Brooke was a good girl this year. Santa brought her tons of presents. Once again I have so many pictures so I figured I would just make a fun slide show. I tried to shorten it up as much as possible but she is just so darn cute and I and a shutterbug. It was great to spend time with everyone over Christmas. Brooke doesn't know what to do with all her stuff and we don't know where to put it. It looks like Toys R Us vomited in our house.
The DJ stand had all sorts of lights that she was drawn to. Brooke even found a little boy to play with. Although in this picture it looks as if she is telling him, "hey you this is my spot".
Tim took Brooke to the gym with him this morning while I was sleeping (I worked last night). He made it through his workout and when he arrived to pick her up she was having a great time playing.
This morning I called the gym as usual to make sure it was OK to bring Brooke, "No problem, see you at 10:30". Brooke and I get ready and off to the gym we go. I see that once we are there and she is getting antsy at the fish on the walls that I might be in for a fight. Usually she points and laughs at the fish as we walk up the stairs to the Kid's Club.
A little background. Brooke has been protesting me handing her over to anyone for almost the last 2 weeks. Sometimes she won't even go to her Daddy. If he takes her anywhere she is fine and will go to just about anyone. But not me, no way!
I sign her in as usual and one of the girls that knows Brooke was right there to greet us. I warn her, "I don't know how she will be going to you". Just as I suspected she arched her back and screamed as I handed her over. "Don't worry, she will be fine before you even get to the locker room". Wrong! About 40 minutes into my workout I see the same girl looking down the from the track. Ugh, I feel like the principal is looking at us back in high school. You want to look but you also want to hang your head hoping they aren't looking for you. I had a feeling this time though it was me. She came down and said that she has been crying the entire time. I changed quick and went up to get her. Wouldn't you know as soon as she gets a glimpse of me she is all smiles and jumping. Lets hope this phase passes but in the meantime I suppose I should be flattered to know that I am #1 in her eyes.
T'was the night before Christmas, and all thru the floor,
lasix was given, filling the foleys galore.
Stockings were worn to prevent emboli,
they came in two sizes, knee and thigh-high.
The patients were nestled half-asleep in their beds,
while visions of stool softeners danced in their heads.
We in our scrubs, and they in their gowns,
fashions created to hide extra pounds.
When down in the ER it became such a zoo,
they called with admissions for me and for you.
They're coming, they're going, and they're all looking the same,
my patience for patients is starting to wane.
The call lights are ringing, our smiles turn to frowns,
a 400# patient screams "Didn't get my pericare, now send my nurse down!"
And now delegation seems the best plan,
we try to send others, to the needs of this man.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but Santa himself and 8 tiny Reindeer.
He says he comes from Central Supply, to bring us LR, NS, & D5.
The doctors then scribbled what no one could read,
orders on patients, to measure their pee.
We try to decipher illegible words,
orders for patients, to guaiac their turds.
The new shift arriving, our shift is now through,
how did stool & emesis get in my shoe?
We give them report and pass on the facts,
and tell them of duoderm lining the cracks.
And the nurses exclaim as they limp out of sight,
"Ativan to all, and to all Good Night!!!"
Poor Brooke looked more like the kid from the Christmas Story in her snowsuit trying to move.
Dear Santa,
Sorry that I cried and didn't want to sit on your lap. My Mommy and Daddy call it separation/stranger anxiety. Why would they drag me out in the cold, put me on a stranger's lap, and expect me to smile for a picture? I had to give them this look long enough so they would come and get me off your lap. I really have been a good girl. Please don't put coal in my stocking.
Love,
Brooke
I couldn't resist sharing last year's picture. What a difference!
8:30 Brooke wakes up happy pointing and talking to everything in her room. Definitely a morning person. Must get that from Dad. Change a very wet and poopy diaper. Man do I hate those!
8:50 Brooke is sitting in her high chair eating puffs and drinking her milk waiting for her breakfast. Maple Syrup Eggo, Milk and Yogurt for breakfast. Finally, she is back to eating well!
9:15 Brooke is screaming while I try to clean her hands and mouth. I can't get rid of the maple syrup smell.
9:20 I call the kids club a the gym, "Is it OK if I bring Brooke in at 10:15?" Sure no problem see you then.
9:30 What should Brooke wear? Hand her an Elmo board book and get her dressed struggling to keep her out of the wipes container.
9:40 I get dressed and brush my teeth while chasing Brooke away from the
stairs and out of the bathroom cabinets. Mental Note: Have Dad put safety locks on bathroom cabinet.
9:50 Put coats on check to make sure I have my ipod and Brooke's diaper bag is packed with the essentials.
10:05 Early for once. Mark that one down! Brooke screams as I hand her over to the same girls she has seen for the last 6 months. They assure me she will be fine. "Come get me if she doesn't stop".
11:15 Not a long workout but time to get her home for a nap. Go up to kids club and find her emptying out a toy box in the back oblivious that I am there. Kori scoops her up and she starts waving her arms and laughing at the site of me. "Wow I wish I got that reaction every time you saw me", Kori exclaims. "One of the great things about being the mom", I think.
11:30 Home and Brooke is off to nap. I get some lunch and get in the shower.
1:00 Brooke is awake and ready for lunch. Bologna and cheese sandwich, black beans, pineapple, and milk. Not the combination I would eat but hey she likes it. I keep telling her to stop feeding the dogs. Another good meal for Brooke. Sucks down her 2nd dose of Amoxicillin for the day.
1:30 Bathtub! Brooke usually doesn't get baths in the middle of the day but I have my office party today and I can't get rid of the maple syrup smell. Besides she could spend forever in the tub.
1:50 Brooke's face is turning red and she is grunting. OMG there are 2 Baby Ruths floating in the bathtub. Gross! Brooke pooped in the bathtub for the first time. Sorry probably TMI. Scoop her out wipe her bottom and off to the changing table. Hmmm...office party what should she wear? So many decisions. It's hard enough some days to figure out what I am going to wear and
now I am doing it for 2.
2:30 Call the office to see how they are doing with patients. Elaine tells me they won't be there till probably 4. She will call when they are leaving. In the meantime Brooke and I clean up the mess we have made throughout the day, vacuum, and play.
3:45 Elaine calls, "We are leaving". I pack her up in the car and off we go. All I can think is, "Oh boy how is she going to do with all these people and right in the middle of nap time?"
4:00 Arrive at Dr. Horvath's house. I get her and all of our "stuff" out of the car and head down the driveway. Everyone is so happy to see Brooke. She is scared and must have been thinking, "Who are all these people and no I only want my mommy to hold me. The last time she handed me over to someone she left". Lori asks to take her so I can try and eat. I say, "I'm not sure if she will". Brooke's arms go out and she goes right to her. No one else and many people have tried. The Christmas party was nice. I got to see everyone that I don't get to see as often and catch up. Dr. Muler even had his new little baby there to google over. I can't believe that Brooke was that little last year!
6:00 Time to get Brooke home. I think she did well at her first christmas party of 2007.
6:15 Should I lay her down or not? Well she was asleep in the car. Ok, maybe just for a little bit. 7:00 She is still sound asleep. I open her door and start making some noise. I know, not very nice but hey she hasn't had dinner and how will she sleep tonight. Finally she wakes up like she was never asleep once again talking and laughing. Again must be from Dad.
7:15 Eating dinner. LATE dinner. Once again though a great meal. A jar of apples and chicken dinner, a container of green beans, more black beans, lil' crunchies, 2 Ritz crackers, and milk. I know, a lot right?
8:00 Daddy is home and Brooke is so excited when he runs in the room. Time to play a little before bedtime.
8:30 Upstairs for PJ's, bottle, story time, and bedtime. She is out with pacifier in hand and aquarium music still playing. What a day!
On a side note: I apologize to all the teachers for the million grammer mistakes. Guess I need to go back to 6th grade English :) I also didn't think I would type this much.
Brooke had a friend to play with today. Corie and Kevin stopped over today on their way to the see the lights at the Zoo with their daughter Emily. Brooke wasn't sure what do with someone else playing along side.
My little girl has her first ear infection. So sad. It all started on Wednesday while visiting with Grandma and Papa. She had a fever 102.6 axillary and just wanted to be held. Yesterday the fever continued and she would try and play but just sat there looking at her toys with sad glazed eyes. Brooke slept with me on Wednesday and last night we fell asleep in her glider when she was up at 4:30am. I haven't been able to cuddle like this with her since she was mobile. She has been such a great sleeper but this is kicking her butt. Called the Dr. this am thinking they would say it was just her teeth or her immunizations she had last week. Yes, the nurse in me trying to fix it on my own. Oh yeah, she has 2 more top teeth that showed up on Wednesday. Guess she gets them in pairs. The nurse said bring her in right away. On our way we go. She of course hates everything about that office now and didn't even want to get on the exam table without putting up a fight. Both ears are most likely infected and with the weekend coming up we were sent home with a prescription for Amoxicillin three times a day for 10 days continue with the Motrin and Tylenol, and encourage fluids. I now have found how much I like the drive through pharmacy. No getting out of the car to tote a sick sleeping kid in the pharmacy. Just drop it off. Well here is hoping that Brooke will feel better and be back to her playful self.
Brooke may not be a full time walker yet but she has made big strides since she took her first few steps on Thanksgiving. Here is a preview of Brooke's little stagger. Oh yeah and she is in her diaper because I have been trying to get this all day on camera and she kept tripping over her pants. Sorry its a little dark but you get the idea. It won't be long before we are chasing a walker and not a crawler anymore.
The tree is out of the tote and decorated!
Brooke even put an ornament on (with a little help from Daddy). We weren't sure what she would do with the tree. I just pictured her trying to climb it or put the ornaments and the lights in her mouth. Everything that could happen I thought of it. What has she done? Nothing, not even phased by it. Thank You Brooke! We can't wait to spend another Christmas with our little girl.
Brooke loves Daddy play time. Once again no socks! She is getting pretty good at stacking and knocking them right back down.
You turn your back for a second and the dogs are no longer eating the raw hid but Brooke is giving it a taste!!! What are you eating tonight??
Brooke had her 1 year Dr.'s appointment today. She weighed in at a mere 19.5lbs and is 28.5 inches long. That puts her in the 25th percentile for each. Dr says, "No concerns, she looks great". Each appointment brings some shots :( The cry only gets louder and more heartbreaking each time. I know when I see 2 nurses walk in the door she is in for 2 shots. This time it was her last pneumococcal and her first chicken pox vaccine. Usually once the shots are done and the tears are wiped away we both can breath and think, "all done". Not this time. From the shots at the office it was time to get a blood draw done. Brooke had to get her blood counts and lead levels checked. As we waited at the lab I just prayed, "please let them get it on the first try". One try, a scream later, and some tears we walked out of that building with 3 bandaids. What a trooper Brooke was! Dad is a trooper too. I can handle the shots but not the blood draw. I never thought they would get it on the first try and didn't want to be the one to hold her down. Kudos to them! We had to the go ahead to continue with the whole milk. She needs this until at least 2 years so her myelin can form in her brain. Myelin is made up of fat so she needs that fattening milk. I was also informed that she can pretty much have anything now, including peanut butter. Bring on the peanut butter and jelly!
Congratulations to Casey & Mike. The due date is June 12.
Congratulations to Laci & Matt. Due July 24
Another congrats to Amanda & Eric. You both look great! Due June 3
That makes 3 of my college roommates. I am so happy of for all of you guys. Brooke will expect a playdate. :) Miss you all!
What a difference a year makes!
We now are the parents of a toddler. She is taking more steps on her own but I wouldn't call it walking. Still goes to bed at 8:30pm and up at 8:30am. Naps twice a day 11-1 and 4-6. She still doesn't eat much at times but makes up for it at the next meal. She prefers to feed herself but we can still spoon feed her(that is about the only way to get veggies in her). Brooke is doing better with the whole milk she gets it in a sippy at each meal and is down to one bottle a day. Brooke loves blueberries, well any fruit, cheese, yogurt, Eggo stuffed french toast, bologna, and the Gerber lil' crunchies. She laughs when she sees me coming with the can. We bought her this nifty thing that is supposed to prevent messes. They stick their little hands inside and it won't dump their snacks out. Problem? Brooke gets the lid off with her teeth and dumps them out. She is ticklish pretty much everywhere. Brooke's favorite game is playing her own version of hide and seek/peek-a-boo. She hides as we yell, "Where's Brooke" over and over until she pops out, "There she is". Brooke cracks up and does it again, "Where's Brooke"? Here she is posing for her last of the 12 month pictures.
Brooke had a blast at her 1st birthday party. I can't believe I was singing "Happy Birthday" to my little baby. Thanks to everyone for being there to share this special day with her. I also wanted to thank everyone who helped us orchestrate the whole day. You kept Mommy and Daddy sane so they could enjoy the party with their little girl. Brooke loves all of her presents. Now we need to add on to the house. Just kidding. Really though she did get some great things that I know she will enjoy for a long time. Hope everyone had a great time. I know we did. It was great to see everyone. I wanted to just get a few pictures posted until I could get a slideshow together.
What was I thinking? Those of you that know me also know that I don't like people, crowds, enjoy my sleep, and have NO patience for lines. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when making a shopping plan for Black Friday. When I say shopping plan that's exactly what it is. Map out where you need to go by when they open and what it is that you want. Divide and conquer from there. So why would I wake up at 3:30am to go shopping with my Mom? There are 2 things I love enough to get me out so early in the morning with all the crazy shoppers: finding a great deal and Brooke. That is why I decided to venture out for my first Black Friday shopping experience. Something I don't think every person needs to experience. I found some great deals and learned what some people will do for a bargain. What was my biggest peeve of the morning? The group that has mom wait in line with an empty shopping cart while the 4 of them run around to fill it and want to be individually checked out. GRRRR. Will I do it again next year? Guess you will have to stay tuned to see what deals are offered and what the "hot" toy is for a 2 year old next year. This is a frightening yet accurate portrail of our AM I found. Happy Holidays!
(pause my music and make sure the sound is turned up)
Brooke's First Thanksgiving. This is the last of her 1st holidays now. She was able to dig in and eat all the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing that she wanted. Mashed potatoes sure aren't her favorite thing to eat. She did like pretty much everything else. Happy Thanksgiving Brooke!
I was beginning to freak out all this week that Brooke's birthday present wasn't going to arrive in time. Look at what FedEx dropped off today:
Who wouldn't want to order one of these? So cute.
Ok so it is true, they do love boxes. She kept throwing her toys it in, crawling in and out of it, and best of all playing peek-a-boo. Happy Birthday Brooke, we bought you a box! Just kidding it's what was in the box.
First Pizza for dinner. Don't worry she had her veggies and fruit first. Brooke also had a revolation today and drank all of her milk from her sippy. No bottle and no mixing at all today! My little baby is growing up :(
This picture has 2 things wrong with it. Can you pick them out?
1. She has no pants on and it's November. She has this thing now where not only does she take her socks off but now her pants. I tried to explain that little girls don't going running around without pants on. She just smiled and kept playing.
2. Her foot is stuck in the train. Everything goes in this poor train. Tonight it was her foot. It wasn't really stuck. I was just somewhere to put her foot while she played her piano.
Like I said, "Busy Night".
