Baby Splash

Brooklyn had her first Baby splash class on Friday night. I was a little worried about how she would do in the pool, especially since she hated the tub for the first 9 weeks of her life.



Much to my surprise, she did awesome! She seemed to love splashing/kicking in the water, watching the other kids/babies, and playing with her cousin J who is also in the class. They had lots of toys for the kids to play with and different floater toys that I could put Brooklyn in. She would just lounge in the pool. It was great.



During the class, they had 2 circle times where we were taught some pool safety and some neat sign language. I cant wait for Brooklyn to start signing. I know that it will be awhile but I am excited about it.

Why do things have to change?

Let me first say, this will be a little bit of an vent. ~If~ you don't want to read a vent I would just walk away from the computer right now!

Change: (V) to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone

I ~hate~ change. I hate everything about it, I hate it with a passion. I have always felt this way, as long as I can remember. I have feared/loathed new steps in my life for fear of what would happen next or for fear that I couldn't handle or like it. I hate that other peoples problems can also force change in YOUR life. I like my life and the people it...why do people leave? You get older...You lose touch with friends, You get married...you are labeled different than people how are not, Find a couple that you ~both~ enjoy hanging out with...they get divorced and then you are forced to like the new other , Have a baby...Now I am a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom).

Now don't get me wrong, I know that everyone has to have change in their life or they would just stay the same and never grow. Not even ~all~ change is bad. Sometimes you can change for the better which is great!(ie. Brooklyn) But even with great change, you can still be scared as hell about the outcome.

Personally though, all I can say is that I have had enough with change over the past year or two. ENOUGH... at least for a little while. What really gets me is that people act like it really isn't a big deal. They make comments like...'Well, get over it' , 'Its not like you will never see them' or my favorite 'Why do you care so anyway'. Why do I care...probably because it is MY LIFE!

It seems like there is a ripple effect with change. If you change one minute aspect of your life, it then changes everything. Alright, I think that I feel better!

Does anyone else out there in blog world agree OR am I just crazy?

Cool...Wanna play?

I stole these games from another blog that I read. There are ~so~ many games to play. Here are three that I played while I couldn't sleep at 4am this morning.

You Belong in 1988

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

You Are a Green Crayon

Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

You Are 46% Addicted to the Internet

You're somewhat addicted to the internet - but who isn't? You can keep it under check, and you're by no means a hermit.

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

Four Months Stats~

Just got back from the Doctor! Brooklyn is healthy and happy! Dr. Clawges said that she is also showing some ~early~ signs of stranger anxeity. It is not all surprising. When I was younger, I would cry if anyone other than my mom talked to me or when we would go to the store and stranger would say hi, I preceeded to hide behind my mother's leg. I guess she is like her mama! LOL

Her Stats:

Weight: 14 lbs. 2 1/2 oz. (66th percentile)

Height: 25 1/4 in. (91st percentile...Dave is excited that she might be a basketball player...I say supermodel)

Head Circumference: 40 in


My little isn't ~so~ little any more!


~Hugs...

My Preious Angel is Four Months Old~

Well, it has been 4 months since Brooklyn has blessed Dave and My life. She has brought so much joy, excitement, and completeness (is that a word..) to our lives. We ~love~ her so much and can't wait to see what the next 4 months hold for us.

In honor of her, I found this poem that really embodies how I feel about her and what she has brought to my life.

Here is a picture of her...4 moonths old!





Brooklyn, I love you and I hope that you like this poem!

My Baby Girl and Me
(Author Unknown)

It's three AM, they're all asleep,
and no-one's here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby girl and me.

Her little hand is feather light
Tucked up against my chin.
I hold her tiny hand in mine,
and stroke her baby skin.

The house about us creaks and groans,
The clock hands creep around.
She snuggles closer to me still,
And makes her baby sounds.

I love these quiet hours so much,
And cherish every one.
Store memories up inside my heart
For lonely nights to come.

All too soon she'll be grown up,
Her need for mama gone.
But until then I still have time
For kisses and for song.

Time for quiet hours like this
With her cuddled in my arms,
Where I wish she'd always stay
Protected, safe and warm.

And yet I know the day will come
When her tiny little hand,
will be bigger than my own.
she'll grow to be a woman.

But until then she's mine to love
With no one here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby girl and me.

~~To all those blog reading mothers out there, give your little one an extra snuggle, an extra kiss, and remember these times for they are leaving TOO fast~~

Hugs...

~Belated Christmas~

This weekend my BFF from MD came to visit. We have not yet exchenged Christmas gifts so we had a little belated Christmad. It was a lot of fun...Who doesn't like getting presents at anything. Kathleen is REALLY great a giving presents too, she just thinks so much about what the other would like and it ~always~ turns out great!

She also brought her man too! His name is Geoff (We call him Ge-Off though...I know I am a dork and proud) He is super cool and they seem to really be ~in love~. I guess is that I will be in a Matron Of Honor dress by this time next year!

Anyway here are some pics. Enjoy!

Splish, Splash Brooklyn's taking a bath!

Since Brooklyn came home from the hospital she had HATED bathtime with a passion. It took about 6 wks before she wouldn't cry the entire time. Dave and I learned tricks to get her to tolerate (not enjoy) bathtime.

1. Turn on the space heater on high 20 min before bathtime with door closed.
2. Heat water to about 100 degrees (yes, I know that is really hot but she didn't cry and it worked for her)
3. Have everything ready. Meaning towel out, water ready, soap on washcloth. Get in and get the heck out!
4. After bathtime keep heater on and dry, lotion and dress for bed in the HOT and Steamy bathroom

Those 4 tricks aided us in making sure that our daughter wasn't stinky and kept our ears from hearing her scream while wahing her.

Over the past few weeks to a month, she has started liking bathtime. Kicking and splashing like all those other children that I have always heard about. I know crazy! Then it started to take a turn, she started to outgrow her baby bathtub. She looked so uncomfortable and I started to worry that the screaming would come back. UGH!

I was reasearching what else I could get and found the EUROBATH. I ordered it and Brooklyn loves, loves, LOVES it! She was splashing, kicking, laying in the water having fun even after I washed her. It was a great bonding time and both of us had an awesome time!

Of course I have pics...





Brooklyn taking a bath:


And just something else to make you laugh! Brooklyn laughing~

What a GREAT day!

Well, Let me first say that this could have never took place if it wasn't for my fabulous husband.

Yesterday, I was able to have a girly day just like I would have had before Brooklyn came into our lives. Dave had her almost all day. I woke up Saturday morning and pumped as I leisurely watched Buffy. (Great episode by the way...i think that it was from the last season, which was the best season)

After pumping I got ready for Zumba and headed out. Ed was coming to Zumba for the first time. It was worth all the energy that I put out just to see Ed at Zumba. Way funny!

After Zumba, I came home eat breakfast and played online while watching the Food network. After doing for about an hour, I jumped into the shower and stood under the water for about 20 min. (alright probably not 20 min but it was awesome) Just standing in the shower is so great. Normally I am jumping in and jumping out in fear that Brooklyn will wake and be screaming by the time I get all lathered up.

By this time it was time for Brooklyn to eat and since I was home I feed her, kissed/hugged her, and was out the door.

I met Ed and Georgie the mall for lunch and to watch a movie. We watched Juno, which by the way was AWESOME. It was extremely funny and also very touching. I can say that it made me shed a few tears toward the end. Even the soundtrack was great. Most of the songs were songs that I have never heard BUT they were really great. If you are going to see a movie, go see Juno! I give it 2 thumbs up.

After the movie we all went to ElderBermen to do some retail therapy. The crappy mall ElderBerman is going out of business so everything was 50 - 70% off. Our lucky day. I didn't find anything for me but I did find a few things for Dave. (he did stay home all day with Brooklyn)

When I finally got home, Brooklyn was sleeping. I got on my PJ's and turned on the tube. While I relaxed after my crazy, wonderful day, Dave went to the grocery store to do grocery shopping for the whole week. All I had to do was make a list of what I wanted. That was a perfect end to that day.

As you can tell I have the BEST husband ever! I don't think that I will trade him in anytime soon!

Hope everyone had a great weekend too!

Spring in the middle of winter.

Yesterday in Morgantown is was a wonderful ~75~ degrees. It was great. Brooklyn and I were able to open the windows of the house and let some fresh air in. I have been wanting to do that since it is cold/flu season. So many people have been in and out of our home lately and I just really wanted the fresh air to clean it out.

We also were able to take a walk with some other Mommy's. We went on the rail trail and it was great talking about our kids, the new kids that we will have, and also about the new graffiti on our walk. Thanks for having us Shannon and Mandy...Oh and Heather next time you ARE coming!

~~side note~~ The graffiti is SO beautiful and I lot at graffiti as a little art show for us. It was nice to see the art displays.

I had brought my camera intent on taking a few pics of walk but I left it in the car. So sorry no pics of the walk.

BUT, I do have a picture to share.

Today, it is COLD....Such a change from walk it was yesterday. When I was laying in bed I was just picturing how crappy it was outside and how I wouldn't have wanted to go out.

Much to my surprise I saw this view from our kitchen windows.



It is still very cold and windy but it was nice to see something so pretty anyway.

I hope that everyone enjoyed the nice weather, where ever you are!

Big springtime Hugs...

Irritated!

Maybe I shouldn't be irritated but I am! UHG!!!

I don't know if anyone reading this knows but if you exercise anywhere else besides at your house, the month of January SUCKS!

WHY you ask?

Well, I blame it on New Years Resolutions! They are fine to have BUT good Lord! It makes parking, space to dance (you dance at Zumba), and having enough oxygen to breath really hard.

Today at Zumba there were like 45 people crammed into a space that should probably only ever have 20 maybe 25 people in it! Every 3 minutes I either got hit/stepped on or hit/stepped on someone else.

If I stepped on you and rolled my eyes....All I can say is MOVE!

Thankfully, it usually only lasts until mid-February and then goes back to normal!

I feel better now! Only 5 more weeks to go!

Let's bring on the Mountaineers....

Let's Go....




...Mountaineers!

28 little known things about Amber ~

Today Brooklyn has been a little fussy, well little doesn't really cover it so let me start again.

Today Brooklyn has been a holy terror! LOL I have had to tend to her more than normal which is fine. I am happy to do it but I also would like my time as well. SO since she is asleep now I am going to indulge in some "All About Amber" Time. Since I am 28 years old I was going to tell you all out there in blog land some facts about me. Some of you might know some and some of you might not. If you don't like what I say, please don't post with what you don't like and if you think that I need to add something let me know!

Here I go:

1. When I lived in my parents house I would lock the bathroom door as well as the linen closet door while in the shower. Just in case!
2. I thought that I was adopted until I was about 16 years old.
3. I fell in love with Dave in about 3 weeks. I think that he was sent to me!
4. All of Dave and my children will have middle names starting with "E" to honor my angel Skylar Elisabeth.
5. I can't name all 50 states BUT I can sing all of them in a song.
6. I can't fill in a blank US map BUT I teach 5th graders geography. Don't tell my principal that.
7. I can't eat anything with more than 5 ingredients that you can see.
8. My food can not touch even in my mouth.
9. Dave and I call each other "freaks" as pet names.
10. I thought that I would have 3 or 4 kids by the time I was 28.
11. I always knew that I would want to stay home.
12. I have only ever wanted to be a teacher.
13. I am a horrible speller and if it wasn't for spell-check everyone would know!
14. I hate taking showers and if it wasn't for being stinky I probably wouldn't
15. I hate the dentist and cry almost every time I go.
16. I am terrified of dying alone.
17. Tornadoes scare me to death, just about it makes my stomach hurts.
18. When I was pregnant with Skylar someone at my parents church told me "I would congratulate you but you are not married so I can't" and that hurt me in a way that she will never understand. I hope God tells her about that someday or her daughter gets knocked up.
19. My older sister is probably the coolest person that I know. I wish she lived closer so we could hang out more.
20. I hate to read with a passion.
21. I am terrified that I would get arrested and have to go to jail. I wouldn't last long there.
22. I can't wait for Brooklyn to be old enough to understand sarcasm.
23. I am very selfish.
24. I spend way too much money on Coach purses.
25. I pray almost every night but normally fall asleep in the middle.
26. I ~can't~ hide my feelings. If I am annoyed, I will look annoyed. It really sucks when opening lame Christmas gifts.
27. I don't think that I deserve such a wonderful husband in Dave and sweet daughter in Brooklyn but I will take them and not complain.
28. I miss my friends in Frederick more than they will ever know.

Hugs...

Bring on 2008!

Happy New Year all my blog readers! I hope that you all had a wonderful night however you spent it!

We went to Landis' house. They had a party with food and games! I was pretty low-key which was nice. We had family in so our plans changed several times before we decided what we were doing. Brooklyn was ~great~ though, I was actually nervous about how she would do and if we should have just stayed home. We got to there house about 7ish and she hung out for an hour (kinda fussy but nothing too bad) I fed her, PJs & swaddleme blanket on, feed again and off to bed. We started REALLY letting her CIO (Cry It Out) so she cried for about 10 ish min and went to sleep. Then all the adults had a great time playing games and even toasted each other when the ball dropped.

Oh Yeah...Happy Birthday Dave. The Big 3 - 0! His birthday is New Years Day is you didn't know! I would love to have that Birthday...

I guess that it is resoultion time. I don't think that I have one ~BUT~ I do plan on doing something. Last year before I knew that I was knocked up, I decided that I wasn't going to eat fast food for an entire year (ie. McDonalds, BurgerKing,etc..). The only thing "fast food" that I was going to be allowed to eat would be Chick - fil - A (since we eat there before every WVU basketball game and I would be sad if I had to bring a sandwich from home) and Subway (they have really good healthy choices). After I found out that I was pregnant, all I wanted was chesseburgers and fries so that commitment went right out the window. As i ate my chesseburger I always said "Give the belly what it wants".

Since I am currently ~not~ knocked and don't ~plan~ on becomming that way anytime soon. (Please God, I don't want to be pregnant right now. Love, Amber) I am going to revert back to my plan from next year. I also thought about cutting out candy too...but soon remembered that I love it too much and then got up to eat a candy bar!

Anyone else have a resoultuion or commitment that they are making this year?