Delaney

I can't believe that my little peanut is already 16 months old!  You would never guess that she was ever tiny considering she is off the charts now.  At her 15 month appointment she was 34 inches (100+%) and 25 lbs. (65%).  I looked up Brooks' stats to see how they compared.  I couldn't find his 15 month stats, but I found his 18 month stats and they were exactly the same.  So...my little 4 lb. 7oz. preemie is 3 months ahead of where her brother was at the same age...and she's supposed to be smaller because she's a girl.  Holy cow, folks!  I'm worried she's going to outgrow us all.
She still has those amazing blue eyes which I just love to pieces.

Her hair is growing like crazy.  It's not often that I don't have it pulled back with a bow or in pigtails.

See the pigtails...

This was Delaney when I was drying my hair one afternoon.  I think she was trying to give me a hint that she was tired.

Laney loves to be outside just as much as her brother.

Part of playing outside means trying to keep up with everyone in the neighborhood.  She loves to try and "ride" the scooter.

She's not talking a whole lot, but she's definitely learning new words.  In her own little language she says: I love you, Mama, Dada, Buba, Brooks, dog, Kansas, woof, horse, high five, please, thank you, yes, uh-uh (instead of no), shoe, book, paci, ball, uh-oh, bath.  About half of those words are only recognizable by us, but it won't be long before she's talking up a storm.  She sill has all that spunk in her that tries my patience daily.  She's constantly showing us how stubborn she is.  Those traits make me nervous when I think ahead to her teenage years.   For now I am going to soak up every ounce of her.  Gosh, I love you - Delaney Ann.

Brooks

I love this little boy so much. Right now Brooks is totally into exploring outside, chasing his sister, and anything that involves being a silly boy. He can write his own name and navigate my iphone better than his Pops - he's one smart cookie if you ask me! He's growing so fast, and I'm just trying to hold onto everything that's so wonderful about him through each stage of his life. One way a friend did this was by asking her daughter questions. I thought I would try it with Brooks. He loved the interview process and kept asking for more questions. I recorded them exactly how he answered them.

Favorite Friend: Aubree

Favorite Place: What's that place where I went with Birdie? Yoyo's! (its a yogurt place)

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Movie: Lion King

Favorite Music: When You Move I Move ("I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin)

Favorite Food: Bread (really??)

Yuckiest Food: Green Beans, but I them a lot.

Favorite Animal: Cheetah

Favorite Song: Ummm...Hey-ey-ey-ey...that song ("Hey, Soul Sister" by Train)

Favorite Toy: Train Track

Favorite Thing to do with Daddy: Tackle

Favorite Thing to do with Mommy: say, "Hi-Yah!" (imagine that with a karate kick)

Favorite Thing to do with your Sister: Chase her

Favorite Sport: Basketball

Favorite Book: Chick-Chika Boom Boom

What are you really good at: Sports

What do you want to be when you grow up: A Monster

What makes you happy: By not taking my toys away 

What makes you sad: By taking my toys away

Favorite Thing to do outside: Soccer

A couple of new things...

Brooks got these "Brain Quest" cards in his stocking this year. I didn't really think he would like them much, but I got them out and gave them a try. He absolutely LOVES them. And I'm totally impressed with how much he knows!

Delaney doesn't hardly go anywhere without her beads. Somehow we now have about 7 strands of beads and she enjoys wearing them all...at the same time.

I found my old cabbage patch baby doll in the closet the other day and got it out for Laney to play with. The best part is that the doll is wearing the same outfit that Laney came home from the hospital in.

See...here is Laney wearing the same outfit at 11 days old (coming home from the hospital).

She also loves putting all her baby dolls in her new crib and highchair that she got for Christmas.

Delaney is also learning how to use a bottle to feed babies. This baby happens to be a panda baby, but it's actually the animal that the bottle goes to. She loves rocking the panda and making sure he is well fed.

Brooks is really enjoying building with his lincoln logs. I just love the classic lincoln logs. My dad got them for Brooks for Christmas and I just love watching him build and use his imagination.

The Perfect Day

Brooks LOVES being outside and roaming around. He's not into organized games outside yet like soccer or baseball, but he does love to hunt and fish and explore...especially with his Daddy. Since this winter has not been a winter at all, we've been able to spend lots of time outside (I seriously don't even think I've worn my heavy winter coat). Chad invited one of his friends and his son to come out and fish with us at a local park one weekend and all the boys had such a great time. And Laney and I found ways to entertain ourselves on the hill while watching the boys fish. I love my family. I love being outside. So, I guess you could say that it was a perfect day.

See the fish the boys caught?!

Like Laney's pose? It was cracking me up.

Ahh...my little Laneybug.

Live-in Gammy

After Christmas, and my first week back at school, Chad had a week long conference down in San Antonio. My mom so graciously said that she would stay to help with the kids. I can do it by myself, don't get me wrong - but it's so much easier when she's here to help. Chad's job each morning to get the kids up and take them to school (because I have to leave for work at 7:00, and my kids sleep until 8:00). So when he's gone it really puts a damper on all of us to get up earlier and get ready so I can take them. With Gammy here she just got them up and going each morning. While I was at work she cleaned, did laundry, brought me lunch, went grocery shopping, and cooked dinner. It was a great week! While she was here we took Brooks to get his haircut and then out to Chick-fil-a. It also happened to be family night so they were serving free ice cream sundaes. Just another reason why I love Chick-fil-a. The kids were pretty excited, too!

Brooks also got a medal at school for knowing all his letters and sounds. Of course we thought that was a good reason to celebrate, so we went out for some yogurt.

And of course Gammy brought some cookie dough to make cookies with Brooks. This is one of their favorite things to do together.

This time Gammy taught Brooks how to use a fork and make a criss-cross on top of the peanut butter cookies...yum!

I'm so thankful that my mom is able and willing to take off work (although I don't think she's too sad about that) and stay with us for so long. Thanks, Gammy - we love you!

Radio Flyer and Red Shirts

For Christmas, Nana and Pappy got Delaney and Brooks a red wagon radio flyer. It's the coolest and most old-school present! They absolutely love being pulled around in this thing. Delaney points to it in the garage every time we get out of the car. Then she throws a "Delaney-sized-tantrum" which includes fake crying, fake tears, and going very limp on the ground. But, that's another story. This is about how adorable my kids are in their new Radio Flyer with their super cute new red shirts.

Christmas - Round 2 in Austin

After Christmas, Gammy and Pops came down to celebrate with us. Brooks got a tennis racket and Delaney got a kitchen and some pots and pans. Brooks loved his racket and practiced with Chad right away. He hit it almost every time. I'm really surprised that we haven't broken anything in our house considering all the soccer balls kicked and baseballs hit and now tennis balls flying through the air.

The next day Gammy and Brooks practiced playing tennis in the yard and Laney practiced cooking some yummy soup in her kitchen (after Chad spent 2 hours putting it together.)