Uncle Brad and Aunt Heather Visit

Here is Brooke at 9 Weeks Old. This week she started firmly grasping/holding onto things like our thumbs, blankets, etc. Brooke turned 2 months old this past week!

Last weekend Scott's brother Brad and his wife Heather visited us. Friday was a bit of a "coming out" for Brooke as she made an appearance at two parties thrown by friends. She was eagerly held by many other moms, and really just slept most of the time. It was also funny to see the other youngin's (like 2-3 years old) come up and look at her. No idea that toddlers liked babies so much!

On Saturday we drove to the capital to check it out. Here we are strolling on the campus.

On Sunday we ventured to the zoo. We're now officially one of "those people" with the annoying stroller navigating the crowds. (Hmm, something Mom's patience will need to get used to.) We had a nice time and we're impressed with the exhibits.
We're off to Brooke's first vacation (in Michigan), where she gets to meet her soon-to-be best friends, Hailey and Charlie.

Brooke Week 8

Here is Brooke at 8 Weeks Old.

Last Saturday Scott played in a softball tournament. We watched the first game (which they lost) and part of the second game (which they won). His team then went on to play 3 more games that afternoon. 5 games of softball in one day, in 95 degree heat no less! Needless to say Scott was exhausted when he came home. Yet, by winning 4 games, they qualified for the playoffs on Sunday. However, I think everyone was so tired that the bats just weren't swinging as hard as the competition, so they headed home after one game.

A couple weeks ago we retired Brooke's newborn onesies as she had outgrown them. Now when I see them packed away in the dresser drawer it makes me sad that she'll never be that small again...the next 20 years will be interesting if I'm already getting "sappy" seeing her grow out of her newborn clothes...

Lastly, this week Brooke went in for her 2 Months Well Check and immunizations (a week early). At 7.75 weeks old, she is 10 pounds 5 ounces and doing well from the Doc's perspective.

Brooke's Week 7: Happy Birthday to Dad!

Here is Brooke at 7 weeks old.

This week we went on a field trip to Scott's office. Brooke thought it would be nice to bring him lunch on his birthday. She even did a little work for him while in the office. I guess she thought he was behind in his emails and spreadsheets.
Later that day we celebrated his birthday at home. Brooke grilled up some steaks, baked a cake, and sang the family birthday song to him.

In other events this week, Brooke managed to pee, poop and spit up on Mom all in 24 hours (3 different incidents while Mom was holding her). Ah, motherhood is so glamorous.

We also ventured out for our first meal in a restaurant with Brooke. We drove into the parking lot at the first restaurant and quickly nixed it -- there was obviously a long wait with people milling around outside the door. Waiting wasn't in the cards for us. We went to a "faster" option, and she did well; even fell asleep while we ate. (Mom was "dreading" the trip as Brooke hadn't slept much that day so I was fearing the worst)

Other shots from the week...snoozing in Mom's lap, A test in black & white. I wonder if this is how Maddie sees Brooke?
Here's a parting smile from Brooke in her pj's getting ready for bed.

Brooke Week 6

Here's Brooke at 6 weeks old. She was doing a little dancing in this week's shot.

Snoozing in Dad's lap.

One of our many tools to quiet her down, especially when we're trying to eat dinner, is to put her in the changing table of the pack & play. She "dances" around in there, poking her fists up to the ceiling. Cracks me up when all I can see her her little hands waving around.

This week she's earning her allowance by helping to fold the socks.

Maddie's not helping.

And lastly, a close-up for the week.

Brooke's week with Grandma Karen

As promised, here are some of Grandma Karen's pictures from her week taking care of Brooke while Jen was home with her own mom.

In terms of development, Brooke is smiling a lot more, starting "cooing" and much more active with her arms and legs. Oh, and her crying now includes tears, which makes it "harder" to bear when she's upset.

Brooke snoozing in her swing on Sunday, June 29.
Close up of Brooke. What's she "smiling" about?
Jen giving her a goodbye hug on Monday June 30. Brooke is 1 month old today.
Maddie taking charge and keeping watch over Brooke.
Scott and Maddie keeping Brooke busy.

Maddie always guarding...
...guarding even closer here.
The Chief (Grandpa Bob) giving Brooke a talk. I'm told the words of wisdom were confidential.
Lastly, Maddie's outside wanting to come into the A/C, where Cassie is nice and cool inside. (Cassie is Grandma & Grandpa's golden retriever).

Brooke Week 5

Brooke at 5 Weeks Old.
Jennifer was out of town this past week to help her mom recover from hip surgery. Brooke put Scott and Grandma Karen through the paces as they took care of her all week. They kept telling Jen that everything was going great so I guess she "behaved." Dad was probably a little tired at work after 3 nights of covering the 3am feedings. More stories to come when I pull up Grandma Karen's pictures.

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!