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Warning- this is a long one!

October has been a crazy month so far.

We spent the first weekend in Baltimore for our annual trip to the Fells Point Fun Fest- I am so done with going, but Eric loves the 'tradition' since we have gone 10 yrs in a row. They don't have too much for kids, and the past 3 years now I have been pg or bf'ing with a child in tow- it's quite a change from the beer garden, bar hopping years in the past. Now it is kind of just the same old carts with the same old crafts and some greasy food- that is a 2 hr drive away. (I sound like an alcholohic I know, but we could go to that here).

The next weekend we went up to my parents to celebrate their birthdays. My mom, dad, FIL, and Step-MIL all have bdays within 1 week of each other so it is a busy time. It was great to see my family.

During these weeks B officially got 3 molars and his last incisor- so he has been wonky.

This past week was HELL. Our furniture company called and B's big boy set is in and coming next week. This gave me 1 week, with a baby in tow, to get ready. Within the past few days I have packed up the guest room, packed up the basement, had a furniture donation company come for the desk, and had a moving company move a bunch of stuff to storage. The painter comes tomorrow, and the furniture probably in a week (they deliver to Philly on Mon & Tues and I said no to this Tues in case the painter was not done). PHEW

The other part of HELL- Brooks, Eric, and I ALL got a 36 hour stomach bug. It started with Brooks acting oddly tired. He has never been one of those kids who just passes out, so when he does- I worry. That night he crawled up on me, I thought to give a kiss because he loves doing that lately, instead he vomited- all over me, making me a puddle in my shirt- disgusting. Then the next day I woke up feeling ehh- within 2 hrs I was puking. Puked my brains out all day, I mean all the way to bile, peeing a little and hurting abs with each heave. And this is while taking care of sick baby Brooks. I called Eric sobbing for help. He came home, walked in, and said he didn't feel well 3 hrs later he was puking. It was terrible- the worst. Thank God it was short lived and we are all better today. In fact, we went pumpkin picking!
This is how I knew he wasn't feeling himself.





Pumpkin Picking was a blast! The pumpkins were not as scary for B as last year. We need to find a new place to go- the place we have been going is soooo commercial to the point it is not enjoyable because it is so much traffic, confusion, etc.
Family Pic!

Trying to get a good pic with mommy for once


And sitting in the pumpkins, he was unimpressed





He preferred the wheelbarrow to his stroller

Not into the growth shot this year

My love

Look Mom, a goat! (you can't see, but he's pointing)


Exhausted by the end


SQUEAKS NEWS!!!

I am over 21 weeks pregnant now!!! 21 WEEKS!!!
We had our big ultrasound last Thursday. We stayed true to being team green and did not find out. Squeaks was adorable and waving his/her arms around the whole time. Everything with the baby looked perfect and healthy! That is great news. The only bad news was I have marginal placenta previa. I am trying not to think too much about it because I have so much time for it to resolve itself. The dr. seemed to think there was a great chance it would move on its own. I go back in 8 weeks for a followup appt. If it does not move- I will have to have a c-section. So this wasn't the best news, however- baby looks great and that is the most important thing!


And a few other pictures= Go Phillies in the playoffs!!! Eric got honored for his volunteer work and we went to a luncheon for him. The place overlooked Philly and had gorgeous views.




Congrats on your award Daddy!



Loving this fall weather

Happy Belated 15 months!

15 months already?!?! NO WAY!



Brooks turned 15 months old on September 17. Now that he is 1, the stickers for shirts go on a quarterly schedule, and sadly I apparently am as well with the updates.
Stats!

* Weighs 23 lbs 6 oz (30th %ile)
* Is 32" tall (70th %ile)
*Has an 18" round noggin

And of course- our pictures have returned for a quarterly installment as well!!!

The chair pictures: (1, 4, 8, 12, then 15 months!)

15 months- which one do you like better? Eric and I can't agree :)



And the monkey pics! (1,4,9,12, & 15 months)








He was really silly- but this was the absolute best we could get where his body was actually spread out and not curled up or twisting to get away like this:



Some other shots from our chair shoot- I always said it got harder and harder to get a good picture. I am still not satisfied, but after 3 separate attempts and with Eric to help me try to get him to sit still, I finally accepted we did the best we could. All he wanted to do was climb, stand or run away :)

Trying to show him how it's done :)



Dancing

Slouching




Getting angry!





It was hard work :)


At 15 months Brooks
* Is on a good schedule and is decent about being flexible. Some days he takes 1 2.5-3.5 hr nap, others he is still doing 2 1.5-2 hr naps. It all depends on when he wakes up.
* Has 8 teeth- 7 in front, 4 top/3 bottom, and 1 molar in the back!! I think this is the reason things have been a little wacky lately, and know this is also the reason he is always chewing on his finger.
* Is beginning to run! It is amazing he took his first steps at 13 months, 3 weeks later was walking like a zombie, and now has it down to a science and is starting to run!
* Is climbing- like a maniac. He maneuvers himself onto the couch, tries to climb bookshelves, etc.
* Doesn't have too many words- he says Dada (gaga), Mama, Dog (guh), ball, ball-pit (baa-poo) which also means basement in his head, bus, book, bath.
* Eats 3 meals a day, a few snacks, and drinks solely milk & water.
* Can be a very adventurous eater (he had a flounder sandwich for lunch the other day)
* Can be a very picky eater and live off of cereal bars and bagels
* Throws tantrums when he isn't allowed to do what he wants
* Imitates everything- holds phones to his ear, brushes his hair, brushes his teeth, tries to put shoes one, etc.
* Loves to wrestle and snuggle
* LOVES to "pet" Ming- poor dog, he also has a bad habit of tail pulling
* Likes to makes that sound with your mouth when you run your finger over your lips (video coming soon).
* Goes after the trash, into toilet water, tries to steal the toilet brush, etc
* Still loves drumming/banging on things.
* LOVES to read and will ask for books to be read to him over and over again
* Understands pretty much everything we say that is part of his routine (going for a walk, time to eat, brush your teeth, etc)
* Can show us where his fingers, feet, belly, and sometimes head are.
*Climbs up slides then plops on his tummy to slide back down backwards
* Is super smart
* Has become super snuggly
* Is so much fun and makes us laugh
* Is the light of our lives!

Happy Fall!

In honor of fall: HUT HUT HUT HIKE:


My favorite season has begun... Crisp weather, roast chicken in the oven, long sleeves, changing leaves, football, and so much more. I LOVE the fall :)

Goals this week- decorate! I need to dig out my fall stuff. Also I need to get on top of finding a storage center for our guest furniture- although I debated putting it in the basement. Our basement is large- and used as a playroom. We really should get a storage unit, but the idea of paying for it monthly for 3-4 yrs hurts. I think if we don't get it though I will regret it and feel like we are crunched for space once 2 little ones are in the house. Already- the laundry room has become a storage closet and we have stuff in the play area that needs to go. I would store the furniture as well as seasonal stuff that I could easily go and pick up as needed- it would open up so much space. So yeah- I need to get that done, then arrange movers, then get the room we are emptying painted. We ordered Brooks furniture so I need to do all this within the next month or two.

Squeaks- I had my monthly appt. Things looked well- my dr was a little concerned that I have lost 12 lbs. She said she doesn't want me losing too much and discussed anti nausea meds. The thing is- I have been throwing up, but not that often- and it is not inhibiting more than 3-4 meals a week, not enough to go on meds for. The more I think about it- I bet the reason I have lost this much in the past 2 months is that 2 months ago Brooks started walking and all I do all day is chase him around. My BP was 125/60. Perfectly normal. However, I am still perturbed because my doctor labeled me as high risk, chronic hypertension. Chronic meaning that I have high BP- not just pg related. My BP has never been an issue outside of pg, and even in pg it is fine half the time. I hate being labeled. I hate it. Especially because it means that I am going to have a bazillion appts again- she said twice weekly NSTs at the end this time! How the f am I goingt o manage that with Brooks? Seriously- it is making me super stressed and we are not even there yet. But on the sunny side of all this- I get growth u/s's every 4 weeks starting at 28 weeks- that is exciting :)

Brooks- is amazing :) We had our 15 month well visit today. My big boy is 23 lbs 6 oz (which I thought was a lot! But it is still only 30%). He is 32 " (75%) and 18" head (75%). He is right on track with everything- we should be experiencing a language explosion within the next few months which is exciting as he gets pissy when he is frustrated about communicating what he wants. He also gets pissy when he doesn't get his way LOL. He is running everywhere, exploring everything, and just a happy little guy. LOVE HIM!

And some pictures.

Friends of ours had cookie monster visit their son's 1st bday party!





Brooks imitates everything- I wish he was effective at it, then cleaning up his breakfast would be great :)



Lator Gator!!


Always stealing my keys


Look Mom, it's my punching balloon!!!


I'm gonna make you get it for me!


And some pictures from the park b/c we go every day :) Such a boy now and less of a baby
!






Mischief Maker!