We started thinking about you last year......

and now you are here. It is hard to believe that this time last year Brooks was in my belly and now he is 22 pounds, crawling, pulling up, splashing in the tub, mimicking, babbling, eating "people" food and on and on. We have had the best 2010 and look forward to 2011.

Disclaimer***I do not want to be one of those moms that talks constantly about their children. I know that none of you care about his weekly milestones, when he poops, cries, spits up, eats real food, etc. However, Jenny Kellogg reminded me that you can make this into a book. I am not a "scrapbooker," and this is all I have. So I am going to try to document as much as I can. Don't judge!

And another thing.....I have noticed that I have very few pictures of my mom, Nana. As most of you know, the woman NEVER sits still. She is either cooking, cleaning, rearranging, decorating, etc. She never stops, and it is difficult to snap a pic of her. Next time, I am going to do a whole photo shoot of her. She makes Christmas so special for us all and deserves to be in every picture:)

His new favorite activity......splashing

"I HATE this hat"

appropriate gift, huh?

Brooks didn't get ANY attention over Christmas

Christmas morning

As soon as we got to Lubbock, Brooks' face broke out. It spread to his cheeks, forehead, nose, thumbs and behind his ears. I took him to the doctor when we got home....eczema.

Baby proofing............

here we come! Brooks is ALL OVER THE PLACE. He is now crawling normally, no more army crawl. He seems to gravitate to all dangerous items in the house: 1. has already pulled the fireplace cover on him, 2. can climb up two stairs, 3. pushes all stools, boxes, etc 4. open drawers, 5. loves electrical outlets and cords, 6. can crawl into small cubby holes..........on and on and on! We have now lowered his bed and covered all electrical outlets. Now, comes the gates. These stairs scare me! Oh and did I mention that he could care less for all those nice little toys we purchase. Instead, he loves the vacuum, bowls and kitchen utensils......Santa gets to go cheap this year!

7 months, Baptism, Thanksgiving......

and it's almost Christmas! I can't believe that a year ago today, we found out we were having a little boy. Trent and I talked about how "next Thanksgiving" he'll be here! We'll....it happened! Holidays take on a new meaning now, and we couldn't be more blessed.

Brooks is still doing his fast-paced army crawl, but is beginning to try to pull-up now. Is he going to do a normal crawl??? Finally, he got his two bottom teeth, and I can see the top two making headway. He continues to be a very tempermental little toot. He can be very happy one second and mad as everything the next. We have started to attend Gymboree, and he loves it! All the music, bubbles, colorful mats. babies, songs, etc. keep him very occupied and then tired for a nap (highlight of our day!).

We look forward to our first Christmas and count our blessings daily.....

Talking football with the guys

Thank you for my turkey bib, Aunt Rhonda!

Meeting my friend Jake for the first time

Thanksgiving at Jake and Pat's

I love Jake

Lunch at our house following Baptism

Baptized 11-14-10

Mom's attempts at photography!

Check out these new kicks from Linsey and Mandy

Crawling

Playdate with Boek and Eli

Look who started...............

CRAWLING!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/2 a year old!

In just 6 more months, we'll have a one year old on our hands! Wow..........I can't believe it's been 6 months. Crazy how many things these kiddos can accomplish in just weeks.....days, actually. Brooks is now sitting unsupported like a pro. He is inches away from crawling, but who knows......it could be another month. We can make it about 2-3 advances forward and then lose the coordination! Oh well, less work for mommy and daddy. Our little cowboy is much more verbal this month. His favorite "word" is bah, bah, bah, bah. Oh, and his new trick is his "fake cough." When we aren't paying attention to him, he coughs so that we'll turn to look at him.....so cute! He still prefers to be outside and grabs any and everything in sight. No teeth yet! I keep wondering when they'll ever come in, but I am thinking we are making headway. I can see his swollen gums and of course, he is drooling all over. Love, love, love him:)

Helping mom with laundry

"Is my butt big or is this diaper too small?"
"I love my daddy."

Layton came over to play......she is crawling all over the place!

First time to meet Aunt Karen. Lots and lots of kisses this weekend!

Aunt Rhonda.....we love when she's around!

Learning to drink from a sippy cup

My new swing!

Trick or treating. Brooks was Super Mario.....yes, his costume is homemade and you can tell!

The hat could use some help!

My poster isn't working as well anymore! He wants to eat it!

"Mom, I am about to jump out of this chair if you don't hurry!"

Our little guy at 5 months.........

Well, 5 1/2 months actually! Of course, I have had the blog on my "to do" list for 2 weeks. Brooks is growing by the day. This month has been super busy with one trip to Boerne to see the Risers, Aunt Kasey coming to down, pumpkin patch and spending time outside with this great weather. Brooks started baby food, and there isn't a thing he doesn't eat! I take that back.....I tried to be that mom that makes my babies own food (all organic, etc), but he hated it! I worked hard to make pea baby food for him, and all he did was spit it out immediately. I guess he doesn't like Mom's cookin'! He sits up momentarily (maybe 1-2 minutes unassisted), rolls all over the place and is working on army crawling. Everything goes straight to the mouth! We spend much of our time outside in his jumperoo as this is the only activity he could do for hours! Now we even have a mat under the jumperoo outside because he actually got a small blister on his toe from jumping (no comment Megan Gearing!).

I know I am being "Captain Obvious" here, but Trent and I couldn't love this little guy any more. Used to, I was so tired when he would wake up (3 times a night) and would drag myself upstairs. But now, I run up the stairs to get him. His cute button nose, precious smile and giggles make my day every day! I LOVE HIM, and he is worth every minute that it took to get him here.............

He thinks Sam is so funny!

Getting ready for the pumpking patch and Aunt Kasey and Aunt Hayley

"Look, I am almost as tall as my Aunt Kasey!" (te he he)

Still not a fan of long rides in the car. He literally cried for 70 minutes STRAIGHT

Dad had to wear ear plugs!

But, so excited to see the Risers!

And, Brooks got to celebrate Natalie's birthday with her

Loves bath time

Sitting up and playing

Best birthday gift EVER for momma!