Dereck and Tiff...
          Yes, they get their own post because they have been busy and kept us busy along the way. :0)
Finally! They have moved closer to Franklin. They had one evening to unpack their Pod and Tiff was (if I have it right) a few days shy of 35 wks preggers. That's where her family and Dereck's family comes in.

Bricen was a huge helper! Couldn't have done it without him. :0) In reality we couldn't have done it without Brilynn and Brett to keep Bricen occupied and warm upstairs while we unpacked Tiff's kitchen.

I'm sure she would say no pictures...but this is not a picture of Tiffany, it's a picture of Lyla!

Just doing some studying in Dereck's office.

The next day I went over to help Tiffany put stuff up on the walls. I quickly remembered I call people to help me put stuff on my walls and called my sister to come help.

A BABY SHOWER AND BED REST...

We all knew it was coming. Well, everyone but Tiffany. :0) Friday 1/25 was her baby shower. That afternoon she was officially put on best rest with the risk of pre eclampsia. Thankfully, and I think after some negotiating on her part, her Dr let her come to her baby shower. Thank goodness because Brianna, Chelsi Karen and I had worked hard on it. But we also had a lot of fun doing it! Everyone was asked to bring a book and we went with a children's book or "Once upon a time" theme.

These pictures got all out of order but I'm going with it. (That's what happens when you catch up months of blogging in a few hours.)

Olivia book had pigs in a blanket to go with it.

Goodnight moon had moon pies, Green Eggs and Ham had, you guessed it, green deviled eggs and ham sandwiches.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish was represented with gold fish.

He looks like he's trying to block the paparazzi from taking pictures! haha

Pinkalicious book had pink cupcakes and pinkalicious delicious strawberry lemonade.

Center pieces were bookmarks for guest to take with them with a verse on them and some favorite quotes from some favorite children's books.

We planned this in four days. And it involved some late evenings before everyone could get off work and get together. This little guy was a trooper for it all. 

Everyone was exhausted by the time we were done. This "big cousin" was no exception.

I will spare you the details. My husband asked after Tiffany's appointment yesterday what the Dr said. I started to tell him about dilation etc and he said "I just want to know if she's having the baby yet or not. I don't need to hear about mucus plugs or anything of that other crap." I guess I talk about some things that might gross people out. I'll blame it on the fact that I'm a nurse. And I am keeping it real for ya. :) Haha So, I will spare details and just say as of the appointment yesterday still on bed rest (again, everyone else expected it, except Tiff lol) and she goes back Friday. Baby Lyla is not suppose to be here until the end of February but she's already seven lbs, 4 oz and she's so excited to see ME I'm betting she comes early!!!

As for the rest of the clan; Chelsi and Chris close on a house on Friday. Their wedding is fast approaching and Brit and Daniel has chosen a venue and set a date. We officially have plans for the next NYE.

As for Bricen, he's just hanging out. He's so smart. Therapy evaluated him and said he didn't need anymore therapy to meet milestones, he is at or above where he needs to be (except for eating.) If you say one, two, he will say "threeeee." I asked my sister if I could start working on potty training yet. She laughed at me. What? I just thought maybe he'd be that genius baby that started potty training really early!

I'm praying he starts picking up his oral feeds. We've made some therapy changes to start in early February. I prayed realllly hard about that decision. I don't know how anyone can parent without God or do anything for that matter. It's just so scary to make changes and more than anything I want to do what will be best for him. I still want to put him in a bubble. Colds, double ears infections,  they are all so hard on him and his weight gain. No matter what it is, it'll get him puking. Which means more pedialyte and less calories just to keep him hydrated. Yesterday, I took him in CVS to pick up scripts (had a few things I needed off the shelf) and thought I'd die before we got out. The old lady was in our personal space. I even leaned back as she was talking to him. Get a clue people. I'm pretty sure I might have gotten second hand lung cancer just from the guy who smelled like an ash tray standing next to us in line. Hind sight, a pharmacy was probably not the best place to take him in.We survived.

Yay me! We are officially updated. Now I can go "update"  my laundry, clean and dirty, rearrange Bricen's room and get rid of some toys, update work mandatory education and all the other things calling my name. Think I'll start with lunch.  :0) :0)

Misc...
          I forgot to mention. The furnace went out on NYE. We got that fixed, then the washer went out about a week later. So, I got a fancy new washer that I love even though I have to scale up the wall behind me to empty it out sometimes cause it's so big and I'm short.

For about...three loads of laundry I actually liked doing laundry because of this machine. Then I lost that loving feeling.

We've been getting our rest around here. :0) This day Brianna had come over to help me rearrange my living room and wall decor. We made wall angels to measure things out and had a good laugh while doing it. Apparently, the excitement was too much for Brett and Bricen wanted to be like his big cousin.

I left Bricen with Marty while I took a shower. Haha In his defense he had been out working in the "blizzard" all day.

 

Eh, I'd call it a mini blizzard. It is Kita's favorite kind of weather.

This was too cute.

I use to see pictures like this and wonder why those parents hadn't picked up that the kid was that sleepy and laid them down before they had to fall asleep in their food, etc. I've found myself eating my words as a parent. It happen to me. Poor baby.

The walker is no longer a safe place to put this little guy while you shower. 

I almost didn't post this because of his hat hair but it's too funny not to. Dereck was holding him up so he could tell us a few things.

A mobile baby is nothing.but.trouble. And Bricen is no exception. Why wouldn't you try to sit in the cabinet?

Marty taught Bricen how to smile. This is his natural smile.

This is what happens when you tell him to smile. hahaha Luckily, it's gotten better.

His personality is definitely growing!!

We trimmed those curls. But not until after we got a picture of a monkey with a curly mohawk.

As for eating...I don't feel we've made much progress. We had to take a couple weeks off when everyone was so sick so hopefully we will make great strides the next few weeks.

I love his little face but stress daily cause he is so small.

Chocolate milk has been a hit. This day he took about six good sips on his own. Then he was done but it was nice to see.

This little girl has been a problem child. Let's just say she is having issues "down under." A trip to the vet right before Christmas and again this week. She has two meds, one ointment. And you know what happens when you won't leave things along? You get a cone. Wish I could use this in the ICU sometimes.

No folks, that is not a turd. It's a Lincoln log.

And in the split second it took me to look through the camera and take a picture of the Lincoln log, these socks came out of no where and were in the picture. Confession. I use to think I probably wouldn't need to child proof cause it's just me and Bricen and I can keep an eye on him. WRONG Child safety locks are not only to keep the child safe but also for the parents sanity!! The toilets now have locks. Daddy almost wet himself trying to get it open when he came home from work that first day the seats had locks. I found this hilarious. The cabinets have locks as well.

My Ohhhh My...
As in, my oh my, am I behind or what? So much, I'm not sure where to start. I guess I'll just dive in. Christmas and New Years Eve. We had my family over to our house Christmas Eve, Bricen opened Santa Christmas Eve night and then Christmas Day we went to Marty's sisters. For my family's gift exchange Uncle Kelly had the idea that along with drawing names for a gift exchange we also draw the location that the gift had to be purchased at. They were unique, fun places too. For example, pet store, Mary Kay, dollar store, tractor supply, cracker barrel store, ups store, pawn shop, etc. It turned out to be a lot of fun.

Bricen decided he would help pass out presents. Excuse the unbuttoned bodysuit. It was time to feed him and his Christmas shirt didn't allow access to his button any other way. Hence, the reason we look we shirts that don't fasten down below. :0)

Pretty much, Bricen went to whoever he wanted and helped them unwrap their gifts.

I don't remember what this nephew of mine is laughing about in this picture but just looking at it makes me smile.

Dereck n Tiff got Bricen a tent and Dereck was just as excited as Bricen to play with it.

Picking up trash with his dump truck from papaw Dennis.

Daniel had Brianna's name and I must say he did a fine job wrapping. Duct tape can be used for anything.

This was from papaw Dennis. He gave it a kiss right after he opened it.

Marty's gift was from the gas station. 

Brit's was from the dollar store.

Dennis got a popcorn maker from the pawn shop. 

Uncle Kelly got some goodies from the ups store.

Dereck got a football from the hospital gift shop to write Miss Lyla's stats on when she gets here. Which is looking like sooner than her due date. 

Dennis had Tiff's name and had drawn the pet store. He teased her from the day we drew names to right before she opened her gift about getting her some kind of animal. I think she might have been a little scared to open the box.

 

Definitely the most used gift came from Aunt Bri. It's a lifesaver for car rides!

Possibly may favorite picture! Dennis broke the chair and fell on his butt. What were the boys doing? He was reaching out of his chair to hide one of Daniel's shoes behind the curtain. :)

FINALLY! TIME TO OPEN SANTA!!

I don't know who was more excited. Well, I'm certain Marty and I were more excited for Bricen to open than he was. It was funny, at first I thought Bricen didn't need a lot for Christmas. Then I went to Toys R Us and thought he needed one of everything. And then after I had done some shopping Marty wanted to go and pick some stuff out for him. The kid was spoiled. We rationalized that he was in the hospital last Christmas so we were making up for it. :0) Brianna and her family and Dennis stayed to watch Bricen open.

I got Bricen the couch and the giraffe because of his love to cuddle. Brett made sure they were cuddle worthy.

CHRISTMAS WITH MARTY'S FAMILY

Christmas Day we headed to Kim's house for Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up Christmas morning to see Marty had cleaned up the kitchen after I went to bed Christmas Eve so I didn't have to do it before cooking for his family dinner!

Bricen's horse from Aunt Crystal.  

Bricen and his Great Grandma Faye. 

Just chillaxin with Uncle Brent

And last but certainly not least, Bricen and his cousin Mason.

I can't really put into words just how thankful we were to just have a "normal" Christmas with no hospital stays. Daddy and Bricen were already enjoying his couch.

He looks like such a little man in this picture. Haha

As great as Christmas was, it was time to put the decor and tree away because Bricen's curiosity had officially gotten the best of him. :0)

NEW YEARS EVE

We went to Brianna's for new years. We played cards and ate food....

...and some people danced. (And in case you are wondering, I am realllly enjoying posting this picture)

Shew...more to come. :0)

Everyone but Grandma and Karen and Kelly went bowling on New Years Day. It was a lot of fun. Bricen had the best seat in the house.