A Safari Adventure with The Brows

This kid has my heart to the end. I'm pretty sure everybody knows that already, and when (read: if) I'm rich and have lots of money I will find creative ways to spoil this boy like no other.

Did you know he's like 2 times the size he should be, or that's my lame math that's probably totally not correct when in reality he's the size of a four year old but he just had his second birth day! I brag about him like he's my own. I was smiling the whole day because he's such a character. 

Our day went a little like this:

We met in the parking lot, Baby Brows just waking up from a short nap. He went into the stroller and we walked to the front gates. Señor Brows treated me to this trip which was oh so awesome and so we went in. We started by getting The Brows some food (I had eaten an El Pollo Loco tostada on the drive over, a juggle for sure) and I just laughed while Baby Brows became more and more animated with each french fry and chicken strip. By the raisins he was chattering about his milk, saying yum and calling Señor Brow's soda "my meel."* After pouring some milk in a cup similar to dad's Baby Brows thought he had the same thing as dad and was content.

We then walked to find the Safari tour so Baby Brows could wake up a little more and see all the different animals, and ride the "tuck."** After a very short wait we were sighting animals left and right. Baby Brows had his game face on but was bouncing when he was allowed. He may have been more interested in the mode of transportation we were taking and the kids in the seat in front of us, but every once in a while he was really excited about the animals too. The tour ended just in time, because he was ready to start running around.

And run he did.

I pushed the stroller as we made our way through the maze that is the Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal Park. He stopped to look at the ducks, smell some flowers, and to sit on a little bench. He tired out and went back into the stroller until we found the elephants. Again Baby Brows was more interested in his surroundings and playing with his stroller than the animals... he ran circles around the poles, then around some benches, then would look back at us, then run toward us, dance a little bit and go around again. 

I did take a little bit of time to watch the elephants, there was one really young one who was sooo cute. Oh baby animals!

Then we moved on to find the petting zoo. Baby Brows went back into the stroller at this point, exhausted from running around. At first he didn't want to get out of the stroller then he saw the goats and became pretty excited. He ran right up to the first one petting it until the goat threw his head a little... nothing hard or hurtful but Baby Brows ran back to dad to get his bearings. Then it was off to see the brushes (and use them on his own hair for a second... hahahahaha kids!) and find other goats to pet. He and another little boy were petting the resting goats when two others started sparring. It was cute to watch. Then a bigger goat started choking or something and Sebastian thought that was the funniest thing. He couldn't stop laughing which made the other boy's family laugh. 

After a couple minutes Baby Brows was done with petting goats and we went off in search of a soda and churro for me, I really can't resist at theme parks of any kind. I love churros. 

Then we attempted to have birds land on us but that exhibit was closed once we arrive and so we trekked back toward the tigers. We managed a tiger sighting (and also saw a young boy pushing his sister's stroller down a hill, letting go of it and running in front of it to scare her.... while the parents chatted on) and then headed toward the exit. They were ushering us out through arrow signs at all exhibit trail entrances. Very helpful, like I said, this park is a maze.

All in all a wonderful adventure. Baby Brows didn't disappoint. I haven't been to this park in probably over 12 years and probably wouldn't have gone if friends and a child hadn't been involved. Theme parks regain their magic when sharing them with a kid. 

xoxo

* my meel is my milk in Baby Brows speak
** tuck is truck

My Trip Back Home

A couple of weeks ago I flew down to San Diego. I was originally suppose to be in on Friday but my mom had an extra ticket to see Taylor Swift so I came in a day early.

The show was so awesome and amazing! More on that in a different post. 

playin with the ipad

Then Friday and Saturday were about seeing Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s, Señor Brows and Baby Brows... Señor Brows and I went to this fantastical restaurant in Chula Vista called Zorba's. Words cannot describe the magic that goes on there on a Friday night. Seriously. 

While Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s and I were trying to pet dolphins, Sebastian decided to tell secrets to the pillar.

Saturday we went to Sea World, we missed the feeding of the dolphins but definitely laid on the outer rocks to try and get them to come see us anyway. There were some dolphin whisperers a few feet away but there was no luck for me. It was all worth it though, Baby Brows is a crazy man and made the day entertaining. 

at the end of a day of shooting :)

Sunday was about going to the shooting range with my Dad and improving my technique. I'm quite proud of how I'm doing. Then it was Dad's family dinner at Love Boat sushi in San Marcos (it's no Mio, but it's definitely good). After there was some quality time with two friends of mine I have missed dearly and then some other quality time chatting with a man I call Bambi (haha sucka) sitting with our feet in a semi warm jacuzzi drinking beer (him more than me, I think I drank MAYBE a third of the bottle) and talking about life. 

photo shoot of Saki, looks like she's throwin up in the flower pot

The next day was about putting resumes and cover letters together, showering in my old shower which made me feel like I should have sand in my toes, something about that shower reminds me of summer and coming back from the beach. Funny, because I rarely went to the beach. But it gave me a feeling of summer and calm which is one of the best feelings a shower can give. Then it was iPhone update time, some planning, dinner with a friend and back to the jacuzzi, this time even less hot, to talk (or listen) and such. After was frozen yogurt time!

 Tuesday was lunch with Cindy, then wandering around The Forum in Encinitas. Smelling perfume and dying for Wonderstruck (by Taylor Swift). I went over to Grandma's after and then later that night went to dinner with my mom and siblings. Saw a friend from H.S. I haven't seen in a while. 

Wednesday I had an interview (spoiler alert: I didn't get the job), went to lunch with Sarah and then got ready to head back to the airport.

All in all the trip was much needed and wonderful. Made me miss home in ways I hadn't in a very long time.

In closing I will leave you with one of the loves of my life. Saki. She was purring and doing her version of cuddling with me (she's a skittish cat, but she tries to be loving) and for some reason I get so relaxed when I hear cats purr. Almost as good as a shower that reminds you of carefree summers with sand in your toes.

Maybe better. :)

xoxo

The Last Hurrah: Wednesday With Baby Brows

Well, I've attempted to get this post up earlier than normal. I think I have succeeded by maybe an hour. :) So, as the title says, this was the last hurrah. I decided recently to make a quick move up to Portland and I will be starting the journey tomorrow. Just typing it makes my stomach drop a bit. I've just been trying to think of the exciting instead of the possibly scary and or sad (saying goodbye to baby brows.)
I am not going to think about it much I'm just going to get on with this post.

So! Today started with a sleepy little man just cuddling with me for the most part. We went down for nap number one (I say "we" because I always take a nap during his first nap) on time and slept for an hour. I heard him wake up through his monitor but hoped upon hoped that he would fall back asleep because first nap is usually 2 hours. Luck was with me, he realized he was still tired and went back to sleep. Around 12:30 I woke him up and we played while on opposite sides of his crib.

Laughing at me

Still sleepy but smiling

After our little play session we had some food (me a lettuce sandwich and him anything he would eat) and played a bit more. Watched some Handy Manny per usual and I think only 1 episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. I decided since it was our last day we were going to play on his play set outside. So I got him all dressed, looking fly and stuff, put his Elmo shoes on and we were ready to go... well until he learned how to undo velcro. He LOVES velcro.

VELCRO!!!

We made it outside shortly after to swing on the swing and then check out the steering wheel and slide. Unfortunately I got no slide pictures because I didn't want him to get scared so I held him on the way down.  

Even though he had a long first nap he was still a tired boy and was flopping around on his blanket and dog pillow.

Again it was nap time and while he was asleep I packed and took a shower. Then after he woke up from nap #2 I put a hoodie on him and we played, cooked banana panfakes (Señor Brow's name for vegan pancakes) and again fed him whatever he would eat, little of this, little of that. Then Sarah came over to play for a tiny bit and say goodbye. It was her first time meeting Baby Brows as well as Señor Brows and Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s so we had a good time. 

Honestly, I have never been so attached to a little munchkin. I don't know if it's just because of where I am at in my life now compared to when my siblings were born but usually it takes me a couple of years to get super attached. If my siblings are reading this: I love you guys more than you will ever know. Please don't take anything I say negatively. I wish I could have been as attached to all of you as I have been to Lil Brows but I wasn't 24 yet and apparently I had other things on my mind. Rude, I know. But I love you very much. 

So here I am, typing this up before I finish packing up my remaining stuff wondering what will happen. I'm going to have to skype with Baby Brows so that he doesn't forget me. I didn't even think about it but someone mentioned it and it has made me really sad. Ugh, not going to get emotional. Not going to get emotional. I guess I can sign off saying that my Wednesdays With Baby Brows have been amazing and I'm bummed that Portland has to be so far away. I always knew I would be leaving San Diego pretty soon but I didn't imagine having to leave a little guy behind. (Just in case I'm not clear here sometimes, Baby Brows is not my baby :) I had someone talk to me recently that thought he was mine and while I think he's amazing and adorable and wonderful I can't take the credit for the intense pregnancy Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s went through to bring him to this world.)

Baby Brows,
You might be the thing that makes my parents have hope for grandchildren one day. Never thought I would ever want to be a mom but when I see how much joy you bring sooooooo many people I have to wonder.
I love you very much,
xoxo,
Aunty Corey

Wednesday With Baby Brows

I know it's Thursday but last night there was no time to put together the post, so here it is!

Right after mom and dad left we somehow ended up with one sock and one shoe. I quickly corrected this so he wouldn't have trouble walking around.

Lost a shoe at some point

We watched some Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Club House. He read the book both upside down and right side up... :)

Reading right side up

Then I attempted several different things for breakfast. Every day is different. Sometimes he loves oatmeal and eats a lot and sometimes he wants only a couple of bites and then eats raisins and yummy gummy snacks. I think he likes the things he can feed himself best, he's not as fond of spoon in face anymore.

Seriously contemplating the raisins.

After making it clear he was quite finished with being in the highchair we moved on and played a bit in his room. He's figured out the drawers on his changing table which can be dangerous to those little fingers. His favorite part of the drawer is taking everything out and throwing it around the room. I think I did that with diapers when I was a baby. 

Play the song mr. button!

We had a short ride around the house on his quad. He made sure to keep the engine sounds going with the button. Before we took a ride he was just pressing the button so he could dance to the song it plays on the third press. Super cute.

After that it was nap time, he's getting to where he tries to communicate that he wants to sleep which is awesome! He finds his blanket, pushes his head in a pillow, finds his pacifier. He sometimes even cuddles! That's my favorite.

Woke up with my hood on, so what?!

Nap time was a little short but he woke up happy so all was well.  

I got it!

I stacked the green ball on the blue thing and he thought it was the funniest thing ever. It's times like those that I really want to know what babies are thinking. What could possibly be funny about toys being stacked? I like their happiness. So then he would grab the two pieces and try to put them together like I had. He was pretty successful most of the time. Then he would throw each piece somewhere in the room. I would grab them and put them together again by him and he would start laughing again. 

trying to stay awake

After play time in his room and several episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba Baby Brows was tiiiired. He went to sleep an hour early for his second nap. I tried to keep him awake and was about to take him to swing but I look at him and he's asleep on the floor in the living room. So I gathered him up and put him to bed where he slept to his normal waking time. 

I noticed today that he wanted more attention than usual. He wanted to interact more with me whereas before he was totally fine looking at his books and playing with his toys without me close. Even when I would attempt before to join in he would just keep doing his own thing. Now he really wants me there. He wants to climb over me if necessary just so long as I am at his level.

Oh I love this little man so much. 

xoxo

Wednesday With Baby Brows!

Baby Brows started walking just a couple of days ago!!!! 

He'd been throwing himself from couch to big bean bag to other couch while walking a couple of steps for a few weeks but now he's feeling good and doesn't need his stunt mats anymore. Like many babies he walks until he knows a camera is around and then boomp! back on the bum. But he didn't know I was taking this picture today AND I even captured a couple seconds of walking which I immediately sent to Señor Brows to upload to his FB. 

I thought I would have learned most of what I needed to know about babysitting Baby Brows by now but I have realized each week that there's always something new to learn and a new trick up his sleeve. Last week we cured the second nap wake up bawling but this week he woke up upset again. We think his teeth were really hurting him today. 

When I first started watching the Lil Man he was just getting into the groove of crawling. Now he makes monster sounds (Unicorn Sparkle(bottom)s taught him that, it's been really fun), plays peek-a-boo, holds his play phones close to his ear, makes specific noises for bottle, daddy, mommy and kitty and I swear he said my name today but maybe I was just hearing things. :) He also went from having a hard time pulling himself up to standing to bulldozing over everything and standing just about any time he wants. And now there's the walking. It's so crazy to watch (and really pay attention to) a little one in their first couple of years. It's mind-blowing the progress they make. 

Well, this ended up way longer than normal so without further ado here's more pictures of the oh so cute Baby Brows!

I tried to change his diaper but he escaped! Need to button the buttons!

Hiding for peek-a-boo (similar to where he holds his play phone).

Trying to close the door, one of his new tricks.

And because I skipped last week:

I feed myself and it gets messy... Grape time!

You are my sunshine!

Room playtime!

xoxo