3 MONTHS!

We can't believe Brooklyn is almost 3 months old! She's growing so fast and is so beautiful! We'll post pictures soon, but wanted to write a bit about what she's doing right now.

Brooklyn is an amazing little girl! She brings a special spirit and special dynamic into our home. She's calm and easy going most of the time. She smiles at almost everything. We just got back from a long Utah trip and while we were there we stayed with my Grandma Neff. Brooklyn's lived at her house about half her life up 'till this point. We all miss being there and I think she misses it the most. She and Grandma have a special relationship. Brooklyn loves cuddling with and talking with her. We all miss being with Grandma, but lateley Brooklyn's reminded me a lot of the feeling at Grandma's house - calm and happy from deep inside where happy isn't easily influenced by the ups and downs of ever day life. She reminds me a lot of my Grandma Neff.

Part of her relative "calm" (if that word can relly be applied to babies) has to do with the fact that she has a very happy schedule. Brooklyn sleeps at night. She goes to bed around 9:00, just after Coleman, and sleeps long chunks at night. She eats a couple times - usually around midnight and again around 5am. It's wonderful to count on at least a 4 hour chunk most nights! I really enjoy feeding her most nights because she's happy to eat, snuggle and fall back to sleep.

Brooklyn has the tenacity of her dad hard-wired in. She's hilarious. Just like Tyler, she doens't do anything half way. She puts a ton of effort into what she wants to do and really pushes herself! It's almost funny to watch. She reminds me of Tyler waterskiing. He uses all his energy to ski as well as he can and he's not at all cautious about it (as evidenced by the fact that when people see him fall they wonder if he's still alive, but seconds later, he's ready to go again with the same tenacity) :) Brooklyn tries to sit up until she just absoluteley can't go anymore. She does quite well - holding a mega crunch for several minutes at a time. If I sit her up she can hold herself in that position for a minute or two until she looses her balance. She rolled over a few weeks ago (still at 2 months old) and we thought it was a fluke, but now she does it and we can tell it's on purpose. She wanted her binki the other day and it had fallen out of her mouth. She reached and reached for it until finally she just mustered her energy and lunged at it, turning over and catching it under her face. She can't quite turn from tummy to back yet, which seems to frustrate her, but we're sure it won't be long. :)

Coleman loves "Bwookin" and they have a special relationship. A few days ago they were both in bed with Tyler and me and we were so tired. It was a little beyond Tyler and me to be really entertaining. We were holding them facing each other while we were laying down when they started the cutest conversation that held them both captivated for several minutes. I supose those are the moments you live for as a parent! It was really sweet. "Brookie" is his other name for her. He likes to tell us what she needs and give us a play by play of her squeaking. She loves to be around him and just watch what he's doing.

Brooklyn loves to play in her bouncer. She likes to kick to make the mucis play and bat at the toys with her feet. She tries to sit up in it a lot and we think she looks pretty cute. Brooklyn likes to walk in the stroller. She likes to watch Coleman play at the park. Her favorite thing to do is still chit chat. She is quite the little talker. She'll talk to you anytime. She also loves to take baths. She loves to splash the water and sink herself into it the push out fast with her feet. She tastes it sometimes and it's pretty funny. She and Coleman both like to drink bath water... She suprised me a few days ago while Coleman was swimming in our pool. We were about ready to go so I plopped her in to see what she thought. She's been swimming once before, but it was at Cottonwood Heights in their warm specialty pool. Our pool isn't heated and it's a pretty chilly experience even on warm days. She LOVED it though! She played for 10 or 15 minutes kicking her feet and enjoying me putting her in and pulling her out. She's going to be a good swimmer like her daddy and big brother.

Brooklyn is a great sleeper (most of the time / knock on wood). She usually goes to bed around 9:00 and then eats twice before around 8:00 when she gets up in the morning. A lot of times she eats the first time before Tyler and I go to bed so that makes it nice to only have to get up once. Brooklyn also takes really good naps - she's starting to consistently sleep for an hour or sometimes more while Coleman is napping. She usually falls asleep when he eats lunch and sleeps through the first part of his nap. It's great! She's not super super consistent, but the schedule thing is working out pretty well.

Brooklyn loves to listen to the mobile music (too bad it only lasts about a minute and a half). She listens to that while she falls asleep for her naps or to go to bed. She doesn't like to be swaddled and sleeps mostly with her arms above her head. She sleeps with a flannel blankie and the small afghan my mom made for her. She likes to squeeze and hold onto stuffed toys while she plays, but likes the hard stuff better - she holds it in a vice-like grip sometimes even while she's asleep.

We're so happy to have you in our family, Brooklyn. You're a special little girl with a lot to teach us and share with us. We love your fun personality and the love that shines in your eyes. You're so special to Daddy and me. You are a most treasured blessing from our Heavenly Father. We love you so much!
Love, Dad and Mom