Brooklyn got a BIG GIRL bed!!!

And, she's SO happy!!!!!!

Potty Talk

Lately, Brooklyn has taken a huge interest in her baby doll's potty. An interest to the point of pulling down her pants, taking off her diaper and positioning herself to just sit back on the tiny, tiny seat to take care of business. She always tells us what she plans to do, but after having changed her diaper, we didn't think she'd actually go. We were right. But, this inspired me yesterday to make a lunch-hour run to Target to purchase her very own big girl potty. Initially the thought of getting an actual potty for her to use grossed me out, but it does make some sense. (I still won't be putting it in the kitchen, though!) After perusing the potty aisle at Target, I found one that was simple, yet fun and rewarding as it plays music when she does something in the potty. And, the best part is, you can take the toliet seat and put it on a normal toliet!

I called Kevin right away and told him what I had gotten, and told him not to mention it to her as he would be home before me. When I was on my way home, I got to talk to Brooklyn for a few minutes. I told her I had a surprise for her and she said "oh yeah!" As I walked into the house, I unveiled her surprise, and she helped me take it out of the box. The minute it was ready to use, she rushed and got her pants down, and her diaper went flying. She sat on it for quite a while, telling me she had to "poopy bad." As I sat there with her talking about her day and reading her a book, I realized she was having success. She had done it! She was so proud. As Kevin and I clapped for her, she got all bashful and she had just the biggest smile on her face. She kept sitting down again and again on her new potty. I really think she's going to like it and maybe potty training will be a breeze.

Makes a Mom proud

On Monday, I took Brooklyn to her pediatrician for a 2-year-old well baby check-up. We always thought she was a tall little girl, and our thoughts were confirmed. She is 35 1/2 inches...just a mere 1/2 inch away from being three feet tall. That puts her in the 95th percentile. Her weight, 27 pounds, 4 ounces, puts her in the 50th-75th percentile, which the doctor was pleased about. Her head measured in at 19 1/8 inches putting her in the 75th percentile.

So, what does this all mean?

Well, Brooklyn is a tall, slim girl with a big brain! The doctor determined that developmentally, she's where a 2 1/2 or 3 year old should be. Brooklyn was chatting with the doctor too, and the doctor said with how well she communicates verbally that she's up to the 3-year-old mark there. We understand quite a lot of what Brooklyn says, and she's been combining words to form 5-6 word sentences. Some of the things she says, we're surprised she knows and can say them as clearly as she does. The doctor gave us a few things to work on in the next year to help her become even more advanced such as problem solving tasks, learning her ABCs, colors (she knows green and pink), numbers (she can already count to 10) and her shapes.

We're so blessed to have such a beautiful, healthy, intelligent little girl. She makes our lives so full, and gives us purpose in the world. After her doctor's appointment, we stopped by Daddy's office for hugs and kisses and because after her shot, Brooklyn called out for Daddy. He gave us a gift.

He had gotten 2 gift certificates to Mimi's Cafe. He handed one to us and told us to go out to lunch. So, Brooklyn and I did, just the two of us! It was such a wonderful experience and something we are going to have to do far more often. There's something about it just being us. We talked throughout lunch. Brooklyn stopped eating several times, folded her arms, put them on the table, lowered her head, and say "So, Mommy, day?" meaning how is your day? I'd say great and ask her the same. She ate an incredible meal. I just left the restaurant feeling so full of love for my little girl. She is just the best person to be around and I am so glad that Daddy gave us this opportunity. Afterward, we went home with the intention of napping and then giving her tricycle a whirl outside since it was a beautiful day. But, by the time she started her nap, sleeping for almost three hours, it was time to get going and get dinner started.

Oh well, Monday was just a perfect day all the way around!

Where has my baby gone??

Yet another sign that our baby girl is really not a baby anymore. She is now a front-facing car-riding pre-toddler. We got her the new car seat (pictured here – baby not included) on Friday night. She wasn't quite sure what to think at first because whoa, she can see Mommy and Daddy now. Her and Daddy enjoyed playing a game of I'll throw everything that you hand me back to you over and over again!
Now, she's a bit more used to it, and she will just sit there so content looking around and dancing to a song on the radio or CD. It's very cute and I love being able to see her beautiful face in my rear-view mirror and not have to worry about positioning the mirror on the back of the seat just perfect. She loves to look around, and now realizes that she can see doggies and people walking along on a sidewalk which she seems to really enjoy. The best part is Daddy letting his girls get the girly-looking car seat!

Molly Molar

EXCITING NEWS!!!

As I was brushing Brooklyn's teeth last night, I noticed something sparkling and pearly toward the back of her mouth nested in her top gum. What could it be!?! A molar! Holy cow! Kevin and I had NO idea that she was growing one of those yet. She hasn't been sleeping too well at night and is a little extra sensitive about anything entering her mouth - basically main symptoms of teething, right? But, we both thought she was getting another tooth on the bottom to bring her duo to a trio. And, guess what, as I continued brushing, I found another molar, same position just on the other side.

That means, she now has six teeth on top and two on the bottom. Her toothy smile just keeps getting better and better, and I must admit, her new teeth - even though not fully in - are so adorable!