Dear Brooke

Dear Brooke: It’s been a Year!

Valisa — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:58:21 +0000

Dear Brooke,
It has been a year since I wrote anything to you! You’ve kept me quite busy!
In the last year and 2 months, we’ve moved twice… from the house on Alvarado that we were renting from Uncle Paul and Aunt De, to an apartment.
The apartments were really great… Some of your biggest growth took place there – you started potty training, got accustomed to swimming because of having a pool right there. We found the most awesome babysitter that started watching you there… Life in that apartment was pretty fun! Worst thing was that you were cooped up inside most of the time because we were on the 4th floor, and the balcony wasn’t secured very well. Made me pretty nervous. But you went from a crib to a toddler bed, to a big twin bed there also!
We had lots of fun there… But in September we moved back home to the town you were born in, Yreka.
We’re in a house now, a nice one that we hope to buy! You have already started getting more independant in playing outside on your own, or in your room. We have had some fun play time, but its starting to get colder now so you’re getting into coloring, and I’m searching for more indoor activities
I love that we’ve gotten you ready to love the out doors again though. Today we went on a walk at Greenhorn park and in your excitement you tripped and fell.
You are such a mommy’s girl when you get hurt. Its hard to find a balance between teaching you to shake it off, and just comforting you.. So I usually fall somewhere in between Which is good.. depends on if you’re really hurt or not of course!
You’re learning to pretend… you’re starting to play more intricately with your toys.. Your favorite for the last 6 months or so has been your stuffed baby jaguar (it may actually be a leopard, but it looks like a jaguar and you dubbed it such) Baby Jaguar is Diego’s sidekick on “Go, Diego, Go” and you LOVE that show..
as any two year old, you love making messes, playing at the park, and have a hard time at bedtime… But as the song goes “It wont be like this for long..”
I’ll continue enjoying it and soaking up this stage of life.
I love you so much!
With Love, From Mama

24 August, 2010 12:01

Valisa — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:01:45 +0000

dear brooke: you’re crazy! lol with love, from mamma

dear brooke, today i told

Valisa — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:59:40 +0000

dear brooke, today i told you to “be careful” and your follow up was “hurtchurself” you’re so smart! with love, from mamma

Dear Brooke, I’m gonna have

Valisa — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:58:01 +0000

Dear Brooke,
I’m gonna have to start txting the little things you do because i keep forgetting to blog! With Love, (lazy) mamma

Dear Brooke: Hi Lovely!

Valisa — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:16:13 +0000

Dear Brooke,
Mamma’s been slacking! I know! But between keeping you busy and out of trouble and trying to get some school work in here and there, and my photography picking, and my “DearBrooke” custom creations are kinda taking off too!! Its pretty exciting. People are asking more and more for me to make them tutus and such
So about the tutus, your little love for dancing has flooded into a love for dancing with a tutu on When I have some out you’re so cute… you point at one and say “Dance? Dance?” and so I ask you if you want to dance with a tutu on.. you reply “tutu” with an excited nod yes
I wish I had been writing more lately because suddenly your vocabulary is maximizing and you’re putting words together! SO Cute!! The other day, You were in your highchair and you looked at me and said “gink…” which is Drink So I said… “You want a drink?” *nod yes* “Do you want me to get you some water” *nod yes* Then you said… your biggest sentence ever.. lol: “Gink, Caffee, Mammi, Pease!” and you were pointing at my coffee that was on the table, while half leaning out of your high chair lol. YOU crack me up! I’m curious to know if you’ll be a big coffee drinker!
We’ve continued your bedtime routine of having story time together after shower or bath, jammies, then teeth brushing… and now – you’re so used to the fact that we pray with you before we start reading… that you reach out to hold hands with us and you either say, Pray.. or “Jesus” or you just sit patiently and wait SO sweet! It melts my heart! and you always end with an amen with us, and even say amen when we’re done with whatever book we’re reading. Its so sweet!
On the aggravating side of things, you’re beginning to be a bit more defiant. You’ve always been pretty persistent… but you’ve been doing things straight up after I tell you not to and it gets you in trouble. I can tell you’re trying to push and learn your limits.. and I’m trying to teach them to you in the process of parenting you And you’re learning… I can see you’re learning. I just cant imagine that its easy to understand so much – but not be able to communicate everything you want to say or do. Eee! The parenting really begins now You’re hitting the “terrible twos” already… and not that you’re terrible.. because that’s not the case at all But you are learning how to throw fits… Though I feel quite lucky – yours aren’t long.. and you usually get redirected quite quickly! But even when its not quickly and you get in trouble – while you’re being consoled, your mind usually jumps quickly to the next thing you’re interested in doing… and you let me know
You’re so sweet! AH i love you
You fell asleep on my lap today – which you haven’t done in ages! I missed it very much!

You’re loving Dora more and more, and you’ve been helping learning how to pick up and clean up which is awesome And you’re just so SWEET! You’re noticing when people are sad, and happy and learning how to identify those feelings for yourself as well.

You are so smart, so sweet, so very cute, and so loving!
I’m gonna go, but I love you and I’ll try to write again soon!

With Love,
From Mama

Dear Brooke: Too much!

Valisa — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:57:18 +0000

Dear Brooke:
In our life, things are hectic. I wish all the time that I was a smoother house wife and mommy. I long so much for an instinctual attitude towards cleaning the house, keeping meal schedules… Its just so hard for me. I only hope I can concur this somewhat as you grow so that its easier for you to do than it has ever been for me. *shakes head*
So I was thinking I’d give you a glimpse into what trends are going on right now… so you can look back and go.. WOW, people were weird when I was little.
The iPhone 4 was just announced and became available for pre ordering today. Daddy and I aren’t getting one yet.. but We’re in love with them! I thought I’d show you a little picture… I’m curious at how outdated this will be by the time you’re my age.

The big thing that everyone is excited about is the second camera on the front of the phone allowing for the video calling
Technology grows and changes so fast, i can’t even imagine what stuff is going to be out when you’re my age!

Right now you’re sitting in my lap watching a veggie tales silly song on another window
You have favorite shows right now… which include Veggie tales, Backyardagains, Dora, and I have no idea why you love this show so much – but Pingu… its a claymation show about a penguin. lol.
anyway, you’re changing so much I just dont even know what to say!! You’re putting words together all the time now… just usually 2 at a time.. but its so cute
I took you to go paint a mug today for Daddy for fathers day! You had fun.. and at first you kinda freaked out a little at the paint all over your hands… then you suddenly realized how fun it was.. lol and i couldn’t keep your hands out if it!

OH, something you ask for ALL the time right now is CATS! You just love the videos of cats doing funny things on youtube! You ask for it all the time! You’ll go sit at the computer desk, get up in the chair and say, “CATS! CATS!” then nod your head, and start again.. lol

You climbed up into your highchair and sat down… over the lap bar.. You’re such a monkey!!

Ah baby girl! I love you so much!

I think we’re gonna go take a bike ride! love you

With Love, From Mamma

Dear Brooke, new new!

Valisa — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:48:49 +0000

Dear Brookie,
Hey little love! Oh man, I can’t believe it… You are changing more and more and more, Every Day!
I wanted to tell you, “Dear Brooke” line of stuff turned into 2 parties so far… but turns out my photography sells better than the actuall stuff. I was thinking though – that those items really sell better per occasion. I mean – who just puts their kid in a tutu for no reason. And what are the chances someone is going to come to a party WITH a kids birthday, right around the corner. Ah well. I can still market all that stuff along with my photography when I do those parties. It gives me something to show.
But anyway, my photography thing is kinda taking off! But I’m trying to do both that and Tupperware. Once again, any chance you want to time travel and chime in and let me know which directions things end up working out in? No? I didst’ think so.
ANYWAY! About YOU….!!
Something we’re dealing with lately is your sleep habits. Ever since I can remember, you wake up sad! You almost always wake up crying and its so sad! The few few few times you’ve woken up happy and just blabbed to yourself in your crib has been spectacular!! lol. But you just about always wake up crying. So I looked into it – and from what i can see, you’re suffering from Sleep Inertia… Which identifies the state between being fully awake, and sleeping. So I’ve been trying to get you to bed earlier, (which often means 6 pm!) and be more deliberate with your naps… I need to move into actually waking you up from naps. But thats so hard for me to do… lol – I love your nap times! I love spending time with you too… but I love being able to lay down and not chase you around the house grabbing various things you shouldn’t be putting in your mouth, keeping you from opening the stove, pulling things out of the trash, playing with Ace’s food, making sure you dont pull our bikes down on top of you… ya know, things like that
Vocabulary wise, Brooke, You’re exploding! You are copying TONS of words… and you’re now starting to put sentences together! Granted they’re just two or SOMETIMES 3 words, but its so cute! Like for example, Daddy’s basketball is in the car, and you like to hold it on your lap and play with it when we drive sometimes, and you point to it and say, “Dada. Ball.” I put periods there because theres a very purposeful sound in each word. it doesn’t quite flow yet You’re also joining “More” and “Please” which is nice!
You’re so cute I love you so much!!
You’re learning to run, and its ADORABLE!
You have huge feet Size 6 Wide according to stride rite! Granted they purposely give extra space …. they know what they’re talking about apparently – but when I put size 6 shoe on you from anywhere else, they’re quite big on you.. so i can’t really compare the size you wear to anyone else, unless they had their feet measured at stride rite too haha.
You’ve been loving watching veggie tales lately You ask for it by saying “Tales?!” (with your version of the “L” sound of course.. ) “pease!”
OOOH – and Cheerios, such a cute word!! Sounds kinda like “Dos o’s” lol And Cheese-Its!! ah that one sounds pretty close to the real thing

We’ve gone swimming a few times already and you’re loving the pool this year! I cant wait till you can swim Oh so fun!! You love watching your cousins splash around…

Oh speaking of you loving to watch them… and dancing!! You STILL love love love dancing and music! In fact, taking the girls to their dance class is one of your favorite events! lol, You love to just run around and dance with them while they’re waiting for their class to start, and then while they’re dancing, you LOVE watching the other class, which is a hip hop class of 10 year olds… I have a feeling we’re going to have to put you in dance! You love it so much!!

Alright, well I’m working on my photography blog, trying to get that up and running, so I’m going to finish up!

Don’t ever forget how much I love you!!!

With Love, From Mamma

Jga.

Valisa — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:21:32 +0000

Jga.

Valisa — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:21:30 +0000

Jga.

Dear Brooke: Here we go!

Valisa — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:17:29 +0000

Dear Brooke,

On Wednesday night you and I are going to our first official “Dear Brooke: Inspired Creations” party!!
I’m somewhat shaping this after my Tupperware format, but I’ve made up an order form, and a list of products and everything!

I’m gonna make a shirt for you to wear to the party that says something like, “I inspired Dear Brooke” or something.. Or maybe just the logo on the front and your name on the back. Not sure yet
I do hope to move from Iron-ons to screen printing if I can figure out how…

Heres the logo I made:

What do you think? If you can’t read the small print, it says “Inspired Creations”

Anyway, I’m excited I still want Tupperware. i still want what Tupperware has to offer. I love the recognition, the support, the friends… all of it.
But I think this is going to be a good way to come into a little money and help us out. And once that pressure is off of my Tupperware business, i think it will help me alot..

About your cute stuff.. Oh my goodness – your vocabulary is growing so fast! You’re in love with the song “Fireflies” by Owl City. and you ask for it all the time! Mostly when we’re in the car. And even if I put on a different song, you continue to say “Buss-eye!” over and over again. Butterfly, Fireflies, and even FLY… are all referred to as “Buss-eye” by you

lol Brooke… you’re so funny! You say a lot of words now! I dont think I could list them all! But you DO love the word No.. haha. You say “Juice” alot, and you say lotion to almost every type of cosmetic thats in a bottle: shampoo, soap, lotion, gel.. haha. And it comes out something like, “woah-so” hah! Its so cute! You love clothes and tearing apart stacks of laundry… you liked to get dressed and go bye-bye! You LOVE to drive! Oh my goodness that is for sure your current fascination! everytmie we go near the car, you want to get in the drivers seat!
Your love for dancing is still going strong… lol, one of the songs that you dance the most to is “Thats not my name” by the Ting Tings… Interesting. yes. But thanks to Aunty Deanna (which you also say now “Ah De”) you love to jam to that song!
Lets see, heres a video of you dancing to that song and driving:

Brooke drivin and dancing
And another:
Brooke driving and Dancing MORE

haha, oh Brooke! You’re so cute I can’t wait to see all the things you do with this love for dancing, music, and driving lol
Daddy asked you the other day if you wanted a muscle car, and you said “Muscle!?” lol

OH, I went and got you some nice shoes at Stride Rite this last week because you’re walking a lot more pigeon toed lately, as well as leaning into the inside of your foot.. which is how I walk (not pigeon toed, just the inside of the feet thing) so I got you some high tops, and found out that you’re in a size 6 Wide! Oh man.. so the shoes i got you look a bit like clown shoes. Because they’re wide at the toe mostly, and they’re so much longer than I’m used to seeing! But I hope it helps your feet I also try and have you wear them on the wrong feet while you’re at home to help your little bones form and get comfortable with going straight rather than turning in awe
Lets see, what else… You are definitely coming into your own little person. We’re hitting a tough age, so fun still, yet kinda tough. You’re starting to get a bit more stubborn and frustrating when you want something. Its the worst when you’re tired. But the happy times make up for it for sure! Because you’re so sweet!

Anyway dearest, you’re napping now and I need to get some stuff done and take advantage of this quiet time

With Love,
From Mamma