New post...old pictures...

I have some pictures in my camera that I need to upload, but in the meantime I still wanted to complete a quick post.

Brynley has been sleeping in a bedside cradle since we brought her home from the hospital. On Thursday (4/30), she slept in her crib for the first time. She did wonderfully and has slept in the crib each night since. I believe that first night was harder on me...I was just down the hall, but was teary-eyed because I missed her (pathetic, I know!). The cradle is still in our bedroom for now, but she has continued to sleep in her crib every night. My little girl is getting so big, so fast.

Bryn is also becoming more coordinated. Besides holding her head up (which I've mentioned before) and sucking on her hands, she can now push her pacifier back into her mouth when it has fallen out! She just uses the back of her hand and pushes it to her mouth. Amazing.

I've never been a morning person, but now mornings are my favorite time. I greet my daughter with a happy "Good morning, Brynley!" and she grins, smiles, and coos like crazy. (I have a video of our little morning ritual, but still haven't figured out the logistics of getting the video from the camera to the computer!) Just today as she was cooing, she started to make a noise that sounds like ba-ba, but I say it sounds like Mama. :)

And no post is complete without some pictures...so I leave you with some "older" ones...

Oh my gosh...she looks so teeny tiny here!

Bryn at Grandma's house

Photo taken: March 24, 2009

Photo taken: March 24, 2009

Springtime & Sundresses!

It seems that Springtime has arrived! What better way to celebrate then to post a few pictures of Brynley in sundresses!

Photo taken: 4/24/09

Those are Mommy's sunglasses on her lap!
Photo taken: 4/24/09


Look! Bryn has Aunt Tina's toes! heehee
Photo taken: 4/24/09

One of my favorite little dresses. It's riding up a little here, but I didn't dare fix it for the pictures. She was napping so well!

Photo taken: 4/25/09

Oh wait! She's awake now!

Photo taken: 4/25/09

"Have you been taking pictures of me when I'm sleeping again?"

Photo taken: 4/25/09

"You're right, I'm hard to resist. I'll forgive you."

Photo taken: 4/25/09

Brynley is now 10-1/2 weeks old. Hard to believe! For the past few weeks, she was sticking to a pretty regular bedtime, but the past few days that has gone out the window! She usually goes to bed between 8 and 10pm and wakes to eat around midnight, 3am, and 6am.

Bryn is moving around so much now. She is getting better at lifting her head and looking around (she's still not a big fan of tummy time). A few nights ago, I woke up to find that she had wiggled her way down to one end of her cradle and had pushed her little feet through the slats. She was very distraught! She is quite the "wiggler"...a very active little lady!

This girl can smile too (as you have seen on previous posts!) Now, we can get her to smile almost any time we want to! Just run your finger along her nose and lips and make a funny sound. :)

I go back to work in two weeks. On the days that I am working, Bryn will either be with Grandma deMariano or Daddy. (thanks grandma!!). I am trying to prepare for the return to work, but I get a little sad when I think of spending time apart from my girl. I haven't been away from her for more than three hours...ever! Still, I'm glad that she'll be getting used to staying with other people and it will be wonderful that she is spending more time with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Tina, and Daddy. But I will miss her! Boy, will I miss her!

April Showers bring Brynley flowers

I went a little camera crazy outside yesterday. Enjoy the photos.

(All the photos in the post were taken on 4/19/09)

At two months old, Brynley:

* is sporting some pretty impressive eyelashes!

* is improving her outlook on bathtime. Now she only screams when the bath first begins, when I wash her hair, and when I put lotion on her afterwards.

*is smiling more often, especially when Daddy tickles her thighs.

* doesn't like tummy time much, but is able to hold her head up well and look around.

* sucks on her hands often...and it's loud! You can hear her from across the room. She makes the same slurping sound without her hand in her mouth...simply by clicking her tongue.

* tolerates dog kisses on her head and face.

* usually sleeps for a 4 hour stretch at night and then a few 2-3 hour stretches. Usually. Not always.

* loves her activity gym and fusses when the music stops!

* loves her swing and bouncy seat.

* sleeps well in the cradle in Mommy & Daddy's room. We will be transitioning her to her crib in the nursery soon. Mommy will miss her! :)

* falls asleep on car rides...every time!

The many faces of Brynley

The pout:

The coy smile a.k.a. the half-smile:

The goofball:

Full smile:




I'm not sure what this one is....curious? annoyed?:

Bryn's first Easter and now she's TWO months old!

Brynley celebrated her first Easter and it was a busy one! She was at home with me & Daddy in the morning. Then we went to Grandma & Grandpa's house for the afternoon. Aunt Tina cooked a delicious dinner! After dinner, we came back home where Uncle Doug, Jess, and Wes had arrived for their visit. It was the first time that Bryn & her cousin Wes met. Wes drew a picture that says "I love you & Brynley!" I will be holding on to that one for years to come. :)

The Easter bunny brought Brynley a basket of goodies: A bunny stuffed animal, bunny slippers, and two books - one about dogs and one about bunnies! She also got a stuffed bunny with spindly spool legs from Grandma & Grandpa. Too cute!

Brynley seems to like her "pancake bunny". Her "Baby's First Easter" onesie is adorable - it was a gift from Val and Grandaddy Hinkley.

I can't believe my big girl is two months old already! She had her two month pediatrician appointment today (April 14th) and she is doing very well. She now weighs 10lbs and is 21-3/8" long. She screamed during her shots...her poor face turned bright red and she practically stopped breathing! Needless to say, Mommy was crying too!

I didn't get a lot of good pictures of Brynley in her Easter dress, but here she is sneaking in a nap at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Picture taken: 4/12/09

Being cuddled by Aunt Tina on Easter Sunday. Photo taken: 4/12/09

She's got a way about her...

Everyone describes this thing that happens to you when you have your own child...a love that you feel that is beyond words. Today, my daughter did something that just about melted my heart. She smiled...a lot!! I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I wanted to laugh because it is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I wanted to cry because I am overwhelmed that God has blessed me with such a wonderful gift...that He feels I am deserving of something this amazing. I love you, Brynley!! You are my precious girl!

You've been warned!! View the following images at your own risk.

Photos taken 4/8/09

Bryn has also started to make clicking-clucking-smacking sounds with her mouth and sucking on her fingers. She started this on 4/7/09. Very cute!

A new puppy...

An adorable new puppy, but she is NOT mine!! I couldn't handle one more critter around here! :) This is Izzie, my in-laws new puppy. She and Brynley met for the first time yesterday.

Izzie is worn out!

Photo taken 4/8/09

Princess Izzie
Photo taken 4/8/09

Grandma, Brynley, and Izzie

Photo taken 4/8/09