Cuteness

Braylen got his pictures taken on Sunday by Kristin and this is one that I took that I couldn't resist putting on here.  I think if you look cute up in a dictionary, this picture may actually pop up?!

Almost 1 and so much fun

We had visitors over the weekend and had lots of fun with everyone!! Bob, Madison, Alana, Jason, Angie, Kristin, Jimmy, Don, Rita and Scott (the Fluhr no one talks about) came over to hang out and play Saturday afternoon. We played downstairs while the big boys watched the game. The slide was a big hit, as you can tell, and it was so much fun watching them play together. We met Jen and Pat out for dinner and enjoyed good food while the kids, literally, ran around. Well, Braylen's not quite to the running around stage yet, he just sat and ate, go figure!! He did open his first birthday present from Angie, Jason and Alana and loved the block trucks, clothes and the hat (well he didn't love it as much as we did!!). He also got to eat his first cupcake, actually I ate most of it, but he tasted some yummy icing and got a few bites of cake. It was reall fun hanging out with everyone and seeing the kiddies play together was adorable!!

Alana says, WHEEE

1-2-3-GO

Boys idea of babysitting!!

Alana giving Braylen a hug

His first present, unfortunately he was tired and not too animated

Bray's new hat

Playing under the table

Daddy and Gavin

cottage cheese mouth says, "Mom let me try to take a picture now!"

his first realization that icing is sticky

pajama and play time

Story time with Angie

Here are a few of Mommy's favorite things...

No pictures, but I've found by reviewing the videos I've been recording I love to try to get Braylen to do every trick he knows while on camera.  Sorry for the repition, but here are some cute videos!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuovO40dDX4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Us164jn3QQ

Here are a few of Braylen's favorite things...

Sharing his cards with mom and dad



reading his dog book!!



doing head stands!



his momma, sorry dad!!



Playing with Riley and her ball and the screen door!!



Happy 31st birthday Jeremy

To the best husband and a great daddy, Happy Birthday Jeremy. 

Helping daddy open presents!!

Mornings with Braylen

So, my crazy schedule has returned and I'm working nights again.  Which means a couple of things, 1. I don't get to kiss Braylen goodnight :(, 2. Jeremy is left to "fend" for himself and Braylen at 5, 3. My mornings with Braylen are back and 4. That I have come to realize Jeremy is completely capable of bathing, feeding, changing, playing and putting Bray to bed without me :( and :)  Because of these things I love and loathe my new schedule.  I go into work around 10-11 on weekdays, which usually gives me a few hours with Braylen.  Our regular schedule is as follows, get up around 7/7:30, feed Braylen, wash his face and hands after breakfast, change clothes, go for a walk, chase Braylen around the house, Braylen chases me around the house, get ready and clean up our messes we've made.  Some mornings I get the chance to read to him and play.  I've also had an emergency bath, that was necessary due to a pee incident, had to administer a bottle because it was also a necessity, multiple outfit changes (fortunately I've not had any wardrobe incidents yet), outside play time with rocks, often had to dry him off after catching him in the dogs water bowl and one dance session that we both thoroughly enjoyed!  I've created a tupperware drawer he plays with when he starts getting bored or needy and he loves it.  He stirs and mixes up all kinds of concoctions.  He even shares with me sometimes.  As I said I love these kinds of moments and cherish this time I have with him, but when I drop him off at daycare thinking I'll see you tomorrow morning, I hate it!!

I love spoons and bowls

Cheese for the camera

the old standby drawer

"Mom, I'm mixing this up, quit bothering me!"



"What's up Gavin?"

Sunday we visited the Ready's and had fun watching Gavin and Braylen play together!  I felt like they were talking to each other the whole time and totally understood what the other was saying.  Gavin can cruise around now on 2 feet, although he just woke up from him nap and wasn't quite awake enough to show off lots.  They are pretty much the same size, Gavin's a little skinnier, because unlike his pig of a cousin, he's a picky eater.  Can't believe these little rugrats are going to be 1 so soon?!

"No uncle Jeremy, that's not how you do it!"

Chillin with mom

Bray, "Hey, where you goin?" Gav, "Follow me, I know my way round this place."

Braylen, "Hahaha, that was a good one." Gavin, "Thanks, now can I have another cheerio?"

Jumpin on my big frog pillow!



Braden, I mean Braylen had a super fun weekend...

Actually I think both boys had a pretty good time hanging out on Brentwood Ct Saturday and Sunday!  I know we had a great time with mom and dad and Braden.  Jeremy made the comment to me Saturday night that he thinks Braden could play sports all day long.  I thought to myself, "Is is just because you're older and you get tired way easier that it felt like all day? And isn't that what you dream about doing with Braylen???"  Anyway, I had to miss out on the Saturday fun with the family for a bridal shower and bachelorette party for JILL!!  It was lots of fun too.  Here are some pics from the weekend activities!


Playing on the deck and nana and papa



Bray loves books, but they make him tired!



Eating breakfast in front of a crowd



Me and the bride to be Jill!



Bridesmaids and Bride

Goofy boy walking...kinda

Braylen's been trying to walk lately and this is him being goofy last night. He loves this "game"!!!

11 months old, we've almost made it to 1!!

Hard to believe.  Braylen's crawling like crazy and growing like crazy.  I picked him up from daycare last week and I said that I thought he'd grown from the time I dropped him off until I picked him up?!  It's crazy when I notice just how big he is!  Just this weekend, he started leaning for me more and whining for me, before now he's been pretty pleasant with whoever has him.  He still has 5 teeth, I keep looking for more and I think there's more on the way soon.  He's been taking steps, but they're leaning steps.  In other words, I'll stand him up and then back up and he'll lean towards me and take a few steps while doing so.  His balance is great and he's able to smoothly sit down from standing and can squat and stand back up without holding on.  His crawling is hilarious, when he wants to get somewhere he sets his sights on his destination and then puts his head down and crawls like a speed demon!!  He still has to hold something to stand up, but that will be here soon.  Here's another video of him helping with laundry, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvfytJFtcq0,  he's too funny!!  He still tolerates the jumperoo, but we'll have to move onto new toys as he starts walking!!

we say, "1-2-3 jump jump jump"

Weekend visitors

Mandi and Andriy came to visit us this weekend and although cool, perfect for football, not for boating, and a little rainy, it was a wonderful time spent with them!  We watched the Hawkeye's beat Eastern IL on Saturday afternoon, played outside, baked cookies and then went out to dinner.  Sunday we were able to make it on the boat and it rained just a little on us, otherwise a great time out!  We were sad to see them leave Monday morning, but were so glad they visited and stayed the long weekend with us!!  Love you lots!

Go Hawks Go!

Iowa's cheering squad!!

Andriy's first time on a Deere

Throwing Riley's ball

Mandi and Bray, looks like a magazine pic!!

his new rocking horse from Nana and Papa

Dad's teaching him to drive the boat

Football Firsts

Last night was the first home game for UD Spartans and Braylen's first UD football game and first ever football experience.  He was a little excited to say the least :)  It was raining right before the game but then cleared off to a gorgeous evening.  Braylen went to bed WAY late, but was not in the slightest bit crabby during the game and was good as gold playing in the stands!!  What made it even better was the cool weather and the WIN, 41-7!!  GO SPARTANS!  We're looking forward to lots more game and even more wins!

What an awesome night...

UD's endzone

Patiently waiting for the game to begin

"Mom, quit taking my picture, I'm trying to watch the game!!"

This was about the time we left, we lasted until mid 4th quarter.