So that's where she gets it!

When my parents and sis were in town a couple weeks ago we just couldn't help ourselves. Here we are with the Mac and just a little too much time on our hands.

double the cuteness

this effect is called comic book-Pow!

kel & me times four

we come in peace

and finally a sweet picture

Yes I know I am a dork.

Happy Friday!

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12 Month Stats

Brooke paid a visit to the doctor this week for her 12 month checkup. 

Weight: 19 lbs 4.5 oz (10-25th percentile)

Height: 29.5 inches (50-75th percentile)

Head Circ: 18 inches (50-75th percentile)

Everything looks great! Doc was impressed with her walking and vocabulary. We are so thankful to God for such a healthy and vibrant child! 

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Bye Bye Bottle

By the way, we dumped the bottle and formula last week. I took some advice from my pal Amanda and tried a soft tip sippy, and whole milk mixed with nutritional chocolate powder. She couldn't get enough of this new tasty treat! Of course we don't give her chocolate milk all the time, but it has certainly helped in the transition. I am so proud of my bottle-less big girl!

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Last Birthday Post...promise!

Brooke's 1st Birthday Extravaganza began with Strollerskating with Daddy & Mommy, lunch at Olive Garden, and a trip to Toys R Us. The celebration continued into the weekend in Mount Pleasant where a double first birthday party was scheduled for Brooke and her cousin KayeLeigh. Brooke ate up all the attention. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. I think Brooke will start wondering where her cake is every day now.

The Birthday Girl

Happy Day!

Strollerskating with Daddy

Opening one of many presents in MP

Birthday Dress

Cautious with the cake...KayeLeigh knows what to do!

First attempt at corn on the cob. This was really funny to watch.

Hangin' with Nannie (Brooke's great-grandma)

Putting on a show

Where'd the cake go Dada?

Fun in Grandma's chair

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What a year! The best of my life for sure.

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Guess I have to change my ticker...

I am feeling a little sad as my precious little baby embarks on her first birthday tomorrow. Time has flown by soo fast.  I have loved every minute of being this sweet angel's mommy. I can't believe how she has grown in a year. Every day she does something new. I am so thankful for the time I have with her as a baby, and I look forward to watching her grow (not too fast though!). Here are a few pictures of what our little monkey has been into this week.

practicing for cirque de soleil

baby feet

carrying the diaper bag like mommy
IN the kitchen cabinet
toting around anything within reach

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Celebrate Good Times

Mother's Day was really special. My parents and Kelly drove to spend the weekend with us. Dad and David spent most of the weekend fixing things around the house, which I think was fine with them. The rest of us just relaxed and did a little decorating. Sunday after church we enjoyed a brunch in honor of the Moms. I got some pretty awesome gifts and some sweet cards. I really enjoyed spending my first Mother's Day with my family! 

Saturday afternoon we celebrated with an early birthday party for Brooke. She enjoyed a few big bites of birthday cake, then had fun dumping the rest on the floor. She loves being the center of attention! 

In my birthday dress!

Brooke was mostly interested in this envelope. She cried when we tried to take it away to focus on her presents. 

Time for birthday cake!

Going...

going...

GONE!

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And besides moving...

We were still crazy enough to keep all our engagements the weeks surrounding our move. A couple of weekends ago we joined our church class on a retreat at Camp Deer Run. Allison and Sarah summed it up pretty well here and here.

David has had lots going on at work with ending track season and the TAKS test. I have to say I do not miss that part of teaching. Things are slowing down as the end of the school year approaches. 

A while ago I surprised David with tickets to a baseball game in which all his favorite local sports radio personalities battled it out at the ballpark where the Rough Riders usually play. Last night was the game and they were pretty horrible, but we had a fun time. Brooke was infatuated with this giant SportsClips mascot. Their staff said they had never seen a baby take to him quite like Brooke. They asked her to model with him for a picture.

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A Very Looong Week

We are finally moved in to our new house! Thanks to AWESOME friends and family (like David's mom staying with Brooke for 3 days straight) we made it all in one piece! 

Here is a picture taken right before we closed for all you curious folks. 

 We are really learning what it's like to be home owners. Since we have moved in, the water heater broke and fixing the kitchen sink was tougher than we thought. We have also made a couple of voluntary improvements like new floors in living and dining room and new carpet in the playroom. Kinsey is growing to love the back yard. Brooke is enjoying all the space to move around. 

Grandma brought her this yellow rocker that she just adores! She will sit in it for a long time, such a big girl.

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What?

MOST of the thoughtless and rude comments I have received over the past couple of years have been during my pregnancy. I know fellow mommies hear me on that one. Rarely now am I offended by what people say (because it's 90% positive about my adorable baby). Today I just had to laugh. 

I set out to buy a new phone charger from our cell phone place, and the guy working there says to me, "It must be pretty good exercise carrying that thing around all day". What? By that thing I had to assume he meant my baby because I was carrying nothing else at the time besides my wallet, which would cause no strain I assure you. He goes on to ask me if he (my daughter dressed in PINK) is talking yet. *Sigh*

The truth is I was glad he was making an effort to have a conversation. He did say these things with a smile, and I think I would rather encounter friendly (if misguided) employees than unfriendly ones. Still, I have to wonder about this poor guy.

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