Pretty
Brooke loves to wear items of our clothing (if you're a follower of the blog, I'm sure you've noticed this trend). Anyway, yesterday she put on Bryan's reflector belt and declared, "Pitty." That's "pretty" to an almost two year old.
August 15, 2008
August 05, 2008
What I've been up to...
Here's what I was up to during the month of July. This was a thank you gift for the FRG leader of Bryan's Troop while he was in Iraq.
July 30, 2008
Outsmarted
"These baby gates can't stop me!"
July 29, 2008
Thank You, Daddy
We are working on teaching Brooke "please" and "thank you." However, it is not going so smoothly. Our stubborn little Brooke refuses to say please. If you ask Brooke to say please, she will shake her head and say "uh-uh" or "bye-bye." Occasionally, we try to trick her into it and get her to repeat words: "Daddy," "Apple" "Kitty." When we get to "Please," Brooke replies "No"
"Thank you" is going a lot better. She'll often say thank you on her own. It makes me proud that I don't even have to prompt her. However, it is always "thank you, daddy." It was a little weird when a lady gave Brooke a sticker and she said "thank you, daddy." But, I still count it as a success.
July 24, 2008
Back to Work
Sadly, Bryan had to head back to work on Monday. Brooke had a great time hanging out with Daddy during his time off.
She runs to greet him with hugs and kisses each night when he comes home.
July 15, 2008
Fashion Sense?
Lately Brooke has been very demanding about what she wants to wear. On a recent day, we headed to the park with her in a sundress and winter hat on an 85 degree day.
This is another of Brooke's new styles - wearing Daddy's socks.
July 05, 2008
North Cascades/San Juans Islands Vacation
About a week after Bryan arrived home, we headed out on a little vacation. We spent two nights in the North Cascades and three nights on Orcas Islands (the largest of San Juan islands).
We fit in lots of short hikes and Brooke especially loved the ferry rides.
Hiking in North Cascades National Park
Diablo Lake
Brooke dragging me into the water - Moran State Park, Orcas Island
Brooke in the lavender field at our B&B.
June 27, 2008
Finger Painting
Today, Brooke and I did some finger painting. By the looks of, it appeared to have been more of tummy-painting!
June 25, 2008
He's Home!
Bryan arrived home on Sunday night. I am thankful to have him home safe and sound and Brooke is enjoying her daddy time once again.
June 22, 2008
Poor Daddy II
Today I asked Brooke again, "Who's coming home tonight?" Still got the response of Zoe.
However, tonight when we watched her pre-bedtime movie, she picked up the phone off the nightstand, dialed some numbers and then put the phone to her ear and said, "Hi, Daddy."
June 21, 2008
Poor Daddy
This morning when I got Brooke out of her crib, I said, "Guess who's coming home tomorrow?" Brooke looked at me very thoughtfully and replied "Yoey" (Zoe). Poor Daddy.
June 20, 2008
Gigi and Brooke
We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood with lots of kids. One of our neighbors has a daughter who is just six weeks younger than Brooke. Now that the weather is nice, you can find Brooke and Gigi palling around on the playground most of the day.
June 19, 2008
Something to Really Smile About
I just found out that Bryan is in Kuwait and is scheduled to fly out on the 21st. This deployment is almost over for us!!!
June 18, 2008
Smile
June 10, 2008
Talented Musician
Our budding musician:
Note: If and when she becomes a musician, shirt will be required.
June 07, 2008
Jewelry
An outfit is just not complete without the right accessories
June 05, 2008
Growing Vocabulary
Like most 19 month olds, Brooke's vocabulary is growing every day. She knows several animals - doggy, ducky, kitty, chicken (note: all birds are "chica"). The body parts - teeth, knee, nose, eye. And there are the action words - walking, running, dancing. And the food words - yummy, yucky, hot, all done. The list goes on. But today, she really caught me off guard: She pointed at her nose and said "Boogie." Great! I am glad I am teaching my daughter the really important words in life.
June 01, 2008
Dinner Party
Last night, I hosted a going away dinner for two of my friends. The party was a seven-course dinner. On the menu:
Coconut Shrimp
Asparagus Ravioli with Red Pepper Cream Sauce and Mini Caprese Bites
Pear-Pecan Blue Cheese Salad
Tomato Basil Soup
Ginger Peach Sorbet
Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon on Spinach
Raspberry Trifle
This is the second year in a row I have done this type of party. The first was right after Bryan deployed and provided a great distraction to the whole "I'm alone now thing." I thought having this year's party right before Bryan came home would also be helpful. It was a good distraction, however it is a lot harder to get stuff done this year with Brooke running around all over the place. So, I was a bit more stressed out. But, all the food turned out great and we all had a good time.
The Broadmoor Quad is not going to be the same without Tina and Jennifer.
May 28, 2008
Humpty-Dumpty Had a Great Fall
Yesterday, Brooke had another run in with the pavement: She stood up in her stroller and pushed it to the ground landing face first on the pavement. The worst of the damage was actually done by her teeth. She bit her lip inside and out.
May 27, 2008
Double-take with the Smiths
Brooke and I spent the last two weekends with the Smiths. The first weekend was here at our house. On Saturday, we had the kids out enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.
On Sunday, Pam ran the Olympia marathon (the real purpose for the visit) while Mac and I took the kids to a local park.
Brooke helped Liam with their rock collection.
And Megan and Brooke practiced their "running."
Last week, Brooke and I spent Thursday night to Monday with Smiths. On Friday, we took the kids to a local Fairy Tale theme park. The weather was very typical of the Pacific Northwest. We left after 1.5 hours when the kids were tired and freezing.
May 10, 2008
Parenting Blues
Now that Bryan is gone again, I am back to my lackadaisical parenting style.
Yes, this made for an interesting bath.
