Vicks Vapor Rub

I wish I had thought of grabbing the camera last night but I didn't, so I'll fill you in on details to paint a picture.

It's was about 10 at night and we were battling with the boys to get to bed (we are in the process of them sharing a room). Nick runs upstairs while I sit downstairs on the computer enjoying some time on Pinterest. Then Nick says calmly "Mandy please get up here." Instantly, I know its not good. I keep saying to myself "this isn't good" over and over like a broken record. I got to the top of the stairs to see Nick sitting on the floor with Neacel in the corner. The smell hit me, menthol, then Nick pointed out the empty (use to be full) container of vicks. Then I got a better look of Neacel and see his head was covered in it. Literally, 100% covered. His head looks like a bucket of grease is covering it. It's hard to describe, but I'm sure you can figure it out. So instantly, I think that he got Broden too. Luckily, Broden was vicks free, the wall didn't have as much luck though. Whatever wasn't on his head was globbed on the wall next to his bed. The smell was sooooo overwhelming. I was able to wipe the wall down, but I'm pretty sure the smell will never fully go away. I had to get away from the smell because it was making me sick....stupid pregnancy sense of smell! Nick gave Neacel a bath, after 3 shampoo's his forehead and hair are still pretty greasy. There is a film in the bathroom sink and tub from the vicks...any idea on how to get rid of it?

It's a.....

So my ob office waits till you are 22 weeks till you find out the gender. This just wasn't ok with me. Who wants to wait that long? So while we have been here in Utah I went to Fetal Studios to find out little ones gender. No one really had a gut feeling as to what this baby was, I knew what I wanted though. Everyone had their own thoughts as to what this baby was. Neacel swore it was a sister, a girl as he said.
After a nice ultrasound done by an ob from Europe, we found out that

We are still in shock about it. I never thought I would have a little girl but have always wanted one. We had a name picked out Ainsley Elizabeth, but now I'm leaning towards Macey Reese. I like both names, but I don't know which I love more. Plus, if this is the only girl I have I don't want to regret my name choice. It's a lot tougher this time for me. I want to wait till I have her to decide unless something just suddenly stands out. I want to see what she looks like. Nick would like to finally call her by an actually name.....right now, she goes by little miss. The ob tried to get her to move, but she is lazy as he said, she moved a hand the whole ultrasound. Other then that just curled up relaxing. She is a lot calmer then the boys, I can feel little movements, but miss them easily if I'm not paying attention. I felt both boys at this point (18 weeks) and it wasn't soft movements at all!

Yes, I have already gone shopping, and its nothing but pink so far. I will get some other colors I'm just excited for PINK! I bought some hair bows and head bands, and Nicks mom bought her the cutest pink lace little flapper outfit for her first birthday pictures. Needless, to say, we all (including Nick) are really excited. Anytime I bring little miss up Neacel reminds me that he was right. In his words "I was right, it is a girl. It wasn't a boy!" While shopping, I picked up a cute pair of pink and white polka dot shoes with 2 little white roses on them. After seeing they were $10 I put them down. Neacel yelled at me saying that sister has nothing and she is going to need shoes. He loves to help shop and look at everything with me. He picks out things and tells me he is excited for a sister. I am beyond thrilled! We have a good little start on clothing, but I need to learn to make bows and shoes.....those get pricey!

Brody's 15 month checkup

Broden is growing up way too fast. I know as a mom that I say this about both the boys. But its so true, it is so unreal thinking he is going to be 2 this fall, and that he isnt that chunky little baby I brought home from the hospital. He is my loud screaming, running around, eat everything you find on the floor child. He is different from Neacel but alike in so many other ways. Tonight he is moving into neacels room, we have tried this before and its never good. But we both would like to not have a baby in there until the next one gets here. Plus being yelled at first thing in the morning isnt so pleasant.
Brody had his checkup on Thursday and things are going good. He is 26 lbs and 31 inches tall, I dont remember his head circ. but its in the 97 percentile...big head! She is a little concerned he isnt talking more then 2 words so we are going this week to get a Speech and Language evaluation at the chidrens hospital. He doesnt point or even try to talk, just yells at us!  She asked if I was concerned about his hearing, nope he understands and can hear just fine, just doesnt listen well, I'll cut him some slack for it right now though. Other then that he is doing great. He sounds like a bird when he screams a certain way and loves cars and trucks, and anything with lights. He eat everything, and I can't think of any foods that he doesn't like. He is soooo much fun and constantly has us laughing.

Blogging from my cell

Oh smartphone, you always amaze me! I found out I can blog 100% from my phone...now I wont have to update with a long post once a month!!!

Family Update

My boys have taught me one very important thing, expect nothing, and be prepared for everything. Neacel was a great talker, started talking early and such a smart boy. Broden, is still a very smart boy but instead of talking he screams at you. If you say NO you get yelled at, or maybe something as simple as "hold on" you get a yelling fit with a random leg smack and him falling on the floor. Dramatic? He still isn't sleeping through the night, but we are getting closer. We are finally using sippy cups, and he eats just as much, if not more then Neacel. He is growing like a weed, and loves to play with every single toy we own, unfortunately he has no idea how to clean up. Just my luck! He is obsessed with putting anything and everything around his neck. Toy tires, ropes, scarfs, anything!!! No scary moments yet, luckily if it doesn't fit around his large head he gives up. He dances the way Neacel has taught him, head banging, but lightly. He is obsessed with cars, he can play with them for hours, if you don't bug him.

Neacel on the other hand is such a spunky thing. He is obsessed with a little red head in primary named Hallie, according to him, "she is a really nice and pretty girl." A friend told me that a few times they have had their arms around each other in primary. Heaven help me, it's already starting. Neacel says things that just make me freeze and think "why are we having another? I have my hands full already." This morning he was asking where Nick was. I was explaining that daddy was gone for the day and that we were going to see him for lunch and that he would be home in time for bed. All the sudden I hear "Don't you lie to me!" I froze, what do you say? So I politely told him that I wasn't lying (he thought daddy was still in bed) and that I was telling the truth. I then get "Manda Parker Burt, you better not be lying to me!" I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing. We have been working on learning his full name, birthday, address, age etc lately. I didn't even know he knew me by anything else other then mom. Later, after lunch with daddy we went to Target to grab a few things. We were looking at the Tag books (which I love the whole pen and book thing and plan on stocking up on books) he found one that helps him learn to write his letters, which is something I have wanted to start with him. He grabs the box and explains that he needs this to learn to write his name. I told him he had a strong case and that I would talk to daddy about it. He then says "Mom, I keep my pull up dry all the time now and you guys still haven't bought me a treat" This is true, he very recently has decided to stay dry even through the night...like Sunday recent, and yes we will reward him but we are making sure this isn't a false call like potty training was a few times. So I explain that I will talk to daddy and that he will get a treat for staying dry all the time. He then walks off shakes his head and says "You guys are killing me!" Oh the little attitude I get from him. It is so hard not to laugh at times though. We just signed him up for preschool in the fall and plan on signing him up for soccer this week

This pregnancy has been interesting so far. Saturday I will be 12 weeks, and I haven't had a ton of morning sickness, but plenty of days that I wake up feeling like I've been run over. I lost alot of weight (10lbs in 4 weeks) in the beginning and the dr's were concerned but since I was able to gain a lb in a week they didn't worry about anything. First ultrasound came back fine, so now we just wait till Im 20 weeks to find out what we are having! This is the hardest part for me! I find keeping a clean house with the boys and being tired is really tough, so if you have any tips on how to keep a clean home, I need and want them! My appointment yesterday was a little scary, they couldn't find the baby's heartbeat so I had to have an ultrasound, every moms nightmare. Luckily, itty bitty baby is fine, just higher then the dr was expecting. It was nice to see the little one, and from what I could see in between the legs, nothing looked like my boys.....only time will tell though!

Nick is back in school and working hard. He is doing awesome though. He is trying to get an internship in Utah (which means we would move back in August this year) because he is thinking it might be easier to get a job that way. He is more likely to get hired on after his internship, and if we are here in Ohio it might be tough to get back to Utah, which is our goal. He is still working for the law department, and is studying like crazy. I know we both are looking forward to him being done. No matter how tired he is, he always has time to play with the boys, which I love watching and the boys just love.

Just a little something...

Last year was a wonderful year! I look back and think of all the fun and exciting things that happened. We truly had a wonderful year, sad to see it go but so excited to see what is in store for us this year. One thing is for sure, it will be better then last year! So far this year, Neacel started primary at church. He is a Sunbeam, and this momma got teary eyed over the thought, but seeing him in there, he loved it and belonged! (The picture was taken after church wearing his Sunbeam necklace and holding his picture) One mom told me he got to help during singing time. That's my boy, he loves music. He hears it and can't help it, but he starts to dance, and I love it! He isn't a little guy anymore, he wants his friends and sometimes giggles when I say "I love you" he is growing up and it shows. This year Broden will start nursery (4 months and counting). I can't wait to enjoy Relief Society lessons without the wiggle yelling worm. He will also start talking (this is positive wishful thinking) and will be 2 this year. Weird! Also, we are making a trip to Utah for a week in March during Spring Break. This will probably be our last trip till Nick is done with school. Nick starts his internship in August and will be done with school May 2013 (but that is a next year exciting thing). We will spend plenty of time together as a family, and take time to enjoy the great outdoors this spring and summer. Also, the beginning of August we will be welcoming our 3rd baby! Yes, you read that correctly. I'm currently about 8 1/2 weeks along and this is by far the toughest pregnancy so far....hoping that means its a girl! I've lost weight and have been sick, I'm exhausted and my clothes are already fitting tight, I can cry over that right???I'm glad its not another November baby, I can't fit another thing into that month. So there you have it, we are growing this year in every way possible!

Neacel and a golf cart

Last Thursday we had the opportunity to go hang out with some friends from church. I was so excited because we were going to an indoor soccer field that my friends brother in law runs. The kids can run and run until they are content. Well, the play date was going great. Everyone getting along, my boys using all of their energy having races with the other kids and playing the kid version of soccer. Then the brother in law who runs it, Mike, came in and said he was going to put the kids to work at another field. So we all go over there and he has them picking up garbage off the field. Of course it became a contest to see who could get the most, and everyone won! Then Mike was taking kids for rides on the golf cart around the field. Neacel was loving it! The look on his face said it all. I was so glad that he was having fun and that I was getting to know another mommy in the area. (I haven't had the best of luck with meeting friends who are people I can get along with, its sad but so many people are caught up in a worldly things...and I'm not like that at all). 

Well, at this point all of the kids have had rides and Mike is out of the golf cart talking with family. Then the golf cart is moving towards me, I'm holding Broden and then realize that Neacel is driving the cart. I panic, I grab on the best I could and yelled at him, hoping to scare him enough that he will take his foot off the gas petal. My arm starts hurting from holding onto a moving golf cart so I let go. Neacel crashes the cart into the corner of a wall, right be the goal net. I panic over a few things, is he ok? Is there damage to anything? Crap, we are never going to be invited again! I was so embarrassed but so worried about Neacel. (this is curious nature for him, he loves to see how things work, and once he knows, he wants to try) He gets out of the cart and looks and Mike and says "I'm really sorry" and comes running to me crying and shaking. 

Part of me is angry, the other part is worried about him. So we make sure he is ok and he is just feeling horrible. Crying and kept saying sorry. I decided not to punish him, the fear was enough at that point. OH and Broden....crying and freaking out too! He got scared over me yelling and running after Neacel. Luckily, everyone and everything was ok. Thank goodness! That day Neacel kept talking about how he crashed the "car" and that it scared him. All day I'm thinking, we are never going to be invited to another play date there, or if we are, Neacel won't be getting golf cart rides!

On a funny note....Friday morning, Neacel was playing with bouncy balls. Then he puts them in him under roo's (underwear) and says "hey mom look! Now I have 3 balls!" Oh dear that child is the reason I have so much gray hair at 25! I love this kid though, he keeps life exciting and fun! Never a dull moment with Neacel around!!!

Family Pictures

We finally have an updated family picture! My friend Katelynn did them for us and lets be honest, they are pretty amazing! We had fun getting these done, Broden got hungry and decided a stick was perfect and Neacel wanted to jump in the river and chase the geese. I caught him once climbing the wall, standing there looking down at the river....I ran! Good thing he didn't fall in, but that boy has no fear of anything! (more written at bottom...)


Life has been very busy, with birthdays and our 4th anniversary, plus I have been working on my Raising Little Dudes blog like crazy trying to help it grow and get some PR opportunities to help people know about us. I need to blog on here better, and I will soon, I promise. I would right now but I have an hour till naps are over and a To Do list thats a little to long. I'll sit down soon and write about the boys birthday parties with plenty of pictures. Neacel had his first friend party and it was a blast, Broden is walking like a fool and they are just growing up too fast. Oh and if you do photo books, Snapfish has a killer deal right now. Head over to the raisingdudes blog to find out details....Like how I smoothly threw that in! HaHa

Hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving, Im ready for some 2am Black friday shopping!

Banana's Are Healthy Mom

Neacel knows that we eat healthy snacks in the house and I love it. I love that he runs to get a pear, apple, banana anything healthy. He is so excited that fruits and veggies are the one thing we don't put a limit on. This boy can eat by the way. So yesterday he was eating a banana and the top fell off, because he is picky he freaks out and won't eat the top. I keep telling him to and then he turns around and says "No mom you eat it" I told him no and that I didn't want it. He wasn't taking no for an answer. "Mom, eat this banana, its healthy and good for you. Its so yummy your tummy will be happy" I kept telling him no thank you and that I wasn't hungry, he told me I was hungry. So I told him that banana's make me sick (Im allergic to them when they are raw) he looks at me puzzled and starts laughing telling me that they can't make you sick because they are healthy. I just told him that they do make me sick and that then I wouldn't be able to play for a while. He then puts the rest of his banana down and says "Yeah they make me sick too" Oh dear! Luckily, he ate one this morning and forgot the whole thing. Hopefully he doesn't remember that conversation.

Friday is an exciting day in our home, its Neacel's first friend birthday party. We are doing a Toy Story theme and he brings up his party daily! He is so excited!!! What he doesn't know is that on Saturday he will be recieving the BIG Buzz Lightyear he has been begging for. We told him that if he used the potty all the time he could have any toy he wanted, he picked the $40 Buzz, luckily, while Nick and I were in Columbus this weekend we found an even better Buzz toy at the Disney store for $25!!! We are done potty training!! Leaving the house is still tough and he did pee in isle 5 looking at Car stuff in Part City, but accidents happen. He has been great lately, his moods and attitude have improved. I can't believe he is going to be 3 on Sunday!!!!

Happy Birthday Broden!!!

Our sweet little Broden turned one today! I can't believe a year ago I was laying in a hospital bed holding my 8lbs 4oz 21 in baby boy. Brody was the calmest baby I could ever imagine. He just wanted to be cuddled all the time. I could just lay down on the couch with him and fall asleep, knowing he would do the same. Unfortunately, this was the calm before the storm! Brody found his lungs, and boy can he scream! Since he found those lungs to this very day, we hear his ear piercing scream many times a day. I look forward to the day he decides to actually try talking! His rock star hair has always won peoples hearts over, along with his cheesy smile. He is a walking machine now, and loves following Neacel around the house. Neacel doesn't always love it though, I don't blame him. Brody loves getting into my bucket of cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink...while many freak out over the thought of me not moving them, please know that he just likes to throw things on the floor and walk away. He has no interest in them, just wants to watch me clean up a million times a day. Nick and I have said the Neacel was tough, but Broden has been tougher. He still isn't sleeping through the night (someone please help me) he has no interest in talking and is growing faster then we imagined. He is wearing 18-24 month clothing...and its starting to get tight! Im so thankful to have him in our family, he is so much fun to be around and just loves everyone. He has such a sweet spirit. Im so thankful that Heavenly Father trusted Nick and I to raise this soul and to teach him all that we know so that when his time comes he can return to his Heavenly Father! We are having a birthday party for the boys on the 12th. Ill have birthday pictures up then from the party of both the boys. Tonight we took him out to dinner and he got a cookie. Nothing huge but something considering dinner was at 8! Mommy, Daddy and Neacel love you Brody, thanks for being such a fun baby! One year down, many many more to go...lets hope he stops screaming!!! Ill have to get it on video so you can hear what we experience!

Here are some pictures from the last year with our loud big bundle of joy!