Down on the Farm

The weather on Saturday was beautiful and everyone was off work, so we took the girls to Suson Park Animal Farm. I vaguely remember going there as a kid, but it's been years. As Brooke gets older, I'm looking forward to discovering/rediscovering fun place for kids - both in St.Louis and up here.


Brooke really seemed to enjoy seeing the farm animals that we read about up close and personal and she pulled out her animal sounds like a champ. Turns out that she's not a huge fan of fowl. Anytime we'd approach one of their cages, she'd give a firm "No!" and head the other way. We're talking chickens, turkey, geese...you name it, she wasn't a fan.




We also spent a little time by the pond and on the playground to cap off a fun-filled day.

The Zoo

My dad and I took Brooke and Lexi to the St. Louis Zoo last Wednesday. The zoo is something that I really didn't appreciate until I moved away. Sure, many cities have zoos, but from my experience most of them aren't free and NONE of them are as great as the St. Louis zoo. Just a friendly reminder for those of you that live in St. Louis.


It was a little chilly and the animals weren't very cooperative - similar to the girls when I would try to get their picture.



I think the highlight for the girls was the carousel...the carousel that gave me motion sickness. When did I get old?!?

Brooke and Lexi, Vol. 342

We were back in St. Louis for several days last week for my spring break (as well as hopefully awaiting Brooke's new cousin's arrival - he wasn't cooperative).



The weather wasn't especially nice most of the days, but the girls didn't manage to let that stop them.




Brooke loved yelling, "Lexi!"and Lexi was very patient with Brooke and generous with her toys - good practice for her new little brother.

We visited Grandma at school, went to the zoo and Suson Park (such a cool place!), did lots of playing in the house and the girls took a couple of baths together.


I hate that we don't live closer, but I know that it will make their time together that much more special.

Love/Hate

I have a love/hate relationship with the little number on this page that keeps track of how many posts I write each month. I haven't been particularly inspired this month and because I'm very goal-oriented, I feel like the (4) next to March is screaming what a failure I've been this month. On the other hand, being a goal-oriented person, it's also challenging me to do better next month - and to be better about taking pictures of Brooke.


These pictures were taken several weeks ago on a family Sunday after church during Brooke's stair-climbing phase. It really was all we did for about a month there. Usually Sunday afternoons are a train wreck because she misses her morning nap when we're at church, but for some reason she was pretty happy this particular day.



Could they look a little more alike? Seriously.




In BIG news here, Brooke is walking! It's still not her preferred means of navigation, but she can make it across the room if she wants/is encouraged. (Photos/videos of that to come - it's on my "to do" list). I have to admit that this is after I had my physical therapist co-worker do a screening on her. I really needed it for my own peace of mind. Being an occupational therapist at a preschool, I see SO MANY kids come in who would have benefited from even earlier intervention and I wanted to be sure that I wasn't overlooking something that we could have been helping. Sue gave us some great ideas and pretty much just told us to push her a little more - not physically, of course. Anyway, she took a step that day and is getting better and better at it. I'm so thankful to have friends who are therapists so we didn't have to wait however many months it would take to get an Early Intervention evaluation.



We've also enrolled in My Gym (or "Baby Country Club," as Matt calls it). Being cooped up inside is just killing us -probably me more than her - and it's so much fun to see her trying new things and pseudo-playing with other kids (pictures of one of those sessions to come - also on the "to do" list).

Dancing Queen

My parents were in town this past weekend and Brooke provided a little after-dinner entertainment. It looks like she has a real affinity for mid-seventies basketball cheers.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

After lunch today, I got Brooke out of her seat and was straightening up when I looked down and saw this.


That's her using a paper towel to wipe off the chair. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but she already likes to clean. She's even good (usually) about cleaning up her toys. The apple doesn't fall far, I guess...

*In case any of you are in it in the near future, I feel the need to disclaim that since having Brooke, my car has turned into a PIGSTY, which is no fault of hers. I place a large amount of the blame on Ozzie and regular long road trips to St. Louis.*

Bieber Fever

Brooke is the latest victim of Bieber Fever. This is her singing the chorus to Justin Bieber's song, "Baby".

She's got the, "Baby, baby, baby, oh," part. Now we're working on, "Thought you'd always be mine"...or the chorus of "Hey, Soul Sister"...we're all about the profound lyrics around here.