Here's a clip from today's swim lessons at Emler. Brianna did fantastic considering she missed last week and at the lesson before that, she wouldn't come anywhere close to doing the songs, activities, going under water or floating on her back. Its amazing what a difference a few weeks makes!
June 25, 2011
June 12, 2011
Its been a crazy month....
First, my apologies to all the family that's been asking for pictures and updates. I hope to remedy that today. Secondly, there's been far too much going on with my job, our business and Brianna to cover in one post so I'll try to keep it to just the highlights.
I think that's about it. My parents spent a weekend here with us recently, but they have all the pictures on their camera and haven't sent them to me (hint, hint Mom!!) so once I get them, I'll share those as well. I had to clean out my iPhone just to take pictures of her today because its completely full of apps for her to play and pictures of her. I'm beginning to hint to Justin that I need a new one so I can pass this one on to Brianna. I never thought I'd be giving something like an iPhone to a toddler as a toy, but that's the world today I guess.
Love you all,
Lucretia
Here she is today in a dress my mom made for her. Silly girl won't smile without sticking her tongue out so to get a cute picture, I told her to dance. That did it ... she loves to dance and hop!
It was splash day at school on Friday so she was very happy to have her swim suit on!
How Brianna and Daddy spend their days when Mama is traveling. Justin had the day off when I happened to be on a business trip, so they had a daddy/daughter date day. They ate lunch at El Chico then spent the afternoon playing at the mall in Denton. I think she's a pretty happy girl when she's hanging out with Daddy!
Before swim lessons ...
After swim lessons...need I say more?
These next few pictures are from Mother's Day, which we spent with Justin's family in Prague, OK. His grandfather is a rock hound and Brianna absolutely loves to play withe his "pretty rocks". They live on a farm and there were several baby calves to watch, as well as fish to "pull out of the water". I think she caught two all on her own on this trip!
My three favorite little girls! They are all growing up way too fast!
Sharing an ice cream cone with Nana. I met Justin's parents one Sunday to pick up a welder from them that Justin needed so we all had ice cream together. Brianna informed me she only likes her ice cream on a cone, not in a cup.
And last but not least, she likes to help me put my suitcase or briefcase in the car in the mornings. I guess she's gotten used to all my travel because she's not really fazed by me leaving any more. Of course, she gets to have all kinds of fun with Daddy when I'm gone so its not like she's missing out on too much!
Love you all,
Lucretia
May 3, 2011
Just a few pictures
Its been a busy week around our house and its only Tuesday! Here's a few recent pictures of Brianna.
On Saturday, she woke up from her nap missing Daddy so I took her to see him at work. She kept telling me she wanted to go see him "where the motorcycles all played" so off we went. She was in absolute delight over all the shiny pretty bikes. I think she touched every single one of them and because she was so cute about it, the staff didn't seem to mind too much. Of course, we snapped a few pictures of her "riding a motorcycle!".
On Saturday's when I have to get my allergy shots, she loves to go with me but gets very concerned for me when it comes time to get the shots. She holds my hand, squeezes my finger and tells me "I help you be brave mama". She even clapped for me when it was over and then asked if she could have a stamp for helping me be so brave. She's such a sweetheart! I think what she likes the most though is all the magnetic drawing boards they have. Since I have to wait 30 minutes after the shot before I can leave, we've got time to kill and thankfully, she has just enough attention span to make it if I can keep her engrossed in art and counting and drawing shapes. She gets pretty intent on what's she's drawing!
And she loves her Moab Puppy! She knows all the commands and gets a little bossy about it sometimes when he doesn't do exactly what she wants as quickly as she wants. We're working on having a little patience as well as helping Moab realize he needs to obey commands from her too. But, sometimes, they can be the most loving pair, like this morning.
Now that is a sweet picture of my two precious babies!
On Saturday, she woke up from her nap missing Daddy so I took her to see him at work. She kept telling me she wanted to go see him "where the motorcycles all played" so off we went. She was in absolute delight over all the shiny pretty bikes. I think she touched every single one of them and because she was so cute about it, the staff didn't seem to mind too much. Of course, we snapped a few pictures of her "riding a motorcycle!".
On Saturday's when I have to get my allergy shots, she loves to go with me but gets very concerned for me when it comes time to get the shots. She holds my hand, squeezes my finger and tells me "I help you be brave mama". She even clapped for me when it was over and then asked if she could have a stamp for helping me be so brave. She's such a sweetheart! I think what she likes the most though is all the magnetic drawing boards they have. Since I have to wait 30 minutes after the shot before I can leave, we've got time to kill and thankfully, she has just enough attention span to make it if I can keep her engrossed in art and counting and drawing shapes. She gets pretty intent on what's she's drawing!
April 16, 2011
Riding Her Tricycle
Brianna is finally tall enough to fit her little tricycle! Of course, that's mean she's grown a couple inches since December but oh well....
April 15, 2011
So Proud!
I'm not going to embarrass Brianna by posting a picture of her on her little pink princess potty seat, but I'd like to! Its been a week now since we took her to Walmart and let her pick out her own potty and big girl panties and I'm proud to say she is doing fantastic! She's still learning to listen to her body but with a little help from mommy, daddy and the teachers at school, she's gone 5 days with no pee-pee accidents! She wakes up dry every morning now and wants to use her potty "so I can take my vitamins!". Even though she was already getting her My First Flintstones every morning, she somehow thinks they are her reward now.
Needless to say, I'm very proud of how quickly she's learned to use the potty. I think the fact that she told me before we got the potty that "pull-ups just easier mama" when I'd ask her why she wouldn't tell me she needed to potty had something to do with it. I swear she's too smart for her own good some days!
(and for those of you wanting pictures ... I'll try to post some this weekend. You can always find pics on facebook though on either my profile or Justin's.)
Needless to say, I'm very proud of how quickly she's learned to use the potty. I think the fact that she told me before we got the potty that "pull-ups just easier mama" when I'd ask her why she wouldn't tell me she needed to potty had something to do with it. I swear she's too smart for her own good some days!
(and for those of you wanting pictures ... I'll try to post some this weekend. You can always find pics on facebook though on either my profile or Justin's.)
April 14, 2011
Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille O'Neal (a BookSneeze review)
In her personal memoir, Lucille O'Neal (the mother of NBA star Shaquille O'Neal) tells her story of personal hardship and growing up in a family that did not approve of her wild ways. Pregnant and abandoned by the baby's father, she draws on the strength ingrained in her to overcome not only the public battles but the personal demons of her life.
I honestly wanted to like this book but unfortunately, it left something to be desired. O'Neal is candid about her life and upbringing, but throughout the whole book, I was left with the sense that she was holding back on her audience. There were several interesting stories and antecedents, one of which includes the family's return to the USA from Germany to find the prejudice against African Americans more severe than in Germany.
While O'Neal shares of her life as an alcoholic and in a troubled marriage, she does not share with the same depth and detail of her recovery or faith. She gives the audience an inside peak into the life of an NBA star and the challenges faced living on the road. I admire her dedication to her son, not only to help him stay level-headed and out of trouble, but also in how she helped other mothers of NBA players navigate their way through that lifestyle. Shaquille's life stands as a strong example of her influence and perhaps that example speaks louder than this memoir of her true strength.
Overall, I enjoyed small parts of this book, but don't believe its one that I will read again.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I honestly wanted to like this book but unfortunately, it left something to be desired. O'Neal is candid about her life and upbringing, but throughout the whole book, I was left with the sense that she was holding back on her audience. There were several interesting stories and antecedents, one of which includes the family's return to the USA from Germany to find the prejudice against African Americans more severe than in Germany.
While O'Neal shares of her life as an alcoholic and in a troubled marriage, she does not share with the same depth and detail of her recovery or faith. She gives the audience an inside peak into the life of an NBA star and the challenges faced living on the road. I admire her dedication to her son, not only to help him stay level-headed and out of trouble, but also in how she helped other mothers of NBA players navigate their way through that lifestyle. Shaquille's life stands as a strong example of her influence and perhaps that example speaks louder than this memoir of her true strength.
Overall, I enjoyed small parts of this book, but don't believe its one that I will read again.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
February 23, 2011
2nd Birthday Pics
Sorry its taken so long to get these posted! Enjoy!
The night before her birthday, I decided to make cupcakes to take to school. I didn't get to last year because of work so I was determined to do it this year. She, of course, wanted to help. We made yummy strawberry cupcakes using my sister's awesome strawberry cake recipe.
Unfortunately for both of us, Dallas got hit with snow and ice on her birthday so we didn't get to take cupcakes to school. I know! So sad! But, I had hope. I'd taken what was left of the batter to make a small cake and covered it, thinking I'd ice it and take it on Monday when the weather cleared. Well, we returned from Super Bowl parties to find that cake pan on the kitchen floor, licked clean courtesy of our wonderful dog Moab. I was not a happy mommy! This is the second year that my plans for a party at school for her have been thwarted!
Now, on to the actual party, which was February 12, a week after her actual birthday. She and Bethany, her oldest cousin, have the honor of sharing a birthday so Amanda and I try to plan parties so that the grandparents can be at both. Based on the pictures below, I think its safe to say that she was completely spoiled!
We did a Minnie Mouse theme, complete with cakes (yes, the same strawberry because that's what she requested) that looked like Mickey. She had no problem blowing out the candles this year!
So, now that she's two, what's she doing these days. In short, a whole lot! She is a regular chatterbox, speaking in 4-7 word sentences, and every day, there's a new funny story and phrase that comes out of her mouth. This morning (Feb 23) as I was taking her to school, it went something like this.
Brianna: Mama, I a precious baby!
Me: Yes you are! Are you my precious baby?
Brianna: No! I Grandma's
Me: Oh really. Do you want to call and tell her that?
Brianna: Sure Sure!
(insert break while I call Grandma, my mom, on speaker)
Grandma: Hi Brianna!
Brianna: Grandma I your precious baby!
Grandma: Yes you are!
Brianna: hears Grandpa say hi Hi Grandpa! I your silly goose!
There was more to the conversation, but it was so cute to listen to her talk to them about what she was wearing (a shirt) and where she was going (to school). As if the answers would be anything other than that!
Her two year well check went great. She's at 97% on the height charts and 54% on the weight charts. Her pediatrician said her language development is way ahead of her age and so is her reasoning / logic. She's wearing size 3T clothing now and is steadily working her way towards potty trained. In fact, she woke up this morning completely dry and proceeded to tell me she needed to sit on the potty. The conversations we have while she's sitting on the potty are hilarious but for the sake of not embarrassing her in the future, I won't share all of them. Suffice to say, she's embarrassed me a few times when I've come out of the bathroom by asking me in front of whomever is around if I made "BIG pee pee's come out". Yes, we have entered the stage of bathroom humor coming out of her mouth because she doesn't realize yet that bathroom's are private things.
Justin and I got her an art easel for her birthday and she seems to really enjoy that. It doesn't surprise me since one of the first things out of her mouth when I pick her up from school is related somehow to that day's art project. But, it did lead to the first time I saw her attempt to do something beyond her ability and let me have a glimpse into just how stubborn & independent she really is.
Justin had drawn a car for her when they were playing. Later that night, she decided she wanted to draw a car of her own. After a few attempts, she was getting very frustrated so I asked her if she wanted me to help her. She informed me, "No mama. I do it myself." So, she scribbled and tried some more and I asked her when she stopped if that was a car. She looked at me with a look you'd expect from a teenager and said "No mama. That is NOT a car." So, once again, I asked if she needed help. She finally admitted she did and we drew it together. I was so proud of her for trying to do something that is obviously beyond her hand/eye coordination and for not giving up even after several attempts. I have a feeling though it won't be too much longer and she'll have it figured out. She's stubborn that way.
The night before her birthday, I decided to make cupcakes to take to school. I didn't get to last year because of work so I was determined to do it this year. She, of course, wanted to help. We made yummy strawberry cupcakes using my sister's awesome strawberry cake recipe.
More mama! Right there!
The taste test. I'm assuming she liked them because she gobbled this one down and ask for another one!
Unfortunately for both of us, Dallas got hit with snow and ice on her birthday so we didn't get to take cupcakes to school. I know! So sad! But, I had hope. I'd taken what was left of the batter to make a small cake and covered it, thinking I'd ice it and take it on Monday when the weather cleared. Well, we returned from Super Bowl parties to find that cake pan on the kitchen floor, licked clean courtesy of our wonderful dog Moab. I was not a happy mommy! This is the second year that my plans for a party at school for her have been thwarted!
Now, on to the actual party, which was February 12, a week after her actual birthday. She and Bethany, her oldest cousin, have the honor of sharing a birthday so Amanda and I try to plan parties so that the grandparents can be at both. Based on the pictures below, I think its safe to say that she was completely spoiled!
And she also had no problem eating ALL the cake and ice cream either!
So, now that she's two, what's she doing these days. In short, a whole lot! She is a regular chatterbox, speaking in 4-7 word sentences, and every day, there's a new funny story and phrase that comes out of her mouth. This morning (Feb 23) as I was taking her to school, it went something like this.
Brianna: Mama, I a precious baby!
Me: Yes you are! Are you my precious baby?
Brianna: No! I Grandma's
Me: Oh really. Do you want to call and tell her that?
Brianna: Sure Sure!
(insert break while I call Grandma, my mom, on speaker)
Grandma: Hi Brianna!
Brianna: Grandma I your precious baby!
Grandma: Yes you are!
Brianna: hears Grandpa say hi Hi Grandpa! I your silly goose!
There was more to the conversation, but it was so cute to listen to her talk to them about what she was wearing (a shirt) and where she was going (to school). As if the answers would be anything other than that!
Her two year well check went great. She's at 97% on the height charts and 54% on the weight charts. Her pediatrician said her language development is way ahead of her age and so is her reasoning / logic. She's wearing size 3T clothing now and is steadily working her way towards potty trained. In fact, she woke up this morning completely dry and proceeded to tell me she needed to sit on the potty. The conversations we have while she's sitting on the potty are hilarious but for the sake of not embarrassing her in the future, I won't share all of them. Suffice to say, she's embarrassed me a few times when I've come out of the bathroom by asking me in front of whomever is around if I made "BIG pee pee's come out". Yes, we have entered the stage of bathroom humor coming out of her mouth because she doesn't realize yet that bathroom's are private things.
Justin and I got her an art easel for her birthday and she seems to really enjoy that. It doesn't surprise me since one of the first things out of her mouth when I pick her up from school is related somehow to that day's art project. But, it did lead to the first time I saw her attempt to do something beyond her ability and let me have a glimpse into just how stubborn & independent she really is.
Justin had drawn a car for her when they were playing. Later that night, she decided she wanted to draw a car of her own. After a few attempts, she was getting very frustrated so I asked her if she wanted me to help her. She informed me, "No mama. I do it myself." So, she scribbled and tried some more and I asked her when she stopped if that was a car. She looked at me with a look you'd expect from a teenager and said "No mama. That is NOT a car." So, once again, I asked if she needed help. She finally admitted she did and we drew it together. I was so proud of her for trying to do something that is obviously beyond her hand/eye coordination and for not giving up even after several attempts. I have a feeling though it won't be too much longer and she'll have it figured out. She's stubborn that way.
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