Some of Brooke's latest Photos

Diapers

Everyone with kids in diapers should really go check this out!

I found this great site for coupons and getting good deals. Anyways, the other day they were advertising 3 jumbo packs of huggies pure and natural diapers for free! I didn't believe it at first, but I went to the store and sure enough, after everything goes through it ends up being free! (I technically spent about $11 for the three packs of diapers, but I got $6 worth of free money to use at the store and I get a $10 rebate in the mail, so really, it's like I earned $4!)

Here's the link to the site:

http://thefrugalfind.com/rite-aid-huggies-update-4-money-maker/

Can't Believe I got this on camera!

That's right: Brooke dancing to Lady Gaga. (she usually gets more into it but she did really well for knowing she was being recorded!)

Near Death Experience.....sort of....

On Saturday mornings, I go for longer runs on different routes than my usual 3-6 mile regular runs. Anyways, this morning sometime between the hours of 8 and 9, a bobcat almost bit my leg off! Seriously. I saw a bob cat as I was running down a road and as I got closer it started getting closer to me and then stopped and ducked in the grass--like he was getting ready to pounce and kill me. I quickly (and I mean quickly Tammy!!) turned around and ran towards the busier road I came from.

It was like experiencing heart failure and an anxiety attack and a coronary all at once---while running.

Thankfully, it didn't come chasing after me. When I got home, I researched bob cats and according to wikipedia, they don't usually harm humans, except when rabid. I felt a little foolish because I did get so scared, but then re-thinking the whole thing, I'm glad I didn't chance it and ran the other way. And come to think of it, it did look a little rabid-like. Just sayin'.

PS--Amy & Amy, I thought of you guys, Chicago, bats and rabies today! Miss you both lots!

19 months!

I can't believe it! My little girl is a big girl! Here are a few things about Brooke at this age:

Still not a whole lot of words but a LOT of babbling.

Her newest thing is saying "uh-oh" a lot. It's really cute.

She started dancing to music and bouncing around when a good tune comes on. Usually Lady Gaga or Katy Perry.

She still is a picky eater. We had a few good days where she seemed to be starving, but now we're back to her eating what she wants.

She has 12 big white teeth that makes for a beautiful smile.

She likes to pick our cherry tomatoes from our garden and then roll them down our driveway.

She still sleeps about 12 hours a night with a 2 hour nap after lunch. It's bliss.

She is now just starting to fit a few 18 month clothes. Still holding strong at 21 pounds.

She loves putting on shoes. 

She just recently learned the sign for chocolate and has been signing it a lot!!

She knocks on doors. Like, full on loud knocks. 

She loves bath time and comes running whenever she hears the bathroom faucet turn on.

In the last two weeks or so, she has been super clingy to me (her momma!). She doesn't want to go with anyone else and screams when I leave the room. She doesn't even want to be held by Gordon! I swear it's because of Nursery. Heaven help us.

Her hair is getting really long. The longer it gets, the curlier the ends get. SO CUTE! I love her hair!

If she doesn't get her way, she screams. Pretty typical, I think.

She still loves being outside and running around. And, lately, she hasn't wanted to watch any TV, so it's been hard to get things done.

Her favorite foods are: chocolate, peanut butter, buttered toast, strawberries, milk, cheerios, cheez-it crackers, craisins and raisins. We try not to give her too many of the treats, but it's hard!

Brooke loves to 'read' books (turn the pages while I read) and sing songs that have actions. She likes the wheels on the bus, old mcdonald, itsy bitsy spider and Jesus wants me for a sunbeam. She's even starting to do the actions too! 

The Coastal Vacation

We were at our vacation rental for almost a week and we seriously partied it up! In our huge house we found some dress up clothes! Gordon and Brooke are pirates! Yarr!

Brooke got up close and personal with the cows at Tillamook! They have delicious ice cream!

We hiked to the top/to the end of the Cape Lookout trail. It was a long 5 mile trail--kind of tiring especially after the 5 mile run I did that morning.

Yay! We made it!!

Our view.

The trail was really muddy. Like, really really muddy.

Brooke finally has learned how to be gentle. She was petting this dog a few minutes straight on the deck. It doesn't sound like much but it's really big for Brooke.

Knocked out! On our way home! We'll be back next year, Oceanside!

Aunty Chelsea comes to visit (Part II) and the Coast!

We took Chelsea to a place called Panorama Point which is in Hood River, right around the corner from Gordon's parents place. It was a really windy day but we were able to get some great photos of all the fruit trees and vineyards.

On Wednesday, we set out for Oceanside, OR which is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Hood River. Chelsea kept Brooke entertained by popping in the DVD's. Brooke chose Hairspray to watch on the way there. They are both GLUED.

We made it to the coast! We had to wait an hour to get into our beach rental so we played on the beach. This was Chelsea's first time to the ocean. She was really happy.

The kissing turtles.

Can you tell how windy it was by our hair?

On Thursday, we had really warm weather so we actually went into the water to play in the waves. It was still really cold, but we all were brave! And, after about 10 minutes of pain, the feeling went away and your limbs just felt numb.

She loves the water!

We had to keep a close eye on Brooke because she would constantly be running towards the water and the waves that were coming right for her. After a while she'd get so far and then turn around and run the other way so she wouldn't get 'hit' by a wave.

Gordon tried skim boarding and really started getting the hang of it.

Just playing in the sand and water.

A view at sunset from the balcony at the beach house.

More to come on our trip to the coast! We just got back and have lots of laundry to do but we'll post more later!