6 Weeks: Our little "piggy"

I think this shirt will come in handy...

Still getting used to my baths...thanks Grammy V for my towels!

I look like a little man in this cute outfit...thanks Aunt Tammy!

-Brooks is now 6 weeks old and is growing so big! He had a checkup on Friday and weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs 3 oz!!! He was 23.5 in long and was in the 90th percentile for height and weight! This boy does not miss a meal!! We feel blessed to have a healthy eater on our hands. That can be stressful for some families. Our stress has been related to his gas and slight reflux. He needs constant motion to remain happy and content. We get those wonderful smiles and coos...just after some work. This weekend was hopefully a turn around as he was MUCH better (knock on wood). I am trying to limit my milk intake to see if that helps his little belly. Now if I can get some 3-4 hour long stretches of sleep!

-Josh was off of work this past week for a few days to hang out with us. It was SO nice to have that extra set of hands to help out. It is so hard to get anything done around this house when it is just Brooks and I. However, I love those moments when we get to curl up on the couch together. I know they will be gone too soon and I should cherish them. Housework will always be there....as my mom says :)

5 Weeks: Still Mommy's Little Stinker

My shirt says it all...

Still one of my favorite spots

All ready to go mom!

Do I look like dad?

I might have my dad's long legs

-We are sitting here watching the Colts game with our little stinker. It is not as easy to curl up and watch the game with a little one :) However, the infant carrier I have comes in handy for times when he just can't settle easily. Right now he is all nice and cozy....and asleep!

-This week Josh gave Brooks his first bottle. I had been pumping to save up milk for when I am back to work. He did great!! He took the bottle like a champ and wanted more. He is a good eater and his weight shows it! I am anxious for his checkup this week to find out how much he weighs now. I bet close to 10.5 lbs. He has been spitting up more and gassy after feedings, but don't think that is interfering any with his growth.

-Josh and I were excited to have a "date" Saturday afternoon together. Grandma McCarroll was excited to babysit for the first time. He did great for her! However, our date did not go as planned. We wanted to see Avatar at the IMAX. Well...it was sold out when we got there. I was SO bummed because so much effort goes into getting ready and planning ahead of time. We made the best out of the situation and enjoyed a late lunch and trip to grocery store....so romantic! However, it was so nice for Josh and I to spend time together.

4 Weeks Old: GO COLTS!

My parents can't believe they have survived a whole month!

Go Colts! I was dozing in and out during the game.

Grandpa Lee was in town and helped Dad put together this cool swing!

-Well, Brooks is one month old! I can hardly believe it. It seems like forever ago that I was in the hospital delivering him. Things are starting to come together and we are learning more about how to raise a newborn each day. He is teaching us well:)

-Grandpa Lee was in town again from St. Louis. He enjoyed holding Brooks while he slept on his chest. He did a great job putting together the swing with Daddy. I have a feeling this swing will be my friend at times!

-Brooks slept in his room the whole week! He sometimes was successful with sleeping in his crib flat on his back...but I needed some sleep and resorted to putting him in his lamb seat inside of the crib at times. Hey....got to pick our battles right? I need to function and had to get my sleep somehow!

-I started pumping now that he is 4 weeks old. Just when I start to figure things out, I get thrown a curve ball. A whole new experience to learn about. However, it will be so great for Josh to feed him a bottle at night or for us to be able to have a "date" night while Grandma watches him.

-Finally, if you are interested you can go to our photographer's blog site to check out a few of Brooks's newborn pix. There are some cute ones and we can't wait to see them all. The website is: http://www.jessicarstrickland.com/blog/portrait/brooks/

3 Weeks Old: Any sleep in sight?

Don't know why I'm yawning.....

Just chilling...

Check out my big feet!

I love cuddling with my mommy

I think mom and dad need some sleep...

-Well, little Brooks is almost 1 month old! Boy does time fly by. I only have 2 more months of maternity leave left. It is sad to think about going back to work. However, he will be in good hands with Grandma McCarroll and sometimes with Aunt Tara or Tammy. I know Grandma can't wait and just adores him!

-We have been trying to figure out this sleeping thing....is that even possible? Every one's advice about not being able to get on a schedule is true! Brooks is definitely dictating that one. We started transitioning him to his crib at 3 weeks and there have been good and bad nights. He slept the first night in his crib without trouble. Then the next night he wanted nothing to do with it. The rest of the week has also had ups and downs. Everyone tells me that is normal for a newborn. I get 2-4 hours of sleep at a time...pending if he is full enough or happens to be gassy that night. He is doing really well overall and I could not ask for more. I guess I need to enjoy sleeping in!

-We had our first outing on Wednesday. Grandma, Brooks and I went to Buy Buy Baby to pick up his swing. He did great! He slept the whole way there and back. He was just interested in looking around the store. He did have his first blowout that day and of course it happened while in a cute outfit. Oh well...many more of those to come!

-Here are some of the wonderful things we are starting to learn about our little stinker:

Brooks loves to cuddle! His favorite spot is up on your shoulder or on your chest. He enjoys the vibration or movement to go to sleep. That is not always a good thing...but it works for now. He does not prefer to be swaddled, but still startles at times. He sleeps through the vacuum and dogs barking. Brooks takes the paci, but does not have to have one to sleep or calm. He is a loud sleeper and grunts often when eating. He has started to spit up more often, but seems to handle it fine right now. He is eating often and pooping and peeing all the time. Who could ask for more?.....:) He is starting to smile more often and it just melts our hearts. His cries are changing and he is starting to coo. Josh and I are just loving all the changes and now just need some sleep pattern changes.....

Eat, Sleep, Poop....ahh the life of a newborn!

Josh went back to work yesterday and we missed him! We have fun sending him pictures of us through email. Brooks' umbilical cord fell off yesterday as well. Finally! That thing sure does get in the way. He is smiling more purposefully and getting better head control. I can't believe he is only 2.5 weeks old! He is sleeping around 3 hours (give or take) at night and continues to breastfeed ALL the time. I sometimes feel as though he is permanently attached. We are bonding more each day and I can't believe he is ours! So crazy. Hope you all enjoy the pix!!

2 weeks old: Superman in Training

Grandma JanGrandpa McCarroll (Doc)Grandpa LeeAunt Tara and Uncle Gene

Cousins Cameron and Cassidy

Uncle Tyler

Aunt Tammy"Aunt" Emily"Aunt" HollyMy mom's friend Jane

-Brooks is 2 weeks old already! Boy does time fly by. I really don't know where the days or hours go! I am anxious to get out and run some errands. I am house bound right now and going stir crazy! I however need to keep him in due to the awful flu season. I really appreciate all the family and friends that have taken the time to stop by and see our little stinker. We are grateful for all the love, support, help, food, and gifts that have come our way. We posted a few pix of Brooks with family and friends. We hope everyone has a wonderful 2010! We know we will!

What a Happy New Year it will be!!!

I love my boppy pillow!

Sweet Pea is starting to like me a little....

Brutus thinks I'm pretty cool...I think we will be good buddies!
My favorite position to sleep...on my mom's chest

I love cuddling with my daddy. He is the best!

-Well, we were able to keep our eyes open just enough to watch the ball drop. The holidays flew by and quite honestly were a blurr to us. The first two weeks are definitely tough! There are so many ups and downs to taking care of a newborn. We love him so much and will take the good with the bad. I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband to take care of Brooks and me. I never could have imagined how much I would need Josh. He has been there for me every step of the way and is an amazing dad already! He is a natural. There is nothing like watching your husband fall in love with your son. Can you tell I'm an emotional wreck? Ahh...the joys of hormones!