A bouncin' workout

Derek had the chance this week to travel up to Calabasas, CA (you know, the very rich town off Highway 101) to do some construction for the NBA star, Paul Pierce (he plays for the Boston Celtics, he also happens to be neighbors with Britney Spears).

During this same week (this week) my car happened to need some major work done to it; because of these 2 situations - no husband or car (Derek returns this friday), I was desperate to find something to keep Bobby busy at home (we can only handle so much t.v. and playing in the tub).

A friend of mine has the same bouncer shown below and told me some great things about it, and I was sold. It is a little expensive, but since we have Brooklyn yet to start walking and crawling, possibly another kid or 2 down the road, lots of friends with little kids, and a 2nd birthday to celebrate pretty soon, I thought it would be worth it.

My friend Lydia was kind enough to pick this up for me today on her way to our house (again, since I am without a car and a husband) and needless to say, it has been a great investment on entertaining Bobby. I am so thankful for great friends like her, and a husband who takes care of us. I cant wait until Derek returns so he can share in some of the bouncing with us.

Now, during my morning workouts, Bobby can get his own little bouncin' workout!!!

(*The other little boy in the pictures is Lydia's son, Kaleb)

Projects...continued

This is the latest hat I made for my niece. This one turned out really good and with a change in the type of yarn and needle, it took less than half the time than the other ones I made (almost 2 hours). I tried to get the kids to model it for me, Brooklyn was tired and Bobby must have known there was a big flower on the hat, so neither kid wanted to comply. I'm trying to create some extra stock of these hats (and try to get creative for boys styles) to sell at our local Farmer's Market. I don't plan on selling these until the fall- when the weather cools again but in the meantime, I'm having great fun practicing!

Projects

The month of January seems to be igniting new projects in our house. I am thrilled to tell everyone that after over 2 years of saving and saving and MORE SAVING (since the economy is leaving us very upside down on our house loan), Derek and I finally have enough money to pay for a small addition on our house which will gives us 3 bedrooms and a much bigger living room and small dining room. The house definitely has lots more improving to do, but getting to this first step is awesome. Now a family of 4, we have completely outgrown our 2 bedroom house. Below are some photos of our house pre-remodel, cant wait to show you all the finished look!

The other project of the month is for me and my new love for crocheting. As an italian grandkid, I grew up with Grandma's who crocheted the best things - slippers, blankets, beanie booties, etc.. A few months back, while I was pregnant with Brooklyn, I bought some supplies to start crocheting. I started to make a blanket and sort of gave up as other things became priority (and honestly the blanket was not turning out the way I had hoped). Recently a good friend of mine started crocheting and making very cute baby items - which has inspired me to try again so my kids have some of these fond home made items. I found some online tutorials and instructions and Wa-Lah! I made the beanie Brooklyn is modeling below in a day! I cant wait to try and sneak out of the house to take a trip to our local sewing store (alone, sorry kids but you would be happier at home while I did this trip) to stock up on more items including more yarn, needles and accessories.

Friends and family are asking for items and it makes me so happy that someone other than myself likes them. (Of course, I'm going to like it since I made it!)

Brooklyn modeling her new beanie

Beanie under construction...

Derek chipping off some of the stucco to begin the remodel mess (its a mess I'm VERY happy to clean up!)

Yes, that's a piano in front of our house...

1..2...3 - Look at me!!!

Growing like a wildflower (and not like a weed because she is much prettier than an old stinky weed!)! Today makes 3 months (that flew by) for Brooklyn! I jumped on the scale with her and she weighs 14 lbs, and she is 23 1/2 inches long. She is my little sleeper - bedtime at 630pm and she sleeps straight until 2am (and with Bobby I NEVER had this so I am thrilled that I'm doing something right this time around!).

We are a happy, rested family!!

Playing with my friends Emily & Violet...

Mommy making a silly face to make me laugh...

Smiling for Mommy again (she looks just like Derek as a baby in this picture)

Growth Spurt

Recently I have noticed Brooklyn has been starting to sleep like a newborn ALL OVER AGAIN! Agh!! First thing I think is, "What am I doing wrong??!" Turns out the more I paid attention to her habits, constant eating throughout the day, lots of crankiness from waking up to eat...I realized she is going through the average 3 month old growth spurt! She's been eating like crazy (as you can see from her little chubby cheeks) and not sleeping as usual. Hopefully this little "spurt" will go away as fast as it came! She is already in 3-6 month old clothes...!

Below are a few pictures from when our friends Jason & Lydia came up to visit us this week. We love how the older boys are starting to play together, and how the babies are starting to stare at each other and grow... cant wait to see all the kids running around later this year!

Gavin (Jason & Lydia's newest addition, he is 4 months old) & Brooklyn checking each other out...

Kaleb & Bobby fighting over the recliner remote (seriously you guys??)

Our little butterfly almost 3 months old...

First Trip to the Zoo & A Growing Baby

Here are just a few new photos of our sweet Brooklyn...

We recently purchased the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park annual passes and decided to go with our friends Jason & Lydia on Sunday for the first time. It was Bobby's first trip to the zoo, and although he enjoyed seeing the animals, he loved all the play structures and statues to climb on even more. Kaleb (Jason & Lydia's son) & Bobby played like crazy and wore themselves out. It was melt down city by the time we left. All in all it was alot of fun and I can't wait to go back!

Bobby loved this tunnel...

Kaleb & Bobby on the cheetah together...

Brooklyn all snug as a bug on our walk around the park...

Kaleb & Bobby on the gorilla together...

Is he staring at the fish or himself?

Hello 2011

Not sure if everyone knows, but Brooklyn was hospitalized a month ago for developing RSV. It started off that Bobby had a bad cold for a few days which led to a bad cough, I immediately panicked because I thought it was whooping cough. The next morning Brooklyn had the same cough which landed us in Urgent Care on a Sunday Morning. We ended up seeing her pediatrician 3 days in a row before ending up in the emergency room because of how ill she became. She was hospitalized for 4 days due to severe vomiting/lack of fluid intake and respiratory distress. This is why I delayed her 2 month appointment & vaccines. Her doctor did warn me that she is more susceptible to getting RSV again and we need to be a little extra careful until flu season is officially done.

Today, she's healthy as can be, weighing in at 12.2 lbs, and 23 inches long.

Everyday Bobby seems to be getting smarter and trying to talk. He is turning into quite the little helper for me. I did catch him the other day trying to pick up Brooklyn when she was crying....yikes! Thanks for the help little man but you're not quite there yet! He is my little sweetie.

Moving right along...Brooklyn is my easier baby compared to Bobby. She's been sleeping like a champ and is becoming very predicable. Her bedtime is around 530-6pm and she sleeps all the way til midnight-ish without a peep. Now if I can only convince Brooklyn to sleep from midnight-ish to 6am...!

Playing with his Home Depot Safety Glasses from Christmas

Fresh out of the bath, the bath seems to calm her down right before she heads to bed

Happy after her second long nap of the day

Practicing how to sit up