Brianna: My HERO!

My mind has been consumed with endless thoughts of Brianna. I have never met her, but feel so very close to her. Somehow, she has made her way into my life, which now I am forever changed. As I just finished a 4:00 AM feeding with my 2 week old baby, I am unable to sleep. I have been heartbroken over the last 3 days and have been tormented by her story. There are really no words to describe the remorse and sorrow I feel for Brianna, but I know there are definite words I feel for her abusers, but chose not to divulge. I have never felt so much hatred for anyone, until now.

This life altering story is eating at me in the pitt of my stomach and the back of my mind. I picture myself at the scene as the news reporters describe the brutal abuse and murder of this innocent 5-month old child. Somehow, I feel like I am responsible for her. I have constant thoughts of what I could have done to save her. Again, I have never met this child, but still, there must have been something I could have done. No, I guess I couldn't have, but there was family that could have and they chose not to protect her or defend her. Where was her voice?

This video clip is definitely life altering and very disturbing. I have been emotionally scared., however it is worth the pain I have felt. It has opened my eyes, softened my heart, and I know there are many more tears to come. Please watch this, only to help stop child abuse...it begins with you! (NO PUN intended).

Saige, Savannah, and Reagan, I love you. I am here for you and will do whatever I can to make sure you are happy, safe, appreciated, and loved. Perhaps my own children are the responsibility I feel in Brianna's behalf.

Introducing: Reagan Marie Venable

She is here! Little Reagan made her grand entrance to our world on Aug. 11 at 8:09 AM, weighing 8.6 lbs and 19 1/2 inches. She is very healthy and happy. She has taken a liking to the "binki," which I am not to fond of, but I would rather have her be addicted to that rather than her hands! My theory is I can chop or dispose of binki's, I kinda cant do that with hands! Anyway, she is fully aware of her surroundings and she loves to be held. She is a good baby and is a good eater! Looks like we will be able to come home tomorrow, which will be nice. I miss Saige and Savannah, although they were able to come to visit me in the hospital, it still isn't the same! Lets see, what else...Reagan developed a tinsee bit of jaundice, but looks like it isn't anything to worry about. My milk hasn't quite come in yet so she is getting slightly dehidrated, so I have had to supplement a little. Other than that, we are both doing very well. This recovery has been remarkable swell compared with the last one. I wasn't able to even lean forward let alone get out of bed and walk around at this point last time! It has been great! I am refusing any pain meds at the moment, as I feel as if I don't need them at this time! Yah!

Reporting on Saige and Savannah: They are doing very well, but obviously they are a little young to really know what is coming to them. They know who to look for when I ask them, "Where is baby Reagan?" They will turn to look for her and Saige will even point in her direction. Savannah is much more interested and does like to hold her. While Saige would rather play!

Papa, Saige, and Reagan

Savannah busily talking on the phone while she is recovering!

The proudest Daddy ever!

My little BINK girl!

Grandma AG

Grandma and Grandpa Venable

Cousin Braxton and Aunt Michele!

Braxton and Jaxon

Brooklyn loves babies!

MIMI and Grandpa Jim

Savannah with Papa

"Aunt" Kristin, "Uncle" Blake, Saige, Reagan!

38 Week Checkup

We are ready to roll next Tuesday with the C-section. Doctor Hartman anticipates her being 7.5 lbs. She is still healthy, my blood pressure is was 102/60 (which is a decrease from a steady 112/70), everything else looks good. I am not dialated at all!

Next week should be pretty interesting. I am excited to see how the girls will react to their new little baby sister. I caught Savannah trying to bite the fingers off one of her baby dolls, so I am hoping this behavior doesn't transfer to the new baby!

Saige Whooped or Papa Whoooped????

When Papa comes over, the girls have a great time. Sometimes you can't tell who is wrapped around who's finger! It cracks me up. I just love the way they play together! Papa will put them in baskets and drive/drag them around, bounce balls off their heads, put suction cups on them and him, chase them around the house, and etc. When he is with them, it really brings out the kid in him and I LOVE IT!

Savannah's Study Time

This was just too cute to not post! I caught Savannah looking at her book for literally 15 minutes. Usually she lasts about, oh, 2 or less. It was even cuter when she sat there and was just talking away like she was reading the book. She would point to each image (like I do when I show them books) and begin talking about them. Little Miss Know-it-ALL! She is so funny, she will hold conversations with you like she really does know it all!

37 Weeks: Dr. Checkup

Nothing new. 37 weeks and counting. Not dialated at all and no signs of this child coming anytime soon, other than the 11th. Waited for the doctor 45 minutes and saw him for 5. Blood pressure totally normal, less protein in urine this time, and weight is great!

Operation: Nursery Time!

I bought this dresser off KSL.com for $45, as we needed a dresser for the new baby.  This was a fun project for me, but it was definitely HOT.  I sanded, resanded, bought new handles, painted, and sanded again to get this to look the way I wanted it to.  Here is the before pictures:

And after:

Here is her NURSERY!  I am so proud of myself, since I did it all (except the heavy lifting and the valance, of course)!

We are officially ready.  Ok, Bryce could care less if the room was done or not, but it makes me feel good knowing her room is not something I have to worry about any more!

Its As Easy As, 1, 2,3, (4 & 5)!

Saige is our explorer and adventurer.  She has definitely become very talented at getting into her high chair all by herself.  She has not yet climbed out of the crib (yet), but I am not holding my breath!  She is climbing all over the furniture, stairs, and anything she thinks she can accomplish!  She is a very strong and determined little girl!  These pictures happen to be her second time climbing up.  I saw the first time, but was too shocked to think to grab a camera!

Its a LOVE - HATE Relationship!

Yeah, these girls look like they love each other now, but hate each other now and again too!  We have discovered that Savannah is a biter and Saige is a hitter.  Saige often bull-doses everything Savannah does, takes things from her, and just plain old rules the territory.  Savannah does her best to put up with her and her patience is tested often.  However, there are times that Savannah has had enough and will just simply bite!  I have not yet figured out how to handle this yet, but we are working on it.  On the other hand, when Savannah finally puts up a fight, those big bad hands of Saiges are up in the air, ready for retaliation!  And to think I have to deal with their teenage years too frightens me!

Christmas In JULY!!!

A couple of weeks ago, Bryce, Dad, the girls, and I went up to Snow Basin to enjoy an afternoon picnic.  Little did we know, we were coming home with all of this.  We have plans this winter season to start the girls skiing, well, Bryce and I are boarders!  Therefore, Bryce and I had to get the correct equipment to start coaching the girls along!  We got all this stuff for less than $1000 at the rental shop where they were selling all their last years equipment for a steal of a deal.  My ski's alone (left), are worth $1200 for a pair of brand new Goode's.  I got Rossignol boots which were never used.  Bryce got a pair of Nortica ski's and Rossignol boots.  His boots were last years model, worn once by a guy doing a demo.  Saige and Savannah's skis were only $75 each.  It was a great Christmas afternoon!