A Brand New Year....

So, I have once again let time get away from me... Brooklin is now almost 10 months old. We survived Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's:). It was actually lots of fun! In November, I turned another year older, and to be honest it was the best yet. It meant so much more having Brooklin there with me! Of course it meant a lot having my family and Brandon there with me too!...very special. Then came Thanksgiving...it was busy as usual. We started off at Granny's and then back to Grandma and Papa Snyder's. Brooklin was able to spend some time with her brother's at Granny's. She always enjoys that! Christmas seemed to creep up on us this year! But as usual, everything fell into place. It always seems like it won't, but Christmas has a way of working itself out. On Christmas Eve, we went to Gramma and Papa Jones's house. Brooklin had lots of fun! She loves playing with all her cousins...especially having twin cousins that are kind of close to her age. It is good for her...it makes her try new things...she already wants to be bigger than she is...however, Momma's not ready!!! Then on Christmas Brooklin and I went to Grandma and Papa Snyder's for an early morning gift exchange...hard for me to stop doing that. I am not really ready to grow up either:). We then went back up and woke up Daddy. He went and picked up the boys (Mason and Kai), and we met them at Granny and Poppi's. We had a great time...lots of presents and quality family time. Then, the boys, Daddy, Brooklin, and I traveled back to Union Mills for our Snyder family Christmas. It's always a mad house...lots of people and things going on...a big whirlwind...and I love it! I wouldn't have it any other way! On New Year's Eve, we went to Auntie's house. We had a Wii bowling tournament. I was out in the first round...and then Brooklin and I fell asleep on the couch by 10:30. Luckily Grandma and Papa were ready to go home around 11. I was wide awake for the passing of 2008. Stared at Brooklin the very last minute of the year and the very first of the new one. It was special to me. She made 2008 the best year yet! I was so blessed and I know that the blessings will grow each year I have with her. Daddy had to work, so we kept in contact by phone. Besides all the holidays, Brooklin is growing and learning like crazy! She's almost walking...cruising around furniture, and pushing her toys around. She loves her veggies, Elmo, clapping, water...and loves music. She is quite the dancer and has developed a very humorous head shaking thing. She's a character. She still is bringing much happiness to my life and teaching me more everyday. Who knew I would learn so much from a baby... She keeps me on the go...quick little girl! And we haven't really mastered what "no" means....well, I haven't anyway. She just smiles...sometimes laughs...and continues with her business. I've got my work cut out for me....so does Daddy! But I am ready...and so glad that I've been given the opportunity to take this job! So, anyway, here is to a great 2009! May God bless you all this year and all the ones to follow! xoxo

I'm a Big Girl now!

Here we go.... A couple weeks ago, I looked over at Brooklin while Brandon was reading a bedtime story with the boys, and to my surprise, she was standing up?!?! I thought it was just a fluke, but since then, it is hard to keep her from pulling up on everything...or at least attempting to! She especially likes to stand in her crib and slowly let go with one hand, then the other, fall on her bottom, look at me and wait for "Yay.." and claps:). It's her favorite game. She also began crawling shortly after....and now, I can't keep her still. She's a fast little girly! All of this leading to a first of I'm sure many bruises and scratches. She has gotten both top front teeth this past week, which brings the tooth count up to 4. (Knock on wood) she is still a great teether...I've so far lucked out and only know she is teething by the occasional whimper, fever, but usually just extra quiet baby. We did have to go to the doctor again...that darn cold just kept hanging on and it started to make me nervous. They ended up telling us it was an ear infection, giving us some medicine, and sending us on our way. I am not sure if it was an "ear infection"...she never pulled on her ears once, but the medicine did kick the runny nose and cough...so thank God for that! Halloween was a lot of fun. We went to Brooklin's Aunt Janel and Uncle Nick's house, where we were able to see all of her cousins (on Brandon's side) in their costumes:). Then, Brandon pulled everyone on a wagon with hay behind his truck around the neighborhood. Brooklin and I rode up front...it was FREEZING! She ended up wearing her Tinkerbell costume. She looked very cute. All the kids looked very cute! And I think everyone had a great time (despite it being very cold!). We didn't make it out for trick-or-treating in Union Mills though. I got off of work too late, so we just ended up hanging out at Grandma and Papa Snyder's and waited for all of her cousins (on my side) to show up. They all looked great too! And she didn't seem scared by any of the costumes either. Babies don't have much fear though...they are the lucky ones! Last month, we also were able to make Donuts due to the first snow. Brooklin enjoyed it, although it was a little past her bedtime...we started kind of late this year...but rules are rules, and we had to make them on the day of the first snow. So, all in all, life is going good. Baby girl is getting bigger all the time....staying happy....and we are falling in love with her more and more with every passing day!