It takes two...

...two years before a child has developed all the attributes and brain power they need to be the most perfect lovable angel and then be able to turn into what I like to call a "wild thing" the moment they sense their sense of control over you is slipping. Despite her wild side, Brooke still shares the #1 spot with Mike for my favorite person in the world.

We had so much fun celebrating her 2nd birthday, I think I enjoyed the festivities as much as Brooke. 

On Thursday the 28th we took Brookee to Kangaroo Zoo along with Grandam Bevington, her cousin Tommy, Brigham and her second cousin Akina.

After the kids were worn out from bouncing we headed home for pizza and ice-cream cake. April and Jack were able to come too which was also a special treat for Brooke.

Sunday we held Brooke's birthday party with the grandparents and boy was she sad that I wouldn't let her have a cupcake before our guests arrived...

Finally!

Brooke loved partying it was so cute and she loves loves all her presents - thanks everyone who made Brooke's 2nd b-day great.

Motherhood

Since this is my "momblog" I will take advantage of this outlet to advertise for Motherhood, a surprisingly thoughtful movie [starring Uma Thurman] that go me thinking as well. Maybe that's what I liked the most about it.

Do not watch this movie if...
...You do not want to cry
...You hate children

Do watch this movie if...
...You are a mother and love validation
...You want a good laugh/cry
...You want to be reminded that the results of your existence are more than clean toilets and folded laundry.

cause for celebration

This has been a most successful week already!

We've broken Brooke free from The Binky and it only took two days. How did we d o it? Luckily it was as simple as telling her it was in the trash and then letting her stay up without a nap so that she would go to bed exhausted. There were tears shed but  it was worth it... ironically enough she sleeps better now because she doesn't wake up screaming "Binky Binky!" When it falls out of her mouth.

We also finished our taxes ... and we don't owe!

I expect the week to finish out well too, Brooke turns two on Thursday! I can't believe she's going to be two!

Challengers

Sure everyone's got their new year's resolutions and goals, but the new year is not what sparked my interest in making The Richards Get Ripped Challenge, it all started with a little girl and a horrible song...

...The aforementioned horrible song came from the book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. This book came with a CD that my Mom discovered while watching Brooke, on this CD is "The Mouse Cookie" which Brooke insists I dance to while throwing her up and down - it is exhausting! I can barely last one verse! [you can listen to it by clicking here, selecting "Fun & Games", then "Listening Corner"- actually don't unless you really want to understand the torture]

While I loath the song, I am committed to spending quality time with Brooke and I will exercise so I can endure through "The Mouse Cookie" in addition to hiking and biking trails this Spring. My plan is to do at least 30 min of cardio 3 days a week [forever and ever]. I brought up my plan to my buddy at work and she's in too.

I told Mike about my aerobic ambition, he raised the stakes and The Challenge was born. Here's what's on the line:

Karen must cardio 30 min, 3 days a week, for one month and Mike will make dinner for a full week.

Mike must workout 3 days a week and lose 15 lbs in a month to earn... something... and if he doesn't meet his goal he has to make dinner every day for a month.

So far we're on track after Week One, hopefully we both end up winners.

the happiest of holidays

I can honestly say without exaggeration this year was one of the best Christmases ever! Christmas Eve we visited with Grandma and Grandpa Richards and Brooke got her first real chance to test her un-wrapping skills:

You can see how much she loved her new hoodie...

...and megablocks. She had to play with them right away!

Christmas morning was just as wonderful except that I woke up at 6:00 am and had to wait for everyone else to wake up, that didn't happen until two hours later! The wait was worth it though.

Here's Brooke waking up to find her new baby doll gear set, she was so happy -but of course Santa got the credit

Brooke was so excited to try out/on all her presents including her "princess skirt"and recorder

It was so nice to get together with all our family. Brooke even got to play with Aunt Betty and Uncle Max who flew in from Boston.

p.s. If I see this pic on awkwardfamilyphotos.com someone out there will pay... I mean I can probably narrow the culprit down to one of the ten people in this world who read this blog.

up in arms

Brooke picked a "fight" with Papa today... I guess she thought she had a good chance against him, but I think she's learned a valuable lesson in regards to picking on the elderly. She thought she'd make a quick strategic move and trick Papa by dropping her weight while he was holding her arms, it was too late when she realized her plan had backfired. The little girl's maneuver dislocated her arm, and not even her binky could persuade her to move it. 


All is well now. What luck when Mike managed to pop the joint back in unintentionally as he pulled Brooke out of her car seat upon arriving at the doctor's! All of a sudden she was using her arm to point at the fish on the waiting room walls. The doctor still confirmed for us that it was dislocated, and re-located and how to fix it [on purpose] if it happens again. What a night.

at your service your highness

Brooke told me today she was a princess... perhaps that's why she felt justified in dancing around in her tutu saying "princess" instead of helping me pick up her toys.

Snow Day

Snow and my Jetta are not friends, yet I was determined to try my best this morning. Brooke and I got ready and even made it to Gran's. But, with six inches of snow and more falling around me, I knew in my heart this was not a day for driving to work. So we ate breakfast at Gran's and headed home to play in the snow.

I'm so glad Aunt Kathy brought Brooke this snow bib when she came to visit!

I think she liked playing in the snow because she kept saying "Fun! Fun!"

Here's her snow mustache after she sampled some flakes

I've fallen and I can't get up Mom!

When she was finally ready to go in we warmed up with some "coco"

"Lights before Christmas"

Friday night we went to see the "Lights before Christmas" in Layton with Grandma & Grandpa Richards and Great Grandma & Grandpa Sherman. It was pretty cold but we had a nice time walking through the park all bundled up.

[Eskimo] Brooke

our cute family

giving thanks & Thanksgiving

Today was a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mike and I are always reminded by little [and big] things in our lives how blessed we are. We are so grateful to all of those who make our lives so wonderful.

Here are some snapshots from Thanksgiving 2009:

Driving to "Papa's" with "eyes - tired"

Brooke dancing with her beautiful bracelets

It was so nice to spend the evening with family at Mike's Dad's house. Jack, April and baby were able to come which made it even better, I love them so much!

Here's Brooke taking care of Tommy

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!