Big girl.

Our baby is more like a toddler every day... I feel like I've said that before.  Seriously though, her feet look bigger, her body is longer, her vocabulary is expanding... and she had her first for real big girl sleep over at Nana's house over the weekend.  We had an early birthday party for me where we went out to a yummy dinner with great friends then had a game night (we have not hosted one of those in two years) at our place and it was just plain fun.  All parents, all having a chance to unwind, have fun, and play pictionary together.  I mean, what more could ya ask for?  Catching up with good friends that we don't get to see often enough was wonderful and a great reminder of what good people we have in our lives.  Our big girl had a fantastic night at her Nana's house and it was a huge relief on our part, no stress, knowing that not only was she well taken care of, she was having a good time and she was/is so comfortable at her Nana and Grandpa's house.  So grateful.

It goes by so fast

I just finished putting together our girl's first home movies that quickly took me through the most amazing 16 months of our lives.  From the overwhelming amounts of JOY, exhaustion and laughter.  Thank goodness for this brilliant, brave, wild, beautiful baby... who is looking more like a toddler every single day.

time with Jax.

 Most of the time during the day, I keep the dogs and Brynn divided by a baby gate.  Why?  Because it's just easier.  Ellie, the smaller dog is a wild, anxiety filled crazy thing that rarely stops moving and she could care less about what any of us are doing unless it involves giving her food.  Ellie surprisingly does well around Brynn as she has had a few opportunities to crawl over her paws and pat her tail, Ellie has stood there all bug-eyed staring at me waiting for the free moment to move away, but still she handles herself well.  Jaxon, the bigger, older and recently injured dog is the sweet one and the one that would sleep under Brynn's swing as she slept as a baby.  Jax is the one who always wants to be near us and will move (even with two torn ACL's) four feet just to get closer to watch us.  He is the one who, I feel loves us as much as we love him.  Jaxon has even jumped over the baby gate just to get closer to us and today I just let him stay near us.  I am still cautious of Jaxon's rogue back paws that could possibly scratch Brynn, and I want to make sure Brynn is gentle or careful while petting Jax too (and she is!)  Every time I say "be gentle" she so sweetly pets Jaxon's head or points to his ears when she wants to identify a few body parts.

 Brynn proudly announces she found Jaxon's feet!

 A random sock is found in the hallway and Brynn would love to put it on Jaxon, however he is not interested.

So she chooses to put the sock on herself.  These two are friends and it warms my heart to see them interact so sweetly.

Photo update

 This is the view from Brynn's window at about 5:05 p.m.  Love it.

 Eating snacks in our stroller at the zoo.. so fun.

 Until moma tries to take too many photos... not cool.

 The start to our search of the perfect christmas tree.

 She liked walking around the lot, but we went to another place to find the best tree (and deal).

 Ahhh, the fresh smell of pine and my handsome hubby setting up the tree before dinner...

 The next morning Brynnie getting to see the lights and pick out her favorite ornaments.

 So precious.

Love. Love. Love.

Recap...

...of the last thirty days.

Election day!  Oh my my, oh hey hey.... Obama won and we are thrilled.  It was an interesting night and Matt made sure I didn't celebrate too soon, but once we knew for sure there was a sigh of relief and continued hope for the future of our country and this world.

The 15th!  Our daughter had her first BIG FALL.  She was playing with my brother's little dog and got wrapped up in it's leash and... face planted into the concrete.  It was a very scary 30 minutes.  To see blood coming from your baby's mouth and nose for the first and hopefully last time ever.. it's intense.  A quick trip to the doctor confirmed that her teeth, gums, and nose were all okay and she just had scrapes and bruises to heal from... the swelling went down in 24 hours too.

Thanksgiving!  Seeing my baby girl so comfortable at nana's house is just awesome.  She explores, she runs around as if she owns the place, she grabs everything glass and loves opening and shutting all the cabinets she doesn't get to play with at home.  I love seeing Brynn and her two favorite boy cousins play together and interact so well.  We had ping pong, soccer, LEGOS galore, turkey for the first time (Brynn is not that interested), sweet potatoes, homemade warm delicious rolls, what the HECK else do you need, I ask?!

On to Dogs.  Our Jaxon has torn both his ACL's, he has been in pain, he has been uncomfortable and he has been a challenge for our household the past few months.  Some days I get so annoyed because he has never whined, jumped over gates or stunk to high heaven until recently.  But other moments I feel bad because he is obviously uncomfortable and I want nothing more than to help him.  I want him to dash outside and chase the neighbor's dogs rather than having to go outside on a leash.  Matt went to my brother's concert tonight and it was one of those moments that reminded me how happy I am to have Jaxon and Ellie in our family.  I love those stinky, sometimes obnoxious but always loving family pets.  Thank goodness for these sweet beings.

Halloween

This little chick helped us decorate our trunk for our very first trunk or treat.

 This cold, sad look only lasted about as long as it took to take this picture.  She did so great even though her moma kept adding a new layer of clothing to her every fifteen seconds.

 The most beautiful Princess Leia ever. 

Oh do I love every memory we are making as a family of three. 

12 days.

....till the election.  In 12 days we will find out who the next President of the United States is and a part of me does not want to get that involved and a part of me can not stop thinking about it.  I watched all the debates, I have seen plenty of news shows featuring the President and Romney, I have listened to any npr story talking about the race, and I have discussed it at home probably a little more than my husband would care to admit.  I am fully aware that no President has checked off everything on their to do list.  I would never want to be President.  I wonder why the Romney campaign did not want Brian Williams and the Rock Center crew to follow them behind the scenes for a few days, yet President Obama let them follow them as if it was nothing.  Open and honest, good and accepting, and plans for a better future for our country, us, and more importantly our children.

I hope that everyone gets out to vote.  Vote wisely, vote as if it matters.  Remember that no President could have made things so much better than where we are now because of the hole we started from.  Vote for tolerance, peace and women's health.  Vote for someone who knows how congress works and knows how to fight for the American people, how to work together with other countries and how to present a strong position for our country.