Laughing Haley

I've seen the thousands of you tube videos when a mom or dad sneezes, coughs or blows their nose and the baby laughs, well folks it works!!  I got a full out laugh from Haley with my "sneezing session" on Thursday after work.  I thought school had taken all of her smiles away that night, until I changed her diaper and got her laughing and smiling.  I have a full fledged grin on my face when I watch this...hope it has the same effect for you!!

Happy Birthday Jeremy

Jeremy is 33!!  Unfortunately the day was darker due to my first day back to work, but everything worked out great!  It was a tough morning getting back to work and dropping the kids off, but I soon adjusted and "it felt like I never left", which I'm not sure is a good thing or bad?!  I decided not to work any nights my first week back to ease into the transition, so it was just a day schedule for the first day.  When we got home everyone seemed to do well and Haley and I got some good, and missed, mom and baby time that night.  We had dinner ready for Jeremy's birthday, opened presents and ate the infamous, and much anticipated, cookie cake, which was delicious!

My last day :(

My final day of maternity leave brings a tear to my eye!  I am not sure why, but I am feeling more emotional this time around than last.  We had bath time and lots of QT on my last day with the rascals :(  Braylen likes to help me with most everything Haley and bath time was not any different. Braylen insisted on helping me rinse Haley off, I just had to make sure he kept the water away from her face and he was a great helper!  He also loves helping me cook and bake.  That morning before we did much else we decided to make a couple of cookie cakes, 1 for Jeremy's birthday and 1 as a thank you for my coworkers.  I had to swear him to secrecy because I was planning to surprise Jeremy with the cake the next day for his birthday.  I put it in a "safe and secret" spot after it was cooled and decorated and then we went on with our morning.  After lunch he told me he was tired, so I turned on Mickey and he was going to lay down after the show was over.  In the meantime Jeremy came home for lunch...the second Braylen saw Jeremy, even in his Mickey haze, Braylen jumped up and said, "Dadda, we made you a cookie for your birthday!!"  Jeremy gave me a look and I said, "No Bray that was for my coworkers, remember?!"  He then continued to insist and I couldn't help do anything but laugh and Jeremy was saying, "Braylen, I'm not sure you're supposed to tell me about the cake.  I think it's a surprise."  Braylen then proceeded to go to the "safe and secret" spot and pull out the cake so Jeremy could see it.  SO much for a surprise!  It was great comic relief for an emotional day and I think the main reason Braylen wanted to tell dad about the cake was so he could eat it!!  Funny kids that I will miss so much when I go back to work, but as I remember with Braylen, I appreciate the moments all the more when I'm not home all day every day with them.  It's just hard to remember that right now!!

2 months old

So much time has passed, but it really feels like I blinked and it's 2 months since our little Haley has been with us.  She has been a perfect addition to this family and she seems to love her place in the family.  Braylen is her favorite person and she is always watching him and enjoying him getting in her face, even though we are constantly telling him to back up.  She still loves smiling and I think she's going to miss me when I go back to work this month, or at least that what I keep telling myself. 

Our second trip to Jacksonville

THe kids and I made our second trip to Jacksonville, but this was our first by ourselves.  May I just say, "WHEW!"  It was a bit of a long trip there and back!  I don't think it took much longer, but it did feel that way when Haley is screaming in the back seat and Braylen is telling me to feed her, over and over again!  Braylen is now an amazing traveler and we never really had much trouble with him when he was a baby, he pretty much slept the whole way!  NOT HALEY!  She gets pretty pissed and will only sleep for short bursts at a time.  But...it was definitely worth the trip.  We got to see everyone and spend time with Super Nana and Papa at the camp grounds.  At one point of time I turned around and saw Braylen actually driving the golf cart, he didn't get far, but that was the last time that happened.  He loved being there and running around and it was nice to visit and sit outside to relax!

Fun Bath time

Haley loves her baths!  I also give her a bath in the bathtub and Jeremy uses the kitchen sink.  I decided to use the sink the other morning when Braylen was in the tub and I will NOT use the kitchen sink again!  Haley splashes like crazy!  She really enjoys her bath time and splashing.

Our first family football game

You may ask who takes a 2 month old and an almost 3 year old to a night football game, um this mom does!  Haley was easily the youngest Spartan fan in attendance Saturday night!  They were both really good and it was fun to see the Spartans win they're first game of the season!!