Dear Babies

Dear Leighton and Emersyn,

                You two have been sick the past few days and I am about ready for you to be over it. I am also about ready to punch a mom from the park in the face. I really am not a violent person, i promise. My mother bear instincts just come out when you are harmed in anyway and in this case it was getting sick. Since i am so upset she took her sick kids to the park who got you two sick, we have not left the house for a while. I am use to being gone almost all day long between the gym, errands, and the park. Being home the past few days has not been easy but in some ways it has been great. You both have been so sad and tired and whiny but all you have wanted was for me to hold you, love you and make everything better. You have fought over who gets to sit on my lap and who gets to rock with me first. You take turns having fevers, runny noses, and the saddest little coughs. Im sorry you have both been upset but i have loved all of your loving. Leighton you have been cuddling with me on the couch all day and want me to hold your hand or carry you in the kitchen so you can look at your fish. Emersyn you cry when you are left alone but smile when i hold you and kiss your hands. You touch my face and look at me with so much trust while i cradle you. When you two are sad and can't feel better unless i cuddle you or rub your back i suddenly feel needed more than ever. Making sure you are happy and healthy and safe is my job and when you aren't that way i have to work extra hard to get you feeling good again. I hope that you always need me this way. That when you aren't feeling great, you will come to me and want to cuddle and have me make it better. I love both of you more than you will ever know.

Love
Mom

Summer Favorites- Runnin Runnin

Since the Utah Summer Games are officially underway i figured now was a good time to introduce our favorite work out gear. I try to be a runner. I love running, it gives me a feeling of accomplishment and a visible goal to aim towards. I ran during both of my pregnancies to stay sane and in shape and have been trying to get back into it after having Emersyn. Saturday was my first big race of the year. I run with Courtney and we help keep each other going. It was only fitting that we ran the summer games 5k together. She seriously encouraged me through the entire thing and was so great! At one point near the end i thought to myself, why in the world do i think running is fun!? Well i don't, it is hard and it totally kicks my butt. But it is sooo worth it and the gold medal at the end of the race reminded me of that. I can't wait for the rest of the races we have lined up this summer and for our regular runs up the canyon with the girls. So anyways here is our favorite gear right now. Enjoy! Oh and I would love to hear what you are doing to get some exercise this summer?

My outfit- Gap Fit and Nike Shoes. Leighton's Outfit- Under Armor and Target Shoes. Water bottle- Target. Stroller- Bob Duallie. 

Motivate Me Monday- Sick Days

This past week was eventful and fun and very very draining. Emersyn got sick on Thursday and as much as i tried to convince myself that she was doing fine, she wasn't. She hasn't slept at night since Wednesday and i mean really hasn't slept. Like when the baby can only sleep being held and the second you lay her down she starts screaming or once you do get her to lay down she just coughs herself awake. This has been awesome! Im full of sarcasm right now (due to my lack of sleep) so bare with me. 

Last night sat down to write this post and thought what in the world is going to motivate me this week, what do i need?! All i can think? Sleeeeep. So i gave up on this until this morning. Hope all of you have slept much much more than i have the past few days and i hope all the littles are way healthier. It is summer, life is supposed to be a dream and no one is supposed to be sick. But here is real life and here is what is motivating me today. 

Fathers

In our home the girls know that dad is their go to guy. They have adored him since the minute they were born and he has loved them with more heart than they will ever know. Our daughters are Kaden's world. One day out of no where Kaden said it was dangerous how much he loved Leighton (this was before Em was born), that she could ask for anything and he would give it to her. All he wants for his daughters is the world. Is that too much to ask? Kaden works so hard to support them and wants them to experience everything. He lights up when Leighton and him find new rocks to collect and she says a new word he has been trying to teach her. He is so gentle with Emersyn and cuddles with her at night. Our daughters are so blessed to have a father like Kaden. Someone who wants to be a part of every second of their lives. A man that finds joy in teaching them how to be kind and loving and is a great example for them to look up to. 

Growing up both Kaden and I felt like the worst thing we could do was disappoint our fathers. Kaden may just have been afraid of his dads wrath, but i think i was afraid of knowing that my dad expected so much of me and i might let him down. Both our fathers are amazing men. Smart, kind, serving, religious, hard working men. I honestly don't know if there is anyone better for us to look up to and now for our daughters to. Our dads have instantly became the best Papa's ever! Both men turn into huge teddy bears around our girls and their bonds only grow as they get older. 

Happy Fathers Day Dad's!

 Thank you for being so amazing! 

We love and appreciate you all!

Summer Favorites- Little Swimmers

Want to know what we are doing all summer long?! Swimming. Leighton started swim lessons today and of course she loved it! There were a lot of old women, think grey hair can barely lift their water weights old, in the water. When it was time to leave i grabbed her, wrapped her in a towel and headed for the locker room. As dramatically as she could Leighton reached longingly towards the pool and yelled "Grandma help me!" Obviously my daughter has a thing for grandmas lately. Good thing she gets to see all her new grandma swimmers twice a week.

Alright, here are some of our swimming faves so far this summer. What swimming gear are you loving?

Old Navy- heart swim suit, turquoise swim suits, and hats. Target- navy and red swim suits, swim floaty, and swim diaper. Amazon- swim toys. 

Don't worry i didn't forget the giveaway. Actually i am so excited to announce who won. Thank you so much to everyone who entered! The winner is...

Allyson M.

Email me your address to claim your prize! Congrats girly!

Motivate Me Monday- Give Me Some Loving!

Last week the girls and I took a trip to Logandale to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends and her new baby girl, Quincy. All three of us were in LOVE. Like honestly Leighton kept looking at her and saying baby in awe and Emersyn, well she clearly just wanted to eat her up. I have a 7 month old and she made me baby hungry. To go through another pregnancy just to hold a new born again? Maybe. 

We also got to spend an entire day with Leighton's favorite cousins and Jessica. I think it was honestly the first time Jessica and I got to hang out all day together. It was amazing to watch all of the kids swim and us just get to lay out in the sun and talk forever! Emersyn lights up every time she is with Jessica too, it is seriously the sweetest thing. We loved our day with them and hopefully we will start to have more.

While we were in town my Grandma stopped by for a visit. Everyone seems to have a crazy grandma, well i do have a C R A Z Y grandma. She means well and is usually very loving but when your G Ma is not too much older than your parents, single, and 6 foot something with hair that changes between shades of purple and pink you cant help but tell the world that she is crazy. So while she is visiting Leighton comes in the room tired and shy, kind of hiding behind me. (I am going to explain this in the best possible way) Grandma leans over (remember 6 foot something and pinkish hair) shakes her entire body (thats a lot of shaking) with her arms out for a hug (thats a huge wing span) and says come give grandma some love. Leighton did not hesitate to give an OH SHIZ face and yell RUN as she bolted  down the hall in true sprinting fashion. Really, she could give some serious advice on form. Chest up, head up and arms trailing behind her. She would have flew away if she could. Luckily Grandma realizes Leighton is too, and was totally oblivious that the mumu she was wearing probably scared the girl half to death to begin with. 

Being back at my parents for a few days really made we feel loved and made me realize i need some more of that spread through out everything in my life. Sometimes i can be total downer and I am sure that person you avoid talking to because they only talk about themselves. For now on I plan on making things about others and showing some loving.

P.S. If you havent entered the giveaway yet, it is not too late. Go now and enter on instagram!

Dear Leighton

Dear Leighton, 

Today you have been so sweet. I am amazed everyday by your crazy spirit but today i was in awe with your sensitive personality. You asked me to hold you while we were shopping and wanted to help pick out a present for Quincy baby. We went to Logandale today and on our way we stopped by grandmas. You asked me not to leave you but cried for 10 minutes because you didn't get to see grandma. You love her so much and she loves you too.  On our way we stopped in Saint George to go shopping, in the first store you stripped down and put on a brand new dress. You always know what you want and obviously exactly how to get it. I hope you always know how to accomplish what you set your mind to. Driving into Logandale you got so excited. You started reaching to the window yelling May May! If only she was here. You miss her so much, i miss her too and she misses you so. When we got to Grandma and Papas you got a hold of Katie's kitten and carried it around like a doll. At one point you grabbed a picture of May May and held it in front of the kitten and told the kitten May May mission. 

Right now you are so in love with repeating words. You say tink bell, elmo, bear, cinderella, and just about any other word i ask you to say, those just happen to be your favorite shows. You love taking care of your baby dolls, reading books and cooking up some yummy meals on your play kitchen. Every  morning when you wake up you climb into bed with me and ask one of two things, gym or dudu. Today i could barely open my eyes so i rolled over and handed you my phone with elmo on and you tucked me back into bed. You are such a big helper. Just before we left the house today i went to get your sister out of her crib and you were already half way down the hall with her. I  still have no idea how you got her out of her crib but she sure was laughing when i found you two. 

You like to be the baby still. I wish you could be a baby forever. You ask me to hold you and you cuddle up in my lap. I am so proud to be your mom though and I love watching you grow. You are always asking questions, you really are so curious. You are learning to count and say your abc's. You are afraid of snakes and bugs. I am always amazed at how girly you can be. You love rocks and the moon. Tonight when we were walking in the house you saw the moon and said "hello moon, I love moon, hold hands?" You put your hand out and reached for it and then said good night. This melted my heart. How are you so caring that you want to hold hands with the moon? You are genuinely so sweet and sensitive. 

Today we met baby Quincy, Whitney and Braden's new baby girl and you had fun exploring the Bowerman home with Whitney's nephews. While we were there you went out side, sat on their porch swing and said swing too and patted next to you. Thank you so much for always including me in your experiences. I love being by your side when you have a smile on your face from something new. You showed off your baby sister today and would point out both babies every time you were near one. You called Emersyn Emma for the first time this week. I hope you always do. It is one of the sweetest words you have ever said. 

Before going into the house tonight i held your hand while you walked along the little brick wall. You wanted to balance on your own so badly. As i held your perfect little hand in mine i thought about how quickly you are trying to grow. If you must grow up just slow down. I want to remember every moment i spend with you, every hug you give me and every kiss i steal. You definitely drive me crazy sometimes but i want to be able to take in every new moment we spend together and i want you to always know how much i love you.

Love, 

You'r Mom