Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Brooks Family!

Couponing

I've been trying to save money on groceries for a couple months now. It's been going well! This past Saturday I spent $87.00 & saved $55.00 at Publix. Of course, that was excluding baby stuff, like diapers, formula, jarred baby food; those are killer to your grocery budget! I've been using www.southersavers.com. She has an awesome website! She tells you what the best deals are at tons of different stores, and what coupons you can use with each item. By using her website, I got 1 box of Green Giant frozen vegetables, 2 Healthy Choice frozen entrees, 2 small rolls of crescent rolls, & 2 small rolls of cinnamon rolls for free; and some Lysol Spray Cleaner, Instant mashed potatoes, Hamburger & Chicken Helpers, Mayfield Ice Cream, and Nestle Toll House Refrigerated cookie dough for super cheap! My husband laughs at me for getting so excited about my deals, but it's an amazing feeling knowing you can get what you need (& sometimes what you want) for a good price~like free! Here's a couple of other websites I like to look at:
http://canigetitforfree.blogspot.com
http://thesimplesaver.wordpress.com

For those of you, who really want updated pictures of the kids....I promise they will be coming soon. I've been working, and we no longer have internet at home so it's hard, but I will get new pics and videos up. Especially since Landen's crawling and pulling up to stand, and Darren knows almost all his body parts and can say several new words. They are growing boys!

All Grown Up

The kids just keep growing up! Darren's new favorite item is SHOES! Any shoes....All shoes! :) He will bring you a pair and they must be put on him at that time, whether it's first thing in the morning or right after bath time. He has also been caught trying to put on our clothes.

Landen is also growing so quickly! He's pretty much sitting up on his own now. He still tumbles over from time to time, and a "gentle" push from his brother will knock him right down. He also got up on his hands & knees today....only for a few seconds, but it's a step toward crawling in the next couple months!

In other news, Mommy got a job. Yes, it's true. I started working this week at a vet clinic in Americus. It's 4 days a week. I'm sad to leave the kids each day, but this is just for a season (which will be over before I realize it).

Until next time, Have a great week!

Landen's 6-month check up

Landen is a growing boy! It's hard to believe it's already been half a year, then again it's also hard to remember life without him. He's brought so much joy to our lives (and his brothers, they love playing with each other)! I took him to Columbus, on Friday, for his 6-month check up. Everything went well.

Landen's new measurements:

Head - 17" (25th percentile)
Weight - 17lbs 12oz (50th percentile)
Height - 28" (90th percentile) HE'S TALL!!! :-)

He's still been getting up during the night so now I've got to start the dreaded "let him cry during the night", but I am looking forward to sleeping more! :) I'm also excited about starting to introduce the sippy cup. Life's much easier when they can feed themselves with a cup. I love this stage of the first year...when they start exploring everything! Feeding solid foods is also lots of fun. Landen has tried sweet potatoes, carrots, & sweet peas. I think his favorite is sweet peas.

As far as physical developments, Landen is trying very hard to sit up on his own but doesn't quite have enough strength or coordination. He's also starting to really get vocal...shrilling is his current favorite sound.

It's amazing how often one family can be at the doctor's office! June was the only month I didn't have to take one of the kids in for check up's or sick appointments this whole year! Oh well, I guess they should know us by now :-)

That's it for today. I hope everybody continues to have a great weekend!

Bruised Nose

Last night the youth group had a game night at a friend's cabin. I decided to bring the kids out for an hour or so. Darren, who was very excited about the fact that he could open and close the screen door all by himself, got a little too quick for his own feet and tripped (which he does all the time). Except this time he fell flat on his nose! I mean all the pressure of the fall landed right on his nose. Within seconds his poor nose was swollen & red. I was afraid he had broken it, but Tony reassured me that he was fine. Here's a couple pictures of him...they definately don't due justice to what he really looked like.

45 minutes after the fall
The next morning

Lots of Noises

Two blog post in one day, and there's one more coming tomorrow morning! It's been very eventful! Landen's reached the age of entertainment...where he entertains us! :-) He's rolling all over the place and creeping everywhere. He can get about anywhere he wants on the living room rug. We set the Jumperoo up in the living room. Landen loves that thing! He has bounced himself to sleep three times in the last week! He's also started to become very vocal! Here's a cute video of him telling us all about it! I haven't blogged much lately about Darren, but I promise I have a blog coming soon! I'm collecting pictures for it! :-)

Landen's First Veggie

Landen had sweet potatoes for the first time this week. He didn't seem to enjoy them at first, but he's starting to warm up to the taste. Here's a cute video & picture!

Birthday Weekend

Friday was my 24th birthday. Tony sent the kids to my parents for a few days so I could have a relaxing weekend. It was fun! Tony & I went to Warner Robins on Friday. We ate at IHOP and went to the movies. Tony gave me CSI:Season 1, 3 photo albums, & he let me print 100 photos. The photo albums have lines beside the photo slot so I can write what's going on in the photo. I'm excited! I've got alot of catching up to do with our photos before I start forgetting things! My parents gave me a gift card for Wal-Mart.....perfect for more photo printing! My birthday was wonderful!

4th of July Fun

We had a fun-filled 4th of July. The kids wore patriotic outfits! They were so cute! First, we set up the sprinkler for Darren, but he didn't like it. So we set up the pool, he just wanted to play with the water hose. He ended up playing on the back porch with the cooler most of the time. Kids are so funny. Chelsey, my sister, was over to join in the fun & help with the kids.

We tried to take a family photo on the swing. Darren decided it would be fun to be extremely dramatic! But, we did get a good photo by the end.

Landen was tired after all the fun outside. I layed him on the couch and he started to cry, but as soon as I gave him that teddy bear he calmed right down & went to sleep.

First Solids & Sitting Up

I gave Landen rice cereal for the first time on Monday. He didn't know what to think about it! He finished the bowl, but of course at least half of it was on his bib & face! By Wednesday, he was catching on much better to the concept of eating from a spoon!




Also, He has begun to try and sit up all by himself! Exciting! Here's a couple pics of him sitting up for 2 seconds {literally! :)} before tumbling over.

5 Generations

A couple of weekends ago the kids & I took a trip to Tennessee to attend my great grandnanny's 100th birthday party! What an amazing woman! Her health is great. The only reason she doesn't live by herself is her eyesight, she's legally blind. She loves the Lord, and still attends church as regularly as she can! What a role model! Here's a picture of the 5 generations.

Landen's Activity Seat

Landen likes his activity seat! Check out the pictures & video below!

Well-Child Check Ups

Last Tuesday, We took the kids in for their well-child check ups. (Darren's 15 month & Landen's 4 month) It went well. Darren has definitely reached the I don't like the doctor stage of toddlerhood, but Dr. Johnson reassured us that it should start to fade around 3 years of age. Tony thought it was quite funny that I had so many questions for the doctor (12 to be exact), but I always think of questions between doctors appointments so I jot them down on a piece of paper on the fridge. Dr. Johnson was very patient with me, and answered all my questions.

Darren's new measurements are:
Weight - 21.15 (which is in the 25%)
Height - 31 (which is in the 50%)
Head C. - 18.5 (which is in the 50%)

He has an ear infection so now he's on antibiotics, but he doesn't mind he thinks they taste yummy. He took a little dip in his weight when he started walking, but he's gaining weight again so they're not worried. He has started getting us up between 6:00-6:30am, which we found out is normal for his age. We also asked if he could have nightmares, because a couple of times he woke up screaming and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. The answer.....YES.....toddlers can have nightmares. I guess they dream that they couldn't find mommy or daddy, they fell down, or the world ran out of milk! :) Darren has reached a new milestone in eating. The only things he shouldn't eat are things that could be choking hazards; like nuts, peanut butter, raisins, whole grapes, raw vegetables, etc.

Landen's new measurements are:
Weight - 15.7 (which is in the 50%)
Height - 26 (which is in the 90%)
Head C. - 16.5 (which is in the 25 -50%)

Landen checked out well. He's growing and developing right on schedule! After talking with the doctor, we've decided to wait until he's 5-6 months old to start solid foods. I would like for him to have a little more head control before we start this new phase. We were concerned about Landen's feet. When he stood up they would curve outward, but Dr. Johnson said this was normal for his age and he should grow out of it. I was also concerned because Landen will not go to sleep unless he's swaddled. I expected him to have outgrown this desire by now. The doctor told us just to keep swaddling him until he doesn't like it anymore. There's nothing wrong with him. We should also start putting him to bed drowsy but awake. I attempted this a couple nights ago, but after he cried for 40 minutes and didn't seem to be calming down I just got him up and rocked him to sleep. We will try again this weekend! I ordered a new cloth seat for our activity seat! It should arrive in about 4 - 6 weeks (it was on backorder), just in time for Landen to start using it! This is a fun stage, when you start to watch them learn to play.

Also, Both kids had to get shots! Landen did well as I expected. We just gave him a bottle right afterward! It works every time! Darren did much better then I expected. I thought he would just throw a complete fit, but he recovered fairly quickly! That's my big boy! :)

They go back for their next check ups at 6 months (July) and 18 months (August).

In Need of Advice

I love being a stay at home mom! As a mom, I feel that my first & foremost "job" is to care for my children. Unfortunately, after lots of thought it looks like we need more than just Tony's income. I'm trying to find ways to bring in some income while still staying home with the kids. If anyone knows of any ways, please let me know. Due to the price of childcare (esp. for 2), I think a part-time position outside of home would almost be pointless; & I really don't want to work full-time. I'm afraid I would miss so much of the kids milestones & fun things they do while they're alert & happy during the day. I really need every ones help on this! Please let know if you know of anything I could do! Thanks in advance for all your help!

Selena

Milestones & Our Trip to Kentuckiana

We recently took a trip back up to Kentucky/Indiana to see our dear friends. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! I found, though, that traveling with two kids is tough business! Our plan was to leave at 4am on Monday morning, but Darren came down with a fever Sunday evening. We had to take him to the doctor Monday, and get the "ok" to head north (which of course we did). We stopped Monday night at a hotel, which was miserable!!!! Darren wouldn't sleep at all!!!! But we got up the next morning, and traveled the rest of the way. Despite all the troubles in the beginning, it turned out to be a GREAT week! In the process of caring for the kids, I forgot to take very many pics :) Here's the two that I did catch.

Kristen & Landen

Darren playing basketball with Jacob

Also, Landen has reached some big milestones! His head control is getting really strong, and He rolled over yesterday!!!! Yep, He rolled from his back to his tummy all by himself! He'll be rolling across the room before I know it! :) Also, He has started to grab his toys on the bouncy seat. It's so cute!

Grins & Giggles

Landen is giving us big, beautiful smiles!

Easter 2009

This was Landen's first Easter, and Darren's first Easter egg hunt. It was a wonderful weekend! On Friday, we had an egg hunt & supper at Tony's parent's house. Darren discovered that hard boiled eggs can be mashed! Once he discovered that he ruined about 4-5 eggs. He would have messed up more, but I stopped letting him grab them! On Saturday morning, we had breakfast with my parents. Darren always enjoys playing with their dogs, and Landen loves catnapping with Aunt Chelsey! Saturday afternoon there was an egg hunt at the church. This time Darren was hunting plastic eggs...they weren't near as messy! He picked up 2 eggs...one for each hand...and was perfectly happy! Landen hung out in the stroller, and with Daddy during the hunt. He just enjoyed being outside...he loves it outside and I love taking him outside! Sunday morning I got the boys all dressed up (well as dressed up as you can get boys). They both got to wear new outfits to church. The service was wonderful. It made you reflect on where you've been and where you're going. All in all, we had a busy but fun filled weekend!

This was the first egg Darren put his thumb through!

Saturday at Grandpa's

This past Saturday we went to Eastman to celebrate Tony & my dad's birthdays. Darren fell in love with the ice cream as you can see! My dad gave him a little and he started asking for more...eventually he decided that papa wasn't fast enough so he would grab the spoon as soon as the ice cream was dipped and shove it in his mouth. It was quite funny! Darren has started to try to run. I've posted a video of him "running" down the driveway. He fell that same day and skinned his knee for the first time, but it didn't phase him. I don't think he even realized what happened. Landen enjoyed the day as well. He took a nice catnap with Aunt Chelsey on the couch. Landen has started to smile at us! It's adorable! I hope to get a picture soon, but you know how kids are (as soon as you pull out the camera they stop doing whatever was cute). My dad & sister, Chelsey, have the boys until Tuesday, because Tony & I are taking the youth to six flags tomorrow (& it's supposed to be a high of 50 degrees-that's crazy for south georgia). I'm sure the boys will come back very spoiled!

It looks like Darren's going to play football!

Darren's 1st Birthday Party

Oh my how time has flown by! Darren is already a year old! We celebrated his birthday at Grandpa Ward's house on February 21st. He had a wonderful time opening presents and eating cake.