15 months

a little late, but since we haven't given a true brooks update in 3 months, better late than never.  we were in dallas last week, so this is not the "famous" chair, but it does show that brooks is not a baby anymore - he's a big boy!

At 15 months, Brooks...
...weighs 24lbs 3oz - 46%, is 32 inches tall - 79% and still has a big head!
...is still cruising and crawling incredibly fast - no walking yet.  we keep saying it's going to be anyday, but we've been saying that since january!
...sleeps about 12 hours at night (8 to 8) and is still taking two naps.  we figure the amount he sleeps is at least double what Richard sleeps on a daily basis.
...has been diagnosed with allergies to milk, eggs and nuts :(  we have been to a special hospital for skin allergy testing (National Jewish Hospital - the best in the nation)  this week he even did a 7 hour food challenge to test him with the milk, and after just 1 teaspoon he broke out in hives and we were done.  so, his diet is ever changing.
...still loves to eat! (despite the allergies)  he loves oatmeal, blueberry waffles, fruit, avacados, soy milk, soy yogurt, bread, all veggies, turkey dogs, chicken and especially animal crackers.
...has a few "words" (more like sounds that mean words and we understand)  they include, "dir" for Dirk, "duh" for Duck, and "ba - be" for Baby.  sometimes we even get a "mama" or "dada"
...loves to point to body parts when you ask him.  he knows Ears, Eyes, Nose, Hair, Head, Toes, Hands, Feet, Belly and cutest of all, Tongue (he sticks it out!)
...enjoys going to Gymboree, the church nursery and the playground.  He is showing a little bit of separation anxiety when we drop him off with someone but soon forgets and starts having fun.

...his favorite toys at the moment are his rocking "horse" (really a snail), reading books, trains and all the "Little People."   He is totally adorable when he stands in our front window and watches us in the front yard and smiles through the glass. other favorite things to do: play in the grass and dump out the dirt in mommy's flower pots.

Spring is Springing

sort of...

we have had a few nice days in Denver these past few weeks (although it was hailing and 40 today) and we are enjoying every minute of sunshine after the long winter.

can't wait to plant flowers, bbq and enjoy warmer weather in the weeks to come

Happy Easter

Just a few fun pics from our Denver 2010 Easter celebration.
Richard was able to switch work with a friend to get the day off and we enjoyed morning church and a great afternoon meal and games with friends.  the Lewises always throw a great Easter complete with a kids and an adult easter egg hunt.  this year we also played "battle of the sexes" family fued, Spring/Easter addition!  congrats to the boys and especially Richard who pulled out two key answers!

get your hands off my eggs!

Turks & Caicos

Brooks and I just got back from a great week aboard Infinity in the Turks & Caicos Islands.  What a beautiful place!  http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/virtual-slide-show.html

My parents have been sailing through the islands for about 5 months on and off.  We were able to meet them in Providenciales (Provo).  First, we took a red eye flight from Denver to Atlanta and then had  4 hour layover in ATL before flying to Provo.  Brooks was such a trooper and handled the travel like a champ!

First stop - "The Anchorage" for a festive welcome drink

The boat is just off the left of this deck!

Brooks loved playing the cockpit with toys and buckets of water.  This is the safety harness we used so he couldn't get anywhere!  Thankfully, he is not walking yet - one less thing to worry about.

Brooks building his first "sand castle" - he loved the sand and the water - his favorite was when the waves would rush up over his toes.

The beaches were so beautiful and we were able to visit many of the beach resorts for lunch and dinner.  We stayed on the boat in Turtle Cove and it was perfect.  We went to the same beach a few different days.  It had a children's park with swings and a big playgrond and just a little off the shore was an awesome reef.  Phil and I enjoyed two snorkling trips - we saw lots of fish and coral as well as a sea turtle and even a sting ray!

We had a rental car and drove around the whole island one day.  At the south end we found this incredible house that we thought was a hotel until we drove up to the front door.  Definity a private home!

Walking to dinner at the Tiki Hut, just around the corner from the boat.

Thanks Nana and Grandpa Phil for a great vacation - now we are going home to rest!

a new adventure

last week Brooks had a fun new adventure at Gymboree - he loved it! 
while the weather is snowy and cold outside, we will be playing at gymboree. 

back on the slopes after nearly 2 years!

finally, some great pics from our fun ski trip in january!  mom and phil took us to breckenridge for five days, and we invited great friends to join us for the trip.  Amy & John flew in from Ohio for the vacation, and we had so much fun seeing them and getting to know John better.  (side note:  amy & john just got engaged in december too!) 

Mom & I at Breckenridge - we had the most beautiful weather all three ski days. 

January skiing isn't always so great.

Richard, me & Amy skiing Loveland on day one. 

Amy & I on Peak 7 at Breckenridge - we were tearing it up!

Phil & Paula at Breckenridge - Day 2.  What a cute skiing couple!

Amy & John at the top of Loveland pass - 11,990 ft!  brrrrrr

While Brooks didn't get to do any skiing, he had a great time at the house with lots of playtime with nana and daddy. 

Thanks nana & grandpa phil for a great vacation!  We already can't wait until next year!

Olympic Fever

I don't know about anyone else, but the Fuquays have Winter Olympic fever and we've got it bad!  (or good, depending on how you look at it!)

In our American/Canadian household, we are having fun cheering for both teams (as least I am, not sure about Richard).  Watching the Canadian mogle skier win the first home gold the other night was spectacular!

Last night, we got together with friends for an Olympic/Fat Tuesday/Valentine's party, and Brooks and I decided we should go as team Canada (richard had to work).

Here is our yummy dessert!

and this morning, Brooks was still wearing his maple leaf shirt so we thought we should get some more pics.

Here is Brooks preparing for his first winter Olympic sport...standing in snow!

Our future Olympian!

(but not in luge, hockey, skeleton, or any dangerous winter olympic sport - we may have ruled them all out!)