Sunday, October 23, 2011

September 2011

9/1/11- Being my silly girl

Full of personality!

"Mmmm!"  Says for yummy foods and when she sees them on TV, in books, or in refrigerator.

9/3/11- Watching VeggieTales with Daddy...

...while Mommy helped with neighbor and friend Nichole's baby shower.  Candice (another neighbor) is on left and Tiffany (used-to-be neighbor) with Hudson on right.  I think you can guess which is Nichole :-)

We are so glad Baby Elizabeth is here now, and she is beautiful!

At noon that day, we met up for the annual Brown family reunion in Booneville.  From top left- Aunt Deb, Daddy Don, Andrew, Uncle Syd, Mommaw Brown, me, Momma Lyn, and Eva Brooke.

4 Generations.  I could not have asked for more wonderful "in-laws."

9/4/11- Happy (early) birthday, Momma Lyn!  We love excuses to get together (and especially to eat dessert!).  We were going to be leaving for the beach on her birthday but wanted to make it extra-special.  We went to church at Zion Rest that evening, as Andrew and Brad reported on their Honduras mission trip.  Momma Lyn does SO MUCH for us, and we hope she knows that we appreciate all those miles and minutes!

I tried the skillet apple pie recipe out of Southern Living, and I have to say, it was fabulous.  If I can do it, anyone can!

9/7/11- "Helping" Mommy load the dishwasher :-)

9/17/11-  We came back from the beach to find that Daddy Don and Momma Lyn had bought a Gator!  We are very excited!!

Yes, I do believe Daddy Don is wrapped!


9/18/11-  It makes me a little teary eyed to clear out her clothes that she outgrows.  Wearing her sweet little summer outfit and shoes one more time...

9/24/11- Yes, Daddy did the dressing this day.  I don't remember who the Rebels played that Saturday, and I'm sure we didn't win, but EB faithfully cheers them on.  When any football is on, she raises one arm and says something like "bul," for "Go Rebels!"

Does anyone else like to take pictures of their babies asleep?  I just think they are the sweetest.  Also do any other mommies wonder, "so what am I supposed to do?" when you finally have a few of those precious "me" moments?!

9/26/11- Helping Daddy with his schoolwork.  EB loves typing on the computer.


"Can't you see I'm busy, Mom?"

9/28/11-  Cotton really likes to hang out under our bed.  It's probably because EB doesn't bother her here.  This day, EB crawled right under there with her.  It was not quite as fun as she had anticipated.

We met up with Jennifer, Kenzie, Angie, Emily, and Hunter for a mall playdate.  Eva Brooke just loves playing on the playground.






Our best tries at a group picture...



As Angie said, this is definitely the sign of a successful playdate.

A very interesting sleeping position...

9/30/11-  EB discovered the toy golf clubs that Andrew bought her the Easter before she was born.  She may be a little LPGA player after all!  Pop is giving her a quick lesson on how to hold the club.

She's actually pretty good at making contact!

She also enjoyed repeatedly hitting the water meter cover in the yard.

And one of Baby Cotton.  She puts up with a lot these days and doesn't get much credit.  Mommaw Brown sent Cotton her very own blanket, and she was very happy for the attention.

At the end of September, Eva Brooke had 7 teeth (now 9 with #10 on the way).  Her favorite toys are still books, and otherwise she is an equal opportunity toy-player.  She loves fruit, shells and cheese, sliced cheese, yogurt, yogurt melts, syrup, peanut butter, and sometimes PB&J sandwiches.  She used to eat almost anything and now is becoming much more picky.  She loves to plunder in the refrigerator and pantry.  She almost always makes a "bbb" noise when she sees or hears a car.  She still says "bye-bye" when you get your purse.  She tells Daddy "bye-bye" and blows him a kiss when he starts walking toward the door in the mornings.  She likes to pull people's arm hair.  She puts her hands together to pray when we all sit down at the table.  She likes clocks, all animals, shoes, and the real TV remote.  She claps and says "yay" when we clap.  She makes all kinds of animal sounds (favorites- owl, duck, cow, chicken, goat/sheep, elephant).  She waves at people waving in books or on TV.  She likes Barney and Elmo.  She knows how to turn the dishwasher on.  She rubs her hands together when she sees hand sanitizer or lotion.  She walks on her tip-toes a lot.  She still has to have her paci, pillow, and swaddle-me blanket for naps and at nighttime.  She often points toward the bed at nap or nighttime when we are rocking and she's ready to lie down.  Everywhere we go, people comment on how tall she is.  She says "ahh" when she sees our drinks.  She says "b-i-b-i" when we ask her to read words.  She mocks me when I sneeze or cough.  She says "uh-oh" a million times a day and when anything is just not quite right.  She also says "uh-oh" when she is about to throw food off the highchair.  She has recently starting putting her finger up her nose.  Finally, her newest and one of my favorites is saying "I don't know," when we ask her a question, complete with perfect voice inflection.

She hates getting her mouth and hands wiped, having to lie still for a diaper change, getting her hair washed, and getting her teeth brushed.

Just a few of the things that make her EB, and a few of the reasons I love, love, love her!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Beach Trip!

9/8/11- "Yeah, we're going to the beach!!!"  We headed out absolutely packed to the brim.

Eva Brooke truly did great on the long six-hour journey.  I know I've said it before, but the DVD player is a lifesaver!



We were so excited to finally be in Gulf Shores with our fellow-beachgoers and best-est friends, the Crosswhites.  Our first stop was (where else but) Wal-Mart.  Next and more importantly was SEAFOOD!  Andrew and Brad had it planned to get to Wintzell's Oyster House for $5 dozen raw oysters (ewww) during happy hour.

The kids were so glad to be out of their carseats and able to stretch their legs.  On a side note, about a week before our trip, the Beach Club called and said the Avalon building (where we had reserved a condo) had caught on fire.  They moved us to the Bristol building which was also very nice.

9/9/11-  After a good night's rest, the babies (and their parents) are ready for the beach!

We do not travel lightly... but we do have wonderful husbands!!

From the get-go, Eva Brooke was all about that sand.

She loved the ocean... in very short visits.




And then...the stingray.  The first time Andrew and Brad walked out into the ocean, a stingray got the side of Andrew's foot.  He really took it like a man, but we could tell he was in some serious pain.  Good thing we had a doctor with us :-)  By the next day, Andrew was back to almost 100%.  However, about a month later the silly thing became (very) infected and nearly landed Andrew a hospital admission.  Thanks to Dr. Brad's guidance and a couple rounds of antibiotics, we are now on the up-and-up.  I will spare you from the pictures of the draining wound and the gaping hole he had in his foot.



If you will remember back in May, Eva Brooke napped so sweetly in her wagon on the beach.  This time- no way.


The pool water was pretty cool, but EB and Daddy had a blast!


The sweet Crosswhite crew

Back up in the room, EB was enjoying some quiet time while Mommy and Daddy got ready

The 3 of us went out to Doc's Seafood for dinner.  You can't beat their fried shrimp!  Of course, EB wanted crackers.

9/10/11- Waiting on her breakfast like a lady

Eva Brooke wanted to follow Emily around and do "big girl" things.

Angie and I bravely took the kids and went shopping.  It tires me just to think back on it.  Andrew and Brad were very excited to have their guys' football Saturday.

A quick little nap before the shopping extravaganza!

The kids really hung in there.  Carters had a fun little play table to allow Mommies to spend more money :-)

After an interesting and tiresome lunch, they all decided a nap was in order.

Nothing is sweeter than this!

Snack and play stop!  Never even put money in and they are as happy as can be.  Thanks for the tip, Angie! :-)

Community bathtime

9/11/11- Lunch at the Shrimp Basket.  AYCE fried shrimp...yes please!

Love these two!

A wagon ride down to the pool... what could be better?

She would absolutely not cooperate for a picture with me.

Pool fun



Loved putting these rocks into the kiddie pool

First time to try floaties!  Thanks, Em, for sharing :-)  I cannot believe she's this big!

She walked miles in the sand, chasing the seagulls

Point, point, point


Point some more








Tired, but won't give it up



Love this pic of Emily and Hunter

Getting adventurous


She loved piling sand in her mouth...


...and even licking it off the toys.

Ahh, the life...


Caught again!


Such a rough day... :-)

At Tacky Jacks, just before the attack of the mosquitoes.


Night-night time (or bye-bye, as EB says)

9/12/11- In our matching cover-ups


She would walk right in the edge of the water and then run back out.


EB and Daddy really bonded during this trip.  She even napped on him at the beach!  I'm so jealous!


The Daddies with their sweet napping babies





Soaking up the sun (with lots of sunscreen) on our last beach day


Time to pack up :-(

EB's favorite part- getting in and out of the kiddie pool



We wanted to get some family beach pictures, and Angie was our awesome photographer!  Please vote on which you like best (for an enlargement).  This will be #1.

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Angie caught some sweet, sweet shots of Eva Brooke!  I just love them!















9/13/11-  Packing up!


Last stop- Lambert's Cafe


Comfy for the ride back.  It's been fun!