Sullie's World

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tuesday 10 Spot

Success! This post beats the monthly quota! Yippee...

1. It was a beautiful day today...warm and sunny...and it's Ohio so I will take them any time I can get them and celebrate.

2. Brenna likes to say "I got it," "Oh Noooo!," "Have it?," among other things. Although at this point "NO" is at the very top of her list of things to say.

3. She has become quite the puzzle wizard these days. She has several of the Melissa and Doug chunky wooden puzzles. If we sit with her on the floor she will go through all 7 of them and put every piece where it goes. The only one she truly needs help with is the alphabet puzzle...but there are 26 pieces to that one...the rest she can do with ease. I've taken to turning the puzzles upside down just to make it a little more challenging...no trouble there either. I love that she can do that and she's not even two! So smart, my little girl!

4. While the terrible two's phase has definitely reared its ugly head, she can be such a little sweetie. With her "hi" first thing in the morning to her "daddy, where are you?" when Sean is away at work or out of town. We do love it tremendously.

5. She loves hats. I have to say that this may just be one of my favorite pics lately. Sean's comment was quite funny but will most likely stay as an inside joke...at least for now.

There was also this funny moment...I'm not sure that socks are good as an appetizer, especially ones that have been worn all day. Hmmm...

6. Scrapbooking has been on hiatus minus some magazine and book browsing. I'm waiting to get together with Marie (if our schedules ever manage to work out!) to get started. I have finished my sketches and gone through and picked all the pics(at least I think I have the chosen few of 400). Now it is a matter of getting the right supplies and materials and putting it all together. Hopefully that will be the fun part.

7. Still on the quest for fabulous pics of my little munchkin. Here are a few recent shots...I may be partial but I sure think she is beautiful.

8. 16 Days and counting until school is out...Those are school days by the way, no weekends or holidays included. I'm so looking forward to Brenna time, play dates, going to the zoo, visiting family, and just plain hanging out.

9. Uncle Freddy is coming to visit for the weekend...I can't wait to get a new shot of them! These are two of my favorites and while they are older pics, it is fun to reminisce.

10. Tomorrow my little girl will be 22 months old...where did the time go? Love you, bug!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Tuesday Ten Spot...the Monthly Edition

What can I say...life has this tendency to take over and computer time is lost!

1. I finally uploaded pics that have been in the camera for a MONTH!

2. I have been sketching layouts for Brenna's Special Care Scrapbook. I have definitely come down to a more reasonable number of pages. I think I am on the right track. Marie has graciously offered to give me a scrapbooking tutorial which I am definitely going to take her up on! I can't wait to see where I can go with this. I really feel like this scrapbook is going to be much more meaningful than 400 pictures stuck in an album. I already am thinking up layouts for my second scrapbook and haven't even started the first one....look out....here I go with a new crafty hobby! (I'm so glad summer vacation starts in a mere 6 weeks!) Ooo, I already made some purchases (yea for Target Gift Cards!): A self-healing cutting mat and a retractable craft knife with extra blades. I know this is only the beginning, but I do have some other supplies that were already part of my crafty side. And I got my first copy of Simple Scrapbooks Magazine. I was pleasantly surprised to see pictures of layouts created by people I know, with pictures of people and kids that I know. How fun! Good for you Marie! I do believe I will be subscribing to this one. Simple, yet meaningful layouts that are perfect for important memories. It definitely helped to spark some creative thoughts in my brain.

3. Brenna is doing very well. We managed 6 weeks in a row at day care with NO sick days.

Darn flu bug got her last week so we missed a couple of days but she is getting back to herself. She randomly sings parts of "The Alphabet Song" in her own little jumbled way but r..s.. and tuv...come out fairly understandable. I am so partial but SO proud! She is growing up too fast though!

4. I am still working on the photography...sometimes I even get some really good ones. Thanks to those of you offering advice. Who knew I would have to take 10,000 pictures to get 2 good ones? It's been fun so far.

5. Did I mention there are 25 school days left until summer break? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TO TEACH, but with OAT testing the last two weeks in combination with some pretty good weather (this week Not included), I am feeling ready for a nice break.

6. The present daddy brought for the little girl during his last road trip to Indy...the BEST purchase by far, have paid for themselves already for outside play! Wash them in the sink with some hot soapy water...good as new...no worries about playing in the dirt and mud like canvas shoes. Plus, ask her to go get her shoes (from her bucket of shoes), she picks these every time! "Doorah's" she says.

7. I love piggy tails on little girl's head!

8. She keeps reminding us "I'm Brenna" over and over and over and over again...we know, sweet potato...we know.

9. She loves to play outside and have fun...

10. She has become an escape artist...in a very interesting way. (She was complaining and complaining last night before she went to sleep...went to check and this is what we found...that can't possibly be comfortable.

That was our month...how was yours?

Monday, April 7, 2008

Too much?

So in sketching out a rough plan for my first scrapbook, I have 40, yes four zero, possible pages. Too many? This is after narrowing down from 400 pictures of B in the NICU. All you scrapbookers...help, I think I may be getting in over my head. What to do....

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Bad, bad, very bad blogger!

I have not fallen off the face of the Earth but I have been a very bad blogger...while this is far from my longest stretch, I had been doing pretty well keeping up-to-date, and then, well, life has been rather busy. Not as busy as my friend Marie, who, by-the-way, just had a baby and is doing better keeping up with her blog than I am. That is just sad on my part! But congrats to the Taylor family and welcome little Charlie. We are very excited to meet you!

All-in-all things are good.

School is winding down. Monday will be the beginning of the last 9 weeks of trying to get as much done as we can before testing and before the end of the year.

Brenna has been healthy (knock on tons of wood) and hasn't missed any day care days since tube surgery!! This is week 5 I am happy to say. We had a follow-up, no fluid, no infection....great news even though one tube was blocked. We are hoping that a second round of drops has taken care of the problem. Back to see the Dr. in about 2 weeks to make sure it is clear.

Sean hasn't had any major travel days for the last three weeks which has been nice. This week begins a new round but it was nice that he could be home for a few weeks in a row. It is nice too that he isn't usually gone for more than a night or two. Managable, especially with the weather being a little nicer.

I got to sleep for an extra half hour this morning because my wonderful husband took our daughter to day care. 30 extra minutes of sleep are sooooo valuable! Thank you!!!

I have started walking daily and doing my best to eat more healthfully. It is time. I can't set any kind of good example for Brenna while continuing on the path that I was on. I am not healthy and I have chosen to do everything I can to make a major change as far as my health is concerned. So far I am doing pretty well. It's challenging to make myself go for a walk everyday but I have been making myself go, even when I really have no desire. While today's walk wasn't long at all since it was a little chilly and Brenna was cold...apparently it isn't fun to be bundled up in the stroller when you want to be free. Mittens aren't fun when you want to be free either. So cold hands won today. At least we were able to get some fresh air.

I love springtime in Ohio...oh wait...it was 32 this morning...stupid groundhog.

I have been thinking about the bazillions (sometimes I think this may be more than a fair estimate) of pictures we have taken of Brenna and what to do with them all. I was great when she first came home....I printed all 400 (and I'm not kidding) that were taken before she came home from the hospital. And then I printed a few more. And diligently placed them in acid-free photo albums that had room for a little blurb about each picture (I even actually wrote something). And now I am looking thru folder after folder of photos that I have uploaded and don't really know where to start. I think scrapbooking would be great but there are SO MANY pictures~just of Brenna. First I think to myself "I'll do one of her days in the NICU", then I change my mind and think "maybe her first year" in an album. The task seems so big and there are so many little and big milestones that I don't want to leave anything out. Every moment filled with worry and hope and joy...how do you capture all of that in one or two scrapbooks? I want to do something that is more meaningful than just print, stick, write. I want something that she will treasure and that we can look back at and remember.

My dilemmas are this: 1 ~ where do I start, and 2 ~ what are the essential tools that I need to get started. The scrapbooking aisles in the stores are a little overwhelming when you don't even know where to start. If you are into scrapbooking....where do you start? what are your "must-have" tools? what advice can you give a beginner?

Here are a few photos to update any need for a "little girl" fix!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Reasons to be glad I'm 32

On this cold, rainy, yucky day, I want to share why it's great to be me, being 32.

*I have an amazing husband who loves me and all my little quirks. He is a great husband and a fabulous father and I am so proud to be his wife.
*A beautiful little girl who makes me smile every day, makes me laugh every day, and makes me thankful to be a mother every single day.
*Family and friends who care about me. Thank you for all of the wonderful birthday wishes and cards!
*An adorable yellow lab who makes me crazy but I still love her.
*A career that gives me the chance to do what I love, challenges me, and allows me to work with some pretty great kids.
*A home to live in that, while always a work in progress, holds some pretty amazing memories within its walls.

I awoke to birthday cards from my girls. Brenna thinks I am Super Mom and that makes me feel great! Bailey reminded me that she's my other baby who still needs my love and attention too.

My turning 32 makes me realize that I have accomplished a lot in my life and know that I will accomplish more. I am going to let the road of life lead and I will follow. I can't wait to see what is in store for me in the next chapter of my life.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Tuesday 10 Spot

1. It's spring break for me which means:

2. Spring Cleaning ~ at least my version of spring cleaning ~ getting all the cleaning done in the same week!

3. Spending extra time with the little girl ~ she's still spending a few days at day care this week but will spend some time at home and visiting family and the Ear doctor for a hearing and tube check-up.

4. Turning 32. Tomorrow. Not sure how I feel about that yet. (Hey Marie...any chance the boy might make an appearance tomorrow? I'm more than willing to share my day!)

5. Relaxing here and there. Catching up on tv past and looking forward to BB9 tonight and tomorrow night and Lost on Thursday!

6. I painted my toes. Yea! That means that if I wanted to wear flip-flops I could. Not that I want to in 45 degree weather, but I could.

7. I am going for a haircut. Something I don't do as often as I should. I am looking forward to checking out the new location of Michael Christopher Salon. I have been going to them since Sean & I got married. I love what Carla does with my hair...at least someone can get it to do something.

8. Playing with the camera. Still trying to get great shots. Taking hundreds in the process. I have been able to get a few good ones. Like this:

And this:

And this:

And this:
And then there are a ton like this:
pics that would be sooo cute if they weren't so grainy. I am thinking grainy might = not enough light. Advice appreciated!

9. I am moving right along in the quest to catch up on some really good young adult fiction books. The books I have read so far really spark a great deal of thought which isn't always easy to pull out of middle school student minds. It may be time to do some adult reading at this point. I may actually have time to head to the library this week. I'm hopeful anyway!

10. I'm a lurker! I have been catching up on the lives of friends and friends of friends and wondering what the etiquette behind blogging truly entails...

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

When Irish Eyes are Smiling.....

Friday, March 14, 2008

Learning new tricks!

I'm so excited because I figured out how to blog from my phone! That means that while I won't be able to upload camera pics unless I take them on my phone, I can at least blog more often! I will no longer be the bad blogger well at least not so bad anyway.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Random Thursday Thoughts

In my attempt to try some new things with the camera I was able to grab a couple of shots of the ice covered trees at school this morning before everything melted. I love how the morning light filtered through the clouds.

In the tradition of then and now photos with Brenna (the same towel)

Her first bath at home (about 3 weeks old):

Her bath last night (almost 20 months):

Someone asked me today "How little was she when you brought her home?" This picture puts true perspective on just how far she has come in 20 short months. To know that this picture is three weeks to the day from when she was born reminds me that yes, she was even smaller than this. And yes, she is the most amazing little girl I know. I know, I know, I get to say that because I am her mom, but really, she was a fighter from day one and she has beaten every odd that was stacked against her and I am so proud and blessed to be her mom. (It's ok to insert tears here, I did.)

Love you, Bug!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Tuesday 10-Spot ~ Wednesday Edition

1. We had an ice storm last night...made the morning commute interesting and the afternoon commute rather pretty.

2. Brenna is 1 week post-tube surgery and is doing wonderfully. No major drainage and they don't seem to be bothering her in the least. It also seems as if she is picking up more words. I wonder how differently things sound to her now.

3. I am doing well on my reading list to this point. I was able to read both Gathering Blue and The Messenger over the weekend. The great thing about young adult fiction is that it is usually a quick read for me. I feel like I actually accomplish something when I can manage two books in one weekend.

4. Needless to say, between the Birthday Celebration for Liam (I can't believe he is 7 already!) and the Cleveland Auto Show (very helpful in allowing us to do research for our next vehicle), I didn't accomplish much else this weekend. NO Laundry...it's going to haunt me this weekend for sure! A little cleaning. Lots of time just the three of us which was fun.

5. Today was almost another SNOW DAY. Almost.

6. Brenna has learned the art of being a tattletale. Already. Someone at daycare today had gas and the teacher asked "who has gas" in a fun way. Brenna pointed to the little boy and calling him by name, said "osh gas". Oh My!

7. I am so looking forward to the summer when we can have lots of play dates with friends! The school year has been great so far but I do miss the time spent with friends. It just seems that there is always something going on that keeps us all from spending time together.

8. I am on to The City of Ember beginning tonight, after Big Brother of course!

9. Did I tell you that pucker kisses for the first time (complete with the sound effects), from our little munchkin, are wonderful?

10. I would like to learn how to take better photos with the digital camera. It seems they are always too close, bright, not bright enough, and always on the unnatural side. I know that our camera is capable...it's the user that's not doing so well...suggestions are welcome!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Tubes

Today was the day...Brenna had her ear tubes put in early this morning.

This was our day:

Up early~had to be at the hospital by 6:00 this morning to get checked-in. Good thing we got up early...the snow piled so high that Sean wasn't able to get his company car out of the driveway. His original plan was to meet us at the hospital so that when surgery was over he could head on to work, things didn't quite work out that way. Luckily we were able to barrel thru with the Jeep.

After registration we were able to hang out in the waiting room for a while. It was nice because B was able to play and get a little exercise instead of being stuck in a room on a bed where she couldn't do much.

About 6:50 they came out and took us back to the prep area. B changed into these very stylish doggie/balloon jammies along with some very bright yellow socks and a super cool hat!

The nurses did all of their checks, the anesthesiologist came in, her Dr. came in. It was a very busy and a little bit of a scary time for her because she wasn't really sure what was happening.

At 7:25 Daddy got suited up for his role as the blue man complete with hat, a blue zip-up suit, footies and a mask. I wish I had thought to snap a photo! Then at 7:30 Sean walked B down to the operating room where he was able to stay with her until she was almost asleep.

By the time he got out of his blue man suit and met us (Grandma, Uncle George, Nonny, and cousin Kaitllyn, and me) about ten minutes had passed.

We had just enough time to go over to the Starbucks (right across from the waiting area in the hospital) to grab a quick cup of coffee and get back over to the waiting area, by the time we got back and were getting settled the Doctor was out to get us to take Sean and I back to see her. We asked how it went of course: she had lots of fluid in both ears but she did very well. We asked how long it would be before she started waking up and he said "she's already awake"!

We were taken right to the recovery room where a nurse was trying to calm B while trying to get the pulse ox back onto her hand (B was NOT having it). She was crying but only because she was in a strange place with new people and it was part of the effect that the anesthesia had on her, not because she was in any pain.

There was a little bit of drainage from her right ear but nothing major and barely anything from her left ear.
It took about ten minutes to calm her down and get her to start taking fluids (in the form of Orange Pierre's Popsicle). As soon as she was done with her double popsicle and some juice, we were able to get her dressed and take her home. She was in a great mood and by the time we got her out to the waiting room she was ready to visit with family and wanted to get down and start playing again. The sheet we got from the doctor said that normal activity typically resumes within 6-24 hours...with B it was about 60 minutes...if that!

We were home by about 9:15-9:30, Brenna chowed her breakfast, played for a while and went down for a nice long nap like she would any other day. Just a little tylenol to take the edge off. Grandma came with us to spend a little time and make sure the little girl was ok and that I was ok too. Sean was able to head out after we got Brenna settled in at home (by then the driveway had been plowed).

This whole process was a lot less traumatic than I thought it would be. Probably more so for Sean & I than for Brenna.

All afternoon she played and ate and was very much herself! We couldn't have asked for a better outcome!

Sometimes I think there is just no stopping this little girl!

It will be interesting to see how the tubes work for her. We are hopeful they will do the trick and she will be back to her healthy self relatively soon.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Snow Day!!

10. I woke up this morning, flicked on the TV...snow day? No luck, so I settle Brenna back to sleep, (she decided to try to get up at 5:30 ~ I don't think so little girl!), and hopped in the shower. Got ready as usual, slightly rushed, got B up and ready to go. Opened up the garage so I could warm up the car and then, as I was heading to the door...Ring Ring..." This is an announcement from...due to the current and expected accumulations of snow all classes and activities have been CANCELLED for today!" Just wish it would have been a little earlier, then I could have gone back to bed! Although a little girl I know probably would have prevented that one.

9. I decided to keep the little girl home with me today. She probably should have gone to get our money's worth out of day care for the week BUT

8. Ear Tube Surgery tomorrow...don't want to risk any other germs until the tubes are in. She can have a nice long nap and fun play time with mommy so she is well-rested and semi-healthy for tomorrow. I'll post details tomorrow.

7. You guessed it...she has yet another cold, hopefully the tubes will help with the saga of the little girl who catches everything from everyone everywhere we go! She hasn't had the chance to really be 100% healthy before she's on to the next thing. Will the tubes stop the colds? Probably not but at least it will greatly reduce the number of ear infections that could take place.

6. I'm trying, trying to get the laundry caught up, folded and put away so that I can try to stay caught up. I need a new laundry solution as trying to get it all done during the weekends is just not working for me. There is always something else (usually something much more fun) going on and the laundry always gets bumped to the bottom of the list until there just aren't any clean clothes. If the clothes are clean, they usually end up a wrinkled mess in the laundry baskets in the basement. Out of the dryer, into the basket, and there they sit until we need something, then it is back into the dryer with a damp cloth on the dewrinkle setting to hopefully allow the item to become semi-wearable without ironing! This and house cleaning would be at the top of my list when it comes to being able to wriggle my nose and have them both magically completed!

5. It's suppose to be 19 degrees tomorrow...thankful for a hardened front yard where the yellow lab can play without turning into a chocolate lab. Wishing for springtime so we can play outside and go for walks and air out the house.

4. Speaking of airing out the house. I woke up at 1:00 this morning to eau de skunk...it is February, we should not be smelling skunks. Apparently when Sean let Bailey out for the last time she frightened a skunk who managed NOT to spray Bailey (thank you thank you thank you) but did manage to spray near the basement walls...our house is a little airy to say the least and the odors manage to waft generously through the airyness, into the basement, into the vents which BLASTED the stink throughout. YUCK! Nothing better than waking up to eau de skunk in the middle of sleeping making it rather difficult to go back to sleep. Thank you thank you thank you again for not spraying our dog, Mr. Skunk!

3. In the spirit of keeping up with my students I am in the process of re-reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. I'll be heading to the library soon to find the other two books in the trilogy Gathering Blue and The Messenger. I haven't decided what the next books on my list will be. Maybe Hoot and Flush by Carl Hiaasen. These are easy read before bed kind of books that allow me to stay up on the books my students are reading.

2. Still trying to decide what to do with the chicken I cubed and seasoned this morning for a casserole that I am kind of getting tired of, may be time to check out www.foodnetwork.com and see what I can come up with.

1. Here's to my snow day...getting caught up on housework and blogging, and spending time with my Beautiful Girl and her daddy.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Big Brother Season 9

One of our favorite summer shows is Big Brother and I have to say that having Big Brother in the winter is a definite plus!! Can't wait to see what happens tonight since apparently there was major drama on Showtime's BB After-Dark the other night!! I am not afraid to admit that I have been sucked in by the BB drama and can't wait to watch!

Brenna's Ten

1. It's Tube Time
So the latest in the Brenna ear infection sickness saga is this. After many months of infections and/or constant fluid the decision to go ahead with tympanostomy tubes has been made. Hopefully it will make a difference for her. Ultimately we just want her to have some relief from the pressure and pain that she has been experiencing and avoid more antibiotics if at all possible. It's a little scary knowing that she has to go through this but looking back at the last 19 months, I guess this is our "piece of cake." What's a ten minute surgery to a little girl who was so early and managed to champion through a hemangioma the size of hmm...I'm not sure what to compare it with...but it was kinda big. She's a pro of course. Mommy and daddy on the other hand don't handle these things very well. I keep hearing from other parents what a difference it will make and how much better off she will be once they are in. The other bonus is that the doctor said that she won't have any restrictions when it come to water in her ears. Yea for baths and swimming without cotton balls or ear plugs...yeah, like she would keep those in...sure she would. Next Wednesday is the day so stay tuned for updates.
2. I just found out that my good friend Marie is in the beginning stages of pre-eclampsia. Thankfully, Taylor V 2.o is due April 4th and it seems "the boy" is being a little more cooperative than Brenna when it comes to staying cozy and warm for the duration. I'm sure this is rather difficult for her and for BJ because they are in the midst of selling a house, moving and raising an adorable, yet very busy 2 year old. I know how difficult it can be but I also know the joy that comes from the the challenges that pre-eclampsia sometimes presents. Here's to "the boy" staying exactly where he is suppose to for as long as he needs to! :P
3. It is very cold again...not as cold as last week when we had a "cold day" instead of a snow day, but cold just the same. Too cold to take the little girl outside for a walk. What do I think the weather should be like in Cleveland in February? 70 and sunny...nope, that is saved for my dear San Diegan brother. What's the weather today FPIII? Let me guess...70 and sunny as usual?
4. I had the best time watching Brenna play tonight. Watching a 19 month old play when she thinks no one is watching is great. She was washing her dishes in her little kitchen sink, opening and closing the door to her little kitchen's microwave, just exploring in general. Pretending to talk to Nonny on the phone. I'm amazed every day by how quickly she is changing and how much she learns.
5. She has learned to turn her plate over instead of giving it to us when she is done eating. While I appreciate that she is learning cause and effect, I'm not so sure how I feel about this:
B: aaa done (Her version of All Done)
Me: Give mommy your plate please (I grabbed it to keep her from turning it over).
B: (holding tightly with both hands) Et Go!
Me: I'm thinking to myself wait a minute, I'm the mommy, I get to tell you to let go, you don't get to tell me that!
6. Laa loo is the best thing that comes from our daughter's mouth! Especially when she says it and we don't have to say "Brenna, say love you" I'll take "laa loo's" any time any day!
7. Uncle Freddy now has a name... Brenna say Freddy: "Bweddy" She knows exactly who he is in pictures and sometimes kisses the picture or the phone if we are talking to him or leaving him a message.
8. My daughter is learning about taking care of babies. Unfortunately, while she loves and kisses her baby (mmwaaa), she often carries it by the foot, drops it on its head, smashes it into the play stroller and baby carrier that came with it, she hasn't learned that you have to be careful with babies and that it really isn't polite to drop your baby on her head. She does love to pick it up, give it hugs, rock it, pat its back (while saying "aaaa" and "beeby"), and puts one of her blankets on it...very cute.
9. B spent the day with grandma because fever=no day care. They played and snuggled and will do it all over again tomorrow. Grandma is teaching her to look thru something and say "I see you". She does her little girl version of "see you" annunciating the you very precisely, just as she does with yes. It's YYEESSS. Not es, s, or yeah, but Yyesss.
10. Yea for Nilla wafers.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Two Months, Ten Things

10. Christmas was so much fun. Brenna had a blast opening her gifts, playing with her toys, spending time with family. This year it was reading Jan Brett's Twas' the Night Before Christmas every night before bed, sometimes several times. Every page looking for Santa, the dog, the cat, the reindeer, and any other thing she was able to name on a page. Everything that was red or lights or snowman was 'tanta' and 'tanta' said "ho hooo." Not "ho ho ho," but "ho hoooo." Uncle Freddy came home to visit and spoiled the little girl rotten, what are uncles for anyway? Sean was home for almost 10 full days which was wonderful too, lots of time together as a family. I can only imagine what next Christmas season will bring for our family.

9. We've managed to vist the doctor more times since day care started than I really care to count. I've joked with the pediatrician that I see her more often than I see my close friends...sad, but very true! We've had the full run of colds, flu, and ear infections that just don't want to seem to go away. Brenna is on another round of antibiotics in the hopes that her ears will get better. She's a tough little girl and seems to be dealing with as best an almost 19 month old can.

8. Excellent news from B's dermatologist. No more visits...that's right I said it...NO MORE VISITS!!! Her hemangioma is getting better by the day and until it has flattened completely and is no longer vascular, we won't be going back. She will have a bald spot (it's about the size of a 50 cent piece) that we can take care of when she is older, until then it is creative hair styling. Compared to last year at Christmastime, the difference is absolutely amazing. You can definitely see the difference since last year at the same time. These are pics from her first two Christmas portaits.

7. Sean has been traveling quite a bit which has been a little challenging but we are settling into a routine with it and he is doing a great job. I am so proud that in such a short time he has accomplished a lot! NATIONAL Director of Catering for the company that he is with. He has certainly earned that title!

6. In the last week Sean & I have officially gone from Mama and Dada to Mommy and Daddy, which the little girl is saying quite well.

5. Brenna is no longer a binkie girl. With her latest cold came the lack of ability to suck and breathe so the binkie often ended up on the floor, behind the crib, or with her bear. Decided last night to remove it completely and bedtime came and went with no complaints. Apparently it wasn't needed as much as mommy thought she needed it.

4. We have officially made it 4 days in a row to day care and I am very, I repeat VERY, happy about that! A first since Christmas break. We are hoping tomorrow brings 5 days in a row.

3. Brenna: (standing and staring at me) "poopies"?

Me: do you need your diaper changed?

Brenna: Nooowoahwoah (her version of no no no)

Brenna: (still staring at me) "poop"

Me: let's go check (she can't really be telling me she has a dirty diaper can she?)

Brenna: poopoopoopies

yes, that's right, she is now announcing dirty diapers. Can we say potty training is in the near future? I know that it may take a while but we can at least give it a try right?

2. My adventure for the day was to return the original potty that we purchased yesterday because after looking at all of the reviews I discovered that the one we got was NOT the one for us. Apparently the baby bjorn is the potty of choice. Do I question the potty of choice's expense? Absolutely...at least I did...for a few minutes...until.....

1. PEE PEE IN THE POT-TY, PEE PEE IN THE POT-TY

Our daughter....our not quite 19 month old daughter...who loves, yes loves her bright pink baby bjorn potty (or pol-ly as she calls it), did exactly what she was suppose to do when I sat her on it just before her bath tonight. Can you see the smiles beaming from my face? She did give me the "mommy are you crazy" eyes when I did a little dance and made a HUGE deal out of it....we even said bye bye as we flushed it down the real toilet...all the while mommy is acting like an absolute idiot, clapping and saying yea!!! brenna!!!! What can I say...our little girl...who is not so little any more...has amazed us yet again.

I know it's sideways but I can't fix that right now...the visual is a must though!

Yes I know there are some amazing babies out there who have become potty trained at 5 months...I know I think that is crazy too, but I saw claims in the potty reviews so it must be true right? Yeah sure. But this is our little girl, the first little girl to do any of the million amazing things that no other child has managed to accomplish before, so we think it is the best.

We are amazed by her every day and hope you can share our joy or say to yourself, I've been there and know exactly what you are feeling.

We are lucky, so lucky and blessed that our little girl, who started out eight weeks earlier than she should have, is doing everything a healthy almost 19 month old should be doing. Putting wooden puzzles together, trying to take her shirts off at day care, running away from us while giggling hysterically, saying Baaiileey everytime she sees her dog, saying daddy in the middle of the night in her sleep, and melting our hearts with the first unsolicited "love you"s to Sean and I last weekend...we're so thankful.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

New Posts Coming Soon

New posts are on their way...life has gotten a little unhealthy and a lot more hectic. Pics and updates on the little girl on their way as well. Check back soon.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Weeks later....

Weeks later, I have finally managed to get back to Sullie's World. After many sicknesses, a holiday, and all of the "life" that has happened in between, here we are. To make up for the last couple of weeks I have decided to do "Brenna's December." So here are the first 11 days.