Something New -

This week I've had an incredible desire to be laying out on the beach, listening to a good beach read on CD, (way easier than flipping sandy pages) followed by some good, classic Kenny Chesney music. You know how music always evokes emotions and memories? Kenny Chesney is "beach bum," and "tropical oasis" to my psyche. No other music comes close to making me feel near as happy as his does during the summertime.

Speaking of the beach, we'll be on vacation exactly two months and a week from today, in Ocean City, NJ. (incidentally the week of Brooke's birthday!) We'll be sharing a lovely beach house right across the street from the beach with my parents and brother. Of course, it won't be like vacations of years past, since Brooke is here now, (lazy lounging? Nope. Uninterrupted sun bathing? Nope. Moments of peace at all? Probably not, unless my parents babysit!) but it'll be an entirely new, and fun experience that we couldn't have had before her. That makes me so happy. Hopefully she likes the sand. My worry is that she'll like it too much, as she has a habit of putting everything in her mouth. :)

Wow, I have such an update to do, I don't know where to begin. I guess a good start is with Brooke. :) Thank goodness Lauren commented that Brooke will associate sitting up during nap time with me coming back in to lay her down. (incidentally she also learned to stand in her crib during the very next nap time) I peeked in to look at her during her next nap, and she immediately sat up and looked at the door, just waiting for me! So, we stopped that habit. It meant a couple of nap times of NO sleep, but she eventually figured out that Mommy wasn't coming back in. She even will occasionally fall asleep now slumped over, half sitting up. When she does that, though, I'll go in and lay her down, and she sleeps right through it. She wasn't sleeping well this past week, but now I'm convinced that I know why......

Brooke's FIFTH tooth popped through yesterday. Yes, fifth. Her newest one is right next to her left top middle tooth. So, she now has a grand total of two bottom teeth, and three top teeth. I've never heard of a not-even-10 month-old with 5 teeth! Apparently, my teeth came in early, too. Just taking after her mama, I guess. She has been sleeping GREAT ever since it came through, thank goodness.

Brooke has started to WAVE! It is the cutest thing ever. She started it last week, mostly waving at herself, (and usually at meal time, for whatever reason) but didn't actually start waving at someone who was leaving until Friday. She waved at her Daddy last night! It is so precious. :) I tell you, she does something new every day. Seriously. 9 months has been a very full, exciting month!!!

In other news, I've started a pet service. (dog walking and pet sitting) The pros were obvious: nice weather to work in, great exercise, can "work" with Brooke!, and get my doggie and kitty fixes while making surprisingly good money. I posted fliers around our community, and actually just had my first job this past Thursday through Saturday taking care of kitties. I also was networking (not intentionally) while Brooke and I were at the pool last Wednesday, and pretty much got offered a job taking care of puppy for three weeks. (THAT would be amazing, but nothing is in writing yet) I still think it's funny to think of networking while out at the pool.

We've got some other possibilites brewing, but some things need to happen first before I mention anything about it. (But, no, just in case you're wondering, I'm not pregnant!)

I do have tons of pictures to share!! I took a few this morning, followed by some pictures my Dad has taken this afternoon. Enjoy!


Cheerios. Breakfast of champions.
(This is her new chair passed down by our neighbor!)

"More!" She waves her hands for "more." :)

Our family today on Father's Day!

Right after her Daddy gave her coca-cola for the first time.
Yeah... Wasn't my choice!

One of my new favorites!

She LOVES to be out in the sunroom! (look at those teeth!)


Our happy little girl :)

She's not smiling, but I still think this is a pretty picture. :)

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, my Dad-in-law, and my hubby, who incidentally is an incredible daddy. Enjoy YOUR day! :)

¶ 1:20 PM