squeaky clean

One Friday morning, Kevin texted me to ask if I could take the Honda through the car wash.  We were planning on heading to Oklahoma City that night for a Certifit store opening the next morning, and he wanted our car to look nice I guess.  I decided that rather than driving over to the car wash, Brooke and I would have a little adventure.   It turned out to be an extremely messy and wet adventure, but fun nonetheless.  After spraying the car down, I brought over the bucket and soapy water and explained to Brooke that we were going to wash the car.  I told her that it was going to be SO FUN.  I gave her a rag, and she was a good little helper.  On one side of the car at least, haha.  By the time we got to the other side, she was just dunking her rag and basically throwing dirty water all over the place.  And she loved it!  I was a bit disgusted because the water was pretty dirty, but she was happy, so I was happy. 

It's fun to see your little one experiencing something new and different.  She kept saying "Mama, SO FUN", over and over, hahahaha. She cried when we were finished, and for several days after, she would point to the car and say "Mama's Car", "So FUN".

We didn't end up leaving for OKC until Saturday morning, which was fine by me because that meant less packing.  We made the 3+ hour drive, arrived at the store opening celebration (which was pretty much a big Mustang car show), and had a LONG day out in the sun.  Since Kevin needed to mingle with Certifit people, I kept tabs on Brooke.  Translation: I followed Brooke around the car show for hours making sure she didn't touch too many cars.  One sweet lady, when she realized that Brooke was in love with her pink car with ponies and feather boas inside, gave Brooke a hot wheels car.  That literally saved the day.  Brooke did pretty good, but there is only so much for a little girl to do at a car show.  We ate hot dogs, met a few little friends, raced her car, played balance beam on the cement (things?) at the top of parking spaces, and ran around A LOT.  About 3 o-clock, I took her for a drive so she could catch a little nap, which she did.  We went back for the closing awards ceremony at 4, visited with people till 5, then hit the road.  We stopped at Freddy's Steakburgers for dinner, which was delicious and exactly what I needed.  To sit, in a cold restaurant, and not move!

Kevin did all the driving, and I dozed on and off the whole way home.  I had a major headache because I think I was dehydrated. Brooke, however, didn't sleep a wink, which totally surprised me.  By the time we arrived home (almost 10 pm), she was beat, and so were Kevin and I.  We all slept great that night!!

texas girl

I had really good intentions of taking Brooke's pictures in the bluebonnets this year, but somehow never managed to do it during the peak bluebonnet season.  The day I went for my 13 week check-up, I decided that we would stop by the field and snap a few pictures anyways.  The above picture was taken first.  She was not a fan of sitting in the flowers :(

Once I helped her up, she was a little happier, but still slightly pouty.  I pointed to a ladybug, and then she was little Miss Curious. She also wanted to pick the flowers, but since I am pretty sure that is illegal, I tried to redirect her to some yellow flowers in the distance.

I love this picture because it shows how long her hair is getting!  We haven't cut it yet, and I just love the little curls on the bottom.  My little girl is growing up so quickly.  It's hard to believe that in a few short weeks she will be two years old.

My favorite one :)

I love the bluebonnet color, and during the peak season (which doesn't last long), they are stunning.  Maybe next year I can convince Kevin to take family pictures in the flowers!  After all, we aren't a true Texas family until we have a family picture in the bluebonnets.

"Heart Beeps"

 Brooke was my little side-kick to my 13 week check-up.  All morning, I was telling her that we were going to the doctor to hear the baby's heart beat.  She seemed to understand :)  I dressed her in this darling purple dress from her Auntie Mel Mel because I planned to stop and snap a few pictures of her in the bluebonnets near my doctor's office. She was fairly patient as we waited for the doctor, and she sat like a big girl on a chair as I layed on the table.  The nurse cautioned me that sometimes it takes a minute to get the heart beat because the baby is still small and sometimes just doesn't cooperate.  But, the minute she put the doppler on my belly, we heard the heart beat.  Music to my ears :) Baby's heart rate was in the 160's, which was "great", according to the nurse.  After the nurse and doctor left the room, I let Brooke lay on the table like Mama.  Then, she stretched out, haha.  I think she looks super long. As we checked out, they gave her a lollipop and a sticker.  I knew the lollipop would be a sticky mess, so we sat on the curb to enjoy that little treat before we got back in the car.

 And that is when I took this priceless video...

 I absolutely adore that she called them "heart beeps", and I hope she never stops. My parents love it too because they will bring up the doctor visit just to hear her say those cute little words :)

And my belly at 13 weeks.  Looks mostly like a muffin top, haha, but I know there's a baby in there.

april iphone gems

 Bev came to watch Brooke for our ward temple night, then stayed over to play with Brooke the following day.  We took Grandma to Brooke's favorite spot to feed the ducks.

 We met these lovely friends at a park for a little brunch to celebrate Andreia's belated birthday.  It started out as a very blustery day, but the weather cooperated for us, and we had such a great outing.  I love that after 8 years, although we don't all live in Arlington anymore, we can still get together for play dates, etc.  It's also crazy to think that when we became friends, Eva was the only child in the mix.  Now, between the four of us, we have 10 kids and one on the way :) (Missing Maddy and baby Nora from the pic)

 Easter was apparently a little rough for Brooke, haha.  We had a great time in Flower Mound, but she didn't really nap, so she totally crashed on the car ride home.  If only I would have remembered to remove her headband before me made the drive home!

 Brooke finally let me paint her toenails!!  Whenever she would comment on my toe or nail polish, I would ask if she wanted Mama to paint her nails.  Her immediate response had always been "No".  Then one day, she decided that she was ready :)  We watched some "Brookie movies" on my phone to help her sit still, and used my LED light to cure the polish quickly.  I know it's silly, but I was really excited.  She seemed pretty excited about her toenails, too.  In fact, she was in her high chair eating when Kevin made it home from the work, and the first thing she said to him was "Pink" and held up her feet.  Hahaha.

 These two pictures are from one of our cloudy boat outings during Kevin's week off.  The squishy cheeks are my favorite!

 Kevin decided to set up his one-man tent in the loft for Brooke to play it, and it is still up there.  Although I hate how it looks, Brooke has absolutely loved having it up there to play in.  The simple joys of being a kid :)  I guess I might need to look into purchasing a cute tent for her to play in.

 Giant baby!! Kevin was playing with Brooke downstairs and she was throwing a bit of a fit about going upstairs for bath time.  He scooped her up like a baby, and she immediately stopped her complaints!  I think she knew it was funny for Daddy to carry her like a baby.

 Brooke "helping" me put the clean sheets on my bed.

 My friend Jen asked me to watch her son Brooks for a few hours, which Brooke really enjoyed.  She needs to work on her sharing skills though!  She didn't want him to touch her train, but surprisingly didn't care when he was playing with her stroller.

 We played outside A LOT, and Brooke was especially happy when Daddy wass home to play skateboard with her.

Then this happened...

 I was driving home from Home Depot one evening, when all of a sudden, my window totally shatters!  I almost had a heart attack, and I panicked that Brooke might have been hurt. I immediately pulled over, and figured out that one of the landscapers must have spit up a rock as he was weed wacking along the edge of the grass.  He didn't realize what had happened, but when he saw me standing outside my car, he stopped what he was doing.  I informed him that my window had been shattered, and he was very apologetic.  He offered to pay for the damage right away, which was great, so we exchanged contact information.  So, the next day we had the window replaced and then I went and had the tint replaced.  I am seriously grateful that our windows are tinted in the first place, because that was the only thing holding all the glass in place.  Just imagine if Brooke would have been next to the window!  Thankfully, she still rides in the middle seat.  We were definitely being watched over that day.  

 On a happier note, Brooke was thrilled to ride in this sweet shopping cart at Kroger.  She has seen other kids riding in them, but they are always taken when we get there!  When one was available, Brooke thought it was her lucky day.  When we were done with the shopping, Brooke was NOT done "driving car". As I peeled her out of the little car, she kept shouting "More Kroger", haha.  It's funny now, but I was super frustrated in the moment.

 And we finished the day with a little more nail pampering.  This time she wanted me to paint her fingernails :)  She is part girly-girl, just like her mama.

Sunday Love-13 Weeks

I am in the awkward phase of pregnancy where I have gained weight, but don't have a cute baby bump yet.  Most of my skirts don't fit, but I keep reminding myself that this is a good problem to have.  It means that I have a baby growing inside of me.  A fact that I am eternally grateful for.  So, here I am at 13 weeks. Brooke adds a whole-lotta cuteness to the picture :)

When I see this picture, it makes me feel so much happiness deep down in my soul.  As cheesy as that sounds, I feel like it perfectly captures Brooke's sweet little spirit and the love she has for her Daddy.  They have a lot of fun together, and whenever I tell Kevin my worries or concerns about Brooke feeling left out when the new baby arrives, he always says, "Brooke and I will be buddies".  Although I love that he wants to be her buddy, I don't want to lose what I have with her too.  I don't want her to feel neglected by me.  Obviously the dynamic will change, but I am hoping that I can balance things well and that she will still feel special.

"Papa's Boat"

I am fairly positive that we will have WAY too many boat pictures this summer, but these were too sweet not to document.  In mid-April, when Kevin had a week off work, we went to the lake 3 times. One afternoon, Kevin called Melanie to see if their family wanted to join us for a few hours.  Jeff wasn't feeling well, but Mel came with the girls and we had a blast.  Here is Kevin giving M & M's to the girls. 

 This was Miss Aubrey's first time on the boat, and I think she loved it.  Didn't mind the life jacket, and was happy to just observe what was going on around her.

 This was my favorite picture from the whole outing. To hear their little squeals as they kicked their legs in the water was beyond adorable.  They would look at each other, then start doing it again.  I am pretty sure they would have stayed there for hours if we would have let them.

 As we were heading back in to the marina, Brooke started asking for her pacifier.  I could tell she was tired, especially considering that she had not napped all day. So I gave it to her, and she was pretending to sleep on Kinley's arm, haha.  This girl is a goof.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and I was so glad that Melanie came with her girls.  Brooke loves her cousins so much, and I love that they are able to make cute little memories together.  Now, whenever Brooke talks about "Papa's Boat", the next thing she says is "Kinley, Splash".

 We finished off the week with a Saturday morning boat ride.  I had been feeling sick for a few days, so before we headed to the lake, we stopped and bought sea bands for me to wear.  I really think they worked, but it could also have been in my head!  Regardless, I was able to enjoy the afternoon with family, so I was happy.  Jerry and Bev also joined us, and packed a yummy picnic that we all enjoyed.

 Brooke was constantly talking about "Daddy's surfboard", and when asked if she wanted to ride it, she would always say "Ride surfboard."  Well, when we actually put her into the water with Kevin, she started shouting "Hold Mama", haha.  In her defense, the water was only like 68 degrees, and I definitely wasn't getting in.  So, she just stood on his board and I took pictures.

 Then she watched Daddy.  Kevin was cracking me up because he kept pretending like he was holding Brooke.  I just wasn't sure how it was going to work with him holding Brooke in the water, then getting up on the board.  I trust Kevin completely, but I needed to see it to believe it.  So he was giving me a demo as he rode solo, haha.

 We decided to inflate the tube and see if Brooke was interested in that.  At first, she didn't want to get on it, but I think she was worried about that cold water.  Once she was on, she was happy. Jerry pulled them on a super long ride, and Brooke was just waving to the few of us in the boat.  When Kevin was done, haha, we pulled them in.  I was asking Brooke if she had fun, and this is what I got...

 I probably watched this movie 100 times over the next few days.  Her little sassitude was killing me. She really had fun, but I guess she didn't want to admit it??  Just, "MORE TUBE".  We told her that she could go on ONE MORE ride with Daddy, and we held up one finger.

 After the ride was finished, and we started pulling her in, she put her finger in the air and started saying "ONE MORE", "ONE MORE", hahahaha.  This girl knows what she wants :)

I have a feeling that this summer is going to be a lot of fun :)

march iphone gems

My girl is a creature of habit.  Whenever we are walking back to the car after grocery shopping, she will say "drive car".  I tell her that she can drive when we get home...and she doesn't forget.  As soon as I get her out of the carseat, she tells me again, "drive car".  So, I let her climb in the driver's seat while I unload the groceries.  I came back out to grab another load, and Brooke had apparently opened up my sunglass case and helped herself to Mommy's glasses.  And she was pretty darn proud of herself, even if they ARE upside down :)

 My favorite thing, Sunday pictures...

 One day, while swinging, Brooke put her hands in the air.  I thought it was kinda of funny, so I said "Woo-hoo, no hands".  She was laughing hysterically and thought it was the greatest thing.  I snapped a quick picture and we continued playing at the park.  The next evening, we were at the park when Kevin got home from work.  He joined us at the park, and I told Brooke to show Daddy her "no hands", which she did.  Kevin was not amused and immediately started worrying that she could fall out.  I told him not to worry, and then she kind of lunged forward.  Scared us both to death!  I really don't think she would have fallen out, but I definitely regret reinforcing that action.  Now, when she tries to do it, I have to tell her that it was a bad idea and that we have to hold on with two hands!!

One of her favorite activities: bubbles!

 When you play in that heat, you need a refreshing beverage.  And she loves to drink from what she calls "Daddy's cup".

 We went on a little shoe shopping adventure to get her some new kicks.  Her feet grew suddenly and her Toms were no longer fitting.  She wasn't happy about the employee measuring her foot, but once she left to help another customer, Brooke wanted to confirm her size :)

 One night, as I was filling the bath tub, I walked back in to Brooke's room to grab jammies and I guess she had decided to wrap up in her sleep sack, haha.

 Riding the skateboard with Daddy!  She played with that thing forever.  They rode in the garage, then she sat with Daddy and rode down the walkway by the front porch.

 Since Easter was the same weekend as Conference, we wouldn't be dressing in our Sunday best.  So, the week before was designated in my mind as "Easter Dress Sunday".

 One of her favorite tricks...

 We attended Hudson's adorably themed Western birthday party.  Brooke was pretty excited to sit on that saddle :)

I felt pretty sick during the month of March, but we still managed to play and have fun, so I guess I wasn't a total mom failure!  I love the time I get to spend with Brooke, and to see her little personality developing more and more each day.