Deck the Halls

We finally bit the bullet and bought an artificial tree this year. I'm a HUGE fan of real trees, but with our trip to Florida the week before Christmas and our trip to St. Louis the week after, it just didn't make sense anymore. Even though it doesn't smell or feel the same, it's so nice to have a tree in the house again. I guess this is technically Brooke's first Christmas tree. I think she'll get over those first couple of years.


I don't have a photo of this, but she was borderline obsessed with one of Matt's plastic football ornaments (classy, I know) and would NOT let us hang it. She ran around the house saying, "I need my foo-ball!" If that's any indication, Matt's brainwashing techniques are working.


It was pretty fun to watch her explore all of the decorations. She decided that the "Jingle Bells" barking dog needed some water. I heard, "Herwe, Doddie," and came around the corner to find this.


She's also really into the Little People nativity set again. She carried Baby Jesus around for about an hour the first day it was out. She tried to give him stamps (one of her new favorite things to do).


She also wanted to read him a book and since our Bible concordances are on high shelves, "Baby's First Numbers" had to suffice.

This really is a magical time of year and having a little one who kind of "gets it" makes it that much more special. I'm really hoping to instill the true meaning of Christmas to her at this early stage while avoiding getting caught up in the stress of the "to dos" myself. Happy Holidays!

Photo Dump

What would a visit to St. Louis be without too many new pictures of the kids together?


I say this often, but it really is priceless to see Brooke playing with her cousins. She loves/fights with Lexi like no one else (and believe me, she can fight - but that's another post for another day. And not something I try to get a lot of pictures of.). It always breaks my heart a little when she hopefully asks, "Lexi today?" on our first morning back home.


Luke is the smiley-est, most easy-going baby that I've ever been around. And he's SO cute. It's really not fair.


The girls out shopping on Friday.


Brooke decided to get in on the Timmerman Christmas photo shoot.



We love you guys!

Thanksgiving

Brooke and I went down to St. Louis last week to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. Matt couldn't make it because he had to stay around to prepare the Tigers for their fourth state championship game in five years. They didn't win, but Brooke had fun watching Daddy and "Uncle Mike" - a random coach that she decided looked like Uncle Mike - on TV. Congratulations on a great season!


On Wednesday, the girls helped my dad prepare a turkey. Brooke was pretty into it until she had to spread butter on it. I can't say I blame her.



On Thursday, we went over to my grandparents' house. The kids all had a great time playing together. Brooke was so excited about playing that I had a hard time getting her to eat her meal.



She had fun with Uncle Tim trying to catch food in her mouth.



Brooke got to spend some time with Gigi and Grandpa Charlie. Unfortunately we didn't take these pictures until she was about an hour past her naptime.


As always, we have so much for which to be thankful!

Trick or Treat?

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, I'd been trying to find a costume that Brooke would wear as she was pretty vehemently opposed to anything that came over her head...until I used some good old-fashioned peer pressure. A couple of weeks ago, my friends came over with their kids who were happy to put on their costumes for a little photo shoot. With just a couple of, "Look, Brooke, Grace is in her duck costume!", Brooke was asking to put on her ladybug costume (thanks again, Joy!).


I love this one. It looks like someone opened the cages at the zoo.


Enter Halloween evening - less than 24 hours after her birthday bash - and us having to wake Brooke up from her nap because the "Big Girls" were coming by to "pick her up" at 4:15. We did not even attempt the ladybug and instead went with the less restrictive bumble bee (with the cute antennae headband that she wouldn't wear). She wasn't thrilled, but was happy to get to play with her friends. Until she saw their makeup.


We were finally able to convince her to go door-to-door and after about 5 houses, she had the hang of it and was having a good time.




Checking out her loot at the end of the night. Lollipops were her favorite. I'd like to think that overall the night was a success and that we didn't scar her too badly. Time will tell.


I should also mention that she woke up at about 9:15 Halloween night laughing and singing in her bed (possible video to come). When we went to check on her and got her out of bed, she literally ran in circles around the room. It was actually funny and a lot of fun, but the sugar high is not something we're looking to repeat. Happy Halloween!

2nd - 2nd Birthday Party

We had Brooke's second, 2nd birthday party at our house last weekend. (Yes, this is the second decently-sized party that we've thrown at our house that we've owned for a little over a month. We wanted to join the neighborhood with a bang.) We had a good mix of family, our friends and Brooke's friends. I had multiple paparazzi for this party (thanks again, Debbie, Danielle and Lindsay) so I may have another post of party pics in the near future.




This is the Caillou cake topper that I ordered online. Not the actual one, because of course the bakery couldn't put the one that I ordered on due to legal issues. Instead, it's the third one that I bought and the only that was successful.



I had some pumpkin crafts for the kids. Brooke's still enjoying them. I can only hope that she ends up craftier than I am.



The large number of people didn't seem to bother her until it came time to open gifts. She was kind of over it after about the third one. Her tune has changed since she's been able to play with all her goodies.



The tricycle was a huge hit. Given the motor skills that she's inherited, the sooner she gets a start on this stuff, the better.

Two Years Old

Brooke,

I'm overwhelmed as I sit here trying to come up with what I want to say to you on your second birthday. Thanks to you, the past two years have been the most fun, exciting, challenging and rewarding two years of my life. Your enthusiasm is contagious and I wake up every morning genuinely excited to see you and hear what you have to say.

The baby that I was concerned would never walk now runs everywhere with purpose. One of your favorite places to play is on the "tamp-o-ine". You've chunked up and are now well above the 50th percentile in height and weight. You still enjoy a wide variety of foods and sleep about 12 hours a night with a 2 hour afternoon nap.

I'm told almost daily how impressive your verbal skills are. You speak in sentences and we have legitimate conversations (granted, much of your input is asking, "Why?" or "Wha happen?" to whatever I'm saying). And your singing! I think you know the words to more songs than your dad does. You get that from me and I get it from your Papa T. It also doesn't hurt that I work at a preschool and am used to singing 50% of my day.

You're very social but can also be very shy and opinionated. There are times that you want no one but me and I'm usually okay with that, although I wish you'd be nicer to the person you're rejecting. You ask about your "friends" and family all the time ("Where 'Letsi'"? "Where Untle Mite doe?"). You can be selfish and possessive, but I think that comes with the territory of being two and an only child. And a human, for that matter. You can also be very sensitive and kind-hearted. One of your most heartfelt cries was when I scowled at you and firmly said, "No." If only it could always be that easy...

Your daddy and I love you fully and unconditionally. Every part of you. We pray for you and give thanks for you every day. We're honored that God chose us to be your parents and we can't wait to see the Little Lady that you continue to become.

Happy Birthday, Brookie.

1st - 2nd Birthday Party

Part of our visit to St. Louis a couple of weekends ago included a small family party for Brooke's second birthday. (Thanks again to Krissi for all the great photos.)





It was mostly immediate family and I used some of the Caillou party supplies that I'd bought online to decorate.


I was not able to use the cake-topper that I'd ordered as when I opened it, I found a New Orleans Saints helmet. Brooke didn't know the difference, but as Krissi said, "Imagine the surprise of the Saints fan who opens a picture of a bald kid with a dinosaur."




The girls got to play with Gigi. They also played with Grandpa Charlie, but for some reason I never get photos of him.




Brooke got some very fun and cute presents. The singing card went over huge.





It was an amazing day so we were also able to spend some time outside. In shorts. In late October. Man, there are times that I really miss St. Louis.