After the Show

Headed back home after the show in Gma and Gpa's new and super comfy Honda Pilot!

Thanks to Bonnie Hunt for shaking our hands and giving us these very tasty cupcakes!

Yum...

The Bonnie Hunt Show

There we are, on national television!

Because we were relatively close to LA we decided to go see the filming of a talk show. We were lucky to get tickets to The Bonnie Hunt Show which I often watch in the afternoons during Brooke's nap. Caitlin and I watched the movie Beethoven a million times as kids and think Bonnie Hunt is such a great actress and person.

We drove over yesterday morning and got in line outside Culver Studios. After a thirty minute wait we went through security and into the covered seating area. We waited there for a while and then were led into the sound stage. As you enter you are given a hot dog and root beer which tasted pretty good after waiting for such a long time!

An extremely talented warm-up man enters and gets to know the crowd. After learning when to clap and cheer the show started and in entered Bonnie! The taping was three segments for three different shows. First was Danika Patrick (race car driver), then the gorgeous Camilla Alves (girlfriend of Mathew McConaughey) and finally Tracy Morgan (30 Rock). By far our favorite guest was Tracy Morgan. We laughed so hard that we left with tired cheek bones!

Overall it was an experience well worth the drive and wait. I would do it again. Thanks to my dad who had his first babysitting experience with his granddaughter. Four hours of watching a toddler included 2 diapers, a playground, a library, and a mall. He now has a new appreciation for a stay-at-home mom! We were very relieved that Brooke was a real trooper (even without a nap).

Click here... to see the video

You can see the three of us on at many points in the video! Every time the video shows the executive producer we are on the right (2nd row from the front).

Then and Now

The photo on the left is of May 13, 2008 and the right was yesterday, both at 27 weeks. I feel that this baby is much bigger than Brooke. It may be my memory failing me, but it feels like he is much more active than she was. It feels like I get kicked, nudged and poked every time I relax. His favorite time to be active is around 11pm, hopefully that won't last too long after he's born! Only three months left and I'm ready for it to be over with! The first time, the pregnancy was exciting but this time I've done it all before and am ready to have my body back!

Happy Valentine's Day Daddy!

We miss you! See you soon!

Living Desert Zoo

We beat the heat this morning with a trip to the Living Desert Zoo. Brooke was so excited to see the animals! She continued to say, "Animals" over and over again as we walked through the park. She even started to sing "EIEIO!". Great-Grandma Koke, Grandma Carol, Auntie Caitlin and I got to escort Brooke to this exciting new place!

Brooke's favorite animal at the zoo was the cows. We practically had to drag her away from them! She enjoyed seeing the giraffes, zebras, and other desert animals. Next time we may just stop by a farm instead of a zoo!

There was a very interesting show at the amphitheater. Only a few animals scared Brooke. It was fun to see the owl, hawk, eagle, and even rats. Each animal was trained to fly from treat to treat and two of the birds even flew right overhead!

Riding a warthog was definitely a first for Brooke!

At the petting zoo Brooke was a bit timid, but got more brave as time went on. Overall, the zoo was a great place to visit. We were glad to go in the morning because it was getting much warmer as we left. Lots of walking so the stroller was handy!

More Pool Time

Caitlin got a few gifts in her shoes today!

After a good long walk this morning it was time for the pool again! The weather is warm and wonderful. Brooke is getting more brave in the pool every time. Today she started "jumping" off the side into our arms. We'll have to watch her extra close around the pool!

Fun with Auntie!

She's actually wearing her sunglasses! This afternoon we all went down for a nap in the sun... it was so wonderful to hear the bird chirping away and mom's fountain bubbling. I think everyone deserves one warm vacation in the middle of winter... the heat of the sun is so awesome!

Here Comes the Sun!

Surprisingly, the desert doesn't always have sunny warm weather. Yesterday it was pouring rain! We spent this morning at the mall wandering around and mainly watching Brooke play in the kids play area. After her nap we headed to the pool for the first time this trip.

Brooke got a new swimsuit that she modeled for us.

She looks so grown up!

Great Grandpa Wally's house is only a few seconds away, so we walk up there a couple times a day and visit.

Auntie Caitlin is a big help!

Brooke is a water baby! She loves the pool. Blowing bubbles, dunking her head under the water, and kicking are some of her favorite things to do in the pool.

I'm sure we'll be back every day until we leave!

Travels

We arrived at the Wenatchee airport early on Tuesday morning. We were sad to say goodbye to Kent. Brooke gave her daddy a huge hug (true hugs are pretty hard to come by from this little girl...) which just melted his heart. Auntie Caitlin was along, but had a separate flight down to Palm Springs than us. When Brooke and I arrived at the Seattle airport we headed to the kids play area which was a huge hit with Brooke. After a hundred slides down the slide we headed for our gate. By this time, Brooke was super tired from being up since 4:30am. I was taking big breaths, getting myself prepared for our first flight together with no other help!


On the flight down to California we read books, colored, had snacks, took walks down the aisle and every other imaginable toddler activity. She refused to nap! Phew, we were so happy to arrive in Palm Springs.

When we arrived Brooke was a little surprised with the paparazzi met us as the gate with their flashing cameras.

Brooke's favorite deadpan look. Can you tell she'd been up since 4:30am!

Can't you tell she just hates to be the center of attention?!

Brooke's great grandparents were as excited to see Brooke as she was to see them!

First Sentence!

"More pancake, please Mama."

Actually... it sounds more like this, "Me ca-cake, peas Mama."

We had Brooke's 18 month appointment this morning. She was definitely aware that she was in the Dr.'s office. She still smiled at Dr. Eisert when he entered the room, but as soon as he approached with the knee tapper thing in his hand she began to cry. He said her growth is wonderful, the weight has followed the growth curve exactly for the last four appointments. She's measuring in at 21.6 pounds (10%), and in the 20% for height, 80% for head. He is always amazed at her vocabulary (as are her parents!). At 18 months they expect around 20 words and Brooke is up to 80 - 90. Let's say she has the gift of gab, for sure. Her first two words together were, "Please Mama" and it goes straight to the heart. I have to make myself think past the most adorable sounding phrase in the world and try to think clearly.

Well, off to pack for our big trip tomorrow!

Fun, Fashion, and Football

I wouldn't call us huge football fans. Yes, we love to watch a game once in a while but it's not our passion. For us, super bowl Sunday is a great reason to get together with friends and talk, eat, and watch some somewhat entertaining commercials. Sad, I know. Kyle, Kim and their daughter Lilly joined us at our house for homemade pizza, chips, veggies, beer for the guys and diet caffeine free pop for the ladies.

Brooke showed off her many shoes and shared a few with her friend Lilly.

Both girls got a chance to enjoy "bumble bee", one of Brooke's favorite "Daddy" activities.

What a workout for Kent! We can't even imagine having twins!

The girls got to read lots of books and play with the baby dolls during the football game. Brooke only asked to watch Dora twice with a small tantrum following...

Where are the cars? It was so much fun to have these two blonde haired toddlers running around tonight!