Mother's Day 2011

May 2011, Age 2.5 years

For Mother's Day weekend we visited Grandma Lola on Friday and on Sunday we went out to brunch (my request.) It was a great weekend! Brianna, true to form, was adorable. It was a delight to see how quickly she bonded with Grandma Lola (we haven't been able to visit for quite some time due to medical reasons.)

I have been wanting to go to brunch for Mother's Day since I gave birth to Gabriella. Any excuse for a good meal and I'm there! Good restaurants fill up fast on Mother's Day so it takes quite a bit of planning ahead (something Stew and I tend to neglect with social things at times!) This year, however, Stew was all over it and I was treated to quite the feast.

She loves to eat--Brianna enjoyed the brunch almost as much as I did! (Gabriella in the background looking adoringly at Daddy.)

Please click on this picture for the full image of Little Miss Chocolate Mouth.

Almost-18 Month Birthday

Thomas the Tank Engine

May 2011, Almost 18 months

Today was certainly a celebratory day for Brianna! To honor her almost -18 month birthday, Gabby and I took her to ride Thomas the Tank Engine. Brianna also celebrated her almost- birthday by going poop in the potty for the first time (to which she received a standing ovation from Gabriella and I!) The latter is so amazing to me that I must share a few more details. I saw her in the corner with "the look" and suggested to her that she may want to do that in the potty. She responded by grabbing my hand and started pulling me towards the bathroom.

"Really???"

We get to the bathroom and I take off her diaper and she sits down on her little potty. A few moments later she says "DONE!"

I look in, and sure enough, she finished her business! Gabriella and I were ecstatic!

Then, in true Brianna form, she would NOT put her diaper back on. (She has resisted diapers from age 6 months.) I let her roam around without a diaper on. About 10 minutes later I pick her up and notice that her dress is wet. "Uh-oh."

Gabriella and I then went on a "Puddle Hunt!"

We found the disaster site, but fortunately even THAT made me proud. There was about 1 tablespoon of pee in her potty seat and about 1 cup of pee on the bathroom floor surrounding her potty seat. She had good intentions, but obviously missed the mark a bit.

Our little baby is growing up! Happy almost- birthday Bri!!

Easter 2011

Brianna–Age 17 months

Brianna becomes more quirkly and assertive each month. She is clearly learning a lot from her big sister and is adept at the skill of observation. She notices even small details of tasks and tries to copy them. A potpourri of shots capturing her of late:

While getting ready for a bath she comes into the bathroom in this little number.

I was working on my laptop at the dining room table. This is what I saw when I turned around.



Cracking up in the play area of a local mall. She skillfully climbs even on the larger toys. I try to remind her that she's only 1...