Brooks' First Haircut

Mommy and Daddy finally decided that is was time for Brooks to get his hair trimmed up.  I think the decision happened for me when I was standing in church and the saw the cutest little girl with a mullet.  I wondered, "why don't her parents cut her hair?"  And then I realized, yikes- that may be what people think about Brooks' messy locks!

Brooks doesn't have a whole lot of hair to begin with, but it was definitely too long around his ears and in the back.  Knowing a few small snips would clean it up, I decided to do it myself.  At the time, the decision to cut it myself was obvious.  But once I started cutting, I got a little nervous.  

Here is the little man with his "long, unruly" locks:

After the first snip, I began to question my decision for the hair cut because it was as though he turned into a little boy immediately.  But I was too far in to turn back.  So I continued to trim each side and the back.  For a 14 month old, I'd say he cooperated quite nicely.  

By the time I was finished, he looked like he lost his "baby face," but certainly looked better groomed.  Here are some post hair-cut pics:

  
Additionally, Brooks picked up pink eye this week :(  He's not in daycare anymore so we are not totally sure where he got it.  My best guess is that I brought it home from work on my clothes.  Which leads me to think I should be changing clothes right when I get home now! He looks like a little boxer with his eye all swollen:

Our Crazy Toddler

Our family life has taken quite a swing (for the better) the last few months.  Tim is home with Brooks during the day (until his classes on Monday and Wednesday) and it has been so fabulous to have him home.  We have enjoyed taking Brooks out in the stroller when I get home from work, and Brooks has stayed so healthy.  Until...

This week Brooks began running a fever and coughing, the doctor gave us a good dose of steroids because it sounded a lot like Croup  and then that turned into a double ear infection :)  But if you know Brooks, this hasn't really gotten him down.  He continues to play hard!  Chasing Munson is one of his favorite activities these days!

Another favorite is dancing to the "Hot Dog" song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  His favorite book this month is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and he asks us to read it over and over.  Brooks is the biggest, little hugger ever!  He has always given his mom and dad lots of hugs, but now he loves to hug other kids.  Sometimes the other child hugs him back, and sometimes they just push him like "what the heck are you doing?"  

Brooks also loves to play with cars.  This month he started making car noises when he moves them!  It's the funniest thing because no one taught him to do that, he just started doing it on his own.

  Brooks just "flexing" his muscles!

 Brooks is getting pretty big!  I don't have any percentages until next month, but he weighed 24 lbs. 11 oz. at the doctor last week!  His belly keeps his 12 month clothes from fitting :)

Brooks is in the jumpy at his cousin's 3rd birthday, he hated it!

The newest thing our 14 month old has done is found his head.  If you ask him where his head is, he pats his head so proud of himself. I'm going to attempt to add a video of it!

A Conversationist

Now that Brooks is 13 months he has become quite the "talker."  He has started carrying on conversations in his own language.  It's so cute, he shakes his head and uses his hands while he talks!  He is also using 5 real words!  His vocabulary now includes: mama, dada, dog, cat, and the oh so joyous "no!"  A new thing he has also begun to do all the time is shake his head "yes."  It can be quite entertaining to ask him questions and watch him shake yes. 

Along with his talking comes his moving!  Brooks practically runs everywhere!  Often times he is going so fast that he ends up on his face, but bounces right up to his feet without tears.  He also LOVES to dance!  Anytime he hears music he starts bending his knees and bobbing his head.  This includes the 30 second music on commercials, with his toys, or the radio.  Brooks has also perfected his wave this month, using it at the appropriate time.  He has even added blowing kisses to his repetiore.  He does a great job putting his hand to his mouth, but doesn't always blow the kiss away :)

He has also started giving kisses (when he wants to, not on demand)! Here are the cutest pictures of him dragging his "Munson" around the house!

Brooks loves peanut butter & jelly, and (fingers crossed) we didn't have any allergy problems.  He also is obsessed with salmon!  The boy can eat more than his mama!  He no longer uses his passy at all!  We started using it only at night around 11 months, and took it away completely about a week and half ago.  This week he has also graduated to only using a sippy cup.  That's right, no more bottles (tear).  So far, so good!!

 I also finished Brooks' baby book (through Shutterfly) and it arrived this week.  I am so excited about it!  I highly recommend taking this route... so much easier and takes up less space than a traditional album or book.

Y'all stay classy!

Reflecting on Christmas

Our Christmas was a very special time with family while watching Brooks begin to enjoy the traditions of the holiday.  Being a mom makes this time of year feel very different.  I have a hard time even explaining the change of heart, but I know that my focus has taken a giant swing toward someone other than myself.  And not to say that I am usually all about myself, but this year felt like there was not even a second to think about my needs.  This really got me thinking about what the season is all about...

Imagine being a young woman, pregnant and out of wedlock.  At a time when a lack of understanding from people is an understatement.  Now imagine having no clean, warm place to bring this tiny baby into the world.  This sweet blessing that God has trusted you for the job.  The Savior is coming, and you are the sole provider, how much stress do you think Mary was under?  We worry about our presents being bought and wrapped, extravagant meals being prepared, special festivities, and where we will spend our holiday.   All of these things pale in comparison to Mary's mighty job.  But she continued to trust God and his plan for her.  She followed his will, through all the trials she encountered.  In the end, Mary delivered our Lord- and continued to care for him in her sinless life.  SINLESS!  Now I don't know about you, but considering all she went through, remaining without sin is absolutely amazing! 

So as I look back on the last year (and all my sins), I want to remember Mary's special role in the Christmas story.  She is certainly a role model for me as a mother.  As we all begin to chose our New Year's resolutions, maybe we could start with reflecting on Mary's trust in the Lord, her ability to blindly follow his will, and her sinless parenting.  

If you got this far- here are some Christmas pictures for your enjoyment :)

 

We'll see you guys in 2013!!