Princess Brookelynn Jayde The First Turns One

8/25/2014

Dear Brookelynn,

Happy Birthday my sweet little princess. I can't believe today you turned one! It's been the best year of my life and the most amazing adventure to be your Mommy. 

A year ago today, I gave birth to the sweetest little princess.  Who knew such a tiny package could bring so much love, laughter and joy to our lives. Your quirky and witty already at such a young age and I hope that the world doesn't change your free spirit and you continue to let your love for music carry you through life. 

Over the past year I've learned a lot about myself, as well, I was meant to be a Mom to a fierce little one, you are my greatest achievement and true love. You have made me believe in fairytales, life, and heaven all over again. You truly leave a little sparkle wherever you go.

Today, you will celebrate with Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, Glammy, Unkie, and Paisley. We are having another mini birthday party for you since we had your party last weekend. I can't wait to give you your gifts, 12 balloons to wake you up from your nap and a huge bag full of everything and more you need for your first trip to Disneyland. Of course Grandpa, Glammy and Unkie will have more gifts for you too. We will even have more cupcakes. You're very favorite. I love experiencing all of your firsts and the sweet smiles they bring to your face. 

We documented you turning ONE on 8/4 among your most favorite things-books. I swear you will find the love of your life among the pages of one. Your love for reading amazes me. So the library was the best place to capture your first love and first year of life. 

It's unbelievable how much has changed in the last year...where has the time gone? It's hard for me to remember how I had been sick for mine long months, had two failed inductions and an emergency c-section. I couldn't remember what normal felt like and it all seems like a couple lifetimes ago now. 

What I've come to realize is that, they brought me the love of my life; a little pink bundle weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces and you were worth every minute of misery and pain. You are my miracle and on that day my very best friend was born. "Though she be but little she is fierce" You kept me going when I just wanted to give up. And when I woke up it was your beautiful face welcoming me back to life. You are my new normal and my entire world. And together we will live a thousand lifetimes reading fairytales. But my favorite is the one we are writing together. 

I love you my "adorkable" sweet little one! 

This Month:

You attended your first full wedding for your Godmother Lana and you loved it, especially the dancing. The drummer of the band even said you won the dance contest. You also enjoyed learning to say cheers. 

You also celebrated Uncle Jessie's birthday and tried to help him open his presents. He was happy to have your help. 

On 8/15 Mommy gave you your first pedicure for your birthday party and you absolutely loved it and loved to show your purple toes to everyone who would look, including your swim instructor at your refresher appointment. You're such a girlie girl. 

You are continuing to learn to walk and can walk up stairs holding either Mommy or Daddy's hands. You don't like to go far when you are walking alone you're very cautious but you run when you have something to hold onto like your shopping cart or baby stroller. I know you'll gain the confidence soon. You also like to get off the couch on your own and work really hard to get back up but you're too short. Your such a little pip squeak. 

You now have seven teeth, the left front tooth finally appeared on 8/1 and then your right bottom eye tooth on 8/16. You're still really good at teething. 

As for food you discovered that you love udon noodles and chowed them down like they were going out of style. You love food! Just like Mommy. 

Your vocabulary continues to develop more and more. You love to talk! I can't even keep up with it anymore. You also can shake your head yes, it's really cute. 

You love Grandpa and apparently think he looks like King Tritain on The Little Mermaid because you squealed with joy and said PaPa when he was on TV. We haven't figured that one out yet. You also like to read his Cabela's Magazine (while shred it rather). He also discovered what your new attitude pose was about (hand on hips and pouty lips) one day while babysitting you while Mommy and Glammy got their hair done, you are copying Tinker Bell (one of your favorites)! I love your sass! 

Brookelynn The First:

On 8/17 we had your First Birthday party and it was quiet the party-fit for a Princess in training. Your Sofia The First Birthday was so much fun for Mommy to plan. You wore the prettiest Sofia inspired dress (had two crowns, and three changes of clothes) and ate your cupcakes so proper. It was a ton of fun. You of course got lots of fabulous presents but the books distracted you. You love your New Lambie, truck and baby doll Glammy and Grandpa got you (and your pink fire helmet). Unkie got you a Sofia The First Luggage for our trip to Disneyland and you love it because it lights up. Although we could have just bought you balloons because that was your favorite part of the party. 

Auntie Billi, Jerri and Kylie made a special trip to spend time with you for your birthday. You instantly loved Kylie and became fast BFFs. She taught you some dance moves and you can now do a few ballet moves including twirling. You also went to the Jelly Belly Factory with her and on your first Train ride and Merry-Go-Round. You didn't like the Merry-Go-Round until Kylie told you it was ok to go up and down. 

Finally, the night before your first birthday you experienced your first earthquake. It happened on 8/24 at 3:20 in the morning and was a 6.1 (that's pretty big). Mommy was dreaming and was confused when the rolling woke her up at least Daddy knew what was happening. And thankfully there was no damage to our home other than a fallen picture off a dresser and some drawers that came open. Oh and your chandelier was swaying when we ran to get you. Napa was hit pretty hard, however. I hope we don't have another one for awhile! 

What a year it has been, you're such a blessing and complete our family. It's been a year of love, happiness and lots of laughter! 

I can't wait for all of our adventures to come. 

Happy Birthday my sweet Princess! -XOX! 

11 Months

7/25/2014

Dear Brookelynn,

Today, you're 11 months old. I can't believe how fast these months have gone by.  In just 30 days you will be one!  Everyday you grow and become more independent than the last, your personality is adorable and we love you more than any words could ever express. You make everyday fun and keep us laughing, here are is a look at what has happened over the last month...

It's starting to become difficult to keep track of all your accomplishments and firsts, but, I think Mommy does a pretty good job...

This past month you have learned to jump and love to jump in place. I love the smile you get on your face as you giggle along with each jump. 

One of the biggest accomplishments 10 months held was you learned to walk after cruising around the furniture for months now. On 7/16 you took your baby doll, Paris for a walk in her stroller until you got tired and realized walking on your knees was less work. Just a few days later on 7/22 you walked unassisted to your pack n play from the chair in Glammy's living room. Before we know it you will be keeping us on our toes all day. 

You have also learned to walk backwards with your baby's stroller. Another thing you like to do now is bend over while standing to pick things up. 

Another first this month has involved gymnastics. You have been attempting to do a somersault. We visited with your Great Grandparents and Daddy's Cousins and you intently watched as Radley was learning to do one. Since then we find you standing on your head. At first we admit we thought you were a little weird until we put two and two together. I think you will complete one any-day now. Although gymnastics is a little scary to Mommy. 

Learning:

All I can say is that you have a love for learning and it makes Mommy so proud. This past month you have learned where your nose and mouth are. We are working on the other body parts. You also learned to do an Indian Call thanks to Glammy. 

You love to feed yourself using a spoon even though it's a little messy you aren't really that bad. You've also learned to share and now you want to share everything including the food that you've eaten off.  

One of Mommy and Daddy's favorite things you've discovered is role playing. We love watching you play with your toys as they have conversations, get makeovers, and have tea parties. You love to cook for Grandpa and make him cookies. You especially love it when he eats them. You think that's hilarious and make him more. 

You've also learned to undo Velcro and zippers so keeping some of your shoes on have become a challenge. 

Another thing you've started doing is giving us small objects or things that are out if place. I don't know how you do it but you find the smallest of strings and hairs and make sure Mommy or Daddy throw them away.

Finally you went back for a Swimming check up lesson and you remembered everything you were suppose to. You love going in the pool and wearing your sunglasses (while dancing of course). 

Vocabulary:

Your vocabulary continues to amaze us. Here are the words you have learned this month:

Icky for Mickey Mouse, bird, duck (7/6), read (7/14), all done, Unkie (7/19) (Unkie Jessie was so proud of this one), and Paisley (7/20) (who you now love). 

Finally, while putting you to bed one night I said, I love you, sleep tight, don't let the frost bite bite like I always do. And to our surprise you repeated it back (in baby talk) and ended it with okay! With so much attitude your Daddy couldn't help but laugh.

Events:

There were a couple of events that took place this past month, Paisley turned 4. You gave her a cheese burger and read her Fancy Nancy's Puppy surprise Party. 

You celebrated your first 4th of July and were the cutest firecracker! This also marked the last first holiday (aside from your birthday) so you got a book called Corduroy's 4th of July to add to your holiday book collection. 

Teeth:

This month you got 4 (well sorta-Not sure what happened to the left front tooth) teeth! 

 Right front tooth poked through on 7/3 followed by 

both eye teeth on 7/6 and your left front tooth on 7/7 and then it disappeared till 7/19 and has since disappeared again! I must say you have the cutest teeth-ey smile. All these new teeth have also encouraged you to eat your crib. So it has some new marks on it. I'm not too happy about that but once you are done using it we don't need it anymore. So eat up I guess. 

Here Are Some Funny Things You do That Brighten Our Day-

You love to steal Mommy's blanket from the couch when you are in the pack n play. You are so happy when you have it so I don't mind sharing. You also will take the toys you want to play with on the carpet and put them on the couch. You're very smart and know what you want. 

You love to clean and like to help clean up your highchair after you eat by washing your hands and the tray with a wipe. 

You like to store food in your bib and will put it in there just to eat from it. You also have gained a new nickname baby slowski. You are the world's slowest eater (that's a good thing though). Lunch time is especially long. 

You will mimic being cold and shiver when asked. It's so funny when you do it and we all laugh which makes you want to keep doing it. Because you are a little ham after all. 

And finally you are starting to like Paisley (poor pup-pup). You are concerned with what she is doing and love her from a distance. You're warming up to her slowly to her. You like to have show and tell with her at the window to show her all of your toys. She enjoys learning about you. 

You love shopping and being a fashion consultant and feel like a big girl when you get to help pick out Mommy's accessories. You are your Mother's daughter. 

You make everyday that much brighter with your amazing hugs and when you tickle your face with my hair because there is nothing like the sound of your giggle. You are simply amazing! I'm so excited for your first birthday because it's a huge milestone for the both of us. Together we have everything we will ever need. I love you! -XOX!