Spring is finally on its way

I am back home after a long 7 days of work. I love my time off with Brinley. Today we are sitting outside playing and enjoying the sunshine. Brinley is coloring with sidewalk chalk and asking me to blow bubbles while I sneak in a blog post. She loves to be outside and will watch the kids in the neighborhood if they are out and about. She runs to the fence and wants the dogs outside with us. She calls them Mar-mar and Sssge (Marley and Sage).




Brinley hasn't had any more bad allergy attacks just some hives here and there. Our pediatrician is sending us to a pediatric allergy specialist. Unfortunately the next available appointment isn't until the middle of June. So we will just have to keep a close eye on her until then. Here she is on a hive day being a ballerina
She brings us her tutus to put on and then dances around the house. My mom's friend and nail lady, Nancy gave Brinley these two beautiful outfits.



She loves to take everything out of my wallet. She is such a goof.



Brinley has quite the little personality these days. She is learning so much. She talks and signs like crazy. She wants nothing to do with men she doesn't know. Today while we were playing outside Aaron and his boss stopped by for a bit and she steered clear of him. She loves other kids and hugs and kisses them. She has been going to a class at the little gym on Mondays and she loves it. She is currently obsessed with Sesame Street. She will bring me the movies and beg until I give in and put one in for her. She is also obsessed with Cheetos. She tries to say Cheetos but usually gives up and says snack instead. I try to keep them in an upper cupboard so she won't get into them all day and she points to the cupboard they are in. She is also obsessed with Gerber Yogurt melts. She will eat them by the bag if we let her.

She really is the best little kid in the world. She is so affectionate, she always has a hug or kiss for Mommy and Daddy. I couldn't ask for more. We just love her to pieces. I am excited for this summer and all the fun it will bring.

Aaron will be starting a new blog soon. As you all know Aaron loves to have projects. He has been working his tail off and now he has another fun project. We are renovating a 1973 travel trailer. As soon as we figure out a name for it I will send out the new blog address. We will be needing lots of opinions and we will show you the progress along the way. I love having such a handyman husband. Love you babe.

Poor Baby

I know I haven't posted in forever. I honestly mean to all the time but never get to it. So today is a quickie. These pictures are from my phone so please excuse the poor quality. Poor Brinley had an allergic reaction to something last night. We don't know what. This was before it got really bad. Her poor little ears even swelled up! I didn't realize ears could swell. I put her in the tub hoping it would help. She was in good spirits even though everything kept itching and swelling. Benedryl didn't quite do the trick so we ended up at our pediatrician's office. They gave her a dose of steroids and today things are looking better. Poor baby.

I have been working on this update for a while now. So here we go. Brinley's first Christmas was so much fun. I was more in the Christmas spirit than I have been for years. It is so much fun to have a little one and see the joy in their eyes at Christmas. We did the traditional Christmas eve pajamas although Brinley isn't too big on pajamas. She hates anything tight on her wrists or ankles. I have found some cute shorts pajamas in the last little while and she is much more amenable to those. Anyway, here are some pictures of Christmas. Brinley was absolutely spoiled by everyone!

She loves her rocking chair!




She has so much fun on her slide. She ran straight to it on Christmas Morning.



Brave girl!

Ready...set...

GO!

Brinley has become quite independent lately. She wants to feed herself. I usually just let her have at it. I try to sneak some Mommy assisted bites in as well so I know she at least gets a little bit. Here she is in action.

Oatmeal, yum!

What's that? I have a little something on my face? How embarrassing.

Brinley got a bounce house for her birthday, among many other things (thanks again to everyone who spoiled her!) Here she is trying it out.

We had a ballerina party for our little ballerina for her birthday. We were so glad to have so much family there. Thanks to all the great friends who came out as well. Brinley had 3 of her 5 great-grandmother's there, 2 of her 4 great-grandfathers, both of her grandmas, and 2 of her 3 grandpas. Whew, that is a lot of grandparents. I was so glad everyone was there. I want Brinley to always understand how many people love her. So thank you again. Brinley did so great even with a house full of people. We got her a cake just for her and let her dig in to it. Those of you who don't know, I don't let Brinley have any sugar, ever. I didn't even let her have fruit until she was 11 months old. She has a sweettooth gene that is strong on both sides and we are doing our best to combat it. It paid off. She played with her cake for a few minutes and then said "all done." It was a great moment. Here are a few pictures.

More to come late on her actual birthday and a pediatrician's visit update. Thanks everyone!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

My baby is 1 today. I can't believe it. I am amazed at how much she has grown and learned in the past year. I am the proudest mama in the world. I love you baby Brinley. I am so happy to have you in our lives. You are one special, loved little girl.

Wow, it has been a while

I have not blogged in so long. I always have good intentions but I never quite make it. We have been busy. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Richfield. Brinley was a little overwhelmed by all the people but she warmed up after a while. We got to hang out with the Berry's and watch Devan play basketball over Thanksgiving weekend and Brinley just adores her cousin Brooklyn. We had such a good time hanging out with family. December was busy. We drove down to Richfield for the Christmas party and the light parade. Brinley loved running around and seeing all the people. She did not like Santa. Am I a bad mom for letting this happen?

The morning we got back from Richfield I got really sick. I will spare you the details but I got sicker than I have ever been in my entire life. So sick in the short 3 hour span that I was up by myself that I was literally scared I was going to die. Aaron ended up calling an ambulance and I went to the hospital where they loaded me up with all sorts of drugs and got me feeling good enough to go home. It turns out I somehow contracted C. Diff. A nasty bug that I never should have gotten. It has been a slow recovery but I am so excited for Christmas.

Brinley is growing up so fast. She is already 11 months old. She loves Sesame Street and can point out the characters. She has been watching Christmas Eve on Sesame Street and loves to pretend she is dancing when Big Bird dances. She picks up on so much that she amazes me. She has such a sweet, happy personality and I feel so lucky to be her mommy.

I will do my best to blog more. Until Then Merry Christmas to all my loved ones!

How lucky am I? What a handsome man!

Thank you to my wonderful sister for taking and editing our family photos. Love you!

Thank you Thank you

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for Brinley. She got 2nd place in the contest! You guys are awesome.

Please Vote for Brinley!

Our little Brinley is in a costume contest for our local radio station 97.1. Please follow this link and vote for her

http://www.971zht.com/pages/halloween/cuties09/

She is entry 009 in the 0-2 category, the adorable little giraffe. Please vote!