One year ago!

One year ago, on February 27th 2008, I took a pregnancy test. AND I think you know the rest of the story! I remember getting up that day, going to babysit, and just having a feeling that something was different. Here is a picture I took of Brooke this morning, turning to look back at me while playing in her bumbo. It is crazy what one year can do!

Zombie Mom

Brooke slept like a little angel the first 3 months of her life. During Christmas break she slept from 10pm-8am for a week straight, and I thought we were finally at the "sleeping through the night" point. Well, boy was I wrong! First we had a growth spurt that had us up every 2-3 hours for a week straight. We went back to a 6 hour stretch followed by two 3 hour stretches but now we are back at up every 2-3 hours! Usually if I cannot console her I bring her to bed and nurse her, well I fall asleep and awake 1 hour later to put her back, so I feel as though I am up double. So for now, I will be a Zombie Mom. /vent

I talk about Brooke a lot on here, because we love her so much, but I guess I should write a family update! Dustin and I are currently in the market for our first home! We have seen about 20 homes already and are still out there shopping, so hopefully "THE" home will pop up soon! I am also thinking about getting a part time job but the thought of leaving Brooke is maddening, so we will see what happens there!

No Words

I spend some time on a mom forum, daily, where I can interact with other moms, share stories, and get answers. A couple of weeks ago a mother of two beautiful twin girls got devastating news. Her little girls were diagnosed with a disease that would eventually take their lives and little did we know, this fate would come sooner than expected. Last night they lost Carynne and tonight her sister Sydney joined her. I cannot imagine the pain and sadness their parents are feeling right now, so if you are reading this, please keep them in your prayers.

http://sweetgirlies.blogspot.com/

Another blog I recently came across was about a little girl named Cora. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer around 10 months of age and died 3 weeks later. I am amazing by her parents strength during this time, and encouraged by their words and actions. There is a foundation on Etsy.com where everything you purchase will help fun a playground in Cora's name.

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

I cannot help but feel blessed by the healthy, beautiful girl that God has blessed us with and give Him praise each and every day for her. I also must remember that she is not mine, but His, and pray daily that His will be done in her life.

3 things.

1. Everyone should have one of these. I am sure there are about 50 other toys that I will eventually say the same for, but so far this one is a hit! Maybe it will wear off in a week or two but for now, it provides entertainment for at least 30 minutes... which is a lot for a baby!

Fisher-Price Rainforest Shake n' Chime Ball.

2. Brooke grew a few inches of hair this weekend.

3. Brooke is definitely becoming a Daddy's girl.

Our little peanut.

Brooke had her 4 month appointment yesterday. She is steadily growing in the 25th percentile at 12 pounds 14 ounces and 23 1/2 inches. She is still fitting into her 0-3 month clothes at over 4 months, so we are now calling her our little peanut! She is also starting to reach out and grab things now, rather than just holding toys. Today I was at the mall eating lunch with a friend and Brooke reached out and grabbed my tray, practically lifting it into the air. Thankfully it did not have anything on it at the time but now I will have to watch what I put in front of her closer!

4 Months Old!

Brooke is 4 months old today! Where has the time gone? Just yesterday she was my tiny little newborn, cuddled in my arms at the hospital. Dustin and I have really been enjoying her and love watching her learn and grow. She has officially mastered rolling from her back to her belly and does it often now. She has no idea how to roll from her belly to back but she doesn't seem to mind not being able to get back. She also loves to scoot around on her play mat and the thought of a mobile baby scares me! We have an appointment on Wednesday so I will have to update on her weight and length! She is still in 0-3 month clothing, which is nice because I have gotten good use out of them, but I am ready for her to wear the next round of cute clothes!

One day old...



Four months old...

Brooke giggling!

Brooke has been giving us giggles every now and then but as soon as we pull the camera out, she gets really serious and stares at us. This afternoon she was in a really good mood so I hid our camera on the table (hence the glare in the background due to placement) and got her going!

Pacifiers

When Brooke was first born, I intently listened to everything the lactation consultant told me, including not introducing pacifiers for awhile. Despite their "4 week" rule I decided to give her a soother around 1 week and she sucked on it every now and then. Soon after that she decided that I was better than any pacifier out there and quit them cold turkey. I really had no complaints beside how red and raw her hands were getting once she discovered she could gnaw on them, and even better, her thumb!

Superbowl Sunday we were at a friends house and were introduced to another couple with two boys -- 5 years old and 15 months -- and got on the subject of pacifiers somehow. (Conversations like these seem to happen all the time when you have kids!) I was telling them how Brooke refuses to take pacifiers and just to prove my point I popped one out of my rarely used paci-pouch and plopped it into her mouth. And just to prove me wrong, she started to suck on it. The next day I introduced the pacifier back to her just during her nap and she sucked on it the whole time! It has definitely improved her naps and the amount of times she gets up each night. We have been using them during naps, in the car, and at bedtime for sleeping. She has just started to suck on them when she is playing with her toys or on her nap.

This weeks pacifier milestone: Pulling it out but not knowing how to get it back in!

TuTus

Pink and brown tulle: $2.40
Elastic band: $1.50
Seeing your little girl in a tutu: Priceless!