A Little This, A Little That

Here are my updates bullet style...

* This is such a cute picture of Briana, I just had to post it.


* We have a new internet service provider! I found out that our old provider actually didn't go out of business. They had a massive outage and their phone lines were connected through their VOIP (voice-over IP), so their phone lines were down too and there was no way contact them. Four days and NO way to contact them. So, we switched providers. Needless to say after this debacle, I am sure they will be out of business soon.

* Briana got professional photos taken on Monday. Let's just say she hated every single minute of it. She cried and cried. When I originally made the appointment, I requested the pictures to be taken outside in the photographer's backyard (it is professionally landscaped with flowers). I knew that would be a better setting for Briana. Well, it was in the 30's all day and raining on Monday, so we had to try to do it indoors. Briana hated the studio atmosphere and bright lights in her eyes. She was just miserable. After working with her for about 45 minutes, the photographer surprisingly got a few good shots of her. Mama (and Grandma who came to help me out) was exhausted after the session. Briana finally smiled again when we went to lunch after the session. Food always makes her happy. :) Here are some pics from before and after the meltdown.

* Briana loves drinking from a straw as you can see below. She also blew bubbles for the first time by herself today. I always have to help her hold the wand and blow the bubbles. But today, she actually blew some bubbles on her own. Her face lit up when she did it!

* And lastly, Doug and I went on a date on Saturday night. My parents watched Briana and we went on a REAL date. We went to an actual movie theater and then to dinner. I almost forgot what a movie theater looked like inside! We saw "Leatherheads" and it was really cute. The only snag in the night was when Doug was pulled over for speeding. Yep, I couldn't believe it either. We basically hit a speed trap on a quiet street. Luckily, the officer let us go with a warning - yippee! I think he saw the empty baby car seat in the back and the exhausted and pathetic looks on our faces and had pity on us.


* Blogland has been pretty quiet lately. If you haven't commented on by blog in a while, I would love to hear from you. Just say hi!

The 3 Musketeers On The Farm

Friday, Briana and I met Lisa and Maisie and Kathy and Chani at Tanglewood Farm to see miniature animals. It was an absolutely beautiful day. We saw miniature lambs, sheep, goats, donkeys, cows and horses. The only thing huge at the farm were the rabbits! Briana touched just about every animal. She and Chani went on their first pony rides. And if you remember, Briana had an opportunity to ride a horse several weeks ago but refused to wear a helmet. Well, she did it on Friday - hooray! Maisie enjoyed the all animals but preferred to admire them from afar!

Here is a little video I put together of the girls - the 3 musketeers! I used music from Briana's favorite movie "Toy Story".

3 Words and No Internet Connection

My three words for this week are "Loves To Dance". This picture was taken at my mom's house last weekend.

Briana loves to jump, run and dance. She is an ACTIVE child - always on the move. She definitely keeps me on my toes. Briana doesn't just walk places - she dances on her tip toes everywhere. And she smiles and waves to people who pass by. She is a little ball of sunshine running around everywhere.

And I am sure you have been wondering where I have been the past few days. Well, my internet service provider decided to go belly up and didn't bother to let any of the customers know it was going under. I have not had an internet connection since Friday morning. The only reason I am blogging right now is because Doug purchased a card that allows us to get internet service over a cell phone line, and the connection is pretty slow. We are choosing a new provider and should have service in a few days. Unfortunately, I have a lot to blog about but really can't until I get a faster connection. So, I will blog more when we get a new provider. I tell you - I was going crazy not having internet access since Friday. Serious withdrawl symptoms. I may need rehab!

Meeting Zoe

I can't tell you how excited I was to get an e-mail from Georgia today asking if Briana and I wanted to meet her and Zoe for lunch and a little shopping. I have been dying to meet Zoe! I'll tell you, every time I meet another China baby that has come home, I feel like I am meeting a little celebrity. And Zoe just oozes cuteness! Briana was so excited to meet her new buddy! We had a great time!

And this is Briana after her exciting meeting with Zoe...

Beautiful Shorts Weather

Briana and I headed outside this afternoon to play and blow bubbles on our back porch. The weather was absolutely beautiful and warm enough to wear shorts - hurray! The only thing that stinks right now is the pollen. It is everywhere. My deck and back porches are completely yellow. I can't wait until pollen season is over. But other than that, the day was awesome!

3 Words

My three words for this Sunday are "My Computer Geeks." Like father, like daughter!

20 Months Old & Happy Birthday Mom!

Briana is 20 months old today...

Here she is in China...

Here she is today...

And I want to say "Happy Birthday" to my mom! I love this picture of her and Briana (taken on Valentine's Day).

The Grapefruit Incident

I swear - I am cracking up as I post these pictures. The other day, Doug was eating a red grapefruit and sitting on the couch. Of course, Briana sees this and wants to try it. I warned her that it was pretty sour. She did not heed my warning...

Ok, let me give it a try...

Hmmm, that is kind of sour...

That's ok, I really want to try it again...

Ugh, that is so unbelievably sour...

But I still want more. I am a tough cookie. I am going to stand for this next one...

Oh good gawd, why did I do that?

No matter how sour it got, she kept going for more. Her faces got more and more twisted. Doug and I couldn't stop laughing. Briana is quite the character!

Having Some Fun

Finally, the creepy crud has left our house. Briana's nose is still running a little, but nothing like last week and Doug is feeling much better. Briana and I headed to music class this morning (where she always has a blast) and then went to have a nice lunch with my friend Carole.

Even though we were fighting colds last week, Briana and I did manage to do a few fun things. We went over to my friend/neighbor Amy's house last Wednesday and played and blew bubbles with her son Garrett. What a beautiful spring day! Briana was so fascinated by Garrett riding his bike. I know she can't wait to have one of her own one day.

Garrett and Briana

Hey, where you going?

Bubbles (Briana's favorite word)

Then Thursday, I dropped Briana off at my mom's house so I could get my hair cut. Grandma bought her a fantastic tea set. She couldn't get enough of it!

Want some tea?

Briana and Grandma

Hope everyone is having a good week!