Guilty Pleasures

Whether it's polishing off a huge amount of ice cream late at night or treating yourself to a day at the spa, we all have those guilty pleasures(Twilight anyone?)--some we're more willing to admit than others. I had to laugh at myself because I definitely have a summer guilty pleasure: The OC. Remember that TV show that was popular in 2003? I didn't watch it when it was airing on TV, but found the first season at the library and decided "why not?" It has all the makings of a typical teen drama: lots of teen angst/coming of age story lines and the on again/off again-- will they/won't they romances. Of course it has some other elements too: rich kids with endless money, too cool parents, and managing to evade the law and never get into any real trouble--you know, just normal teen stuff. haha! This is probably a show I would never let my kid actually watch, and watching the episodes back to back made me wonder to myself if I needed to grow up a little bit. But when Blake is away and Brooke is in bed I need something to keep me company and I am ashamed to say this show has got me hooked.

I had another guilty pleasure today: I spent some time with my long-time friend Sandy and her adorable baby Monroe. I loved holding her little one, but it was honestly nice to give her back to her mommy. I'm already a mommy to a little one who keeps me plenty busy!

Isn't it crazy how fast they grow and change in just a year and a half?
Since I'm going with a theme here, I'll share some other guilty pleasures (not really)

Blake: has gotten the go ahead from the doc that he can resume his normal activities. Blake has been having a blast mountain biking with his brother Zac.
Brooke: I think the pictures speak for themselves

If you click on this pic to enlarge it, you can really see Brooke's brown dot she has in her eye. Our friend's husband calls it " her mean streak--every girl has one"

Little Schemer

Brooke has become a little schemer! Ever since she's become mobile, snuggling with her has become something precious to Blake and I. She's still willing to do it sometimes, but it's never enough and Brooke has used this knowledge to her advantage. She hates getting in her carseat and it's starting to become a constant a fight. So now when I pick her up to put her in, she'll snuggle up next me all cute. Of course that melts my heart and I stop and cuddle with her for a few minutes. Then she'll start wiggling like she wants to get down. So I think "okay, we're ready to get in the car now" But as soon as I make the motion like I'm going to put her in the car, she's back to cuddling with me. This has been going on for a couple of days now. But it works! I can't resist to not snuggle for a few extra minutes, so it delays getting in the car. I'll take snuggles any way I can get them!

*At swim lessons I blow in Brooke's face right before I dunk her to make her take a breath. So now, as soon as she comes out of the water, she blows in my face and it's my turn to go under.
*She's learned 2 new words in the past couple of days "no" and "why" Isn't that all a toddler needs to know? haha!
*She pulls the rug that is in the kitchen out into the living room and sits on patiently like we are supposed to come over and do something. This is what they do in nursery when it is time to sing--sit on a rug-- so I am guessing that is where she got that from.
* She thinks Blake is the best and I love watching them play together. Brooke's new favorite thing is being on the trampoline:

waiting for Blake to bounce her
Brooke took off her hat and brought it to Blake & he put it on. He's such a good dad!

Another month gone by...

Is it me, or does this summer seem to be going by abnormally fast? I can't believe that June is almost over with. It's going to be fall again before we know it! But I cannot let myself think like that. Instead, I am enjoying my lazy summer days and Brooke's freakishly long naps. We've been playing hard in the mornings while it's still somewhat cool outside, then eat lunch. Brooke pretty much naps the afternoon away--taking 3 or sometimes even 4 hour naps. She's still in bed by 8 too! No complaints from me!

The other morning, it was like 7:45 when I woke up and I couldn't believe I had actually slept in that late. I hurried into Brooke's room (always fearing there's something wrong) and found her sitting on the top of her crib bumper--she'd smooshed it down to make a little seat--with her back against the crib bars. She just gave me the biggest smile when I walked in--just perfectly content with her accomplishment. I can brag about that story because we've just recovered from another bout of teething. Every few weeks Brooke is cranky and sleeps terrible because she's getting a new tooth. Teething is the slowest process ever for her! So I'm always glad when Brooke returns to her normal, happy self.

We started swim lessons this week. Brooke reminds me a lot of my niece Olivia when she's near the water. I have a vivid memory of taking Olivia to the pool in Logan a few years ago and that girl had no fear whatsoever! She didn't care if the water was too deep or if she tripped and when under. She would jump to you from the side of the pool whether you were ready or not for it. And that is exactly how Brooke is turning out to be. Our first day all the other kids were clinging to their moms for dear life and crying when it was time to float on their backs. Not Brooke, though. Brooke laughs when I dunk her under the water and I spent most of the first day trying to keep her out of the deep end of the pool. I'm glad she's not afraid of the water, but she about gives me a heart attack sometimes and I have to watch her every second. She thinks she's a lot bigger & can do a lot more than she is able to.

Brooke had her 18 month appointment today. She weighs 22.15 lbs (20th percentile) and is 32 inches long (75th percentile) She is starting to get these crazy curls in the back of her hair, but the front and sides are straight. She has a total of 6 teeth with the 7th one poking through--didn't I say teething has been a long process?

She's still a little behind on vocabulary. By this point she's supposed to be able to say 5 words. I realized that most of her words are really more like sound effects: uh-oh, wow, ow, whoa. Baby, ball, bubble, balloon all come out as some sort of variation between ba-ba or buh-buh. Her only words that she can really say are eye and nose. She can point to her nose and eye and she will point out a baby. Even recent pictures of herself she points to and says baby. And she can sign eat and more which is pretty handy. But we'll keep working on saying words.

But not having a very big vocabulary hasn't stopped Brooke from talking up a storm! This was one of those moments that I was so glad to the video camera close by. She just sat down and opened a book and started to "read" it. It was the cutest thing I had seen her do!

Playin' Hard

We had a fun, busy weekend. Blake's brother and his kids were visiting and it was so fun to hang out with them. Brooke loved seeing her cousins--we definitely don't get together enough! Brooke thought cousin I. was so cool; always wanting to sit by her and do whatever she was doing. I. was great at entertaining Brooke: playing with her and making her laugh by doing silly faces and dances.

Brooke is showing I. where her nose is
During a game of kick-ball Brooke stole the ball and wanted to sit on it
We got the tube out to take on the lake. I think the kids had just as much fun playing with it on the lawn as they did on the water!
This video is mostly for Blake's parents:



watching I. ride the tubeIt was our maiden voyage and the water was still pretty chilly after all the recent rain we got. Brooke and I just dipped our toes in. Blake was one of the few brave ones who got in.

For Father's Day I made Blake some chocolate treats. Of course that included licking the bowl. Brooke snuggled right up to Blake and made sure she got some too.

Alright, I know maybe I need to get over myself sometimes, but as my friend so poetically pointed out the other day: blogging is therapeutic. And I have to vent to someone otherwise it's going to bother me all day. This involves a recent FB conversation. A friend asked what people were getting their husbands for Father's Day so I replied. Then these 2 strangers also commented on what I had to say:

Me: I think it's funny that someone else is getting their husband an under armor shirt because that is what I got Blake too. They are his favorite workout shirts. When I was pregnant and it was blake's first "unofficial" father's day I got him the willow tree figurine of the dad holding a baby. It was a good gift for that moment in our marriage, but I can't do stuff like that every year.

Stranger #1 are those willowtree figurines a mormon thing, or does everyone like those?

Stranger #2 I don't like them.

Maybe you were expecting something more? I know, I know. Usually I feel like I can let things like this just roll off my back considering that I teach middle school and hear things like "I hate you" or "This class is dumb" all the time. But for some reason this just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's the massive sunburn I got on the back of neck and my hair part that is making me kind of kooky today.

Internet is hard because you can easily read in a tone in the message that may or may not be really there. But here I am just trying to be helpful & give some gift suggestions and these 2 people WHO I DON'T KNOW FROM ADAM decide to be rude (at least that's how I interpreted it) about what I said. What is with people?! I guess the saying "if you can't say anything nice..." is not something they live by. Fine, don't get a willowtree figurine. I don't care! I was commenting on a question asked by a friend. Maybe YOU should also comment on what said friend had to say instead of being rude to a complete stranger. Blake made the astute observation that the internet has made it easier to be rude. He said that if all of us were sitting around talking about this there is no way those people would have made those comments to my face. Maybe I am still sensitive about my last FB fiasco, but it feels good to get that off my chest. Otherwise I would be having this conversation running through my head all day. And my friend is right, blogging is therapeutic.

Little Moments

So the smoothie popsicles and go-gurts have not worked out for us. They are too messy and Brooke gets frustrated because they are not as easy to bite and eat. But she does like smoothies in her sippie cup, so that has become our afternoon treat. I also bought a box of otter-pops today. I figure I grew up eating those, so I'm sure it's fine if Brooke has them too. Just another reminder that as a mom I need to chill out sometimes.

Brooke has been doing some pretty funny things lately and I need to record them before I forget:
*The other day Brooke was sitting on my lap and Blake was sitting next to us. Blake, uh... "passed gas" really loud and Brooke leans forward so she's looking right at Blake and goes "whoa"
*Whenever Brooke gets finished drinking or she sees one of us take a drink she clicks her tongue and says "ahhhhhhhhh" (like that was so refreshing)
*She loves to get into the garbage. Usually we can tell her to close the lid and she'll do it. Sometimes when she walks by and sees the lid open, she'll just close it without us even saying anything. But last week she would not stay out of it. Blake was getting frustrated and gave her a little swat on her bum and Brooke started laughing her head off. Which of course made us start laughing too. I told Blake that I don't believe in spanking our kids and he says "yeah, especially if they just laugh at you"
*Brooke will bring me my shoes and wants me to put them on. Then she likes to take them off and play with them & try them on.
She likes to step into Blake work boots which come up to her thigh. Then she gets stuck in them and can't get out.
*Yesterday I was on the floor doing crunches to my trusty "The Firm" video and Brooke laid down and started mimicing my moves. Of course she was way too entertaining to watch and I couldn't even finish my workout because I was laughing so much.
* Blake let Brooke listen to his mp3 player before he went for a run last night. Brooke liked jammin' out with dad
This is a pretty uninteresting video, I just love the way Brooke is swinging her arms. She has such a happy disposition (most of the time) and I always wonder what she is thinking

Playing in the sand:

I am not sure about the expression on Brooke's face, but it makes me laugh

And this morning I woke up and there was a peacock in our yard. weird.

Fun in the Sun

Brooke and I sure have been having fun...

Sitting outside eating yummy snacks (animals crackers in her animal print outfit, I know I'm nerd. I can't help it.)
frozen go-gurts

Swinging

The hat is becoming a staple in her outfits

Playing with the hose
Splashing and playing

I set up these sprinklers and Brooke was very interested in them, but refused to step on the grass in her bare feet. I put shoes on her so she could explore them, but I don't think she liked them very much!

On a side note, Brooke has decided that she is a big girl. She likes to sit in big chairs now. Even at church she is not happy unless she is sitting on her own chair. Just a little more of that miss independent coming out...

Summer Treats

Most of you know that I am not the healthiest eater. But since having Brooke I have been thinking of ways for Blake and I to be more healthy and set a good example (well, Blake is already a pretty good eater. It's me who needs to change). Also with the weather getting warmer it's always nice to cool off with a yummy summer treat. I was at the store and went to grab a huge box of otter pops and stopped myself. I realized I did not want Brooke to be eating tubes of sugar all summer long. A friend of mine sent me these smoothie popsicle recipes off the PYP blog (some of you may have already seen these). These look so good! I'm excited to try them out:

Orange Julius
1/4 c. orange juice concentrate
1 1/2 c. milk
1 or 2 bananas
3-4 raw baby carrots
handful of pineapple
handful of frozen peaches
half apple cut into chunks
1 c. vanilla yogurt
honey to sweeten (optional)

Blend until smooth. If you use frozen fruit you shouldn't have to add any ice. If you use canned fruit or all fresh you will want to add ice.

Purple Passion
1/2 c. vanilla yogurt
1 c. milk
handful of frozen blueberries, raspberries & strawberries
small handful of raw baby spinach
3-4 baby carrots
1 banana
honey to sweeten

Peanut Butter Blast (this one is more of a yummy treat!)
1 c. milk
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 banana
chocolate syrup
small handful of graham crackers
ice

The recipes don't say, but since they are called "smoothie popsicles" I am assuming you could pour them into those popsicle molds and freeze them. I'm sure you can also just drink them. I actually made a smoothie for Brooke and I today and just put it in sippie cup with a straw and Brooke loved it! Also, Smith's sells an already assorted bag of frozen fruit. It was cheaper than buying each bag of frozen fruit individually.

Do any of you have any other cool treat ideas for summer that are kid friendly and healthy? I'm all ears.

Starting it off with a Bang

This summer started on kind of a shaky note. The Saturday after school ended for me, I took Brooke to the grocery store where she realized for the first time there is food there. She kept doing the sign for "eat" every time I put something new in the cart. She also started reaching for things off the shelves and was not content like she usually is to just sit in the cart. She was the same way when we went to the library next. Then as soon as we got home Brooke broke a glass bottle of salad dressing all over the floor and cut her foot. The cut wasn't bad, but I had to mop the floor 3 times in order for it not to be a sticky mess anymore. Then we had to go back to the store beacause I forgot something and while there Brooke lost one of her new shoes. I couldn't find it anywhere. (the store called on Sunday and they found it) Then that night I realized Brooke had chewed a hole through her last binky! So totally unexpectedly and sooner than I had planned, it was round 2 of Brooke going binky-less. I am happy to say that the nights are getting better and I think this time it's actually going to stick.

Things got better on Monday and Tuesday. Blake and I decided to celebrate our anniversary (7 years!) by going into Salt Lake. We stopped at Cabela's where Brooke loved to watch the fish. And spent some time at Thanksgiving Point walking through the gardens and seeing their little farm animals they have there.

Brooke's favorite part of the whole thing was playing with these little trees

Blake's sister kindly offered to watch Brooke for us so Blake and I could enjoy a night out together. We stuffed ourselves sick at Rodizzio Grill (YUMMY!). Tuesday morning we got up and went to the zoo.

Brooke was on the go from the moment we got there!
This orangutan came over to say hello to Brooke. When she finally noticed it was there, and it was a live thing behind the window, she started laughing.
My favorite part was definitely the baby elephant. So cute!
We also got an upclose and personal look at the tigers. Usually they are always sleeping and hiding when we go. Today they were right by the fence. The 3 cubs from last year are all grown up and really playful. We got to watch them wrestle in the water.
I think it's safe to say Brooke wasn't the only one exhausted on the ride home! I am not sure how Blake took this picture while driving, but we are safe and sound back at home!