Long time, no see..

Greetings!

I haven't posted in a very long time. As many of you know, I have been working full time since December and also taking a full course load at school. And by full, I mean Summer courses and starting 17 credits in the Fall...I am one busy mama. I have to say I am very proud of my progress this last Spring semester, though. I was accepted into the Health Information and Informatics Management program at Boise State and will be finishing my last 2 years on track for graduation in May of 2014. Seems like forever away, but it will go by fast.

A few things have changed over the last few months. Tommy and I have gone from the lifestyle of renters to home ownership. We live in a cute, suburban neighborhood in a quiet town right outside of Boise. We still commute to Boise for work and school, but the drive is nothing compared to real commuting (what I've witnessed on my trips to larger cities in California). We are very exciting about this accomplishment and we finally feel like we are starting our lives together as a family.

Speaking of trips to California, we have made 3 trips since my last posting. One for Lindsey and Miguel's wedding in November, which was absolutely beautiful and we were so happy to be apart of! Another in January to visit Tommy's parents and grandparents who were also visiting from Iowa. This was a very important trip. Not only did Bridget get to meet Grandma and Grandpa Steepleton for the first time, so did I! And I absolutely fell in love with them. Tommy's family is really great and I love to share those relationships with him...especially when Grandpa is full of lots of stories and a great recipe for pork tenderloins ;). Our third trip was in May to see Ali, Tommy's sister, graduate from college. I cannot express how awesome that trip was. Spending time with Tommy's family in Sacramento and watching Ali walk and accept her diploma was a very fun experience. Ali was also accepted into Graduate school at Pacific University....wow! She will go on to do great things, and we are so happy to share those moments with her. Bridget loves her Aunties, and she was very fortunate to be able to spend time with her Aunt Leah as well! 

Ali was not the only graduate in my family this year! My mother also graduated from NNU with her Bachelors in Business Administration. My mom has worked so hard for her degree and I was very blessed to be able to watch her walk to accept it. Although one of the longest graduation ceremonies I have ever been apart of, it was nice to see my mom so happy. My Aunt Malissa and I threw a dinner party at my house and it was the first time we'd had family over for dinner at the house. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed time spent with everyone. 

Recently T.J and Theresa made a long road trip up to Boise with a trailer full of Tommy's childhood memorabilia as well as furniture to fill our guest room with. We spent the week with them, including celebrating the 4th of July. We were very happy to be able to show them our new home and the life that we have built together. It's a great start and we are so proud of our accomplishments thus far. Bridget loves when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit, and the visits just never seem long enough!

There are a ton of other events that have happened in the last few months but they are currently slipping my mind....Here is a brief update on Bridget's growth and development:

-She has her first tooth!

-She is walking along the couch or while holding on to Mommy and Daddy's hands!

-She is eating lots of different foods like pastas, fruits, veggies, puffs, cookies, and she loves peas!

-She is weighing in at 22 lbs and is 27 inches tall! 

-She has long brown curls and her hair has lightened up.

-She loves swimming in the kiddie pool and playing anything musical. 

-She can say quite a bit of words but her favorites are "Mama" and "Dada". 

-She has a huge smile and very spunky personality.

-She is a curious kitten and loves to get into everything.

-Her favorite toys are her farm puppets that her cousins in Arizona got her for Christmas! 

Bridget turns 1 on September 10th! It is flying by, who knows she may be walking by then...

Where did 2011 go?

Talk about being busy! Tommy and I both worked retail during the holiday season. Can you say crazy? Say it again. That's how it goes from black Friday until New Years...lots of people, and not happy people who are enjoying the holiday season...mean and impatient folks who really need to take a chill pill. Anyone who has worked retail before understands. On top of working the craziest time of the year, we were juggling finals, moving into a new apartment, and taking care of our lovely baby girl.

We all enjoyed our trip to Southern California in November to see Lindsey and Miguel's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so happy for the beautiful couple! We had a great time visiting with family and friends, including Tommy's cousin Sam from Virginia, his grand parents, aunts, uncles, sisters Ali and Leah, nieces and nephew, and of course TJ and Theresa, Tommy's parents. The flight was easier than expected, Bridget didn't even cry! She slept most of the time and was pretty content with the trip. I felt bad for the other babies on the plane whose parents were pretty cranky because their ears hurt and they were crying :( poor kiddos. Tommy also took me to a great mexican food place called "Albertacos" in Mission Viejo. Mmmm..mmm...I love me some California burritos. Our trips to California are always fun! This trip was a trip we won't forget.

Thanksgiving was right around the corner. We spent Thanksgiving with Ali here in Boise and enjoyed a relaxing weekend. We black Friday shopped a bit (not on purpose, it just kind of happened) and enjoyed a yummy dinner at my Mom's. I love that we are starting our own family traditions. It really makes the holiday season feel special.

Christmas came next...and boy was this a fun one! My parents are divorced, so I still enjoy celebrating two Christmases with my sisters at my Dad's, and another at my Mom's. This time we even had our own little Christmas celebration for Bridget and then we had the opportunity to webcam chat with TJ, Theresa, Ali, and G&G Nance to open all of our presents. Bridget wasn't really into the "Christmas" adventure this year, she doesn't quite understand it yet. Next year will be a lot better! She did make out pretty good. She absolutely loves all over her gifts. She loves to play with all of her toys. Mommy appreciates all of the cute clothes :) hehe.

New Years was filled with a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, shopping at the Mall with Grandma Tonya and Chloe, getting Bridget's ears pierced.

Meet Bridget Naomi Nance!

Well this is long over due, but I'm here and I'm ready to tell you all about our new little addition to our family! Bridget Naomi Nance was born on Saturday, September 10th, 2011 at 1:56 p.m. Her birth was not an easy one, after being in labor for 5 days I was induced without an epidural...and let me tell you, artificial contractions are worse than natural ones. I can't even explain the pain. Bridget weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 5 oz (big girl!!) . We stayed in the hospital until the afternoon of Monday the 12th. Our hospital stay was not fun...Bridget had very high bilirubin levels and had to sit under an incubator for most of our stay. I sat in the nursery listening to 5 sets of twins cry. Bridget is a very content baby girl. She only cries when she's hungry or has a wet diaper (oh and she hates those wet diapers!). Here are some pictures of her during our stay at the hospital:

Tommy is one proud Daddy! I love how Bridget is looking up at him. Can you tell he is already sleep deprived? (I decided we should stay up all night the night before my induction..hahaha horrible decision!)

Here is Bridget after they cleaned her off and she had a good feeding :) She is so cute. Has a full head of hair!

This is her Auntie Michaela holding her for the first time. She was so happy to finally meet her!

This is Michaela's boyfriend, Cole, holding baby Bridget. 

Grandpa Curt (my Dad) or "Mac", his new chosen nickname (lol!), holding baby Bridget. 

This is Bridget after her first bath. The bow didn't stay in long, and if I knew they used KY Jelly to get it to stay in, I would have refused it! Her hair was super sticky when it fell off :(

She was so calm compared to all the other babies in the nursery. There were so many sets of twins, it was ridiculous!

Bridget loves getting her hair washed. The nurse washed her hair for the first time!

I love this picture of Bridget and her Aunties, Jena and Chloe, and my Mom! 

This is Bridget and her Grandma Tonya (my Mom) holding her right after she was born. So precious.

Bridget has been such a blessing to our family. She is such a sweet baby full of lots of personality! I love her sweet smile, her sweet newborn baby smell (except when she throws up all over me *sigh*), her cute little coos, how excited she gets when she sees you, the stretching she does is super cute...Tommy says he loves it when she "knocks one out". You can definitely tell that Bridget loves her family. She loves being held, talked to, played with...She is perfectly content. This may not have been the best time in our lives to start a family, but when is the right time? We love everything we have been blessed with. Bridget is just more motivation on top of an already amazing life. 

A few days after Bridget was born, her other Grandparents came to visit (Tommy's parents). We always enjoy their visits here in Boise, since it does not happen often! Distance doesn't stand between Bridget's relationship with her Grandma Theresa and Grandpa T.J! We love to share photos and memories with them and they make sure to send lots of cute cards to her often. Here are some photos from their visit in Boise:

This is a picture of Grandpa T.J telling little Bridget all about "BBQ" and how much she'll love it!

Theresa was comparing a baby picture of Tommy with Bridget, they look so much alike! She is a Daddy's girl , for sure! 

Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of pictures from their visit. Which is completely odd!! I guess we were so wrapped up in enjoying our new little bundle that not a lot of pictures were taken. There will be many more to come. 

Bridget will be 2 months old on November 10th. She is getting so big! A few weeks ago she was weighing in at 9 lbs 1 oz...I am sure she is close to 10 lbs by now! There rest of this post will be me sharing pictures of Bridget I have taken over the last two months. I hope you enjoy them :) 

One of Bridget's first nights home. She loves sleeping on Mommy.

She is such a dork! She wiggled herself off her lounger in her sleep. 

Look at that sweet face saying "Good Morning Mommy!"

Tommy and his sweet baby girl.

What a great Daddy he is!

He is so proud!

Daddy and Bridget

Bridget sleeping with Mommy, she loves to cuddle.

Aww so sweet, sleeping in her bassinet that Grandpa Curt bought her!

My two favorite people relaxing on the couch. 

Baby Bridget on her bili-blanket during the first days of life. She hated that thing.

Bridget and Grandpa Curt. Aw how sweet :)

Auntie Jena and Bridget

Bridget with her serious face!

Bridget's first bath tub bath!

She loved her bath, and her hooded towel that Auntie Michaela got her!

She is very alert and happy :)

"Mom, are we going on an adventure?!" ...I put her in her carrier to finish laundry. She loved it!

Daddy and Baby snoring away, why am I the only one up? Haha!

Daddy loves his princess. 

Sleeping on Mommy again, what's new? It's her favorite activity in her whole 6 weeks of life!

Bridget and Daddy listening to music!

Bridget and Daddy taking a nap. Lucky!

Look how small she is compared to the blanket! Too cute. 

Daddy bundled Bridget up to stay nice and warm.

Yes, she sleeps funny..I get it :)

Bridget and her Auntie Jena

Chloe just loves Bridget! :)

All sorts of smiles for Mommy!

She's always out after a car ride!

Just chilling with Mommy :) I love her big beautiful eyes!

Daddy and Bridget napping on the couch. 

The butterfly freaked her out. But then she got mad when I moved it, not sure if she likes it or not? Lol

"Mom, I hate tummy time!" -She is actually rolling from her belly to her back by herself now...so it's pretty easy to get out of!

She is so playful!

Oopps..Mom accidentally spiked my hair!

She loves sitting up like that...Mommy's legs are too short!

She can hold her head up pretty well :)

Tummy time from the other point of view.

I give in too often..

Such a sweet picture of my sweet baby. 

She is as comfy as can be!

Sleeping away on Mommy.

I swear, she is awake a lot more than it seems. She is just so cute when she sleeps. :) I have way more pictures but they are not on my computer. I will post more later! We have many events to come in the next couple months. Lots of new milestones for little Bridget! Her second wedding (I count her first as her Mommy and Daddy's since she was in my belly), her first Thanksgiving, her first Christmas, and her first New Years! This will be a great season of firsts for little B! We are so excited for what is to come. She is changing so fast. Already teething! We're hoping she won't start crawling for a few more months. That's all for now :) Hope you enjoyed!

~Brittany Nance