Brooklyn's First Birthday

If I could describe Brooklyn in a few words they would be playful, fiesty, and curious.  At least, that describes her in this current phase of life.  She has been a really fun kid and doesn't miss a beat around here.  She loves playing with her brothers and chases them around often.  If they have something she wants she makes multiple attempts to get ahold of it.  She has no issues letting anyone know when there's something she wants or if she disapproves of having something taken away from her.  She is very loving and loves to cuddle.  Of all our kids she will put her head on your shoulder and just lay there-- LOVE!  

Brooklyn has been trying to walk for the past few weeks and is getting better and better everyday.  She hasn't taken off yet, except for the day we held an Oreo out for her.  She took 12 steps, willingly.   She has been an extremely quick learner about other things though.  She learned to wave bye bye, play peek a boo by covering her eyes, can sign 'out', 'more', and 'all done', and she's starting to point if we ask her where someone is.  Brooks and I swear she is even saying the words/sounds of out and bye bye.  She makes the sounds of mama and gaga (Gavin) pretty frequently, too.  She drinks out of sippy cups-- Hallelujah!  After two straight years of bottles, I got rid of them on her birthday!  She didn't mind at all and never cried once wanting a bottle.  We've battled with milk for the past two weeks because she's had several kinds of allergic reactions to whole milk and hypoallergenic milk.  We just put her back on soy formula to regulate her body and will try soy milk in a few weeks.  Both our boys had some forms of reactions to whole milk when they turned one also, so this isn't anything new for us.  I just really didn't want to give her soy milk if I didn't have to.  Oh well.  Our pediatricians have said soy milk is fine and it's better then nothing.  We were also told she could eventually grow out of the allergy, so we'll pray for that to happen!  

Brooklyn and I had a fun day together while the boys were at school.  We ran errands getting things ready for her birthday party and played around the house with all her toys.  Jake and Aunt Steph came over to give Brooklyn a present on her actual birthday, and it was a precious, precious dress!  Brooklyn got to skype with all her grandparents who were excited to wish her a Happy Birthday and who got to see her walk a little bit. After dinner, we celebrated with an ice cream cookie pie for dessert and sang Happy Birthday and let B blow out a candle.  She was so excited and into the whole song!!

The highlight of the night for Brooklyn was opening presents from us and other family members.  I held onto gifts that were mailed to her or that we brought back from the states so she could have some presents on her actual birthday.  She was beyond excited and loved every minute.  For our boys first birthday's we got them their own Pottery Barn chair, so for Brooklyn's first birthday, it was no different.  When we pulled the chair out for her, she walked up to it and jumped into it.  She knew it was her chair and sat in it like a big girl!

Happy Birthday Brooklyn.  We love you so much!