Yum yum.......

Brooks has become quite the picky eater these days. Spaghetti was a treat! Anything to get them to eat, right!?

This one slipped in there!

Let the baby proofing begin......

because Brooks is in to EVERYTHING. Boy, when these little guys start crawling it is O-V-E-R! We have someone coming over tomorrow to install gates that fit the railings on our staircase. We have really enjoyed watching him discover his surroundings and try new things, but never imagined some of the things he would get in to......

• the dog bowl......spills the water, loves to look at his reflection, the sound it makes when it hits the floor is awesome (he throws it)

• making his way out the doggy door is coming soon........very interested in this

• we no longer have shutters near our door.......he pulled them OFF

• do we get a chain for the fireplace cover? Those are fun to play with, you know!

• why do cords fascinate babies so much, especially when they are plugged in????

• oh, don't open the fridge because he'll go straight for the eggs......it's always fun cleaning that off the floor

• thank goodness for Sam......she eats all the food he throws on the floor

Anyway, you get the point! He is all boy, and I love it! He is babbling more, but has yet to say "m's." Therefore, Trent thinks is first word is Dada. IT'S NOT A WORD UNLESS THAT SAY IT AND KNOW WHY THEY ARE SAYING IT! Watching him eat new foods is fun and a great activity that can take awhile. Anything we can do that takes a lot of time (pulling grass, tearing magazines, eating, watching Baby Einstein) is fabulous! He is now pushing any and everything, not just push toys. He will push boxes, small coffee tables, chairs, etc. That little booger is getting fast too. He falls frequently but is learning to suck it up and move on! Trent demands that I don't rush over to him when he falls. HE IS 9 MONTHS OLD FOR GOODNESS SAKE! His little personality emerges each month and we just love our little Brooksy!!!!!!!!

9 month check up stats

weight: 21 lbs 13.5 oz (74 percentile)

height: 29.25 in (77 percentile)

head circumference: 18.5 in (90th percentile)****His dad has to order special hats due to the size of HIS head.....I'm just sayin'

"Best Friends"

This is his "lolly." That's is what I called my blanket back in the day. He loves this thing!

At doctor for 9 month check-up

In waiting room at doctor. It was actually cold in Houston!

Playing drums

See......no more shutters

"This is so fun, Mom!"

"Do I have anything on my mouth?"

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!"