Brazos Bend

We have been going to Brazos Bend every Spring Break for the last 5 years. Brooklyn had a blast looking for Alligators. Every time she saw an alligator, she would say, "Mommy, I pet it?". That was fun trying to explain to a two and half year old, "No, you can't pet it. It will bite your hand off!"

 On our walk, we had to stop every five feet and pick up a new rock!

 At one point, she cou;dn't decide which rock to take. So, she sat down and inspected all the rocks around her.

 When Brooklyn got bored she started:

1. Sticking things in her nose!

 2. Staring at her nose and making her eyes crossed.

 3. "If my nose disappears when I cross my eyes, Will my finger disappear also?"

 Ron and Wanda weren't feeling well, so they both stayed back and people watched. When we got back, Brooklyn showed all her rocks to Nana and Pawpaw.

 No, this outfit was not her normal attire. She was trying to play with Brooklyn by hiding her hat and seeing if she could find it!

 Brother and Sister, sharing a loving hug!

Just like every year, we had a blast! Can't wait to go back next year!

Hopefully, the nephews will want to come as well!

Bobby and Linda's 26th Birthday

Happy Birthday to my little Brother and Sister!

I made my brother and sister a beautiful cake and of course my brother said it looked like someone took a dump on the cake.

Well at least it didn't taste like it!

So much for my hard work!

You got love your brother, especially for their honest opinions.

Rain Forest

Today we went to Moody Garden's Rain forest. We walked around the VERY Humid pyramid and looked for exotic plants and animals.

 I absolutely LOVE orchids. The Rain forest Pyramid has such a beautiful variety of colors!

 For some reason, every photo we took with Brooklyn involved her sticking her tongue out! I guess she must have been hot and was panting like a dog! Or just being silly... Not sure which one!

 I did manage to get one picture without her sticking her tongue out.

 Of course, the next try.... She did it again! What a silly little girl!

What a wonderful way to spend time together as a family! Got-a-love it!

Promotion

Today we went Downtown to the Chief's Office at the Houston Fire Department Office Building to watch Richard be promoted to EO - Engine Operator. I have so proud of my husband! Out of 900 people he was NUMBER 2, with the highest score out of ALL the people who took the test! I definitely married a smart man!

The ceremony took place in a conference room with probably 50 people squeezed into every nook and cranny of the room. Every time someone clapped Brooklyn cheered. After a while she became the entertainment in the room, and everyone who spoke wanted to see how loud she would cheer for them.

Christmas Day

We woke up bright and early Christmas morning! We were so into opening presents and video taping, that we somehow missed taking pictures!

 Brooklyn opened her stocking that had bubble bath and lipstick (chapstick). We had to hide the lipstick because she just kept putting more and more on.

We went a little over board, but we figured she had a rough couple and days and needed to know that we loved her SO very much!

Cookies for Santa

After we got home from the Veltman's Christmas Eve Dinner, we put out cookies and milk for Santa! Brooklyn couldn't keep her hands off them! She had to have one before we went to bed!

Ooops!! She got caught trying to sneak another cookie!

Christmas Eve

We had Christmas Eve dinner at Richard's parent's house. Both Richard and I, were extremely exhausted!

Brooklyn was so excited to unwrap the A&M dog! She stayed in my lap or on the couch the entire night!

Unfortuantely, we have very few pictures! Which daddy is not in a single one! :(

Brooklyn's Surgery

On December 16th, we went to Texas Children's Hospital to correct Brooklyn's Kidney Reflux. We started off the morning, bright and early. We had been to TCH so often that she wasn't even aware of why we were there.

She really enjoyed playing with the police car, while daddy tried so hard not to seem worried (It obviously didn't work!) 

 When the nurse called us back to the pre-op room, she immediately began to scream and cry. The nurse had to give her drugs to calm her down so that she didn't scare the other children. While we waited another 15-20 minutes for the surgery to begin, the drugs started to take full affect. She kept playing with a needle toy that shows the impression of whatever you put up to it. She was so focused on the toy and totally "calm" that she began drooling and almost fell out her chair!

Her reactions were so slow that she seemed like a totally different child!

The surgery lasted 2 1/2 hours and was a success according the Doctor.

We owe a big THANK YOU to our families and Bro. Schneider for staying with us in the waiting room.

We finally made it to a room and she had many visitors!

The first night was VERY ROUGH!!!! Richard went home, since there was only enough room for one us on the couch-bed. I realized that night, I wasn't going to be able to do this alone! Brooklyn threw-up all night and we couldn't keep liquids in her system. At 4:00 in morning the nurse realized that she wasn't putting out as much urine as she should have been. By 7:00 the next morning when her urine output was non-existent, the staff started to get worried that her ureters were blocked that she might be having kidney failure. She began swelling and her blood toxicity levels had increased so dramatically that they decided something needed to be done!

Later that evening, we had to have a 2nd "surgery" to place a tube directly into her kidney to release the excess buildup of toxins and fluid. We stayed in the hospital for another night and 1/2 a day. As she started to show signs of improvement, we were able to leave the hospital room with a urine bag always in tow!

 We even had a visit from Santa and carolers.

By the last day, she was looking MUCH better! The doctor released us to go home, but said that she would have to keep the "Bag" in for at least 5 days!