Interesting....

A friend sent me this link and I thought it was fun. For me, it said I looked most like Christina Ricci and then Angelina Jolie (Whatever!!!) and Josh looked like Matthew Perry. So I ran the girls and this is what I got.

I"m not sure what to think of this...

our world has changed

So last night I was talking to my parents on the phone just catching up over the weekend. I was actually fixing dinner (pancakes) with my trust 3 year old assistant. We could hear Piper splatting her hand on the kitchen tile. (you have to step up to get in our kitchen.) I told my parents that Piper can get 1/2 way into the kitchen but hasn't figured out how to get her knees up in it since she does the army crawl. I love hearing her slap the floor and talk because she is so excited about it. Not long after I told them, we hung up and I am not kidding when I say that I didn't even get the phone back on the reciever when Josh said "Piper is in the kitchen!!" Sure enough, she figured it out!! Soon she came crawlign around the corner past the fridge just as happy as could be. I, of course, took her right back to the living room...I mean I was frying sausage, it was a safely issue!! ; )

Last night before bedtime, we gave Brenna little quiet time in her room. She usually sits at her table and colors or does stickers and listens to music. Last night, while her little "Wee Sing" tape was playing, she started playing with a new Dora book she got for her birthday. This Dora book has it's own CD player. The idea is to play the music while we read the story. Brenna just plays the music. Only one or two songs do we even recognize and the entire thing has a Hispanic flair, because it is Dora the bi-lingual Explorer after all.

Last night she was playing the CDs and bouncing to the beat. When we went into pray, she told us she had one song she needed to listen to before she was finished. As she was switching out CDs, she turned to me and "I just love music". We just praised her and told her she was a good singer and that we were glad she loved music. But inside I was cracking up at my three year old talking like a much bigger person.

"Dear God..."

We say prayers as a family every night. Usually Josh goes first, then me, then Brenna. We allow Brenna to pick the order and there is seldom any diviation from that routine. We have had to work on her speaking slowly and clearly so we can understand her. We have also had many conversations about how our praying makes God happy because he likes to hear what we are thankful for. When Josh and I pray we change how we say things, but generally it is the same things; thank you for our family, the day, protect us, help us all obey, etc. Well, Brenna's is the same every time. "Dear God, thank you for Grammy and Granddaddy, Grandma and Grandpa, Mama, Piper, Daddy and Brenna. In Jesus Name, AMEEEEN."

One night not so long ago, she said "Dear God, Thank you for Grammy and Granddaddy, Grandma and Grandpa, Mom, Pipes, Dad and Me. In Jesus Name, Amen, hey I changed it up!" The changes were quite sutle, but she was proud and we were proud for her.

Drum Roll Please....

Piper is crawling!!! At 7 months and 1 week she army crawled across the living room floor last night. She was quite proud of herself, as we were. And like good second time parents, we got it all on film.

Picture Time

Brenna's 3 year pictures...

and a few with Piper...

Birthday Blow-out 2006

Well, yesterday we opened the last of the birthday presents. And Brenna made quite a haul!! And I must say the Dora creators made a little profit this week! She got Dora Candyland, shoes, treehouse, school, bathtoys, cd/book, stickers and bubbles. She also got adorable ladybug rainboots, raincoat, umbrella and hat. She wears these (not the coat yet) while playing with her veterinary kit...go ahead...get the visual. It is quite funny. She also got a stroller and car seat for her baby dollsand 2 new babies...which means we now have 4 with us at any given time. While we are riding in the car she likes playing with her computer alphabet game. It does entertain her, but let me tell you those things can get annoying after a while. haha.

It took us a week to open everything, not only because there was so much stuff, but also because she was so appreciative of what she got. She really enjoyed each thing along the way. It is wonderful to have such a greatful child.

Piper gets her leftovers. Mom gave Brenna an adorable ladybug stuffed animal. Brenna opened it, picked it up by the antenna and handed it to Piper saying "This one is for Piper". For those who don't know, she has a texture aversion. If you think it is wonderfully soft then it is something Miss B won't like. So far, Piper is not showing any signs of this, she just eats everything.

Piper has her 4 top teeth really trying to get out. I really expect to see them any day now. I know she will be greatful when they pop through.

The Dora Adventure began with the Map

They had to cross the bridge....

Go through the Singing Gate....

And climb up Star Mountain to get the candles for the cake!!

I think everyone had a wonderful time!!!

And if these pictures don't make a mama proud, I don't know what will...

Happy Birthday to Brenna

As many of you know, Brenna turns 3 today! She doesn't quite get it, but is very excited about the Dora Adventure that is taking place in our backyard tonight. I will post pictures and updates about that by the end of the week.

In the mean time, we had some film developed with some irristable pictures of my girls that I just had to share.

My parents gave Brenna a water park :) for her birthday. Our first day to try it out, she wasn't so crazy about it. Turns out the water was FREEZING cold!!! Since then she has decided she likes it. Piper hung out in the baby dome while Brenna splashed around. We all had a fun time.

The other picture of the two girls makes me want to cry. I just can't believe how grown up Brenna looks. Where is my baby??? Oh wait, she is right beside Miss B! Brenna reminds me daily she isn't my baby anymore, Piper is. Brenna claims to just be my big girl. Hard to argue with that.

Docker Stephens

Last week, we took the girls for the doctor appointments, Piper's 6 months and Brenna's 3 year. Brenna has been on a kick lately where she wants to go to the doctor for any bruise or ouchy...turns out she "hurt" her knee and "needed a shot" the night before our appointment. We took advantage of this charade and ran with it. Turns out Miss B was rather excited about seeing Docker Stephens. She took babydoll, because she has been sick lately (we've been taking babydolls temperature regularly). Dr. Stephens did a remarkable job of checking out all three of our patients. Everyone got a clean bill of health.

Piper is 50% for height and weight and Brenna is 50% for height and 75% for weight, which really surprises me since her pants are falling down most of the time. But regardless, they are both doing great!! And baby seems to have been healed in the doctors office as well.

At the end of the visit, Brenna declared she wanted 2 shots. (Piper was getting 3). We argued for a bit and then I said "Let's get one done and if you still want another one, we can talk about it then." She got her one shot and hardly reacted at all. Her little face grimaced, but then she immedately asked for a sticker. Then for another sticker. I think she wanted two shots to get two stickers. Dr. Stephens informed her that when she is 4 she will get 4 shots. Won't that be a fun day!!!

And Piper only cried until we got her paci in her mouth. What good girls I have!!

Fruit Pies and Rainbows

Brenna has been singing as long as she has been talking. And she does a surprisingly good job at carrying the proper tune. Now the words are a different story sometimes....
Her recent favorite song is "Blue Skies and Rainbows". I do love to hear her sing this song, for several reasons. 1)I remember learning the song in late grade school/early middle school and loved it. I am thrilled that she has learned it so early and seems to love it as well. 2)There is just something to be said and busting out at the top of your lungs praising God. 3) She has truly made it her own and she knows what she is happy for...you see...Brenna doesn't sing Blue Skies and Rainbows, she sings "Fruit Pies and Rainbows" and there really seems to be no hope of explaining the difference. And to top it off, she ends not with the traditional "Never more will I be all alone since HE promised me that we never shall part", she opts for the perhaps up and coming version "Never more shall I be all alone since he promised me that we'll always have tart". You see my girl loves dessert in any form!!!

Getting Started

After getting Piper's 6 month pictures taken last night, I decided we just needed to get a way to share them with everyone. I have no idea how often I will update this or if I will even remember the passcode to add to it, but I'm sure going to try. haha

So...Piper is six months old. She has two teeth and is currently working on a couple more. She drools all the time and chews on anything she can get her hands on. She is still a delight and has a smile that absolutely melts your heart.

Brenna will be three next month but unfortunately is already looking forward to four. I suppose that is the drawback of hanging out with older friends (Jaylen). She is very independant and knows what she likes. In her play world, anyone, and I do mean anyone, can be friends. Strings on floor suddenly become buddies with her Little People and things are often "Oh so tute!"

I"ll write more and add more pictures as we get things developed. I hope you enjoy this blog !!