Train Up a Child...

There are some things that it's difficult to groom your child for from birth. For instance, there's a good chance Brooke won't be a world class skiier or sprinter (genetics are NOT on her side for that one). However, we're finding that it is possible to brainwash, I mean groom your child to be at least a little interested in sports. We've been gearing up for the White Sox season around here.


Brooke's proud to sport her pink Sox onsie that Aunt "Mamie" (J's are a little challenging, so we're going with what works) gave her before she was born. It's a little snug, but we're going to squeeze her into it for as long as we can.


She's also VERY into her White Sox board book that Jeff and Michelle gave her, also before she was born. There was about a week when that was the only book she wanted to read for bed. She even sings, "Go, go Whi Soth" (their fight song) when I get the book out. Notice her book of choice on a recent road trip back from St. Louis.


Although they don't deserve it, we'll also give the Hawks a little love here.

What's in a Name?

Sorry - one more post about our visit to St. Louis. I wanted to show some pictures of Brooke and her Papa T and Grandma. "Papa T" picked the right nickname - it was one of the first things both girls learned to say and they actually love to chant it, too. Grandma sounds more like "Danda" (if that), so we'll see what that turns into. (I'm not sure if it was harder to get Brooke or my dad to pose for this one.)

We also got to spend an afternoon with my grandma, Brooke's Grandma Gigi (short for Great-Grandma). I've mentioned this before, but it's not lost on me how blessed Brooke is to have both sets of grandparents as well as 2 sets of great-grandparents who are able to love on her.

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.