Brooke Week 4

Brooke at 4 Weeks Old.
In the past week or so we've noticed Brooke become much more alert and "aware" of her surroundings. Her eyes are tracking more and her little hands are starting to grasp things more.

Can't believe she is almost a month old! The time has flown by!!!

Brooke Week 3 -- Happy Father's Day!

Brooke at 3 Weeks Old.
(a new friend joined the picture (on the arm of the chair), a little lamb chosen by Jen's sister's fiance Matt)

Here's a shot of Brooke snoozing in her crib on Saturday, June 14. On Monday, June 16 Brooke went in for her "2 week" check-up. She weighed in at 7 lbs 6 oz, so she's eating well (she was 6 lbs 4oz at birth, then 5 lbs 10oz when we left the hospital, then 5lbs 15oz on "day 4" doctor check-up).
The big highlight of the week of course was Father's Day! Here's proud father Scott with his daughter.

And Scott with his other girl, Maddie.
Earlier in the day Maddie had to get a bath because she jumped in the neighborhood lake during our daily walk. We've walked by that lake for 2 years and all of a sudden today she decides, "Hmm, it's too hot, I'm going for a swim." We enjoyed celebrating Father's Day with Scott's brother Brad and his wife Heather, who flew in Sunday morning for a quick visit to meet Brooke. Here's Heather with Brooke.And Brad with Brooke.

Also celebrating Father's Day with us were Erin and Greg and family. Here's Erin with 2 of their 3 sons, Jack and Thomas.

Sharing some baby news, two of our friends' July babies came about a month early. Congrats to Bob and Anne as they welcomed their son Evan on Wednesday, and congrats to Nicole and her husband Travis as they welcomed their son Tyler.

Congratulations as well to Scott's cousin who was married this weekend. We wish a lifetime of happiness to Kelly and Mike.

And lastly, some parting shots of Brooke taking a snooze.

Maybe if I pretend to keep sleeping Mom will stop taking pictures of me...

Brooke Week 2

Here's Brooke at 2 Weeks Old.

This week was pretty quiet. We're learning our "routine" of sleeping, eating and changing diapers. It is amazing and very scary (for both the environment and our checkbook) of how many diapers and wipes we've gone through in just 2 weeks. The best are the changes where we go through 3 diapers in one change...

Brooke spent another Saturday night 'washing her hair.' Her dad will keep using that line into high school to keep the boys away..."Sorry, Brooke can't go out with you, she's washing her hair on Saturday night."

The other highlight of the week was a visit from our good friend Ross.

Lastly, sending a congratulations to Jen's sister who celebrated her graduation from the Art Institute of Atlanta, where she earned her Interior Design degree. Great job Kathleen!

Week 1 of Life with Brooke

Brooke at 1 Week Old.

It's been a busy and fun week. Coming home from the hospital last Sunday, we enjoyed a homecoming with both grandparents. Jennifer's parents arrived from Cinci and Scott's parents from Chicago. We celebrated and toasted our new family addition.



The grandmother's were quite amused by all the books Jennifer has been reading and the new "theories" on baby care.
Otherwise, between lessons in calculus and biochemistry (Brooke is very advanced) and dodging tornadoes (one went right by our neighborhood Saturday night), the week was filled with learning (for the new Mom and Dad) about when Brooke wanted to eat and sleep (and therefore when they could eat and sleep).

On her 1 week birthday we ventured out to begin the daily walks routine. The first trip was a new experience for Maddie, figuring out what this stroller thing was. After one "brush of the wheels," she learned to not stop directly in the path of the moving stroller.
Another first was her a "manicure,"

...and her first sponge bath. Not a happy time...

In the end, it's been a very fun week, we're having a great time and appreciate all the well wishes from everyone!

Day 2 at home

In her chair.