The Video Upload Worked!

If you've read my blog for some time, you know I've had trouble with adding videos. The service I was using did not allow me (or else I just couldn't figure out how) to post the video right into my blog. I did add links but then you were directed to the video service website at which you might encounter some not-so-family-friendly material in the meantime. I noticed Google had a video service and thought I'd give it a try. What do you know, it worked like a charm. Yes, the video is a little grainy but hopefully you won't have any trouble watching it. I will still continue to look for a better quality, family-friendly service which allows posting directly to blogs. Until then enjoy Philip and his phones! You might have to click the play button again if it doesn't start the first time you click it.

Philip on the phone

Philip talks to his imaginary friends on the phone

Why No Posts

This past weekend I was able to travel to Gatlinburg, TN with 8 ladies from church. I was so looking forward to getting away and selfishly taking care of only myself. Well, I did get away but I didn't even take care of myself! We stayed in a fabulous cabin in the mountains and stayed up talking until 2 am each night. My pregnant-self got totally worn down and the two days since I've been home, I've been fighting either exhaustion or a bug (i.e. lethargic, minor aches and pains, low grade fever - 100.2F). All that equals me not wanting to do ANYTHING! Not only did my late nights at the cabin add up, but Saturday night (I returned from TN at 6:30pm), we were up with Philip until 3:30am.

He is usually a really good sleeper but had been cranky both Friday and Saturday (the ladies in the cabin said for me not to worry but to attribute it to how much he missed his mommy! I think he was just worn out as much as me). We put him to bed at 8:30pm at which time he cried for about 30 minutes. He settled down only to cry again at 10:30pm. Finally at 12:30am when he was crying again, I went in to hold and sing to him. When I picked him up, his arms and legs were freezing and clammy. It really scared me as I'd never felt him like that before. I woke Matthew who held Philip while I called our 24-hour nurse hotline. I was told to give him warm liquids and keep him warm. We thought the best idea would be to bring him into our bed and let him sleep on Matthew's chest. Sick is one thing, but three people in the bed is too much for any other occasion in my opinion. I knew we wouldn't get much sleep because the nurse told me to take his temp again in an hour. His underarm temp was 96.1F and rectal was 97.0F. She said a subnormal temp can be trying to fight off a virus. I prayed for Philip as we tried to sleep between temp taking. One more temp at 3:00am (up a little to 97.4F) and this time Philip asked for milk. I put him down on the floor and he walked to his room. I sat on the floor with him while he drank milk. He then pointed to the crib saying, "Bed". I laid him down with his best friends, Lamby, Lion and Puppy, and headed back to my own bed. Sunday morning his temp was normal again (Praise the Lord!), but he and I still stayed home from church not knowing if he or I had anything contagious.

Well, that was my weekend. I do have photos from the cabin which I would like to post. Also, I need to take a photo of Philip in his new "I'm going to be a big brother" shirt! Thank you Aunt Lori for mailing it. We love it!

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

God has graciously blessed us again: I'm expecting our second baby! Philip has been such a blessing that after trying for a second child for several months, I told God that if Philip would be our only child I would still feel blessed beyond measure. However, God is always faithful and as I claimed prior to getting pregnant with Philip, He granted my prayer again this time too("Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4). This pregnancy is definitely going to be different as I am at home instead of working and chasing a toddler around instead of primarily taking care of myself. It's sweet how excited Philip seems about the new baby although I'm sure he is only responding to the excitement on our faces when we say, "Philip, are you excited to be a big brother?" He claps and says, "Bother." So precious. I can't wait to find out what God had in mind when He created this next one.


My two pregnancy tests! Just had to be certain before calling the doctor.


Here's Baby Brooks 2. Based on the size of my lima bean baby, I'm 6 weeks along meaning a May 7 due date. We thank you for your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby. (An additional prayer would be for my mom. She is still dealing with many painful trips into the bathroom each day. Her surgeon told her it could take up to a year to feel normal, i.e. only going to the bathroom two or three times a day and with no pain. Yesterday and today have been extremely difficult days. Please pray that the days to come would be easier. Thanks.)

First Trip to the Barber!

Philip has beautiful "corn silk"-like blonde hair. However, it grows very fast and he eventually ends up looking quite unkept. I've cut it three times at home (two times just an inch off the back and once an inch off the front). Recently it was just getting too long all over and the back was starting to flip this way and that, so I made that fateful decision. Go for a REAL haircut. Well, Matthew went to Gregory's Barber Shop growing up so I called them. I was told they see toddlers every day and would be glad to see us.

We get to Gregory's and it's a little different than what I expected. The two women working inside were as nice as they could be. However, there were photos and memorabilia all over the walls plus a couple of snake skins nailed to the wall and a stuffed fox and coyote (?) on a shelf. Not that kid friendly, but we had come this far, why leave now?! Philip watched a couple of men get their haircuts and he seemed to be ok, albeit sitting snuggly in my lap.

Philip's turn came shortly and the excitement began. He really didn't want to sit still, he definitely would not let Casey put the drape over his clothes, he was not happy about having to hold his head still (which didn't happen), he was TERRIFIED of the air hose she used to try to blow the excess hair off of him, and his sucker which was supposed to make the whole process easier was completely covered in hair! However, his haircut was perfect. Casey is quite a talented girl to be able to work through all of that. Thankfully Mom came and took more photos with her camera so I might post a shot of the trauma when she gets those developed. Here are my before and after photos.

Happy go lucky long haired boy.

Still getting over the expericnce of having his locks cropped.

The next morning brings a brand new smile!!

Labor Day

Some people go to the beach and some go to the mountains. I found a great way for us to do both. Matthew, Philip and I picked up Ruth Ann around 9:30am and headed up the road to Lake Lure, NC. It is a picturesque little town in the mountains which just happens to have a lake at which there is a little beach! Philip has yet to have been at the ocean and with this summer now over, I considered Lake Lure a good substitute. Our day began a little slow but ended up being very nice.

We arrived at Lake Lure just after 10:30am and noticed that NO ONE was on the beach. It was an overcast day, but still it was Labor Day! We walked to the entrance building and there was a sign: "May open at noon based on weather conditions." We then walked up the hill to a pizza restaurant my parents had recommended. We arrived there at 10:50am and the sign said: "Opens at 11:30am." Well, back down the hill, around a business complex parking lot, beside a small fountain (we floated a leaf in it), to the car, and then drove up the hill to the restaurant. Lunch was good and the sun was coming out from behind the clouds. Time to hit the beach.




Our balcony table at La Strada pizza restaurant.




The view of the "beach" from our table. This picture doesn't do it justice as it was quite charming how the mountains framed the lake.





We drove back to the beach entrance building, and went into the changing room. We were excited to find water wings in the gift shop, and more excited to find at the register they were on sale for 50 cents! Our next few hours were fun as Matthew, Philip and I braved the COLD mountain lake water; enjoyed watching Philip adapt to water wings; and watching Ruth Ann (who wisely remained on shore) and Philip take a stroll down the beach when he began to shiver from being in the water.



A happy yet shivering family!



Philip surprised me by not demanding the water wings off. He even floated with his feet sticking out of the water for a few minutes.


Ruth Ann and Philip taking a stroll.

All better!

Philip is doing great today. Never would have known he was sick. I also wanted to post some cute photos from last week that I just didn't get around to earlier.



Climbing on his couch cushion mountain.


Playing with his new friend Hayden. He lives across the street. His mom Sharlene is so nice and I'm glad she's my new friend too.



Smiling in the rain.



Philip is such a good helper. Here he is dusting the coffee table for Mommy. It's still hard keeping the house straight and taking care of him so I'm trying to combine the two!

When I vacuum the house, Philip would walk behind me, whining because he wanted to push the vacuum. Well, I found a solution... get him his own vacuum! Now when I vacuum, he runs off to find his popper and vacuums behind me. The boy doesn't miss a spot -- under beds, along walls, everywhere!

Philip is now big enough to eat right at the table with us (he used to eat off of a tray which attached to his chair). We bought him two cute Sesame Street placemats which he now loves. Philip never watches that show but because of this placemat, he now knows all the characters and can point to them when we say a name! I love to watch him learning!


Last but not least. I think Philip looks SO BIG in this picture. He could pass for 3 or at least 2 1/2, right?