Silly Mary, Sick Mary

When eating Mary likes to run her fingers through her hair.  I think it's super funny, Josh not so much (probably because he is in charge of baths most nights :)  This particular night she ran her fingers through her hair after grabbing HANDFULS of quinoa veggie soup.....oye!! This was the style that she created :)

 Little bit workin the Qunioa-Do and her super soft cloth diaper :)

 She makes the cuttest faces!!

 This was my sad Mary with a fever of 103 :/  She ran a fever for two days and was miserable!!!!  then it just became a 99-100 temp and  a fussy baby.  I suspected the cold had turned into an ear infection when the temp hung around and she stayed fussy (she had been congested and didn't want me touching her ear).  Ran to Sprouts and grabbed WishGardens Ear Infection drops (one for the ear and one oral).  Mary has been on them along with some Mommys Milk and is doing GREAT!  We don't need motrin anymore and the dr said her ear is looking good!! He could tell it had been infected but seemed to be healing.  As long as the high fever doesn't return we don't need an Rx....woohoo!!!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that our pediatrician supports our "alternative" healthcare ideas and am so blessed to be able to run to a store 5 minutes down the road to buy fabulous herbal remedies that do the job 99% of the time :)

 Such a good Daddy....and such a pitiful baby! All she wanted was to snuggle her Daddy when he got home from work.  I'm apparently only needed when she is hungry :)

Great Great Grandma Christy's Hat

My Great-Grandma Christy (my moms grandma) was a tiny little lady who always wore a hat and gloves to church.  She died when I was little (not before I was able to get to know her, thank God) and my mom had the privilege of getting some of her church gloves and this white "sunday hat" among other things.  My sisters and I would play tea party and dress up with a few pairs of the gloves growing up....until we outgrew the gloves :)  Mom then safetly packed them back up and recently gave two pair along with this "sunday hat" to Stephie for dress up......THEY ARE HER FAVORITE ITEMS!!!  She loves to wear the hat and a pair of gloves DAILY and of course they are the perfect accessory for every outfit )

 Mary has started to get in on the accessorizing! She only leaves the hat on for a minute or two but for those minutes she thinks she is HOT STUFF!

Thanks to Grandma Christy for taking such great care of her things....so many years later they are still being loved and I think if she were able to look down on my tiny little Mary wearing her hat it would make her smile...not so sure how she would feel about Stephie "cooking" in her sunday gloves :)

Stephie and Daddy

Mum and Papi bought Stephie a wonderful Dora game for the Wii....she LOVES it!!!  It was super cute to watch Josh try to teach her how to play.  She wanted to do it by herself but would get frustrated when it got stuck....a learning curve for sure :)

 Tea Party!!! Josh's Aunt Lori sent a FABULOUS little tea set for Stephie's bday.  She had been asking so use it since she opened it but we were waiting for better weather.  Finally we had a day that Daddy was home and it was nice out! We put Mary down for a nap.  Loaded the tray with vegan chocolate chip cookies and water and headed out to the picnic table.

 Learning how to pour "tea"

 Blowing on it, hahaha!

 Daddy teaching Stephie to say "cheers'

 HAPPY GIRL!!

 Then off to burn of the sugar by playing on her new bday swing.

 Fabulous time with Daddy....Memories Made!

our FAVORITE place to be!

Here are a bunch of random pics from our many adventures outside.  Our backyard is our haven and provides hours of fun, peace, joy and stress release :)

 Yes, Stephie is in jammies and cowboy boots....such a Texas girl, haha!

 Mary doesn't walk but the girl sure does LOVE to climb!!

 We keep the passy in to discourage her from eating the acorns ALLLLLLL over our yard :/

 This cracked me up! She usually climbs ON TOP of the picnic table and sits (makes me crazy!!) This day she sat at it like a big girl and just watched Stephie and our foster kiddo play....was so cute!!

Silly passy baby sucking it upside down....she was probably chewing it since we seem to be taking FOREVER to cut anymore teeth!! Rockin steady with only 5 1/2 teeth.

Happy Bday Stephie!

Stephie had an extra special 3rd bday!! Mamaw flew out from Kentucky and Mum, Auntie J'aime and Vince drove out for her family party.  We had a big Diego party planned but both Stephie and Mary came own with the cold that WOULD NOT QUITE so we had a small family party instead :)

 Is it just me or do these two look alike??? I would say the Brooks' genes are strong :)

 Stephie opening all her WONDERFUL OUTSIDE toys

 Stephie was SOOOOOO excited that Auntie Mimi's friend Katelyn came to her party! Stephie thinks Katelyn is pretty awesome!

 So excited about her binoculars (they are a big deal because Diego has some he uses to find the animals that are in trouble....just ask her about them!)

 Mum helping her open her special princess purse

Happy birthday big sister! You are my mini me in every way and that is such a special gift!!  You are a super helper, independent yet still so snuggly, you try anything, eat like a CHAMP, love your sister to bits and make me laugh everyday! You are growing into a fabulous little lady who loves her veggie tales, dora, diego and bible stories.  You amaze me at how you can complete the sentences with Daddy when reading your story bible.....May the Lord continue to be a part of your life and you one day choose Him as your savior.