May 2012

Boy, we've been busy.  In the meantime, Eva Brooke surely is growing and changing.  Here she is giving Cotton all the treats she ever wanted.

We had a Mommy-EB day out at the mall.  Caught her standing on her tip-toes, like she does so often.  My sis Beth always did that, too.

"Where'd the train go?"

Her FAVORITE, pizza!  It's so cute to hear her say "pepperoni."

My fairy princess wearing her butterfly/fairy wings and "ta-da"ing things with her wand.

Watch out, sometimes it hurts!

Sliding

No more paci!  We had taken away all but the poor yellow one, which she had bitten to death.  We cut the end off a little at a time, and then one night, "the babies" had taken that one, too. 

Seeing her swingset for the first time!  Friends from church gave us their swingset that their girls had outgrown.  Stay tuned in another blog for "after" pictures, with a fresh coat of paint and a few accessories.

She loves to swing!

She has put many miles on that bubble mower from Momma Lin and Daddy Don.  My sweet girl only likes to mow the concrete, however :-)

One day I made my Mamaw's "cocoa and biscuit."  The biscuit is a biscuit "cake" made in an iron skillet like cornbread.  YUMMM!  Eva Brooke was a big fan, too.

Working like Daddy

Just love this...

Working so hard...emptying my sock drawer!

Every. last. pair.

The big laundry basket is a "choo-choo"

Playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed.

She knows where to find Daddy's checkbook and has already been practicing writing checks :-)

Guilty face

She knows not to be plundering in there!

Fun on the swingset

On Mother's Day weekend, I ran the Tupelo Gumtree 10K.  Andrew has signed us up for a half-marathon in November!  Excited to go to Orange Beach, but yikes!!!

Hides behind the curtains (or in her tent), then says "Brooke go?"  I love to hear her giggles when she's hiding.

Again with the treats.  One too many pick-ups by EB + tile floor = no more glass treat jar :-)

I cannot keep her out of the drawers and the pantry!

Working with Aunt Beth.  Maybe Beth will teach EB a few tricks.

For my kitchen!  Beth is an awesome artist!

Another of her favorites- Mimi's veggies and ham

She only wants blue or pink suckers.  To anyone who likes the other colors, we have plenty.

Our first trip to the neighborhood pool since we moved.  Packed and ready!

There is a kiddie pool which is the perfect size for EB to play.

Andrew's first 5K!  We ran the Healthworks race and Aunt Beth kept EB occupied.  I was so excited to get this picture from Beth, and then I realized EB was picking her nose.  Oh, well...

Fun with Daddy on the lawn mowers at Lowe's

Our Saturday night entertainment.  Wouldn't have it any other way :-)

After-church fun

Reads, talks, loves, and takes such good care of her baby.

At cousin Ethan's high school graduation.  Eva Brooke is still talking about them throwing their hats in the air.

Congrats!  EB was happy to see her cousins Dublin and Liffey (EB says "Fiffey") as well.

Although Andrew was gone to Honduras on our anniversary, he had arranged to send me flowers.  Thanks, babe!  It's been an awesome 6 years!  I am one very blessed girl!

While Andrew was gone, EB and I visited around to keep ourselves busy.  We spent a few nights and Mimi and Pop's house.  Pop surprised EB with a pink pool!

I went and ran a 5K in Winfield, Alabama, while Mimi kept EB.  I was proud to get a medal for first in my age group... never mind I was the only in my age group :-)

"Zo-Zo" (Zoe) was not too thrilled that Eva Brooke had taken her spot in Pop's easy chair.

Eva Brooke had a great time dragging out every can of food and playing Wal-Mart in Mimi's kitchen.

That's all for May!  Already time for June!!

April 2012

That's my baby girl mastering the stairs already!  She can even count ("four, five, six, seven, eight, ten").  Surprised me!

"Vacuuming" with her golf bag.  She's just so domesticated.  I am loving that she likes to clean.  I'm sure that won't last too long.

A little lunch and playdate with Mommy at the mall

She now INSISTS that she feed herself.  I love these sweet grins which tell me she is proud of herself.  She is even patting herself on the shoulder.

So I come in, and she's wearing my sunglasses.  Only she has punched the lenses out!  I just had to laugh.

From April 10-14, Eva Brooke and I went on vacation with Pop and Mimi to the Smoky Mountains.  We had so much fun, and EB was SPOILED!  Pop likes to get started before dawn, so here's a pic of our early morning Cracker Barrel breakfast.

Our activities pretty much consisted of eating, playing, shopping, and relaxing.  My idea of a vacation!

Eva Brooke found a playmate on a nearby playground.

She had a lot of fun playing during her supposed-to-be naptime.  That quick car nap will mess us up every time...

At breakfast at the Apple Barn

Her FAVORITE part of the vacation: "rides" at the shopping centers.

Love this face.

No, we still do not put coins in.  Why would you, when it is this much fun?

A little stroller nap.  We don't see these much anymore.

EB likes to push the stroller and try most things by herself.  She also likes to be in charge of who pushes her in the stroller.  I heard "Mimi push" a lot, and it is usually "Daddy push" at home.

In front of the river at Bennett's BBQ in Gatlinburg

Ok, you know I gotta.  Flashback to April 2011 in same location.  Can't even believe it...

EB slept in her pack-and-play in my room at the condo.  She would wake up (way too early), and say "hi, Mommy!"  She also enjoyed looking out the window and hearing the loud cars from the car show.

Pop and EB having fun with the pigeons

Walking the streets in Gatlinburg

EB is currently very into cats.  Pop bought EB a "kitty" purse, and she was oh-so-thrilled!

At Cracker Barrel once again.  She discovered THE game. 

On the last night of vacation with Mimi, looking out the window at the lights and cars.  Thank you SO MUCH, Pop and Mimi, for taking us along with you!

Back at home.  We had a wonderful vacation, but we sure did miss Daddy!

Had EB locked in the room but left the bathroom door open while I was giving Cotton a bath upstairs.  Poor Cotton is usually traumatized by EB throwing in things for her in the bathtub.  There's no limit to what my little mini-tornado can do in just a few minutes!

Working on her Easter card (thanks, Aunt Deb!) in her office.

Licking the "poon."  When she wants something, she will say, "me some."

On April 28, I ran my first 5K.  Time 28:58.  I am very proud I survived. A big thanks to my friends Katie and Whitney who pushed me!

Andrew and Eva Brooke came out to support me.  I am training for the Gumtree 10K on May 12.  Andrew and I are signed up to do the Healthworks 5K the next weekend.  Call us crazy!

A little exercise calls for a Huddle House breakfast afterwards :-)

Some friends from church offered us their jogging stroller (which is very awesome).  While picking it up at their house, they sent us home with this five-star dollhouse (that their daughter had outgrown)!  Andrew said I was as excited about it as Eva Brooke.

Just look at all those pieces!

One last funny.  Tyler (Brad's brother, on left), Brad (middle), and Andrew (right) on the swings at church.  They were alternating swinging so as not to bring it down!  I love my family and friends, and how we find fun in everything we do!