Monday, July 26, 2010

A weekend with Tommy, Nicole and Brooklyn

At the Marlins game
Brooklyn and Vanessa
Walking Las Olas Blvd
Brooklyn loves her cousin
Waiting for the Water Taxi




We had a great time with Tommy, Nicole and Brooklyn. We soaked up the rays at three different beaches, bbq'd at the pool, relaxed to a leisurely ride through the channels, saw the Marlins beat the Braves, and enjoyed each others company.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Beach

Playing Around With Photoshop

Let me know what you think of the different effects.


These are both the same picture, but there is a very slight effect on one of them. Can you even tell which? Does it look better with or without?




And which do you like better of these two?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Vanessa


Here's our little princess. Just about the cutest thing in the whole world.
She had her one year check up today, even though she's almost 14 months. It's taken us that long to get insurance and find a pediatrician.

She weighs 18.2 pounds. I didn't get her height though. She's small, but healthy!
Her development is great. She is running faster than I can keep up. She got away from me at the store the other day and for about 30 seconds I nearly had a heartattack.

She has lots of animal books and can point out any animal you ask her about...gorilla, kangaroo, dog, cat, monkey, frog, butterfly, etc.

She knows the animal sounds for cow, lamb, gorilla, rooster, cat, dog, horse, bee, duck, frog. She also makes a fish face and flaps her hands like butterfly wings.

She has three puzzles (the kind that is the shape of an animal or insect and has the same picture where they go as the puzzle piece). She can put all the pieces in the right spots and is starting to be able to wiggle them into place.

She knows nose, eyes, ears, teeth, hair, belly, toes, and fingers if you ask her where they are. (she'll also point out your nose, teeth, etc)

She can say mama, dada, tree (tee), hot (ho), no and nose (these two sound the same but she shakes her head no when she is telling you no and points to either your nose or her nose when she is saying nose), baby, dog (do), and duck (du).

She likes to shake her head no a lot and we've been trying to teach her to nod her head yes. She still doesn't do it on a regular basis. The other day I was asking her a bunch of yes/no questions and she just kept saying no. In succession with all the other question, I asked her if she "knew how to nod her head yes?" Without missing a beat she nodded her head yes (only the Vanessa version, which is way cuter anyway). To nod her head she opens her mouth and puts her chin on her chest and then nods without lifting her chin off her chest. It's pretty funny looking but really cute.

Her favorite movie, which we watch almost daily is Happy Feet. She only gets to watch it before bedtime and naptime if I'm having a hard time getting her to sleep.

She does a pretty good job of communicating what she wants. She just points like crazy and kinda whines until I get it. When she points at the fridge, she wants a drink; she points at the TV, she wants to watch Happy Feet. She definitely knows what she wants and you can't convince her otherwise. She almost understands what I'm saying to her, I'm the only one that doesn't always catch her drift :)

Needless to say, she is a whole lot of fun. She has a smile that melts everyone and the sweetest giggle and snort (yep, she snorts). She makes me laugh all day long and amazes me at what a baby can learn.

Being a mother has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Hard, not in the way that I thought it would be hard. It's hard because it humbles you like you didn't think was possible and turns your world upside down. But it is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

If you should happen to visit...


...and our house looks like this. I probably just picked it up about ten minutes ago but just haven't started the twentieth round yet.

Another Water Park


So this park was pretty cool. It was shallow water but had a toy in it, that you can't really see. I had to be with Vanessa the entire time, so it was hard to get any pictures. There was one spot that she couldn't touch in and of course that was her favorite spot. I think she had a lot of fun. She definitely wore me out. There was a little girl there that loved Vanessa and Vanessa just about hated her. Vanessa loves attention. I would dare say she relishes in it. But, she's the type that wants your attention, but if she doesn't know you, she doesn't want you to touch her and most definitely don't follow her. So this particular little girl kept coming back and following Vanessa, she'd try to pick her up occassionally. She was even splashing her in the face (this girl was at least 8, probably older, so I'm thinking she had some kind of delay. I tried to be patient, but she was annoying me too). After a couple times of this, Vanessa cried and ran to me to be held ever time this girl came around. If she saw her coming, she would hurry and go the other way. It was actually kind of funny to me. We both lived through the tormentor, but I don't know how much we will frequent this place. As fun as it was, it was also crowded and the older kids make me nervous (they tend to overrun the bitty ones).

Snoozin

Grandma Brady got this dress for Vanessa for her birthday. We didn't get any pictures of her awake in it because we're lame, but aren't sleeping babies the cutest anyway?

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Hollywood Fountains

We found a couple new FREE water play areas for Vanessa. Jon and I took her to check this one out last week. She loved it, likes she loves all water she can do her thing in. She's extrememly independent, as you can see when I go to help her after she falls. She just kind of looks at my hand and then ignores me. She's a character!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Vanessa's New Toy




Jon took Vanessa with him to return a movie. When they came home, they ended up with this.
Jon said she was so cute and just loved this doll to death. She cried every time he tried to take it away. She would hold it's hand and give it kisses while it was in the box. She finally got her way and he bought it for her. Then in the car, she wouldn't get in her seat until he took the doll out of the box so she could hold it.
You can't tell me she doesn't have her daddy wrapped around her finger ;)

Daily Life


Vanessa was a mess after dinner one night so I put her next to the sink to clean her up. It wasn't long before she had crawled in and was playing in the water.


Vanessa gets cabin fever worse than anyone I have ever met. She wants to be outside all day long, even in 90 degrees plus and 60% humidity. She stands at the door and begs or tries to crawl into her stroller.

Needless to say, we either go to the park early, or do water activities.

Splash Pad video...per Grandma's request


Vanessa spends most of her time doing just this. Filling the bucket and dumping the bucket. She also watches the other kids a lot. A couple of times, kids have tried to steal her bucket. I've been quite proud of her. She doesn't get mean or mad, but she definitely holds her ground and will not let go. One time a little boy took the bucket when she wasn't paying attention. She just followed him and took it back like it was no big deal. She didn't try to hit or even make a noise. I like that she isn't a bully but she can defend herself.

Splash Pad




The ladies in the ward introduced me to this place. It's just a couple miles down the road and it's FREE! Bonus. It's like running through the sprinklers, but better.

My Favorite Food


Vanessa loves popcorn. She has loved it since the very first time her aunt Steph gave her a popcorn "puff." She finally has enough teeth to handle the whole "pop." I think she's in heaven.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Our current rain storm



This is the most intense storm we have had yet. It's crazy the amount of water that can come down in such a short amount of time. This is a little bowl right outside our patio. Notice the park bench, there is usually a place to put your feet ;)

The Beach




The sand is definitely her favorite but she likes the water now too.

Jon's First Day


It has officially begun. Doesn't he look official in his lab coat? He has to wear a shirt and tie or his scrubs everyday. He wears scrubs, but this day was picture day.