Our World of Us

Finding our groove.

2012-01-12T16:53:00.001-08:00

I am loving the direction my parenting is taking. Exploration. Sensory. Fun. This was a hit today:

A great giveaway!

2011-03-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Lindsay over at Lee La La has a great giveaway going on HEREhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Go check out her site and give her some love :) She also has an amazing Etsy shop!

Motivation and Happy.

2011-03-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

I'd like some please.

Outside looks shiny and happy but inside is just holding on.

Cannot get over this girl.

2011-01-26T09:44:00.001-08:00

I love her absolutely completely.

Some fun pics.

2011-01-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

My girl..

2011-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

.. falls asleep on living room floors.

With her ruby red slippers on, of course.

Morning love.

2011-01-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T09:29:00.001-08:00

Isabel was up to ring it in!

We had some dear friends over and had a nice quiet but good night.

Today we are trying to get more organizing and stuff put away. I may lock myself in the garage later!!

In other news..

2010-12-27T07:24:00.000-08:00

My maternal grandmother passed away yesterday. She was suffering from quite a few old age ailments and she is no longer. That gives me peace but the world is missing a great lady.

~ iBrandy

We have contact.

2010-12-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

He reaches!!

Still here!

2010-12-23T04:12:00.000-08:00

Just not motivated to post.

We are moved in but not settled and thats hindering my ability and desire to share.

Hang around. I'm sure it will wear off.

~ iBrandy

Wake up!

2010-12-10T05:08:00.000-08:00

He jabbered at her until she woke up.

She wanted to..

2010-12-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

Carry her rabbit like I carry Bodhi.

Too cute n

Tomorrow...

2010-12-07T05:02:00.000-08:00

Is Bodhi Day!! Google it.

Overheard....

2010-12-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

When wiping 2 year olds nose:

"how did you get it in your eye?"

When driving by an open garage with kids playing:

"they are hitting each other with sticks while wearing helmets!"

.... "awesome"

Love my husband. 12 years today. Time flies.

~ iBrandy

This boy...

2010-12-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

..is a tank.

27 inches long. 16.5 pounds!!

Love him. And he looks extra manly on his sisters picnic blanket :)

Getting on the road!

2010-11-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

Everyone is packed in and ready to go.

Bel has juice.

Love this guy. He is mine.

2010-11-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Love this girl so much.

2010-11-27T20:13:00.001-08:00

Love this boy. Love this hat.

2010-11-27T20:13:00.000-08:00

New baby.

2010-08-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

We have a new baby and he's 3 weeks old today. It's been rougher than I thought it would be to go from a mom of 1 to a mom of 2.

It's been a very rough set of days. ugh.

Hoping it smoothes out and we regain a harmonious balance to life once more.

Told you I stink...

2010-04-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

At blogging.

I've had many a thought to come in here and post something awesome and profound but just haven't made the time or effort really.

July is when we hope to meet Mr. Benjamin :) Can't wait and yet if it takes a while to get there that's ok too.

Savoring my time with Isabel as the only child. I wuv that girl so much it's beyond words. Even when she's cranky and tired. She's my girl.

Got a Christmas present early..

2009-12-15T13:25:00.001-08:00

My new camera is here..

It's not the Nikon D90 I'm wanting but it's pretty darn close!!

Nikon Coolpix s640

Now it just needs to charge!! hurrrry.

In other news.

We have an ultrasound picture to get up but the stupid scanner isn't working right. I may just resort to taking a picture of it and posting that.

We shall see.

First Appt.

2009-12-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

We have our first ob appointment on Friday. YAY!
She said expect 2 hrs. BOO. Thankfully it's at 8 am and Jeremy can handle Isabel for me.

First secondary symptom of this pregnancy.. itchy hands. WOW. Hand to take rings off last night and put lotion on in hopes they are just dry but I'm not convinced. Putting rings on this morning and will see how hands do today.

Other than that and some awesome nausea I'm feeling pretty good for the 10 wk mark coming up.

Can't wait for Christmas in Denver. So excited!!! I love my Aunt and Uncle so much. They are such great people. And their 2 boys will have a blast with Isabel. They adored her in January when she was immobile and now she can follow them!!

Watch out Kevin and Chris, terror is on her way!!

We're having...

2009-11-25T03:29:00.001-08:00

A BABY!!

Holy crap.

That's all for now :)

Halloweeeen!

2009-11-01T21:17:00.000-08:00

So we went to a friends for Trick or Treating and food for Halloween.

They live in a great neighborhood for kids to go door to door and Isabel had a blast. She caught on SUPER fast that she was to go up, look cute, take candy and go to the next one. It took a few tries to get her to actually take it and put it in her pumpkin and NOT put it back AND add her own candy to it!!

She was the cutest bee I've ever seen.

ooo a Knit HATTTT!!!

2009-10-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

Oh heck ya's!!

I would ADORE a hat like this!!!! GO HERE to find out more

Multimedia message

2009-10-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

Lockpicking her way into garage. Too smart.

Multimedia message

2009-10-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

Happy girl

2009-10-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

She likes the park. I like her.

She can climb too. I showed her how to move her feet correctly and off she went all the way to the top.

Last picture...

It just screams of Darth Vader trying to use The Force to choke me!!!

Last one for now!

2009-10-10T20:19:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'm a sucker for a good smell...

Heavens Alchemy perfumes review and giveaway

And this would be VERY cool!

2009-10-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

I would love to have all of these products in our house, we can never have too many water bottles!

EcoUsable BPA Free Stainless Steel Bottles Review and giveaway

OOOoo I want!

2009-10-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

I've never done this before, adding a blog post to get attention for a giveaway!

Go on over and check it out and enter yourself!

Joey Junior Purse Organizer Review and Giveaway

We went to the Zoo!

2009-10-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

This past week we went with my moms group to the Dallas Zoo. FUN!

For the few days leading up to Friday I had Raffi's song "Going to the Zoo" in my head. On repeat. Seriously. It looks like that she did have some fun!

She got very independent all the sudden. I think the bigger kids helped to make her want to get out and walk around. She did great.

This is a bridge over the duck pond area. She wouldn't get off of it!! Back and forth, back and forth.

She really wanted to just be in the wagon instead of helping to push it while Owen rode. She did
get in at one point and had a nice little ride.

She loved this mouse, there were several little statues but this one she kept coming back to for a while.

Cannot begin to fathom..

2009-10-07T10:03:00.001-07:00

How absolutely heart wrenching this decision must be for this family.

Family Needed

Feeling kind of "mommed" out

2009-10-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

I love my child. Anyone who knows me knows that.

But sometimes you get to a point where you've heard enough "eh eh eh" or "meh meh muh" whining during the day that you just don't want to hear it for a while. Or pick her up for the millionth time. Or change another diaper. Or go potty with an audience. Or have her tug on your pants while you try to make dinner. Or have her try to push you away from the counter while you are making said dinner and she wants to either sit on the counter or go play with you.

And then I think about our friends who want nothing more than to have those opportunities and I feel guilty.

So I pick her up, I change the diaper, I stopped working on dinner for a minute and we read a book, go potty, give a bath, lay her down to sleep because this is the face I get to look at all day long:

More pics soon!

2009-09-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

I have a few more recent ones, some from today that I think are going to turn out nice. We went to the park for a while since it was SOO NICE today. We are having some seriously nice weather right now, breezey and almost cool.

I love fall!

I'm also attempting my first ever crafty project, I'm making a fall wreath. We shall see how it goes!

This weekend...

2009-09-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

we had fun!

Here are some bath pics and a couple from our grilling session.

Happy to be in the tub!

Wondering when we are going to clean her face..

Close side shot that I didn't like at first, now I love it.

And who doesn't love to hang out outside and grill??

Good time this weekend was had by all, except the ants I had to kill.. but who cares!

How was your weekend?

matt, liz and madeline...

2009-09-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs is Matt, Liz and Madeline.

I cannot imagine what his life is like. His wife died a few days after delivering their daughter and he chronicles his single parentness.

This post today really got to me for some reason. Maybe it's just so hard to think of my own daughter knowing me only through photos and memories.

He does have some colorful language, so be prepared.

District 9 and South Africa..

2009-09-09T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is a blog I've found recently from South Africa. Here's a bit of the entry:

A few months ago my darling daughter,-who is involved in the film business in SA-,told me about a new film called "District 9".She predicted it would be a big hit and she is being proven right.Indeed,someone even posted a comment yesterday suggesting I go and see it.

Its about aliens stranded in Jo'burg and is in fact a "new" look at racism and xenophobia.

I won't be going to see it.

SA refers to South Africa and Jo'burg is Johannesburg. I'm not sure I want to see this movie now after reading about the footage they used from riots in SA during the apartheid..

Obama's speech to kids

2009-09-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

He rewrote his address to children, I'm sure to appease those who have fear of their children being asked to get involved and actually be educated.

I watched a show this morning and they asked what was so wrong in asking kids how they could help their country.. JFK did:
" And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. "

Is it different because it was Obama? because it was to children? who are in fact going to be adults some day and need to get educated and involved in politics.. or what?

I'm beginning to wonder if all the hoopla doesn't boil down to fear and racism for some.

Retouch for a friend

2009-09-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

I reworked a friends photo and here's the result.

Wow

2009-09-04T11:57:00.001-07:00

I love this post. It's an update on a situation with 4 boys starving. It's been 7 weeks since I first saw the post through Christine's blog and I'm SHOCKED at the changes!!

Never doubt what your money donation can do for real people in real situations.

Make your donations wisely, with groups that truly pass on the benefits.

I don't get boycotts.

2009-09-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

I don't understand boycotts. If you wanted to boycott every company or product that supported Gay rights with their money, you'd have a hard time living. Or clothing yourself, or feeding yourself or medicating or banking etc.

I have this .pdf on my iPhone now.

Human Rights Campaign Buyer's Guide

Pictures soon!

2009-08-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

I have pictures coming of the last few weeks, but with visiting my mom and my sister coming back with me for a visit it's been hectic!!

They left this morning so things are settling down for us again.

Words

2009-08-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

She has them!

"Ice" has been around a while. Sonic ice helped her get some molars through the skin.

"Yesh" yes, of course.

"nanananana" more

"uh-oh" In context even sometimes!

"ish" for Fish obviously.

Ask her what the dog says and she goes "ooof ooof"

"Appo" for apple

"Doit" I think she uses this to tell us to do something.. example: She sat in the new litterbox (before it was used as such) and said "Doit" and wanted her Dad to pull/push her around in it.

"Up" for up into our arms or out of carseat or tub.

"cap" for clap

"CaCa" for Kitty Cat

She has learned how to say "OOOOO" like the end of a wolf howl. Tonight Jeremy said "Hello" to her and she said "ooooo-ll0000" back. Very cute.

She has gained SO MUCH CONFIDENCE in her walking! Jeremy also noticed some serious hair growth in the time we were gone.

I love her.

Been missing.

2009-08-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

We went to my moms for a week and a half and just got back yesterday.

Have a few pictures to get up of the cuteness that we all had to endure :D

Brought my sister back with me for a week and my mom will come next Wednesday to stay a few days also.

Yay!

Spray park fun!

2009-08-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

So, Los Angeles doesn't have spray parks to my knowledge. I'd never heard of a place in a park you get wet and have fun.

Until Texas.

This area has quite a few, we've been to two so far but I know there are a good 3 more within reasonable distance.

Here are a few shots.

Happy and cooled off with Dad!

Getting tired out and walking slow.

A new blog I've found...

2009-08-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

Surgeons blog

Some very interesting stories from general surgery. Some get pretty graphic from a medical standpoint so be warned.

Also, from Africa "other things amanzi" also a surgeon but in South Africa near the Kruger. VERY interesting stuff there.

I love medical stuff. I'm seriously thinking about RN after Isabel is in school. We shall see.

Here's a bonus picture:

We had gone to a park near Grandpa's and she was stuck, she couldn't figure out to crawl through and not try to stand, so she got upset. It was cute.

Repost of a friends blog

2009-08-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

Kim's blog on NOT Crying it out.

GO READ.

And READ the study she linked to : Harvard Study Decries "Cry it out"

Test pictures

2009-08-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

So we went to San Angelo this weekend, where Jeremy's family live. I took some pictures and have been messing around with them in Picassa and am pleasently surprised.

Can't wait to get a new camera, got my eye on Nikon d40 with a few lenses.

Before/afters

Have to say it again, I'm in love with this kid.

2009-07-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

She is very expressive. We were trying to get ready for a nap and I wanted to get a few pictures of her on our nice white down comforter that I love. I think it could be a great background for a picture or several and this is I got instead:

Then tonight I made her some Annie's Mac N Cheese for her to use her spoon and suction cup plate. I'm trying very hard to overcome my fear of her smearing food everywhere..

Night time Izzy

2009-07-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

I decided to try to take a picture in the dark tonight to capture Isabels face while she sleeps. Here is the result:

Sunglass fun

2009-07-26T23:03:00.000-07:00

We went to San Angelo last weekend, where Jeremy's family is from and almost all live, on the way back she got restless so I brought out her sunglasses and we played.

I put them on her face for her and she immediately had to see around them.

We passed a bad smell!

She loved to lift them up, see things, then put them back down. Silly girl.

She tried to push them back like she sees me do all the time. She finally got bored enough to yank them off and toss them at me.

I stopped taking photos at that point.

I love her.

2009-07-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

We went to the park this past Friday and had fun. We have joined a group thanks to Meetup.com, and are having a great time so far!

So here is our visit:

She started off timidly

There were some bigger kids there that may have intimidated her, for only a short time though.
She loves to walk now, and there is something about this shot, her stance while walking, the arm down at her side, the full view of the of her shoe.. something I adore about this frame.
She loved to walk from structure to structure, I wish I had gotten a better picture of the whole park but sadly, I didn't.
She warmed up real nicely after just a few minutes!
Happy Girl!! I love her grin, it's so very cute with the two top teeth.
This was my favorite picture of the day by far. I knew when I snapped it I would love it. I really am pleased when I end up with a photo that just captures her perfectly. This is one I want to touch up and print out nicely and frame.

**You may ask the same thing my husband did, where are the other kids? I have a policy not to take pictures of kids I don't know or don't have permission to do so. Since alot of my pictures end up online somewhere (facebook, a private group we have for family, here, etc) I don't want to have to worry about posting someone's kid!

2009-07-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

She's my serious thinker.
But only for small bursts!!

This was our last trip to the park I think as a family group. I miss the option of going to the park anytime of day. You just don't go to the park here in Dallas at 1pm.. it's 102!!

2009-07-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

From May, she loves her some food. Weirdo.

seriously..

2009-07-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

I suck at blogging.

What do I talk about?

how do I even figure out how to put pictures in and caption them?

must figure this stuff out..

maybe.

2009-07-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

Got her a new tent.. I'm a sucker for when things go on serious sale and I've had my eye on them for months!!

She knew right where to put it after seeing me place them there just once.

Little shoots for the balls to either stack up in or just drop in/out of. You use the keys to lock the bottom opening.

She thought it funny to reach her arm through and try to grab me!

I love her little happy face. She squealed as I put it together and stood it up. Squealed.

2009-06-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

Let's see if this updtes to facebook

Super Tired.

2009-05-12T23:30:00.003-07:00

Staying up too late is making me super tired because the little one wakes up at 7:45 on a regular basis.

yay.

Have pictures to post later.

She walks...

2009-05-01T21:03:00.001-07:00

A new chapter has begun.

10 months and 6 days old she walked twice unassisted by either Jeremy or myself.

It's over now.

3 steps from a sitter position to get to her car walker toy then an hour later she walked around my legs and left me and headed for Jeremy, and took 4 steps before a stuffed animal blocked her path.

Woah.

~ iBrandy

This is my cute kid pic

2009-04-29T21:55:00.002-07:00

Here's hoping...

2009-04-29T21:55:00.001-07:00

that with blogging available from my phone I can actually do this.

~ iBrandy

Isabel amazes us.

2009-03-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

This kid of mine is awesome. I love her more than words can express.

Her laugh is infectious and her faces are priceless.

She's so cute.

2008-12-02T17:59:00.000-08:00

Little miss had her very first foods on Thanksgiving. Steamed sweet potatoes!!

She liked them warm, the cooler they the less happy she was.

I've been sucked in..

2008-11-28T11:48:00.003-08:00

to the world of blogging.

Yet again.

Hopefully with the little one around to blog about I will actually have things to say on a regular basis.