Category: Brooklyn's first year

Just plain cute

8 Weeks

Brooklyn is now eight weeks old. So hard to believe that next week she will be two months already. In a way it seems like I have had her much longer than that considering what all has happened. It feels like the last two months has already been a year. I honestly have lost track of time in a way. Brooklyn when proped up on a small pillow on her tummy can roll over to her back. She is very very spunky. She is also very strong. She has great head control and I swear she gains a pound a day. Can't wait to see how much she weighs next week. She is such a mix of Jacks and Baily. When she smiles her eyes do the same thing as her brothers...I think she has Bailey's mouth. She just has her own little look. Jackson and Bailey have adjusted so great. I thought it was going to be rough on Bailey but she never once has gotten upset with me for nursing, changing, or spending time with Brooklyn. In fact she gets excited when I'm doing those things and she participates most of the time. Huge baby lover which makes my life easier. Jackson is also very crazy about her and wants to love on her ALL THE TIME. He is very affectionate so he can't keeps his hands off. Now with Bailey...it is a love hate deal. They play great at times and then fight ten seconds later, then make up, then fight some more. I never knew about all of that since I didn't live with a sibling but I do remember some of those good battles with cousins. Jacks is pretty aggressive with her and she is starting to fight back with girl power. Brooklyn eats every three hours. Last night she slept from 2am until 8:30am!! So exciting. She still has reflux but it doesn't seem to bother her too bad. Just wanted to share a few pics from this week. I just wish she would stop growing so fast...i love the newborn stage and want to hang on to every second of it with my last baby.

Brooklyn 2 Months

Full of it

Brooklyn you are now two months old. You have shots and your check up on Thursday so I can give stats then. It has been a bumpy ride little girl but I coldn't have made it with out you that is for sure. You are always smiling...seriously! I say one word and you light up. You sleep great and are such a content little baby. I can already tell you are going to be a talker because you are really getting into the whole cooing concept. I talk to you then you talk back to me and so on. I swear I would keep you this little forever if I could. I'm just trying to hold on to every second. You are such a gift from God and I know he is taking care of me by giving me you. You are Mommy's little angel and make me smile. I could hold you all day. You are truly an escape right now. Here are some pics right now of you being your usual self...happy as can be.

Two Month Ck Up

2 Month Check Up

Miss Brooklyn..what can I say...you are a great eater! We went for your check up and you weighed 12lb and 14oz and are 23 inches. Your head measured 15 1/2. You are in the 90% for weight and 80% for height. The Dr. said was she about 21 inches when she was born and I said no she was not even 19. They couldn't believe how much you have grown. They said that Mommy's milk is doing a body good...lol. You smiled and cooed at the Dr. the entire time. I just can't get over how precious you are. You are always grinning from ear to ear. You never cry..really too good to be true. You are such a growing girl right now. I'm lovin all your little rolls. I call you my little chunky monkey. You are such a mix right now between Jackson and Bailey but yet have your own little look. I find myself a little sad that you aren't my tiny little newborn but at the same time I'm lovin getting to see that personality. You roll from your stomach to your back already. You are very strong. You love bath time and start kicking with excitement when you hear the water running. You also love it when your Daddy talks to you. You try to jump out of my arms when you hear his voice because he gets you so excited. It is precious. He calls you "bugars" which I'm not too crazy about but you sure think it is funny. I told him that is not a very good nickname but he just can't help himself. You are for sure a Momma's girl right now. You are eating every 2.5-3hrs. You are a quick eater now...a full feed in 10-15 mins. You are sleeping 6-8 hrs. at night before eating. You still take several cat naps during the day and just go with the flow. You take Axid everyday for reflux. You ran a little bit of fever the next day after shots. I was so sad for you when you got your shots because you are always so happy and it was the worst cry to date for you. You held your breath and it hurt your feelings. Once I picked you up you stopped and then rememembered it and started sticking out your lip again. You are more intrested in looking at people vs. things right now which is the opposite of your big sis. You also love to look at lights. You are the perfect third child. Mommy is just so proud! Love you little monkey!

My Girls

My Girls

Bailey you just adore your sister. Your face lights up every time you go near her or see her. You love being a big sissy I think more than anything else. Brooklyn smiles at you all the time and I can't wait until you guys can play together. I just can't help but have you guys matching sometimes. I can it is the cheese ball coming out in me as Daddy would say.

12 Weeks

Growing, Growing

You are now 12 weeks old! I swear every day you wake up you seem bigger to me. Here are some pics of you after church on Sunday. To my surprise you already fill out this dress and it is a size 6 month. Crazy! I'm just glad I tried it on you now or we would of had to do an exchange. So my little 2 month old can wear a 6m. What can I say you are a healthy girl. Mommy weighed 9lb and 9oz when I was born so I'm just thankful I had you two weeks early since you weighed almost 8lbs at 38wks. Everyone says you look like someone different. Some think you look like Jackson, others Bailey, Daddy, Mommy, and some can't decide. I think I see more of Jackson in you as a baby but you for sure have your own little look to me. You are the happiest thing in the entire world. If anyone says one word to you, you smile and coo right back on cue. You are eating every three hrs and going 7-8 hrs. at night before eating. You sleep in your bassinet next to my bed still. Mommy just can't let you go to the other side of the house just yet until you go a little longer at night. We can't have Jacks and Bailey up with you just yet. You started rolling over front to back at 9 weeks and are very strong. You love the bath. You don't mind getting your diaper changed...in fact you grin at us the entire time we are doing it and start kicking your legs because you like to have your diaper off. You also like to watch your bubba and sissy play. You love your baby mat and talk to all of the toys. You are going to be a talker because you coo at us all the time. Your little eyes just light up when you hear Daddy's voice. You are just too sweet for anything! Love you baby girl. You have helped Mommy more than you already know!

Brooklyn's 1st Dip in the pool

Brooklyn's 1st Dip in the pool

We went to Ava's house for a play date and you guys had such a blast playing with all the girls. I even let Miss Brooklyn get a sample of the fun. She didn't know what to think but sure didn't complain. She then ended the playdate wtih a nap outside in front of the fan. Bailey, Ava, Maggie, and Mimi looked precious all playing together. Thanks again for having us. It was great!

First Bite

1st Bite

I gave Brooklyn her first bite of rice cereal. She made the funniest face and then of course gave me a big grin. Besides gagging some, she didn't mind it at all and her facial expressions were too funny. She would always smile once she managed to swallow it. She also would open her mouth big and wide when she saw the spoon coming. She is sporting the cubs bib her Daddy brought her home last week from the game. I'm still jealous he got to go to watch the Cubs last week with out me. Can't wait until the kids get bigger so we can all go and cheer on our team!

4 Months

Happy 4 Months

Love you baby girl! Today you are four months. You are cooing and making all of those baby noises like crazy. You never quit actually. You are truly a ball of sunshine. Your little eyes light up every time someone talks to you. You also get so excited when your brother and sister talk to you. You love to babble more than my other two combined did at this age. We will start trying some more cereal soon. You slept the other night 10 hrs. with out eating...Mommy was so proud. When Bailey isn't here you sleep in her bed and have already adjusted great! She should be getting her big girl bed in next week so transition time is approaching. You will do great I know. Bailey can't wait to have you sleeping with her. Lots of secrets I'm sure will be shared in that room I'm sure. You love your play mat, swing, bouncer seat, car rides, and really anything else. You also love the bath and kick your little legs with excitement the entire time. You don't like to be cold when you get out and you don't like it right when I lay you down at bed time. Other than that you are just a smiling cooing little princess. We go Monday for shots. I can't wait to see how big you are now. A lot of you reading have been praying for our family over the past three months and words can't express how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness. I haven't updated in a while so her it goes. God is very powerful and has shown me how much I've underestimated his power. I've prayed the same prayer since I was a little girl for my mother and I want to praise him for healing her. She is taking full time care of Papaw who is very sick and my little sister and brother. Such an answer to prayer. Keep the prayers coming. The kids call her Grandy and she is enjoying getting to know them as much as they are her. God has shown me his grace, mercy, power, healing, miracles, strength, and most importantly love at a time of such despair. If you have ever doubted him..search deeper, longer, and on your face and I promise he is there. Always has but was just waiting on me to stop trying so hard to fix things myself and let him take control which is very hard to do. This is not to say that my pain isn't more than ever with grief of just missing my Nanny but I know she is smiling. I break down still weekly just from little moments I want to share with her or conversations I know that we will never have but to know that I serve a God that will supply me with what I need to get through today gives me hope that I can do this. I know I will see her again. Brooklyn it makes me sad to think you won't ever get to talk to her on this earth but one day my sweet baby you will on the new earth. I just hope I can keep her memory alive by teaching you just like Nanny taught me. To hold on tight to him, your family, friends, and do for others always before yourself. Love you little monkey!

Brooklyn's Dedication

Dedication

Sunday was your baby Dedication. It was a very special day. I was filled with a mix of emotions. Your Nanny bought you the most beautiful dress when I was pregnant with you. Even though we didn't find out that you were a girl she was so sure that is just what you were going to be she went ahead and bought you this dress for your baby dedication. I must admit it was so hard to put it on you knowing that she would be grinning ear to ear at just how stinkin cute you are. I remember right after you were born she was so excited and she said "i told you it was a girl..now we get to keep that pretty white dress" Even though it hurt deeply not having her there you always know how to melt my heart. You wore your usual smile all day and even did some cooing while you were being dedicated to the Lord. Your Me-me, Pops, Uncle J and Steph, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Raain, Grandy, and Mamaw Nellie all were there to celebrate this important day with us. We then went to Olive Garden to eat. It was a very special day in our home. Brooklyn...you truly are a gift from God. Your Daddy and I know that every good and perfect gift comes from above and you are such a blessing from him. Here is what was said about you during the service.

Brooklyn Annelise Verdell
March 10, 2008

Big Brother Jackson 3
Big Sister Bailey 2

Gods timing was perfect with the gift of their third child. She was created for his glory. Brooke's grandmother, Pat Bailey, who raised her, passed away suddenly with an aneurism when Brooklyn was only 4 weeks old. Brooklyn has been too good to be true during this extremely difficult time in this family's journey. Who would expect a 4 week old to provide such support for her grieving parents, but she seemed to always give that much needed smile providing them with such comfort and joy at a time of such despair. Such a divine gift from God. She hasn't stopped smiling since she was three weeks old and continues to makes them laugh and smile everyday.

The verse Josh and Brooke have chosen for Brooklyn is John 8:12:

Jesus said"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

Their hope today for Brooklyn is that she will one day find rest in the Father's light and let the Lord work through her to bring others out of the darkness.

Brooklyn 4 Month Ck Up

4 Month Ck Up

You went for your check up yesterday. You weighed 17 pounds and 10 oz. and are between 25-26 inches long. Your head is 16 1/4. You are in the 98% for weight and between 75-80% for height. Crazy!! Looking back at my baby books I was almost the exact same size when I was your age. A lot of your 6-9 month clothes are starting to get too little. They asked if you were exclusivley breast fed and I said yes and they said you can tell she is getting just what she needs..lol. I looked back to see how Jacks and Bailey were at 4 months. Jackson was 15 pounds and 14 oz and Bailey was 14lb and 15 oz. So....looks like you have this one in the bag..lol. Josh is tall, my Mom and Nanny are both over 5'9" so you never know you might be a tall one. Everyone says how much you look like me when I was a baby and also they see a lot of Jackson too. You guys have the same eyebrows, eyes, and head shape. You even make some of the same facial expressions that he did as a baby. Everything looked great..you are 100% healthly which is such a praise especially after the few scares we had after your birth. Your heart, lungs, tummy, head growth, sleep patterns, eating, motor skills are all perfect. You are rolling over front to back and back to front all ready!! You love your pacificer, blankie, to listen to your sleep machiene when you are going to bed..rain and the waves are your fav. You are starting to try your cereal a little. You are laughing now like crazy..I know all your good tickle spots. Your eyes light up the room when you smile. You also love to look at yourself in the mirror. You think your brother and sister are very entertaining. You like baths, car rides, stroller rides, your bumbo seat, you love love your play mat...you would talk to the little star that hangs on it and lights up all day if I let you. You also started playing in your jumperoo this week and of course you love it. Nursing is still going perfect. You eat every 3.5-4 hrs. during the day. You take three naps a day now. You have no problem putting yourself to sleep. It is precious. You hold up your hands by your face with your blankie in each hand. You also love to chew on your index finger right now. You sleep anywhere from 8-11 hrs. at night before eating and then go back to sleep. The past few weeks I have had to wake you up like at 9am because we have things to do but you always greet the world with a smile. As of now you like to sleep in..which works great for me because it gives me a chance to give Jacks or Bay some one on one. You are starting to grab things..like my jewlery, my hair, your toys. You would think that since I have pretty much had a baby around for the past four years all of the new little milestones wouldn't be as exciting but it is quite the opposite. I guess since I now know just how fast it truly does go by it seems like all of those little steps of learing the world are even more exciting to witness. You are such a gift and melt my heart. Love you Miss Brooklyn Annelise. O'yes..shots weren't very fun. You were very sore last night which was a first for me as far as reactions go and you ran fever too along with lots of dirty diapers. You still were content and didn't let it get to you too bad. You seem to be doing better now. Tonight when I would blow on your tummy and you laughed and giggled and then laughed some more. I have found lots of tickle spots. You even snort sometimes because you laugh so hard. Just priceless for sure. Love, Mommy

Brooklyn over 5 Months

5.5 Months

Can't believe you are already almost six months old. You are the most delightful sweet heart in the entire world. I truly enjoy every moment spent with you. I love love our me and you times at night. I get you all to myself after Jacks and Bay go to bed and we cuddle, baby talk, play, etc. You are now saying DADA. You started that a few weeks ago but now it is very clear and all the time. You also are sitting up already. You are a very good eater. You have tried carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, pears, and applesauce. Along with your cereal of course. You are still nursing wonderfully and it shows!! You are wearing 12 months, size 3 diapers, size 3 shoes, weight would guess around 20 pounds. You take naps during the day in your room and put yourself to sleep. You love your blankie and pacificer. You also love love your bubba and sissy. You get so excited when anyone talks to you. You love outside, the bath, tv, toys, the car, Mommy's silly voices, being tickled, and I really could go on and on. You amaze me every day. I love cuddling with you at night. You are such a snuggle bug...so I'm eating it up now because before I know it you will be too busy like your sissy and bubba to slow down and give me lovin. Can't wait to see your toes on the beach. Love you.

Brooklyn's 6 Month Checkup

Brooklyn's 6 Month Checkup

On Monday you had your 6 month ck up and shots. Mommy was happy we were there because I had been worried you weren't feeling well because you weren't yourself. You have your first ear infection and started antibiotics on Monday night. You are doing much better now. You just weren't as happy and waking up at night. Your sister and brother both had strep throat last week and we were so worried that you were going to get it too..but you didn't praise the Lord. So the Dr. said you are one healthly little girl. You have now tried green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, pears, applesauce, and bananas. You prefer veggies over fruit right now. You will have nothing to do with a pacificer anymore which is crazy!! You loved it so much until about a month ago. Now it just makes you mad if I try to give it to you. I think it is because your sister bit a hole in all of them and it took me a while to figure it out and now you just plain don't like them. You also aren't too sure about a bottle. I'm trying to work with you on this because Mommy is going on a vacation soon with some girlfriends and we've got six weeks to get you to take a bottle! You are still such a happy angel. You babble..momma, dada, and bubba a lot. Bubba is your most common which Jackson just loves. You love for Mommy to sing to you. You also love to make the cutest little noise clicking your tongue on the roof of your mouth..you do this when you are in a happy mood and are wanting attention or to make us smile. So here are your stats:
Weight: 20lbs 11oz
Height: 28 inches
Head:17

You are in the 95% for height and 90% for weight. You nurse 4 times a day. You are now sleeping in your room with Bailey....good times...! You wear a size 4 diaper just like your sister..size 3 shoe..almost like your sister she is still in a 4.5...and wear 12-18m clothes. I love all of those little rolls and just could eat you up. You are also very flexible the Dr. said. Check out the pic of you in the bath. You can already do the splits with out trying. The Dr. even made a comment about your skills...lol. Mommy is so proud to call you mine. Lots of people make comments on just how freakin sweet you are and that you look like a gerber baby..what ever that is..I just know I can't remember my life with out you. You are my sunshine. Love, Mommy

Brooklyn 7 Months

My Baby Brooklyn is Crawling....Backwards!

Brooklyn you are just my little love bug, chunky monkey, little dumplin, cutie pie, snuggly bear, and I could go on and on. I have so many little nicknames for you. I guess it comes with the territory of being the baby. You are now seven months old and one week. You have learned a new trick this week...Crawling...except you go backwards. You do this little scoot thing and then start going backwards instead of the way you want to go...it is hilarous. I know give it a week or so and you will be going to the way you want. For now you really think you are doing something special and get so excited and it is so funny to watch. You are starting to eat baby food great including rice cereal. You are very very mommyfied right now and don’t want me to leave the room. You cry now when I drop you off at the church nursery or sometimes even when someone else holds you. You still won’t take a pacificer or bottle really but are showing improvements with it. You just love to snuggle up with Mommy and I it! You are a night owl. I think it is because you slept in your bassinet for so long and kind of got use to my tv time..computer time..etc. So now after Jackson and Bailey go to bed we have our Mommy and Brooklyn time. From about 9 to 10pm you really ham it up and show out for Mommy and Daddy. You love getting all the attention and milk it for what it’s worth. You are now crawling backwards which is hilarious and are trying to clap your hands. You also dance now when music comes on and love to watch your brother and sister dance and sing in the car. You get so excited you start squealing at them especially when your favorite songs from church come on. It is amazing to me how perceptive you already are. When you hear Jackson or Bailey’s voice coming near you start bucking like a bull seriously. You still have that huge grin on your face most of the day however if Mommy isn’t around I’m told that isn’t always the case. Today at church first I got paged to come and feed you and then they had to walk you around and show you off to all the rooms and teachers to keep you distracted from Mommy being away. You sure didn’t mind getting extra lovin. What can I say besides you are just a true blessing and miracle in my life. Such a testimony to how God always knows what we need.

Love, Mommy

All I want for Christmas is...?

All I want for Christmas is...?

Is my two front teeth. At 9.5 months, you finally have a tooth that has decided to come through. You haven’t let us know it though. You don’t whine or even seem to notice…which is great. You have been able to eat just about everything we do with out teeth so I’m sure you will continue to try new things. You already know how to drink out of a cup, water bottle, and sipee cup. You do great with finger foods and already are very independent. You are for sure a Mommy’s girl. You love for me to be in sight and love to cuddle and give me kisses. It is precious. When a new person walks in or someone other than us you play pee-pie by leaning your head into my shoulder and then will raise it up a little grin huge and then hide again. So you are all over the house now. The pic shows how you are crawling...the full blown monkey crawl and you prefer to go backwards while holding yourself up like this pic. You started out crawling backwards a while back but over the past month or so you have mastered I'm going to have to get it posted on video so everyone can see. It is crazy to watch. What can I say you are one tough and strong little girl to be able to hold yourself up like this considering you weigh over 20 pounds. You and Bailey literally can wear the same size shoe and even some of the same clothes depending on style, You sit in the splits a lot and can go from your tummy to the splits then stay in the splits and come up to a sitting position and then back down on your tummy while your legs are still in splits. You are the life of the party and know it. You can now clap your hands..you love "if you’re happy and u know it". You love to eat veggies and also enjoy baby food like ckn noodle dinner. You also love pizza, nuggets, carrots, mashed potatoes, ice cream, to drink out of a big girl cup, veggie puffs, cheerios, pancakes, sausage, eggs, Mommy's spaghetti, peaches, green beans, French fries, and much more. You are still nursing 3 to 4 times a day but don’t need as much milk now so you only nurse max 4-5 minutes. You love music. Your fav show is Yo Gabba Gabba and the Praise Baby movies. You love to try to sing along with the radio in the car. You get so loud and we just crack up at you. You also love it when your brother plays peek a boo with you while we are in the car. You will take a pacifier some and now do great with a bottle. You are a wonderful sleeper. You go down around 9pm and don’t wake up til about 9:30am. A lot of times I have to wake you up so we can take your brother to MDO. Everyone that meets you ask "is she always this happy?" or "does she ever cry?" Yes usually you are happy but your Bubba and sissy have already learned how to make a scream come out every now and then. That big smile and all those rolls paid off today..we found out that a beach pic Mommy took of you in your tutu placed and your pic will be in their magazine and we get a gift card to use with the company. Mommy is very excited about your first Christmas. Santa is bringing u an elmo live and bouncing zebra. So fun. Love you baby girl! Love, Mommy

1st BDAY

I remember...

Yesterday was your big day. Your Momma's Heart is heavy and haven't written to you in a while so this one is likely to be a long entry. My sweet one you are now one. Yesterday I reflected a lot of what this past year has brought us. So many memories come to mind. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday when I was holding you after you were born and you went blue in my arms and wouldn't breathe. Looking at all of those little or should I say big rolls and big smile it is hard to believe that there was a scare the day God brought you into this world. This exact day last year I remember agonizing in fear on if you were going to be okay. Such a scary three days especially the last day hearing you had a hole in your heart and having to wait all day on if it was serious or not and if we could go home. I remember getting the good news that you were fine and then two days later we found out that the hole had already closed which is such a huge praise. I could barley walk since my joints wouldn't stay in place and probably the hardest two weeks as far as pain goes. If only I would have known what was waiting for me right around the corner and how I only thought I knew what pain in the soul felt like. After bringing you home from the hospital the next few weeks are a blur and then when you were four weeks old Mommy lost the woman that was 'momma' to me. I look back at pics of you at this age and it is so hard still to swallow that this was the little person Nanny knew. She was so worried about you that first week and I can remember her calling every hour while we were in the hospital asking "has she cried yet...has she cried yet...". I said Nanny I promise you will be the first to know when she cries. Since you weren't a crier the stuff in your lungs couldn't come out so everyone was on pins and needles wanting you to cry. Then she would come over almost daily to love on her new baby and give your two siblings lovin too. In fact she was the first person to babysit you while I ran to the mall to get something. She called me panicked because the tornado sirens were going off and the mall security was telling me I needed to go to the basement of the mall. I told them that I had a nursing baby that I had to get home to since I hadn't pumped any milk yet. I wasn't letting anything stand in the way of my lil baby bein hungry..and it shows..lol! I will never forget the way you looked in her arms. She said "honey she doesn't know anything is goin on out there, but she is enjoying watching me try to figure out all this mess you have to get to in order for your TV to work" She hated trying to figure out how to get our tv to work since it requires three remotes. She would say "what happened to the good old days of just pushing the on/off button." She always had something to say. Sometimes even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear it was always the truth. I loved her for that. I miss her so. If only I would have known then that I only had three more weeks of seeing you two together. Well I take that back if I would have known I wouldn't want Nanny to see me in so much pain over knowing. I asked Josh last night.."do you think I'm always going to have this whole in my heart on every birthday and holiday?" He said yes u probably will because I feel it too. I remember the nurses told us some babies just don't cry much and now it makes total sense, you didn't cry much even when getting shots when you were born because you just don't have that personality. You didn't even cry when you got your flu shot a month ago. You just are one happy ball of laughter. The first two or three months of your life you didn't fuss much at all and still don't much to this day. You smile more than any baby I've ever seen. You smile even when you are tired or don't feel good. But honey let Jackson or Bailey take away a toy you are playing with or let Mommy walk out of the room when you are wanting me and u go from happy to mad in 2 seconds and then go right back to that big grin as soon as u get what u want. Just a little spoiled but you make it very easy. You love to cuddle with Momma and give kisses. You especially like to give your Daddy kisses in front of me to make me jealous and then look right at me after doing it so I can say "Brooklyn you better not be given my sugars away!" You are also very strong. You stand like a catcher and then go to a full standing position without pulling up or holding onto anything. You do this all the time and then clap. You still walk around like a monkey and have the fastest monkey walk known to man. You love to play with your bubba and sissy. You are very smart and are starting to be able for Mommy to say something and u a lot of times will follow directions. Like "spit that out" which I have to say a lot because u like to put everything in your mouth. Or "no no" and u shake your head and know u r in trouble, "sit down" "lay down" "kisses" "say bye"(u say HEY instead of high and I smile every time because it is so precious to hear "hey" coming out of a little person, "where's daddy" "where's the lights"(u point to the lights in the house" you can turn on the lights too, "do u want to eat"(u say nana nana and then smack your lips over and over), to let me know u want to nurse you head but me in the chest or pull yourself when I'm holding you towards the bed. It is hilarious. Miss Bailey weaned herself at 10.5 months and Jacks had to quit cold turkey at 11 months because I got pregnant so this will be a little different weaning you. We made it to Mommy's goal for the first time...12 months of breast milk!! I guess third times a charm. You love "YO GABBA GABBA" and "The Wiggles". You love all food. Just like your brother you love veggies, meat, and everything in between. You love to play Patty Cake and Peak A Boo. You also are already takin an interest in make believe with Bailey. Even holding your own baby doll and all. You weigh 24.5 pounds and in the 90% range for height and weight. You wear 18 m clothes. Size 4 diaper. Size 4 shoe...just about the same as Bailey which cracks us up. Seriously you and Bay can wear the same shoes. So yesterday was a mix of emotions for your Mommy. Excited about seeing you every day interact more and more with your siblings and learning something new all the time but also a little sad too. I have enjoyed you being a baby so much and taking care of you. I really mean it when I say this past year would've been filled with a lot less smiles and laughter if it wasn't for you and your sunshine little personality. Bailey is my nurturer that loves to help me take care of you which warms my heart. She is very independent, loves to cuddle and nurture others, and is a pro at make believe. Your brother is the crazy man...outspoken full of questions and wonder...high energy...and brings that element of a zest for life and all it has to offer. God went all out on our children and Miss one year old you make our little family of five complete. I can remember us driving in a bad thunderstorm on our way home from the hospital and your Daddy had the biggest smile on his face the entire way home. When we walked in, Jacks and Bay were anxiously awaiting your homecoming and Daddy and I looked at each other with a feeling of completeness like never before. When you go through something hard it really does make you appreciate what you have blessed with. I've always been one to try and see the glass half full rather than half empty and not sure I could have done that after Nanny passed with out my relationship with Christ and the Holy Spirit pressing me to get up and face the day with strength and to be able to find joy through those simple sweet laughs of my 3 babies. You are my lil love bug and I know a true miracle from above.

I'm not shy!

I've waited an entire year to do this!!!!

Is what I think you would say to us if you could talk. We decided on your actual Bday to give u all the attention with just us and of course your big bro and sis. It worked out great since Jackson still is having a very hard time with healing from surgery. One minute he thinks he is fine (when the pain meds are in) and then the next minute he can't talk and is throwing up because he won't clear his throat or swallow his spit because it hurts so bad. We were happy that he was feeling okay and up for cake. Bailey said she wanted on her bday clothes so of course we had to get out her tutu that she wore on her first bday. She talks about it a lot since the pics from it are on her wall. I wonder what you will be sayin about these miss lovebug two years from now. You didn't know what to think when we turned out all the lights and started singing to you. You clapped and grinned from ear to ear. Then we let you get close to the cake but you were way to interested in trying to touch the fire so your bubba assisted with blowing it out. Then we let you get a couple of bites in your chair and you loved it. You started kicking your legs with joy and smacking your lips. It was precious. The cake was a good size and it wasn't fitting to good on your tray so we just put you on the table. As soon as you got to the chocolate part you really went to town and even started makin the yum yum noises. You made it look so delicious that Jacks and Bay had to join the action as well. A true memory maker in my book. You three were havin the time of your lives. So much to celebrate that we have three beautiful and healthy kids. Daddy and I got some laughs out of watching u three. Then we put all three of u in the tub and you literally could not tell it was bath water you were in after cleaning you. It looked like you three were sitting in milk but you sure didn't care. You even tried to eat it off yourself after we took it away. Here are a few of the pics of you getting down. Hopefully you won't still be full when it is cake time again at your lady bug party! Can't wait to share a day with your family and friends to celebrate your sweet precious first year of life. Happy 1st!

1st Birthday Party

1st Birthday Party..."Love Bug"!!

So Burns Park didn't happen for our pretty outdoor party we envisioned but we didn't let that keep us down. Chuck E Cheese was plan B and it worked out great...maybe even better for the kids even though I don't think Brooklyn cared at all where she ate her pizza and cake. Lucky for us Uncle Jimmy is top dog there so Miss Brooklyn was fixed up. We brought a lot of our outside decor to Chuck E Cheese and I ended up taking back some stuff too which always is a plus. We did little heart favor bags with all kind of love bug treats. The table was decorated with little red and pink buckets with garden sticks having one pic of every month from her first year, lady bug stepping stones, heart cups for their tokens, Jackson and I made little lady bug headbands for the kids to wear although I think they ended up more on the adults than the kids..lol, and of course lady bug strawberry cake. My poor little Jackson still wasn't himself but once his pain meds kicked in he was okay for a little bit. Bailey loves loves this place so she was in heaven and the Birthday Girl is usually in heaven where ever she is! Thanks to all the fam and friends that got to come and celebrate our little princess turning one. Wow..I have a 1 yr old, 2 yr old and 4 yr old!! Time flies. I love u little love bug. You melt my heart every day!



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Brooklyn's stats 13 months

What a year, Brooklyn's Check Up

We are a little behind with your one year checkup. I called at the first of April and they couldn't get you in for a month. So at 13.5 months here are your stats as of April 30th.

24 pounds and 10oz
29 3/4 inches
18 inches head

80% weight
50% height

You also had your 3 shots. You started to whine when you saw the nurse holding them. Then you started to calm down as soon as it was over. You even blew the nurse kisses shortly after which made her day. You are starting to loose some of those rolls since you are a mover and never still. You love to climb, explore, do what your bubba and sissy do, play pretend, sing, dance, watch curious buddies, wiggles, and Barney when they let you. You love for Mommy to read to you and play with you. You aren't an independent player like Bailey was but if Jackson and Bailey are around playing you don't whine for me to be in the mix. You just don't like to be alone...hmmm sounds all to familiar. You are eating mostly table food and love meat the most. You also like the gereber graduate preschool trays, burgers, carrots, peas, salad, casseroles, anything really. You don't like fruit much or fruit snacks. The texture gets to you I think. You love healthy stuff which makes my life a little easier. You are still nursing twice a day. You will for sure be the hardest to break since Jackson had to quit cold turkey due to a pregnancy and Bailey weaned herself at 10 months because she was so worried about what was going on around her. So we made the year milestone which was the goal. It makes me a little sad to think you are almost out of this sweet baby phase and now a toddler. You love to nurse so any suggestions on how to handle when you cry to nurse would be great. Not sure when we start the process but I'm secertly hoping you will wean yourself but probably just wishful thinking. You call it your nan-na and maybe because you are my last taking that comfort and security away from you makes me a little sad too. O miss Brooklyn what can I say except that this past year has been a ride of the unexpected but somehow the gift of you from God showed me joy at such a time of heartache and despair. What I wouldn't do for my Nanny to see the little tot you have grown into. She would eat you up. I talk to you already about her because it literally aches to think you won't know why Mommy is who she is today because of how precious our Nanny was. Even after a year I still wake up every morning and she is the first thought, usually have dreams about her, mostly good ones, and before I close my eyes she is so heavy on the heart. Does it get easier..yes the raw emotion of shock and grief does..but the heart ache of not having her seems to grow the longer I have to go without hearing her voice, feeling her hugs, and sharing my life with. God I miss her. Everything about her. Only someone who has lost a parent unexpectedly can know the way that kind of shock burns and then I'm guessing no matter how you loose a parent rather to see them suffer or for them to just be gone suddenly could understand the agony of just wanting them back. See prime example I start writing about you, sweet baby, and then turn to the subject of how bad I wish you could know her. Then I close my eyes and ask God to comfort that ache and to my amazement he does. I know she is happy and I couldn't ask for more. I don't deserve the love God has for me. His mercy and grace is what I long to give others for the gifts he has given me. Brooklyn what a year, I couldn't imagine my life with out you, especially what this past year would have looked like with out you. Your spunky fun loving personality is just a simple reflection of my Father above supplying me with his love. Love you love bug! Mommy