A..B...C..1...2..3

Once Brooklyn came along, it forced me and Bobby to spend more time indoors (especially with the winter weather). I spend lots of time with Bobby going over his ABC Flash Cards when Brooklyn is napping (or any other time we forced to be inside), and we review his numbers (1-10) every night right before bed.

Bobby is kind of quiet and shy so he has never really had much to say...I guess? Or maybe he just doesnt want to have a conversation with me (or anyone else?)? Maybe I need to take a hint? I hope not!!! (He's not even a teenager yet!)

I was never sure how much he was retaining when we went over the cards because Bobby hardly says anything....until recently....

Bobby impressed me and Derek with his vocabulary this week... I sat down with Bobby the other morning, and started to show him random letters of the flash cards asking him "Whats this", and to my surprise he replied the correct letter! I couldnt believe it. My little 2 year old son had finally shown me the wheels inside his head were turning! I made him repeat this until he finally shook his head "no", and climbed down from the table to go lay down for a nap. (Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but he will go lay down in his bed on his own when he is tired.)

When Derek came home that afternoon, I asked Bobby to repeat his trick (also just so I could have another adult validate what I was hearing) and sure enough Bobby came through.

I am so proud.

It is just another reminder that my little boy is not so little anymore :-( .....time for another?!!

.....Not quite!! :)

Just about 6 months old and checking out her new seat...

My little G.I. JOE

Bobby is also turning into an awesome little helper and a great big brother. If Brooklyn is crying he reaches over to insert the pacifier or bottle (whichever she is sucking on that falls), he comes running over to be by her side if she is crying, and in the mornings if we are all up at the same time, he runs to her side at the crib to "help" me get her out of bed. He gives her kisses and hugs and if we are all on the floor playing together, he happily shakes a rattle or other toy near her to entertain.

I love my kids.

Junior Carlsbad

Bobby's adventure with his 1st Junior Carlsbad run...

Since Bobby is an open book on deciding what sports he likes, I thought it would be fun to get him to try the Junior Carlsbad "Diaper Dash". There's a race for all kids under age 12 with different distances for different ages. A friend of ours took her daughter last year, and it looked like alot of fun. Last year when the event was held, Bobby was either walking or just newly walking so we missed out. The pictures dont do it justice, Bobby was smiling and laughing all over the place. They had little booths setup with vendors, and located right next to little shops and the beach in Carlsbad.

Derek said when they were lined up to run, Bobby sat down (a little unsure about the situation I'm sure), but once all the kids in front of him took off, Bobby went right along. I'm so bummed because the video I took is super blurry.

After seeing this race, Derek and I decided to do the La Jolla 5k with the kids in the stroller in a few weeks.

On your mark...

Get set....GO!!!!!

FINISH!!!!!!!

Bobby admiring his new medal (but for whatever reason he wanted Dad to wear it)

Brooklyn's World...

Brooklyn is growing fast (ok, lets be honest, what baby doesn't grow fast?). She is spinning, kicking, rolling, all the usual tricks at this age. She sleeps awesome - only 1 night waking at 2am for a bottle and wakes for the day at 6am. She has her bad days, but what baby doesn't?

I've tried a few times to get her to eat baby food (cereal, first foods etc) and she has no desire to eat it, spits it out, turns away. I've tried it warm, cool, and cold. My pediatrician said not to worry, and that really babies sometimes don't take to food until they are 9 months old anyway. And by the looks of her - she's not going hungry. She's really starting to notice Bobby and anytime he is near her she rolls to him, stares and coos at him. Its alot of fun with the 2 of them.

2 years and 5 months

Bobby turned 2 years old this past saturday, Brooklyn turned 5 months yesterday. Enjoy...

Bobby's special "Yo Gabba Gabba" birthday cake

Spring

I dont think there is anything more beautiful in the world (to me, anyway) than gorgeous spring green grass (ok, and our kids are pretty cute too...). Our backyard has been recently transformed, and I honestly cannot wait to go roll around on this newly planted grass. With 3 large dogs, it has been impossible to maintain anything nice in the backyard, so we finally had to section off a "dog run" for the mutts so we could use our backyard. In addition to the grass, we plan on having a small veggie garden, an area for some succulents, and a place for our play structure. Thrilled!

Before....

AFTER!!!!

First for the Second...Stats!

Stats for Brooklyn:

Weight - 16.6lbs - - 95th percentile!

Height - 25.5" - - - - 90th percentile!

I stopped breast feeding (not by choice) about 1 month ago, I was giving Brooklyn formula and nursing her, but once I started to kick up the pace with working out my supply diminished. She's still happy as can be, and as you can see, she's NOT starving! Little chubby thing...Love her!!!

This was Bobby's 1st present for his 2nd birthday. The bike is from my mom. He just sits in the thing and watches his cartoons. He rides a little, but would rather have me push him. So exciting to get ready for his 2nd birthday. Cant wait to celebrate.

1..2...3...4... Everyday learning more!

Today marks YYYY (4) months since our family changed from 3 to 4...time is F L Y I N G! Sweet little Brooklyn is filled with giggles and smiles right now which has convinced us that when the time is right (in a year or 2) that Derek and I want to add another kid or 2 to the mix. Seems like there is something in the water lately...I know 6 friends who are having or have had babies this year. Pretty excited for all those families to join the crazy house with us!! She can hold her head up pretty steady and tolerates tummy time now - I have to admit that I haven't done much of it with her since I put her in the bumbo to practice holding her head up (and when she's on her stomach she screams), I'm not worried about it. I know in time she will be rolling and moving before I know it. Her 4 month check up is not until Thursday but my guess is her weight is around 14-15 lbs because she wears size 6 months clothes. Once a week I drag both kids out to Miramar Lake for some fresh air and a jog for me. Bobby is a little afraid of the geese (so am I - - those things got aggressive and chased after a little yorkie when I was there!). Its so peaceful there - during the week there is not much traffic at the lake, and usually filled with some silence from the kids (they are ...zzzzzz) when I jog with them, always pleasant to the ears when all is quiet with the them.

I put Brooklyn in the jumper since she can hold her head pretty steady but her little feet dont touch the ground yet...I rocked the jumper for her (and Bobby was very willing too) which she seemed to enjoy...

Derek is so willing to help with the kids, cleaning, fixing stuff, really...anything I ask of him lately. Everyday seems to get better and better. Y

He's a GREAT DAD.

Proud Mama

Little Nugget...

4 Big Months...!!!!

Leaving Brooklyn

We are off this weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday and it will be our first time leaving Brooklyn. I know she'll be OK, but it still makes me a little sad I'm going to miss one night of her precious little life.

On a completely side note, a few weeks ago I told you that I had no working car. We ended up having to bite the bullet and go get a new one because my 1999 GMC Yukon needed a whole new engine and had some other major problems not worth even fixing. I'm really happy because of the space in the new car (2010 Tahoe, fits 9 people!!!), so when we have more kids (or the kids' friends in the car) we have plenty of room, but disappointed because that means the addition on the house is going to take a little longer than we had hoped. I didnt know this, but Derek said that when you pull a permit on your house to do an addition or remodel, you have to have an inspection done/work done (e.g. after having the foundation done) fairly soon after or your permit expires. Hopefully we will be able to slowly start some work within this time frame and not let the permit expire.

Just a few random photos below of the kids. Brooklyn is getting big and is getting really good at holding her head up and steady. Sleeping good, laughing, just an all around easy baby. We are really lucky. Her 4 month check up is in about a week.

Bobby is growing up and becoming more and more like a little kid. Not quite talking (hearing a lot of gibberish though), we are really trying to push first words like, "Please, yes, cup, no, sis." I do get to hear a few things, "ma ma ma ma ma ma"and some other crazy sounds but no words really. Because he hasn't really said words, when he wants more juice or something to eat I get the pleasure of him throwing his cup/snack holder at me to let me know that he wants something. (Lucky me) We just gave him a pillow the other night in his crib (not in a toddler bed yet) and he LOVED IT. When I first gave it to him, he kind of looked at me like, "Why have you been holding out on me? This is awesome!" He's kind of going through the fit throwing stages (he is just about 2 years old...) but I try to ignore them as best I can. He pouts mostly if he doesn't get his way. He can drink from a small cup now and he has almost all of his canine teeth (the bottom ones are just now cutting in), and he loves to brush his teeth with his little spinning toothbrush. (I think he just loves the taste of toothpaste really.)

Hope everyone has a great weekend...