Wordless Wednesday - 16 weeks

Decorating traditions

Does it seem like this year has flown by? I swear this year feels like so much has gone on and it just zoomed by. Fall/winter are my favorite times of year! So much fun is scheduled around this time. My son's birthday, my birthday, dad's birthday, Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS, and New Years! Growing up Christmas was such a huge deal with my family. My mom would start getting ready for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. It seemed like every room in our house was decorated except our bedrooms. I am like my mother. I can't help it. I LOVE TO DECORATE! The only reason I only have downstairs decorated this year is because I'm so busy with my newborn... or else... The whole house would have garland and lights!

I have always followed suit with what my traditions are... In fact, last year I was going about my business buying and organizing Christmas decorations that Grant stopped me and asked if we could do some of his traditions. I felt terrible. Did I make Christmas all about my family and my traditions? At that moment I realized that Grant and I will have our OWN traditions. 

What are our traditions now? We go together to get our tree, and then Grant puts the lights on the tree. Funny story about that is we were buying the lights and Grant walked up to the cart with colored lights... the look on my face must have said it all. He turned around and said he'd be back. He came back with the all clear lights. I think colored lights are great... it's just my OCD spin on having everything match. Then I really go to work. My families tradition... or my moms way is to decorate like its a model home. I follow her path until next year. Grant is ok with my tree looking uniform and perfect, as long as we put up ornaments that are sentimental to us. Sentimental? WE decided that every year we will pick an ornament that we like and we will continue to put them on the tree for as long as we celebrate this wonderful Holiday. Once our kids are old enough to choose which one they want they can pick one every year too. 

Stockings. WE decided that the stockings we buy will be the stockings we will use forever as well. This was a tradition both of us had. Grant had a stocking that was red with his initials (GBS), and I had a kitty cat stocking. So, I bought ours from Pottery Barn. Since Pottery Barn offers the same stockings just about every year this will be good if we add an addition to our family! ;) 

The rest of the house... Grant doesn't care what I do... Just as long as I keep our new traditions. And continue to create more along the way. Compromise. This makes us both happy! Who doesn't like new traditions that can be passed on?

Here are a few pictures of our house:

Cheers,

Brooke

Sneaky peeky...

I can't help it... And I know one day he will be mad at me for showing these pictures. Is it just me or is anyone else creeped out at the Santa's at the malls? Well, I'm not a fan of having my little guy sit on Santa's lap... instead... how much cuter is my little guy as Santa? Just sayin'. 

We have a wonderful photographer that is GREAT with kids. Her name is Jessica Lake. These are Jake's 3 month pictures. I have already heard from several moms and family members about how many photos I will have taken of Jake... But, come on people... He's my first baby! And it helps that he likes having his picture taken (ok really ... everyone knows I'm the Brookarazi)! hehe. Anyhow, I will have pictures taken again for Valentines Day... DUH! 

Hope everyone is having a great week... Enjoy the weekend! 

Santa Boozie

I mean... I know!

More pictures to follow! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Brooke

Prayer Request

Hi All,

This morning I went to my friends blog and saw that she just found out she has Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Today she is undergoing several tests to determine what state cancer she has. She is incredibly strong! I ask for you all to pray for her and recovery.

Here is her link. Team Stephanie

I believe in the power of prayer and positive thoughts. God is good and will be protecting her and her family.

Thank you all!

Brooke Stone

Dancing gorilla - J 14 weeks

Grant and I were at Target on Sunday and we came upon a gorilla... a singing, dancing, and stuffed gorilla! Jake was laughing so hard at it that people in the store came over to watch him. I had to buy the gorilla after that. We have this Baby Einstein toy that speaks in different languages... we have it on the Spanish setting so when the gorilla sings the numbers in Spanish he starts to laugh.

Here is a quick video of our little monkey. Enjoy!

Christmas card photo

Now that I have sent out my Christmas cards I can post a few more pictures from our newborn photo shoot. I waited to post these until after our cards went out. On Wednesday we had 3 month pictures taken and will post those soon. He did great! Some pictures were Christmas related and some were just regular photos! I can't wait to see how they turned out. My little man is growing so fast!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season as much as me! 

Our family. Thankful to have these boys in my life.

Little hunter like his daddy!

Father and son

Daddy, mommy, and baby

Our angel

Now it's time to Christmas shop online! Send me your favorite websites to shop through!

Love and cheers,

Brooke

Stone household

We are getting into the holiday spirit over here! Jake has about 10 holiday outfits and we are going to be putting presents under the tree soon! :) Over the weekend we bought our tree, decorated it, and also hung our stockings. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here! Soon the house will be filled with family in town, and we will all be celebrating Jake's 1st Christmas! SO excited!

Just wanted to post a quick pic of my little guy and me. Tomorrow we have our 3 month photo shoot! Hope Jake does better than his 1st months shoot. I will post decoration pictures soon!

My little man and I decorating the tree

Have a good week!
Brooke

Babblings

As a mother I feel like no one can do my job like me. I know what sounds my baby is making and for what reasons, I know the schedule he is on, and so on... Well, I would like to talk about last night.

Last night Jake was very fussy. I was pretty tired and trying to rock him to calm him down and put him to sleep. Being tired I was sitting in bed doing the rocking. Grant got out of bed and asked for Jake. At first I told Grant to go to bed (since he was getting up at 4:30am to get to a case), but he said insisted. The next thing I knew Jake went from crying to sound asleep. I was pretty amazed. Usually I'm the one that can console our little angel. This time it was Grant. Grant told me to get some rest and laid with Jake and then put him to bed. I woke up this morning to feed and change him around 3:45am. Grant woke up to check on us and we were both happy that Jake had been asleep as long as he had. 

Daddies touch? I think so. I'm the type of mom that picks up my little one and takes care of it without relying on anyone since I'm always with him during the day. Grant knowing that I don't like to ask for help will just jump in and take his little monkey! Grant is a great father. He loves Jake and I so much. What a good feeling to have someone love you that much. Even though he had to get up he saw how tired I was and helped. Jake passed out the moment Grant took him and started rocking him. Grants shushing, talking, and rocking did the trick. I had the biggest smile and had lots of love in my heart! 

Its funny when you become a mom all that matters is your little ones happiness. If Jake isn't feeling well or just simply wants to play I don't leave the house. Even if I want to work out, shop, get nails done, etc. I'd rather spend that time with Jake. Once Grant gets home from work I know Jake is in great hands and then I'm more likely to leave. My favorite is when we all go together though! And when we all go to eat Grant makes sure I'm eating and will hold Jake if he wakes and is fussy. On Sunday we went to our favorite cafe for breakfast and when I was walking to the restroom the owner pulled me aside to say, "how does it feel to be adored"? I stopped for a second and had to think about what she was talking about... then I sat back down and Grant put his arm around me and kissed me. I immediately knew what she was talking about... She had mentioned to me the last time I was there that it's refreshing to see a young couple in love. I kissed my gorgeous husband back and said a little prayer thanking God for my life. :)

Anyhow, I don't mean to go on and on about my husband... but, with some dads that don't help or participate I feel blessed to have a husband that can't wait to hold his son... and can't wait to make sure his wife is happy. Thank you Grant for all you do for us.

Mini Grant

Jake loves his daddy.

~ BROOKE ~

3 MONTHS

Jake turned 3 months on Wednesday. I can't believe how big he is getting! I bought these stickers from Picky Sticky so that I can take a picture of my little guy every month. I didn't want to buy the onesies with the months on them because he's already in 6 month clothes... and in the picture below that is a 9 month onesie.  How would I choose the sizes? So instead, I found this website and bought the stickers I can stick on my own onesie or shirt! 

I'm 3 months!

I'm always talking!

Tummy time

The swing isn't so bad!

I met Victoria... She is a month younger than me. 

Have a great week everyone!

Brooke

Santa Barbara wine tasting

Refer to the following blog for my notes...

WINEGIRL15

XO

My little rockstar!

My little man

I'm a lucky mommy... I know!

Cheers,

Brooke