Brody Eyes

Since Brody was born, Tim and I have been curious about what color his eyes will be. We started taking close up pictures to try and capture their progression. I think he is set on a color now and it's been fun to watch them change.

Green it is!

Nicknames

It's funny how many nicknames and pet names come out when addressing your little one. I think Tim and I have gotten a little out of hand, it's kind of ridiculous.

Damon Brody Grossnickle

Brody
B
Brody B
Brodamon
Brodamer
Brodamer Pancake
Brodamer Skunkspleen
Broders (Denver)
Broski
Pancake
sweet pea
sweet heart
Squish ball (Danelle)
Caterpillar (Michelle)

Brody is 5 months old

Brody is so fun. He is starting to really laugh and smiles at everyone. He weighs a whole 16 pounds and I think he was 24 inches at his last appointment. I Love having him around to listen to his stories. Hes got lots of them. These are a few of my favorite pictures. I keep trying to post videos but my internet is too slow I think.

Roll over

Last night Brody decided to roll over in his crib while battling sleep. Tim and I both missed it but Tim noticed on the monitor that he was on his back when he remembered laying him on his belly. I went down to help him back on to his belly since it was time for bed. When I got to him, he is so pleased with himself. Not grumpy anymore, all smiles. So I picked him up since he obviously wanted to show off his new skill. I layed him down on the blanket upstairs; which he was ok with since he got to stay up later. He wouldn't roll over for us because he remembered he was tired and I put him back to bed. He then woke up every two hours, after he so graciously gave me 8 hours the night before. That was a nice but short lived I guess

Testimony

This past Sunday was fast and testimony Sunday. Usually I sit quietly in my seat watching everyone Else's testimony grow, too scared to go up myself; full of doubts on what to say. Then I sit there while my chest is pounding trying to plan it out, knowing I'm going to forget everything I prepared as soon as I get to the pulpit. So rather than making a fool of myself, I just sit instead and let my testimony stay lit from the stronger ones around me. The previous fast Sunday I did just that and let everyone else go ahead, even though I felt the need to get up. There were a lot of people that day so there wasn't much time anyway. Determined to make sure I feel that feeling again, I made myself get up and start walking this Sunday. It was an awesome feeling having my body propelled up out of my chair and walking by my starving spirit. This was the first time since Tim and I have been married that I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting, excluding talks. Pretty sad I know. I was shaking and a mess when I got back to my seat but I had smiling faces greeting me back. To make things even better, My sister Melanie works most Sundays but had this past Sunday off. She too has been married 5 years and hasn't shared her testimony since she has been married. She was holding Brody and she stood up, I thought maybe to walk with him but she kept walking, not out the door but to the front! Her husband and I just looked at each other in awe followed by tears. Her words were so sweet. It was a great day.

I have lately been trying to listen to any inkling or whisper; Big or small, weather I understand it or not just to make sure they don't stop coming. I want to try to bare my testimony every fast Sunday for a year. If I don't have a burning pounding feeling, then I should sprint to the pulpit.

Brody's Blessing

Brody is being blessed on August 1st at 11am at our ward building. He's really excited

I got the job!

I finally got my dream job. It was a temp to hire position but now I am full time. I love my co-workers, they are seriously the best. My technical job title is "Mommy".



Damon Brody was born May 31st, 2010. Six weeks early from his supposed due date of July 13th. He came into this world a whole 5 lb. 9 oz. and 19 inches long. My water broke at about 8 pm Sunday May 30th, and he was born at 4:08 am Memorial Day. Brody and I worked great together with the help of Dad cheering us on. My Mom was able to come to the hospital which was a great support as well as my brother in law who happen to be working there that night.

It was actually a very stressful labor and delivery. Because he was so unexpectedly early, both my Doctor and Doula Danelle were out of town for the holiday. I was also taken by surprise that the hospital I had chosen wouldn't delivery my Brody because he was so early and didn't have the equipment they would need if something were to go wrong. Only hours before he was born, I had to start from scratch to find a hospital to go to and hope I had a good Doctor. If only I could have been so lucky. I am grateful that my labor was short and that I bore a healthy baby boy. It would have been a greater, more amazing experience if I had different staff members that made things less stressful. The hospital experience was the worst thing I have every encountered but I was able to stick to my guns and basically ignore them and push him out with out any drugs or cuts. I'm not saying it didn't hurt, but I knew none of the pain I was feeling was going to matter in an hour and that it was almost over. I pushed for 20 min; crowning for about 5 min before he was out. What amazing bodies we have. I don't want to get into much detail about the hospital stay because it's not a pleasant story, I'll be happy to tell you if you want to hear about it. He was placed in the NICU for 8 days before we took him home. It has been wonderful having him here. He is such a great blessing and I am glad the Lord thinks I'm qualified for this Job :-D

Baby shower

I had the most amazing baby shower. I was so surprised with how many people came, it was wonderful. I have never felt so special and center of attention AND loved, Ever! I feel so blessed to have all these people in my life that care about Tim, me and my little Brody man. Thank you so much for such a great memorable day.

Karen's super cute Diaper cake

Games

Really good food

The wonderful ladies that planned the whole thing for me Pamela and Crystal

Shelly's Diaper cake that was also super cute

New addition...Siriusly

Tim and I are getting a puppy. I know what your thinking, this is the worst idea ever. I agree it's not the best timing but I am so excited for Brody to grow up with this beautiful dog. My father's co-worker had a litter of puppies, so my dad calls me to ask if we want one. I immediately started to tell him no, until I asked what kind of dog it was. This particular bread is one we have been wanting and never thought we would find, a husky timber wolf. They had a few spoken for but weren't sure if they were going to have 4 or 6 puppies. They ended up having 6 beautiful puppies. We were 5th to chose and ended up choosing the runt, or baby of the litter. She is so sweet and gorgeous. The owners are so knowledgeable with these dogs I don't think we could have been more lucky. We are paying for the vaccinations and that's it! They have been helping us prepare and walking us through the best way to train her to be the best companion. We have decided to call her Sirius White. We came up with the name because it has multiple meanings including "white dwarf companion" and it is the "dog star", the brightest star in the sky. Her parents names are Tundra and Gandaulf and they are two of the best dogs I have ever encountered.

Vote

Please vote on my poll on the side of my page. I don't know what kind of diapers to get. What ones do you like the best?

I think He wants out

Painting projects

I'm not gonna lie I stole this idea from Lindsay but I really liked it. Tim and I recently painted our dining room and our nursery which is still not quite done yet. Some of you probably have already seen it since Tim posts a lot of our pictures on his Picasa album.

Home made wrap pants

Once upon a time I decided I wanted to be crafty. I discovered how to make some comfy wrap pants really easy and cheap. I bought a pack of pillowcases for my fabric. In these pictures I used king size pillowcases, but if you use standard size, it will make some nice capri's.

Here we go.First, un-stitch one side and bottom of both pillowcases. Lay them still folded on top of each other and cut on the folds, half a "U" shape. (this is for the crotch, so it needs to be deep enough to come up to where you want it on your waste)
Then unfold and lay right sides together and sew your "U" shapes together

Turn right side out, finish raw edges on the sides.
Then use the "U" scrap fabric to make straps for the straps and fold under the top for the waist band. (if you need more length for the straps cut some strips off the top of the pants before you fold it under)

To put them on, saddle up and tie the back or the front first, which ever you prefer. In this picture the back is tied first then the front.Ta Da

He has a name

I meant to write about this earlier but Tim and I had decided on a name quite a while ago for our little bundle of joy. His full name is Damon Brody Grossnickle. At this point we are calling him by his middle name, Brody. We are really excited for his arrival in July. It's fun to feel him roll around and kick, and to watch Tim feel him too (He loves his son so much already). I haven't been sick much at all which has been really nice.

Since I can't upload the video I took of my girls at state, this is a good one taken from OSAA

http://www.osaa.tv/events/10525

Blankets

Brody's Blanket

Random blanket I gave away but one of my favorites

Glencoe Dance Team 2010

It is finally over. March 17th & 18th was the State dance competition. This is what I have been working on for many many months and it is finally over! The girls did really well even though we didn't place how we thought but that's just how it goes I guess. I am so proud of them and all the work they had put into this dream of mine to make it a reality. This is the first year I have been involved this much and I must say I am exhausted. I have all this free time now that I can't remember what I was meaning to do with once this was all over. Thank goodness for todo lists, but I know I'm forgetting a lot of things/projects.

In the next 4 months I have a lot I need to think about and get done. Lots more advice to ask for, more and more preparations. I'm hoping to get a good start on painting the nursery tonight with some help from friends.

I'll try again later to put up the video. I've tried twice and it keeps disappearing

While I was gone...

One of the nights Tim and I talked on the phone he informed me that the last chicken and duck have disapeared. I wonder if that fox came back. Ether way, time to really start buying eggs again.... after we finish the 3 dozen that are in the fridge. We plan to get some chicks this spring anyway but they won't lay for at least 6 months but that's ok. I really do like having chickens.

I think the duck just hated us anyway and had been planning to break out of this joint and convinced the chicken to break out with him and the chicken was all like "yeah ok. I think they are just using me anyway". So the duck, always known how to fly, taught the chicken how and they flew over the fence together. Probably only to find that they would have to find their own food and shelter. While camping out to plot how they would strategically come back, they got eaten by the fox.
The end.

Back from Ohio

I just got back from my trip to Ohio visiting my sister Cassie and her family with her newest addition, Morgan. He is so small and precious and James was a sweet heart...most of the time. I was glad I was able to help her and I hope I did enough. I couldn't tell you how Columbus was because I didn't see much of it. I got out of the house once to go to Costco and get an oil change for her after I dropped Josh off at school. I really enjoyed observing a new born. I have been reading this really great book that has really opened my eyes about our newest family members and how they talk to us with out talking with words. I was surprised by how much I could pick out what he was trying to say he needed and wanted from each different cry and body language. My infant may be quite different but I feel like I "get it" a little better. My sister is so good and gutsy to do the things she does. She doesn't do disposable diapers, which aren't foren to me, but she is trying this diaper-less method. I'm not sure I could do it but in other countries, that's what you do. Pay attention to when your baby is about to go and hold them over a bucket or toilet or sink. She got him to pee in the sink once already! Kudos to her.

Ultrasound

Tim and I went to get our first ultrasound yesterday and it went great. Our Doctor there was LDS too. I love having member doctors. You tend to have this extra understanding and connection with each other to make appointments so easy and relaxed, less clinical. We saw the heart beating and the stomach full of fluid, which is good, and one other small thing...but big enough to make Daddy proud. Yep Yep We are having a Boy! I'll post some of the ultrasound pictures when I get them scanned in. We are both really excited, expically Timmy. He told at least 4 random people who probably didn't care, that we were having a boy. It was so cute and funny. First it was the receptionist at the doctors office as we were leaving, not even the same one that helpped us when we came in. She was like "oh,...um..congratulations." and then it was the cashier at Winco, she has 3 children of her own. Then he went to the gym and I don't know who he all told there. It's so cute, He is very excited and proud to be having a boy. I love him, both of my boys.

Lovely Morning

I woke up this morning and as I ate a bowl of cerial, I looked outside up the hill and saw a fox. How cool is that, right? I finish my bowl and put the dishes away from the day before that got left and went to collect the eggs from the chickens. I walk out side and notice a few more feathers than before and hoped it wasn't bad. I walked inside the coop to find one chicken laying in some blood and another one no where to be found. Mind you, the one that was missing has been attacked once before by our neighbors dog. It was so sad. We had three chickens and a duck yesterday and now we are down to one chicken and one duck. We might have to start buying eggs again.... weird. Can't wait to get more chicks.

I missed yet another

So it looks like I still won't be able to see a birth before my own. My sister called me this morning to tell me that I had missed the birth of her Son. I'm excited for her, but I was really hoping to be there. I hope I can change my tickets a little bit now so I can maybe be home for Tim's Birthday now but we'll see how much extra that will cost. She said it went pretty fast and that she only had to push for 9 minutes. So that's good. Maybe I can just download an episode of A Baby Story or something but I don't think it will quite be the same. Oh well.

Welcome to the world Morgan!