Pinecone Research

I thought I'd post this link for anyone who might be interested in joining the Pinecone Research Panel. Although the compensation is low ($3 per interview and an entry into a bi-weekly sweepstakes), I have enjoyed being apart of Pinecone for the last 4 years and have found it to be a very legitimate company. The interviews are fairly short, usually not taking more than 15-20 minutes. What I think is the best part is the products that you get to try!
If you're interested, here's the link and also some info some the Pinecone website:

http://www.pineconeresearch.com/signup/ds531Referral1.asp

"PineCone Research conducts on-line interviews with consumers from all walks of life to obtain their opinions about new products. It's easy and fun to see and evaluate new product ideas in the comfort of your own home AND get paid $3 PLUS be automatically entered a bi-weekly Sweepstakes to win additional cash prizes for your time. Each interview usually takes 15-20 minutes of your time. Plus, you are free to leave the panel at any time should you choose to do so.

We will occasionally ask some questions about your household in order to match the appropriate questionnaires to you. These usually includes just 3 or 4 questions and are brief. These short screeners are uncompensated."

Pictures

While Branna and I were visiting family last week in San Angelo, we took some time to get Branna's pictures taken. (It had been almost a year since we'd had any taken!) Here's a sampling of what we got. They all turned out really good! Thanks Mindy!

Branna and PaPa Andy

Vesicoureteral Reflux Update

Yesterday, Branna had her sonogram as recommended by her pediatrician. (She did very good considering she was scared out of her mind!) We were looking for any scarring on her kidneys that might have been caused by her vesicoureteral reflux (see previous posts). I just got word back that everything looks great and there is no sign of scarring. Getting the clean report is such a relief! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

A Day at the Park

Last weekend, we took advantage of the good weather and took Branna to a park. As you'll be able to tell from the pictures, she thoroughly enjoyed herself! The park had a slide that was just the right size for her and, for the first time, she was able to slide down by herself. She's getting to be such a big girl!

Weeeee!!!!!

But I'm not ready to go!

I can't believe that I've let more than a month go between blog postings! I'll dedicate this posting to playing a little catch up...

Like most of you, we were very busy over the holidays with family and friends. Branna had a great time being around everyone and, or course, showing off. :)


She really got into Christmas this year and figured out that there was more to it than just boxes and wrapping paper! I'm not so sure that that a great thing, though, since she's still asking for more presents. :)




Besides that, Branna has been doing GREAT with her glasses... better than we ever expected. There are very few times that she takes them off during the day and has even asked for them a few times when she's taken them off. In about 2 weeks, we go back to the opthamologist to get our update.

(Notice the earring? It's part of her Mrs. Potato Head parts. LOL!)

In other medical news, you may remember that back in August, Branna was diagnosed with a grade II vesicoureteral reflux. According to current recommendations, she has take a daily low dose antibiotic for a year to avoid recurrent urinary tract infections and prevent any possible kidney scarring. At Branna's last well baby check up in October, her pediatrician wanted us to call after the first of the year in hopes the new guidelines would allow for Branna to stop her antibiotics, which is the case for grade I reflux.
I spoke with the doctor earlier this week who was advised by a pediatric urologist that there were no changes in place right now. So, we'll have to continue with the daily antibiotic for another 6 months and reevaluate the situation then. We'll also need to have a sonogram soon to make sure there has been no scarring to the kidneys. This will be much less traumatic than the VCUG Branna had done in the fall.

I'll do my best this year to keep the blog updated with the most current Branna news! :)

Drum Roll Please...

Introducing the new Branna Rose!

As many of you know, in November Branna was diagnosed with strabismus. Because of that and her farsightedness, the doctor felt that glasses would be the best to help correct her vision. Right now, her left eye turns in turns when she is straining to see something and when she is tired.
So far, Branna has been very good about keeping the glasses on, considering she's just 20 months old. She's had the glasses for a day now and we've had our battles, but I think as she gets more accustomed to wearing them and realizes that she can see better with them on, she'll prefer to have them on.
Our next appointment is in February where Branna will have her vision re-evaluated and prescription possibly changed.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

This post is a little late in coming, but the pictures were too good not to post...
This fall, my brother played youth football with the YMCA in Eldorado. We were able to make his last home game at the end of October. Branna was fascinated with all the festivities of the game: the clapping cheerleaders, the cheering crowd, and the running football boys.
At the end of the game, we got to go out onto the field, where Branna was personally escorted by Uncle Jess. After wrapping up at the football field, Grandma Honey took us to the pumpkin patch where Branna was able to pick out a pumpkin to take home! She loved running from pumpkin to pumpkin and seeing which one was small enough for her to pick up! :)

Admiring her favorite football player

I think I'll take this one...

FYI... the pumpkin was plastic :)

Easy As 1-2-3

For the last month or so, Branna has been working on her counting. Last week she made it all the way to 15! I've made several attempts to get it on video , but so far this is the best I've been able to do.

She's gets so proud of herself and most times will start clapping before making it too far. Between that and her becoming distracted by the camera, capturing her counting on video has been quite difficult!

Happy Halloween

Branna had a fun "first" Halloween. Last year, she was too little to do anything (although we did dress her up as a skunk just to take pictures), so this was a brand new experience for her. At first, she wasn't too sure about the whole thing, but once she figured out what was going on, she became an instant pro. By the end of the evening, she was opening her bag as soon as a door opened, waiting for more candy to be dropped in.
(A big thanks to my mom who made Branna the poodle skirt. Thanks Grandma Honey! :) )

Waiting to head outside...
Enough pictures! Let's go!
Trick-or-Treat!
Ending the evening back home
Examining the loot!

I had to throw these in from last year's Halloween. :)

Pizza Pie

Pretty much since Branyon and I have been married, we have had a tradition on Friday to make/have pizza for dinner. Branna has really enjoyed being a part of this tradition, as she LOVES to get the breadmaker out and help me make the pizza dough. She gets her spoons and bowls, pulls her chair up to the table, and is ready to start cooking.