summing it all up

is it me or does it seem there's just not enough time during the day... to do anything?!?

sometimes i wake up and within an hour of being up i already wish the day was over... just to realize the day is over and nothing i wanted to do got accomplished!!!

ahh - the wonderful world of being a mommy!!!

the past few months have given me so much joy!  i worried so much about bryn not walking - second guessing myself and wondering if we were going to have to carry her into kindergarten!!  :)  she took her first independent steps on october 3rd... not just a few steps but walked back and forth across the room!  I almost fell off the treadmill!!!

since then it's been a whirlwind here!  i was told not to worry and once she starts walking i'll probably wish she wasn't... but i gotta say... there's not a minute that goes by that i wish she wasn't walking, getting into everything, exploring, etc... i've loved, loved, loved watching her grow, explore and teaching her different things.  it's amazing how much she picks up - i sometimes notice her taking her blanket and rubbing it across the coffee table or floor (like mommy does when she cleans up) - or carrying her purse on her forearm like mommy does - it's so cute!!!  instead of saying 'ya' when you ask her something she'll shake her head yes or no and actually say the words - when i say 'you want to go outside?' she'll look for her shoes and sit on the floor waiting for me to put them on - at meal time i'll say 'come help me cook' and she'll run into the kitchen... not so much helping as emptying the cabinets and pantry!

i can't believe how much she's growing up.... i'll sometimes sit and think to myself - i don't want this time to go away!  i want her to stay just as she is!!  Then, of course, that leads me to think about having another... that is still TBD!!!  :)

A lot has happened since last post so i'll sum it all up with a photo bomb!!

first - had to share this one.  we were at Subway eating lunch because we had installers at our home putting in floors... the man at the next table starting talking to her... she kinda ignored him at first... then she smiled a little and when the man kept trying to talk to her she does this...

she's like... I'm trying to eat here mister!!!  i was cracking up!!

daddy daughter day.... dray took her to the pumpkin patch with the family.

she got to spend time with her 2 cousins emmalynn and caleb and got to pick out her first pumpkin!

here we are at a pre-halloween carnival Grandpa was working at... she had a great time looking at all the people and pushing her stroller and getting her first lollipop!

our little lady bug for halloween!  no trick-or-treating... just played outside for a bit to look at the trick-or-treaters

GAME DAY!!  all excited to put our lsu attire on for the big game... she even practiced her touch down... unfortunately it didn't end well!!

and here are the many faces of miss b...

miss b... loves hats, bracelets, necklaces, purses and sunglasses!

bracelets consist of anything and everything she can put on her wrist.  her fav necklace is purple mardi gras beads she somehow found and her purse is usually a small bag she finds... only sometimes will she use her actual purse!!!

in case you're wondering... the top right pic is her with a dish towel on her head cause she couldn't find her hat and just had to have one!!

i think that about sums it all up!!!

we finally got family pics done over the weekend... unfortunately she was not having it so we're hoping we at least got a few good ones!!!

we can't wait for thanksgiving - we'll be going to aunt mandy's house in BR so i'm sure i'll have tons of pics to share!!!!!  

until then...

much to say about nothing...

can you believe it's already september?!?!

where does the time go???

as i'm sitting here on the patio - the petals off our crape myrtle tree falling

off and blowing in the wind - listening to the koi pond waterfall - about to start watching

dray and his dad figure out the new plugs for the pond...

i think to myself... i LOVE this time of year.

weather changing :: halloween, thanksgiving & christmas decorations

out in stores :: and of course.... FOOTBALL!!!

it's been quite the journey over the last 7 months!

moving cities, getting acclimated to our new environment, trying to get the house

into a home... the to-do list seems never-ending! 

the house ::

so much to do!!!  had big plans when we first moved in  ::  unfortunately some of the

list is getting pushed back due to having to purchase a new air conditioner  :: guess

that's just one of the 'perks' of buying an older home.

i've decided i hate, hate, hate tile floors  ::  i mean hate beyond words!

our original plan was to put in hardwoods :: not that they would be 'cleaner' but it would look

better than the white tile and... i wouldn't have to actually see all the dirt :)

we put it on hold because yes, i was adamant about building a pool at the end of this year ::

but after discussing it we've decided to hold off on the pool until lo gets a bit older  (i say 'we'... it's was more of ... honey, we'll get wood floors if you agree to holding off on the pool till she

gets older... )  so hopefully we'll have wood floors SOON!!

purchases :: haven't bought a whole helluva lot!  mainly due to i'm just not sure what

i want to do yet.  we have managed to buy new bedroom furniture and when hubby went out of town one week, i decided to pain the entry and the formal living.

got our platform bed  ::  the whole reason for this purchase was the dresser :: i fell in love with it!  it's unfortunate that we had just bought a new mattress & box springs before we moved :: so we now have a king size box spring in storage!

the entry and formal were a 'country light yellowish' color that i just could not stand.  i first went and bought brown paint  ::  once i put a trial spot on the wall i thought to myself... how boring and plain!  so i went a totally different route with suede gray.  dray's so happy he finally gets his mirror on the wall :)  and as you can see - the formal is temporarily being used as a playroom!

SO much i want to do and i know that once it's all done this will finally be

HOME!!!  

i've also decided to start of 'family wall' thanks to my mom's inspiration!!  so i've been on the lookout for frames - hobby lobby has been my friend however, pictures back in the day are such odd dimensions it's been a challenge finding the right sizes!!  still not sure where i'm going to put this 'wall' but here's the start...

it's still a work in progress!!!

other than working on the house and running after a toddler :: there's really nothing else going on!  we did manage to go to hawaii in may through dray's work and yes, oh yes, took a roadtrip to new orleans to see kenny chesney and tim mcgraw!

COM reunion!  a brief explanation :: many years ago we all went to the kenny chesney concert at pizza hut park in frisco - the whole bunch :: mom, dad, al and all his gang, mandy came in town with her friends beth, sherri and dave (we call him dd for daddy dave!)

we had all the bells and whistles... RV's, mopeds, 4 wheelers... we were in heaven!  so... as each of us girls were on a moped, scooting around the tailgating area - we stopped to take some shots with other patrons, we all got our pic taken with the drop background of kenny... and who could forget karaoke... oh yes, we had a karaoke machine!!!  

so... we, after many drinks, decided to name ourselves chicks on mopeds... COM!!

me, mandy, sherri and beth... dd is our agent and dray is our manager.  it's been an ongoing 'joke' for us girls for many, many years... and then FINALLY, thanks to my wonderful husband... we had a COM reunion in new orleans!!!

stay tuned :: we may make it big!!!  ;)

we are still in the process of planning a vacation with our vacation points :: of course, this has been in the 'planning' process for a few years :)  hopefully we'll be able to go next year!

dray's car is coming along :: the once 12-18 month project is now going on 3 years.

it's actually starting to look like a real car :: he and his dad try to work on it every chance they get :: poor guy - he wants it done so badly!!!

it may look like there's a lot to still do... but believe me when i say they've come

a long way!!!!

and of course :: i'm enjoying my ride :: although i don't drive it enough, shame on me :: dray's been enjoying it so that's good!

random ::

so here we are :: will be married for 6 years in october and have a wonderful 14 month old.

things sure do change don't they!  i would've never imagined i'd be where i am today 10 years ago!  i feel very blessed to have all that i have and i know i wouldn't be where i am today without the love of my husband.  he makes me a stronger person and just when i don't think i can progress , he's always there cheering me on and giving me the confidence to achieve whatever it is.  thank you baby :: thank you for everything you do for us :: thank you for providing a wonderful life for us :: thank you for being a wonderful daddy :: i know i don't say or show it enough but i appreciate all you do to make this family work :: i know i say sometimes that i feel like i'm the only one who's sacrificing things because of our lo - but i know you are sacrificing things too... xoxo

of course :: this post wouldn't be complete without pics of her... right?!?!

here's her typing a letter - she can really get into it... but as you can see, she got bored and decided her dinosaur was way more fun!

the start of a gourmet cook... possibly...

hopefully i'll post pics soon of the different updates to the house :: just gotta wait till that 'money tree' blossoms again :)

where did my baby go??

yep, it's been a while since last post.

what have I been doing... enjoying our 'little girl.'

no longer a baby :: now a little toddler growing into her own each day.

where are we??

a master crawler :: a master cruiser around the furniture :: not quite a master at walking independently (I won't go into this one - as I feel like a failing parent due to my 14 mo old isn't running around like all the others nor does it seem she has the confidence built up to do so just yet - so if I continue on this topic the post would probably be 5 pages - all of which would be my insecurities as a parent but.. this isn't about me :) ) :: a master at 'talking' and pointing to what she wants :: quite the attitude - wants what she wants when she wants it :: loves loves loves giving kisses and blowing them :: loves getting into any and all drawers/cabinets :: loves emptying something just to put everything back in or into another container :: very inquisitive on how things work - always turning toys over to look them over and really studies it :: has become a master at using an iphone and thanks to daddy, an ipad as well :: loves bracelets - not just 'real' bracelets but anything she can put around her wrist/arm and go about her day :: loves loves loves music and singing and dancing - she's our little dancing queen :: loves being outside :: loves brushing her own hair - still working on brushing her own teeth! :: has seem to become daddy's girl and loves waking him up in the morning :: now that she's figured out how to turn the water on in the bathtub in mommy and daddy's bathroom it's her new favorite room :: loves her walking dinosaur and will walk with it all around the house :: loves sipping through straws and if she sees a drink with one in it she demands a drink :: loves helping mommy with laundry - or should I say, loves unfolding the clothes after mommy folds them :: seems to have a fascination with the oven - she'll stand there and push every button she can - it's been a challenge to divert her away and to teach her it's not safe :: loves mickey mouse playhouse and jake and the neverland pirates... and those of you who know small potatoes (dray and I crack up watching it... in a uugghhh way... she loves it :: not a fan of bows in her hair - i think cause her hair is thin and it pulls - so i have to put a ponytail holder on top of her head and add a bow :: loves loves loves Lego's :: loves playing hide-and-seek and peek-a-boo - restaurant patrons love us... she'll take my napkin, put it over her face and waive her arms... when you say 'where's brynleigh' she'll yank it off and just start cracking up :: loves waiving hi and bye :: still loves car rides and thanks to our trip to OK we have turned her car seat around and she's one happy traveler ...

guess I could go on and on... there's just so much I'm in awe about with her.  she's smart (of course I think she is :) ) you ask her where something is and she'll find it and gets so excited and starts clapping.  she's just a ball of energy and happiness and stubborn and funny... all rolled into this no-longer-a-baby-miss independent-changing every day... little girl!

some pics (I know that's what you've been waiting for :)...

our first plane ride :: great trip there (take off and landing were a bit rough for her) but a huge thanks goes our to the lady at the gate for switching our seat so she could have her own!!

the return flight was a bit different :: her seat = mommy's lap!

poor guy next to us - trying to sleep and me doing everything I can to stop her from

touching him!!!  thank goodness I got her to fall asleep 20 min in!!

we've starting teaching how to eat with utensils - it's a work in progress!!

our visit with Nana and Grandad - as you can see, I must do a better job at taking pictures with them actually in them :)

great time exploring with our fort Nana made, cruising around the furniture, swinging on the patio, playing with our bracelets and going to the Aquarium!

a lot of firsts over the past few months - some not so good!  bumps and bruises make me cringe!  i think falling out of the swing was the worst - BAM, right on her forehead.  mommy and daddy were horrified - finally, after consoling her and several calls to the after hours clinic we managed to get through!  lots of falls comes with trying to walk - like falling and hitting her chin on her table which caused her to bite her tongue - as daddy sees blood pouring out her mouth I just knew she lost a tooth or busted a lip - nope, she bit her tongue!  poor baby!  yet again, we got through it!  not it's all the falls from trying to walk - stubs a toe, hits her head, smashes her fingers... guess this is all 'normal' in the scheme of 'growing up.'

random :: loves climbing on her chair and jumping off :: gotta love the messed up hair look - she's decided she likes the feel of her food in her hair!!

another pic we were able to get...

4 Generations...

another new post coming shortly!

till then...

one year birthday - well check - and the little gym

we made it :  the big ONE!

it's amazing how your life can change in a year.

we had a great birthday with lots of family and friends.

the past year seems like a big 'ol blur : so many changes, so many ups-n-downs,

so many new and exciting experiences... i wouldn't change it for the world!

went to our first year well check yesterday : had my list of questions so i wouldn't forget anything.  we are one healthy baby!

hers waiting on the doc...

weight:  23lbs

height:  29.4"

so now's the time :: or so they say :: to throw out the bottle.  really?!?

is she really ready for that :: is mommy ready for that?

we still do 4 bottles a day totaling 24oz along with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

no longer likes the jar baby food - she wants the real thing!

whole milk :: the ped said we could stop formula cold turkey and go straight to whole milk.  16-24oz per day.  she's been on what we call 'gold'... the nutrimigen formula due to her milk allergy as an infant.  i think i'm confident that she no longer has this allergy for she eats yogurt and has had a few bites of ice cream with no breakouts.  i'll go ahead and say it... love bottle time... that's when i get all my cuddles and sugars... can i give that up?

we still take 2 naps a day... not quite ready to transition to the one nap but i have a feeling it won't be long!  we've had to lower the crib all the way down due to her lifting up and of course, momma paranoid that she'd figure out how to fall out!

she's crawling :: pulling herself up to her knees :: now to her feet :: and if you hold her under her arms and walk she'll walk with you... but nope, she currently has no desire to walk alone.  the ped said she would when she's ready which she thinks will be any day now.

we still go to the little gym weekly.  we have a big class this summer!  she and another little girl are the only two not walking on their own yet :: but know watching the others walk and play will do her some good!  Nana and Granddad got to come with us last tuesday so we have pics to share...

so here we are :: one year old!!

it's been an amazing year but hard year!

we look forward to what's to come!!!!

Hawaii

I survived my first time away... in Maui!!!

7 days away for the first time is a lot!!  not gonna lie, the first days 

were actually peaceful - definitely enjoyed the views, the sleep, the peace and quiet...

then it hit me... with only three more days to go... the tears came for the first time.

as much as I enjoyed being in a place I had never been - I started counting down the

days till I got to see my little girl!!!
i have to thank my hubby for being so sweet and understanding and making me feel that I was not a horrible mom for leaving!!!!!  afterall... we had to leave sometime... right?!?

so let's recap...

we left houston @ 8:45am on tuesday and arrived in maui @ 3:30pm.

take into consideration the time difference and it was almost 9pm our time!

so the first day was pretty much unpacking, walking around the hotel, grabbing an early dinner and calling it a night!!!

wednesday - seeing as how we are quite the spontaneous peeps (hehe) we decided to rent a jeep and go exploring... and yes... we survived the road to Hana... barely!!

maui is not as 'commercialized' as other parts of Hawaii so we figured getting on the open road would be a lot of fun... i ask myself now - why did we chose the road to hana???  let's just say i was on the verge of getting car sick... the winding roads and one lane bridges made it quite interesting... but... we can now say we did it and well... one time is enough!!!

we stopped along the way to take pics...

we saw surfers, paddlers, wind surfers, waterfalls and yes,

lots and lots of flowers!!

(forgive the lack of photos... we're the only ones I know who would

leave for Hawaii and forget our camera!!)

thursday was filled with work stuff for Dray and then a luau that night...

pretty cool!!  I took lots and lots of pics however... they are on dray's phone and well,

he just left for MN so... will have to share at a later time!!

seeing them take the pig out of the ground and knowing that was what we were about to eat was priceless!!!  

friday was beach day for us... just hung out, enjoyed the view and had a great

time in the water!!!  that night was the 'formal' dinner so we had to be on

our best behavior!!

saturday we went to the spa... now, we actually joined a spa here and we go once a month but... it didn't compare to the massage we had!!!  first time doing the hot stone massage and can I just say... i'm in love!!!!  highly recommend!!!

sunday... check out day!  our flight didn't leave till 9:15 that night so... we rented a convertible camaro (go figure.. hehe) and decided to go explore the other direction.

as you can see... the 'other' direction was primarily lava fields!!!

we then drove to La'haina... we parked and walked the streets.  alot of wonderful shops, museums and places to grub.  we chose bubba gump shrimp's... I mean... who wouldn't :)

it was a lot of fun... the waiters go around doing forest gump trivia to all the tables... shout out to my hubby for pretty much knowing every answer!!!

we headed to the airport... flew out @ 9:15, went through LAX and landed in

Houston @ 12:40pm on Monday!  whew - can I just say thank heavens for first class!!!

so... what do I come home to???

my little ice cream lovin', sunglass wearin' little cutie... who, by the way,

is quite the forward walking nascar driver in her walker!!!!!

a huge thanks goes out to nana, g'pa and aunt mandy for taking care of our little one!!

ok... now to start planning her first birthday... wow, a year already?!?!?!?

until then...

Aloha...