San Francisco

Every year, since I was 6 years old, we have gone to San Francisco for my Aunt Linda's birthday. We always go to Fishermen's Grotto and sit in the same corner looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge. We have the most amazing food...sourdough bread, clam chowder, fresh cracked crab, spumoni...so good! My sisters and I still get shirley temples. I look forward to it every year! This year Tim and I got to bring our daughter. It is so fun to think of new traditions that we get to start with Brooke, but I hope that someday she will look forward to going to SF.

The Salamone's and Brown's

Brooke liked looking out the window

Tim and I

Brooke and Auntie Courtney

The waiter put one on Michael as a joke, but Leah put one on herself!

Oh, how things change...

As I think back to life before a baby (it's hard even though it was only 2 1/2 months ago) I think back to things that used to excite me... new shoes, new clothes (ok... shopping in general), a really good Vanilla Chai Latte, dates with my hubby, going to the beach, hanging out with friends...and while those things are all amazing and still excite me, nothing compared to the excitement that I had today that came from...a poopy diaper! Brooke had not had one in 2 1/2 days and I was starting to get a little worried. I won't go into anymore details... but I just had to share my exciting news! :)

This picture looks SO much like my baby pictures

Brooke loves her swing! Thanks Aunt Tam!

This picture looks like more like Tim...but a girl version :)

2 months

Our little Brookie is 2 months old as of yesterday! She has grown so much and I can't believe how much more alert she is. She gave us her first smile on Holloween. I am really enjoying this time... It helps that she has been sleeping through the night for almost 2 weeks now! I don't know if it is just a phase or not, but I am really enjoying it!

I was driving on the freeway last week and I saw a billboard for a new hospital they are opening near us and all it said was "Breathe...push, push, push, push, push, push, push..." I thought back to 2 months ago and thought " I could do that again..." then I was instantly astonished and said (out loud) "WHAT AM I THINKING!" Now don't get me wrong, I do want to, eventually, have more kids...just not anytime soon! I would assume that any sane person, who has just been through that amount of pain, would think "wow, I am glad that is over," or "NOOOO..." not "Lets do it again!" That thought goes down as momentary minute of insanity... story of my life! :)

Here are some pictures of our little girl...who was so worth it all!

Her first smile!

Daddy's little Charger girl

3 years!

Tomorrow is our 3 year anniversary! As I think back about the past 6 years of dating and marriage I can't help but feel so blessed. I am so thankful for a husband who is continually seeking the Lord in all things. He is a wonderful provider and loves me unconditionally. It has been incredible to watch him with our little girl. I am truly thankful that God has given me such an incredible man.

Sleep...What is that again?!?

We went to the Dr last Friday for Brooke's 2 week appointment. She is now 9lbs. and 1 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. She is getting bigger and her newborn clothes are getting smaller! When did that happen? I guess it happened somewhere in between 8 feedings, 10 diaper changes, and the 3- 4 hour blocks of sleep that we get. I guess it could have also happened between the adorable little noises, the cute, funny faces, or the thousands of kisses. Whenever it happened...it happened. I am just trying to enjoy every single moment. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this week.

She found her thumb!

Ok... so I have never been one to support thumb sucking, but when Brooke found her thumb at one week old, I couldn't help but think that it was the cutest thing EVER! I still don't support it, so we gave her a pacifier instead. You can always take a pacifier away, but she will always have her thumb and I probably won't think it is cute if she is sucking her thumb at 12 years old. But for now... here is the thumb (and the pacifier)!

Brooke Mackenzie Brown

She is here! Brooke was born on September 23 at 2:49 am. She weighed 8lbs. 3oz. and was 19 inches long. Tim and I are so thankful that God has given her to us. We are filled with overwhelming joy and love for her. Here are a couple of pictures of her first few days.

in the hospital

At home...we only had to stay at the hospital for 18 hours after she was born!