Model

My friend Erin is a photographer, and back in August she offered to take some pictures of Bria. Of course I happily accepted! Erin was so fun to work with, and she's always great with Bria. So, yes it's been over two months, and I am just now getting around to posting them. But I love having these photos!



Thanks, Erin!

National Harbor

Now that we've been here for a year, it seems our creativity has died out. We end up going to the same places over and over and feel less of a need to explore. So, I've been making an effort to get out and see new things again to make things more exciting. A couple weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, we drove over to the National Harbor, which is maybe ten minutes from our house. It was a warm, crowded day, but so fun to get out and walk around.
Bria was very sad we wouldn't let her get in the water or in a boat. It's a tough life.
There is a sandy area with The Awakening, a huge statue which terrified Bria. So, instead of her climbing and frolicking on the statue, she just dug in the sand and debris/litter.
The view is gorgeous of the Maryland/Virginia landscapes over the Potomac. We love it here.

Vocab

In the past couple weeks, Bria has started to pronounce a number of things correctly, which, I'll admit, makes me a little sad. Just so I won't forget, here is a list of my favorite things Bria mispronounces (or used to).

Bang-gwin = Band-Aid
Bill-gwin = Building
Copporn = Popcorn
Cuppin = Pumpkin
Cappin = Napkin
Cappit = Chapstick
Cheppit = Ketchup
Chichin = Kitchen
Orndurzj = Orange
Drrrr = Grrrrr (like a bear growling)
Super-aprise = Surprise

Snippet

I am not sure if I have ever gone quite this long without blogging. And wouldn't you love if I had some super fancy excuse? Truth be told, I just lost my camera. I think it's in the apartment somewhere . . . who knows? I haven't looked very hard.


I have just this one picture my friend Wendi took of Bria. Wendi watches Bria two mornings a week and I watch her son, Carter on whole day a week. It's a nice little trade we have set up so I don't have to work only during Bria's naps. Hooray! Because I've been working a lot more lately.
And, as evidenced by this picture, Bria has a blast with Wendi and Carter. I really think it's helped Bria's ability to share, and I love seeing her innate nurturing qualities come out. I frequently hear things like "Careful, buddy!" or "Come here, Carter! Let me tickle you!"

And Bria's fashion sense has not let up. Sam snapped this picture on our way out the door this morning. You can't quite tell, but that crazy, curly hair of hers is officially past her shoulders. She's getting so big. One of my favorite cheesy mothering moments was last week when we were on a walk, and she out-of-the-blue said to me, "I love you sooo much, Mommy."
Le sigh. I love that girl.

Project Runway

Now, of course, one of Bria's favorite ways to express herself is through fashion . . .

(notice the shoes on the wrong feet. they are also 2 sizes too big. she keeps digging them out of the closet.)

(notice the "scarf" which is a hood liner to my winter coat. it was also about 85 degrees outside.)

MTV

A glimpse of Bria's vocal repertoire:
"Sing a Song of Sixpence"
"Ring Around the Rosies"
"ABCs"
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Five years ago (today!), Sam and I took the plunge in that crazy world of marriage.
We started dating when I was 19. (look at us! we were babies!) Which means I have spent over 1/5 of my life with Sam.
Sam and I nearly immediately fell head-over-heels for each other. When I told my parents I wanted to get married at the young age of 20, they thought I was a little crazy. But I knew I had struck gold with Sam.

Sam is 100% perfect for me. In every. single. way. We're actually fairly different from each other, but I could not have asked for a better match. Of course, I am also perfect for him.
Plus, we made a really cute kid.
Happy Anniversary, Sam! In five more years, I'll get to say I have spent a THIRD of my life with you. And I think that's fun.