Happiest Baby on the Block

Some of you may have heard of this book or the dvd... and I pretty much just want to put my testimonial out there for it. I wasn't totally sold on all the five techniques mentioned in his research, particularly the "white noise" or "shhhing" sound. I always felt kinda ridiculous making loud "shhhing" noises in Brinley's ear; however, that all changed yesterday!

Mike and I were driving back from Odgen from my brother's birthday dinner when Brinley started to fuss. She finally got sick of me coaxing her binkie back in her mouth and was virtually inconsolable. Then, I decided to try the loud "shhing" in her ear... and to my surprise she momentarily stopped crying (I was getting out of breath shhing for so long!) Mike heard me "shhhing" in her ear, and remembered the doctor saying that radio stations with the loud buzzing noise was also effective. So, he quickly found a station with a good buzz and turn it up so it was fairly loud. The next forty minutes was music to my ears... Brinley stopped crying!! She was still awake, and just looking around, completely calm. Granted we had to listen to radio fuzz the rest of the way home, but much better than her crying!! I started laughing to myself because I couldn't believe it really worked! IF you are near or at the frustration point with your baby's fussiness, then I highly recommend trying the strategies out!

Brinley's Baby Blessing

As I had mentioned earlier, last Sunday we were able to bless Brinley at our hometown ward in Libby, MT. We really appreciated Mike's parents, my parents and Richard for being there for her blessing. Of course we would have loved to have all of our family and friends there, but we realized that that wasn't possible. It was crazy to be back in the ward where both Mike and I grew in Christ's Gospel... only now to be blessing our first child. So many great examples and friendships have been welcomed into our lives from there and other places as well.

I can't help but think of a couple monumental days in our lives years ago that have directed us to where we are now. They were also in August. First was Mike's baptism in August 2002. (Isn't he just a hunk!!)

Then four years later, on August 19, 2006, we were married. :)

And then, three years after we tied the knot, the blessing of our little one!

I think she looks like a floating angel in this picture.

I almost captured her cute smile!

The fam there... Richard had left before the pictures were taken.

Our family in front of the same church building 6 years down the road. :)

Montana, I love you!

We went up to visit some family this last weekend in Montana. We thought the ride up was going to be just miserable with a 1-month old in a car seat for 12 hours. However, the 12 hour drive wasn't too bad. Brinley slept for about 10 of the hours, and luckily still slept at night! We were very grateful for that. The first day we were there, we surprised Mike's mom at her work... well sorta, she knew we were coming to Libby, but didn't know we were going to be showing up at work to visit her. She was super excited to she her first granddaughter. Mike's dad showed up while we were there and convinced Mike to go golfing. Mike was a little rusty at first, but soon polished his skills throughout the game. :)

We hung out with the Duthrie family later on that evening and were able to meet Krista's (Mike's sister) 3 week old girl, Alanna, for the first time. She is so precious! Grandpa and Grandma D were so excited to have both granddaughters and kids at the house. :) It was wonderful spending time with them.

The next morning we went on a hike to Granite Falls with my parents. We didn't actually make it to the falls because the trail was washed out, but it was still fun. I was so excited to get back into Montana mountains! AAaah I love MT!

Friday night my mom made homemade pizza, pretty much the most amazing pizza ever! And Richard, my youngest brother, made some hot wings. Mike was so excited about the wings, and I think between the two of them, they ate around 4 lbs of hot wings. Then we watched 17 Again.. which I have now seen 3 times.

Sunday was a very special day. Mike was able to bless Brinley at church and both of our parents were there. Richard came for it as well. We always enjoy seeing old friends who have had a good impact in our lives. I will post more pictures and thoughts about Brinley's blessing later.

Brinley was also able to meet her Uncle Thomas and Uncle Richard for the first time. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of them together... (I'm just getting used to all of this picture taking.) Now she only has Aunt Leslie left to meet. Anyways, we made it back to Provo safely with Brinley only crying for about an hour! I think we are done for long car trips for awhile. Here are some pictures of the trip:

Brinley's first hike! Doesn't she look excited?!! The first half was spent sleeping... at least she saw some of the scenery on the way back :)

A quick breather!

Some of the gorgeous scenery along the trail

On Thursday, August 20, Brinley really started to smile. My mom was holding her and she was just letting loose some adorable smiles and cooing away! It was so cute and I was so happy to get some of them with the camra.

Grandma B with our smiling angel.

The Duthrie family - Top to bottom - Me, Mike, Matt, Krista, Grandma D, Brinley, Alanna and Grandpa D.

Krista and I put Alanna and Brinley next to each other to see who is bigger. I think they are close to the same size, but when holding Brinley, she feels heavier than Alanna. Brinley is the one with the eyes open.

Grandma Duthrie enjoying Brinley.

Mike and his father with Brinley.

Grandpa Duthrie holding Brinley and Alanna.

Brinley and Easton

Kilee took these pictures of Brinley and Easton together and I just had to post them on our blog. Kilee and I have decided that if arranged marriages were still in place, Brinley and Easton would be betrothed. So, needless to say, we wanted to take some pictures of them together... and boy are they classic! Brinley had just woken up from a nap and was hungry... and Easton is playing the typical role of a confused male.. Haha! I love it!

Looks like Brinley is going in for a big smooch!

Enjoying our little one

Mike and I are enjoying Brinley TONS! She has grown so much since birth. Brinley had her two week appointment last Friday and weighed in at 9 lbs 1 oz and measured 21.5 inches long! Sometimes I wonder if she has grown so much in length because she stretches out her little legs so much! I have been making small attempts at light runs with Brinley. Jogging strollers take some getting used to and obviously the jogs are a slow start. Mike has still been training for the St. George marathon that is coming up in October. His poor toes are in pretty bad shape with blood blisters forming underneath his nails from the long runs. Is there any prevention for that? Anyways he will be finishing up summer term here in about a week and I am super excited! We might be heading up to MT for a visit or maybe just hanging around here. But at least Brinley and I will be able to spend more time with him... like cooking meals together! :)

Other good news: Mike's sister, Krista, is scheduled for a c-section tomorrow. So, Brinley will have a new cousin! We hope everything goes well for her.

Here are a couple of new things that Brinley enjoys:

*Taking a bath in the tub and moving her legs like a little frog.. so cute!

*Peeing in her towel after she gets out of the tub

*Mike or I taking her for a nightly walk... (someone NEEDS to be holding her, it NEEDS to be outside and ALWAYS past 10 pm).. our funny little kid!

Brinley is not a big fan of:

*Getting out of the tub

*Vibrating chairs

*Not being held