Pregnant Pictures

Here are just a few of the pregnancy pictures that were taken by our friend and photographer, Catherine Lopez of FOUR Creative Studio. I was 38.5 weeks pregnant...they were taken exactly 2 weeks before Brooklyn was born!

Visit from Aunt Betsy, Cousins Gracie & Brinin

Uncle Brooks decided to take Gracie fishing...and she caught 6 fish!!! This was also Brookyln's first trip to a lake!! Daddy was very excited!!! Brooks also decided to be "Super Uncle" and they made a bird house together and we painted it!

2 Weeks Old

Where has the time gone?? Our little girl is now two weeks old. We have had a rough week. Mame passed away on Friday, September 12th. She is no longer having to use oxygen and is at peace. We are so blessed and fortunate that she was given the opportunity to meet Brooklyn...and was able to see her three times!!! We wish she had of had more time with her, but so thankful that they were a part of each others lives. Brooklyn's middle name is after her Great Grandmother, Jean, so she will be a constant reminder of the wonderful woman that she was and we know Mame will always be in her heart, as well as ours. Mame was and is my most favorite person...I admired and loved her more than anyone. Her services are going to be tomorrow in New Braunfels...it will be a hard day for everyone. I have so many wonderful memories from trips to "Mame and Popeye's" and hope my parents can provide that life experience for Brooklyn. Nap time ("last one to bed is a rotten egg"), reading books, rolling coins, eating candy, playing in the pool, line dancing, Christmas, drinking coffee (or sugar with some coffee in it), being "Popeye's Pal", making homemade ice cream ("wonder what flavor its gonna be"), baking bread, delivering meals-on-wheels, watching the 10 o'clock news followed by Cheers and Coach, biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, skip bo, dominos, checkers, singing to me...and so many many more. Brooklyn Jean has a lot to live up to and we plan on telling her all about her Mame and Popeye.

In Brooklyn's second week, her tear ducts have gotten clogged....we are now massaging them and putting medicine in her eyes...they look much better now! She had her 2 week visit on Monday and has now gained back all of her weight that she lost and weighs more than her birth weight at 7lbs 5oz...yeah!! She got a perfect report at the doctor's office. Her jaundice is officially gone and she had her 2nd PKU screen. Grandma Jan came home for a surprise visit and went with her to the doctor. Then we went for her first trip out to eat and met Daddy for lunch at Longhorn Cafe. Brooks' parents came to town last night...so Brooklyn has been having fun getting to know her other grandparents...and they think she is pretty darn cute! (who wouldn't!!??). We have learned that she likes to be swaddled to sleep...and does much better that way! Her umbilical cord fell off last night and she seems to have a pretty cute belly button! She played in her bouncer for the first time yesterday...kicked quite a bit and seemed mesmerized by the movement and music.

Last week (6 days old) Brooklyn had her picture taken by Catherine. These are just a couple pictures that Catherine picked out...we will get to see all of them later (she took a ton!!). These were the ones that were picked out to show Mame...

1 Week Old

Brooklyn has been keeping us quite busy. We aren't sure where the time has gone, but the days pass very quickly and we don't feel like we are doing anything! :) I guess our time has been filled with feeding her, holding her, comforting her, changing diapers and trying to sleep. Most nights have been good and manageable. Here are some pictures from her first week of life!! We still just can't believe she is really here and how absolutely amazing she is!!

Trip to see Mame

Our Family - Finally Home

First Doctor's Appointment - Weighed 6lbs 12oz

First Walk with the Doggies

First Bath

1 Week Old

1 Week Old

We're Home!!

Brooklyn, Daddy and I arrived home this evening at about 7 p.m. She has had a big first day out! We immediately left the hospital for her to visit Mame in New Braunfels!! :) She was actually able to meet nearly all of my side of the family in one visit!! Mame was so excited to see her and we were able to let them visit for quite a while...and got several cute pictures, which we will post later! She has already been in her swing tonight...and seemed to enjoy it!

Here is the link to her WebNursery photos that were taken in the hospital yesterday!

http://www.our365.com/newbornportraits/babydetail.aspx?birthid=e9f9f29b-a515-4c20-b728-72502640397f&babyid=bc5f7e0b-53eb-4b34-a242-e56f667f5944

If you need to enter any information, select San Antonio, Texas, September 3, and the first three letters of our last name and there you will find her first "fun" pictures!!

We are both truly simply in love with her and in awe! I think we keep pinching ourselves to see if she is real.

Thanks for everyone support!

Brooklyn Jean Brininstool

She's here and absolutely perfect!!! They started the Pitocin at 7:30 a.m. and the contractions were pretty terrible. I received my epidural at noon and it was smooth sailing from there.

Brooklyn Jean Brininstool

Born September 3, 2008

4:05 p.m.

7lbs and 2oz

20 1/4 inches

first blog experience...

I just got back from having a pedicure with my Mom...so now my toes are pretty for labor! I have had the intention of starting a blog for quite some time now...but wasn't sure what to write about. Anywho, I figure I need to get it set up before the baby is born so everyone can stay updated (if we can keep this current!) on our upcoming life!! Quick recap: Brooks and I got married on April 1, 2006 (bet you won't forget that date!), we found out we were pregnant on Christmas Eve 2007, found out our baby is a little girl on our two year anniversary (4-1-08...pretty memorable gift) and she is due to arrive on August 30, 2008!!

Our little girl is due in SIX days!! I was supposed to have an appointment on Friday, but my doctor broke her foot...so I will just see her on Wednesday for my next weekly appointment. So far (or as of the 14th) I am 70% effaced, but not dilated...so we shall see if I have made any progress. I think I may have been having a few Braxton Hicks contractions. I have been trying to walk as much as possible (preferably in air conditioning...we have been frequenting the aisles of Target and Wal-Mart) and I have a Pilate's ball that I have been sitting on that is supposed to be good...so we shall see!

13 weeks 2-25-08

This pregnancy has been wonderful. I have nothing to compare it to (other than horror stories from other people), but I never really had morning sickness, I have felt great, luckily haven't gained that much weight (in the scheme of things), my blood pressure is normal, I'm not super swollen (rings are tight some days)...had a few days with an achy back...but that's it! :) So I consider myself very blessed.

4D Ultrasound 28 weeks 6-12-08

Brooks and I have decided on a name for our daughter, but it's a surprise and no one knows! Therefore...my Mom has given her the nickname "BG" for Baby Girl...or if you talk to my grandma (Mame) she has given her the name "Esmerelda." She seems to be a pretty calm baby...or since I have an anterior placenta, a lot of her movement is very difficult to feel. The first big movement that Brooks and I felt was on May 12th laying in bed at night...it was pretty crazy. Since then we just get little wiggles here and there, but not so much the "jabbing or kicking" that I have heard about. You can see my tummy shift around...so it's fun to watch...but without fail she usually stops when anyone touches it...maybe she'll be shy. I think she finally became active (or active for her...) around 35 weeks...which is also when I started doing my kick counts...so maybe I just became more tuned in and aware of her! I have to mark down how long it takes me to feel 10 kicks/movements...I get them done, some nights it takes longer than others...and a lot of concentration!

35 weeks and counting...

My last day of work was this past Tuesday...but I'm on call if they need me! I hope to be able to stay at home with BG because we don't have to have to send her to daycare (emotionally don't want to...or financially). I hope to find something to do from home that will allow me the flexibility to be a Mom all day and make a little extra money...so let us know if you know of anything wonderful!!! (they all seem so gimmicky!). However, we are lucky to live close to my parents and my Aunt has already offered to keep her (at our house or hers) a day a week...so I'm sure everything will work out!

Brooks and I had maternity/pregnant pictures taken last week. We have a good friend who is a photographer and are very anxious to see them! I'll post pictures once I get them from Catherine. I was just relieved that they were taken before her arrival!!! Catherine is also going to take pictures of our BG when she gets here!

BG's nursery is all ready and we have more baby things than we know what to do with!! I think my Mom thinks its crazy because I didn't have near this many gadgets and accessories and I turned out alright!

Nursery so far! Fun things on walls to come soon! :)

Brooks and I are both very anxious for her arrival. We are super excited about becoming parents...although I don't think we have a good concept yet on how much our lives are going to change and what all it will entail. However, we know it will be for the better and just want to keep each other as a priority. We are trying to get in as much "couple" time this week as we can...and luckily we have family nearby so we can still have our own little "dates." We are super excited about becoming parents! We can't wait to raise our daughter and to teach her all the things in life that are important and valuable to us! I hope and pray that we are good parents. I know it's totally different...but Brooks is so cute, loving and protective with our dogs, I know he is going to be a wonderful Daddy! We took short little vacation to Galveston this summer and were able to spend some great time together. I guess you could call it our "babymoon." Our hotel room was amazing and it was nice to get away and relax!! ...and of course, Brooks got to go FISHING! :) We fished on the dock one night, he fished in the surf, we went to the rain forest at Moody Gardens, toured old houses (mansions), visited friends in Houston...and got to be together!

Brooks' Redfish caught in the surf...very happy guy

My gigantic fish caught off the pier on my ROD and REEL

That was a whirlwind update on our life from the past few months! ...and seeing as this is my first post...I think I have found plenty to write/ramble on about (sorry)! I doubt they will all be this lengthy...because this was just a re-cap on our life. The next post will definitely be more exciting and include our daughter!! :)