Well, we are just loving Collin so much. He is always as cute as he is in this video. Yeah right. He has his moments, or days, just like any other baby, but he is still such a joy. He is playing in an exer-saucer now which is very nice for us. He can actually amuse himself for a significant amount of time now. He is working hard to sit up on his own, but still topples over after just a second. His favorite things are to spit-up, blow raspberries, and grab our faces. We will be sure to keep you updated with pictures and videos on how our little boy is growing up.

Our Wonderful Thanksgiving

For all you bakers...

I found a delightful gem today. While I was blog surfing today I came across this amazing and unique blog that I absolutely love, love, love!! Check it out, you'll see what I mean, it's a baker's delight...
http://bakerella.blogspot.com

Another tribute to Collin, of course.

The cutest Hobbes on the block

We got an adorable tiger costume for Collin. As soon as we saw it we knew he had to be Hobbes. And of course you can't have Hobbes without Calvin so Adam was a good sport and dressed up as Calvin (it's one of his favorite comics, so he loved it). Collin made a wonderful Hobbes, but Adam on the other hand was a little tall and dark for Calvin (not to mention he had a five 0'clock shadow), but we did the best we could. And no that neon green hair was not on purpose. The color on the colored hairspray bottle looked yellow, but we didn't realize that neon yellow+dark brown=neon green, so that's what we ended up with. It was so funny, but Adam loved it anyway. Here is a picture of the inseparable and troublesome duo.



For Halloween our ward had a trunk-or-treat at a battered women's center and it was so fun to pass out candy to those sweet little kids. We felt so happy and blessed to have such a special opportunity!







These are our fabulous pumpkins, can you guess whose is whose?

When mom and dad are away

Adam and I babysat our niece Cayley a few weeks ago. It was raining outside, but I really wanted to go running and Cayley needed to get out of the house. We bundled her up and put her in the stroller and off we went. She absolutely loved the rain and didn't want me to stop (I on the other hand am out of shape and pushing a stroller is hard work). Well she got soaked anyway, and Adam and I couldn't resist giving her a crazy do!

I think Tim and Michelle will think twice next time they ask us to babysit.

And she thinks I'm sleeping...

So the other day I thought Collin was asleep. When I went to check on him this is what I found...

Our little boy is 3 months!!!

So Collin is now 3 months, where has the time gone? Adam and I can't believe we've been parents for 3 months. Collin is growing and becoming more alert and fun everyday. He still can bust through just about every swaddle and doesn't really like to go to bed or sleep through the night, but what baby does. He has been doing a few new things lately, today and yesterday he was trying his hardest to sit up, which is quite impressive. Of course he couldn't do it without help but he kept using those little ab muscles and got like a fourth of the way there, way to go Collin. He's also making all kinds of adorable baby noises that just make us laugh. He's getting louder and louder and it's so fun. It's also really easy to make him laugh, which of course makes us do all kinds of crazy things to get a laugh out of him, it's adorable, that little toothless grin that just melts our hearts. Also today when I was holding him up so he could stand he was taking all kinds of steps, no he's not going anywhere, but it was fun to see him move his feet. We're are having so much fun playing with this little squirt, but we sure don't want him to grow up too fast, we're enjoying each phase as it comes. The first two pictures we took on his 3 month mark, the other pictures are adorable pictures we've taken the last few weeks.

We love this little bear sweater and this face is adorable

Look at those skinny little legs

This is the classic thoothless Collin smile

Collin relaxing after a long hard day of eating, sleeping, pooping, and smiling

ATTACK OF THE KILLER PLUMS!!!

I know what you're thinking, how could you make that adorable little boy cry, but really it isn't that hard and he was smiling just a few seconds before I took this shot. I am including the following lame pun only to humor Adam... Collin is crying because he is plum-tuckered out. HA HA!! You may think it's funny, but please don't laugh it only encourages further lame jokes and puns.

So really we love this picture because one, it is so sad but oh so cute and two, because we have this crazy, old, dying plum tree in the backyard that produces delicious plums and it will be fun to look back and remember this fun little apartment with all it's quirks.

My creation

So during the General Relief Society Broadcast last Saturday, President Uchtdorf talked about the things we create. I got to thinking about what I create. I loved his talk especially because I think everyone creates things in their own way and our ability to create is a special gift given to us from God. So as I got to thinking I realized that the flowers I have planted this summer are definitely a creation. I took these little potted plants, put them together and they have bloomed into an absolutely beautiful masterpiece. I just love seeing my beautiful flowers every time I come in and out of the house. I have to say it is a simple joy I have found.

Puttin' out the vibe

So I took this awesome picture of Collin putting out the vibe. He sometimes gives me this crooked little smile, usually when he is doing something he shouldn't like pooping in a freshly changed diaper. I can't get mad 1. because that's what babies do and 2. because he gives me that cute little mischievious smile and my heart just melts and then I laugh. Babies are smarter than we give them credit for. I mean come on with one sound (crying) they can make us do anything they want. But anyways, I took this picture and it cracked us up. I posted it on facebook and got some super funny quotes like "how you doing" from heather and "soo...you come here often" from Sami. When I read those I laughed so hard so I decided, hey keep the laughter coming. So I'm asking all of you to make me laugh, because to be honest, sometimes when Collin is crying and I just can't figure out what he wants. Or he's supposed to be sleeping but instead is sucking furiously on his hand and wiggling his way out of every swaddle I can put him in (he's a great escape artist, sign him up houdini) I need a good laugh.

So I am looking for captions from you for this picture! What is Collin saying?

Two yummy recipes

So throughout the years I have collected recipes from all kinds of places. I love getting yummy recipes. Some I get off the internet, in magazines, off food boxes, the newspaper, friends, etc. I'm pretty much always on the lookout for good recipes. So I have a great collection, yet I have made very few of them. Well I decided I should start making the recipes and that way I can keep them if they're good or throw them out if they're not for us. I have recently come across two yummy recipes I wanted to share.

I found this recipe off of the Rachel Ray show. It is actually Dr. Phil's wife's recipe for granola bars. Somehow I followed the recipe exactly, not something I usually do, but it didn't look at all like the picture, instead of granola bars, it's just kind of granola. I doubted it at first, but it's so yummy and I kind of like it this way. Adam loves taking some in a baggy to school and I love snacking on it throughout the day.

Peanut Marshmallow Granola Bars

Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter, as needed for pan
3 c large marshmallows
3/4 c nut butter, such as cashew, almond, peanut or hazelnut
1 10 to 12-ounce box brown rice cereal
1/2 c dried cranberries
2/3 c chopped pecans, toasted
2/3 c chopped cashews, toasted

**Instead of pecans and cashews I used raw sunflower seeds and peanuts (chopped). I also used much less cereal than it called for. I would add a cup at a time so you don't add too much cereal.

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, zap the marshmallows and nut butter, stirring after 1 minute, until melted, about 2 minutes.

2. Add the brown rice cereal, cranberries, pecans and cashews to the melted marshmallow mixture and stir gently to combine – be careful not to crush up the bits of cereal too much.

3. Either wet your hands or spray them lightly with the nonstick cooking spray and turn the cereal marshmallow mixture out onto the greased baking sheet. Press it into the pan using your slick hands so that it's evenly distributed. Set the pan aside and let the bars set up, about 30 minutes.

4. Cut into bars.

This cookie recipe I just found on the internet. So we have so many friends that are willing to babysit Collin, since we aren't paying them monetarily I decided we could them with food. I love making desserts and giving some away. So we decided to drop off goodies with Collin when people watch him, is that extrinsic motivation or what! Does that make you all want to babysit now?ha ha just joking. So I wanted to find a new cookie recipe, we have lots of yummy ones but I wanted a new one so I found this yummy one at a random website. I love the chocolate cookie and the white chocolate chips are just perfect.

White Chip Chocolate cookies
1 c butter, softened

2 c white sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 pkg white chocolate chips * It would also be yummy to mix white chocolate and chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Fold in the white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are set. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
** I like softer cookies so I cooked them for 7 to 8 minutes. Then let them sit for just as long as it takes to be able to get them off the cookie sheet.They would also make great ice cream sandwiches. YUM!!!!

What's so funny?

So, In case you were wondering who the cutest baby in the world is, just watch this video and you'll find out. Some of you out there with babies of your own may disagree, but that's ok. We all know the truth.

Yes, I am still alive

So I have been rather busy lately and haven't posted a blog for months. I feel like I have been so out of touch with the world. And although Adam has posted pictures (which I'm very grateful for) let's be honest, he is one with few words so to find out what's going on you have to go to the source, me the very very, sometimes too much, talkative one. We're a perfect match I would say!
So life has been wonderful and we're staying busy with this little rascal that we love so much. He gets cuter everyday if that's even possible. Just recently I've realized though how easy it would be to let Collin be the center of our lives and neglect our marriage as a result. You love these little babies so much and you put so much effort into taking care of them and they're so helpless and they need you for everything that you neglect everything else. I'm afraid I've been doing that lately and we have only gone on one date since Collin has been born. That is so unacceptable. We love being parents and having a family, but it's sure life changing. So we have lots of adjusting to do and we have to learn how to balance all of our priorities, our marriage being crucial. Sorry if that sounds sad, we're doing great, but I just realized that it takes a lot of work.
Anyway I have to just say how wonderful, sorry to all of you that had to start school, it is to walk by campus and feel no pressure or stress since i'm finished!!! Ha ha I love being home. I miss learning, but I don't miss the stress, pressure, and constant feeling of impending deadlines. I have to admit taking care of Collin is totally a full time job and I thought I would have plenty of free time to focus on me. That isn't the case this little guy is a handful, but I love it and I definitely choose it over school or work. But I feel like a free woman, BYU was wonderful and I am so proud of my education, but I'm taking a break! Woohoo!!
So we hit our three year anniversary August 11th, we both graduated, and we went to Arizona. August was a busy month, but super fun!! I also turned 23 last week and feel like I'm getting old.
Well I'm back and hopefully I'll stay on top of things better!

Collin Swims

Here is our latest video of Collin. We took him swimming for the first time when we were in Arizona visiting Jenn's family.

Graduation, baby blessing, and more

I am not much one for saying a lot. I figure Jenn can come on later and write about stuff. I just like to put pictures on.

We graduated. Yay!!! This is us right after graduation with our little guy in his BYU onesie.

Of course we have more pictures of Collin on this blog than anything. I think it should be called Collin's blog, not Adam and Jenn's.

Here are some pictures of us and Collin after his baby blessing.

Oh yeah, look how much Collin is smiling now. He is even laughing a little. It definitely makes it all worth it when your baby gives you a big grin and a giggle.

Here are some more cute pictures of Collin. Like I said, Collin's Blog. Also, below is a picture of Jenn and Collin with her proud Dad and Grandma.



We will write more later, but I hope you enjoy all the pictures.

Just a few more pictures of the cutest baby ever!!!

Our new adventure!!!

So life has been crazy for obvious reasons. Collin is quite the adventure, especially since Adam and I have very little baby experience so this so new for both of us. For us there is no maternal or paternal instinct. We keep hoping it will kick in but so far, we're pretty clueless and it's lots and lots of trial and error, usually just error. But we aren't giving up and we're really having so much fun. We love watching him sleep because he is just so darn cute and peaceful! What a wonderful blessing, we feel so fortunate to be blessed with Collin and to be learning and growing. Before Collin came I kept praying for patience so that I could be a better mom, and guess what, Heavenly Father is giving me ample opportunities to learn patience, unfortunately it's slow coming, but I'll get there.

So Adam wanted me to make sure and include our nickname for Collin otherwise known around our house as Prince Stinky pants. Prince because he gets what he wants when he wants it (we try to hold out sometimes, but we usually cave when we realize he's not going to stop crying until we do) and stinky pants because we have changed numerous lethal diapers and he has had several smelly smelly accidents all over me! We're learning to NOT be so frugal with diapers because it only ends in me getting nice little gifts from Collin's overly full diaper. Sorry for all the information but that's our life, feeding Collin, changing his diaper, trying to keep him awake, changing his diaper, feeding him, changing his diaper, feeding him, coming up with all kinds of creative ways to try and get him to look at us, etc. etc. There is some sleep time in there, but you never know when he's really going to sleep! Ha ha needless to say it has been such an adventure and we love our little Prince Stinky Pants. He has brought us so much joy! Yes, lots of frustration, especially me since I'm anything but patient, but we just can't stop looking at him and saying how cute he is. It is amazing how easy it is to love this little baby and how quickly and how comfortable we are with saying he is our son and we are his parents. We love this sweet little boy and are so excited to see just how much he changes our life (of course it has already changed so much and we are embracing that change! We just love being parents!)

We have the camera out and we're always snapping shots of our sweet little boy, so here are some more!!

Here is another video of Collin. The lighting isn't so great, but we still think he's pretty darn cute. This is when he was still in the hospital, probably day 2.

Jenn's a Mommy!

So Jenn probably doesn't want this video on here, but it's Collin's first day alive. She doesn't think that she looks good because she just had a baby, but doesn't she look great everyone. She did a great job. Collin was 7lbs 1oz and he was 20 in long. He loves to eat and sleep, and he likes to mess his diaper right after it gets changed. He really is an awesome baby!

Here are some pictures of our new baby!!! Collin Michael Brandt was born on June 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm. He weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce and was 20 inches long. Both he and his mom are doing great, and his very proud dad! Jenn will write more later, but I just wanted to get these out so you all could take a look at him.

Nice Bicep!

The Proud Parents

Little Guy

Happy Grandma

Little Sleeper