Week 12 - Nov 25 - Dec 1

Brody,

We are still at Nana and Papa's on Friday. We went back on Saturday. We decided to go to Miracle on 34th street play in Killeen. You slept and did good except for when you were hungry and cried a little bit. So I fed you and you were just fine! :) We also got to get your first picture with Santa taken :) You didnt mind sitting in his lap at all!

You slept the whole time in the car. We stopped halfway and fed you in Caldwell. You had a HUGE blowout and mommy had to change you in the car because there was no changing table in the resturant. This was the first time you really felt wind and you were not a huge fan :) Once we got back in the car and moving you feel back asleep and slept until we got home. We unloaded and Mommy and Daddy put up the rest of the decorations and the Christmas tree! We played Christmas music and it was fun! You slept the whole time - we took a video of it :)

Sunday was a normal Sunday at church. Mommy isnt looking forward to this week as I have to go back to school. Nicole is back in town so you will go back to her this week. You like it there so it makes it easier on me!

On Tuesday, you and Mommy spent the evening together. Daddy went to a Hillsong concert. I love just holding you and spending time with you. You have really started cooing and talking a lot this week and its fun to just hold you and watch you smile and here you talk!Wednesday and Thursday were just normal days for us. Nothing out of the ordinary. Lolly and Peeps come Friday for your dedication on Sunday. We are very excited for this day!!!

We love you big boy!!

Mommy and Daddy!

Tummy time!

Meeting Santa for the first time!

Love those sweet checks!

Week 11 - Nov 18 - 24

Brody,

Hey big boy!! I cannot believe how much you are growing!!! You are getting so big! Mommy and Daddy are loving watching you grow!!!

This weekend we didnt do too much. Mommy started the Christmas decorations but I didnt finish. We also got the house cleaned up. Mommy is very excited because she only has to work 2 days next week since Thanksgiving break is coming up!!!

On Monday and Tuesday you went and stayed with Jodie Berquist instead of Nicole. Nicole and Shane went to visit family so she was out of town. Jodie said you were such a sweet baby and did so well. I already knew that though :) On Tuesday we went to a students (Luke Thomas) basketball game. You slept the whole time! :) We then went to eat at a Vietnamese place and you woke up some after I fed you. You smiled a lot! They loved seeing your sweet smile! I could stare at it all day too!

Mommy LOVED waking up Wednesday knowing she would get to spend the whole day with you!!! We got up and got ready. Then we took Maverick to Kimberly and Chandlers house. Then we met Shannon and Freddie Wright for lunch at Chuy's. They of course thought you were so cute!!! Then Mommy and Daddy got our stuff together and we headed to Killeen for Thanksgiving. You did so great in the car and slept the whole way. You are such a champ!!

We got there that evening and you ate and went to sleep (after getting held, and hugs and kisses of course!) Thursday November 24, 2011 was your first Thanksgiving!! You were a very pleasant baby that day! You got held a lot and loved on a lot. You have started smiling more and everyone loved seeing your smiles! The cousins loved holding and talking to you! Mommy took some pictures of you in your Gobble Gobble outfit and we took a few family pictures too. We had dinner at Matt and Tracys and watching the Cowboys barely win! :) Then we went home and Mommy got ready to go shopping! Thats right shopping. Mommy does this thing called "Black Friday" every year. We go shopping all night and get great deals. I got you some great Christmas presents!!! Daddy took care of you and said you did great, although your last meal of the evening you ate really slow! :) But you got to watch the Longhorns beat the Aggies for the last time they play each other with Daddy!!

Your first thanksgiving was great and memorable!! We loved having you here this year for it!! We love you so much! You have ate and slept great this week and are such a joy. You are holding your head well and smilling so much more!!! Happy 1st Thanksgiving big boy!!

I love you,

Mommy

10 weeks old!

You hate having your arms tucked in!

Love this sweet face!

You were a happy boy!!

Smiling for pictures on your first Thanksgiving!

Love it!

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3!

Love us!

Aunt Lynnlee thought it was funny to hike your pants up :)

Ready for the last UT/A&M game - We Won!

Uncle Matt holding you!

Week 10 - Nov 11 - Nov 17

Brody,

Hey B!! This was Mommy's second week at work and its getting easier but I still cry leaving you every morning! It is so hard being away from everyday but its getting better.

On Friday you and Mommy went to Killeen for extended family Christmas. You got to meet everyone on Mommy's side. Everyone thinks your so cute, of course. How could you not think youre cute! Youre the cutest baby in the world! :)

On Saturday, we opened family gifts and you did great! You slept through a lot of it and did great with people holding you. It made mommy a little nervous because you were being passed around but I did ok.

On Sunday, we went to Killeen church and you got introduced! You also got to meet lots of people there. We went and met Daddy in Waco to go home. He went with Peeps and Uncle Jared to a Cowboys game. He thought you had grown so much even over just a few days! You are growing like a weed!

Your sweet cheeks are getting so round and you're getting some thunder thighs! You are still smiling so much and mommy and daddy love it!! You went to Nicole's again this week and did great - still no poopies at her house though. You are a silly boy. :) You stayed home with daddy Thursday though because Nicole was sick. You have been going Wed. nights with mommy to youth and doing great there too! You are my precious perfect boy!

You are still sleeping so well. You still wake up some this week at 430 am but not as much! You are a happy boy and so easy. You do not cry much and just a joy to be around!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and love being around you. We adore being around you and making you smile.

We love you sweet boy!

Mommy and Daddy!

 Opening presents with mommy!

Having fun!

Time with Papa!

Time with Nana!

You and Granny and Peepaw - your great grandparents!

 9 weeks old big boy!

You are one good looking boy!

Week 9 - Nov 4 - Nov 10

Brody,

Hey big boy! This week is a hard week for mommy! This week Mommy goes back to work! Not a fun week for me but lots of things happening for you!

Friday Nov 4 - Today mommy went back to work. You got to be home with daddy all day and I think you enjoyed that. Mommy had a really rough day. It was a lot more difficult leaving you than I thought. It wasnt that mommy was afraid of leaving you with daddy, it was the fact that mommy knew she wouldnt be home with you everyday now. It was the fact that she couldnt wake you up in the morning and see your smiles or hold you all day. It was the fact that she had to be gone from you for 8 hours a day now instead of being with you all day. I cried most of the day. I called daddy several times and just cried. I wanted to quit my job so bad! But I didnt. As soon as I got home and saw you you smiled at me and I lost it. I just picked you up and cried so much! I missed you so bad today!

I want you to know I am working for you. I am working so we can have insurance in case you get sick. I am working so that Mommy and Daddy can give you things you want and need. If mommy could stay home with you everyday, she would sweetheart! Trust me! This is for you baby!

It was great going back on a Friday though because then I got the whole weekend with you! That was a great relief knowing I didnt have to go back the very next day.

Every morning this week at work I cried when I left you and some at work. You started going to Nicole's house who is watching you. You did great and she sent me pictures which made it easier! You slept and played with Hope and Faith. No poopies at her house though!

You are smiling so much and holding your head well!!! On Wednesday you turned 2 months old!!! I cannot believe you are already 2 months! Time is flying! These have been an amazing two months!!! You are sleeping so well and eating well. You are eating about 3-4 oz each time. You sleep from about 1030/11 - 6 am! So proud of you big boy!! You have been waking up at 430 am each morning but you put yourself back to sleep. You are still in mommy and daddy's room in the basinett. We will move you soon to your own room.

Thursday we went to the doctor. You weighed 11.1 oz and were 23 inches long. You were in the 55th percentile for length and 27th percentile for weight. You have gone from 8th percentile to 27th for weight. Way to grow big boy! You did get a little bit of fever and didnt feel to great for a few hours but daddy took great care of you at home!

This has been a great week of watching you grow! It was a hard week for mommy to be back at work but it helps knowing that what I am doing is helping take care of you. I love you Brody!!

Mommy

You in Daddy's outfit he wore as a little boy!

You did not want to take your 2 month picture!

You calmed down a little for mommy :)

Happy with daddy!

Its time for Mommy to work

Brody,

Mommy had to go back to work today. I am so sorry I cannot be with you all day everyday. Believe me, I would if I could. Mommy has to work to help provide for you. I know some day you will understand that!  Know that if I could stay home with you I would in a heartbeat! It is killing me to have to go back to work. Mommy tried really hard to find a way to stay home with you, but it just wasnt possible.

When I am away and you feel sad, remember Mommy loves to see your smiles, so smile!!
When I am away and you wonder where I am, know I am working to make your life the best it can be!
When I am away and your hurt, remember Mommies kisses will be there to make it better.
When I am away and your are scared, remember Mommies hugs are always there with you to hold you.
When I am away and you are mad, remember Mommy always wants to see you smile and laugh and that it will be ok!

I am with you ever single day sweet boy. I am praying for you, I am loving you, I am thinking about you. My love, my hugs, my kisses, my prayers, my smiles, my voice are never very far and at the end of the day Ill always be there to give those to you!! You are my world and I wish so bad our worlds could be together everyday. I love you little man!!!

Mommy

Week 8 - October 28 - Nov 3

Brody,

Hey my sweet boy!! This week we did a lot! On Friday, we went to the Pardue's to watch the Rangers in game 7 of the World Series. You slept the whole time in your car seat. We were in the garage so it was a little chilly so Mommy had you in long sleeves, with two blankets, and a heater next to you. You were nice and toasty and comfy! The Rangers sadly lost! Daddy was not happy but maybe next year!

On Saturday, we went to your first birthday party!!! It was for Faith Rickey who turned 1. You did great!!! You were either awake and content or you were asleep!!! Again, such a great baby!! We then went to your first Halloween party! It was at the Berquist house. You slept most of the time. Daddy carved a pumpkin for you. You got a little fussy and you screamed like you were in pain. I am not sure if it was your tummy or what but you were not happy. Mommy held you and wrapped you in a blanket and that seemed to help.

We went to church this week and it was your second Sunday. It went better. I was not as anxious but still anxious :) I just put my hands on yours when anyone came up so that they could not touch yours. I am learning :) You did not have a blow out this week so you got to wear your cute outfit!!! However, you started really crying like your stomach hurt again and mommy felt so bad! So I tried feeding you and you ate some but you just wouldnt eat much and you threw up all over and Mommy's pants had a big wet spot on the bottom. Thats ok though, I just wanted you to feel better! You finally got calm after a bit and I held you during church and you slept. You ate better at lunch and the rest of the day and seem to be doing better. I guess you just had a tummy ache. I dont know if I ate something that didnt agree with you since Im breastfeeding or if you just had gas. Whatever it was, Mommy didnt like you hurting!!!

We also went to life group Sunday night. You stayed with Mommy the whole time and did great. We then stayed at Shane and Nicoles and got pizza and just hung out. Daddy watched the Cowboys play for a while.

Monday, was your first Halloween! You and Mommy hung out at home during the day. We went to Shane and Nicoles for dinner and to trick or treat. You were the cutest lion I have ever seen! You woke up when we put the costume on you but we had to stuff a blanket in it with you because it was huge and you got nice and warm and passed out! You were asleep the whole time we went door to door!! :) Everyone thought you were so cute! AND you were!!!!!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we met Daddy for lunch. We got all we could out of it. Mommy goes back to work Friday! On Tuesday I held you all morning, met daddy for lunch, then Mommy had a doctors appointment. Wednesday, I held you all morning, met daddy for lunch, then we ran errands. Thursday, I held you all morning, met daddy for lunch, and had another appointment Thursday afternoon. Lots of holding this week!!!

Thursday night, we got with our life group. Mommy went out to eat with the ladies while daddy watched you! All the guys stayed at the Rickeys and watched the kids while the mommy's went out. It was fun but I sure missed you!! Mommy dreads tomorrow!!! I dont want to leave you!!

You have slept well this week!! You are sleeping the same as last week and doing so well. Mommy and daddy started putting you in the basinett right after your last feeding instead of holding you or putting you in the boppy. It helps you not wake up in a few hours when we would have had to wrap you up!

You have eaten well too! I think you are eating a little more so maybe you are having a growth spurt?! I am not sure. I sure think you are growing though!!! You are getting big!! You had some big throw-ups after your first feeding though the past few mornings and mommy and daddy dont like that. You lose your milk and I hate when you throw up :( It doesnt seem to bug you much though. I think you are just eating so much you are getting too full since you have gone all night without eating. We will figure it out though! :)

You change everyday. Your face is filling out more and your features are becoming more defined! you still have really dark hair and dark blue eyes. Your legs are getting rolls and your belly is getting bigger! :) Your cheeks are a little fatter but not to much. You are one beautiful baby!!!

I love you so much Brody!!! You are my world!!! Happy 8 weeks to you!

Love Mommy!

You were a Lion

Nice and cozy and happy

With Faith and Hope

First Halloween Party - Daddy carved a pumpkin for us

At your first birthday party

2nd Sunday at Church

So sweet!

Love that sweet face!

8 weeks old!

Week 7 - October 21 - 27

Brody,

I cannot believe you are 7 weeks old! My how the time has flown!! I have loved watching you grow and start to change!! These have been the best 7 weeks of my life little man! You mean so much to me!

You had your first Sunday at church this week and was it a doozy!!! I was very nervous about taking you. I am kind of a germ-a-fobe. You can ask your daddy about this! :) I did not want people touching you and getting you sick, so I was already a little on edge walking in to church. Sure enough, we get there and several people came right up and touched your hands. I really do not like that because their hands may not be clean and you put your hands in your mouth which could get you sick. If you get sick this little it is not good!! So I made several bathroom runs with you to clean your hands!! :)

I went to feed you during Sunday School. When I went to change your diaper, you had a HUGE blow out. There was poopy all over your ADORABLE outfit and it wouldnt come out to put back on you. And, I did not bring you another cute outfit so we just had to put a onsie on you. I cried because I wanted an outfit with your cute outfit :) Thats ok though. We still took a picture! You did well for most service until your diaper was dirty then I had to change you. We then went to Los Cucos for lunch with some people from church. It was a stressful morning for mommy though trying to keep everyone from touching you and keeping you clean :)

This week we ran some errands and hung out at home. We visited daddy for lunch a few times. Nicole came over to see how you worked throughout the day since you will be staying with her. You are smiling more and starting to coo a little. Mommy and Daddy notice you growing but many people say you are small. Many people also say how beautiful you are!!! You are one cute boy! :)

You also went to your first football game this week. Mommy is a cheer coach at the middle school and we went to the girls came for just a little bit to say hi and show you off. There were to many people though for mommy to stay to long. We also went to church Wednesday but we didnt stay the whole time.

You are sleeping so good this week! You sleep from about 1030/11 to 6/7. I am so proud of you!! You are such a blessing and such an easy baby!! You are spoiling mommy and daddy. :)

Thursday we had our first play date! We went to Madison Wilson's house and there were three other babies there. There was an 11 week old, a 4 week old, and a 1 week old. You were pretty content the whole time and wide eyed! I love those eyes of yours!!! SO precious! And I love your lips!! I just love all of you!It was a really fun time! We then met daddy for lunch! Then you and Mommy went home and took a nap!! Great day!

We have been watching the World Series this week because the Rangers are in it. Game 6 was Thursday and the Rangers were 1 strike away twice to get the win!!! They lost and daddy was really sad!!! It was a crazy game. Mommy held you the whole time and you slept :)

You are growing and changing! Mommy loved just sitting and holding you and staring at you this week. Sometimes I think, Is he really mine?? Im so lucky!!! You are so precious to me and I love you with my whole being!!! I cannot believe you are almost two months little man! Time is moving way to fast!!!

I love you!

Mommy

Love those cheeks!

Watching the Rangers game

Precious face!

Mommy loving on you!

1st Sunday outfit

First Sunday at church in your second outfit!

6 weeks - October 14 - 20

Brody,

Mommy and Daddy cannot believe you are already 6 weeks old!!! You are growing a lot and you are such a wonderful baby!!

This week on Friday we just relaxed with daddy all day. We were really tired from our OKC trip!! We even stayed in our pajamas all day. Your schedule is still a little off whack but we are getting back to normal! On Saturday, we ran a few errands and relaxed some more! We had a lazy weekend and we all loved it! You and mommy stayed home again from church. Mommy and daddy want to go all as a family and daddy had to be there early for mens prayer breakfast. Next week we will go!!

Mommy got a little concerned about you this week. You kept taking some gasp of air, a few coughs, some sneezing, and congested nose. Monday and Tuesday you were a little fussy and had all these symptoms and mommy called the doctor and they said it should be ok. It is hard with babies because you cant talk and tell us how you feel so its all a guessing game. You were eating and sleeping normally and didnt have a temp so those were all good signs. On Tuesday night you only slept 2-3 hours because your nose was stuffy and you couldnt breath. Mommy called the doctor again and they said to come in. So we did.

You have a little cold. It is not serious and should fix itself. The doctor said babies just get them. You dont have a fever so we dont have to do meds. You weighed 9.7 and have gained more than 8% of babies do at this point with what your birth weight was!!You looked great!! and Mommy felt much better :) We love our doctor!

On Wednesday night, Uncle Jared and his girlfriend Allie came and stayed with us. They love seeing you!!! On Thursday we went to daddy's work with him and Allie and Jared got to see the church. We went to lunch at Burritos and then came home and played some games!!

This week you have been sleeping well at night going the usual about 4-5 hours. But Dr. Pielop said we could let you sleep as long as you wanted so we will try that soon! You are eating well and you usually eat pretty quickly. You eat strictly breastmilk and we hope to keep it that way for the first year. It will make you strong and healthy!! You take great naps during the day as well. Mommy loves to just sit and hold you. I have heard you are not supposed to hold your baby to much, but I dont care! I hold you as much as I want to!! AND I enjoy it! :)

You are our pride and joy sweet boy! We love you with all of my heart!!!

Mommy and Daddy

Alicen visited you

Ellen visited you

Nap time with daddy

Tummy Time

6 weeks old!

Mommy loves you so much!