How we spent our 5 year wedding anniversary...

It was a crazy weekend...but we celebrated in classic Brandie and Brian style - ON THE GO!

Brian had given me the beautiful ring in the picture above as an Easter/Anniversary present a few weeks back.  It's ruby and diamond.  Ruby is Emrie's birthstone.  I was totally shocked!  Brian never buys jewelry without some prompting or at least very strong hints.  This time not only did he surprise me but he picked out this ring all by himself.  Correction - he said Emrie helped.  They did well.  I love it!

I got Brian a new windshield for his 1972 Chevy pickup - weird, huh?  Well, I wanted to get him something he wanted but wouldn't buy for himself.  He was pleasantly surprised.  He spent yesterday afternoon cleaning his truck and Windexing his new windshield.  

So back to our actual anniversary:  Brian and Aiden got back from the father/son campout around 10am just as I was headed out the door to work at KORA.  I had a remote from 12-2 at Ashley Furniture.  By the time I got home it was 3pm - time to get showered and changed and head to Brenham for a birthday party.  Gene Bothe was having an 80th birthday celebration at Silver Wings in Brenham.  I know some of you reading this probably had to go back and read that last line a couple of times to be sure you read it correctly.  You did.  For those of you who have no clue what's going on let me explain.  Gene Bothe is my ex-father-in-law.  He's a very nice man and I still have a good relationship with my ex-husband and his family.  So, Brian and I, Emrie and Aiden, Mom and Dad, my brother, Brandon, and about 500 other people went to the party.  We had a great time!  It was really the first chance Brian had to meet some of my Brenham friends and their families.  In fact, it was the first time in a long time that I had seen so many of them.  Brian did good, standing by my side as I introduced him to more than half the people in attendance.  Aiden made friends right away with some of the other kiddos there so we didn't see him again until it was time to head back home.  And Emrie, well, she stole the show.  She got passed around from person to person and when I wasn't showing her off either my Mom or Dad were toting her around like a little trophy.  She was in a great mood.  The band played good old fashioned country music so she danced with my parents and with Brian and I (that's right we danced) but most of all she enjoyed standing up front by the speakers.  I think she enjoyed the vibrations but in all honestly she loves music in general - loud music!  She passed out around 9:30 and we headed back to College Station around 9:45. 

I was sure Aiden was going to sleep on the way home but he was wide awake and chattering away.  Apparently right before we left he had drank a coke and ate a brownie and two cupcakes!  No wonder he was talking 90 to nothin'.  He was good company for the ride home because Brian fell asleep about 5 minutes into the drive.  He and Emrie took turns snoring.  We were all home and tucked into bed by 11pm.  It was a fun night and a reaffirmation that I married the right man. 

We're planning a weekend getaway for the two of us in May as a belated anniversary trip.

I love you Brian.  Here's to another 5 years. 

The Night to Myself

Yesterday afternoon, my dad took Emrie to Brenham.  He had some things to take care of there so instead of him having driving all the way back to College Station yesterday evening Emrie just stayed the night at my parent's house.  She had a bad night the night before - up every couple of hours.  She was super snotty and I think her tummy was bothering her so I didn't get much sleep.  Brian and Aiden had headed out to a father/son campout around 4:30 so I had the whole house to myself!  I ended up going to the movies with friend, Gloria, to see the Raven.  It was a really good movie in case you were wondering.  Then after the movie I did a little shopping at Target.  I actually had time to try on shoes!  It was a great night.  When I got home, I ate a sandwich and watched a little TV and was in bed by 10pm.  Then...I COULDN'T SLEEP!  COULD NOT DO IT!  I think it was just too quiet.  I ended up watching Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, Three's Company and The Nanny.  You know you're desperate when you watch The Nanny.  I had the whole night to myself...the bed to myself...the remote to myself...and I was miserable!  I need my snorting baby and my snoring husband - so I can sleep : )

Emrie and the man that made it happen!

It's hard to believe its been so long but it was about two years ago that Brian and I had decided to stop trying to have a baby and started the process to adopt a child.  That's when this amazing friend of mine, John, (pictured above with Mootzie) came to me with a commercial for Dr. Allon's fertility center, Advanced Fertility Center of Houston.  I remember saying, "Are you kidding me?  You want me to record a commercial for a fertility center knowing everything I've gone through?"  That's when he said, "No silly.  I talked to him about your 'situation' and he wants to help you."  It was then and there that I volunteered to broadcast live from the stir-ups if he could get me pregnant.  Luckily, Dr. Allon passed on that idea but he worked his magic and today Brian and I have our beautiful baby, Emrie, as a result.

Thank you John Seigler - you are a wonderful friend.  Thank you Dr. Allon - you are an amazing doctor.  And thank you God - you are an awesome God and I know that my friend, my doctor and my baby were all part of Your master plan.   

Another picture from KORA

KORA is working on a new TV commercial and since I bring Mootz up there with me all the time (you can normally hear her in the background) they want her in it.  We had a little photo shoot last week and I just have to share another of the pictures with you. 

Mootzie is such a happy baby - always smiling especially when she has a phone in her hands.  I joked with Brian that she's talking to her boyfriend!  She has a little friend, Cooper, at big school that she just loves playing with probably because he's a big chunck of baby boy and the only one big enough to keep up with her.  Anyhoo, I call him Mootzie's boyfriend.  The other day when I went to pick her up for the pictures, her group was just coming back from a walk in the giant 6 baby stroller.  It was a sight!  Right in the middle two seats were Mootzie and Cooper all smiles.  Cooper even cried a little when I took his girlfriend.  So sweet!!!

Look out Brian...this is just the beginning!

Emrie's First Steps

Yesterday was a BIG DAY for Emrie!  She took her first steps!  It all started at about 6:30am.  My mom was at the house and in the living room with Emrie playing on the floor.  All of a sudden she stood up and took 3 big wobbly steps - it was pretty awesome.  I'm so glad I actually got to see it.  Just to be sure that it wasn't some kind of fluke Mom and I put her between us and sure enough she took 3 more steps from her to me!  Whoo Hoo!

Emrie spent the day at "big school."  When I picked her up around 5:15 her teacher, Ms Jennifer, couldn't wait to share the news with me that Emrie had taken 5 big steps all by herself!  Before we left daycare, we tried to get her to do it again but no dice. 

When Emrie and I got home I put her in her walker - something she didn't really enjoy until just a few days ago.  Now that she's figured out how to move forward she loves it.  She "chased" me around the island in the kitchen several times before pooping out.  It was so great.  I caught some of it on video - now, I just gotta figure out how download the video to my blog. 

I called Brian to give him news about Emrie last night.  He's in Pennsylvania for the week.  He was so excited but sad too because he didn't get to see it.  He won't be back in town til Friday.  At the rate she's going, she'll be running around the house by the time he gets home! 

Following in Her Mommy's Footsteps

Look at that sweet little future DJ face!  Emrie loves listening to music.  Her favorite right now is Time is Love by Josh Turner.  She's also a big fan of I Hold the Bottle, You Hold the Wheel...of course there's just milk in her bottle but she has been known to get a little "milk drunk" on occassion.  Passes out everytime : )

More from the weekend...

The weather was so nice this weekend...not too hot, not too cold.  So, we decided to take advantage of the sunshine and spend as much time as possible outside.  Brian and I tried out the new patio furniture and Emrie tried out her new swimming pool.  She has a swimsuit but opted for the much more comfortable swim diaper instead.  Isn't she cute?!  Funny how that little tummy role is only cute at 9mths old! 

Updates from the weekend...

Mootzie's first pair of sunglasses!

We did a little shopping at Gander Mountain and Academy over the weekend.  Brian and Aiden are doing a father/son campout through our church this coming Friday and Saturday so we had to get supplies.  They got a tent, sleeping bags, a lantern, travel ice chest, bug spray and lightsabers.  Yes...lightsabers. Apparently these are required.  Emrie and I didn't really think it was fair that Brian and Aiden got all the cool stuff so we bought patio furniture and the really sweet sunglasses we're sporting in the picture. That's right...we are so cool!  I wore mine the rest of the day.  Emrie left hers on for about 5 minutes and then decided they were way better to chew on then actually wear. 

In desperate need of caffeine!

Remember the picture I posted of myself over the weekend looking all rested and happy? Uh huh...well, I am so tired this morning I was too scared to post a picture. The dark circles and bags under my eyes are HUGE!

For the last three nights Emrie has been getting up at least once a night. And by getting up I mean she's fully awake and crying. I think her teeth are bothering her so I've been using orajel and advil to help ease the pain but she's so hard to console at 2am. I've been able to get her back to sleep within an hour usually after a nice warm bottle but by then Brian and I are both wide awake. And, it seems like by the time we manage to fall back to sleep it's time to get up again.

A while back I bought some eye cream that has caffeine in it which is supposed to help with the dark circles and bags. This morning as I was applying it I was thinking I'd probably have better luck if I just rubbed a little Red Bull or Mountain Dew under my eyes.

This picture is from last night. I was looking through my new James Avery catalog. Mootz was looking too. She found some earrings she really liked. Just before Brian snapped this picture she was really studying the catalog but the minute he pulled out the camera she put on her biggest smile. What a little ham. And despite what her shirt says she was not Sleepy Sleepy Sleepy Sleepy.

Mootzie and her baby mini-skirt

This is a picture of Mootzie this morning just before her daddy packer her up and took to "big school." She was in a great mood and she just looked so cute that I couldn't resist taking a picture. Today she's sporting another of her bright spring outfits complete with a pink mini-skirt!

Please notice the bookcase in the background. Ahhh...my bookcase. It used to be filled with my favorite books, pictures and knick knacks but not anymore. Everything from the bottom two shelves has been shifted upward so that Mootzie can't get these items in her mouth. Apparently, the Twilight series books are pretty taste because she managed to eat a few of the corners off those before I got them out of her death grip. As fast as she's growing, it won't be long before the third shelf is empty too. And, someone mentioned that she may try to climb the bookcase so I should consider bolting it to the wall! REALLY?

Yummm....Breakfast!

This morning I was getting Emrie's bottle ready for breakfast when I noticed she was under her exersaucer. I knelt down to see what she was up to. That's when I noticed she was chomping on some left over puffs that had fallen underneath her seat the last time she was playing in this contraption!

I asked "Mootz! What are you doing?" She gave me the funniest look as to say "What? I'm eating breakfast." She even followed it up with an "ahhhh." What a little toot!

Happy Saturday!

Yesterday Brian and I attended Gary Chapman's A Growing Marriage Conference. I can't lie I had no idea what to expect. In fact, it wasn't until after we signed up (on Thursday) that I realized it was an allday event. Brian and I were both like...what is this thing going to be about and what are we going to do for 6 hours. Well, we actually had a really good time. We laughed and cried (okay, I cried) and we laughed some more all while learning tips to make our marriage the best that it can be. And, we've even started applying some of the things we've learned. For example, Brian has started putting the cap back on the toothpaste in exchange for me turning the lights off when I leave a room. Give and take. Simple stuff. Granted it's only been one day since the conference but it's a start. Whether you're recently engaged, have been married for 5 years like us or married for 40 years like my parents I encourage you to look into attending a marriage conference. It was truly a growing experience.

The picture is of Emrie and Aiden at our church - which provided child care for couples wishing to attend the conference. Aiden was the oldest kid there so he ended up being Mrs. Celina's helper. She said he did a wonderful job. Way to go Big Brother!

A little sleep goes a long way...

Or so they say...

Friday Emrie had her 9mth wellness check. That meant 2 shots. YUCK! So, I decided to give my dad the day off and take her to the doctor myself and then spend the rest of the day having quality Mommy/Mootzie time. Other than the minor tantrum when the nurse actually poked her with 2 needles, she was happy as a clam.

I'm happy to report that at 9mths 2weeks old, Emrie is weighing a healthy 24lbs and is 30inches long! That puts her in the 98% for weight and height. What can I say? She's Polish.

So after the visit to the doctor, a quick trip to the radio station and lunch out, Emrie and I both retired for a 2 hour afternoon nap! OMG! It was rejuvenating...invigorating...ahhh...SLEEP!!!

I know you really wanted to see Mootzie BUT I snapped this picture of myself instead so you could see how I look when I too have had an afternoon nap.

Bosses everywhere! I'm talking to you! We would all be much happier, healthier employees if you could just incorporate a little nap time into the regular work day.

Wiggle Worm

Mootz would not sit still for a picture this morning. Even in the one with her smiling her little foot was moving 90 to nothin'.

She was in a great mood this morning. She really loves music so when the Chuggington song was playing (parents will know what that mean) she started dancing. For right now that means she bounces up and down to the beat but at least she's on the beat. I predict it won't be long before she's doing a few John Travolta/Saturday Night Fever moves. It's in her blood. Her Daddy loves music too. He won't admit it but he knows all the words to all the songs on the Grease Soundtrack. That's right, I've caught him singing along on occasion.

Scrapbook update

Remember my master plan to work on Emrie's scrapbook this weekend - didn't happen. Brian and I were both supposed to be off but he ended up getting called into work and so did I (both jobs) so we were left trying to figure out what to do with Mootz. Well, he won the coin toss so she ended up tagging along with me for half the day then we he got off around noon he picked her up. Luckily, she was in a great mood. In fact, I think she was showing off a little for the people at Texas A&M. As you can see in the pictures she was busy entertaining my co-workers. She danced the Macarena for Linda and displayed her parenting skills for Gloria...well, actually she was chewing on her baby's head. Sweet little Mootz. She's almost as big as Gloria!

Emrie's First Easter Peep

Grandma Chris and Pawpaw gave Emrie some peeps in her Easter basket. As you can tell from pictures she started off a little unsure but by the time she devoured it she was pretty pleased with the whole experience. She looked so funny sitting there with little peep remnants around her mouth. I truly believe she would have eaten the whole package given the opportunity. She can't help herself...it's in her genes. Her mom (that's me) holds the much coveted Office of Admissions Peep Eating Champion title for squeezing 6 peeps in her mouth at one time. That's right. It was a proud moment.

Our little bunny wabbit

Ms. Alicia from Brazos Valley Kidz Academy (or as we like to call it Big School) just sent me the cutest picture of Mootz! Look at our little bunny wabbit - all smiles!

I forwarded it on to Brian and just to get a rise out of him I put "future playboy bunny" in the subject line. Blahahahaha!

What? It was funny! Okay fine - he didn't think so either.

So happy!!!

I totally forgot to post this picture. So, it's about a week old but too cute not to share. I had just pulled Emrie out of the tub. She looked so funny because her hair was sticking straight up on her little peanut head. She was laughing and snorting and cutting up so Brian managed to snap a quick picture before her mood changed...which it usually does when she has to get dressed for bed. Bath is great. Bedtime not so great : (

Babies and Bluebonnets

We have a small patch of bluebonnets on the walking trail behind our house. I got some great pictures of Aiden and Emrie on Sunday. Yes, I know its Tuesday but I got busy!!! Anyhoo, these are a couple of favorites. My babies in the bluebonnets! Luckily, Aiden doesn't read my blog or he'd be really upset but the baby reference. He's 9. He has hair on his legs now. He's a man. Blahahaha!

Bath Time is the BEST Time

A picture is worth a thousand words...but I'll go ahead and write some anyway. Ever since Mootzie was an itty bitty baby a bath calmed her down, cheered her up and soothed her. It became the cure all and she still loves them today. In fact, bath time is the best time just add some bubbles and its a party!

Mootzie turned 9 months old on Sunday, April 1. Before I know it, she'll be 1 year old and I'll still be working on her baby scrapbook. For the record, I am not a scrapbooker. Never done it before in my life but my friend Amy made one for her little boy, Addix. So, of course, I thought if she can do it so can I. I thought wrong! I got off to a real strong start. I told the story of "Mommy and Daddy" to set the scene and then went on tell about my pregnancy, labor and finally Emrie's birth. But then Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled around and my baby scrapbooking stalled. I've made it all the way up to month 2...did I mention she's 9months old? Brian and I are both off work on Friday so I've decided he and Mootz can have some quality daddy-daughter time while I try to get up to at least to month 4. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it.