2 Month Dr. Appointment

I'm typing this with one hand and holding a pretty upset 2 month old in the other. Yes, we had the dreaded two month appointment this afternoon (the one with shots). The first part was very happy with Dr. Ortiz. She delivered Brooke and hardly recognized this little double-chinned beauty! Dr. Ortiz was very happy with her weight gain. She is no longer on the bottom line of the percentile chart! Her weight was 9 lbs. 11 oz! One month ago she weighed 7 lbs! She's gaining about 1.2 oz per day and we can sure feel that change.

After the weighing, measuring and picture taking it was time for shots. I was asked to hold down her legs as they gave her three shots in her thighs. She also choked down a liquid medicine. She was so worn out she slept all the way home and to the store to buy some baby Tylenol. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night...

Busy Weekend

The weekend went by way too fast. That's the way it always feels on "symphony weekend." Saturday we tried to sleep in and we got a short drive in before symphony practice in Wenatchee. On our drive we saw this great view of Leavenworth. We dropped Brooke off at my friend Kristin's house and drove to rehearsal. Afterwards we enjoyed a bonfire, wine and talking outside their house in Peshastin until about 11:30pm. That's a late night for new parents! Kristin sounded like she had a great time watching Brooke and was honored to be the first non-family member to watch her.

Cassy and Brooke were both enjoying laying on their backs on Sunday. Cassy loves Brooke! She treats her like a little puppy. She'll come by and sniff her feet and give her a tiny lick. Sunday night we had our symphony concert. Caitlin came with us and helped watch Brooke on the pieces I played on. What would we do without her help! The concert featured many young artists from the valley who all did a wonderful job performing with the symphony.

We love the first fire of the year. The crackling and popping are a comforting sound and standing with your back to the fire is soooo wonderful. We are enjoying the days that we don't have to worry about Brooke and the fireplace! I'm sure those are numbered...

Pumpkin Fun

Caitlin, Brooke and I went to Smallwood's Harvest in Peshastin. I had just finished my first knitting project and had to get some cute pumpkin photos with her. Just think, next year's pumpkin photos will be a little more challenging with Brooke moving around!

Brooke probably slept 30 minutes all day long! She was pretty grumpy last night because she couldn't calm down. Finally around 9pm she cuddled up with daddy on the couch and feel asleep. I fed her at 10:30pm and she slept for five hours, and then another three. I feel a little refreshed today.

The smiles are getting more frequent and animated. It's so much fun to have a happy baby!

Play Time :)

Grandma Carol played with Brooke on the floor at Auntie Caitlin's house. She was not very happy, but you can see how active she can be!

2 Months Old

When I was pregnant I made this cute pink hat. I added the purple bow today and I like the result!

When I woke up at 4:30am to feed Brooke, Caitlin sent me an instant message on our Yahoo Messenger program. She said that Mom and Dad decided to go to Seattle at midnight that night. We dropped Dad off at the Seattle Art Museum and we spent most of the afternoon at IKEA. We were really excited to get a chance to see Tom, Kerry, Leah and Ben Swanson that evening. John Swanson was also in town and met us for a pizza dinner. Everyone had a great time talking and getting to know Brooke.

Kerry holds Brooke first!

Leah's turn!

Brooke looks amazed at Ben's great smile!

Uncle John looks like a natural!

Brooke thinks that grandparents are the best! Look at that great smile for Grandpa!

Fall Drive #2 with Grandparents

Fall Colors

Flashback

Carol holding Annie days after she was born in June of 1981.

Little Annie, big bed!

Now we'll have to find Kent's newborn photos!

Morning Routine

Brooke has been sleeping really well lately. She's fussy getting to bed at night, but once I get her settled she is a sleeping champ. I often feed her at 10:00pm. At 10:30pm I try and get her calmed down and asleep by 11:00pm. She will sleep soundly until 3:30 or 4:00am. After a diaper change and another feeding, she'll sleep until 7:30am or 8:00am. I'm not really sure if this is average, better, or worse than the average 2 month old... but I'm not complaining.

Waiting for her mommy to get her hair done...

On a good day, I take her to the gym with me and lift weights for a while. It's really nice on the days that she's sleepy. But even on the awake days, it's nice because around 9:30am I'm usually one of the only people there. When we get home I set her up in her bouncy chair and I take my shower... these photos are from this morning. Brooke loves to hear the water running, so I can take as long as I want!

She also loves the sound of the hair dryer, so I can at least get my hair looking presentable. Below is what happens when I turn off the hair dryer! :o(

The little princess in pink... her dads favorite color (not really...)!

Another Day in Cashmere

Caitlin is a very good pianist... she discovered a few of her piano books from high school and gave us a wonderful concert. Come any time Caitlin! Brooke sat pretty quietly and listened to the beautiful music.

Today Caitlin and I went on a walk to visit Kent at school. On the way to the high school I snapped this photo of the brand new middle school. I am teaching one class at Cashmere Middle School which meets every other day for 50 minutes. Auntie Caitlin has been so generous to help out and watch Brooke for about 2 hours when I work. It's soooo nice to have her live down the street from us; I appreciate her being so willing to help! Caitlin enjoys having that "Auntie" time and I love getting a chance to teach a few times a week.

This is where you find Kent during his lunch break. It's never a lunch break for him because he is always helping students in some way. He often forgets his lunch in the microwave because he is so busy. Hopefully by seeing his little girl he got a few seconds to relax today! It's a busy week for Cashmere High School. It's homecoming week so there are big activities every day. Today is college sports day (I believe), so that is why he is wearing his University of Idaho tshirt (he always wears nice shirts to work!). Kent's jazz band is traveling to New Orleans later this year, so he has a big spaghetti feed fundraiser tonight.

The dogs wait patiently for us, tied up to the music trailer!