Big Girl

Brooke is really starting to look like a big girl now...no more newborn here...

I Heart Craig$list

On Sunday we were at some friend's house for tacos, and they have a little boy 6 weeks older than Brooke. They have one of those activity mats with the arches that dangle toys in the baby's reach. Brooke was just loving that thing! She was laying under it for almost an hour cooing and smiling and just having a grand time.

So being the engineers we are...we tried to make due with what we had.
Parts List:
(1) Bouncy Seat
(1) Crazy Cow Plush toy
(7) Plastic Links
(1) Clamp from the garage

Assemble as shown.
Insert one happy baby and enjoy.




But of course, we need some variety too. So this is why I love craig$li$t.

Normally, the retail price is up near $60-70 for one of these play mats. I found one brand new for $25. The only thing "wrong" with it is the sun toy doesn't play music anymore. Oh darn...a baby toy that doesn't make noise. Shucks.

She seems to like it. (you can thank Brady, the slightly needy - totally spoiled cat, for helping me with the filming. He kept head-butting my arm while I was trying to film.)

Two Months Old!

It's so hard to believe over 2 months have gone by since our precious baby opened her eyes to the world.

Some milestones we have reached...

Brooke likes to look at Daddy; sometimes she'll even coo and smile

She is getting really good at controlling her gorgeous little red-head



She likes to sleep - and most of the nights, she lets Momma sleep until 4-5am!

She's trying to grow an 80's style punk-rocker chick mullet

And she is such a precious sleeper

We had our 2 month checkup today

she weighed in at a whole whopping 11 lbs 13 oz (75%tile for girls)

her length was measured at 23 3/4 inches (90%tile for girls)

and her head was measured at the 50%tile - I can never remember the number.

Andy and I have a bet on how tall she is going to be. I'm not sure what the stakes are yet, but we have quite a few years to figure it out.

Andy's guess: 6'1

Andrea's guess: 5'11

We shall see who is right....stay tuned for the next 18 years....

Brooke's Baptism

May 17, 2009 A very special day.

As I write this, there are tears in my eyes and wet splotches on my shirt. It is really starting to hit me now, Brooke is growing up. Too fast. And I feel like I am too busy fussing about other things that are much less important.

Let me back up...Sunday was Brooke's baptism. It was both a day I have been looking forward to, and stressing over at the same time.

What were the things I was looking forward to?

• Spending time with family and friends that we don't see often enough.



• Seeing the joy on those same faces when Brooke would smile and coo for them.



• Watching my grandfather hold his great-granddaughter for the first time.



• Enjoying the good food Andy and I prepared together

But where was my energy and my focus? I wasn't always "in the moment" soaking up every minute. I was distracted with trying to make sure everything was "perfect". And the ironic thing, it wasn't absolutely perfect, but it was the best I could have made it. And you know, no one noticed it wasn't perfect. So why do I put so much energy into trying to make things "perfect" and then miss the little moments. Little moments like being about to sit with the group and listen to wise words from my 90 year old grandfather. Little moments of spending more than 2 minutes talking to any one person.

But surely, I do appreciate what few little moments I was a part of.

Like when my grandfather held Brooke for the first time

And of course, there was the baptism itself...

And spending some time with both sides of the family...

And of course, the lady of the hour...

There are only 3 short weeks left and then I will have to return to work. I will try and make the most of every little moment and stop worrying about the insignificant things!

3 weeks and a day

Presenting...the one...the only...

Brooke Elizabeth Vandehey

born March 18, 2009

1:47 am

20 inches

7 lb 14 oz

Overdue

We are now past our due date. She seems very content to stay put for now. I haven't had many contractions the last couple of days.

Maybe this is better though - then Andy can study for his final and not be distracted with baby. I have another doctor appointment tomorrow, and maybe we'll have made some progress in the dilation department. But if not, she's only got a week to come out on her own, then we'll induce on the 17th at the earliest.

And this was the same girl that wanted to come out and play on January 16.....funny how things work out.