The Washington Post: What about Brynn??

In lieu of Madeline Monday today I'm going to tell you about someone else special...Brynn Marie.
Born on a planned 9/9/09 (sorry Brynn it's only the beginning of your mother's control issues) you were a source of pure delight from the day one. While you were a little booger about the bottle you were a dream baby; sleeping hours on end immediately, eating like a pro, and happy as lark dancing to any tune you heard.

Currently at thirteen (and a half) months you stand perfectly on your own take one to two steps and then conclude that you can get there SO much faster if you crawl. I truly have never seen a baby crawl as fast as you.

You're a daddy's girl for sure!

You make this face (see picture) and breathe in an out real hard when you get really excited. It's so funny!

When I ask you to give me a kiss you lean your face in to mine so that I can give YOU a kiss.

You wave "bye bye" in three ways. The first way is with great enthusiasm as if to say "YAY I'm leaving!". The second way is the one you do when you don't really know if you want to leave or not it's a half wave. The third way that you wave goodbye is the way that shows your funny little character. This wave is a small twist of the wrist as if you're saying, "yeah, bye, whatever."

You won't say a word! You say mama and dada of course, but those are just syllables. I try continuously to teach you to say "please" "more" "bye" and "madeline" (Haha yeah right! I can't wait to hear your alternative for that name!) The only thing you say is "Ahhh" loudly and obnoxiously, but somehow you always seem to get what you want...

Changing your diaper is a monumental task...mommy is working on that. I allow you to sit up after I clean you up just because I'm tired of fighting with you. I get a clean diaper and tell you to lay down so that I can change your diaper, you lay down, but it's with your hiney in the air. It sure is cute though!

You have what's called a hemangioma on the back of your head. This is an abnormal build up of blood vessels under the skin. It started out as a small stork bite. The doctor says it will flatten out in time. Right now it's raised up about half an inch or so from your head. It doesn't bother you at all and now where your hair grows from it, it curls!

You hate socks but you love shoes! You rip your socks off immediately but attempt to put your own shoes on.

You're the life of the aquatic center every afternoon while Madeline swims. Many of the kids enjoy crawling around with you and pretending as if you're their little baby.

I enjoy rocking you every night (when I'm home) but it never fails five minutes in you reach for your crib. I lay you down, listen to you "talk" to yourself, and look forward to your smiling face in the morning.

Your favorite place to be is in our bath tub with Madeline. The joyous sounds you make are priceless.

You absolutely positively will not wear a bow! Nope Nada Zilch ain't stinkin' happening! If I have to cut bangs on you child...

You scream at me in the car until I turn music on. Sometimes I do a little mother ignoring (not on purpose) and then I realize you're screaming at me, turn the music on and you're good to go. Your favorite song is "Feels Like Home" by Edwina Haynes. This song has worked magic on you since you were merely two months old. It literally puts you to sleep every time.

Your sister loves you so very much. I have never sensed a moment of jealousy out of her towards you, just genuine love. Madeline bathes, feeds, and entertains you when your bored (screaming). Madeline can do just about anything and it makes you belly laugh. I've actually gotten worried about your oxygen level you've belly laughed so hard! I have to tell Madeline to stop to let you breath. I enjoy waking up and coming into the living room to see the both of you on the couch cuddled up. I look forward to seeing the bond between you grow. A sister is one of the most incredible relationships one can have, and you were certainly blessed with a good one!