11 months

Our little sweet pea is almost 1, but we are still in no rush to toddler-hood. Brooke is 25 pounds, wearing 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers. She has 3 meals per day and still has 3 bottles of formula. We are still integrating more solid foods into her diet, to wean off the pureed baby foods. She has 8 teeth - 4 on top and 4 on bottom. It doesn't appear that any are coming in, but she has been a drooling machine for the past couple weeks. We had to start putting cloth bibs on her again, as it just pours out everywhere; it doesn't help that she blows raspberries 2/3 of her day!

She says dada and mama and babbles often, especially in the mornings after she wakes up. She studies people's mouths as they move when they say words she doesn't know; she is so observant and can be very serious, yet she can be so silly! She loves snacking on fruit and Gerber puffs, as well as drinking water (who doesn't in this dreadful Houston Heat). She does great with picking up and holding her sippy cup on her own. However, she does enjoy throwing it on the floor when she is done with it, along with toys, teethers, wubbanubs, anything she is holding. Grammy read it is not that they are intentionally doing wrong, they just learned they can let go of an object and it falls. They hear the noise it makes as it hits the floor and the cause-and-effect of someone picking it up. Right now our little one is exploring and learning all sorts of new things. Every day she discovers new ways of looking at the world around her, as well as motorskills that will help her grow strong and be educated. Right now she loves her LeapFrog Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket, pulling books of the shelf, anything that lights up and plays music and her Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Crawl Around Car. 

   

Despite her ever-growing collection of headbands, Brooke still is not a fan. Once she discovers it, she pulls it off to examine it!

Brooke has enjoyed a few more dips in the pool, as well as her very own kiddie pool. It took more time and effort on mommy and daddy's part than she did in the water, but anything to see my sweet pea happy! Check out our new convertible picnic table bench too, specially made by her very talented Papaw.

   

 

Thanks to our good friend and Jen's sister-in-law, Atreyee, Brooke got her first Sari. Mommy attempted to put it on and get a few pictures. Needless to say, this photo shoot didn't last long, Brooke was not a fan of the garment wrapped all around her!

   

   

In the past 11 months, I have tried learning more about photography given I have this gorgeous model at my very fingertips. Some of the moments I am able to capture with my lens are recorded memories that we will be able to cherish for a lifetime. I especially love incorporating our elegant antique couch that belonged to our beloved Grandmere, or later known as Gigi to Brooke. The pink chevron "B" was a gift from my bestie Mal and used in my maternity shots. I love seeing things come full circle. I have some more ideas for Brooke's birthday...we'll see if they turn out!

   

 

Speaking of Brooke's Birthday, last week we visited Memorial City Mall for a photo session on the carousel per the party theme "Cupcakes & Carousels". Obviously, I don't want to ruin her party or give away all of the surprises but here is a sneak peak...

On a final note, Brooke has brought more joy, excitement and adventure to our lives in the last 11 months than we could have ever imagined. Being a mother to this sweet little girl has filled my life and heart with purpose and love. I want nothing more than to see her dreams come true and succeed in everything she does. Dream big little girl, dream big!

Oh and those toes... I could just eat them!!!