Snow Day! - February 25th, 2016

Last Thursday most of the schools around southeast Michigan had a snow day.  We got a lot of snow on Wednesday, then some rain, then more snow overnight.  As luck would have it, Dad had the day off already, and it was a Thursday so Mom worked a half day.  Brooklyn stayed home with Dad and then we all went to her 9 month check-up in the afternoon.  It went very well.  Brooklyn is 28 inches and weighs over 19lbs!  Brooklyn didn't need to get any shots at this appointment.  To celebrate, we played in the snow for a little bit when we got home.  This was Brooklyn's 1st time in the snow.  She got her had in it and was not a fan...afterwards Mom and Dad realized there is a functionally to the snowsuit that would have covered her hands..oh well!  Kedzie-dog had the time of her life running about in the snow. 

Riverview Winterfest - February 21st, 2016

For the past 3 years Mom and Dad having been doing the Riverview Winterfest 4 Miler and Pancake Breakfast with cousins Deb and George.  This is probably one of our favorite runs.  We may be partial to it because the first year we did it, it was snowing like crazy and the plows couldn't keep up.  It was like running on the beach but it was cold and snow instead of sand!  We love winter runs so it quickly became a tradition.  However for the past two years it's been much warmer.  This was Brooklyn's 2nd race with Dad in the jogging stroller though she technically walked this race last year with Mom and George :)  Dad took 3rd place in his age group both times we did this race previously, this year he says that he and Brooklyn won the stroller division.  Cousin Debbie took 1st place in her age group.  After the run Brooklyn enjoyed some homemade applesauce from Debbie and even some pancakes!

Runners/Walkers post-race
 
 George volunteered in the kitchen this year while we were out on the course

 
 Brooklyn enjoying some pancakes post-race

 

Brooklyn Is 9 Months Old! - February 20th, 2016

Brooklyn turned 9 months old this month and she is definitely on the go!  She is pulling to stand and cruising all over.  She loves to do laps around her activity table.  She also likes to create obstacle courses for herself, crawling under tables, over high chairs, anywhere and everywhere that looks like the least convenient way to get from point A to B.  She loves to pull to stand on the ledge by the door wall and hang on to the vertical blinds and ring Kedzie's bell to let us know she wants to go out.  She is getting much better with eating solids.  She still eats lots of baby food but also likes puffs, crunchies, cheerios, cheezits, graham crackers, bananas/fruit, pancakes, and occasionally a pirogi!  She recently has started (intentionally) sharing her food with Kedzie which both her and Kedzie think is the best thing ever.  She is starting to talk more, too.  Mostly some ga-gas, ba-bas, and da-das.  Her laugh keeps us laughing daily.

(the 9 month photo shoot was not our best)

 Brooklyn did not want to sit still for this photo shoot (she's not much into sitting still these days) but Kedzie showed off her obedience by waiting patiently for their sibling pictures

 The above picture is probably the best glimpse into "a day in the life of the Z family household"

Brooklyn's 9 Month Birthday was very special because even though it's in February, it was over 60 degrees outside!  We celebrated by going for a family walk in the Lower Huron Metro-park.  Later we went to the playground by Grammy and Gramps' house with cousin Paige.  It was a day to remember!

9 Month photo shoot outtakes

 

 Brooklyn has definitely become a bit of a "Daddy's Girl" lately and I secretly love it.  I can't wait for all their future adventures together :)

Grandpa's 63rd Birthday! - February 18th, 2016

Grandpa Alderman turned 63 this month!  We didn't get to see him on his birthday but Brooklyn celebrated with her "Best Grandpa Ever" shirt.  The next day Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Emily, and Uncle Billy came over to celebrate.  We had pirogi and ice cream cake.  Brooklyn even got to try a pirogi and a small lick of frosting from Grandpa's ice cream cake!  Grandpa also came over later in the weekend for some extra Brooklyn time.

Valentine's Day 2016

Brooklyn celebrated her very 1st Valentine's Day this year.  On Friday the 12th she had a party at daycare where she exchanged valentine's with her classmates.  She also made Mom and Dad a beautiful Valentine.  Brooklyn celebrated with Mom by wearing matching pink PJs and we went to Grammy and Gramps' house on Sunday (the 14th) and got to play with Paige and Jacob too.  

Mom and Brooklyn celebrated Valentine's Day by snuggling in our matching PJs