just noticed this during this winter that every morning when i go to start the car the brake pedal is REALLY stiff and doesn't give when i press on it. the car starts fine and the brakes feel normal once started and driving.

is this normal or should i have this checked out?

Your brake pedal will always be hard to depress when the engine isn't running. I guess many folks here aren't old enough to remember cars before miracle inventions like "power brakes". It's possible that if it is particularly cold outside, the hydraulic fluid is less viscous and even stiffer yet, but my guess is it is primarily due to the absence of engine vacuum.