4 Months Old!

Brooks is 4 months old as of a week ago. He is changing so much every single day. At his Dr.appt. on Tuesday, he weighed 15lbs 11 oz and is 25 1/2 inches long. He is in the 75th percentile, so he's not THAT big of a boy! :) He has been sleeping great for a while now, so thankful for that. He goes to bed around 9:30 and wakes at 4 or 5 for breakfast and then back to sleep until around 7 or 8. He also takes a 2-3 hr nap in the morning and a 1 hr nap in the afternoon. Sometimes he naps longer, but I think he's starting to take shorter naps the older he gets. He has been able to roll over since he was around 3 1/2 mths, and does it all the time! One of the funniest things he does now is the relationship he has with his friend the bird on his bouncy seat. During our dinner time, we'll usually put Brooks in his seat so he can be next to us. After a few minutes of playing, he grabs a hold of his bird and argues with it! He won't let go for anything and starts to get mad after a while. It is so funny. We will have to get that on video. He laughs, giggles, smiles, talks to us, and loves to cuddle. He is definitely a physical, touchy baby, which I love. I love it when he is eating, he will rub his fingers on my arm. And when he is falling asleep on me, he will rub his fingers on my face or mouth. So precious! I just melt! Here are a few recent pictures of our little Brookser...

Brooks & Mommy waiting for Dr.Evans

Brooks & Daddy

Brooks' First Swim & Visit with Tatum

Brooks & Tatum

We went to Indianapolis to visit friends last weekend. It was the first time Brooks has swam and he had his 2nd date with one of his girls, Tatum. She is such a doll baby. Can't wait until they are a bit older and interact more with each other. Brooks liked the water and enjoyed his first swim so much! Here are a few pics of our wonderful time with the Humphrey family...so glad they got to see Brooks for his first swim! :)

I love his face in this picture...I think he's ready to get out!

This is such a common expression on Brooks' face

Charity & Tatum

Happy 4th of July!

Brooks in his 4th of July outfit...

We spent the 4th with friends in Indianapolis. Since it rained most of the day, we didn't see any fireworks. But if you know me, I wasn't disappointed since when it comes to fireworks, I can take'em or leave'em. I don't think Brooks would be crazy about them either (at this age anyway)since he's not a fan of sudden loud noises. Here's a few pictures of Brooks' first 4th of July! He is too precious for words...

My sweet smiling boy

Brooks & Aden
(I think it's funny how Brooks looks almost as big as Aden and he is almost 2!)

The guys and babes

Steve, Brooks, Isabella, Matt, & Aden

Brooks is 3 months old!

Okay, so my baby boy is already 3 months old! I'm about a week late on this post, but that's okay. Every day with Brooks is absolutely amazing and wonderful. I love him so much, and more and more everyday. He is changing so fast, it seems like my little boy is growing up already! His 0-3 month clothes are getting too small, and he already wears some 3-6 mth clothes. We put him in a 3 mth sleeper last night, and his toes are squished at the edge, so when that comes off today, it will be put in a box with his newborn things. I don't know why, but it makes me so sad to see him getting bigger - I think because I can already look back and say, "when he wore that...blah, blah, blah". My baby is only 3 mths old, how can I already be talking about his past wardrobe?! Anyway, he is right at about 15lbs! My little chunker! He has been laughing more and more, especially when you tickle him. I've been trying to get his laughs, smiles, and jabbering on video, but he immediately gets camera shy as soon as the camera comes out. My mom saw him roll over twice! Despite my attempts at encouraging him to do it again, I haven't seen it yet. He sleeps through the night for the most part, getting up once to either eat or to be put on his belly. I know you're not supposed to, but he LOVES his belly and will sleep so sound and for hours! His head has great control and strength so I'm not worried. I have to admit, I miss some of those nighttime feedings with him. Those were such special times for he and I and even though I now wake up more rested, I wake up with a feeling of missing him. I can't wait to get him up and cuddle him. He wakes up with a huge smile on his face and talks to me as if he's telling me all about his dreams...I think he misses mommy at night too!

He loves to nuzzle into mommy's arm

Dear Brooks . . . from your daddy

Dear Brooks,

I just experienced my 1st Father’s Day, and wanted to write you a short letter to let you know what you mean to your daddy.

I always wondered what it would feel like when I became a dad, and I can honestly tell you that all my expectations pale in comparison for what I truly feel. When I look at your chubby cheeks, your perfect lips (thank your mother for those), and your inquisitive eyes – I can’t quite remember what my life was like before you came along. You are only 3 months old now, but you already have a tight grip on your daddy’s heart.

As you learn to crawl, walk, & talk – I will also be learning. I will be learning how to be a dad to you. And just as you will sometimes fall, I’m sure that I will make mistakes, but I promise you I will always try my best. I understand that being a dad is too big of a job to take on by myself, so I promise you that I will daily look to the Lord to give me the wisdom it will take to succeed at the greatest job ever.

Brooks, I want you to know that there is one thing that will never change about your daddy. I will always love your mom with all of my heart, and there is no person on this earth that is more important to me than her. My love for your mom will never fail because it is not based on feelings that can go up & down, but instead it is grounded on a commitment that we made to each other, before God, on June 2nd, 2001. And because of this, you can be secure in knowing that mommy & daddy will always be together.

I look forward to when we can play catch together in the backyard, but I don’t want you to grow up too fast. I will savor every stage of your life because I know we can never turn back the clock. I love you Brooks, and will always be there for you.

Love,
Dad

Visit to Grandpa & Grandma Miller's

Granny Miller & Brooks

We took Brooks to his Grandpa & Grandma Miller's house last weekend. It was his first long car ride of 4 1/2 hours and he did wonderful! He slept most of the time. We stopped on the way there and on the way back at our favorite burger joint - Arnold's Drive In in Decatur, IN. He loved it! At least we think he did since we got to eat outside on a picnic table. Brooks loves it outside. We had such a great time with the family and were so happy he was able to meet his great-grandma Miller. We took several special pictures of him and Granny that will be treasured forever.

Grandpa & Nonna

Us at the Essenhaus

Brooks & Mommy

Cousins Nick & Olivia

Cousins Eva & Jaden

4 Generations of Millers

Grocery Store Blowout

I just have to share with you my crazy trip to the grocery store today. Today was the first time I decided to take Brooks to the grocery store by myself. Yes, I know, he's almost 3 months old, but Matt would usually just stop on his way home and I haven't gotten back to cooking much since he was born (as if I ever cooked much!). Anyway, on my way there, it started to sprinkle. No big deal, but going in and out of the store with Brooks in the Bjorn probably wouldn't be fun if it was pouring. So I am praying the rain holds off until I at least get in to the store. Once I'm at the store, I hop in the back seat and start to strap him in the carrier, when I notice that my arm is completely soaked and yellow! Oh no! He had a total blowout! It is all over him and me and the car seat! I immediately think, "how am I going to change him in the back of the car and in the rain?!" (When I'm out, I usually open up the back to our Pilot and change him there versus going into some public place.) Well, I had to do it, so as I'm changing him and cleaning it off his entire body - no kidding - even his toes - I realized that mommy forgot to bring a clean outfit! Oh no! So after I finally cleaned him up, I put him back in the dirty car seat with nothing but a diaper to go home. As I was driving home, I looked down at my arm and noticed it was still a bit yellow - I didn't clean myself off very well in all the fury! No grocery store for mommy and Brooks today. Once we got home, Brooks fell asleep immediately - I guess he was wore out! Can't wait to share with him one day what his first grocery store trip with mommy was like!