Puppies, Playing, Primping, and Pregnancy

In all the very important parenting books and magazines that I have dedicated several minutes to skimming in various bookstores and waiting rooms over the past three years as a parent, I am starting to notice a phase Brooke is going through that is not in any of them: The Puppy phase. This phase, which I am about to publish an article on in Horse and Hounds magazine, involves the the exteme and unnatural attachment that 2 1/2 year old girls have to various types of plush canine stuffed animals. She can't get enough of them! It all started out a few months ago when she started making friends with a small beanie baby dog which she aptly named "Puppy". From there the whole puppy thing just kind of snowballed and we now have 9 different stuffed animal dogs, all of which have there own names, familial relationships, and cliques to which they cling to. And that's just at our house. Over at Grammy and Papa Webster's house she has a whole other pack of hounds which are equally as engaging in fulfilling Brooke's constant need to be around some form of pooch. At times she even prefers to speak to us in "dog language" which, although difficult to understand, can be quite entertaining.

As Brooke develops her affinity for canine culture, Shan and I are chugging along as always trying to balance work, school, and the prospect of having our new little boy Bryant coming into our home. He is ever active and kicks constantly without letting up giving Shan what she thinks are several internal bruises. This of course is a good sign but can be difficult when you have a job, a home, a husband, and a two year old to manage all the time. But she continues on with a smile and excited for the little guy to finally come into our home. As for me, dental school is still keeping me busy and on my toes. I have a lot of fun working with patients and learning the ins and outs of the profession I'll be in for the rest of my life. Since I'm in my third year I mostly just have clinic and not so many classes,so its been nice having my nights free and getting to spend a lot of time with Shan and Brooke. Only about a year left and we'll see where things go from there.





Brooke learning to bowl (her first frame was a spare:-)



Brooke with friends Lady and Tramp




Brooke ready for a sporty Saturday with Daddy



Tempory residence of Brookie's dog clan. They would have stayed but one of them got too near a package of hot dogs and feared for what might happen to them if they stayed too long




Brookie in her polka-dot Valentine's dress from Aunt Meggie



TA-DAH




"She's taking too much off the back again, I just know it."




Cutie ready for a ball



Shan and Bryant cooking up a storm!



Brooke training to be Paris Hilton's next purse puppy. Woof.






Brooke teaching her puppies a class on how to be a good coloring book picture of Dora the Explorer and her friend Boots. For anyone who wants to become an animated cartoon character this video counts as 1 hour of continuing education. (Don't worry, the video starts sideways but uprights itself about half way through)