Oh, hello there. We realized it’s been a little while since we’ve updated this site, and we apologize to you loyal (and likely disappointed) readers. Here’s what Berlyn’s been up to since we last spoke:

She’s become very expressive. Not that she ever really lacked this skill, but she’s been honing it as of the last few months.

She had a few sleep-overs with friends.

She enjoyed an excellent 4th of July fireworks extravaganza, compliments of Ladera Ranch.

Berlyn has grown ever-so-fond of her pug, Zoey. Zoey doesn’t seem to mind her too much.

We made many trips to the park; mastering all varieties of slides.

More parks, more slides (and swings).

Even more.

Posing, running, and screaming in delight in San Juan Capistrano.

Berlyn loves pumpkins.

Naturally, she was a peacock for Halloween. And mom decided to copy. Berlyn approves.

Berlyn forcing helping Cailey to walk.

Today we enjoyed an acrobatic show of pillow diving (bunge-ing as she calls it), summersaults, and many smiles. A typical Saturday evening at the Brumfield’s.

Berlyn’s hair is getting long and sassy, and as much as we love putting it in clips and pony-tails, we thought it would be both fun and educational to give you some more Berlyn hairstyles.

AFRO-ditie (Greek goddess of beauty and rad hair)

The Gladiator

Flock of Seagulls

the Yes Ma’am

SUCKA-tash

the Kung Pao

Berlyn: Year 01 from Pat Brumfield on Vimeo.

Berlyn,

Today we celebrate your first birthday.
Happy birthday, we love you more than words can say.
Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Beckey put up a special birthday post on her site at hippo brigade

This year we decided to do an online card (click above to view it) as opposed to the traditional paper-based varieties. But don’t think of us as coping out on you, think of it as:

• Saving the environment. No paper means no trees in the Brazilian rainforest get hacked down.
• Giving you more good stuff. We added lots of pictures and Pat designed the cool card (insert ooohs and aaahhs here).

Regardless, we wanted to share some holiday cheer, say hello, and wish you a Merry Christmas! If you feel the same way, you can leave us a message below. And if you want to print out the card because you’ve got an empty place on your mantle, download and print it here.

Here’s the card.

This afternoon, we decided to put Berlyn in her adorable Christmas gift outfit from the Mattsons. She enjoyed the pink and grey hooded ensemble so much that she decided to explore the entire house in it. Of course, I (pat) followed her around documenting the events that followed.

She started in the kitchen, looking through the pantry for things to play with.

She got her hands on a measuring cup, and that was more than enough to keep her busy for a few minutes.

But then on to bigger and better things: our Carnation Instant Breakfast (the best!)

After she had enough of the chewing, it was on to climbing. First she tried to climb up my legs, but before long she took off and climbed up all of our stairs — for the first time ever. It’s at this point that I realize the outfit has given my daughter super powers.

With her new-found powers she decided to try and chew through Zoey’s crate.

After an unsuccessful attempt at giving Zoey freedom she moved onto something a little easier on all 6 of her teeth: an old computer mouse cord. Soon that lost its luster, she pulled the hood off of her head, and sighed — all in a days work.

Here’s what Berlyn is up to lately:

• She claps her hands
• She feeds herself with a spoon
• Pulls herself up and cruises on furniture

Like any good parents, we dressed our daughter up in the most outrageous costume we could find for her first Halloween. We then proceeded to take pictures of her. She had a good time looking at all the other outrageous kids, and enjoyed passing out candy at the Mattson’s. First Halloween: success.

Our baby crawls, and we took some video of it.

Berlyn, Beckey and Melinda had a relaxing day at the beach.

Very relaxing for Berlyn.

We broke out the tripod, the bib, and the yummy rice cereal for Berlyn’s first encounter with solid food (if you can even call it solid). And while it was no braised lamb with a red wine reduction, we think she kinda likes it. Although she’s still a bit ambivalent with her new skill of eating off a spoon, we know she’ll be digging into ice cream and tater-tots in no time. Yum.

After a good meal, Berlyn loves to digest upside down.

All that food makes Berlyn sleepy. Apparently she sleeps better with her pants half-way on.

We loaded up the Passat with triscuits and a stack of diapers for a trip up to L.A. to celebrate Jax’s first birthday. We were greeted by an adorable one-year-old with an appetite for Eggos and pine needles. Berlyn’s good friend, Jaxon, was a great host; providing cupcakes and swinging lessons for all.

Ahh, the relaxation of toe-sucking.

Daddy’s little girl.

Jax and Berlyn are becoming good friends. He thinks it’s funny when she drools, we kinda agree.

Well, great then.

Dena and Beckey; proud (and hot) moms.

Berlyn Likes:

• wearing pink
• grabbing stuff
• posing for pictures
• shopping
• rolling over
• hanging out in her exersaucer
• when strangers think she’s cute

Berlyn Dislikes:

• teething
• explosionary poops
• KIIS FM
• when her hair falls out in clumps
• to be taken out of her exersaucer
• when mom picks her nose
• spitting up on her favorite outfit

So we’ve been shooting some video of Berlyn here and there, and finally decided to compile it into a little montage for you to view. While she’s learned pretty quickly to love the [still] camera, the video camera is another story. We think she’ll get the hang of it soon…

You are here, and I was right, you transformed everything. Two and a half months ago you were pulled out of my body, cut from my womb, and brought into the world. You are so needy and I am so tired. My eyes are swollen from a lack of sleep and my stomach looks like a lump of uncooked pizza dough. This is motherhood. Self sacrifice. I envy those around me that don’t have to breast feed every three hours and can get a full night’s sleep. But all that melts away when you smile. When you flash that gummy grin I am reminded of what a miracle you are and how you have changed me in such a monumental way. And I will never be the same.

If this were one of those pictures in the back of a magazine with a fancy “add your comment to this photo to win a million dollars” scheme, here’s what I’d submit:

Comment left: “Hey, are you looking at me?”
Comment right: “Well, ok. If you’re going to look, i’m going to coo.”

This is a picture of the all three of us, The Brumfields, at our friends Melinda & Vern’s engagement party on March 6^th. Berlyn, at 4 weeks old, enjoyed her first outing to Long Beach, and we loved the amazing view atop the SkyRoom.

Our baby is delicious, don’t you agree? Here she is at six weeks. She loves her baths at bed time, her hip noir et rouge baby gym, and getting her picture taken. She is also beginning to smile at her daddy and me.

Berlyn and Zoey have spent some considerable time bonding over the last week or so. Berlyn often sits on the floor, staring at her blocks, wiggling around on her stomach, or uttering sounds we’ve yet to comprehend. Zoey thinks all of these activities are quite exciting, or perhaps it’s the presence of something living and breathing smaller than herself that she finds intriguing. Nonetheless, Zoey will saunter up to little Berlyn, sniff her a bit, and if Berlyn’s lucky, Zoey will lick her cheek. This usually puts a big smile on Berlyn’s face; she’s obviously a dog-lover. We’re glad they’re getting along, I don’t think Zoey would take well to time-outs and dunce caps for her mis-behavior.

Yesterday, Berlyn turned one month old. In her first month outside of the womb, she’s accomplished many things. She has:

• gained a pound
• shrunk an inch, then grew an inch, bringing her right back to where she started from
• learned that her mom and dad really like it when she pees while having her diaper changed
• realized that the dog will lick her face
• grown to love some good music, from the likes of David Grey, The Shins, Beirut, Cold War Kids, and other hip bands
• understands that pink will be her favorite color, whether she likes it or not
• gotten used to the fact that her dad, almost always, will be pointing a camera at her

We’re pretty thrilled at her progress thus far. It’s pretty crazy to think that she’s already a month old; it feels like we just left the hospital yesterday. We’re looking forward to the next month, and another recap. Stay tuned.

Much like having your picture taken with Santa Claus, a picture with Berlyn is a memory to be cherished. Those who have experienced it know. If you are not one of the lucky few, come on over, and perhaps we’ll snap some pictures of you with the little angel, too.

A few select pictures of our gorgeous daughter.

This is my daughter, Berlyn, a.k.a. The Treefrog. Sometimes, she likes to climb up my legs and rest on my outstretched arms. It appears as though she’s looking for some sort of vegetation or brush, although generally there is none to be found. I never imagined that a one-week-old’s legs would be this strong, it’s uncanny! And so cute. She could rest on my hand forever, and I love it.