11 months

Brielle is 11 months old already! She is such a happy little girl. She can play "gimme five" and answer the question, "What does a doggie say," with an "oof!", her version of "woof, woof." She stands on her own for a minute or so, and she started to take a few small steps this week. Brielle gets pretty excited when she sees her soft green blanket. She rubs her face in it and plays peekaboo. She likes opening her bottom 2 dresser drawers (or any drawers in the house) and pulling her clothes out. But we're lucky, because she also likes to put everything back into the drawer too!

pigtails

Taking a stroll

With some assistance from a Winnie the Pooh airplane, Brielle is starting to figure out how to walk! Tim took this video while Kristen was away for a week at a continuing education course. He said she later took her plane across this room and down the hall to our bedroom. She's also figuring out how to hide her toys, puzzle pieces, etc. under the seat of the plane too.

Honey

Brielle has discovered "Honey", one of her mommy's favorite dolls from when she was little. The age of this doll is evident by both its style and how its color has changed, or dirtied, over time! Honey used to go everywhere! Brielle is learning how to pat Honey on the back and to give kisses. (This video didn't quite catch the "kiss" part.) Looks like it might be time to get Brielle a doll of her own:).

How Brielle spent her first Christmas

We were in Palm Beach, Florida for a wonderful, relaxing week with my parents and sisters. The weather was beautiful! Brielle was at the pool everyday. She loved to play in the zero depth area where she could crawl around.

Brielle also experienced a sandy beach for the first time. Of course, some sand ended up in her mouth but she didn't mind too much. :)

Brielle would kick her legs up and down and flap her arms when she saw the waves coming in. She was very excited when Tim took her close to the water.

Like a fish!

We took Brielle swimming with all her cousins & the rest of the Berning clan at a local hotel. Grandpa & Grandma Berning were staying there to have a little getaway from the farm. Brielle loved the water! She kept splashing and putting her arms and face in the water. She splashed a lot of water in her own face, but it didn't slow her down a bit. She loved seeing all her cousins swimming too.

Opening her first Christmas present

Brielle received her first Christmas presents from her friend Ben. Instead of ripping off the wrapping paper, she was more interested in putting it in her mouth. :) With a little help, she found the cute penguin and book inside. Thanks, Abby & Ben!

Hello? Who's there?

9 months old and already learning what to do with the telephone!

Brush brush

Brielle doesn't have any teeth yet, but she likes chewing on this toothbrush we gave her!

Sweater & Hat from (Great) Aunt Susan

Kristen's aunt Susan knit this hat and sweater for Brielle. So cute!

Playing in Mom & Dad's room

Christmas tree hunting

Brielle's first Christmas tree hunting trip. Each year on the weekend after Thanksgiving, we join the rest of the Berning clan and travel to a tree farm. We made sure to choose a softer needle tree this year since Brielle will be finding it and grabbing the branches! After each of the 6 families cut down a perfect tree, we returned to Grandma & Grandpa Berning's house for some hot chocolate and snacks.

Weekend Trip

We had a very fun weekend visiting our friends Chuck & Annie and Tony & Katie... and watching the kids play together.

Brielle & Patrick... on the treadmill already!

On their way to becoming future runners like their dads (and Patrick's mom, Annie).

Feeding by Aunt Jenny

What would Thanksgiving be like without Jenny teasing someone...

November 10th

Abby's uncle took these photos of Brielle... when we were at Benjamin's baptism party. Brielle was doing a lot of posing for the camera, but she wasn't sharing her cute smile with us!

learning peekaboo

Halloween 2007

Our 4th Annual Halloween Party

Happy Halloween