"Shimming Yessins"

For those of you still trying to figure out the title, Braidy and I have been taking Mommy N Me SWIMMING LESSONS for the past 2 weeks at Tech. It was a semi-last minute decision to do it, but I am SO glad we did. He has loved every second of it and has done SO well. He is definitely my fearless child. All the other parents comment about him being a "Swimming Prodigy"..."the next Michael Phelps"..well that's sweet and all, and yes, makes me proud, but I think he'll be more of a crazy stunt diver or something that just takes crazy guts. While all the other kids/babies in our class are crying because they got dipped under the water, Braidy is trying to push my hands off of him so he can swim "by myself". Ahh. He loves him some water, that's for sure!

He has learned how to do scoops with his hands, kick his feet, blow mad bubbles, float on his back (with assistance of course), jump and swim to momma, go touch the bottom of the pool, and swim underwater. His favorite part is when we go under the bridge and float on our backs while singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...he sings that song ALL day long and it's the most precious thing my ears have ever heard.

Today was the last day and we had a "fun day" where the kids could do whatever they wanted. We played in the splash fountains, the lazy river that wasn't so lazy, it was pretty fast! He also jumped off the diving board twice, and loved it. Too fun!We've had a fun two weeks at "shimming yessins" and can't wait to do it again next summer!

Picture Day!

I know every mommy thinks every picture of their baby is 100% precious, but these new pictures we had made last week just melt my heart. I could look through all 180 pictures all day and just laugh and smile. Christiane Wheatley took these for us and I could not love them anymore. We did them for Braidy's second birthday, and for one last photo shoot of just the 2 of them before baby brother comes along! I think Braidy looks like such a little man in these, and John looks like a high school football player! They are both growing up so fast. I love pictures. These really capture who they are right now and I LOVE that!!! Here are just a few of my favorites....I'd like to put all 180 on here, but that might be a tad excessive!

Nena and Pops Camp II

A few weeks ago, Braidy and John went to Houston to spend a week with Pops and Nena and Uncle Bubby while daddy and mommy stayed home to MOVE into our new home! It was a huge help having them out of the house while we did all of that, and I know they had a WONDERFUL time in Houston. We talked to them at least once a day, and they were always doing something fun!

They went swimming everyday,


they went to the Houston Children's Museum,


went to Chuck-E-Cheeze,


ate pickles and watermelon,


helped Nena make meatballs,

played play-doh,

painted,

went for rides on poor Mustang,

caught lizards,

just hung out



and were just loved and spoiled all week long. Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Bob, Megan and Granny even got to come visit for a couple of days. I know the boys are already looking forward to going back!

the big 0-2!

This past Saturday, Braidy turned TWO years old. I seriously felt like it was a couple of months ago that we were celebrating him turning one. Time only seems to speed up. We had a busy and eventful weekend, so I will try my best to capture it all!

Friday night, Poppa and JJ came over along with Aunt Jess, Aunt Rach and Crockett to start the weekend of celebration off. We had pizza from Orlando's and the boys just played and played. Poppa and John played catch and everyone played on the trampoline. We had a great time just hanging out!





Saturday (BIRTHDAY) morning, we made birthday pancakes and he got to blow out 2 candles, which he loved! We've been practicing singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles for a while now, so he's a pro!




We decided to have a "Bug" Birthday party this year. The kids took their bug catchers and went on a bug hunt, we played in the backyard, ate yummy trailmix, had cupcakes with bugs on top, and "kinda" opened presents. Braidy didn't exactly love his party this year. I think he was running low on sleep and a little overwhelmed with everything all at the same time. Sleepy + Overwhelmed = Meltdown(s). He was the happiest when everyone was just playing in the backyard, where he could do his own thing. He was the unhappiest when it was time to open gifts. He made it through a couple and then meltdown #1 happened. He wanted nothing to do with the presents..so I got to finish for him. He did enjoy blowing out his candles on his cupcake. Major meltdown #2 happened when it was time to give his friends their "S'more favors"...he did NOT want to let anyone else have one, I guess he thought they were all his. Besides those 2 instances, we had a great time and really enjoyed all of our family and friends coming to help us celebrate another birthday for our little man.









After the party, all of the family stayed around to visit. Braidy, Crockett, and John played in the water, suds, drank DP, ate lots more trail mix, and just had fun playing with each other....and the adults had fun watching and laughing at them playing together...they sure are funny.





Sunday for lunch, Nena and Pops cooked a WONDERFUL birthday lunch consisting of fried shrimp, salad, potatoes and corn. Lulu and Papaw, Crockett, Jess and Chris all came over to enjoy lunch with us. We had a great feast with even greater company!

This 2nd year has just been as joyful as the first one. I love watching you grow and learn new things daily. I love hearing new words and phrases come out of your little mouth...."DOH MAN!" is a favorite these days, as well as "I want Docor Peppah". You say 7 and 8 word sentences that make me laugh daily. You love asking questions as a 2 year old. "What you say, Momma" when you don't hear what I said, or if you don't understand something "What that mean, momma?" Another question we hear about 100 times a day is "What Dooooooin, momma?" or "What Doooooooin, daddy?" You are still very social and love being around your friends. We moved you into a big boy bed a couple of weeks ago, and you're doing pretty good. Better than expected, anyways! You're growing up right before our eyes, and I love the opportunity to watch it everyday, all day. There's nothing better than being your mommy and daddy!!!! We love you SO much, Mr. Braidy Spencer! I cannot wait to see what year #3 holds for you. I know it will be just as special as the first two.

At his 2 year well-check today he weighed 24 lbs and was 33 inches long...5th percentile in weight (up from 3rd!) and 35th percentile for height.