22 Months of Fun

June 25, 2015 

Dear Brookelynn,

It's hard to imagine in just two short months you will be turning two! And the planning for your special day is well underway. 

At 22 months you finally got both of your bottom "fang" teeth (on 5/28) and both of the top ones as well (on 6/1), you have a complete smile now and it's adorable. You're enjoying swimming, and Paisley's kisses-well sort-of! And you can put your shoes on the right feet. 

This month you took your first long road trip to Las Vegas to visit your Best Friend, Kylie. You did amazing and we only had to make one stop (both ways). This trip was our first girls trip-Just you, Glammy, me and the open road. You also managed to embarrass Glammy on our first stop when she went to the bathroom at our lunch stop and you yelled out, "Glammy. goes poopoo?" as she walked back to our table. While we were in Vegas for 7 days we stayed with Aubtie Billi and Jerri. We had nightly dance parties, enjoyed shopping, you had your first Starbucks drink, we went to Build-A-Bear (twice), we got two pairs of matching vans (Ariel & Princess), Kylie gave you a friendship bracelet-that you never took off-it was a great first girls trip! 

You saw your first movie in the movie theaters, Inside Out. You love Disney Movies and you did so, so well. You sat through the entire movie and only talked to tell others to be quiet as they walked up to their seats before the movie began. 

This month you also got to spend time with your Great Grandparents. They adore you. You loved serving Great Grandpa tea on the porch. 

We love watching you grow and learn sweet baby. We love all our many adventures with you. -XOX 

21 Months

5/25/2015

Dear Brookelynn, 

This month was jam packed full of fun-you went with Mommy to the Dentist for the first time and even let the dentist look at your teeth. You have been brushing your teeth before you even had any teeth. You got a cute little pink hippo bath toy. And you even knew what it was. Speaking of teeth on 4/30 you started teething again and it looks like your right bottom fang is getting ready to make an appearance. Only a year later from when I first thought you were getting them. 

You have been asking to go night-night several times. You go to the first stair and say "I go night-night". It's the funny-est thing to me. And you are very happy when I tuck you in and you go right to sleep. 

This month I can say you officially know all your shapes and will get them when asked to or will point to the right one in pictures. You can also say your full name Brooke Brooke Jayde Marsh. Marsh is my favorite word for you to say because you sound like you are from Boston. It's super cute! 

This month we celebrated Mother's Day. You coordinated with Glammy to take me to Tea and it was the best Mother's Day. I love how excited you were and watching you enjoy yourself. I loved how proper you were and put your napkin on your lap. You even had your own tea cup and ordered the Teddy Bear tea. And you even ate salad and discovered that you loved it. I loved my new Mama Bear coffee mug too. 

Mommy's birthday was this month too the big 2-9! It was very anticlimactic! But, I loved how excited you were for me to open my gifts! I loved your beautiful picture that you drew for me too. 

You were in your first pageant and won most expressive (which to us is a no brainer) and first runner up. You were in your glory at the practice and the pageant. You loved twirling and blowing kisses. You even thanked the judges. You are such a cutie-pie. I love that you are so girlie. You of course got a trophy for being first runner up but of course Daddy brought you flowers and wand and a princess puppy. And Glammy and Papa got you a balloon and a tiara. You were so happy. We are all so proud of you. 

This month you also got to go to Josh's badge pinning ceremony. You loved clapping for him and were very concerned when he wasn't there because he got an emergency call (he was on duty). You waited patently in the parking lot calling out his name. He finally made it and got his Firefighter badge. 

You also went to the salon with Mommy and Glammy for the first time but you were very concerned you were going to get foil in your hair. 

Finally, we got you a dog that you can walk and it interacts like a real one, it has been a highlight for this month because you are just as afraid of it as you are Paisley. And you are very concerned that it's going to get your purse! Because of course the bag lady has been passed on to the next generation! You are my mini me!

Here's to more tea parties and loads more purses! -XOX! 

20 Months

4/25/2015 

Dear Brookelynn,

As your PaPa says you are a little character. You can now say Glammy, "Cacka" but she

says you say "GaGa" either way you have a hard time saying it correctly. You like to say hi to your poop after you go in the potty but then need to shut the lid quickly so you don't have to look at it. Needless to say a "character" is an understatement. 

You celebrated your second Easter this month. You loved searching for your eggs that the Easter bunny left and opening your gifts from your basket. You made out with lots of fun new things. And spent the day at Auntie Robin's. 

This month we got rid of the pack n play and you now have sleep overs on a little pink cot and you love it! You love snuggling up in your big girl bed with your pillow and blanket. Your becoming such a big girl. It's sad to say goodbye to all the baby stuff but we love our new toddler adventures too. Every stage had truley been my favorite. 

Glammy and I have been laughing about all your Daisy Ducks that I have to share a short list of all your Daisy's. 

Original Daisy, Fluffy Daisy, Extra Daisy (incase original goes missing), Car Daisy, Glammy Daisy, Big Daisy, TsumTsum Daisy and Itty Bitty Daisy. 

I think it's safe to say that your still obsessed with Miss Daisy Duck but Minnie and Ariel follow close behind! 

I love how much you love all your "friends" -XOX 

19 Months

3/25/2015

Dear Brookelynn,

This month you finished your swim lessons and can now do a swim, float, swim sequence until you can reach the edge of the pool.  You didn't like swimming this year as much as you did last year but you did really well and learned what you needed to. 

There were a few firsts this month, you went in your first play date with a little girl named Amaya. Mommy went to school with both of her parents. You were a little timid and shy but had fun. This month you started wearing Pull Ups and have been doing well with going to the bathroom, but, it isn't your most favorite thing to do and you complain about it the whole time. We've even attempted a few night time potty training since you've been waking up dry. 

You celebrated your second St. Patricks Day and you loved looking for leprechauns. You would sit on the couch and look out the window and say that you found one. You especially loved your mint chip milkshake Glammy made you and searching for your gifts left by the little leprechauns. 

We bought Glammy a Glamma Bear Shirt and Mommy and you a Fancy Bear one to match we took pictures at UC Davis. It was a fun day. You loved seeing the ducks on the bike paths. 

You love animals and you especially love Palace Pets. We have been reading the chapter book series. You love sitting in Mommy's lap and listening to the cute little stories. I don't know many 19 month olds who would sit through a whole chapter book in one sitting. I opened an Instagram account for you called Brooke's Bookclub in hopes of sharing your love for reading with others. I would love to start a charity for you to share your love for reading with those less fortunate. 

And in true toddler fashion you got a giant bruise on your head! -XOX

Happy One 1/2!

2/25/2015

Dear Brookelynn,

I'm sorry I fell behind and didn't write you a letter telling you all your 17 month accomplishments. We have been so busy lately I fell behind. I'll give you an overview of the last two months-

You celebrated your second New Year's Eve and had fun snuggling at home watching movies and playing. The best way to spend it! 

You took your 18 month pictures which were taken in your vintage fairytale playroom. You wore the most adorable little outfit from your cousins Eric and Deva. It is my most favorite outfit of all time. 

You started your ISR swim lessons again and are learning to swim and float if you can't reach the side of the pool. You don't like swimming as much as you did last year but you are still doing well. 

We got you a watch to remind you that you need to use the potty. You are still 100% poop trained and about 80% pee trained now. You love getting your stickers and weekly potty surprises. 

You have become a little artist and love to color (scribble) you always have to use all the colors in the crayon box! 

You are obsessed with cleaning and have been enjoying your Minnie Mouse broom, vacuum and dust rags. It's nice to have a little helper. We even had to get you an ironing board because you have to be doing everything Mommy is. 

Your vocabulary continues to grow everyday. You say so many new things I can't keep track of them all. Even three and four word sentences. 

You can say what a cow, kitten, dog, bird, etc. says but my favorite is when we ask what does a baby say and you fake cry. And when we say what does Brookie say and you say Mama and Daddy. My favorite phrase you say is, I did that. When we ask you to do something and you have already done it. 

You can count to three on your own and know some colors and shapes. 

And you can recite the entire Mickey Mouse Club House roll call. 

You had your first sleepover at Glammy and Papa's when Daddy had his colonoscopy. It was so hard to leave you. But the good news is Daddy's colon came back normal! You of course loved your snuggles with Glammy! You love your Glammy so much and get so excited to see her. You bought her a Glam-Ma Bear TShirt and Mommy and you got Fancy Bear ones. I can't wait to wear them and take a picture. 

And finally Mommy choose your 2015 song for your soundtrack "Fly" by Madie & Tae.  I love the lyrics "you can learn to fly on the way down" I hope you always continue to follow your heart and dream big even if you fall! 

I can't believe you are 18 months old now! 

You are still our little pip-squeak. You had your 18 month check up and are a head of schedule developmentally but you are very petite at only 30 percentile. 

I will try to be better about getting your blog updated. At least I took your pictures on time. Your 18 month one is my favorite it shows what a little ham you are. -XOX! 

16 Months

12/25/2014

Dear Brookelynn,

This month you celebrated your second Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for and I hope you grow up knowing how much you are loved. Daddy and Mommy of course are most thankful to have you in their lives. 

We finally finished your Vintage FairyTale playroom and you love it! I love working on projects for you and designing the perfect space for you to be creative and imaginative- this has been my favorite project so far. 

Christmas Time:

This year we celebrate your second Christmas and you are really understanding what Christmas time brings. You love the Christmas Decor and lighting the tree with your Tree Illuminator each night. And you light up like a Christmas Tree when you get to see your blowup Minnie's Bowtique in the backyard. You have brought back the excitement of Christmas for us and its a magical feeling. We love listening to you say Christmas Tree, Snowman, Santa and Deer. Your favorite part of Christmas is looking at all of Glammy's Disney ornaments and listening to them play. You can even spot and point the characters out when asked. 

This Christmas Season you have enjoyed building your first ginger bread house and little teepee for some bears, seeing Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane, reading Christmas Stories and watching movies. You have also enjoyed Jingle Bella (our elf) and her crazy activities and our new reindeer friend Clarice. You love using your North Pole Communicator and enjoy your conversations with your friends at the North Pole. 

You have been singing Christmas songs all month long, your favorite is Mary Did you know. You love twirling and singing in your microphone. You even learned how to beat box a little. 

I loved your reaction to Santa as you came down the stairs clapping after seeing your gifts. We know you are very spoiled (an only child and a girl doesn't help) but we also are teaching you to be giving and to realize you are very fortunate. You love to share so I'm sure as you get older it will be natural for you to give to others. 

New Skills This Month: 

Since learning to use the big girl potty this past month you have consistently continued to do so with only two accidents in two months-one was Mommy's fault and one was Daddy's fault because we weren't fast enough to get you to the bathroom when you asked to go stinky. You're 100% potty trained for #2 and about 50% for #1. Not bad for only being 16 months (and starting at 14 months on your own). 

On 11/30 you got your bottom left molar. You almost have all your teeth now. And on Christmas 12/25 you got

Both your top first molars. 

Some other words you've learned this month are apple (babble), chocolate (you love chocolate), shopping (popping), and you can say I did. You also say your name (Book) and refer to yourself as baby because that's what Mommy calls you. And you say "their bye bye" when asked where someone is going. And say "I Burped" when you burp. You also say "here papa (or whoever you are giving something too). You just love talking. 

You know all your body parts and your age as well. 

You are playing soccer now too with your magic snowball. We have decided you'll be a dancer and soccer player when you get older. You love both and are pretty good at it too. You even clap for yourself. 

Some other things you've done this month are:

You've enjoyed putting on a fashion show while trying on clothes.

You think its funny to pretend to sleep and fake snore. 

And you have to copy Mommy with everything even when I cut my finger you had to hold your finger too. 

We are so beyond blessed and thankful for our little miss tudie! 

Love you pretty girl!-XOX! 

15 Months: Giggles, Smiles, & Potties-Oh My

11/25/2014

Dear Brookelynn, 

Today you are 15 months old. Every month you grow more and more (well, maybe not physically-you've been the same weight since 11 months old-But, you have changed so much).  

Your vocabulary continues to grow and you LOVE to talk-you can say Glamma (for Glammy), Elsa, Anna, (and you love to say Olaf-but that's not a new one this month), ball, tree, moon and Christmas Tree. 

This month you celebrated Halloween and Auntie Billi came to visit again. Mommy, Glammy, Unkie and Auntie Billi went to the world's largest corn maze and made it out alive in less than 45 minutes. We were impressed. I can't wait till we can take you along. You were Vampirina Ballerina and you loved your cape! You enjoyed going Trick or Treating to a few neighbors houses and you especially loved Lola who kept giving you more treats. You also got your first molar (the right one). You've been a trooper as this tooth comes in and haven't seemed bothered by it. 

You're such a big girl now, you can: take your own clothes off (although we have to stop you sometimes because you always want to take them off), you can drink from a regular straw, you know some of your colors and the difference between yes and no (although we hear a lot of no's...especially when Mommy asks for a hug-that breaks my heart. One night while putting you to bed you wouldn't give me a hug like you usually do and then said Bye-Bye, I was crushed. I guess it's true-whatever you did to your parents comes back to you ten times worse). We love watching you learn knew things and seeing how happy it makes you. 

You are also potty training now. You started telling us when you had gone poop by waving your hands across your face and saying stinky.  So we thought it was time to buy you and your doll a toilet. You even think it's funny to fake us out by doing your stinky face and going to grab a diaper. On 11/24 you told me you had to go potty, you walked into the bathroom, and to our surprise when we checked the potty you had actually used it. We celebrated and you were so very proud of yourself and we were too. 

Although this month has been full of accomplishments, giggles and fun- it has also been an extremely difficult one. Daddy was hospitalized with a perforated colon earlier this month. We were told he would need surgery, however, a surgeon gave us a route that would prove to be safer and push surgery back a couple months for a safer outcome. Daddy stayed in the hospital for a few days and was on heavy doses on antibiotics to rid his body or any infection allowing his colon to develop scar tissue. It's going to be a long road to recovery but we are confident he will recover. You were heart broken and missing your daddy, you told me that dada is always in your heart (with sign language) and drew hearts with your finger over his picture. It's been a uphill battle fighting stress and emotions as the days pass but having a little piece of heaven snuggled up in your arms makes the most difficult battles worth fighting. 

This brings me to my favorite part of this month- your little giggle, you cover your mouth when you laugh now, it's the sweetest sight and sound. It's the cutest little thing I've ever seen and it makes my heart full! I love you Pumpkin Pie! -XOX!