Amanda's Quote of the Week

"I'm ready to go, Mommy!"



Before leaving for her first day at her new preschool.

*update*

And when I picked her up from school, we had the following actual conversation:

Me: What song did you sing in circle time today?

Amanda: We sang 'Old Macdonald had a farm, Eee, I, Eee, I, Oh."

Me: And what did you eat for snack today?

Amanda: We ate cheerios and a banana and water for snack.

Me: [stunned silence that she had actually answered two questions in a row with something other than 'yes' or 'no.']

Welcome, Eileen!

Tonight I had the distinct pleasure of meeting my best friend's gorgeous newborn baby girl, Eileen. Kelly and Kyle are going to be wonderful parents, and I am so lucky to be along for the ride.

Amanda's Quote of the Week

New blog feature here on Brantley Family Photos. Here's this week's gem.

Elizabeth is playing with a toy bus on the living room floor. Amanda grabs the bus out of her hands.

Me: Amanda, give that bus back to your sister. She was playing with it. We don't grab toys from people.

Amanda: I want the bus! I want the bus!

Me: Amanda, take your hands off the bus.

Amanda: I want the bus! I want the bus!

Me: Do you want to go to time-out?

Amanda: YES!!

Clearly my discipline tactics need work. I'm pretty sure the kid isn't supposed to request a time-out.

Five Years

We got married, and about two seconds after moving into his masculine apartment on the Upper West Side, I realized I hardly knew him.



Now I realize that getting to know him is the best part of being married.

Back then we spent our days committed to similar pursuits: him negotiating contracts; me litigating cases of contracts gone bad. Now our days couldn't be more different. He manages mergers and acquisitions, while I negotiate the minefield of motherhood.

Back then we had 9:00 dinner reservations. Now we have a 9:00 bedtime.

Back then a perfect Saturday morning was breakfast sandwiches from the bodega on Columbus Avenue and College Gameday on the DVR. Now a perfect Saturday morning is two little girls bombarding our bed with giggles and tickles--hours before Big & Rich start singing "We're Coming to Your City."



Back then I hoped I was marrying the perfect man for me. Now I know I was right.

Happy Anniversary, Brian. I love you.

Elizabeth in Motion

Point A



Point B

Saturday Morning at the Park