Dinkypops No More!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Sisterly Love Before Bed

52 Weeks of Verity - Week 16

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:55:00 +0000

Verity at 16 Weeks

I would have forgotten to take Verity's picture this evening if my sister hadn't reminded me. Couldn't really get Verity to crack a smile, but she wasn't as fussy as I would have expected being so close to bedtime.

We are back to showcasing yards of fabric from Kam. Thanks again, girlie!

Obligatory Santa Visit

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:29:00 +0000

My sister Lisa and Tina and I took the girls to Somerset Mall last night for a visit with Santa. (I'm sure it was not how they pictured spending a Friday night). It was probably one of the best Santas and Santa "setups" I've seen. We had an appointment time for pictures, it was very personalized, and no rushing through the visit.

And there was no crying - the girls did great! When Santa asked Temperance what she wanted for Christmas, she said "I already sent you a letter."

Blog Admin

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:29:00 +0000

Over the next few weeks, I will be taking my blog private. Still want your fix of updates and pictures in the day-in-the-life of this mom? Simply shoot me a quick email and I'll add you to the permissions list (so long as I "know" you).

Thanks.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Sisterly Love on a Tuesday Night

52 Weeks of Verity - Week 15

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 03:34:00 +0000

Verity at 15 Weeks

Trying to capture a smiling Verity in the evening after I get home from work will prove to be a challenge, but I'm determined to get one before 52 weeks are up. And if you look closely, you'll see she's starting to get a little bit of adorable "chunk" on those thighs!

Verity is hanging out on the other side of the blanket featured last week. She received it as a gift from Tracey & Josh.

Verity's Baptism

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:00:00 +0000

Verity may have just celebrated her first Thanksgiving, but it was not the only highlight of her weekend. She had a very special day on Saturday, November 27th. She was baptized. Quite specifically, she was baptized by Father Jack, who officiated over her parent's wedding and baptized her big sister as well.

Father Jack is now at a church almost an hour away, but I wanted Verity to be baptized by him, so off to St. Perpetua we went for Saturday evening mass. She slept during most of mass, woke up during communion, and I snuck out shortly after to feed her. She was all smiles and so well behaved the rest of mass and all through the baptism after mass. She was baptized along with two other young ones that day.

Verity wore the same beautiful baptismal gown that my mom made for Temperance’s baptism. (When I pulled the gown out of the box, I was still in awe of how much detail my mom put into it. It’s simply beautiful). My mom will be stitching both of the girls’ names and birth dates on the slip. (I’m sure hoping that one day they will want their own children to be baptized in it as well).

Temperance checking out the gown.

Verity is extra lucky to have been baptized with four godmothers at her side. Yes, a little nontraditional, but I really wanted all of her aunts to have this honor. She’s one lucky girl to be surrounded by so many strong women – Aunt Lisa and Aunt Amy (my sisters), Aunt Monica (Matt’s sister), and Aunt Tina (my brother’s fiancée).

Lisa, Tina, Monica, Verity, Amy

As to be expected, Father Jack did a wonderful job with the baptism. He made it even more special by including Temperance in the event. He had Temperance help pour the water on Verity’s head. (And he joked that we just couldn’t tell the diocese that a woman was doing baptisms in a Catholic church). Temperance was very excited to help, and I was thrilled that she got to be a part of Verity’s baptism in an important way.

Temperance assiting Father Jack with the baptism of her sister.

After the baptism, we took lots of pictures and then headed home for cake and ice cream. Verity received lots of wonderful gifts from her godmothers too – special keepsakes that I know she will cherish.

A few weeks after Temperance was baptized, I had her photographed in her baptismal gown by a local photographer. So stay tuned, I will be looking to do this again, this time for Verity.

Temperance at 3 Years + 9 Months

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Today you are three years and nine months old. And it's "Happy Thanksgiving!" today as well. Before I need to start the mashed potatoes, let's check in on the past month, shall we?

You are always saying "I've got to tell you something".

If you find something or someone gives you something, you often will say "Can I keep it forever and ever and ever?".

You LOVE to color with "smelly" markers - those markers that smell like grape and orange and other fruity scents. Whenever you come home from pre-school, it's almost a guarantee you will have marker under your nose from smelling them. Of course, we now have a set of these markers at home.

You are getting a little more jealous of your sister as the months pass by. You even hit her this past month. And trust me, you are not lacking for attention! You often can be heard telling one of your aunts "don't talk to her". Or you put your hand in front of Verity so no one can look at her. You are super interested in the baby toys. You have a fit anytime I try to put your sister in the Bumbo (baby chair). I know this is a stage that will eventually pass, I just hope it's sooner rather than later. Your baby sister just adores you!

You get very upset anytime something gets thrown away - from something as simple as a rubber band to a broken plastic toy. You often will fish things out of the garbage and say "Oh no! How'd that get in there?" I need to do a better job of "hiding" discarded items in the trash.

When you are frustrated, you either throw something (which immediately lands you in time out and said item is taken away for the rest of the day) or you do this very low, guttural growl. I'm often reminding you of the importance of using your words when you are frustrated.

You are very much into a whining stage right now - if you don't get your way, you whine and "fake" cry. We joke that you will win an Oscar one day. Our best defense here is to simply ignore your whining fits, and that usually does the trick.

Biggest milestone this past month?

You go to sleep on your own! We have made huge strides in our bedtime routine, and I'm super proud of you. We started a little sticker chart that hangs in your room, and if you brush your teeth, go potty, and get in your pajamas without a hassle, you get stickers on the chart. I then get to read you a book and tuck you in "snug as a bug". We pick a hand on the clock and Mama leaves after we get to that hand (usually only a very few minutes). You insist that your bedroom door stays open very wide and that I leave the hall light on. And that's it! On occasion I might need to come back in because you've heard a noise or need a drink. But overall, you've been a superstar!

Speaking of bedtime routines, you love your bedtime stories. It's the only time of day that you truly like to sit and listen to a story. Oh, and you have a turtle night light that shines stars on the ceiling. You love to make a wish each night, and usually start by saying "I wiiiiiiissssshhhhhh" very drawn out.

Cutest childhood story I will never forget? Here's one from this past month.....

You still insist on taking your night-night (blanket) with you to pre-school, tucked in your backpack with the little pink hole sticking out that you like to rub on your nose. Well, that pink hole has a loose string coming from it, and you love to stick that string in your nose - gross, I know, but I just can't seem to get you to stop. Well, I came to pick you up from pre-school and you were screaming and crying and hiding under the table. The teacher said she'd been trying over and over to figure out what was wrong, but couldn't. As soon as I stuck my head under the table to ask you what was wrong, you pushed you backpack towards me and I immediately saw that loose string was missing from your blanket. It had worn so thin it had fallen off. We all had to go on a little scavenger hunt around the classroom until we found it. I did a temporary fix, and it fell off and was lost later that day for good. But that's okay, because another little string has started to unravel, and you are just waiting for it to "grow big" like the last one.

Funniest thing you said to me this past month? You were upset that I wouldn't let you do something, and you said "Every where I go, it's 'No, no, no!' Mama says no. Auntie Tina says no. And Auntie Amy teaches me bad words."

Until next month, kiddo. Always remember the kissing hand.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Trying to get a weekly shot of the girls together, I asked Temperance if I could place Verity on her belly. I wish I could have recorded the giggles that came out of the baby (she so adores her big sister)! And then Temperance followed suit, after she got over the fact that Verity was drooling all over her undershirt.

52 Weeks of Verity - Week 14

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:07:00 +0000

Verity at 14 Weeks

She's usually most cheerful first thing in the day, so it's no surprise Verity she was less than thrilled for me to take her picture when I got home from work. From here on out, I imagine we will be struggling with no natural light, camera flash, and a tired baby.

Verity is hanging out on a blanket she received as a gift from Tracey & Josh. Cool thing about it is that the other side has a different pattern, and you can bet this blanket will show up in another weekly photo.

An Early Christmas Present...

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Santa made an early delivery for Mama today, thanks to the American Express Rewards Program!

A BOB Revolution 12" Aluminum Wheel Duallie Stroller

Imagine me saying it like Ralphie saying "an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!", only I know I won't shoot my eye out. I may pull a hamstring or twist an ankle once I starting running again in the spring though.

I just need to attach the car seat adapter, and we're good to go!

P.S. Had you told me five years ago that I would get so excited over a double stroller, I would have called you crazy.

Where You'll Find Me.....

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:26:00 +0000

As of Monday morning, this is where you will find me....

Temperance's First School Picture

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Temperance's First School Picture 2010 (Pre-K)

Verity at Three Months

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 02:51:00 +0000

Here we are at three months of age. I'm compelled once again to give a quick rundown of where you are this month, my sweet Verity.

When you smile, it's a full face smile.
You sometimes will give a shy smile and bury your face into whomever is holding you.
You giggle! It's the cutest sound, most wonderful sound. And I love it.
You definitely love your big sister. You smile at her and are always following her with your eyes or craning your neck to see her.
You love to dance with your Mama and sister in the mornings. When we start cutting a rug, you laugh and giggle.
When you are tired and ready to fall asleep, you put your hands on the side of your head.
You do not have silent acid reflux. You just happen to be a colicky baby. Your fussiness is getting better, and we actually had one full day without any major crying fits.
You've discovered your hands. It's fun to watch you stare at them while opening and closing and opening and closing. (If you were a teenager doing this, I'd have to wonder if you'd smoked something).
You have a new trick. You like to make smacking noises by sucking on your bottom lip. Super cute.
Dare I speak the words that you've started to sleep through the night? Even if I do have to put your pacifier in one or two times throughout the night. And even if you are still sleeping in the co-sleeper in my bed. Now if only I could get your older sister and the dog on the same plan.
Funny that as you are starting to come out of your fussy phase, I have to go back to work this month. I will miss you and your sister to no end!

Love you to the moon. Until next month.....

Almost Wordless Wednesday

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

The Weekly Dose of Sisterly Love

Can't you just hear Verity saying "You're squishing my nose!"

52 Weeks of Verity - Week 13

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:28:00 +0000

Verity at 13 Weeks

Her cloth diaper makes her look a little chunkier than normal, but she is starting to fill out nicely.

Verity is hanging out on more fabric from Kam, which is the last of my first shipment and will be soon shipped off to Heather, who just sent me a second shipment of Kam's fabrics - we're all about sharing. Oh, and maybe I should start ironing the fabric before using it!

Failed Attempt #3

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:08:00 +0000

My third (and final) attempt to get decent outdoor pictures of the girls in their Christmas dresses produced about the same results as my first and second attempts. This time my brother and oldest sister Lisa were there to help me. But by day three, Temperance had had enough of me forcing her to hold Verity - "Make sure you hold onto your sister......No Tem, please don't squeeze her that hard.......Don't let go of her!"

The weather has since "officially" turned cold, and I cannot attempt outdoor shots again unless the girls are bundled up for blizzard-like conditions. I get an "A" for effort, but sadly did not get any holiday-card-worthy shots this year. I'm done subjecting us all to the pain these photo shoots caused (at least I hope I am)!

Failed Attempt #2

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 03:57:00 +0000

The day after my first failed attempt trying to capture a Christmas-card-worthy picture of the girls, my brother and his fiance kindly offered to help me attempt another photo shoot. We didn't have much luck.

And yes, sadly, there is a Failed Attempt #3 coming as well.

Failed Attempt #1

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 02:45:00 +0000

The next time I decide to dress two young girls in their Christmas dresses (by myself), lug blankets and boxes and equipment and said kids outside (by myself), and attempt to get some decent photos for our holiday cards (by myself), remind me that I'm crazy!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

The Weekly Dose of Sisterly Love

Little Lady

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:02:00 +0000

She looks so grown up....more of a little girl than a toddler.

52 Weeks of Verity - Week 12

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:09:00 +0000

Verity at 12 Weeks Old

It was a beautiful day - warm and sunny. And even though I took Verity outside for all of about two minutes to get a picture, I liked her indoor pictures a little better.

Verity is hanging out on the last bit of fabric I have from Kam.....that is, until Heather sends me the next batch, but she's been a little sidetracked with all my blog makeover questions. After that, I'm hitting up Liz for some fabric before her little girl arrives.

Mini Blog Makeover

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:36:00 +0000

How do you like me now?

With much help from the fabulous Heather, I did my very first mini blog makeover. That's right. All by myself. Well, with lots of email questions to Heather. And many clicks on her wonderful tutorials. And lots of pleading for assistance. (It was kinda like having my own little 24 hour online customer support person available).

Not sure I'm crazy about the papers I picked for my background (you really can get lost searching for papers and buying mini scrapbooking kits). And I'm not 100% sold on my simple header design. I do still have a few little things to tweak yet, but for now, this will do the trick. (I so need to learn html one day too).

Old, super detailed, super fun header created in June 2009 by Heather with pictures by Selah Studios.

New, super simple header created in November of 2010 by yours truly. Photos in this header are courtesy of Jen Van Dam.

Let the Drooling Begin

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 03:19:00 +0000

It's time to break out the bibs

Back in the Saddle Again....

brooke.gorman@gmail.com (Brooke) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:29:00 +0000

I accepted a contract position this week. Yep, that means I'm hanging up my SAHM status for now. Jumping back in the old saddle again. Wishing I could say I'm delving into photography full-time, but that's a big dream for another day. For now I will be going back in my field of experience.

It's one of those happy-sad, yay-boo type of decisions. As challenging as it has been, I've loved my time home with the girls and will miss them terribly! But the decision to go back to work wasn't made lightly - it's an important one given where I'm at in life right now. And it's a really good position in a tough economy.

Thankfully my brother's fiance will be taking care of the girls (with lots of play time from Nana as well) while I'm working.

Not sure how all the working mamas out there manage to work, take care of kids and home, and blog at the same time. So this little blog might be skimpy on posts in the coming months until I can find my groove. Lord knows I will have a hard enough time adjusting to midnight feedings and getting up for work in the morning. Now if only I could fit back into my pre-pregnancy business casual wear!