Mini-break to Michigan

About a week ago, my mom and I got the rare chance to take a girls trip to Michigan to see my cousin Sierra perform as Sandy in the musical Grease. It was such a wonderful weekend filled with lots of love, family, great conversations, lots of laughs and of course "Summer Lovin."

It's so wonderful seeing my aunts, uncles and cousins on that side of the fam. And I've been very fortunate to see both Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Audrey, Uncle Collin, Kayla and Sierra several times this year.

The high school did a great job tackling a very ambitious musical and Sierra was absolutely stunning as Sandy. Very proud of her!

Another HUGE perk of the trip for me was a couple of nights of uninterrupted sleep. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore my daughter and I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world, but it does get exhausting waking up every. single. night. Counting getting up while pregnant multiple times in the night to pee, I haven't had a solid night sleep in over a year.

Now, I know what all of you parents are thining: Get used to it! And you're probably right. But it still doesn't hurt to take a couple of days once in awhile and just have some "me" time where I can sleep in and nap if I want to. Amazing how glorious the little things are!

And big thank you to my wonderful husband who watched Brinley solo while I was in Michigan but also at the end of October when I was in New York for work. The two of them do so well together that I have no qualms whatsoever about being away. Although I miss my baby girl so much while I'm gone that I'm not planning anymore trips anytime soon!

Here are a few pics, but I kind of took a "mini-break" from photos as well so there aren't too many.

Singin Summer Lovin 

Sandy and Danny reunited

Me and my hot mama

Me, Aunt Audrey and Mom

Photo with the rock star! And if I were Uncle Collin, I'd burn those pants. Way too hot for 16 ; )

5 months!

I'm very late with this month's post as little Miss Brinley officially turned 5 months on Nov. 9. It's been a really crazy time at work the last few weeks and I truly haven't had a moment to just sit down and blog. I was tempted to combine the 5 and 6 month posts but really want to give each month its dues.

It's hard to even know where to begin this month as I re-read my 4 month post and I feel like so much has changed. Oh little Brinny boo, you have grown up so much in the last month and a half it's almost unbelievable. The best way that I can describe it is that you've "awakened" to your surroundings.

Where last month you were beginning to look around and notice things, this month you are constantly looking at everything to the point that mommy sometimes has a hard time feeding you because you are always looking around making sure you aren't missing anything.

Last month you were discovering your hands and grabbing toys and putting them in your mouth and this month that has increased 10 fold. You grab EVERYTHING and put EVERYTHING in your mouth including you feet. It's really adorable. 

You began moving a lot more last month and rolled over for the first time and this month your mobility has increased a ton as well! On Nov. 17 you rolled from your tummy to your back for the first time and just last week we realized you really enjoy blanket time on the floor. You see toys and start trying to grab them, roll towards them and of course put them in your mouth. You are curious about everything and really want to get moving. 

When you're on your tummy on the floor you do this adorable "sky diver" pose as I like to call it, where you stick your arms straight back, raise your head up and then kick your feet like a frog to try and get moving. You must think this is how to crawl and you get really frustrated that you're not going anywhere. Mommy and Daddy have put our hands behind your feet to give you something to push off on and you scootch yourself forward. You really, really want to move though and we know we will have our work cut out for us chasing you around soon enough!

You have also become so much more engaged with your toys. You especially love your rubber ducky (thanks Aunt Ashley!) and dive after it when you and mommy take a bath. You have also just recently got into the pink and purple crawl ball (from Great Aunt Laurie and Great Uncle Joe) and the turtle piano (from Great Great Aunt Elinore and Great Great Uncle John, is that right? That's a lot of greats...) It's amazing how motivated you are to go after toys and it's so fun to roll around on the floor and play with you.

You also still really love your Baby Einstein bouncer and we will probably need to move it up a level sometime soon as you're growing so tall so fast.

You are still incredibly smiley and happy and giggle all the time. We feel so lucky everyday to have such a wonderful happy little girl. You are also incredibly content and as long as it isn't your bed time, we can take you out anywhere. It seems like the more that's going on around you, the more calm and chill you are. You sometimes get mad at Mommy and Daddy when we are at home and have to run to the bathroom or run upstairs to grab something and you're alone in your bouncer or seat. You don't like being alone!

In other big news, you had your first bites of solid food at exactly five months. We started you out with some organic whole-grain oatmeal and you didn't know quite what to think at first. We did that for a few days and then tried some sweet potatoes and later some pears. You did not like that one bit! Mommy decided she got too excited to give you more foods too quickly so we've backed off and are sticking to just cereal until 6 months. You seem a lot happier with that and are enjoying the cereal quite a bit. It's so cute to watch you eat because you get excited and start cooing and talking to us.

You also had your first day of "work" this month as a baby model for Target. Mommy was off of work that day and so I was super happy to take you to your shoot. You did so well and I was so proud! You're a beautiful little girl both inside and out.

Sleepwise, you are still about the same. Not a super great napper and we're lucky to get more than a 1/2 hour snoozes from you during the day, but you will sometimes take 3 naps in a day. Just a few days ago you slept for 2 hours and Mommy was in heaven : ) You still go to bed right around 7 p.m. and you're not afraid to let us know when you're hungry, tired and want to be sleeping. We think you are like Mommy and get cranky when you're tired and want to be asleep, NOW.

After we put you to bed, you typically wake up to eat once in the middle of then night. Sometimes its at 1:30 sometimes not until 4:30. Then you "wake up" between 6 and 8 and come cuddle in bed with Mommy and Daddy, or just Daddy when I have to go to work. You really enjoy this snuggle time and like us each to hold your hands as you lay between us. You will often fall back asleep for another hour or so to let us sleep in late. We thank you constantly for that! : )

You love to be out and about and do great in your stroller. You just love looking at everything and even a trip to the grocery store is a fun time for you. Our favorite place to take you though is underwater world and you seem to have a great time looking at all the colorful fishies.

You are also really fascinated by animals and love to watch the kitties run around the house. You also love your doggie Birdie (Matt's parents dog) and she is very protective of you. It's really sweet to watch.

You've gotten very independent with your paci this month as well. You'll find it in your crib and pick it up and chew on it or put it back in your mouth. You will also pull it out of your mouth, look at it and then put it back it. It's like you are wondering "what the heck is this thing that I'm sucking on?"

Size wise, you weigh about 16 1/2 lbs and are about 27 inches long. You are wearing size 6-9 month clothes but are so tall that most of your 6 month outfits and sleepers are too small. You are pretty skinny though so Mom can still put you in 3 month onesies to wear under your jammies. You're still wearing a size 3 diaper as well.

It's hard to describe just how much you've "come alive" this month but you get more fun all the time and we continue to be so blessed to be your parents. We love you so much sweet little girl!

Not quite sure what to think about all the cereal business...

Had to get you up early for your first day of "work"

Arrived on set and ready to roll!

You didn't think hair and makeup was in your contract : P

Taking a much needed snooze between shots

Resting up after a hard days work

Playing the piano with Daddy and Grandma Ann's and Grandpa Rob's

Sleeping angel, holding your Sophie 

Rolling around grabbing that paci

Sitting up in Mommy and Daddy's bed. You are such a big girl!

Uncle James is still smitten

Pic for Mommy while is was in New York. Look at how tall you are!

Up on Daddy's shoulders!

You, me and Daddy all got a special treat at the store on Saturday night. Can you guess which one is which?

Lovin the bouncer

Happy girl!

Sneak peek of our family photo shoot. Will post more of these pics later after our Christmas card comes out.

Another cute one

I love this series of photos as it perfectly describes where you are at right now. You've been sitting next to this bunny for 5 months but it's like you are seeing him for the first time.

Scooting down in the chair cause you can't sit still

Whipping the bunny around 

Kicking and grabbing your feet

And finally, a good pic : )

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day in the last 7 years has been a really special time for our family. Not only because we remember Josh, but also because of those in our family like my brother and cousin Joseph who have followed in his footsteps and served. Losing a close family member in war has taught me to respect all Veteran's and the freedoms that they have fought to protect. I am fiercely patriotic and proud of this country and all who serve.

This year for Veteran's Day Matt and I had the honor of taking a very special vet out to lunch. Sal Giunta was in town speaking at General Mills and took time out of his incredibly jam-packed schedule to have lunch with us. Sal served with Josh and they were really close. He also tried to save Josh and is the reason we were able to bring him home and bury him here. For those of you who know the story, the Taliban were trying to cart Josh off after he was wounded in an ambush, but Sal stopped them and got Josh back. And although Josh didn't make it through surgery, his last few conscious moments were spent with the guys, brothers, he loved and not in the hands of the enemy. For that, our family will be forever grateful for Sal.

For his actions on that day and what he did for Josh and others in his unit, Sal was awarded the medal of honor. It's pretty incredible to see all that has come out of that fateful day and although we'd all trade it all for just one more day with Josh (or Hugo Mendoza who was also killed), I know that God had a plan in all of this.

After we took Sal out to lunch, I got to go hear him speak at General Mills. It was the first time I'd heard him speak publicly about all that he went through in the army and I must say, I was blown away. He is an incredible speaker and motivator. He told me before that he doesn't use any note cards and it's different every time. It's really incredible to hear him share as you can tell it comes from the heart. I know he never wanted to be in the position that he's in, but to see how much he has risen to the occasion and is making such an impact on so many is unbelievable. The good that he is doing for Veteran's and our country is incredible. I know Josh would be proud.

Overall, it was an incredible Veteran's day and it makes me so proud to be an American.

So here's to all of the Veteran's both past and present. We salute you!!!

Brinny and Sal

Me, Brinny and Sal. Too bad Matt couldn't be in it as he was taking the picture.

Sal's poster at General Mills

Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!

This was Brinley's first Halloween and Matt and I were really excited to dress her up in her adorable little lady bug outfit. I had found it brand new for $3 at a garage sale this summer and couldn't pass it up.

It was quite cold this year so we decided to head out to the Mall of America and walk around there instead. Plus, we thought it would be a little odd to go trick-or-treating with a baby who couldn't eat the candy anyway. We thought it would kind of be like saying "hi, give Mom and Dad candy please." Nothing wrong with that, but Mom and Dad are trying to be healthy and don't need to eat a lb of candy!

Anyway, I digress, we took her out to the mall and got some cute pics of her in her costume, walked around and admired the trick or treaters, stopped a Underwater world (of course) and then headed home. All in all, a great first Halloween for our little bug!

Not so sure about the costume...

They had this great background setup, but our little bug wasn't too into pictures

Really cute though!

Afterwards at Underwater World. Very fascinated by your hand. 

Aquarium, aquarium and more aquarium

So after the first time my dad and I took little Brinley to Underwater World and saw how fascinated she was with the fish, we decided it was a great place to go visit throughout the colder winter months. We've planned on getting a zoo membership but they are pretty pricey and she's still a bit too young to really look at the animals. But with the aquarium, she can just look at the lights and colors and also ride in her stroller and look up through the tunnels.

Plus, with the Mall of America being only 15 minutes from our house and a great place to walk around and get some exercise at, it's a win-win for everyone.

In late October, Matt went with his fam to the cabin in Canada over MEA weekend for the last time of the season and my mom came up to stay with me and Brinley. She babysat Brinley on Thursday and Friday and her and I had a great time hanging out. It was so nice to have her around, I never wanted her to leave! If we had a bigger house, I know I'd want her to move in!

Then Friday night Grandpa Garry came up and on Saturday Uncle James joined us for an outing to the aquarium. My mom and Garry got Matt and I a membership there so we can take Brinley anytime we want! We were so excited!

Nana, Grandpa and Uncle James loved holding Brinley and showing her all of the fish. She was definitely lavished with love all weekend long!

On Sunday, Grandpa Garry even watched her by himself for an hour when my mom and I went out shopping. We did a ton of shopping while she was here and my closet and pantries were all full by the time she left. Matt always tells me I'm spoiled by my parents and while they are incredibly generous with us, I know just how lucky and blessed we are and I am very grateful. So spoiled, maybe, but very very grateful!

I also think coming from such a generous family (Mom, Grandma, Aunts, the Krei women are givers!) I've really learned that it's better to give than to receive. I always look forward to giving special gifts at Christmas or blessing people in unexpected ways (in fact, that's how I will be celebrating my 30th Bday this year, but more to come on that...) It's Matt and I's desire to instill that same generous spirit in Brinley and not let her become "spoiled" or take things for granted. Anyway, off of that rant...

So here are a few pics of our second trip to the aquarium as well as a few random ones of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. times that we've been back since then. It's our favorite thing to do with little Brinners right now.

Grandpa Garry was very happy to see you! You guys had a lot of fun.

Bouncing you up in the air and making you giggle

Jellyfish

You like all of the colors

Mommy's favorite jellyfish

Nana liked showing you the fish too

Looking up from your stroller in the tunnels

All tuckered out