MIZ ZOU Visit

Gary had some work to do today in Columbia, so Brooke, Aunt Maggie and I decided to tag along. I had not been to MU in four years-sad right? One year it was the wedding, then a baby, then that baby's 1st birthday and this year...way to pregnant to head back for Homecoming :) I am thinking that next year will be the year.

We didn't stay long, but we had a good time. A visit was made to the new bookstore which is HUGE and super nice. The only downside was that they didn't have a bathroom today..what? Are you going to have one available tomorrow? Random. We also walked to the old house-Gamma Phi-to make a quick visit and photo op. I mean, 17 more years till Brooke is headed there for rush so why not get an early start right?? Can't believe I just typed that..... Before we left, we grabbed lunch at Quintons which was so good! It was HUGE though, too! So much has changed and I cannot wait to go back with friends for a football game..and sooner then later.

Brooke waiting outside (and ready to shop) of the Agriculture building-bathroom stop when denied at the Bookstore.


Brooke LOVED Gamma Phi. I don't think that it was so much the sorority itself-more that they had some awesome stairs and benches that she could climb all over. She literally threw a tantrum when it was time to leave---so did I.

Small Girl-Large House.

I told Brooke that mom used to live here. I think that she was a little bummed out that we took such a huge step down in our current housing size.

Last stop-for Grandpa TJ of course.

Brooke's Professional Pics :)

I had Brooke's picture taken last week at a local park and they turned out AMAZING! Even when Brooke is putting on her 'serious' face, she still looks so CUTE! I owe all of the credit to the amazing photographer Lindsay-I highly reccomend her :) You can visit her blog at http://littlememoriesphotography.blogspot.com/

Here are a few previews of her photo session :)

Gotta Run

Because it has been awhile...pictures of Brooke :)

Still hung up on Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

Brooke LOVES to be outside! She has also started to LOVE running around. We have to count to three and say GO and then she is off. I am not sure why, but when Brooke runs, she has to tuck her left arm in a bit. We think that this is a trick for speed...

We are trying to enjoy the last month of summer while we can. Before we know it, Brooke will be starting a pre-school program in September (don't worry-it is only once a week!! I don't think that I could have handled more :)). I am just trying to get her used to summer vacation ya know??!!

The Name Game

I have always found picking the 'perfect' baby name to be so difficult. I always hear all of these names other couples pick and think they are so cute and unique, yet when Gary and I try to give it a go we fail miserably. It took us forever to decide (and agree) upon Brooke. I love her name and I want our second child's name to be just a nice. We have come up with a few selections (ok eight), but would love to know your thoughts as well-so, here goes.



1. Eloise (she could go by Elle or Ellie)

2. Chloe

3. Charlotte

4. Cecilia

5. Caroline (but said like LINE not LYNN)

6. Sydney

7. Abigail (Abby)

8. Grace

The one constant that I would really like to stick with is the middle name. I had been looking online and discovered that Saint Catherine is the Patron Saint of miscarriage prevention. Saint Margaret is the Patron Saint of pregnant women. So for a middle name I would like to go with either Catherine and/or Margaret. I feel that both would be very appropriate for this child.

I tried to see if there was a Patron Saint of Drama, but the only one I could find was Vitus (which is really for theater, but you get the point). Wouldn't that be a great name?? No two Vitus' in the same kindergarten class right?

Terrible Two's

Well, there is not too much going on-I don't have a lot to say. No news is good news so I guess that is where we are at! I don't have another appointment until the 19th and 20th so we are just in the 'wait and see' mode.


I am still a little bit supersticious about getting things done around the house for our new family members arrival-I just don't want to jinx myself. Today, I did allow myself to go the mall with Brooke to look at PB Kids for some new sheets for (what will be) her new big girl bed. The ones that I liked were on sale so I thought we would check it out. Before we headed to PB, though, I thought that we would make a quick stop at Gap Kids. Bad Idea. Brooke had an all out temper tantrum right there in the middle of the store. With employees and shoppers watching on Brooke threw her little body on the ground-kicking and screaming. I mean-I was there to get her a few things you would think she would be pleased!! Well, I wasn't going to stick around to see what happend next. I reloaded her into the stroller and we busted out of the store.

The only way to calm her down was to give her a bagel (thank goodness Bread Co was right next door). We were able to get through PB Kids in one piece, but I have a feeling the the 'terrible two's' have arrived-I am just hoping that they don't stay around too long :)

Happy Birthday Tracie!!!!

So, the last two posts haven't had any Brooke pictures, so I thought I would catch up. Brooke has been a busy lady lately. She is getting more and more talkative and we really have to watch what we say around her now. She is starting to repeat what we say which can be cute, but I can also imagine quite embarrasing in certain situations. Her current favorites are "No Mommy!" , "No Baby" , "No Bella" ...can you sense a trend here? We may have a bossy girl on or hands :) A new one that I like, though, is "Oh Baby!" Not sure where this came from, but it is pretty cute..

Brooke was at Innsbrooke this weekend with Mom and Dad to celebrate Tracie's birthday (is it 23 or 24?...j/k). She had a great time on the beach and is slooowwllly warming up to the water...unlike her cousin Lily who (litterally) jumps in head first and is ready to go. There were tons of kids on our lake (or as Jack would say, "my grandma's lake"...nice grandpa) that Brooke loved to watch. I think that her and Lily will have to duke it out for the cute boys in the future :)

The countdowns begin...

I feel like this blog has turned into doctor update central..at least once every two weeks. I met with my doctor this past Thursday and really got the same news as on Wednesdays ultrasound appointment. He was pleased with the ultrasound results and said that it was my best one so far. He still did not mention anything to me about size and I don't know why. I know that it shouldn't bother/frusterate me...but it does. I am thinking that either they didn't get a great measurement on it or maybe it is longer, but thinner and they don't want to freak me out with numbers...or who knows why!! According to him, my u/s was good-not 'normal' yet, but good. He still fully believes that the clot will be absorbed by the end of this pregnancy-I REALLY hope so. I hate worrying about it ALL the time! I am not completely off bed-rest yet, but he did lift some of the restrictions. Instead of only going to work 1 day a week, I can go in 2-3 days a week. I can run to Target, but not if I have been to work that day. I still cannot lift anything over 10 lbs...so I guess my mom still have to help me with the laundry...oh well :)

The countdowns are really starting to kick in now. August 19th (my next appointment date) will equal 24 weeks. For those of you who aren't aware, 24 weeks equals viability. I in no way want to deliver a baby at 24 weeks, but it it was to happen on or after this date-we are at least given a fighting chance. Only 25 days to go!!! Then we will create the 28 week, 32 week, etc..but for right now, we are counting down to the big 24 week.

I am also feeling baby girl Fleming move around a lot more-it is every day now. I love this part. I cannot wait until Gary will be able to feel her move all around and Brooke too. Jack already told my sister that he doesn't want to feel the baby move and that he doesn't want another baby either-sorry Amy...:)

The one dissapointment this weekend was that it was my friends annual trip to Lake Springfield that I LOVE to go to. We have such a great time! Unfortuently, the doctor was not ok with my going so we are stuck at home. Gary took me out to dinner and a movie which did make up for it. AND I found a new PBK quilt for Brooke's room for only $20.00!! It was my first real 'bargin' find and I am SO excited. I think that by the end of August/early September I will start to get more serious about her new room-can't wait.