Monday & Red Day.

Today was Red Day at the girls school. So, the girls were decked out in red - Sydney even packed Elmo. Are those red Converse, you ask? 

Yes, yes they are.

Happy Monday, from Broadway. 

A bit of time travel.

William and I snuck away last Friday night and drove to Lineville, AL (arrival time 10:00pm) and spent the night at Nathan & Laura's place at SIFAT. We woke up early Saturday morning and drove forty-five minute to Cheaha State Park* to run a 10K trail run. William has been running every now and then on some of the trails around Birmingham to prepare. Me, you ask... not so much trail running was done to prepare. But I did it and finished with a pretty decent time (and pretty sore legs!). William finished with a great time (and also sore legs). 

The best part of the adventure was spending more than twelve childless hours with my best friend doing something we both love to do. A little blast from the past you might say. 

Before

 After

                                                *highest point in Alabama. 

And a HUGE thanks to G-Daddy and Nana Sue for coming to Birmingham to keep the girls!

1 Year Stats

Brooklyn Jane - 1 Year Check Up

September 2012

Length: 29 1/2" (70th Percentile)*

Weight: 21 pounds, 12 ounces (65th Percentile)

Head Circumference: 18"*

*These numbers are very sketchy due to the fact that Brooklyn was extremely wiggly during the measuring. 

The latest developments...

• Walks ALL over
• Says "dada", "mama", "uh oh", and "ba" (for ball, we think)
• Waves "hi" and "bye" (backwards)
• Sticks out her tongue when asked "where's your tongue." (Won't do that for any other body part although we have been working tirelessly on nose).
• Loves to play outside. Scooping acorns, sand and rocks. Swinging and sliding. Jumping on the trampoline. 
• Loves her "lovie" - I mean really loves it!
• Is doing great at school.
• Claps and kicks appropriately when we sing "If you're happy and you know it".
• Is on day/night number 3 of no bottles and drinking whole milk from a sippy cup. 
• Is happy almost all of the time. A great player and lots of fun. This may be my favorite age!

Brooklyn's 1st Birthday

Well, we made it! From rolling over, to sitting up, to crawling, and now walking. Done is the buying of her first pair of shoes and dropping her off for her first day of school. While a part of me is sad to see the baby days go (in fact, I am getting a little teary writing this), another part of me is excited to see the toddler days come. 

What joy Brooklyn has given us this last year!

Here's to you Birthday Girl!

We celebrated Brooklyn's birthday last Saturday with her good friends and family. Guests included Meme (Jane) & Grandaddy, Nan & Pop, Nana Sue & G-Daddy, and Aunt Anne & Uncle Mike.

Nana Sue and G-Daddy

Cakes hand made by Nana Sue

Proud Momma

Proud big sister Sydney

 First taste of cake and icing. 

Nan

Cousins Ruby and Amelia

Brooklyn got lots of wonderful gifts including this slammin' pink car from Nan and Pop.

                                      

Monday, September 17 2012

Our Birthday Breakfast Table

Pancake breakfast

And then more presents including this huge tent filled with balls to play in from the Dannelly's. Thank you for this - I know I will enjoy picking up those balls daily!

Cool Mornings!

Cool mornings are here! 

I know these outfits are horrendous! Still in their PJ's, socks picked out by Sydney, and new (well, unclaimed baggage) jackets. Looking good girls!

Yesterday was the first day of school. We were packed and ready and the girls were excited about heading to school. Amazingly there were no tears when I dropped them off. And, I'll admit I played a  Jay z on the radio on the way home, a little too loud. Both girls (and mom) had great first days and are looking forward to going back Friday (or is that just me?).

Brooklyn Jane - 11 months

Sydney Watson - 2 1/2

My best attempt at reenacting William and Nathan's first day of school photos. Sue, how did you get those boys to sit still??

The last few weeks we have been soaking up every last bit of summer (or is it that I am sick of playing at home and looking for some out of the house activities?). Regardless, we've had some fun, busy days on Broadway...

...which lead to some pretty great naps!

 Lots of trips to the Birmingham zoo.

A few mornings at Overton Park in Homewood (a result of the coolish morning weather this week and last). 

An afternoon at the Galleria in Hoover for a carousel ride and a special snack.

And..

At our house things start going down hill about 4:30. Kids are tired and hungry and I'm usually scrambling to get dinner ready while holding Brooklyn who is crying and playing my tambourine for Sydney's parade. SO, that is why a special visit from Uncle Nate and Aunt Laura was a wonderful treat come 4:30 on Monday afternoon. Both full of energy and ideas for a little dress up time with the girls. And a welcome break for me.

Soak it up my friends because the school bus is fast approaching Broadway!! T minus six days.