Family Time

I like to cozy up with PaPa after I get up from my nap.

I sometimes think I'm one of them...

Grammy and PawPaw V. came to visit last month.

I had fun "driving" their BIG truck!

This is me sick.  I don't feel too good when I start wheezing. I fell asleep on Mommy's chest.  That's one way to spend some family time.

I'm starting to think Baby Oliver is pretty cool.  He is sitting up and starting to move around now.  Oliver likes to watch my every move.  We are going to be buddies!

-Brooks is big on spending "Family Time" these days.  He will be sitting at the table between Josh and I and reach for our hands.  He then says, "Can we play family time after dinner?".  He likes for Josh and I to wrestle with him on floor.  He really loves to play "Monster Daddy".  Brooks and I have to find a way to get the Monster.  Brutus likes to join in so we named him, "Dragon Doggy".  Ahhh...the joys of a little boy.  Could life get any better ?  ;)
-Last month both Josh's mom and stepdad, as well as his dad, came to visit us.  It was a fun month.  We went to the park, went shopping and went to an Arts Festival.  Brooks really enjoys his time with his Grammy, Pawpaw, and Pops!  He is always so sad to see them leave.  He usually asks to go to St. Louis too.  We are so lucky they all live close enough to see each month.  It means so much to us that they take the time to visit us too!  It can be a challenge at times to travel with Brooks, Josh, and two dogs in a small Jetta. Looking forward to our next visit....

First Day of school...I'm a Teddybear now!

All ready for my first day of school

I'm having trouble holding up my backpack

Despite my terrified face, I am so excited to see my friends!

There's my friend Emma.

-Brooks had his first day back to school (Mother's day out) on Sept. 6th.  He was really excited because all his friends from last year are in his class again this year.  He has a blast learning songs, reading books, playing, doing crafts, eating lunch, and learning about God.  It is a Christian based preschool and a lot is expected out of them even at this young age.  Brooks has been testing his limits in new situations, so of course he tried to take advantage of his new teachers.  He had a rough start to the school year and got in trouble for not listening to the teachers.  After a big "crack down", he started to shape up and act more like himself again.  It didn't help that he got sick 2 times in the first month.  Of course the cold went right to his lungs and he had an asthma attack again.  He responds well to his albuterol, but this time the cough lingered.  After taking him to the doctor, he ended up having an ear infection as well.  Poor guy...I would be acting out too if I didn't feel well!  He has been more like himself the past week and has been using his manners again.  He sometimes takes it to the extreme.  For instance, I'll ask, "Brooks do you need to go poo-poo?".  He says, "No thank you Mommy".  Oh well...at least he is polite about it!  Potty training has it's ups and downs.  He has been able to wear his big boy pants all day with a few reminders to go potty.  He even can wear them during naps and when running errands.  However, as soon as he needs to poop...he refuses to sit on the potty and does not seem to mind pooping in his big boy pants! We are to the point that when wearing his diapers, he will look at me and say either, "I'm peeing" or "I'm pooping".  Geez....Thanks Brooks....how about telling me BEFORE you need to go! Oh well, I figure he will get it sometime.  Can't wear diapers his whole life!....or can he?  hahaha

Mickey and Me

My first airplane ride!

I was a pro...reading like Daddy, watching movies, coloring, eating, etc.

I had a blast!

Pops Blackmore rented this cool beach house in Ft. Myers and invited us to stay!

I really liked the beach (BEFORE the hurricane hit!)

Don't worry....I didn't get in the way of these sting rays.  Mommy was scared to go out in the water after seeing them the first day.

Thanks Pops for all my Cardinals gear!

We did lots of fun things.  We went to play putt putt.  I got a REAL hole in one!

We went to a really cool park.  The shape of the jungle gym was  a big choo choo train!

All Aboard!

We got to ride this small train around the park.  It was SO cool.

We got to go to DISNEY WORLD!  We braved the hurricane rain and ended up having a great day!

I rode 13 rides!  I'm on the People Mover here.  I loved the Goofy roller coaster, Dumbo, train, and Small World. I was scared of Buzz Light year.

Nothing wrong with a little pink on a boy....

I ate one of these Mickey Mouse ice cream ears for Papa McCarroll.  He told me all about them before I left home.

Not bad.... :)

Dumbo Ride

 

Hanging out with Pops and my Mickey Mouse.  I really loved seeing Mickey in the parade.

I was exhausted after a full day of fun.  Disney World truly is a magical place.

We got to hang out at the pool after the hurricane hit.  The beach was so windy with lots of waves.  I was not too sure about it.

I still managed to make a few sand castles with Daddy....

And then knock them down of course!

Mommy and I had fun hunting for shells.  I learned a few things from her.

We got to see a few beautiful sunsets

Thanks Mommy, Daddy and Pops for creating such wonderful memories!  I had so much fun.

-We had the wonderful opportunity to stay 10 days with Josh's dad in Ft. Myers a few weeks ago.  The vacation had many "firsts".  Brooks had his first airplane ride, first time to Disney, first hole in one playing Putt Putt, and first family vacation to name a few.  It was such a relaxing vacation, despite a mandatory evacuation of Ft. Myers beach during the hurricane.  We packed up our stuff and headed for Orlando.  Despite heavy rain in the morning, we braved Disney World.  With a few ponchos, we were ready to hit the rides.  After about an hour or so, the rain cleared up and it was a great day!  Overcast and cooler, but the best part was that the rain scared away the crowds.  The longest wait we had was about 15 minutes!  It could not have been more perfect.  I know Brooks will not actually remember Disney on this trip, but we hope to keep the magic alive in him.  There really is no place like Disney.

-We were able to fit in some more fun things for Brooks. Besides swimming, building sand castles, playing in the waves, we went to play putt putt, ride a small train, play at a cool park, and eat YUMMY food.  We could not have gone on this nice vacation without Pops inviting us to stay with him.  Thank you so much and what a great time we had!!!

All Aboard!!

Waiting for the State Fair Train

Wow...This is cool!

I loved watching the trees, cars and houses fly by

(If you listen closely...that is Brooks saying chooo-choooooo)

Just hanging out on the train.  I loved it!

Digging a hole to plant my seeds at the State Fair

Riding the tractor to the market

Watch out for Giant Pigs!!

My first Roller Coaster with Daddy.  I sat in the back 

and held my hands up in the air on the drops.  I loved it!

I liked the Truck Ride too!

I even rode a motorcycle...don't tell my Papa McCarroll!!

-Last weekend we took Brooks to the Indiana State Fair on the Fair Train.  It was so much fun.  Brooks had a blast!!  He LOVES trains and couldn't believe he was riding a "BIG" train.  What fun times!  He loved the State Fair too and cried when having to leave.  He got to ride on the rides, play a few games, eat yummy food, check out the animals, and go through the family interactive area.  We didn't even hit all the attractions.  What great memories.

-On a side note..I have not been as good with keeping up with my blog and I don't know if I mentioned that Brooks was diagnosed with asthma.  We were pretty sure he had it, but after visiting a pulmonologist, it was confirmed.  I feel bad for him..but it could be worse.  He just has to take inhaled steroids every night to help keep his lungs healthy.  We are hoping he will outgrow it. He also had an annual checkup with the allergist. He has outgrown his soy allergies, but not yet eggs.  The weird thing is that he has appeared to have outgrown a few of his tree nut allergies too.  The doctor was shocked about that one, as only 10% of kids outgrown them.  So...we are keeping our fingers crossed that each year it only gets better!

-Brooks is quite the character these days.  He says the FUNNIEST things and always keeps me on my toes.  He is challenging us with tantrums at times, but for the most part is such a good kid.  He has a mind of his own, but loves to learn from us.  He steals my heart with unexpected kisses and hugs.  He will randomly kiss me then say, "Mommy's heart happy?" or "Mommy happy now?".  It really is the sweetest thing. When I tell him..."I love you Brooksy", he responds with "Yeah Mom, I love you moon and back"  (his version of I love you to the moon and back).  He has a great memory and loves to help out around the house.  Brooks is still really interested in basketball and practices everyday.  Thanks to Papa McCarroll we hear, "Guard me" every evening or "Let's play basketball".  My dad has been playing with him and teaching him how to shoot, pass, dribble and guard.  It is so cute to see them together. I've seen a side of my Dad that I have never seen before.  It is so special to me.  We have been working on potty training...but UGH...we hit a wall.  I was so encouraged before with pee pee in the potty...but now he is refusing to go and needs bribes.  We still have never gotten any poop in the potty. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever happen.  I guess it will when he is ready.  Everyone tells me boys are harder to potty train (especially if they are the first born) and not to expect it until closer to 3 or later.  I guess time will tell.  School starts up again after Labor Day and he is so excited!  I can't believe summer is coming to a close for us.  It was a wonderful and active summer!

Videos

I have had a blast learning how to swim this summer with my Puddle Jumper.  I had fun hanging out with Cousin Cameron this summer!

I love going down big slides...I think Mommy was a little scared.

I got to hang out at Aunt Tara's soccer camp one day!

I love watching gymnastics on t.v. and had to try out some of my own Olympic moves

Love Bug

Young love

Helping Mommy babysit my Cousin Oliver

I was a little jealous of Oliver at first and wanted to be a baby too.

-Brooks has had a fun summer hanging out with his school friends during playdates.  When asked who his girlfriend is, he always says, "Georgia".  The photo above couldn't be staged and is just the cutest thing!  It is Georgia and him this summer at the Kids Concert Series.  It was one of the only times he actually was standing still and not running all over the park!

-We had the joy of watching my baby nephew, Oliver, or "Ober" as Brooks calls him.  Brooks was really jealous at first and would not share any of his toys.  He wanted all the attention.  He has gotten a little better at sharing and being nice to Baby Oliver.  It is an eye opening experience and a glimpse into what life might be like if we are able to have another baby ;)  There is something to say about spreading out the ages of your children!  Oliver is getting so big and so cute.  He is smiling and cooing all the time.  It is so fun to watch him grow up and I can't wait until Brooks and Oliver can run around chasing each other!