Book Club

I forgot to tell you all about my new book club. I started it over a month ago by asking my friends on Facebook if they'd be interested. I got quite a few bites and started it up! Our first book was The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobleski. It was pretty good; very Hamlet-like. Our first discussion meeting was great! We all had a lot to say and it was fun. The second book was chosen by Lynne and it was When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris. I just finished it and loved it! The whole purpose of this book club for me was to expand my horizons and read things I wouldn't normally read. I was so excited to have this actually happen! I would totally read anything written by David Sedaris now. I'm looking forward to our next meeting, which isn't until September 3! I guess I'll have to find something else to read in the meantime!

Breaking Dawn

I finally finished reading the Twilight series.  I have to say, I'm happy it's over.  I think maybe I should have taken breaks between the books, because by the time I got to the end, I was getting pretty sick of the drama of it all.  I was so tired of Bella saying she was going to die, I was hoping she would!  Sad, I know.  Anyway, it's done, and I'm moving on to The Tale of Edgar Sawtelle, which is our first book club book.  I've started it already and like it so far.  I'm happy to say there are no vampires to be found!

A bunch of news

Well, it's been a while and I have a few updates for you.

1.  Braylin took her first steps!  It was on Monday, so about a week ago (June 22).  She took 7 steps and walked all the way up the hallway.  It was so exciting.  She is quite "walking" yet, in the sense that she still crawls as her primary way of getting places, but she will stand up in the middle of the room and walk toward us. I'm so proud of her!

2.  We took her for her one year shots yesterday and she weighs 24 pounds, 10 ounces.  My big girl is still in the 95th percentile.  I can't remember how tall she was, so I have to remember to ask the next time I go in.  She did very well with her shots.  Cried a little bit, but she was fine once we got her to the car and gave her some puffs.  No fever or irritability, so that's great!

3.  Braylin is now totally off formula (for over a week) and is now down to 2 bottles a day (one in the morning and one at night).  Sometime in the next week or so I'll take away the morning one too, and then the night one by September (hopefully).  She's not drinking her milk so good out of a sippy cup, so I'm hoping that when the bottle is no longer an option, that will improve.  She drinks water and juice like a champ, so I know she can do it, she just prefers milk out of the bottle since that's what she's used to.  We'll get there!

4.  Brenna got all her school information in the mail yesterday.  Her first bus ride is September 3 and her first intro day is September 9.  She got the teacher I hoped she would get (Mrs. Albeartie) who will be so good with her.  I'm so thrilled.  I'm still not sure if she'll be Tues and Thurs or Mon and Wednesday.

We're off to the OEY this morning.  Trying to spend lots of time together as a family since Phil is off this week.  We're supposed to have Avery's first birthday party this afternoon, but I'm not sure, since it's looking a little rainy out there and I know they were planning an outdoor party.  I guess we shall see. 

New Cakes

I've done a couple new cakes to show you. 

This one is a 50th birthday cake that I made for a colleague.  It was my second attempt at fondant.  This one tasted WAY better than the first one... I am learning, slowly but surely!

Here is a picture of Braylin's first birthday cake. I don't feel like it's the best I've ever done, but it's ok.  It tasted good, so I guess that's all that matters!

Braylin's First Birthday Party

Braylin's first birthday party was this past Saturday.  It was a really nice day.  We ended up having it at the common room in my mother's apartment building, since there was a 70% chance of rain.  Of course, it didn't end up raining, but it all worked out anyway.  No one had to stand on wet grass in our backyard and the room was big enough and comfortable enough for all of us.

We had the following people in attendance: Oma and Opa (Phil's grandparents), Ann and Keith (Phil's parents), my mom, my dad and Beth, Kyle, Meghan and Katelynn, Jana, Brian and Avery, Jamie, Ann, Lena and Lauder, Carrie, Larry and Zach, and Stacey and Claire.  It was cute to watch all the babies together!

Braylin did very well.  She loves being around people.  She wasn't too keen on opening her presents, probably because it meant she had to sit in the same place for more than one minute! We got through it though, and she absolutely loved her cake. She ate every bit of icing off it and lots of icing ended up all over her!

It's hard to believe she's already one.  This was the last "first birthday" we'll ever have in our house. Who knew it would come and go so fast?  I'm so proud of my girls, I just can't believe how fast they are growing up.  It truly feels like yesterday that Braylin was born. 

Book Club

So, I've always wanted to be a part of a book club. I know several people who are in them, and I've been secretly jealous, thinking it would be something I would love to be a part of. So, last week, I decided to just go for it. I mentioned on my Facebook status line that I was looking for a book club to join or start. Lo and behold, I had a few takers. I was so excited. To make a long story short, we now have 9 people in our club and we've already chosen our first book (the Story of Edgar Sawtelle) and our first meeting date (July 24). This is so exciting! I cannot wait! I've bought my copy already, but haven't started reading it yet. I'm really trying to finish the Twilight series first. I'm hoping to finish the last book this week and then I can start our first book club book!

I also did another fondant cake this past week for a colleague's 50th birthday. I think it turned out even better than the first (it tasted better for sure... I added more vanilla flavouring to it this time; maybe that was what did it). Anyway, I also have to do Braylin's first birthday cake this weekend, so I'll post pics of both of them after that one is done.

Speaking of first birthdays, Braylin did something this week that was so cute. She waved good bye to me for the first time without someone having to say to her "Say bye bye". I was leaving for work, and I said "Bye, Braylin." She looked up at me, smiled and waved. It was so cute and broke my heart. She's turning into such a little girl!

Fondant Cake

Ok, here it is.  I'm actually pretty proud of myself.  Brenna helped me lots with cutting out the the hearts.  It was way easier than I thought it would be!  I'd love to hear what anyone thinks!  Happy birthday to me.... I can't wait to eat it tomorrow and see if it actually tastes good!