Good Times with Grandpa Lee

I learned to use a straw sippee cup this week

(it's also fun to chew on!)

WOW! Look what my Grandpa Lee

brought for me!!!

I love hanging out with Grandpa. He makes me happy.

Mommy and I had more company at the

Farmer's Market this Saturday.

We then went to the Arts Festival...I like to just

"chill" and kick up my feet while I people watch.

I like to play "peek-a-boo" now. It makes me laugh.

-This weekend started off with Brooks' 9 mo checkup. He weighs 20 lb 14.5 oz (60th percentile) and 29 3/4 in long (90th percentile). He did not get his vaccine because he still had a little cold. We will just wait until next week. He is able to start more solids. He has tried a handful and seems to like them. However, he is really not very interested in eating now that he is motoring around. It is kind of frustrating at times...but he is gaining about 1 lb a month. He is creeping everywhere and into everything! He loves the dog bowl...go figure...as well as the dog toys. He loves pulling up on the furniture (and banging his head). He is quickly learning to "toughen" up and is becoming "hard headed"....wonder who he gets that from (ha). He is imitating so much and is a talker. He loves chasing after the dogs. Brutus gets a little startled at times when Brooks sneaks up behind him. Sweet Pea just sits and lets him grab her ears and hair. He still breaks out from their saliva and I wonder if this "cold" is allergies???? He really loves his daddy and I can see the bond forming before my eyes. He loves the rough and tumble play with daddy.

-Grandpa Lee and his dog (Kap'em) came in town this weekend. He has not seen Brooks for 2 months because he had his knee replaced. Grandpa is getting around great and it meant so much for him to visit! Brooks missed him. He came with goodies and of course Brooks LOVED the balloon. I think it will be hard for Brooks not to be a Cardinals fan :). We had a wonderful weekend of fun, food and laughs with Grandpa. It was sad to see him leave, but we will see him next month!

9 Months Old: It's Official!

Hey mom...look what I can do!

I can crawl!

Nothing is safe anymore.

First trip to Conner Prairie Apple Store

I like hanging out with dad.

Here Comes Trouble!

-Brooks is now 9 months old! I can't believe it. He decided to start crawling yesterday and almost has it perfected by today. It's amazing how quickly they learn. He is already into cabinets and pulling up onto his knees. He has also found the drapes and cords. Nothing is safe anymore...especially the dogs! They are so freaked out that he is moving and really don't know what to do. It is kind of funny, but we really need to watch them with Brooks. You never can be too safe. Brooks is so happy now that he is motoring around. The frustration has dropped some for now :)

-Brooks is now cutting 3 teeth. Ouch! This weekend he started coughing, sneezing, and had a runny nose. He either has his first cold or it is the teething. Either way...he was miserable this weekend at night time. And now I can say it's official..I'm a mom! (ha) Brooks had his first weekend of restless sleep. I was up Saturday night with a snotty boy. I felt so bad for him. He just could not breathe normally. Then Sunday night he kept crying out in his sleep...which of course kept me up. Oh well....motherhood has it's ups and downs. I'm exhausted and headed for bed now. This little stinker is wearing me out!

Applause Please.....

-Brooks loves to clap when we say "yeah". The funniest thing happened the other morning. It was around 5 am and I heard Brooks cry out. I flipped on the video monitor (I love technology!) and found he was sound asleep....clapping!!! He had yelled out "yeah" and was clapping. Too funny. He also fell asleep sitting with his trunk leaned forward another morning. He was practicing his gross motor skills and pooped out in sitting. Too cute.

-He got two more teeth today!!! He has two more upper teeth. I thought he might have been teething again, but was so surprised to see two! He is into everything despite the fact that he is not yet creeping. He is REAL close, but right now resorts to rolling and transitioning into sit to motor around the home (pretty smart;)). He is pulling up to tall kneel on everything! He sometimes is able to pull to stand (when I let him). We plan to do some baby proofing this weekend. Watch out dogs!

The Cinci Crew

My new friends were so cool!

I was so bored when they left.

-Our friends from Cincinnati came in town this past weekend. It was their first time meeting Brooks. He put on a show for them and was so good! We enjoyed hanging out and eating good food. They are so much fun to hang out with....we wish they lived closer! They are going to go skiing with us this season. Can't wait!!!

Up, Up, and Away!

This shopping cart thing sure beats the pumpkin car seat!

Hey...you even get balloons at this grocery store!

Oh no!!!! (good thing mommy had

a good hold on it!)

-Brooks is my shopping buddy. He likes to get out and "flirt" with all the people. He experienced his first time sitting like a "big boy" in the grocery cart. He usually stays in his pumpkin seat (because it was easier for me)....but I figured he is old enough now that he should sit in the big boy seat. He LOVED it! He was reaching for everything and talking to everyone. It was SO cute. He did get a little fussy at end (wanted things I would not give him and nap time), but hung tough after getting his FIRST BALLOON! He was SO happy banging it around. It is the perfect "toy" for him. He loves strings and this kept his attention all weekend. He looked so cute hanging onto his balloon for dear life. He found out quickly what happened when he let go of the string....up, up, and away....until mommy grabbed ahold of it.

-Brooks learned to clap and "click" his tongue today and now has a few new tricks.

Wedding Sneak Peek...

Still smiles despite being hot and sweaty

http://www.jessicarstrickland.com/blog/

Feel free to go to this blog website to get a sneak peek of my sister's wedding. She looks so beautiful and happy. I can't wait to see all the rest. The few pix of Brooks are precious. It was a hot day and we all still look so happy. Congrads to Tammy and Brian!!

Labor of Love...

Grammy and PaPaw Videmschek came to visit me

My first Rib Fest! Oink Oink!!

I had a blast hanging out at the festival and loved

watching the kids play around me. I loved dancing

to the "rock" music....it was a little loud at times however.

I went to my first IU soccer game on Sunday to

watch my Uncle Tyler play.

Grandma McCarroll and Aunt Tammy were there too!

I got my first BIG soccer ball!

Check me out!!

I had fun hanging out with mom while "watching" the game.

Uncle Tyler did SO good. He's so cool.

Uncle Tyler even got me this bully shirt!

My first time in a bounce house at my friend

Cailyn's 4th birthday party. I was a little scared.

-Brooks had a jam packed weekend. It was SO nice here. Josh's mom and step dad came in town Friday til Sunday morning. We went to the Rib Fest downtown on Saturday. Brooks was a little scared at first because there was REALLY loud live music. Once we got further away from the stage, he had a blast! He was enjoying dancing, playing, and eating (no ribs yet!). He stayed up way past his afternoon nap time, but was a trooper. He really enjoyed all the attention and getting to know his Grammy and Papaw a little better. He is starting to develop a little stranger anxiety and was a bit timid around them at first. He warmed up great and was all smiles after no time. He does get scared when men wear hats or sunglasses on their head. Not sure why...but it is kind of funny.

-We went to my brother's IU soccer game on Sunday and then out to dinner with him afterwards. Tyler really missed seeing Brooks so it was really special for them to spend time together. Brooks has a special place in his heart for Uncle Tyler. They share the same birthday and Brooks thinks he is really funny. Brooks "caught" an IU soccer ball! (well....not really). The starters throw balls into the stands at the start of the game and one of Tyler's teammates made sure Brooks got his first one. Tyler got to play in each half and did SO good. It was fun to watch.

-We ended the beautiful weekend with a birthday party. My friend Jen had a birthday party for her little girl, Cailyn. Brooks had fun watching all the kids play around him. He even tried to take a toy away from one of them. He will soon be chasing after them all. He was such a joy to be around this weekend and went with the flow.

-We think Brooks is turning to find "ma ma". Grammy tried it all weekend long and almost every time he would turn to look at me and smile. It was SO cool. I almost wanted to cry. He is even starting to say "ma ma" when seeing me. It kind of sounds like he says "my ma ma". I know...that is a little far fetched...but the sounds he is making really sound like words. I can't wait for him to start talking. Everyday is so fun and he brings such joy into our lives.