May 28, 2009

Visit to Illinois

After our nice visit in St. Louis, we headed to Bloomington, IL to visit Jill, Brian and Addilyn. We spent Memorial Day at Jill's family's "pond." Brooke had a blast. She got to ride on a paddle boat, swing for hours, ride the 4-wheeler and watch the guys fish. She was very excited about the boat ride and even said, "Are we going to cross the river?" (which is right out of a Dora episode). She announced that, "we are all fishing together" even though she was just watching! Se entertained all the adults with songs and endless conversation! It was great to spend time with Jill and Brian and to meet their beautiful little girl, Addilyn. I have a few more pics I need that are on Jill's camera, so I'll add them when I get them.

May 27, 2009

Aunt Clarissa's Wedding Shower/St. Louis Visit

Over Memorial Day weekend we went to St. Louis for the first half of the weekend and then Illinois for the second part (more on that later!) We had a very nice bridal shower for Clarissa (Uncle Jason's fiance). Brooke got a little antsy at lunch but she enjoyed playing with her new friend, Stella.

"Ring around the Rosies"

Grandpa and Uncle Jason came too!

Congratulations Jason and Clarissa!
I had a fun time and Grandma and Grandpa's house too!

May 17, 2009

The Moore's Visit

Our friends, Jason, Sue and Oliver came to visit this weekend. Oliver and Brooke played together very well. Oliver loved playing with all of Brooke's toys and Brooke called him, "my other friend" all weekend! She is still talking about her "other friend!" Here are a few pictures from our visit.

A visit to the park


Bath time!

Looking at the dogs. (Note our matching hairstyles!)


Looking at the animals at the zoo!

The Return of the Binkie....

So, I know you are probably tired of hearing about Brooke's binkie, but here's a quick update:

Brooke without binkie:
- Crying for 30+ minutes every night before falling asleep
- Requiring 10+ minutes of rocking before naps and bedtime and still crying herself to sleep
- Crying every day we dropped her off at daycare
- Only taking about 1 -1 1/2 hour naps
- Unusually attached to mommy or daddy, especially around other people

Brooke with binkie:
- About 2 minutes of rocking and asleep within minutes with no crying
- Not a single tear when dropped off at day care (instead, an exclamation as she walks away from daddy: "I'm happy!")
- Taking 2 - 2 1/2 hour naps
- Perfectly happy to leave mommy and daddy and play at new places

So, yes, we (or I should say I ) gave in...we gave her the binkie back. We have discovered though, that binkie = confidence and she is just so much happier with it. Even though she still NEVER asked for it, she was like a new child once she had it back. It never leaves her crib, but somehow knowing it's there helps her have confidence her whole day. So, you can say, "I told you so" Grandma (Barb) but we had to try and now we know...we will try again in another 6 months or so!

May 07, 2009

The Binkie Monologues

and I quote....

"I throw away my binkies. I'm a big girl, I don't need a binkie anymore. Trinity no have a binkie. She's a big girl, too. Binkies are for babies. My friend Arye-ana has a binkie. She's a baby."

Out of nowhere, Brooke went into this little monologue the other night. We were cleaning up from dinner and she just started talking. We have no idea where it came from! Unfortunately, she can say it all she wants but it still doesn't seem to matter come bed time. She is NOT asking for it, but she is still having a hard time getting to sleep. She was doing well until we went into St. Louis, but she has had a hard week since then. The last few nights have been better, so hopefully we are back where we started soon.

May 03, 2009

Twinkle,Twinkle...

No explanation needed...Just watch!
(Scroll down to see all of the other new posts from last week!)


Friends

Brooke got to play with a lot of new friends while we were in St. Louis. Here are some pictures of her new friends.

Playing

Brooke had a blast playing with Haley and with Uncle Jason's old Brio train set.



Somersaults



Brooke decided that she knew how to do somersaults this week. I'm not sure where she got the idea (maybe daycare) but she loves to do them! It's not quite a "real" somersault but she thinks it is!