The Fork

Brynlee has started showing more interest in spoons and forks.  Probably because she watches big sis.  The other night we were eating and she asked for a fork...

 So proud of herself! 

Blessed

Blessed.

We are so blessed.

I know this but oftentimes take it for granted.

Over a year ago Kate had surgery on her eyes.  It went great and we hardly think about it.  We just had her 1 year check up.  Typically, with Kate's age and the degree her eye was wandering, the eye starts to "shake" after a year and you start thinking about another surgery.  But, she looks amazing. The doctor said he saw no "shaking" and we don't have to come back for a year.  So I write this just as a reminder of how blessed we are! 

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!  Psalm 113:2

Dot Markers

Just a little Friday morning art project...

Random Phone Pictures

Monday we went to the mall to play.  We hadn't been in months.  Brynlee is at the perfect age and loved climbing on everything!

 

JuJu brought Kate a new puzzle last weekend.  It is Kate's 1st "jigsaw" puzzle.  She loves it and can now do it all by herself!

TaDa!

Kate and Brynlee were wrestling this afternoon.  They are so funny.  Kate may be bigger and older but Brynlee is scrappier.

She was on top most of the time!

Kate's Tricycle

We spent the evening outside.  Kate asked to ride her tricycle/big wheel...so we did.  She has not been interested in riding her bike or trike since we got them.  We'd quit asking because we didn't want to force it on her.  Out of nowhere today she asked to ride and she did GREAT!!!  Parker gave her some...okay, lots of pushes but she kept her feet on the pedals and never asked to just be pushed.  

Brynlee has officially entered the "I can do it all by myself" stage.  She is Miss Independent.  She doesn't want to be strapped in anywhere...including her car, highchair, stroller, shopping cart.  I feel like this phase is happening sooner because she just wants to keep up with Kate.  So tonight, instead of riding in her car...she pushed it.

Kate did better in the street because there was less steering involved.

She was so proud to come back and show me how great she was doing!

Bryn wanted a turn...

Just a matter of time before she can do this all by herself...

She is such a mess...she thought looking between her legs was soooo funny!

Cute As a Button

Wendi, Sarah, Amanda and I hosted a shower for our sweet friend Ashley.  She is having her 3rd in about 2 weeks. 

Our theme was "Cute as a Button" and we had the shower at Mattito's.  

We had a great time celebrating Ashley and baby Boone!  We can't wait to meet him in just a few weeks!!!

Soccer Party

Tonight after soccer practice we went to Kate's team party. We went to Scotty P's for dinner and trophy presentation!

Coach Justin giving Kate her trophy...

checking it out...

The only girls on the team...Megan, Deya and Kate

Our last game is on Sunday.

18 month appt - Bryn

Bryn's 18 month apppointment was this morning! As soon as we walked into the room she teared up a little but ended up doing pretty well. She didn't get any shots but she did get a finger poke...which I think may be worse. She is healthy and doing great!

Height: 32.5 inches (75-80%)

Weight: 26 lbs 7 oz (75-80%)

Line Leader and Sunglasses

On Thursday when I picked Kate up from school the first thing she said to me was "I get to be the line leader on Tuesday." And she continued to talk about it all weekend. I can't tell you how many times she asked, "when is it Tuesday?" or told random people "I am the line leader on Tuesday." When I asked her what the line leader does she said, "hold the flags (for the pledges) and walk in a line with all my friends behind me." She was so excited on the way to school today!!!

In other news, Kate is obsessed with her sunglasses. She gets them every time we get in the car or go on a walk. If it's not sunny, she wears them anyway...either on top of her head, or like this...

And if Kate has her glasses, so does this one...and they are usually on upside down if she does it all by herself!

18 months - Bryn

Brynlee is 18 months today! She is so fun and a patience tester all at the same time. She is talking non-stop. She says the funniest things and makes us laugh. She mostly repeats things she has heard Kate say. The other day she said, "watch this" and then did a little dance. She calls herself "Bryn-nee." When someone is crying, she says, "Kate, sad." She has started saying "funny or silly" after something makes her laugh.

She loves to sing. She can sing most of the words to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." She starts the ABC's and then just says random letters. At night before bed she asks me to sing "Jesus, Bible" (Jesus Loves Me) and "Shine" (This Little Light of Mine).

But she is also becoming very opinionated. She is quick to throw a fit and scream if she is not getting her way. The other day, she wanted something out of the pantry. I told her no and then closed the pantry door. She went straight to a tantrum so I just turned and walked a few steps away. She promptly got up, walked over and bit the back of my leg.

She is in the I want to do it by myself stage which means she is also in the I am going to make/be a huge mess stage.

Doing bubbles by herself...
and the whole bottle ended up all down her shirt...

eating black bean soup by herself...

equals a huge mess...

but she's so stinking cute! And worth every tantrum and mess!

She is not attached to one thing, but always wants to carry something...bunny, Elmo, puppy, lambie, baby, etc. She'll take whatever you give her.

We love you Brynlee Bear!!! Happy 18 months!