16.5 months and counting!

 Maybe we're starting to get the hang on this parent thing...
16.5 months stats:

• Shoe size: FIVE!! She and Daddy went shoe shopping a few days ago and he picked out the cutest little white tennis shoes with pink glitter and sure enough, she is already a size FIVE! I could hardly believe it. And the best part about her new shoes? They have NO laces! All Velcro, which is so much easier and faster.
• Clothes: 18 months! Unless it's a dress, she can no longer wear her 12 month clothes. I feel like it happened overnight. I bought her some 18mo blue jeans recently and they looked huge, but they fit her perfectly. I'm excited that she has somewhat outgrown her wardrobe though...that means it's time for me to hit consignment sales! 
• Diapers: FOUR! This is her newest development. We bought the first box of size 4 diapers today. Maybe this will be the last size before potty training. That would be nice. I am over diapers. 

• She officially weighs about 23 lbs and seems to be putting on weight more quickly now that she is eating more "real food." 

As far as the adults in this house are concerned, all is well. My latest obsession is with this new swing we got on clearance at Lowe's. I have long been wanting a hammock for our balcony. Alot of people in these apartments have them, but I just wasn't sure how I could fit one around the patio set and Joe's tool cabinet. So I decided on a "hammock swing." It's so comfortable and the weather has been really conducive to using it lately. Braelyn isn't too sure about it. She doesn't care for it.

Grammie and Grampie are flying up from Florida this weekend to look at property (yay!) and take Braelyn back for a week's vacation. It's a joke around here that sending her to Grammie is like hitting the reset button. She comes back on a sleep schedule, a meal schedule and much more independent. I will miss her, but I am really looking forward to all the free-time I will be able to fill with schoolwork and housework.

Talking to Grammie on her cell phone.

Such a *hApPy* girl!

"Just a swingin'!"

Slow down, Brae!

I just can't believe how fast Braelyn grows. Everyone told me before she was born that it would go fast, but this is ridiculous! It's like she is superhuman. I think that if I looked at her long enough, I could literally SEE her growing! Right now she is in the floor climbing in and out of her ducky bathtub!....Really?! I feel like just yesterday she couldn't even move without my assistance. I'm going to post a newborn picture and a "now" picture just for comparison. I have now noticed how much she likes to climb...uh oh! She's going to be one of those children that somehow climbs out of their crib at night. She's also getting really good at picking up small snacks (cheerio size) and eating them herself. She's really proud of it too. When I cheer for her, she usually smiles so big that the puff falls out anyway.   :o) A few of her other favorite past times include playing tug of war with Emily and clapping. She loves the tile in the kitchen and constantly bangs on it. Grammie will be very unhappy to know that I caught her eating a piece of dog food the other day. Whoops!

 Braelyn would like to send special love to her Aunt Meg and Aunt Jeni! I show her pictures of you guys often and she smiles! :)

*WONDERFUL* grandparents!

Braelyn has the most wonderful grandparents. She really enjoys spending time with them. She spent several nights this week at my parents and she came home spoooiiiilllledd! When her Mimi leaves the room, she whimpers and crawls after her. And when Papa comes home, they head for the pool! They are so good to her. Always keeping her stocked with a wide array of new toys and the latest fashion trends. She really does love them. It's evident in her face when she sees them.

Her Grammie and Grampie spoil and love her, as well! Just yesterday her new pack & play came to the door. She loves it! They visit often and she also loves to Skype with them! She can't quite figure out how she can see and hear them but not get to them. She tries anyway. Grammie bought a book for her where she recorded her own voice reading the story. Braelyn LOVES this book! She bangs and grabs at the speaker trying to get to Grammie. And I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Grampie is wrapped around that little finger several times! I know he looks forward to teaching her to snorkel, ski, fly and of course, fish! When we visit them, we rarely even hold Braelyn. They cherish every moment with her. She is so relaxed and at ease with them. I just wish they lived closer. Although, if they lived as close as Mimi and Papa, Joe and I might never see her. No, really. We might could score visitation rights, but between the two sets of grandparents, we would be chopped liver.

Brae is one of the lucky babies that have great-grandparents! Not just one, either. She has FOUR great-grandparents! They all think she is just the cherry on top of their world.

She is one VERY loved little Princess! We feel so blessed to have such supportive family that provide her with such a strong and secure foundation for life. I know that personally my grandparents were just the most wonderful people that ever walked the planet and in my eyes, they were perfect. My relationship with them was important and special. I hope that Braelyn grows up the same way. I would stay for days on end with them and I remember crying because my parents wouldn't let me "move in." I learned to play ball, pick muscadines, shell pecans, understand baseball, give a makeover and of course, shop! They played a part in raising me and I'm a firm believer that it takes more than two people to raise a child. It takes a whole web of extended family, including grandparents. We feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to raise Braelyn, but even more so, we are thankful for all the support, help and love that surrounds her beyond what we provide.

Here are a few quotes I found that are fitting for Braelyn's grandparents. :)

"The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents.  You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida."  -Dave Barry

"Something magical happens when parents turns into grandparents. Their attitude changes from "money-doesn't-grow-on-trees" to spending it like it does." -Paul Linden

And last but not least....here is Braelyn enjoying her new pack 'n play! THANK YOU GRAMMIE!!