Sean's out having a boys' night tonight, & I'm enjoying the quite of a sleeping baby & dog! I'm trying to catch up on my Parents magazines stacked here on the table, & realize how many changes Brooklyn has made this month alone. Since Mother's Day, we can officially say da-da, ma-ma, & night-night. We've also noticed a sudden switch from a daddy's girl to a MAJOR mommies girl- arms full stretched & barely enough time to set down a purse when I walk in the door! She's fascinated with dogs right now: her "Puppies Playground" book, our neighbors dog, & especially Allie. After eating, she's leans sideways in her booster & lets Allie lick her fingers. (I can't imagine where she ever thought feeding the dog from the table is allowable!) She'll turn & twist in various means to see where Al is in the house. Poor Allie, in all her arthritis glory, will shortly be chased by a crawling baby pulling at her fur.
My favorite moment-which first happened during our Florida journey, is her leaning her head onto my shoulder. I know it doesn't sound like much, but when its outside of nap time, she's normally bright-eyed & holding her head up seeing the world around her & has done this since birth. This was a cuddle moment, & I loved it!
As of this morning, she working more towards a crawl of sorts, meaning she's inching backwards. (in a previous post, we noted she'd rotate around in a circle). It's about to be a very busy summer.

Sean is putting deep thought into blogging our 1st family vacation. Check back for his Philosophy at work!

An overnight at Grandpa & Grandmas House & I got to meet my Aunt Brianna & Taryn. Thank you so much for driving in to see me!

"Irish" meets Aunt Jean & Uncle Gerald!

My first Pensacola Beach photos

She gives the beach two toes (thumbs?) up!

Auntie C, your model photos are so cool! I can't wait to see you again this weekend. Bring something with fur so we can play "lion" again!

We like Libby!!!!!

Libby has passed on her secrets to getting a baby to sleep thru the night from a book she read Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child; too bad I didn't email her several months ago! Anyway, night #1: Bedtime @ 8:30, & she woke at 11:30. A typical 3 hr. block. Sean tried to distract me from her cry, but it wasn't working. Just as I was about to go into her room, (40 minutes of off & on crying) she fell back asleep. Woke again @ 5am! She slept again from 5:30- 7:30. The second night, she fussed around 12:30, but never officially woke until 5 am again. Last night, we had a few Orajel moments, but otherwise asleep until 4am. I think we have established our overnight sleeping pattern! Thanks Libby!!

MD part duex

I've been asked what I got for my 1st Mothers Day. Brooklyn & I did a little shopping together. Anything she tried to grab, I picked out in my size & tried on....and of course had to do a little dance to keep her entertained in the dressing room. I now own some brightly colored shirts for summer! Sean also purchased the domain sakjackproductions.com! I'd love to hear your ideas as to how to design or what to put on it! Comment away! :)

Mother's Day or Da-da-da-da-da Day

I had a great Mother's Day-with a 2 day celebration. Sean grilled steaks the night prior, & Brooklyn gave me the best present of a 4 hr block of sleep. When I went to get her in the morning, I was called Da-da again! I keep telling her I'm Mama, but she just giggles. After a bit of morning snuggle & play time, I headed out to work. B & her daddy went to her great grandparents where she hand inspected every inch of grannys face, her flower bed & some new toys. I enjoyed some alone time when I got home for about an hour & didn't have to cook dinner tonight either!

Georgia Southern

Congrats on your graduation day, Aunt Brianna! I'm proud of you. Love, Brooklyn

6 mos check-up

She's weighing in at 17.10 lbs,(71%) and 26 inches(58%) and 16.30 inches head measurement (20%). Now lets talk about "80%." That's the percent of babies that are sleeping thru the night at this age. In a nutshell, the doctor gently said we've created our own pain & gave ideas to teach to self sooth when she wakes overnight-she shouldn't need to nurse every 3 hrs anymore. So as I blog, my little one is crying...pissed...that's she not be rocked to sleep & thumping away in her crib. Sean just told me not to worry, this just proves how smart she really is...smart enough to work over her parents. :) That's his Dartmouth girl!

Brooklyn visits the "White House"

B can't have enough Grandmas & Grandpa's! She can't wait to go back when she can have the breakfast casserole instead of just watching us with intensity. Brooklyn, you tried squash for the first time this morning, wasn't that tasty enough?
Thank you for the super-cute dress (& cross)...its a wardrobe must-have. :)

HAPPY 6 Mos!
Wow does it go quick.

Derby Day- May 2nd

I bought Brooklyn her 1st collectible today: KY Derby Barbie. Which really means, I was looking online to buy it b/c it was sold out everywhere here & told G-ma, who told Jeanne & she ran out & bought it! (This may be the only good part about family living out of state!)
Since I worked, Sean paused the race until I got home so we could watch it together. Then off to our neighbors for their annual Derby Party.Of course she wore a a Derby hat! My dinner was a wonderful piece of bread pudding w/ bourbon sauce, followed by the fried fish! (I know how to do it right!)
2 Derby notables this year:
Mine That Bird (50:1 odds) paid $103.20 after covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.66 seconds over a sloppy racetrack. The win payoff was the second-largest in Derby history behind the 1913 Derby winner Donerail that went off at 91.5 to 1 odds.
I Want Revenge is the first morning line favorite to scratch the day of the race. The last major contender to do so was second choice A.P. Indy in 1992. Coincidentally, I Want Revenge is a grandson of A.P. Indy, who went on to win the Belmont later that year.