First's....

We have a couple of "firsts" going on in the Burnett household. Brody's first tooth has broken through, sob-can someone pass me the Kleenex. Let me remind you, he isn't even 5 months yet, sob-sob-more tissue, please. He has been drooling like crazy and chewing on whatever he can put in his mouth, and has also been waking up at 5am the last couple of weeks so I knew it was coming. Bring on the baby oral-gel.
Kate has woken up the past 4-5 days with a dry pull-up, so I figured it was time to let her sleep in "big girl panties." When I went to get her this morning, she was completely dry-thank god. She has been potty trained since last summer but being pregnant and walking up and down the stairs at night just didn't appeal to me. Then once Brody was born, I REALLY didn't feel like walking up and down the stairs in the middle of the night. Call me lazy. Now, that we are back in Baku and all the rooms are upstairs, I have no excuses.

Too funny

Conversation between Justin and Kate...
Justin-"Kate, is daddy fat?"
Kate-"No, mommy is."
And to think, a couple of days ago she called me a genius.

Ex-pat living

Justin and I have been living overseas for the past 5 years. In five years, we have lived in Venezuela, Indonesia and currently in Azerbaijan. Each country has its positives and negatives.
Venezuela
Positives-the weather is warm year round, we were very close to the states, and flights to Aruba and Curacao were inexpensive and short. LOVED Curacao, would go back in a heartbeat. Aruba, was just okay, nothing really special about it.
Negatives-Chavez and alot of crime
Indonesia
Positives-the weather is warm year round, we lived in a camp that had everything in it- school, pool, library, office, tennis courts, gym, restaurant and bar. Had great friends, services(mani/pedi, facial, massages,etc) were inexpensive, good restaurants, had a fantastic maid and we were very close to Bali. Out of all the places we have been to, Bali is by far my favorite.
Negatives-24 hour flight home(that was brutal).
Azerbaijan
Positives-short flight to London and Dubai, we have a good maid/nanny, great restaurants and good friends.
Negatives-the cold weather, 16 hour flight home, everything is expensive.
Out of the 3 countries, Indonesia is the one I would go back to. One thing, that I find strange, is alot countries don't have 'one stop shopping'. I sometimes have to go to 3 different stores to get everything on my list. Oh, how I miss Wal-Mart.
When we first moved, Jusitn and I decided we would live overseas for 10 years and then move back to the states. Some days, I think, I could do another 5 years, other days I don't think I will make it 5 days. We have gotten to travel to so many different countries(London, Scotland, Singapore, Aruba, Curacao, Australia, Dubai, Bali, Jamaica, Cabo) and experience different cultures because we live abroad but we have also missed alot of events, weddings(I can count at least 10), showers, holidays and family events.
For me, living overseas is a Catch-22, we get to travel and experience so much but we also miss out on important events.
Who knows where we might be heading next? Maybe back to the states or to another country, I guess we will have to wait and see.

Baby fever

I have a serious case of baby fever. Crazy right? Justin thinks I'm crazy actually insane would be a better word. Brody is 4 1/2 months today, so for 4 months and 13 days, I have thought about/wanted another baby. It would be 4 1/2 months, but since I had to deliver w/out an epidural, I'm not counting the delivery day-well at least the 20 minutes it took to deliver Brody.
The reason I have baby fever is partly because Brody is 90%, most likely my last baby. I'm saving the last 10% for my next husband-haha just joking. Justin is pretty adamant about not wanting a third child. He brings up all the reasons "not to" have another one.
-we will need 2 rooms when going on vacation(have you met my cheap husband?)
-kids out number the adults
-there is always an odd man out
-do you know how expensive college will be in 18 years
-do you really want to wake up every 3 hours again(my answer is always yes)
-we have one of each, were good.
-with our luck we would end up with twin girls
The list continues, but you get the idea.
Seeing as the odds of another baby are against me, it makes me cherish and appreciate the days/stages/accomplishments so much more.

How could he not want a third child after looking at this sweet face.

And this weird face

A letter to Kate

I have wanted to write a letter to Kate for some time but putting all the love I have for her into words is almost impossible. There are so many adjectives to describe her and how much love I have for her.

Kate,
Tears are already forming in my eyes just thinking about how much I love you. You not only made me a mother but also a better person and for that I will always be grateful. You have taught me patience, how to love unconditionally and what loving unconditionally really means.
You are my first born, my soul, my everything. Your smile and laugh can light up a room along with your big personality. You are such a happy little girl who loves to sing, dance, make people laugh and be the center of attention. You are very independent and like doing things by yourself, which drives me crazy but Im sure I will appreciate it once you get older. Just thinking about you getting older brings tears to my eyes. The last 3 1/2 years have gone by so fast. Watching you grow into a sweet kind little girl has made me so proud.
You are so sweet to your baby brother, always wanting to help change his diapers, feed him or giving him kisses before you leave for school. Brody is lucky to have you as his big sister.
You have brought so much love and joy into my life and I am honored to be your mother.
With all the love that I have, I give to you.

Mommy

Finally

Four months and 44lbs later, I am finally back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I must admit, I am a little disappointed it took me so long to lose it. By the time Kate was 2 1/2 months I had lost all the pregnancy weight-26lbs and at least 8 extra pounds. Granted 44lbs is alot of weight but I just assumed it would be just as easy to lose as it was the first time. The last 6lbs were the hardest and most frustrating to lose. The treadmill and I became frenemies. The first half of my run, I had no motivation and wanted to get off. The second half, I found my pace and was actually enjoying it. I can now see the pool and a swimsuit in my future.

5 Years

5 years ago today, Justin and I said our "I do's". I cant believe how fast the last 5 years have gone by.
If you dont know how we met, here is our story:
Justin and I met in the cafeteria our freshman year. He asked me out our second semester and I said yes, but ended up standing him up-horrible I know. We reconnected after college through mutual friends of ours. He was a little hesitant at first, can you blame him? We ended up going on our second "first" date and the rest is history. When he retells the story of me standing him up, my only response is "if we had dated back then we wouldn't be married today".
Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband who has put up with me through the good times and bad. I love you, for making me a better person, blessing me with two(hopefully 3) wonderful children and loving me unconditionally. You really are my better half!
First dance

1st Anniversary. We were living in Venezuela and I was 8 weeks pregnant.

I cant find the picture from our 2nd Anniversary but we were still living in Venezuela.
3rd Anniversary, we were living in Indonesia.

Living in Azerbaijan, but celebrated our 4th Anniversary in Cabo

5th Anniversary in Azerbaijan.

Yummy

Brody eating cereal.

4 months

Brody is 4 months today and the months keep going by faster and faster. We went to the Dr. on Friday for his shots and he got all of them expect the Rotavirus. For some reason they don't carry it here in Baku. He is now rolling over both ways, back to tummy and tummy to back(2/26). I guess all the bragging about him sleeping through the night came back to bite me. For the last 2 weeks he has been waking up around 3am. We would pick him up and give him the pacifier, sometimes it was as easy as that, other times it could be a 45 minute process. After about 30 minutes of trying to get him back to sleep, I decided, if he can wake himself up at night he should be able to get himself back to sleep. The last couple of nights that was my motto and it has worked. After a couple minutes of whining he goes back to sleep. I think when we were picking him up, we were moving him around too much. As soon as we picked him up he would go back to sleep and then would wake up when we put him down. I started him on rice cereal yesterday and he loved it, he never once turned away from it or pushed the spoon away.
Brody's measurements
Weight- 12lbs 8oz
Length- 24 inches
Head Circ- 17 inches