Tu-Tu's, Kitchens and Carnivals

This past weekend I packed up the kids and drove down to Coronado to visit my friend who's hubby is still in the Navy. She has a one year old as well so we thought it would be a fun playdate.

And I LOVE where she lives.

Coronado is a little island right next to San Diego and there is a huge military base there.

That is where Aaron actually spent alot of his time in the Navy and our first dates were in Coronado.

anyway..

The base was putting on a Fall festival so we loaded the kids in strollers and walked over.

Brookelyn went crazy!

There were ponies, a mini ferris wheel, a merry go round, a bouncy house and many more fun things.

Of course I had no camera so you will just have to picture her riding a pony for the first time but signing 'all done' the whole time.

She hated the merry go round because it jerked and there was nothing to hang on to.

She loved the cotton candy.

And she loved the clowns that painted her face.

They also had this fluffy bunny named Coco that she was thrilled to be able to pet. 

There was a table with caramel apples and everytime she walked by the lady handed her one.

WHO gives a 3 year old a huge apple without asking the mother??? 

I had 3 by the end of the night...

I don't think she realized it was a carnival celebrating Halloween. 

There were no decorations excepts some cute scarecrows and hay bales.

All she saw was little girls dressed up like bumble bees, princesses or fairies.

She happened to be wearing HUGE tutu that my friend let her borrow so I was alittle worried I was confusing her.

But someone made a comment about trick or treating and she stomped her foot and said, 

"No!! We don't like trick or treating. Its icky."

I think we got our point across!!

She was very sad when she had to take it off and leave it so I thought to myself I better get one for her.

But cheapskate me, I refuse to pay $30 or more dollars for one,

So I went to good ol Walmart

I found tulle for $.99 a yard! 

I looked on a pattern and figure out how much I needed so I decided I could splurge and get another color that was $2 a yard.

After some pretty ribbon I spent a total of $10!

*note to other cheapskate moms- bare necessities I could have made it for less

I went home and took her old tu-tu (our wonderful neighbor lady had brought over bags of name brand clothes cuz her little girl had out grown them and Brooke's favorite article was a pink tutu. She literally wore it to shreds.)

I cut off the tatters and re-used the elastic band (you could even use an old pair of underwear elastic)

to make this

I also took an old headband she had and added more ribbon to match.

She was THRILLED!!!!

She wears it non stop.

Even to the park.

Its a good thing I didn't spend alot of money or else I would cringe every time it gets dirty.

Well on top of my exciting tu-tu find, I was driving home from Walmart when out of the corner of my eye I saw a garage sale with a little play kitchen.

I whipped my car around as fast as a I could and almost ran over to the lady and asked how much.

I was cringing because around here people ask way too much money for stuff because they pay way too much.

Her answer?

$30!!!!!

I said give me 5 seconds to call my hubby and make sure I can spend the money.

Right as I am calling another lady walks over and starts trying to barter for it.

I got really nervous but Aaron said yes and the garage sale lady said first come first serve so it was mine!

And I know it was the Lord because I never carry cash but that day I happened to have it and I had just been to the bank and almost put it in my account but for some reason my heart told me no.

If THAT wasn't enough she had boxes of play food and dishes.

I filled a trash bag she said make me on offer.

I HATE being rude so I asked if I could have it all for 45.

She said yes!

Sidenote-

 JUST THAT MORNING 

Aaron and I had been looking at them for the kids and decided they were too much money.

I didn't even ask the Lord and yet He KNEW what I wanted and gave it to us anyway.

WHAT?!!! 

I called my Mom ecstatic.

She instantly brought to mind the story in Genesis 22 when God is first called Jehovah Jireh or The Lord will Provide.

Abraham has been instructed to kill his son. 

Abraham had faith in God and even told His son that God himself will provide a lamb.

A lamb was provided and Isaacs life spared. 

Now, a kitchen is trivial in comparison but God does things in our life to bring us close to Him,

so we look at those big or small things, 

and the only thing we can do is give Him ALL the glory.

Don't you think that every time Abraham looked at a ram, he was reminded how God provided

 and then worshiped Jehovah Jireh?

Every time I look at the kitchen it is a small reminder that our Lord God takes care of us and provides my every want or need. 

He knows whats in my heart even before I ask or say it.

If this little kitchen brings me to my knees in awe and full of worship, can you imagine how Abraham felt?

You are holy, great and mighty
The moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Wings Brookelyn style and coffee Mommy style

Ahhh... Naptime. My favorite time of day. 

Brayden has been really cranky due to eye teeth coming in and Brooke always has an attitude.

They must lay in bed at night, conspire a plan to wake up as early as possible to make Mommy as cranky as possible.

I am NOT NOT NOT a morning person.  

Naptime is when I am finally alert, awake, full of coffee and ready to take on the day.

So in my alertness I am going to blog :)

Brooke loves to help cook. It has been hard for me to learn to let a 3 year old help.

I am a control freak and somewhat a perfectionist so trying to allow her freedom to make a mess is very difficult for me.

But I am trying.

She eats everything if I let her help.

Bonus!!

I'm talking everything.

Picky eater? 

Get them involved with making their food. 

Anyway.

I was making wings for Sunday football and Brooke wanted to help.

She licked the spoon after every stir. 

(Didn't tell my company that small detail)

Then she decided to let Bella lick her fingers after every stir.

I made her stop after that because no one wants dog spit on their wings.

Despite every wing either being touched or chomped on they turned out 

pretty finger lickin' good!

On a sadder note... 

My espresso machine broke AGAIN.

3rd one in less then a year.

And I thought by buying the more expensive one I would be fine.

Nope.

Maybe I make too much coffee to keep up with those machines...

I was so frustrated because when I called the company they said I needed to pay $15 (again) so they could ship me a new one.

I thought about it and added it up.

I bought the machine for $99.

That one broke so add 15 to get another one.

That one broke so add another 15.

If I kept going at this pace my $99 dollar machine could turn into a couple hundred dollar machine! 

I decided I needed a different approach to making my fresh roasted coffee.

I brainstormed.

And then it hit me.

DUH.

How do the Italians make their own personal coffee??

With this GENIUS little moka pot.

It was around $30 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

No machine parts. No electric cord. Plain, Simple and has the potential to have a very long life!

 Wondering how it works?

You put water in the bottom part.

(If you enjoy having a thick crema you can add a little sugar into the water.)

Then there is this little funnel filter that you put the grounds in and it fits into the bottom part.

You screw the top and bottom together and put it on your stove.

After a few minutes the water starts boiling and passing thru the coffee

so it looks like this in the top part.

Viola! 

Perfectly made espresso ready to do with as you please.

I add a little milk so its more latte but you could drink it straight, add water to make an americano or froth your own milk for cappuccino. 

I HIGHLY recommend getting one of these if you enjoy espresso.

There are no parts that could break (unless you drop it)

and its really easy to wash and take apart.

The coffee doesn't come out tasting like plastic or dirty pipes like when you use an espresso machine.

Coffee/playdate anyone??

Bubba Dumps

Funny nickname, huh?!

We don't really know how it started.

Well the Bubba part started because Brooke couldn't say baby when I was pregnant.

All she could say was, "Bu Bu"

He has been Bubba, Bubbas and Bubbs since birth.

Lately though he goes by BubbaDumps, Dumpers, Dumpies, DiapyDumps... etcs..

Typing this it sounds way gross!!

But when you see this little face, Bubbadumps seems to fit him perfectly for some strange reason!

I have been putting him on the potty here and there because I am determined to have him potty trained before he is 2.

I refuse to change 2 year old diapers.

SO GROSS!

He has gone #2 a couple of times so he is at least comfortable with sitting there.

He has been walking like a big boy since he was 11 months old. 

Now he is running!

He is a bruiser.

Literally.

I have never seen his head or legs without scars, bruises, scratches, bumps..

His skull must be made out of steel because if it wasn't I am sure he would have brain damage with the amount of times he smashes his head!

He is a very finicky eater.

He must be a texture person because he goes through moods where he loves big boy food and then other days all he wants to eat is baby food.

He loves to sneak to Brooke's little table and eat all her food before she gets back!

Brayden hates his baths.

He cries and cries when I make his bathe with Brooke. 

He is a cry baby!!! He cries all the time and usually for no reason.

He will be happy one minute and in the next something will happen to upset him so he cries.

When he wakes up from a nap Brooke runs in yelling,

"My Bubbadumps! hewwoo!! I wuv you! You wan some toys?"

She grabs every toy she can and throws it in for him.

Poor guy usually can't move there are so many toys, but it keeps him happy!

Like the big bruise on his head and cheeks?

 He loves to cuddle.

He will cuddle with anyone. And I mean anyone!

If Mommy or Daddy can't hold him he runs around with his arms up until he finds someone to cuddle with.

If there is no one, he cries until one of us picks him up!

He loves playing in the dog kennel. 

Bella is so gentle around him and just makes him giggle like crazy! 

The two make an interesting pair.

Bubba pulls, pokes, scratches and hits poor Bella but she just sits there and takes it.

They love chasing balls together but Bella is faster so she grabs it first making Bubba scream like a little girl until she drops it for him. 

When Bella is in her kennel, Brayden opens all my drawers, pulls stuff out and slips it to Bella to chew on. 

If Bella whines enough to him he will open up the kennel and let her out.

This is a picture of when we first got her but it show the start of their relationship!

Brayden can say a few words.

Daddy (of course!) football, (again, of course!) Hut Hut, all done, he can say Mommy but refuses to and cracker.

He an say enough where we know exactly what he wants.

Completely opposite of Brooke because she didn't talk for the longest time and we never knew what she wanted! 

We taught her to sign which really helped so we tried doing it with Bubbs.

Yeah, that didn't work so well.

He finally just now figured out how to sign more the correct way. 

(I have been working on it since he was a couple months old!)

He is either being stubborn or inherited my poor hand eye coordination!

faking it already

I had asked Brooke to come out to the living room and help me clean up.

I heard her fake cough and tell me she couldn't come out.

I went into her room to find out why and this is what I found.

(she is in her bed)

When she saw me, she faked coughed, took a sip of tea and told me she was too sick.

Birthday treats

When Grandma Joy was visiting in August we had an early birthday party for Brooke.

We made cupcakes but Brooke realized the only part of the cupcake she liked was the frosting.

So for her real birthday we decorated sugar cookies which were dyed pink.

A birthday tradition in my family growing up was you got to choose your favorite meal and Mom would make it for us.

We did the same for Brooke and she picked out a TV dinner.

She decided that the corn dog tasted best dipped in the chocolate pudding.

We tried giving her ketchup but she insisted she liked it the way she was doing!

"I do myself Mommy!"

hhmmm.. who does that remind me of....

Proud Mommy of a BIG GIRL!

The morning of Brooke's birthday, she announced to me that she was now a big girl.

That was a shocker because for the past couple of months in a sad moan and pout lips she would say,

"I not a big girl Monny, I a baby"

I asked her if she wanted to trade her De-De's (paci) in for a bike. 

She jumped up and down screaming,

"YYYEeSSSS!!!! I uh big girl! I uh big girl!!"

I was very skeptical but since she was finally on board I prayed, and prepared myself for the battle.

We went to Target, picked out her bike and came home.

Bedtime came.

She started getting really sad and stressed. 

We read Bible stories, prayed and cuddled. 

When she would ask for her De-De we would say if she had it, she would have to bring back her bike.

To my complete surprise, she said 

"No! I want my bike!"

It took about an hour to get both babies in bed sleeping.

But I couldn't believe we stopped the pacifiers just like that! 

The next day naptime was a little rough but only took a half an hour.

Bedtime was the same.

We had a really good day and then she found a Deet and wanted it back.
 Back to bad nights but it gets better each time so I am not discouraged!

 When she wakes up she makes sure to tell me that she slept with no De-De.

I am really glad I took some other Mom's advice and waited til she was ready.

Sure made the transition a whole lot easier.

I am happy and excited she is growing and learning but every new step is a reminder she isn't my little baby anymore.

She is my big girl that is growing up way too fast!

a gift from God..

Three years ago to the day I was laying in a hospital bed, hooked up to a lovely Pitocin cocktail, watching college football, eating jalepeno potato chips and waiting for labor to start!

 The miracle of the day, 

Aaron was right next to me!

At the time of her birth, Aaron was still in the Navy, still stationed in Italy.

When I was 2-3 months pregnant with her I went to Italy to be with him and came back when i was about 7-8ish months. 

My biggest fear in coming back to the states is that Aaron wouldn't be able to be there for the birth.

With the military there are always unknowns and surprises.

They denied all of his requests for baby leave so we really thought he would miss it.

The ship was on schedule to come back stateside in November.

It seemed like everyday they had a new idea of how long they wanted to take and where they wanted to stay.

I even got an email one day saying they were thinking of changing the homeport to Guam or Hawaii.

I was a hysterical mess, but my wise Momma pulled me into her arms and we prayed.

She prayed with me everyday that Aaron would be home for the birth.

I knew the Lord works miracles, but when you are dealing with Navy, there aren't always miracles! 

Sadly, I was doubtful a miracle would happen.

The Navy finally approved leave, but it was weeks before my due date so there was still a good chance he would miss the birth!

I would never have gotten through those last couple months without my mom.

She came to every appointment with me.

Coached me through what birthing was like.

Helped me write a birthing plan.

Helped me figure out what to put in a hospital bag.

All that stuff that usually husbands help with.

Well, in a way my Momma was my husband for a while.

She gave me all the support and love I needed in the absence of my real husband.

For my 38 week appointment, Beth came with me because Mom was busy.

We had been monitoring the baby's growth since I got back from Italy and they had concern she wasn't growing.

If I remember right my placenta was even starting to separate from my uterine wall.

Anyway, at 38 weeks they thought she wasn't growing at all. 

They estimated her to be 3 to 4 pounds.

The midwife looked at the information and said, you need to be induced today!

I panicked.

Aaron flew in, in 1 day.

I begged her to let me wait until Aaron was in town.

She left the room to go discuss with all the doctors if that would be safe for the baby.

After what seemed like ages,

She said YES!

A miracle from the Lord!

Aaron flew in and ironically the hospital didn't have a bed for us so we had to wait a couple days to even get into the hospital.

We finally got in, went through with the induction, 

tried going natural but when I was getting contractions literately on top of each other I decided I needed the drugs!

The first one didn't work so I had to get a second one.

After the drugs, it was so peaceful!

We just sat there, still watching football, talking, laughing, not really realizing in a few moments our world was going to change drastically.

I calmly pushed her out and then watched as they whisked her away from me.

She was a healthy 5 and a half pounds!

We named her Brookelyn Grace.

Grace to remind us constantly of the grace the Lord has shown us over and over. 

He showed us grace by giving her to us!

She is spunky, sassy, creative, has a great imagination, stubborn, loves being a big sister, Daddy's girl, caring, bossy and independent. 

When I found out I was pregnant, I couldn't even imagine how she would change my life for the better.

We did not deserve such a beautiful gift, but the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, sent her to us.

The Lord knew she was just what I needed.

We treasure our little gift named Brookelyn, everyday!

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100:5