Rain rain go away....aaaahhh SUNSHINE!

Before I logged on, I didn't think it was that long ago that I put my last post. Boy was I wrong. Hello, Christmas anyone? I can't believe it's been about five months. Either way, here we are. Right in the middle of May. Lots has happened since Christmas.

Thankfully, now the snow is gone. (Knock on wood 20 times over.) April was beautiful and then we had about gloomy weeks in a row with rain. Now hopefully 70's - 80's weather is here to stay. My mom was just here over opening fishing weekend and we both agreed that we'd like to live some where with 70-80 degrees 9 months of the year and the other three can be slightly cooler. That's not too much to ask for right?

In March, Brooke got tubes. I was really nervous about the procedure, but overall it went really well. And, the results have been amazing. She's talking up a storm and is hearing so much better.

In May, we (okay, not me. But, my dad, Justin's dad and Justin) put four new windows in our house. The windows they took out were originals from 1960 so they were due. The new windows look amazing. They really open up the rooms we've put them in. So, now I think we've touched every room in our house with some type of remodel project. Next step is paint, paint and more paint. We need to re-paint a couple walls in our living room, the spare bedroom upstairs and then re-paint Brooke's room.

And, the reason why we are painting the spare upstairs (and where the window project started) is because we are expecting baby number two!!! Yes, that's right. We are so excited and can sometimes barely believe it. I had my first appointment last Thursday and the baby is extremely healthy. And, the heart was pumping at 180 beats per minute. The even better part was that the doctor found the heartbeat immediately. No hiding this time.

Hopefully this time I don't wait five months before I post again. Until then, don't forget to always find something about everyday to celebrate! Here are a few of my reasons to celebrate in the pictures below.

Tea party Saturday!

Happy Mother's Day

Favorite place this spring - the park across the street from home.

"Grandma, I'll swing here and you go swing over there."

"Higher Grandpa, higher!"

"Swinging with Grandpa."

"Dad, I can slide by myself."

"Happy Mother's Day, Grandma."

Jumping in the jumpy castle with Ivy.

First nice afternoon at home with mommy.

Too precious not to post.

Happy Easter!

Cody looking fancy with his bandana.

Brooke & Austin

Biker Brooke

"Okay, Brooke, you don't have trucks, I guess a baby and stroller will have to do."

"Thanks for the hat auntie Marcie."

A few hours after getting tubes in the ears. Easy as pie.

Minnesota Wild Game

Christmas & New Years

I haven't put a post up in quite a while so I better get things updated! Seems like December and January went by like a blur. We ended up spending the entire Christmas weekend in East Grand Forks because of the 25 inches of snow we got that weekend. Then over New Year's we traveled back to Minot for four days. And now here we are a week before Valentine's Day (and Justin's birthday is right around the corner, too).

Brooke is learning more every day and can point out her mouth, nose, eyes, finger, arms and toes. She's 15 months old now. It's really hard to believe. We have her 15-month appointment this week and I think we are going to get a referral to an ENT specialist to get tubes in her ears. She's on her 8th diagnosed ear infection. To top it off, after 7 days of one antibiotic, we found out she's developed a resistance to it and had to be on a stronger antibiotic. Poor thing. But, she's a trooper.

Justin had his gall bladder out in January. The surgery went well, but he had a complication a few days later (extra bile duct that was leaking into his body). His pain was incredible and ended up staying in the hospital for four days. He's slowly but surely getting better. January was a long and rough month for him. But, he's just about back to normal and has been out enjoying hockey the last couple weeks, too.

Here are a few pictures from the last month or so. I don't think they are in any special order. Enjoy.

Justin snowblowing the 25" of snow. After our yard, he did the neighbors and then the neighbor's across the street. What a guy!

What a big girl eating an apple by herself.

(I don't ever let her do this, but she absolutely refused to let me cut it. Yep, she's the boss.)

Brooke & Austin in their sleds from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!

First snowman! (Yes, those are beets for eyes. We needed something edible because we knew Cody would eat them at some point.)

Building the snowman with Grandma Wendy.

"I love my new outfit from Grandma Wendy & Grandpa Kenny!"

Beating dad in Pinochle!

Loving the new stroller.

Helping Grandma make supper (washing the potatoes).

Chef Brooke is ready to cook with her new apron.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go.... The tree is up. The lights are on outside the house. The rosettes are made. Sure feels like Christmas to me. Brooke helped Justin and I trim the tree. Well, I should say that now she just takes the ornaments down and I have to put them up a little higher each time. And now, she just moves one of her chairs closer to the tree so she can climb that and reach even higher on the tree.

I'm looking forward to an exciting Christmas weekend. On Christmas Eve morning we'll open gifts between the three (um, make the four with Cody) of us. That evening we'll head to the Hechts for dinner. Then, the next morning we'll make the trek to the Magic City to spend time with the Burckhards. And, we are going to do the Holiday Tradition Burckhard party at the International Inn this year. It should be fun with all the babies/toddlers and more at the pool.

Brooke is growing more and more every day. She continues to be in the 97th percentile for height and weight. And, her head size jumped from 50th percentile at her nine month appointment up to the 97th percentile at her 12 month appt. The doc didn't quite believe it so she measured again. Yep. Now her head fits her body. (Not that it didn't before. You know what I mean... :-) ). She's talking more and trying to imitate sounds and words. She has learned the dogs name at daycare - Mario - and calls everything hairy by that name. (Sorry Cody. You've been named Mario by her, too.) Her other new word is shoes. Do we need to be worried that she'll be a shop-a-holic? ha!

Here are a few pre-Christmas photos of Brooke and Cody. (They are best friends by the way. It's not too often that when we are all home that they spend any time apart.)

I used that chair when I was little and so did my mom.

Brooke & Cody.

Relaxing in the snow.

All work and no play at the Hechts.

First good snowfall of December 2009.

Pool Party & More

For Brooke's birthday (11.4.09) Justin and I both spent the entire day with her. First we went to the mall to see puppies in the pet store and play in the play area. Then, out to lunch and home for a quick nap. Later that afternoon, we met up with the Anderson's and went swimming and sliding at Canad Inns water park. Brooke's been in the lake, but this was her first time in a pool. And, even though her lips turn crazy shades of blue and purple, she didn't want to leave. I think we've got a little fish on our hands.

Here are a few pictures of Brooke's pool party and a few more from tonight at Grandpa Mike and Grandma Patti's house.

Brooke's first ride her her turned-around car seat.

Sittin' pretty on a big girl chair.

Big boy Austin

Uncle Justin sliding with Austin.

Brooke's birthday slide with daddy.

1st Birthday Pool Party

Brooke loves the splash park.

Brooke & Austin at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Happy Birthday Brooke! (11/4/2009)

I can't believe that only one year ago, our darling little Brooke was born. I never knew how much our lives would change. I never knew that I could love another person as much as I absolutely adore her. Every day I know I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

Even though she won't remember everything that happened these last few days, we did a couple parties for her. The first one was for family and friends. On October 31, we celebrated her birthday at Grandma Patti & Grandpa Mike's house. A lot of people came over - Grandma Wendy & Grandpa Kenny, the Andersons, the Johnsons, the Gregoires, Great Grandma & Great Grandpa Raub, Great Grandma Hecht, Great Aunt Alyce, and cousin Adam Overvold. We had a great time with everyone and were so excited that they all could make it. Unfortunately Uncle Terry couldn't be there, but he had to work. We are looking forward to see him over Thanksgiving.

Then, on her actual birthday (today), Justin and I both took the day off of work to hang out with her. When she woke up (6 a.m. of course) she got to open her presents from us. We already gave her a Sioux hockey stick at her party, so this time she got clothes, shoes, and sippy cups. After breakfast and a morning nap, we headed to the mall to see the puppies in the pet store and to play in the play gym. She had a fun time exploring the mall. It was nice to have space for her to run around and not always hear "no". For lunch we went to Arby's since it was close. (Okay, so that's not that exciting, but I have to write this out so I remember everything we did.) Then, home again for a short nap before heading to the water park. Yep, Brooke had a pizza party at Splashers Island at Canad Inns. It was her first time there. Originally, it was just going to be Justin & I with her, but Katie didn't have to work so she brought Austin and Ryan met up later. It was Brooke's first time there and she loved it. (I'll have to download photos later b/c the camera is not nearby.) After 2 hours of swimming and playing in the water, we headed home. She definitely was pooped because she slept all the way home and wasn't awake for very long once we got here.

Today was also a big day because she got to start drinking regular milk and her car seat got turned around. Even though she's one and is becoming more and more independent every day, she'll always be my little baby.

Happy Birthday Brooke Marie. We love you little munchkin.

Dancing in the hallway.

Opening presents during her Oct. 31 birthday party.

Big girl birthday smash cake.

The Hechts & Andersons

Proud mom & dad of a one year old!

Lovin' life on her new car from Grandma Patti & Grandpa Mike.

I love sugar!

Brooke & cousin Austin (the dragon)

Make a wish.

Brooke was a Vikings cheerleader for her Halloween birthday party.

The Hechts

I'm one today!

Practicing her pouty face.

Reading with Grandpa Kenny.

Stylin' driver.

Brooke Marie

Brooke in her Minnesota Wild jumper. Thanks Ross!

Good buddies at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We were just playing around one afternoon and I found this bug costume for Brooke. It's going to be too small to wear for Halloween, but it's kinda cute.

Down for a snooze.