Start back up from where I left off..

Yes I am a bit ashamed and embarrassed to not have updated my blog as I had said I would. What can I say sh*t happens! I am so sorry. If you haven't already be sure to check out my youtube channel (I'm pretty consistent on there) and subscribe to get notified of a new video!

Alright so last time I blogged I gave an over-view of 2015 and all the wonderful blessings that were heading my way! For starters of 2016 my oldest child Nate began kindergarten! How freaking exciting! He had been enrolled in preschool since he was 2 years old so his first day of kinder was a breeze for him. For me... Not so much. I was ecstatic yet sad simply because my first born was starting his education. It still feels as if I brought him home just yesterday. I will go into a more detailed blog post about his first day with photos and such.

Nate on his first day of kinder!

I'm Brittney. Mom of these two beautiful people.

Next. I gave birth to my second child Kira on March 4, 2016. I am a mom of two now! Woo-hoo. I never thought I'd have a second child but it has been a major life blessing and I wouldn't trade this life anything else. Ever. She is now 11 months old today! what the heck. No lie the second time around has just flew by. It makes me so sad yet very happy and grateful to be able to witness these little humans thriving! My heart and hands are so full with these two.
HOWEVER- the change of going from 1 to 2 kids is real! I felt like I started all over again (5 year age gap) and juggling a child in school while breastfeeding, finishing up college and being a wife is by far one of the most challenging experiences ever but I can proudly say that I love my life. I am blessed and thankful.

10 month update on youtube :)

Thankfully I am married to a (sometimes annoying) supportive, caring and loving man. We have been through hell and back it feels like but we have managed to compromise and make this marriage (relationship of 7 years) and family work to the best of our abilities.

Rodriguez Family at Legoland January 2017

Vlog of our adventure on youtube (Brittneyvlogs)

That about wraps up this blog post. I have so much to update you all on. If you want to cut to the chase tune in on youtube and you'll catch up quickly if not I'll be back soon!

xoxo, Brittney.

Ending off an amazing year!

As the year is nearing I look back and feel nothing but gratitude to God for all he helped me endure and accomplish this year. To say 2015 was a "great year" is an understatement. I landed an amazing job that opened up opportunities like no other and has helped determine what it is I want to do with my career path.

 I graduated from College and got accepted to multiple Universities as a first generation college student. 

I got married to an amazing individual who has watched me grow and blossom into the person I am today the last 6 years of my life. I married my best friend on one of the beautiful Islands in the World Maui, Hawaii (and it was my first time flying!) 

2015 is the year my son learned that he is going to be a big brother, and words can't describe how happy Mikey and I are to welcome our baby girl in 2016. Most importantly God has blessed me beyond measure by allowing me to be surrounded by all my loved ones. 

Like I said 2015 was going to be my year... well so will 2016. I am excited and a bit sad to look forward to a new year simply because 2015 was nothing but a blessing year round. To be honest it's not the actual "year" that blessed me but the man up above. However I am extremely excited to enter the new year and enjoy my new baby, my family and all my blessings. Thank you Jah. 

Baby #2 and Gender reveal video

I quickly want to recap on some MAJOR life events that have taken place. If you follow me on social media (IG, facebook, snapchat or watch my Youtube channel) you already know and have known that Mikey and I are expecting our second child! We are beyond excited and cannot wait to meet our new family member.

 7 week ultrasound

13 week ultrasound

 19 week anatomy scan

Nathaniel is excited beyond words and I did not think he would be this happy to have a sibling. I know for a fact he is going to be an amazing big brother!

On December 10 Nathaniel attended a sibling tour class and was introduced on how to swaddle, hold, change and help mommy out when his baby sister comes (pictures to follow). One of my goals this pregnancy is to ensure that Nathaniel feels important and know that he plays a huge part in the arrival of his baby sister. His baby sister has a special gift for brother but little does he know... yet :)

A very excited big brother!

Here are a few photos from ultrasounds and video clips of us doing our small gender reveal (I like intimate gatherings so we told our immediate family members first)

Click on the link to watch a short clip of our gender reveal footage!

Gender Reveal Footage

My tiny baby bump at 19 weeks

The Rodriguez Family.

New addition arriving March 2016.

We love you baby girl.

See you guys next blog post!

xoxo Britt

Catching up...

So it's been almost exactly one year since I've posted on blog... I must say I am disappointed at myself but rather putting forth that energy of being upset I decided to do something about it. There's so much to catch you guys up on it seems like it'll take me a while but let's summarize this as much as possible and as soon as I get on my desktop I can update the blog with photos!

Nathaniel is 4 and half and will be turning 5 in January which is around the corner and at this point I am huge ball of emotions for reasons I will explain in a second. He is the funniest, coolest and sweetest boy I know. Everyday I ask God what did I do to become so blessed with him? I am thankful at the same time. Today he asked if I had ever cooked a chicken? And in response I told him yes and he found that quite odd. It made me wonder what he thought chicken nuggets were made of. He is at the stage of unlimited curiosity and asks questions about questions and it's beautiful to know that Mikey and I are teaching him new things everyday just as he teaches us things we never knew. ..

YouTube videos have been hard to come by simply because I am a mom, go to work and attending school leaving me with limited time to do other activities I enjoy. This is when prioritizing is of importance and not that YouTube isn't important but spending time with my child is on the top of my list but for those that have subscribed to my channel and follow my blog I truly appreciate you. Thank you for bearing with me and random comebacks.

There will have to be a second part to this as I am putting my boy to bed and need major rest as these dark under circles won't go away on their own. Good night... Until next update (hopefully tomorrow) Love you all!

Self-Doubt.

There are times where we self doubt. We question our abilities to reach a goal, any goal for that matter. When I feel like this there are a couple of techniques I use to climb out of that hole fast! I have been at a point in my life where I continued to let those thoughts take over my emotions and I kept digging myself into that hole deeper and deeper. I lacked confidence in myself like never before. Negative self thoughts are never good. It can lead to depression, anxiety and irritability.

Its nearing the end of the semester and the pressure is on like no other. I have 1-2 exams every week and I am sleep deprived, stressed, worried and I have another human life to take of while I'm at it so I had to find ways to make myself feel better. Ever since I made a list it has helped me tremendously. 

Right when you doubt starts creeping in...

#1: Breath, cry if needed but by all means keep calm.

I tend to cry as a way to express my anger, sadness, and even happiness. Crying is a sign of you expressing yourself and don't let others tell you its not okay to cry because it is. It is healthy to release it rather than "bottle it up".

#2: Think about all your current, past & future accomplishments.

Think about and remind yourself of how far you came. What you have accomplished and why you should not feel down about yourself. Focus on the good rather than the negativity at hand.

#3: Pray/Meditate

If you believe in any form of a higher power express yourself that way as well. If you feel you have no one to turn to trust me you do! For myself, prayer is amazing. It has turned such a negative outlook into a positive one and can be utilized anywhere, anytime and at any place. 

#4: Smile.

When you know you're about to have a breakdown just smile. When I smile I tend to laugh and realize that the situation could be worse and just go with the flow life is too short to not smile. Right?

and lastly #5: Take a walk and soak up the beauty of your surroundings

Last time I almost had a nervous breakdown you can guess why... School, homework, exams.. Life! I had so much material I had to cover but I couldn't continue reading with all these thoughts invading my brain so I went outside and felt the breeze whisp through my hair and I closed my eyes and felt the air as I inhaled and exhaled and for about 10 seconds let absolutely nothing else enter my mind other than the inhalation and exhalation of the air that's keeping me alive. 

I opened my eyes and I knew that everything would be fine. Small forks in the road doesn't make the world stop instead find ways to go around it.

Be Happy.

Life Update Continued... School & Work

Welcome back to the continuation of my "Life Update". Last time you visited you should have came across the first part of my life update which was me having a "mommy moment" and giving you an update on my little boy. Now that we covered that portion I am going to move on with work and school. 

I have been attending college while working which has been a major set back in the past as to why I recently have begun attending college full time. It is a challenge to be able to complete school while worrying about bills and taking care of another little human. 

No matter what I have always been attending school and I also work because the only person who helps me financially would be Mikey. He is very supportive in all the decisions I make and he is always there for support in any way possible.

School has been crazy. Actually I have probably been the crazy one that didn't know what I wanted to do. When I had realized what it was I wanted to do as a career I had a premature baby boy and did not know where to start. Keep in mind that I will am the first generation in my family to attend college so I had no clue what I was doing. After Nathaniel had been born and dealing with certain medical conditions of his I realized that being a Nurse is something I could see myself doing. A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner to be exact.

That vulnerable, hopeless feeling of having a premature baby is one of the worst positions to be in as a mother. I watched my son struggle to breath and eat normally however I now know that god helped me get thru but also to help me realize what it is I wanted to do. My dream is to help parents young or old go thru this difficult life experience and know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Also to never give up on their own hopes. I have made nurse friends who were taking care of my son when I wasn't allowed to hold him (due to being in the incubator and breathing tubes) and they inspired me.

So I am completing the last two nursing school prerequisites (prerequisites are specific courses needed to be admitted into a nursing program. Please note: all prerequisites vary depending on nursing program of interest) that I need to apply to Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN programs)!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!

What does that mean? That means it is time for me to apply to nursing schools. I will be applying in a few months to nursing programs in hopes of being accepted! 

What happens if you get accepted?

When I get accepted... Shit will get real. haha.

Seriously that means once the program begins I need to buckle down even more and prepare for the ride of a life time. 

BSN programs usually take around 2-3 years to complete depending on several factors. So the next 2-3 years of my life will = NO LIFE. I will complete the nursing program with honors. I have been completing my associates degree with above average GPA I know I can get my Bachelors with honors as well.

I know that its going to be the most challenging 2 years of my life thus far however it will be worth it.

Some of you may ask what happens if you don't get accepted?

I have plan A,B,C,D,E,F..... up to plan Z.

I am serious I have been working extremely hard to not get accepted into a program that this is NOT an option for me. In other words if one school doesn't accept me thats ok because I will be applying to several schools. They will get so sick of me that one will eventually accept me. hehehe.

I will not give up. Its not a choice for me.

I am very excited for my very near future academically, personally and spiritually. God has been amazing to me and my family.Nothing but happiness has been entering our lives and I would not have been here where I am at today as the person I am without the big man up above. 

Quick recap. Some of you may be thinking who gives a poop whats going on with this chick but quite frankly I do. I write this blog not just for my loyal subscribers and friends/family but also to keep my memory fresh and be able to look back and understand past struggles I have overcame to motivate to overcome new obstacles. Its also going to be great for my son to be able to read what his mom has had to go thru all for him. Plus there are also people who are curious as to why I haven't been up to date with my youtube channel and I feel horrible for leaving people out of the loop. I put myself out there and made friends and I want to continue that friendship thru other means such as my blog. That is why I haven't made any videos... I am so busy but I don't forget about my loyal peoples! 

I hope you all enjoyed this blog and got something from it. Thanks for stopping by. If you have any blog requests or any questions at all feel free to leave them down below and I will get back to you asap.

"If you can't stop thinking about it, don't stop working for it"

Love, Brittney

Life Update

About 2 days ago I attempted to film a "Life Update" video. 1st attempt battery was too low and 2nd attempt Nathaniel kept talking to me and so I decided not to film it at all. It just wasn't meant to be. 

So here I am! Giving you a quick life update via blogger.

Where to begin... Ahhhh yes. Most importantly. Nathaniel...

He is now 3 years old and is very independent. He enjoys doing things on his own like 

• changing his clothes
• pouring his own milk (which 99% of the time leads to spills)
• buckling himself into his carseat
• riding a tricycle
• washing his hands without reminders
• blowing bubbles (his favorite)
• folding laundry (or at least he trys)

I can go on... but I want to keep this short. He has grown into his own individual and thats something that no one can take away from him. He is a very artsy little boy. He loves cutting shapes, painting, coloring especially now that he knows to color within the lines. He enjoys putting puzzles together. 

My favorite hobby of his is he LOVES to record himself on our cell phones and even grabs my camera and starts talking to the camera as if its his friend. Hmm I wonder where he got that from!? No matter what it is his little heart desire I will be certain to stimulate his interest as much as possible. I am so eager to continue to his individuality appear even more as he grows. 

My little spider-man fresh out the bath on a summer day 6/2014

Sometimes I get so caught up with life and how I want to accomplish several long term goals within the next few years but then I catch myself and reality... My goals will be accomplished no matter what but this boy will not be this age forever. I try and enjoy the "now" as much as possible because the "now" will soon be a distant memory that will forever live in my heart. I just want to try and capture it all in, mentally and visually (via blog and photos/videos) So parents enjoy that precious infant/toddler/preschooler/child as much as possible. Looking back at my life as I update you all on it I no longer have a breastfeeding infant. I now I have my 3 year old preschooler who by the way enjoys going to school so very much. He has developed tremendously right before my eyes and quite frankly its out of my control but I will savor every second.

Stay tuned for next blog- Life Update:School, work & relationship...