Friday, December 30, 2011

Meeting the Big Guy

Technically, last year was Brylee's first Christmas, but this year was her first visit with Santa. I had been trying to find a time to go meet Santa Clause for the last several weeks, but between traveling and busy schedules, we never found time. So on Christmas Eve, we semi-reluctantly made our way to the local mall in Atlanta to capture Brylee's precious first moments meeting the Big Guy who brings her many presents.  Here was her joyous reaction...
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To say she was not impressed is a huge understatement. And although I feel a little bad for making her suffer through this, I am so happy we'll have these memories to look back on when she's older.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas in Abilene

A few weeks ago we drove to Abilene to celebrate Christmas with Bryan's family. It was a quick weekend, but luckily we were there just a few weeks before for Thanksgiving. We spent Friday night hanging out with Bryan's parents, making cinnamon rolls, and wrapping last minute gifts. Saturday morning, we went to cheer on our nephew, Luke, at his gymnastic meet. He has gotten so much stronger and bigger compared to last years meet! And Brylee absolutely loved crawling all over the mats when the meet was over! Future gymnast...?
 We also did our fair share of swinging. She just loves being outside these days, especially in her swing!

Our "Christmas Eve" was spent playing at Nanny & Papa's house in our Christmas PJs, driving around looking at Christmas lights, and drinking homemade hot chocolate!

It was amazing how much better she was walking during this trip compared to our recent trip to Abilene at Thanksgiving.

"Christmas morning" we went to church with Bryan's parents. We met back at their house, along with Bryan's sisters and families, for a Christmas lunch and gifts.
Our best attempt at a cousins picture!
 Brokaw Family Christmas 2011
Brylee was patiently waiting for her Christmas gifts. I don't think she knew what she was excited for, but followed the example of excitement from the older cousins.
 The goldfish were her favorite part of her stocking. The cute boots were my favorite part of her stocking!
 Cute boots, huh!?
Her Nanny got her a Christmas dress for her to actually wear on Christmas day. Very pretty!
 She wasn't as into ripping the wrapping paper as I expected, but did a good job at helping me initiate the opening process.
 She gives her new baby a lot of hugs and kisses!
And she loves her jumbo puzzles!
 Examining all the loot she went home with.
 It would not be a Brokaw Christmas if a few Rangers gifts were not passed around. Bryan got a Rangers hoody...
 ...and we made Bryan's dad a shadow box of their Rangers World Series tickets, along with a program and picture of Bryan and his dad at the World Series game they were at together.
We had a great Brokaw Christmas! Christmas in Atlanta up next...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Brylee's 1 Year Photos

Last weekend, it was cold and rainy, which did not stop us from taking some adorable pictures of our one-year-old, Brylee! Tara Edwards Photography captured some great portraits of Brylee and some good family pictures! Loving this time of the year with our girl!






















Monday, November 28, 2011

Twelve Months...1 Year Milestone!

Last Wednesday....IT happened.  I have been looking forward to IT for months now.  I have been dreading IT for the last few weeks.  I can't believe IT is already here.  Yes...Brylee turned ONE!

Today we went to the pediatrician for Brylee's 12 month check up. Her stats continue to encourage us that we have a healthy, growing little girl. She weighs 20lb 9oz (25-50%), is 29.5 inches tall (50-75%), and head circumference is 18.25 inches (75-90%...from the very beginning her head has always been well developed, hence the C-section!)
 Her mobility is getting better and better each day. She is so close to walking, and stands unsupported all the time, and can stand from a squatted position without holding on to anything. She has taken up to 5 steps on her own, but gets going so fast she always falls to her knees. Any day now I'm expecting her to take off.  Although we are still chasing her all around the house since she is a speed crawler.
It is so fun to see this little girl grow up. She loves discovering new things, figuring out how new toys work, and seeing new places.  She has started to point at objects, she babbles all the time, and speaks with inflection and tone in her voice as if she understands exactly what she is trying to tell us. She is very into the ducks, all dogs, and giving hi-fives. She has recently learned how to push little cars along the floor, and absolutely loves riding in her new Cozy Coupe car.
 I have a very happy girl, but occasionally, although I hate to admit it, I also have a little drama queen. When she is not getting her way she can flip a switch and be very whinny, especially when she is tired or hungry. We are working hard to develop good habits early, including our reactions to her drama.
 She has almost weened herself from baby foods, and wants to try whatever we are eating. She loves yogurt, bread, cheese, and bananas, and eats a lot of other stuff well too.  We have been adding whole milk to her formula lately, and the pediatrician told us today it was ok to stop formula all together since she is not anemic. We're still working on transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup, and I'm really hoping for a drama free transition.
In this season of thanksgiving, I reflect on how incredibly blessed I have been over the last year. I have an incredible husband who loves me and our daughter more than anything in this world. I have a daughter who relies on me for most of her well being. I have wonderful parents and in-laws who taught Bryan and I how to be good parents. And most of all I have a God who has given me the grace, love, and wisdom to be a wife, mother, friend, and daughter. I still cannot believe that I have a one year old. Life is very fun right now. I am excited and nervous about what year two will bring us. I'm looking forward to all the learning that is beginning to occur. I know Brylee relied on me as a parent last year, but I am really looking forward to this next year of teaching and showing her how to live life. It is true what they say...one of the hardest jobs with the greatest reward is being a parent!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving in Abilene

We have so much to be thankful for, and spent our Thanksgiving holiday with our wonderful family.  We had just said goodbye to my parents on Monday night, and left for Abilene Wednesday afternoon after work to be with Bryan's family.

Wednesday was Brylee's actual birthday, so when we got to Abilene for dinner, Bryan's mom had birthday decorations, balloons, and cupcakes waiting for her. She liked her cupcake as much as she liked her birthday cake a few days earlier!

Bryan's parents surprised Brylee with a baby swing to add to their backyard jungle gym, but of course we had to try it out immediately!

Wednesday night we all stayed up way too late because it was the only night the entire family was going to be together. Bryan's sisters spent Thanksgiving day with their spouses' families.  So we enjoyed a relaxing day outside...
 ...watching Bryan & his dad put up Christmas lights.
 It was just the five of us, but we had a great Thanksgiving feast, and then relaxed indoors rooting the Dallas Cowboys to victory.
 Father & daughter have never looked so cute!


We splurged on Friday and drove out to Buffalo Gap to eat lunch at Perini's Steakhouse.
 Brylee loved sitting in her own chair like a big girl! She would look up at us for approval and giggle so loud!


 We were very excited about eating these amazing steaks!
 We played outside for a bit, which Brylee loved!

 She was very intrigued by the longhorn, that's for sure.
 We headed back to Dallas Saturday to meet up with the rest of Bryan's family to watch our nephew, Todd, play Pop Warner football at the Cotton Bowl Stadium for a championship playoff spot in Florida.  
 It was SO incredibly COLD! It was in the low 50s with a 30 mph wind! Brylee had on so many layers...a onesie, long sleeve shirt, sweater, fleece jacket, vest...with gloves & hat. 
 The boys did so well, but came up 6 points short from the win.
 Our niece, Jillian, is a cheerleader for The Hurricanes.  They won their cheerleading competition and are headed to Florida themselves!
 Other than loosing her grip & diving face first into the bleacher, achieving yet another black eye, my little bundled monkey had a great time! She's such a trooper!
Bryan's parents stayed with us Saturday night and volunteered to be free babysitters so Bryan and I could go on a date. The last two weeks have been so fun, filled with family and friends.  We have so much to be thankful for!