The Littlest Rockette

Brianne's latest trick - kicking her little legs at objects hanging over her. I was sitting on the couch last week, and Brianne was in her Pack N Play looking at her toys. All of a sudden, I heard the jingling of the toys. I remember thinking, how is she making them jingle? There's no way she can reach them. So I went over to see what she was up to, and she was lifting her legs and butt up off the mat and kicking her toys, which were suspended more than 6 inches above her. Six inches doesn't sound like a lot, but for someone who normally lays completely flat, this is a big deal. She was high-kicking like a Rockette at the NYC Christmas Spectacular, and having a blast watching her toys swing all over the place. It's so much fun seeing the new things she's learning to do, we can't wait to see what's next. Who knows - today, kicking toys; tomorrow, the Electric Slide...

Here is Brianne kicking at her toys. She loves making them rattle and watching them swing around.

With all this high-kicking, I guess we'll need to enroll her in dance classes sooner rather than later. She's going to look so cute in a tutu!

Party Girl

We had a busy couple of days this past weekend. We celebrated our friend Kylie Lum's first birthday on Saturday at her house with her mom Tricia, and a bunch of other friends from Royal Caribbean. It was a lot of fun for Mommy to see everyone, and Brianne had a great time smiling at everyone and singing Happy Birthday.

On Sunday, Marty had his re-election kick off fundraiser party at Lori Parrish's house. Over 300 people came and went throughout the afternoon, and it was overall a big success. Brianne was there to support her Daddy wearing her special American flag-hearts onesie. We also just got a Baby Bjorn and Brianne enjoyed riding around with Mommy and chatting with everyone. Everyone thought Brianne was super cute and such a good baby - this is probably because she was totally unconscious for the majority of the event, but hey, whatever works.

Here we are at Lori's house after everyone left. Brianne enjoyed being along for the ride.


Brianne up close and personal. It would be so nice if someone could carry me around for a change...

Hip Hip Hooray!

The hip saga continued yesterday with Brianne's follow up appointment with the orthopedic surgeon at Memorial Hospital Miramar. It was a bit hectic - first, I was almost killed by the stroller when it flew out of the Tahoe after shifting during the ride over (I managed to jump out of the way just in time). And even though I showed up to my appointment early, which never happens, I went to the wrong place. I was supposed to go straight to the radiology department, and I went to my doctor's office on the other side of the hospital instead. Once we figured out I was in the wrong place, we had to rush over and wait some more in the registration area. After 45 minutes waiting there, we finally got in to radiology area, where we waited for another hour. Thankfully, Brianne slept through this whole process, though I knew she wouldnt be happy when it was time to get her hip ultrasound.

Boy, was she ever mad about that ultrasound. It was time for her to eat, but they just called us into to see the tech, so she had to wait to eat. Brianne is not very good at waiting to eat, and screamed at the tech. To add insult to injury, she even tried to poop on the tech when she had to unstick one side of her diaper to start the procedure. After 10 minutes of failed ultrasound pictures and a whole lot of screaming, we took a break and I whipped out the bottle. I couldn't pick Brianne up off the table, so I had to hold up her head and shoulders and she ate kind of laying on her side half dressed. She was so hungry that she ate quietly while the tech got the ultrasound pictures she needed. We finished up here, and went back to the doctors office to review the ultrasound findings with the doctor.

Brianne didn't get to finish her bottle during the ultrasound, so once we got to the doctor's office, she was ready to eat the rest. I had to fill out some forms, so imagine me holding the baby, holding the bottle against my face, while I filled out forms with my free hand. Fun times. But the whole process was worth it when we got in to see the doctor (3 hours after we arrived at the hospital), and they told us that Brianne's hip had fused like it should and she doesn't need a brace or any other follow up appointments! YAY!! We are thrilled that Brianne's hips are developing like they should, and we can move on to more important things, like contemplating the pros and cons of Elmo over Dora the Explorer...

Give me an H! Give me an I! Give me a P! Here is Brianne doing a cheer for her healthy hips!

Called to the Principal's Office

Brianne recently had her first trip to the Principal's office. No, she wasn't behaving badly (unless you count a particularly stinky diaper), we just visited Grandma Mimi at St. David's where she is the principal of the school. Brianne had a great time seeing Mimi's office, and meeting the wonderful staff and teachers who happened to be around during our visit. We had a lot of fun day-dreaming about when Brianne will attend St. David's, just like her Daddy did. Marty was actually part of the first class to attend St. David's when the school opened up over 20 years ago. Another side note, Mommy and Daddy were married in their church, and Brianne will be christened there on October 3, so St. David's will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Here is Brianne meeting with the Principal (her Grandma Mimi). Lucky for her, she will get off easy this time, but we are working hard to teach her good behavior!

Here is Brianne taking in the view in Mimi's office. I think she is trying to soak up some extra knowledge to get her ready to attend pre-K in a few years.

Wrapper's Delight

Brianne is going to have a new little cousin at the end of October, and she is so excited. This past weekend, our cousin Kristin and her husband Rich had their baby shower up in New York in preparation to welcome their little boy. Unfortunately, we couldn't go since Brianne is too little to fly... and planes are flying cess pools of disease, but we celebrated the new arrival at home by cheering the Gators' win over University of Tennessee (there was no singing of Rocky Top for us, thank you very much).

The week before, we shipped our present up, and Brianne had a great time helping Mommy wrap gifts. I gave her a piece of tissue paper, and she loved crunching it up in her tiny hand and waving it around. I think she had a better time playing with that piece of tissue paper than any of these crazy developmental toys we have.

Here is Brianne helping wrap presents. She was holding the tissue paper until Mommy needed it. What a good helper.


Brianne loves the sound of the crinkly paper. She is also working hard on learning to manipulate her hands and fingers, and getting them to do what she wants. You can almost hear her thinking "I wonder what will happen if I wave my arms around like this..."


Brianne gave the tissue paper a hug after having so much fun with it.

What a Difference a Month a Makes

Yesterday, September 17, marked Brianne's two-month birthday. Each day is flying by in the blink of an eye, so we are working hard to savor every minute of being with her. We kicked off her special day with a Mommy and Me class, but unfortunately, had to follow it with a trip to her pediatrician for her first shots. It was probably more traumatizing for me than it was for her. She only cried for about a minute, and I think I cried almost all the way home. She didn't have any adverse reactions, though she has a been a little extra sleepy yesterday and today. She is growing very well, though the pediatrician thought the nurse must have measured her wrong since she seemed to be exploding length-wise. I think she measured right since Brianne is wearing 3-6 month size onesies already because her torso is so long.

Some other things that have changed about Brianne are her eyes are getting blue-er by the day. She is more alert, and can pay attention to us or her toys for longer stretches of time. Her blonde hair is starting to come in (she has reverse roots - blonde roots and brown ends). She has better head control, though it's still a bit wobbly. She is babbling and smiling more frequently, which is so much fun. Most importantly, she has slept through the night (10:30pm - 6:30am) almost every night this week! Fingers crossed that she keeps that up - I hope I didn't just jinx us.

Here we are getting some lunch at Toojay's with Marty's parents. Brianne had a nice time looking around at all the new people and smelling the yummy food.


Still working on our Tummy Time. Brianne really doesn't like being on her stomach, but we're doing the best we can!

Mommy and Me

If you asked me before having a child if I would be the type to do those Mommy and Me classes, I probably would have looked at you weird and said "um, no". But surprise surprise, Brianne and I have started doing Mommy and Me classes at Nova University as of last week, and we both really enjoy them. Well, I think Brianne likes them - I gauge her liking of something by how little she screams at it.

We are taking two classes, Baby Yoga on Tuesdays and Play Together, Learn Together on Thursdays. So far, they have been a lot of fun for both of us. Brianne likes the songs (her current favorite is "The Wheels on the Bus"), and looking at other babies. I enjoy meeting other moms and doing activities that Brianne can participate in. She's still so little, there's only so much she can do, so these classes are perfect for getting us out of the house, interacting in fun ways with each other, and socializing with new and interesting people.

Most of the other moms are lucky enough to not have to work, so it's pretty much just me who's anxious about returning to the working world in October. But I am still hoping to win Power Ball so I can continue going to baby classes during the middle of the week. I'm not holding my breath on that one, but a mom can dream :o)

Here is Brianne relaxing after Baby Yoga yesterday. She was pretty tired after just completing her Sun Salutations with Warrior series. Just kidding - it was more like baby-sized arm and leg stretches and neck strengthening moves with lots of hugs and kisses for encouragement, but it still wore her out.

Mirror Mirror

Brianne is growing faster than ever, and has changed so much in the two months since she joined our family. She is getting more independent and can easily entertain herself, whether it's with a new toy, or her absolute favorite diversion - her own reflection! She loves to look at herself in the mirror in her Pack N Play, and has a great time chatting to the "other baby" sharing her space. A love of looking at herself in any reflective surface is definitely something she inherited from Marty. Everyone who sees her comments on how much she looks like her Dad, so in addition to his good looks and love of mirrors, I am hoping she will also get his 24/7 cheerful personality and drive to succeed. I am also hoping her blonde hair comes in soon so she will at least look a little like me...

Here is Brianne checking herself out in mirror in her Pack N Play.

All That Jazz

This past weekend, we celebrated Labor Day by going to the Sunday Jazz Brunch in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. Grand dad Steve and Grandma Janet live right next to River Front, so we were able to park at their condo building and walk over to where the event was being held. Dad stayed at home to do some work, so Mom and Brianne got to spend some fun time together along with Grand dad and Grandma.

The weather held up and was overcast all day, which was a blessing because it was still hot as blazes outside. The heat wasn't too bad since it was cloudy, but the humidity was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Brianne got to wear her special tank top onesie so she was cool as a cucumber, well, a somewhat sweaty cucumber. We set up under some trees on the lawn at the River Front area, and had a great time enjoying some live jazz music and spending some time outside. Jazz Brunch is held the first Sunday of every month, so we are looking forward to going back in the next few months when it's a bit cooler outside.

Brianne got to stretch out on her blanket under a big tree. She was fascinated by the the swaying branches and the sunshine coming through the leaves. We even saw an iguana!


Here is Mom and Brianne listening to jazz. There were tons of other kids with their parents (you can see the other strollers in the background), so I am looking forward to bringing her back when she's a bit older.


It was so sticky outside, we stripped Brianne down to her diaper once we got back to Grand dad's house. She enjoyed a nice cool sponge bath, and some time bonding with Grand dad Steve.

Daddy's Little Political Activist

Marty will be having a fundraiser for his re-election campaign on September 27. Our friend (and Broward County Property Appraiser) Lori Parrish is graciously hosting us at her home for this event. The Kiars are working hard to prepare for the event by getting the invitations ready to send out. We figure it's never too early to encourage an interest in politics, so we had Brianne helping us stuff envelopes. She mostly supervised, but at least she stayed awake the whole time - a clear indication that politics excites her :o) Daddy is so proud.

Here is Daddy stuffing envelopes with Brianne making sure he's doing it right. Good job, Bree.

Brianne perusing the invitation for spelling errors (she gets her proof-reading skills from Mommy).

It's All in the Hips

We had our follow up appointment for Brianne's hip issue yesterday, September 2 at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital . The orthopedic surgeon we saw was very nice, and explained to us that Brianne's left hip hasn't quite fused in the socket as it should. The term he used to describe the way her leg bone fit in the socket was that it was "squishy" - I think he saw our eyes glazing over when he started talking about subluxation (at least I think that's the word he used)....

He said that her hip may correct itself on its own, so we are going to wait another 3 weeks when we will have a follow up ultrasound. If her hip is still "squishy" at that time, she will have to wear a brace over her clothes for a month or two. The best news is that no surgery will be required since it was caught early enough. Hooray! If left unchecked, her hip could have further displaced, causing problems when she started crawling and walking, and potentially early arthritis in the hip - yikes.

On a side note, I mentioned to the doctor that I had a hip issue when I was a baby, and that my doctor put me in two diapers. He said that the two-diaper fix is an old wives tale and doesn't actually work. No wonder my hip still clicks... At least Brianne will be click free when this is all said and done!

Brianne waiting patiently in the waiting room (She got all her screaming out on the car ride to the hospital. Thank goodness we always keep an emergency bottle on hand.)

Here we are in the examination room waiting for the doctor (who incidentally lives in Marty's legislative district and recognized Marty - too funny). Here is Brianne covering her face trying to make herself invisible.