Talmadge Family News

conversation with Natalie

2011-01-20T14:04:00.004-05:00

So I get Natalie up this morning and found some old dried up puke on her comforter and sheet. Not a lot at all, but it was about 4 inches worth in diameter. Gross. So thank goodness I know it's not a stomach bug (I WOULD know that particular puke scent---lucky me)

So I asked Natalie ocnfused, "did you throw up last night?!?!"

"I throw up."

"Do you feel bad now?"

"No. I feel good"

"why did you throw up last night?"

"I cried and go 'ahhhh' " (remembering now that she threw a ROYAL fit not wanting to go to bed. Screaming at the top of her lungs and all for a while...thus now suspecting what happened.)

"so you were mad?"

"yes"

"were you sad?"

"yes"

"were you happy?" (testing if she's really in the conversation with me)

"...no" (sticking tongue out now) "I cry and go 'ahhhh'"

LOL!!! That little stinker! She made herself puke!! I just love that girl, throw up and all!

I'm Baaa-ack!

2010-12-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

So wow, it has been such a busy busy BUSY last several weeks for us, but shoot, Christmas is right around the corner. As are TON of doctor's appointment (and the bills to follow, but that's beside the point)...we are goign to get everyone healthy again, and I'm confident that these girls and myself will have MUCH more healthy year in 2011!

Natalie:

will be finding out NEXT WEEK what she is allergic to, food wise. Can't wait, but kind of can also, because I'm a little timid about changing up our entire eating routine because she may actually be VERY allergice to milk. We've already cut out pizza altogether, unless I peel every last bit of cheese off it...which only ticks my cheese-loving kid off. Do you realize how many desserts have milk in it? And who can eat grits without cheese? Not my kid, so she gets a whole 5 pieces of shredded cheese put in her bowl in front her, so she can see there really IS cheese (however little it may be) in it. WoW. But I'm ready to be told it's milk, and not lactose. and I'm mentally prepared to begin the ordeal it will be fix foods regularly that she can eat.

Brooklyn:
At the end of December, she will be having her tonsils out! Hallelujah!! I'm ready for this month to be over already! Tonsils out, yay! Putting my sweet baby girl under general anesthesia....UGH... and WORRY...

Me: I will be getting Moh's "surgery" Jan 5th...which is a fancy way of saying they are going to dig out the rest of the Basal Cell carcinoma out of my neck. The nurse said, "if you're gonna have a cancer, this is the cancer you want to have!" So uh....yeah! I have a good kind of cancer... it doesn't spread to other organs, but can deform you pretty good if you don't get it taken out ... so here we go. Only one week after Brooklyn's tonsillectomy.

Tinker:
Is a whopping 30 pounds as of last weekend...so she's estimated to be a full grown dog of 60 pounds...shoo -eeee! That seems so big to me! She's also got a surgery in January...we're getting her fixed and micro-chipped Jan 20th....and is it bad that I'm looking forward to a bit more sedated puppy for a week? Tinks's a good puppy, but she's a PUPPY...and that means she's FULL of endless energy. But Brooklyn and her are great play buddies and tire each other out at night....so it works out :) She's never bitten anyone, or snapped in a violent way, but her clumsy claws are rough on ya!

And, on a happy note! We get to see our baby's growth in two weeks...Monday the 20th, so that's pretty exciting ... Whatever we have...as long as she's healthy! Boy or Girl we will be thrilled!

Natalie Update Oct 25th, 2010

2010-10-25T08:23:00.002-04:00

I believe we have finally found a cure. I'm both encouraged and discouraged all at the same time. We've had 4 straight days of NORMAL formed and non-painful BM's. BM's only occuring 1 or 2 times a day like a stinking normal person finally. hallelujah! However...

1. She's on rice milk which has like NO FAT in it, and thus she won't gain any weight while drinking cup-fuls of it.

2. Still don't know if she's allergic to one or both Milk and/or soy....which is in like EVERYTHING containing fat.

3. We still won't know anything at her allergist appointment on the 13th because it's a "consult" appointment, meaning no testing on what she's allergic to, will be done that day. We'll have to go BACK for the testing. *sigh*

You all know how I absolutely hate to wait. I'm so not a very patient person...and even more so when it comes to my children's health. I'd just like to see her gain some stinking weight already and quit being the tiniest person in her age group because she can't eat anything with fats.
So please pray she'll take to avacodos being mixed into lots of her food (I remember my nephew eating a lot of that in order to eat some fat). I'm so anxious to get this ordeal resolved and move on from it.

Conversation with B'lyn

2010-10-21T08:30:00.002-04:00

Me: Brooklyn, how did you get that red mark on your face?

B'lyn: I don't know.

Me: Did you hurt yourself at school or on the playground?

B'lyn: Yes. I was jumping off the swing.

Me: Did anyone come to help you?

B'lyn: Yes. Mrs. Sandra did. She told me to not to jump off the swing anymore.

Lee: Was someone else jumping off the swing too?

B'lyn: Yes, Hayes was too. It was really fun jumping off the swing.

Lee to me: And yesterday she was just a baby. Now she's jumping off swings.

*feeling a bit nostalgic* Our baby is growing up!

Update on the Natalie Update

2010-10-07T19:19:00.002-04:00

She is only about 50% on diarrhea's now. We've decided to go ahead and just get her tested by an allergist. After talking to my sister last night, she said there was a difference between a "lactose intolerance" (what I thought it was) and "milk allergy" So bummer. If she has a milk allergy, which is what I'm beginning to suspect b/c (we eat a LOT of milk products throughout the day) we're still not curing the problem. 50% normal doesn't make me satisfied.

So here we go. Our life may change in a major food way if her food allergy is confirmed.

Keep on praying, we need it. Especially Natalie who will begin to be told NO to foods she's eaten since she can remember (cheezits, cheese, yogurt, goldfish, chocolate, milk, etc) - we'll just have to wait and see now.

I'm calling an allergist tomorrow to set up an appointment. Wish we'd have done this months ago.

Natalie update

2010-10-04T09:27:00.002-04:00

So I've probably talked about how Natalie doesn't seem to be gaining weight properly and she IS in fact a VERY little girl. Smallest of all the two year olds, with the exception of a little heart baby 2 yr old friend of hers-and only 1-2 pounds bigger than HER. I've mentioned the daily diarrhea to her pediatrician at her 18month and 2 yr check up and he wasn't much impressed with my concerns. Well, I've taken the issue into my own hands now since potty training will be super-difficult if she's having painful diarrhea 3-5 times a day. So I first took her off of all juice because that's what her pediatrician flippantly suggested at her 2 yr appointment. That was in June. It's obviously done nothing for her diarrhea since we're still dealing with the same thing.

So now we've cut out milk and dairy products (with the exception of cheese every now and again, but even then, in extreme moderation).

She's been on Lactaid for nearly a week, and for the last 2 days finally, her poopies don't wreak of abnormal nasty odor, and their not angry diarrheas. So we'll continue this for a while longer to ensure it's the milk. It's weird to hope the it's the milk causing the issue, but it's cuz I'd like a peace of mind for the cause and for my baby to not be miserable every day while she poops several times throughout.

I have a fear that she may have a sensitivity to wheat or whatever is in our bread too, which is another reason I'm praying it's as simple as a milk allergry causing her bowel issues. Wheat will be the next item to cross of her food option if the diarrhea doesn't stop consistantly.

Please be praying. This is not fun considering she LOVES milk, yogurt, cheese, and anything dair...and now suddenly I'm telling her NO, you can't have that anymore.

Big things going on in October

2010-10-04T09:13:00.004-04:00

Big Ticket Items!

1. washer going out. Forcing us to buy a new one.
2. Buying a dog (though pre-budget'ed, still it's going on and being bought)
3. King sized bed (best purchase EVER....never woken up so well rested. But still, it's going on and being bought). King sheets are like, stinking pricey! Tidbit : It was made the day before we took it home. Made in GA 10/1/10.
4. Check engine line turns on in the Sequioa. UGH. Waiting for Lee to tell me if it's important or not and how much THAT will cost. Are we nearing the market earlier than expected for a V.A.N.??? oh dear. That purchase may stress me out a little.
5. We're getting a piano! Dont' know when, but it's going to be shipped here and sooner than later Brooklyn and Natalie will get to take lessons! SOOOOOooo excited. PLUS, even I get to start playing again, though it's been over 10 years since I laid hands on one! It should be like riding a bike....right? :)

ps. Babysitters are the best invention ever! So liberating to be able to just leave the house, and be gone for 5 hours and know my kids are well taken care of. Miss Nicole is great with them!

Tid Bits Sept 2010

2010-09-21T13:29:00.003-04:00

1. Natalie's sunday school teacher informed us, "you may have a tiny package, but that girls mind doesn't stop moving!" and later said as we ran into him at Lowe's - Natalie running and squealing in delight at her freedom, "that girl is a pistol!" Yes. Yes we know. :)

2. Our washing machine is about broken. So we've ordered a new one.

3. We have about 5 loads of laundry waiting in hopes that our new washer will come in.

4. I gave myself my first insulin injection. It took about 5 minutes for me to get the gumption up enough to inflict pain on myself. Turned out not to be so bad. Which is good considering I'll be doing this 3-6 times a day. U.G.H.

5. After cringing and watching me struggle with the act, Lee ran away and curled up in a ball on the bed while I did it. Uhm, yah, thank you Support System for NOT being there. (it's really ok, I think NOT hearing the scaredy cat groans helped me get it over with)

6. Brooklyn questioned me on her realization of hair on her legs, and asked why she has "so much hair on [her] legs" followed by "I want it off...YOU don't have hair on your legs..." I've got a feeling these questions will only get harder and more complicated to answer.

7. Lee, in his quest to become a coffee conniseur, changed our coffee to whole beans, ground up. we've learned a terribly hard way that you much first EASE yourself into such rich coffee drinking lest bad things happen to your bowels. Note: we've gone back to the old coffee.

8. Our little puppy, Tinker comes home to us in the second week of october! In Brooklyn's words, "it takes for a long time to get our puppy!"

9. Natalie can count to 20. she counts stairs, counts for hide and seek, counts just to count. She also knows her colors and the shape of an oval and triangle. Squares and rectangles stump her.

10. Brooklyn wears dresses every single day to school. and has learned from Miss Sandra, that you must sit like "criss cross, applesauce" so no can see her panties. She is so proud of herself. (but didn't I teach her that first. Oh right. I didn't come up with a snazzy rhyme so my teaching is forgettable. Note taken kiddo.)

11. Natalie's personality is becoming quite LARGE. she sure is tiny, but she knows no stranger when we are out and about. She talk to folks and flash her snaggle face grin and gets OH SO MANY responses in return.

12. She still throws her fair share of tantrums, but they are certainly less than I remember about 3 months ago.

13. Brooklyn gets on these talking periods usually first thing in the morning (especially on Sunday while her daddy is shaving and has him contained all to herself). But she can talk for EVER, and not hardly breathe. Amazing. Bedtime is another prime chatterbox period.

14. Brooklyn will pray on the spot for you if she sees that you are not feeling good.

15. Good times are being had in the Talmadge home. Those girls have us rolling with laughter on a DAILY basis. They're a hoot.

Just a quote I liked....

2010-09-02T10:07:00.003-04:00

I don't know who said it first, but I really liked it.

"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."

:)

My OUTFITS!

2010-08-31T08:31:00.002-04:00

ok so the bows won't lay right, but it's time for school and I'm not about to wrestle the two of them out of those closen and into another....so alas. The bows will lay vertically. Whatever.

Natalie wouldn't give Brooklyn a hug, so naturally, Brooklyn pouts, and Natalie puts a stubborn hand on her hip with a "so there! "

"Oh look, there's a lady walking in our neighborhood!"
I'm proud of the clothes! :) Not perfect, but nice.

My Family Man

2010-08-30T21:19:00.004-04:00

I'm going to hand it to him. Lee came up with this idea of going to Jarrell Plantation all on his own in the name of being a family and doing something together as a family unit. Brooklyn thought this so confusing, because we always seem to *go* somewhere with someone or to see someone or play with someone else. So I have to say. It was history, and not entirely entertaining, but being together and enjoying each others company, WAS fun (except for the part when Lee left me behind when I couldn't get past a HUGE spider web created at MY head level *shivering*).

A chicken roost. Natalie didn't care to be in there alone...this is her aggravated, *you have 2 seconds to get me out of here or I'll let loose a scream you know you don't want to hear*

Ok skip to the picnic! Good job daddy. Great idea, great time, great family. I just adore them. And Brooklyn said, "Mommy, how about on our next picnic, you bring a blanket for our seats too." Man-she's totally my kind of girl! :) LOL

Natalie's a little pip-squeak. We call her 'Tiny' quite a bit.

The other side of the picnic table. The picnic was the part of the walk through Jarrell Plantation, that she couldn't get to fast enough. We were about to start the trail and in chimes Brooklyn, "I'm hungry. When are we having the picnic?" That's my kind of girl. Where's the food...that's what I'm interested in. :)

GOOD TIMES. GOOD IDEA. GOOD SPONTANEITY. GOOD HUSBAND. GOOD DADDY.

What better Saturday can you ask for?

Natalie's first day of K-2 school

2010-08-26T14:56:00.005-04:00

It's only two days a week, but hey! She doesn't know the difference. All she knows is that she gets to bring a backpack to school like Big Sister Booken. I believe though she is a natural born leader, she adores and looks to her big sis like no one else.

Natalie pouting because I told her to look at the camera Puh-LEASE! Just imagine in her mind a Hmph sound as she folded her arms in protest pouting her lip.

And followed by her showing me her backside. At least I got a grin. Brooklyn was saying "FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"

Natalie still protests this whole affair. Brooklyn complies.

Natalie's not doing it! But she shows me her face!

In the parking lot at school.

Ok girls, let's move out *meaning GO*

I just genuinly love her expression here.

Brooklyn shows her the way.

"Nat. Nat. NATALIE!" No response. She's gone, and ready to begin her school day. See ya Mommy. Don't pick me up too early!

First Day of Pre-K

2010-08-25T08:27:00.002-04:00

Sending my first born to Pre-K...this is momentous...of course she's in a dress. Natalie needing to match (Mommy needed them to match too).

ps. Mas gave the girls these dresses So cute! Brooklyn even picked out the corresponding hairband this morning.

Sisters 4 and 2

2010-08-24T10:37:00.003-04:00

These are the moments my heart warms and I smile with an odd pride (I mean they're just playing 'lipstick'. But I love it!

ps. GG Grandma made these dresses! SO cute! Which is perfect because we are currently in a MAJOR dress craze! Brooklyn's in the craze, Natalie follows her lead. That too, I love :)

Nat's first haircut August 2010

2010-08-18T19:41:00.002-04:00

So today I decided to brave getting us ALL haircuts. ALL being, Me, Brooklyn, and Natalie while Lee was at work. It was a necessary thing to do...especially Natalie with her crazy rat tail in the back developing....so off we went to a regular ole place. No Sweet N Sassy girls' salon complete with a lock of hair and certificate showing that TODAY was Natalie's first ever hair cut - Like Brooklyn's first haircut. Nope...none of that. Poor little second child of mine... (I totally would have done that salon again if they were still in business, but oh well...) So all I got was a few pieces of her cut hair placed *delicately* in my hand, like "ok here you go momma." So of course, I'm a little neurotic at times, and as politely as I could asked for a bag to put my precious childs baby hair in. I mean seriously...what am I gonna do with a few baby fine pieces of easy-to-lose-hair in my hand....while I have two children to put back in the car. and buckle. And drive home. and so on and so forth. Good grief. But I did take some pictures to note the momentous day!

I was a little worried, my very active toddler would not sit still, but she very much reminded me of the moment Brooklyn sat in the salon chair herself. It was as if she was thinking "Not. Sure. What. To. Do. Here."

Olp...there is my crazy baby! Making the most of the moment! As usual.

But then the salon girl gave her a gentle order. "Put your head down sweetheart"
She probably thought, "Fine, but only cuz I'm. Not. Sure. How. To. Be. Contrary. In. This. Situation."

However, Brooklyn knows exactly how to be contrary. Beautiful she is, anyway!

So because they didn't cause any problems, no fights, nothing broken, no crying, no whining, while it was MY turn in the chair....we next, went to get a rental movie...Brooklyn chose Strawberry Shortcake. Classic. I love these girls!

Brooklyn 4 - Natalie 2

2010-08-12T09:17:00.003-04:00

It's the time of year, when I get a little teary eye'd because my babies are growing up. I mean there are NO babies in the house. Just two toddlers, and I can get a little emotional over it - whenever Natalie's not making me thank my stars that I don't have another demanding infant child in the house. So looking back, here's some updates on the my FOUR year old and TWO year old.

Brooklyn
-Is about to go to school everyday of the school week, albeit for only 3 hrs, but that's just this momma that can't let go of her first born all day just yet.
-Has become a little momma frequently, to Nat. It's not an odd thing to hear, "ahhhh! It's ok Natalie. It'll be ok. Sweet girl...." when coddling Natalie over a new boo boo.
-Loves to put change in her piggy bank. I mean finding a penny on the floor will turn a frown into a smile on that girl. Must be time to begin teaching money management...she already gets the concept of saving her money in her bank...why not begin now.
-Has learned to cop and attitude at the drop of a hat. We're trying to knock that one out fast.
-Still is not a happy post-nap or morning kid. She is all sorts of grumpy when she wakes. She's learned to leave ME alone in the morning and not demand this and that...guess it's my turn to let HER wake up for herself too.
-Is beginning choir at church, and I can't tell you how excited she is. That girl LOVES to sing...even if it's just singing about things she's done during the day...she's singing!
-Loves to help with anything I'll allow her to do (except clean her room or pick up the toys off the floors). She loves to empty the dishwasher eating utensils, set the table, wipe the table, dust, cook, bake.
-She loves to paint, color, write letters, sing, play PBSkids online games, trace, swim, ride her bike.
-She enjoys playing dress up with her friends, being a princess, playing at parks, having picnics.
-She like Cookie Crisp cereal, Crispix, and Life
-She turns into a poor pitiful girl when she gets an ant bite. To point she asks her daddy to carry her because she suddenly "can't walk"
-We've begun a Friday night movie night with Brooklyn -Nat will join when she can handle sitting still and being quiet. We watched Ice Age last week, and about 20 minutes in, she says, "This movie,....it's CUH-razy!" LOL. Yes it is...and funny!
-The things that come out of her mouth make me grin daily. She'll say, "Daddy's a good guy" "I was in your belly, but I came out so I could grow up. Then Natalie went into your belly." LOL. yeah, something like that. :) "Mommy, you just said BUT! That's not very nice! I can't say but, I have to say bottom."
-Is scared of big snippy puppies, but is SURE HER puppy will not be snippy. She doesn't know what's coming!

Natalie
-Has been in the terrible two's since she was about 9 months old. I'm beginnning to realize we really DO have a strong willed child in our home.
-She has the FUNNIEST little personality bottled up in a two year old person. She does make me lose my mind everyday (regularly), but wow, she makes me LAUGH everyday as well. Her faces can change at the drop of a hat. Her lips are very expressive. That's right. Her lips. Not her eyes. You'd have to know her to get it.
-Likes to rock before bed, and sing. She knows Jesus Loves me, Silver and Gold, He's got the whole world in his hands, Zaccheus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Row Row Row your boat, The Wheels on the Bus, etc. (we sing a lot around here, they haven't realized that their mommy really can't carry a tune). Listening to her sweet voice pronouncing the words, BEAUTIFUL music in and of itself.
-She's extremely tiny for her age (less than 3%ile). Which is funny, because there's gonna be a 2 yr old girl in her class this year, that's in the 100%ile for her age. Talk about two ends of the spectrum!!
-She kisses and kisses and kisses. Her lips are so sweet! And if she's sick or someone she wants to kiss is sick, she'll BLOW a kiss into her hand, and delicately place it on you with her hand. It's ADORABLE.
-Did I mention she has the energy of a ... well I don't know of what, but it's endless! However she doesn't walk into things and bonk her head NEARLY as much. Praise the Lord,...cuz that was really bothering me. However she can hurt her head, trip and fall, but unless there's blood to be seen, she's ok with it. BUT, when there is blood, her world is coming to a quick end. And she does NOT like band-aids...let me know you...that's a fun job fighting a wire-y two year old to get a bandaid on a bloody skinned knee.
-She is still very much a mommy's girl, loving to be held whenever possible, and begging to be held when not possible.
-She is extremely cuddly, and will give the tightest little neck squeezes for a 20 pound kid. Makes me forget all her disagreeable-ness that occurred throughout the day....temporarily anyway.
-If you draw a quiet irritated word out over about 3 seconds to, (ex. Geeeeeet OOOouuuuut), her feelings are crushed...her frown begins over a span of 5 seconds, unsure if she's going to cry, and then she does...it's not the defiant, I'm-gonna-cry-as-loud-as -possible cry...it's distinctly the - you -hurt-my -feelings - cry....and it will make you feel AWFUL! She is suddenly a lost puppy, unsure of what to do.
-She will love on you more than ever after she comes out of time out.
-She LOVES babies...will try to mommy them as much as a 2 yr old can
-Still sucks her thumb
-Is still my "healthy" kid. She rarely gets sick, and a cold is simply a cold that doesn't end up requiring a dr visit, and she takes no daily meds. Thank you Jesus! She strong willed, but healthy :)
-She still doesn't care for rice or pasta, or anything that isn't pure tastey meat and veggies. She did eat a tator tot yesterday, however I found the remnants in her bed spat out. Lovely.
-She is still mildly allergic to peanut butter. Her face breaks out in a rash wherever the peanut butter touches her when she eats it...however I've not given her enough of it to test the extent of the reaction she'd have...so we'll just steer clear of PB&J for another year. Bummer.
-She doesn't care one bit that her hair falls into her eyes....I do however and it drives me crazy that she can't push her hair behind her ears... She tries, to no avail.
-Is still hanging on to her Grade 1 Heart murmer (Heart murmers go up to Grade VI)she had at birth. No biggie, not worried over it. But just something to be aware of.

I'm sure this isnt'a complete list of updates on the girls, but it's what I could think of. Quotes from them are a whole other blog :) They keep the house lively for sure.

Brooklyn's 4 yr check up

2010-07-29T08:42:00.005-04:00

She may look like this, now that she's 4 yrs old! But....

This is how I'll forever see my sweet growing-up little baby girl...no matter how old she is.

I'd love to freeze this age on her...The ages between 2-4 for Brooklyn, never having hit those terrible 2's or 3's.

So we spent a good 1 1/2 in the doctors office waiting for her to be seen for the infamous 4 yr check with booster shots. NOT fun. But after all the crying was over, and nothing was happening but our sitting and waiting for the dr to come in, she was flat exhausted! By the time the nurse finally came in with the shots, she didn't fight it a bit...however, she did yell (not scream) for each of the 4 shots she received. Poor baby. She didn't fight it though, she just sat there, and took each shot with her loud yell, and tears in her eyes. I know it must be done, but that hurt my heart. Too tired to even fight it.

anyway, she was a whopping 40 inches tall, putting her in the 56%ile for her age.

and she weight 34 pounds, putting her in the 33%ile for weight. Tall and on the thinner side, but not too thin...Just perfect!

She did however wake up last night with a 102 fever...so that wasn't too fun...and her legs were hurting her so bad, she refused to walk. But after a dose of Motrin and putting her back in bed, she's woken up with only a 100.4 fever. Hopefully it'll stay that low. I remember her getting a fever with the Chickenpox vaccine the first time around, and now she's had that same one again, plus 3 other boosters...I assume the fever is normal. Time will tell.

And the day after the party.

2010-07-25T21:23:00.002-04:00

Mimmie and Papa left after lunch, so we distracted them with painting. Or rather...Natalie painted the wooden kitty cat her Grandmama gave her. She was intent on her project. Brooklyn on the other hand is perfecting her princess-ness :) always one princess or another.

Natalie's hard at work and concentrating face. Sweetie pie face.

Brooklyn is showing off her new Claire's clip on earrings. She felt so fancy. Love it...maybe she'll just get her ears pierced and be done with it.

After the Princess Party...

2010-07-25T20:51:00.004-04:00

It was TOP PRIORITY the second she woke up ..."I want to play with all my toys! Ok Mommy?" Have fun kiddo!

And shortly after the rest of the house woke up from their naps, it was family present time! Jewelry jewelry jewelry! She couldn't be more thrilled!

And a hair accessory :) and money for more Claire's accessories :)

Grandmama's gifts! A beautiful picture frame!

And a big girl plate and cup...which she threw her food and drink in before we realized it...without being washed first. Oh well. Guess she'll live...she loves her plate! Great idea!

More fancy princess jewelry.

And wow! Look at the loot she received! What you don't see is her Tinkerbell nightgown, and pretty little dress! They're on teh floor behind her. Fallen.

Great gift Kimberly! She loved these horses...though I'll admit, Natalie did too...and that doesn't mix very well, LOL.

Lovable little Natalie giving kisses to Papa. She was his buddy all weekend!

On our way to Claire's (aka. 'the jewelry box store') LOL!!!!!! That's what she called it. No lie!

We almost got her ears pierced...not really, but only because she saw another little girl get them pierced, and she flinched, causing Brooklyn to practically sprint back to the car! "I don't want my ears pierced!!!" Then she almost didn't go into the store b/c it would mean she'd have to pass by the girls who were piercing ears! Poor girl...we'll try again at Christmas.

So after showing her Daddy all her pretty earring (albeit clip-ons), Natalie wanted to try them on too. I'll bet Natalie will sit in that piercing chair and get hers pierced long before Brooklyn ever braves it.

Brooklyn and Papa working on her new puzzle.

Brooklyn picked out her Birthday movie. Ratatouille. Good times.

Then got her new sleeping bag from her friend, Abby, and finished watching the movie like this.

And thus ends the "birthday celebration day" Goodnight to you Brooklyn. Hope you've had a wonderful time being the center of attention today! Thank you Natalie for taking the backseat for the day...I know that took a lot of effort...but actually, that probably wasn't at all what you did since Mimmie and Papa were there making you feel extra special yourself and showering you with attention! You ARE special too afterall! :)

Brooklyn's 4th Birthday Party!

2010-07-25T19:04:00.006-04:00

So it was Brooklyn's birthday weekend and it really turned out to be extra special. Practically coming to visit on a whim, my parents came to visit for Brooklyn's birthday. And boy were they a huge help. Guess that would only be natural considering throwing birthday parties for me and Kimberly occurred frequently for us growing up. I don't know how she did it, I was flat exhausted after doing all the preparations, planning, entertaining, etc. But it was totally worth it to be able to see the amazing smiles and grins on my baby girl. Ahem...my BIG girl :) So here we go with pictures!

Well, when you turn four in our house, you move up to a big girl booster. That last booster seat was terribly uncomfortable for her for even a short drive to Aunt Lanie's house...so we decided we're just gonna have to be car seat snobs, and get her the most comfortable and safe seat out there. A Britax. And here she is, sitting in her lap of luxury. And thus...Natalie moves on up the lap of luxury seats too. My babies are growing up. Must be time for a dog.

And then we begin the Birthday party with the birthday activity. Beading necklaces with their names on it. What I so loved was seeing a couple of the girls wearing them this sunday morning. Yay!!

Then comes the intermission...with dancing to Disney songs...compliments of Lee, the genius who thought up the idea to have Disney music playing in the background.

Princess line-up. Check it out. No princess is duplicated!!!!

Then outside for water fun!

Then Papa making AMAZING bubbles and awe-ing the kids. They loved it!

While these girlies just ran around with each other. And again, compliments of Lee for making our backyard look WAY better than when we moved in!...with no bugs or ants!!! Perfect for outside entertainment!

Natalie tends to her own business playing with soap suds from the bubble mix. Nice.

Pizza Pizza!

Cake time! and Lee's arm in the way of my picture! The "4" kept falling while lighted, so it was a complicated ordeal to get the cake from the counter to the table!

Another view of the sweet kids

Liza colored Brooklyn a picture for her birthday, and Brooklyn was TICKLED pink, saying, "oh Thank you Liza!!!! THANK you THANK you!!!!" Sweet friends!

And that concludes the birthday party. Mimmie, Papa, and Daddy were so worn out, they took naps right after everyone left! LOL!!!! It was certainly a whirlwind of activity, but Brooklyn has never felt so special getting to have all her "best friends come to her house for [her] birthday" It was worth all the time and planning and energy! Good times. Happy Birthday, Sweet Brooklyn! Mommy and Daddy love you!!

July miscellenany 2010

2010-07-16T20:52:00.004-04:00

June was a full fun and busy month! But here here comes July full of fun and busy-ness too! Lee went out of town, TDY, so he left us girls to fend for ourselves. So we socialized ourselves with friends nearly every day - I mean we ARE crew of girls ya know! And did I mention I didn't even cook dinner once? I don't like when he leaves, but I sure LOVE not cooking!! lol! So here's a few snapshots into our week!

At Kaley's house, the girls just finished a Toy Story puzzle. Natalie's working hard on hers.

Cinderella Liza, Kaley, Brooklyn, and of course Nat Nat all playing together.
...Till they oculdn't play anymore. Dont' let this picture fool you. They didn't actually nap together for even a minute! :)

Lee surprised us and came home EARLY. that is 2 DAYS EARLY! And even though he wasn't gone a full week...he still proved to be #1 daddy with little surprise trinkets for the girls for being gone.

Daddy and Nat-Nat. She missed him SO much...asking about him at dinner "wheh daddy go?" "he's at work" "oh. wheh daddy go? a-wuk" *giggles* And check him out, I got myself a good looking man! :)

Kisses!

I will forever miss these sweet sweet kisses when I dont' get them multi-daily anymore!

Liza and Brooklyn painting a garden ladybug. Natalie painting herself a picture. She can not and will not be left out! "mommmaye!"

...guess she got bored of painting on the paper.

Snow White Liza, baby James, Crazy Nat-Nat, Sweet Brooklyn! taking a rest together for nap time. (and no, they didn't actually sleep this time around either-I'm thinking our efforts are futile) :)

Good times so far this summer. We've been able to swim in pools, play at friends' houses, playgrounds, Monkey Joes, Chick-fil-A...go shopping, etc! Life has been wonderful!

Happy Father's Day! 2010

2010-06-20T18:58:00.003-04:00

This card explains it all!

Brooklyn picked out this shirt herself.

Gotta get a picture with Daddy too.

Cotton Candy Explosion ROCKS! She was chowing down

Classic. Brooklyn can't get her hands dirty...so Daddy does. He's a good daddy!

Happy Father's day Daddy! We love you!!

Double 'Grammy!!!!! (come on now..that was a good one)

2010-06-17T15:47:00.007-04:00

Grandmama with the freshly made up little girls. IN other words, their hair is all in place...

Checking out the meercats - sp?

Momma birds and baby birds.

Mimmie and Brooklyn checking out the monkeys

Brooklyn and Papa looking at the gorillas.

Taking a break at the playground. Getting grandmama's hair wet is FUN!

I'm pretty sure Papa really wanted to buy them a little souvenir, but we forgot about it on the way out.

Group shot waiting for the train ride.

Last 2 rows of folks....Papa and I were in the front.

Petting Zoo. FUN!

How cute is Natalie with her brush on her wrist...lol. Cutie pie

Watching from the outside.

PRESENTS TIME!!!

...that's right, in the back of our car we had 2nd birthday celebration part 1.

First present! Pretty girl

Check out those guns on her! She's stinkin' buff at 2 yrs old!

PJ's! Thank you Grandmama!!

And Brooklyn even got a little something too. Thank you guys for the gifts!

At home after a big day...and getting ready for bed.

Pretty girl.

Grandmama, this was the best picture I could get...and trust me, we tried to get a better one!!

IT was a fun and memorable birthday celebration for both of us. Thanks for coming out to the zoo and making it a special day. We really appreciate it!!! And Nat had a blast!

Natalie's second birthday party!!

2010-06-17T15:19:00.006-04:00

Yum! Cake.

She's excited to see Barney!

She actually blew out all her candles without any help! And Brooklyn's been looking forward to eating all her cake. :)

...Did you see what I did?

MmmMMm.

2nd Birthday party crew...after church was over.

First present...or somewhere near ...she got a Mr Bear, like Brooklyn's, only a little different.

Kimberly gave her a "band" set. Lee says, "we'll get them back at Christmas, just you wait, K/J" hehe. She LOVED it...

Uh....it's your birthday party, but please sit down. Child. With no fear.

money money Money. MONEY!

Alright, my jobs done, can I have gummies please, Mimmie?

Watering the bush...

Thank you Papa for helping me!

Bedtime is near, can you tell...

...or wait, more fun with Papa first

and Brooklyn too.

hehe....what more can you say about this...what Papa does, kids do.

2nd week of June

2010-06-10T21:24:00.002-04:00

Trying to get some last-minute play in before the Mommy's demand naptime.

So we let them play a little bit longer. Good little friends.

Natalie KNOWS she cute. A pair of shoes on her hands, and Tap shoes on her feet.

Sweaty little girl in the mid-Ga heat. But if Daddy's outside, so are they. Sweet girls, they love their daddy.

Brooklyn's Recital Day Pics...2010

2010-06-05T21:11:00.006-04:00

Curling Brooklyn's ponytail. And yeah, right, Kimberly, force that girl to sleep uncomfortably with pink bumpy curlers? I dare you. :)

Showing off her Tap get-up.

Her recital was at 3 (during naptime), so we were getting dressed and primped during her naptime...so she needed to catch herself a catnap before getting on stage! I was a little nervous about this...

Sorry I couldn't get any pics of her actually dancing, no camera's or videos allowed...but we parents snapped a billion of these pictures. The Finale.

So after her AWESOME performance, Daddy gave her a rose.

Sweet father/daughter picture

We were trying to get her to show off her tu-tu part of the costume, but she was exhausted, and was having none of it...

...but wait, did you say I had a gift from Mommy to open?...

...why yes, you got a small gift from Mommy. I love you sweetie!

I think she liked it.

Putting on her necklace...and getting a decent shot of her costume...

She wanted to do all this hullabaloo again tomorrow. Sorry chica, no can do. Mommy's can only do this fancy stuff one time a year :)

I think she's really enjoyed the ballet/tap lessons, so we'll be doing it again this Fall when it starts up again. Pretty little ballerina. Little girly thing she is! I gotta say though, though she's only 3 and can only do so much in regards to coordination,...she did stinking AWESOME up there on stage for being such a little shy girl...can't wait to get the Recital DVD and watch it all again. I'll send the poor video I took during rehearsal to get you all through till the real video is delivered. Thanks for all the compliments on my talented little girl! Lee and I were beaming parents in there watching her! Good times!

Getting Ready for Brooklyn's 1st Dress Rehearsal! 2010

2010-06-04T22:30:00.003-04:00

This begins our 'getting ready'...staring at ourselves in the mirror...not really, she's just got her blush on her cheeks...she said, "My cheeks are PINK!" Yes, indeed they are.

Profile. I did curl her ponytail, but it wouldn't stay long at all. Hairspray and all. I'll try gel tomorrow.

"Take a picture of my Lips! They're so pretty!" Kinda scary, haha.

Shoo-wee...I almost thought Brooklyn was getting a bit vain...yeah right, if she's vain, it's because I tell her she's so pretty, like every day. Sweet girl

Daddy looking at his made-up daughter for the first time. She was so proud of her face, she couldn't wait to show him!!

More to come of her in her full costume...I didn't want to get her ALL dressed up until we got there, then I forgot once we got to the auditorium, and never took pictures...oh well. Luckily today was a rehearsal for parents too :)

First week of June 2010

2010-06-03T11:08:00.004-04:00

Natalie will NEVER miss out on the fun...especially when Daddy is on ground level! Brooklyn's a good sport to let her Lil Sis climb on her face. Good times.

A favorite game of Lee's... 'pretend sleeping' LOL!!!

I dressed them alike again today, cuz I couldn't WAIT to get my bows in their hair! Nat's like, 'hurry it up Mom'

A exactly 1/2 second after I snapped this picture, Natalie took off likeI've never seen her run before...just because. Sweet Brooklyn posing for me.

Then after we got back from the gym I let them play outside for a bit Natalie is a hilarious NUT on that train toy!

Brooklyn flashing me a beautiful grin! Natalie paying no attention to me at all.

I put this picture up cuz I thought her hair was too cute...and it's getting so long and shiny and blonde! Pretty little girl I have.

The next few pictures of the house in summertime. If you have any idea what these stinking bushes are called...I'd love to know so I know how to take care of them. I was ready to pull 'em up until they bloomed all those pretty white flowers!

a close up of the flower...again, I'd like to know what this bush is.

My house...well maintain'd by my talented Man, in the summertime. I love summer!

Mexico Beach Day 3

2010-05-29T20:57:00.007-04:00

THIS, was the day we stayed inteh water, like all day.

Dressed and ready to go to dinner! Mas, I'm making their new bows this weekend, to mach the outfits...can't wait to finish them!
Family shot! by the pier.

Candid shot, thanks Mas! And that's Pas and Brooklyn 'chasing' each other in circles, I believe. lol.
Time for some YUMmy ice cream. Natalie finished off Brooklyns for her.

Wanna share, sis?...

How about you Uncle Ben?...

She knows she's got us wrapped around her little pinky...crazy and funny little thing, she is.

GOOD times were had at Mexico Beach, FL...wish we could have stayed longer!

Mexico Beach Day 2 continued

2010-05-29T20:43:00.006-04:00

a little out of order, but after dinner we walked on down the beach.

This is where we ate for dinner. YUM.

This was the start of our walk down the beach. Newlyweds, Ben and Anna Grace.

Brooklyn having a good old time on our walk on after dinner.

Me and Lee...married 6 yrs today (the date of this blog post that is)

Grandmama and Natalie. pretty good picture!!!

Sweet Brooklyn. She had a great time at the beach!

Mexico Beach Day 2

2010-05-29T20:25:00.002-04:00

Lee and Anna Grace (and Brooklyn) built this sand castle...impressive guys!

And yes, I made Brooklyn wear all that gear in the ocean...I wasn't about to let her sink!! lol

Anna Grace and my girls! They sure liked being her company :)

Now this is what we do at the beach...RE-lax. and that's Pas in the back kayaking.

Beautiful beautiful little girl. All Girl too.

This, too, is what we do at the beach. RE-lax.

And and find clams, trap them in the bucket with sand and water, so the 3 yr old and see how it digs itself into the sand...Natalie doesn't care about it.

Brooklyn getting into the water

Natalie getting into the sand. - with that kind of split, we may put her in gymnastics!!

Brooklyn's turn to play in the sand...and it's actually what she did most of this day

Lee and Natalie diggin.

Night 3 of room sharing

2010-05-29T20:09:00.003-04:00

Tonight we played right before bedtime...note that Natalie is climbing up underneath...not easy to get Brooklyn into airplane position, but we managed...and no one got hurt.

Now it's Natalie's turn again...she was getting such a thrill out of this wrecklessness...and she is a squirmy little flying airplane too - extra wrecklessness. But look at this smile...sheer joy.
Brooklyn smiles for me! Her side of the bedroom...

...Natalie's side. I witnessed her through the monitor, while in a super deep sleep during naptime, roll right off her bed. Luckily, prior to sleeping, she threw her pillow on the floor, and landed on top of that...so no injuries, but she was pretty ticked and HAD to be held afterward.

SO....I cleverly used our baby gate, tied it with yarn (b/c Lee didn't have any rope) securely to the bed,... and while we wait for her crib rail to be delivered, this will have to do to serve the purpose of keeping her in her bed while she sleeps so heavily at nap and bedtime. Hey, I can rig something up as well as Lee can!! :) AND she didn't cry going to her bed tonight either. Must be that 4th needed wall to keep her comfy. Sweet girl. Growing up is tough.

Natalie's Toddler Bed

2010-05-26T11:34:00.003-04:00

So last night, May 25th, Natalie was promoted to a 'big girl' bed. - In preparation for Brooklyn and Natalie to share a room together.

Nat was pretty excited about her new bed.
Clearly delighted to have the front post of her crib off.

I believe I have a picture just like this a little over under two yrs ago, when Natalie was an infant and we'd just promoted Brooklyn to this exact bed. Sweet memories.

Natalie got up and down and up and down a hundred times before the thrill of being able to get out of the bed by herself wore off.

...and she didn't fall out last night either...so we won't worry over a side rail. She slept just as long as she always does...therefore, it was a successful first night in her big girl bed!

Mexico Beach, FL Arrival day 1

2010-05-26T09:06:00.003-04:00

The sunset view from the back porch of the beach house. Beautiful!

Finally here! And about to go see the beach.

Here we go...

Family Pic of Beach Arrival Day!

Sweet girls, discovering beach life.

Brooklyn's K-3 Graduation

2010-05-20T11:48:00.003-04:00

My 2 little monkeys...

Now she really looks like a cute little monkey :)

Brooklyn's so very ready to go to her graduation!

Curled her hair and all! Though it didn't stay that way for long....

Natalie's not thrilled that Mommy's attention is on Brooklyn for most of the morning.

...and we have a K-3 graduate!

This is how I kept Natalie occupied so I could video Brooklyn's program.

Sweet sisters

End of Yr Ice Cream party

2010-05-20T11:39:00.003-04:00

This week was the end K-3 and it was ended with an Ice Cream party. They are wearing ice cream hats. :)

Natalie can't stand to NOT be part of the fun, so she joined the kids on the carpet...and Brooklyn's is proud of her Sis.

Mrs. Wren's little gift from Brooklyn. WONDERFUL teacher!

Brooklyn's 'best friend' at school, Alley.

At home, though, Natalie is still the main wreckless kid...

and even when she tips over, she's still all smiles! Cutie.

Our Saturday/Sunday of May 2010

2010-05-16T14:43:00.005-04:00

This is Frank. Our future puppy's daddy. All whopping 70 pounds of him! Girls only get at most 50-55 pounds. Beautiful dog! We all can't wait to get one!

We got up really early on Saturday in order to meet Frank-the boxer and his owner and Boxer Breeder , recommended by my Aunt Val, and so very thankful for that. Claudia will be breeding our future puppy for us, and she has been most helpful, open, and honest about the dogs and how things are done. We feel very secure in choosing her as our breeder. We'll likely have a brindle boxer hopefully, by Thanksgiving at the latest.

Brooklyn and Natalie can only take so much of being still and watching the 'same' looking dogs be shown, so we had to leave after talking with Claudia for a bit and go feed the fish. Cheez-Its no less. Sorry fishees.
Then we were off to our sweet former Neighbors birthday party. Carrie actually MADE this by herself...that woman can do anything she puts her mind to.

Party-goers

After we all had quick naps, we washed the car. The girls were SO thrilled about doing what daddy was doing.

What fun...see those scrawny little Nat-legs

Brooklyn is turning into a little girl...where has the time gone?

Then it was bathtime. This is what you will see if you walk in on them during bathtime with a camera.... a couple of goofballs that can't simultaneously look at the camera.

Then Sunday came, and we left church with an injury that natalie didn't cause with her own clumsiness....She was bitten on her arm by another kid. Ugh. Brooklyn's showing it to the camera

It's gonna leave bruise, but at least the kid didn't break the skin...I heard her screaming while I was keeping the other nursery and peaked in to see why in the world my little girl was screaming like that...but she had already been picked up and the flow of tears had quit. So I decided not to be the paranoid mom and run in to find out why my child was screaming like that. But, will my child EVER not have a bruise or scrape on her limbs? Geez.

Kinda looks like Ring worm huh....we've been there done that and don't want it again.

Natalie's boo boo and B'lyn's letters!

2010-05-16T14:10:00.004-04:00

Natalie got her first real bleeding boo-boo. 3 times. She got it the day before this picture, then she fell on the carpet last Wednesday, scraping the less than 1 day old scab, creating lots of blood and lots of screaming tears... It was too big to put little princess band-aids on it...thankfully she didn't care. So it takes a scraped knee x 2 to lay this kid out for a solid hour. After she re-scraped her knee, she sat on this couch for a solid hour. Let me say that again, I may never say those words again. She didn't move (while awake) for a solid hour!...

UNTIL I pulled out the camera to take her cute little picture :) Sweetie pie little thing!
She wanted a banana. You'd think she'd want to EAT the banana right? Wrong....

She wanted to smear the banana on the bottom of her foot. And then beg me to let her down so she could spread the smeared banana all over my floor with her foot. I'm sure it made sense in her mind. I mean, for her whole life her challenge has been to see how much work she could make mommy do. :) I love her

While Natalie is one end of the spectrum, Brooklyn is on the other. Sweet, obedient, helpful, eager....and she WANTS to practice writing her letters! I think I see an academic scholarship in her future. LOL! No seriously...

2 hrs left before Daddy's home!!!

2010-05-10T15:12:00.003-04:00

Our day at the Lane...

Natalie loves to swing...can you tell?

Brooklyn being a steller big sis to Natalie. how stinking sweet!

I love how girly Brooklyn's run is. :)

How pretty... but beware, she only LOOKS sweet and innocent!

Am I on a roll with pictures or what?! :)

Brooklyn's New Suit

2010-05-10T10:36:00.001-04:00

So since the other one piece Ariel Swimsuit was a teensy bit tiny in the hiney, we opted for a new one-a tankini. LOVE it..and she LOVES...which makes me LOVE it even more. Here it is...on my beautiful little girl!

Pool Time!!

2010-05-06T12:55:00.007-04:00

So here's the pool we just got for this summer. I'm hoping it will last this time, all summer long, without getting slimy on the bottom, but we shall see.

Natalie is excited to do ANYthing that involves being outdoors. So of course filling up the fun pool, was right up her alley!

Brooklyn and Natalie in their swimsuits, trying to find where I put the pool. B'lyn was so so excited the moment she walked through the door from school! She stood at that window saying, "I can't BELIEVE it!!"

Brooklyn and Nat in the pool.

MY favorite part is that shaded back porch we have, so I didn't have to sit and bake in the sun while they enjoyed all their pool toys and fun.

Natalie didn't really care so much for the 'giraffe' spitting out at her...but it was still curious to her. Brooklyn may just be getting a new bathing suit....a TEENY bit too small...

Life is good.

May 2010 update

2010-05-06T11:04:00.004-04:00

So Sorry I've not kept up with this blog. We've been having a lot of fun with a friends these last few weeks, and I have taken pictures. So here's a snippet of what we've been up to...

Corrie and I made bows...and when she left, I made about 8 more bows for the girls. Kimberly, I plan to make some for you too...I usually only make the bottom right kind though...

Now, this is James. Natalie is CRAZY about James....

and she can't seem to ever quit touching the baby boy. Brooklyn is interested too, but not like Natalie is. Sheer fascination with the tiny boy that only rarely makes a sound.

Me and the babies. Natalie wouldn't let me have a picture with James ...so she squeezed in between us :) I love it. (James is Corrie's 4month old btw-Liza's brother)

We went to the strawberry patch to pick..obviously. But it was 'stripped' and then it rained and poured, so they weren't having any picking today :( The girls didn't seem to notice too much)

Liza is telling Brooklyn something about strawberries, probably :)

Corrie helping Brooklyn smell a flower.

After school, strawberries, and a nap, came Aunt Lanie! Natalie is clearly tickled pink about getting to see her!

And Cinco de Mayo was Wacky Wednesday. Brooklyn tried to go 'wacky' again today, but I wouldn't let her :) Goofy girl!!!

Today Natalie and I set up the pool for the summertime fun in the sun! Brooklyn is going to be SO excited when she gets home from school...I can't wait to surprise her :) So more pictures will be following soon! Love you all!

Playdate

2010-04-19T14:16:00.002-04:00

We met Corrie and her little girl, Liza on base to play. They have two golden retriever puppies, and Brooklyn LOVED them. As soon as they'd let her, she was hugging them...Natalie on the otehr hand is still a bit intidimidated...but she couldn't miss out on the action ...

Brooklyn, Liza, Natalie

Playing on the AWESOME toddler playground! It's so nice to be able to let Natalie loose.

And I'm pretty sure she felt the same.

Good times, Good friends. Life is good, and we're gearing up for finding us a boxer puppy in the fairly near future. CAN'T wait. Those puppies, Sally and Charlie Brown are going to be helpful in socializing the new puppy, I believe :) Me and Brooklyn can NOT wait.

On a blog roll!

2010-04-07T14:25:00.003-04:00

Natalie-right after we walked in the door from school. She's always so excited after she goes to PMO!

And like the leader she already is - Brooklyn joined in the fun!

...but them Mommy wanted a 'staged picture' and this was all I got...

but then daddy came home and put together the cart for the mower, so the girls went to watering the plants....

together....

until sundown... Sweet happy sisters. What good times!

Easter Morning 2010

2010-04-07T14:16:00.002-04:00

Lee hid Brooklyn's easter basket, so she had to go find it...

Then Natalie woke up and was like, "where's mine?!"

Natalie's face looks like 'sis, I luv ya, but hands off man!'

Buh-eautiful! She's so pretty if I must say so myself!

Classic. But at least I snapped the shot before Natalie's dress was over her head!

disclaimer: I will no longer put poofy dresses on my children....Makes Brooklyn look like a shrimp...just saying...Natalie won't be wearing that off-looking dress, but Brooklyn had no other easter dress choices, so there was no plan B on her outfit. Oh well!

Easter Fun Weekend 2010

2010-04-07T14:03:00.004-04:00

Church-wide easter egg hunt. Good times...good weather...good day!

After naptime, we introduced Brooklyn to Egg dye-ing (sp?)

Silly Face eggs....she had a good time coloring and putting sticker faces on her eggs.

She's so silly!...Like those silly faced eggs...

Family picture of our eggs!

Where's Natalie?

2010-04-03T13:15:00.002-04:00

So we slept in late this morning. Brooklyn even came to our bed at 9 am and sat on our bed just a chatting us up. It was so cute. I look over at the monitor to Natalie room, and see the red lights just blaring. So Brooklyn goes to turn on the video part to see if she's standing.

Nope. Not standing.

*red lights still blaring* "Is she moving around in her crib?"

"I don't see her moving"

*hmmm*

I got to her room and heard her crying...but it sounds a bit different. I open the door and there is Natalie standing next to her changing table! She standing next to her changing table....

OUT OF HER CRIB....oh dear. I believe it's time for that crib tent now.

Didn't I buy that crib tent last fall knowing Natalie would be the one to climb out?! Again...momma's sure know their kids...I'm fascinated by that.

And isn't it interesting that that was just another way the girls are very different. Brooklyn never tried to climb out ... Natalie did, and succeeded.

That girl!

Mimmie and Papa's visit

2010-03-22T11:40:00.004-04:00

Brooklyn and Papa watching...probably Barney

Papa teaching Brooklyn how to play Yahtzee.

Mimmie getting her hair "done" by my little hairdressers

Clearly, this hairdresser is having a BLAST! :)

Mimmie was a good sport!

Beautiful day = playtime outside

Just taking a break!

Another break...

I love this picture of my mom and Brooklyn!

I believe there's a picture out there of my mom doing the flying airplane with me at Brooklyn's age.

We had a good visit while they were visiting. And Brooklyn is still talking about it :)

Nat doesn't fit inside the box.

2010-03-22T09:33:00.008-04:00

Natalie has proven to be a funny and unique little girl, already and she's not even 2 yrs old yet! She marches to the beat of her own drum...and thinks for herself. many times, she thinks well "outside the Box"

Here's a few reasons for my conclusions:

1. We teach her to eat applesauce out of a bowl, using a spoon. Instead, she lifts her bowl up and drinks it. Slurping the whole way.

2. We give her cheerios in a bag and eggs in a bowl. And hand her a fork. What would you do with all that? Well, she decides to use the fork to eat the cheerios of the baggy.

3. We think we've got the surefire way to keep her out of her diaper while she's in her crib overnight. Footie Onsies. Yet, she's overruled our way and managed to meticulously unbutton top button and unzip the the footie PJ's in order to free herself.

4. If Natalie is EVER quiet and alone...it's NEVER a good outcome. I just discovered her discovering the candy for their school easter egg hunt...eating the sixlets by eating the wrapper in order to ge to the chocolate part.

I'm sure this list will continue to grow, so I'll keep you all updated on her crazy little antics!

Patty

2010-03-19T11:20:00.003-04:00

We've been having a hard time getting Brooklyn to eat dinner, so we've cut out all night snacks if she doesn't eat a decent portion of her dinner - which is typically 3 good bites of everything on her plate. Tonight, Brooklyn ate not a single bite of her dinner.

Well, now it was bathtime and Lee walked into the bathroom where the girls were in the tub, eating his after dinner peppermint patty. Here's the conversation:

Brooklyn - Daddy what you got?!

Lee - A patty

Brooklyn - Why?

Lee - Because I ate all my dinner

Brooklyn - *thinking for a moment* - I don't want a patty but thank you.

Clearly, she really REALLY didn't want to eat her dinner.

Dr HighHorse

2010-03-10T21:10:00.004-05:00

So today I became concerned that Brooklyn's fever was getting higher and higher by the day since it began on Sunday night. Now I admit, I may be a bit overprotective, but please give me a little break. My child has been out of school for 3 weeks now in 2010, because of sickness of some sort.

Well today, I called her nurse and explained my case. She thought it odd too, and suggested Brooklyn be seen by an Urgent Care Facility, since they had no appointments available to see her today or tomorrow. Bummer, but Fine.

Brooklyn's feeling pretty cruddy. Hasn't eaten but a few bites here and there since Monday. Her throat began hurting Monday when she was seen for an ear infection/rupture and given an antibiotic.

So in hopes of shortening the length of time that this illness will cut into our lives, I take her Lake Joy Urgent Care. The doctor we saw was terribly rude, rough, mean, and quite frankly a jerk to my little girl. I don't even know his name, because he walked in on a high horse & sat down completely disinterested in my child and said, "What are you here for" Geez. Hello, nice to meet you too. Jerk.
Immediately my ires went up, guarded. I tell him Brooklyn has a sore throat, with spots, and she hasn't eaten hardly anything since Monday...and I try to explain her recent history. He says not word but pulls the light and a tongue depressor (aka "the stick" to Brooklyn- which she is terrified of) in front of Brooklyn and says, "open up"

The "stick" sends Brooklyn into a terrified frenzy, much like the first time she sat on Santa's lap in Huntsville with terror in her eyes. Then Dr High-horse gruffly says to my child,"what's wrong with you?" Talk to my child like that...and you are talking to ME like that. Don't fight with a Momma Bear.

I felt like Wolverine in that moment, envisioning my steel claws tearing through my knuckles ready to fight.

But I'm not an actual animal, so instead, I suggested he lay the "stick" down and she'll likely cooperate better. Only he doesn't lay the stick down,... he just lowers it in front of her still...and tells her again, "what's wrong with you, open up."
I repeated as nicely as my quavering anger allowed me, that she'd do better without the stick. ...then I took the tongue depressor from his hand, and put it on the bed...like I suggested he do to begin with. Who knows what he thought about me coming into his personal space. Frankly I didn't care.

She was still very scared, but she opened up after I told her Dr High-Horse wants to see those pretty princesses in her throat. He took a half second look and asked me, "where are the white spots you see. I'm not 'impressed' with her throat" and handed me the light. Like two adult heads are going to be able to spot simultaneously the spots on my moving and scared 3 yr old.

So after I envisioned myself kicking in Dr Attitude's knees out of pure anger and frustration at the audacity and rudeness he showed. I conceded. Whether he saw the spots or not, My 3 yr old is scared. He was a horrible unfeeling rude gruff doctor to scared little person with a fever and sore throat.

Tell me it's a viral illness, fine. But don't be so blatently rude.

Then the swabbing of Brooklyn's throat ... Only the Lord got me out of there with any percentage of my sanity. Brooklyn is terrified of a tongue depressor... and now we are swabbing her throat for strep. It took 3 people to hold her screaming flailing limbs down. In the meantime, Natalie thinks she's next, so she's joining in with the screaming in horror too.

We were a complete spectacle. I have not a doubt that the entire building heard my two children screaming in that room - over a throat swab. I was totally embarrassed, humiliated and treated like an ignorant mom by Dr. High-Horse. We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

...only to get in the car with both of my girls in their respective car seats crying/whining for one thing or other...I think it was gum or a coloring book...who knows...my head was about to explode. Sitting in the front seet, I lost control. I yelled, this time, at the top of MY lungs "HUUUUUSSH!!!!"

Though I'm not proud that I yelled at my kids like that, I did get a completely silent car ride back to the house. I believe they were as shocked at my reaction as I was.

What a terrible horrible no good very bad day...that ended well with Lee booting me out of the house for the evening to be alone! A good book, a comfy chair with a Starbucks coffee. I unwound and have my sanity back in check.

Now I'm ready for another day. Thanks Lee!

Toddler Lies

2010-03-04T15:51:00.004-05:00

So Brooklyn and I had to have a heart to heart about lying vs. fear of getting into trouble...

She came home from school today and washed her hands before she could eat her lunch. But right after she washed her hands, she said, " I have to go to the bathroom" and left to use the kitchen restroom...5 feet from the sink where she washed her hands.

I hear the "I'm DOOOoooone" so I go in there to do my duty only to nearly step into the large yellow puddle on the floor that soaking into the mat. Hmm I think to myself. We don't have a dog, yet...why would Brooklyn do that? So I ask her the obvious first,

"Did you accidently pee pee on the floor"

"*gasp* I didn't do that!"

"Brooklyn. It's ok to have accidents. Did you do that on the floor?

"I think Natalie did that"

"UH. No she didn't. I know you did it. And it's ok, but lying IS NOT ok"

"But Mommy, I didn't do it on purpose!"

"I know that. That's why it's called an accident. Accidents happen, but Lying is always done on purpose. And that makes mommy upset"

"I'm sorry Mommy. I don't want to lie."

"So then. Did you pee pee by accident on the floor?"

"Yes Ma'am, ...but I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know that...and it's ok. I'm not upset you pee peed, I was upset you lied about it"

Then in true Full House fashion, I told her I loved her and we hugged and made up...haha. :) Then after I cleaned up the floor and put the rug and towel in the washing machine (don't worry, not any guest towels), Brooklyn told me again, she loved me so much. haha. The girl knows how to butter up a momma doesn't she!

Natalie

2010-02-25T15:13:00.002-05:00

So I thought she didn't, but when I stopped to write them down, she really does talk. Ok, ok, so all the words sound very similar, but hey...at least I can decipher them all.
Yogurt - gogur
juice - joo
shoes - shs
nose - noooo
eyes - ise
apple - pappeu
banana - na na na
jacket - khaki
Brooklyn - koo kee
cookie - koo kee
ears - ewes
baby - baby
stinking - ki ki
thank you - ka ko
please - peas
up - puh
Ariel - eeeee ewe
more - moowah

So check that out, and those are jus the words I just thought of.
Other tidbits:
1. she LOVES wearing Brooklyn's shoes.
2. is learning to "use words" to tell me what she wants.
3. tears off her clothes at the words, "time for a bath" and has taken it upon herself to be the designated dumper of toys into the tub prior to getting in.
4. Loves to dance to Barney. Oh , another word! Barney : new nee
5. Will eat just about anything we put on her plate...and yet we STILL get people telling us how teeny tiny she is.
6. Has finally broken through her incisor teeth, (eye teeth, canine teeth, whatever you like to call it.)
7. gives us some tight neck hugs when we leave the house
8. Gets so very hyper right before bedtime. Giggles giggles giggles.
9. Plays with the big kids by dressing up in princess gear or tu tus just like them!
10. is very close ... still... to being potty trained. She'll sit on the potty, but only wants to wipe, instead of actually going potty.
11. Still very much a mommy's girl.
12. Unlike Brooklyn, she is afraid of dogs.
13. can hear from all the way down the street (exaggeration) if a candy wrapper is crinkled...and then runs at top speed to the kitchen to check it out
14. Will take off her pants during naptime if they aren't tight jeans.
15. Natalie loves to dig into her diaper. Scary...and Gross. She even thought outside the box during one naptime. We put a onesie on her to keep her hands out of her diaper, but that little booger took off her pants, and reached up into her diaper from the the bottom! The girl will get what she wants!
16. Is getting better at entertaining herself. Getting....better. She's is still very demanding of our attention.
17. Can blow her nose into a kleenex! By herself!
18. Still sleeps 14 hours at night - with a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. Thank you Lord!
19. Makes us all kiss her baby doll before we say goodnight and leave her room.
20. Gets pretty irate if you take her thumb out of her mouth.

My poor sick little girl

2010-02-18T20:01:00.003-05:00

Does a doctor need any more proof than this that a 3 yr old is sicker than a common cold?? It's only 7pm and Brooklyn whimpered and whined for someone to come "sit on the couch with meeeee" We put Natalie down to bed, and I sat down for a few minutes with her snuggling up to me and we watched giraffes wacking each other with their head and horns and made a comment that they weren't being very nice to each other were they? ... only hear some pretty steady and gurgly breathing noses right under my nose. And sure enough, she had already zonked out.

So I sat there and enjoyed the cuddling for 30 minutes or soand decided she really needed to just go to bed. We picked her up and of course she sort of woke up. I kissed her and hugged her and told her I love her. Then it was Lee's turn. When he did the same, she said, "I want to read a book" Lee said, "We'll read a book tomorrow" Brooklyn said, "okay" and snuggled herself into her bed. How absolutely sweet is she. My poor sick little girl!

What's going on in our neck of the woods

2010-02-18T13:06:00.004-05:00

So bear with me, I uploaded the pictures backwards, so we're going to be looking at pictures going back in time from...

We were a little late on snowman makings, but Brooklyn didn't mind, so long as she got to make one! And she was proud too. Take note of this...in middle Ga when it snows one day, it's too hot the next day to bundle up to play in it! haha. A bit ironic, but for some reason, I made Brooklyn wear a jacket. The girl was sweating when we went inside!

Proof that Natalie really can be super sweet. Just look at her! Sweet tiny fingers and sweet little mouth sucking her thumb.

Just the way I like it. Snow one or two days. Play in it... then the sun comes out to melt it all away! Perfect!

This was the day it snowed and we all went outside to take pictures as proof it DOES snow in Middle GA and that we WERE actually there to see it :)

Lee is hard-core. haha..I'm pretty sure he's even throwing the snow ball at his momma too! Natalie is loving the rough and tumble too.

Just playing in the snow!

We celebrated Pas's birthday while they came to visit. Balloons, hats, cupcakes, trick candles, cadoozle thingamajiggy's, good times for a 50 something birthday :) Brooklyn and Nat enjoyed it anyway :)

This is the man that I love with all my heart. haha! Really.

He can do ANYTHING he puts his mind to. In this case he was dissecting the car door to fix something I broke. Did I mention he is a good and patient man?

We went to the circus in Macon. bought us some cotton candy for the girls...which they loved and ate up every bite!

Pose for mommy!

Natalie's first experiment with ice cream.

Needless to say, she loved it!

How my kids amuse themselves...

2010-01-29T10:45:00.002-05:00

I was cleaning up a little in the kitchen, and heaven forbid they play elsewhere from where Momma is...but I did think this new idea was pretty cute...and Natalie actually came up with the plan - dragging the pillow into the kitchen. Brooklyn thought it was a great idea, and followed suit. They're a couple of nuts! :) and such good buddies... It's tough right now, but I'm glad we had these girls so close in age!

January 2010

2010-01-25T13:52:00.005-05:00

Our friends gave Brooklyn this bed tent for Christmas...I realized only after I put it together that I'd done it inside out. Oh well...Brooklyn didn't care, she had a tent on her bed!

Brooklyn and Natalie playing with the car and bus. that would be bread Natalie is carrying in her mouth. Nut.
Natalie discovered Barney. The one and only show she'll stop what she's doing to watch. Great. Hm.

Natalie found her sister's camera and went to town taking pictures...looks like a natural doesn't she? :)

Before all the sickness hit our house, we played outside almost every day during the beautiful week we had.

Nat found a phone to play with in the garage...

Note two things here: 1. Brooklyn is still prissy even when kicking a soccer ball. and 2. Check out our cleaned up garage. Not totally finished, but our car fits!!

This is the face Natalie gave me after I scolded her for disobeying my 2nd command to NOT stand up in that chair.

Brooklyn loves all her outside toys. This is regular favorite.

Natalie is sooo close to learning to pedal, if she'd lose that temper of hers, stop, and listen, she'd have already learned by now. But look, she puts on a cute face. She thinks she'll make me out a liar with her sweet smiles and grins...how could a cutie like her be so darn difficult?!

This picture was from today. Brooklyn has no fever today, so I let her go outside for a picnic at her request. We came back in not too long after I snapped a picture...it was too cold and way too sunny for her.

Natalie...this is her. Happy and goofy and full of energetic smiles!

Brooklyn bear - eating her lunch...she stared at me chewing her food without expression. I can only imagine what was going through her mind...maybe something like, "seriously mommy? A picture of me eating. I'm not even going to humor you." :) I love those girls

Protege

2010-01-16T16:23:00.003-05:00

So this was a conversation my hubbs and I just had....LOL. I love it when I have the rare chance of laughing at him... with love. ...laughing at him with love.

Brooklyn walks in the room where we are with her hair done in a low pony tail.
Lee: Brooklyn did you do your hair?! (note:we'd been talking for a bit when Brooklyn was in her bathroom.)
Me: No, Brooklyn didn't do her hair...haha...you think she could do that?! "
Lee: I think she could...she's a protege."
Me: *confused look* what?
Lee: *goofy grin* uh. Prodigy.

Laughing begins. What a goof!

Not long after (actually as I was typing this blog) Brooklyn is at my side goofing off herself, and hits her hand on the table. Grabs it. Looks to see if I'm looking. I pretend to be very much engrossed in writing this blog...but yes, I saw the whole thing, and No, I don't give out sympathy for every bump and bruise.
Brooklyn knows this.
Brooklyn does not cry, but begins walking toward her daddy. I look up and she's still looking at me. She pauses in wonder if I'm going to give in to her sad puppy dog eyes. But nope...I say "Go on. Go tell Daddy." She does. She weep-ily tells her Daddy, "I hurt my hand" and dramatically lifts up her hand holding her hurt hand up to Lee...and he of course showers her with sympathy and attention. Haha! Amazing how she knows, already, who to go to for what she wants!

Brooklyn and Nat Updates

2009-12-15T22:17:00.006-05:00

Brooklyn:

1. will bust out in song at any given moment. Or a "watch this Mommy" and break out her ballet moves

2. Has started shoving Natalie when she does something Brooklyn doesn't like. And has learned to apologize with an "I'm sorry" and a hug.

3. Loves to eat her PB and J in the shapes of a candy cane, christmas tree or snowman.

4. Tells me she loves me multiple times a day...with a hug. Precious.

5. Comes in my bed in the morning, throws her arm over me and whispers with her sweet, yes sweet morning breath, "tickle my arm please" My wake up call for the day

6. Still wakes up with Lee EARLY in the morning and sees him off to work.

7. Went to her first movie in a theater...The Princess and the Frog. Terrified of the darkened theater, it took us the first 20 minutes of the movie to get her hind end INside the room. We stood in the hallway to the theater watching the movie from there until she realized nothing was going to get her...well that, and a last ditch effort bribe with candy if she'd go sit down for goodness sakes and watch the stinkin' movie! We went with a friend of ours...and her little girl went right on in and sat down. Must be nice.

8. Loves to help around the house. She can clean up after herself....knows to put her plates, bowls, etc in the sink when finished. Soo nice!

9. Has such a long torso, we've had to start buying 4T shirts just so her belly wouldn't hang out! None of her 3T shirts fit her correctly...somehow we bipassed that shirt size.

10. Doesn't wear a pull up at Nap time anymore...but still wears a pull up and uses it quite a bit at night. Baby steps. AFter the new year we're going to tackle night time potty training.

11. She's a good kid. sweet, happy, excited to help, learn, play, talk, sing, dance, drink from a cup, brush her own teeth, hair, Nat's hair, color, read, watch videos, ride on her 4wheeler, bike, tricycle, go on walks, read the ToysRUs magazine, play dress up, play with her princesses - and boy does she think she doesn't have enough, watch princess movies, clifford, curious george, go to the store and lead the way, feed Natalie food, make her bed, clean her room, blow her own nose, use chapstick like a regular person, gets her feelings hurt BAD if we look at her wrong, but really loses control if she gets a spanking from Lee and on occasion, my spankings strike a nerve. Breaks our hearts, but she's got to learn pushing her sister is not ok, and neither is getting out of the bed, or telling us "no" when told to do something. They sink in though, cuz she doesn't get many! Except for bedtime. She can't quite keep her hiney in the bed.

12. Will wake up after nap time and come out of her room wearing her tu-tu and play shoes and a crown several times a week.

13. When told it's time for bed, she says, "...in THREE minutes"

14. Played with some change for 2 days saying she had "forty one dollars" 41? Ok?

Natalie 18 months:

1. Is beginning to be a bit more content throughout the day. Maybe I really should go back to working only one day a week. Makes a happier Natalie.

2. Loves loves loves to dance in circles. and clap. and scream in excitement (and I mean glass shattering type screaming).

3. Knows how to throw away her food she doesn't want anymore. And understands now, "go put that back" and usually obeys!

4. Does this thing now when she eats applesauce or yogurt of keeping her mouth open with the food plopped under her tongue. She laughs and laughs and laughs some more, with her mouth wide open...then swallows. and repeat. Funny to her, but rather time consuming to me.

5. Clucks her tongue when I tell her "it's time for bed, go tell everyone night night" and then trots to her room and slaps her crib with a grin on her face.

6. NEVER cries when it's her naptime or bedtime. not joking. She goes right down to sleep.

7. Points her finger and says quite frequently, "no! no! Sisser" or "no! no! Book'n" Hm wonder why...

8. Still only has her two top front teeth and molars...no others yet. Where are they? She's about to have her full bottom set of teeth. Odd. But she's a beautiful grinning little girl regardless. Sweetie pie.

9. Loves to push her doll stroller... around the house, but even more so, enjoys clicking the seat belt part in place. She'll work for a solid 5 minutes straight trying to snap the strap.

10. Loves recklessness. Scary scary. Her giggles roll when we play rough or flip her around...and then she directs us to keep on playing rough and flip her around after we're exhausted and want a break. No breaks for Natalie though...not till bed time. Too much playing to pack in. Resting is clearly for bedtime and naptime.

11. Has a pretty major callous from thumb sucking.

12. Still can't tell if she'll be a righty or a lefty. She uses both equally.

13. My favorite bullet point is this one... I've been teaching her to say "poo poo" and she finally did this evening! She pulled the front of her diaper and said poo-poo...and sure enough, there was a nice big poo poo! I was so thrilled!

14. Speaking of poo poo topics...I've pulled out Brooklyn's old Baby Bjourn potty and have several time taken off Natalie's diaper and set her on it. She Loved! it. Sat and sat and sat, then got up and on and off and on, etc. Brooklyn tried to show her how to do it by actually going potty on the big potty...and sure enough Natalie sat back down on her yellow potty. Big grins around the bathroom...but alas. No pee pee or poo poo. But I'll forever have that image of my 3 yr old and 18 month old in the bathroom together on their respective potties. A-dorable! wish I had gotten a picture of it, but I knew the moment I left the room, Natalie, bare bottomed would be following right behind me.

15. When she's on the changing table, she has this amazing flip flop twist around stand up magic trick that occurs in the 1/2 second it takes to pull the old diaper off her. You should definately ask Lee to show you what it looks like. He does a really great impression of her. haha. So now, we're back to using the pad's strap. and Lord help us if we ever have to change her in a place that has no changing pad strap...one of us may not survive.

So there's the updates on our little girlies. They're a couple of fun - loving girls...wouldn't change a thing about them...except maybe the volume/pitch of Natalie's cries...I'm not joking, I knew the moment she was born when she gave her cry. I thought something like "wow that's really loud...oh no..."

It's Christmas Time

2009-12-15T20:43:00.005-05:00

So this is what Natalie looked like as I tried to get her to eat yogurt before having chips...she didn't like the sequence, clearly. She's so mad...but so cute too. Sweet girl. Demanding but sweet!

So sad...but really, my face was looking pretty similar.

And the Sister came to the rescue and offered to feed Natalie her yogurt. Natalie was more than happy to get to have a little fun with Brooklyn.

She is thrilled. See, Nat? Yogurt isn't so bad.

Look close, Brooklyn's mouth is opening as she feeds her. So sweet!

We went to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. Brooklyn had rehearsed what all she was going to ask Santa for. But this is as far as she got to him. Santa was a jolly old man...why is she so scared of him?!

I was trying to get a Christmas picture...think this one will work? haha! It's about right. Brooklyn smiles, Natalie cries. Our usual day.

Yeah, if she had not been crying, how cute would this one have been!

Brooklyn loved twirling in her dress. Over and over!

And over again!

Natalie and Brooklyn right after their naps. Happy girls! Messy rooms!

Isn't she adorable...when she's happy...which surprising I'll have you know, is becoming more often.

Brooklyn was dancing to Christmas music, and went into several different poses. How cute!

Another ballet pose! Can't wait for her Christmas recital

Reading/Singing our bedtime Santa stories/songs

You know you're a mother when...

2009-12-10T14:36:00.002-05:00

That's what Lee told me on my way out the door to go to work last night. I needed to grab a quick midnight snack, so I headed for Natalie's diaper bag.
That when Lee said, "You know you're a mom when you go to the diaper bag for the best snacks!"
So so true. Cheez -its, already in a baggy. The duo kind. YUM!
:)

"Silly Mommy"

2009-12-04T13:02:00.003-05:00

So I was making grilled cheese's for lunch this afternoon. For the girls of course. When I walked off for a bit too long to write a quick email. Brooklyn said something about cheese that jogged my memory about the sandwiches on the stove. Dang it! I forgot them!
I flip the sandwiches and of they are burnt black, "sorry Brooklyn, it'll be a little while longer, the grilled cheese is burnt, so I've got to make another one."
Brooklyn says, "silly mommy! You don't have to make anudder! Just let it cool off!" - giggles, laughing at me in her little brain.

Thanksgiving 2009 and Tree Decorating

2009-11-30T09:05:00.008-05:00

We did a lot of sitting around at Lee's Grandparents cabin in the mtns. Lots of football, eating, and visiting. Good times. And with all the "Grandma's" around for Natalie, and Faith being Brooklyn's best play buddy, I hardly even saw my girls!

"G G Grandma" (as Brooklyn started calling her) eating breakfast with Nat.

"Grandma Lanie" seems to be Natalie's best bud!

Example of what we did all Thanksgiving weekend!

Faith brought her guitar and Brooklyn practiced. There will be a video sent via email, later on.

Natalie slept through Thanksgiving dinner, thankfully! But she woke up with an appetite and fed herself with her own two hands...and a fork!

Emily and Anna

Hiking up the mountain to walk off all that good food.

The ladies of the bunch - minus GG Grandma

The view of the mountain we got our Christmas tree from.

Looking for a tree.

A nice couple saw Lee and I and offered to take our picture. I look pregnant, but I assure you, those are 2 full sippy cups in those pockets...not a baby!

At last, we found the "chainsaw guy" to cut our tree down and we got to take our tree home!

The 8 foot tree. Beautiful!

Brooklyn and Daddy in front of the lighted tree. Brooklyn was getting soooo excited.

The she got to hang an ornament...which she LOVED. Kept saying, "I WANT ANUDDER ONE!" and then followed by, "LOOK DADDY! LOOK IT'S SANTA...IT'S MINE, IT'S A SNOWMAN, ETC." Pure ecstasy for a 3 yr old!

See that leg? It's in a ballet pose. haha!!!

Mrs. Santa Claus! Oh, Nat was in bed. This would have been a disaster with her around...when she's 3, it'll be her time to shine too. This is first time Brooklyn was able to participate in the tree decorating.

She needed a little help to hang the high ones. How stinking cute is that?!

A little closer now.

Time to play with the ornaments now.

Family tree-decorating pose! We really didn't plan the color coordination. I'm in a T-shirt, Lee's got on his undershirt, and Brooklyn in her only clean pj's. It just worked out.

Just a little rearranging now. Clearly, Dora needed to go a little higher.

My happy little girl hamming it up, "take a pitcher of me mommy!"

Oh what fun that was! I just knew Brooklyn would love to help decorate our tree with us...so she didn't end up going to bed last night till close to 10pm. But it was worth it. She's a good and happy kid! And so much fun!

just from this morning

2009-11-25T10:22:00.003-05:00

I am in the bathroom looking through the hair ties, bows, and clips trying to figure out what to put in Nat's hair, when she walks in on me. Immediately, she turns around and trots off quickly mumbing, "no no no no no no no no no no"

Brooklyn is in the living room talking on her phone.
"Hey Ariel! I need to talk to Princess Jasmine. Oh Cinderella. Oh Pocahontis. I need to talk to Princess Jasmine please. Oh hey sleeping beauty, ..."

The Girls Updates

2009-11-12T22:31:00.004-05:00

Brooklyn

IS such a girly girl...and I love it!
has a new riding toy. A 6 volt 4 wheeler! Which she loves to ride every chance she gets...even if it's 2 seconds to back up and drive forward once while I get Natalie in the carseat.
Is the cutest little ballerina I've ever seen, shows off her skills every Thursday night.
Got pneumonia 2 times this year. One more time, she'll be "asthmatic" according to her dr.
She does wheeze pretty bad
Can name all the kids in her class.
Talks and talks and talks. Constantly.
Eats her PB&J in triangle shapes...nothing else is acceptable.
Eats her grapes off the stem. Do not pluck them for her. It will offend the 3 yr old.
Tells me she loves me with a kiss multiple times a day.
Can count to 20
Can spell her name. And hold pen/cil correctly.
Is totally into Princesses.
Is asking Santa for 3 things this year: 1. Sleeping Beauty pink dress 2. and the pink slippers 3. for pierced ears. 3a. with pink earrings.
Knows how to provoke natalie into whacking her on the head ... getting Natalie in trouble.
Is cranky cranky cranky after a nap, but oh so snuggly. She likes being held for a good 15-30 minutes afterward. My sweet Brooklyn time! I miss all the baby days when I got to hold her for such long times. Now she's using ballet terms I don't even understand and teaching her sister her full name! She's growing up too fast!

Natalie

Is so not a girly girl. She much prefers rolling a Tazmanian monster truck back and forth on the floor to playing with a princess.
Is missing one of her teeth. As in it was never there at birth.
Has cracked at the root, her front tooth…and healed beautifully
Is quite the temper tandrum child
And bites, pinches, hits.
If you're laying on the floor, Natalie will run and THROW herself on you...so be prepared to keep her from hurting herself in her glee.
Walks straight into walls because she's not looking straight ahead. I've witnessed it.
Loves to brush her teeth with a toothbrush
Did I mention yet that she bites.
Can be such the cuddle bunny, on her terms…and her time.
Plays a “nononononononononon” finger pointing game with Brooklyn. Can I just say Lee and I think this is the funniest thing ever…will totally get it caught on camera one of these days.
Drinks more juice than milk.
Eats minimally. By choice. I have the crushed food particles and poured out cereal baggies on my carpet to prove it.
Is in the 5th percentile in wt.
Has the most infectious smile I’ve ever seen.
Is a ham for the camera. “Say cheese!”
“Juice” or “Shoes” is her first word.
She demands her shoes be put on the moment she wakes up in the morning.
Looks more and more like Lee every day.
Loves to do her own hair with a Barbie brush and squirt bottle.
If she finds your shoes, she’ll bring them to you and insist by pointing and grunting that you put them on right now.
Will not sit still on the scale at the Drs office. She whales and climbs off or stands up, etc. I don’t trust that she’s underweight for that reason.
Will take and throw her food off her tray in anger if you offer her food she doesn’t want.
Becomes really P.O’d if you tell her “NO” by rolling on the floor starting a full fledged tantrum. Lord, Help, Me!
Goes to bed at 7 and sleeps till 8:30. Thank you Lord, for that mercy!
Will raise her arms up for a stranger(nurse or friend of mine - not like a real stranger) to hold her...for a 30 seconds, then she's had enough of them and wants me back. Right now, lest she starts a fit.
Expects scrambled eggs in the morning, and smacks the fridge in frustration if I don’t get them started for her.

Did I mention she’s demanding?
But I could just squeeze her to pieces, I love the girl so much, even with all the effort it takes to keep the girl happy and alive and fed….she takes every last bit of energy and sanity I have by the end the of the day, but when she goes to bed, I just grin, thinking about how unique she is. I simply can not discipline and treat her exactly the same way I discipline and treat with Brooklyn. It’s amazing to me how incredibly different those two are even at such a young age. It’s clear as day.
A mean look or a hard NO to Brooklyn will break her tender hearted person that she is, sending her into tears. Not Natalie though, the same look or NO would only tick her off and send her into a raging screaming rolling on the floor tantrum – and if you leave, she’ll follow you and continue the full fledged tantrum rolls. Not even exaggerating that.
Brooklyn would give in to my forcing her to walk while I grasped her wrist demanding that she hold my hand in the parking lot. Natalie gives way, causing me to drag her on her bottom or stop to rearrange my belonging in order to pick her up because she’s certainly not going to use her legs to walk across the parking lot. She Willful. Natalie is a mommy’s girl – as hard as our days are, she still prefers Mommy. Brooklyn could go either way. Because she sure loves her daddy too.
Brooklyn loves to cuddle and be held, but Natalie can't sit still long enough to cuddle...unless it's on her terms.

Kimberly's visit!

2009-11-10T12:48:00.003-05:00

So Kimberly got to come down to see the house. She was like the master decorator in my eyes! I told her what I wanted and she assisted in the shopping and even some buying! Here's what we've done so far.

New pictures on the wall.

I'm just gonna say. The mantel was really fun putting together with her. LOVE my colors!

Kimberly and Brooklyn playing under the new blanket...but stopping for a picture together.

How stinking cute is this! Noah and Anna didn't come with her, so she got some real bonding time with Brooklyn...who I think LOVED the attention.

"Hide from mommy!"

Sick day today. No school for these girls. But can you even tell they are sick?

Natural born nurse. She said, "OH! I hear Nata's heart!" I think she really did because she said, "it's fast!"

Good times have been had on their sick day. Sweet times too. Lots of cuddling on the couch watching and dancing to Veggietales. Hope they get better soon!

Classics and Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T14:14:00.010-05:00

Me asking Brooklyn to please smile for the camera...and this is her tongue-in-cheek-I'm not gonna cooperate- look. I'm sure everyone who's ever met this child has seen this face.

Brooklyn got this dress-up tu-tu with her money. She loves it!

Spinning round and round.

Natalie says, "I'm cute too mommy, take my picture!"

Brooklyn showing me how she does her ballet Plee--something or other...I really ought to learn those terms

Apparently after waring the tu-tu for 2 hours, it started itching her...so she told Natalie to wear it. Natalie was more than happy to spend the rest of the day in big sisters tu-tu

My little monkey girl...

Eating a banana...

Trick-or-Treat! Belle and a Pirate (Natalie didn't tolerate the head piece or necklaces...so her handmedown costume didn't look nearly as awesome as when Brooklyn wore it.

It got cold, so thankfully I brought her other back-up costume...

Yo Gabba Gabba and Belle. I can't even tell you how cute they were jumping out of the wagon and RUNNING up to the door and even before the door would open we'd hear "TRITCH ER TREAT!" SO CUTE! And Brooklyn met with the BIG wolf from Little Red Riding hood...what a memory she's created for Lee and I. We've laughed about her reaction soooo many times! Here's what happened...

A large adult man was dressed as the wolf in Grandma's PJ's from LRRH. He was leaving the house we were just arriving at. Brooklyn jumped out of the wagon as the wolf was coming down the drive towards where we were. Brooklyn got a wide-eyed horrified yet nervous-couragous look about her. She stared not sure if she should keep walking or try to distract him and not at all certain that she wasn't about to be cornered by this wolf either way. The wolf looks down at her, and immediately Brooklyn lets out in a high pitched unstable couragous (come any closer and I'll scream!) voice "HeeeeyyyYyyYyy" (pause) "I'M A PRINCESS!!!" and high-tails it toward me.

Lee says you'd have to be there, and maybe you would have had to be there, but just know we were ALL laughing for a LONG time at her reaction. If that wolf had come any closer to her, we're sure she'd have been on the other side of the road in a flash.

My little Pumpkin...such a happy girl - you'd never know the terror she really is at home! haha

Brooklyn's no Dummy

2009-10-27T21:30:00.002-04:00

So today we've talked at lot about Halloween, and I'm pretty sure they have at school too. Brooklyn is going to go as Cinderella, Duh.
I finally found her Cinderella crown while unpacking...so Brooklyn was pretty excited to have her crown found. She runs to her closet and gets her "Cinderella slippers" aka: Terribly uncomfortable high heel dress up shoes...and prances the entire evening around with both on. It's nearing bedtime when Brooklyn yells from her bedroom closet, "I NEED MY CINDERELLA DRESS! mommy!!! I NEED MY CINDERELLA DRESS" It's like totally bedtime, but I'm feeling lenient, so I say, "I'm coming!" while Lee says, "She must get that from you 'I NEED the dress'" haha...but anyway
She gets her dress on, and happily prances around her room staring in her mirror swaying her hips back and forth and doing some sort of motion with her arms...who knows...when she says "Mommy, I want to wear my dress to bed? May I, wear, my dress, to bed please" And like I said, I was feeling lenient. So I say, " ok. Let's go brush your teeth then" I head to the bathroom to get everything started and Brooklyn follows behind saying, "Don't go ask Daddy. Ok?"
So of course I brush her teeth and go tell her Daddy what Brooklyn just said, and he laughs, "She knew what I'd say. She knew she had a good thing...you're not going to really let her sleep in that dress are you?" haha. Brooklyn's no Dummy, that's for sure.

She did get the dress taken off the first time she got out of bed. Which I knew she was going to do. I knew she wouldn't make it all night with her dress on. But what a goofy girl.

On another note, she can say the Pledge! I almost got it on camera, but she died out on me. Maybe tomorrow. That girl is smart. Already knows Natalie's full name too.

Park Break

2009-10-27T11:05:00.004-04:00

We'd been unpacking and moving and just so busy all week, that I decided last monday, we'd take a big long break and go to the park. They LOVED it.

Natalie chose to ride the motorcycle first. Go figure.

Brooklyn of course wanted to slide.

Then the merry-go-round. Faster! Faster!

See-saw time! Natalie like this more than Brooklyn.

And Brooklyn finally wanted to swing. But not so fast!

Natalie was thinking "faster higher faster higher!"

We had a good time, and they went home, ate lunch, and slept for over 3 hours each! Why don't I do this every day????

Our new home

2009-10-27T10:52:00.004-04:00

Disclaimer: Disregard the clutter already in the house. Unless you've moved and unpacked with a 1 yr and 3 yr old, you just can't understand... :)

Our living room! And Brooklyn saying cheeeeeese!

Brooklyn room...and yes, an unmade bed. Sunday mornings are tough on us all :)

4th bedroom...and extra TV/movie room for the girls...it's great!!!

Office/Playroom

Another angle of our living room...and Brooklyn saying cheeese!

Dining room and Brooklyn saying cheese. Where did my real daughter go? The one that hates having her picture taken.

Kitchen. And Lee's regular Crispix breakfast. Does he look like an 85 yr old man with young black hair, that ought to be sitting in a recliner smoking a pipe? lol. That's what I told him he looked like in that get-up he dressed in for church...haha. I love my husband.

...He didn't change either.

A few Disneyworld 2009

2009-10-24T23:38:00.007-04:00

The non-moving characters were the only characters Brooklyn would go near. These seemed to be her favorite.

Natalie is looking at Anna like, "GIRL, you better watch yourself!" Seriously Anna, Natalie has some rage we're working through. Be Careful! haha.

These two crazy kids have some kind of special connection. They are always drawn to each other and get along so well!

Apparently Anna put her hand on Lee's knee, and Natalie pushed her hand away from her daddy. A little possessive there Nat.

Brooklyn and Noah taking a break from playing at the fountain in Downtown Disney

How stinking cute are they?! The sweetest little cousins ever!

Taking a little smoothie break.

Waiting for Noah and Kimberly to come down from that scary giant balloon thing.

These pictures are so not in order....but this is everyone waiving at Noah and Kimberly up in the giant tethered helium balloon. It's got a name. Don't know what it is.

Brooklyn's surprise. She was way overstimulated in the princess part of the store we were in. But I told her she could get whatever she wanted (within reason of course), but that she could only have one thing. She went from one item to the next and put others back, and finally settled with this. So instead of picking out one princess doo-dadd thing...she picked the one thing out that had ALL princesses! Smart kid.

Just getting started at the first park. Animal Kingdom.

It was an exhausting week, but overall we really did have a great time! I posted more pictures on facebook (statement directed at Kimberly and my parents - with all sincere love of course) because the uploading process is a HECK of a lot faster and easier on FB, and I can upload more than 5 pictures at a time. Thus the reason of my procrastinating drudgery of the job of posting pictures of an occasion like Disneyworld. Just FYI :) Love you guys :) And get with the program and join FB already!

A picture is worth a thousands words

2009-10-12T16:12:00.003-04:00

This is precisely the effect of DisneyWorld on our kids. And us grown ups too. What this picture doesn't tell you is that this was our first day there!

Pictures of our actual Disney vacation to come once they are sifted through. Only hundreds of pictures to choose from for uploading to the blog.

PitterPatterPitterPatter

2009-09-21T22:26:00.006-04:00

So Brooklyn has been challenging us over bedtime. She doesn't seem to want to keep her little tail in the bed once prayers, story time,hugs and kisses are completed. Even tonight she'd creep out of her room and simply peer down the hallway until Lee or I notice her and put her back into bed.

Then about 10pm, well into her REM sleep cycle, Warner Robins has a thunderstorm. There was no time for peering down the hall. No sir-eee bob tail!

Brooklyn pitter pattered as swiftly as she could....eyes wide as I've ever seen them...hands plastered against her ears...toward the safety of her daddy's arms.

And so it begins.

Thunderstorm pitter patters.

My poor baby was so tired...stinking thunderstorms waking her up. On her behalf, there was some serious lightning and thunder. If I was 3 yrs old, I'd be scared out of my mind too.

Nat's checkup

2009-09-21T15:54:00.002-04:00

Today was Natalie's 15 month check up with Dr. Blevins. I just love that doctor. So perceptive, reassuring, intelligent, etc. Can't wait to move Brooklyn over into his office once Lee separates from the AF...

So Natalie dropped off the 15th % in weight to win herself an underweight (on paper) title of 5% weighing in at barely 19 pounds. Dr Blevins assured me that because she LOOKS fine, he wouldn't worry over it...just try to feed her more high fat foods. (He doesn't realize that girl is a bottomless pit and at all times has a snack cup in hand). But alright. More fatty foods, here we come. She goes back for a 2nd dose of Flu vaccine next month, and he insisted that I tell the nurse giving the injection to recheck her weight "just to be sure she's gaining weight...which I'm sure she'll be fine, but just to make sure" Alrighty then.
I'm not worrying much. I just simply have small children. That's all there is to it.

I mentioned her having a yellowish tint to her skin and wanted to know if that was a concern or not. He said, her eyes weren't yellow, therefore she's not jaundiced, but if I'm feeding her yellow/orange veggies, that's probably the cause. "Keep feeding them to her until she realizes she doesn't like veggies afterall...the color will fade at that point" haha. Genius.

And he said that the alleged peanut allergy may not be peanut allergy, but to try giving her another bite in a few weeks and see what happens then. So we'll see. Maybe I'll give it to her the day before her next flu shot. Then if something develops, he'll be able to visualize it too and tell me what he thinks...another fluke reaction? I doubt it. We'll see though.

My-Knee Hurts.

2009-09-16T11:04:00.004-04:00

Walking into the living room wiggling around...
Brooklyn: uh. Uh. uh. MY Knee hurts.
Me: Uhhhhhh... what?
Brooklyn: MYNEE hurts!
Me: uhm. No it doesn't, you don't have anymore boo boos on your knees.
Brooklyn: Yesss. I do! My I-knee hurts!
Me: *Trying to figure out why she's so determined that her knee hurts...wait...*
Ohhhhhh...your HINEY hurts???
Brooklyn: *obviously frustrated at me*
Yesss!
Me: *laughing a little at hearing Brooklyn say "hiney" for the first time ever, and thankful that's the term I've always used* Did you just go potty? ??
Brooklyn: uh huh. *now pulling at her shorts*
Me: *still chuckling replaying her word for hiney* Let's go wipe, sweetie.

Now I know.

Quotes

2009-09-15T12:26:00.005-04:00

Sitting Brooklyn down for lunch consisting of Grilled Cheese and grapes.

Brooklyn: MOMMY! I need a fork for my grapes please!
Me: Brooklyn why don't you just eat them with your hands?
Brooklyn: ooooOOhhh. OK!

At the dinner table yesterday, after we excused Brooklyn from the table...she wanted Natalie to go play with her...so we let Natalie down from her chair to play with Brooklyn.

After a while, Lee and I are having a non-heated but loud conversation as we try to playfully out talk each other...when Brooklyn stomps into the kitchen:

Brooklyn: Mommydaddy. *pointing her finger very teacher like* Stop Talking!
Me and Lee nearly in unison about to crack up laughing: but WHYYYyyyyy?
Brooklyn : *without missing a beat* Because I need to talk to Natalie so she can talk.

Interesting. And yes. Go get her to talk.

Coming home from preschool...
Me: so what did you do today at school?
Brooklyn: I play with Stella on the playground. stella's niiiiice. Caroline and Chloe is niiiiiiice.
Me: Did you play with Jenny Lu today?
Brooklyn: Yesss. Jenny Lu is a scary monster.

What?...

For the record. She calls Lily a scary monster. And her trashcan in her room is too. We had to move it to the bathroom...But we don't need to be calling classmates scary monsters. Good Grief.

Brooklyn says it like this:

2009-09-12T22:36:00.001-04:00

"WAR Ea-ger! HEY!"

And she pumps her fist as she says it. So funny...I'll have to get it on video soon, before she learns to say it correctly!

Lee's Birthday and Saturday.

2009-09-12T21:23:00.003-04:00

Sept 11th was Lee's birthday, and we had a good time. Went to O'Charley's, ate cup cakes, watched a movie Vantage Point. Pretty good. And best of all. This morning, Brooklyn woke up early, but just tucked herself in our bed and we all slept till 9:30. Natalie slept till nearly 11 am. Shocking...we've not done that in 3 years!! With kids in the house that is. So we've had a pretty good and well slept day.

We were about to leave for O'Charley's...where Brooklyn had chips and cheese dip. Yup. Healthy dinner, I know. But it kept her content and happy, and we got us a peaceful dinner out.

This is the kids section of our movie store. Works out well for us...they both know right where to do when we walk through the door. I let Brooklyn pick out Cinderella III. Funny thing...I wanted to watch it too...haha.

This morning at about 11am, Lee's watching College Game Day on ESPN while the girls climbed all over him. He's a good daddy.

Our dinner consisted of homemade grilled hamburgers and..."Pop Corn" as Brooklyn called the corn on the cob that could NOT wait to eat. She loved it!!

Look, we live in GA. We pick the corn out of our teeth at the dinner table. Deal. :)

We see this face a lot. Figured we might as well chronicle it.

A little bit 'o' this, A little bit "o" that

2009-09-09T15:35:00.005-04:00

We have been so so busy with school things, ballet things, house things, loan things, working, etc...it's been hard to find the motivation to update the blog, but here I am. Posting about the girls!

Playing outside, and Brooklyn wanted to put her own helmet on. HER Way.

She was so proud of herself. Goofy thing.

I put Natalie's on. And it's on correctly.

Huge helmet. Little head.

What's wrong with this picture?

Figuring out how to play with chalk. Without mommy getting on to her.

Labor Day. Visiting Grammy and PawPaw's house.

The girls looking at Pas's old music box.

Grammy and Nat.

There's Pawpaw -am I spelling his name correctly? Lee tells me I don't say it right, so I'm probably not spelling it right either.

Natalie and Grammy talk.

All dressed up for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich!

Another shot.

I wanted a good family shot. we don't get many.

Mommy's Work by: Brooklyn

2009-08-26T09:07:00.002-04:00

So last night before Brooklyn went to sleep, we were all sitting on her bed chit chatting.
We are talking about jobs, how Daddy will go to work tomorrow. So ... here's the conversation

Me: Brooklyn what's Daddy's job?
Brooklyn: Daddy has to go to work.
Lee: Daddy works on planes
Brooklyn: *no response*
Me: What is Mommy's job?
Brooklyn: Mommy go to work TOO.
Me: Yes, but what does mommy do at work?
Brooklyn: Mommy play in the pool, and play with friends, and watch TV, and read books, and eat food, etc.

Well, I suppose that is part of my "work". haha. Too bad I was actually asking about my PRN night job. :) That girl makes us laugh.

Craziness These Daze.

2009-08-25T22:56:00.003-04:00

WoW. My head is overflowing with too much information, decisions, and to do's.
For example:

Buying a house. Stinking stressful.
Money. Period.
Brooklyn starting preschool.
Natalie has a runny nose.
Natalie wears me into the ground by dinner time. Every day.
Brooklyn does too for that matter.
Both girls whine. Both girls cry. All. Day. Long.
Can't ever get to bed on time. Tonight is an exception...I can't sleep.
I'm never not touched or followed during the day while Lee's at work...with the exeption of the too short naptimes.
Vacation. Right after our closing day.
Finding a new tenant for the house we're renting.
What to make for dinner.
What to feed Natalie for dinner. Picky Picky eater. If it's bulky. It's spat out. Annoying. I think she's going to be on a soft food diet till she moves out.
Did I mention Natalie is especially difficult these days? She has rage problems..or maybe it's the normal temper tantrums that last for 30 mintues-1 hour at times during this age. Never did go through those type deals with Brooklyn. Brooklyn only ever whines and tests. Temper tantrums? Nope. Thank you Lord for that!
I love those girls. I'm not complaining...just venting. Here's a bit of a positive note to prove...and these have all occured today, amidst the busy-ness and stress.

Natalie cried and cried in her crib like she was pretty daggum ticked off that no one was coming in her room to find out what was wrong with her....so of course, since this is abnormal bed time routine for her (she normally goes to bed without problems-thank you Lord, for that also) I go in there to find out what is causing that little 18 pounds of fury. I get her out. Runny nose. So what. She's had a runny nose all day. But I just want to hold my little rage machine without her big sister tugging on me at the same time wanting me to hold her also. So I take her and her puffy little - been - in -the -darkness face to show Lee...and as soon as we reach Lee, we are both just grinning ear to ear at her finally - content cuteness....She grins so big. I mean BIG...she got us good. She knew there wasn't a thing wrong with her, she just wanted to get out of the crib and she knew her concerned mommy would be fooled by that desperate cry of hers.
She went straight back to bed...with some Benedryl in her. Geez.

Now Brooklyn, she lights up our day with the conversations we have. This is one I overheard between Lee and her...right after her bedtime potty time.

Lee - Brooklyn...did you wash your hands?
Brooklyn - mmHmm.
Lee - What?!
Brooklyn - yessir,
Lee - what if I smell them? Are they going to smell like soap?
Brooklyn - mmm. I'll go wash my hands first.

Yeah. You go do that girly...

Next up...

Lee - Brooklyn, what is this? *pointing to something nasty looking stuck to the wall in the hall*
Brooklyn - Eggs.
Lee - Why did you put eggs on the wall??
Brooklyn - Um. Because I put eggs on the wall.
(Like do we not get it?! She put them there because she put them there. Good grief. She makes us out like we're numb-skulled.)

That girl is a NUT...the things she comes up with are so funny. I tend to sing my thoughts outloud to the tune of a hymn...usually when I'm annoyed by something that someone is doing or has just done...just to lighten the mood in my mind...I know...I'm weird, but it keeps peace within me...but that's not my point...
My point is that Brooklyn has begun talking through singing to the tune of the same song! Seriously. THAT really IS scary. I hope she doesn't sing - talk at school! Can you imagine those 3 yr olds...oh Brooklyn. Please don't take too much after your momma! What a goof ball.

Off to bed. Tomorrow will be Brooklyn's first day back to preschool. HALLELUJAH! Now Natalie doesn't have to compete for possession of toys, foods, Mommy, anything...the house is hers!
She won't know what to do with herself.

A Few More Pictures....

2009-08-24T20:48:00.005-04:00

We had the home inspected by a Crook today. And he took took a few hundred of our dollars too. No joke. I've got the check to prove it. Or wait. HE has the check to prove it.

Really, he WAS a crook. Gary Crook was his name. :) And he only found a few minor things wrong with the house and later said it was a very well taken care of home. Exactly what we wanted to hear. Thank you Lord.

Our Beautiful Ballerina

2009-08-24T20:32:00.003-04:00

Brooklyn has begun her ballet classes/part gym too. She absolutely LOVED it...came home and showed us what she learned already. "Up, Down, Up, Down, etc" - we were beamingly proud of her new skills! :)

I'll just stay home and watch TV. OK?

2009-08-20T12:02:00.002-04:00

That is what my smart little 3 yr old said to me when I told her to load up, we're going to get our teeth brushed and checked out. How in the world did she come up with that line so quickly...I'll probably never know...surely she can't remember the last time we went to the dentist.

Anyhow. We got there, and Brooklyn waited in the lobby with her quickly made friend Kara (pronounced Car-uh), and was as happy as she could be playing in the toy area. Until her name was called. First. She got that look like I'm not budging and you better not make me look on her face along with her stance. So I picked natalie up and told Brooklyn let's go, we're going to get pictures of your teeth! Yay! She came, though she knew this was not a "yay" situation. First things first. Xrays. Holy cow, half our time was trying to get her to bite the thingy they put in her mouth. For some reason having a pointer finger plastered in a mouth makes it difficult to bite the bitewing. So, I got an apron on, sat down, and basically painlessly tortured her by making her sit still in my lap in order to get the xrays. It only took the first 10 mintues for 4 pictures.

So then she was of course crying after this and was NOT about to willingly sit in the chair, so she got a break, while natalie was inspected. Done. 2 minutes later it's back to Brooklyn's turn for the cleaning I insisted upon because of the tarter buildup on her bottom teeth. I didn't care if we had to strap her to the chair, give her gas, hold her down. That hard as cement tarter was coming off her teeth, Today. The hygeinist -sp? said normally if there wasn't really a problem with her teeth, they would just try all this again in 6 months...but too bad for us. We have tarter. She must get through it, and the sweet hygiene girl had much patience for all the crying.

So after inspecting all the utensils and Mr. Thirsty (the suctioner thing), Brooklyn sat in her lap and had her teeth cleaned that way. Until the tarter scrub...she had to be in the chair and held down...for the first few minutes until she realized "hey, this doesn't hurt afterall"

Then she got her surprise, was invited by Kara to come to her house any time she'd like...Brooklyn told all the workers Thank You.

And then we found out Natalie's falls really were causing problems. I'm telling you, a Momma knows. Natalie had taken quite a tumble a few weeks back onto a very hard tiled floor...after falling the odd way she used to fall several times prior - I mentioned that in a previous blog...how she would stumble over her feet head first...no arms/knees to break the fall - Well I expressed my concern to the Dentist, who ordered xrays to be done. And turns out she's got a fractured tooth, and so we'll be seen again in 6 weeks to see the healing progression or non-progression and we'll be told what to expect from there. So we'll see how that goes. I knew those falls and loosening teeth were not ok. Like the internet tried to say.

So anyway, Brooklyn got a surprise ANYWAY, for the dental appointment torture...GUM. Go figure.

And she knew before we got there that she'd rather just stay home and watch TV while WE go to the dentist. Smart girl.

Offer

2009-08-19T22:18:00.003-04:00

We have put an offer on the table for this beautiful home. Please be praying for us, we're stepping into new ground here! But we're so excited it's hard to contain. We hope they take our offer!

Playdate!

2009-08-17T21:22:00.004-04:00

We had a really great time with all sets of friends...babies, toddlers, women. We look forward to the next time. Heres's some classic shots of the day. Good times...and Brooklyn slept the entire afternoon away.

I don't quite know what Brooklyn's face is..but it's cute.

Like little ducklings...aren't they?

The kids all helped wash Titan, the dog.

This is Brooklyn, Abigail, and Caleb

More fun getting sprayed, all 3 kids loved it!

Natalie just hanging out.

Take turns...girls. Clearly Brooklyn was not waiting her turn.

Natalie and Hudson. Cutie pies.

Lunch time!

And nap time! :)

New things about Brooklyn

2009-08-17T20:58:00.003-04:00

She is turning into quite the little home entertainer. Daily we're laughing at her...or ahem...with her. :)

1) She has recently taken to calling Lee and I "mommy be-ar" or "daddy be-ar" respectively. I guess that what we get for always calling her Brooklyn bear and booger bear. And we wonder where she gets it. We know. It just sounds funny coming out of our 3 yr olds mouth.

2) was caught today telling her friend with her finger pointed, her other arm on her hip, and with much sternness, "you have to share! It's not good to share not" hm. interesting. but ok. bossy boots.

3) LOVES to play Candyland. The Dora the Explorer version.

4) Knows how to open the kitchen stool up ... as the means to get into the cabinets over the counters to sneak candy out of them.

5) She slept in our room while my mom stayed to help me after my surgery. Well one of those nights while we thought she was sleeping like a good girl....we come across a little Brooklyn with goop in her hair around 10pm or so...lovely. Turns out she was having hey day fun in our bathroom with my lotion...thought it might make for some great hair gel. hm.

6) Starts ballet this week. And she is so excited.

7) Talks well on the phone. Her last few words ... "thank you for calling. I love you. Ok Bye."

8) When asked today, what she was thankful for, we had to prompt her
Us: Did you have fun playing? What was your favorite part today (at the playdate)
Brooklyn: Playing.
right. got it.

9) She's really wanting a dog. A big one. A brown one. Score for us...that falls right in line with the Boxer we want.

10) Is now copying just about every word that comes out of our mouths. Literally. Directly after we say something. Scary thought.

End results

2009-08-13T21:34:00.003-04:00

So here are just a few actually good things that have come from having surgery..

1. Resulting from the cause/affect of eating, I've lost 6 pounds. That's right. WoW. is what I said. And it's not water weight, because that's about all I've been able to consume those first 7 days.

2. My 3 yr old obeys me without my having to raise my voice. She realizes that when Mommy talks quietly (because raising my voice hurts like, you-know-what), that if she doesn't obey right then, then she automatically gets a spank on her hiney.

3. I've learned to be a bit more patient ,,, with everyone. My mom says so anyway. :)

Don't leave, or they WILL be kissing

2009-08-09T19:53:00.004-04:00

Well I'm finally home and feeling a bit closer to earth than in the clouds. Wow. Can I just say, the pain is terrible. Can NOT talk. Can NOT swallow. Can NOT eat/drink. Can not see straight due to the fabulous though short acting Lortab pain killers. I count down to the next 4 hours when I can have my pain meds...

So anyway, where in the world did I come up with the title post? Here's how it went down. August 6 I go in to have my tonsils removed, but first I've got to meet the Dr anesthesiaologist man. He asks me a lot of history and physical questions. I'm sweating like a pig at this point though I won't be put out for another hour. So the anesthesiologist says "alright, let's have a looksie, and see what we're dealing with." since they were putting me under general anesthesia thus meaning he'd be intubating me. He immediately responded with the obvious "wow! oh my, they ARE huge, almost touching" right as Dr. Nino, my ENT walks into the room, overhearing the those words...they begin talking in my room to each other with laughs. "yeah, they're enormous alright, called kissing tonsils" "no kidding man, they are practically touching" "yeah we better not leave the room or they WILL be kissing" *laughs* all in good humor of course, we all kind of laughed about the ginormousness of my tonsils, but I was also thinking "this will never be the topic of conversation again! EVER" And once all this pain passes, I'll never have another 3 week episode of tonisillits or strep! If only I could get past this pain.

The other thing I remembered from my first surgery and general anesthesia ever, was that I was pretty sure I was being suffocated. They put the mask on me, and told me to breath. I tried, but it wasn't easy to breathe like your regular oxygen. I tried to tell them, I couldn't breath, they said to keep trying ... then the last thing I remembered before going under was the girl lifting the mask off my face and tilting it on my chin telling me "this should help..." And then I woke up in my room.

Dr Nino was so wonderful to let me stay the night, because he said having 2 little ones in the house wasn't going to get me any rest, even if I DID have help...and he was so right, they were all over me the moment we came home and Natalie bless her heart would not let me put her down.

But I want it!

2009-08-04T09:29:00.005-04:00

So this morning, I've been dealing with a lot of "...but I want it!" And this is what I see

Natalie is hanging out around me playing. The moment she hears Brooklyn's voice, she runs directly in between my legs. She stays there plastered to my legs until she is sure Brooklyn's a long ways away.

Natalie and Brooklyn are playing in the living room. I hear a 1 yr old frantic/aggravated scream and desperate face looking at me as if to say "do you see what's happening?!" as both girls are tugging at the same toy (or bowl fruit loops as the case was this morning). Brooklyn seems to believe that it'll be alright and she can keep the fruit scoops if she clarifies to me "...but I want it Mommy!"

*note, they have their own separate cups of fruit scoops, so no one is without*

So this is not a valid excuse for bullying Natalie.

So then we're all 3 in my bathroom, Natalie is playing with a small toy. Brooklyn grabs it from her, Natalie screams, I take it from Brooklyn and give it back to Natalie, Brooklyn nearly cries as she throws herself against, yes, the toilet seat. I shudder at the memory...gross. Then Natalie, carrying her retrieved toy, goes to Brooklyn and pats her back several times. Brooklyn gets up, and gives Natalie a "big hug" - which is this aggravating head holding hug thing Natalie can't stand, but that Brooklyn does with good intentions.

My girls. I can be anywhere in the house, but every few moments, Natalie's running at top speed to get between my legs with Brooklyn not far behind her. And I wonder why I'm "home base" to Natalie and why I don't ever have myself free of her grasp for more than a few minutes during her waking hours.

Pretty Pretty Princess!

2009-07-28T09:54:00.004-04:00

Only minutes after we unloaded the car, Brooklyn wanted to be Cinderella, then Belle...
And she even let me take "pitchers" of her too!
I think Natalie was wanting to be a part once she got dressed in her princess dress :)
It's official. We are a GIRLY family!

sisters

2009-07-22T19:10:00.004-04:00

So sit on the new pink potty seat in the girls bathroom. I realize how flat exhausted I am from working last night, getting up early, not getting a nap when the girls napped, because men were in my house fixing our ceiling leak, and Lee is still not home because work made him stay super late. Again.
But regardless, I love more than anything to watch my girls just be. Watch them interact with each other. And it reminds me that in time, I'll get the sleep I need, I just don't want to miss a single thing about these two beautiful and funny girls in the bathtub.
Like Brooklyn telling Natalie to "Sit down now," or her pouring water over Natalie's head and laughing so much Natalie thinks it's supposed to be funny and follows suit with laughs...even though she obviously didn't care for the water in her face.

Earlier today we went riding bikes around the block with - Brooklyn on her bike, pedaling like a pro, Natalie on the back of my bike, and I realize. Life couldn't get better. Ok it could, if Lee was on his bike with us too...but it was still a lot of fun to be enjoying them and seeing them smile.

I think back to earlier today we were outside in the driveway. Brooklyn riding her bike of course, but Natalie was glued to the loud pink popper. She walked and walked and followed Brooklyn everywhere she went. It was time to go inside, and Natalie thought her world was ending when I wouldn't allow her to keep that popper glued to her hand inside the house. So the moment we went back outside, she found the popper and headed her little waddling self down the drive.
Then, Brooklyn wanted to ride her tricycle, so I walked Natalie on her riding toy ALL the way down the street, but not without the popper dragging behind us. ALL the way down the street and back.

I love those girls and the personalities they are developing.

Like Natalie will do this head bobble/cock to the side dance when her MP3 player starts up...she grins and squeals.

I can't wait to share all their peculiarities this weekend with our family for B's 3rd birthday. They're such nuts!

Neal and Brooklyn's bike

2009-07-17T20:45:00.007-04:00

Natalie has figured out how to drink out of Brooklyn's cup. I think she knows she's funny...

Her proud look. I love that smile!

I don't know why I'm so impressed with this. Brooklyn didn't get this cup till she was almost 2!

NEXT UP.....

This evening, we are outside as usual with our neighbors talking while the kids are playing very happily on their respective tricycles...they swap tricycles, but then things aren't quite fair when Brooklyn pulls out her awesome new princess bike! At the moment that Brooklyn started riding the bike, as he's sitting on his tricycle, he says "MOMmy, this is too little for me." and repeat several more times. So he got his turn on the princess bike...it didn't take him long to learn, he was zipping around on it...so needless to say, Carrie and Booker got him his very own CARS bicycle.

Now they're even. :)

Brooklyn keeps up with Neal...but wanting her turn again.

Classic evening ...we've got great neighbors.

ICE CREAM truck time!

2009-07-17T19:48:00.003-04:00

So I was by myself at this time, so I didn't get great pictures of the actual receiving of the ice cream from the icecream man, or her handing her money to him, but just know it was cute.

Brooklyn heading to the musical ice cream truck with her money in hand

Putting her goods in the back of her tricycle, trunk thingy... she's got to drive, you know, can't be eating icecream at the same time!

Showing her daddy her orange push pop. My favorite part is his classic "wow" face. What a good daddy he is! :)

She's a Higginbotham/Talmadge alright.

2009-07-17T19:30:00.004-04:00

So this morning. I again and for the 2nd time wake up to Brooklyn in my face with her hair streaked with shampoo and a "Look Mommy! Look at my hair!" "Oh MAN! Why'd you do that again Brooklyn?! hawwwwwwww"
And I get up and head for my NEWest addiction. Coffee. A big ole 2 cup mug of coffee...to find that the unopened big sized Reeses cups that I left on the counter the previous night were no longer unopened. I think to myself *wow, Lee left a mess, he never leaves a mess, or eats 3 big cup Reeses either. Hmmmm. somethings not quite right here*
So then, being only half way awake and without caffeine in me, I proceed to scan the suspicious area.
I find wrappers on the computer desk, Brooklyn's new two-step stool (that is supposed to be in her bathroom btw) pushed up to the counter, scissors left out near the evidence, and definately an opened package of Reeses cups.
I am more shocked at the fact that my daughter, almost 3 yr old daughter at that, used SCISSORS, as in kitchen shears from the knife holder on the opposite side of the kitchen, to get into the candy!
THEN I proceed to show Brooklyn her empty wrappers, tell her why that's unacceptable, spank her hiney, and send her to her room.
Good Morning! Good GRIEF, actually!

BTW, I tell Lee about this and his reply... "I'm impressed how resourceful she is!" ... I suppose I'm impressed too...

And I wonder why...seriously?

2009-07-15T16:13:00.004-04:00

Natalie bites, pinches, hits, and grabs...

And now we know why.

Brooklyn's fun is Natalie's fury.

All Natalie wanted were her Fruit Loops.

Peace

2009-07-15T09:31:00.004-04:00

So last night I worked. Have I mentioned that I now love the job that I previously DREADED right before I quit it to have Natalie? It's just a whole different world there...now. And I'm so thankful for the job. I've found out that they fire like there's no tomorrow, and they don't hire in the same way...so I really am lucky to have the cush job that I've got. You just can't beat 8 hours a week of work. You just can't.
So anyway, you all know how I'm going to have my tonsils out. Scary Scary. And even scarier that I couldn't find anything out about my ENT surgeon on line without paying for it.
Well ... that's just not so anymore. One of the doctors I work with,we got into a discussion, and he told me I really ought to do my homework before I have the surgery, since the surgeon is from a town that no one in Warner Robins knows much about...just to be safe, since he is like almost an hour away from here.
So he got on line and found me a GA licensure website, and we looked at my surgeon's background, criminal background, disciplinary background, and thankfully...he's totally clean. He's even written a few articles in the field. So my dr friend said, "He looks to be a really nice guy, I don't think you'll have anything to worry about, but here's the website should you want to look anyone else up..." I did too...when I got home. Interesting stuff.
Phew! You just don't know how much my mind was put at ease in that moment! Bring on the tonsillectomy!

Remember...

2009-07-10T14:35:00.003-04:00

Remember how I posted not too long ago that Natalie would be the one to take karate? Well here ya go...evidence of her probable future

Sister Pictures, 3yrs, 1 yr

2009-07-10T12:03:00.004-04:00