Thanksgiving 2013

We traveled back 'Home' for Thanksgiving this year.  We left later in the evening to get down there and Brayden slept most of the way...with a few fussy sessions, but overall he did pretty good for having to sit in his car seat for 6 hours.  We did upgrade him to a convertible car seat so it's a little roomier than his infant car seat.  Seemed to help.   

We LOVED being able to spend time with our family and friends to not only celebrate Thanksgiving, but Brayden's 1st Thanksgiving!  We have SO much to be thankful for, especially our little man!  I think a picture dump is the best way to go about this.  

Brayden, Abbigayle & Kendyll

My 1st Turkey Day - With his Wishbone!

Here are my favorites!!  Our family isn't the greatest about taking pictures so we actually remembered this year!!  

Brayden - 8 Months

Almost 2 weeks late...sorry!  Here are his unofficial stats.

Weight:  22lbs.
Height:  28in.

It's been a crazy busy few weeks...welcome to the Holiday season.  As far as eating goes for Brayden he's pretty predictable.  He gets milk when he wakes up and then he'll get cereal or yogurt shortly after, I usually mix some type of fruit in.  (He LOVES his yogurt!)  Then he'll get milk every 4 hours until it's dinner time and then we usually give him some type of veggie and we also cut up some fruit; apples, pears or grapes to put in his little food pouch to chew on. Then milk before bed and he's set.  He really is such a good eater... hasn't fought any thing I've tried giving him.  

The sleeping has had it's up and downs lately...not sure what's going on so we're trying a few different things.  He still goes to bed at 7:30pm, but every once in a while (like a few nights ago) he wakes up 4-6 times a night...and he just seems to be tossing and turning.  He'll have a GREAT night where he might wake up once for a diaper change, but then the next few nights aren't so good.  So we're trying to figure out what he needs to get him through the night.  We'll get there.  

Some of his firsts this month.  He said Da-Da.  Made Geoff melt into a pile of mush.  Haha.  I had told Geoff that I thought I heard Brayden say it one day and then sure enough Brayden was playing with Geoff one evening and I heard Brayden say, Da-da and then Geoff melted.  

Brayden LOVES to babble all day long and if he starts getting quiet he's either up to something or he's tired.  He's started reaching for us when he wants to be held.  It really is super cute.  

He's also started playing pick-a-boo...my goal is to get it on video soon.  But he'll cover his little face with a blanket and then pull it down.  Oh it's adorable!  He LOVES to play with Bella.  They occasionally play tug-a-war and Bella makes sure to take her toys right back to Brayden.  And then he puts them in his mouth..GROSS!  He still loves to bounce in his bouncer and loves his books, more to chew on though.  He also has a ball he likes to roll and anything think that makes noise is fascinating.  

He was army crawling (he's officially crawling now...see what happens when I forget to post my updates!) Still isn't quite sure about it though.  

It's so much fun to see little traits of Geoff and I come out in Brayden.  For example, Brayden sneezes twice...I do that.  He also sticks out his tongue when he's concentrating, Geoff does that!  Haha.  

He is just so much fun right now, I think I say that every month, but really he is so much fun!  Someone said the other day, 'Wow, I can't believe in 4 months we're going to be celebrating Brayden's 1st Birthday.' OMG!  So birthday planning has started.  :)  

  
Other November pics...

First time trying Cheerios

Wasn't his first snow...but thought this was so cute!

Daddy, Ducks and Brayden Drake

Daddy was in heaven

10 Years Ago...

10 years ago...Geoff and I started dating.  

We were Seniors in high school and that's a picture of us at my senior prom.

(Oh so young, skinny and...dorky! ha!)

It doesn't even seem possible that we've been together for 10 years.  Guess the saying is true that...time flies when you're having fun!  Of course, we've had our share of ups and downs and all-arounds...but we're here.  We're husband and wife, we're Mommy and Daddy, we're best friends, we love each other and couldn't imagine life any other way.

Here's to a lifetime to go...

  

Halloween!

Holidays are so much more fun with kids.  Oh my goodness...I felt like a kid as I was so giddy for Brayden to celebrate his first Halloween.  (And he won't even remember it!) haha!  Here's what our day looked like.

My 1st Halloween:  Frankenstein jammies...

My 1st Halloween:  Mickey Onesie

After I got him all ready we headed over to Rachel's Challenge where I met up with all my old co-workers so they could see Brayden.  They also brought their baby girls, as there were 3 other girls in the office that were pregnant when I went out on maternity leave.  And now all the babies are HERE!  (I didn't take any pictures...but if I get some, I'll post soon!)

I then took Brayden over to Primrose which is the daycare he used to go to.  The teachers of his class were great and they asked if I would bring him by for Halloween.  They were thrilled to see us and LOVED Brayden's costume.  Not going to lie...after leaving there I was feeling even more blessed that I'm a stay at home Mommy!  Whew!  It's a great daycare, but there are just so many babies in one room...I don't know how they do it!

Finally, that evening we got Brayden all bundled up and put his costume on.  Here's the big reveal!

Our little SHARK!  (cue Jaws theme music now...)

Of course, we had to have a little fun!

You can tell he's really interested...ha!

When it got dark we took Brayden to a handful of our neighbors houses, for some trick-or-treating...more so they could see him and so Geoff could get some candy.  Haha!  Overall, I'd call it a successful night!  Looking forward to many more Halloween's with our little guy! 

Fall Fun!

We've been busy doing all sorts of fun stuff these past few weeks.  So prepare for a photo dump!

We played in the leaves...

We carved pumpkins...

Our pumpkins...

We roasted pumpkin seeds...

We made (and ate) caramel apples...

 It's been a great October so far and on Halloween Eve...we're looking forward to tomorrow.  Why are holidays so much more fun when you have kids?!?!  I promise to post pictures of our little SHARK!  :)  

Brayden - 7 Months

My sweet little, big man is growing up so fast.  Please, someone...anyone?!? tell me how to make it slow down!  Let's get started with his unofficial stats.

Weight:  21lbs.
Height:  28in.

He's a growing boy!  Nothing too crazy going on this month.  In the eating department, he's nursing/getting a bottle every 3-4 hours during the day and I'm trying to implement 2 meals. Cereal in the morning and some type of veggie in the evening...but we've struggled with finding a cereal that he doesn't plug him up or that he's not allergic to.  So I'm going to try cream of wheat this week and see how that goes.  

He's still doing great as far as his sleep schedule...he goes down around 7:30pm and usually sleeps until about 7am.  He might get up once a night, but usually if I change his diaper, he'll go right back down.  Last night he slept from 7:30pm - 7:30am...straight!  I'm a happy Mommy! Let's hope that pattern continues.  :)  

Some firsts this month.  He said MA-MA.  (and Mom) I'm pretty sure he has no idea what he's referring to, but it made my day...and month and year..and life!  haha!  The first time he said it was in the middle of the night when I was changing him, he just said, 'Mom.' I just about died...but I also thought it was possible that I was hearing things because it was 3am.  haha. But the next day, he kept saying it, so I'm making it official.  And I even have a little video to prove it!  

He can also sit on his own!  If he gets too excited or tries to reach for something he'll topple over sometimes, but for the most part he can sit all by himself.  It's so crazy to see him do that, makes him look so grown up!  

He's discovered Bella and LOVES her to pieces.  He watches her every single move and when her tail wags he starts giggling, because it's just so funny!  Bella does really great with him and she'll occasionally come up to him and let him pet pull her fur out.  We couldn't be happier that she's doing so well and we're sure they're going to be best buds!  

Also, whenever I whisper in Brayden's ear, his response is to suck on my face...usually my chin. It's hilarious...and usually my laughter makes him keep doing it.  Silly baby!  He LOVES his bouncer and would literally play and bounce in it all day if we'd let him.  He hates wearing a bib and usually tries with all his might to rip it off.  He's also not really digging his carseat as of late...ugh!  We're hoping to upgrade him soon, so hopefully that'll help!  I think that's about it for October, so here are his monthly pictures and a few from October.

We're I am so excited to celebrate his 1st Halloween tomorrow!!!

Other pictures from October 2013...(I'll be creating a post with some of our Fall/Halloween festivities!)

This is how he talks now...hilarious!

Reading Halloween books

What Mom...isn't this how it's supposed to be?

Ready for Daddy's birthday dinner...in his collared shirt and Converse. 

This doesn't happen often, so Daddy was in heaven!

Are we going to do this...or what?