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.

Photoshop

... is FUN!!!!!! (when you finally figure it out!)

Click on the photo to zoom in (sorry haven't figured it all out yet!). I have been spending every free second trying to figure out photoshop, and FINALLY have made some progress.

Cookies, Cousins, and Coloring

Cousins, Jonnie, Remi & Cyrus came over yesterday afternoon after school for a few hours while their parents were at work. To keep them busy, Bobby and I baked some sugar cut out cookies of pumpkins (and one that said "Boo" but it didn't turn out well), picked up some frosting that I colored orange with food gel, sprinkles, and candy corn to decorate the cookies.

Once the kids got bored of frosting cookies, they decided to color on the little easel we have...

Once that got boring they colored on each other...

Once that got boring I let them go ahead and color on the temporary dry wall in the house. Remi kept saying I was the coolest babysitter ever, I warned them that once the construction in the house was done there wouldnt be any more coloring on the walls!

Ready, Set...Preschool!

Welp, we decided to start Bobby in preschool this week. We were a little behind on the ball because technically school started a month ago but I haven't been sure if he's been ready, or if I'm ready. WE ARE READY!!!!! We visited the school on Monday and after spending just a little bit of time there I knew this is what he needed to continue thriving and keep his little mind busy (and to burn off some of this energy he has!). It is a little expensive so he is only going 2 days a week from 8am-12pm but I think this is plenty and maybe after getting used to the monthly costs we might bump it up to 3 days a week - if there is space available and after he is potty trained.

After some consideration, we decided to send Bobby HERE because our friend's mom is the director there and I just feel more comfortable leaving him at a place where I know and TRUST the people. Bobby does freak out and scream like crazy when I leave, but his new teacher, Ms. Michelle, said that after about 20 seconds of his screaming he was fine. We are starting to work on potty training - I'm new to all of these things and feel like I don't know what to expect from Bobby, or the best way to approach it. Its a control issue, and I hate the fight. We'll see, I'm just taking it day by day. He definitely has hit his "Terrible Twos" because EVERYTHING is a battle right now. NOT FUN. Lots of telling him "no" which I hate doing but dang kid, you don't listen after the 3rd warning!!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

(please pardon the fancy trash can in the background, we are in the middle of a mess in our home right now)

PICTURE DAY!!! WOO HOO

(cant wait to see the proofs!)