Neal & Krista's Blog

It's a...

2012-01-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

We are having another Girl!! Neal was wishing for a boy but to me it didn't matter. :) I am TRULY set on one name and I have Berkley saying it but I am trying to convince Neal a little more. I was thinking I could name her her first name and Neal could name the miidle name; or we can come up with two names and name her at the hospital.

*We are VERY greatful we still have her clothes, and the baby gear :)

Quick update on our family..... Neal is working long hours since tax season has started back up. He will start studying for his last 3 exams once his 55+hours a week tapers down. Berkley got a toddler bed for christmas and is now not taking her nap during the day. :( I guess she is preparing me for a newborn. I am doing good and growing :(. I am watching my nephew and still working part time. Our little Girl is Due June 14th!! :)

# 2

2011-10-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

We're Pregnant!!

So Baby # 2 is due in late May the beginning of June!! From what I know of I am 7 weeks and the earliest we could get in to see the doctor is the Oct 20th!!

Things are going good heart burn here and there along with leg cramps. But really nothing to complain about, I will make sure and post the ultrasound!!!

Albertsons Yahtzee

2011-08-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Albertsons previous game was monopoly and I won nothing!! I am proud to say with the Yahtzee game I won quite a few things, I so want to tell you guys what we won!!!

What we won:

-Nabisco Cracker's

- (2) bags of cheese

-Baby Food (we sometimes use baby food to soak sick turtles, so it works!!)

-Cream Cheese

-Yogurt

-Oreos

-(2) Emerald Breakfast's on the Go (The s'omores kind is the best!)

- And a few dollars

Grand Canyon State Tortoises !!

2011-08-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

I meant to say Grand Canyon State Tortoises

Here is the link www.grandcanyonstatetortoises.blogspot.com and www.grandcanyonstatetortoises.com

Gand Canyon State Tortoises

2011-08-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Check it out!!

So this is our new blog for our business, www.grandcanyonstatetortoises.blogspot.com .

We also have a web page www.grandcanyonstatetortoises.com . The web page was just created today so we will be doing a la lot of work on it. We are very excited in in our long time coming of saying that breeding tortoises would be a business, VERY EXCITING!!

Update

2011-08-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Stacia Flake, thats my sister!!!

Life has been busy as usual. Neal takes 2nd of 4 exams in October, pretty cool. Work is going good, just trying to pay off student loans. After I have been working my regular night cashier shift i have been helping out with grocery. I hope to keep my regular hours as a cashier and help out later at night with grocery, I hope it will work out. I am a huge fan of Dave Ramsey, author of "The Total Money Makeover." I have always been strict with my money growing up ( working with my dad and mom saving money) and reading his book has fired me up!!! I love being disciplined in this sense because we are making AWESOME decisions now to live like no one else in the future!! Yes I would consider myself a budget Nazi, but oh well its for our own good. : )

My Girl is turning two next month!!!!! It is soo cool life fly's by so fast! I already have her party planned out all I can say is confetti!!!!I love you my beautiful girl!!!

I know he lives

2011-07-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't born my testimony for a very long time it and trying to keep an almost 2yr old occupied(quiet) during sacrament is difficult as I want to try and go up to the pulpit for many months now.

I know that my savior lives. I know he blesses our lives, as we try to figure out our eternal path. I know that if we are on the straight and narrow path we will come across blessings when we need them. I know that blessings of family prayer helps us build a closer relationship with our heavenly father. I know we all have struggles but if we live by faith and with faith our worries and fears will be but a faint shadow down a a dirt road. I love my family and friends, I love their determination, and kindness, I only hope I can be as good as them in the many years coming. I love my husband who is such a great example to me. He is such a hard worker, a wonderful father, and caring individual; I love him with all my heart!

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen

Out

2011-06-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Pointing to the horse at Red Robin

She likes to pretend like she is invisible when I tell her I 'm going to change her diaper.

We don't getting many pictures together, well cause I'm usually taking all of them.

We usually eat out on Fridays but today we ate out on Monday for FHE!! We went to Red Robin, and man was it good Berk was dancing in the high chair and we were having a fun time!!

Besides working and taking care of berkley I knit and sew here and there. I'm making Berkley a hot pink rug, it's taking so long she might get for her Christmas present.

We are Alive

2011-06-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

Life becomes even more busy when you are working part time. Neal is getting ready to take one of his 4 CPA exams, his dad said each test is like taking the BAR exam as I wish my love the best of luck. We have a garden with mixed greens and herbs but our zucchini is growing like crazy; we have been making breads and muffins with it, oh ya!! We've started making a compose (left over fruits veggies and grass clippings) pile for our garden which will eventually turn into soil and be used for our winter garden.

Berkley is adorable she constantly keeps us on our toes. Gosh, her vocabulary is amazing!! Ever since like 19 months she has been picking up on words that we say, like for the first time she heard me say wrapper and then she said it without any hesitation. Now it we could only have her listen to us in church to sit down and stay still that would be a miracle. We have now had our church time (1pm-4pm) for two years and you'd thing we would be use to it, nope. Berk will only nap in her bed and if she is really sleepy she will fall asleep in your arms, but man it is tough when she doesn't get a nap from 1:30pm-4:00pm.

I have been thinking for a while to get my haircut short, I just need a new and cute change that I can manage. As all moms know we always put ourselves last, because we feel like other things come first. But life is just a balance we do our best and that's what we can do. I just need to remind myself that it is ok to do something for myself, like have berk watch a movie while I try to put my face on (make up) or pick out an an outfit that looks ok and matches. But no matter what life is good, no it's GREAT!!!

Happy Father's Day my love, you are such an amazing husband and father!!!!!

Berkley the T.V. Star !!

2011-05-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Berkley's swimming instructor (Holly Nelson) Ask me if Berkley would like to be on T.V. while doing her swim lesson, and I said "Yes !!!"

So tomorrow(Thursday) we are going at 11:30 AZ time to her swim lessons as Channel FOX 10 will tape it. I don't know it it will be live, or if it will air later in the day, but I thought I would let everyone know.

** Next week is her last week of swim lessons too!! **

Green Jello with Carrots: giveaway 3: Green Jello packet o' Fun

2011-05-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

Green Jello with Carrots: giveaway 3: Green Jello packet o' Fun: "We can't host a giveaway extravaganza without giving away something from our own shop . (that's like a law in some rulebook somewhere.) So..."

Just to let everyone know I love "Green Jello with Carrots Easter bags they are super cute and creative

Update

2011-04-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy!!! Berkley is taking swimming lessons through the program called ISR (Infant swimming resource) She is doing AWESOME!!!! Every day she is she is showing improvement in grabbing for the bar (the side if the pool to get out) swimming to her instructors, and floating on her back!!! This is her second week in and the instructors said she is doing REALLY good, and that we have a swimmer on our hands!! I can't wait to see her compete some day in high school and college if that is what she wants to do.

She is also a little reader!!!She LOVES books and learning!! We have her on a program called "Your baby can read" it amazing how much she knows!! These past few days she has been reading many of her flash cards to us (bow, turtle,ball, hat,cats, eyes,hi,sitting, horse, hands, and moon). She knows all of her colors, and mostly all of her ABC's, she recognizes a lot of her shapes and we are working on numbers 1-5.

I works two nights out of the week and Saturdays(any time). It has been tough for me with leaving, as she is with Neal. But I know that by me working part- time is helping us out in the long run (by paying off student loans and saving some). The nights that I don't put her down makes me a little sad but when the following day comes I want to spend every moment with her by teaching her and letting her know how much I love her. It is amazing how much your love grows for your children even when you are away for a short time.

We moved at the end of March to Mesa, and we are so happy to have a place of our own. It is a 3bdrm/2ba with a huge backyard. What is really exciting is that we planted a garden!! We have tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, red and green onions, carrots, kale, lettuce, basil, cilantro and potatoes growing!!!

Finally

2011-04-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not being up to date on things, I realized my password expired and then remembering to re-set it was difficult. I will post tonight all the things that have happened !!! :)

Great Things Happening !!

2011-03-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

1. We paid off our Car!!!!!!
2. My class ended today!!
3. We decided on which rental property we wanted today.
4. Today I was Hired as a cashier at Albertsons ( working weekday nights, and saturdays)

It is amazing how things work out, compred to a few years ago when things were rockey!! I am VERY greatful for all that is happening right now, we really needed this!! :)

Berkley is cute as every and is babling so much!!!!!!!!!! Her new word is "I want..." , and her new thing that she likes is her hands being ticlked; it puts her in a trans!! :)

Things

2011-02-26T12:24:00.001-08:00

So silly

A new seat for Berkley!!

Loves PB & J !!!

Likes to hang out with a friend from church, Paige

LOVES BLUES CLUES !!

She can't get enough of it!

My class ends in two weeks, and I am very excited!! I can't wait to be doing other things that I wanted to do while I was in school. For the most part it is just wanting to keep the house more clean and organized. Have a regular "school time" teaching Berkley new things, going to the library more frequently, and being more apart of our tortoise business ( Getting it publicised).
Here and there I would like to work some nights earning some extra money, or selling jewelery, but that will come when the timing is right.

Berkley

2011-02-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

It amazes me at all the hard work parents put in to raising a child along with everything else! Over the past couple of days it has been quit amazing to look at Berkley and see all that she has learned!

New things she has been saying:
"I sit" - As she is showing us that she is sitting down.
Pear
Ga= Quack, and sometimes it means duck. She says it more clearly and with excitement!

We ask her questions like:

where is your hair, where is your foot, where are your fingers and she points to them!!

She loves to climb..... anything ,which makes me nervous! But she has figured out how to pull herself up onto the lazy boy rocking chair. She gets super excited when she does climb on it !!

Showing signs of wanting to "Potty Training":
1. She grabs her diaper when it is full.
2.when she is going pee pee or poo poo, she tells me poo poo poo poo
3. I ask her if she wants a diaper change and she goes and gets her diaper out of the drawer. I ask her to lay down so I can change her, and she does.
3. When I need to go the bathroom I tell her and I will be right back , she walks with me right to the bathroom and then doesn' t bang on the door like she use to do.
4. She is interested in what the potty is , as she looks at it.

Trip

2011-02-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

We went to Tuscon for a tortoise business trip! We purchased may giant leopard tortoises ( they get big compared to the regular leopard tortoises we owen and breed) Neal is VERY excited to have made this purchase, I can truly say he is an expert with breeding tortoises because he puts so much time, care and effort in raising them, I am so proud in all that he does.

Berk did awesome traveling!! We were not sure how she would do, as I guess we had much anxiety as she was a little one and TRULY did not like to travel. I had bag full of books, her favorite toys, coloring books ,we were prepared!! She is a wonderful little girl, every day she brings much joy and warmth to my heart! She is so smart too! She knows how to twist caps on and off, basically she's into more things. She lets me know when she goes to the bathroom by getting her diaper out of the drawer , putting it on the floor and jabbering to me that she went to the bathroom. When we change her she touches her diaper (titer, as she says it) and says poo poo, but really she meant pee pee. If she hears a fart noise or farts herself she says poo poo, that makes me laugh and smile all the time because it' so cute and funny. She listens really well as I ask her to go wait by her highchair as I'm getting her food ready, or if she needs to get down, but we have our moments. She LOVES to play the hiding game!! In the tub, or on the couch she loves to hide, it's so darn cute.

Saturday I have my midterm, wish me luck!!

Clamed down

2011-01-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

She likes to try on everyone's shoes now. This was after she stayed home from church, she wasn't feeling good. Her medicine gave her a bad diaper rash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all helped in making Berk's cake!! It's suppose to be a heart cake with bows on top.

This is almost the finished product that Katy and Gregg made.

There was a lot of stress going on and for my sanity I needed to drop one class. I was truly going crazy as my previous post expressed it. I was tough to admit that I couldn't do it all, and a lot of things were hyped up because all that stress. I feel like the days are a lot more enjoyable, and that makes me So happy! We made fondant cakes!! This was fun but a lot of work at the same time, I truly prefer a butter cream cake instead of the fondant . I am excited for little things like this in the future to do! : )

In the future...

2011-01-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

1. I want to be done with the semester.
2. I want to have a place with no stairs
3. I want a place where I feel secure.
4. I want to sew and have fun at the same time.
5. I want to go on a NEEDED vacation with just the 3 of us.
6. I want to work a few night shifts at a grocery store.
7. I don't want to be stuck in the house all day.
8. I wan to know how to handle a very busy 1 1/2 yr old.. now would be nice.
9. I want to do something that I want to do!

( I'm having a rough day, just wanting to say how I feel)

Internet Classes

2011-01-21T11:39:00.000-08:00

They are convenient in many ways... but not the first week of class when you have trouble with your browser! I have had problems pasting some things and accessing my MCC google e-mail, which I need for my class. I almost want to give up, but I'm not! Once Berkley gets up we are going to the MCC technology department with our laptop to have them figure it out, because over the phone did not help. I am going to be a little frustrated if this doesn't work! Or maybe it's a sign for me to just take one class instead of two... I have no idea. Ooh (venting)!

What's new?

2011-01-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

School starts for mom tomorrow, her face tell how I'm feeling... ah man!
(Our room is next to the family room so Berk gets into everything)
So school starts tomorrow I have one 8wk class and one 16wk class... all I can say is wish me luck. This is my last semester at MCC (over 150 credits later) (I bet I can get a 3rd associates degree) !!!!!!!!! Then onto ASU in the fall, heck yeah! Life is crazy but I need to stay motivated and take care of my priorities.

Proud

2011-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

Neal started his full time position at Butler, Jones, & Hanson today. I am so proud of him, along with many of the struggles that we had to overcome!!!!

Two years ago, January 2009 .... Neal demoted himself from a General Manager (GM) to a shift manager to go to school full time for an accounting degree at ASU. I also decided to work less and pursue my education full time. A few months later the place that I was working at went out of business. And we didn't have any insurance, we were trying to figure out what to do. After we made all of these huge decisions in our lives....... then we found out that we were pregnant with Berkley. It was really scary, there were many tears shed, and many time we were down on our knees praying. But we stuck through all through thick and thin.

Now you know how excited I am today for our family (as tears are rolling down my face). We have much hope for our future!!!

I love you my love!!

2010-12-31T21:53:00.000-08:00

(Christmas eve night sprinkling rain deer food on the front yard ! :) )
It is so awesome watching Berkley grow!!
New word: cool
New... : Putting hands over ears.
*She really understands what we are saying ie) when she trys to stand on Joshua's toy dump truck that you can ride. We tell her ... Berkley... Berkley don't stand on that 4 seconds later she she gets off and then sits on it. Wow... she actually hears what we say. For the most part she is pretty good at this but we have our moments .
*A few times she has let me know when she needs a new diaper... as she goes to her diaper drawer that is down stairs in the family room and pulls out her container of wipes and a few diapers. I love this girl!!!!
*I love her beautiful smile, her cuddly moments, how excited she gets when she watches blues clues, and the little sounds that she makes before she goes outside or gets on the couch. I love it when she brings a book to me wanting me to read it as I am cooking dinner. She is my little luv bug, my berkel bee, my sweet heart!

Blessed

2010-12-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas was awesome we are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Just to recap this year...

1. January 2010 We moved in with Neal's parents

2. February we sold our house in Queen Creek

3. September 17th Berkley turned 1 !!

4. December Neal graduated from ASU with a bachelors in accounting

5. Missy, Garren, Joshua, and Mariam came in town the same time Neal graduated and man is our house busy. Along with celebrating all of the boys birthdays in December on both sides this month... well besides two.

6. We are officially starting our tortoise business as tortoise breeders, as many of our tortoise eggs are hatching!!

Update

2010-12-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

(They're watching Nina & Star)

* Today Berkley said 3 new words (door, small, chair, oh and Dora... that sounded like door)
* This week and next are finals for us.. exciting NOT
* Neal graduates with his Accounting Degree December 16th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Heck Yes!!)
* Starting January 3rd Neal will be starting his FULL TIME job at Butler, Jones, & Hansen!!!

Some of our goals are already here and we are so very greatful for them, Berkley brightens our day with so many laughs and smiles. We are so excited forNeal , he has worked so hard and has endured to the end. It will be interesting to see how our new adventure will be we he starts his first tax season. Within this next year he is going to try to knock out the entire CPA exam and then start his masters program Fall 2011, as he will continue to work full time. This is another adjustment in life but it is so worth it. We are truly blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving !

2010-11-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

Grandpa happy thanksgiving, we miss you So ooooo much!! The only grandpa that I ever knew passed away yesterday, and I miss him so much!! I know your in heaven and that your pain is gone, and I am greatful for that. I love you grandpa!!

Update

2010-11-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

(Her new turtle)

Today was a busy but fun day!! This morning we went to the Reptile Expo, it was pretty cool. Berkley picked out a turtle stuffed animal which she now likes to sleep with instead of her teddy, way cute!! There were turtles everywhere and every time she saw one she would say turtle! A couple days ago Neal went to a "Turtle and Tortoise Preservation" meeting, as he sat in for lots of talks but also met a lot of people from is Tortoise forum/blog. One of his friends on his blog is an animal trainer,who trained a dog that was in a lot of movies like (Resident eveil, Spiderman 3, and a bunch of other movies) . Berkley was in love with this dog... which means we are definitly getting a dog in the future, but not too soon. He learned a lot of valuable information, as he is rally excited for the next meeting next year!!

Berkley has learned to go down stairs on her belly, but we are still following her up and down them, shes not totally stable yet. She is starting to babble ..." waswaswas" ( it is soooo cute). We started her on the "your baby can read " program, as she is SERIOUSLY learning sooo much. Here and there she reads the word "toe", when we say the word clap she "claps", when she hears the words "arms up and down" she does the motions, she also says "down", she recognizes the word 'baby" along with the sound and points to the baby on the screen. She is doing AWESOME!

Thanks Cameron, Corynn, and Jake for a way fun time at your house, happy 2nd birthday!

Trunk or Treat

2010-10-31T19:35:00.001-07:00

(forgot the red eye button)

It was fun going to two ward trunk or treats, as we went to staci's and ours. She looked sooooo darn cute! She got the hang of holding the basket and going to people then she would walk right past them, it was funny!! It was a lot of fun!!

Blah

2010-10-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me really well you know I worry/ concerned with so many things.
1. Making sure Berkley has enough to eat
2. Making sure the dogs don't bark like crazy when there is something outside as she is trying to NAP!!
3. Making sure she is learning all that she can.

Knowing myself VERY much along with being a parent ads more stress of course it is tough to relax and needing to learn to be in the moment. I know that this is one of my task heavenly father gave me.

Happy Girl !!

2010-10-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Supervising us as we pull the weeds!

She LOVES her swing from cusin Cody uncle Chris and aunt Stacia!!!!! Thank you!!

Her new big girl bib!!!!

Update & Pics

2010-10-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

My beautiful girl!! She is now a more active walker, we spent most of the time during church out in the halls as she walked on her own!! She painted a pumpkin, she mostly thought what is this on my hands. After she painted it she tried to bite the wet painted pumpkin. She has been a VERY VERY sensitive baby. She always needs diaper rash ointment or else certain areas will get red and irritated. She has always had rough skin, especially on her face , we take every precaution from her detergent, to her bath soap. We had blood drawn on her today to see what she is allergic to, hopefully by the knowledge we receive we can help prevent many irritants. But she is still a happy beautiful baby that blesses our lives every single day. She brings so much joy to us!!

Conference

2010-10-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

So this is what we were doing during conference brake, pushing Berkley around!! Well, I think we had more fun than she did!! Conference was really good, It's amazing how a lot of the talks can be so influential a a certain time in your life, and of course for the future!!!

Berkley Update

2010-09-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday she decided to start taking steps on her own, and they were to me not Neal !!!! I have a feeling she will be walking very soon!! She has also learned the head shake for no, as her cousin taught her that, which I think is way cute!! We try to not say the word no, but in other ways. The reason why I wanted to do that is because I don't want my child to say no for every single word in a repetitive way that annoys us. Throughout time we will incorporate the word no but I want her to know the meaning of it besides a word that lots of people say to their children. On the side note things are going good here, as school keeps us from being bored.

What is normal?

2010-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Normal to me is something totally different to someone else. Here is an example... I love my little girl sooooo much and how I act with her is totally different than some "lovey dovey" person that talks baby talk to their kids all the time. Sometimes I think to my self do I need to be more expressive to my little one like the other person?? But then I think ..." I am who I am and that's all I can be." I show my love to my family in many different ways. Do any of you feel like that sometimes??

1 Year Apt

2010-09-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

75% Weight

95% Length

99% Head

Wow, she has grown! I remember on her 9 month apt the length and weight were almost tied, crazy how things change in such a short time!! The doc said the she is doing way awesome she said that she is impressed on her vocal skills, as Berk was saying "whats this and ooh" plus other things. She isn't walking yet but she like to stand up and balance on her own and walk along the furniture with her hands.

Happy Birthday Berkley !!!

2010-09-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

It's your 1st Birthday!!!! We love you sooooo very much! Thank you for bringing such joy into our lives, you always make us smile!!

Love,

Mom and Dad!!

Reflection

2010-09-08T22:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight was a school night, and I am glad I am continuing my education!! I realize that I get emotional the day before or the day of going to my class but once I'm there I know I am in the right place!! I need to keep on reminding myself that I can do anything I put my mind to! My hubby is so great ... he puts up my emotions, he is a brave soul and I am so grateful for him!! Along with getting anxious I think about like anyone else : how to make an inexpensive meal that is healthy and quick at the same time, what else can I get accomplished while my child is asleep. when they are up it seems like nothing gets done. To having time to myself (sanity). The jist of the story is to keep a positive attitude because you get through anything!

5 Years !!!!

2010-09-01T15:36:00.001-07:00

Happy 5 years of being together my love!! I remember when we first started dating, and then we stoped for a little bit. During that time I couldn't imagine life with out you, and now we are together for time and all eternity!! You are my best friend, you are someone that I can always count on no matter path we journey down!

(So I really tried to rotate this picture but it is saved like this on the CD that I have, It's a little tacky, sorry. I Seriously tried everything to get it to rotate.... oooh!)

I love ya my love!!

Pics

2010-08-29T21:38:00.001-07:00

She looks so cute but I just look like blah after giving her a bath.

School

2010-08-26T21:29:00.000-07:00

School started for me yesterday!! I am just taking one class but man it feels good to learn and continue my education. After this class all I will have is 2 more classes and then I will go to ASU!! Heck Ya!!!

Blessed

2010-08-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

We had a Stake Relief Society message on Thursday about enriching our lives and it was really helpfull! I learned a really good saying "It's only a bad 10 min or a bad hour." A lot of times when something really stressful came up I would just carry that stress throughout the entire day, but it doesn't have to be like that. That one quote has given me a better perspective and more of a piece of mind.

Update

2010-08-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Berkley is getting so big and she is saying and doing the cutest things! She says Gee, dog= dog, tu= turtle, ut o, ooo, a don= all done. She is a busy bee who likes to climb stairs and who tries to get into dog food. She is a sensitive girl as she plays whith other kids, we are going to hang out with a girl that is around her age once a week to help her socialize more and to help the transition to primary, their in our ward.

I'm scared nervous and excited to start school up again. I kind of decided to start school again because out of respect to Neal he asked to not have that stress especially during his masters program. I totally respect that soo that is why I decided to not waste time and to continue my education P/T like MAYBE two classes a SEMESTER for sure one. I am truly excited in all of these aspects of our lives!

Back to School I go

2010-08-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

The title says it all, I am going back to school. I figured now would be the good time to go and finish my degree. I'm not going to do the Vet Tec thing, it is Very Very demanding and it wouldn't work put for Berk and I. So I have OFFICIALLY chosen a Communications degree, and I will hopefully transfer to ASU Summer 2011 or Fall 2011. I need a degree, especially something to fall back on and since we're not having kids any time soon I figured i would get the show on the with schooling. I will just take 1 maybe 2 classes a semester and over the summers. I figured I can help run our Turtle business, one of our turtles has just layed 7 eggs and will lay more every 4-6weeks. I am excited for our future!!

Balance/Parenting

2010-08-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs balance in their lives and at times it is tough. It is tough finding time for myself as I want to do my little craft projects. During the day may maybe some times during her naps, at night maybe, it just depends on if I want the dishes done, and meat set out for dinner to make. When I have some solid time to myself is when Neal is on a break from school. I need to start asking my parents here and there to watch Berkley so I can do those things for me. To break the monotony of things we go to the store, grandparents house, parks & Rec play morning that is inside, she will soon be doing swimming lessons.
I love my Berk so much but one thing I wish I would have done earlier was not have her be so clingy to me. She just wants do be by me 24/7 and it is tough to get things done, especially if she wants you to hold her as she clings on your legs.

Any advice?

Come Join us!

2010-08-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Neal's last day as a Manager at Peter Piper Pizza is Wednesday!!
Where : Power/Baseline
Time: 6pm
* Neal will be working a few more days after that making dough. Then he will working P/T at his dads accounting firm!

We are so proud of Neal one more semester for his BA degree, then in August 2011 he will start his Masters program!!!!!

Education

2010-07-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

So Neal has decided to get a Masters degree once he finishes his B.A degree in Accounting. I am all for it so tentatively he would work full time with his dad till July of 2011 then he would start his classes in the fall.

For me I need to put in my papers for my associates degree to graduate THEN I'm going to research a program that will best suit me for a B.A. program. If it is just 1-2 classes a semester online or on campus for so many years, I need to do but don't know when. I wanted to go into animal science but once I got to my core classes every single class was on campus not including animal care shifts. I need to find an area of study that will work for me now and in the future which will require much prayer.

My Two Love Bugs!!

2010-07-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

I love these pictures!!! Neal is such a GREAT dad!! He is really busy right now as he is in summer school which leads into the fall semester, then he will have his B.A. degree in Accounting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Berk is keeping me busy wanting to walk all around the house, with my help of course. A quote that has helped me throughout the day is "Be of good cheer." To me this means if it's the morning and all you really want to do is sleep in but you have a daughter to get and feed, bee in good spirits. You are the first thing she sees in the morning , so put a smile on your face. I appreciate the scriptures even more than I did before, they are a great guidance in my life!!

Hey

2010-07-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

Recently Berkley has become more expressive with her feelings saying ooh in different pitches as she gets excited. It is so darn cute! She is feeling more confident in crawling as she is going much faster. If I have the fridge open for a little while washing off some veggies I have to dart over to the fridge to shut it quickly. She is pulling herself up on basically everything. That is basically it in a nut shell, but keeping busy!!

Tough

2010-07-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Every day is a new day I tell everyone who asked me if Berkley is a good baby. She is, but there are those tough moments when she is teething and has a tough time taking her morning naps, most of the time I need to take a nap during her first one. I did not realize how much effort my parents put into everything until I had one of my own.

Good things to know when becoming a parent:

You will soon find out that you will not get the rest and sleep like you use to in high school.
Ask for help in whatever area you need it.
Get out of the house and venture out, your sanity depends on it!!!
Treat yourself to something small but simple, you deserve it!!!!!!!
Find a hobby, this will also help with your sanity!
When your child is resting SERIOUSLY, you NEED to rest too!! Forget about the dishes, your hubby can clean them when he comes home. Your rest is SOOOOO important!

She said..

2010-07-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mama !!! It kind of took me by surprise because I am so use to hearing dada baba wawa, but she said it !!!!!

Something New !!

2010-06-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

She can climb the stairs now !! :) :)

Wow!

2010-06-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Today she just started pulling herself up from EVERYTHING, even her crib (Need to lower it after she's done with her nap) !!! She is truly into everything now! Oh and she started to learn what hi fives are. For the most part it seems like when Neal or Gram and Gramp are away for a little bit she figured out something new!! (Neal is getting back from his camping trip today, they got rained on.)

SOLD !!!

2010-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Our house in Queen Creek FINALLY sold, and the closing date was today!!!! We are very greatful to have this stress off of our shoulders!! Today is a day of celebration!!

9 month Appointment

2010-06-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Head 18.5 = 98.74 %

Weight 21.38 = 87.41%

Length 28.75 = 86.12%

Well, by the stats you can tell that Miss Berkley is a big baby, but she is sooooo cute!!! She is an active baby who keeps me busy! She has now discovered the dog food since she mostly figured out how do use her legs, she just pull herself with her arms and then pushes her feet. She says " Ya ya ya ya" a lot and makes the clucking sound with her tongue. We are now more able to give her more finger food which is cool but it is now taking much longer during some feedings that she gets the finger foods, patience.. yep. She makes us laugh and smile sooo much, i really do love this stage that she is at!

I got a ....... !!!

2010-06-18T21:40:00.001-07:00

Oh ya!!!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo way excited!!!!!!! I can't to do lots of fun things on it!!!!!! Oh and buying Bernina/Bernette 92C, I receive instructional lessons!! Oh I am seriously sooo excited! Now I am motivated to finally finish my skirt that I was making! :)

Exciting !

2010-06-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

She's crawling/scooting ! She started on Monday and has improved every day! Oh and she LOVES books! She has a little book basket and she loves taking each book out as she talks to them.

A Little Weird !

2010-06-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

So I was going through the self-check out at WalMart and these people come from out of the blue right behind me and start touching Berkley's cheeks and talking to her. WEIRDED OUT!!!!! The situation gave me the creeps! Ok so you don't acknowledge me first the mother, then talk to her . They were probably not meaning any harm but I don't care! My job as a mother is to love, protect,provide, along with many other things, but don't weird me out and mess with my family!! (VENTING!!!!)

She says ...

2010-05-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

Dada now, but I wish it was Mama! 5/29
Dis
Dat
Ta
S

Now she is just babaling it's just Sooooooooooo cute!

Should I... ?

2010-05-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Should I go see my ob/gyn doctor, NO I'm not pregnant( I've taken 2 tests). Ok, so a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with poly cystic ovarian syndrome. Just recently I missed some of my birth control pills which started ant flow way early!! It lasted 2 weeks, and I am now having VERY Light spotting. I went to my new family doctor who is covered under my new insurance and he said not to worry about it, but if you are having like a pinching feeling around your ovaries wouldn't you be concerned. It would be like a pinch here and there, but it wasn't like a normal ant flow feeling like I usually have. Oh... I don't know.... I think I should go to my ob/gyn just to get is checked out, just to play it safe.

8 Months

2010-05-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

Time flys by fast!! Berkley, the little girl that doesn't want to sit steal. She loves going through her diaper bag pulling everything out of it. She also likes a certain end table because it has drawers along some of her toys in it, along with pulling herself up. She is the type of person who likes to have someone by her side, a playmate. Sometimes it drives me crazy when I need to get some things done but it is such a joy to play with her and watch her grow!! You can tell when she's mad because stiffens up her arms and legs and lets out grrrrr, it makes me laugh inside! Every day is a new day for her as I am realizing that. I use to beat myself up emotionally because she slept longer the previous day, I have gotten much better and learning everyday/hour (lol). She has brought such joy to our lives, we are VERY grateful to have her in our lives.

1St's

2010-05-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Playing with Joshua!! She usually hates tummy time!

Hanging out with baby Miriam !

Spending half of the day with great grandpa and grandma while mom was sewing.

Brushing my teeth!

Taking a bath in the BIG tub!! She only liked it for about 5 minutes and then she realized she was cold. We even used that yellow spongy thing, so far she isn't liking it.

Berk' s usual thing is getting minute diaper rashes, and now she has a big one that hurts so bad that she crys when she goes to the bathroom, it's painful for me!!! She still has not figured out crawling but she loves to try and walk!! She loves to sit on the floor and go through her diaper bag, it keeps her entertained for a while!! :) One of the end tables has two drawers and she loves to look in them and take things out, I started to put some of her toys in there. She loves to stand up and look in the open drawer and play with her toys, that is what we do for a good portion of the day.

Consider .... ...

2010-05-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

1. knocking first before ringing the door bell. Some people who don't have little ones do not understand that there might be little ones taking a nap. Ringing the doorbell once or twice is fine but not 5 times right in a row really fast!! The person answering the door WILL NOT BE HAPPY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WAKE UP THEIR KID !

2. Ask the parent if their child can have something ( sweets) just because you are having them does not mean they can have one too, especially just before they go to bed.

Sometimes people don't think and do what they want and do not realize the consequences on the other end. I was just venting because this just happened, not the cookie part for Berkley.

Birthday at the Wildlife World Zoo !

2010-04-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Relaxing with Mom on the Train .

Fun times !!!!

You get way super close to the animals!! It's better than the Phoenix Zoo!!

My birthday was fun and relaxing! We went to the Zoo Saturday morning and it was Soooo much fun! We were able to get Sooooooo close to the animals and enjoy the shade from trees walking along. On Sunday it was simple we didn't go anywhere to visit anyone we just stayed home and enjoyed the stress free day! I always told Neal in the grocery store that I would like an ice cream cake for my birthday, guess what I got one!! It was chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake in the middle, it was VERY good. Thank you to everyone who helped make my day a special day!! :)

Berkley turkley is 7 months old!

2010-04-20T20:37:00.001-07:00

She tries to hold her own bottle. She takes some sips takes it out of her mouth looks at it then starts playing it with her hands or her teeth.
She is a quiet mellow baby like Neal, but she loves to have fun!

She LOVES to stand and WALK !!! Yes WALK ( little steps). She is a busy body!

She looks So cute in hats!

Berkley spent a little part of the day at nana's house, they said she was really good and happy!

Happy Birthday !!!!!!

2010-04-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cammie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have been such a great friend to me as you have helped me with so many things! You a such a great person as you show great courage towards anything that comes your way!! I wish you the best day ever!

Love you Very much,
Krista

Reflecting

2010-04-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

Berkley has been such a blessing in my life, and in Neal's too. I remember when we found out when we were pregnant, we were scared. We were scared about a lot of things, more so the financial side. As she is almost 7 months I wouldn't change anything as I reflect on the past. She has brought SO much joy to our lives I couldn't imagine anything different! For me it was though being a mom, being that I was the youngest and had no experience with kids besides babysitting them and giving them back to their parents. The first two months were extremely tough for Neal and I, as we were both going to school. Four and a half months later I decided to quit school and raise my child the way I felt, and it has been one of the best decisions I have made so far.

Over the past two months that I have not been in school I have seen a HUGE improvement in Berkley's attitude, sleeping patterns, and accomplishments (rolling over, standing up, and now trying to walk as I hold her hands!!) Yes ,there are many times when I don't understand certain things beingwith being a parent.. but I have to realize to let it go and re -collect. As I do so, I have an a ha moment. I am very grateful for Mrs. Berkley, so much happiness, along with some stress here and there, has brought me to love this little girl.

Update

2010-04-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny Came !

Berkley LOVES to try and catch the air as we blow in her face!

Found a great deal on clothes for Berkley on craiglist, as she needed them very much.

Made some headbands...a.k.a. head doilies

So far this is what I have made. I have realized in life that I have so to speak learned do manly things men do ( mow a lawn, use a weed eater, work long hours in the sun, lay tile,put together sprinkler systems) I think that is mostly due to living with my dad most of my life, which wasn't bad at all, it was great. Now I am experiencing how much I love to sew . I just recently found out that the serger is my new best friend. I truly do not cut straight and the serger trims and sews it at the same time !!!! I want a serger and a knewer sewing machine someday ( she serger is my mother-in-laws)

Easter Dress

2010-04-01T16:01:00.001-07:00

Getting so Big !

Ignore my hair that day was crazy.

Looking at the pictures I am realizing how big she is getting!!! Time flys by so fast, and when you are getting done with one bump in the road another comes along. We are so very happy to have Berkley in our life's, she has helped us realize that simplicity is golden!! We really do appreciate evreything that we have.

So Neal and I were talking, we are going to start a tortoise farm!!! We have two female leopard tortoises but they haven't had any little ones yet. Once we get back on our feet we & the tortoises start having babies, we can sell them and start saving. I think it's cute!! We can some day call our futuer backyard The Butler Tortoise Farm , he he :).

Standing up !

2010-03-28T22:10:00.001-07:00

She has decided that she wants to stand up all the time since the beginning of this month. I have a little feeling that she will skip the crawling stage, since she hates tummy time ( but we make her do it). She is becoming more comfortable with other people holding her which is totally awesome! I have a new calling in church which is Primary Secretary, she loves being around the older kids and listening to the music, as we do not get out a lot. I am trying to break my bubble of some anxiety that I have with traveling. But it is coming along each day is a new and better day!

ABC's : )

2010-03-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so when we moved in with Neal's parents house Katie(his mom) suggested showing Berkley abc flash cards. I though it was a great idea! I feel really strong and emotional about this topic because I did not learn how to read until I was in 4th grade, and struggled with English through college. Ok so back to my main point, so this morning Berkley was her happy morning self as usual and she does her goo's and gaa's... THEN she is trying to say paa, waa, baa!!! WOW !!! It was so exciting to hear her try and say things throughout the day. Two times a day I go over the abc's with her and say words that go with them, I also go over colors and shapes,I am going to get some word flash cards too!

6 Months

2010-03-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Head = 17 3/4 = 97th percentile

Length= 27 in = 90th percentile

Weight= 18lbs 1oz = 87th percentile

Our BEAUTIFUL girl is getting SO big!! She is Sooooooo much fun! There are just so many precious little moments in the day ... like when she trys to talk goo's and gaas, when she is really hungry she will constantly bang her hand on the highchair seat tray, when she is really excited she will oooh a lot that kind of sounds like the voices from the godfather. The doctor said she is doing awesome, I was concerned that I was feeding her too much food but she said no for her growth rate it is just fine. She can rool over but only when she really wants to... like something new that she has not seen before, she will roil over to see it again (stubborn).

Hanging Out

2010-03-09T20:47:00.000-08:00

Mom please be quiet ( ha ha that wasn't the case)

I love this picture !

Lots Happening

2010-03-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Missy & Miriam !
So cute !

Miriam has the Butler cheeks!

*Miriam was born on Friday and weighs 7lbs. I am sorry I don't know the rest of the details.
Missy says she is feeling great! Her mom is up in Virginia right now helping out , and will be there till the 27th of March.

*Berkley & I had lunch with Cammie and Miles on Friday.
Man it was good to get out and see friends!!!!!

* I broke my pinkie toe on my right foot on Friday. I put Berkley down so I thought I would rest on the couch, then the phone rang. So I half way awake I rushed to get the phone and caught my pinkie toe on the corner of the coffee table. It hurt and I started to cry. Fortunately Neal was there to get the phone, and luckily Berkley stayed a sleep! It feels stiff and it is blue around the bottom of my pinkie. What really stinks is Berkley's room is up stairs!!

Pictures

2010-03-02T19:13:00.001-08:00

Playing

What's on sale?

My dog

Trust Your Instincts

2010-03-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, as usual I was putting Berkley to bed. The tell tell signs for her are rubbing her eyes. I could tell she was getting really sleepy so I gave her her bottle but she wasn't ready yet so we played some more, then she was rubbing her eyes some more. So Neal made another bottle for her, and I was thinking oh she would maybe drink an ounce or two. She on drinking more, out of instinct I had Neal get me a pacifier thinking it would satisfy her need to suck. THEN I took the bottle away from her mouth and an overflow of milk came out of her mouth!!!! Holy crap!!!! I felt bad as a mom because my daughter was covered in milk and sound asleep! Luckily it was only wet around her neck area as we got her cleaned up and put in bed. I just feel SO bad as a parent when little things happen like that. The next time around we will have much more experience., it would nice to have another little one after she is two years old, but seriously no rush!

New Pictures

2010-02-24T08:43:00.001-08:00

I thought this picture was so cute! She is our squishy puffy cheeks girl!

My little burrito

Can you say drool ?

Well, might I say being a parent is a handful! But there are many moments when it is rewarding! Yesterday she was being suborn!!! She did not want to take her naps!! We tried giving her a bottle and rocking her but all she did was stiffen up her legs and arms and grunt. It was kind of funny but a little frustrating as we knew she needed her sleep. I will totally admit, she gets the stubbornness from me. Oh and she is stuck to me like glue, whenever Neal is playing with her, as I get a break, she is constantly looking for me. She loves to roll on her sides and reach for things that she wants but has not conquered rolling over yet. She will get it pretty soon because her legs keep on moving and moving when she is laying down; and she loves holding onto my thumbs as I stand her up. She loves sweet potatoes, and is still figuring out the textures of fruits.

Teeth

2010-02-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

One tooth came up today and there are two more on the way ! :)

Having Fun !

2010-02-12T20:03:00.001-08:00

Trying to help mom with eating my food!

Eating good food !

Playing the harp with Gram!

She's teething !

2010-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

The painfulness has begun! I am glad I am able to focus my time on her on what she needs. Poor thing, around certain times of the day she is not feeling good. In her upper left jaw I see a little white rounded dot, I'm sure it's a tooth.

Time to Call it Quits

2010-02-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

School that is! I have finally came to this decision as I have realized raising my family is the most important thing. Berkley is a handful!!!!!! The rest of my classes for Vet Tec program were all on campus, then not including animal care shifts, and studying. It has been tough! The only time I could truly study is when she was sleeping.... and her napping habits are VERY irregular. All I did was stay inside because I need to study any chance I was able to get. Through lots of prayer I received my answer. I am now realizing that I am not super woman, and that I too need to take care of myself. I feel much happier, and I am excited to show and teach Berkley new things.
And plus my schedule was stressing me out which was stressing Neal out. So my focus is getting Neal through school and try to relieve as much stress as possible, along with raising Berkley. I at least have my general associates done and need to apply for graduation at the end of the semester.

Berkley

2010-02-08T18:54:00.000-08:00

She is so curious!!

1) She is trying to hold her own bottle
2) She wants to hold her spoon and bowl when eating
3) She watches us when we have a cup in our hands and reaches out for it!
4) She loves to feel our faces.. and sometimes it hurts when she scrunches her fingers!!!!!
5) She loves watching the faucet when I am cleaning her bottles. She was watching so intently as the bottle filled up with warm water, after I used the squeegee brush and dumped out the water she jumped back in my arms.
6) She loves to pet the dog's faces, it's so cute!
7) She loves to rip paper,(binder paper) and put it in her mouth.
8) She is such a helper when I put on her new diaper... she holds the front part for me as I get the side straps secure.

Oh.. she is already in level 4 diapers, crazy!

Busy

2010-01-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well... school has started for us, and man are we busy! Last Saturday we were fortunate enough to move in with Neals parents! We are so greatful to have wonderful families, for the opportunity to be closer to them along with going to school. His family is the greartest, we are so blessed!
Neal has 5 classes this semester!!!!!!!! After this semester he will have 4 classes left and he will have a B.A. in Accounting!! I am so proud of him!!!

I am just taking 1 class but it feels like 2! I have class for 5hrs during the week, let alone 15 shifts of animal care that last up to 2 1/2 hrs long for each month. I am doing the best that I can persuing my dreams. My goal is to become a Veterinarian Technician by the time I reach 27 years old. All I have is 10 animal science classes left!

Berkley has already grown 1/2 an inch!! She is reaching out for cups that we have in our hands as she is trying to drink out of the cup. Its so cute!! She has adjusted to the move really well!

Well..I need to get some more studying in, every quiet moment counts, especially when your kid is napping!

4 month Appointment

2010-01-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

Weight= 15.1 lbs Before 12.9 lbs
Length= 25 in Before 22.50 in
Head= 16.5 in Before 15.24 in

She has grown Sooooooooooooo much! She is now on rice ceral, she doesn't know what to think of it yet. With a little bit of help she is rolling over, she will get pretty soon! As I mentioned earlier we are having a tough time putting her down especially during the day, we asked the doctor for advice and she said to let her cry it out. It will definitely be a long and tough process but it will truly be worth it!! You see she has been sou use to us rocking her to sleep that when she gets to her bed she is up. Then the whole process starts all over again and if we are lucky she will fall asleep in her crib. A long time ago she figured out the sleeping through the night thing but the naps during the day... not so much.

Other Stuff Update

So Anna goes to a new home tomorrow, I will miss her a ton!! She is going to an animal rescue agency that adapts for Pets Mart. The lady already has someone interested in her, as I sent her a picture. Since we are moving in with Neal's parents and the dogs tormented the other cat that they had in there we thought it would be best to giver her to someone, plus we can't give her the attention that she needs.

School starts tomorrow, it is crazy how time flys by so fast! Oh something else,..... we thought we were pregnant again... thankfully we are not!!!!! Documentation of periods are VERY important!!
Oh and we move on Saturday!!!!! It will be so nice to be close to basically everything!!!

Bearing My Soul !

2010-01-15T20:32:00.000-08:00

I don't know if my highschool friends are aware of this but..... I am am really afraid of CHANGE! I have struggled with this my entire life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. To playing the violin in elementary
2.Living in different places as my parents got married got re- married
3. Going to school and figuring out which path to go down.
4. Being on my own when I got married
5. Working graveyards on the weekends by doing so I didn't have a social life
6. Dealing with change AFTER having a baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being pregnant was more of a piece of cake for me, but once she was out life was definitely different!
- Her falling asleep in my arms then when I lay her peacefully in her bed she wakes up!
- Her not traveling well!!! It is very stressful traveling with her on my own!! So whenever I need to go and do something I wait till Neal gets home.

So this is me laying it out there.

Moving !

2010-01-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Ok... well the title says it all... we are going to move on Saturday 23rd to Neal's parents house!!!! We are so very excited, and his parents are extremely excited!!! We figured we wold move before school gets into the full swing, as it starts next week. Honestly we are so excited to be closer to family, friends, & school!

Ok so we put our house on the market on Sunday the 10th, then the next day we had someone come look at! Wow! Then yesterday(Wednesday) someone put an offer on the house!! So we will see how things play out with our house in the next couple of months!

So we have been packing up our house all week and putting like everything in storage!

Christmas

2010-01-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry about being late on the Christmas update!! Berkley made out like a bandit, as we went to both sides of the family! Christmas was wonderful! We enjoyed hanging out with family and not feeling like we were rushed to go anywhere.

Greatful

2009-12-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed throughout my life and here some of them...

1. A wonderful family who has supported me in whatever I did.
2. A way awesome husband who is my love and who is always there for me when I need a shoulder to cry on. I love him SO much!!
3. A BEAUTIFUL little girl who has made my life a growing and loving experience.
4. This should be first, the Gospel! I am greatful for this wonderful Gospel as I am learning lots and still have more to learn.

Christmas Letter

2009-12-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow this year is almost over! Neal has had a successful year with his accounting classes, and will finish his accounting degree in December of 2010!! He is still working at PPP but he is VERY excited to get out of there and do what he really wants; being a CPA. Krista is doing awesome as she had a successful year in her schooling, as she finished her basic associates! Starting in January she will start taking her core class for the Vet Tech program! September 17th, 2009 our daughter, Berkley Nicole, was born! Since she was born she has helped us realize that every moment counts, oh and how to manage time more efficiently. She is the cutest little thing and her smiling face in the morning makes our day. It is so much fun to see her grow and experience new toys. We are very excited for this coming year and are curious to see what avenues our heavenly farther will guide us down.

Chill

2009-12-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Just hanging out

Hanging with mom (older pic)
She is getting so big, she now weighs 12lbs 13oz, and she has definitely hit a growth spurt!

Her Blessing

2009-12-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Girl

The 3 of us!

Her blessing was beautiful!! Thank you to all that came out, we almost filled 4 pews!! After her blessing we ate ham, turkey, and roast beef sanwiches for a week and a half, we won't be eating those for a while. Melissa made the dress for her as a baby's present :) !!

2 months !!

2009-11-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

So Berkley had her 2 month visit to the doctors!! She is doing awesome!! She now weighs 11.5 lbs, 22.5 inches long, head 15.25 in. The doctor put her on her belly to see how she would do to hold her neck, and she did so awesome she impressed the doctor by how much strength she had !!!! Go Berkley ! :) She is doing MUCH better at night for sleeping! For the longest time I have wondered what was on her eyelid and the middle of her forehead, I thought it was a rash, nope they are faint birth marks. They won't get like those huge black ones, doc said they will fade with age but when she gets upset they get red. She loves looking at the fan especially when it is spinning, she really likes watching Dinosaur Train on channel 8, she loves to kick her legs while she is hanging out on her huge pillow, and she really likes play time as she smiles and tries to talk to us!!

*Her blessing will be on December 6th from 12p-1p THEN some good food at our house. Anyone is willing to come just give me a call and I will give you directions!!*

Our First Date !

2009-11-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

So, since Berkley has come into out lives we haven't gone out on a date in like 2 months. Since the Phantom was in town at Gamage, Neal loves the Phantom, we decided to go, it was way awesome!! We went on a double date Neal's friends Mat and Malorie, before we went to the show we went to Mi Mi's, mmm so good! We had my mom watch Berkley, and man it was weird not having her around; for that time that time we were apart we really missed her. But having a date with just us and some friends was a must.

Hey everyone!!

2009-11-10T15:10:00.000-08:00

Wow life has TRULY been busy with Berkley and taking 2 online classes! Our schedules have been crazy... but next semesters will be even more. I will be taking my core classes for the Vet Tec program and they are all on campus, yes we are truly crazy! She is so adorable and one of the loves of my life!! She says ga and go here and there and when you talk to here she trys to respond in her own way. What I really love is her huge smiles, it just makes your day no matter if you wake up at 2:30am to feed her! She is already at 10lbs an has her 2 month apt on Monday. I will update a little more in December, in the future I will try to at least blog once a month.. seriously that is how crazy it is.

We will be having her baby's blessing the first fast Sunday of December, if anyone wants to come. Sacrament starts at 12:00 we will have snacks at out house after sacrament is over.

4 Weeks Old !!

2009-10-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

I like to cry when I get tired.

I love my Daddy!

This is when I am alert.

I love my nana!

Hi everyone.

So she is 4 wks old!! Wow, time does fly by fast! She now can't fit in her newborn clothes, and weighs over 8lbs! As she is getting sleepy, the only way that she will fall to sleep is if we pace around the house with her in our arms.

Almost 2 weeks old !!

2009-09-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

I will try and keep a consistant blog,but it won't be as consistant as I use to. Berkley has gotten bigger, she eats like crazy! It has been tough breast feeding her, so I've decided to just pump. Man has there been LESS crying on her part and mine!!! Being a mom is a full time job, I knew it would be alto but until you are in that position then you will know the amount of time it takes. Oh Berkley is so cute! When she she sometimes sleeps in my arms she makes the cutest grins and smile, it just melts your heart!

After getting out of the hospital those fears come in your mind... oh crap this is for real! How am I going to do this? It has brought Neal and I closer to the gospel, with many prayers, and having lots of faith.

We are so thankful for all the help that we have received, words can not describe!!

* We have more pictures but we need to save them on a thumb drive instead of our computer. So it will be a little longer, school and a new baby keeps us very busy.

The 3 of us !!!!!!

2009-09-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

We are home!!

Dress up : )

First Bath

Minutes after Birth

We are home and adjusting! She is a doll, it is just amazing how much love you have for a person only being a few minutes old. I got an epidural at 3cm, I for sure recommend it! My contractions started progressing Thursday mid afternoon, around 5pm & when my doctor came in they really started picking up! I pushed between 30-45 min and she was out. :) Her feedings are going much better compared to day 1. : ) Neal is such a GREAT dad, he is such a great help. My mom and sister have been over helping us, ans man is it such a great help!

Berkley Nicole Butler

September 17th, 2009

7:07pm 6lbs 12oz

21 inches long

Waiting and waiting

2009-09-17T08:23:00.001-07:00

We got in at 11pm last night and the nurse gave Krista some magical stuff to thin out her cervix. She is having mild contractions every few minutes but it doesn't seem like anything major will happen until the give her the plutocin around 1pm. For more updates please check out my face book. Just search under Neal Butler if you are not my friend...but you should be my friend because I love you.

Waiting For A Bed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so our time got pushed to 9:00pm to be induced, now we are waiting for them to call us for an open bed. Luckily we have family that lives close by (his parents). So I will be working on homework and Neal will be studying until they call. It's just a little bitter sweet.

Wednesday is a GO !

2009-09-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

So I had my doctors appointment, there was a little more effacement and no dilation. So we will go in Wednesday night at 8pm and they put some stuff in my cervix to thin it out. He said it would be in there for about 12 hours, the good thing is I can get up and move around, eat if I want to, and then sleep it off. An in the morning I can even eat breakfast!!!!!! Then they will give me petosin if it is needed.

A lot is going through my head right now!! Should I get my e-net homework done before I go in to the hospital, it's due on Sunday... I think I should. I hope Neal will be able to go to his big presentation for school Thursday morning, and then have the baby. I know things will work out in some way or another. I just hope Berkely is healthy and that we will be able to have a since of relief when she comes!! It's exciting but stressful at the same time!

3 More Days !!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-13T09:45:00.001-07:00

So I am scheduled to be induced Wednesday the 16th at 8pm at Banner Gateway, but it will really depend if the doctor says it's good to go. I don't know... I know lots of first time parents have delivered over their due date, we just don't want to get our hopes up. We want to try and prevent a c-section as much as possible. That is why we are waiting for the thumbs up from the doctor if there is any progress down there to so it can help on Wednesday. If he says we should wait longer then we will. The lates we would want to be induced sis on Thursday the 24th. Oh but the waiting....

I really really hope that we can have Berkley on the 16th or 17th!! I am curious to see how Neal will be able to get any sleep, especially on the stiff couch with a baby waking up every 2 hour. Well it will definitely be a life changer for the both of us!