Goodbye Dr. Brown

A few weeks ago we said goodbye to our very good friend Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown's bottles that is. They were the 4th brand of bottles we tried and the ones Madeline drank out of the best, but washing all of those damn bottle parts got old! We tried Avent (my love with Brooke) and she choked. We tried Tommee Tippee which were awful! We used Playtex drop ins for a month or two but she still wasn't drinking that well. Dr. Brown's did the trick! It was my last resort since everyone I know told me what a pain these bottles were to clean. However, you do what you have to do!

While I was excited to finally find a bottle she could drink well out of, they are quite involved! Each bottle has 4 pieces you have to wash and then reassemble. It's a pain to say the least. If you have to use these bottles, I highly suggest buying the dishwasher basket that holds all of the parts. It can be found HERE. It saved my sanity.

The bottles are still sitting on my counter just staring at me. I can't throw them away. I don't know why. She hasn't had a bottle since June 24th so maybe its time to make way for some clear counter space!

Part 2 of this goodbye will be posted shortly. It will involve our exhausting process of finding a sippy cup Madeline will actually drink out of. This child doesn't make anything easy :)

Madeline at 15 months

Madeline turned 15 months last week. This girl is giving us a run for our money!

She is talking like crazy! This is so fun to me since Brooke had a speech delay and while very smart, she didn't say much for a long time. Madeline put two words together for the first time this week. She said "more nana" for more banana. She apparently also knows the word "pizza" since she said it tonight while eating it. Her other favorite phrases are "get down" and "sit down". Wonder what she hears a lot of...??? I am shocked she does not say NO yet.

She isn't a huge fan of drinking milk or water. I feel like I am shoving a cup in her face all day. She is transitioning between one nap and two which is making our summer plans disastrous. We are always wondering when she is going to sleep, if she is going to sleep, what mood she will be in, etc.

Madeline is loving the pool and anything that involves being outside. Her new favorite activity involves climbing on furniture, standing up on it, turning towards me and saying GET DOWN. I try very hard not to laugh but I stink at keeping a straight face.

She also worships her big sister. Of course there is already some fighting going on, but they are really starting to play together which is great! Tonight they were both sitting on the floor and Madeline just grabbed Brooke and gave her a huge kiss. So adorable! Then they both had a giggle attack!

Her independence grows daily and I am excited to see what the next few months hold (and also fear them!)

Fire Island

We spent the week of July 5th out at Fire Island. Our good friends let us stay in their wonderful beach house for the week. It was a much needed vacation! Our cousins the Corridan's also came up for a few days! Somehow we have no pictures of them or me LOL!

Madeline loved the float in the bay!

Brooke was a big fan of the sand. Someone needs to work on her tan as you can barely see her body in this picture.

Madeline spent most of her beach time begging for snacks and crying if she didn't get any. Here is what my view of the beach was for most of the trip:

Brooke also enjoyed collecting hermit crabs and chilling on the shore of the bay.

Madeline also loved the water table on the deck. This killed a lot of down time while we showered and cooked dinner at night! Oh and there is half of Guinness' body making an appearance. He had a good time too :)

Meal Plans week of July 17th

I am back after a few weeks of not meal planning/vacation! I can't believe its mid July already!

Sunday: Honey Lime Enchiladas
Monday: Tortellini with Garlic Bread
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Grilled Steak with Risotto Cakes and Veggies
Thursday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Friday and Saturday out of town.

A bedtime conversation with Brooke

Brooke asked me to come in and rub her head while she fell asleep. Now I know she will NEVER fall asleep while I do this, I always say yes and we have little chats about things. Tonight's conversation was exceptionally interesting.

Brooke points to my bra strap: Mom what is this?
Me: It's a bra.
Brooke: Why do you wear it?
Me: Um... well.... when you get older your body changes and you need to wear one.
Brooke: Oh you get nipples?
Me: (laughing under my breath) Yes and breasts.
Brooke: Well when I get older I am going to buy a bra.
Me: Okay
Brooke: But mom! I cut out a bra coupon out of the paper so its on sale! We should go buy it.

(She helps me cut coupons and likes to cut out the mail order products)

Me: Well I don't think you need a bra just yet.
Brooke: Mom I am going to need one AND some grown up clothes okay? For when I grow up.
Me: Okay, but first lets focus on buying your clothes for preschool.

A trip to the Aquarium

Last weekend we went to the Long Island Aquarium. I wish it was closer since we had a great time!

When we first got there we went into a Butterfly sanctuary. The kids LOVED it.

Brooke got to feed a bird.

Madeline tried to pet some birds, but they tried to bite her so we stopped that!

Madeline loved the butterflies too! She just kept screaming!

We also saw some sea horses and other fish. Brooke wanted to rush through all of the exhibits to see what was next.

Madeline loved everything we saw. She could have stayed all day!

We will definitely be going back again for another visit!

An Interview with Brooke

Here is an interview I did with Brooke yesterday. I think its a good snapshot of her life right now :)

1. Favorite Food: Tomato Soup

2. Favorite Sport: Soccer

3. Favorite Movie: Rapunzel/Tangled

4. Favorite thing about School: Doing a craft

5. Thing I do best: Play Dress Up

6. Favorite color: Pink and Purple

7. What word describes you? Yes (LOL!)

8. When I was a baby I used to: Throw my Puppers

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to stay in this house and my job will be to tell people where to put jewelry and I will come straight home.

10. My favorite memory: Playing with my doll house

11. My favorite thing to play with daddy: Pizza game

12. My favorite thing to play with mommy: Dice game

13. A food I don’t like: Hamburgers

14. My best friend is: Gianna

15. If I could have one wish: Doing homework with you.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! We spent the day packing for our beach trip and then went to a BBQ.