OMG...Teeth it Must Be!!!!

My first time on a REAL tractor at Daddy's work

I'm now enjoying drinking the sprinkler water

Hanging out with mommy by the lake

-Oh Boy...how quickly I forgot about teething!!!! Brooks slept 4.5 hours for his Friday nap and I just knew something was not quite right. I had to wake him and he appeared ok...just hot in his room. He soon became very fussy and clingy. He ended up having a 101 degree temp. Poor kido. I expected him to start throwing up or something. He was burning up. I think this may be the first time he has had a fever. He was so cuddly and only wanted to lay on my lap. Ok...so this I could handle. But Saturday morning he appeared to be feeling better and our "devil" child emerged ;) He only slept 45 min on Sat and about 1 hr Sunday. He woke crying and his hands were in his mouth often. So...stupid mommy decided to look in his mouth. All 4 "canine" teeth have popped at the same time!!! Ouch. It's only been a few days, but I am ready for my sweet (ha ha) boy to return!!! This teething thing sucks. It messes up naps and really tests my patience. Isn't that what motherhood is all about....testing of patience?

-We were able to have a very nice weekend together. Friday night was shot due to his fever. But Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and went shopping. He desperately needed some new shorts. Aunt Tammy and Uncle Brian came over to hang out Saturday night. We enjoyed eating dinners outside because it was BEAUTIFUL in the evenings. I was off work Monday and Tuesday this week. Brooks and I enjoyed going on a bike ride to Aunt Tammy's house and a long walk to Daddy's work. Brooks got to sit on his first real tractor. He was supper excited until it made a loud noise. Then he was "all done". We are looking forward to a fun filled Fourth of July weekend!!!

-HOUSE UPDATE: We had the inspection on our new home. It was ok considering it is an 18 yr old home. But we definitely have some negotiating to do ;) This is supposedly the hard part...boy I thought we just got through the hard part!!! I am so ready to move in and start all the decorating and painting. It definitely needs some paint ASAP, but all the other improvements will take some time. Again...there is that Patience Thing....can I get another helping please?

Happy Father's Day: 18 months old

Like Father

Like Son ;)

-Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there! Brooks got to spend part of the day with Dada. Josh was visiting his dad and grandpa in St. Louis. We were able to have a nice dinner together at my parents home that evening. Brooks has so much fun with his Dada and I love watching their relationship develop.

-I had a blast with Brooks this weekend. It is exhausting...but fun! We went shopping (for daddy gift and grandpa's gifts), out to eat with my parents and brother, out to eat just the two of us, went on walks, and played in the sprinkler. He really enjoyed his dessert that night as you can see from the pictures above. He thought it was pretty cool that mommy let him hold his own cone!

-Home Update: Keep your fingers crossed and say a few prayers for us. There are a few things that are holding the relocation company from signing the purchase agreement on our new home. It is not our fault...but our buyer's fault for not wanting to provide some documents. It's a long, complicated story...but I'm praying it will all work out in our favor. Thanks for your positive thoughts!!!

Whirl Wind of a Week

Playing ball with Grammy Videmschek

What time is it? It's time for lunch!

Helping mom walk Sweet Pea

Cooling off in the sprinkler

SOAKED!

-Last weekend Josh's mom and stepdad came in town. We had a wonderful weekend. Brooks got to spend special time with his Grammy and "PawPaw" V. They bought him a toy John Deer Tracker. It was a hit! Brooks thinks everything is a tractor and is obsessed right now! We went to "Rock the District" where the streets were blocked off and there was live music. Of course Brooks was right up front showing off his moves. It just cracks me up! We had a blast!!

-Brooks is almost 18 months. Ugh...I can now say he is one and a half years old. That makes me sad. But...this age is SO much fun. It has his ups and downs when it comes to behavior, but I know the hard work will pay off. He is starting to understand consequences (IF you do this, THEN you can't do this, etc). His direction following is really good (when he chooses do listen). He knows most his animals and their sounds or actions. He is trying to master more detailed things. For instance he is noticing a caterpillar in a book and labels it now. He was wondering what those things above my eyes were....and now loves to label my eye brows (and almost pokes my eye out!). He is trying to count by saying "twhooo". What else.....lets see......he is starting to put a few simple 2 word phrases together (hi mama, blue ball, bye bye tractor, for example). His favorite thing to say is "OH NOOO"....as well as "NO". The way he draws out his "O" is hilarious. He has not gotten any new teeth lately and his eczema is now getting under control. And go figure...he needs another hair cut!!!

-HOUSE UPDATE!!! What a week it has been. We went to see a few more houses last Sunday. We narrowed it down to 2 favorites. We went back Monday morning to our favorites and decided to put an offer down on one!!! So crazy. We almost lost it (due to stupidity of seller's realtor)...but they accepted our offer!! We now are awaiting the inspection. We will close on our current home in am then our new home on 7/20. We also have to move out by then. Not sure how I'm going to swing all that. I am getting SO excited about the new home. The best part is the huge yard. It is already fenced in, has a swing set, and b-ball hoop! What a change that will be for the dogs and Brooks. I can't wait!!

Playing Catch Up

Memorial Day fun at Aunt Tammy and Uncle Brian's new home

My first time at a Splash Park....

Not too sure about getting wet

My third time at park...getting the hang of it now!

Cooling off with Daddy and a popsicle

Just my size!

Enjoying the morning at a free Kids Koncert Series with mommy at a nearby park.

Also, I am now obsessed about trucks and tractors. This truck is from "Pops" Blackmore! So fun.

-Where do I start...sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks. I mentioned that our house went on sale...right? Well what a whirlwind it has been. We had it up for 1 week and had 2 showings. The first showing put an offer on our townhome!!! Crazy. We eventually accepted and just completed our inspection (waiting results). So we have been on the hunt for a new home. It is a CRAZY process. So many ups and downs. So many frustrations, disappointments, and surprises. We have seen 12 homes so far and plan to see 4 more this weekend. We will then go back to our favorites. If we plan to move from this home to a new home by 7/20..then we need to do decide in the next week. Otherwise we are moving in with my parents. Either way is fine by me...just don't want to settle on a home. I am quickly realizing that there is no perfect home. There is always a tradeoff.

-Brooks is doing great. Exploding with language and running faster each day (still falls when trying to go too fast). He is definitely testing the waters with us. He says "NOOO" all the time and laughs when getting in trouble. He gets put in "time out" (ha ha) and will look at me, smile and give me a kiss. He's got me worked already! My favorite new word he is saying is "belly button" and "alligator". Of course it is not perfect, but so cute! His favorite work is "tractor". He thinks everything is a tractor!!!! He loves his truck from "Pops" and tractor books we got him. It is fun watching his interests develop. I just wish he would stop throwing things so much! I know it is a phase...but hope it passes quickly. Wish us luck this weekend and I'll keep everyone posted!!!

Sunday Bike Rides

Playing hard at the park

Whew..it was hot out there today!

-We enjoyed another fun bike ride today before the rain came. Brooks LOVES to be outside and throws a fit to come inside. He had a blast running around the park, chasing after the ball, and climbing on the jungle gyms. He was sweating so bad by the time we left...but still did not want to stop. Who needs to work out when you are chasing after a 17 mo old all day? He is an energizer bunny!!

17 Months: "Ahhh Nuts"!!

"Bam Bam"

Brooks or Brooke? ;)

-Brooks is now 17 months old. We went to the allergist on Monday and did not so good news. After conducting a skin test of 19 common allergens, it was found that Brooks is allergic to eggs, soy and tree nuts. Ugh! The eggs and soy are worst when in "raw" form. He seems to be ok when baked into foods. That is a relief! The tree nuts are a life long and life threatening allergy. It is similar to a peanut allergy, but includes a wide range of nuts. Tree nuts are things like cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, coconuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, etc. Out of the few he was tested for, cashews had a huge reaction. That explains why Brooks would have random hive breakouts on face or torso at night. We figured out that Josh must have been eating cashews then touching or kissing Brooks. It is a scary thing we are going to have to deal with the rest of his life. The epi-pen will be his best friend. I just don't want other kids in school to treat him differently or his allergies to be a hassle for the school. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it. For now I am happy he is happy, healthy boy and I guess it could always be worse.

-Oh yeah....our house is up for sale now! It is crazy trying to sell a house. You have to make sure things are picked all the time. It is quite exhausting and it has only been 1 week! We have had 2 showings, but no takers. Wish us luck!!!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

I like to ride on the truck "Pop" Blackmore gave me.

I'm into cars and trucks right now.

As well as air planes and helicopters!

-I finally got a video clip of Brooks trying to say "helicopter". Not perfect...but a pretty good try!

-We had a pretty low key weekend. We had some good food, did housework, and went on a bike ride. He had pork ribs for the first time. He loved them! Daddy made them good :) He also got a hair cut...finally! He was beginning to look like a little girl. When I get a chance, I'll have to post a picture I took of him with a bam bam ponytail....scary!

Momma's Boy

My MaMa

Going on my first bike ride! Not sure about this helmet thing.

We went on hiking trails

And I got to throw rocks with Daddy!

-Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there! We had a wonderful day together. We started off going to breakfast with my family. We went on a short bike ride later in the day to a local flowing well with hiking trails. Brooks LOVED the rocks, water, and trails. He was unsure about his helmet, but liked the bike ride. He got me a cool Owl wind ornament thing for outside. I love it!!

-Brooks had is 16 mo checkup on Friday (a few weeks late). He weighs 25.3 lb (50th %) and is 34 in tall (97th %). Still doing great and nothing huge to remark about the checkup except no more shots until he is 5!!! We visited a dermatologist and are seeing an allergist this coming monday. I just have to get this eczema and hive thing figured out before/if it gets life threatening. I am praying they are things he will outgrow. My favorite thing Brooks does now is the "Itsy Bitsy" Spider finger plays. It is SO cute. His favorite new things are airplane and helicopters....such a boy! He is getting close to saying "helicopter" with some clarity. He is jabbering all the time. Some things we make out and some are a foreign language. But, for the most part he is getting his needs met. He is running all over the place! He loves to play "chase" with me. He knows that if I catch him then he has to give me a kiss to be let go. It's so funny because he will immediately turn to me, kiss me, then run. I am looking forward to a fun filled and active summer with our boy...."momma's boy" that is! Yep...he is becoming quite the momma's boy. I am enjoying it now because soon enough he will only want to be playing ball with Daddy. That's ok...I won't be far, as I'll be cheering him on from the sidelines;)

Boys will be Boys....

-Take One

-Take 2...

-Brooks and Daddy had a good time rough housing it on the couch pillows. Now....I ask myself...would I have ever thought to have done that with Brooks? The answer is NO. That is such a boy thing to do. But a very FUN boy thing! Brooks had a blast and was cracking up. He was a little scared to "fall" at first...but then he would not stop. I tend to do the silly dancing and chasing after him. He loves that too....but there is nothing like a Daddy and his son having fun doing "boy" things.

Hippity Hop!!

Oohh...what's this?

Looking for eggs...

I found one!

And there's something in it?!? Thanks "Pops"!

I got to hang out with Uncle "Ty ty" at Easter!

More family pix

Grandma and her grandchildren

My first Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Papa McCarroll's house. They take this stuff seriously! I better learn quickly so I don't get left out in the future hunts!!

-What a fun packed Easter weekend. It all started on Good Friday when "Pops" Blackmore came to visit us. We went to my parents house on Easter Sunday to hang out with the rest of the crew. What would Easter be without an Easter egg hunt? My parents hide eggs for the adults too....Yes...an ADULT egg hunt. How fun! We did not leave Brooks out and caught his first egg hunt on video. He got a kick out of finding the egg "balls" and throwing them. He was finding them all day long at our house and would get SO excited each time he found one. We had a wonderful weekend and found the "kid" inside all of us.

16 months Old: Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

I love pickles just like my daddy did when he was little

-Happy Birthday Josh!!! We know it is not fun having a birthday on a Wednesday...but we hope you have the best day you can:) We can't wait to celebrate with you in the evening. We love you!!!

-Brooks is 16 months old today! Each month just keeps getting better...is that possible? Let me count the ways I love our little Brooksy....

....I love when he runs up behind me, grabs my leg, and kisses me.

....I love when he will turn to look at me, then give me a big kiss out of the blue, as if to say, "I love you mama"

....I love it when he gets slap happy and runs around like a crazy man

....I love it when he gives the dogs a hug then kisses them

....I love it when he pats the dogs on their bottom to go outside on the porch with him (and gets PO'd if they don't follow)

....I love it when he hears a noise from outside and says "da da?" (assumes it's always daddy that he hears)

.....I love it when he asks to brush his teeth and gets SO excited each time he brushes them

.....I love it when he helps put away toys or sweep the floor (training him early ;) )

.....I love it when he says, "mama" and smiles

.....I love it when he says "bye bye" after I put him down at night and turn out the lights

.....I love his sense of humor and loving personality

.....I love his eyes and his facial expressions

......But most of all I love his heart. I can tell it is going to be a big one filled with love and kindness.

Spring Fling....

My first real sunset

Enjoying the view with my mommy

It was windy on the beach!

Hey...where did Cassidy go?

OOHH...what's that on your ears PaPa?

I learned how to play in sand from Uncle Brian

Aunt Tara helped me find my first shell

I loved hanging out with my cousins

Enough pictures already

What a life...being strolled down the beach

with Aunt Tammy and Grandma

Flying my first kite

I wish I was old enough to go out in this "boat"

I loved trying to play put-put and making my

mommy run all over the place after me ;)

-We had a blast on Spring Break with my family in Sanibel, FL. We drove 21 hours down there in 3 cars with my family. Unfortunately, Josh was not able to go again this year due to his busy work season. We missed him SO much. Brooks was so good on the drive and such a trooper. I will say....thank goodness for the invention of the portable DVD player!!! He really has never been that into movies, but loved watching them in the car. He would laugh and dance along to Ice Age...too funny! Brooks had a week packed with sun, food, shopping, swimming, put-putting, sand castle building, kite flying, stroller rides, walks, and flirting with the older girls :) He has become quite the flirt. He would wave to everyone he passed on the beach and go up to people at dinner to say hi. What a ham!! He learned how to play in the sand...and eat it too! He learned that lesson quick...yuck! He had no problems with the sand, but was cautious of the ocean. He did enjoy the taste of salt water and splashing in ocean. By the end of the week he enjoyed hanging out in the pool water. Probably one of the things he enjoyed the most was being pushed up and down the beach in the stroller. What a life! I think he has his Daddy's skin...he got tan wearing 70 sunscreen! Pretty sad when your son gets tanner than you by wearing complete sunblock. He really enjoyed himself and I loved seeing him with my family. They were ALL such a huge help! I could not have enjoyed myself like I did, if it was not for them. Thanks also to my parents for all they did for us on the trip. We now have such wonderful memories. I just hope Josh can come next year to see Brooks on the beach....priceless!

Ladies Man...

Styling for the ladies...

Show me the way

Where's the party?

Dancing with the ladies (well kind of)

Brooks dancing along with bride/groom's first dance

(turn computer...sorry!)

Dada and Mama

I love kisses!

Acting silly with cousin Miranda

I'm done...

Loving on the bullies at "Pops" house

-What a fun packed weekend! We left again for St. Louis this past weekend (yes....that's 2 weekends in a row if you are keeping track!). This time is was for Josh's sister's (Tracey) wedding. It was a very small intimate wedding. Everything was so nice....except for the weather. It snowed up to 7 in in some places of STL!! Crazy. That did not stop us from having a good time. We enjoyed hanging out with Grammy Videmschek and the rest of the family both Friday night and Saturday night. We also had good time at "Pops" house hanging out with the bullies and watching the Butler Bulldogs win! Brooks was a hoot at the wedding. He was quite the ladies man and had some dance fever. He wanted to dance all night long....as well as run up and down the ramps. I was exhausted by the end of the night! I did manage to sneak a slow dance in with Josh. Brooks was so good and ended up staying up until 11:45 our time! Needless to say he was sound asleep the minute he hit his car seat. He looked super cute in his tie and jacket. Not sure about his dance moves....we'll have to work on those :)