Oh Christmas Tree

I made Shad promise me we would always get a real Christmas tree since that was my family's tradition. Of course we have had some very scary Christmas trees but that is all part of the experience...the tree's "character". Here are a few pictures of the adventure.

Before we could go and cut one down up Ephraim canyon, Kyson had to go on his motorcycle ride with Pa Pa (He really was excited to go but wasn't excited for the picture...can you tell?).

Christmas tree hunting... (notice Shad & Brox's matching overalls, Shad thinks he's funny)

The final product...we think it's our best Christmas tree ever!!

MEMORIES:

Our first Christmas tree... see what I mean about "character".

XOXO Melanie

The cutest letter ever!

This is a letter that Kyson got from my babysitter's daughter, Brooke. Kyson and Brooke have a very special relationship because he has been watched by Lindsay since he was around 7 months old. They are like brother and sister. I had to share her cute letter she wrote for him during a primary activity. I wish I had a color scanner so you could see the cute crayons she used. Thanks Brooke for always loving Ky!!

XOXO Melanie

My Thoughts

I know it has been awhile since I've updated my blog but I wanted to share some thoughts with you all. As most of you know Shad is a police officer in Las Vegas. Of course after people find that out the first question follows..."does that make you nervous"...which I always respond "not really". I saw the training Shad received and I know all of the safety precautions the police officers take to protect the community and each other. I also truly believe that yes everyone has their free agency and terrible things happen in this world but I also believe that there is a reason for everything in this life and if it is your time to go then the one's left behind can rely on Heavenly Father's love to keep us going through the hard times. This belief has helped me not worry and agonize over Shad's profession.

The day before Thanksgiving I sat at my office after we had closed at noon and watched a police officer's funeral live on the Internet. I started to understand what the scriptures mean when it says we need to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort". I have never been affected by what Shad does for a living as much as I did that day. The officer who died graduated with Shad in his academy, he is Shad's age, and his two children are almost the exact ages as our two. Although I was completely devastated by watching the funeral and trying to understand what that wife and mother was going through I was also amazed at the honor, respect, and love that poured out to this family. Our prayers are continually with this family.

If you want to read more about this police officer click on these two links.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11536030

http://photos.lasvegasnow.com/thumbnails.php?album=266&page=1

A quick thank you to my very close friend who has a husband that works for the FBI (you know who you are) who let me cry my eyes out to her and walked me through the emotions of that day. I LOVE YOU!!

XOXO Melanie

Brox's Stats

Brox had a check up (a couple of weeks ago) and he was 10 weeks old. These are his stats in case anyone is interested...

Weight: 13 lbs 5 oz

Length: 23 in

Yes we have a very HEALTHY baby! Kyson heard us call him chubby so now he walks up to the baby and says "Hi Chubby Bock". Crack me up!!

The picture was taken from Shad's cell right after he got weighed.

XOXO Melanie

Just when you think you want to give up...

Today is what I like to call "one of those days" and it goes like this. Yesterday my babysitter had an emergency so I stayed home with the boys and by 9 a.m. I was starting to feel sick and so by the end of the day I could barely keep my eyes open...which takes us into today. Ky wakes up earlier then normal and wants "shocolate milk" then Brox wakes up and needs to be fed and is fussier than normal. No big deal right? I proceed the morning like usual and Ky even walks into the bathroom, gets on the stool, pulls down his pants and pees all by himself. YEAH! My day starts to get better. Then he decides to pee all over the carpet. Then he goes to the bathroom again all by himself. Then he decides to pee all over the couch (that Shad & I just cleaned the night before). Ky goes to sleep but wakes up crying and fussy. I look at the clock ...it is only 3 p.m. ... I have 3 1/2 more hours to go before Shad gets home. Will I survive? My friend unexpectedly shows up to my house with cookie dough ... what!... I get my favorite snack and I didn't even have to make it (or clean it up). My day is getting better. Then Ky decides to pee on the stairs (while he is sitting in time out for hitting Brox).

Shad gets home at 6:30...

Melanie: "I have to get out of the house!"
Shad: "Ok"
Melanie: "Let's go out to eat."
Shad: "With both kids?"
Melanie: "No we can leave Ky home... Obi can babysit."

We ended up eating at a sit down restaurant (yes we did take both kids...was I asking for more trouble). We sit down and Brox immediately woke up from a deep sleep and started screaming...Mom can't find the binki...water is cold to make a bottle...baby won't take the cold bottle...strangers starring. Why didn't I just stay at home?

On literally the 4th trip to the potty with Ky, Shad was coming back and an older couple stopped Shad and said that they had been watching our table and wanted to let us know that they were "impressed with our children" she said they wouldn't have even known we had two small children because they were so quiet and well behaved... WHAT!!!! Shad & I think they couldn't hear us because the music was so loud but still ...they made my day!

It goes to show how a simple comment can help a struggling Mom want to keep going and stay positive. I hope I will notice that person that needs a little encouragement the next time I'm out and I can "Pay It Forward".

XOXO Melanie

Happy Halloween!!

Our family was invited to a Halloween party last Saturday. It was so much fun!!! The family that had the party is in our ward and they decorated their entire property. They had a haunted mansion, kids games, spooky treat and costume contests. The Rollo family won a prize for our costumes. We would like to thank our fans, everyone who voted, and friends for all of their love and support .... LOL! Seriously...it was a great time with probably a couple hundred people. SO AWESOME!!! A big thanks to the Clay family for all the work they put into such a great party.

The Rollo Rodeo Clowns... Ky wouldn't put the cowboy hat on the right way but I think it just added to the costume. Brox wanted to sport the hawaiian shirt under his overalls... cute as a button. Shad & I are proud clown parents.





XOXO Melanie

Brox's Blessing

On October 11 many family and friends came to watch Shad bless Brox. He gave a beautiful blessing and Brox looked absolutely handsome in his white tux. Shad always gives very specific and inspired blessings and I love that about him. A very special part of the day was my Grandpa Baugh was in town and was able to be apart of the circle. Because we live so far away from Great Grandparents they were unable to make it to Kyson's blessing and I don't think they will be able to make it down to very many of our family's other blessings, baptisms, etc., so that was extra special. Thank you to everyone who traveled to Vegas to be apart of that great day.

Milestone - Kyson

Kyson finally went poo poo in the potty today!!! I was so excited, we couldn't stop celebrating. I thought of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 episode when Kate took a picture of the girls poops....may be I should take a picture of this milestone....and then I respectively declined. You can all thank me later for that decision. Yeah for Kyson!! You are such a big boy and I love you so much.

XOXO A Proud Mommy

Professional Pics

Brox

4 Weeks Old

Thanks again Katy!!

XOXO Melanie

Brox is 6 weeks old...

Quick Update...

Brox went to his one month check up (at almost six weeks old... may be on the next child we'll actually make it in to the doctors office at four weeks old) and here are his stats.

Weight: 10 lbs 15 oz (reminder he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz at birth). The doctor said the average baby gains one pound in the first month so my little tank is triple the average.

Length: 22 inches (19 inches at birth).

This past week Brox started smiling and so most of his wake time is consumed by all of us trying to get him to smile and cooh at us. :) I love newborns!!!

P.S. Kyson is doing better at "pee" training but he is not doing the "poo" training at all... any advice?? Also, he doesn't tell us when he needs to go the bathroom yet. We just have to remember to take him to the potty. Any suggestions??

P.S.S. Kyson went to church for all three hours for the first time since potty training and he did not have one accident!!! YEAH for Ky!!

P.S.S.S. The picture of Brox is one of many adorable photos taken by my cousin Katy Anderson. I will post more of those pics soon. Thanks again Katy!!!

XOXO Melanie

Potty training nightmares...

We started potty training Kyson last Monday. The first few days we thought we were crazy. After doing literally 20 loads of laundry from going through underwear and shorts a million times a day, I wanted to throw in the towel and give up. The last couple of days we thought Kyson had taken a turn for the better and had only a couple accidents all day. This morning I bragged to my Mom and told her Ky was doing great and we had even taken him out of the house last night to play on the playground. Well let's just say I should have knocked on wood after that statement...because it is only 12:30 and he has already had 5 accidents!!!! In three short hours he has peed and leaked on our couch, cushions, pillows, carpet, and tile. Seriously, what were Shad & I thinking???

XOXO Melanie

Pictures tell the story...

Shad and I at 5:30 a.m. on September 4th...heading to the hospital for Baby #2!!



Shad is ready to support me during the surgery... I think he just likes to get dressed up :)

There are no words to describe the feeling you have when you meet one of your children for the very first time.

Kyson meeting Brox for the first time.



My good friend had her baby the day before me... a beautiful little girl named Avery. (Please don't judge my appearance... I had only been done with the C-Section less than 3 hours and I threw up right when they walked in the room... sorry about that again Lindsey and Cory).



The supporting troops...



Leaving the hospital...Kyson had to ride on the wheelchair too...two of the cutest boys you will ever see!!!



Brox's cute mullet and bum!!

Oh yeah...and this happened the first morning home. We woke up to Brox crying and found Kyson had crawled into the crib and was trying to pick Brox up. I of course freaked out...but no worries we now have the child-proof door knobs on the nursery so Kyson can't get in.

XOXO Melanie

Kyson's Birthday Details

I know I'm back-tracking a little but I wanted to post details of Kyson's birthday. We planned to get together with Kyson's babysitter (Lindsay) and her family for a small party at their community pool. Let's just say Lindsay and her family completely spoiled Ky. So a BIG thanks to the Bean family for making Kyson's birthday so special...it definitely would not have been the same without you guys.

Kyson loves swimming in the pool...can you tell??

The party crowd...these kids are all so cute!!

The cutest cupcakes I have ever seen. Lindsay got the Elmo cupcakes just for Kyson. He even got his own little cake.

This was by far his favorite birthday gift...his very own BOLT!!! He now sleeps with it every night.

That night we went with my cousins and friends to the Las Vegas 51s game. Kyson loved watching the baseball game and even got a free hat. There were fireworks at the end of the game that we watched from our car on our way out. He loved "da booms".

Thanks again to everyone who made that day so much fun for Kyson. We really appreciated it!!

XOXO Melanie

Brox Brian Rollo

Brox Brian Rollo

Born: September 4, 2009

Time: 7:57 a.m.

Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz.

Heigth: 19''

**A BIG thanks to my cousin Katy Anderson for taking these photos...she is awesome!! He was 3 days old.

XOXO Melanie