Independence Day 2010

Our 4th of July:

While the adults grilled and got the food ready...

...the kids played and played...

...and Bria and I cuddled...

...and the girls bonded...

...and made goofy faces...

...and adorable Porter shot a BB gun...

...and we bundled up when it started getting chilly out...

...and we watched the guys' firework show...

...and we watched in awe at their beauty...

...and then we posed for more pictures...

...Randy and Mom posing...

...Anna and Dad posing...

...and there was lots of fun on the trampoline...

...and the guys did more fireworks...

...and Schuyler and Jaime were the best hostess'...

...and there was even more fun on the trampoline...

...and fun with glow sticks...

...and awesome fireworks.

All and all it was a great night. Unfortunately 24 hours later the puke fest began for 4 more members of our family: Mom, Jaime, Porter, and Jaidyn.

I feel AWFUL. We didn't think we were still contagious which is why we went, but apparently we were. So needless to say the 4th of July 2010 will be one we won't soon forget :)

A video

Before puke fest hit, I got a little video of Bria saying some of the animal noises she knows. I can never catch her on camera in one of her talking moods, but this is the closest I've come. The monkey is my favorite, makes me laugh every time. And I'm sad she didn't do the "meow" like she normally does, it seriously sounds like a dying cat usually.

Still recovering here, Bria woke up puking last night again. She didn't have any milk yesterday and not a lot to eat so I'm at a loss as to why she is still throwing up. I'm still nauseous so I don't blame her lack of appetite. The one nice thing about me being sick at the same time as her is that I know how she's feeling.

I cleaned a lot today in hopes that will help get rid of this darn virus once and for all, I want to enjoy this summer sunshine we are finally having!

What was suppose to be a fun Holiday weekend...

...turned into puke fest 2010 at the Holcomb house.

Not fun.

It all started Thursday night. I started feeling a little off around 4 pm and soon started to get so nauseous that I didn't want anything to do with food. Brian put Bria down and then we climbed into bed early because I was feeling so sick. Around 8:30 pm I knew it was coming, but fought it. I HATE throwing up and avoid it at all costs, but I started sweating and got dizzy and ran to the bathroom.

I'll spare you the details of what happened in there.

While I was throwing up, Brian was listening outside feeling sorry for me and then he heard Bria cry out. He went in to find puke everywhere. The poor girl was cuddled on one end of her crib to try and get away from her puke covered crib.

After I was done throwing up I attempted to help Brian which consisted of me comforting Bria while he had the fun job of rinsing puke off all Bria's bedding and then starting a load of laundry. I hopped in the bath with Bria to help clean her off and then we got her in new pj's. We made her bed up but then she had another episode of throwing up so we decided to bring her in bed with us. Good thing we did, this poor girl was literally up every 20 minutes heaving her guts out. Since there was nothing to throw up she would violently heave and just cry and cry this horrible gut wrenching cry. I attempted to help, but eventually I ended up sleeping on the bathroom floor so I was close to the toilet myself. Then my hips started hurting so bad (darn aging body!) that I crawled back into our room, but noticed Bria was sleeping on my side and there was no room for me. So I slept on the floor, but that was still painful so I threw up a few more times and then slept in the guest bedroom.

Brian was super Dad and tended to Bria all night since she continued to throw up until 3 or 4 am, when her body finally let her sleep. Seriously, Brian was amazing. He took Friday off work which is a big deal. Brian never takes work off period. Especially if he's sick, but it's a different story if his girls need him.

Back off ladies, he's all mine.

We used up every towel, sheet, and pillow case that night and he did a bunch of laundry the next day as well as the dishes as well as taking care of both Bria and I. He went to get us Gatorade and popsicles and napped with Bria on his chest so I could curl up in bed for awhile. Not only did he take care of us all day long, but he did so with a smile on his face. He is my hero.

Friday Bria slept from 7:30-9 am. She was exhausted to say the least and we all needed that sleep, it felt really good. I thought we were all doing better on Saturday but no such luck. Bria puked a few times that day, I still felt nauseous, and Saturday night Brian started feeling sick. Sunday brought little change except Brian was feeling even worse. We did make it out of the house for the 4th of July at my sister's house and ended up having a much needed good time. More on that later.

I gave Bria some milk because she was asking for it by name all day long. Big mistake. Not only did she blow out her diaper at the BBQ, that night she woke up and puked twice. I ended up in the guest bedroom with her for a few hours to make sure she wasn't going to keep puking.

So basically Bria and I have lived on water and gatorade for the last 3 days. She does eat crackers and dry cereal which is good, but that's about it. I cannot believe how long this is lasting, I am still feeling nauseous and I know Bria is too because she isn't eating. Fortunately other than her lack of appetite, Bria is pretty much herself. She just gets a little clingy sometimes.

So yeah, it hasn't been that good of a weekend for the Holcomb's and I'm anxious to get back to feeling 100%, I'm so sick of feeling nauseous. And no, there is no chance I'm pregnant so no speculating.

What do you do though, it's a Mom and Dad's life right?

I had to throw in a few pictures real quick. Bria got her first knee scrap at the 4th of July bbq, at least she gets to rock a cute band aid though :)

Let's hope we start feeling better soon!

Dad Life (Father's Day Opening 2010)

Brian and I were laughing so hard when we watched this. Freaking love it!

What is wrong with my 2 favorite people?

Brian does not like fruit. We've known each other for almost 10 years and I am STILL baffled by this phenomenon. I mean, fruit is absolutely delicious, what is not to love? Well my quirky husband passed this on to our chunky baby girl and I'm less than thrilled. What baby/toddler doesn't like fruit?!?!

Mine.

I'm seriously going crazy and I have a slight melt down every week or 2 about it. They say to have your baby try something 10 times before giving up. I believe we are at 76 and it's still a no go. But you can bet your bottom I'm not quitting, oh no, this girl will like fruit one day!!!

The silver lining (besides her being scrumptiously cute) is that she likes fruit smoothies, so my little diva has a fruit smoothie everyday courtesy of the magic bullet. I can't tell you how jealous I am when I see other babies gobbling strawberries and blueberries down while my little punky sips her fruit through a straw.

Oh well, she did inherit some wonderful traits from her father so I can't be too mad. She's got his rockin' skin that tans very easily and lasts a long time, adorable curls, cutest dimple on her left cheek, and has a way of making me laugh more than anyone else.

Sleeping in and sunny weather=awesome week

We had a wonderful week of beautiful weather, FINALLY. Bria and I spent a majority of our time outside with pounds of sunscreen on our Oregon bodies and took in the gloriousness that is sunshine. Since Bria loves the water she had a blast out back playing in the sprinklers and my make shift pool: her infant bathtub. We are going this weekend to get her a kid pool, but in the mean time she had a blast climbing in and out of her little tub. So much so that she went in fully clothed multiple times. As long as she's having fun I figure I can always change her outfit, that's fun anyway.

Hilarious "drunk" picture

I can't resist those rolly thighs, they are adorable (too bad that's not the case for adults)

Cooling off in her mini pool

Ever since her molars have broken through completely she has been an angel. She plays so well at home and I was able to get lots of things done this week that normally she won't let me do because she wants my attention every waking minute of the day. Not only that, but everyday this week she woke up after 8 am!! Hallelujah this mama is happy. So not only did I get to sleep in a little, I also got an hour to myself in the morning to drink coffee and surf the internet, wonderful. Of course, I told Brian this so he was all excited to sleep in this morning and at 7:10 am Bria starts chatting and talking. Oh well, it was still a wonderful week :)

Brian was working late and stuff this week so I was a single mom, I made sure we kept busy each morning either going to the park with Moms club, an indoor kids park (really cool), library, going for walks, or running errands. It made the days go by so fast and we both were in good moods all week long.

Parks and Recreation is doing a Fun at the Park thing this summer and each week they go to a different park and set up crafts and lots of fun stuff and it's free so we are taking advantage of that. Bria's pretty young for it but she still has fun watching all the kids run around and I get to chat with some moms.

"Are you sure this hula hoop is the right size for me?"

With Brian's busy schedule this week he hadn't seen Bria since Monday so yesterday (Friday) when he got home he was dying for Bria cuddles. They spent a good hour together, hugging, wrestling, reading, and laughing. Both of them really needed it, they're kind of crazy about each other.

Bria tackling Daddy, Daddy in blissful happiness

Bria has started giving big hugs where she squeezes you so tight, it's by far my most favorite hug in the entire world.

"I have this guy so wrapped around my finger it's ridiculous."

Enjoying story time together

Yesterday was my birthday and Jenny offered up hers and Kyle's services to watch Bria so Brian and I could go out to dinner. Well, we didn't want to be rude and say no so we went, darn ;) We went to a really fun restaurant/bar downtown and had a blast.

We took a short walk afterwards and then slowly made our way home, stopping at a coffee shop for dessert.

Brian and the coffee dude

Then we chatted with Jenny and Kyle and just hung out at the house. We always mean to play games but we can't stop talking long enough to decide on a game so we just continue to talk. Fine by me, I love talking and the night always goes way too fast and we stay up way too late, but it's all worth it.

Seeesters!

So yeah, it was a good week and I'm pretty stoked about what the summer has in store for us!

That's right, more pictures

You didn't think we left Shasta without a bazillion photos did you? Jaime shared hers with us so I had to post a few because they were too cute not to.

Bria loved all the attention from her cousins and Aunts, here she is enamored with Kailey.

She was giving Kailey kisses but it looks like she is telling her a secret and I love that.

Just us.

Playing on the relaxation station

The cold water didn't stop Bria from having fun :)

This picture means a lot to me. I have one very similar with my Grandpa and I love that Bria has one with hers now.

Brian and his baby girl

So sweet

Laughing with Lance

Giving Uncle Lance kisses

Jenny was so sweet and picked each family out matching tanks, flip flops, and bags. She even spent hours making the guys their awesome shirts, thanks Jenny!

More pictures of Brian's graduation party

"I did it!""

So proud of my man!

Family picture with Lance and Kayla

Our houseboat!

The following pictures are our official family photos from the reunion, with the stuff that Jenny got us :) And just so you know, there was no make up or hair being did, it was au natural.

Our little family

Lance and Kayla

Kyle and Jenny

Mom and Randy

Jaime, Schuyler, Kailey, Porter, and Jaidyn

Anna, Dad, Cassidy, and Abby

The guys

The whole gang!

The girls

Ok, now I wanna go back to Shasta...minus the car ride.