Incredible Photo

Isn't this photo just absolutely amazing? I just had to share it.

I need to tell you something.

"I need to tell you something. Before I do, it's not my fault. I didn't encourage it."

Any conversation that starts out like that isn't going to end good. My grandma, who watches Brooklyn twice a week, as my husband and I go to work, called me after they returned from their morning walk. She said they had fun, got to see the little dog across the street, and Brooklyn got to munch on GoldFish crackers. Then, she said the above statement. My heart immediately started pounding... what happened?

My grandma tells me that before they went on their walk, she had her back to Brooklyn. Brooklyn started pulling on her pant's pocket looking for her pacifier, and she said "MaMa." My first reaction was, oh, yeah, she does that with me all the time. Not a big deal. She recently (within the past few days) has learned to say "gramma," but it's not a word that she is very confident in saying yet, so she only does so ever so often.

But, when my grandma repeated that it wasn't her fault, that she wasn't encouraging it and asked me if she should correct her, my heart got a little heavy. I immediately said that I know she didn't encourage it and yes that she should correct her should it happen again. My grandma said that maybe Brooklyn called her MaMa because she's there with her today. I told her that she probably got confused, and that she just wanted her pacifier.

We ended the conversation with my grandma saying "I hope you're not mad, I just had to tell you."

I'm not mad. I know that my grandma isn't encouraging it, or that it isn't her fault. Brooklyn knows who her MaMa is, there's no doubt about it. But, I tell you what, there is nothing that makes you miss your lil' girl more than hearing this. I just want to drive home and give her a snuggle...

Miracles from God

I just found this video on another blog. I had to post it on mine. It's a very true reminder that EVERY child is simply a miracle from God. It reminded me what a blessing Brooklyn is in my life. Life simply would not be the same without her. And, I am so glad that God has bestowed upon Kevin and I the honor of raising her and being her parents. Nothing in this world is sweeter!

Brooklyn Goes to the Fair

MetroWest Newspapers (where Kevin works) sent a covert operative to cover the Adams County Fair Kids Day Aug. 3. 20-month-old Brooklyn, in her first real reporting gig, did it all and even dodged up some Carnie haggling, to give this first person report, with the help of her mom and dad, on all the happenings.

9:55 a.m.

Waiting, waiting, waiting in a long line of cars. Mommy and Daddy say we’re going to the fair. They have repeatedly told me this will be fun. That’s reassuring. If it’s something like shots or getting my face washed, they always promise the fun will come afterwards.

10:05 a.m.

In my stroller, ready to go. Wait, I hear a cow. Cows again. My parents took me to a dairy farm last week and now I’m really beginning to think they like cows.

10:10 a.m.

We’re in a big building now and it’s very loud. I hear chickens clucking and geese. Oooh, are those bunnies. I want to pet a bunny.

15 seconds later

Mom, you must be crazy, there’s no way I’m touching that bunny. No, no, no, okay, not so bad. It’s kind of like petting my doggy.

10:15 a.m.

These are certainly funny animals. They keeping going “bah, bah, bah.” Daddy says they are lambs. Mommy says, “they smell bad.” We don’t stay long.

10:20 a.m.

This seems to be a regular occurrence. Anytime we go somewhere, my parents end up at this machine where they stick a card in and green paper comes out. Then Daddy stuffs the green paper in his wallet really quick like somebody might take it. Then, for the next two hours, he gives it away to everyone we meet.

10:25 a.m.

I’m getting a tiara. I’m getting a tiara. Mommy is a total sucker for anything pink and purple. Funny thing about these two, if I point and coo, I can pretty much get anything I want.

10:35 a.m.

OK, I’m going on a camel. Mommy says this will be fun and she rides with me. What’s a camel? Whoa, that’s a camel. We’re way high up in the air. Daddy is snapping pictures of us on the ground.

When we’re all done, Daddy asks if I had fun? I nod yes. Mommy said she had fun too. In fact, she said for $5 bucks a person, she wishes the ride would have been a lot longer. Whatever that means. Maybe it has to do with the green paper.

10:50 a.m.

I’m really not sure about this. This is usually what happens right before I get a shot. Mommy puts me on her lap, lifts up my sleeve and BAM! Oh, wait, this girl is drawing a monkey on my arm. Well, that is kind of cool. Daddy says it’s my first tattoo and my last.

10:55 a.m.

I just got my own Cowgirl hat from the Adams County Fair Queen. I got a signed picture of her, too. Maybe, some day, I’ll be fair queen. Why not? I already have the tiara.

11:15 a.m.

I love fire trucks and now I get to sit in one. This is too cool. The firefighter even offers that I can get all dressed up in fire gear like my Daddy did. But, I’m happy touching all the different knobs and gizmos. Now, how do I make that siren go?

11:25 a.m.

For some reason, those people don’t like my Dad. They’re yelling at him to come over and win a prize. My Dad looks a little worried and mumbles something about “carnies.” The stroller is going a lot faster.

11:30 a.m.

My first carnival ride. This is a boat that spins around and around. Obviously, I’m no sailor but where are you going to get on four inches of water and spinning in a circle. I don’t even have a periscope. This is a joke. Oh, wow, my parents seem really excited. I’ll give them a smile next time around and they’ll buy me more stuff.

11:40 a.m.

Another ride, this is so cool. Seriously, I had my doubts after Daddy said “he wouldn’t be caught dead on a carnival ride” but they’re letting me go. I’m sitting in a purple dinosaur that looks a lot like that one from the Flintstones. Ok, a little fast for me. Where are Mommy and Daddy? Alright, they still look super excited so it must be alright.

11:55 a.m.

I’m getting to play my first carnival game and all I have to do is pick a duck. I pick and, wait, all I get is this inflatable dolphin? I want the life-size Shrek? I better talk to Daddy about sharing more green paper.

12:05 p.m.

All right, Mommy and Daddy look like they are going to melt so this is the final stop. What better way to end my day at the fair than a carousel ride? Again, my preference would be a real horse or even that camel but this will work.

12:15 p.m.

Back in the car and I think it’s time for a nap. This was so much fun. I’ve got to come back to the fair next year.

Missy needs...

This fun little game has been circulating around the internet, so I thought I’d hop on board. Type your first name, followed by the word needs, into the Google search engine (make sure to put ” ” around the two words), and see what the universe reveals about you! Since my first name is uniquely spelled (Malisa), I used my nickname Missy. Keep in mind though as you read my list, that a lot of people name their pets Missy.

Without further ado...behold all MY inner secrets:

Missy needs...HELP!
Missy needs...a new home in Ohio urgently.
Missy needs...some fresh blood.
Missy needs...a paddle on the bottom.
Missy needs...her medicine.
Missy needs...her lover back.
Missy needs...a forever home with the retired.
Missy needs...an X-Ray.
Missy needs...2 STOP. (I think my sister started this one!!)
Missy needs...to go back to keeping it funky and futuristic.
Missy needs..."her hair did."
Missy needs...her diaper changed.
Missy needs...a huge cellular message release. (that doesn't sound fun!)
Missy needs...sheep to make her rich.
Missy needs...a positive obedience class.
Missy needs...a Port-A-John
AND, lastly, Missy needs... a patient, caring home with someone willing to put some time in to training her and building her confidence.

WOW! That was fun and funny... You should definitely try it out sometime.

Meet my family...Simpsonized!

THE DADDYTHE MOMMYTHE DAUGHTER

My Dancing Princess

There's a video stream on the right side of my blog, toward the bottom.. I caught Brooklyn in the dancing act last night after we got back from family night at our community's swimming pool. She's grooving to her absolute favorite song "Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani. This song has been played over and over and over again in my car ever since our South Dakota trip where we first introduced her to it because of it's upbeat melody thinking she would start dancing. Boy, were we right! And, now, I am trying desparately to hook her to a new group of songs from Curious George. Mommy and Daddy know it's time to change songs when we can sing the song word for word, even the backup singer parts and the melody. The video is a bit grainy simply because I caught all the action on my cell phone, but it's still really cute and worth a watch!! ENJOY!