With my blog I have always wanted to it to be me and 100% real.

I've been the mean girl and the bullied. 

Both sides of the spectrum are not fun. at. all. 

Teenage years are rough. Shoot even first college years are. I am not proud of some of the decisions I made or the ways I acted. I think it was my 'training wheels' of learning to be a mother and to raise a daughter. I pray I don't get payback for some of the things I did to my own mother.(sorry mom I knew not what I was doing.) Oh what I would do to keep Brynn in a bubble while growing up. I know I can't do that. I will strive to raise a strong, modest, kind, people loving, Jesus out-pouring daughter. I fell short of those things many times and I am sure somewhere along the way she may too. I want to do what I can to not have her do the same though. It's my desire for her to learn the way Jesus loves her and sees her. That way she can love and see people the same. I want Brynn to know that she is perfect in Gods image regardless of what people may say to her. I want to continue to keep my actions in check for her. The mimicking has begun and will continue to get stronger. Children want to be like their parents, those they look up to. It is my job to be the best I can be for her. 

I know that I am just in the beginnings of tough parenting decisions. I pray I can continue to be an example for her. 

These 'training wheels' are still on as I continue to learn how to be THE mother for OUR daughter. 

Brynn's [EIGHT] Month Update

Length: 28 inches

Weight: 19 pounds 13 ounces

Food: EBF about 6 times a day. She eats about 2 ounces of cereal for breakfast, 2.5 ounces of meat/veggie for lunch, and 2.5 ounces of fruit for dinner. We still do purees because she rather us feed her than feed herself. IF we give her the spoon she can get it in her mouth, but the food ends up all over the place first. She would eat all day if we let her. Anytime we have food she wants some. She loves puffs when we are out and about. Loves any food so far except pumpkin.

Sleep: She has actually been going to bed between 8:30 and 11 depending on if there is a game or not. She will sleep 6 hours straight and wake up to nurse then go back to bed until 9am. 6 hours is amazing for us! Still takes one long nap around 2 and a few short ones here and there randomly.

Clothes: 9 months. Some 6-12 months are still ok.

Trying to get pictures of an 8 month old and them being still is a joke. 

Diapers: Euro size 3 still

Movement: She is a mover all over the place. She is into everything. I know it will just become more and more. She pulls up on furniture or anything at that matter. Walks around while holding our hands or furniture. She can stand alone a little longer and has learned to land on her butt instead of her head. Loves to wave. You think she is waving bye bye sometimes, but I think she is saying come here.

Talking: A whole lot of baby babble. We think we have heard bye bye, dada, and mama. I think it's all babble though and she is still figuring everything out.

Teeth: Still no teeth, but you can see them in her gums and they are pretty swollen. Maybe this month they will actually appear. She sure is a pro at gumming stuff.

Loves:
-Spending time outside
-All the attention
-Swinging
-Music
-Water
- Skyping

Dislikes:
-Getting dressed
-Water in her face, but is always the one splashing.
-Guys holding her, except daddy.


Our sweet Brynnie,

You light up our lives. We can't believe how quickly you grow. You have become such a fun spirited little girl with the happiest personality. To watch you grow is a great blessing. God chose you to be ours and us to be yours. For that we could never be more thankful. We love you more and more each day. No exaggeration to that either. Happy 8months baby bug.

XO, Brooke

Lemon Butter Baked Cod

Ingredients:

-2 lb of cod(or any white fish)

-1/4 cup butter(grass fed)

-2 tbsp lemon juice

-1/4 cup of flour

-Dash(es) of paprika(depending om how flavorful you want it)

-Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

-Trim/cut filets to your liking
-Melt butter(on stove or micro) and add the lemon juice.
-Mix flour, salt, and pepper
-Dip fish into lemon/butter mix. Getting both sides thoroughly.
-Dip fish into flour mix. Getting both sides thoroughly.
-Place filets on uncoated baking dish. I covered a baking sheet with foil which also worked fine.
-Pour remaining lemon/butter mix over fish filets.
-Add your dash(es) of paprika to entire dish.
-Bake uncovered at 350 fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes until flaking happens.

Enjoy!

I'm married to a 27 year old.

Yesterday we celebrated the cutest, sweetest 27 year olds birthday.

My main man always says, "Oh, I don't need anything.", "Let's just do dinner with us.", etc. You think I would really listen? So, a surprise dinner party was planned, a painting from Brynn, and a Garmin Vivo Smart from me.

I was so excited to plan the dinner honoring my husband. He is so selfless and always thinks about everyone else year round. Brynn and I are so lucky every day of the year to have such a caring and loving man.

The making of Brynns art work for daddy. She obviously thoroughly enjoyed it. Or maybe it was getting her picture taken. 

Thank you to all of our friends for coming to celebrate Brads birthday!

I of course had to continue the tradition(5 years now) of making him a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. 

Can't wait to see where next years birthday has us in life. I love you beyond and am so thankful for you!

Worth it all

Little to no sleep.

Walking for hours to get a crying babe to sleep.

Skipping meals.

2 minute showers or showers at all.

Being on call 24/7 for milk.

I'm sure every mom is reading this knowing they have been there. A few months ago I read this article 'When love feels heavy' and boy was it spot on. I asked for Brynn. I had never wanted something so badly. I am so thankful God chose me to be her momma. I am so thankful I am the one that gets to take care of her day in and day out. To watch her grow up instead of someone else. Days can get hard, really hard. I thought I knew, but I had no idea. Being a momma has probably been the hardest job I've ever had. While being the most rewarding. Let me tell you these days, they are so worth it. Her smiles when she sees me. Her laugh because she thinks I am the funniest lady. How when I pick her up the crying can stop in a instant. I find myself crying sometimes because no other reason than I am just tired. Tired and can't believe this little girl is mine all in one. We made that. I kept her alive and healthy for 6 months just off nursing. It's the most amazing experience. For this is part of what God planned for our little family. Yes, I can still have dreams and fulfill them. Being a momma is one of those dreams, as well as traveling. Some will most likely get pushed aside, but like I said it's worth it all. I encourage you mommas that you are doing an amazing job. All the things people think your missing out on are worth missing out on. Yes, things all become a little harder, but it's worth it. You are strong and courageous. You got this. I know every day I need encouragement. So, in case you needed a little encouragement today, this is for you.

Carrot Fries

So I've been doing this whole 'clean eating' thing now for about a month with a few cheat meals in there. I've always ate what I wanted when I wanted. Which is why I am in the predicament of losing the last baby weight and toning up being so hard. Anyway,  I thought it had to be boring until I came across this carrot fry recipe during the 10 day clean eating squat mean challenge. They are SO good. They don't even taste like they should be healthy. Plus, they are so easy. I made them and heated them up later too which is good for a snack.

Ingredients:
7 large fresh carrots peeled and sliced to thin strips
1 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Garlic
1 tsp Chili Powder
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 375F
-Cover pan with foil
-Wash, peel, and slice your carrots.
-Coat carrots in Olive Oil in a bowl
-Add Garlic and Chili powder
-Sprinkle with salt and pepper
-Stir until all carrots are covered
-Spread carrots over pan evenly
-Bake for 15 minutes
-Flip carrots
-Bake for another 15 minutes or until brown around edges(Be sure you can pierce your fork through them.)

ENJOY!