Sleep is for losers.

I love my darling daughter, and still think she's the bee's knees, but I think she's just much, much cuter during the day when Mommy has had her beauty (sanity) sleep.

At Bryn's 2 month check-up, her doctor told me our next appointment (which is 4/16 for her 4 month check-up) is what he calls the "Grandma Appointment". When I asked why, he said "because this is where we allow you to introduce solid foods and grandmas love giving babies solid foods".

I had heard a lot of moms getting so excited about introducing solid foods and had no idea why. My Mom and sister clued me in and told me that babies sleep a lot better on solids. SOLD!

Brynnie doesn't seem to be in any pain, which is excellent. For a couple of days you could just tell the poor child did not feel good. She was so funny and it was just horrible.

Is there anything worse than seeing your child hurt and not be able to fix it? I mean, even when this kid's eye was completely swollen shut and covered in mucus, she was still her jovial self.

So, as I sit here this morning at 5:30 am, on a little over 4 hours sleep, I would like to thank God for putting caffeine on this here Earth (and allowing me to consume copious amounts throughout the day).

Outfit From Aunt Lauren

As I mentioned, Lauren gave Brynnie books AND an outfit for Easter. Jorts and a t-shirt. She looks like a little girl, not baby, in it, though :(



Her face in this picture melts my heart. She just looks so adorable (even more than usual).




Another picture to put in the "great parenting" book.

Jen, This One's For You...

My best friend, Jen, has started a new weekly post on her blog called "Sunday Savings" that I've mentioned on here before.

Now, Jen not only holds the title of "best" friend, she's also "most organized" friend. I can't hold a candle to her coupon setup she has going, but she inspired me to make my own ramshackle version.

She knows how unorganized I am, so I think she'll be very proud (and surprised) of me...

I went to Publix today (after checking the ad, of course) and saved $23 from a $130 bill. That's almost 20% for all you non-math people out there. My steal of the day was formula. Publix has our formula (Enfamil Gentlease) on sale for $22.50 (the cheapest you can get it anywhere is $27.50 - believe me, we look all over). But I also carry Enfamil coupons on me at all times that we get sent directly to us from Enfamil. So, on top of the $5 savings, I got an additional $3 off each canister. That's almost 1/3 off! We have more coupons at home for $5 off, so we'll be able to stock up on formula for almost 40% off! Anyone that buys, or has had to buy formula, knows formula sales + coupons is like Christmas Morning (okay, well a little less exciting, but exciting nonetheless).

Thanks Jen, because of you, we've got an extra $23 in our pockets today!

Here is my coupon "organization" system:





Envelopes for my six categories I decided on: "Paper Goods/Household Items"; "Dairy/Refrigerated Items"; "Brynnie Goods (All things baby)"; "Frozen Foods/Freezer Section"; "Toiletries/Medicines"; and "Dry Goods/Animals".




Look, they're' actually full of coupons already! Yes, I understand that the amount of excitement I am expressing over this is totally irrational.




But, it wasn't just me - Black was so excited he jumped up on the table and ripped the "Dry Goods/Animals" envelope out of my hand!




Dale hung out with Brynnie this evening while I had a coupon envelope photo session. 4 words that you'll probably never hear/see together again: "coupon envelope photo session". I guess the flash was pretty bright because Dale's eyes look so teeny tiny from squinting.



Random - but such a cutie in her Bumpo!

Super Family Huge Easter Fun Happy Time Post

I have some pictures that I've been needing to post but haven't had the time, or forgot, or both.

First are some pictures of Brynnie with Grandmama and Aunt Ann at the office on Thursday.



Ann was posing all silly and Brynnie was channeling her inner Elvis. I mean, look at that lip curl!



Grandmama, Aunt Ann and Brynnie at the office.



Next are some from Miss Brynnie in her jumperoo. My word, the girl loves that thing! She gets so excited and so intense. I think we've found another nemesis for her too - it's the blue bear that endlessly taunts her. He's just far enough to where she can't quite reach him.



She loves her jumper! She gets so excited that she has a hard time catching her breath and gasps. It's so adorable!




"Oh hello nemesis. Nice to see you again."




And, here are some pics from today. We had a very casual Easter gathering. We went over to Lauren and Ben's for Easter brunch after church (well, Brynnie and I didn't go to church. We're still not quite ready to introduce her to all the people and germs yet. It's still super close quarters because the church is in the process of being rebuilt so all services are held in the fellowship hall, which is jam-packed). Grandma and Grandpa David were there, as were Pop and Bertie (Brynnie's great grandma and grandpa on Dad's side). Oh, and the always wonderful Sadie was there too.

Bryn got to show off the much-hyped Easter dress. Now, I know it's not super Easter-y, but it was undoubtedly awesome.





Aunt Lauren showing what she got Miss Bryn for Easter. She got her books - just like Mommy and Daddy did! We love books at the McCrystal household. The funny thing is, I actually had that same book in my basket to get, but put it back because I had already gotten too many. Lauren also got Bryn some snazzy jean shorts and a butterfly t shirt!

And, of course, please take a look at Brynnie's Easter dress. I know it's not technically an Easter dress, but it has hand smocking and, most importantly, she wouldn't fit into it in another couple of months (when football rolls around). I got it at the secondhand store and couldn't resist. I love it!



Her Gator bloomers, courtesy of Aunt Ann. They went very well with her Easter dress!





Brynnie's Easter booty. We got her the basket full of books and her Great Grandma and Grandpa got her the duck on the left and Cindy got her the Donald Duck on the right. The Donald Duck dances and is extremely entertaining for Miss Bryn! It was just a coincidence that Cindy and Dale's Grandparents got her ducks for Easter, but I figure a tradition just started itself; instead of Easter Bunnies, we'll get Bryn Easter Duckies (well, and books, of course)!




Brynnie loved the duck finger puppet book Aunt Lauren got her for Easter. She is also quite fond of Grandma reading it to her.



Brynnie is a lot like her parents - holidays make her pooped!



Did I mention she was pooped? She took a nap on Lauren's bed. I thought she was lonely, so I put Lauren's bear next to her to snuggle.




After we got home from visiting with Dale's family, I left Bryn in just her skivvies. Sometimes it's just so nice to feel her soft baby skin and look at her little Buddha belly. Then we put her in her lamb chair on our bed and all hopped on to hang out for a while.

Brynnie wasted no time stuffing her hands in her face. Instead of eating her hands, Dale suggested we try the teether for her. Unfortunately she can't grasp things and bring them to her face yet, so she still relies on us, but once it got there, she was so happy that she was squealing in delight! Literally squealing and smiling.

Good Friday!

It has been quite a Good Friday so far! Miss Brynnie and I hung out in bed and watched Blues Clues (and both episodes had Steve in them, not that impostor, Joe), then Brynnie took a nap just long enough to let me take a nice, long shower. Thank God Bryn thinks me blow drying my hair is super entertaining because I really didn't want to leave the house looking like a drowned rat.

Brynnie being in great spirits, we decided to head out. First stop was JoAnn's where I got some ribbon to make Bryn a bow to go with her Easter Dress and a super cute Easter Basket. Bryn was a perfect angel the entire time.

Next stop was Barnes and Noble where we stocked up on more Dr. Seuss books, and a few others. By the time I was in the checkout, Miss Brynnie had had enough and so I made my way out of the store, pushing the stroller with one hand while holding Miss Brynnie with the other.

I have to make a note here - is chivalry, or just decency completely gone? Not one person even made half and attempt to help me with either door (there are two sets of doors to get into Barnes and Noble), while it was pretty obvious that I wasn't having the easiest time on the way in, or on the way out.

Dale and I constantly go out of our way to hold doors, elevators and the like for all people, especially mothers with kids and older people. It's just so depressing that no one else will do the same. We don't do it so people will do it for us, we do it because that's just what decent human beings do, at least that's how we feel. If the whole world were just 1% kinder, can you imagine what a great place this would be?

It's sometimes so hard to see people from way up here on my high horse, so I'll get down now. Just wanted to get that off my chest.



Okay, now I'm pretty sure Bryn will never forgive me for taking this picture, much less actually posting it, but I couldn't resist. Before we left, she's sitting on my lap and she starts to obviously, um, "work something out". Her face turns bright red and it's just too funny. I'm not sure what's going to be more damaging - the fact that I posted this, or the fact that her mommy had a camera shoved in her face as she's taking care of business.

Worlds Best Easter Dress!

My sister, Ann, introduced me to the cutest little place in Oviedo called "Cutie Patootie" (how great is that name?). It's a secondhand children's clothing store and they have the cutest stuff! I don't know if you other Moms have the same problem as me, but I can't seem to find really cute clothes (or cute clothes that aren't ridiculously overpriced) for my baby girl. Quite frankly, they don't make clothes like they used to either.

Well, I went during lunch today to see if I could find Bryn an Easter dress. Well, as this post title suggests, I got the cutest Easter dress ever! I've already told my sister in law with this tid bit, but I'm going to wait until Easter to post pictures of it. I'll just say there's hand smocking involved and that's only the beginning :)

It's Good Friday this Friday and since we're closed when the courts are closed, I get the day off on Friday, so Thursday (tomorrow) is my Quasi-Friday. Dale has to work, so Brynnie and I will get some mother-daughter bonding time in. Oh the places we'll go. Like to the book store to get that book and load up on more Dr. Seuss (I've come to find, like me, they are Brynnie's favorites too and I can only read One Fish, Two Fish so many times).

We'll probably go get her Easter basket and bunny as well. Good thing she's still young enough that she'll have no idea we're shopping for her. Maybe we'll even do a little fashion show with all the great finds I got a Cutie Patootie and all the insanely adorable clothes my sister, Jeni, sent us that Avery has grown out of. If there's one thing this kid loves, it's changing her outfits (she giggles up a storm and squeals in delight when we change her clothes).

In the meantime, please let these pics suffice...



I was just playing around with the picture settings, but thought it came out kind of cool.




Dale (known to some as "Daddy") saying hello to Miss Brynnie after work.




Brynnie's always got her hands in her mouth as of late. I'm amazed she can fit anything in that mouth with all the drool that seems to have taken up residence in there.




Brynnie portraying her new M.O.

Yeah, Yeah. I was leaving anyway...

We have 5 peacocks (even 1 albino!) that are kind enough to let us live with them (you can tell they think they own the neighborhood). They are super loud too. When they talk they sound like they're saying "help! help!". It's pretty funny.

They also like to sit on our cars and the roof of our house. They were out there this morning, but I only managed to get a picture of one. He was quite annoyed that I had the nerve to ask him to get off our car and proceeded to strut his stuff down the driveway and off to another neighbor's.




Morning Mr. Peacock.



Yeah, yeah. I'm leaving, I'm leaving.....





You guys made me come outside to see the peacock? And he's already gone? Sheesh. Take me back to my bed, peons.


Later in the morning, we took Brynnie to Dale's parents for her Sunday with them. We've been off schedule for the past few weeks, and you can tell they missed Miss Brynnie (and she was quite tickled to see them too).




Grandma and Brynnie playing "strong arms" (where Grandma gets Bryn to pull up to a sitting position.

"How Much To Ride Your Pony?"

It was another beautiful day here in O-Town (making up for the seemingly never-ending Winter this year, I suppose) so we decided to walk down to "our" Publix to get my Claritin with Brynnie and Jack.

On the way back home, we walking by one of the many restaurants in Thornton Park and a few guys were standing in front of one and asked us, "How much to ride your pony?", in reference to Jack. It was freaking hilarious. Sometimes post titles just write themselves :)

Here are some pics of our outing.



I had to go to the doctor this morning because I was feeling pretty poorly (turned out to be allergies - never had them before in my life) and Brynnie and Dale had a mini photo shoot while I was gone. I love this picture!



I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are so fortunate to live where we do. I mean, on days like this, it is so great to wake up to this right outside your front door!



On our walk.



Me, Brynnie and our "pony".

Goodbye Balints!

Jeni, Pete and the kids got back from their cruise today and we all had lunch before they had to go to the airport. They had a great time, but they were pretty exhausted and ready to get back home after a long week. They'll most likely be back down for the regular 4th of July -Jeni & Gary Birthday - Beach Extravaganza, which is always a good time.





Just a wee bit tired. Did I mention it was a long week for the Balint family? This was Avery on the way to the airport to go back home.



Happy Birthday Lukie! Cindy got Lukie a dinosaur cake for his birthday at our lunch. He turns the big 3 on Tuesday!




Avery decided to wear Cindy's glasses. Such a ham! Too funny!




Grandmama and Brynnie at the office before we went to lunch.





Avery and Bryn in Grandmama's office. All my nieces and nephews are so sweet and gentle with Miss Brynnie.



Impromptu family photo at Ann's after the Wilson Family Baptism.




Look how ladylike Bryn is. She was so exhausted - adorable as always!

Lunch Posts

So, in an effort to increase our funds and decrease my waistline, I have limited my "eating out" lunches to once a week. I just realized that an added benefit to this could also be that I can possibly post more of the goings-on of the McCrystal household while eating at my desk. Although we're quite boring, it will at least keep everyone up to date!

I swear, this week seems to be never-ending. We had such a busy (but wonderful) weekend, so maybe this week seems so long because we haven't had any time to relax. Whatever it is, I wish it would just speed up a bit. I'm looking forward to accomplishing one task this weekend. Just one...

I want to switch the nursery and our bedroom. There are many reasons I want to do this - her are some:

-Our bedroom is about twice the size of Brynnie's, which currently is her nursery and our guest bedroom and will be the room for Bryn's little brother or sister for a year or so after they're born until our big, big renovation (yes, this is a ways away);
-Brynnie has quite a bit more furniture than we do;
-We love our dear, dear animals, but they like to make a lot of noise and Bryn's room is located in a very central location in our home and she goes to sleep before all of us;
-The bathroom attached to our room has a tub in it - the one attached to Brynnie's current room only has a shower.

There are many more reasons, but those are just a few of the main ones.


Now I just have to talk my lovely husband into disassembling the crib and helping me move furniture. If there's anything I love doing, it's moving furniture with Dale. If he just understood that my way is always the most efficient, then things would go much more smoothly!