BabblingBrooks-CD

Monday, February 25, 2013

Piggy Tails

Pippy long stockings braids. (It's the small things in life we have to find our joy and playing w/ my daughter's hair is one of them!)

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Elizabeth moved from the smaller nursery to the larger yellow&brown room. We kept her in her crib w/ 1 side off like a daybed so it wouldn't be such a big change & then let her pick out her own big-girl bed. Needless to say she jumped on them all. She has done very well in her new bed.
She's also become quite verbal. Here she wanted me to "take my picture". When I went to go grab the camera it was "here doggy" so they could have their pic together. And everything is "whadda dong?" Even when I'm using the bathroom it's "whadda doing, Mommy?" Finally, slightly annoyed w/ the constant question, I said "peeing. What are you doing, Elizabeth?" Her ever so sweet retort:"Watching" lol. I laughed so hard at my daughter's simple innocence. What a fun age we're in.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Book Review on Alkalizing

Until I spoke w/ a nutritionist friend of mine, I'd never heard of alkalizing & I thought I'd share. Dr. Baroody's comprehensive research and clinical findings indicate that illness and disease are directly linked to over acidity in the system in Alkalize or Die: Superior Health Through Proper Alkaline-Acid Balance.

All the foods we eat are either acidic or alkalizing to our systems. This book goes into great detail about the different foods, but here's a synapses: Things that make our systems acidic are: animal products (meats, milk, and eggs), trans fats, as well as sugar, caffeine, and get this: negative attitudes!
Alkalizing foods include: fruits and vegetables. And positive attitudes are also alkalizing. The best fruits to alkalize: melons & citrus, esp grapefruit (or add lemon to your water). Yes citrus is acidic, but our bodies change it and use it as an alkaline. Or eat your dark leafy greens. I also like Kyo-green, a gluten-free, wheat-free green supplement.

Dr Baroody comes at it from a standpoint that God created us to eat the foods that came from the earth. He does not say we only have to eat only alkalizing foods, but to have a balance.
A steak & egg meal followed w/ a glass of milk is going to be very acidic. Trade in one of the proteins w/ a side of fruit and trade in the milk for some 100% fruit juice instead. (and no, milk is not good for us adults, but that's another blog. http://milk.procon.org/?gclid=CKrAx-Haq7UCFWaoPAodNRoAxw)

ACIDOSIS:

Makes Us Fat
Robs Us of Energy
Causes Allergies
Causes Free-Radical Damage and Premature Aging
Causes Excess Mucus
Corrodes and Destroys Veins, Arteries and Heart Tissues
Inhibits the Metabolism of Fatty Acids
Causes Bad Cholesterol Problems
Increases Blood Pressure
Inhibits the Synthesis of DNA-RNA and Cellular Regeneration
Stops Oxygen Delivery to Tissues

Acidic body systems are more likely to have cancer, arthritis, infections, and low energy. Cancer LOVES sugar. Look into it more for yourself if you are interested. VERY interesting!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

A Brooks Weekend

Emalyn stretching out after all the commotion

It was a busy weekend. While we celebrated Emalyn Hazel's baptism on Saturday, we also celebrated Grandma Brooks life at her funeral. We're blessed to have both of these lovely ladies in our lives. May God bless them both.

I do have to smile because Grandma always made me promise to take care of her David, every time I saw her. Whether it was a promise or a gentle threat, I don't know :), but I will Grandma, promise.

Family Brooks

Grandparents

Family Parks

Emy loves having her hair "washed"

Godparents Kim & James

And baby Makes 4

Auntie Kim has the touch

Cousins are the best! E was SO exicited to see Auntie Kitty & Mark

Saying Goodbye to cousins Matthew & Mark

Miss you already, Great Grandma Brooks. Kisses.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

20 Week Ultrasound

Had a 20 week ultrasound today. 143 Beats per minute. Dr. said everything looks good. Finally reached the halfway mark. I suppose it's time to tell everybody at work.

What Do You Bring to a Marriage?

I tell the girls @ work: I'm lucky. My husband brought love & patience to our marriage. He's such a devoted husband & father. He's a hard worker and my best friend.
Dave tells the guys @ work: (lifts up his favorite microwaveable bowl for his soup) this is the best thing my wife brought into the house when we got married.
Mmmm...perspectives. Hehe

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Don't blame me

I decided to look for a bumper sticker that says"Don't blame me I voted for Romney".

Monday, January 28, 2013

Still teething

Miss Elizabeth is getting her 2nd 2 year molar. Poor baby. Thankfully she can now tell me "my mouth hurts", but it still makes a Momma's heart ache to see her baby in pain.
Thankfully she's easily distracted now by fun so going sledding on Sunday when the weather was beautiful was a perfect opportunity to spend time together outside & distract a sad baby girl.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

18 weeks w/ BB2

145-150 beats per minute. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. 20 wk ultrasound in 2weeks. Baby Brooks #2 is well on its way. I felt this one stirring much earlier than BB1, but my placenta was also on the anterior wall last time too, which could have prevented me from feeling the early twists & tickles. Plus I know what to feel for this time. Elizabeth is @ a stage where she is cuddling her babies more and soothing them when they cry. "It's ok baby," she tells them as she pats their back and they stop crying. Hope she had that magic touch w/ this one too.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Brrrrrr!

-30 on the drive to work this morning. 13 above in the garage. Thank God for insulation & a wonderful husband & Dad-in-law who blew it in the ceiling this winter! Yikes. "This too shall pass."
Time to hang out w/ the girls in the house.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Check Out This Stringer!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

GF Pumpkin Brownie Muffins

Ingredients: 1 can pumpkin and 1 box brownie mixMix: 1 can pumpkin & 1 box Gluten-Free Brownie Mix. Fill muffin tins. Bake @ 350 for 30-40 min. You get a beautiful, dense chocolate treat. Don't add any water, oil or eggs. But remember to shape them pretty because they don't puff up. They stay the same size and shape you put them in, but with a greased pan, they popped out nice. I don't taste the pumpkin, but it's a really moist brownie/chocolate cake treat. Mmmmm. Thanks Mom!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Cookie Secrets

I love a good soft cookie. So here are two of my secrets to keep my cookies soft: Bread and pudding. To a single batch of cookies add one package of instant vanilla pudding. After your cookies are baked and in the cookie jar, add a slice of fresh bread. I use an end piece.
K there you go. My secret is out. :)

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Can a Flashlight Burn a Rug?

Can a Flashlight Burn a Rug?
The MN MythBusters' results? YES!
Elizabeth loves to play with flashlights. This time she turned it on and stood it up (facing down) on the rug. As you can see, it melted it. For the longest time afterwards, she'd go over to the burn/melted rug and say "flashlight". David had to explain to me what happened. Needless to say the flashlights are now on a high shelf in the closet.
Just a warning to anyone who uses a flashlight and may forget it on anywhere -- they have the potential to be a fire hazard.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Petroleum Jelly

After 3 winters of trying to find out what works best on my little Angel's dry winter skin, I've come to the conclusion I'm going with the ol' trusty: Petroleum Jelly. The scents in the other lotions burn her dry, dry skin, even the unscented Arbonne Baby lotion, and she cries when we would put it on. There are no tears with this and we only have to put on every 2-3 days because it works so well and lasts longer than mineral oil for her dry knees and elbows. I highly recommend this no-tears approach if your baby is as dry as mine - and me.