Happy Easter!

Here is Brooke at 10 Months + 3 Weeks.Mimi's kitchen may be slightly re-arranged now, after Brooke's visit, as she took it upon herself to go through any drawers, cabinets, closets that she could get into, as quickly as possible. She's going through a drawer here, and surprise!, Mimi hid some toy blocks in the drawer!Brooke and Dad colored Easter Eggs.And she went to meet the Easter bunny. She thinks, "so is this who brings me all the chocolate and jelly beans?"
On Easter morning Brooke was greeted with her first Easter basket, with a stuffed duck and a new toy (which she quickly discarded, in favor of a wooden spoon and some Tupperware).

Atlanta and Cinci

Here is Brooke at 10 Months + 2 Weeks.

We had a great time in Atlanta and it was so good to see Kathleen and Matt.

Though the weather was cold and windy, we went out to capture some pictures by the lovely flowers.
While in Atlanta, Aunt Kathleen taught Brooke how to climb the stairs. Here she is practicing at Jen's parent's house.

Mexico Cinci and Atlanta!

Here is Brooke at 10 Months + 1 Week. While in Mexico, Brooke enjoyed more trips to the pool. As did Charlie with his mom Erin.
And after swimming all day, we tried to get gussied up too. Heather and Hailey looking gorgeous Saturday night!
Brooke and I watching the sunset.
It was a wonderful 4th annual trip with our good friends!

Brooke turned 10 Months on Monday. Apparently the green toy frog is too engrossing for her to look up for a picture.

Dad gives a little hand.

Upon returning from Mexico/Arizona, Brooke and I went onto Cincinnati, via Indiana,Arriving in Ohio,Only to leave a couple days later to head to Atlanta. Again, driving through Kentucky,through Tennessee, (both Kentucky and Tennessee were so beautiful with everything blooming!)and finally arriving in Georgia.We spent a nice few days with my sister Kathleen and her fiance Matt. Matt was great entertaining Brooke while she eats her dinner,

and Kathleen prepares our dinner. Thanks for the great cooking Chick!

Lastly, we send a congratulations to Andy and Joanna who welcomed their son Isaac on March 31. We can't wait to meet the little guy!

Happy Bday Maddie and Hola Brooke

Here is Brooke at 9 Months + 4 weeks. Last Saturday was Maddie's 3rd birthday. To celebrate she got a cake!

Brooke's newest feat this past week was standing in her crib. I walked in after one of her naps, and she's standing there beaming a proud smile.In other news, we began 3.5 weeks of traveling. We crossed Iowa into Illinois, only to fly to Arizona,

and crossed the border into Mexico!

We went to Mexico with 2 good families: Mike, Heather and Hailey, and the family of Ross, Erin and Charlie. The first morning of our trip, 2 of the dads went to check out the ocean (Ross and Charlie, Scott and Brooke).

Here's their first swim of the trip (Scott and Brooke, Heather and Hailey, Ross and Charlie).

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Here is Brooke at 9 months + 3 weeks old.

Warm weather included afternoon walks nearly all week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Look what the leprechaun left in my pot of gold!

Watching neighbors move in. Someone FINALLY moved into the house behind us (it's been on the market for 3 years!).

Standing attempts begin

Here is Brooke at 9 Months + 2 Weeks Old (always trying to get away...).
The past couple weeks have included gradual pull-ups to her knees and feet. From time to time that also includes some falling and tears if she lands on something hard (walls, tiles, etc.). Here she is "standing" at the fireplace.Leaning into Maddie's toy bin.

Later in the week she mastered the art of crawling in the toy bin. I think she's exhausted from the struggle to get into it as that's a pretty tired look she has.

Visting Friends

Here is Brooke at 9 Months + 1 Week. Turning 9 Months old this past week included a well-check doctor appointment. She now weighs 17 lbs 4 ounces (she's still a bit of pipsqueak). Here she squirms away as we try for a 9 month picture.Continuing from the last post, while in Chicago Brooke "played" at Jake's house (with Mom Suzanne and Dad Rob). She also sort of met Tater Tot (Joanna and Andy's baby due in 3 weeks). She did enjoy giggling at their cats, Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard.

Otherwise, Brooke took to dusting Grandma Karen's furniture.Returning home, she's finding Maddie's toys much more entertaining than her own.Well finally here she decided to play with some of her own.She's also very good at pushing doors open and closed (and play "peek-a-boo" while at it).