She even wore hand painted donut shoes by our friend Katie!

My girl has been looking so old lately that I thought it is time to post about her 2nd birthday. I have had a love for donuts for well....ever. She happily accepted the love once she turned 1 and tasted her first donut. So, donuts were the theme. We went with a brunch party and lots of flavors in tow. Bubbles were of course her favorite gift she received and she got some really cool stuff too. Two year olds, what can ya do? 

My dad and I made the donut truck.

My grandparents from Florida flew in to make her party. 4 generations right here!

Brynn's [EIGHTEEN] Month Update

[Weight]: 26.2 pounds-Finally she is getting some weight on her.

[Height]: 33 inches-They find her huge compared to most kids they see in Luxembourg. 

[Teeth]: All teeth except the top and bottom canines. I think she is working on them now though because the fussiness is beyond me. 

[Clothes]: 2T, but some 24 month shirts.

[Shoes]: She is already in a 7. I can't savor cute shoes to save my life. 

[Words]: Mama, Papa(daddy), please, danka(thank you in german), car, puppy, book, ball, hi, bye bye, night night, Brynn, and the rest she will copy us, but not say on her own. We try and work with her constantly since she is just at home with me.

[Favorite toys]: Puppy in a purse, ball and goal, anything small she can carry around especially her new donuts, and her Minnie car.

[Favorite Activity]: She loves for us to read to her. Especially Night Night Little Pookie. She would live outside if she could. Yes, even in the cold. She likes to help with laundry and cleaning. Even though I have to go behind her and fix everything. It's so cute how she is at a helpful stage. We sit and do puzzles often. Ok, maybe she just takes them out of their place and throws them, but whatever same thing. 

Brynn has THE silliest personality. Always cracking up for some unknown reason. She is at such a fun stage. I love how independent she is. She still has her love for people. She will give the whole room "knucks" and kisses. She can be so sweet, but also a terror. Whoever said infant stage is harder I disagree(although I love the sleep I get now). Chasing a kiddo around all day is exhausting, but I truly wouldn't change it for anything. I'm so thankful she is still a snuggler. That definitely puts off my baby fever….for now. She hates when dada has to leave which is more than not, but is ecstatic when he walks in the door. Thankful for a country where we get to spend more time with Brad. Brynn truly enjoys his company, as do I.

Side note: I've decided to just do updates every 6 months now. She doesn't change as quickly anymore. 

Brynn's [TWELVE] Month Update

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL

Weight: 20 pounds and 15 ounces 

Height: 30.5 inches 

Clothes: 12-18 months and size 5/6 shoe

Food: Every possible table food it seems like. She eats all day long. Grapes and strawberries have been her go to here lately. Still loves her squeeze pouches of fruits and veggies(especially squeezing them all over the car). Still nursing when she wakes up, before bed, and whenever she wakes at night. 

Sleep: Goes down between 8:30pm and 9pm. Wakes around 8am. Naps twice a day for about an hour or two each time. Wakes twice in the night, which is really progress for us! The past 4 nights she has slept through the night! Praise Jesus! 

+She now has 4 teeth and I think working on some more somewhere in there. 

+She says: Dada, Mama, dog, thank you, bye bye and Hi 

+Her silly personality has really started to shine. She cracks me up all the time. 

+Extremely friendly, will go to anyone, and wave to everyone. I will definitely have to be teaching stranger danger. 

+Loves anything to do with phones and remotes even though we are constantly taking them away from her. Maybe toy ones would be a good birthday gift? 

+She would live outside if I let her. 

+The 3 pups and her are the best of friends. Probably because she plays tug of war, feeds them all her snacks, and gives them kisses the way they do her. 

Sweet Brynn, 

Today and Tomorrow is all about you baby girl. As I write this with tears in my eyes, I can't believe you have reached a year old. I still remember hearing your cry for the first time and your daddy bringing you over to me. This year has flown by incredibly too fast. I tried so hard to soak in every second, but I think I fell short. Although, I still remember your newborn smell, the way you felt curled up in my arms, and the way I felt every day knowing you were mine and I was yours. Your joyous spirit has helped me through many days. This next year I will soak in every second more than I did the last. I love you and love you and love you and love you more each day.  Happy Birthday my pretty princess! Now, let's go Fla'mingle'!

Brynn's [ELEVEN] Month Update

Weight: 21 pounds 1 ounce(i guess all the walking has made her lose a few ounces.)

Height: 30.5 inches

Clothes: 12-18 months and size 5/6 shoe

Sleep: Takes about two 2 hour naps a day, unless she naps 4 hours straight randomly.(yes, that happened) Still not a good night sleeper up every 4 to 5 hours. 

Food: She will eat any and everything ALL day long. Nursing every 5 to 7 hours daily and whenever waking up at night. Looking for ways to start weaning in a month. Would love any suggestions!

She now has 3 teeth and working on the fourth.

Has started to run, even if she falls over more times than not.

She loves kids and has an absolute ball at daycare and the church nursery. 

Blows kisses with the back of her hand. 

Waves constantly. 

She will let you know if she doesn't want to do something. Strong willed little babe. 

Loves the water, swinging and her ball. 

Brynn, you have become such a fun spirited little girl. You keep my days interesting. It is such a soft spot watching you grow up and become more independent. You are almost one and boy does it tug some heart strings. I love you so much more each day than I ever thought possible my beautiful girl. 

Brynn's [TEN] Month Update

(May 24, 2015)

Weight: 21 pounds 3 ounces

Height: 30 inches

Food: Eating any and every table food. Loves the squeeze fruit/veggie pouches. Still nursing about every 4 hours during the day and whenever she wakes at night.(Almost to our year goal!!) Although, she has gone 5-7 hours during the day without nursing if she is busy playing.

Sleep: It has been a terrible month with sleep. Up every 3-4 hours and taking a nap around 11am and 2pm.

Clothes: 12-18 months and size 5 shoe

Diapers: Size 3

Started walking a little over a week ago.

Learned to suck out of a straw.

Loves the water.

and drinking it.

Knows "If your happy and you know it clap your hands".

Has two little bottom teeth.

Loves ice.

Still screams when getting her diaper or clothes changed.

Can only handle about 3 hours in the car before she is ready to get out.

Loves board books and anything that makes noise.

How is my sweet little baby 2 months shy of 1?! I feel like we were in the hospital just yesterday. This month I have really noticed her personality beaming. It is so big just like her beautiful smile. Joy was prophesied over her when she was still in my tummy and her life has definitely brought that to us and so many others. Days can get rough, but there is nothing else I rather be doing with my time then raising my sweet girl up. We love you more and more sweet baby!

Brynn's [NINE] Month Update

Weight: 19 pounds 14 ounces

Height: 28 inches

Clothes: 9-12 months. She has so many CUTE summer clothes waiting on her back in Texas. She can't wait to wear them! ;) (10 days!!)

Sleep: You know she has never been a great sleeper, but I finally can get her to bed between 9 and 10 at night. She will sleep until 3am and be up about every 3 hours from there until 9am.

Food: Cereal for breakfast, meat/ veggie combo for lunch, and fruit for dinner is the norm. She is still EBF whenever she pleases. We head home soon and I have a feeling things are going to have to change once I go back to a sumer job. She would eat any and everything all day if possible.

Yep, even grass

She learned to click her tongue so you can hear that often around the house.

She claps and it is probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. We have even caught her standing up on her own and clapping. I guess she is a pro at mimicking mom and dad.

Still no teeth actually out, but we can finally see the white of those little buggers. Her poor little gums are all swollen. We have had some pretty rough nights and days. I have a feeling we will get 4 teeth all at once.

Crawling so fast all over the house. Has taken few steps here and there, but not a steady walk.

Standing up on her own and walking all over anything she can pull up on. Even peoples pants in results to almost pulling them off.

She still prefers to play with us over her toys. Although, she has gotten better at playing with them.

You know brushed and water bottles are better than any toy.

She loves the plastic books we have for her.

Happy 99% of the time.

She would spend all day outside if we let her.

Loves the camera. She will smile, pose, or try to get it every single time without fail.

Babbles like crazy. We think she says mama, dada, bye bye, and kuck-kuck.(what they say to play peek-a-boo here)

Waves Hi, but hasn't quite figured out how to open and close her hand to wave bye bye.

We truly can't believe how fast she is growing. She will be one way too soon. I think I am a bit in denial. Our sweet Brynnie lights up our lives and so many others. She truly has brought so much joy to our lives. I don't even know what to do half the time when I realize she is really mine. We love you even more than the day we laid eyes on you. Who knew that was possible.

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

Brynn's [SEVEN] Month Update

Weight: 17.5 lbs(as of 2/10/15)

Height: 27.1 in(as of 2/10/15)

Food: We are still EBF. She nurses about every 2 to 3 hours. Getting 2 ounces of baby food at lunch and 2 ounces at dinner. Sweet Potatoes seem to be her favorite food yet. We have started an ounce of meat at lunch time and she gobbles it up quick.

Sleep: Brynn is such a night owl staying up until midnight. No complaints most nights though since it fits our current lifestyle. She now is officially on to 3 one hour naps a day. Still waking every 3-5 hours at night to nurse. She loves to cover her face with her blankie when she sleeps. Which makes me constantly check on her.

We had to lower her bed all the way down since she knows how to pull herself up now.

She cruises all over the house so quick in her walker.

A solid 6-9 month clothing with some 9 month being too short, but big in the body.

As of February 18th she left the scoot behind and upgraded to the crawl. Which has resulted in lots of bumps and scrapes.

She can stand by herself for a few seconds.

She is so happy that when she has little meltdowns I freak out.

She loves to eat her socks.

The Dr. assured us that those teeth should be breaking through any day now.

Typical kid that rather play with shoes and water bottles than all the toys she has. She picks up a toy, throws it aside and takes off crawling after anything but.

I woke up one day during the coming of her 7th month and realized she looked like such a big girl. No longer an infant, but a baby. Boy did it break my little heart. Happy, sad all in one. Happy 7 months sweet girl! You'll be one before we know it and I sure am not ready. I love your sweet, silly personality. Being your momma is the greatest, hardest thing I've ever done. You make our lives worth it. We love you SO much.

Brynn's [SIX] Month Update

(1/24/15)

Weight: 15 pounds 6 ounces(as of 12/11/14) We go back to the Dr. this week, but everyone has said oh my gosh she has gotten heavier. We all know she is our long skinny bean pole and I love it.

Height: 27 inches

Sleep: It has been rough month with sleep. She has done a solid every 4 hours with a few nights of 7am waking thrown in there. Those 7am wake up calls honestly make the every 4 hour nights 100% worth it. Although, she has done drastically better since these past 2 weeks of baby food. Still sleeping in her own room/own crib on her belly unless she rolls herself around. Only naps for about 45 minutes 3 times a day with one 2 hour nap. Oh and she has proved that she will sleep for my mom better than us. You little stink.

Clothing: 6 months with some 9 month PJs and already wearing size 3 shoe. Yep, big feet over here just like mommy and daddy. No shame baby girl.

Eating: Breastfeeding every 3 hours during the day and whenever she wakes at night. We have officially started our baby food journey. She has an ounce at lunch and an ounce at dinner. She will scream and get really impatient when I don't feed her fast enough. I think that means we are on the verge of more. So far she has had avocado, squash, peas, and pears. She has loved them all this far and no allergy reactions which makes me one happy momma.

Diapers: Cloth at home until I sent them home with my mom on the 19th of this month. I honestly have zero energy to do anymore laundry than I already do. A husband that is 6'7" having workout clothes twice a day, a teeny European washer, baby laundry, and along with my laundry calls for 11 loads a week. No thanks. I am now down to 9 a week. Hey anything helps.

Mood: Happy go lucky. She wants you all up in her face at all times. Only one hour crying fit from teething this month. Progress people. BTW Punkin Butt Oil is the greatest invention I have come in contact with for teething!

Likes: 
-Rolling all over the floor
-When daddy whistles
-Giving kisses
-Sitting up
-Standing up
-Water
-Her walker
-Looking at herself in the mirror
-Snow

Dislikes:
-Taking naps longer than 45 minutes
-Putting her arms in clothes, but thinks when it goes over her head is funny.
-The vacuum


Honestly, as every month approaches I am blown away by," how is it possible I have 'this many months' baby". SIX MONTHS…..HOW?! I'm in a mix of heartbroken and ecstatic at my sweet babes age. I want her to be a baby forever. So I can hold, smother snuggle her forever. I love this stage she is in though. She is such a blast and I have so much fun watching her turn into this silly, confident little girl. I can already tell she is going to be strong willed. She already wants to do things on her own. It sets me back every time. No Brynn, you can't stand up on things, try to crawl scoot to what you want, or grab the spoon to eat.

Happy 1/2 Birthday baby girl! We love you more than ever. Yet, I know I'll love you deeper tomorrow.