I hope one day Brooke appreciates how her mom tried to stay hip and "in-touch" by not only creating this website but as of today, having an official Facebook page.   Now that this website is in maintenance phase, I needed something else to do. 

The sad part of the story is the reason I was able to focus on Facebook today is because Brooke has been really sick and has slept most of the afternoon.  She went to the doctor yesterday and has had 102 - 104 degree temp.  She just wants to be held and rest her head on my chest.  I love that she is being so cuddly but I hate seeing her sick.   I hope she is better tomorrow.

Kristy puts together these awesome CD's that include photos and sweet sayings.  She sets them to music and it makes the most amazing memento for a wedding or birthday party.   She is going to make one for Brooke's first year so I am trying to come up with appropriate songs.  By the way, at the urging of family and friends, Kristy is going to start a business and when she does, I will make sure to put the link on the site so everyone can call her - they really are beautiful.

We spent Thanksgiving morning with Kevin's family and spent the afternoon with my family and the Pfeiffers (as we have done for over 30 years).  This is such an awesome tradition that we will continue for many years to come. 

At each house, we went around talking about what we are thankful for.  I could never find the right words to express how fortunate I feel to have this life.  I have the best husband in the world - I know it sounds silly but he is my very best friend and soul mate.  It look a long time to find him but it was well worth the wait.  And on top of that, having Brooke is better than anything I could have imagined. 

I am so thankful and blessed.  I never go to sleep without thanking God for all He has given me! 

Steffani, Andy and the kids came into town for the 4th of July holiday.  We took all of the kids to have a group photo taken, which turned out surprisingly well, given that we were working with six kids!  As we were driving home, Hannah said she felt a tooth in Brooke's mouth. 

Once Brooke cut her first tooth, it seems like the others came quickly.  She got her bottom front teeth and then her top front teeth.  By her first birthday, she had eight teeth.

Brooke smiles all of the time.  We saw her first smile on April 3rd and now she is smiling at everything and everyone. 

She is a happy baby and doesn't seem frightened by strangers at this point.  Anyone willing to hold her or feed her is an instant best friend.

Brooke slept through the night for the first time on April 26.  The night before, Kevin and I decided to start the process of encouraging her to sleep for extended periods.  We thought this would take several nights but amazingly, it took one! 

Kevin and I had been taking turns getting up with her at night and this night happened to be his turn.  I could never have done it!  We put her to bed around 9PM and established that we would go into her room every time she cried to reassure her but not pick her up.  Well, after a rough night for Kevin and Brooke, things have been perfect.  She sleeps twelve hours a night - from about 8:30PM - 8:30AM.  This also made for a much happier mommy, daddy, and baby.