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...

Brianna is such a cutie! I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to spend so much time with an adorable 14 month old. Of course time is slipping by way too fast and, of course, I remain wistful about that. I love watching her personality continues to emerge. She is quite serious most of the time - concentrating and purposeful.

Purposefully climbing on top of our dining room table.

Purposefully sitting on Ellis' back to ride him like a horse.

Purposefully giving THE.BEST.HUGS. Even her teacher at daycare remarked on this! She will grab the back of my head with both hands, pull me into her face and then hold on for about 5 seconds. I LOVE.THIS.SO.MUCH!!

Purposefully eating most things -- favorites including raisins, mozzerella cheese, and pasta. Still gives the 'all done' sign language sign when she wants to get down from her high chair. When we pick her up she will feverishly grab a 'roadie' (last handful of food.)

Purposefully and intently watching, admiring, and mimicking her big sister. Tonight I was actually able to fully brush Brianna's teeth (all 7). She patiently waited while I sang the ABC song and brushed back and forth. She only tolerated this because she is so used to standing with Gabriella while she gets her teeth brushed.

Purposefully avoiding, squirming, screaming whenever a diaper change is needed. I have no idea what is so aversive to this other than it CONFINES her for more than 30 seconds. I am definitely going to try to potty train her as soon as possible!

Purposefully sleeping with Mommy and Daddy EVERY night. We officially cosleep. I'm not worried as Gabriella slept with us for nearly 2 years and now she sleeps independently all night. Speaking of which.. bed is calling and who can resist snuggling up to a soft cuddily 14 month old who gives great hugs? Goodnight....

Raising a Vegetarian

Despite our efforts at providing lots of veggies, fruit, tofu and beans, Brianna, our independent, determined, precocious little munchkin continues to amaze. Most recently, she has decided to give us the toddler version of the middle finger by finding immense pleasure in eating cat food. It's like baby-crack to her.

How much money do we spend on organic food each week?

Tonka Truck

One of Brianna's nicknames has been adopted from my coworker. She affectionately calls her son a "little Tonka Truck" as he is 4 years old but the size of a 6 year old. We have started referring to Brianna as a Tonka Truck as she literally plows through anything and doesn't get easily startled or swayed. An example occurred just a moment ago. We have rather large dining room chairs. She was trying to climb up on one and it fell over backwards. I was prepared to see her start screaming in alarm.

Not even a peep.

She stood up, walked around to the back of the chair and gave it her best effort to pick the chair back up. (And she almost did it!) I came over and we picked up the chair together. She walked back to the front and climbed up on the chair, for the first time ever. She cracks me up!

Another quick example: we have a baby gate set up to keep the kids away from our kitty litter area. Brianna is always peering under the gate, trying to crawl under (she's a little too big to fit.) One day she had enough. She stood up and just pushed her way through the gate. It completely fell down. Now this may not sound like a big deal but we keep these gates up HARD to keep our Golden Retrievers out. And, to this day, my oldest child and my two Goldens have not been able to push it down.

Hence, OUR little tonka truck!