Another lone weekend

One more year to go. One more year of Tyler being gone on drill weekends, and me being left behind with the chaos of unhappy baby and two dogs. Plus whatever else is thrown my way. I know I've said this before but it just so happens that when Tyler leaves for drill everything that could go wrong does. So this weekend was no different. I could feel on Thursday that Hallie and I were getting sick. Now with me it's no problem, but Hallie has never been sick before and I had no idea what I was going in to. So with this miserable sick teething baby, the two of us got 3 hours of sleep last night, and no naps today. How's that for fun. I had my occasional break down today because of it. I love my little girl, more than words can say, but sometimes I get so discouraged having such a hard baby. I understand all babies are tough, but I've had multiple people tell me they've never seen a baby like her. She still cries all day long, and she's seven months old. I don't know what Heavenly father wants me to get out of this. I already had patience, if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to get through the last seven months. So what am I supposed to be learning? It is so hard being alone with her sometimes. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It makes me appreciate my husband so much.

So I sit here, on the couch with soup, blankets, movies, and a now passed out baby (yay), reflecting on what has been new in our lives. One big one...we sold the Xterra. Funny story. A couple weekends ago we were bored and thought we would go test drive SUV's. We both fell in love with the idea of upgrading to a bigger car, even more when we found out that most get more mpg than Rex was getting (10!!) so we thought hey let's just put it on craigslist and see if anyone's interested. A few years ago I had true to run over a Yukon and failed miserably and we still hadn't gotten it fixed so it had some bumper damage. Within thirty minutes of posting we were getting tons of calls. So the next day we sold it. Then the stress came of finding a new car. After lots of research a Lincoln navigator fell into our hands. We went to test drive it and fell in love. So we paid cash for it and even had extra from the Xterra! It worked out so well and we love our new car!
Update on Hallie: she's got two teeth now! Just in time for Easter! Little bunny rabbit. Even though she's turning into a high maintenance diva, she is still as cute as ever, and will be crawling any day now!
I can't wait for this new month ahead of us. Next weekend a friend and I are going to see Wicked!! And then the hunger games movie will be coming out and I already have tickets! I finally started the first book last week and now I'm in the third and can't put it down. I am also crazy excited that I talked Tyler into coming to Redding with me an we bought our plane tickets!!! We'll be there the end of may and I CAN NOT wait!!!!!! There will be nothing better than sharing that large piece of me with Tyler and Hallie. So life is pretty good here, just managing a grumpy baby most days. And those are my pointless ramblings to pass the time away!

Valentines Day

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday, despite your relationship status. I've always loved Valentines Day. My parents always did a great job making it so we grew up knowing its not just a holiday to reflect upon having a significant other or not, but to show your love to others. I always couldn't wait to wake up with our heart gaped balloon and candy in our rooms, or to come home from school and see a little something waiting on my bed. I hope I can do the same for Hallie!
This year we kept it simple. We let Hallie open her present when she woke up. She got a special valentines day book and she was ecstatic. I can't begin to say how much i love her love for books, I just pray it stays this way! We went over to Bekah's, Hallie got her BFF Hadley a headband and a fluffy pink unicorn that said BFF on it. She even colored her a card ( I'm not kidding, I have her the card and a market and she turned into an artist..I was so proud). Hadley got Hallie a few soft books and a music and lights toy. She loves them. I'm so thankful for having a good friend with a baby around Hallies age. I love watching them grow up together. After our play date we went and ate lunch with Tyler so he could see his present. I had decorated the front door with a huge heart that said "I love you more than..." and then a ton of little hearts with different ways of finishing the sentence. He got a kick out of it. I drove out to Queen Creek later and got my hair done. With just a few highlights, I'm looking a lot more blonde. I really like it and it's been fun to have a little change. I dropped Hallie off at my moms while I was out and then headed home. Tyler and I grilled steaks, veggies, and pineapple and we enjoyed a nice dinner at home by ourselves. Then, because we're such wild things, we took a trip to Walmart to get groceries! Ya, we've hit that point in our marriage. Our version of a night out is going to buy much needed groceries without having to entertain a six month old the whole time. It was so nice. Hallie came home after that and we put her to bed and watched a few Criminal minds (addicted). Overall it was a nice and relaxing day, which is sometimes better than going out with the rest of the world. Tyler and I are going to a Suns game tonight while Kinzie watches Hallie. Yay basketball! I'm so thankful for family being so willing to watch my baby so Tyler and I can get out and spend time together sometimes!

Been a while

It feels like forever since I have posted last. Probably because I had gotten on a roll of updating this thing, and I lost it for a while. I would love to blame it on the fact that we've just had so many fun exciting things going on, but sadly, I think the reason I haven't blogged about anything is because our life had gotten pretty boring. But now we have noteworthy news (don't get too excited though)
Well our 6 month curse got to us again. When we moved into the house we were renting we expected to be in it for a year and then try to buy it. But then we saw the price tag for the short sale (probably three times what it's worth) and kinda gave up. Next thing we knew it was getting foreclosed on and we had to be out. So after lots of hair pulling, praying, crying, and stressful nights we decided to go back to an apartment that Tylers work owns. At first it was going to be out in queen creek, but the week of move in we found out that the complex where Tyler works in Mesa had an apartment open and it made more sense. Plus it had an attached two car garage. So I spent the week packing up while Tyler was at work. You would think by now I would be a pro at moving, but every six months when we do it makes me despise it even more. We spent our nights over at the apartment painting to add some color. One plus about having your husband work where you live is you get free access to paint (usually $75 a wall!). Friday night we signed our lease and moved a couple boxes over. Saturday morning direct tv set up, and we met a few ward and family members at the house. We ended up having my xterra, four big trucks and two trailers and got everything moved over in one trip. It was so nice. We were unpacked that day and are settling in nicely. Except for our noisy upstairs neighbors whos child runs around till midnight. But once again, the joy of having your husband work where you live, they now have a ten day notice to move out. Don't mess with my husband and his sleep :) I thought living at the complex would be kinda weird and I would hate it being used to the house. But I am loving it. It is so nice to have Tyler right here and have everything at our fingertips. Since he does maintenance he knows every inch of the apartment and is able to fix everything. He comes home for lunch and I see him several times during the day. I love it! We also have worked out a schedule where he works out early in the morning and then comes home to watch Hallie so I can go work out. Yay for getting back into shape!

Hallie turned six months yesterday and is growing up way too fast. She's now 15.2 pounds and 27.5 inches long. She's teething right now so she hasn't been the happiest child (I'm used to it by now) but her little personality is starting to blossom and she makes u laugh on a daily basis. We adore her so much!
I also started watching a four year old boy part of the week. It's going to be such a blessing to have me getting a paycheck again. Now we can really start saving, but I also won't feel bad spending all of Tyler's money. He's such a cutie, so smart, and loves Hallie. And it's really nice to have help with keeping her entertained. Two kids actually is easier than just one. But no...were not talking baby yet

I think that about sums up what's new in Peel world right now. We are loving life right now and are so thankful for answered prayers and the blessings of tithing that have been pouring down on us lately. 2012 is starting out great for us already, and I hope it's doing the same for all of you!

Gotta add some pictures of my sweet girl :) we just think she is the cutest

2011

Happy New Year! The year has come to an end! And what an eventful one it has been! Tyler and I were able to sit down and reflect on all the events of the past year, and thought we would write them all down on here.

January: I went to my first doctors appointment to confirm that my sickness for the past 2 months was indeed a little baby starting to grow! Our year started off drastic right away! Tyler's sister McKinzie also got married so we welcomed our first brother-in-law Michael into the family. My brother Chad also received his mission call. Nervously, he announced that he would be going to serve in the Lansing, Michigan mission!

February: Tyler started back into school. He was taking online classes at Western International University to further his interest in criminal behavior. We also celebrated our first Valentines Day being married. Tyler took me and my pregnant self to Dave and busters for dinner and some fun. We enjoyed doing something different for that special day.

March: In march, Tyler quit his job at the Berge Mazda/ Volkswagon dealership because he got a new offer as an assistant manager at a UPS store. On march 10th we had our 20 week drs appointment where we got to find out what we were having. Our little Hallie was a girl! We had the name picked out already, since it's my grandpa's moms name, and since she was due on mine and my grandpas birthday, we thought it was fitting. A few days later my brother Chad left on his mission! It was a crazy emotional time for our family, but now this much later we know he was sent to Michigan for all the right reasons!

April: we couldn't recall anything special in April. Just a healthy growing belly and baby!

May: I really had no intentions to do this, but we celebrated my first mothers day since I was expecting. I felt like I was cheating the system because I did not feel like a mom yet. But Tyler wouldn't let that happen. The funny man got me a case of mountain dew and a gift card to mcDonalds, the things I had been craving. I led a healthy pregnancy lifestyle ok? We also moved into yet another apartment in May. It was a little bigger, had another bathroom and hallie's room was going to be huge. We were able to combine her room with the guest bedroom and had plenty of extra space. The end of May the school year finished, all my kiddos graduated onto junior high, and I was done working. I had the next two months to get settled and have lots of me time before hallie would be here.

June: The first week of June we were able to go back up to Camp Tatiyee where Tyler got to work as a counselor and I was kind of just present with my big belly. We love camp and everything it has to bring and we were so glad we were able to be back this summer since I wasn't able to be working up there the whole time! After we got home we had our chocolate lab Lacey fixed. I had gotten tired of her being in heat, and I knew I wouldn't be able to do it with baby. She did really well and has been ten times better ever since! We also celebrated Fathers day this year. Tyler just so happened to get a new phone since his broke a couple days before it. I spoil him.

July: this was the first year (I think ever) I did not do anything for the 4th of July. I was now 9 months pregnant, and feeling miserable. So we spent the night in the pool, where gravity could take away the weight of my huge belly. We didn't even watch the fireworks on tv. Lame, I know. The middle of July Tyler left to Colorado for two weeks of Annual Training with the army. I was so nervous the baby would come while he was gone. We also moved into a rental house the day Ty left. Thanks to my dad and bros for helping! To waste the time away, I decided to chance going to San Diego for a week with my dad and brothers (I was 38 weeks along yikes). It was so nice being able to lay on the beach (like a beached whale) and have one last me trip. When I got back, we found out I was already dilating, and with that the army sent Tyler back a week early. So thankful for that. We got to spend that week together for the last time. That next Sunday I went into labor, and then on July 26th we had our beautiful little Hallie at 3:32 am!

August: on the 3rd it was my birthday where I turned the big 22! We also left Hallie for the first time. My mom watched her while we went to dinner.
Tyler and I also received callings this. month for our new ward. He was called to be an 11 year old scout leader, and later an elders quorum teacher. I was called to lead music in relief society.

September: after lots of drama, Tyler quit UPS and started working for an apartment complex where he is now. He loves it and is so thankful for this job. This year marked the 10th anniversary for September 11th. Then on the 25th we celebrated our first anniversary! We went to dinner and I finally, after years, talked Ty into going ice skating. He was a pro.

October: we put on the 13 days of Hallieween. We had lots of outfits and activities geared towards Halloween. For Halloween, Hallie was a grumpy ladybug and Tyler and I were batman and robin.

November: Tyler turned 24 on the 6th! Old man. And Hallie had her first Thanksgiving. She also started eating solids.

December: with hallie's love of all things that light up, we went to temple lights twice, and zoo lights. Tyler and I hadn't been to zoo lights since we were really little. Hallie also had her first Christmas! Luckily she was in a great mood and everything went really well.

It's been an eventful 2011, but we have been blessed beyond belief. Thank you to all our friends and family who have supported and done so much for us this year. We are so thankful for everyone in our lives, and we hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy new year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone so quickly. I felt like I had all the time in the world to decorate, bake, and shop. But soon it was a week till Christmas and I was still finding a long to-do list. I am so not looking forward to packing up all my Christmas things. Would it be completely white trash of me to keep it up for a little longer?
We ended up piercing Hallie's ears this month. She looks so stinking cute! She did really well. We luckily caught her on a good day. She fussed a little after the first one, mostly because Tyler had to hold her arms down, but then we gave her juice and she was fine. She started grabbing at everything a few days before Christmas. She went from not reaching for anything, to waking up one day and trying to get everything. I was so excited because Christmas just wouldn't be as much fun with her just sitting there! We also got to go to zoo lights and temple lights this month. Hallie loves all things lights so she was so good on our outings! It was fun taking her. Christmas eve we went to Tyler's aunt and uncles house on his mom's side. We ate dinner and had a gift exchange which was so fun. Then we came home and packed the truck (it looked like we were leaving home for a week. Traveling with a child and two dogs plus presents required us to borrow Grandpa's truck to be able to fit everything). We headed out to my moms and got our Christmas jammies. Hallie got cute reindeer ones, Ty got batman, my brothers got beevis an d butthead and transformers, and I got Harry potter! All 5 of us slept in my moms room like every year. Hallie was the most hyper out of everyone. I don't know why, she had no idea what was goin on, but she was up talking till 11 which is so not like her. We woke up early ( I woke Hallie up since she usually sleeps in till 9, I was just too excited) and opened stockings and presents. Then we got to talk to my brother Chad who is in Michigan on a mission. It as so good talking to him! We were even able to face chat with him for a few hours so we were able to see him and Chad got to meet hallie! She even threw up on the camera for him. After my mom's we dropped the dogs off back at home and headed to Tyler's aunts for his dads side. We spent some time with them, and then headed to my dads for dinner. It was a long long day. All said and done, Hallie got lots of toys, a play mat, a couple pianos, and a stroller. She had so much fun opening everything and being so excited. I loved playing Santa! Tyler got off road lights, money, p90x, clothes, new Oakley lenses, and a few other small things. I got a sewing machine, a cricut, a food processor ( wow I guess I really am a Mormon wife/mom) and a couple other things. We have the best family and are so thankful for everyone's generosity!
I am so sad to say goodbye to this season, it is my absolute favorite. I love all the things Christmas brings. Family, friends, faith, hope, love. And miracles! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Chatter box

Have you ever wished you could get a small glimpse into your future? Well I think in the last few days I have. And it's full of phone calls and notes home from school. Hallie loves to talk. If you're paying any attention to her she'll babble your ear off. She thinks it's the funniest thing. Especially at four in the morning, where she'll cry and cry until Tyler or I go in her room and then she just talks. She loves babbling along with Christmas songs. She'll do it in the car when we're listening to Christmas music. She did it yesterday in Sacrament when the primary got up to sing Picture a Christmas. And she loves talking to the tv when she's watching backyardigans. We have quite the talker. And however cute I think it is right now ( it makes me so stinkin happy) I guarantee it'll get her into some trouble if she keeps it up. But boy is it funny. I love having a happy baby now. I deserve it after the four tough months we had. I absolutely adore the time I spend with her now while she smiles and talks to me. I just love this girl to pieces!

On a side note..Christmas is in 13 days and I have done zero shopping for anyone. That's what a happy baby does to you. Distraction! I feel so behind!

Pros and cons

Wow it's been awhile. Where the heck did November go? Not that I'm complaining, I love December! But that sure went fast. Time goes by so much faster when you have a baby. It's both a great and a bad thing. Here's a list of bad and good things that have been going on in the Peel house.
Pro: I got my new phone!! I've pretty much been waiting since the day I signed the contract for my old one. After getting lost in Phoenix and running out of gas one night, and my phone was choosing not to work, we decided it was time to push the upgrade. I jumped on the iPhone bandwagon, but I love it
Con: Tyler had drill Friday, Saturday, Sunday for November so it was me and Hallie flying solo. I gotta admit it was nice to just have her to focus on though
Pro: Thanksgiving! I love me some food!
Pro: Hallie turned 4 months old on the 26th. She's blooming into quite the funny little lady
Pro: We switched to a new pediatrician who I love! After 5 minutes explaining Hallie's problems he put her on a medicine that has already helped
Con: we had to go to one more appointment with our old pediatrician where she told me if Hallie wasn't so interactive she would think she was developmentally disabled (seriously?) that I was over stimulating her with toys cuz she can't see colors, and that I needed to join a support group because I am boring my curious baby and that's why she screams so much. Psycho much?
Pro: it's December! and my holiday decoration are up! Nothing better than having a house light up from Christmas lights!
Pro: the weather has been fantastic lately. Cold enough to have my favorite bedtime snack (besides cereal). Nothing warms you from head to toes before bed like toast and hot chocolate.
Pro: Picos made tamales allll day long today. And we definitely have a batch in the fridge, and one in the freezer
Con: I'm not looking forward to splitting my time and attention between families for Christmas. I wish I could just combine all my families because it stresses me out
Pro: we got switched to the formula plan from WIC. Which means I definitely got $75 of formula for free tonight and I still get $75 more this month
Con: Tyler had a cold for a week. And even more of a con, now Hallie and I have it
Con: Tyler leaves for drill tomorrow, again, he just had it two weeks ago. But this time, I get a sick baby all to my sick self. Fun?

It's been an eventful month, and I'm sure we're in store for much more coming up. All I know is that through all the pros and cons, I love my little family. They are my whole world and I am so lucky to have them!