Oh, The Times They Are A Changing...

This weekend was GREAT!!! Before Brooklynn was born Hendersohn expressed his concern over taking her out by himself. He would worry about it all the time and she wasn't even born yet! He really obsessed over what to do when she was old enough to go to the bathroom and it was just the two of them. He would ask "do I send her in alone or do I take her into the men's room?" (he still worries about this, even though I've shared with him that there are family restrooms out there). Things didn't change much once she got here. He was still nervous about taking her out alone. I can count on one hand the times he's taken her out of the house by himself for an outing. Well, this weekend that all changed. Hendersohn and Brookie had lots of daddy/daughter time (and who am I to get in the way of that!). Saturday the two of them went to a birthday party at the Wiggly Play Center while I went to a baby shower. Then on Sunday he took her down to Arlington to visit with Hendersohn's best friend Chris and play his daughter Olivia. They had a great time and SO DID I! I have forgotten what a wonderful feeling it is to be at home alone! Initially when they left Sunday I felt bad because Brooklynn cried when she realized I wasn't going (she screamed and clung to my leg at the door like she was being hauled off to jail!) but my bad feelings only lasted for a few minutes. :)Below are some pics from their weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Best Friends!

My Sweet Nieces!

Before Brooklynn was born I didn't think it was possible to love a child more than I love my nieces Jayla and Nylaa. They are such a blessing and they are so good to Brooklynn, they think of her as another sister!

The Big Hunt

Yesterday afternoon Brooklynn got her first real taste of Easter festivities. My nieces came over in the afternoon and all three girls were so excited to see what the Easter bunny left for them in their Easter baskets. Brooklynn got a new toy car, a Dora DVD, a Dora bunny rabbit, and LOTS of candy (mommie's going to help her out with that). After the girls played with everything in their baskets and ate one piece of candy (actually two, we snuck another one in when Nana wasn't looking) it was time for the big Easter Egg Hunt. Brooklynn quickly caught on to the game and managed to grab lots of goodies. In the end each girl walked away from the hunt with candy, eggs, and even some cash (that's my kind of hunt!).

Happy Easter!!!

Brooklynn and her cousins Jayla and Nylaa.

Sweet Home Alabama

Brooklynn and I arrived into AL yesterday morning. Brooklynn was very excited to see her Nana and Papa and is loving all the attention and lovin! After Dad picked us up from the airport we made a stop at Jim and Nicks for lunch. I had greens, mashed potatoes w/gravy, pulled pork, cheese bicuits, and sweet tea (I love coming home!!!).




After lunch we met up with Mom at her office. We went by and had a visit with Uncle Travis and afterwards we went and did a little shopping (of course!). Brooklynn had a great time at Uncle Travis' house and even left him a little something to remember her by (dirty diaper). :)

Brookie and Great Uncle Travis

"Wondering How the Potty Training is Going... Well This is Pretty Much What Brookie Thinks About This Potty Thing"

Well, this weekend we took Brookie to get a new potty chair. She seems to really like it...as a HAT!!!

St. Patricks's Day Playtime

After Strollerfit this morning the mommies chit chatted at Starbucks and then let the kids loose in the play area. Brooklynn had a great time and I even stepped back a little and let her play without mommy hovering over her. My little girl is growing up!

A Sunday Afternoon in the Park

"Toddler Rules"

I ran across this poem today. It pretty much sums up my life right now! :)

Toddler Rules
Author Unknown

If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it IS food, it must not be tasted.
If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it is a car seat, it must be protested with arched back.

If it is Mommy, it must be hugged.

Thursdays Thirteen ~ Thirteen things I Thought I'd Never Do As a Mom (until I become one!)

1. Replace the word bathroom with "potty" (even when I'm talking about myself)
2. Bribery ( if it takes a cookie for me to get through a shopping trip with Brooklynn, so be it!)
3. Use the bathroom (i.e "potty") as a hideout.
4. Have the ability to put on make up, get dressed, and do my hair with a little person attached to my leg (literally!)
5. Schedule my day around nap time
6. Cook 3 meals before realizing all she really wants for dinner is pbj and goldfish
7. Catch my self singing the theme song from Dora the Explorer
8. Allow my child to sit in the back of the shopping cart (again, if gets me through a shopping trip!!!)
9. Blame other kids for not being "toddler" enough to stand up for themselves against my child (yes Brookie can be an aggressive child, but other kids need to toughen up!!!)
10.Allow my car to become consumed with animal crackers crumbs, milk stains, and unidentifiable sticky stuff (we're going to work on that!)
11. Consider sleeping in until 10:00 a luxury
12. Fill my designer handbags with wipees, fruit snacks, and juice boxes
13. HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOVE SOMEONE BEYOND WHAT WORDS CAN EXPRESS!!!

They Say, "When She's Ready, She'll Let You Know"

In January we introduced Brooklynn to "the potty". Well, she has yet to go in the potty and I have to admit we haven't been working on the potty training much lately. When I ask other moms and her pediatrician the majority of people tell me that Brookie will let me know when she's ready to start potty training. Well, this evening I think we may have gotten our sign. After getting undressed for bath time, Brooklynn ran into her closet. There was brief moment of silence (instant clue in my house that trouble is in the air.) I walked into her closet to see little miss Brookie squatting and peeing on the carpet. Before I could get words out of my mouth she gave me a look and took off running. I know my child, she totally knew what she was doing!!! All I could do is close the closet door and laugh at Brookie and the the big pee spot on the floor. So I'm thinking we might reintroduce Brookie to "the potty" tomorrow.

We Thought We Left This In Michigan!!!

Today felt very reminiscent of winter days in Michigan. Yesterday afternoon Brooklynn and I enjoyed a walk in the park and weather in the high 60's. Today started off with rain and around noon it was snowing!!! The weather got so bad I had to pick Brooklynn up early from Mom's Day Out. Once we got home Brooklynn took a few minutes out of her busy play time to watch the snow fall through the back door window.

Wordless Wednesday - More Like Mommy Everyday!

Snow in Texas (what?)?

When I moved to Michigan everyone talked about how unpredictable the weather is. Well, no one warned me about Spring in Texas! Saturday it was in the high 70's and Brooklynn had sweat beads on her face while playing at the playground. Last night and today, SNOW!!! It looked liked a winter wonderland! The snow came down pretty heavy at times and completely covered the grassy areas. It was a sight to see. Although it was nice, I'm still a little too desensitized with snow (after living in MI for 5 years) to force myself outside to take pictures. Apparently so is Brooklynn, the snow meant very little to little Miss Diva. Well, by this afternoon we were back to warm temperatures. Brookie and I even had the windows rolled down in the car. The weather man joked this morning that watching the weather forecast is a full time job in Texas during Spring, I totally agree!

This weekend we spent some time at the park, I had a (much needed) girls night out, and Brookie had fun with her new sand and water table.


Brookie and kiddie rock climbing wall


Brookie and the monkey bars


After all that playing, Brookie needed a chocolate milk :)


Me, Akita, and Rashonda at Akita's house warming




Brooklynn and her new sand and water table (with just the water, mommy's not quite ready for the sand yet)