I'm a Toys R Us Kid"....I remember singing this song to myself as a child around Christmas time and thinking that I never wanted to grow up because Christmas wouldn't be as fun when you are an adult. Well, I was wrong!
Having a baby makes Christmas SOOOO much more fun! I have always loved Christmas because it's a special time to share with your family and loved ones, but once a baby comes along, it adds a whole new level of fun to it!
It's been a very long time since I last posted on here, so I have lots to share.
As you know from my previous post, I started back to work on November 16th. I was extremely sad about doing so. However, now that I am back at work and back into the swing of things, I am happy to be there. It's nice to be around my friends again and have some adult conversations rather than talking baby talk all day! I do miss Brooke, I will be honest about that, but I am glad to be back at work. Brooke really seems to enjoy her daycare. We have put her in an in-home daycare that has 2 other boys that are both around 1 year old. I think she really likes all the noise and interaction during the day.
My class on the other hand has been a little tough! I love my students, but they can sure be a handful. It has been quite rough starting back with a class that has only had substitutes since the first day of school. I think when I showed up, they didn't expect me to stay! They kept asking, "are you our REAL teacher?" I felt bad being gone for so long, especially since the first day of school, but my baby was obviously my priority. The first few weeks were really tough. My students were not used to my kind of rules, and they tried to get away with a lot of stuff. But, they are slowly coming around and realizing that I'm not leaving! I love teaching, and having a baby has inspired me to want to become a better teacher. I feel much more motivated this year. Hopefully my students will pick up on my motivation and do really well!
Brooke's first snow on December 4, 2009.As I said already, it was so much fun with Brooke! We took Brooke to see Santa at the beginning of December. She did great! She obviously didn't understand what was going on, but at least she didn't cry!
On Christmas Eve, we went to visit family in Alvin. On the way home, we stopped to visit with Lindsey, Todd, and Lindsey's parents at their house. It was so good to see Lindsey! Baby Agers is growing and momma is doing great!! She is still on bedrest, but has made it to her first milestone of 28 weeks! (Thanks to everyone for keeping Lindsey and baby in your thoughts!!) It was a short visit, but it was fun to see Lindsey and Brooke playing together! When we returned back home we did not have power! Reagan's parents were also without power, but my parents had theirs. So, we all drove over to my parents house and spent Christmas Eve there. We were given a new video camera as one of our gifts on Christmas Eve, so we were able to videotape Brooke's first Christmas! We woke up early for the big day ahead. Reagan and I opened our gifts to each other first, and then we woke Brooke up. She was still half asleep during the opening of all her gifts from "Santa"! She got a drum, a blow-up penguin that makes noises and a teddy bear that mommy and daddy made for her at Build-A-Bear among other things. We then went to Grammy and Grandpa Tielke's house to have our Christmas tradition of eating breakfast and opening presents together. Brooke slept almost the entire time! She did wake up in time to g
et a great picture of her in her new cowboy boots with Aunt Mimi (Melissa)! Brooke received lots of cute gifts like a purse with a stuffed pony inside, little skirts to eventually wear and she also got a Baby Einstein entertainment center which she really loves! After that, we headed over to Gamma and Papa's house to have our tradition of lunch and opening gifts together. Brooke was now awake(!) and was able to take part in opening gifts....sort o
f! She helped a little by holding on to the paper as we pulled it. Brooke got all kinds of fun toys and new clothes! She also got a Little People play set which she will have so much fun with in the coming months! After our big, eventful day, we were ready to go home and relax. Brooke was definitely tired. She was not a happy girl and we had to put her to bed early because she was so exhausted from all the fun. I want to thank our families for making this Christmas extra special for us and Brooke this year! The next day, Brooke and I went with my parents to visit my Grandma. Ben, Windy, and Kylie were there, as well as my Aunt Shelley and Uncle Tommy. Brooke also got to meet her Great-Great Aunt and Uncle Ivan and Jean! It was really nice to see my Uncle Tommy as he had just gotten out of the hospital for double pneumonia. He is doing better but is still trying to get his strength back. Brooke received some more great gifts, and she especially loves her little lion that Aunt Shelley gave her! It makes a lot of crinkle sounds and she is so fascinated by it!
Needless to say, Brooke had a lot of excitement over the Christmas holidays and we were all exhausted. It was nice to stay home and relax the next few days!
On December 28th, my mom and I took Brooke for her 4 month check-up with Dr. Hogarth. At this visit she weighed in at 10 pounds, 6 ounces! Still in the 3 percentile, but right on track with her growth chart. Dr. H said she looks great and is a very strong baby. She expects Brooke to be walking at an early age. (Guess we will have baby proof the house sooner than expected!) She wants us to wait to put her on cereal since she is still not drinking a whole bottle full of formula. Since the formula is more nutritional than rice cereal, it's much better for her to stick to the formula for a couple more months. Brooke has met all the milestones of 4 month-olds...she is rolling over, smiling and laughing all the time, making noises, pushes up on her hands while on her tummy, and can sit supported. She has great neck control and all she wants to do now is sit or stand...no more laying around like a baby! :)
For New Year's Eve, we had a couple of friends come over to celebrate. Martin and Heather, and Kevin and Dana all came over. Heather is currently due any day now with Baby Colt! Please keep her and baby in your prayers as his birthday is about to be here! We had so much fun hanging out with friends. It was a very relaxed New Year's Eve and Brooke did great by sleeping all night for us! :)
Well, that's about everything that's been going on with us lately. Hopefully it won't take as long to post next time! I would like to ask you all one more favor...a friend's baby is currently at Texas Children's Hospital. He was born around Thanksgiving, and he has been very sick. The doctors have been running tests, but have not found any answers as of yet to why he's so sick. Please keep him in your prayers. I can not imagine what his mother is going through at the moment.
Daddy and Brooke being silly!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's with your loved ones!
hi mom
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