Thanksgiving 2012 {Part 1}

I better get this up before Christmas gets here.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents, like we do most years.  This was a fun year because it was Brady's FIRST Thanksgiving!  Not sure he really knew what was going on but either way, it was still exciting.

Wednesday we headed north, not realizing how horrific traffic would be.  Note to self: don't travel the evening before Thanksgiving.  Brady did good considering the really long car ride.

I tried getting a picture (with my phone) of my little turkey on Thanksgiving and this is what I got.  Such a ham!

 Bless his heart....no personality!

 Finally a kind of decent one...

 

This is the 2nd time I've found Brady helping himself to an apple.  Perfect for a teething baby boy. ha!  He is a hoot!

At Mimi's house there are all kinds of toys.  For boys and girls since we have lots of girl cousins.  Brady was really interested in one of the dolls.  It was so funny.  He picked her over and even gave her a kiss!

 I just love his facial expressions.  Like what in the world...

Thursday we had lunch around 1.  Brady got to partake in the Thanksgiving feast.  We had ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, mac n cheese, cranberries, and rolls.  For dessert, we had different pies and my mom made a delicious pumpkin dessert called pumpkin crunch cake.  It was so good and I think it will be a must have dessert from here on out.

 

I can't say Brady loved the meal.  Lately he's turned into a kind of picky eater.  Things he normally loves, he isn't interested in.  But we gave it the good ol' college try for his 1st Thanksgiving.  And I can say that he at least tried everything we put on his tray.  Turkey, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, cornbread dressing and green beans.

 

  

Let's get real...he did LOVE the mac n cheese.  He is his father's child ;) Papa sat with B. at the kids table.  I remember eating at the "kids table" as a kid.  To fun!

We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around, eating again and just enjoying each others company.  And maybe ate a 3rd piece of pumpkin crunch cake! ;)







B. enjoyed his cousins pushing him around on the plasma car.  He loved that thing!  Watch out cousins on the go...

These pictures really do melt my heart.  Such precious moments.

I couldn't be more thankful for my little family.  I have one incredible husband who loves me so much and is one amazing father to B. And of course we are so thankful for the miracle of life, our precious son.  I have so much to be thankful for.

My sweet family on Thanksgiving.  B's first Thanksgiving.

Friday, we ended up taking Brady to his first trip to the zoo.  So up next...Thanksgiving part 2: Trip to the Zoo.

11 Months

Last Friday, Brady turned 11 months.

How could this be?  How could we be ONE month away from him turning one????  Just a bit sad about that.

He is changing so much these days and amazes us each day with something new.  His little personality is totally shining through and I am so in love, even more if that's even possible.

This is such a fun age!  Here's what he has been up to...

Weight:  I'm guessing 17.5 or 18lbs.
Height:  28 inches
Size 3 diaper
Size 4 shoe
Wearing 9-12 month clothes, some 6 month pants
Have 8 teeth, working on 2 more teeth coming in

You still nurse 3-4 times a day.  And eat lots in between.  Some days you eat great, others not so much.  Some of your favorites are chicken (tenders), mac and cheese, diced cherry tomatoes, pancakes/waffles, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, white bean hummus (your favorite) with wheat crackers, and toddler cookies.  You drink water at meals and occasionally an ounce or 2 of organic 2% milk in a sippy cup.  Never any juice! 

 

Takes 2 naps, one around 9:30 and another one at 3pm.  The morning nap is your longest normally about 2 hours and afternoon nap an hour to hour and half.  You always fight your afternoon nap!  But you are so good about napping and you can definitely tell the days that we don't get both your naps.

You still aren't sleeping through the night.  But we aren't complaining, I know I'll miss those late night feedings come soon enough.  You normally go to bed around 8 or 9 and sleep a good 4-5 hours, if not longer than wake up to feed or really be close to momma.  You wake up anywhere from 7-8 in the morning.  You are always so happy in the morning!  When you wake up and see daddy you will immediately say, "hi!" - it is the sweetest!

You are very social, when you want to be.  When we are out, you will say "Hi!" or "buh buh." and often times wave.

 

You are chatty-cathy!  You love to talk and sing.  Often times in the car when I have the radio on (normally K-Love) I'll hear you singing along in the backseat.  It melts my heart and makes me a proud momma!  I hope you will forever sing praises to your Creator.  You are saying more and more words, which I love. 

Words you say & know what they mean: 
-mama
-dog
-hi
-hey
-side (for outside)
-dada
and you will say "aaaaaaa" which is what we say as Aggies.  Yes, we are very proud parents ;)

 

You are starting to repeat sounds that we make so I think your vocabulary will be forever expanding and quickly.

Walking...you are standing up more on your own and really thinking about walking.  You can take a step or 2 by yourself if you are "cruising" from one thing to another.  Like the couch to the ottoman.  But you still prefer crawling, probably because you are really good at it.  You are one fast crawler.  And love to "run" from us.  Silly boy!

Speaking of being silly.  You are an absolute JOY!  You are always laughing, playing, and wanting us to play with you.  Daddy often plays chase with you, where he will chase you while you crawl throughout the house.  Your laugh is the sweetest sound I've ever heard.  I wish I could bottle it up!  You still love to play "where's Brady?" - your version on "peek-a-boo."  Your favorite place to play it is in the bathroom with the shower curtain.

You LOVE Reno and Coco.  You also love to share your food with them.  But you get so excited when you see them on the couch and often try to play with them.  They are so good with you and Reno loves when you pet him, softly.  You actually do a great job of being sweet and petting with "soft hands."

You still love bathtime.  You get a bath every single night before bed.  You love to splash the water and knock all the bottles off the tub ledge into the water...over and over.  You do not like when bathtime ends.

This is such a fun age and you are getting so easy to take places.  Minus long shopping trips and restaurants.  But what else can we expect for a very active little boy.  You will squeal the loudest squeal or shriek I've ever heard.  It's almost ear piecing.  So we are working on using a soft voice...I'm hoping this is just a phase.

You love to independent play, as much as you love us to play with you.  You will sit and play for a good amount of time by yourself.  Which I love, mostly because I love to watch you.  Watching your little mind work blesses my heart.  Your favorite toys are your push around train, the Bumbo seat, a small wire whisk, anything you can push around on the floor/carpet (like paper plates or the wipes box).

You also love to look "side" or outside.  I'm so glad we have windows that are right at your level.

I still can't believe you are 11 months old but I love every bit of you to pieces!  You are our heart's delight and we are so thankful that God chose us as your parents.  Your daddy and I are so in love with you and love you more and more with each passing day.

We think you simply hung the moon and pray God will use your life in a big way, whatever or where ever He leads up.  We hope you live and love BIG for Him!

SURPRISE! My 30th Birthday

Friday was a rough day.  We had plans to go to dinner with a good friend of mine who's birthday is 4 days after mine.  We are both turning the BIG 3-0.  After keeping a friends' baby I was worn out from the day and just wanted to curl up on the couch and veg.

That didn't happen.  Instead we loaded up and headed to Brewster's.  As I walk in I saw a sea of people.  People I know and love.  My in-laws, 2 close family friends, and all my precious friends were waiting for me, ready to celebrate this milestone of a birthday.

Yes, there were tears.  Lots of tears.  I was overcome with emotion seeing how I've never had a surprise party and secretly have always wanted one.  It was a dream come true.  Surround by the ones who I love.  Hubby knows what a huge deal birthdays are to me.  I love birthdays!!  And this one just so happened to be extra special.



All thanks to my amazing husband!  So thankful for him and it's a night I will never forget!!

 Momma Robyn :)

 Sweetest friend ever!  Eva

Miss her so much.  Amy

LOVE these girls!

 Lacy, Nicki, Me, Eva, Grace, & Robyn

 Stefanie...like a sister.

 Best friends for life.

 Grace was a lil' trooper!

 Ohhh be still my heart.  My baby boy!

 Sweet friend Lacy

And the crazy begins...my friends are.crazy.

 Don't judge.  You only turn 30 once...and with friends like mine - you don't say no.  ha!  Coming from someone who hasn't drank in almost 2 years...wow!

The other party planner and great friend.  Love her to pieces.

It was one unforgettable night and I am forever thankful to those who made it so special!  I feel so very loved!

I actually turn 30 tomorrow...here's to another year and a new decade!

I'm not ready.

There are lots of things in life, I feel unprepared for.  Nothing can prepare for what motherhood will be like.  Sure people can tell you and give you a glimpse of what it's like for them but it will in no way prepare for what it will really be like, for yourself.  And often people tell you only the things that are not so good.  Like how you'll never sleep again or kiss all your sleep goodbye.

While yes that is somewhat true seeing how Brady has yet to start sleeping through the night, it pales in comparison to what motherhood does bring to the table.

In two short days, Brady will turn 11 months old.  How?  I am not ready.

It seems that as each month passes I am in disbelief.  How could it go by so quickly?  I'm not ready.

And with each passing month, he reaches another milestone.  Or does something that just amazes me.  Which only screams how quickly he is growing up.

Yet, I'm still not ready.

I want to hold on to that sweet 7lb 4oz little boy that I brought into this world almost a year ago.  I don't want to forget how tiny he was or how he was almost taken to NICU due to fluid in his lungs.  I don't want to forget the miracle of life that turned our us into a family of three.

I just want to relish in those moments.  For that is what motherhood is about, not that Brady still doesn't sleep through the night or that

It is about your heart overflowing with pride and joy as you watch him take not one, but two steps all on his own like he did just this morning.  Or how when he learns something new, like being able to steer or navigate this little push around train.  Or when he sees someone he knows to say "hi!" in the sweetest little voice ever.

Even when I'm not ready.  Not ready to let go and accept that he is in fact growing up, right before our eyes.

At lightening speed, it seems.

There is nothing that can compare your heart or your head for what motherhood will be like.  It is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions and while I don't want to admit it, I know this is only the beginning.

But there is one thing I can say, it is better than I ever could imagine.  This is why we decided as a family that I would stay home.  These are the moments that make sacrificing money or a career so worth it.

Being his mom is one of the greatest blessings ever.  I am in awe of our Creator who created Brady, before I even knew it.

And it is a gentle reminder, that God never leaves out the details.  He knew what this momma's heart needed today.

These are the moments, days I live for.  Even if I'm not ready for them.