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...

Resemblance...I'm just along for the ride

Ever since Bobby was born, I have heard "Bobby looks just like Derek!!". Now that we have a daughter, I thought for sure she would look more like me than Derek but nope...take a look at the photo below. Looks like Derek is about the same age, they both have a similar smile going on, and have just about the same build (look at that double chin!). I'm OK with Brooklyn resembling Derek, I think they are both really quite cute!!!

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...