A Day for the Ducks

While Jodes was out of town wearing his orange and hunting for Bambi, we also spent time with some animals. We single-handedly fed dinner to 50 ducks - with an entire loaf of bread!!


Gracie had a blast!

The colors of fall were beautiful too! This pond is behind my parent's home. Before I got married, when I lived at home for summer semester; I used to run laps on this trail. I had forgotten how pretty it is there.

Michael just chilling with the ducks.

We spent the weekend with my parents while Jody was away. The day before we went to the pond, Michael had come home from Special Needs Mutual with a spider painted on his face. Gracie loved it. She begged my mom to draw a spider on her face. It adds a nice touch to her outfit - don't you think?!

Happy Fall!

This is my favorite time of the Year! Sweater Weather, Pumpkin Pie, the Smell of Cinnamon Spice in the air, Football, which means Peyton Manning in my living room via our TV :), Halloween Candy, the Burst of Color on all the Trees - I Love Fall. Not to mention, Sienna was born on the First Official Day of Autumn - so there is even more to love about this gorgeous season!

Grandpa & Grandma Wiscombe grew some great pumpkins in their garden this year. Gracie has been watching them grow for weeks now. She was thrilled to finally help Papa cut them, so we could take some home to our house.

We visited the annual Pumpkin Festival at Thanksgiving Point - our first outing with the FOUR of us.

We're having a fun time adjusting to life with two little ones. It's still crazy to think we have KIDS.

Plural. Wow.

Sienna wakes up every 2 or 3 hours to eat. I've really enjoyed all the cuddle time. (Although I'm mostly in a sleepy coma during our 4:00 a.m. feedings.) When Jody comes home from work - he is a huge help. Gracie is a sweet big sister - although it has been a major adjustment. When I'm bathing or feeding Sienna, she often just screams, "Mom - Look at me. I'm really crying. You need to put baby sister down and pick me up."

It breaks my heart.

There are moments when they are both crying. The goal: to not add to the numbers and start crying myself. But let's face it...that has happened.

I'm learning and growing.

And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

These are the

Sweetest 'Pumpkins'

in my life!

Welcome Little One...

September 23rd was a special day.

Sienna Hope Tait

came into the world at 1:50 p.m. weighing 6 lbs. 15 oz. and measuring 18 inches long.

We wanted Sienna's name to suit her perfectly - and I believe it does! Sienna means "delicate" and her middle name radiates Hope. We have our Grace and Hope to hold close to our hearts. Our little girls remind me about the qualities I want to emulate.

**This is Gracie's first reaction to holding Baby Sister.


We had kind visitors during our stay in the hospital. Uncle Michael is so proud to have another niece!






**After a midnight feeding - I just had to snap a picture!


Gracie has been dealing with the transition fairly well. She likes to give Sienna her binkie if she is crying.


A newborn brings an unfailing feeling of the spirit into a home. Knowing I am holding an infant that, just days ago, was in heaven - is humbling. Blame it on the hormones :), but I can't look at this little one without feeling a slice of heaven in my own living room. When Sienna drifts off to sleep, she gives me those smiles that makes me think she's still so close to those on the other side. The veil is so thin, and I can't help but wonder if those in heaven are giving her the encouragement she needs as she embarks on her new life here in this world! What a gift we have been given as parents!

L.O.V.E

I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me "mommy."

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.

- W.R. Wallace


My friend Aapree from Channel 2 is starting a photography business. She asked if she could take some maternity photos of me for her portfolio. This is something I never did when I was pregnant with Gracie - so I happily said, YES! She did an excellent job, and the prices she offers are super affordable. These are some of my favorites!














Because our baby was breech for so many weeks, we feel blessed she turned head down on her own. We are getting ready: closets cleaned, diapers bought, tiny onesies folded and back in drawers, I officially have the 'pregnancy waddle' down - and hearts anxious to love this new little one.
The doctor says if she doesn’t make her appearance in the next little while - we will induce on September 23rd.

Rise and Shout...and Hula About...

We've been on a couple of "dates" before the BIG "DATE" arrives. On Saturday, Jodes and I went to the season opener BYU vs.The Washington Huskies. The Cougs won, and I didn't go into labor during the VERY long walk to the stadium - so all in all - it was a great night!


I asked Jody to hold out the camera and snap a picture of us at the game.

His response: "Brittany, they just took a three minute time-out. Why are you asking me as soon as the game starts back up?"

I say: "Oh, it will just take 2 seconds. Come on.
Take the picture!"

This is what I got.

Too hilarious to not post. It's a really nice shot of my freckles and Jody's great smile.


On Labor Day, we attended a Luau at Thanksgiving Point with my parents and Michael. It was impossible to get a picture with Gracie looking at the camera. She was cracking me up!


Gracie was being so silly! She kept running and hugging me. And she was dancing so funny to the Luau music. I was dying laughing. She had our whole section giggling as she somersaulted and danced around.

Growing Up...

Gracie said farewell to her crib, and she has a new room AND a new bed! She transitioned beautifully, which is saying a great deal for a toddler who never attempted to crawl out of her crib and would tell me on a daily basis how much she loved her crib.


But now she loves her BIG bed just as much. And I think I'm having a harder time with the transition than she did.

She's growing up.


It's so magical to watch her grow and learn. However, part of me aches a little knowing she'll never be a baby again.

You don't get another chance to live yesterday - so you really have to take advantage of TODAY.

And some days that means sitting on a toddler chair, with my knees pushed underneath the toddler table, while we color and play for hours. The reward is priceless. Gracie compliments me - she doesn't hesitate to let me know that I'm good at coloring Cookie Monster in her Sesame Street coloring book. She never holds back when she wants to wrap her arms around me and tell me that she loves me. I can assure you I don't get an uplifting feeling or encouragement like that from fellow drivers on my commute to work or from my co-workers once I arrive at work. So there is something to be said about the treasure of "working" at home.

This post should be about Gracie and her new room. But her transition has me thinking about how I want to appreciate all of her special moments.


Jody worked so hard on installing the beadboard. I love it. It really brightens up the room. And Grandma and Papa Tait spent a whole day painting and making the room look perfect. Now Gracie gets to pick out some extra trimmings to hang on the walls to give it that finishing touch!

34 Weeks

Feeling Hot * Hot * Hot *

We traveled down south to St. George to spend a few days baking in the sun with Jody's family. We enjoyed boating, swimming and a hike around Zion National Park. Jody and the rest of the family are really good at wake-boarding and slalom skiing - so it's always fun to watch them show off their skills behind the boat. It was 113 degrees during the days we were there...Hats off to all the pregnant women who live in St. George. I was a puddle the entire time - melting and hot!!

In Baby News - I am feeling spoiled. These are the moments when I get to feel my baby girl move when no one else knows it's happening. It's such a special bond.

The doctor says I'm measuring right on; he also told me, at my last appointment, that I am anemic. This explains the nausea, dizziness and feeling tired & weak ALL the time. I'm now taking triple the iron supplements - and it does seem to be helping. Only seven weeks left until my due date! I know a big transition is coming; going from one child to two. We are excited and humbled to meet this new little one.

The Summertime Checklist...

Parades...


Fireworks...


And Family...


This is what summer is all about!

Jody headed to Butte for the weekend to work on some property we own up there. So Gracie and I enjoyed some summertime favorites at 'Steel Days' with my parents and Michael.

I recently came across these Gaucho Pants (The name says it all) in my closet.


They maybe weren't super cute when I bought them five years ago, but when I saw them last week in the bottom of a drawer, I welcomed them with open arms because one; they are light and flowing, and two; the waist can stretch and stretch. So Saturday morning before all the festivities, we are getting ready to walk out the door - and I'm putting on my shoes. Gracie starts wailing. Bawling.

"No Mama!! Take Your Jammies Off," She Howls.

I explained to her that these were mom's pants for the day.

"No! Please Take Them Off!! Puh-Lease..."

It's official. My 2-year-old is already embarrassed of me. She seemed to forget about my pirate pants once the salt-water taffy started flying on the parade route. After the parade, it was off to the City Of Fun Carnival - a somewhat frightening, but fun, experience; with rides that look like they could fall apart at any moment. This duck was a hit with Gracie!


Gracie really REALLY wanted to ride in this caterpillar. The ride operator waved her pass - taking her ticket, but I think she was a little small to truly enjoy the experience. To ease my fears, my dad tried to squeeze in the seat next to her. But he got X-ed from riding. Although - it was pretty funny watching him try to fit.


Oh dear, You can't even see her in this one!! Gracie darling...are you still there? The little girl sitting next to her is looking to make sure she's still holding on.


We ended the day with some funnel cakes and beautiful fireworks. We're super excited for the show to start!