The Tale of the Kitty(s)

Once upon a time, there was a baby boy named Bridger.

 

Bridger loved toys of all kind, but he loved stuffed animals the very best. There was one stuffed animal, in particular, that he loved the very most...

 

THIS kitty.

This kitty doesn't have a name. Mainly because it was never known if it was a kitty, or a tiger.

Sooo, his name is kitty.

 

His Grandma GG gave it to him one day, and from that point on, the kitty was attatched to the little boy. He brought it to breakfast each morning. He played with it during the day. He slept with it every night. He even bathed with that silly kitty every once and awhile! And when the kitty was nowhere to be found, tears and whining ensued until the kitty was found. He loved this kitty.  

 

He loved it so much, in fact, that his mom had to search high and low to find more of these kittys to use as "back ups" just in case! Bridger's mom finally tracked them down and ordered not one, but TWO "back up" kittys.

 

The day finally arrived when the post man would deliver the kittys. Bridger's mom was nervous that the kittys would somehow be different than the original.

 

Bridger and his mom held their breath as they opened the box.

 

 

To their surprise, the kittys were the exact same!

 

Well, except for the fact that the original had been loved a little bit a lot more than the two new ones. The two new kittys' fur wasn't all matted down. Their stuffing was evenly distributed throughout the whole body, instead of just in the head and tummy, and the stitching on the mouth was all intact. These kittys were perfect.

 

Well, not according to Bridger, they weren't.

 

 

They were NOT the same kittys AT ALL.

 

 

They didn't smell the same.

 

They didn't taste the same.

 

 

They didn't look the same.

 

They were simply not the same kittys.

 

 

So, Bridger's mom said, "Oh well. I guess there goes $15. Blah."

 

And Bridger went on loving his original kitty forever and ever.

 

 

And they both lived happily ever after.

 

The End.

 

 

//WAIT//

 

 

Shhh. Don't tell Bridger, but I'm totally going to trick him.

 

I am going to wash those little suckers and maybe even let the dog next door maul them for a little while. I may even rub some dirt on them. THAT will for sure make them a little more recognizable to the little bug.

 

Here's to hoping that in case of an emergency (aka: the original gets lost) these back ups do their job.

 

Heaven help us all if they don't. 

Happy (late) Easter!

Well, even though Bridger was around for Easter last year, this year really felt like the little man's first Easter, because he was able to do so much more! Last year basically consisted of me putting a few little goodies in his basket, and video taping Steve as he wandered around our little apartment with Bridger, pretending he didn't know exactly where the little basket was hidden (the dryer, of course). After it was found, we took a few pictures of our little Easter family, bit some peep's heads off, munched on some cadbury eggs, and called it a day.

Wait. I remember now. Steve and I sent each other on an egg hunt. Steve hid my eggs outside, and I hid his inside. He did a good job hiding the eggs. Maybe a little too good! Ok, so I guess we were a little more festive than I thought.

Anyway, this year was so fun! Our ward had a little Easter egg hunt the day before Easter, and Bridger loved it! He loves anything that involves little kids. He thinks he is just as big as they are and does a pretty good job and keeping up with all of them. The littlest kids just had eggs spread out on the lawn, so it made it pretty easy to "hunt" them. Bridger, however, wasn't too interested in the whole hunt, and preferred picking up the goose droppings and putting those in his mouth. Disgusting, I know, but he's a boy. I'm told it's normal.

He finally got the hang of it toward the end, when he realized there was CANDY inside the eggs. And we all know how much B loves candy! All in all, it was a blast, and a great start to our Easter weekend.

 

His basket is cute, right? Girly? I didn't think so. Easter baskets are supposed to be cutesy. Steve, on the other hand, wasn't so sure about it. I think by the end of the weekend, it was growing on him a little bit, though. :)

Easter Sunday was perfect. Church was great, and Bridger did awesome throughout all of it. I didn't even have to take him out into the hall once during the whole 3 hours! Now THAT'S something to brag about! He looked so cute, too! Growing up, my sisters and I would have Easter outfits to wear on Sunday. I remember one year, we all had hats with silk flowers and bows glued all over that matched the dresses that my mom made. In Primary, I remember a girl sitting behind me, tapping me on the shoulder, and telling me that I really needed to take the hat off, because she couldn't see anything that was going on at the front of the room. Hah! How rude! Didn't she know that the hat was a very crucial accessory to the outfit?? Hellooo!

Anyway, Bridger looked adorable in his new Easter outfit from Honey. And Steve looked handsome in his new tie from me :)

It is a tradition in my family, that the youngest kid's basket is always in the dryer.

That basket was STUFFED! Bubbles, balls, a stuffed walrus, bouncing little chick, chocolate bunnies, and peeps (of course!).

*Don't worry Mama Donna, we bit the heads off first!*

 

He loved being outside, and after a little coaxing, was totally into finding the eggs, and slamming them down into his basket, which resulted in several (if not ALL) cracked eggs. We made egg salad pretty soon after :) We should have known--anything round is a ball these days!

 

Bridger loves his Honey and Big Fella. So happy that we got to spend the holiday with family!

 

Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and eggs aside, we are truly grateful for this time of year and what it really means. Celebrating the rebirth and renewal of our beautiful surroundings (even though it's snowing as I'm writing this) and most importantly, celebrating the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. HE LIVES!

15 months

This little nugget is looking a little too toddler-ish in this picture, if you ask me. I don't like it one little bit. He's sporting some of his new summer clothes, and new shoes. The shoes--he LOVES them. They are still a little big, but I put them on him anyway, because they looked so cute. He was struggling a little as he was running through the grass, tripping and stumbling a little bit. I took the shoes off, and you would have thought the sky was falling. He whined and cried as he ran right over to the shoes, sat down, and tried putting them on himself (something he has never done with any of his other shoes to date). Needless to say, the shoes were quickly put back on, and our happy, laughing boy was on his way, romping around in the grass and loving his new kicks.

At 15 months, Bridger:
-loves to be outside, no matter how freezing cold it is (Story to come in later post!)
-loves eating apples whole: he'll go to the fridge, and grab and apple and just chomp down on it
-has a fake laugh routine that is pretty hilarious. I really don't know where he got it from either!
-still takes 2 naps during the day
-sleeps from about 8 or 8:30 until about 7:30
-loves eating cereal from a bowl for breakfast
-loves his stuffed kitty (I am ordering 2 more exactly like it because if we lose this one, we are in major trouble)
-knows how to use 4 different sign language signs: please, more, thank you, and all done. 
-hates getting his diaper changes
-loves to read books, and knows the names of a few of them. We'll say, "Go get Brown Bear, Brown Bear!" and he'll go to his toy cabinet, and get that exact book. Smartie Pants!
-loves chocolate, just like his mama and Honey
-likes to dance when he hears music
-likes to be sung to, especially when it's Popcorn Popping or The Man in the Moon
-starting to fold his arms during prayers
-does a pretty good job and listening and obeying when I ask him not to do something
-has molars and 6-7 front teeth
-says "Love you!" (well, probably not to most people, but to us, we totally know what he's saying!)
-blows kisses ALL.THE.TIME.
-loves to show off his belly button, especially to the neighbors :)
-likes to draw on paper
-loves baths and showers still, and gets SOOO excited when he hears the water come on
-plays really well with other kids and with his toys
-LOVES the show Arthur. He starts dancing and squealing when he hears the music come on
-is a good little eater. His newest food that he likes is tuna fish sandwiches.

To say this little boy lights up our life would be a huge understatement. We are so lucky to call him ours and be his mom and dad. Most of the laughing that goes on in this house is because of Bridger. He keeps us smiling and happy, that's for sure!

14 Months

Our sweet little prince is 14 months! And we can't even believe it! Bridger is developing such a strong little personality. Every day he is doing something to make us laugh...and he is totally catching on that our laughing is because of him! He's a bit of a showoff when he's around people...especially strangers. He spins around, talks, and flirts with the girls (making his daddy so proud, I'm sure)

We spent the afternoon outside because, in true Colorado fashion, it was almost 70 degrees out! Bridger got so excited when we opened the doors and let him run free and wild. He splashed in the water that was flowing down the gutters, waved to cars, dogs, people, and the school bus, ate (dirty) snow, played with chalk (and ate some of that, too!). And all of this fun took place without any pants. I think they would have held him back--hah! We love this little bug, and can hardly wait for the summer so we can spend ALL our days outside!

Annnnd, side note, I got my new camera! And I'm totally clueless about how to work the dang thing. These pic of B are my first attempt. I need to read the owners manuel that is about 5,000 pages long. Oh boy. What have I gotten myself into! I will learn though, and hopefully get better! For now, amateur photos it is.

 

At 14 months Bridger:

-sleeps like a newborn still! (11 hours at night with 2 naps during the day)

-drinks whole milk like a pro

-finally has more hair (thank goodness...)

-walks/runs all over

-LOVES LOVES LOVES stuffed animals...in particular a little tiger/cat that his Grandma GG gave him. I think we'll be in BIG trouble if that thing ever gets lost. It's already looking pretty haggard, too. I have to sneak it away to get it in with a load of laundry. He gets so excited whenever I show it to him...and to show his excitement, he bites it...poor tiger/cat

-is starting to say words! He said "Hi" after my mom said it to him just a week ago!

-is becoming pretty attatched to me (which I secretly don't mind so much--except when I need to use the restroom, or take a shower, or eat)

-spins around in circles to show off (which is pretty much every week at church during RS)

-loves popsicles and animal crackers

-likes to drag things behind him as he walks (ex: belts, his pants, toys, his car, baskets, whatever)

-likes to push laundry baskets (I cannot do laundry without him throwing a fit if I don't let him help push the basket to the laundry room)

-likes to help unload the dishwasher--he hands me the utensils, one at a time, until the tray it totally empty (let's hope this is always something he loves to do :)

-loves books. Love them. Loves loves loves them. He will sit and just look at all his books in the family room without making a peep. It's the sweetest thing.

-loves to take baths and showers. I can't remember a time that B hasn't wanted to take a bath or a shower. The boy loves the water!

-likes to be chased

-loves Honey's bed. He bounces, rolls around, bonks his head on the headboard (padded, don't worry) and becomes a crazy person on that bed!

-likes to hang out in my closet, inbetween the laundry basket and my shoes. It's the funniest thing. If I'm in my room, he'll come in, and just weasle his way back there and just hang out, talking, and singing, and biting his cat (of course)

-also likes to hang out underneath the kitchen table doing the same thing as mentioned above. Silly boy.

-likes to play with remotes and phones (he even trys to talk on the phone sometimes!)

-knows where his belly button is, and can show you when you ask! (it's practically one of the greatest tricks ever known to man)

-sometimes knows where his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears are, too! He's getting much better!

-blows kisses, and even makes the smacking noise

 

 

***Bridger had his first major accident. We were playing chase, and he lost his balance and whacked his face on the metal bed frame. The evidence is on his poor little nose. Bad mom!***

 

***Bridger had his second accident the very next day, while we were outside taking these pictures and playing. He was so excited to be outside, his little legs couldn't keep up with the rest of his body, and he took a digger on the cement, and skinned his poor little knee. It even bled. Bad mom again!***

 

It will be one of many bumps, bruises, scrapes, burns, and gouges my little boy, and you handle it like a champ already. Hardly any tears!  

 

Summer, here we come!

lovers day with my little lovey

 



 

we are a day late in posting this, but better late than never, right?

 

i love this little valentine of mine, and can't believe this is B's second valentine's day. he loved opening his valentines from his Honey and Mamma Donna and Papa Dick. he also loved eating chocolate hearts and reading his new book from his Grandma and Grandpa GG about 17 times.

 

he also rocked a pink polo yesterday. i was kinda excited when i bought it for him. perfect for valentine's day and perfect for spring. win/win. i thought it looked really cute on him, but a random man at the store thought B was a girl...and i'm positive it's because of the shirt. here's the story: B and i were doing some last minute valentine gift shopping for the mister. we were perusing through the ties, trying to pick out the perfect one. there was a man close by, doing the same, and holding a sparkly pink pair of converse sneakers (for his daughter i'm guessing). anyway, after making some faces at B and telling me how cute he is, the man came up to B, put the shoes right in front of him, and said,

 

"someday you'll be able to wear sparkly pink shoes just like these!"  

 

i didn't have the guts to say anything to him. i just turned my cart around and walked away, and muttered under my breath, "you are NOT a girl."

 

{i'm keeping the shirt, by the way.}

 

it's safe to say we have lots of love for this little bug. he lights up our life, and keeps us on our toes. he really is the love of our life.  

 

yesterday also marked B's 13 month birthday. hah. i don't know how long to keep these monthly posts going. do they stop at a year? probably not. he just keeps doing so many new things, so i want to keep it all documented, sooo, the posts will continue.

 

at 13 months, Bridger:

-walks, runs, trips, and still crawls occasionally

-blows kisses

-kisses everything (including stuffed animals and the screen when we FaceTime people) but will not kiss me. Boo. we are working on it.

-loves books more and more. he is completely calmed and soothed whenever a book is opened. he loves turning the pages, and points to all the characters and animals on the pages.

-knows where his nose is. we say, "where's your nose?" and B scrunches up his nose, and blows in and out. it's pretty adorable.

-loves to help unload the dishwasher with mom, and load laundry into the washer and dryer

-loves bananas, spaghetti, apples, carrots, celery, goldfish crackers, pretzels, pb&j sandwhiches, quesadillas, avocado, and of course Dove chocolate. hah!

-loves to be outside, it doesn't matter how freezing cold it is, he wants to be outside all.the.time.

-likes the park, going down the slide and swinging

-waves bye-bye

-blows kisses to people (and actually makes the smacking sound as his hand leaves his mouth!)

-likes to have his teeth brushed

-likes to push things: laundry baskets, tuperware, cars, books, his stroller, grocery carts, anything really!

-runs away when he knows he's about to get in trouble. it's pretty funny, actually!

-found his belly button! he pokes at it when he's in the shower or the bath.

-loves stuffed animals

-loves the cat, and the cat food still. so gross. i'm constantly catching him with cat food in his mouth, chomping away.

-loves playing with his toys. it's the first thing he goes for in the morning. he pulls the whole basket off the shelf, and plays and plays and plays....as long as someone is in the room to watch him...he doesn't like being left alone AT.ALL.

-is becoming such a little cheeser. he puts his ear on his shoulder, and does the cheesiest little smile.

 

 

he's done so much in the past month since his birthday, and we are excited to see what this next month brings. this baby is surprising and amazing us just about every day!

birthday festivities

oh geez. 27. 27
i think i am officially in my late 20's and that's freaking me out just a tad.
26 could have just gone on repeat over and over and I would have been pretty happy.

butttt, here i am. one more year down, and closer to 30. yikes!

we had a great weekend, celebrating and partying with the family.
since my bday was on sunday, we decided to do most of the celebrating on saturday.
we went to breakfast at my favorite, Snooze, and i had delicious pineapple upside down pancakes...annnnd Bridger made it through the entire breakfast without crying OR climing up on the table. This was big, you guys.

after breakfast, we came home, B took his naps, and then we headed out to go bowling, which was a blast, although i played pretty miserably (like, bumpers probably should have been used). afterward, we went to dinner to Rubios.
that's actually steve's favorite place to eat, but i was really craving it. plus, i had a free meal. Bingo!
after dinner with everyone, steve and i did a little shopping, and then headed over to chili's to get their molten lava chocolate cake. it was delicious, and i just so happened to sneakily mention that it was my bday, and they gave us our dessert for free, too. double Bingo!
we like getting free food, when we can.

sunday was my actual birthday, and it was equally as great! minus the fact that i had to share it with the Super Bowl. just kidding, i didn't mind.
we spent the day with dad's side of the family for baby wendy's blessing and a luncheon afterward.
we came home in time for the kickoff and then we made j-dawgs and shrimp dip for dinner.
and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
(and breakfast the next morning. shhh.)

monday, the festivities continued, much to my surprise!
steve surprised me, for one of my gifts, with tickets to the Avs game on monday night.
i hadn't been to a game in years, and it did not disappoint! we had great seats, and had a ton of fun.
he even picked out a cute Avs shirt for me to wear, which means we'll be going to many more games in the future. which makes me happy because 1) i really like hocky games and 2) sporting events is the only place that i ever get dippin' dots.

it was a memorable weekend spent with lots of family, my baby, and my man. it was pretty perfect!

wake up call

 

The night before my birthday, we were woken up by a crying baby around midnight.

This same thing happened one week before. Non-stop, hard, loud crying for 20 minutes until the medicine kicked in. Poor baby has been teething, and it's been pretty rough on him.

 

For a split second, I was upset, because waking up in the middle of the night is not anything I've had to do since he was a tiny little thing. He has always been a great sleeper.

Those upset feelings quickly went away as I scooped up my boy, and held him tight.

I am the luckiest! I get to be Bridger's mom. I get to be the one he cries for at night. I get to be the one that soothes him back to sleep. I get to be the one that snuggles with him until he feels better. I get to be the one that loves him the very most.

 

This was a sweet reminder, the night before my birthday, that I have everything I could ever want. (well, except maybe our own home--hah!)

I have my own sweet, little family.

Bridger has a dad that is the funnest playmate :)

I have the most kind and loving husband that always seems to think of the little things...because he knows that's what I notice the most.

And together, we have Bridger. The sweetest baby boy that reminds us constantly, even in the middle of the night, just how lucky we are to have him.

 

So, here's to my 27th year, and many, many more sleepless nights of snuggles and loves.