What A Difference...

So last night during the normal Brown house dinner time shenanigans where Liv sits on my lap, I try to eat over her, when she is digging her hands in our plates, taking her bits of food, trying to feed me, and yelling OFF CoCo (In my liv voice). I could help but think...What a difference a few months make in a toddlers life.  Over the last few months Liv has become her own little person and 20 months has definitely been where it’s at with my tiny tot.

Not only has she found her voice and a ton of words, I can totally carry on a conversation with her. Of course, there are the times that she babbles endlessly and get super hyped about the story she’s telling and NO ONE understands her but, guess what those times are rare. I no longer have to be afraid that if Dom and I leave her with others they won’t understand her because everyone who encounter Liv these days...Speak Liv lol. Oh and let me tell you she also eats much better than before. Y’all remember my Battle ofWheels post I wrote a few months back well the battle is over. She ask for the foods she wants, and has the nerve to grab your hand and walk you too them sometimes.

I just love it and had to come share how amazed by my little toddler I am with you all. 

Fellow HeartBEATS

Do you ever sit back in amazement f your children?

Little Miss Personality

Happy Monday Loves!

My apologies for going all MIA last week but I spent the week diligently working on another project (will share details soon) and by the time I came up for air it was the weekend lol.

Any who. I'm back like I never left and ready to share some updates. 

Baby O is officially 16 months and although there aren’t any major milestones to share there are some silent developments taking place.

What’s a silent development?

To me it’s the subtle changes that show growth that we often take advantage of. The ones we see but happening daily but because it’s not crawling, walking, or talking we don’t feel the need to share.

For instance my tiny tot has TONS of personality and I swear it crept up on us.

Honestly it didn’t I’ve been watching it develop since birth and, have been living a life of denial about it lol. And, now that she’s a little mover and shaker I can no longer hide the fact that I know which is cool...I guess. Because, at the moment the real question is what in the world am I going to do with her little strong, independent, determined, loving, and funny self? I totally didn’t expect all this at 16 months.

Wordless Wednesdays: Teacher Appreciation Gift

The Spirit Of Giving

Yesterday I shared the photos of my beautiful niece preparing to attend her junior prom (Bell Of The Junior Ball).  When her chosen look was revealed via text to me all I could do was smile and respond that she looked absolutely stunning.  I have several nieces (there are three others in addition to the two I informed you about in Letter To My Nieces), and this one is the very shy introvert of the group so, to see her come out of her shell and transform into this dashing beauty was just amazing. However, I didn’t share the photos with you guys to brag on how gorgeous my niece is (maybe a little part of me did) my overall purpose in sharing them was to tell you about her noble plans for the dress. The day after prom my niece and her mother decided that in lieu of just hanging the dress in the closet and, saving it for years to come they’d like to donate it to another young girl in need.

How AWESOME are they?

I can’t believe that her beautiful gown is up for grabs (free) with the only stipulation being they’d prefer that it goes to a family in need. The younger version of me would have never thought outside myself enough to do something like that for someone else (even though as an adult it became something I was passionate about). I’m super PROUD of the young ladies all my nieces are growing into and grateful for the realization that my journey has not been traveled in vain.

With that being said, I the dress is still up for grabs so please contact if you know a deserving young lady :)

Wordless Wednesdays:Bell Of The Junior Ball

Letter To My Nieces

Dear.Shai & Jannah,

Before I had a child of my own I had the two of you. At the tender age of 14 years old having my first two beautiful nieces born what felt like back to back (November and April) changed my world.  Seeing you ladies for the first time I knew I’d have to become a better me to be an aunt to you ladies. So, I got determined and worked my butt off to show you ladies that there was more to life than the city you were being raised in. At times I can recall feeling like a failure and asking God was all my hard work truly in vain (y’all stressed me and your parents out lol).  Being the first in our family to attend college (and one that was out of state at that) during the hard times I often regretted my decision to leave you ladies to attend school and pursue my dreams in another city. Not because it wasn’t important but, leaving you meant I wasn’t physically going to be there to watch you grow. To be the hands on aunt I wanted to be, to help you get through all your adolescent and teenage drama. I knew I’d miss your milestones yet, I had to hope my actions were serving a greater purpose.  Yes, I was only a phone call or plane ride away but still I felt like there was nothing like being there for you especially, with the absence of your father (at the time). So, I did my best to love, support, encourage, and teach you from a distance. 

I say all that to say, as I sit here typing this letter I can honestly say that my efforts didn’t go unnoticed. The two of you are 17 years young in the last month of your senior year of high school, you’re working part time jobs, and preparing to head to four year universities in the fall...I’m the HAPPIEST aunt on the planet.  Getting an acceptance letter to college may happen every day in some families but in ours it doesn’t. So, there are honestly no words to describe the way I felt when each of you shared the news of your appetence into your respective colleges with me.  The tears of joys I shed were, and the smile of hope that beamed across my face was unreal. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how...YOU LADIES MADE IT:).  And, through all of life’s trials and tribulations you were able to see that “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ― Maya Angelou and you pushed forward. Your journeys to get where you are today haven’t always been the most direct route but, I sat back watched, and gave guidance (when you requested) because it was your journeys to take.

This fall as you prepare to head to your respective colleges know that this is where life truly begins. The decisions you make from this moment on will follow you, build your character, show others your values, and most importantly shape you into the beautiful women I know you’ll become.  I urge you not take this journey lightly yet, embrace all that it has to offer while remaining true to you, and OWN it.  I couldn’t be more PROUD of how far the two of you have come and truly look forward to seeing what your futures hold.

Love you ladies to the moon and back.