Tagged by Amy

The Rules:

1. Go to where you store your digital photos and open the 4th folder.

2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 people.

This picture is of Tim and I during our engagement photo shoot with Natalie. We got to our favorite beach a little earlier than planned so we decided to take some pictures despite the blinding sun...hence the squinting...We didn't use the squinting pictures for anything but we had so much fun that day! I truly treasure the time we were engaged...but this picture...not so much.

I am tagging Bekah, Malorie, Grant&Emily, and Marcella

Christmas and more...

We had a great Christmas and New Years with a trip to So Cal thrown in. Brooke finally got to meet so many friends that have been waiting so long to see her. We had an amazing couple of weeks. We didn't get pictures with everyone, but here are a few.

Merry Christmas

Brooke's first Christmas

4 generations on Daddy's side

Nana Connie and Uncle Todd

4 generations on Mommy's side

Great Granparents and Grammy

We had dinner with Travis and Hayley and Brooke's future boyfriend!

We had dinner on New Years Day with Michelle and her BF Ryan...the world travelers

Michael and Brooke

I was really curious to see how Michael was going to be with Brooke. Because we did not decide on her name before she was born it took him a while to remember her name. The whole, no short term memory thing is really no fun! My parents and sisters would work with him to try to help him remember and after a couple of weeks of him saying, "what letter does it start with?" and then guessing Bailey... he finally got it! Michael has always liked babies. He likes to wave at them with his pinky and he loves when they put their hand around his finger, but that is kind of the extent of his interest in them. He covers his ears or hides his face when they cry (he has done that since Leah and Courtney were little). This weekend Michael came over to stay with us for a few hours while my dad sang in a Christmas concert. When he came in he said "Hi Baby Brooke," waved at her with his pinky, and had her hold his finger... When she started crying he covered his ears with a pillow ...predictable Michael... but later when Brooke was in her swing and I was in the kitchen, her pacifier fell out of her mouth and she started crying. I went and put it back in her mouth and went back in the kitchen. It fell out a few minutes later and she started crying again, and as I was drying my hands off I turned around and Michael was not covering his ears anymore, he had gone over to her swing and put the pacifier back in. It was so sweet! I think that Brooke is very blessed to have her Uncle Mikey!

Uncle Mikey holding Brooke for the first time in the hospital

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.