Under Construction

So sorry I haven't yet written the Thanksgiving entry. Bronwen caught a nasty cold and generously shared it with me. I've been too busy trying to wipe up copious amounts of mucus to actually sit and write an entry. I promise as soon as my head clears I'll post pics and a witty narrative. Until then...

Giving Thanks

Stay tuned...Thanksgiving shenanigans will be brought to you soon. Meanwhile, enjoy your leftovers!

Wild About Harry

Bronwen has been at it again. I turn my back for a moment, and she has mysteriously disappeared! I searched all over the house, and all I could find with this peculiar fellow who resembled none other than our own beloved Harry Potter! But where has Bronwen gone?

6-Month Pictures are here!

If you need instructions on how to get the proofs, see "Halloween Proofs" entry. I'm being lazy, I know, but I'm tired. :-)

For Aunt Jana

Incognito

I was walking by the fireplace earlier today, and I saw this random baby in the swing. I had no idea who it was. Like Superman hides his true identity through the ingenious use of some horn-rimmed glasses, so Bronwen fooled me completely, the little chameleon.
Despite her stealthy disguise, I soon figured out that it was my little girl and not a much smaller Elton John. Truth be told, she was trying to hide and avoid going to the doctor, not that I blamed her much. After I reprimanded her for trying to fool me, we headed over to the pediatrician's office. Bronwen has slowed on her weight gain and is now only a delicate 18 pounds, 6 ounces, falling in the 50th percentile. However, her head circumference puts her into the 75th percentile, verifying what both Aunt Jan and I already knew--Bronwen is taking after us in her cranial enormity. Hurray for big brains!

Bronwen was excellent at the doctor's, despite waiting an hour and a half. In fact, she behaved so well, we decided to practice her super-spy skills outside. I allowed her to don her disguise and practice her subtle blending in to the scenery. I know--you hardly notice her at all!
(Pay no attention to the PJ pants and toes in the bottom of the picture--my darn neighbors...always getting in the pictures. Umm, yeah.)

Like Mission Impossible, Bronwen knew she had to destroy her super disguise afterwards by any means possible.
After the glasses were properly disposed,

I said, AFTER Bronwen destroyed the super-spy goggles...

(much better) we just hung out in the great outdoors until I saw a mosquito trying to attack my baby. Luckily, I am pretty stealthy myself and managed to kill the beast before it gave my baby West Nile.

All in all, a good day. I wonder how Bronwen will try to disguise herself next? Stay tuned...

Bronwen Blue

Thanks to Mimi for sewing my new gown! Finally something that brings out my eyes...

TJ's Birthday--Celebrated on October 27th

TJ's surprise birthday brunch was a hit! I was worried when people were showing up late, but since TJ was late as well, it all worked out perfectly. Bronwen, with Rachel, was impressed with the spread of food:She especially enjoyed her time with John, who was kind enough to keep her entertained while I finished up with making various things for brunch.
Everyone was excited when we lit the candles on the cake and began singing the birthday song to TJ. Bronwen decided the song was a bit lame, so she added her own vocals.

Bronwen Clowning Around

This video was taken by Barbara at TJ's birthday brunch. Bronwen and John are having a blast. I just wish it wasn't sideways, but you get the idea.

I am not Ralphie

It all began innocently enough...

While we were in NC, Sue gave Bronwen a pink blanket. No big deal, so one would think. Living in Louisiana, you realize that there aren't many opportunities to use blankets since it's usually 70 degrees or warmer 85% of the time. Luckily, we have just entered into the 15% season, or close enough to where it gets chilly in the evenings.

So Wednesday night I have a meatloaf in the oven, some potatoes roasting away beside them, and Bronwen and I decide to head outside to enjoy the evening and await TJ's return. Outside we see Leslie, so we go over and chat with her for a bit until Mary Anne next door beckons us over to visit with her. Bronwen is clad in her warm PJs, but I begin to notice her nose is turning pink and her cheeks are becoming a little ruddy in appearance.

I think to myself, "Self, B is getting cold, and inside we have that super new pink blanket that Sue got Bronwen in NC!"

I run inside with Bronwen, get it and...

















Yeah. I know.

Thing is, she seemed so happy wearing it! We bundled up, and Bronwen tasted it to make sure it passed her remarkably high standards:

Apparently, it did in fact pass quality control. She was so thrilled that we immediately went back outside to wait for her Daddy to get home. Sadly, after about 20 minutes, he still hadn't arrived, so I made the executive decision to return inside to see what other great things Bronwen had up her sleeve. She did, in fact, discover something new and uncharted!
What was it, you inquire?

Noooo, not Pepper!

But the picture hints at it. What ever could it be?






Her Feet!

Yep, they had been there the entire time, and now Bronwen is excited to know she can play with them any time she wants.
By the way, apologies to Bronwen for inadvertently making her look like Ralphie, but since she also looks like Fozzie, a doozer, and the entire Lollipop Guild, I figure she has a future in the CIA as a Superspy. I hope so, because I always wanted a phone in my shoe.

Louisiana Book Fair

This past Saturday was the annual book fair in downtown Baton Rouge. I always get excited about this event because it involves books, and TJ gets excited because it involves food. After much discussion, we figured out we missed the past two years due to circumstances we can't recall (old age sucks), so we packed up the stroller, told Bronwen to hold on, and journeyed downtown to the country's tallest capital building, Huey Long's tribute to his, uh, "power." I like this picture because we're smiling and the flowers are so lovely, but TJ could have told me I had a nice muffin top peeking out from the top of my jeans. Sheesh. As a result, I'll keep it small.




We arrived downtown and drove around for a bit in order to find a parking space. Bronwen was super excited, but she still took time to stop and...well, why be cliche? She was really more fascinated with the critters we saw buzzing around the rose garden.



After walking around the park for a bit, we decided to head on over to the book fair. On our way, we saw a couple of old people attempting to take a photo by a giant George Washington bust. The old man was trying to figure out the camera, while his wife was getting frustrated with him. In an instant, I saw my future. I digress. TJ thought it would be nice to offer to take the picture so they could be together with ol' GW. The following is the transcript of the entire exchange, edited a bit for brevity:

TJ: Want me to take your photo?
Old Man: Yes, thank you. (then he started going on and on about donating a brass bust of George Washington's head to the park.)
TJ: Um hm (obviously uninterested)
Old People: Blah blah blah (I wasn't listening either)
Bronwen: Eh eh eh (bored in her stroller--she likes to move)
Jen: Well, we better head on.
TJ: Um hm (not listening to me either)
Bronwen: EH EH EH
TJ: Well, we'd better head on.
Jen and TJ, whispering: Thanks Bronwen!

Once we got to the book fair, we saw none other than...Curious George!
Bronwen wasn't thrilled, but Curious George couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't blame him for that because Bronwen was looking super-cute in her corduroy jumper. We then ate, walked around a bit, purchased a few items, and then headed back to the car. Bronwen was worn out from all the excitement.
All in all, a great day. We wanted to see Clifford as well, but he must have been hanging out in another tent. Maybe next year.

Teaser

More to come, but I couldn't resist a tiny hint:

Going for a Walk

Ages ago I promised a picture of Bronwen in her stroller. Being a woman of my word, here you go! She is dressed in "couture " purchased by her Mimi. She also has lovely "face art" courtesy of her scraggly fingernails. They are the bane of my existence. I trim and trim, and they never seem to be short enough. Her expression reads: Mom, why do I have a bow in my hair?

Play Date

Bronwen had a great time staring at Natalie today! Wish I had thought to take pictures. Natalie showed Bronwen how to behave--walking around everywhere and not getting into any trouble. She's so great, Allyson! More to come as soon as TJ uploads pictures from his fancy-schmancy camera.