18 Months Old!

Here is darling Brooke at 18 Months Old. One and a half years old -- woo hoo! She goes to the doctor in 2 weeks so we'll update back on her growth progress...Love this big hug she decided to give her teddy bear.

Christmas Decorating

The day after Thanksgiving brings about our annual tradition of putting up the decorations as Christmas music plays throughout the house. Dad works on the outside while Mom works the inside (with Grandpa and Mimi helping respectively).

Meanwhile, Brooke perfected her skills of climbing and sitting in the kitchen chairs. This is her latest accomplishment and she is quite proud (though, teaching her that she can't stand on the chairs in another story...).Unluckily for Dad and Grandpa, Friday morning brought about temperatures in the thirties, snow flurries and wind. "Some years you win, some years you lose."

Mom got the tree up, and when Brooke awoke from her nap there was a lot of exploring, staring, touching, pulling to be done. Here she races away from the tree to Mom's camera.

To be expected, Brooke was very curious about the tree and all the shiny dangling "toys" hanging from it.Knock on wood, after the first hour or so the novelty of the tree wore off and she was back to chasing Maddie and her toys around (aka, the tree hasn't been pulled over, yet). Dad helped by giving Brooke an arms length "tour" of the ornaments, many having their own fun stories.

Ah, the lit up tree! Good job Mom!Ah, the beautiful outside decorations! Good job Dad!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Brooke wore her pumpkin dress again. Heck, we're eating pumpkin pie so it's appropriate right?

Dad works on styling her hair with a couple barrettes. We enjoyed having Grandpa Jim and Mimi up for Thanksgiving. Even Maddie and Hank slowly got used to each other and there were some "play periods" by the end of the weekend.

Grandpa fiddling with his laptop.

Sitting down to dinner, we have much to be thankful for this year. We missed Kathleen and Matt, but kept abreast of news of their own first Thanksgiving, complete with a turkey in their oven (literally, not figuratively, as far as I know).

Dad and Mom smiling as we get ready to taste test the three days cooking!

Mimi was in charge of Brooke's meal; dishing out turkey, stuffing and broccoli casserole onto her tray. (which she eventually handed over the side to Maddie)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Visiting the Fire Station!

Though these pictures are a little hard to see, Brooke went on a fun field trip to the local fire station. The fireman explained to all the kids the gear they need to wear to fight a fire, with the three boys in the front row absolutely mesmerized! Next, the kids got to climb into and sit in a fire truck!

Lastily Brooke checked out the front workings of a truck. I think we're try this field trip again in a couple years, when she has a little more interest/understanding!

Visiting Evan, Charlie and Hailey

While in Chicago for a long weekend, Brooke fit in some playtime with Evan. (Mom Anne doles out goldfish to the troublemakers)Also, some playtime with Charlie...and with Mom Erin, as she pushes Brooke on Charlie's toy. Charlie was a bit more "sharing-oriented" then Brooke...something we'll have to work on!And playtime with Hailey (and Mom Heather) too!Finally, hugs with Chief.

Happy Halloween!

The big night finally arrived for Trick or Treating! Brooke's dressed up, has her pumpkin, and is ready to go!"Come on Mom! Dad, you stay here and man the door."

Off we go! We went to 4 neighbor houses as other moms wanted to see my little one dressed up. She got some candy, but I think Maddie (or er, Mom and Dad) might've eaten it, as her gums (no molars yet), can't quite eat candy (nor would mean Mom let her).

Swim Classes

Brooke has been taking swim lessons this fall with Dad. It's been good to get us in the pool with her, getting her used to splashing, putting her face in the water, "jumping" off the endge of the wall. Here she gets ready to "jump" into Dad's arms. Going for a swim on her back (not one of her favorite positions). Ta da, the conclusion of swim classes. We'll do it again in another year or two. In the meantime, we'll just swim in the pool as a family and have fun!

17 Months Old

Here's our darling Brooke at 17 Months Old.

She was wearing her pumpkin dress, in honor of Halloween!

Neighborhood Halloween Party

Halloween week was a busy one for Brooke's social calendar. We also went to a Halloween party in the neighborhood. Here my little dalamatian is "dancing and clapping" with her friend Lauren (in tutu).
Mom captures her for a quick picture.

And it's off to playing with other costumed friends at the party. We decorated a cookie, made a collage with stickers and colored a kitty face, as well as played with some games and ran around in circles down the halls.

Halloween Outing to Nursing Home

Brooke went out a Halloween outing to a nursing home (part of Mom's "mom group"). We had about 6-8 kids that went, all dressed up in their costumes. Brooke was a dalmatian (she's not talking yet, only barking, so that seemed an appropriate outfit...perhaps she spends too much time with Maddie).
Here she was terrorizing the fireplace - pulling all the decorations down as Mom hastily replaced them after she went by.After handing out candy to the residents we quickly attempted to get all the kids sitting for a group shot before we left. Brooke didn't really jive with that idea.