Mommy's First Mother's Day!!!

I really love my mommy!!

-Today was such a special day for me. Brooks is such a blessing in my life and has already taught me so much about myself. I am learning everyday from him and strive to be the best mom for him. I have so much more to learn, but I am excited about this journey ahead of us. He is so much fun to be around and I think he is going to have his dad's sense of humor! He gave me some beautiful flowers and a voice recorded card. Daddy helped out by doing housework....the best gift ever!

-Today is also so special because I have the greatest mom in the world! She has always been my best friend, but having my own child brought us even closer. I have gained so much knowledge just by watching her take care of Brooks. She is so good with him! I feel so blessed to have her in my life and to live so close. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and my mother-in-law (Grammy)...as well as all the mothers out there!!! I have now realized that being a mother is the hardest job on earth....but the most rewarding!

Four Month Pictures

Say Cheese!

I can't get away from these Bulldogs...

Pass the remote

Ah...not too sure about this photo shoot thing...

Oh...I'm getting the hang of it now!

My silly face that mommy loves...

All smiles

-I decided to go ahead and get a few "professional" pictures taken of Brooks at 4 months, 8 months, and then at 12 months. We decided this time to go to Portrait Innovations because we could get a few cute/funny pix for a cheaper price. I just posted a few pictures for you to enjoy. I can't believe Brooks is 4.5 months old! He's doing really well overall and so much fun to be around. He's still spitting up tons after nursing, so I'm struggling with what to do next. I do NOT want to stop nursing...but if he is allergic to something else I'm eating, then it is so hard to figure out what it is without taking EVERYTHING from my diet. So, we'll see what happens in the next few weeks. I'm not giving up quite yet!

My First Hair Trim

Think I need a trim?

Superman!

What's all the fuss about? I think I look good :)

Family event....daddy thought it was crazy to get a trim.

Here I'll help out...

What do you think? Glad Aunt Tammy is a hairstylist

-Ok....don't make fun on me...but Brooks got his first hair trim at 4 months of age. It was getting so long on top that it would do nothing. It looked like he had a comb over when it was greasy. My sister Tammy is a hairstylist at ADo and would not have her nephew looking like that:) So....we decided to give it a little trim on top to help it lay a little better. He's almost bald on the sides, so there really is no good way to fix his hair. It really does not matter because he's so cute any way it looks (ok...I'm a little partial!).

Do you believe in miracles????

I did it!!!

-This week was HUGE for us!!! My mom and I have been beating our heads against the wall trying to figure out why Brooks will not put himself to sleep nor sleep in crib for more than 30 minutes for naps. We were going to get down to the bottom of this now that he was 4 months old. My mom tried a modified version of the Ferber method. Some of you may not agree with this method...but it has been a miracle worker for us! Last Wednesday my mom tried it out for the afternoon nap time and after only a few minutes of crying (seemed like eternity to grandma), he put himself to sleep and slept 45 minutes (see above picture with his "love love"). The next day she did it at am and pm nap time and he did it again! This time slept 2 hr in am and 2.5 hrs in pm!!! He then did a similar thing for me all weekend long. I am SO proud of my big boy. It was like something switched and his nervous system matured. He can now fall asleep and is almost on a nap schedule. I know it could change next week on us...but I now know he CAN do it!!! You have NO idea how huge this is for me and my sanity. I was having such a hard time balancing all my "hats" in my life because Brooks did not nap nor fall asleep on his own. It is hard to get anything done with that schedule. He is working out of his colic and now so amazing to be around. I always thought he was something special...but never knew it could be like this. Like I said....this sleep thing could change tomorrow.....but today I'm counting my blessings. I DO believe in miracles :)

"Holy Roly Poly"

-After getting home from our trip to STL, we laid around and did lots of floor time. All of a sudden he rolled from his tummy to back! I thought it was an accident...but he kept doing it! It was so fun to watch him get so excited. He was so proud of himself...and so were we. We captured it on video, but I'm having a hard time uploading the clip. He's doing so well with his floor time. He loves reaching and grasping toys as well as his toes. He is actually enjoying tummy time as well. It is so fun to watch him change daily!

My First Trip to the STL

My Great Grandpa Postol...how cool!

Grammy Videmscheck giving me a bottle

I got to meet my Cousin Miranda for first time

-We took Brooks, Brutus and Sweet Pea on a road trip to St. Louis. This was our first time traveling as a family. It was a packed car. Brutus was up front with Josh driving. Sweet pea was on one side, Brooks in middle, and I was on other side in backseat. Brooks was a champ again! He slept 3.5 hours straight on the way down there and half of the time on the way home. We stayed with Josh's mom and step dad Friday night. Brooks loved his Grammy! He slept in his pack'n'play for the first time. He did really well considering he was in a new place. We got up the next day and traveled into the city to stay with Josh's dad. Brooks got to meet his Great Grandpa for the first time. It was such a special moment. He also got to meet his Great Aunt Marsha and Uncle Ham. We then went over to our friends' home (Mandy and Toby) for a cookout in honor of Brooks. It was so nice to catch up with everyone. We had to leave a little early to avoid a big sleepy meltdown by Brooks. He is still struggling to fall asleep on his own, which makes nap time hard. Brooks did so great on his first family road trip and we were so proud of him. It was a busy, jam-packed weekend...but he loved all the attention!

4 months old

Don't make fun of my hair...it needs a trim!

-Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you so much!

-Brooks is now 4 months old. He weighs 16 lb 3 oz (75th percentile) and 27 in long (97th percentile). Still a big boy. He did so great with his shots (actually checkup was 4/30) and barely cried. He slept extra long that night. He is doing great and very healthy. He is now getting a few formula bottles of the Similac Sensitive. I had to cut out dairy from my diet due to Brooks' gas, fussiness, green poops, skin sensitivity...and it seems to have helped! I now have no storage breast milk to give him when I'm gone, so we had to supplement. It actually is nice to not have that "pressure" on me to provide all his meals :) I am slowly building back my storage supply. His bm's have slowed down due to the formula. Poor guy....only goes about 1 time every 3 days. The doc said we could start cereal feedings when we were ready. I think I'm going to start when he is 5 months old...just one more thing to have to do! He's sleeping 7-8 hours at night. Not bad...but ready for him to wake later than the 4-5 am time frame. But, he has been more consistently nursing and then going back down for 2 more hours...nice!

Spring Break Fever

My first hotel stay on my first road trip...I can get used to this!

Our first "pit" stop and some diaper changes

My first Easter bunny picture and I slept through it!

Go Butler Bulldogs!

My first time on the beach...the ocean was cold!

Wish my Daddy was here

I love my cousins!

My first time in the pool...not too bad

Ahh...the life of a baby!

My mom and I got a hole in one!

-Brooks and I went to Sanibel, FL on spring break with my family. It as so nice to get away from the everyday routine (or no routine) of reality. My mom, dad, Brooks and I drove...yes drove...21 hours to get there. Brooks was a traveling champ! We only stopped 3 times the first 12 hour day and 2 times the 9 hour day. Not too bad! Thanks to my mom for entertaining him in the back and my dad for navigating...we made it there with all our hair! He was just as good on the way home.

-We stayed in a condo with my parents and my sister Tara's family. They were all such a great help with Brooks. I got to go bike riding and kayaking with my sister and family while grandma watched Brooks. No laying out for me...but nursing him on the beach under the umbrella was so relaxing. We had great weather and food. It was so special to me to spend that time with my family. It had been years since I went on vacation with them. We hope it is a start of new traditions for Brooks....spring break with Grandma and Grandpa McCarroll and family. Josh was not able to make it because this is the busiest time of year at work for him. We missed him so much!!

-Brooks had many firsts on the trip: first hotel room stay, road trip, swimming pool, bathing suit, beach, ocean, Easter, put put

Getting Big

-Happy Birthday Grandma McCarroll...thanks for all you do!

-Brooks is getting so big and developing such a great personality. His smile melts my heart. He still is figuring out this sleep thing....but is much more content to play on his own during the day.

-He has some crazy hair that is falling out on the sides and curling up on top. Aunt Tammy is determined to give him his first haircut soon. It looks like he might have auburn hair with green/blue eyes.

3 months old

Look how big I've gotten!

I'm learning to nap wherever I can. Someday

I'll nap in my crib.....mommy hopes:)

-Brooks turned 3 months old today and is getting bigger each day. He is probably over 15 lbs now. He is eating every 3-4 hours and has been taking 5 oz of breast milk during the day from my mom when I'm working. He's still working on naps as you can see from the picture above. He's still inconsistent with his night time sleep. He sometimes sleeps 8 hours and sometimes only 4. That sometimes makes it tough during my work days. My mom is doing a great job of getting him to nap more often and that has helped me out tons. I've learned so much from her and hope I can be half the mom she is to me.

Working Mommy

Why are we getting ready so early mommy?

How many babysitters does it take to change my diaper?

My Grandma loves playing with me during

the day while mommy is at work.

My Uncle Tyler was in town this week for his spring break.

We share the same birthday!

-Well, this week I went back to work one day. It was a nice way to "break in" my return to work. I had so many mixed emotions about returning. It all went really well and it was so nice to have some routine in my life again. I missed our little stinker so much...but knew he was in great hands with my mom. She has been a life saver by watching Brooks 3 days a week. I also have the help of my 2 sisters if needed. I feel so blessed to have them so close. I had my two sisters, brother and mom all there fighting over who gets to watch him my first day back to work. I am sure Brooks was eating it up!

12weeks: Spring Has Sprung...I think!?!

My Daddy got me this onesie from Colorado...

Soon I'll be flying down the slopes with him!

Grandma McCarroll loves me so much!!

(I think she's pretty special too!)

Brutus loves to give me kisses...but

I'm starting to have skin reaction from it.

I hope I'm not allergic to the bullies!!!

Daddy got me to nap twice this weekend with little effort!

My first stroller ride outside with mommy.

I slept the whole time!

One of my favorite places...only places..I like to nap.

My second stroller ride in the sunny weather!

I was wide awake for this one!!

-This past week was so special because the warm weather has arrived...at least for a few weeks. We got outside every chance we got to take a walk. Brooks seems to really enjoy it. We even took the bullies for several walks and to my surprise, they did GREAT!!

-Brooks practiced taking a bottle again from my mom. I go back to work next week and we did not want to leave Grandma stranded. She is really looking forward to watching him. I just pray he does well for her. He has been really fussy when he is tired. We are still working on him going to sleep "on his own". He still has episodes of gas that causes him pain. He has been very inconsistent with this night sleeping. He had a few nights of 2-3 hours...ugh!...and a few of 5-8 hours. Who knows what is going on. I just know I am exhausted during the day because he fights naps. I'm ready for a routine, but just can't get on a consistent one!

-Brooks is doing SO much better with floor and tummy time. He is actually starting to enjoy it! He doesn't want his PT mommy to look bad :)

-Josh is busy with work now that the spring sports have started. That means longer work days and shorter time with Brooks at night. It makes me sad to think that I will also have a few days a week when I only see him for a few hours. I have mixed emotions about going back to work. Everyone says it will be good for me and therefore good for Brooks. At least I have peace knowing he is in the best hands during those 3 days with my mom and sisters.

11 weeks: Supermom to the rescue!

Rock On!

My first soccer game!

Helping hold my bottle for G-ma. She finally got

me to take it after much encouragement. I'm a boob boy:)

Floor time with Bru Bru

-Well we survived....a very long week without Josh. I have so much respect for the single moms out there. As much as I love Brooksy, it is nice to have a break and some help! I am so thankful to my mom for helping out and Cousin Cassidy for keeping Brooks entertained:) Josh went with his dad on our annual ski trip. They went to Durango, CO this year. I was so bummed to have missed this year. Oh well..there's always next year!

Daddy and Grandpa Lee on Sally's Run....nice!!

-Brooks was such a good boy this week, despite his inconsistent sleep and naps. He prefers to sleep on me rather than his bed for naps. That is our goal before I return to work...more naps. He can sleep through the night at times, but goes down so early that the last half of the night falls apart. I'm beginning to wonder how I'm going to function at work.

-Brooks went to cousin Cassidy's indoor soccer game and Cameron's b-ball game...all firsts! He was loving being out around town.

-Brooks almost forgot how to take a bottle. After much patience from Gma, he settled down enough to realize there is also milk in there. Good thing we tried again before I went back to work.