Trying to Match her Babies

Today I caught Brooklynn with a pen almost IN her eyeball...I think she was actually going for her actual eye to match her babies. First she did the area around it and then I saw her just in time...

The Pretzel

Look at Brooklynn. She is so stinkin' flexible. This move is called "The Pretzel." I think her and Josh made it up. The funny thing is that it doesn't even phase her being in this position. She's like, "yeah, whatever."

Under our Table

We have this little ledge under our table. It's kinda like a little step or shelf. Or footrest. I'm not really sure what it is actually for, but every single kid who has ever been in our apartment finds it, tries to climb on top of it, and is all in all obsessed with it. I guess it's right at their level. I don't really see the attraction...at least the MAJOR attraction that they all put on it. I mean,

With that said...when a kid is Gabby's age...it is a little dangerous. She climbs up on it and if you aren't watching closely will climb or fall back off and PLOP...crying baby. So you get her to stop crying, put her all the way on the other side of the room...and five minutes later she's fallen off again. (OK, maybe she's only fallen off once or twice but she likes to sit there and attempt to get back on.) Actually, her new game is taking a ball and banging it over and over on top of it like it's a drum.

Here is Gabby and Brooklynn playing peek-a-boo. 

I Wonder Where She Gets it From?

Here is Brooklynn with her baby in her Moby Wrap. (Yeah, Brooklynn has her OWN Moby).

I think the whole hands-free thing lets her be able to juggle her other 10 babies easier.

It's FALL!

Fall is my favorite. We have all been enjoying the beautiful weather.

Grandpa & Grandpa Visit

My parents were here for the weekend. We were all very excited for them to get here. It rained almost the entire weekend...but it stopped a little on Saturday so we were able to go to the zoo for a little bit. Brooklynn showed them all her Toy Story movies.

Remember how Brooklynn has to take her baby everywhere she goes now? Well, she got to come to the zoo again...and this time she even pushed her on the swing. 

Brooklynn loves the new park alligator. She even gave him a kiss.

Gabby getting some Grandpa love. 

Waiting for Grandma and Grandpa...

My parents were on their way! Brooklynn could hardly contain herself with her excitement.

I bought her some new paper at Ikea and she was really excited to test it out. She set all of this up herself (no joke) and got right to work. She wouldn't let me put clothes on her; that is why she is naked. Whatever...pick your battles.

Note to Self...

Never try and cover your two-year-old's mouth when having a screaming fit...even if you're trying to get her to be quiet so she doesn't wake up (finally!) sleeping baby.

Or you'll get bit. Like really hard.

Gabby Bang!

Gabby loves to bang on....pretty much anything. So much that Brooklynn is often saying, "Gabby no bang!" of "No Gabby Bang!" 

I knew she would love the bang on the pots game. She had a grand old time playing and I was able to get most of the dishes done.

BFF's

 Today we hung out with Jasmine and her three kids.
Jasmine, you'll be happy to know that a few days later I asked Brooklynn who her best friend is and she says, "Sadie."
We went to Ikea and Brooklynn and Sadie and Wyatt kept running and playing through the whole store. They had a blast. Then we got McDonalds and hung out at my place for a little bit. Good times. Thanks for a fun morning!

Sadie and Brooklynn on her couch. 

Sammy testing out the Bumbo. I was impressed his thighs didn't get stuck in it like Gabby's do/did. Poor Gabs.

Binky Hunt

We have a new game we play with Brooklynn. I give her a flashlight, have her crawl completely under Gabby's crib and "hunt" for binkys. She found all of these under there today. Who knew it was such a fun game? She was so sad when we found them all I had to throw them back down there so she could find them again. 

Look What I Can Do!

Gabby loves Brooklynn's bike. Really anything with wheels. She mostly sits on the floor and spins the wheels over and over. Josh decided to sit her on the bike to help her stand up...and surprisingly this worked very well. She LOVED it. What a big girl riding her bike!

Cookie Dough Monsters

I have to save lots of cookie dough in my fridge for Josh to snack on. Brooklynn has noticed that this is a special treat and loves to fight Josh for the beater, bowl and scraper. Josh says he always gets the beater no matter what since he is the husband. How can I resist a sweet little girl RUNNING towards me so excited yelling, "cookies! cookies!" when I say, "whoever wants the beater better come and give me a kiss!" (and note: Josh doesn't even move.) The first time I gave it to Brooklynn because I clearly stated the ground rules there. And he missed out. Now I just give her the bowl and scraper and Josh the beater. He was so mad that I didn't save it for him.

Either way they sure are cute eating their cookie dough. Josh got to show her the art of taking your finger to scrape the bowl and licking your finger. She was pretty excited about this maneuver.

"Sparkles"

Brooklynn is obsessed with glitter glue. I don't blame her...it's awesome. It wasn't invented yet when I was a little girl. She could use up an entire package in a sitting if I let her. I had to introduce the concept of using a paint brush to spread around the "sparkles" as Brooklynn calls it. It's so cute, and I love hearing her little voice say "spurkles." 

Family Walk

Gabby tries out the jogging stroller on our walk. 

 Brooklynn was so mad. Then they both started crying. Why is this such a big deal? Trying to do something fun as a family seems to EVERY SINGLE TIME end up with one or both girls crying for no reason.

My Lovely Girls

Here are my little rascals...I love them dearly. 

Every day I am completely overwhelmed with how much I love them. Every day I'm ready to curl up in a ball crying or pull my hair out screaming because they drive me so crazy. How can I go through such a range of emotions several times a day every single day? Because I am a mother. I think that is the only explanation.

My Twins?

So this cute little jean skirt kept showing up in the laundry...it seemed like way more than Brooklynn was wearing it...until I put her fall clothes in her drawers and discovered that there are TWO of them. One is my sister's and one is my sister-in-law's. Yup...the same exact skirt, even in the same size. I thought it would be fun to dress my girls in matching outfits for church. (YUP...matching same-sized outfits--Gabby can wear Brooklynn's 3T stuff.)

Applesauce Queen

Gabby loves to bang on stuff. Like...so much that I'm pretty much only asking for stuff she can hit for Christmas. Like that little table with the wooden pegs that you hit with a hammer, a drum....what else can you hit? Seriously...family? Start saving your oatmeal containers and the like.

Imagine her surprise when I gave her applesauce on the table. (Which she hits anyway. Kinda like, "MOM! FEED ME MORE FOOD! NOW!" She got more on her face and shirt than in her mouth but that is ok. I couldn't resist capturing this on film. What a messy girl.

Mastering the Sippy Cup

Gabby is getting better at using a sippy cup. I don't even know how much she is getting out, but she sure likes trying. She also keeps stealing Brooklynn's cups, too. I think she just wants to be a big girl.

Cheese!

My future photographer...I'm so proud.