Brooks Week 35-36

Brooks officially turned 9 months old this past Friday. Where in the world did the time go???? We have been so busy over the past two weeks that I totally get the cliché “time flies when you are having fun!” Time just flew away I guess since the last 9 months have been nothing but fun!
Our trip to Boston and Pennsylvania was awesome! Brooks was our super trooper traveler…I would go anywhere with that little guy! He did really well on the flights up to Boston even though he had an ear infection! He’s a tough little monster! The weather was a very nice change…it was in the 50’s when we landed in Boston! It was a gorgeous day on Saturday for my cousin Kate’s wedding…perfect for the outdoor ceremony! We did it all while we were in Bean Town. We stayed with Becky and Troy and they live in the heart of the Back Bay…right across the street from Fenway! So cool! We attended Gospel Brunch at HOB, took a Duck Tour, walked the Freedom Trail, ate yummy “lobstaa” and even got a private tour of Fenway! Mark, Troy and my Uncle Phillip braved the weather after the tour and went to the Sox vs Yankees game! Good times! We were so spoiled while we were there! Thanks Bec and Troy!

House of Blues Gospel Brunch...so much fun! Uncle Troy even gave Brooks a lesson on drumming...with knives no less!

We walked ALL over Boston...here we are entering into the North End.

Bunker Hill...the end of the Freedom Trail!

One of many naps in the stroller while we were busy in Boston!

Brooks loved going in and waking up Uncle Troy each morning...ewwww...morning breath! After Boston we drove to Pennsylvania to see the rest of the family. We stayed a few days at the cabin in the Poconos and then we drove down to New Jersey to stay with my Aunt Winnie and Uncle Chet. We had such a great time seeing everyone. Brooks was a huge hit! He finally got to meet is Great-Nana…she swears that he looks just like my dad did at that age…I can definitely see the similarities!

Even though our trip was fantastic it was great to get home…although I would like to have been able to bring the cool weather with us!

Brooks got to use the same highchair that his cousins Tad and Amy used when they were babies!

Uncle Chet was Brooks' buddy...or maybe it was the other way around!

Brooks loved meeting his cousin Amy and her boyfriend Sean!

Brooks bagged himself a big bear while he was in the mountains! Heehee!This is Mark and Brooks posing in front of the stone fireplace that Mark created last summer while Brooks was still a little bun in the oven! Nice work!!!Brooks had his 9 month pediatrician appointment the Monday we returned home. He is growing like a weed! He is 22 pounds now and 29 inches tall! He is in the 75th percentile in all categories…we have a big boy on our hands! He eats like a big boy now too! He LOVES his solids and the doctor told us it was time for 3 meals a day! I’ve not heard any complaints from Brooks! He also loves to eat off of our plates too! He likes it all! The only thing he’s spit out so far is a red beet! He loves hummus, cheese, pita, egg, lunch meat, pasta, cereal, cinnamon bread…you name it he pretty much likes it! Like I said he LOVES food! When we are finished with a meal and he isn’t “full” he will let you know! He cries like I’ve never seen him cry…almost like he is heart broken that you are not feeding him more! We are talking HUGE crocodile tears! The poor guys acts like he never gets a decent meal! Ha!

Brooks and I had a great time last week getting everything just “right” for Mark’s first Father’s Day. We decided to do a “picture” theme and so Brooks and I went and had his portrait taken professionally. There were some really great ones but I decided on an adorable shot of him in his baseball outfit posing with a glove, hat, and holding a ball…it was perfection! We got a nice 10x13 matted and framed for Mark’s office! I also took the time and finally put all of Brooks’ newborn keepsakes in a shadow box. It includes the gown that Mark wore in the OR when Brooks was born (it has B’s first footprints, name and birth stats written on it!), our hospital bracelets, and lots of cute pics and memorabilia. It was a long time coming and Father’s Day was great motivation! I also framed this picture of Brooks and me for Mark…I just love Brooks’ smile! Mark had a great first Father’s Day. He had some great one on one time with his boy and we were even able to squeeze in a family nap in the afternoon! Now that is a good day!

Waiting to have our pictures taken for our Daddies for Father's Day! Brooks' tie has Gators on it! In between all of this Brooks has had a good time trying to beat the heat at the pool. It has been unbearably hot here the past two weeks and so to avoid heat stroke we are going on our runs as early as possible and then hitting the pool afterwards. It is a great combo! Brooks LOVES the water! He would stay in all day if I would let him! He fusses and cries when it is time to go home! It’s the same story at the end of bath time each night! He just loves splashing and playing…a true water baby! Fun in the sun with Ella! Getting ready for pool time with Taylor!
Bath time at the cabin in the Poconos...in the sink of course! It's an old family tradition! We are so sad because our good friends the Fulmer’s are moving to Connecticut this week. We met last August when we were in the same Lamaze class. Tyson was born two weeks before Brooks and we have been really good about getting the boys together as much as possible. When we are out and about people always ask if the boys are twins! We are really going to miss our friends! So what is Brooks doing these days besides eating!?!? He is a professional crawler for sure! He is all over the place…room to room…and he will even follow you around…very cute! It was so sweet the other day when Mark came home from work…Brooks heard the keys in the lock and he turned to see Mark walk though the door…zzzooommm…off he went to greet him at the door! Talk about a warm welcome that will melt your heart!

Brooks is also pulling up on anything and everything he can reach! He loves the coffee table, end table and the couch. His new trick is to go back and forth between the couch and coffee table…he knows no fear! He will also let go, teeter for a second and then plop down on his bottom! Fearless!He also likes to “walk” around holding your fingers…he thinks he is VERY grown up! He has also discovered the swings at the park. We stopped by this week while we were out for a run…he didn’t want to leave! Check out this video…I know I say July 21st but I meant to say June…silly me!

I swear we must have one of the happiest babies around! Brooks gets so tickled at the craziest things…things you say, how you say them and sometimes he just giggles for no reason! He is so easy to love…just like his daddy!