2 weeks old

Here's Brinley!  She is now 2 weeks old and just as sweet as ever! 

Day 5

On our first full day at home, we discovered that Brinley likes to sit in the swing and sleep.  She doesn't actually swing yet.  This was also the day we discovered that I had a bad infection and had to go back to the DR by the hospital and we had to take B to her DR to have her checked out.  Plus it was raining so bad!!!!  I just couldn't wait to get home and just be.

Day 4 Meeting Makena and Brody

Brody and Makena were so excited to meet their little sister!!  I couldn't get them to sit still for very long so the pictures are all over the place!  But, that's ok, there will be lots more!  It felt so good to be all together as a family!  Yea!!!!

Day 3

Welcome to our Baby Girl

Brinley Elle arrived Sunday moring at 2:19 a.m.  We are thrilled to have our little one here.  She weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and has a full head of dark brown hair.    

Brinley Elle Day 2

Katherine came to the hospital and took pictures for me of Brinley!

Brinley Elle Day 1

The Big Day

The birth-day for our baby girl is arriving in less than 2 days!  Wheeee!  We are all getting exctied and ready for her.  Brody keeps telling people, "when I am a kid, the baby is coming."  Very cute!  I am pretty sure that the hospital will not allow B and M in to see her because of the H1N1 flu so I have prepared them.  I let them know that they may have to wait until we come home to meet her because hospitals are germy and they don't want M and B to get sick.  Guess what?  They totally get it...or at least seem to!  Ok, back to  packing!

Water Play With Brody

One afternoon I filled up the sink and took out some scoops, measuring cups, and bowls and let Brody go at it.  He spent an hour scooping water, filling up containers, and dumping it out.  Brody would find other items in the kitchen to use too.  He keep saying, "Mommy, take a picture!"  I put a bunch of towels on the floor to capture the water so clean up was easy!

Makena and Dani

Dani and Makena have been friends since they were born 3 weeks apart!  They are both in the same class at school and cannot wait to play with each other after school.  It has been so much fun to see their friendship change and develop over the years!  They are both in ballet together too.  I think this friendship may last a very, very long time!

Christmas Eve

Caroling

Our fabulous neighbors organized caroling on Dec. 23! It was very fun to be out with a big group of friendly facing singing Christmas songs. I actually sang Oh Christmas Tree twice! I have never sang that song before. :) After a while, Brody began running up to the people we were singing to and he gave out hugs and said, "Merry Christmas!" to them. It was cute!

Ok, so you've been teaching for how long???????

This is a venting post...
Me: "M is finished with the Kinder sight words. Should she spell them or move on the first grade ones?"
T: "Hmm... let me think about it..."
Me (three weeks later): I wrote a note again asking what she wants M to study. She sends home first grade sight word lists. Yea, I think...until I realize that these are the words from 8 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The district changed them 8 years ago. FOR THE LOVE...

Red Glasses and Patch Therapy

Ok, so I broke Makena's lavendar glasses frame when I went to clean them...yep, it was right before Christmas and luckly her eye doctor had the same frames in red that are on loan to us. It was very cute and matched a lot for Christmas! Her new frames should be here soon though. :)
Now for the update on Patch Therapy...
I finally took her to see an opthamologist today and he said that she should not be patching, because it won't help her condition. He also gave her a new presciption so once her new glasses come in, I will take her to get new lenses. (This will be out of pocket most likely because it hasn't been a year since she got her last pair.)
We will gladly pay as we just want her to have successful vision! :)
Sooooo....that is it!

Ryan and I at a Christmas Party

Makena's Christmas Dance Performance

Makena takes tap/ballet and LOVES it!  She asks to go to dance everyday.  The class did a tap routine to a fun song and it was adorable!