Our Silly Boy...

My "Angel" Face

My Piggy Face

My monster face

Not sure what face this is...

-I think these pictures say it all! A picture really is worth a thousand words...or laughs! Man I love this boy!!!

10 Months Old: All grown up!

I love to get into everything

I like to look out the window and bang on it

Uh..what's this?

My Uncle Brian is really cool

My new hideout

I love making this new sound (with mommy's help)

This is SO much fun! Grandma's house is the best!

-Brooks is 10 months old today! It's also Grandpa McCarroll's Birthday!!!! Brooks celebrated by getting into Grandma and Grandpa's toilet paper. That is why we close all our bathroom doors. Ahh...the joys of hanging out at the Grandparents home. He is into everything...but having so much fun doing it. We are still working on "no" and making slight progress. He loves to get underneath the table to hideout with the dogs. He really enjoys pulling their ears.

-We went to Aunt Tammy and Uncle Brian's flag football game on Sunday. Brooks had fun watching all the dogs and playing in the leaves. He had never really been in the leaves before and really thought it was cool.

-Brooks appears to be working on his bottom molars. Ouch. He is putting his fingers back in his mouth more often and yelling out in his sleep at night. Poor guy. He is a tough kid though and hanging in there.

-Josh hung out with Brooks last Friday night while I went to get a facial! It was SO nice to relax and spend some "me" time. Josh and I have found that "me" time does not happen often. We need to enjoy it when it happens!

Mr. Independent

Grandma tells me I'm cute...wonder why? :)

Future golfer? I love Grandpa McCaroll's clubs.

I liked staying close to my Aunt Tara while I took

things in at Dave and Busters.

Check out Uncle Tyler eating this HUGE cupcake. Mommy let

me have a small taste of her icing.

I like to feed myself with the fork. It's so cool!

-We went to Dave and Busters to celebrate my new brother in law's (Brian) birthday on Monday. It was a lot of fun. Brooks enjoyed being with the family and got excited to see everyone. He really gets excited to see his Uncle Tyler who came in town from Bloomington. Aunt Tammy bought these really yummy cupcakes that were stacked up to the sky with icing. Tyler attempted to eat it all in one bite...good luck with that one.

-Brooks still does not eat much during a meal, but has fun eating! He loves trying the solids and now thinks he is really big by eating with the fork. My baby is growing up too fast!! He is starting to be the little comedian. He squints his eyes and smiles big then lets out a "fake" laugh to get you to laugh at him. Hopefully I can get this one on video, it cracks Josh and I up!!

The GREAT Pumpkin Patch

My first hayride (not sure why I was not smiling...it was cool!)

Look what I found!

Uh..mom...enough pictures already!

Hope I'm not allergic to hay like Mommy!

-We went to the Spencer Farms Pumpkin Patch on Saturday morning. It was SO warm! Kind of weird picking pumpkins in the heat! Brooks had his first hayride. He was checking it all out and seemed to enjoy himself. We had a nice relaxing weekend as a family. It is weekends like this that I could not wait to have a baby. It was so fun just hanging out, watching football, cleaning house and decorating for the holiday as a family. Brooks enjoys just playing by himself and exploring the downstairs. If he does something funny or something he knows he should not do...he will glance our way and start laughing. He thinks "no touch" is funny. I love his laugh, smile and sense of humor...so it's hard to get mad at him. He still loves peek-a-boo, but has started to enjoy patty cake, playing ball, and trying to imitate me dance. (Yep...I'm that dorky mom who dances around the house to make her kid laugh). He really loves music. He even has started to hum along to the songs. He has done it a few times for the "abc's", "happy and you know it", and the "hot dog" song (yes...he has been watching some Mickey Mouse Club cartoons in morning while eating breakfast). He tried diced apples today and really liked them! His eczema has calmed down some for now. We have stopped giving him oatmeal and try to limit his wheat intake. Who knows....maybe its none of these, but I figured it was worth a try! Good news is that I don't think it is the dog hair!!! We are keeping the bullies (ha...like that thought ever crossed our minds). Brooks just loves pulling Sweet Pea's ears and bouncing on Brutus's tummy. He would miss our walks together.

Octoberfest

Future drummer?

Roar!

Just me and my daddy

Another IU soccer game..burr it was cold!

Strike a pose....

I pull up on everything now and have a few bruises to show for it. (despite mommy's effort to baby proof the coffee table). I'm even starting to cruise along furniture. I practice in my crib and like to practice at 3 am in the morning. Mommy says its funny watching me play and then fall back asleep sitting up!

-I love the fall time! I love wearing cozy sweaters, hats, and warm boots. We got a taste of the cooler weather this past weekend. I loved dressing Brooks up in his hat and jackets. Not to mention a pair of cute jeans:) Who says dressing up boys isn't as fun as girls?? Josh and I drove to Bloomington with Brooks to watch Uncle Tyler's IU soccer game on Sunday. We had a great time and Brooks got his second soccer ball. He LOVES balls. He is evening saying "ball". It is more like a word approximation "ba", but he actually holds up the ball and says it. He loves rolling the ball back and forth with us in the evenings. He also thinks it is hilarious when Josh and I try to juggle the ball. He loves to watch Brutus chase after the ball as well. Brooks is into everything still. He pulls up on whatever he can reach and we really have to watch his every move. He typically can be found playing in the dogs' water bowl or toy box.

-He is more interested in table foods than the baby foods right now. However, he is still not good enough to eat all the solids and sometimes gags. He likes diced peaches, chicken, bananas, and of course the veggie sticks. He is not fond of the diced carrots. Don't blame him! I would say he is still not a very big eater. He would rather be exploring. It takes a lot of work to get him to eat. He is still does well at taking his bottle. He eats around 24-28 oz of formula a day. He seems to be teething again (does it ever stop?).

-I am looking forward to the rest of October and the coming months with him. Our little guy is going to be 1 before we know it! Time just flies by....I can not believe all the changes we have gone through as a family. Right now things are so good. Josh is able to help out with feedings now (no breast feeding) and he really enjoys making Brooks laugh. I love seeing my two guys together. I am so lucky to have so much love all around me. It takes a lot of work being a mommy and I don't know how I would get through it without Josh's help.

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.