Lots to be Thankful for...

I'm thankful for my family

And turkey!!!

And that Mizzou beat KU for Daddy

My first time hunting down our X-Mas tree

Burr...it was cold

Grandpa Lee was there too!

I'm trying to figure out this train thing...

All aboard......

-We had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. It started with Grandpa Lee coming into town Wednesday. Brooks enjoyed his first Turkey Day at the McCarroll's with the rest of my family. Unfortunately my sister Tara and her family were out of town this time. We missed them! Brooks ate some turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, and pears. He seemed to enjoy it! Grandma always makes the best stuffing and pies! None of that this year for Brooks.

-Friday was so nice!!! I went shopping for 4 hours!!! I have not gotten away like by myself since Brooks was born. It is usually only for a few hours. He had a blast with Grandpa Lee and Daddy.

-Saturday we loaded up the dogs and took Brooks to cut down his first X-Mas tree. We go every year to the Millbrook Tree Farm in Yorktown. It is a fun tradition we have started. This year Grandpa and his dog Kap'em joined us. After several (cold) minutes of tree hunting....we found the perfect tree!! Brooks was taking it all in and thought it was funny that dad was lying on the ground cutting down a tree. He was even more confused when he woke up from his nap to find a tree in his play area!! Then imagine after his second nap, he woke up to a decorated tree with a choo choo train whistling around the tree!! He was a little taken back and pretty scared of the train. He crawled over to me and would not let go. However, gradually he started to think the train was pretty cool. By the third day he would ask for the train by pointing to it, saying "choo choo", and pulling the "air" horn. He is starting to think it is pretty cool! The train is so special because it is 60 years old and belonged to Grandpa Lee when he was 5. I love starting these family traditions with Brooks. This is what family is all about to me. Creating memories and sharing in past memories. It warms my heart to see him sitting in his daddy's lap playing "choo choo".

11 months old!! And He's Off....

Now you see me...

and

now you....

don't!!

Swim time with Daddy

Future Phelps?....ha!

Sorry....have to turn computer sideways. Bad videographer but fun images! Brooks learned to crawl in the shallow water today. It was a big skill that I had hoped he would get by the end of the classes...and he did!!

-Brooks is 11 months old today. He started off the day with his last swim class for this November session. I tried to get some shots of him and Daddy...but our camera did not do them justice. It is so precious to see them together in the pool. I hope Brooks turns out to be a fish like his Daddy. However, he seems to have got some of his mom's sensory issues. He does not like to get his face wet. Josh is now determined to cure him of this over the summer. Brooks learned to kick, splash, lay on back, reach for toys, go under the water, blow bubbles, and even crawl in the water! It was a fun session and we plan to do it again after the holidays.

-We then had his "1 year" pictures at Traders Point Creamery. We had to do them a little early due to the holidays. Having a December Birthday is not going to be easy! He did great and I am excited to see how they turned out.

-Brooks is now up the full flight of stairs and can go down a few with assistance. He stands 3-4 seconds on his own and takes steps with hands held. He points at everything and is soaking it all up. He can locate a dog, owl, train, and ball in a book and is working on locating a bird, eyes, elephant, cat, and tiger. He can find even more in his environment. He has about 8 word approximations. He is such a sponge. He waves "hi and bye" and is starting to use the sign "all done". Ok....can you tell I'm proud of him? He is enjoying food more, but again, would rather be down playing. He eats probably 90-95% table foods. He usually has his fruit and rice cereal in the mornings still. I have started to slowly introduce more wheat and dairy into his diet. He seems to be alright digestively, but still has the wonderful eczema. I hate to see him itch! Poor Guy. But, I know it could be so much worse. He continues to remind me of Josh in many ways...but is becoming his own little man. I can't wait to see what he'll do next!

Dog or Baby????

Meal time!

Vet time!

Play time!

-Ok...so are we raising a baby boy or a third dog? Ha! Brooks seems to fit right in with the dogs and just LOVES hanging out...or rather ON them. He pulls up on Sweet Pea, bangs her tummy, pulls her ears, and then gives her a hug. He is always taking the bone or ball from Brutus and laughing as he chases after it. I have mentioned before that he will not leave the dog bowl alone. He now goes up to it and stops....looks at me...shakes his head "no"....laughs and gives me an mischievous smile...then heads right into the water to play. He is testing us with everything and I love his little spunk. He is really such a delight to be around and makes me laugh all the time. He is such the little problem solver...not sure if that is good or bad at this point! I am a little worried about how we are going to keep him away from the X-Mas tree.....hum....the things I now ponder in my free time. "Free" time...what is that???

Past Pix from Grandma...

Can you find me??

Zoo time with Grandma

I was a little timid my first swim class.

But warmed up and even put my face in the water.

All smiles!

-Just some past pix that Grandma had on her camera. I already blogged about them but now you can enjoy the pictures!

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

Happy Veteran's Day to all the Veterans out there...especially Grandpa and Great Grandpa! Here's a fun video of Brooks cracking up...hope it makes you smile!!!

My Buddy...

Happy 4th Birthday Brutus!

I love my doggies!

-Today is Brutus's 4th birthday. He got a few extra treats today:) We started the morning with Brooks' first swim class. He had a good time but was very timid at first. We were running a few minutes late, so we just "jumped" into it. He warmed up by the end and was enjoying "drinking" the water while trying to blow bubbles. (I'll post pix later of his first class when I get them from G-ma) Josh woke up sick Sat. morning and was unable to join us. He got worse as the day went on. I think he got if from Brooks. He had been fighting his second cold and got some daddy time Friday night while I went out to dinner with the girls. It was my first experience taking care of my two sick boys:) I felt so bad for Josh. He worked so hard this past week and now has been sick all weekend. Ugh!

-Brooks is doing well and enjoying being a little boy. He is still into everything and starting to stand a few seconds alone. He is a chatterbox at home and seems to think anything round is a ball. He will look at a round light, pumpkin, ornament, dot, circle, tire, etc and say "ball". He always asks for his special ball that I keep on a shelf in his room at nighttime. It is the first thing he asks for again in the morning. He is even reaching/pointing for it. He also has word approximations for "mom, dad, dog, more, woof, hooo, bottle" and knows what a few more things are in his home. He is so fun and I love watching him learn new things everyday!

Happy Birthday Aunt Tammy!

Happy Birthday Aunt Tammy!

I hope you have a great day.