Brooke - 4 Weeks Old

Brooke is 4 weeks old now and growing like a weed! We snapped this picture of her on her way out the door to a baby shower in her honor.

Brooke - 2 Weeks Old

Brooke turned 2 weeks old this past Sunday and has finally lost that "I've just emerged from a 9-month bath" look :-) Our friends in Uzbekistan would be telling us that she's a xerox copy of Chloe & Grace.

Big Sisters

As you can imagine (and see from the photo!), Ellie (center), Chloe (right) and Grace (left) LOVE playing the role of big sister for Brooke.

Late afternoon is often referred to as "the golden hour" by photographers because of the wonderful light it casts on people. Shot at nearby Walteria Park, I really love the color in this shot, and how Grace's stand out.

Happy Birthday, Brad!

Guess I can't leave myself out since we've been on the birthday theme. I celebrated #41 on June 20. Janelle, as usual, made a spectacular cake (she really ought to go into the cake decorating business!).

Happy Birthday, Grace!

Grace turned 2 on June 24. Here she is enjoying her birthday cupcake!

With her birthday now a couple weeks behind us, we are already noticing signs of her being an official 2-year-old! But beyond the mischeivousness and tantrums, we see a really wonderful little girl. One of her most noticeable characteristics is her incredible love of serving. With pep in her step, she is always running around to bring the rest of us our shoes or the telephone (when it's ringing) or whatever she thinks we might need. She brings us a LOT of joy, and we look forward to the day when she knows the One who created her and gave her that special servant's heart.

Ellie - celebrating Grace's 2nd birthday

A couple weeks before Brooke's arrival, we were pleased to celebrate Grace's 2nd birthday (her first in America, having been born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan) at her Nana & Papa's home. Janelle's mom (Nana) made awesome cupcakes. Ellie is pictured here about to dive into one. I loved the color symmetry between the birthday hat and the candies on the cupcake.

July 4th Cuties

This was the first (many more to come, I'm sure) picture of all the Stoops girls together. Taken on July 4th if you couldn't tell from their colorful clothes.

Exuberance

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration at Janelle's parents' home with lots of extended family in town. A highlight for the kids was playing in the water, thanks to a sprinkler toy that brother Dave brought. Grace and Chloe, in particular, reveled in the water play! Seeing a picture like this just makes life better, doesn't it?!

Brooke - 4 Days Old

Brad, Janelle and Brooke

Brooke Marin

Heading Home

Janelle and Brooke were discharged the evening of July 2, ready to head home to begin life as a family of six!

Bright Eyes

Before delivering the baby, the doctor ordered a sonogram to check her position. There on the screen was a cute little face and two wide-open eyes staring at us. Very cute, but that also revealed that she was "sunny side up" -- not how Janelle wanted to deliver this big girl! But from the moment she arrived, she's been very alert and flashing her bright eyes.

Janelle & Chloe

Chloe was very excited to come see Mom and baby Brooke at the hospital!

Meeting their little sister

Ellie (front), Grace (hidden, except for her handing reaching out to touch Brooke), and Chloe (back) were thrilled to meet their new little sister! Three days later, they still can't stop doting over her. Going to bed the night Brooke was born (July 1), Grace kept asking Daddy to have Brooke sleep in the the doll crib in her room (survey says... "No!").

The first bath. Won't be long before she's fighting to be in the tub splashing around with her three big sisters!

The proud Dad finally gets to hold his precious girl! Brooke came into the world with a small crop of blonde hair and looking very much like her oldest sister, Ellie.

Meet BROOKE MARIN STOOPS

Brooke Marin Stoops
Born 07/01/07
9:37am
9 lbs.
20 1/2"