{Brooklyn} How She's Growing Up

I've realized I haven't been as thorough lately documenting Brookie's growth and new developments here on my blog. I feel compelled to do so because I'm constantly struck at how quickly I forget. I want to remember the little things she says, the funny faces she makes, and to capture each moment before she goes and changes on me again. Which will probably be tomorrow.


{All images captured at ISO1600, f1.8, 1/100S...in my dark office. Edited in Lightroom with Lavender Mints | One Willow LR presets.}

Ha. Love the funny faces she makes.

 Here's a little Brookie babble lately...

• "Mom, do you know what? Daddy is pooping." (Which he wasn't which makes it even more funny why she would say that)
• After asking Brookie to shut the "door" on the fridge, she replies..."It's not a door, mom. It's a fridge. That's a door." (while pointing to the front door of the house)

In deep concentration on the 'puter.

• "I'm working on the 'puter, mom. Leave me alone"
• "Mommy, I gotta get the boogies out" (while sticking a Mr. Potato head nose up her nose)
• While talking to her baby doll, "Hey, you don't hit Brookie. You go to time-out. For 4 minutes!" (And then she proceeds to put the babydoll in the her little kitchen oven. Sheesh, that's some harsh punishment)
• While at daycare and listening to the birds chirp outside, "The birds are going to Target?" I guess she talks frequently about going to Target at daycare. lol.
• "Hi, my name is Brookie. It's nice to meet you." (all while shaking your hard | Unfortunately learned from the first episode of The Bachelor)

So fun to watch the things she does. Don't ask. I'm not sure either.

We didn't have daycare today, so Brooklyn and Luella were shuffled between our house and the Volkoffs so none of us had to take the day off. Dan watched them until 10, then Cora til noon, Aaron til 1:30, and then Cora again til I got off work at 3. It was a creative use of our time available, for sure! When I picked Brookie up from their home, Cora had all sorts of quotes for me! It's so funny to hear her described by others.

• "C is for CoCo. A is for Uncle V" (which it is since his name is Aaron)
• "I do not want to eat anymore food, I want to take a nap." (And then goes to lay down with her blankie and goes to sleep. She never does that for me!!!)
• "Coco, are you a boy or a girl?"
• "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, I love clothes." (And hugs the pile of towels that Cora is folding. What a crazy girl)

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On my last post about Brookie I shared how hard it had been to lose our daytime babysitter and have to start somewhere new. Well, apparently it was only our issue because Brookie loves it! She jumps out of our arms and into Ms. Lisa's each day. She is making major progress and eating new things every day. AMAZING and such a relief. She loves being with her little friend Lu too.

My future assistant?

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Would you mess with this girl? I think not.

I have learned to NEVER go shopping with Brookie (after many meltdowns and then one traumatic episode in Washington at Target, I'm in total fear of it ever reoccurring.). Which makes life a little difficult when there is no other alternative.  So after some wise words from one of my former brides that you gotta prep her all day long, that is what I've been doing and I'm shocked with the results. Like mind blowing, life alterning, I love this little girl results! So, I'll start by telling her "Brookie, we are going to go to the store and I need you to sit in the cart and be a good girl. You need to listen to mommy or we'll have to leave the store and go home." Well, it worked! We get to the cart and she sits in the cart and says, "I sit in the cart. I listen. I be a good girl".  Shopping trip #1 was a success! And so has #2, #3, & #4. I'm so happy to learn that all it takes is a little communication with this two year old. I've realized that so many of my frustrations with her are actually more about me and my parenting. I guess I'm a slow learner. Again, this is hardest job I've ever done. But when I think about it, I've studied for years and have been trained thoroughly for most of my jobs. But not for parenting! Sometimes, I feel so ill equipped.

I'm enjoying this little girl so much in this chapter. She continually makes me laugh! I'm loving our time together and not pulling my hair out like I use to. I guess we're both growing up a bit.
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When I lived in Spain in college, I absolutely loved to shop at Zara. It was my favorite store because the fashions were awesome at a super affordable price (think Forever 21 but better). I was so happy to learn many years later that they were expanding to the US and now that they carry a kids line. I love it! Their clothes continue to be stylish at an affordable price. Check out this little cutie sporting Zara...

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