September

The day after Xander was blessed, family came by to say goodbye. It was a little more calm than the day before, and Xander got some more cuddle time while Bekah got more play time.

Bekah loved helping me with dishes this month

about 5 weeks old

Sherrie met an artist that she stocks in Gales and told him that she was on her way to the blessing of her newest grandson. So he signed a picture and told her to give it to Xander. It's beautiful and I'm so grateful for all the generosity and support of those we love.

Getting some outside time. Messy time! Shaving cream is awesome.

Xander just slept so much back then! Look at his little toes poking out!

Our summer-time view from our front door. Love the green!

6 weeks and smiling! 

She wears her Halloween costume quite frequently and loves umbrellas.

Two mini-Aggies on game-day

Garrett and I participated in the Homecoming 5K. It was really fun. we've never run a race together before.

Bekah always asks to hold Xander. It warms my heart to see her love him. She adores his tiny fingers and toes.

More messy time. Paint always goes on her hands.

For our Anniversary, Garrett took me out to a fancy dinner and got the Vegas Nights room at Anniversary Inn. It was great! Chelsey watched Bekah for us and we took Xander with us. But before we dropped her off, we took her with us to see the room since Chelsey was still at school. She thought it was the coolest thing. It was. Garrett spoiled me. It was beautiful, we had a delicious dinner, and Garrett surprised me with nerf guns that had lasers on them. We hid from each other in the hotel room and ended up getting so scared that the other was going to find us that we both just ended up hiding in fear for 10 minutes before calling a truce. We're who you want if you're ever in danger! Ha ha.

Circle bed. Pretty cool.

Xander scratched his face a lot, so he always had mittens on. Bekah thought this was a great idea, and even though it was still summer-ish, she decided she should wear some too. 

August

August brought many visitors. We loved it! The day after Xander was born, we relaxed in the hospital for the morning, then Garrett went home to take care of Bekah, who had stayed the night with Chelsey and Cody. Brett came back, this time with Jess and Baer. They visited us in the hospital for a bit then followed us home. I felt great, but soon realized that I still had far to go before I was back to normal! Brett and Jess cooked dinner for us and cleaned the dishes. It was great to have them visit us. That night I was up a lot with Xander. Every time I'd sit down to nurse him I'd get butterflies in my stomach as I realized that this was the new normal. I was in heaven!! Bekah was amazed when Xander was still here the next morning, but she didn't seem to think it was weird to have him around. She just thought it was great that I was too exhausted and busy nursing to say no to TV!

Sunday afternoon my parents came to meet him. It was so great to introduce them! Nothing gives me more joy than to have my family love my children! I just feel so happy when all the people I love most are together and loving each other! As my dad and Xander stared at each other, I suddenly realized that I was seeing the same profile! Bekah may have been born all Brinkerhoff, but it looks like I had the dominant genes this time! 

My dad had to leave that night so he could work in the morning, but my mom stayed for the week. It was great for Bekah to have her here to shower her with gifts, love, and attention. She got more books read to her in a couple days than I had read to her for the last month! She was in heaven with Nana at her disposal. I was also in heaven with so much help and love. 

On Wednesday, Heather and her kids came out and stayed till Saturday. Bekah went wild with joy to have her cousins around! She can't get enough of them. We did a BBQ in the back that night. The kids were too hyper to really eat, so at 9:30 when we realized they should already be in bed, they started begging for food. So we sat them down with some grapes and crackers then sat in the living room talking. Suddenly we heard a loud smack and Lydia started crying. We ran in and found she'd fallen off her chair and broken her arm! So so sad! Heather and my mom took her to the emergency room and I had Garrett come home from work to help me get Bekah, James, and Xander to bed. It was a really long night, but Lydia was well taken care of. She was exhausted and in pain the next day but we still managed to have a decent time. 

Lydia cuddling Heather and Xander with her broken arm.

Saturday the 10th, Lon and Sherrie came to meet Xander. And of course, they also showered Bekah with gifts, love, and attention!

Sunday night the Coopers and Howcroft (minus husbands) came to Logan. They all (2 women and 7 children, plus Chelsey and Cody) stayed at Chelsey's house! They had a blast and I'll admit that I was slightly jealous of their giant slumber party! We went to Bear Lake that week and it was a great day on the beach and all the kids were happy and had so much fun. It felt great to relax there all day.

Bekah stole all her cousins' stuff and came up with her own new style.

                  Timothy and Xander (who looks like a grandpa with his bad hair and grey sweats!)                                        

She wanted to sit by Xander so she dragged the bouncer over.

On Saturday the 17th Sarah and her family came to visit till Monday afternoon. 

While the Porters were here we went to Tony's Grove. It was beautiful!

After all our visitors left, we made it back to our yard to play in the pool. It was so nice to finally be where I kept imagining I'd be all through the long spring and summer semesters.

Xander's hand at a couple weeks old

Bekah's hand at a couple weeks old

Bekah's hand at 2 years old

Every time she gets hold of paint or markers, they go immediately onto her skin, no matter how many other materials I provide for her to decorate!

Several times a week, Bekah asks if she can hold him. 

Nothing makes me more glad than to have her like him!

On the 26th we dove back into school. It seemed simple enough at first, but then teachers expected us to turn stuff in....

Alexander

On August first, I woke at 5 am (after tossing and turning in nervous anticipation) and got ready to go to the hospital. by 7:10 I was all checked in and ready to be induced. I wanted to put off the epidural as long as I could because it seemed like with Bekah it really slowed me down. Well around 1 pm I gave in and asked for the juice. Oh sweet heaven! It worked like a charm this time (it didn't go well with my first labor) and I was able to take a short nap from 2:15-2:45. At 3 I started pushing and at 3:50 he was here!! I was so in love from the moment he was born. With Bekah I kind of didn't know what to expect, but this time I was prepared and my arms ached to hold him as soon as he was delivered! They handed him to me and I just started crying in amazement. I love how it feels to meet my child for the first time and know immediately that I would give my life for him!
It all went so smoothly and quickly compared to last time, and it was nice that it happened from morning till afternoon rather than middle of one night till the middle of the next! I felt so good after it! I had the chills a tiny bit, but part of that was just excitement. Chelsey and Cody brought Bekah at about 5 and then Dynelle, Camille, and Brett made a surprise visit! They were so sweet to drive up and meet my baby the day he was born. They kept apologizing and saying they hoped they weren't overwhelming me, but I was on an adrenaline high and was just so excited to have more people there to admire my gorgeous son!

Ready to strip down to my exposure gown!

So much curly hair! He was 8 lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches long

Our first photo as a family of four! Garrett and Bekah are wearing their USU shirts because Garrett said that it was game day. Looks like we won!