FUN IN THE SUN

"Excuse Me"

Brayden loves it outside! Unfortunately we haven't been spending as much time outside as he'd like - due to the summer heat. Although, the heat doesn't seem to bother him. After 5 minutes, I'm ready for some A/C. If the door opens, he is running for it and if your quick enough to catch him before he gets away...he becomes very upset! Of course Daddy is loving it - "he's going to be an outdoors man", he says. I hope Brayden likes fishing and hunting, because I have a feeling he will be participating in it whether he likes it or not!

Just wanted to add a few recent pictures of Brayden enjoying some FUN IN THE SUN!

As you can see, were enjoying our summer despite the triple digit temperatures! Hope you are too!

FINALLY...13 Months Later...

I'm almost scared to write this post - thinking it'll jinx me...but I'm so excited - I have to share. For 13 months Brayden woke in the middle of the night...for the first 5 1/2 months he woke up 5-6 times a night - it was exhausting and frustrating. Unfortunately that was only half his sleep issues - he also had a hard to falling asleep (probably my fault for always rocking him). It was a 30-45 ordeal to get Brayden to go to sleep at night. We would bounce him, rock him...until finally he dozed off. We had no idea what were creating for ourselves. After a couple sessions with a wonderful sleep consultant named Nichole Johnson (you can visit her site here: http://www.picknicksbrain.com/) - at 5 1/2 months we moved Brayden to his own crib and tried the crying it out method. It was horrible. I cried with him the first night - after about 10 minutes I gave in and went to get him, I cried and cried, apologized for doing that to him, and he fell asleep in my arms that night. The next night, I was ready to try again...this time I didn't go get him, but still cried as I watched him on the video monitor. I hated every minute of it and thought there had to be a better way! But I continued to remind myself that he needed sleep and so did Mom and Dad so SOMETHING had to change. Eventually after several weeks, Brayden was going to sleep on his own without our help. That solved problem #1. But for the last 8 months he continued to wake up throughout the night. The number of times he woke up decreased but up until May he was still waking TWICE a night...then finally it dropped to ONCE a night...and THEN on July 5th, Brayden suddenly stopped waking up at night...I thought it was a fluke, maybe I just didn't hear him or maybe the monitor wasn't up loud enough...whatever it was I didn't think it was the beginning of something WONDERFUL...but now 8 nights later...he is still sleeping through the night. I can't believe it!

Every time Brayden would wake up- I'd offer him a bottle, I knew he was to old for that but it was the only thing that would get him to go back to sleep, I was tired and I knew it was a 5 minute fix...my pediatrician kept telling me I'm creating a really bad habit and only making it worse on myself ...but something in me (along w/my Mom) kept telling me, when he's ready - he'll stop...and he did! I hope. :)

Of course I still wake up at least once throughout the night, I don't think I'll ever sleep as sound as I did before I became a Mommy, but that's OK - it's so much nicer to wake up on my own and not to a crying baby!

If your reading this and know anyone who's battling sleep issues with their baby or toddler I strongly encourage you to share this website: http://www.picknicksbrain.com/. Every piece of advice she gave me throughout the last 13 months was helpful...and it's not all just about sleep.

We have learned so much with Brayden. I can promise you that so much will be different with the next one. :) I'll post some new pics soon.


Well...I'm off to enjoy some ZZZZZ's myself. Goodnight!

Brayden's First Haircut!

Another belated post...I'm really falling behind...the two hours I have to myself everyday (while Brayden naps) seem to always be booked with the not so fun stuff (laundry, housecleaning, paying bills, etc)...it's hard to find any free time these days. When he's up - he keeps me running!

So we finally gave Brayden a haircut. It was the week before his birthday (shows how belated this post really is), but I wanted to show pictures! After he received a couple comments from loving friends/family members that he was growing a mullet, Mommy said "that's it - where are the clippers Dad?" I guess I envisioned the first haircut to be a big event at the barber shop w/Mom and Dad snapping pictures, while Brayden sat in the booster chair w/a gown on....anyways....not so much what happened! As you'll see below - Daddy was his barber and he did a FANTASTIC job and the best part - it was FREE! We like that word! We pulled out the Bumbo seat and used that as the barber chair. Worked well!

Brayden didn't know what to think of the loud buzzing clippers, he had to touch them, hold them, play w/them first before he'd let Daddy even get them close to his head. Overall, he did pretty well. Fortunately Brayden doesn't have much hair yet to begin with, so it was quick and painless! His attention span (of about 2 minutes), bought us just enough time to do the job.

What a handsome fella - I must say! :)

Brayden goes swimming!

We finally visited our neighborhood pool a couple weeks ago and have been back twice since. We LOVE it. For those of you who have visited the Walden pool know what I'm talking about. We feel like were on vacation when were down there. It's wonderful! A great place to sit back and relax, have a margarita poolside - what else could you ask for?

This was Brayden's first time to go swimming - should have known he'd like it since his favorite place to be besides in my arms is the bathtub.

Here are a few pictures of Daddy and Brayden cooling off from the excruciating TEXAS HEAT.

Well can you believe it - Daddy actually snatched the camera to capture this Kodak moment. Finally one of me w/my handsome little man...after a day at the pool we were exhausted. We came home showered and had some cuddle time before bed. I don't get much of that anymore!

I love this little guy!

Brayden Turns ONE!

A belated post but one I've been waiting to do...

Thursday Brayden turned ONE! My baby is a toddler. Wow - what a year! I sat at the dinner table Thursday night with Steve after Brayden went to bed and shared moments/memories of the day Brayden was born. I remember it like it was yesterday...

On Monday June 4th, we made a trip to L&D around 10PM. I can't help but laugh now when I think back at it...we were laying in bed - timing my contractions, when they got to 4-5 minutes apart we packed up and got in the car. But - the funny thing was - I wasn't even in pain, just a bit uncomfortable. It was my first go-around with this. I didn't know what I was looking for or waiting to feel - could this be it? Of course, once we got to the hospital the nurses knew I wasn't in labor but hooked me up to the monitor and checked to see if I had dilated. 2CM! So you know the drill...well those of you who've had babies do - WALK! It was late, I was tired, I knew it wasn't time. I felt silly walking the floor with other soon to be mommies who could barely stand up when their contraction hit. Needless to say - the nurse told me - YOU'LL KNOW! But will I?

So we headed home to get some rest - we would need it for what was to come...

Tuesday morning, Steve gets up and goes to work. I start my day...all morning I could feel my contractions but still no pain - AND THEN...as the afternoon went on...it got more and more intense. Not unbearable but definitely uncomfortable. I went for a walk, and made it only half way down the street - now I knew what those ladies in L&D the night before were going through...but still I was doubting was this it? I went home...laid in bed, the pain intensified. I got in the bathtub. Nothing soothed the pain. It's an indescribable feeling. FINALLY, I called Steve. He left work to head home, by now it was about 4:30PM. By the time Steve walked in the door - I was leaned over the bed crying - AND STILL...I didn't know if this was it. I think I was worried that it wasn't and didn't want to look foolish going back to the hospital where I was just 12 short hours ago. SO - Steve and I started some of our techniques we learned in LaMaze class...we did this for about 30 minutes until finally Steve said - "Lets Go...It's Time". So off we went. I'd never seen Steve in such a state of panic. He was feeling everything I was...excitement, nervous, anxious, scared...he flew down the road w/his flashers on. Again, I laugh as I write this b/c I can see it like it was yesterday. He pulled up to the hospital, got me in a wheelchair and in to L&D we went. Truck still running, doors open, parked in the front of the hospital! :)

I think everyone knew we were new at this!

This time the nurses knew I was in labor and bypassed the screening and admitted me right away. I can honestly say I had never expierenced a pain like what I went through for those 2-3 hours. It was BAD! To make a long story short - I labored all night, but after I received my epidural, everything was so much better - I then reassured myself "I can do this". I remember being so dehydrated and just wanting to drink water so bad. I told Steve as soon as Brayden is born I want a huge glass of ice water waiting for me. I didn't get much sleep Tuesday night, b/c I was just to anxious. The nurses didn't really tell me much and I guess I thought it could happen any minute...didn't want to fall asleep and miss it. J/K! Around 7-7:30AM Wednesday June 4th, my doctor finally came in to see me (I had an appointment with her at 8:30 that morning). She checked me and said your at a 10, your ready! Brayden was born that morning at 9:38AM.

He was perfect! Beautiful! Healthy! 7lbs 2 oz.

Now, my 22.5 lb boy is ONE! Time goes by so fast when your having fun! We love him so much and although it's only been a year, we can't remember life without him.

I feel so blessed to have been able to spend the last year at home with him, it's something I never thought would be possible. I am so thankful to my husband for that! I never missed a beat. I was there for the first smile, first time he rolled over, when he started crawling ,first step. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I pray everyday that I'll be able to continue to stay at home w/him and watch him grow.

We had a big birthday celebration at our house Saturday. Pictures to come! We had a great day with friends and family. The much anticipated cake wasn't all it was built up to be...he must be like his mom - not big on sweets b/c he wanted nothing to do with it! I'm sure he'll make up for it next year. Below are a few pictures taken on his actual birthday. I baked a birthday cake and we had our own birthday party Thursday night.

Happy Birthday sweet Brayden! We love you so much!!!

First Birthday Pictures

A couple weeks ago we went in for Brayden's One Year pictures. He did so well in the studio and in front of the camera. I was so excited to see the shots...AND THEN the photographer tells us that none of the pictures uploaded. Ugh! It was hot under those lights, and almost lunch time, I knew we didn't have much time left before Brayden was going to lose it...well we managed to get a few more good shots in, but not many more smiles. In the end - I think I like the serious ones. He looks so innocent. "LOOKS" I said. :)

Enjoy the pictures. These are some of my favorites! Hard to believe my baby will be a year in just 6 short days! Where have the last 359 days gone?

Play Dates

Brayden loves when his friends come to visit. BUT I think Mommy loves it more - ADULT CONVERSATION is so nice these days...and I don't think that I've ever appreciated it more until I started spending 8-9 hours at home everyday by myself w/my son. Funny how sometimes you find yourself talking to adults in "baby talk" b/c it's just what your use to.

Needless to say...we BOTH enjoy play dates!!!

Dalton and his cousin Abby came over yesterday to visit. Dalton is only 5 days younger then Brayden. He was born on Brayden's due date. We were so glad they made the drive out to see us, w/me keeping a 3-month old it's alot tougher to get out w/two...however KATIE DID IT - and we were so grateful she did. The kiddos played so well together for 3 hours straight. As you can see, our formal dining room has been converted to a playroom!

Can you spot the 3 munchkins...lost in the toys???

Here are a few pictures of Brayden and Brooke, Brandi and Brooke visited us last week. We use to live about 20 minutes from each other so the kids would see oneanother at least twice a week, now that we've moved it's alot tougher, so we were really happy to see them. Brooke is 5 weeks younger then Brayden. Don't they make such a cute couple w/those beautiful BLUE EYES?!?! I sure hope they to continue to play well together, b/c their mommies have big plans for them. :)

AND...a few pictures of Baby Cade. It's so funny to watch Brayden and Brooke interact with him. Brayden wants him to play and I think he gets frustrated that he can't just yet, but Brooke is so gentle and sweet and LOVING. She is amazed with babies! She is going to be a great big sister one day. Don't get me wrong Brayden has his loving side to - he gives great hugs and kisses, he just is a bit rougher - I guess that's the difference between boys and girls.

What a cutie pie! Babies Babies EVERYWHERE!

It's so neat to watch all of these little ones grow up together! Each with their own personality and ALL so precious!