1 YR OLD STATS

We finally made it to the doctor yesterday for Braidy's one year well check.

Here's the rundown (again, more for me than you...because you probably don't care how much our child weighs, how long he is and how big his head is...unless you happen to be an aunt/uncle/or of course grandparent!)

Weight: 19lbs 5oz .... we bumped up to the 5th Percentile! WOoHOo!

Height: 29 inches...25th percentile

Head Circumference: Can't remember exactly..but 90th percentile.

He was a great patient and was more still than I've ever seen him be. I didn't know he was capable of that! What a sweet boy he is! Despite the 3 shots (OUCH!) he did great!

P-A-R-T-Y!!

What a whirlwind of a weekend!!! THis weekend was so much fun! Thursday night, Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Bob came in town from Louisiana! Ryan showed them Texas Tech, and some of Lubbock on the way home from the airport. They were impressed with our town. I think they thought it would be a podunk town! We went to eat at Abuelo's and enjoyed visiting. Friday was BRaidy's birthday! We went to lunch at Spanky's (we thought they needed to experience the FRIED CHEESE!) and then hung out at the house waiting on Nena, Pops, Uncle Todd, and Aunt Marci to arrive, and Aunt Jess, Uncle Chris, and Aunt Rach came in town also! We celebrated the BIG FIRST BIRTHDAY not once, but twice! Ryan's family and my family came over for steaks for dinner. Braidy had a birthday cupcake and loved playing in it and squishing it in between his fingers. Saturday was the big celebration. We had a couple pools, a big water slide, hot dogs, cake, all the goodies! Lots of Braidy's friends came and we had such a great time. Braidy absolutely loved his party. HE was so happy the whole time. He is a lucky little boy to have so many people who love him and who spoil him rotten! Thank you to everyone who came from near and far to help Braidy celebrate his first year!! Here are some pictures of the weekend with friends and family!

Birthday Cupcake, thrilled everyone is singing to him!

A VERY tired birthday boy!!!

Braidy and sweet Jorja!

Little Crockett goes swimming!

Johnny and Ava swimming in the "big kid pool"

Braidy in his pool!

So the trunks were a tad big...but cute none the less!

Present time!

My cake table with pictures!

"Happy Birthday to Braidy!"

Time to DIG IN!

OOOOOO This is FUN and tastes GOOD!

Sleepy Again! Ouch...cake in the eyes...and nose...and ears....

Oooooh what a MESS I am!

After a bath, all clean in my new "Braidy" chair!

One Year Old!

Today has finally come. It seems like it was just yesterday we were in the hospital awaiting the big arrival of our sweet baby boy. I cannot comprehend how a year can fly by so quickly. It is definitely bittersweet. Sweet because Braidy just gets more fun and more fun every single day. Bitter because he is growing up so fast, and I feel like it will just get faster from here on out! This past year has been the best of my life. I love this little man so so much, I can't even put into words how much I love him. His hugs are heart-melting. His smiles are 100% contagious. His laugh will brighten even the darkest of days. Braidy, thank you for bringing an enormous amount of joy into our lives. We love you so much and look forward to year number 2! Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Boy! We love you! Here are some of the FABULOUS pictures we had made for his first birthday...courtesy of Christiane Wheatley Photography!!! What a treasure these pictures are!

Eleven Months!

Our baby turned ELEVEN months old yesterday. I cannot believe that this time next month (which will go by in the blink of an eye) we will be having a BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! I am overwhelmed when I think about him being one year old. Wow, it all goes by so quickly, I can't even comprehend it. I really still think he should be a few months old, a tiny baby who depends on me for everything. Although he is still dependent, he is becoming SO independent also. He really doesn't like me to feed him food with a spoon anymore. He will eat a TON more if he gets to feed himself. He plays independently all of the time. I will look down for 2 seconds and he is gone. Usually he is in the kitchen pulling towels out of drawers or throwing his magnet alphabet off of the fridge. Or he might be in the dining room staring out the huge window into the backyard, watching the birds, Scout, John, or whoever might be out there. He is still a little squirt, but I think he is looking much more "little boyish" than baby lately. Tear. I love it though...and since I have been home for the past couple of weeks, I have soaked up every second of this sweet boy and I am so thankful for that! I love this little man so so so much!!!

9 months/4 years

We took the boys to get their pictures made on Saturday, and I think they turned out cute (They're no Christiane Wheatley or Denae Hutson, but cute none the less!) We took John for his 4 year old pictures and Braidy for his 9-month pictures. Here are a few of our favorites! They both look So big!!!

N-I-N-E!

My little man turned NINE months old today....here are 9 thoughts about Mr. Braidy!

1. still no crawling...he REALLY wants to but he just doesn't go. He can turn in circles and roll...

2. He can still wear 0-3 month shorts and 3-6 month clothes...but can also wear some 9 month clothes...???

3. He is a huge FLIRT!

4. He loves to eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!!!!!

5. He has 3 teeth on the bottom and one on the top...the one on the top is a side tooth...a fang, if you will.

6. He has a new trick where he clicks his tongue and thinks it is the coolest thing EVER.

7. His favorite word and only word is DA-DA (daddy doesn't like this at all! ha!)

8. Bathtime is still his favorite time of the day, only now he likes to splash and get all the water out onto the floor!

9. He is the happiest and sweetest little man in the world. He brings more joy to our lives than we thought possible!

Happy 8 Month Old Birthday!!

My baby turned 8 months old yesterday. We had a mini photo shoot outside because it was beautiful and I need practice! I got a few great shots... although he was way more interested in playing with the dead grass than looking up at the camera! Now I know why photographers have squeaky toys when dealing with kids!

This is just the most fun age. His little personality shines more and more everyday. He constantly laughs at us, and especially at Johnny. He has one tooth on the bottom, but more are on their way any day now. The teething process is not very fun... we are revisiting the "newborn-waking-up-multiple-times-a-night" stuff. I must say I don't miss that part of having a newborn! He4 sits up very sturdy. He gets on all 4's and rocks, but no crawling yet. He thinks he can fly instead of having to crawl. So far it hasn't worked. He loves bananas. He will eat the entire thing all by himself. We just love our little man so much, and I cannot believe how fast it is all going right before my eyes.

HAPPY 8 MONTH OLD BIRTHDAY, B!!!

SEVEN MONTHS OLD!

Happy 7 Month Birthday to ME!
Happy 7 Month Birthday to ME!
Happy 7 Month Birthday to Braidy!
Happy 7 Month Birthday to ME!!!!

I absolutely love this stage. Constant smiles, laughing, talking, it just doens't get much sweeter than that. Braidy is growing like a weed, but seems to still be a little guy to me. He sure does love his baby food...well, everything BUT peas. I think his favorite is squash and pears. He is finally sleeping through the night from about 7 until 5 or 6, and then will go back to sleep after eating until it's time to wake up at 7 or so. I can handle that and will not complain! He is not crawling yet but he will get up on his knees or hands (not really both yet) and just rock and rock and rock....and then bury his face in the ground. Before I know it we will be planning his first "real" birthday party. Oooooh I am so not ready for that!!!

6 Months and More!

Happy 6 Month Birthday to ME!

Happy 6 Month Birthday to ME!

Happy 6 Month Birthday to Braidy!

Happy 6 Month Birthday to ME!

Yesterday was his actual "6 Month Birthday" but yesterday was a crazy busy day, so blogging did not get on the top 10 things to do list. My apologies. I can't believe he is 1/2 of a year old. Wow time goes by fast. I know this month will go quickly too, so I hope to savor every sweet second of it.

We went to Wichita Falls for the day to meet my aunt, uncle and cousins from Oklahoma at Jess and Chris'. We had a great time, ate some great food, played some Wii, and painted some in Crockett's nursery (pictures to follow). John LOVED feeding and going to see the horse. He wanted to take him home with us. Braidy had fun being held all day by everyone. LuLu decided that we needed to get candles to have a "1/2 birthday party". B got his first taste of ice cream, and he liked it alot! He better just wait, the cake in 6 more months is going to be heaven on Earth to him!

John's first experience with RIBS!!!

Our sweet 6 month old!

John and Aunt Jess feeding the horse!

Here's a sneak peek of my nephew's nursery! CUTE CUTE!

The Whole Group!

John and Daddy playing some MARIO KART!

The guys Wii-ing!