Hello Little One

For those that haven't heard, Justin and I are expecting a second child on May 9. We had a sonogram two weeks ago and I'm finally getting around to posting one of the better pictures. You can see the arms and legs and even little fingers and toes! We're now twelve weeks along and I'm ready for this trimester to be over. Let's just say it's been very different than it was with Brianna. By this point with her I had started gaining weight and with this one, food and I do not get along so I'm actually losing a bit. Not that I'm too concerned about it but I would like it if someone could find my appetite and return it to me!

She looks so big!

Brianna finally has decided to like hats but they make her look both adorable and like a little girl. She's not really a baby anymore.

Corn Maze, Pumpkins and Ponies

So, I know its been a very long time since I updated the blog but instead of posting one big post, I thought I'd do separate ones, starting with our trip last weekend to a local corn maze and pumpkin patch.  Our nieces, Bethany and Addisyn, were visiting us with Nana and Pops so we thought it'd be a good weekend to check out some of the local color here in Bentonville.  We were not disappointed in the least!

The Petting Zoo:  There were goats and sheep to pet and of course, Brianna found the babies as soon as possible.  It wasn't easy to get a picture of the animals since all they wanted to do was run around.

Riding the Ponies:  Brianna had never ridden a pony before but with Bethany and Addisyn to help her be brave, she couldn't wait to try it out.  I think you can tell from their faces they all had a good time!

The Cow Train: Brianna picked Daddy to ride the cow train with her.  From how cramped he was, I think he would have preferred she picked Mommy for this one.

Picking Pumpkins: All the girls got to pick their own pumpkins and bring them home to paint.  You should have seen the mess they made on the table!  Thank goodness for water soluble finger paint that washes out and off!

Everyone had a great time.  Justin took his first helicopter ride as well, although I didn't get any pictures of it.  We made it through the corn maze and by the time bedtime rolled around, all three girls were asleep before their little heads hit the pillow.  It was a great way to end our weekend together!

New Videos

Brianna loves to dance and make up her own little "special dances".  We finally broke out the Flip and got it on film a few nights ago!


She has one swim lesson left but here's video from this past Saturday's lesson.  She's improved SO much!

The Things She Says...

Brianna-isms

"Mama, if I were covered in mud, you'd clean me up and kiss me all over!"

- This started a few months ago when I was telling her how much I loved to kiss her. I told her that even if she were covered in mud from head to toe, I'd still kiss her all over. She's taken that idea to heart.

"Let's play opposites!"

- She likes to find the opposite of something, like saying Green means stop at a stoplight. Her latest is to say "you don't love me" so that I'll find a crazy way to tell her how much I do love her.

"Who made this for me? Who gave this to me? The next time I see them, I must tell them thank you!"

- She likes to know where things came from and insists on telling the person thank you.

"I'm not giving up mama! I try again!"

- Yes, my daughter has learned that the words "I can't" have no place in our house.

"Next time I at church, I tell God I need a bruder (brother) and sister or two bruders Mama!"
- If I have twins next time, we know who we need to talk to...just saying.  She really wants a little brother, so much so that she randomly ran up to a little boy at the mall and gave him a hug because "he was so cute mama and I just needed to hug him!".

2nd Round of Swim Lessons

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!

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.

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!

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