Welp, Brooklyn's chubby little legs do not seem to be misleading, she is 22lbs & 14oz., 95th percentile for her weight! I get stopped at least 1 time when we go out for someone to stop & coo at her, and (usually ask to) pinch her chubby legs. :) She is 75th percentile for her height, dont remember her head circumference so it must have been about average. She just sprouted her bottom teeth, and crawls a few steps, starting to do baby talk of "da-da-da". She's pulling herself to her knees and occasionally to standing. Lots of fun. Bobby, for the most part, is starting to realize he can play with Brooklyn. He's not always nice (God forbid she have any toy that is his!), but I can honestly say that he is pretty good for being a 2 year old and having a sibling.

August brings alot of celebration for our family, we celebrate our 5th anniversary & my 30th birthday at the end of the month. With a turn of a decade around the corner, I've been trying to think of things to do that have "30" in them to ignite the beginning of a new age (other than having my insurance rates go up lol). I have been tossing around the idea of running 30 miles every week until I turn 30. Or trying to do 30 different things out of my comfort zone (this is tough), I haven't quite figured out what I will do, I'll probably resort to the 30 miles a week challenge since I've been pretty good at logging mileage as it is. Its crazy to realize that for the past 10 years of my life, I have shared them Derek. It hasn't been an easy road, and at one point I think everyone who knew us wasn't sure how things would work out for us, but I think it has strengthen our marriage to levels that were unimaginable. We are NOT perfect, but we definitely have had our fair shake of bad times to REALLY appreciate all the good that God has given our family. After weathering all that has happened to us, I know that we can conquer anything.

Time to go figure out what I'm making for dinner (and what am I going to get Derek for our anniversary???)...

9 months home made photo shoot

I am very proud of our little home made photo shoot! I am a rookie at all things photography - not bad if I say so myself! Very disappointed that Brooklyn's head band and flower did not show up as a better match to her tutu- I must have been looking at them in dark light because they looked better in person! Tomorrow is the official 9 month mark, she is such a blessing! Our family has gone through some tough times since she contracted her RSV, but everyday I hear her & Bobby giggle at each other is all worth it. I hope they become good friends as I was with my brother growing up. I sometimes wonder what I used to do without them. I really feel like they are my 2 best friends (aside from Derek). I remember reading those corny license plate frames that said, "Happiness is... Being so-and-so's mom", but really, its how I feel too!

Looking at Brooklyn today, she looks like me as a baby. I see a little bit of Derek in her, but mostly me. Bobby is Derek's spitting image. Those 2 look identical, its amazing what our genes can do!

Brooklyn can officially crawl and now pull herself up. If you go to grab her hands when she is sitting, or go to put her down to play its like an instinct to want to stand. Kills the back! She is finally cutting her first 2 bottom teeth so sleep has been up and down over the last week. Eating everything, playing with everything, just a delight. I think its fair to say Derek and I are not sure if we are done having kids. We are definitely enjoying the break from having an itty bitty baby to care for - so draining as all of you know!

Over the summer its been BUSY! Its been a relentless cycle of birthdays, weddings, baby showers - nearly every weekend since June! I will be so happy when a saturday rolls around, Derek is home, and we can all play as a family together instead of having to leave the house! I have definitely picked up lifting and all other sorts of physical exercise as a hobby now that Brooklyn is much easier to handle. I feel stronger and happier than ever!

I've managed, on average to get the kids to nap at the same time on most days during the week. What a victory! Its a great break - I dont do anything but goof off, i.e. dishes, nap or facebook it, but either way its so nice to enjoy some quiet time.

Wishing everyone a blessed day!

almost 9 months....