Baby Showers, Birthdays equal B.U.S.Y.!!!

We have been busy enjoying what has now truly become FALL here in Oregon! It is cold, windy, rainy and grey! And, to think tomorrow is already Halloween... I cannot believe it!
It feels like just yesterday was last Halloween 2009, amazing how fast time flies, but also in the meantime, feels like some days drag on forever!

We have been really busy with lots o' baby showers! Two in the past 2 weeks and still one more to go in a couple of weeks! They are all wonderful women - and wives of Brian's closest friends. I am also lucky to call all 3 of the ladies my close friends! They are all having girls, as I had mentioned before, and are all due within 3 weeks of eachother!!! Lots of pink and even more fun! They are all delivering at the same hospital, so we may be visiting more than one Mommy there at a time!

First Shower, and FIRST DUE (due date mid-December) is my wonderful friend, Lindsey! She, again, is an incredible friend and this is Baby Girl #2 for her and her wonderful husband, Ryan. Ryan and Brian went to high school and undergrad College together, and also have been running buddies! The Anderson's have an adorable, sweet little girl, Bailey, who is 3... and beyond a doll! Jack adores her - just as much as we do! We cannot wait to see Miss Bailey in action as a BIG Sister, and have no doubt she will play the role amazingly! We won't find out Baby Anderson's name until her arrival, but most of all, we are looking forward to meeting her - and having her join her amazing family!

Lindsey looking WONDERFUL at her shower! It was a super fun shower, with games, present, yummy food and wonderful company!

 All 3 of the cutest pregnant women ever! Heather, Lindsey and Patricia at Lindsey's shower. They all look so amazing, and seem to all be doing great with being pregnant!



Baby Shower #2 was today! It was a "Couple's Shower" for Patricia and her husband Will. Will and Brian went to high school together, and have remained good friends, so again... leading me to another great set of friends. Their shower was a lot of fun. My first ever "Couple's Shower"! Brian's too! :) He said he didn't think he'd ever go to a Baby Shower... well, he was wrong! It was fun, the food was great, they were blessed with many gifts for their baby girl, Emma Grace, who is due in January! We could not be more excited for the Enderby Family. This is Baby #3, and she will be joining her Big Sister, Amanda and Big Brother William - who we have no doubt, will be the best siblings little Emma could ask for!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the couple, but did get some other fun ones to enjoy!

Is this an amazing cake or what? It was so much more gorgeous in person... I wish I could have captured a better photo... and it was DELICIOUS! They had it custom-made to match the Baby Shower invitation... I don't think it could have come any closer! It was definitely one amazing cake!

Being a bit vain here, but, I MADE this diaper cake! My first ever! It was really fun to make, and even more fun to decorate! I was happy with the way it turned out... and I know the diapers will definitely go to use! I think this may be my new go-to gift ... so be ready ladies! :)

A gift from Baby-to-Be's, Aunt Mary. You may be wondering why I took this picture, and it's because I asolutely LOVE the little hat! A friend of hers makes them. It is so adorable. Again, hard to tell how cute it is in the picture, but it was C.U.T.E.!!! ps. Inside the BIG package was a travel crib AKA Pack-n-Play... such a necessity, and what a GREAT gift!!!

We hope you had an amazing day, Patricia, Will, Amanda and William! We are all so excited to meet Baby Emma, we know she is going to be the perfect addition to your already wonderful family!



Shower #3 will come in two weeks, which is another "Couple's Shower" and it is for Justin and Heather. Again, Justin went to high school and undergrad with Brian, so I am blessed to have two more fabulous friends! We look forward to their shower, and will update afterwards :).

HOWEVER...

...in between all these fun and exciting parties and babies on the way, we have our own little ones... and one of them is having a birthday party next weekend! JACK!!! We still cannot believe he is going to be 3! He is very excited about his party, and can't wait to see all of his friends and eat cake :)

He decided he wanted a Monkey Party... so I imagine it will be a WILD time! Curious George is his favorite companion at the moment... so we think it'll be a fun and exciting party for Jack!

He is also eagerly anticipating Grandma and Grandpa Weeks' arrival Friday evening before his party on Saturday; as almost on a daily basis he asks how much longer until they will be here!

Again, the "theme" is Monkeys... but, it did start out as Curious George... and then just went to Monkeys from there... George isn't an easy guy to track down for parties... :)

Jack is also starting PRESCHOOL this coming Tuesday! He seems excited and ready. Just not sure if Mommy is... I know the first few times of taking him will be hard (on me), but it is going to be so great for him. His preschool had an Open House for his class this past week, and it was so reassuring to hear all about what he'll be doing while he is there, and the structure of his mornings spent at Sweet Peas. He will be going Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and I think it will be a good fit and a great start to school for him.

I, am also looking forward to having some one on one time with Sweet Maggie. Which is rare... so I think we will both enjoy it, and all the while, know that Jack is having a great time at school! I'm sure Maggie and I will find lots of fun things to do! :) We do have some passes for a couple of weeks worth of Gymboree classes, so we will definitely be trying those out, as well, as maybe some indoor play gyms for little ones her age. She is so used to be toted along with her brother to his outings, I think she'll really enjoy being an "only child", and doing something just for her!

Brian captured this goofy picture of Maggie, and it is so funny to me. She is laughing so hard at something, but whatever it is... it made for a great picture of her... showing her sweet smile!



Lastly, we can't forget tomorrow is HALLOWEEN! Jack is excited... and Maggie ... well, Maggie will be excited... hopefully :). We were going to go to a fun outdoor mall, but it has been raining and cold all day, and we expect it to be the same tomorrow.... so we will probably just go to the houses in our little cul-de-sac, and then come home. We are going to go with our neighbors and their 3 girls, who Jack adores, so we may venture a bit further into the neighborhood... we shall see!

Jack has decided on being a Tiger and Maggie a Ballerina! I will definitely post pictures!

And... to think this was the two of them last year... I'm still amazed each day how fast they grow!!!

 Jack the very scary DRAGON... doesn't he look scary? :p

 Sweet Pumpkin Maggie!

Who had either had enough pictures taken, was embarrassed of her costume, or tired... possibly all 3!!!

And, I can't end this post without one of my favorite pictures of all time... Jack's 1st Halloween (he was just shy of turning 1), but he was the cutest DUCK Football Player EVER!!!! Maybe someday in the future, they'll be showing this picture on the jumbotron at Autzen Stadium, while he is warming up on the field...

Speaking of DUCKS... GO DUCKS! I think we may be smelling ROSES.............................................



Pumpkin Patch FUN!!!

A HAPPY DAY IT WAS!

Yesterday was one of the greatest days, I've (Brooke) had in a really long time! It was so great to have a few hours with Brian, Jack and Maggie, out of the house, and off to somewhere fun for all of us. And, most importantly, for me - to be able to take a day, and not care/worry about what I need to get done at home, the laundry that needs to be done, the cleaning that should have already been done, the parties that need to be planned and projects that need to be worked on, etc. I was able to let go of all of that, and just ENJOY the day and my wonderful little family. This I thank all three of them for!

This is the first time in a very long time, that I have been able to or allowed myself to do this! I give huge credit, thanks and LOVE to Brian, as he has been helping around the house so much, works so hard to help me keep things running smoothly around here, and most importantly I know that he is always here for me no matter what. He is my ROCK, and I have really thought and reflected on that over the past few days. Without him, I'm not sure I could have made it through some difficult, stressful, overwhelming and just hard weeks, days, and moments.
I have had a difficult summer and fall, and I am hoping that I can begin to really start focusing solely on the important People and Things in my life. Rather, than the negative things/situations that I tend to allow consume me, at times.

When I think back, it feels as if I've been sitting at a RED light for months. I'm ready for the lights to be GREEN, and to hit all of them straight on without stopping! Stop signs I can handle - as they are brief, and then you move forward again, RED lights for too long, I can't. And, have decided (hope and pray, I can follow through with this decision) that I am going to try each and every day to avoid RED lights. (Of course, not literally - when really driving I promise to stop at red lights and stop signs for as long as needed :p). I do know there will be days that I hit every RED light all day, or have to decide to speed through a  YELLOW or stop at the RED, but there is always the reminder that GREEN is eventually coming. I know that I am capable of hitting all GREENS and that is what I strive for. Not only for myself, but for Brian, Jack and Maggie. They deserve that of me more than anything - they deserve me to be hitting all of the GREEN lights, and if a RED happens to hit, that I can patiently wait until it turns GREEN, and GO! Bare with me, of course this post, is not all about me; I did just want to share that with you - as most of you know that I have been struggling, but want you to know that I am doing all that I am capable of to be the MOST Positive Wife, Mother, Friend, and Relative that I can.

And, we're headed in for some FUN!!! The boys are ahead of us, as usual! ;)

Yesterday, we headed to the Pumpkin Patch, and I don't think Jack quite understood what it would all entale, other than possibly seeing a pumpkin, as this was his and Maggie's first "real" Pumpkin Patch Trip. We headed to Lee Farms in Tualatin, and it was GREAT!



SO MANY Pumpkins to chose from...

 Not only did they have a fantastic Pumpkin Patch, they had so many fun things for Jack & Maggie to enjoy! Lots of farm animals, all who Jack LOVED! Maggie showed us verbally and physically she is not a farm animal girl, and wants NOTHING to do with them or touching them. Looking from afar was ok, but that was IT! :)


BIG MAMA PIG... Jack was amazed at how BIG she was!!! Maggie, well... see next picture...



And her reaction to the Mama Pig and Piglets... somewhat disgusted and somewhat confused... :)

Jack, again, on the other hand was FEARLESS! He wanted to do EVERYTHING!!! It was so fun to see his big smile, running around, telling us everything he saw and about it, and just having a great time - and being the fun, sweet, happy boy that he is! He and Brian went down a super BIG slide more times than I can remember, and he LOVED it!!! He also ventured into the bouncy house, and bounced, bounced, bounced!



Running FREE, and enjoying every second!

 

The REALLY BIG Slide!





Let's go AGAIN, Daddy... and AGAIN, and AGAIN, and AGAIN!!!

Brian & Jack GOING FAST down the HUGE SLIDE! SO MUCH FUN!!!



Our VERY BRAVE boy, on the ferris wheel (yeppers, last in line, so, he's in the pink "cage")! How much he has grown in a 1/2 a year! 6 months ago, he wouldn't set foot in a bouncy house, let alone a ferris wheel, and all by himself!!! And, how much Mama has changed - saying she would never allow Jack in a bouncy house or this type of contraption due to safety - but I did, and I loved that he LOVED it! (and, that he stayed safe and unharmed!!!)

Fearless Ferris Wheel Rider! Way to go, JACK! We are so proud of you, BIG BOY!!!

Bouncy House Maniac! (Note: The camera being "fumbled", that would be Jack crashing into me as I was taping him through the mesh of the bouncy house... HA!). He LOVED it in there, and bounced to his hearts content!!! Now if our ceilings were only tall enough, and we had room for a bouncy house, it would be a PERFECT addition to the house this winter. Whenever Jack or Maggie need to burn off some energy, I could just send them to the Bouncy House! :)

Jack also fed some goats, was able and brave enough to pet some sweet little cows, was very gentle in petting a tiny baby chick that Brian held for him, LOVED the Hayride (sitting on my lap, and telling me all about everything he saw), ate a BIG hotdog while sitting on stacks of hay (in which, upon sitting, both he and Maggie immediately started cleaning (brushing) it off, until I explained it was a haystack where we would sit, and it was ok to get some hay on our clothes - I have no idea where they would have gotten that from :p), and finally Jack and I picked out a pumpkin for himself and one for Maggie. Of course, his was VERY VERY BIG, and Maggie's wasn't quite as big.


Checking out the Chickens... (we had to keep reminding him that some of the animals think that little fingers are food...)

The Bunny House - or Peter Rabbit and his friends home! :)

Some of the many bunnies, Jack tried to decide which one was Peter Rabbit, but it was a very difficult decision :)

(NOTE: Brian has been reading "Peter Rabbit" to Jack at night, and Jack is so into it. He loves every moment, and looks forward to it every night, so when he saw the bunnies, he instantly needed to find Peter!)

Petting the cows so gently. And he also fed some goats! We attempted to have Maggie pet the goats, and let's just say she didn't like it... AT ALL!!!



The "Goatel"... :) If you can't see, it say's "Goatel 6"
I thought it was so clever and cute... however, in our family, I think I was the only one with thoughts on this structure! :)



Driving a TRACTOR!



And another TRACTOR.... a JOHN DEERE!



Maggie even (sort of) got to try it out



However, the driver was a bit insistent upon being a DRIVER with NO Passengers

Patiently awaiting Lunch!

Ready to EAT!

And, it's time to find some pumpkins...


Is that a PUMPKIN in the wheelbarrow??? NO... it's Jack! And, looks like someone feeling a bit worn out, and a ride to find a spot to pumpkin pick is just what he needed!



Maggie says "this one", Jack says "no, it's too big for you, Maggie!"... & off we go to find a "not so BIG pumpkin" for Maggs.



This one? Nope, still TOO BIG!



Thinking this is about the size of Jack's... ;)
(I forgot to take pictures of them, which I could do now, but this post is getting quite loooong..)



And, this is Maggie... we do call her Pumpkin quite a bit... :)



The Weeks Pumpkin Patch Adventure, October 2010

We had such a wonderful day! The kids enjoyed just about every second of it, they were both so good, and Brian and I had so much fun watching them both enjoy a new experience, and will look forward to our Pumpkin Patch Trip next year!

Didn't take long on the way home, before we saw this...



And, we hadn't even gotten out of the parking lot before, we saw this... (and, yes, that is food on her lip!)

I hope you all have a great time finding your Pumpkins this year! We'll keep you updated on our Halloween plans... the Munchkins have some super fun & adorable costumes that we can't wait to show you!!!

xo,

Brooke & Team.

A few pics... until next time...

Maggie at her 15 month Pediatrician visit... getting weighed! :)
Just think what she will think in 15 years from now about me posting this picture... :)



Yes, Maggie CAN hold her own sippy cup... we just have to try out 20 different cups first, and then remember the one we used with Jack (the least expensive, of all), and she's good to go! Way to go, Maggie! And, Mommy & Daddy might need some extra sleep... (instead of ordering "specialty" sippy cups off of Amazon.com for babes having difficulty transitioning from bottle to cup).... Just a thought.

 

Maggs' new shoes... cute, right? I thought so! They aren't anything that I was imagining she would have to wear! She will always be a stylish girl, even with feet issues. C'mon, look at her Mama and Grandma Weeks... they prove that even with foot problems, you can be one stylin' lady! We will teach Maggie all the tricks!!! :)

 

Wahoo for the DENTIST! Yes, the kiddos did GREAT! This is the waiting area, and the rooms are super fun, and the Dentist is GREAT! They were so good, and did such a great job!!! Way to go J & M!!!



Who's that handsome boy sticking his head out of a spaceship tent? And, where is he? It's... JACK! And, he's at the dentist! He was so great, and rocked at the dentist. He had his teeth counted (all 20 of them), and even let them "paint" (put flouride) on  his teeth! Way to go, to Jackson, my little rockstar! He does WAY BETTER at the dentist than Mommy does, that's for sure!



The Dentist Office waiting room had a cool Iguana to check out! Talk about a fun place to hang out!

Smiley boy, on an early, chilly morning, heading to MOPS! George has become a friend that we sometimes bring along with us! Even though, he usually waits in the car while we go inside wherever we are! :) He's a monkey though, and it's ok for him to stay in the car by himself, that is what Jack told me!

Maggie also all bundled up, ready to head to MOPS. She has her necessities. Purple Blankie, CHECK! Lambie, CHECK! And, they usually can't stay in the car alone, they usually come along with us... just in case it isn't safe for them...



Ummm... DOUBLE TROUBLE or HAVING FUN? You decide!

 

Super fun hang out for J & M. Maggie has found a love for Thomas too! But, Jack is the "Conductor", and decides which trains she is allowed to touch, and which she is allowed to only look at with her eyes. :)
She, on the other hand, doesn't seem to mind/care what toys of "hers", Jack touches or just looks at. As long as  he is paying some attention to her (good or bad) she is a happy camper, most of the time!