promised Ella the mac and cheese kids meal, and I was not about to go wait in that line with a screaming baby. Ella then started to cry/pout for the entire drive home.

OMGoodness!!!!! PLEASE tell me it gets easier!!!

Sharing is Caring

2010-09-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

Ella put her beloved 'Baby Cow' in the swing with Brooks today where he proceeded to violate his horn. No Brooks, you aren't going to get anything out of baby cow's horn.

Don't scowl because I took away the cow horn...

Supermodel Ella....I told her to strike a pose.

Work it girl....

and give them a little of that too...

4 weeks?!

2010-09-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Has it really been almost 4 weeks?? Yes it has!! Brooks is a good little guy. We'll keep him. Bryce came home on the 21st, and left on the 29th. He made the 3.5 day trip and is now in our hotel/home for the next 3 months in Miami. The kids and I fly out in 2 weeks. Wish me luck!

It was nice to have Bryce back, and we are all so happy to be done with the 'Island' part of his med school journey, and that we get to be together again.

Ella is so kind and loving towards her brother. She gives him kisses and hugs, and helps me as much as she can with him. She calls him "Bwooksie" which I think is just adorable. She already asked me when I am going to have another baby, and if this time it could be a girl. She still can't let it go. She says that the girl baby can sleep in her room, and Brooks can stay in mine. The other day Ella was having some 'quiet time' in the bedroom, and I put Brooks down in bed with her while I went to the bathroom. When I came back in, I found them cuddled up together. So cute. I just love my kids.

Here is Brooks at 3 weeks...doing what he does best.

Preschool!!

2010-08-19T08:19:00.001-07:00

This big girl had her first day of preschool this week!! She is in a class with 10 other 3 year olds on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-12. She loves it, and loves her new teachers. We are hoping that Ella will make some friends and not feel so lonely the last few weeks we are here in Arizona.

Brooks is 1 week old!! He is still sleeping like a champ, and is starting to take more of an interest in eating too. He likes to be wrapped tight, and loves the ugly green soothie (pacifier) from the hospital. I still think he looks a lot like his sister did...I wonder if that will change as he grows.

This is Ella at 3 days old

Brooks at 1 week

Little Brooksie at 1 week (photo taken by Ella)

Ella, Brooks and I are also very, VERY excited to have Bryce coming home THIS Saturday!! Last week, my mom and Ella made a count down to daddy calendar. Ella has been putting stickers on each day as they happen, and tells me how many are left before daddy comes home. We are down to 2 days!!!!!

More Pictures

2010-08-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Shanna came over this weekend to see the new babe, and brought along her new fancy camera. We tried to do a little photo shoot with Brooks, but he wasn't behaving the best. These are some of my favorites. He really is such a little doll. He wakes long enough to eat, and then goes right back to sleep. They say 2nd babies are usually pretty easy going, and that is totally true in this case! Ella was a really good baby too, Brooks is just sleeps a lot more during the day then Ella did.

A big sister at last

2010-08-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

If there were ever any doubt....there is none now. Ella Loves her little brother. I can't believe I have 2 "babies" now! I have missed my Ella while I've been here in the hospital, but so glad to have had time to recover and get some sleep.

Brooks

2010-08-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here is our newest little guy...and he really is so precious!

Here is the Readers DIgest Version of his eviction....

11:20, water brakes in bed. Did I just pee myself? I honestly wasn't sure. Nope, too slimy, and man it just keeps coming out. Contractions start almost immediately and are running about 5 minutes apart right off the bat. I decide to time them for 1 hour, then wake up my mom.

1:00 AM, arrive to Scottsdale Healthcare Shea. Check in. Yep, my water is broken...and my contractions are getting stronger. Ouch. They check me and I am 3-4 cm dilated. My nurse gets the IV going so I can get my epidural soon.

3:00 AM, epidural in place...feeling SO much better. My nurse checks me and I am 5 cm! Yeah, this is going to be a quick one!

4:00AM, I tell my nurse I can feel some pressure so she checks and I am 9 cm! What the.... She leaves to call my Doctor, and returns with the delivery table.

4:45, my doctor arrives, we make small talk about her Vacay while she gloves and gowns up. Lets rock this! I push 1 time as my nurse counts to 10. She tells me to take a deep breath and push again. I do, and as I push, his head pops out!! They tell me to stop and the rest of his little body slithers out without prompting. 1.5 pushes folks...I didn't think it was even possible to beat Ella's 3 push delivery!!

So Brooks Edward Moody entered the world at 4:50am weighing in a 7lbs 12 oz and measuring 20 inches long. He's got a full head of hair as you can see, and looks an awful lot like Ella did on her 'birth' day.

So as for his name...

Brooks was my Grandpa Mutschler's nickname. He acquired the nickname at a family picnic out in Pittsburgh, PA. He was playing 3rd base in one of the heated family softball events and made a couple of killer saves. My uncle, John Hayes, started calling him Brooks after the great Brooks Robinson, famed Baltimore Orioles 3rd baseman. The nickname stuck, and my grandpa really enjoyed his new nickname. My Grandpap was diagnosed with cancer when I was in 7th grade. He fought, and fought, and fought, and survived 12 years of chemo treatment!!! He died almost 2 years ago, 10 months after after Ella was born. He was able to meet 3 of his great grand children before he passed. He now has 9 great grand children, and 2 more on the way. I miss him greatly, and I am so excited to pass on this nickname of his that he loved, to my son.

Edward is Bryce's Grandpa's middle name. He was a Naval aviator in World War II and one of the smartest people Bryce knows.

We are very proud to honor our grandfathers in this way, and we hope that our Brooks will be a good representative of 2 people who we both adore.

Another conversation with my girl

2010-07-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Getting out of the car at swimming lessons:

E: Mommy, I fink my butt needs a snack

G: Your BUTT needs a snack?!?

E: Yes, it keeps eating my bathing suit. I fink it's hungry.

cupcakes

2010-07-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

My dad had a birthday last weekend! Don't worry dad, we won't reveal your TRUE age. I asked Ella a few questions about her dear Papa:

ME: What is your Papa's real name?

Ella: Um, Paulie?

ME: How old is Papa today?

Ella: Um, 3!! Is it 3?

Me: Sure.

Ella: He's not 3, I'M 3!! He is....um....4...mommy, is it 4?

Me: What papa's favorite thing to eat?

Ella: Um, Cake! He likes cake to eat.

Me: Who is Papa's best friend

Ella: Um, Scott.

Me: How much does Papa love you?

Ella: Um, a lot

Me: How much do you love Papa?

Ella: Um, a lot too.

*********************************

So for the Birthday, Ella and I made cupcakes! I frosted, and she was in charge of the sprinkles and the cherry on top. We actually had to make a special trip to the store b/c she INSISTED on the cherry on the top.

As you can see...some ended up with more sprinkles than others. But they were ALL delicious!

The last Hurrah

2010-07-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

Sadly, my OB has told me that I have to put an end to my summer travels after 36 weeks (which is next week). That means that I will miss EAC vball camp for the first time in 10 years. Wow, writing that made me feel really old. Luckily, I was able to sneak in a final trip up north before succumbing to the death hot of the valley till august. I have been up to our cabin almost every week since I've been back from Dominica, and it has been so nice to get out of the heat!! 4th of July is a always a great time up there because there is so much festivities and Ella has really loved it over the years. Here are some pictures from our trip up north (5 glorious days).

*The Cabin :)

*Painting Toy Story pictures on the deck

*"This one is for my dad"

*Ready to leave....all buckled in Big Blue (Papa's truck)

*Hitching a ride to the Parade

*Sportin' the red, white and blue!

*Killing time before the parade

*Ella's most favorite Nanna

*Come on Parade, Start already!!!

*Country Club Grub post parade! (I don't know how she had any room after all that candy)

*Jumpy Castle!!

*Finally catching up with Daddy to tell him about all of our fun...and that we wished he was with us.

Bryce and I plan to go up to the cabin for a couple days in August when he gets back. The next time we go, we will be a family of 4!!!

Mud Mania

2010-07-04T20:03:00.001-07:00

There is a phenomenon in Scottsdale, Az known as 'Mighty Mud Mania'. It is a fun filled day at Chaparral Park wear kids can defy their parents warnings about getting dirty, and indulge in the glory that is mud. I can't wait for Ella to be old enough to do the mud obstacle course... she is a scrappy little thing.

Tell me a story Daddy!

2010-06-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

The whole experience of keeping in touch with Bryce over Skype has been interesting. It isn't the same as being together (obviously) but it is nice to see him everyday still. Ella has taken an interest in "Stories" lately. What she wants is for Bryce and I to tell her stories about ourselves as little kids, or about her as a baby. Every night when we talk to Bryce, she says "Daddy, you tell me a story now?" We are running out of stories to tell her. Sometimes she will tell us a story which is usually something that happened to one of us that is reinvented as happening to her. My personal favorite is when she tells me:

"Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, I was riding my bike and fell off and broke my hand. My mommy took me to the doctor and I got a green cast. The doctor told me No swimming, No taking a bath, and No going to the beach. Do not get your cast wet. Then in 4 months, he cut off my cast and my arm was all better. The End."

My story is pretty much the same thing except I broke my arm, and had a purple cast. And I only had to wear my cast for 10 weeks. She is a funny chick.

Ella says she can't wait for her daddy to come home so she can take him to the movies to watch Toy Story 3. She is a super fan.

1st day of Summer Camp!

2010-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Ella (and I) were fortunate enough to have found a nice summer camp for Ella to attend! It was just a 4 day deal, but Ella LOVED it! She really thrives in the school setting, and loves to learn and play, and be around other kids. She painted me multiple pictures, and was really sad when the week was over. I was sad too. I really hope to get her into a preschool program once we are living in a place for longer than 12 weeks :)

Showing off her new "Cool BLUE swim cover"

So excited for her first day. Doesn't she just look so big these days?? Oh, and during a Q&A at school, Ella apparently shared that she wants to be a Cowboy when she grows up...which is news to me. Time to start looking for some boots for my cowgirl!

We miss you!

2010-06-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

****PS: I don't know why it will only show half of the video on the blog. If you click on the video it will take you to youtube where you can watch the full screen :)

You are my sunshine

2010-06-09T19:46:00.001-07:00

I was offered a job last week. The pay was triple what I made at my last job. I decided to turn it down. Crazy? Maybe...

But lets do the Math.

30 wks pregnant (last week).

Allow 1 week for physical, drug screening, and titers (blood work to prove my vaccinations are doing their job).

2 weeks for home healthcare skills workshop in Phoenix.

2 more weeks of job orientation

3 training seminars on how to file Medicare paperwork (1 week)

by week 36, start job officially on my own??

Yeah....not gonna work is it.

On the bright side, I get to focus all my time on this fun little sunshine girl ALL summer long. It is nice to spend so much one on one with her before her little brother comes.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Target!! I had to get Ella some new Sunday shoes, and this cute little dress was only 7$!! Love it!

AND...some Ella-ism's

2010-06-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

At my OB appointment...

Ella to Dr Crum: You Dr. Crum?

Dr. C: Yes I am! It's nice to meet you. What is your name?

El: Ella. I have a Pig in my tummy.

Dr. C: Oh...(looking at me strangely)

El: When he comes out, he's not going to poop on the floor.

Dr. C: ?????????????????????????????

Me: Oh, Ella...

In the AM Ella presents me with the picture she just colored.

El: Mom this is you!!

Me starring at a picture of pure black scribbles: Oh...I am going for the goth look?

El: No, you are next to the bear not the golf.

Me: Oh, it's a black bear?

El: No mom, (rolling her eyes at me) you are both in a bear cave!

Movie 101

2010-06-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

I signed Ella up for Harkin's Theater's 'Summer Movie Fun' this summer... and I expect it will be a nice cool way to spend our Wednesday mornings for the next 10 weeks. It really was a screaming deal. 7$ for the package which includes 10 movies over 10 weeks. Then, I paid an extra 10$ for Ella to get a popcorn, drink, and "candy" each time we go. The best part? Parents watch for free :) I love free! I also LOVE the movies. And so I am taking it upon myself to teach Ella how to get the most of her theater experience.

Movie Buff secret #1: Bring a sweatshirt!!! I realize that we live in the land of molten lava heat...but the theaters are always freezing!!

#2: Get there early!! 20 minutes early is ideal. That way you have dibs on the ever coveted front row bar seat!! This really is optimal b/c you are front and center without having to strain your neck. Then you get to enjoy the luxury of the foot rest/bar...nuff said. AND if you have to go to the bathroom, you just hop the rail... no "scuze me, pardon me" through the isle bugging fellow movie goers.

#3: If they offer a seasonal movie cup/popcorn deal...IT IS WORTH IT!! We bought the souvenir cup originally for 4.95, and every time I go to the movies, it only costs me a dollar to fill it up :)

So Ella is at the early learning stages, but she seems to be catching on!!

May

2010-05-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Everyone is requesting the "belly" shot. Well...it is hard to do a self picture of your belly! I am bigger than I was with Ella at this point...but still not that big. And guess what... we've picked a name!! And no, we won't tell you what it is ;) Hopefully Ella won't spill the beans with this one like she did with our "girl". If you weren't lucky enough to hear our girl name, you'll just have to wait until we have another girl. I'm sure there will be another one at some point.

29 weeks (a little over 7 months) from the side...

From the front...

And here are some pictures of my darling Ella. She still loves her Mac and Cheese!! We've also going to the library quite a bit to check out books. I think she is going through a little bit of a morbid phase b/c the last three books she has picked were "In a Dark, Dark Room" "There's a Nightmare in my Closet" and "There's an Alligator Under my Bed". And she LOVES them...

Mac and Cheese

Yum!

Riding the train at the Train Park!

More train park

Passed out...

pictured (from left to right) Baby Rosie, Baby Sister, Baby Susie, Baby Cow, (not so baby) Ella.

Crazy Things From a 3 Year Old

2010-05-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Setting: On the flight home from Dominica Ella was putting animal stickers into her color book.

Gina: Ella, what is that? Is that a monkey?

Ella: No mommy, it's a ring-tailed sloth.

Gina: Oh...

Setting: Pima, AZ at Maddie Kay's baptism, just after Maddie came up out of the water.

Ella: (turning to the audience) I wanna take a bath. I'm dirty too!

Me: She didn't take a bath, she was baptized.

Ella: (turing to the Bishop and handing him her headband) Hold this... Daddy I wanna take a baptize. I'm dirty too.

Setting: Nana & Papa's bed during quiet time, watching Beauty and the Beast.

Ella: Mommy, how come the Beast turned into a man.

Gina: He used to be a man, and the mean witch turned him into the Beast. Now he's good again, so he is a man.

Ella: Oh, the mean witch turned my baby sister into a baby brother?

Keepin it classy

2010-05-13T16:57:00.001-07:00

Her dad would be so proud...

I actually think he would be more mad at the fact that I let her walk around the front yard in this get up. It was only for a few minutes B... :)

This is actually the first time Ella has agreed to wear her "Big Sister" shirt since the whole sex change debacle. Last week she refused to wear it because "I'm not a big sister anymore."

But as you can see, we are getting over it.

Punked!

2010-04-28T21:27:00.001-07:00

So, we feel like we've been punked. Found out today that our baby girl is actually a baby boy!!! Poor Ella cried when we told her. It has taken a little bit of time for me to adjust to the idea of not having another girl. I feel so unprepared for a boy. No clothes, no bedding, not one thing for a little boy in my packed garage of baby gear! I'm getting used to the idea now, but I was really shocked when I first saw/found out today at my ultra sound. I guess it is better to have found out now then when he was born!! Back to the drawing board I go...time to start thinking blue!

Ant invasion!

2010-04-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Ella's room was infiltrated by psycho killer ants. They were seriously like crack head ants who just ran around franticly. No nice neat line, just chaos. There were probably close to 500 of the little suckers! We had to clear out Ella's room, and buy the type of bug spray that is illegal in the US. While we were fumigating Ella's room, she got to come sleep in our room. Now, our bed is a double, so there is already barely enough room for both Bryce and I. We were not up for a 3rd bedmate...that is for sure. So we pushed our love seat size couch into our room, covered it with a sheet, and pushed it up to the bed so that it almost looked like an extension. She loved being able to sleep on a special bed in mommy and daddy's room. I have to admit, it was nice to not worry about her in the middle of the night. We don't live in the safest country, and we have already been robbed once. Actually, Dominica ranks #1 for crime per capita in the WORLD! Nice to know they are #1 in something...

A couple days and 0 ants later, we moved her back into her own room. I kind of miss having her just an arm's reach away.

Spring Festival

2010-04-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

In the land of one hot season we celebrated Spring with a fun festival for kids. The Ross Spouses Club organized a fun little party for the kiddos which had the traditional easter egg coloring, and other such activities. AND food, which is always a plus :)

Ella had her face painted like a bunny, and made some rabbit ears. She ate her body weight in sweets which is an Easter tradition right??

She also has been my little copycat lately. She wants to push her baby in the stroller, while I push the stroller. I usually let her walk up out of our neighborhood to the main road. Then I make her get in the stroller so she won't die. It is dangerous enough IN the stroller, let alone having her walk beside me. She also requests everyday that I Fix her hair like mine, and she wants to wear "flippers" like mine. (My flip flops) She is growing up fast. A mother hen in the making...

Here she is geared up with her stroller, "baby sister" and her kitty.

We're down to a week and a half folks...can hardly believe it!

In memory of Dominica

2010-04-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

This video has been in the works for a while, and probably the real reason that I have been lacking on posts and pictures. I wanted to have something especially for Ella so that she would always remember her time here on Dominica besides just pictures. This is my first ever video project thing, so please don't have any huge expectations. All footage was captured with my rinky dink handheld camera, and lets be honest, I'm no Photographer or videographer! I hope you enjoy it!!!

I did it!!!

2010-03-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

I found something more Scary than the new Healthcare bill....

It haunts my dreams....

Some videos too...

2010-03-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

This video was taken when we first got to the island in October. I tried back then to upload it, but it was taking forever, so I gave up. Here is my second attempt. This is Ella's room.