Brooke's 6 Month Check-up

Brooke had her 6 month check-up when we returned from Maggie Valley. Our Brooke is a whopping 19.8 lbs (94% for weight). No wonder my back has been killing me!!! The nurse had measured Brooke's length but when the Doctor came in the room she knew she was longer than what was written down. She is a very tall 28.8 inches (99% for height). She was a very happy little girl during this appt. She was smiling at the Doctor (I'm sure that will change in the coming years!!). She said it's time for Brooke to start learning to self feed so she suggested we start with the gerber puffs. She told me she does not recommend the biter biscuits because large chunks tend to break off! Also, we are allowed to start trying soft table food! Brooke has been trying to get my table food for a while now. After seeing the Doctor, we had to go down to immunizations..ugh!!! This is where I always need Jeff!!! I'm the big whimp when it comes to my baby getting shots!! I handled the 3 months shots ok, but when the murse (male nurse) told me to hold her arm, I knew I would be a gonner. She started crying immediately after the first shot and it just broke my heart. My eyes were watering!! I don't think the murse noticed though! Luckily, the 3 shots were given pretty fast and when the shots stopped, Brooke quit crying and was back to being my happy little girl. Next checkup = 9 months!

Brooke with her favorite toy in their office. She has liked that thing since her very first visit!

On to the strawberry! (This is ours, not the offices')

My poor baby with her 2 bandaids. I hate pulling bandaids off! She didn't care for it either!

Here is Brooke playing with her toy.

Here is a video of Brooke trying her new puffs (Apple-Strawberry) and also still practicing with her sippy cup! (she's gotten much better!)

Day 9..the morning we left.

I had the car all packed up that Thursday night so the only thing we had to do was throw our clothes on and go. We left that morning at 7am as planned. Here are a few pictures taken before we left. We said our goodbye's to the Stegemoller's the night before so they didn't have to get up early. Hailey shocked us when she came down to say goodbye again.

I went upstairs to wake Kalyn and her and Hailey were all cuddled up. Notice in the picture that Kalyn has all the covers and Hailey had none. It was freezing up there!!! I had to get my camera before I got Kalyn out of the bed.

Hailey and Kalyn shortly before we left.

The girls being silly!

Brooke in her "I wonder when we get to go shopping" shirt. We were headed to the Lenox Mall in Atlanta to pick up gifts for a bridal shower before heading home. We did get some comments at the Crate and Barrel about her shirt.

Hailey and Brooke. (I'm not sure what that look on Brooke's face was for.)

Brooke smiling at Hailey. So sweet!!

Nina getting some goodbye kisses.

Poppi loving on Brooke before we left.

Brooke trying to eat Hailey's finger one last time before we left.

Day 8 in Maggie Valley

Kalyn being a big helper by feeding Brooke her breakfast.

Nina and Brooke at the Old-Fashioned Picture Studio. Brooke was soooo cute in her little dress and red sequined headband with the feather sticking out of it.

Kalyn was bad, so we had to lock her up. Not quite sure who let her out!!

The girls passed out after a day of shopping.

Great Aunt Mary and Great Aunt Terry playing with Brooke.

Brooke smiling at Great Aunt Terry.

Here is a video of Brooke with her first taste of Lemon. I was very surprised that she had no sour face reaction!! Her cousin Ashley did though!

Day 7 in Maggie Valley

This is the day we went to Big Creek at the Smokey Mountains National Park. This is a yearly event for the family.

This is Brooke passed out at Joey's Pancake House. We woke up around 6am and everyone else in the house slept until about 8:30am, so we made a trip for breakfast then to Walmart and got back to the cabin before anyone was awake.

Dylan hanging out on a big ole' rock in the creek.

LOL...Guess this was Ashley's reaction to the freezing cold water!

Here is Ashley's first bitter cookie (thanks to Aunt Candy!). She made a huge mess all over herself and Nina who was holding her while she ate it.

Here is the gang hanging around the picnic table chowing down on grilled hotdogs.

This is Brooke in her carrier when we first got there.

I'm guessing Aunt Kelly took this picture since she is sticking her tongue out.

The beautiful view from the creek.

Nina, Kevin and Ashley hanging out.

Celyn and Kalyn thinking about jumping into the water.

Great-Aunt Terry feeding Brooke her bitter biscuit while Ashley stares her down!

The girls still contemplating getting in. Eric on the right was the first brave soul to get in the frigid water.

Shelby "bugle hands"

Kelly taking pictures of Kevin and Ashley.

R.J. chillin' out

This is such a cute picture!!

Brooke hanging out in her Pack-n-play with her arm around her blue pillow!

Mouth open!! Good thing I had a bug net over the pack-n-play.

Chillin in our chairs (I bought mine that morning at Walmart. My other chair collapsed on Brooke and I the day before at the creek.)

Poppi with his 2 granddaughters...Brooke was playing with Poppi's sunglasses.

All 3 of them kinda looking.

Let the torture begin!! She pulled Brooke's hairbow out of her hair and then...

tried to eat it!!

Brooke and Nina on the bridge.

Hailey and Kalyn posing on the rocks!

Another view of the creek.

Celyn, Eric, Terry and R.J. on the bridge.

Brooke checking Poppi out.

Poppi likes to steal kisses from his grandbabies!

Kalyn standing on one of the rocks.

The Gritter Brother's...Rich, Harry and Tom

Not sure who took these pictures, I'm guessing Tom...they look pretty cool. This is R.J.

Eric

Ashley's was a little blurry.

Harry holding Brooke while she's asleep. Mommy and Aunt Terry left him with the sleeping baby while we went to the spider infested bathroom.

Nina sticking her tongue out...lol

Here is Brooke eating her first Bitter cookie.