Wrapping Up the Summer

Last weekend we headed over to the Howarths' to help celebrate Jenna's birthday.  Sherrie and Scott came down and brought coconut chicken to bbq and all the fixings for a yummy dinner.  Cam and Ron were such gracious hosts, and of course Jake was being such a good boy because he had cousin Courtney to follow him around and hold him. Although it's still been rather warm, I definitely feel like it was a good wrap-up-the summer kind of bbq as we start heading into fall. Here are some pictures from the lovely evening:

 

 

3 Months?!?!

I can't believe my sweet babies are three months old already!

Even though getting through these first three months has been challenging (to say the least!), I wouldn't trade one second of it for anything else! I have learned to rely on God's strength for a kind of patience I never knew I could have.  We are so blessed to have such thriving, happy, beautiful little ladies.

The other day I was finish up the girls' 0-3 month baby photo book.  I wanted to leave a note in the book for each of my babies, telling them how precious they are in this moment and how much they've grown!

What an exciting three months it's been, sweet baby Ava! You are such a blessing to our little family. It has been so wonderful watching you grow these past three months, seeing your personality develop into the happiest and sweetest little baby. When your little tummy is full and you are dry, you SMILE the best grins and coo for everyone to hear. You talk the most out of all your brothers and sisters. :) You must have a lot to say. You are so strong, little one! Even though you don't always love tummy time, you do a great job holding your head up with your strong neck! You love to look around at everyone, and you love being held.  Doesn't matter who's holding you, as long as you're in someone's arms. Ava, thank you for being bundle of joy that you are, my heart smiles every time I see your happy face. I can't wait for your future adventures! Lots of love to you, Lovebug!

Little Chloe, you are such a blessing to our family! The past three months have been a joy with you in them. My favorite thing you do is when you snuggle up close to Ava, listening to her "talk." When you're ready you pitch in, too, with the sweetest little voice. You have earned the nickname "Peanut" because you're just a sweet petite thing right now. Mommy has taken you to the very knowledgeable ENT doctor, who diagnosed you with laryngomalacia. This means that the tissue above your voice box is soft and floppy, making it difficult for you to eat and breath sometimes. We keep a very close eye on you, and you are doing great! I know you'll do well because you're so strong, always lifting your head up and doing crunches! I can't wait to see you grow over the next months to come and see more of your wonderful personality. Love you, Peanut!

I'm Baaack

Last summer I did a little experiment of sorts. I started a blog to see if I would keep up with it. Obviously, as you can see that last summer's blog posts ended right there, I did not keep it up. It takes me a lot of time to take pictures, upload them on my computer, and do some basic editing. THEN, I have lots of things to do with them: scrapbook the pictures for our family photo books, update my Facebook, and then try to send out emails to family members who don't have Facebook. Pretty much my entire side of the family is on FB, but Danny's isn't (with the exception of Sean!). In the desire to keep *everyone* updated, and skip that step of sending out random emails with pictures to non-Facebook family members, I've recently decided I'd like to start blogging again (if it counts that I ever started).

This blog is sort of like an online journal for me {and my sweet little family}, where I'd like to post updates on my littles, as well as pictures--LOTS and LOTS of pictures. :) I'm going to try to update it with some of my weekly meal planning that I've always done (don't worry, Danny, I'll still have the whiteboard in the kitchen-HA!) for my own records of family meals, and even post recipes so that one day I may share them with my children in a fun and different way. I guess this blog will be a little look into our lives and my crazy mind. :)

Please check back to see more posts coming in the next week. I would LOVE to get some *blog love* that you can share through comments on my posts. Please pass this blog address along to family members and friends who just may want to stay updated on the Brooks Family.

I'll leave you with this picture of Jakers.

Hugs!