Howard Family Christmas Party

This year's BIG Family party was at Jared and Leslie's (in SLC). It was such a great day. We were all there (I mean everybody, the whole 36!) It was the first time we got to share Brooklyn with the whole family, and it went pretty well. I do feel bad though because some of my aunts didn't get to hold her :( very sad!

Brooklyn in front of the Christmas tree
(She did have a bow in her hair earlier.
Where did that facial expression come from anyways? )

Four Generation Picture

All of us together! AMAZING!

Poopy Experience

Never take a baby to the store right after they have been fed. Apparently after being fed babies fill their diapers, especially my baby.
Yesterday we went to the store with Grandma De after we went out to lunch for her birthday, and it was 'poopy.' We were waiting at the pharmacy and Brooklyn started to get fussy so I got her out of the car seat and started to pat her back thinking she might just have a bubble in there that she wanted out.
An elderly woman sat down by us and started up a conversation when Brooklyn's face started turning red and her bum started making noises. The woman said "oh I bet she feels better," and started to laugh. I thought phew at least we made it this long, we'll just check out and then go change her... wrong! Grandma De looked at me and said "Ummm, it's going up her back."
I guess I made a funny face because then she started snickering and helping me decide what to do. I took her out to the car and tried to change her without getting "it" everywhere. So Brooklyn ended up riding to Grandma's naked. Then when we got there Jade peeked at her and said, "Why did you forget her clothes?"
Oh boy what a day!

Christmas Cards

I hope you all got our Christmas cards!
We love you all and can't wait to see you for the holidays!

Love this one...

Like this one too!

she is so happy!

Look how awake she is...

She kept staring at the fan not the camera :(

November 8, 2007

Her first headband!

I've been having a difficult time getting headbands to work because her hair is so out of control but today we mastered the headband!!

On another note... I'm so excited for the holidays! We got our first sticky snow last night and I was so excited when I woke up to a 'winter wonderland.' I know that Brooklyn won't remember anything about the holidays this year but it will be so fun to share her with all our family.

Love you all and HAPPY WINTER!!

Blessing Dress

We went looking for a blessing dress yesterday and found one! We went to the hospital where Brooklyn was born and they had some beautiful dresses. Mommy got to pick it out, and Daddy gave the ok. We haven't tried it on her yet but I'm sure she will look gorgeous in it.

p.s. her PKU came back and everything is fine :)

One Month

Today marks one month since Brooklyn arrived. She has been here for four weeks. We have had her in our lives for twenty eight days. We've been taking care of her for six hundred seventy two hours.
We love her!

Past Week

So I've been slacking on my blog so I thought I'd take a moment to kind of update it, a little.

Last Thursday(November 29) we took Brooklyn back to the doctor for another check up. She weighs nine pounds now! The doctor looked her over and said that everything looks good and she is a healthy baby, then he sent in the nurse. She had to prick Brooklyn's heel and fill a card for another PKU test. Apparently her PKU from when she was born had a positive result, however the doctor said it's probably a false positive. We'll be getting the results for this last PKU back this week sometime and hopefully it's all negative.

Now onto our new home life...

It's so weird to be a mommy. I am loving almost every moment of it (I say almost because I don't love the two in the morning wake up calls). Brooklyn is such a good baby so far. There have been a few nights that she has actually slept for 6 hours through the night. Most the time she goes 3 hours between eatings and it's been nice. We've had our few really 'crappy' diaper changes and I've learned that you should immediately wash those clothes and blankets that were involved. I've learned how to do many things one handed (she loves to be held) such as cooking, laundry, putting on my make up and various other tasks. It's funny how nervous I was before I had her and how I was worried I wouldn't know how to take care of her, but I have to say it just all comes to you and it's so weird.

Kiwi is adjusting pretty good. She still has a hard time with not getting all the attention but she leaves Brooklyn alone most the time. When I have Brooklyn on my lap I let Kiwi sniff her out and she seems to like that. It will be interesting to see how their relationship evolves... I wonder what Brooklyn will think of Kiwi when she understands what she is.

Omar has visited a few times (he is currently staying with my parents). He completely ignores Brooklyn, well I actually don't think he noticed her until she started to fuss. He has tried to help me change her diaper a few times. He will sit next to the crib and look through the bars ans sometimes even lick Brooklyn's feet.

Zach is doing SO good with her. He gets her dressed and does her hair more than I do! He has been such a big help to me the last few weeks. He takes Brooklyn in the morning time when she decides to be up for the day and takes care of her for a couple hours so I can get a nap in before my day starts. He loves to bath her, hold her, dress her, and 'play' with her. He doesn't like to change her bum, when she cries, or when I feed her (he wants to feed her). He is such a good Daddy!

Brooklyn's 'Naked' Pictures

These are just a few of the pictures that we took this past Friday. I love the one with Zach and her. Thanks to my mom for taking the pictures and thanks to Brooklyn for being so darn cute!!!

Four Generation

We were able to get a four generation picture on Thanksgiving this year. This is Brooklyn, Brittany, Grandma De, and Great Grandma Maureen,

Grove Family Pictures

This past weekend we took some family photo's. Mark will be editing them and making them look a little better but I wanted to share a few... We'll get the others on when they're finished.

Hospital Picture's

Brooklyn's Hair

WooHoo!!!

Mommy and Brooklyn laying down

We gave Brooklyn her first real bath yesterday! After we got her out we lotioned her up and got her ready for bed. I didn't realize I had made her hair stand straight up but it did and so we got some cute pictures!

More Hospital Pictures

Baby Brooklyn

Bright eyes

Grandmas patiently waiting for Brooklyn

Grandpas patiently waiting for Brooklyn

Zach announcing her arrival

More Pictures!

Coming home outfit

Sitting in the car seat ready to leave (sorry it's sideways)

Battle of the 'daughters'

Sleeping

Wide awake

Grandma De

Grandpa James

Great Grandma Pam and Great Grandpa Jimmy

Daddy and Brooklyn

Mommy taking a nap while Daddy takes care of Brooklyn