Happy Halloween

Our Halloween was pretty uneventful. We went out to eat and shopping for a new TV stand for our new TV. Not much to tell but I took some cute pictures.

6 Months

6 months old...I can't believe it. Words can't describe how much I am loving being your mom. It seems like each month I am amazed by how fun you are, only to find out the next month it only gets better. You are learning to sit up now which is fun. We practice every day. You can hold your own for about 10 -20 seconds before you topple over. Of course I am there to catch you. I was even able to snap a few pictures the other day of you sitting up.

You love to stand too. When we say big girl stand, you smile and laugh. Raising you hand above you head always makes you laugh. You weigh about 14 lbs and are still small. I hope now that we have started baby food you will start gaining more. I am a little obsessed about not wanting you to be so small but I give you all the breast milk, formula, and baby food that you want so you must be getting exactly what you need. Here is the baby food you have had so far: carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peas, green beans, applesauce, pears, banana, and apple/blueberry. Oh, and oatmeal, you LOVE your oatmeal in the morning. So far your favorite veggie is carrots. You take one bite and your mouth is open ready for the next. You look like a little bird. You don't like green veggies that much but will eat them. At least you don't spit them out. I am also grateful to who ever invented the mesh feeder. You spent 30 minutes one day working on a banana while I ate lunch.

You take 2-2 hour naps every day and sleep 11 hours at night. You are definantly a kid who needs her sleep. If you take a short nap in the afternoon you will have a rough evening. You get so tired you don't know what to do with yourself. But, thankfully that doesn't happen very often. You are usually asleep by 8:30 and sleep until 7:30.

You are super curious about everything. It doesn't matter where you are, you constantly reach for anything and everything you can grab. My cell phone is a huge favorite. The blender also gets dirty every morning while I feed you oatmeal. You put you fingers in your mouth while I am feeding you and then grab the blender handle. I have tried to move it away but you just spend you time trying to grab it and grunting. So, I just gave up and let you get it dirty. One of you favorite things is to hear your daddy talk. If he is talking to me, you will stare at him the entire time...just like this.

Your acid reflux seems to be getting better. I am so thankful! Spitting up all over you and me was getting REALLY old. You can even whistle. Well, by accident but you can whistle!

Here are two sweet pictures of your face.

Happy 6 month (aka 1/2 birthday) my sweet girl.

Fun Times!

Last weekend I went shopping for Brynlee some new clothes and had so much fun. I had to find her an outfit to wear for Fall pictures in a few weeks. I saw this hat at Baby Gap that I couldn't resist. Doesn't she look cute?

I almost didn't post this picture but I thought what the heck...naked babies taking a bath are cute right? This was her first bath in the bathtub. We had been giving her a bath in the kitchen but she now kicks her feet so much that water goes everywhere! She loves to watch all the toys move around. I can't express in words how helpful Duane is in the evenings. He always gives her a bath. We somehow settled into this routine and it works for us. Brynlee is so lucky to have him as her daddy!

5 Months Old

Baby girl where has the time gone. I can't believe you are 5 months old. I know I say that every month but the time is really flying by. I am doing my best to cherish this time we have while you are little. I do have mixed feelings...sometimes I can't wait for you to crawl or walk and other times I want you to stay little forever. The past month has been so fun. It seems like every week you are doing something new that Daddy and I love to see or hear. Ha! You still have that loud voice. While you are nursing you love to grab my nose, lips, or my neck. You think it is funny and smile at me. Daddy and I call the changing table the "happy pad" because no matter how fussy you are, you LOVE to get your diaper changed. You kick you legs like crazy and slam them on the changing pad. Sometimes you even get so worked up that you give yourself the hick-ups or spit up everywhere. Daddy and I think it is because you know you are about to eat when your diaper is changed. You also like to grab our left arm while we change you. It is really sweet that you like to be close to us. You have started to take a pacifier again but only before nap time. It does make nap time a little easier. You still spit up like crazy and give me lots of laundry to do! Oh, I almost forgot, you love Baby Einstein videos with animals. They make you squeal so loud! Here are some of your firsts for the month and things you love!

You cut your first tooth on Thursday, September 24 and your second on Sunday, September 27. I had no idea you were teething because you had NO symptoms at all. No drool, no fussiness, nothing! What a trooper! Can you see her two teeth?

You had your first cereal on Saturday, September 26. You didn't hate nor love it but got it everywhere!

Your favorite toy is Mr. Bee.

You love to squeal all the time!!

Happy 5th Month Birthday Baby Girl!!!

September Highlights

Brynlee is so happy these days. She smiles or laughs at just about any silly sound you make.

She enjoys tummy time with Daddy.

We had a fun playdate with Carrie and her precious daughter Josie.

Brynlee and I took a trip to OKC to see my family. We had a fun 3 days. Brynlee was great while we were there.

My Parents and Brynlee

I also got to see my 3 best friends while in OKC. Lisa and Larissa came over to my parents house on Friday afternoon. Courtney came over on Saturday while the rest of my family was either at the OU game or in Perry with my grandma. Here is Courtney holding Brynlee and her daughter Baylor. They are 3 days apart. I hope we can get together often enough so that they become good friends. Courtney and I have been best friends since we were kids. We have so many fun memories. I think about you girls often and miss you lots. Thanks for coming to see me!

Brynlee and Baylor

4 Months Old

Ya Brynlee, you are 4 months old...and have been for a month now. Today is your 5th month birthday and I am just now posting about your 4 month birthday. I guess that means I am busy taking good care of you. :)

At 4 months old you have found your voice. Your favorite thing to do is squeal as loud as you can. It must entertain you because you do it over and over. Daddy and I never get tired of it and laugh when you squeal. You love to look at you hands and chew on your fingers. It seems like everything you get your hands on goes right to your mouth. Your favorite toys are plastic rings. They are perfect for your little hands. You love to lay on your back under your play gym and grab the toys above you. You sleep 10-11 hours at night and take 2-3 good naps during the day. Ya for sleeping through the night...every night!!! I couldn't ask for a more perfect baby. Yes, you have fussy moments but it is usually because you are sleepy. You enjoy your swing now thank goodness. That is usually where you are while Daddy and I eat dinner. Acid reflux continues to be a struggle most days. I am hoping you outgrow it soon. Happy 4 month birthday baby girl!!

What's all the fuss about???

I am usually not one to publicly give my opinion about something that is so personal and touchy with everyone but I am going to. Yes, it's about Obama's speech tomorrow. As a former educator, I am really irritated that so many people don't want their kids to watch his speech. What is wrong with our president encouraging our school children to do their best and stay in school? I say NOTHING! It is very understandable and normal that someone might not agree with the ideas and policies of a president but that isn't a reason to keep your child from watching his speech. I call it a teachable moment. Let you child watch the video, watch the video too or with them and then talk about it. Ask questions like: What did you agree with? What did you not agree with? What would you change? If you could tell Obama anything, what would you tell him? Did you enjoy his speech? Why? Why not? I think the discussion that comes after the speech is much more important than the actual speech. Your teaching your child to form an opinion.

I read on facebook or blogs this week that they weren't going to allow their kids to watch the speech because they don't agree with his policies and/or beliefs. You haven't even read the speech. You are making an uneducated decision. Read the speech first then make a decision on what you want for your kids. This entry is in no way to put down parents who choose not to allow their kids to watch the speech. That is your right and I respect that you stick up for what YOU think is right for your child. I just want everyone to take a step back and base your desicion on the speech and nothing else.

I have read his speech and I for the most part enjoyed what I read. I think his speech is very encouraging. What I enjoyed the most was this, "Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too." That is so true. For 6 years I poured my heart and soul into teaching children but those efforts don't show unless the kids do their part too. I have said the same thing to parents of kids not working to potential...they have to want good grades to get good grades. Teacher and parents can't do it all, the kids have to help too. I didn't like that he states that he is working hard to help schools. I would say, Obama...work harder. More help needs to come from the federal, state, and local governments to help our schools.

I know there is a pressing question in the back of your mind...is she an Obama supporter. The answer is no, I am not an Obama supporter nor did I vote for him. But he is our president and I have to respect and pray for him daily that he will make good decisions for our country. You have to remember that being president isn't always about being a republican or democrat, being black or white, young or old, it's about being a leader and I think what he is saying to kids expresses that well. Leaders should lift up and encourage others and in THIS speech he does just that. He doesn't ALWAYS show these qualities but for this speech, at this time, to this audience, I have to say well done Obama. Oh my, I can't believe I just said that! HA!