Baby Girl is 4!

It seriously seems like yesterday I found out I was going to have a baby, and when I learned it was a baby girl I was over the moon! 

Over the past four years I have loved making bows & headbands, buying cute dresses, practicing hairdos & playing kitchen.

I have learned what it means to unconditionally love someone. I never thought I'd be so excited about a person walking, talking and pooping in the toilet! Motherhood is not easy, it can be hard and sometimes  tedious-- but it's so rewarding. This baby girl has been so patient with me trying to learn how to be a mom. I know that I have been blessed with her as my first child because she is so loving and forgiving through all of my parenting fails.

Bridgette is a very kind-hearted little lady. She loves making new friends, but always keeps her oldest one (good ole DeeDee) close by. 

She loves all creatures, she was furious with me when I poured salt on a slug, killing it. She said, "he was just trying to go home to his family!" 

She loves looking after her daddy, making sure he's very comfortable and is never wanting for food (even if it is felt & plastic.) She took while to warm up to Jack, and now is the best big sister! She loves to wash his hair, put dress up clothes on him & has taught him that no white door should go uncolored. Speaking of coloring, she is so artistic & could paint on her new easel for hours if Jack didn't interrupt her. She also loves singing & making up songs. She looks forward to playing in the bounce house @ the gym & is so excited to go to preschool & take gymnastics this fall. 

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Snuggling 2 week old Bridgette

Tearing into a cupcake on her 1st birthday

Aquarium Trip in Denver on her 2nd Birthday

Trip to Fossil Rim in Texas on her 3rd Birthday

My sweet 4 year old!

 For her birthday Dan wanted to surprise her with a bounce house @ her party. This is because the first weekend we were in our house the house adjacent to ours was having a party & there was a bounce house in their yard. She just sat on the patio & cried saying "why can't I go play in the bounce house with those kids?" Of course this broke Dan's heart, so he was determined to have one at her party.

I decided to go with a carnival theme to go along with the bounce house. We played little classic games like "Duck Hunt," "Ring Toss" & "Fishing". I was excited to have a little dress up/ photo booth station to take silly pictures, because Bridgette loves to do this, but her little friends didn't seem too keen on this idea : (

Bridgette had so much fun playing with her friends & of course going wild in the bounce house! We were so excited they could all come celebrate her turning 4! 

(I have to be honest, it's been 3 years since I've thrown a party, so I had a lot of fun making decorations. Our house looked like a glitter bomb exploded--yay!)

My photo booth fail. They're  so cute though!

Entrance sign!

Party table, Dan totally inspired my "strongman" silhouette.

Bounce house fun

DeeDee & Daddy time

Carnival Games

Opening Gifts 

Birthday Dinner @ Cheesecake Factory

After dinner when we walked out to the car she said, "Dad we need to take a picture of our reflection" 

She followed the treasure map to find her birthday present, an easel w/ paints, paper roll, chalk & dry erase board. She loves it!

She's writing her looong name too.

Summer 2013

Summer is Dan's busy time of year, he often works until 9 or later at the beginning. This summer was different for me because I had 2 little ones to keep occupied by myself. It doesn't sound too daunting, but they get tired of mommy real quick!

We did have some big accomplishments this summer. Bridgette is FINALLY fully potty trained--day & night!  I thought she would go to college in diapers, but a few months ago her little friend (who is younger than Bridgette) came over & I praised her for going potty. Bridgette saw this & I could see the WTF look on her face. That day she changed her tune about the potty & never looked back- phew!

Also, Jack FINALLY decided to sleep in his crib through the night. His whole life it was 1. Sleep through the night in my bed, keeping me awake half the night or 2. Sleep in his crib but wake up every 2 hours also keeping me awake half the night.  I feel like a normal person now.

Jack also started walking... this was awhile ago, so I feel like it's old news. I may have even posted it already. I was at a Relief Society function and Dan was watching him & he just stood up and took about 10 steps. It was about a week after his birthday, but he had been trying for a long time! He's a determined little guy for sure!

Here in Dallas it hovers around 100 degrees, day & night, most of the summer, so we spend a lot of time indoors or in water. I'm so excited for the temperatur to cool off!

Here are some things we did to occupy our time...

Peacock @ the petting zoo, although there were only about 2 animals they actually let us pet!

Jack's not afraid of a pregnant goat!

He would've brought the bunny home with us if they'd let him

This was Jack's expression almost the whole trip-- he LOVES all animals. 

All animals except donkeys... He probably doesn't appreciate the nickname they have.

Double goat.

Little Elm Lake beach trip. Bridgette liked the sand & Jack liked the water.   The beach is definitely a two parent activity @ this age.

First trip to the dentist. She did really good, but couldn't get out of that chair fast enough when it was over!

Loving our yard. She also refuses to ride her trike without a helmet. Safety first, silly girl!

Nothing makes the outdoors better than finding a good stick!

Bubble time by the (wading) pool

Soccer Tots, we'll probably hold off on soccer for a couple more years.

Favorite time of day, after dinner snuggle time in Daddy's fluffy chair.