Let's play in the petri dish!

So, today Julie and I took the kids to Arctic Circle for lunch. After lunch, we let the kids play in the play area. Or, as I like to call it: The Petri Dish. Maybe I'm just a germ freak (okay, I am), but I think those play areas are totally gross. And, to the naked eye, the one at Arctic Circle looks quite clean. But, to me, it pretty much looks like the picture to the left. (lol) The girls had a great time, though. I almost wish I could have one of those in my yard. Well, I guess I could if I had an extra $20-30K sitting around.

So, that's how we spent our Leap Day. What did you do? Oh, and speaking of Leap Day, I had a little promise I made to the girls quite a while ago. When they would both be screaming and crying, I would tell them, "It's no crying day today." Then, I would add that every February 29 they could cry and whine all they wanted. Now, I kinda wish I wouldn't have said that. I think Hannah may have taken me literally.

Greg and I get to go on a date tomorrow night!! Greg's parents offered to watch the girls while we go out for the evening. I am so grateful for them. Plus, we really need a night out together since we won't be able to for a couple weeks. Greg is leaving on Sunday to go to Georgia for 2 weeks for firearms training. Woo hoo for me!! :(

The weather is slowly getting warmer! I'm so happy, because I really enjoy running, but I only like to do it outside. I really dislike running on the treadmill. Even with the TV going, it's just so boring. Plus, I have no motivation to run on the treadmill. I love running outside, and I'm motivated because I always have a goal. When I'm out running, my goal is always to make it home. (lol) So, if I get out a mile away, I know I HAVE to go another mile. On the treadmill, I can stop whenever. I never thought I would like running. I just started doing it last summer, and now I really enjoy it. Oh, BTW, that is not a picture of me. I'm sure you thought it was. It's just some random runner.

I'm going crazy!!

Yeah, that's right. This is part of my new spring wardrobe. Do you like it? I have it in black, too. :) I feel like I've been cooped up for so long, that I should be in one of these. (LOL) Thankfully, the girls are feeling much better today, so hopefully I'll be able to loosen the straps of my straighjacket soon. No fevers and only a little congestion makes Brandi a happy girl.

So, tonight I actually get to get out of the house by myself. Yay!! I'm going to put together freezer meals with some ladies in our ward. I spent a couple hours this morning cooking chicken breasts to take for tonight. Now, if I could only be that motivated to make my own dinner for tonight.

As I was cleaning the kitchen today, the girls were sitting at the table eating some yogurt. I suddenly look over, and Brooklyn had slathered strawberry banana yogurt all over in her hair. Yummy. Hannah was very concerned and telling me all about it. I wiped Brooklyn's hair with a wash cloth and set her down. Then, Hannah picked up the wash cloth, went over to Brooklyn, and wiped some yogurt off Brooklyn's shirt, too. Ah, sisterly love.

Well, the girls are down for a nap right now, so I'm going to try and get some more things done.

Happy Birthday, Mandee!

Today is my friend Mandee's 31st birthday. Happy Birthday, Mandee! Go Shorty, it's your birthday! We're gonna party like it's your birthday! We'll sip Bacardi like it's your birthday! (Okay, maybe not that!) ;) Click here to hear 50 Cent's version. Oh, and BTW, that's not a picture of Mandee on the right. That's 50 Cent, in case you didn't know. (hehehehe)

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Mandee!

Something fun!

I just thought I would also post something fun today. Here are my celebrity look alikes. (hahaha) I don't really think I look like them, they are just the ones who popped up.

We're so charitable!

I don't mean to brag, but I just wanted everyone to know how charitable we are. What have we done? No, we didn't go and volunteer hours somewhere, or do some philanthropic work overseas. We have invited more into our home that didn't have a home before. You heard me. We have now invited influenza to move in with Hannah, and we decided we also had room for an ear infection with Brooklyn. Ah, it feels good to share.

On another note, the girls had their 2 year check up yesterday, and it couldn't have fallen on a better day since the girls were sick. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. (LOL) Anyway, other than being sick, the girls are doing awesome! Here are their stats: Hannah (weight: 24 lb. 5 oz., 32 1/2 inches tall); Brooklyn (weight: 20 lb. 15 oz., 31 inches tall). They are both on the small side; Hannah is in the 25th %tile for height and weight, and Brooklyn is in the 5th %tile for height and weight. But, they have huge noggins. Hannah is in the 90th %tile for head circumference, and Brooklyn is in the 75th %tile. They have really large brains.

One FLU over the Stuart's nest

Awesome! Look at this picture. This is an electron micrograph picture of the Influenza A virus. Influenza is running rampant across Utah. And the Stuart's, trying to "keep up with the Joneses," so to speak, have decided to join the ranks of those infected. Yes, that's right. Poor little Brooklyn has been diagnosed with Influenza A. :( She's been coughing a little for a few days, then started with a fever yesterday afternoon. She ran one all last night and into today. Since I was a little concerned about her breathing, I took her in to the doctor. The nurse stuck the lovely swabs up Brooklyn's nose, and ran the tests for Influenza and RSV. Thankfully, she doesn't have RSV, too. We got her started on Tamiflu tonight, so hopefully her bout with the flu will be a short one. And, we're hoping that Hannah stays healthy. She doesn't act extremely miserable or anything, which could be due to the fact that she had a flu shot. So, hopefully she'll get over it more quickly.

Brooklyn was so cute in the night last night. Even though she didn't feel well, she was so sweet to me. I went in to check on her, and felt her head, which was burning up. She looked up and me, and in the sweetest little voice said, "Hi, Mommy." What a little angel. All the while, my darling Hannah was quietly snoring away. :)

So, the moral of the story is this: The flu is going around like crazy. I hope you all don't end up with those cool looking Influenza bugs inside you.

Cereal, cereal everywhere!

Okay, so if you haven't tried ChocoNilla Cocoa Krispies, you need to. They are scrumdiddliumtious! I'd like to thank Bree for introducing them to me. The first time I got them, I decided to try some, and ended up eating a bowl for lunch. I love them! They're not as chocolatey as Cocoa Krispies (which I also like), and they have just a hint of vanilla. Yummy! Try 'em!

So, speaking of cereal, I'm a total cereal addict. Almost every time I go to the store, I pick up at least a couple boxes. My cereal shelf in my pantry is over filled with cereal boxes. It's starting to look like Jerry Seinfeld's cereal collection on his shelf on the show "Seinfeld." We eat lots of cereal. Some that I love are: Cinnamon Life, Honey Bunches of Oats (with almonds, peaches, cinnamon clusters, plain), Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Chex, Count Chocula, Frosted Flakes, Kix, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms, Reese's Puffs, Vanilla Cream Mini Wheats, Fruit Loops, and many more. I love cereal, and I could probably eat it for most meals.

So, today, I took the girls to the mall to meet up with my mom, sister, and her kids. We were at Macy's, and Brooklyn didn't look like she felt so great. We went to the food court, and realized that she was burning up with fever. She drank a little, then started to eat, and seemed to feel a little better. Her fever actually came down a little. So, I took the girls home, gave Brooklyn some ibuprofen, and gave them a nap. Brooklyn seems okay now. She's still a little warm, but acting pretty good. I bet she just has a case of whatever I have.

Oh, and Greg got home just about an hour after we got home. Yay! It will be nice to have Daddy home for the weekend!

Hmmm, now just to figure out what to have for dinner. . . . . Takeout, anyone?

Bored out of my gourd!

That's right. I'm bored out of my gourd. Yesterday, I felt like crap, with a fever of 102-103, and a sore throat. My throat's much better today and my fever is gone, but now I have a bit of a cough. Probably bronchitis or something. Woo hoo! But, I'm super bored. Greg's been gone since Tuesday, so it's just been me and the girls. Now, don't get me wrong, they're a lot of fun, but our conversations don't go much beyond "Do you want a cookie?" "Let's change your bum," and "Don't hit your sister!" So, my fun and adult conversation for the day will probably be going to the drive through at the bank.

If Greg would get me a PS2 like I've asked him to about a thousand times, I might not be so bored. Then, I could be rockin' out with Guitar Hero 3, dancing with my DDR, or singin' songs with the karoake. Maybe one of these days he'll take the hint and get me one. (LOL) It's kinda funny because usually it's the guy who wants a gaming system. Not Greg. I'm the one who wants one, and I think it's actually pretty funny.

Well, I'm making homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner. It will be the first time I've actually cooked this week. (Shhh, don't tell Greg.)

Anyway, I hope everyone's having a lovely day.

See ya later, Greg!

So, Greg left for Vegas today. He had some work to do there. So, it's just the girls and me this week. Hmmm, what should we do? Well, we'll probably eat out a little more than usual so I don't have to cook. (LOL!) I think I hear Cafe Rio calling my name! Mmmmmmmm!

Yesterday, Greg and I went and saw the movie "Definitely, Maybe." It was so cute. I'd recommend it if you're wanting to go to the theaters.

Hannah and Brooklyn are talking more all the time. On Sunday, during sacrament meeting, I bowed my head and closed my eyes for the sacrament prayer. Hannah, who was on my lap, looks up and me and loudly says, "Wake up!" I opened my eyes and said, "Shhhh." Then, she got all excited, and screamed a happy scream. Then, Brooklyn pipes in and says, "No screaming, Hannah!" They are hilarious!

One of the funniest things Hannah said pretty recently was at our friends', Jamie and Mandee's, house. Hannah was trying to sit on their computer chair and play on the computer. I, obviously, wasn't going to let her do that, and told her "no" and took her down. She kept trying to get up, and I kept taking her off the chair. Finally, when I realized my attempts were futile, I picked her up to take her out of their office. Of course, she was screaming and flailing around like I was kidnapping her. As I walked past a picture of Jesus on their wall, Hannah reached out her arms and yelled, "Jesus, I get you, I get you!" She wanted Jesus to save her from her mean mommy. (LOL!) That was one of the funniest yet!

Oh, I wanted to give a shout out to Bree and the Carnahan clan. I hope they're all feeling better soon. Everyone, except Kennedy, has Influenza. Poor Bree also has a sinus infection and brochitis. :( I hope you're all doing better soon. ((hugs))

Happy Birthday Brooklyn and Hannah!

Wow! I can't believe my babies are 2 today. They are growing up so fast.

Brooklyn and Hannah decided to come into the world 6 1/2 weeks early. They just couldn't wait to get here. They were born on the morning of February 16, 2006. Brooklyn came first at 7:54 AM, weighing 4 lb. 6 oz. Hannah was born at 7:57 AM, and weiged 5 lb. 2 oz. They spent their first 19 days in the NICU. Here is a picture of them back then (Brooklyn-left, Hannah-right):

Fast forward to today. They are now 2 years old and extremely busy little girls. They are talking like crazy and are each other's best buddies. What truly amazing little girls we have. We are so blessed to have Hannah and Brooklyn in our lives.

Their birthday party today was a blast. They had a great time with everyone, and loved all their gifts. Thanks to everyone who came. We love you all. I wanted to share a couple of pics from their party today.

Happy Birthday, my little sweethearts! Daddy and I love you with all our hearts. You bring us so much joy! We are the luckiest parents in the world.

Happy Love Day!

So, today's Valentine's Day, and I took my little sweet loves to lunch at the Olive Garden today. Too bad Greg wasn't there, too. Hannah was actually eating salad. She loved it. So, I bought some salad dressing from them. I figure it's a good opportunity to get my kids to eat more veggies. (Shh, don't tell them.)

So, speaking of Valentine's Day, Greg got me the cutest little silver ladybug. It's about as big as the palm of my hand and a couple inches tall. It has a music box inside that plays "You Are My Sunshine." It's so adorable!

And, while we're on the subject, I got my hair cut and colored on Tuesday. I feel like a new woman, and I don't feel like a hobo anymore.

It's a lot shorter than it was before, and I like it. Well, except for the fact that it's suddenly dropped to temperatures of Arctic proportions, and I no longer have my hair covering my neck (Brrrrrr!)

Speaking of being cold, I ventured out this morning pretty early to go to the local RedBox. Why would anyone be so crazy? Well, it's because I wanted to get a particular movie and figured I would find it. I found "Martian Child," but still didn't get "No Reservations."

Oh, BTW, I would like to pass the torch to Nicole from the questions in my last entry. So, Nicole, go for it!

Fine, then! Here's your answers, Bree.

1. Are you wearing socks right now? Yes because I just took off my boots. My feet are still cold, though. And, I haven't painted my toenails in ages.
2. What is on your to do list today? Do you really think you will do this today? Well, for tomorrow, I need to figure out something for dinner, stock up for food and treats for the girls' birthday party, and dust the house. I'll probably do everything but dust. (LOL!)
3. What is your worst habit? I pick at my fingernails and tear them off.
4. What is your favorite snack? When I'm not being healthy, I like cookies or Hershey's kisses. When I'm being healthy, I like peanuts, yogurt or sunflower seeds.
5. What is the worst fashion mistake you've ever made? Ooooh, that's a tough one. It's got to be a toss-up between baggy shirts and pants during the grunge era or huge, permy hair with big bangs.
6. What is your favorite and least favorite household chore? I like to vacuum and clean my kitchen sink. I need instant gratification and be able to see progress. I hate dusting and laundry.
7. When was the last time you slept past 8 AM? Probably back in the late Fall when I had strep throat.
8. Name one song you know all the lyrics to? Hmmm, I know quite a few. Older: "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. Newer: "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies.
9. Who was you first date when you were 16? Well, I think my first date was Homecoming my sophomore year, but I wasn't 16 yet. I went with Josh Priest and we had a great time.
10. Do you prefer to bake or cook? I love baking. I love making treats, but I probably love baking because I love eating treats, too. And, I love to try making new treats. I especially love baking more since I got my KitchenAid mixer!

Love ya, Bree! Now, I want my bar.

A new crock pot makes all the difference.

So, I had had the same crock pot since we got married. I love using it, but the dang thing would cook everything to death. Everything turned out dry. (Think the turkey on Christmas Vacation) I kept asking people how they prepare different things in their slow cookers, realized that I did the same things, and decided that it must be my crock pot. So, about 3 weeks ago, we got me a new one at Kohl's. So far, everything I've made in it has turned out great, and nothing has been dry. Yay! I love cooking in the crock pot. Last night, I made a roast in it, and it was delish. Mmmmm.

Most mornings, Hannah and Brooklyn get up and want to watch a show. They'll say, "A show," and look at me with those innocent eyes, and I just can't resist turning on Noggin. This morning, Brooklyn comes up to me and says, "That show. That show." When she says that, she means "Toy Story 2." I asked her if she wanted to watch Toy Story, and she said, "Yeah."

Speaking of Toy Story, Disney/Pixar is set to release "Toy Story 3" on June 18, 2010. I'll have to keep my girls watching the first two so they'll be well prepared for the premiere of the third in two years.

Today, I'm getting my hair cut and colored. It's long overdue as I'm starting to look somewhat homeless. I can't wait! I love getting my hair done, mostly because it makes me feel good, but partly because I'm by myself for a little bit.

I can't believe my girls are going to be 2 this Saturday! Where has the time gone? :( We're going to have a party on Saturday with lunch, cake and ice cream. I think I'm going to make a big layer cake to look like a giant cupcake, then make some cupcakes to serve as well. I think their party "theme" this year will just be Valentine's Day or something cutesy like that. I'm sure they'll have a great birthday.

Well, I guess I'll give it a go!

Hey, everyone! I decided to start this blog because of peer pressure. LOL!

So, on Friday, some stupid old guy backed into the front of our Blazer. I went over and parked in front of the RedBox at McDonald's. I got my movie, got in the car, looked behind me (this is very important), and backed up. Then, I saw this Pacifica backing up a couple stalls down. I decided to stay where I was because the guy looked like he wasn't watching where he was going (he wasn't). Needless to say, he kept backing up, I honked my horn, and he backed right into the Blazer. What a freaking idiot! We got out and saw that thankfully there was no damage. He said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't even see you." I didn't really say much, but I was thinking, "Well, if you'd been looking, you would have seen me clearly. Thank goodness he didn't hit a child.

Yesterday, I took the girls with the Strands over to Syracuse High School and went tubing. It was Hannah and Brooklyn's first time tubing, and they loved it. Every time they'd go down the hill, they kept saying, "Again, again!" The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, and they had a wonderful time. Hopefully, we can get them out again this week.

Well, that's it for now. Have a great day!