Rough Day

Today was one of those days where you just want to pull your hair out. Briana was in a bad mood, and she was very whiny, very snotty, very drooly and cried on and off all day. Usually she is so good natured, but today, she was puny. If she didn't get something she wanted, she would slowly fall to the ground and cry. Did that several times today. Ugh. She woke up from her nap upset and crying and needed to be consoled for about 20 minutes. So very unlike her. She is teething pretty badly right now, so that may be it. All I know is that I am completely exhausted, drained and on my last nerve. I need a hot shower right now. I feel gross. When I got off all Briana's clothes and removed her diaper before her bath tonight, she proceeded to pee on the floor. Yep - that is the kind of day it has been. She is finally asleep for the night - thank goodness. Gosh I sure hope tomorrow is better. Please let it be better...

Welcome Home

Doug's best friend Jimmie has returned from Afghanistan for good! Jimmie worked as a contractor there for close to 4 years. Jimmie's family threw him a welcome home party at the Olive Garden Friday night. Doug and I love getting together with Jimmie's family because they are not just our friends, they are our family.

Briana had a great time! Here she is smiling and laughing. Know why?

Because of these three guys - Keenan, Zachary and Cameron! Briana thought these guys were the best! She could not stop smiling at them (she is a little flirt)!

Welcome home Jimmie! We are so glad you are home to stay!

Visit To My Former Office

This is Briana running around my former place of employment! I went back to visit my friends/ex-coworkers on Tuesday and showed off little Miss Briana. It was so great seeing everyone again! Briana was a hoot, and of course after a few minutes of warming up, she took over the place.

Here are a few pictures of the visit...

Briana sitting on the couch in the waiting area. She is thinking "Hey, where are all the real estate agents? Don't keep me waiting!"

Briana and Grace

Claudia, Briana and Grace

Shantal entertaining Miss Briana!

Grace, Shantal, Linda and Rise (the staff girls) - it was so great seeing you again. I've missed you gals!!! Thanks for letting me and Briana hang out with you on Tuesday! I promise to come by to visit again soon!

Visit With Bubbe

Wow - did we have a full weekend! My grandmother who lives in Ft. Lauderdale (my dad's mom) came to visit and met Briana for the first time. They got along wonderfully. Briana went to my grandmother right away. And since there are several grandmas (including great grandmas) in Briana's life, we thought that it would be nice if she called my grandmother "Bubbe". My cousin's son Ethan calls my grandmother "Bubbe" too, so "Bubbe" it is! We have practiced saying the name with Briana and she runs around now saying "Bub", so she is halfway there!

Here are a few pictures of our fun weekend with Bubbe!

Bubbe and Briana

This is my dad holding Briana by the overalls as she ran. She thought it was the funniest thing ever!

My dad and Briana.

My mom, Briana and me...

Briana eating the delicious meatballs that Bubbie made.

And I am posting this pic because it is so cute! Briana loves sitting on daddy's shoulders!

Veterans Day

My mom took this picture of me and Briana yesterday in front of the flag that flies on her house. It's so appropriate that it was taken on Veterans Day.

Let's remember all of those who served (including my two late grandfathers) and those who are currently serving (including my cousin serving in Kuwait).

Just Funny

Yes, this is a shot of Briana's behind. I swiped a few pictures from Kathy's blog because these pics are too funny. While playing in Chani's playroom last Friday, Briana tried to lean over the wall of this toy garden and got stuck. She is just a tad too short! And as you know, Briana had a ball sticking plastic pickles in her mouth. I am sure Kathy has sanitized those suckers by now - LOL!

Kathy also came over to my house on Tuesday. She, Briana and I went out and chowed down on Mexican food for lunch. Yum - O. Right after Kathy left for home, she gave me a call to tell me she got her TA - woohoo!!! Congrats Kathy!

And this is Briana playing in her drawer in the kitchen. She looked so cute - I just had to post it!

15 Months

Miss Briana is 15 months old today. I can't believe how much she has changed in three months. She walks all over the place, babbles constantly and gives the best hugs and kisses! Yesterday, I gave her a small snack after her nap, and she decided on her own to go and sit in her booster seat to eat it. I had it sitting on the floor in the corner of the kitchen. She is such a hoot!

We had a very busy Friday and Saturday. Friday, Briana and I went over to Kathy's house, where we got to see Maisie and Lisa S. The girls had so much fun playing with Chani's toys! Can't wait for Chani to join in the fun!

Briana and Maisie...

Briana walking with plastic pickles in her mouth - sorry Kathy! :)

Kathy practicing for mommyhood!

Then on Saturday, Briana and I met my good friend Carole at a fall craft show. Carole brought along her son, Guy and her daughter Amanda. Amanda brought her two children, Jack and Kate. Kate is two years old and she and Briana became fast friends! The show was great, and I bought some really neat items (that I probably didn't really need but oh well!). It was a great time!

Here are Briana and Kate...

Holding hands!

BTW, I just need to say that time changes when you have small children totally suck...Briana has been on a great schedule and now it is screwed up! She is off by an hour on everything. Blah!

Briana Picture Montage With Music - Updated

Our Briana will be 15 months old on November 5. She is truly amazing. She is smart, spunky, beautiful, so funny and full of spirit. She's got a way about her...

**Update** The video should be working now. My settings on YouTube got screwed up!

Ladybug Costume Pictures

She did it! Briana was such a trooper! My cutie pie wore her ladybug Halloween costume and went trick or treating in it. We hit about 12 houses and she was so amazingly good! She really enjoyed it. My parents came over for the evening and loved seeing their granddaughter on her first Halloween.

Here are a few pics...in the last pic you will see how Briana made out in the candy department. Too bad she can't eat any of it! Doug and I will try not to eat it either. But we can't make any promises...

Three Months and First Halloween

We have had Briana in our lives for three months today! She is so amazing. Doug and I got our first kisses from her last week. Ah - bliss! As you can see, Miss Briana is wearing her Halloween gear. We are looking so forward to our first Halloween with her! She can say the word "Bats". If a store has bats hanging from the ceiling, she points and yells, "Bats!" I will post pictures of Briana in her ladybug costume (it is so freakin' cute). I hope she cooperates! The top of the costume does go on her head and she doesn't love things on her head, so I will keep my fingers crossed that she will wear it for more that five minutes!

Aunt Amy and Uncle Andy came for a visit on Saturday night. We all had a wonderful time! Here are a few pics from the evening...