Memorial Day!

We couldn't pack any more fun into this weekend!  We took full advantage of the three-day weekend for sure... Stephen started off the holiday weekend by grilling some tasty hamburgers after we got off work.  Then we relaxed at home and watched TV and movies.  Saturday we went to see our 'Pearland Family', the Diaks!  They have an annual family reunion on Memorial Day weekend and they invited us to join in the fun.  We had some great BBQ and great conversation!  And we worked on our tans lol.  Brianna had fun blowing kisses to everyone and playing in the pool.  Sunday Brianna woke me up with lots of kisses and telling me 'Hi'!  That afternoon, my mom and I took Bri to the neighborhood splash pad.  She is a total water baby and loved playing in the water.  I had a great time as well!  Then I came home and made steak and cheese quesadillas for everyone.  They were super yummy.  I also watched most of of Inkheart but Brianna and I took a cat nap in the middle of it... hehe that's okay it was totally worth it!  The fun in the sun really wore us out, and it was great just to relax and not worry about anything!  That night Stephen and I went to the theater to see "Thor".  We really enjoyed the movie.  We don't usually get to go to the movies that often so I'm super picky about we see and want it to be good!  We definitely weren't disappointed!  On Memorial Day, Stephen and I bought Bri a bee ring for the pool and played in the sun and water for a little while.  That little chica is fearless.  She is just fine with sticking her head under in the water and letting the water wash over her face.  I can't wait to get her into swimming lessons!  She's already trying to kick and paddle in the water.  We tried once again to watch Inkheart, but we had the same result lol.  It really does seem like an interesting movie, but I will have to watch it when I haven't played in the sun all day!  Stephen and I ran to Babies R Us to stock on baby proofing items... yeah, I know, we're behind.  But we did get a gate for the stairs.  Brianna is just so into climbing them!  I'm just worried she will do it without anyone watching so this should ease my fears.  Then Stephen grilled ribeyes... yum yum and yum!  Ahhhhh it was such a good weekend.  Glad it's a only a four-day work week because I am already looking forward to next weekend!  Hurry up and get here! 

Unofficial Anniversary

May 25, 2003 - The day Stephen and I officially became a couple.  So, no, it's not our REAL anniversary anymore, but it's still a special day to me that I like to celebrate.  We were going to go to the movies, but we're saving that for the weekend.  So instead we stayed in and made BLTs and banana splits!  We gave Brianna her first taste of blackberries and she LOVED them!  They were perfectly sweet and ripe and I truly believe she could have made herself sick eating them!  It was a good day. :)

13 Months Old!

5/15/2011

Today you are 13 months old! 

You have had great fun playing in your kiddie pool in the backyard.  You had on a brand new bathing suit that fits you just perfect!  Unfortunately today the fun was spoiled by a bee sting.  Thankfully you are not allergic and glad your daddy was able to kill the bee!  We used a baking soda and water paste to help ease the pain. 

Yesterday we went to a friend's housewarming party and to the crawfish festival in Old Towne Spring.  You had a blast people-watching.  It's one your favorite things to do!  You hadn't been to Old Towne Spring in awhile... not since you went to the car show with your daddy! 

You have grown a lot since you turned one.  You usually wear a size 4 shoe and you have 8 teeth now!  You are a pretty good eater... you do love your milk but lately you are eating a little more table food so that has been a good thing for you.  While you do use sippy cups, you always want your bottle when you are ready for a nap!  You had your one-year check-up on 5/11/11 and had to have 3 shots.  You weighed 22.5 lbs and are 29.75 inches tall!  The doctor is really happy with your growth and development.  You will need to take an iron supplement for a little while, but overall, you are very healthy! 

This week was a big week for you... you started in Suite 150 at daycare.  You miss your favorite teacher, Miss Gabby, but you are beginning to love your new teachers.  This class lets you go outside everyday so you will really enjoy that, but you only get one nap now! 

You are starting to walk REALLY WELL.  You love climbing up the stairs, and you have learned how to escape from the living room when you think mommy and daddy are not watching.  You wake me up nearly every morning with a 'Hi!' and a kiss and then say 'Ma-ma'!  LOVE IT!    Then I will tell you to get your daddy, and you start slapping his back and chest lol.  He thinks it's quite funny.  Sometimes you say 'Bye' when you leave the room, and you always blow kisses.  It is just so sweet.  You love to give kisses now and we are very happy to get them!  Everyone always talks about how friendly and affectionate you are.  You are even trying to say 'I love you!'. 

We had a girls' day out with Grandma today.  We went to Kohl's, Taco Cabana, and then to Kroger!  Oh and today you had your first sip of Starbucks... trying not to get you addicted just yet but you did enjoy it!  It was a Light Mocha Frap... You love to drink out of straws so I just had to let you try it. 

I'm so sad the weekend is coming to end... can't wait for our adventures next weekend!  Love you bunches, sweetheart! 

Wonderful Mother's Day

Today I was awakened by a little high-pitched voice saying 'Hi!'.  It was so sweet.  It definitely woke me up and it was the perfect start to Mother's Day.  I said hi back and Brianna whispered hi to me again... love moments like these.  There is nothing comparable to being a mom... I started this blog a year ago on Mother's Day.  Sometimes it is still hard to believe that I have such an amazing and beautiful daughter.  I am so thankful and blessed to have her in my life.  God made her perfect in every way.  As her grandmother likes to say, 'we couldn't have dreamed her to be so perfect'.  

We had an amazing day together!  Stephen got us Whataburger for breakfast (honey butter chicken biscuits are my fave!) and Brianna had jam and toast (her favorite) and strawberry mish mash.  Then we played a lot and Brianna and I took a two hour nap!  I rarely get to take naps and certainly not two-hours!  It was very nice to just relax and hang out with Brianna.  Once we got up and moving again, Stephen grilled steaks and Brianna got to play in the backyard in her kiddie pool for the first time.  She LOVED IT!  It was one of the birthday presents to her from me and Stephen.  It's hot enough outside now so I'm sure we will be getting a lot of use out of it!  Brianna splished and splashed and petted Tater.  She doesn't seem to be afraid of Tater right now, just curious mostly.  And Tater just wants to love on her.  They have lots of play days ahead of them. :)   

After dinner we got ice cream at Cold Stone... yum yum!  And Brianna got me Bambi (can't wait to watch it with her!) and a gift card to the spa.  Woohoo, gonna get some pampering time in soon!  Stephen and I got my mom a digital picture frame, some tulips and took her to dinner at Pappasitos last night.  Overall, it was a great weekend!  I couldn't ask for a better family. 

Oh, and also, Stephen put Brianna's clothes on backwards today.  This is a pretty frequent occurence lol but today was classic.... the outfit was a little dress that buttoned on the bottom and had a cute split in the back.  He said he thought it was supposed to be worn like a cape.  LOL.  Miss Brianna, I'm sorry... your daddy means well.  This is why you have a Mommy!  =) 

Buh-bye!

Brianna said "Buh-bye!" when we were leaving daycare today!  Too sweet! 

Tonight at bathtime, she discovered she likes to make bubble beards... which means she is now sticking her face in the water and bubbles and giggling like crazy.  I wanted to take pictures but didn't have my camera handy.  I will definitely catch it next time!

After pj's were on, we settled down to read a book.  She had a mini chocolate chip cookie and her bottle of milk (her 'milk and cookies') and sat in my lap to read "Are You my Mother?". 

She is walking a little more everyday... next week she starts spending time in the next nursery room... most of the kids are walking really well in that room so I'm a little nervous for her.  I hope it goes well!  This class goes outside everyday so I think she'll really enjoy it. 

Awww... Stephen just told me Brianna didn't fall asleep in his lap tonight... she laid down beside him, held his finger and fell asleep... we rock her to sleep almost every single night... this little girl is growing up...

Lunch Break!

I'm taking my lunch break at my desk today so why not blog a little?  It's a gorgeous day outside and I'm hoping I can fast forward to 5:30 so I can go pick up Bri and enjoy some of this sun!  We went to the park yesterday but didn't stay very long because it got quite windy.  She got to swing and also had her first experience in a sandbox.  She was confused about the sand lol... She kept saying 'Ah' and poking her feet in it.  But she did seem to enjoy it! 

Tonight probably won't be too exciting, but I think that's the best thing for us right now.  We need a break.  Work is slowing down again so I'm feeling a little more normal lately.  I can actually do laundry, go to the store, etc. just like a real wife and mom lol!  Country fried steaks are for dinner tonight and then playtime with Miss Priss!  She's so funny and sweet and soooo smart.  We were reading her favorite book last night, "Flip, Flap, Fly" and at the end of book, the mommy and baby in the story give each other kisss.  So we always give Bri lots kisses at the end.  So while my mom was reading to her, she started blowing kisses towards the end of the book.  Soooo cute! 

And every time we leave the room, she waves bye to everyone.  Ha, and when we pick her up from daycare, she always jumps into our arms and then smiles and waves with both hands to the teachers!  It's so funny!  She's like, "I'm outta here!" 

Okay back to work I guess.... hopefully I can upload pics of Bri's birthday party soon!

You are ONE YEAR OLD!

Brianna, you just turned ONE.  What was your first year like?  What did you do?  Here is a quick summary of your first year and all about YOU!

You were born at Woman's Hospital in Houston, TX on April 15, 2010 at 10:22 a.m., weighing in at 9 lbs. and 10 oz.  Thank goodness your mommy had a c-section!  Though it sounded like you weighed a lot, you weren't a big baby.  In fact, you were just 20 inches long with a little head full of hair.  But your little arms and legs were oh so chunky and you had a nice belly!

You and I stayed in the hospital for five days and finally went home on the evening of April 19th.  Your daddy and I were terrified about bringing you home... now it was all up to us!  We all camped out downstairs for the first two weeks because I could not go up and down the stairs.  You slept in your bassinet until you were bout 13 weeks old... you were so tiny.  It's hard to imagine you being so little just a year ago.  

Now you sleep in a crib in Mpmmy and Daddy's bedroom.... but soon we will put your bed in your own room. 

You have nearly outgrown all your 12-month clothes and mostly wear 18-month and you are in size 4 diapers!  Doctor check-up and vaccines are coming up soon...

All about you:  You love taking baths!  In fact, now you cry when I take you out of the tub! 

You can climb up the stairs.. this scares me but I always stay behind you just in case. 

You love books and your favorite right now is "Flip, Flap, Fly" sent to you from your Uncle Khaled.

You have such a great sense of humor!  We love to make you laugh and giggle. 

You love MUSIC - any and all kinds!  You start bouncing and dancing when you hear a tune!

Your favorite TV shows:  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Hannah Montana, & Phineas and Ferb

You dislike diaper changes, putting on clothes, getting your hair done and having someone wipe your nose! 

Where did you go?  The first year you made trips to Mississippi, Maryland, and to Dallas, TX!  You are a little adventurous person.

You visited the Houston Rodeo, Legoland in Dallas, and many, many parks!  This summer you will take your first trip to the zoo! 

What do you like to eat?  You love FRUIT and you are definitely a meat eater.  I think ham is your favorite!  And you have a sweet tooth!  Your daddy and I will always share whateve we have with you and it makes you very happy!  You still use bottles, but you sometimes use a sippy cup.  Now you can drink whole milk instead of formula.  

Milestones: 

At one year of age, you have 7 teeth and are working on the 8th right now!  

Your first step: April 17, 2011.  You were trying to run from Grant lol.  
Your first steps: April 27, 2011.  You took six steps and have been practicing a little more everday!

Your first word:  Ma-ma on December 17, 2011.  Next came Da-da, kitty cat, hi, and dog.  You can also shake your head yes and no and bounce up and down when we say 'Bounce!'.   

You amaze us more and more everyday.  You pick up on new things so quickly, and we can already tell you are so intelligent.  It makes us very proud. 

I can't say it enough.... we love you so much!!!  We are so thankful you are our daughter!

Victory

Osama Bin Laden is dead.  Nearly 10 years after the attacks on 9/11/2001, America can finally feel that some justice has been served.  The war is not over, but this was something George W. Bush initiated and followed through with until the end of his term.   

Brianna, I hope one day you can appreciate the significance in this moment in history.