A sneak peak at our holiday photos...I took 300 of them & in 299 of them, neither kid wanted to look in the right direction.

Is it just me, or am I the only one who is impatient waiting for the images to upload to blogger? anyway...

We saw our 3rd visit to the allergist for Brooklyn this week, and we have hit another referral, this time to an E.N.T. doctor now. Our allergist, who I love dearly, just didn't see the improvement she had hoped with Brooklyn and referred us to the new doc. As odd as it sounds, the allergist thought Brooklyn could benefit from acid reflux medicine because we have concluded that all of her upper airways are inflamed, resulting in all this excessive noise that sounds like she is sick all the time. (Acid reflux meds help reduce inflammation) Many people who are not around Brooklyn often assume that she is coming down with a cold, and I end up having to assure them that this is just how Brooklyn sounds healthy! To just remind you all, she is currently on 2 inhalers (Flovent & Pro Air/Albuterol & Nasonex), I was just going through some pictures I took for the holidays and in all of them I have to touch up her runny nose! At the last appointment we werent sure if this is just as healthy as Brooklyn is going to get (until she grows more), but we have to try another option just to see if we can bring her some relief - besides, who wants a runny nose every single day? I know I don't!

Happy Birthday Brooklyn.MOV

Birthday Celebration Again & Halloween

We celebrated with Derek's side of the family for Brooklyn's birthday and 4 other birthdays on that side of the family. Yes, FOUR OTHER ONES! As you all know Derek comes from a big family (he's the oldest of 8) and October has the most birthdays out of the year. I'll post video of singing "Happy Birthday" - its just too cute not to see.

Our pumpkins - those carvings took FOREVER!!!!!

Baby Fiona (Brooklyn), Skeleton, Woody & a pretty little lady bug...

Captain America!

The big ugly ogre - Shrek!

Randee & Her friend Taylor

Princess Fiona & her baby princess

Our pumpkins at night - it was really difficult to keep my hand still to get the picture - the setting to take pictures at night is very touchy touchy.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween....Up next - GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

looks fake doesnt it? but its not. just a few "touch ups". i kind of like that it seems a little creepy. perfect for the season.

Best Week Ever

We went to Mission Bay and used a playground for Brooklyn's picnic party. I put in the least amount of planning ever, and it was the most relaxing, enjoyable time compared to any of the past birthday parties we have had. I will always go back there in the future.

I'm so sad, I ran out of space on my camera so we didnt get video of when we sang "Happy Birthday". Brooklyn's expression was priceless. She looked at everyone and the cake as we sang, and the look on her face was as if she understood that it was for her. Best memory. (and just in case you are wondering, with the help of oxiclean that white shirt came 100% clean. just saying. everyone gave me a hard time...)

I have the coolest Aunt. She is so much fun to have around. I'm sad she lives so far away (Georgia).

My niece, Bella is in the middle of my 2. MICKEY FOREVER!!!!

Bella again...

My brother Anthony, his wife Cassie, and their daughter Bella. Cassie is due on March 21st with a boy! Just 2 days after Bobby's birthday - how exciting!!!

Bella & Brooklyn taking out all the tupperware at my cousin Jesse's house...

My friend Amber (at her baby shower this past saturday), she is due next month with a baby boy. We are VERY happy for her!

Kids horsing around on Bobby's bed. They LOVE jumping on the bed!

Only 2 pink things in the house are pictured below...

Brooklyn

She turns 1 tomorrow! I know I have been talking about it ALOT but I just can't believe how fast the year went! And when she contracted her RSV, looking back, (and after hearing lots of people talk about how lucky we are she survived) I could have easily lost her from her that STUPID STUPID illness. We are DEFINITELY CELEBRATING HER LIFE this weekend!

She has had a rough year, I have had a rough year, heck, the entire family suffered at times due to Brooklyn's struggles. Looking back I would estimate nearly every month I had to take her to the pediatrician or urgent care or ER for her recurring bronchiolitis and, at this point her asthma. What a tough go at your first year of life, eh? This past monday her allergist put her on steroids for 5 days, (ends tomorrow - THANK GOODNESS, literally she is acting like someone on steroids! She's GRUMPIER THAN EVER, HUNGRIER THAN EVER, and at about 2pm everyday for at least an hour she just SCREAAAMMMMSSSS for no reason, well we know the reason but there's nothing I can do! Sad face. I cant put her down during these fits whatsoever. Its like having a 25lbs newborn all over again!) and 2 inhalers due to how bad her asthma and bronchiolitis have been for the past MONTH! Yes yes, she has been sick for a month but I don't like bringing her in when they always dismiss me and say "Sorry, its a virus. You'll have to just do the same thing you have been doing." Really doc? I want an answer. I want to know why she cries HYSTERICALLY night after night when she catches the same small cold the whole family catches. I feel like with the allergist we have made progress, and that this doc really relates to us and our struggles, but dang. Some days feel very dark and lonely when she gets so sick.

Some way to celebrate your birthday, huh? To top it off, when I put her down for bed tonight (please note the time of this post, most nights she goes to bed at 730pm, her naps have sucked today!!), I noticed a fever - - - TEETH! Poor kid can't get a break!!!!

I will post pictures later, we decided last second, since we have family in from Utah & Georgia to go ahead and have a get together for Brooklyn's birthday (which is officially tomorrow), unfortunately it had to be friday morning because all weekend we have stuff going and some family leaves this weekend.