Brookelyn's Ballet Recital

Last night was Brookelyn's FIRST ballet recital. The girls performed at Scottish Rite Hospital, a Children's Hospital in downtown Dallas. Keep in mind that I am filming her using the little camera (so I can post the video), the regular video camera, and holding Braedyn in the Hotsling (while also trying to wrestle the camera away from him) all at once. So, no commments about the poor videography! She did pretty well for her first try--at least she didn't cry or run off the stage!

DADA

Braedyn is getting TOO big!

Dance Party!

Here are Brookelyn and Braedyn dancing to Brookelyn's favorite singer, Beyonce!

Jenna's Visit!

Auntie Jenna came to visit (sorry this post is a little belated, but worth the wait)! On the way to pick her up, Brookelyn decided she HAD to potty immediately--and we knew she was serious as she had an accident at the photo place the day before (much to Uncle David's amazement) right on their entryway carpet. So, Daddy pulled over off the highway and Uncle David was the watchman while Brookelyn "took care of business". She couldn't beieve Daddy let her potty in the grass. Wow, we have come a long way--David didn't know the kind of crazy fun he was going to have with an old married couple and two young kids! But all was well as we drove away to pick up Auntie J.

Brookelyn and Braedyn had a great time with Jenna! Brookelyn is still talking about playing with all of Jenna's fun make-up and purse goodies, and Braedyn misses her snuggly shoulder (he apologizes for the slobber)! We hope she can come back again soon. Maybe we will have mastered the art of caring for two kids a little better by then!

Too Cute!

So maybe only Honey and Aunt Barby Gayle will truly appreciate this, but here is Brookelyn saying a little poem that my mom taught me when I was about Brookelyn's age.

And, not to be outdone, here is Braedyn just loving the fact that he is not wearing that stinky helmet anymore (actually, he could probably care less, but I sure am glad)!

As you can see, he has recently found his tounge and just LOVES sticking it out. Actually, it has been a good thing--tonight he said, DADA a couple of times. We aren't counting it just yet, but Allen is proud nonetheless!

The Helmet is OFF!

Today Braedyn got his helmet OFF! Here he is at the doctor in his LAST helmet photo:

And here is big sis watching over her "spikey" before the doctor came in.We went to see the doctor this morning at 9:30 and got to see our technition, Lisa, pretty quickly. After stripping Braedyn down, they did another set of the 3-D photos. Braedyn put the cute little panty hose back on-Brookelyn could not stop laughing at how funny he looked-and posed on the podium. Here are the before and after pictures:

In the picture above you can see how flat the back of his head was before, and how much more filled out he is now. Look especially from his neck up the back. You can also see how much more head he has straight back from his ear in the second picture.In this picture you can see how much more he has filled out on the back right side. He is much more symmetrical back there. Also look how much more oval his head is on the right, where on the left he is much more round. This helps show how much his forehead has filled out too.

Then, we waited a little longer before going in for the "mug shot" pictures. The doctor will be emailing those to me in the next two weeks, so once I have them I will post them. But, she did share Braedyn's "numbers" with me. The short story is that they measure the ratio of three different places on his head. A normal measurement is between 1-2. Braedyn's first measurement was initially 11, but now is 1. That is an incredible change! His second measurement was initially 8, but now is 1. And, his final measurement was initially 3, but now is 1. So, bottom line, the helmet did what is was supposed to and he is even more perfect than before! Here is Braedyn's first helmet free picture--he wanted to rock the hoodie!

Uncle David Comes to Visit

Uncle David came for a visit, and I think Brookelyn has found a life long playmate! He was totally amazing with her! David played Legos with her after the babies got their Christmas pictures taken (read the funny story below about that), cooked in her Dora kitchen, took her in and out of her carseat (at her request), held her hand across the streets, and yes, even WIPED HER NOSE! I laughed and told him when he first arrived that Allen and I were going to leave the kids with him and go to dinner, but by the time he left I think that he would have been fine if we left! Here are a couple of pictures from Uncle David's visit:

Isn't he a natural? All you single ladies out there or married ladies with single friends, TAKE NOTE!

*Funny Christmas Picture Story:

Allen was carrying Braedyn as we walked into the studio to begin taking Braedyn and Brookelyn's Christmas pictures. The photographer turned to Allen and asked him if Braedyn was sitting up yet, and he looked at her, pointed at me, and said, "You will have to ask her; I am not sure." The photographer looked at Allen and said, "Oh. Are you the friend?" Poor Daddy!

Black Friday!

On Friday morning Allen and I woke up at 4 am (actually Braedyn already had woken us up at 3:30 am), got the kids in the car, and headed to Walmart. We were on a mission! However, we did not realize what we were in for. When we got to Walmart the lot was PACKED. Allen dropped me off, so I could run in and claim our list of goodies. I grabbed a cart and rushed inside. It was literally insane. People were running with their carts, grabbing stuff off the shelves, pushing, hitting my heels with the wheels of the carts, yelling, and just acting like crazed animals. However, we were able to get everything we wanted and make it out of the store with both kids in good moods.

Here is Brookelyn and Allen standing in line. Both babies were still in their PJs. What you cannot see are all the people in line both behind and in front of us!

This was just the beginning though. We stayed out until 1:30 in the afternoon! And, Brookelyn and Braedyn were angels! Neither fussed or complained. We think this might become a Bates Family tradition!

Brookelyn's Thanksgiving Music Program

Brookelyn's school put on a music program before Thanksgiving Break. It was absolutely adorable! Here's Braedyn and I waiting to see our little star perform.

And, here is Brookelyn performing "Miss Suzie". I know the quality isn't very good (sorry), but she is the fourth from the left.

Her next big performance is her ballet recital on December 11th. Stay tuned...

2 going on 20

Brookelyn has been quite the little stinker lately! The other day she asked me to throw something in the trash for her. I looked at her, told her no, and made the mistake of asking if her arm was broken. Well, since then, almost every time I ask her to do something (regardless of whether it actually involves her arm) she will look at me and tell me no, her arm is broken. Of course she has the cutest little look on her michevious face as she says it. However, after the fifteenth time, it has begun to lose its cuteness! Case in point, this morning (after yet another sleepless night) Braedyn was wailing in his crib, so I asked Brookelyn to sing to him. She started in on the ABC's, the Brookelyn rendition that usually lasts at least 10 minutes, but after only 30 seconds, she stopped and turned to me and said, "Mommy I am out of gas." Now, I know Allen and I have never said that before, so who knows where she heard that? When I gave her a crazy look, she proceeded to then tell me that her arm was broken. Now why that prevents her from singing I am not exactly sure, but if I have learned anything over the past couple of months, I have learned to pick my battles, so I didn't push her. Later on this morning we were having our daily dance-a-thon before taking her to school. Yes, Brookelyn loves to dance and will even request a certain artist. Her current favorites are Beyonce, Pink, and Rhianna. And yes, she can tell you who is singing when their songs come on! Anyway, while we were dancing, I told her, "Look, mommy can do a pase (a ballet move)." She flipped her little blown out hair around, looked and me, and told me, "No mommy! We only do pases on Thursday at ballet!" Well, who knew she what days of the week her activities were on?!

Braedyn's Latest Photos

While Honey and Sashi were in town, we took Braedyn to get his pictures made. Take a look at Mr. Handsome...

Allen thinks this whole helmet thing is good practice for Pee Wee Football. I am not so convinced yet, but it sure makes a cute picture!!

Also of note, Braedyn went for his 6 month check up today. He passed with flying colors; here are his stats:

WEIGHT: 16.141/2 (25%)

LENGTH: 27 (80%)

HEAD:17 1/2 (65%) This was actually an inch increase from 2 months ago--it shows how well his helmet is working by filling out his flat area!

I really like our doctor here. She chatted with me for almost an hour! Her only point of contention is Braedyn's weight. He is a little low for his height, which is actually suprising with all that he is eating. So, we started adding in lunch today (he had pumpkin in honor of Thanksgiving coming up). She said that we would look at his weight again next time, and hopefully he will have gained a bit more and be more balanced with his height.

And also important news: Last night Allen and I found TWO TEETH poking through his little gums (which explains our sleepless nights)! Yea Braedyn!!

Allen "Relaxes" and Reads the Paper

Some argue that men can't multi-task, and I must admit I have made a snide comment to that effect a time or two. But, I may be wrong. Here is Allen doing his best to "relax", read the newspaper, and parent (dad's don't babysit) Brookelyn this morning.

Around the House Today

Today we stayed around the house and enjoyed a (somewhat) relaxing day watching football. Here is Daddy and Braedyn, The Kings of the Couch. Braedyn was channel surfing. His little shirt is in honor of Grandpa Bates--and NO he does not need a drum set while he is living in our house!

Brookelyn also wanted in on the action. She got all dressed up (thanks for the outfit Grandma and Grandpa), and was cheering for the Razorbacks; she didn't understand that they didn't play today. This was actually a good thing in our house because it meant we didn't have to walk lightly around Daddy because he was in a bad mood from a long game in which the Razorbacks ultimately lost after a really long miserable battle.

Brookelyn Goes to the Dentist

Today Brookelyn headed to the dentist (her second time--not including when she went for the chipped tooth as a baby, or the many trips to Dr. Travis--the oral surgeon down the street in San Antonio). Dr. Sandy said that everything looks great. Surprisingly enough the little tendon she severed that connected her lip to her gum has even grown back (Dr. Travis said it would but my mom and I just couldn't imagine that it possibly could--I guess that shows you should trust a doctor with years and years of experience in his field).Here is the doctor counting her teeth--which Brookelyn loved!And here is the doctor rubbing in her Princess paste (aka Flouride).Brookelyn was very proud of herself after it was all over! Before we left, we made a potty stop and look--they had a mini potty that was "Just her size!"

Brookelyn the Ice Princess

Here she goes folks! Honey and I didn't know how this whole experience would play out, but our money was on the probablitity of Brookelyn not being able to balance for her life...
But we were WRONG! All that practice strutting around the house in her princess high-heels has paid off! Brookelyn was not only able to walk in her ice skates, she actually did a pretty good job skating in them! The only way were able to get her to leave was to promise to have her Daddy come back and go with her soon!

Check out our little ice princess in action!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM DORA, BOOTS, DIEGO, ALICIA, AND ABUELA!

No pictures to post--just a quick update!

Brookelyn:
Today she had her school Halloween party and parade. It was adorable, and her Dora costume was a hit. No one could believe she wore the wig--and isn't it ironic that this is the child who thinks everything is itchy! I got to do a craft with the kids in her class, which was really fun. I had been looking forward to seeing her interact with the teachers and her classmates. I guess my main take away is that I sure wish she followed directions that well at home!! Before I left her school, the teachers mentioned that no parent had stepped forward to be the class coordinator, so guess who agreed to take over? I am actually very excited to put together games and snacks for their little parties. All of you creative people reading this blog--send me your holiday ideas!!
On a different note, last night when I was putting Brookelyn to bed she just looked so angelic and precious. She was looking at me with those big blue eyes from behind her sippy cup, and something just struck me to ask, "Do you want to say your prayers tonight?" She said yes, and put down her cup. Very seriously she clasped her hands, bowed her head and said, "Thank you for my lunch. AMEN!" I had to work hard not to laugh, but I thought it was just adorable! Shout out to Grandpa Bates!

Braedyn:
He had his helmet appointment yesterday. Everything looks great, and we go back again next week. His head is growing at such a rate that we have been going weekly instead of bimonthly! Hey, growing that big noggin is good for something--hopefully he will get the helmet off twice as fast. Actually, the helmet has come in handy a couple of times. Overzealous big sis opened a book right on his head the other day, but no injury or tears thanks to his Razorback helmet! And, I must confess, I accidentally hit him with my knee the other day trying to lug myself up off the floor, but again, his trusty helmet saved him. Maybe we should just keep him in it until he turns 16!?
Today was also Braedyn's first real baby playdate. I met a lady at a neighborhood get together last weekend and she invited us to meet her and her friends today. It was great because Brookelyn was at school and we could have a little "baby time". He enjoyed the other babies--probably because none of them could move much either and he didn't have to worry about a two year old bouncing him around (lovingly of course).

We miss you all and will be sure to post pics of Trick or Treating!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Two Little Gobblins

Brookelyn decided to pose with her little bro this afternoon. Why wouldn't she do this at the professional picture place?

Does this make your heart melt or what?!

Boo's Who?!

It is almost scary how much the two of them look alike!!

Potty Talk

Brookelyn was on the potty yesterday afternoon just chatting up a storm. I was making dinner but came to check on her and she told me, "Mommy, ready?" "Pray your hands. Bow your head. Thank you for loving me. AMEN!" I thought it was adorable! I tried to get her to do it again, but this is all I got. You can hear a little of it at the beginning, and then we digress (as always). I will have to tell her teachers that Brookelyn is paying close attention in chapel!!

TONIGHT WE HEADED TO THE "PUMPKIN PROWL"

Brookelyn has STRAIGHT Hair

Tonight when Allen was blowdrying Brookelyn's hair, I took the dryer and a round brush and blew her hair out straight. Doesn't she look like a little girl?!

Big Sis Is the BEST!

Brookelyn has been reading a big sister book, where the big sister feeds her little brother. So, today, I gave in and let her go for it. She did a great job and he absolutely loved it.

Here are the two of them at the breakfast table-I should have taken a video so you could hear them! She was singing and carrying on, and he was just eating it up!

My Daddy Does My Hair

Have you ever seen those cute little t-shirts that say, "Daddy does my hair"? Well, Allen has started blow drying Brookelyn's hair after her bath! Here is a short little video:

TaTa, ACEE, and Jonathan Come Visit

Here are some pictures of our great weekend; we just wish that they could have stayed longer!!

Check Out My Cool Helmet!