Christmas in Florida

This year we spent Christmas with my side of the family in Orlando. For those who don't know, my parents moved there in 2008. It has been hard for them to be away from their family but I think they pick a great place for all of us to come visit.

I always look forward to escaping the cold weather whenever I can. Last year when we were there right after Christmas is was beautiful! We got to spend so much time outside, going to the beach, soaking up the sun. I was so excited to get my tan on. However, Mr.Sun decided not to show is face to us this year. Florida had record breaking lows while we were there, some nights getting into freezing temps. Just my luck! Despite it all, we still had a great time. We enjoyed spending time with the fam, golfing, nightly hot tubing, games, and lots of eating. Oh and one very magical day where all your DREAMS come true. Or at least that's what I've heard..

Note to self: (and to others who may ever have this same thought.)

The Monday after Christmas at Disney World (the busiest day of the whole year) + two very young babies does not = a very magical experience. There, I have forewarned everyone. People who worked in the park said they have never seen in this busy. Ever.

Despite all the crying, pushing and shoving from all the large crowds, and long lines, we do have some cute pictures of the babies with Mickey and Minnie. My niece Blair, fell right in love with Mrs. Minnie, while Colin had no clue where we were. That's my boy!

I saw so many families that had crying kids and parents. I thought, this is supposed to be a happy place, and yet all I see is parents screaming at their kids, and kids screaming at their parents. I made a pack to myself that when we decide to take our little one(s) back, I would:
A. Choose to go during the slowest time of year.
B. Make sure all kids are old enough to enjoy it a least a tiny bit.
C. Go with a good attitude. I want it to be a great memory, so I will put a happy face on and try and make it the best day possible for them. No yelling and screaming.

I am always sad to leave my family. I don't get to see them enough. It's even harder now with new babies, cause I miss seeing my new niece grow up. She is such a doll and I can just kiss those cheeks all day long!

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I had a blast and will cherish my memories forever!

A visit with Santa and Mr. Clause before we left

This was Colin the whole way there and back


Grammy loves her boy!

Getting Ready for a swim


With his cousins, Izzy and Blair and my Ma Ma

They love each other

My favorite place


Her American Idol

Colin was so excited..

My sister got the babies matching onsies

And no trip to Florida is complete without a little visit to our good friend Tiger, or shall I say Cheetah Woods. Doesn't get old..

His Neighborhood

LuLu

There is a family in my in-laws ward that has touched my heart deeply. They have the most precious little girl named LuLu. You can read her story at liverforlulu.blogspot.com. I have followed their story of getting a new liver for LuLu, and as I am blogging now, she is receiving a new liver. I am so amazed with the strength of this family. LuLu's mother, Liz, is truly a hero in my eyes. I can't even comprehend wearing her shoes, even for one day. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the health of my family, and the strength to get me through whatever comes my way. Please pray for this family and little LuLu as see starts her road to a new healthy life. Good Luck LuLu!

Ho Ho Ho

Mr. Colin is 3 months old tomorrow (Christmas Eve). We will leave tomorrow night for Orlando to be with my side of the family. I am so excited for everyone to meet Colin. My parents and sister, Katie, are the only ones who have met him. Also the sun is a bonus..



Weight: 11 lbs 4 oz (10th percentile)

At 3 Months you are..

Smiling so big. You are so on the verge of giggles.
Rolling over from stomach to back.
You love to stand. You hold on to my fingers and stand till your little legs won't hold you
anymore.
You try and copy whatever sound we are saying to you, and you try and sing along with
everyone during church.
Grabbing for everything you can get your hands on.
Sleeping 10 plus hours during the night.
Want your bed when your sleepy and lets us know when its time. Only Grandpa can get you to
sleep without your bed.
You love your milk!



Colin is my buddy! I feel very grateful to be able to have a job that I get to take him with me. He is such a happy baby. I know he is spoiling us, that our next one will probably make us work ten times harder, so we are savoring every little moment.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

2 Months and Thanksgiving

I figured I better blog about his two month checkup, since he will be approaching his 3rd month here shortly. This is mainly for me, since I have not gotten is baby book bought.

2 months 2 weeks:

Weight 10 LBS even 15%

Height 21 1/2 inches 5-10% (we're hoping for a growth spurt any day now!)

He smiled/cooed at his doctor during his whole exam. This is major because usually he is screaming his head off.

Mom cried more during the shots.

Starting to loose that gorgeous hair of his! Maybe not really loosing, but its growing in lighter. One day looks like it might come in blonde, one day red. ( Elizabeth: We could have matching red heads.. I'm just sayin'..)

He is doing those big grins. The ones where you know any second he is going to bust out a huge belly laugh, but doesn't.. One day my little friend. He smiles at everything, which makes me feel great about myself!! I had the news on the other day and I caught him smiling so big at the news lady. I mean huge smiles over and over. I was kind of sad, cause it made me feel not as special.

He is sleeping mostly through the night, which makes for one happy mommy and daddy!

He loves his tummy time!!! I have never seen a baby so content on their tummy before. He has this little mat that he lays on and pushes up on his arms so he can look around. I wish it was safe for him to sleep on his tummy, because he loves it. Sometimes I have to put him on his tummy and rub his back so he'll fall asleep and then flip him over.

On to Thanksgiving..

This year we were with Kristopher's family. We all went down to St. George with my mother in laws family. We all stayed in condo's, but Kristopher's cousin has a GORGEOUS home there that we had the actually dinner at. We had so much fun visiting, shopping, making jewelery, and lots of other things. I had so many babysitters I felt like, I was childless. I love that this little boy has so many people who love him!

I have so much fun with his family. We always have such a good time! I feel really blessed to have married into such a wonderful family. Not only immediate family, but all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It makes being so far away from my side of our family so much easier.

This year I am especially thankful for family. It's comforting to know that they are there for me and my little family 100%. They bend over back words to help us with so much, give it big or small. I couldn't think of a better family to belong to than mine and Kristophers.


The Whole Schow Family (well close to it)

Boys cooking us breakfast

Uncle Parker

My Growing Boy

I have been the worst blogger!! These past two months have just flown by. I had so much fun with my family being here. We were able to do lots of fun things and they had lots and lots of baby Colin time. For Halloween Mr. Colin was a giraffe. He didn't quite fit into his costume, but nontheless, he still made my heart melt. Here are a few from Halloween and his first month.









And here are some from his two week old pictures we got taken.

His first month flew by way too fast! I loved every minute of it. Now I will work on his two month old post. Man I need to get better at this!

One Year

One Year

From Today

Today was mine and Kristopher's one year anniversary. I can't believe how fast it has gone by! I think back over this past year and it's hard to believe how much we managed to cram in one year. The biggest event being the birth of Colin.

We had the best day today! We blessed Colin which was so special. Kristopher gave him such a beautiful blessing! It was so nice to be surrounded by all of our family and friends. My parents are in town from Orlando, and I love being able to do things and have my family and Kristopher's family there.

And now a special note to my husband (warning: it might get mushy, so feel free to skip.)

This year has been the best year of my life! I am so grateful everyday for you and all that you do for our family. Thank you for loving me for who I am, and supporting me in all I do. You're my best friend, my soul mate, the love of my life, and the best part is that you're eternally mine! I love you 364 times more than I did this day last year. And I know everyday it will only grow stronger. I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect husband for me! Thank you for our beautiful son, and taking such good care of him. He is so lucky to have you as is Dad, and you have made me the luckiest girl in the whole wide world! I love you. I love you. I love you.

Colin Kristopher Brown

I would love to introduce to you, my little prince from above, Colin Kristopher Brown.



.

Day: Thursday, September 24th
Time: 10:00 AM
Weight: 6 Lbs 11 Oz
Height: 19 1/2 inches
Hair: LOTS of it!

I went into the hospital at 7:45 for my scheduled 9:30 c-section. I had the A team working with me, so I was prepped and ready to go right on the dot. Thirty minutes later my little guy was here. The first thing the Doctor said was " Did you have a lot of indigestion, cause this kid has a lot of hair." And I love it!

Everyone preps you for what an incredible feeling it is the moment your baby is here, but I had no idea! Later on I posted on Facebook that my cup runneth over, and thats the best way I can explain it. A overwhelming amount of emotion.

The c-section went well, and I had a great hospital stay. Colin had trouble eating at first, and dropped down to 5 lbs 12 oz, and I was afraid they were going to make him stay longer, but he started eating like a true Kreider.

My wonderful mother has come for a few weeks to help take care of us. She has been such a huge help and I really wonder how I could be doing this without her. I am loving every minute I get to be with her. I love my mommy! Thanks MOM!!!

We are so blessed to have all of Kristopher's family close by. They have all been so wonderful helping us with anything we need. My mother and father in-law became grandparents for the first time and they are already pro's! I'm so thankful for them and all they do for us!

He is such JOY!! I have loved every minute of him so far. I can't help but to just watch him and think that he is mine and Kristopher's forever. My heart is full!

When asked what I wanted him to look like, I would always say "a little Kristopher." And that I got!