Kristen & Brooks etc.

GO Spurs GO!!

2011-01-28T09:32:00.005-06:00

Boppa has had season tickets to the San Antonio Spurs basketball games for years...it's one of his favorite past times! He wanted to make sure and take Brooklyn while she could still get in for free! ...so Nonnie and Boppa decked Brooklyn out in her Spurs attire and they headed to the SBC Center!

I'm ready!!
Sitting in Nonnie's lap...taking in the people, food, music, cheering and of course...the game!!

A little bit louder please!

I truly think she had a great time! She will tell you all about her hot dog, pretzel and basketball. Nonnie and Boppa went to another game a few days later. I woke Brooklyn up from a nap that day and her first words were "see Nonnie." I told her "Nonnie and Boppa are at a basketball game"...and she said "Brooklyn go basketball too."

I think she is patiently waiting until she is invited again. She also recognizes this "spur" and yells "basketball" whenever she sees someone wearing it!

New Years Resolution!

2011-01-09T14:56:00.007-06:00

...so apparently my last post was on May 8th, 2010 :( ...today is January 9th...what better day to pick back up again than 8 months later. My Thirty-One business has become insanely successful...and we are so thankful, but I want to be better about focusing on Brooklyn. I'm so blessed to be able to stay at home with her...and I want to be better about cherishing these times and moments!

Some of my goals for 2011 are:
-better work/life balance
-more one on one time with Brooklyn
-post a short snippet on the blog of something we did for the week
-more time with Brooks in the evening (back to work/life balance)

I have never been good at this "blogging" stuff, but want to try! I have so much that I want to get caught up on (the last pictures that I uploaded were from her 1st birthday!!!)...need to upload pics from Christmas 2009, Easter and other events...AND tell everyone about our fabulous family vacation to Wyoming, Brooklyn, Mother's Day Out, Christmas 2010 and so much more!! ...but for now, we'll start with this...

PAINTING!

Sometimes I feel like a dud and that I don't do enough fun things with Brooklyn...or any of artsy craftsy stuff...mainly because of my patience (it's lacking). However, today I loaded her up and we went to Wal-Mart to buy new crayons, markers and yes...watercolors. She has crayons...but they are OLD...they are colors that I took from Mame's house during the estate sale...I think some of them are older than I am. Needless to say, they aren't the best and I began to wonder if they are even non-toxic. We got her some new twisty crayons and pip squeak markers...she was excited!I opted for watercolors over the little pots of paint because a cup of dirty water spilled seemed safer than little fingers digging around in small cups of paint.

"Nonnie, do this"
(Nonnie painted her nails yesterday, so she thought she would give them a 2nd coat)

She had a blast and I tried to be patient. Apparently black was her favorite colors and she DID NOT grasp washing the brush off between colors (this is where I struggled with staying calm...haha). I was very glad I bought the simple pack of 8 colors vs the package that had 24 different colors.Ta-Da!!! Brooklyn's final masterpiece!! ....classic Brooklyn smile in bottom picture :)
Ok, this wasn't too bad...and wasn't overwhelming since it was just short and sweet. Make sure I stay with it and keep this up!

We officially have a toddler...

2010-05-08T16:32:00.004-05:00

...and sometimes that doesn't seem accurate, because she is no longer toddling around...but RUNNING!!!

Yikes...did you know her SECOND birthday is in less than 4 months? We won't go there...

Ok...since my updates are unfortunately few and far between...I'm going to try and be brief (and then FOR REAL), my goal is to upload pics within the new few weeks! Someone hold me to it, please!!

We went to Midland for Easter and Grandma Q's 75 birthday! We had a blast, visited with cousins, aunts/uncles and grandparents! My favorite part of the trip was Brooklyn getting to experience and Easter Egg hunt with cousins...and A LOT of them!! She was able to hunt eggs with Joey, Jackson, Reagan, Gracie, Quentin and Brinin!! She doesn't have that on my side of the family...so it was fun! She's actually pretty good at it too! Just tell her the eggs are trash and the basket's her trash can and she's your girl!! She LOVES trash!! Anytime she finds a spec of anything on the ground "trash, trash" and wants you to show her the nearest trash can!!

Another fun thing she learned in Midland..."turta" (for those of you who don't know, that's "turtle"). Grandma Q has turtles out in her yard and Aunt Teri showed her an itsy bitsy baby turtle...Brooklyn said "turta" out of the blue and has been saying it ever since!! She's quite the fan of "turtas."

We also slept with Brooklyn in our room...in a pack in play. This is HUGE for her...and us. We may have a good sleeper on our hands, but she doesn't like to share her bedroom with others! ...however, all three of us slept great!!

Brooklyn and I went to Aunt Jamie and Uncle Johnny's shortly after we got home because I had to work the Boerne Just Between Friends sale. Unfortunately, there was a monsoon going on, which I think affected our traffic. I did get a few parties booked and some potential consultants...so fingers crossed!! Speaking of consultants...wow, I have FORTY-SEVEN women on my team...and all across the country (13 different states!). I can't believe that May 1st was my year anniversary with Thirty-One and how much fun I have had...and how much of a blessing it has been for our family!! I love what I am doing, but most importantly...I love being with our baby girl!! HUGE thanks to Betsy for finding Thirty-One!!!

Ok, back on track...Brooklyn spent a ton of time hanging out with Jamie and John...and even got to sneak in a few visits with Aunt Jo! These are extra special to me...because it is the next best thing to being with Mame! :) Brooklyn has also become obsessed with pictures....this started at Aunt Jo's when she wanted to see a picture of Mame. She likes to sit framed pictures in front of her while she eats and give them kisses! :) ...at my parent's house...she wants the pic of "Daddy/DaDa".

Recently we took Brooklyn to Helotes' Cornyval!! I don't think I had been since high school! You know how you see a lot of kids clinging to parents legs in social situations? Well, that's not our child...she is off, out and about running!! She is SO GOOD, such a happy, good, baby...but man, take her somewhere and you better be holding her hand, because she is super curious!! ...kind of freaks me out a bit! However, at least she does like to hold hands now!!

Brooks and I have been wanting to tile our kitchen since we bought our house and we finally picked some out!! :) We wanted travertine, but after some research...discovered that it was a bit too high maintenance for us, so we opted for a porcelain that looks like travertine. Our tile guy will be here bright and early Monday morning to rip out of vinyl flooring and tile our kitchen and guest bathroom!! We are really excited!

My parents have been named...by Brooklyn...Nahni/Nanni and Boppa. She has truly done this on her own...and it's pretty cute. She talks about them ALL the time!!! First thing in the morning, in the car, etc...we hear "Nahni, Boppa...Nahni, Boppa." I'm so thankful that we are so close to them and that she is truly comfortable staying there. She has even spent the night a few times!!

Brooks made reservations at Hotel Valencia for our 4th anniversary and we dropped her off for a night (I had no warning...and we both did fine. He and I also had a WONDERFUL time on the RiverWalk and it was a fun "staycation"). I have also had a few EARLY parties...so we have dropped her off to spend the night so I don't have to wake her up early.

Other fun words our kiddo says: "nee" (Candy), "wa-ee" (Water...to drink or bodies of water), "gace" (Grace), "choos" (shoes), "bess" (Bless You when you sneeze), "peez" (please), "oh gosh" (this has replaced 'oh wow'), "ni-night" (Night Night...and when she's ready, she tells you!), "hi", "bye bye," "ow" (down...without the d), "boo boo" (scrapes and cuts), "walk" (when she wants to get down and walk on her own), "mum mum" (Mum Mum snacks), "nak" (snacks), "a" (egg), "cul" (color/crayons), "eye", "ose" (nose), "eea" (ear), "bobo" (elbow)...and of course dog, duck and all her animal sounds (cow, sheep, pig, monkey, elephant, dog, cat). Last but not leaset, but bestie friend...Rowan has become "Row-o"...

She is also slowly figuring out doing "I Love You" by pointing to her eyes, her heart and then pointing back to you...she will have this mastered any day!!

Brooklyn is also the epitome of a girly girl...she still LOVES her shoes, is obsessed with wanting to put chap stick and make up on...and also wants to wear necklaces, bracelets, watches or glasses!!!

Last but not least...wowzers, we leave for Wyoming in less than a month!!! We are so excited...but yikes, we have a lot to do!!

March Madness...

2010-03-20T16:30:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure what to attribute the title of this post to...but it just seemed appropriate. We have been crazy busy...but that's nothing new. Brooklyn keeps us on our toes and is one busy busy bee!!

Brooklyn and I took a trip up to see Great Aunt Jamie and Great Great Aunt Jo in New Braunfels. We had a blast! We were there Thursday-Sunday!! Brooklyn performed all of her animal sounds - cow, sheep, dog, monkey...pointed to her body parts - nose, mouth, chin, ears, eyes, elbow and tummy! Her aunties were quite impressed!! Aunt Jo even shared some chocolate ice cream with her!! She is always obsessed with the stairs at Aunt Jo's house...but she didn't even attempt to go up them this visit (that made for a more pleasant get-together).

Aunt Jamie and I took Brooklyn to a few stores in San Marcos at the Outlet Mall. We were looking for a Pottery Barn kids chair...and we found one!! We also found some goodies at Old Navy, Children's Place and Heartstrings...my baby girl was pooped from all the shopping!!! Daddy missed us while we were gone...this is the longest that he has been away from us!!

I participated as a vendor at the Just Between Friends consignment sale at Crossroads Mall!! I made a ton of new contacts...so hopefully with a little follow-up, it will have been worth my time! I'm really looking forward to the sale in Boerne next month!! The JBF sale was Thursday-Saturday...that's right...3 whole days. ...and this was the most amount of time that this Mommy had been away from her baby :( ...so who was she with? Grandma!! ...and poor Grandma was pooped!! She hasn't recovered from her foot surgery as well as she had hoped, so I think it was a bit much for her (which I feel guilty about). Don't get me wrong...Brooklyn is a wonderful little baby (wait, toddler...), but she is constant action!! Walking this way...then that way...opening this...shutting that...and of course "bite, bite, bite"...she is obsessed with eating when she is at Grandma's house!! ...speaking of Grandma, I 'think' we might have a name for her. Nahni...Brooklyn started saying "nah nah...nah nah"...and it has somewhat developed into Nahni. We'll see if it sticks. She better come up with something for Grandpa or he'll feel left out.

Gina and I took the girls to a an easter egg hunt in the park. The Easter Bunny was even there!! (duh! who do you think hid the eggs?!?). All the sweet kiddos were lined up waiting to sit in the bunny's lap...Brooklyn kept waving at him, saying 'hi'...etc. I thought "YES"...she will like the bunny!!! Turns out I was wrong...the big 6 foot tall bunny fits in the same category as Santa Claus...the bottom lip started quivering and her arms reaching out for help as soon as we set her in his lap. Oh well, maybe she'll be into the characters next year...

Brooks has been such a busy beaver at work!! Did you know that he sold 14 houses in February?? That's one house every other day!!! We are so so proud of him and so grateful for all of his hard work!!! We truly feel blessed that he is having such an amazing spring!! I hope the house buying/selling continues!!!

"I'm leaving on a Jet Plane"...that's right...we are taking Brooklyn for her first flight!! EEEKS!!! We booked our flight to Denver a few nights ago!! We are taking a trip to Wyoming this summer to see some friends (Jeff and Aneesa). They have a little girl, Karlie, who is about 3...so she and Brooklyn should have fun. We are terrified of flying with Brooklyn...but I keep telling Brooks, "we'll never see these people again." We purchased a portable DVD player in hopes of it entertaining her. I'm not so much worried about her being uncomfortable (ears hurting, etc)...as wanting to wander around...and explaining that she has to sit for 3 hours! Fingers crossed!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-14T18:09:00.004-06:00

You know what Brooklyn got us for Valentine's Day?? KISSES!!!

That's right!! On the 9th, she gave us an early present and figured out how to give people kisses!!! It simply melted our hearts...and still does!! She makes the kissy sound and everything!! It's pretty awesome!!

Another fun word that she has started saying is "bayyybee"...whenever she sees a baby...she says her long, drawn out..."bayyybee". Her yogurt (still her food of choice) has a baby on some of the containers...so she also says "bayyybee" whenever we get her yogurt out...or when a baby is on tv...or when she sees a baby out an about.

She has also figured out how to ask for another bite/more food! She loves to say "biiiittte"...she really enunciates the "iii"...it's funny.

Brookie and I went to have lunch with Daddy today...which we frequently do. ...and by frequently, I mean we frequent Tink-a-Tako!! Brooklyn has actually discovered that she really likes bean, cheese and egg tacos...well the inside at least. The tortilla tends to end up on the floor. All of the waitresses know her...thus where she began her love of dipping "di di"...with EVERYTHING!!! We must eat chips and salsa way too much!!

We went out for a double date on Valentine's Day with Ian and Seda. Seda was about to leave town for several months...and we had been wanting her to take us to a Turkish restaurant. We went to Turquoise Grill...and boy was it yummy!!! ...not at all what either of us expected; we can't wait to go back!

Brooklyn Jean...you are the complete love of our lives and we love you more than you know. I cannot fathom how you are nearly 18 months old...and we are nearly as close to your 2nd birthday as your first!! You have been a complete joy to our lives...in every way imaginable!!

Back in time...wrapping up the year!

2010-01-26T17:51:00.007-06:00

It makes me so sad that it has been nearly two months since I posted something about life. ...so let's take a step back in time!! While I am truly so blessed to be so busy with Thirty-One, there are so many other things that I want to do. #1. Catch up on blog #2. Upload pictures to previous posts on blog #3. Print blog (more on this coming soon) #4. Print snapshots of Brooklyn (July trough current. It felt so good when I got this done over the summer...but now I am just as behind. Really? How did this happen. Anyone have any tips??) #5. Have prints of professional pictures taken. If can can accomplish all of these things, I will feel better about life.

December....this month was nearly TWO months ago!! It started with a great visit from Aunt Betsy, Quentin, Gracie and Brinin. We had a blast!! Betsy and I took the kiddos to the zoo and road the train in Brackenridge Park. Brooklyn liked to stand on the train. I can't wait to take her back to the zoo!! I think she will have more fun each time she goes!! To commemorate her first trip to the zoo, I bought her a mini stuffed Okapi. Here is a picture if you don't know what it is...he was seriously the cutest and looked so soft!!! His legs were like a thinly striped zebra and his body was solid deep chocolate brown. He was all alone in his area (kinda sad) and his legs were twitching...so maybe he wasn't the happiest animal at the zoo...but he had a special place in my heart! Maybe the Okapi was more for me than Brooklyn, but she seems to be a fan!

We also went to Bass Pro Shops to see Santa Claus! Did you know he was there? Well he was, yuppers the real Santa Claus made it down to San Antonio for some time at BPS. ...needless to say, Brooklyn was not really a fan of Santa Claus. I think she would have rather been sitting with the Okapi. As soon as she laid eyes on the bearded man in the red suit, her bottom lip curled under and she began to wail. Last year she politely laid in his arms for her picture...but this year, she gave us a classic, screaming child picture. In all honesty, it's pretty cute. Granted...we would have preferred a happy child...but for a Christmas picture, this was the next best thing....

We also introduced her cousins and Aunt to Cosi and Orange Cup...both were a big hit! The rest of December was basically filled with Thirty-One parties!!

Everyone came to our house for Christmas on Christmas Eve. We may or may not have had a Christmas Tree up this year. We did have stockings hung with care. Brooklyn got an extra special (amazing!!) gift from her Uncle Cousin John (my Mom's first cousin)...a 100% complete hand stitched, petit point needlepoint stocking. It is absolutely stunning!! It has Santa, fancy Russian buildings, ballerinas...and so much more detail!!! It is such a special keepsake for her!!! It took him a year of hard work and love!!

We were blessed with spending Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa K, Aunt Jamie and Uncle John, John's sister Mary, Uncle Cousin Steven, Ian and Seda. We had a pretty great time eating tamales and being with family. One of Brooklyn's big Christmas gifts was a kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa K. ...so she got a ton of soft/stuffed veggies, eggs, cupcakes, pots and bowls. She is set to make us veggie stew and dessert!! She loved...and I mean LOVED stirring in her pot the entire night!!! She was too cute!! She is also a big fan of opening and closing the doors of her kitchen...and putting things in them. She also got a magna-doodle type thing, which is probably her most favorite toy!! It says ages 3 and up...but she has always been a fan of Rowan's....so she got her own!

Now Brooks. What can I say about what he got for me...but W-O-W. I broke down in tears when I opened his gift. I don't cry very often...well maybe in front of him, but not in front of other people. I am still in awe of his gift. Ok, sorry to hold you in suspense. He had a book made that is just pictures of he and I. It has special little stories, note and memories on each page. It is simply wonderful!!! He has definitely set high expectations for himself.

You might ask...what did Brooks get? He is now fully stocked on socks and underwear! Yuppers, that's right! That's how romantic I was this year. Ok, he got a few other things too...wireless headphones, corduroy pants, beard trimmer, gadgets for the garage...and a few other things...but nothing seems to even come close to competing with my present. Thanks babe!!

My parents spent the night for Christmas...which was so much fun!!! When we woke up, Santa (err, umm...Grandma Q and Grandpa Joe) had brought Brooklyn her official Little Tykes Cozy Coupe Car!! Once she figured it out...she LOVED to climb in and out...and in and out some more. She is still a bit too short to push it around...but she loves for us to push her!!

We went over to New Braunfels on Christmas afternoon. We got to see Great Aunt Jo, the Irvines and thank John for his amazing stocking!! Aunt Jo got Brooklyn a shopping cart (so she can go shopping for her kitchen!!)...and got to see her open it. On our way home...we wanted to stop and eat...didn't feel like dragging leftovers out...we our choices were IHOP and Denny's. We opted for Denny's. Major disappointment...no Moons Over My-Hammy on Christmas Day...they have an abbreviated menu for certain days of the year. It was sad...but we had dinner...with a bunch of other people who apparently eat at Denny's on Christmas!! The service wasn't the best...but hey, it was Christmas.

The next day we took off for Midland and had Christmas there! It was nice...Teri, Tim and the boys were still there when we got there. We also got to say hi to Joey and Jill before they left...and then we had the rest of the time with his parents. I stayed up late playing Phase 10 with Betsy each night...a pretty fun card game if I must say so myself. We twisted Brooks' arm into playing with us the last night. We visited Rosa's and Taco Villa. Brooklyn is a fan of Rosas' bean and cheese burrito...thus she is definitely Brooks' child. Ryan was in town...so we got to see he and his Mom for a quick visit.

The day we were supposed to leave, it was supposed to snow. It made me nervous to be on the road with nasty weather...but it turned out to be ok by mid afternoon. However, it DID snow that morning. We bundled Brooklyn up and plopped her in the backyard to take her picture. She wasn't too sure about the snow. In reality, there was barely enough to stick on the ground. We gave her a small snowball and she WOULD NOT hold it! She was just kind of frozen in position and not sure what to think about it all.

Other fun facts about life. Brooklyn loves to rock in Popeye's old rocking chair. We caught her a few times climbing into it in her bedroom...so I put it in the living room. She loves to sit in it and say "ra ra" (rock rock). She also says: mama, dada, no no (she is a pro at this one), ba (ball), ish (fish), baby, bu-bye, hi, wasz isz (what's this), uh ohhh, oh wow (not so much anymore...this was kind of a phase)...we are still working on more or bite! She knows her: nose, eyes, ears, mouth, tummy...and loves to point to yours too! She knows a cow goes moo.

Brooklyn's special talent?? Her imagination! If you hold out your hand in front of her...she will grab/pinch things out of your hand and put them in your mouth. Then she "chomp chomp" chews them up and goes back for more imaginary food. It is pretty stinkin' cute/funny!

We are still pretty amazed my this little being that we have brought into the world. She is starting to get cuddly and hug on us. It just melts me when she cuddles with me because it is so rare. She won't give us kisses yet...however, she loves to give kisses to her animals, dolls or the dogs. Hopefully Mommy and Daddy will be next!!

Ok, so remember Brooks' fabulous Christmas present for me? I really want to take the time to have this blog printed on an annual basis and made into a book. I think it is the best baby/memory book for Brooklyn. I am embarrassingly behind on her baby book...but this is pretty current (I may lag between posts...but I make the effort to catch up). So, I hope that this is the last post in her book! I just need to make more posts (shorter ones!!) on a frequent basis...and that will simplify life!! Just little snippets here and there of her life.

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-25T17:51:00.000-06:00

Brooks and I rang in the New Year at home. We put Brooklyn to bed and had a fun night of fondue. Cheese and chocolate!! Yummy!! My Mom just had foot surgery on BOTH feet on December 30th...so she is off babysitting duty until at least mid-Februrary.

We celebrated Brooks' 31st birthday at Paeasano's...and my parents volunteered to keep Brooklyn. I thought Paesano's would be super yummy since Brooks had not been there...however, he didn't agree. He ordered Chicken Parmeasean...and was not a huge fan. However, I had Shrimp Paesano...and it tasted exactly like it was supposed to!! ...remember all the socks and undies he got for Christmas...well he got more for his bday!! :) Lucky guy!!

Brooks' birthday was on the 7th...and well the 8th was a hard day for Brooklyn and her parents. She has dealth with tear duct issues her entire first year of life. Poor girl thinks here right eyelashes are made of cardboard...and are glued shut half the time. We finally bit the bullet and scheduled her for surgery. We had to be at the hosptial at 6:00 a.m. and her surgery was scheduled for 7. Dr. Charles McCash did performed her surgery and he was pretty great...minus constantly running late! ;) Aunt Jamie met Mommy and Daddy at the hospital and waited with us while they took Brookie back. We didn't take our camera...so we only have our cell phone pics.

They put her in a tweety/bugs hospital gown...and Dr. McCash drew a squiggle above her right eye (to make sure they operated on the right one). We didn't really have a chance to kiss her goodbye...the nurse just wisked her away. She was gone from us 30-45 minutes...and then the doctor came out and said she did great!!! Her passageway was super narrow, so her problems didn't suprise him! We went in the back to see our Brookie and she was one unhappy camper!! Not from pain...but from being held by strange nurses and not seeing anyone she knew!! I nursed her and then they wheeled Mommy and patient out in a wheelchair.

She went back for her post-op the next week, got a great report...and is still doing well!! I think the surgery was harder on Mom and Dad...becasue it was the first time we have turned her over to someone other than family...and we weren't with her.

Brookie and Mommy have been visitng Grandma nearly every day at lunch time. We play with Grandma, brighten her day...and let Bitsy and Grace out to go potty. The computer has become a good companion to my Mom...and has helped occupy her days. She has a game that she plays with fish...Brooklyn loves to come up to the couch....pat it (which means "I want up")...and then she points at the computer and says "ish ish"...it's pretty cute.

My Mom has also had MayMay's electric amigo car...Brooklyn LOVES to climb on this and walk circles around it!! ...she also has fun when Grandma takes her for a ride!!

Neeless to say, Grandpa has been doing a lot more solo babysitting with Brookly, since Grandma is off her feet. They have had fun!! :)

Can't seem to keep up with life...

2009-11-27T12:21:00.003-06:00

It makes me sad that I am so incredibly behind on posting pictures of our sweet little girl!! Yes little girl...not baby. All of a sudden she appears to be this small child to us...and we can't seem to figure out where time went...

I think I'm going to request a few hours from Brooks...that I can just sit and upload pics! I think I will feel better about life. But...until the pictures can be posted...I will re-cap...once again a large time of span...the last month!

Brooklyn pulled up for the first time at her birthday party...and since then she has been a furniture/wall cruising machine!! A couple of weeks ago she got brave and took a step from one ottoman to another...and did this again at Great Great Aunt Jo's house...from chair to coffee table!! She then began taking just a few steps here and there...before she goes "boom" and sits down. However...her steps are getting more and more. She can now walk from Mommy to Daddy...or from couch to Grandma/Grandpa! She is doing so so good at this new "walking" skill!! We are always in awe of her when she does something new...she simply amazes us!! Her new found mobility has created for some fussiness when she is in shopping carts, highchairs...etc...because she wants to get down and explore herself!!!

If you tickle her and say "ticka ticka ticka"...she will touch her tummy and say it herself! This cute skill came from Grandma Jan!! She knows where her nose, mouth and eyes are...and can point to yours too! Her favorite book lately is "Pat them Gently"...a great find from the Target dollar spot (and a great gift from Gina and Rowan). She LOVES this book!! She brings it to us all the time...and it is short enough that she can pay attention to the whole book! AND...it has taught her to pat Khloe and Shelby gently...it is too cute watching her give them the lightest pat!! However...one day Khloe did get a rough tug/yank on an ear...thankfully she is so well tempered!

I have been beyond busy with Thirty-One, which is truly a huge blessing...I just need to figure out how to get organized!! I have had two promotions...Senior Consultant...and most recently, Director. During the month of October there was sales contest and I won a digital camera, HD pocket video camera and a 42" plasma tv....we are pretty excited!! It is going in our game room!!

Speaking of our game room...we recently sold our "like new" treadmill...and bought a "like new" recumbent bike from someone on craigslist. We are hoping that we will use it more than they did. It is the exact same model that we wanted from Academy...but we got it for 50% off!! Gotta love craigslist!! So far Brooks has used it twice...and I have yet to get on it. Since you can sit and it has a back rest...and we will have a nice new tv up there...we are hoping for some motivation...

Brooks has been doing well at work. His neighborhood just released some more lots...woohoo!!! His latest change is going to "KB wear" which takes effect on December 1st. He's super excited about his new ties that sport the KB logo..and Blue, Tan or White shirts! Yup...that's what his uniform will consist of. In reality...it's not that bad...the ties all say KB really small in some sort of geometric pattern...and his favorite color is blue...so he'll survive. Free ties from the company...yes....but free shirts...not so much, we must make a trip to Kohl's...they have his favorite broadcloth dress shirt!! Brooks also went on a canoe trip with Steven up/down the Colorado River and they camped out. For some reason he first invited me...glad he came up with plan B. This past week he went deer hunting with his friend Tim...and shot his first deer, which is currently at the processor...steak and ground meat coming soon! (we'll see what I think about deer).

We just got back from Thanksgiving in New Braunfels. It was at my grandparents house...where it has always been...except it wasn't Mame and Popeye's house...it was Aunt Jamie and Uncle Johnny's house. It was really nice and everyone had a great time...except for the dogs. They have two dogs...one of which isn't the most social. Poor Shelby walked in the door and immediately got greeted by Mitford with a clamp down on her snout...and so the fun began! We kept Shelby away from the other dogs...for some reason they were scared of her size...however, she was probably the sweetest and most well behaved out of the 6. Yes SIX dogs at Thanksgiving...mixed with food flying and cooking in the kitchen...there's bound to be some canine jealousy and a fight here and there. ...after the initial skirmish...they did pretty well.

Brooklyn however treated us with waking up at 3:45 on Thanksgiving morning/night. For some...this might not seem odd...but when I tell you that she has NEVER done this...I mean NEVER. I tried putting her back to sleep...but she was ready to go! So...Brooks and I got up with her and had her in the living room. She was playing, crawling, crusing...talking..having a grad ole time! Grandma got up to go to the bathroom and Brooklyn saw her and said "HI"...we couldn't help but laugh. Finally, by 6 a.m. she was back asleep....and Brooks and I slept in the living room. I think part of her problem was that she had gotten cold...she usually doesn't sleep in the same room with us and we had the fan on high...and then on top of things, we were in her space. She slept fine...alone....form 6 until 9:30.

Ian and Seda came over to NB to have turkey with us...we all stuffed our faces with roasted turkey, smoked turkey, dressing, gravy, corn casserole, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, crescent rolls, brown n serve rolls...and appetizers of cheese, crackers, sausage, pickles, olives, okra, stuffed celery (umm...which lead to us not being quite so hunger for dinner...oops). It was nice being with family...and our family isn't that big...so it was the usual crowd (minus Scottie and Maggie who have moved to Las Vegas)...us, my parents, aunt/uncle...joined with Ian and Seda. The usual. However, Aunt Jo and John stopped by for a visit on Wednesday, which was nice. Brooklyn didn't pull her hair this year (remember last year..she grabbed her hair and didn't realize that SHE was the one hurting herself and didn't realize all she had to do was let go?? yeah, that was funny...and geez, she has changed a TON in the last 12 months...)

I think this about sums up our last month. Betsy, Quentin, Gracie and Brinin should be here tomorrow...which should be fun! Not sure what we have planned...talked about the zoo, children's museum...or something! We'll see what the weather has in store!! :)

....again, hopefully pictures coming soon!!!

Beach, Midland...and More!!

2009-10-29T16:22:00.003-05:00

I had the best intentions of making the "beach" it's own blog...but time is simply getting away from me...so let me just recap on life since Brooklyn's birthday!!

We (my parents, Brooklyn, Brooks & I) went to South Padre from September 18th-22nd. I really really want to be able to take Brooklyn to the beach each summer....but REALLY wanted a baby picture of her in the sand!!

I bought a cheap-o umbrella stroller at Wal-Mart with the intentions of it getting junked out and ruined on the beach...but wanted something to push her in. It mainly turned into a chair...and something to carry her in...because it didn't push through sand very well (but the thought was there).

Our first stop was in Port Isabel...WAL-MART (because we don't have those here, ya know!). It seemed to be a better bet for a grocery store than the Blue Marlin grocery store on the island. We stocked up on sandwich stuff, breakfast goodies...and snacky stuff! We went out to eat about once a day...which worked for Brooklyn!

We showed up looking like 100% tourists...video camera, camera...and 4 crazy adults staring at Brooklyn clapping and cheering for her as we set her down in the water! She loved to splash in the waves and to crawl around! I quickly decided that the beach was a safer place for her to be than the pool...because she couldn't "fall in." We built sand castles...chased her across the sand...watched grandpa fly a kite...went to the pool and more. Overall, we had a great time...and made some great memories! She had a few facefulls of salt water...but seemed to survive it all!!

She was such a trooper too! She did so great taking naps and sleeping in her pack n play! Mommy and Daddy were a bit nervous because we haven't shared a room with her since she was 3 months old. We had to whisper again...I think we are more cautious than we need to be, but she is seriously a super light sleeper (a GREAT sleeper, but yet a light one).

The only time she woke up was at 1 a.m. the morning that Daddy and Grandpa were supposed to go fishing. I woke up in a panic and SWORE that the sun was up! Turns out, it was the light outside our room and it was only 1...not 5. Ooops! Daddy wasn't very happy with me, but luckily I got Brooklyn back to sleep! Once 5 a.m. hit, they did have a successful day and caught a few redfish and some mangrove snapper!!

We also took her to the Sea Turtle Rescue center, which was pretty fun! We showed all sorts of super old turtles (we tried to be educational!). We ate at one restaurant on a pier (Pirates Landing) and they gave her a paper pirate hat...to our surprise, she kept it on for a very long time!!

Other than coming home with her 2nd ear ache, I think her first trip to the beach was well worth it!! :) I just remembered the WORST part of the trip...the car ride!! My mom and I sat in the back with Brooklyn. Did I mention that she likes to keep the backseat to herself? Apparently she does not like to share and feels like we are in her space! She is perfectly content in the car...and sleeps just fine, when she is ALONE! However for us, our darling girl screamed herself into a tizzy the way down and the way back. We finally learned to put up a pillow on either side of her so she couldn't see us...and she went to sleep. Crazy kid...

We came home for about a week and then left for Midland! Betsy had holiday open house with Thirty-One, Scentsy and Mary Kay! Everyone did great and the day flew by!! Then on Sunday it was Gracie's 5th birthday party which was also fun!! Monday we pretty much hung out at home and then it was time to go on Tuesday. We are always SO busy when we are there, it just flies by!!

Then...we came home for another week or so and left for San Angelo! Teri had a Thirty-One party!! (talk about two great sister-in-laws who are helping me out with these parties!!) Teri also did fantastic!! She also had some of the most beautiful and fun Halloween decorations I have EVER seen!!! If I could pay someone to come decorate for each holiday...I might decorate more! But I simply don't want to store all these fun things...nor set up or take down (thus I am dreading Christmas...I sware we JUST put everything up!!).

Alas, we came home...and don't feel like nomads. We have no where to go for quite some time...and that is a nice feeling!! I went to the Yardhouse at LaCantera for my 28th birthday (yes, I'm feeling OLD!). My parents, John, Jamie, Gina, Jonathan, Mike, Sandy and Ian were all able to come!! It was opening night for the restaurant...so they had a few glitches here and there, but the food was AWESOME!!! We will totally be going back!!! I got my drivers license renewed today...it doesn't expire until 2015!! I'll be 34, which makes me feel even older :(

My mom has a stuffed animal chicken that when you squeeze it's wing it lights up, dances...and you guessed it! ...it does the Chicken Dance!!! We have all started to teach Brooklyn the Chicken Dance in preparation for Wurstfest!! A family tradition for I don't know how long...so we are sure she is going to have fun! She loves to dance and bop around to music...what better music than German polka, clogging and chicken dancing?!?! November 7th...here we come!!

Brooks, Ian and Steven are going on a canoe/camping trip the beginning of November on the Colorado River (he invited me, I said NO thanks!). I have been super busy with my Thirty-One business and feeling really blessed. I will be promoted to Director the end of October (my 2nd promotion). I still can't believe how much I am loving the company and how great it has been for me, and for us as a family! I know have eight consultants on my team (none of which I have personally sought out...everyone I meet simply loves the product and the company) and a total of 18 on my team!! It is a wonderful blessing!!

Brooklyn is still taking 2 naps a day...and I am thankful for that. We can get by with only one, but it is not very pleasant. She cruises around furniture and ANYTHING that she can get her hands on! She is great at pushing her little "walk-along" things...or small tables or chairs! I got her bangs cut for the 3rd time...and I guess the 3rd time was the charm!! I sat her in my lap today and she didn't shed one single tear! Was happy as a clam!! Lesson learned...DON'T put her in the cute little car!! She looks SO much better and "kept" and not like and orphan!

Brooks and I took her to a pediatric opthamologist (Charles McCash) on Monday to get her poor little eye checked out. She has had tear duct issues since she was born. I have massaged them, we have given her drops and ointment...and she still struggles with that eye...always having crusties, goopy tears...her hair will get stuck in it, or sometimes it gets stuck shut...it's all pretty sad. Her left eye cleared up on it's own about 3-4 months ago...but the right eye is more stubborn. He told us that her eyes look great and her vision was right where it should be! Checked to make sure that the duct issue was not caused by something else. She proceeded to tell the dr "no, no" and wave her hand in his face. He said "I'm very glad you have an opinion." This is her latest..."no, no"...she is quite good at "no" and knows exactly what it means...unfortunately she says it a bit much. Anyways, he said that she did need surgery. Babies that are 8-10 months can be probed in the office...but much older than that, they have a greater anxiety so it is just easier to do it under anesthesia. It makes us nervous...but he said it's a super quick procedure. We will probably get that scheduled for some time in November.

Speaking of Brooklyn "speaking"...she also loves to say "hi" and it is just the sweetest sound!! Sometimes she will put her hand/arm up to her ear like she's on the phone and say "hi, hi!" Too cute!!! One day the phone was ringing and she picked it up and handed it to me!! She also knows that shoes and socks go on her feet...and hats go on her head. She will try to put things in their respective places...it's fun watching her try to put things on! She will say "da da" and pat her chest...because that is what Brooks does. She also says "di duh" for diaper. She will make the "ma ma" sound...but I have no clue if she knows what she is talking about. However, she must...because she LOVES to talk and has the longest conversations with herself!!

Brooklyn has also become quit the picky eater!! She used to eat any and everything we gave her! Her diet now consists of vanilla yogurt, peach yogurt, pear yogurt, apple yogurt...and thankfully YoBaby has 3 in 1 meals...Green Beans, Pears and Yogurt...and more!! Ok, not really...but yogurt is the only thing we can get in her without a challenge. Last night she did eat a tub of green veggies, which was a shock! She also likes meat balls...and hot dogs. We quartered a hot dog (no bun) and then sliced it in little pieces and she ate the ENTIRE thing!! I need to go find veggie or turkey dogs!! She also loves the Gerber Graduates Crunchies...I think they look like Cheetos...which can't be a good thing! ...but she's a big fan!!

I think that pretty much sums up the recap on our lives lately! Halloween is Saturday and her Grandpa K bought her a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit...so we are going to make her a cheerleader for Halloween! Gina's mom has graciously invited us and my parents over to her house for dinner and trick-or-treating...so that should be fun. Otherwise I doubt we would go...because it would be silly for us to take her since she's not walking yet...haha. At least this way we are with a group!! Rowan is going to be Tinker Bell, Chloe/Jeremy and parents are going to be Goldy Locks and the Three Bears....and then Brooks and I...yeah, I think we are going to be the duds...and just be ourselves! Should be fun though!!

...and SERIOUSLY, hopefully pictures will come soon....

Brooklyn 1 Year Pictures

2009-10-18T14:52:00.007-05:00

I'm totally behind with this blog (and I think it secretly eats at me every day)...I need to post some old pics...and catch us up to date...but in the mean time, here are some WONDERFUL pictures to enjoy!!

These were taken by Catherine Lopez...a good friend and photographer. She took these cute pictures to celebrate Brooklyn's 1 Year Birthday!! Family pics coming soon...

1 Year Old...

2009-09-25T19:32:00.001-05:00

Wow...I have no idea where the past year has gone. In some ways it feels like a big blur. We lost Mame a year ago today, which still doesn't seem real. I still think about her everyday. Sometimes when Brooklyn is smiling or laughing at "nothing"...I think maybe Mame is making her smile.

Anyways, this little girl (which totally describes her now) celebrated her First Birthday last week. On her actual birthday, we went to Osaka with grandma and grandpa and watched them cook on the table. We thought this might entertain her...but turns out we might need to wait a year or two more...or just make sure she has a fresh nap first. She was a tad fussy...which was finally relieved by an order of mango ice cream. She was also graced with a visit from Great Aunt Jamie on her birthday!! She made the trip to hand deliver some flowers...and to sing to the Birthday Girl.

Mommy and Daddy woke Brooklyn up by dumping balloons in her crib and signing "Happy Birthday." ...the was followed by some fun music and more balloons in the living room! That night Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa...and the BIRTHDAY GIRL went to dinner at Osaka. We thought it would entertain Brooklyn if they cooked on the table. Ahhh, maybe this will be more entertaining in a few years. It caught her interest for a bit and then she was bored. However, considering she didn't really nap all day...she did quite well. Some mango ice cream seems to be the trick!!

We had her actual party on Sunday, September 6th. The Nethery clan won the award for coming the farthest. They drove down Saturday and stayed with us through Monday! Brooklyn had fun with her cousins!! She and Gracie and going to have so much fun doing all the "girly" things as soon as Brooklyn gets a tad older. Well actually, Gracie LOVES doing the girly things with her now...but Brooklyn will be able to participate more in the future! ;)

Grandma S-L-A-V-E-D away in the kitchen all day on Saturday baking and decorating cupcakes and cakes (yes, plural...because Brooklyn had to have her own cake to SMASH!!). My Mom always made my cake each year (one might think I would want to tackle this tradition for my own daughter...but my Mom is so great at it...I thought she should continue with the tradition...maybe I will take it over in the future). We had a #1 cake pan, which matched the invitations perfectly!!! ...and when I say perfect, it is because Grandma took the time to ice each little pink and white square with the star tip...and then gave it a green border...TOO CUTE!!!

Talk about a HUGE party!! I think there were more people here to see this little cutie dig into her cake than we could ever get together!! Let's face it...we don't really through parties...haha. Just to name a few: Grandma & Grandpa K, Nethery Family, Great GREAT Aunt Jo, Great Aunt Jamie/Great Uncle Johnny, The O'Brien Family, Katherine, Mary Lynn, Steven, Jennifer, Ian, Pamela, Yokley Family, Melissa (Tillie), Danielle (Christian), Martin Family, Dawn (Arianna), Benavides Family, Heather (Cindy)...and please forgive me for those that I forgot!! Let's just say this girly of ours is LOVED!! I bought bubbles, sidewalk chalk and play dough for the kiddos to play with...they seemed to be entertained!!

However, I totally overestimated how much food we needed...so we had enough to feed an army. We had fruit and veggies galore (and literally enough fruit dip for an army...9 cups to be exact...oops!). Yummy spinach dip (Thanks Aunt Betsy!!). Delicious tortilla pinwheel sandwiches (Thanks Target!! ...the best deal in town!! ...one tray would have been plenty). And did I mention cupcakes, cake and more cupcakes??

Everyone gathered around to watch the Birthday Girl eat her cake. I have to say, she was a bit hesitant at first. I think the icing might have felt funny to her. Since it was done with the icing tip, it was kind of textured. She basically picked at the edging for a while. Finally, I gave her a good taste and she delved a little deeper. Never made a huge mess...but she did get pretty darn sticky and had icing everywhere!! I stripped her down and dunked her for a quick bath in the sink before her festivities could continue.

I can't hear you...can you please sing louder!!

The birthday girl needs a little ice cream too!!

After cake, most of our friends left...and we just had family here. It seemed like an appropriate time to let her open her gifts. Cousins Gracie and Quentin were her helpers!! Needless to say, Brooklyn seemed to be more interested in the boxes that her gifts were in vs. the toys! WOW...I think we know own a complete Little People village!! It is so incredible and they are the cutest toys!! I love it that she will be able to play with them for so long!! Quentin is 7 and was still having fun with them!! She got: Happy Sounds Home (Grandma Q/Grandpa Joe), Car Garage/Race Track (O'Brien Family), School Bus (Jennifer/Karol), Tractor (Aunt Maggie), Boat (Ian), Airplane (Steven), SUV (Danielle)...and the Farm!! She also got a ton of clothes and a Little People Parade push/ride along (Grandma/Grandpa K). The Netherys (ahem, Cousin Gracie) gave Brooklyn not only her first baby doll...but a Baby Stella Doll...which Gracie has too!! They were soo cute with their little dollies!! She also got a ton of fun bath toys and a tent/tube (Aunt Jamie/Uncle John). Some other fun goodies that she got included puzzles, books, jewelry and much more!! Yes, I did say jewelry.

Brooks and I gave Brooklyn her charm bracelet. It is actually my old bracelet that I ran out of room on when I was younger and upgraded to a bracelet with more links. I thought it would be neat for her to have and for us to be able to start that tradition for her. She has the "B" and a cupcake!! The other jewelery that she got is a diamond ring from her Daddy (it is a marquis, solitaire). Brooks came up with the idea all on his own...and didn't even tell me about it!! He wanted her to have something from him that was hers her whole, entire life (or nearly!)!! Brooks gave it to her with a super sweet note that basically said that it is to remind her that he will always be there for her no matter what. He wanted her to have this ring to keep with her as a reminder, and then when that special day comes...when she finds a person that makes her feel the way that he feels about me, that person can replace it. How sweet is that?!?!

Aunt Betsy and Uncle Curtis were also so generous to give us one of their Little Tyke outdoor slides!! It is so awesome!! It is a small slide and swing that is perfect for Brooklyn!! We don't have anything like this...so I know it will be used a lot!!! Speaking of outdoor play stuff...Brooks and I also got her a water table....which we FORGOT to give her. ...and have been so busy, that it is still in the box!! We will give it to her soon...I mean, the girl LOVES to splash in the dog's water...just think of the fun she will have with this!!

Another neat present that she got was a hand crafted t-shirt from Melissa!! Melissa has her own company, Melimba, and she makes the cutest creations!!! Stationery, clothes...and now her very own fabric!! She is quite the talented friend!! I wanted Brooklyn to have a cupcake shirt for her party...so Melissa designed one!!! ...AND she even gave us some stationery with cupcakes that have Brooklyn's name on them!! Fancy!!

Cousins & Baby Stella Dolls!!

TAADAA!!! The big finale!! After Brooklyn finished opening her gifts...she PULLED HERSELF UP!! Our little girl had not been wanting to stand...but how amazing is it that she did it when we had the camera out!! She acted as if she had been doing it her whole life!! (all 12 months of it!). She only did it one time that evening...but after that she was on a roll!!! It was funny, at first her legs would get so so wibbly wobbly and she would stand there crying...not knowing how to sit. Thankfully (for her sake), her legs have gotten stronger and she has figured out how to sit! She is know a furniture cruising fool!! ...and PS - a few days later she learned that she can also climb stairs!! (did I mention that I just ordered two baby gates? yes, yes...one for the top and bottom of the stairs...).

A hat or tutu, that is the question!

To wrap things up....my Mom and I took Brooklyn to JC Penny (a few days after her birthday) and had her picture taken with a little round cake from HEB. These were just diaper shots digging into the cake. This icing was definitely more fun for her to touch (either that or her cake digging experience has improved)...but she was such a mess and had a blast!! Our favorite was when she stuck her foot in it!! She LOVES to do things with her feet!! Then, she had enough and there were pink hand prints ALL OVER the sheet!!

Today, our wonderful friend Catherine (Four Creative Studio) took pictures of Brooklyn in her tutu. A minor detail that I forgot. I bought Brooklyn a tutu for her Birthday...I thought it would be cute for her to wear. She actually just wore it during presents...and kind of looked like a little peacock when she stuck her hiny in the air and crawled. It was pretty fun! Aunt Jo even thought it made a festive hat! I agree, don't you? Anyways, we met Catherine today...and she was so gracious to take Brooklyn's picture!! She kind of reminded me of a little fairy in a garden! She just wore her birthday tutu and her multi-colored corker bows from Grandma. I can't wait to see the pictures!! We are doing family pictures with Catherine this next week!!

Alrighty, I seem to be a bit long-winded...but it was a BIG day in our little Brooklyn's life...so I had a lot to say. I think this seems to sum up all things 1st Birthday. Pictures you ask? Yes, that will be my next step...to add pictures for this post....AND the last!!

Less than 3 weeks...

2009-08-17T04:14:00.006-05:00

First of all, you might be asking yourself what I am doing up blogging in the middle of the night? Brooks woke up at 2:30 AM (yes, AM!!) to go fishing at the coast. Needless to say, I have been unable to go back to sleep...and after tossing and turning for a bit I decided to turn on the computer and brought it to the bedroom.

Figured the 4 in the morning was a good time for me to catch up on our blog...and be un-distracted, since Brooklyn is sleeping. Although, she keeps stirring and talking/jabbering in her sleep...so I have been staring at the monitor in awe of how cute she is.

Ok...seems as if a month as gone by since my last post...and that makes me so sad. Mainly because this is the best re-cap on Brooklyn's life....and I haven't had time for it lately...so let me take you back. (although I don't think much has really happened in the last month).

July 25th I drug Brooks (and Brooklyn) along to the hospital for the "Buckle Up Baby" Refresher Class. We bought Brooklyn her new big girl carseat and wanted to make sure we knew how to properly use it. Out of all of our childbirth classes at Methodist Hospital...the carseat one was both of our favorites...worth every minute!! We are so critical when we see people driving around with the handle up on infant carriers, with things hanging all over the car to entertain their child...that could potentially knock them in the head, with the straps not tightened enough, with the chest clip too low on their torso...or with added things to the carseat for their child's comfort that make the seat not quite as safe as it was intended to be...ok, that is my rant on car seats.

We bought Brooklyn the Britax Marathon because of their safety ratings and their weight limits! I got an awesome deal on her seat...the pattern I wanted (pink and brown polka dots...yes girly...but it will be hers forever!!), it was on sale and I had a 15% off coupon!!! She can rear face until 35lbs...which we will likely follow because it has proven to be the safest...AND she can forward face until 65lbs...highest weight limit on the market! Not to mention, I weighed her on a friend's baby scale this past week and she was just shy of 18lbs...so she is still super tiny!! Totally worth every penny...everyone we know that has a Marathon, LOVES it!!!

Did you know that in Texas it is the law to rear face until your child is 1 year of age AND 20 lbs??? Apparently some people don't. I recently met another Mom, who happens to have twins...and she flipped her girls to forward facing at SIX MONTHS!!! I just met them at 10 months and they are 17 and 20lbs. I simply don't understand people. It has obviously been determined that rear facing is the safest position for children (BABIES!!)...so why woul you do otherwise?? For your own selfish convenience?? Yes, I realizes that we survived our parent's parenting skills...bumpers in the cribs, TONS of stuffed animals...and some of us not even having carseats...but this rule/law is in place for a reason. Ok...I will move on versus criticizing other people's parenting....

Anyways, Brooklyn is a B-I-G fan of her new seat. When she falls asleep in it she looks so comfy. Her head rests comfortably on the side of the seat and doesn't flop over when she falls asleep. It is also super soft and just comfy looking!! Brooks and I wish we had one! Did I mention how EASY it is to install!!??!! The carseat technician installed it for us and showed us exactly how to use it with the LATCH system, as well as with a seat belt. Britax wins the award for the B-E-S-T LATCH system on the market...so so easy!!! Easy to tighten, easy to install...would definitely recommend this seat!!

Do you remember the HUGE ball pits at the kid oriented pizza places (Little Piper Pizza...Chuck E Cheese???)....and how you didn't want to think how dirty and disgusting those balls might be from little kids wallering all over them?? Well, I tried to create Brooklyn's very own mini-ball bit. I got an inflatable baby pool at Target ($4.99) and then found a massive bag of balls for sale on Craigslist ($5). I filled the bathtub with bleach water, swished them around...and let them soak. We then rinsed them off and had balls laying all over our house to dry. We have more balls than fill the pool...so I figure we can upgrade to a bigger pool that might be more entertaining...because this pool is TINY!!!! Brooklyn can't even lay down it its so small!!

I thought this would be great fun for her. It entertains her for about 1/2 a second and then she rolls or crawls out of it. I think she has more fun crawling through the balls when they were laid out to dry. Oh well, it was the thought that counts. Maybe she will change her mind in a few months.

Speaking of crawling...this kid is everywhere!!! Talk about having a busy bee on our hands (we call her a bee for another reason...will get to that in a second). She is not phased if she goes somewhere without you. She will just trot off on her own to any room in the house...thus we have started shutting doors. She has discovered her skill of opening doors...and smashing fingers in drawers. Yes, we have bought cabinet locks (and our outlets are all plugged up)...but a certain Daddy hasn't gotten them installed yet. It is quite the daunting task of locking all of our kitchen and bathroom cabinets...but I think it will be worth it.

However, I do have to say...she is pretty good at sticking to "her" cabinet. We decided to let her play in the plastic cabinet...it is all of her dishes and our plastic cups. WARNING...anything in this cabinet needs to be washed before you use it!! Baby slobber and dog hair may be found on items!!! I washed everything the first time...and then decided that was a waste of time...haha.

She is learning "no no"..and when you tell her, she will usually look at you and then move on to something else. Although, funny story. We have three wrought iron candle sticks (1-3 feet high) in the corner of the hallway. She has tumped one over once...didn't hurt her...but I think just scared her. Anyways, when my Mom was keeping her...she went to investigate the candle holders. She put her little and on the first one...my Mom said "no no"...Brooklyn looked at her and moved her hand to the second one...my Mom said "no no"...so she tried the third one...and after being told "no no" for a third time (on her third object) she finally gave up.

Remember, how I said she is a busy bee...well she is also a BUZZING bee. I don't know if I have ever mentioned this before...but she is the noisiest eater ever!!! We think it's cute...unless she is bother other people. She must really enjoy her food...because it is constant buzzing and humming while she eats!! Brooks asked when she was going to stop buzzing and I said "just enjoy it...when she is 12 you will miss it (unless she still buzzes and that might be weird). I was on the phone with the pediatrician's office a few days ago scheduling her 12 month check up and the lady said "oh you have a moaner"...and I said "yes, she's eating...she hums when she eats"...and she said "she's buzzing"...so since then, Brooklyn has been our Busy Buzzing Bee.

12 months, what?? Really, Brooklyn's birthday is in less than 3 weeks?? Wow...how on earth did that happen. It's so funny, she is such a little girl. She is so long, so kid-like looking...it just blows our mind on where the last year went...and how we spent last September. Alternating who rocked her to sleep and held her until she was completely zonked out....and what seemed to be late nights. Although, we have been very very blessed with a child who is a wonderful sleeper...she has slept through the night since she was about a month old (really probably from the beginning, but I had to wake her up for feedings). She will go to bed between 8-9, and wake up between 8-9. She is even flexible..if we are out late or over at my parents house...she usually a pretty good trooper about staying up an hour or two past her bedtime. She is still pretty good about taking two naps during the day. Her morning nap is a breeze...sometimes she will fight me on going to sleep in the afternoon...but she will usually play herself to sleep.

I'm sure we will have a small celebration for her on September 3rd...how can we not?? However, her official party will be on September 6th. We are just having family and close friends over to the house...get together, have fun, eat...and watch her DIG into her cake!!!!! I bought her the cutest felt hat at Moon Mippy...Brooks thinks it looks like a scary clown hat...I love it, I want it to be her traditional birthday hat and wear it each year!!

Until recently, we had an 11 month 1 week old baby with no teeth. People have been asking us for months how many teeth she has. I didn't cut a tooth until the weekend of my first birthday...well Brooklyn has beat me!! This past Friday, my parents were over for dinner and she was buzzing away while eating...and I yelled out "Oh my gosh, she has a tooth!!!" There was a shiny white spot on her bottom gums. Her first tooth is on her lower right incisor...August 14th!!! I thought it was coming because last week there seemed to be a bump on her gums...so I had been feeling around. Wednesday night/Thursday morning she woke up crying for like 30 seconds...sat straight up in bed...looked around and flopped back over, maybe this was her tooth poking through??? Who knows, luckily "teething" hasn't seemed to affect her sleeping (knock on wood)...if we are now in the so called "teething stage."

Wow...so apparently I did find quite a bit to write about in the middle of the night and it appears that she has had a pretty eventful month. One as fun side note...Brooklyn knows how to kiss her baby doll. We bought her a doll at Wal-Mart so we could start practicing body parts with her (nose, eyes, ears, feet...etc). We also started giving the baby kisses on her head. If you say "kiss the baby" she will crawl over to her doll, open her mouth and slobber on her head. It's so stinkin cute!! Talk about getting a wet one!! She won't kiss us yet...although she has done this to me twice, but I don't know that it was intentional...but still sweet!! :) Speaking of faces...she loves to investigate our faces...grabbing eyebrows, nose...mouth.

She knows "da da da"....she will say "du" for duck and "ba" for ball...maybe the "ma ma ma" sound is right around the corner. I finally printed pictures of Brooklyn...birth through present. This has been something that had been weighing heavily on me...and stressing me out the further and further behind I got. Yes, yes...I know we are in the digital age where we can just pop a DVD/CD into the TV or Computer and look at pictures that way...but I want her to be able to flip through albums and look at baby pics. I am happy I had them printed...we now have 3 albums of Brooklyn snap shots (yikes...that is just through 10 months!!).

A few other fun facts about Brooklyn. We have been pretty conservative about what "real" food we will give her. She mainly just has Stage 2 and 3 baby foods. She eats puffs and yogurt melts. We have recently expanded her diet to have a Vanilla Wafer now and then. She started out eating those great....and now immediately tries to stick the whole cookie in her mouth. She also loves Graham Crackers and Gold Fish. She has eaten avocado, cheese, banana, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, strawberries, kiwi....but we have recently discovered her most very favorite are blueberries!!!

We also love it when we walk in the door from being away...and when she sees us coming she crawls at "super speed" towards us and squeals with her skrinkle face!! I think it just melts our hearts...

A VERY HOT Day in Landa Park with Aunt Jamie

I will try to be better about posting more often...it would not be such a daunting task if I posted updates on a regular basis. However, lately I have been so busy with my Thirty-One business. I truly feel blessed that Betsy sent me the information on this company. I have been able to make enough extra money to help support us and continue staying home with Brooklyn. I know have a total of 6 women on my team (which is incredible since I have only been doing this since May). This includes recruits that my recruits have...which is wonderful because my team is growing like crazy!! I currently have three women that I am talking to who are interested in the business opportunity as well. I love having the parties and open houses...it is fun to show to women, they get excited about and love it just as much as I do. I never in a million years thought I would want to work for a company like this, but I guess since I love the product...it simply just works. I have been super thankful to my parents, aunt and Gina for being able to keep Brooklyn while I have been at parties. If it is on the weekend, my parents or aunt watch her...if it is a weeknight, Gina keeps her until Brooks gets off work. However, Brooks was lucky last Tuesday when he got to watch her all day when I was in New Braunfels for a party...he had it pretty easy and they had fun. I am looking forward to my future with Thirty-One...

For anyone who is curious about what I have been up to I have a website with the company, www.MyThirtyOne.com/Kristen and I have also created a blog http://www.my31gifts.blogspot.com/.

Okie dokie...hopefully I have typed myself to sleep. It is now 5 am and I think I will go to bed. I will try and get some pics off the camera and post later! :)

1st Haircut!!

2009-07-17T18:16:00.004-05:00

My Mom and I took Brooklyn to get her 1st haircut today...it has been getting quite shaggy. I love the whispy look of it...but unfortunately when she wakes up, she can't see because her bangs come down to her nose!! We wanted to even it up in the back...get rid of her mullet look and cut her bangs so she can see the world around her, without always having to have her hair pulled up! (because if we just use a clip...she yanks it right out!). She will also tilt her head upwards to try and see out from under her hair...it's just kinda sad :(

The Before...

Mommy sprays my hair with water every day...but somehow this is different...and NOT fun

So...ten and a half months after she was born we took her to Cool Cuts 4 Kids and made an appointment with Mary Lou (recommended by Karol). Mary Lou was so so good with Brooklyn, however Brooklyn might beg to differ. Unfortunately, I think it might have been a traumatizing experience for her. It was really no different than me fixing her hair (because I use a spray bottle of water), however they had to put a cape on her...and she was not a fan!! She loves to grab the comb when I do her hair and try to see what I am doing...the cape prevented her from getting her arms up and being Mary Lou's little helper...so that frustrated her from the beginning.

Why me??

Ok, maybe we can play beauty shop...

No more mullet...

However, they do everything in their power to make it fun for kids...they have movies playing...sit them in cute car hair styling chairs...and it is just a fun environment. Brooklyn loved sitting on the Lego table and playing with Legos...we decided they just should have cut her hair there...haha.

Time for bangs! Now do you understand why I can't see?!?!

Ok, I think this is better, but I might need a nap first...

Getting cute is hard work!!

The sum of our outing and first hair cut experience...is out little baby girl now looks even more like a little girl. She is more girl and less baby every day (and her BIRTHDAY is in less than two months...how??). Anyways, she is precious...and looks like a doll (I think she likes it too...she waved at herself in the mirror on the way out).

The 1970's Dorothy Hamill wedge...

No, she isn't going to have a haircut like I did when I was little...the short "boy cut"...although to my family it was known as the "Dorothy Hamill" style...and in my defense, my hair was always neat, clean and cute...and not long and stringy...I'm not a fan of stringy hair on little girls (long hair seems to frequently be stringy unless it is nice and thick).

(I will insert an old pic of me here)

Anyways, Brooklyn's hair is now evened up and super cute...we will let it continue to grow and just have her bangs trimmed from now on. My favorite part is the curl that she has (we think this is from her Daddy)...it curls so perfectly above each ear and looks like we used a curling iron...too cute!!

TaDa!!! Ok, Mommy save me!!

Ok, out of that silly seat...Mary Lou has stepped away and I'm back with Mommy. Phew, what a hard afternoon...but I feel like a cutie pie!!

Will try and post a non-fussy pic later so we don't have the snot flying and red eyebrows look going on...

Brooklyn LIVE!!

2009-07-09T18:12:00.006-05:00

Here are a few videos of Brooklyn in action...playing in the pool, crawling...and just being silly!!

Fourth of July & Summer Family Fun!!

2009-07-09T16:47:00.006-05:00

Remember how I said she would make a few lurches and then go SPLAT...well SPLAT no more, we are on the move!! Brooklyn is a crawling machine!! She is zooming down the hallway and out of our sight in just seconds!! I love the way her hands sound as they slap the hard surfaced floors...however, she doesn't like the way her head sounds when it "slaps" the floor. Poor little thing still goes SPLAT every now and then and has her first little knot on the forehead!!

So her first "boo-boo" didn't photograph very well...but if you look carefully you will see the red/blue spot above her left eye. We even got out the frozen "boo-boo" bunny, Brooklyn wasn't a fan....

just a 'wonky' hair picture...got out a headband to keep the hair out of her face ...it was cute while it lasted...

For the 4th of July we took Brooklyn to a dusty parking lot. While our intentions were good, this was not our initial plan. We were headed out to watching fireworks at Lackland AFB...and then saw a crowd on the side of the road gathered to watch the festivities at Sea World. Turned out to be a gravel parking lot, which included clouds of dust every time the wind blew or a car entered. Anyways...we perched on the back of our car...patiently waiting. Then they began...and the were so crummy!! They weren't shot up high in the sky and they weren't loud. Not that I was wanting to traumatize our child with loud BOOMS, but it is part of the experience!! Then all of a sudden we heard BOOMS and big fireworks in the sky...but they were coming from behind us. The Hyatt Hill Country definitely upstaged Sea World...so at least she got a somewhat decent firework experience.

we all know fireworks are quite difficult to take pictures of...so here is the best of her 1st 4th of July Fireworks!!

However, next year we will be more organized and are DEFINITELY going to Landa Park in New Braunfels...my all time favorite place to be for the 4th of July!! A fun park to run around in, sit and enjoy the families...and just hang out in one of the all time best places in the world (ok, I might be a bit biased because of memories...but it is pretty great).

ahhh, yes...this was 4th of July in Landa Park many many years ago with Carinne and Scottie...and the infamous "ball of fingers"...that is a whole story in itself...

My Mom and I went up to New Braunfels on Sunday to visit Aunt Jo and her cousin, John. Brooklyn had a blast playing with Aunt Jo's oxygen tubing...and Aunt Jo always enjoys seeing her. She is her surrogate Mame...so I want them to visit as much as possible!! My Mom's other cousin, Mary Lynn...and Tim, Katherine and Drew also came to see us...so it was quite a nice afternoon!!

Aunt Jo & Brooklyn has so much fun swinging her tubing...if only they could have found someone to jump rope!!

...and for this reason we are glad that she is still toothless

(so far she is following her mother's teething pattern...I was 1 year)

Brooklyn was trying to grab the camera and crawl into it...and for some reason I just like these pictures...nothing special (other than what's in them!)

How could I resist capturing this face???
Hangin' out with Cousin John

(psst...wanna know a secret?? that fabric in the picture below is my very own Christmas Stocking that he is making just for ME!! Isn't is beautiful!!! He must love me a whole bunch!!!)

Still studying Cousin Mary Lynn's glasses...they are red, how fun!!

I don't know why she won't share...

Timmy & I...and I'm getting sleepy...

Cousin Katherine...she was so much fun!! We twirled and twirled together!!!

Brooks and I took her to the baby pool this past week and she splished and splashed!! We got her a little floaty seat and she liked being able to wander around the pool on her own...but she couldn't reach the water with her hands...so it hindered her splashing and she didn't last very long in it...

Do you see this piece of paper I found???

Now you see it...Now you don't...because it is in my mouth, as is EVERYTHING now days...

and I am so proud of my accomplishment!!! Silly Girl...

Now for a more impressive accomplishment...watch me GO!!

Hey, this seat is kinda nice...a new found freedom in the water!!!

I can't SPLASH!! I thought the seat was supposed to make this pool business more fun!!

Ahh, a book!! Maybe I can read in the pool...

That's better...out of the tube and splishing and splashing!!!

Ooops, I got water in my face!!

Trying to catch Daddy's toes!!

...and this is my "post" pig-tail hair do...with the lovely part down the center...

Daddy's Girl!!! For some reason I love the bottom picture...

Mommy & Me!!

One hot, tired, sweaty, sun-screeny baby...

I forgot to mention Brooklyn's favorite word "ooohhh"...she loves to "oooh" and "aah." ...and she does it with such inflection!! It is as if she is having a conversation with herself...but she will allow us to chime in, as long as we use the same vocabulary. It is truly priceless! Especially in the car...it makes us smile from ear to ear...

Really, we have a 10 month old??

2009-06-24T17:54:00.004-05:00

This picture is older...but a fun "cartoon" pic of Brooklyn from BeFunky.com

Where does time go? I feel we are constantly on the go and time slips away from us. I have no idea how it is even feasible for Brooklyn to be 10 months old next week!! She is developing into such a little person and less of a baby every day. For such a "tiny girl" percentage wise...she is already wearing a lot of clothes that are 18 months. We have moved to two-piece footless jammies...and her clothes are less "baby" looking all the time. She is still an excellent sleeper and seems to prefer to "play" herself to sleep...

My 1st Pony Tail!

(finally doing something with all my hair!)

She had her 9 month check up the beginning of June and weighted 16lbs 13oz. Still tiny...but she's healthy and Dr. Ferreris thinks she looks great! She got two shots and was a trooper! She has also had her first "sick visit" at the doctor. She had been messing with her ears a lot and had a small scab in one of them. My mom told me that she thought her ear was bothering her....I said "yeah I need to cut her finger nails"...because I was thinking the scab itched. Well...obviously I misunderstood my Mom. Sure enough...Brooklyn had her first ear infection! I felt so awful for not knowing!!! I was actually working an even for Thirty-One and Aunt Jamie was babysitting Brooklyn...so her super duper Aunt took her to the doctor. We went through ear drops for 24 hours (and yes, I wore them in my bra just like my Mommy and Mame did...so they stayed nice and warm for her ears) and did a round of liquid amoxicillin (...and it still tastes the exact same!). Since then, her ears have been clear and healthy...so we are hoping her setback was just a fluke and will not become a recurrence.

Sitting in my cute beach chair with my umbrella (from Aunt Jamie)

...and showing off my pigtails!

We had a great time in Midland. We went to see Grandma Q and Grandpa Joe mid-May. We were going to go swimming, but it wasn't quite warm enough (which you wouldn't guess by today's weather...my car said 106 earlier!!!!!). Aunt Betsy held a Thirty-One party at her house...we got to visit with Quentin, Gracie and Brinin some...and then we came home. Overall the trip was too quick and too short!! We hope to go back in July and October!!

Sitting with Grandma Q...the ribbons on her buttons were quite interesting!!

Hanging with Grandpa Joe! Did I mention I LOVE glasses?

Aunt Betsy & Cousin Gracie (Brinin crawled away)

Brooks has been AWESOME at work! We truly think it is a result of a lot of answered prayers! He is currently the #1 Sales Counselor for KB Home in San Antonio!! Could we have a more amazing Daddy??? He's working hard for his girls and making people's dreams of home ownership come true...I'm truly glad he loves his job!!

I have had a very successful start to my Thirty-One business! So far I LOVE it and hope it is our answer to a part-time job for myself! I have had fun, met a lot of great women...and has given me something to work on!
Brooklyn...what has been keeping her busy these days? Focusing on learning how to crawl! That has been her main objective lately! It's so funny how I think she needs someone to teach her these things...but then instinctively, she just starts to do things on her own! She has been spending more time on her tummy and not being cranky about it. Although, her time on her tummy is still short because she loves to ROLL!!! She can make it across one side of the room and back before you know it! However, this new love for being on her tummy has gotten her to figure this crawling business out! This past Sunday, Father's Day...she actually finally got up on her knees and made her first lurch. She will rock back and forth a bit...make a step or two...and then splat! I told her that by the end of the week I bet we are chasing her around the house!! Brooks stayed with her last night and they made a Father/Daughter trip to Wal-Mart and bought outlet covers...so I came home to a semi child proofed house. Now, we just have to wander around and look at what things she can tug on that she might pull over on top of her.

Watch me go!

Another big milestone in Brooklyn's life is sitting on her own...from the laying down position! She did this last night for her Daddy (and Mommy missed it)!! However, Brooks happened to have recording her...so we got it on video! I think it's neat that he was alone with her and got to experience one of her "firsts." I also just laid her down for a nap...and when I looked at the video monitor, the little stinker was sitting up! So maybe she has secretly been practicing in her crib...who knows!

I think she is destined to shop....she loves playing with credit cards and tags on clothing!

Grandma is currently on a mission to make cute hair bows for her. I used to be called "bow head" because of my crazy bows...so Brooklyn can now take over my nickname. She is going to be so stinkin' cute though!!! She is in desperate need of a haircut...because the poor child can't see. So, I have been pulling her hair half up and putting it in pigtails...talk about adding personality! She is so adorable...and will be even more so with her color coordinating bows!!

Grandma's "Corkers"

Once again, I have written way to much for any sitting...but this is a current update on our life and what we have been up to! Tomorrow we will be babysitting Rowan, so that will be a fun play date for both of the girls!! Congratulations to Catherine & Greg Lopez who's sweet baby boy was born yesterday!! 6lbs 7oz, 19inches...and a ton of dark curly hair...we can't wait to meet him!!

And seriously...is July really next week?

Time to play catch-up!

2009-05-10T12:57:00.002-05:00

So apparently I have not created in a post in a very, very long time! I made an attempt to catch up to speed on our life and what had been going on. Brooks' surgery went very well and he seems to be nearly fully recovered (he still gets a twinge of pain every now and then).

Brooklyn had an AMAZING first Easter. The Easter Bunny was very generous and she got more goodies than she knows what to do with! She got some new PJ's, cute little bubble suits, books, lolly pop & cookie pop, BUBBLES, bunnies...and fun little Easter goodies! We had fun opening her basket with her, letting her taste things (although she didn't seem to be a fan...she was very unsure of things), putting silly headbands on her...and just being with her. We still can't get enough of her...she is simply amazing and the cutest thing we have ever seen. Brooks and I constantly talk about "we had no idea what she would look like or be like...but if we got to design our child, we couldn't have created something so wonderful"...she continues exceed our wildest dreams on a daily basis.

We also had a Belated Birthday Party for Brooks' 30th on April 18th. We didn't quite have the turn-out that we had anticipated, but had a wonderful time with those who were able to attend! Some who came were: Uncle Joey & Aunt Jill, Aunt Sandy & Uncle Steve, Dylan, Cassidy, Aunt Jamie, Grandma Jan, Ian & Seda, Eric, Uncle/Cousin Steven, Auntie/Cousin Jennifer, Gina/Jonathan/Rowan (who had fun with "Boopin" as usual), Mike & Sandy...and some other friends stopped by for a bit. I took pictures to capture the "event"...but unfortunately Brooks was upstairs with the guys playing pool most of the time, so I really only got pictures of Brooklyn with different people.

As a family, we went to Ft. Sam Houston to scatter Uncle Scott and May-May's ashes. We had been waiting for the markers to be placed and for everyone to have a time to get together. Everything looked nice and it was a gorgeous cemetery...it's size makes it so magnificent. It is hard to believe that we lost Uncle Scott a year ago...time passes so quickly, it seems unreal. We then took Brooklyn to Brackenridge Park to walk off our dinner (we at at Bun & Barrel...an old San Antonio favorite near downtown). Brooklyn seemed to enjoy her walk....considering how sleepy she is, although she looks a bit hot/sweaty. On a side note, we have decided that when Brooklyn is sleepy she doesn't do well with people sitting in the back seat next to her because she won't sleep. She is way to fixated on paying attention to who is next to her...so as a result she will just get fussy.

Brooks has a favorite local fishing spot...where he doesn't have to take the boat (it's not big enough for a boat). Earl Scott Pond is a short drive from the house and has a nice, brand new sidewalk that goes down to it. Apparently the city is putting in a sidewalk (it's very wide) that will eventually meander all the way through town....that would be one VERY long walk. This is the same pond that we took Gracie to in the fall...I'm sure Brooklyn will catch her own fish here someday...but for now we just sat on a blanket and watched Daddy.

Here is a short re-cap on our lives. Scroll down to see my many posts of pictures. I decided to do them separately because there were SO many! I'm sure there are other things I could fill you in on, but this should keep you busy for now!

I do want to mention my latest endeavour! I am now a Consultant for Thirty-One! Thirty-One sells truly fabulous personalized products that are so stinkin' cute!!! If you haven't heard of Thirty-One...or want to see their products, please visit my Thirty-One blog at www.My31Gifts.blogspot.com or my Thirty-One website at www.MyThirtyOne.com/KristenBrininstool ...if you have any questions, feel free to email me at Kristens31Gifts@satx.rr.com. I hope you love their stuff as much as I do!!!

1st Time Swimming!!

2009-05-10T12:49:00.004-05:00

...or in a pool! Gina and I decided to take Rowan and Brooklyn to the pool last week and Brooklyn really loved it!! We went to Gina's neighborhood pool and the first step is a huge area that is only 6 inches deep....so Brooklyn had fun sitting and splashing. Of course, we walked around, played and bounced in the water! She is going to have such a good time playing in Grandma Q and Grandpa Joe's pool when we go to Midland next week!

What did you say? We are going swimming?!?!

Where did my bow go?

Ah hah! Here it is, in my other hand!

Earl Scott Pond

2009-05-10T12:43:00.005-05:00

Brooks and I took Brooklyn to Earl Scott Pond...this small, local pond that is about ten minutes or so from the house. We wanted a fun, little afternoon outing...so we took a blanket and he took a fishing pole.

Waving at my Daddy

(he was fishing on the other side of the pond)

Ft. Sam Houston & Brackenridge

2009-05-10T12:29:00.004-05:00

We finally went to Ft. Sam Houston to scatter my Uncle and Grandmother's ashes. Daddy and Brooklyn took a break to go sit in the shade and had a little photo session....

I have an EIGHT month old, really??
Our pretty girl...

Watching us walk back and waving!!

Afterwards we walked around Brackenridge Park for a bit...

Brooks' Belated 30th Birthday

2009-05-10T12:17:00.006-05:00

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes
Talented or what??

Sitting so pretty!

...and her new game, she flops over and thinks its great fun to sit back up!

see...she's quite impressed with herself

(or maybe she's watching Khloe come towards her)

Meeting Aunt Sandy
(or sleeping on her....which she NEVER does, so sweet!)

She was so content...and then we tried to lay her down

(bad idea...we should have let her sleep on Sandy)

Meeting some of her "big" cousins...Dylan and Cassidy

Auntie/Cousin Jennifer

Seda loved her so much! They were buddies for the weekend!

Brooks and his buddies
(yes, this is the only picture I got of Brooks at HIS party.

Brooklyn might have stolen the show (just a tad)...

but that's what he gets for staying upstairs the whole time)

Brooklyn with Mikey and Sandy!

Two pooped out doggies...

Brooks' fishing buddy Andrew

OK, I lied...here is another picture of the Birthday Boy

Hoppy Easter!!

2009-05-10T12:07:00.006-05:00

My 1st Easter!
Hmm, is all this for ME?

Are you the Easter Bunny??

Daddy kept letting me taste things...not sure what to think about sugary stuff...

Tights!!

Trying to grab the walking chick!

Quite possibly my favorite part...it's like plastic paper! How perfect!!

I'll be the Easter Bunny!

Mommy & Daddy's Easter Goodies (they swapped grocery sacks)

I got this fancy basket with goodies galore!!

...and it was Mame's basket from her 80th Birthday Party!

Posing for Mommy to take my picture next to my basket
(I'm in one of Mommy's old shirts...it was a favorite

...she had a bit of a bunny obsession growing up)

Bluebonnet Time

2009-04-06T17:13:00.005-05:00

So if you grew up in Texas your parents probably drug you around and plopped you in the bluebonnets on the side of the road each spring. It seems to complete your childhood! Well...the time has come and we are the ones who get to "plop" that kid in the itchy field of flowers!!

Gina and I decided to go to take pictures of Brooklyn and Rowan in the bluebonnets. Rowan was a bit sleepy (didn't feel up for a nap that day) and Brooklyn might of still been half asleep from her nap...and we needed a clip in our hair!

She is learning how to wave...it's so cute!!

Yes...apparently we grabbed the root too (and no, it's not illegal)

I decided to take Brooklyn out again for a second photo shoot...

The End!

Sitting...Sitting...Sitting

2009-03-27T22:17:00.005-05:00

Gina and Rowan have let us borrow some nifty toys. One is a little table with toys on the top that Brooklyn can stand at (she lasts a few seconds)....and the other is the big mirror that props up with toys and music. She LOVES to sit at this and bang the toys. Just in the last week she is beginning to sit and lean forward ALL the time. She is also making these different sounds that really sound like words!!! It doesn't seem like babble...it's actually single repetitive sounds!! If anything, we think it sounds like 'Da Da'...but who knows. We won't make the conclusion of it being her first word quite yet. It's crazy. I feel like she has made major changes in her life over the past week. Brooks has been home from work, because of his surgery...so it has been fun for him to experience and watch her develop. She is starting to look more and more like a little girl and less like that teensy baby... I still can't fathom how time passes so quickly!!

Silly matching hats...who can resist??

Our $3 Purchase...

2009-03-21T12:09:00.003-05:00

Our neighborhood was having a "neighborhood garage sale" today...so Brooks and I decided to go garage sale-ing. We woke Brooklyn up a bit early and left the house at 8. We weren't looking for anything particular...maybe a few fun baby toys??...but just anything that looked like we had to have it (you know...we NEED other people's junk or old stuff...haha). Needless to say...we got bored and lost interest very quickly. Brooks quickly decided that this is much more fun in Midland with Betsy. We stopped at a few houses...but never saw anything that said "buy me." We went by one house that had a ton of baby stuff! I think she must have had twins...because she had two of everything (swings, booster seats, etc). We drove off...then I began to obsess over the booster seat and thinking how it would be handy to have at my aunts house...and if I could get it for $3 it would probably be worth it (she was asking $5). Now, the tricky part...where was this house!! Luckily my super husband found it! ...and the booster seat was still there! She sold it to us for three bucks...so our little purchase made our garage sale-ing adventure worth while.

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2009-03-19T21:38:00.004-05:00

That is what today feels like. I'm not sure why...but NOTHING has gone well for Brooklyn...so it brought back memories of this childhood book. Her day started with spit up sweet potatoes on her sheets...pleasant. Poor thing...she must have been sleeping in them. We got up, ate, jumped...had a grand time. Then came time for a nap and that was a different story. I laid her down and she slept for a few minutes and then she woke up. I walked in her room and I could tell (smell) that she had done something. Needless to say the sweet potatoes had come out both ends...and she even had some in her ear!! So we got a fresh diaper...rocked and sang for nearly 30 minutes and she was still a very unhappy camper.

Can we say SLEEPY??

I was planning on taking a shower and getting ready during her nap...but that didn't happen. So, we gave the swing a try...so I could at least go get dressed. The swing didn't seem to appease her either. So...we ate some more sweet potatoes (we are still in the process of introducing new foods to her...thus the constant meal of sweet potatoes), I nursed her...and we left. She had a 3 o'clock appointment with her neurosurgeon today for a follow-up appointment on her head. So a nap would have been in her favor. Of course, she was asleep before we got out of the neighborhood. I told my Mom I just should have driven around for 2 hours earlier.

So...the good news of the day! Brooklyn's head is better!! Last time the doctor said her plagiocephaly (flat spot) was very very mild...5mm. Today she said that it was only about 3mm and didn't think she needed a helmet...woohoo!! She told us the helmets rarely get it perfect...usually around 2mm, so why would we put her through that?!? She said she just expected it to get better or stay the same...but definitely not worse, so that was very good news. I also asked the doctor about cranial massage or craniosacral therapy (I read it is a more homeopathic way of treating such conditions)...she told me that was for crazy people in California and didn't work...haha. Some more good news...she weighed 14lbs 2oz...hopefully that will make Dr. Ferreris happy! She goes to see him next week for a weight check.

Then, Mommy had to go and make her day worse. The neurosurgeon that our pediatrician sent us to is in the pedi specialty group and I knew they had a hematologist in their group. So I asked her if she knew anything about VonWillebrand's disease (I was diagnosed when I was 5...it is a pseudo-hemophilia...I have NEVER had any problems). So, she went and got the hematologist (luckily he was available). He met with us...asked us questions...said they usually suggest testing after the child is 6 months...and went ahead and tested her!! My Mom and I were totally impressed that they didn't even want us to make another appointment and that they made time for us!! Stars in our book!! ...but not Brooklyn's. She has had her heels pricked...but they actually drew blood from her. Poor thing had a tourniquet, needle, vials of blood...the whole nine yards. Now...watching her go through that was heart wrenching!!! She was a champ though and left with a Hello Kitty band-aid. Cousin Gracie would be jealous!! (probably not...who would want one if they had to give blood to get it!!)

Shelby tried to kiss me and make it better...it did make me laugh

She slept as soon as we got in the car and the whole way home! Luckily dinner was uneventful...but she hasn't wanted to go to sleep tonight...so Daddy is in there giving it a whirl. I gave it my all and needed a break...so here I sit, updating you on Brooklyn's crummy day. It really hasn't been that awful...but not her best. Thankfully tomorrow is a new day and she won't remember today.

Our Little O'Cutie

2009-03-17T15:47:00.008-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! (Although I thought it was on Saturday the 14th). I nearly forgot about Brooklyn's fun St. Patty's Day outfits...but I remembered TODAY!! So at least she can wear them throughout March...and most importantly, today!

Crazy wonky hair after a bath...I even slept in green!!

Here is a little update on our cutie. We started her on Stage 1 Gerber foods on her 6 month birthday. She has had: Green Beans, Peas, Prunes, Carrots, Pears, Squash and Applesauce (and in that order). Next on our list are Sweet Potatoes, Bananas and Peaches!! Then we will be moving on to the Stage 2 foods...which are slightly bigger portions and combinations!! So far she hasn't been allergic to anything. Also...she really LOVES this thing we all do called eating!! Sometimes she makes you feel guilty when you eat in front of her because she looks like she wants to try it so so bad!! She gets "food" three times a day...morning: 1/2 container with cereal, lunch: full container and dinner: 1/2 container with cereal. So far this seems to be working well for her. When she looses interest in eating she starts to make "raspberries" and blow and splatter food everywhere!! Luckily she is usually pretty into it! She's not a fan of cereal alone...but once we mixed food with it she chowed down! A side note...I LOVE Brooklyn's new plastic bib!! One of the best things we have purchased!! We only need one bib (vs 3 a day) and we just wipe it off!! So so nice!! I'm all about convenience and cutting back on dirty laundry!! Also...a big fan of the "Take and Toss" spoons (and other products)...not that I would ever "toss" them (they are too nice! basically Gladware for babies)...but wouldn't be heartbroken if one got left at a restaurant. They come in a pack of 20 for only $3 and we go through a TON of spoons too...so this makes it easier on the dishwasher (AKA me).

Wonderful "Take and Toss" spoons

All gone!! Messy messy prunes!!

This is why we got the WONDERFUL plastic bib (and its cute!)

Although she's not near that messy anymore...

New plastic bib!!

She is nearly sitting unassisted. She is SO SO SO close! She can do it for just a couple of seconds before she teeters and totters. Another new found skill she has become a fan of is rolling. She rolled from her back to her tummy several months ago...but since we have been restricting her time on her back, she hasn't had the opportunity to try or practice. However, her much needed tummy time has now come to a screeching halt because she IMMEDIATELY rolls over...and kicks her legs in excitement!! I lay her back down and she rolls over...it kind of becomes a game. Therefor, making her spend time on her tummy has now gotten more difficult. She has progressed from crying and hating it...to realizing that she doesn't have to be there.

However, this skill has made a negative impact on her napping. For the past month or so she has been taking an incredible morning nap!! Usually for at least 2 hours...if not 3 hours some days. We put her on her tummy just for naps and she slept great!! She would wake up...check out her crib and go back to sleep. That isn't the case anymore. Now she wakes up and flips over...and that is the end of our nap. Yesterday she got herself stuck in the slats of the crib. We have nothing in her crib with her...just a sheet and Brooklyn. Her poor right arm and leg were wedged between the crib and the wall! Her arm came out with great ease...but it was a little tricky twisting her leg and getting back through. Needless to say Grandma bought her a lovely chocolate breathable bumper that we put in her crib last night. I must say...it might help our nap situation because today when she woke up she rolled over and fell back asleep for a little while because she didn't have the crib slats to play with. We also stopped swaddling her arms about a week ago at night. So far...so good! We just swaddle her torso...so basically we just use the little velcro wrap from her armpits down, so she still feels "snug as a bug in a rug." She seems to sleep really well. She likes to sleep on her side....so as a result, un-swaddling her has helped her to not be on her back as much!! With free arms comes movement though...she usually rotates a full 180-360 degrees by morning...so again, breathable bumper should be a good thing. So...we shall see.

Here is our new mesh breathable bumper (not our crib though)

Grandma also bought Brooklyn her first swimsuit!!! I didn't want a bikini for a baby...and they had some cute tankini ones....which were cute, but I thought the diaper would probably show a lot more with separate bottoms (although they might be easier to change). We got her cute little pink and orange plaid swimsuit that has three ruffles down the front and a white daisy at the bottom of each strap...it's pretty fun!! We may also get her one with sleeves...Old Navy has a really cute one with pink, orange and yellow flowers...that has ruffles on the leg holes...we'll see. I mean, how many swimsuits will a 9 month old need?? I really hope to take her to the pool though because she LOVES her bath...I think she will be a big fan.

Another fun thing in her life...we have introduced the sippy cup! She has no clue what to do with it...but she loves to wave it around (occasionally bonking herself) and suck on whatever part of it she can get in her mouth. I don't think she has yet to get any liquid out of it. I also wasn't sure what to put in it...so we have started with water. I think that is all she'll get for a very long while.

A new favorite (and oh so cheap) toy that will entertain her...mainly when we are at restaurants is PAPER!! Tissue paper, wax paper, napkins...anything that she can crinkle up and shove in her mouth!!! (under supervision of course!)...so when it gets nasty...we give her a new piece. It works quite well! I've decided I should have a big piece of cellophane in the diaper bag because it wouldn't get soggy with slobber. She also has fun sitting in our laps while we are at the table...but watch out! She will grab anything and everything in front of her!! Including a big handful of rice off of Brooks' plate.

She still loves to jump and be bounced around. Any fast movement makes her laugh. Brooks and I were talking about how much we just love (and I mean LOVE) to listen to that little chuckle that comes out of such a cute little body....and how it is such an innocent little sound.
Daddy tried to give me a mohawk...but it just flopped over into a big curl

Brooklyn goes back to the doctor for a followup on her head this Thursday, a weight check with the pedi on April 2nd. Brooks is having surgery next Monday and will be home from work for a week or so. Even though he will be recuperating...at least he will get to spend more time with us!! He has plans of catching up on The Unit, City Limit Fishing (which he has a MILLION recorded), watching guy movies...and playing video games (Playstation on loan from Ian)...all with Brooklyn at his side (unless she is eating or sleeping).

Just a sweet picture! She NEVER lays on us like this...how could I resist??

I have been working on planning a "belated" 30th birthday party for my Brooks (AKA my wonderful husband and Brooklyn's wonderful Daddy). It might be at Lake Medina...and it might be at our house...who knows! We went out to the lake last week and the water level is way down...so it didn't look like much fun. Either way...we hope to celebrate and have a get together for Brooks with family and close friends (he doesn't want a lot of people...I keep telling him, "Brooks, you come from a BIG family"). You might ask why we are doing it now when his birthday was in January...well it was really close to Christmas and people were already traveling left and right...and it's cold (or should be in January)...so we decided to have a little shindig for him in the spring. That is a short (or long) update on our life at the moment.

Cute little feet poking out of bluejeans...first time in jeans

Happy 1/2 Year Birthday!!!

2009-03-03T17:21:00.004-06:00

Wow...so Brooklyn is half a year old today!!! She celebrated by going to see Dr. Ferreris! She got an excellent report, except her weight took a dip again (a dip on the weight curve that is...she should have nearly 14lbs if she kept in her percentile)...so he wants to see her back in a month to weigh her. She weighed 13lbs 1oz, 25 1/2 inches long and her head is now 16.7cm! Other than that...he said she looked great! He commented several times on what a happy and social baby she is!! He also told us that she may never like to be on her stomach because she is so social...and social babies love to be able to see the things around them, so we shall see if she learns to like it or not.

- - - - -

He also talked to us about starting her on the stage 1 baby foods (because we have still only given her rice and oatmeal cereal). He had a medical resident with him today and they both explained to us how the teachings are changing. They used to think that you needed to wait until after 6 months to start foods, but new studies are showing that there is this ideal window of opportunity between 4-6 months to start foods...so it lessens the babies allergies later in life. We however, have obviously waited until 6 months...but she just had her first green beans and actually seemed to really enjoy them!!! She seemed to like them a little better mixed with her oatmeal (gross, I know)...but swallowed really well!!! So maybe this is why she has been pushing the cereal out...she's been saying "come on...give me real food! I want some flavor!!" Dr. Ferreris really wants us to get her introduced to all the Stage 1 foods so she can start getting more calories...and of course, I am still breastfeeding after her meals and in between...so basically it just adds a step in our daily life.

- - - - -

My Mom pierced my ears when I was 4 months old...and have been grateful for that because I have always had earrings! She figured that at some point I would want them done (luckily I do like them) and so might as well do them early! I had the same though process for Brooklyn...so after we got Daddy's consent...we decided to go for it! Also...doing them when they are babies usually makes them adapt better to them and they don't mess with them...that is our hope. She hasn't really discovered her ears yet...so when she does she will just assume her earrings are part of her! Brooklyn Jean was a champ! She cried way less than she did with her shots...and was completely done crying by time they were done. We think she looks pretty... (not that she wasn't before!!), but they just add a touch of girliness!!

We celebrated in our PJ's when I woke up...

...and in the afternoon when we got home

Tillie's hat matched my outfit quite well, if I must say so myself...

See my pretty new earrings...

Hey...who says shots keep you from jumping??

Yummy yummy green beans!!

Visit with Karol and her kiddos...

2009-03-02T18:05:00.004-06:00

As many of you know, Karol used to be my babysitter...and we have since become friends and she is a good friend of the family. She has two cute little boys...Nate (5) and Ben (2 1/2) (sadly I didn't get a pic of Ben). She was recently pregnant with her 3rd kiddo and it was a surprise! Sarah Marie was born last Tuesday, so Brooklyn, Grandma and I went for a visit today.

Let me tell you...there is a big difference between a 6 day old and a 6 month old...crazy!! I haven't had a true realization on how much Brooklyn has grown because Sarah seemed like a feather!!! She was so tee-tiny and Brooklyn looked HUGE next to her (or to me it seemed that way!). She was so so precious and I just wanted to share our visit. Nate loved to hold Brooklyn and kept saying "she's so cute!". They were adorable children and so well behaved...I have never seen two little boys with such incredible manners!!! We will have many future playdates!!!

Picture Time

2009-03-02T12:09:00.005-06:00

Just thought I would share a few pictures of Brooklyn while I had some time...

Cute outfit form Aunt Teri. Ready for Ruby and Maudie's birthday party!!

Big beautiful blue eyes...

"Let's Do Lunch...It's on Me" from Ms. Marilyn

Maybe one day I'll become a pro at this tummy time business...

Look at my new Jumperoo!!! (Sorry video below didn't work)

Khloe likes to help out during tummy time...I think she thinks she is helping. She usually lays down right next to her...and she is so so good with Brooklyn! We keep an eye out and referee, but she doesn't mind when Brooklyn gets a handful of her ears, fur or paws...

- - - - - -

I hope to post something tomorrow about her SIX month check up and we'll see how big she has gotten!!! Speaking of big...she still seems so small to me, but she isn't getting to wear all of her clothes...it makes me sad (and she has more clothes than any child should own...so that makes it difficult). I can't get down her box of clothes by myself (heavy, and on top shelf of closet...I might bonk myself in the head)...so finally the other day my Mom and I got it down and got out her six month stuff...and umm, apparently I should have had them out a while ago...she is nearly too long for some stuff!!

Our little jumping bean...

2009-02-25T11:27:00.003-06:00

I can't believe that our little girl will be SIX months old next week!!! Where has the time gone?? She is just as close to turning one year as our trip to labor and delivery....how is that possible?? It's a scary thought that time passes so quickly, but we have loved every second of it. If anything, we are learning to cherish every moment because her little phases don't last long.

She got a Baby Einstein Jumper from my parents for Christmas...however, it always seemed a bit large for her...so my Mom and I finally returned it and exchanged it for a Fisher Price Jumperoo...which she LOVES and seems to have more fun in it every day. When we pick her up to put her in it...her legs automatically start "jumping" with excitement.

This jumper has been an excellent way to keep her off her back. Things in life that currently entertain her are her jumper, the bumbo...and tummy time (although she would beg to differ on the tummy time). She has a very mild flat spot on the back of her head...we went to a specialist, which we will see again in a month for re-evaluation...but for now, we have strict orders not to use the bouncer or lay her on her back (except for at night)...and I have been trying to use the sling when we are out and about...instead of leaving her in her carseat. We are hoping her mild little spot will correct itself with re-positioning techniques. The doctor said hers is purely preferential...that she has full range of motion and just prefers to face to the right...and being a good sleeper doesn't help things. Apparently this is very common since the "back to sleep" campaign was started. It has reduced the risk of SIDS, but created flat spots on babies heads. However, she does take little naps on her tummy because I can "supervise" and keep an eye on her...and she seems to like to sleep on her tummy.

Anyways...I will try and post more pics next week in honor of her turning SIX months old!!! But for now...here is a fun video of her jumping her heart out!

5 Months Old!

2009-02-03T15:54:00.006-06:00

Our little Brooklyn is 5 months old today!!! She is talking up a storm and all of a sudden her new favorite thing to do is make this squealing screech at the top of her lungs. Sometimes it is in distress and other times it sounds like it is just for fun because it ends with a smirk. She has also started making "spitty" sounds when she blows and thinks that is pretty funny. I also think she is learning how to do things for attention.

We wanted to wait until Daddy was off work...so yesterday and today we have started her on rice cereal. Brooks and I gave it to her yesterday a.m. and apparently mixed it way way too thin...because Grandma Jan gave it to her yesterday p.m. and she did so so good!!! She hardly had any on her bib and learned right away to open her mouth when the spoon was coming, she loved to grab onto the spoon and would kick her legs in excitement! Click here to watch her first attempt at cereal.

Cereal or fingers...hmmm

Today Brooks and I wanted to take her to the neighborhood park and were going to help her "slide." However, by time we got down there all the school kids were playing so we just sat and watched. In our "kid observations" we decided that kids are mean...and it scares us for her to get that age. We did take the Shelby and Khloe with us...and Khloe pooped out about half way down there...so she got to ride in the stroller basket....and I must say...she was a big fan!!!

"Hey Khloe, where are Shelby and Daddy going??"

Khloe's new way to go on a "walk"

4 Month Check-Up

2009-01-19T12:31:00.005-06:00

Just a quick update. Brooklyn had her 4 month well visit with Dr. Ferreris on January 8th. He was so excited to see her!! ...and she was so happy the entire visit!! He said she looked great! She weighed 11lbs 12oz...her pediatrician has decided that she is just not going to be fat because she doesn't come from a fat family (oh, if he only knew...lol). So her weight is still in the 10-25%, but looks good because she has continued to go up on her weight curve (no dips!). Her height was a whopping 24.5" and in the 50%. She was also tortured again with shots...but she is such a trooper she did great!! Hardly fussed at all...and just had a bit of a fever later that day.

Showing off her hologram band-aids before they fell off

Recently, over the past week, Brooks and I have been working really hard to establish a bedtime routine for Brooklyn. Brooks has started bathing her, giving her a massage and reading her a book each night...and then I feed her. We try to start this anywhere between 7:30-8:30 and then are aiming to get her down each night around 9. So far she is doing great!! We are hoping over time she will start to associate the baths and books with bedtime...we shall see. Some nights we are lucky and she will put herself to sleep and other nights she needs to be rocked or nursed to sleep.

Having fun in her "Happy New Year 2009" shirt from Gina and Rowan :)

The cutest outfit ensemble ever from Aunt Teri for Christmas!!! I can't wait until she is big enough to have her picture taken in it!!

On a side note...today is Grandma K's birthday!! She was so gracious to spend the night with us last night since Daddy went hunting! So we are getting to spend her birthday with her! Tonigth we will go celebrate! Also, did I say that I think I broke my right pinky toe?? On the bouncer no less. Now I understand why Melissa got rid of theirs...although Brooklyn is still enjoying hers. At least it's my right toe this time....two years ago I broke my left pinky toe. Fun times.

Happy 30th!

2009-01-07T21:37:00.006-06:00

Happy 30th Birthday to my wonderful husband, partner, best friend, Brooklyn's father...and so much more!! We celebrated last night at La Fogata with my parents, my Aunt Jamie and Steven. Brooks enjoyed his usual..."poco de todo"..."a little bit of everything" and we all stuffed our faces with yummy mexican food. I didn't get a cake baked...but my parents so generously brought a Tiramisu cake...which was absolutely decedent and he loved every bite! He received numerous Bass Pro Shops gift cards which are going in his stash for a bow...he wants to take up archery. He came home and we celebrated with our own little party and opened presents! Brooklyn and I gave him a new shirt, some ties, house shoes, a coffee cup with her picture, an Indiana Jones hat and leather gloves. He also got a really pretty shirt and a fun fishing book from Teri and Betsy.

His 30th birthday celebration continued on today with lunch at Double Dave’s accompanied by his two favorite girls...Brooklyn and I picked him up. She decided to stay awake the whole time and talk to us. She is really having fun listening to herself...it's so much fun to hear what she has to say!! Her other discovery is her feet...and playing with them...pulling socks...and if she's lucky getting them in her mouth!!

Howdy Pardner! How do I look in Daddy's "Indiana Jones" hat??

Tonight Grandma & Grandpa K babysat while we sent to a new tepanaki restaurant, Osaka and had the funniest chef ever!!! We had a great time!! The chef also chopped up a shrimp into four pieces...for us to catch in our mouths!!! I had no idea that was his intention...Brooks knew what he was doing...I figure it must be a guy thing...especially because it is apparently a hidden talent that my husband possesses that I knew nothing about...and well, I pretty much stink at it. I was 0-2 for my shrimp catching...and he was 2-2. On his second shrimp...it was literally catapulted from the spatula from about 15 feet away and he caught it (and even though I have been obsessive with the camera lately...I didn't bring it...so I missed this photo opp)!!! He even surprised himself. Once again a guy thing. I decided he and Steven probably sat around in college practicing this. And to further my point, our nephew Quentin was walking around at Christmas throwing food up trying to catch it in his mouth...again, a guy thing...they must start practicing this skill early...because he is 6!! Never something I acquired a desire for.

You sure do get a lot of presents when you turn the big 3-0!

And props to my husband for setting up a really fun, surprise date night on Monday. He surprised me and took me to a theater called The Rialto (pretty much like Alamo Draft House...but he decided they had better food...and I must say....our burgers were both really yummmy!!). We saw "Marley and Me," while we ate our burgers and both cried nearly the entire time!!! If you haven't seen it...you must. If you are an animal/pet lover....bring some tissues. We left feeling extra sentimental about our little doggies and our family...so we spread a sheet out on the bed Monday night and let them sleep with us. It was our entire family all on the bed...minus Brooklyn who is doing so so wonderful sleeping in her room!! I think it is harder on me than her.

It is crazy the amount of love we have for that little girl and how she makes us feel. Brooks has told me so many times in the past 24 hours how truly blessed he feels. I think turning 30 has made him contemplate his life and where he is. He has told me how lucky he is to have me, Brooklyn, a house, a good job, family that loves him....and overall a good life...and I have to agree...I'm glad we have him in ours! Brooklyn and I love you with all our heart and soul!!

His best present :)

4 Months Old!

2009-01-03T15:01:00.008-06:00

We have no idea where the time has gone...but somehow it is 2009 and Brooklyn is 4 months old!! She has decided that her feet are pretty fun to play with...especially when she can grab a sock and pull it off...she thinks that is extra special. She continues to fill our hearts with her wonderful smiles and laughs. She has begun to really grab onto things...and loves to hold toys and stick them, her fingers...or anything else in her mouth.

Brooklyn with all FOUR grandparents!

She had a great 1st Christmas!! Our first celebration was in Midland with Brooks' family where she got a ton of new toys and a purple rocking elephant!!

Brinin had to make sure it rocked...he was a pro!

We then celebrated Christmas with my side of the family at Aunt Jamie's house where she got more toys...and a jumper!! Hopefully she will be able to play in it soon...she is still just a tad too small.

Brooklyn and Mommy received a Hotsling from Grandma Jan for Christmas so I can "wear" her. It's a super fun, artsy flower pattern that reverses to solid chocolate. So far she seems to like it! Haven't used it "out and about" yet...but it is nice walking around the house, she hung out it in it so we could eat Christmas dinner at the table...and she even napped in it for an hour today!! I think it is going to be a hit! She loves to be swaddled...so this just makes her feel extra cozy too! There are multiple different ways that it can be used to "wear" your baby...supposedly up to 35lbs!!! When they are older it will support them on your hip...or even on your back!! We shall see!! This one seemed like a good options...because it is SIMPLE (even though it did come with an instructional DVD)! There is nothing to tie, no rings to pull fabric through or things to snap in place! Hopefully it will be a good thing...

She had a play date with Rowan yesterday. Rowan had a blast holding her and showing her all of her toys!!

Sure to become great friends...

Today Brooklyn and Mommy went for a walk around the block...such beautiful weather for the middle of winter!!

Ready for my walk! I love my feet...and this tray is great to prop them up on!
Thought we would try out the new shades....she wasn't a huge fan...

Happy to be 4 months old!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T13:25:00.005-06:00

We are off tomorrow morning for Brooklyn's first trip to Midland!! My parents are coming with us and we'll come home Christmas day and do Christmas with my side of the family on Saturday. Brooklyn is really excited for Grandpa Joe and Grandma Q to see her...because she has gotten so so big!!! Here are some pics from the holiday season...

Our Christmas Tree

Favorite "First Christmas" Ornament

Stockings still need to be personalized...

Having fun staring at all the bright lights and ornaments!

Ready for Grandpa's office Christmas Party

Khloe showing her festive holiday wear

Just a fun picture of Shelby

Labor of Love

2008-12-21T13:11:00.007-06:00

Brooks and I decided that we would tile our bathroom for our Christmas present to each other. He did the tiling...and I tried to keep bring the tiles to him and keep them organized. Brooks did a great job....but it was a lot more labor intensive than anticipated...but worth it. We decided to do slate...so we had them laying all over the house so we could see all the different colors. Needless to say...the slate kicked us out of our own bedroom. Our room has become a mess through this process...and our toilet has been moved to the garage. So...it's like we are on a vacation. We have now been staying in our guest room and Brooklyn has officially moved to her own room! It has been an easier transition on us just being 1 wall away from her! For me, staying in the guest room is a nice excuse to be near her! It's much harder than one would think to move her so far away! Anyways, it is looking like it will be after the first of the year before we get our bathroom done and move back. We still have to seal it, grout it, seal again, put toilet back and get baseboards up.

Progress so far

Cute outfit mommy wanted to dress me up in...wrong season...but she made me show it off for a picture since I really never got to wear it!

Just for fun...happy girl

Speaking of being a happy girl...the other night she truly got tickled! She has had little single laughs and chuckles here or there...but she laughed for at least 2 minutes straight the other night! We got the camera out in time to capture some of it. Hope she makes you smile as much as us! Click here for the video!

Daddy Daughter Love

2008-11-29T00:02:00.003-06:00

Just a fun picture from tonight...wanted to share :)

Happy Turkey Day!!

2008-11-27T21:56:00.005-06:00

We celebrated Brooklyn's first Thanksgiving today at Uncle/Cousin Steven's house. She was able to spend time with family, friends and watch us all stuff our faces!! The funniest part of the whole day was when she got a good grip on her hair and couldn't let go. She was having fun lying on a blanket while we ate and all of a sudden started screaming! I looked down and she had a whole handful of hair in her right hand. I picked her up and she was still quite upset and wouldn't open her hand...we all got a good chuckle. She was back to being happy once we helped her to stop pulling her hair. She also got all dressed up today...(not really)...she was "dressed to the nines" in her black onesie that said "This is my little black dress"...I thought it was too cute.

A quick re-cap on our lives. She had her weight check a week ago and unfortunately only gained 7 ounces, weighing in at 9lbs 12.5oz. She was also still having quite a bit of spit-up...so the doctor sent her for an Upper GI with barium. I was quite apprehensive, but it didn't even faze her! She drank the stuff they gave her (I actually think she was a big fan) and then the doctor watched her stomach and esophagus...and sure enough it confirmed that she has reflux. As soon as she finished swallowing...it came back up...poor thing. So, it also verified that everything is anatomically correct inside of her and connected in the right spots...she just has reflux (apparently without the "normal" signs). The doctor has now started her on Prevacid...so we are giving this antacid a try. Since she was such a big girl, she was given a little stuffed fishy from the hospital. My mom and I took her for a second weigh in yesterday at the doctor’s office and she did much better!! She gained 6 ounces in 7 days!! (much better than the previous 7 ounces in 14 days)....so as of yesterday she weighed 10lbs 2.5oz...we are in double digits!! :)

Aunt Jamie and I took her to see Santa Claus on Monday...he was at JC Penny's...so we had her Christmas pictures taken...some with Santa and some without. Brooklyn really had fun grabbing his beard. They sat on a couch by the fireplace and Christmas tree...got to share secrets...and read a book together!

Today Daddy hung up all of our Christmas lights...he wanted to make sure and decorate for Brooklyn's first Christmas! The house looks great!! (on the outside and inside!!) We did some major cleaning this week, which was much over due. We had a little dinner party Tuesday with Melissa, Aaron & Tillie (yes, Brooklyn finally got to meet Miss Tillie...I think they will be buddies)...and Catherine & Greg! It was a fun night...we may just start up a little dinner club! :) Anyways, we have Christmas lights on the house, our little magnolia tree, candy canes in our flower bed...and hope to get the tree up this weekend!! Auntie/Cousin Jennifer is here visiting and staying with us...so maybe we will have time to decorate!

...and if you look below I finally posted more pictures!! :)

Brooklyn's Birth Announcement

2008-11-13T11:06:00.005-06:00

Brooklyn's birth announcements have finally been labeled (wasn't going to hand address them), stuffed and mailed!!! Better late than never, seeing as they went out just after her two month birthday. However, we absolutely love them!! Catherine Lopez of FOUR Creative Studio (friend, photographer and designer) was so generous to make them for us. Hopefully our next kiddo's won't be as delayed since we now have our list of people...but I'm sure our life will be more hectic...so who knows! We are so excited to share her arrival with all our friends and family...even if she did arrive in September! :)

Brooklyn's newest discovery...

2008-11-11T09:09:00.006-06:00

Just thought I would post a quick update about Brooklyn's newest discovery...and it is most entertaining! Lately we have learned that sometimes she is most happy and content to just lay on a blanket or the couch and "kick and squirm." Over the past few days she has begun to hold her hands, which has helped her control them...and she loves to lick them!! If she is lucky, a finger or thumb will land in her mouth and she will go to town sucking on them! It is so cute!!!

2 Month Check-Up

2008-11-05T21:38:00.003-06:00

Just a quick update...Brooklyn had her 2 month check-up with Dr. Ferreris today. She looks great and got a good report. His only concern was that she is a bit skinny. She weighed 9lbs 5.5oz (10-25th percentile) and her length was 22.75" (70th percentile)...so he wants to see us back in two weeks and hopes for her to be 11 pounds!!! So...Mommy and baby have a lot of work to do! We are going to go to the lactation center again to see if they have any tips for us! We may have to start waking her up in the night for an extra feeding or two.

She also got FIVE shots!!! Three in one thigh and two in the other. Her only prize was two pink camoflauge band-aids. Someday she will get a chocolate milkshake. She did great! She cried and turned bright red, but as soon as they were over we held her and she was fine.

Happy 2 Month Birthday!!

2008-11-03T21:14:00.006-06:00

Brooklyn is 2 months old today!!! Where on earth has the time gone?? She loves to lay on her back and kick and squirm. She is slowly but surely getting better at tummy time and somewhat enjoys being on her tummy (still not a favorite place). She is smiling more and more each day. We think she is beginning to tell us stories...some are long and others short. Her "coos" and "oohs" are so fun to listen to! She loves to lift her head up and look around...it is still a bit heavy and bobbles around, but she lifts it whenever possible. We are spoiled with her excellent sleeping skills!! She is sleeping from about 11 o'clock until just around 8...we usually wake up when Daddy does for work!! She has also begun taking a few naps during the day....we are still practicing with those...but getting better!! We are also blessed that she doesn't mind putting herself to sleep...and seems to be pretty good at it! She just looks around for a while listening to white noise and before we know it she is conked out!

2 months old!!

We went to Lake Texoma and Marietta, Oklahoma for Mame's services the end of October. She had fun in the cold weather at the lake. She was able to watch her Daddy fish and go for a ride in the stroller by the lake.

Bundled up in the cold!!

Taking notes on how to fish with Daddy :)

gorgeous sunset...

The house Mame and Aunt Jo grew up in...Marietta, Oklahoma

Going back home....riding in the car

Last week she helped (or watched) Mommy and Daddy carve her first pumpkin. She was a great supervisor. She got all decked out in her Halloween outfit, from head to toe! We didn't have a costume this year, but we learned she sure looks cute in orange!!

Tick or Treat?

This past weekend we went to New Braunfels for Wurstfest. It wasn't the same this year, but she had fun and has now experienced one of our family traditions! She had more fun during the day when it was bright outside. She people watched from her stroller. We went back and night and she napped through the loud German music. Sunday morning I took her to Landa Park with my parents where she rode David's train (the same man who ran the train when I was little!!). She made all sorts of sounds and talked to us...she definitely liked the wind on her face and looking around. She loves being outside. Last but not least my Mom and I took her to JC Penny today to have her 2 month picture taken...they turned out super cute!! Much better than her 1 month pictures (the baby acne was a bit bad at that time in her life). Brooklyn also visited her Daddy at work today and brought him Subway for lunch! It made his day!

Sharing one of my favorite memories with Brooklyn...the train will become a tradition

Brooks and I were just talking tonight about how 3 people live in our house now...and how we can't remember it any other way. It just feels right and we truly love her more and more every day. It is definitely a wonderful experience and we wouldn't trade it for the world. She is absolute perfection. She couldn't have come into our lives at a better time.

Our little wiggle worm...

2008-10-22T22:42:00.006-05:00

We were pretty entertained with her wiggling, kicking and squirming...so we thought we would share! :)

6 weeks old!

2008-10-17T18:26:00.009-05:00

I have no idea where the time has gone, but our little girl turned six weeks old on Wednesday!!! She is doing great! We get her down for the night by about 11 o'clock each night (sometimes earlier) and she sleeps through till about 6 or 7 in the morning! We feel very very lucky!!! Brooklyn has been blessed with a bad case of baby acne that appeared around 3 weeks and is now going away. She started smiling more about a week ago and lately she seems to be making more noises. She also loves to kick and squirm on her back when she has fun things to look at. On October 7th, my Mom and I took her to the "Weigh to Grow" station at the hospital and she weighed 8lbs 5oz...so she is right on track!! Brooklyn has truly been a blessing and we both feel so so lucky! She puts a smile on our faces all the time.

In celebration of her 6 week birthday, we went on a family outing to a pumpkin patch! We had fun and she was able to pick out her first pumpkin!! We are planning on carving it this week!!

Brooklyn - 6 Days Old

2008-10-08T21:31:00.004-05:00

Here are some of our favorite (it's so hard to choose!!) pictures that Catherine took of Brooklyn when she was 6 days old. She is now 5 weeks today...so I need to post more current pictures, but we are so in love with these...just wanted to share!!!

Pregnant Pictures

2008-10-08T20:13:00.007-05:00

Here are just a few of the pregnancy pictures that were taken by our friend and photographer, Catherine Lopez of FOUR Creative Studio. I was 38.5 weeks pregnant...they were taken exactly 2 weeks before Brooklyn was born!

Visit from Aunt Betsy, Cousins Gracie & Brinin

2008-10-02T23:03:00.004-05:00

Uncle Brooks decided to take Gracie fishing...and she caught 6 fish!!! This was also Brookyln's first trip to a lake!! Daddy was very excited!!! Brooks also decided to be "Super Uncle" and they made a bird house together and we painted it!

2 Weeks Old

2008-09-17T20:53:00.007-05:00

Where has the time gone?? Our little girl is now two weeks old. We have had a rough week. Mame passed away on Friday, September 12th. She is no longer having to use oxygen and is at peace. We are so blessed and fortunate that she was given the opportunity to meet Brooklyn...and was able to see her three times!!! We wish she had of had more time with her, but so thankful that they were a part of each others lives. Brooklyn's middle name is after her Great Grandmother, Jean, so she will be a constant reminder of the wonderful woman that she was and we know Mame will always be in her heart, as well as ours. Mame was and is my most favorite person...I admired and loved her more than anyone. Her services are going to be tomorrow in New Braunfels...it will be a hard day for everyone. I have so many wonderful memories from trips to "Mame and Popeye's" and hope my parents can provide that life experience for Brooklyn. Nap time ("last one to bed is a rotten egg"), reading books, rolling coins, eating candy, playing in the pool, line dancing, Christmas, drinking coffee (or sugar with some coffee in it), being "Popeye's Pal", making homemade ice cream ("wonder what flavor its gonna be"), baking bread, delivering meals-on-wheels, watching the 10 o'clock news followed by Cheers and Coach, biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, skip bo, dominos, checkers, singing to me...and so many many more. Brooklyn Jean has a lot to live up to and we plan on telling her all about her Mame and Popeye.

In Brooklyn's second week, her tear ducts have gotten clogged....we are now massaging them and putting medicine in her eyes...they look much better now! She had her 2 week visit on Monday and has now gained back all of her weight that she lost and weighs more than her birth weight at 7lbs 5oz...yeah!! She got a perfect report at the doctor's office. Her jaundice is officially gone and she had her 2nd PKU screen. Grandma Jan came home for a surprise visit and went with her to the doctor. Then we went for her first trip out to eat and met Daddy for lunch at Longhorn Cafe. Brooks' parents came to town last night...so Brooklyn has been having fun getting to know her other grandparents...and they think she is pretty darn cute! (who wouldn't!!??). We have learned that she likes to be swaddled to sleep...and does much better that way! Her umbilical cord fell off last night and she seems to have a pretty cute belly button! She played in her bouncer for the first time yesterday...kicked quite a bit and seemed mesmerized by the movement and music.

Last week (6 days old) Brooklyn had her picture taken by Catherine. These are just a couple pictures that Catherine picked out...we will get to see all of them later (she took a ton!!). These were the ones that were picked out to show Mame...

1 Week Old

2008-09-10T17:37:00.005-05:00

Brooklyn has been keeping us quite busy. We aren't sure where the time has gone, but the days pass very quickly and we don't feel like we are doing anything! :) I guess our time has been filled with feeding her, holding her, comforting her, changing diapers and trying to sleep. Most nights have been good and manageable. Here are some pictures from her first week of life!! We still just can't believe she is really here and how absolutely amazing she is!!

Trip to see Mame

Our Family - Finally Home

First Doctor's Appointment - Weighed 6lbs 12oz

First Walk with the Doggies

First Bath

1 Week Old

We're Home!!

2008-09-05T22:23:00.002-05:00

Brooklyn, Daddy and I arrived home this evening at about 7 p.m. She has had a big first day out! We immediately left the hospital for her to visit Mame in New Braunfels!! :) She was actually able to meet nearly all of my side of the family in one visit!! Mame was so excited to see her and we were able to let them visit for quite a while...and got several cute pictures, which we will post later! She has already been in her swing tonight...and seemed to enjoy it!

Here is the link to her WebNursery photos that were taken in the hospital yesterday!

http://www.our365.com/newbornportraits/babydetail.aspx?birthid=e9f9f29b-a515-4c20-b728-72502640397f&babyid=bc5f7e0b-53eb-4b34-a242-e56f667f5944

If you need to enter any information, select San Antonio, Texas, September 3, and the first three letters of our last name and there you will find her first "fun" pictures!!

We are both truly simply in love with her and in awe! I think we keep pinching ourselves to see if she is real.

Thanks for everyone support!

Brooklyn Jean Brininstool

2008-09-03T20:05:00.003-05:00

She's here and absolutely perfect!!! They started the Pitocin at 7:30 a.m. and the contractions were pretty terrible. I received my epidural at noon and it was smooth sailing from there.

Brooklyn Jean Brininstool

Born September 3, 2008

4:05 p.m.

7lbs and 2oz

20 1/4 inches

first blog experience...

2008-08-24T15:02:00.021-05:00

I just got back from having a pedicure with my Mom...so now my toes are pretty for labor! I have had the intention of starting a blog for quite some time now...but wasn't sure what to write about. Anywho, I figure I need to get it set up before the baby is born so everyone can stay updated (if we can keep this current!) on our upcoming life!! Quick recap: Brooks and I got married on April 1, 2006 (bet you won't forget that date!), we found out we were pregnant on Christmas Eve 2007, found out our baby is a little girl on our two year anniversary (4-1-08...pretty memorable gift) and she is due to arrive on August 30, 2008!!

Our little girl is due in SIX days!! I was supposed to have an appointment on Friday, but my doctor broke her foot...so I will just see her on Wednesday for my next weekly appointment. So far (or as of the 14th) I am 70% effaced, but not dilated...so we shall see if I have made any progress. I think I may have been having a few Braxton Hicks contractions. I have been trying to walk as much as possible (preferably in air conditioning...we have been frequenting the aisles of Target and Wal-Mart) and I have a Pilate's ball that I have been sitting on that is supposed to be good...so we shall see!

13 weeks 2-25-08

This pregnancy has been wonderful. I have nothing to compare it to (other than horror stories from other people), but I never really had morning sickness, I have felt great, luckily haven't gained that much weight (in the scheme of things), my blood pressure is normal, I'm not super swollen (rings are tight some days)...had a few days with an achy back...but that's it! :) So I consider myself very blessed.

4D Ultrasound 28 weeks 6-12-08

Brooks and I have decided on a name for our daughter, but it's a surprise and no one knows! Therefore...my Mom has given her the nickname "BG" for Baby Girl...or if you talk to my grandma (Mame) she has given her the name "Esmerelda." She seems to be a pretty calm baby...or since I have an anterior placenta, a lot of her movement is very difficult to feel. The first big movement that Brooks and I felt was on May 12th laying in bed at night...it was pretty crazy. Since then we just get little wiggles here and there, but not so much the "jabbing or kicking" that I have heard about. You can see my tummy shift around...so it's fun to watch...but without fail she usually stops when anyone touches it...maybe she'll be shy. I think she finally became active (or active for her...) around 35 weeks...which is also when I started doing my kick counts...so maybe I just became more tuned in and aware of her! I have to mark down how long it takes me to feel 10 kicks/movements...I get them done, some nights it takes longer than others...and a lot of concentration!

35 weeks and counting...

My last day of work was this past Tuesday...but I'm on call if they need me! I hope to be able to stay at home with BG because we don't have to have to send her to daycare (emotionally don't want to...or financially). I hope to find something to do from home that will allow me the flexibility to be a Mom all day and make a little extra money...so let us know if you know of anything wonderful!!! (they all seem so gimmicky!). However, we are lucky to live close to my parents and my Aunt has already offered to keep her (at our house or hers) a day a week...so I'm sure everything will work out!

Brooks and I had maternity/pregnant pictures taken last week. We have a good friend who is a photographer and are very anxious to see them! I'll post pictures once I get them from Catherine. I was just relieved that they were taken before her arrival!!! Catherine is also going to take pictures of our BG when she gets here!

BG's nursery is all ready and we have more baby things than we know what to do with!! I think my Mom thinks its crazy because I didn't have near this many gadgets and accessories and I turned out alright!

Nursery so far! Fun things on walls to come soon! :)

Brooks and I are both very anxious for her arrival. We are super excited about becoming parents...although I don't think we have a good concept yet on how much our lives are going to change and what all it will entail. However, we know it will be for the better and just want to keep each other as a priority. We are trying to get in as much "couple" time this week as we can...and luckily we have family nearby so we can still have our own little "dates." We are super excited about becoming parents! We can't wait to raise our daughter and to teach her all the things in life that are important and valuable to us! I hope and pray that we are good parents. I know it's totally different...but Brooks is so cute, loving and protective with our dogs, I know he is going to be a wonderful Daddy! We took short little vacation to Galveston this summer and were able to spend some great time together. I guess you could call it our "babymoon." Our hotel room was amazing and it was nice to get away and relax!! ...and of course, Brooks got to go FISHING! :) We fished on the dock one night, he fished in the surf, we went to the rain forest at Moody Gardens, toured old houses (mansions), visited friends in Houston...and got to be together!

Brooks' Redfish caught in the surf...very happy guy

My gigantic fish caught off the pier on my ROD and REEL

That was a whirlwind update on our life from the past few months! ...and seeing as this is my first post...I think I have found plenty to write/ramble on about (sorry)! I doubt they will all be this lengthy...because this was just a re-cap on our life. The next post will definitely be more exciting and include our daughter!! :)