Brooks- 1 Month

Oh Brooks, you came into the world in an unexpected way, but you have enriched our lives so much in just one month.  It's amazing how quickly we have adjusted to being a family of four.  We love you so much, and your brother loves to shower you with kisses.  Your Daddy calls you Brooks the Brave, and you have already braved so much.  We can't wait to watch you grow and see your personality emerge.  Welcome to our family, Brooks Rollin Hawk!

Weight:  7 lb. 12 oz. (6th percentile)          Height: 20 1/4 in.

Firsts:  Everything was a first this month!
* First hospital stay- NICU for 3 days
* First shot and first IV :(
* First time meeting Nena, Grandmommy and Grandaddy
* First restaurant- Burger 21 with Mommy and Daddy's bible study
* First doctor's appointment
* First UT football game (8/31/14)- Tennessee played Utah State and won 38-7!
* First time to church and Beautiful Moms
* First kisses from older brother, Landry
                         .......and many more!

Milestones:  
 - Getting on a good schedule of eating every 3 hours and stretching feedings out a little at night
 - Gaining weight!
 - Can turn head from one side to the other
 - Looking in the direction of noises and following things with your eyes

Like Mommy: Most people have been saying that you look more like your Mommy than Daddy.  I think it's your face shape and eyes.

Like Daddy: You have your Daddy's hair line so far. And you have no booty, which you definitely do not get from your Mommy. ;)

Mommy's Favorite: Mommy loves snuggling you and letting you take naps on her.  Can't spoil a baby, right?

Daddy's Favorite:  Daddy loves holding you and loving on you. 

How We Spend Our Day:  We wake up around 7 and you eat while Daddy gets Landry up and gets him breakfast.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, we hang out at home or run errands while Landry is at school.  You take your naps either in your swing or your crib.  In the afternoons, we sometimes take a walk in our double stroller to the park.  Mommy has been going to bed around 9, so Daddy gives you your last bottle of the day around 11:30 or 12 and then you wake up around 3 to eat in the middle of the night.  For the first few weeks, you would be wide awake for awhile after that, but thankfully, you have been going straight back down after the middle of the night feeding.

Best Memory: The best memory of your first month was when we finally got to take you home.  After spending your first few days hooked up to tubes in the NICU, it was so nice to pick you up and hold you.  We were ready to get home and start our life as a family of four!

Biggest Challenge:  You are such an easygoing baby.  I guess you have to be having your crazy, energetic, loud brother around!  Our biggest challenge has been tummy time.  You hate it.  You cry and clench your fists.  Another challenge (for your mother) has been sleeping at night.  You seem to sleep just fine but you grunt very loudly in your sleep which causes me to get up and check on you periodically.

How We Celebrated Your 1st Month: You and Mommy spent the morning at home while Landry was at school.  When Daddy got home, we had your one month photo shoot.  And then to top off the night, in memory of Gigi, we watched her favorite show, Dancing With the Stars.

Brooks, we love having you in our family. It already seems like you have been here all along.  We love you so much!

Brooks, we love having you in our family. It already seems like you have been here all along.  

We love you so much!