Well I finished my second grad class this past week! So 8 more to go! I also have some big news for Drew....he got a new job! His boss was retiring, and he was a little bummed when he heard this, because he had only been at this job about 10 months, and was hoping she would wait another year or two so he would have more experience. But he decided to interview anyway. He beat out about 8 others who were older and had lots more experience. We were so pleasantly surprised that he got the job! He starts tomorrow as the team leader of the Lexington Health Department!
Drew's sister, Audra, is in law school (getting ready to start her third year) and she has spent the summer interning at JAG in Chicago. Last weekend Drew and I went with his parents to Chicago to visit and sight see. Brayden stayed with Krisi and my mom and dad for two nights. This was the longest I had ever been away from him, but I knew he would be ok. The trip was great! It was jam packed, and we went to a Chicago deep dish pizza place, rode the train into town (I admire how Audra lives in the big city, it makes me nervous), walked around, did a bus tour, visited Navy Pier, and went to a Cubs game. This was my first trip to Chicago, and I wante dmore time to see it all, but was so ready to see my baby! Brayden did really well, and loved being spoiled by his favorites. I enjoyed Chicago, but it made me appreciate living in Georgetown.
This past week we went back to the Children's Museum with Brooke, Ella, Sarah, and Ivy. IT was so cute to see the kids play together, and they all had so much fun. It was also a good chance to get to see my friends before school starts.
This weekend we got to visit with Lynsie Robert and Emmie. They came in from Owensboro. I couldn't get over how chubby and happy Emmie Kate was! It made me miss Brayden at that age, and really verified how much I do want another baby in the future. Friday night we ate at Giovanni's pizza, Saturday went to the water park (which they loved) and then the park that night. I wish they lived closer, because we always enjoy our time together.
I start back to work TOMORROW! :( It hasn't really hit me yet! We have training eveyr day but Wednesday, and then the kids start next Monday.....I have LOVED my summer home.
Updates with Brayden:
*Lots of trouble sleeping due to molars coming in
*literally climbs in your lap with the same two books over and over (Opposite book and counting book)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rounding Out the Summer
So I am extremely sad that my summer break is quickly coming to a close. I have VERY much enjoyed it though!
We have spent some time in Sadieville playing with Brooke and Ella. Brayden loves going over to their house, and playing with all of Ella's toys. We walked down to the park in Sadieville, and they are too cute running all over the equipment.
Yesterday my mom, my grandma and I took Brayden to the LExington Children's Musuem. I was a little nervous, because I didn't know if it would have anything he would be real into, but he loved it!! I am so sad I didn't bring my camera in, but we will definitely go back! He enjoyed the music area where he walked on a Big size keyboard, loved the bubble room, and there was even an area for kids under three with a water table and fountain, a train station, and a little tree house for them to climb in and slide down. Brayden does think he is big though, and participated in many of the other big kids stuff too. It was a great experience!
Brayden is quickly turning into a toddler.
His biggest changes:
*He runs in place when he gets excited or mad...hilarious!
*Loves playing peekaboo with himself...lcovering his face up
*He has become SOOO loveable! He constantly gives hugs, and blows kisses. He loves to love other kids, and babies in his books.
*He now LOVES his books...turnig the pages and pointing.
*He explores our street by walking up on porches adn seeing what each person has on their porch.
Funny Brayden story of how he is growing up...
He constantly wants to get in the dog food, and he was trying one night and we looked at him and yelled, "NO!" He pointed his little chubby finger and us and yelled back, "DOH!!" So not funny that he was being bad, but we turned our heads and laughed!
We have spent some time in Sadieville playing with Brooke and Ella. Brayden loves going over to their house, and playing with all of Ella's toys. We walked down to the park in Sadieville, and they are too cute running all over the equipment.
Yesterday my mom, my grandma and I took Brayden to the LExington Children's Musuem. I was a little nervous, because I didn't know if it would have anything he would be real into, but he loved it!! I am so sad I didn't bring my camera in, but we will definitely go back! He enjoyed the music area where he walked on a Big size keyboard, loved the bubble room, and there was even an area for kids under three with a water table and fountain, a train station, and a little tree house for them to climb in and slide down. Brayden does think he is big though, and participated in many of the other big kids stuff too. It was a great experience!
Brayden is quickly turning into a toddler.
His biggest changes:
*He runs in place when he gets excited or mad...hilarious!
*Loves playing peekaboo with himself...lcovering his face up
*He has become SOOO loveable! He constantly gives hugs, and blows kisses. He loves to love other kids, and babies in his books.
*He now LOVES his books...turnig the pages and pointing.
*He explores our street by walking up on porches adn seeing what each person has on their porch.
Funny Brayden story of how he is growing up...
He constantly wants to get in the dog food, and he was trying one night and we looked at him and yelled, "NO!" He pointed his little chubby finger and us and yelled back, "DOH!!" So not funny that he was being bad, but we turned our heads and laughed!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Family News!
Well our family had a big weekend! Friday we went to Jessamine County to see Sarah, Greg, and Ivy's new house! It was so nice, and the babies enjoyed playing. We ate pizza, and enjoyed their backyard. It is a little far, but I think we can manage some get togethers at the mall which is the mid-way point.
Megan, my middle sister, got engaged on Friday night! We are so excited. Her and Garrett plan to get married next May, and Brayden will be the ring bearer!
We are still having issues with church and not knowing what to do. Brayden naps in between both services so that he is unable to go to either. Even if we did work our nap time, he refuses to stay in the nursery longer than 10 minutes without either one of us. So...we have been taking turns going to church while the other stays home with B while he naps. I hate this, but not much else we can do!
Monday my mom and I took Brayden to the mall to get some new shoes. This is really the first time I have worried with nice shoes, because he just has really started walking well. This was actually the first time I had taken Brayden to the mall since he was a newborn, because it never really worked with naps and it is so not close to our house. Now that he has more time in between, we made the trip. He loved eating at the food court and staring at all the other people. He did pretty well in the shoe store, and got a pair of tennis shoes and brown shoes for the fall. Then he went and played in the play area. It was alittle difficult at first, because it doesn't have a gate, so he kept wanting to run out into the mall area. ONce he got the hang of it he was running and climbing and making friends. He is definitely a ladies man!
Tuesday Drew was off work, and we went to Southland pool. It was SO nice for him. There was a whole baby area with wheels and fountains and slides, and even a playground. He did pretty well, but is teething with his molars so a little fussy.
Today we went to play with Jenny and Alexis. Brayden loves going to their house and playing in her play room. He especially loves the keyboard she has!
My class is going pretty well- working on a research paper. Say a prayer for Drew- he has a big interview this week. His boss retired and he is getting an interview for the position. It is highly unlikely he would get it, but he is definitely going to try!
Megan, my middle sister, got engaged on Friday night! We are so excited. Her and Garrett plan to get married next May, and Brayden will be the ring bearer!
We are still having issues with church and not knowing what to do. Brayden naps in between both services so that he is unable to go to either. Even if we did work our nap time, he refuses to stay in the nursery longer than 10 minutes without either one of us. So...we have been taking turns going to church while the other stays home with B while he naps. I hate this, but not much else we can do!
Monday my mom and I took Brayden to the mall to get some new shoes. This is really the first time I have worried with nice shoes, because he just has really started walking well. This was actually the first time I had taken Brayden to the mall since he was a newborn, because it never really worked with naps and it is so not close to our house. Now that he has more time in between, we made the trip. He loved eating at the food court and staring at all the other people. He did pretty well in the shoe store, and got a pair of tennis shoes and brown shoes for the fall. Then he went and played in the play area. It was alittle difficult at first, because it doesn't have a gate, so he kept wanting to run out into the mall area. ONce he got the hang of it he was running and climbing and making friends. He is definitely a ladies man!
Tuesday Drew was off work, and we went to Southland pool. It was SO nice for him. There was a whole baby area with wheels and fountains and slides, and even a playground. He did pretty well, but is teething with his molars so a little fussy.
Today we went to play with Jenny and Alexis. Brayden loves going to their house and playing in her play room. He especially loves the keyboard she has!
My class is going pretty well- working on a research paper. Say a prayer for Drew- he has a big interview this week. His boss retired and he is getting an interview for the position. It is highly unlikely he would get it, but he is definitely going to try!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Family Update
Well I have so loved having the summer to spend with my sweet baby. June we did a lot of traveling, and it has been nice to have some time at home.
Brayden and I have had fun meeting up with friends to play with. We have spent time with Brooke and Ella eating and playing. We have been hanging out with Jennifer Wright (a girl I teach with) and her two year old Parker. We met Andrea today for lunch, and are going to visit Sarah and Greg and Ivy on Friday.
Monday Drew and I went out for his birthday. He turned 26! We went to eat at Old CHicago and it was yummy! Greg and Laurel and Megan and Garrett met us there.
In a few weeks Drew and I are heading for the weekend to Chicago where Drew's sister Audra is working for the summer. We are going with his parents, to visit, sight see, and go to a Cubs game. I am super excited because I have never been but also nervous about leaving my boy. He has only spent one night away from us!
Updates with Drew:
*Still working at Lexington Health Department
*Playing softball two nights a week
Updates with me:
*Started a 4 week grad class, and writing papers for that
*Think I am NOW teaching a 1/2 split class next year
Updates with Brayden:
He is developing SO MUCH!!
*He has gotten so much personality! When he gets excited he lets out this really loud belly laugh that sounds like an old man. It cracks me up. He belly laughs when he is served his meals, when we go to the park, run through the sprinkler, when Drew pulls up after being at work, and when he gets to watch his video.
*He is running everywhere. It is crazy to me that he just started walking well not too long ago, and now he is all over the place!
*Still takes two naps a day...usually around 10 and 2.
*Still wakes up in the night- usually five times a week. We can normally get hiim back to sleep pretty easily.
Brayden and I have had fun meeting up with friends to play with. We have spent time with Brooke and Ella eating and playing. We have been hanging out with Jennifer Wright (a girl I teach with) and her two year old Parker. We met Andrea today for lunch, and are going to visit Sarah and Greg and Ivy on Friday.
Monday Drew and I went out for his birthday. He turned 26! We went to eat at Old CHicago and it was yummy! Greg and Laurel and Megan and Garrett met us there.
In a few weeks Drew and I are heading for the weekend to Chicago where Drew's sister Audra is working for the summer. We are going with his parents, to visit, sight see, and go to a Cubs game. I am super excited because I have never been but also nervous about leaving my boy. He has only spent one night away from us!
Updates with Drew:
*Still working at Lexington Health Department
*Playing softball two nights a week
Updates with me:
*Started a 4 week grad class, and writing papers for that
*Think I am NOW teaching a 1/2 split class next year
Updates with Brayden:
He is developing SO MUCH!!
*He has gotten so much personality! When he gets excited he lets out this really loud belly laugh that sounds like an old man. It cracks me up. He belly laughs when he is served his meals, when we go to the park, run through the sprinkler, when Drew pulls up after being at work, and when he gets to watch his video.
*He is running everywhere. It is crazy to me that he just started walking well not too long ago, and now he is all over the place!
*Still takes two naps a day...usually around 10 and 2.
*Still wakes up in the night- usually five times a week. We can normally get hiim back to sleep pretty easily.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Myrtle Beach
(Pics to come later)
So this year we went with Blake and Lauren and Caleb to Myrtle Beach for a week!
The guys drove down with all the stuff, and Lauren and I flew with the boys. The flight down was a little hectic, with having to wait in security for an hour, and getting to our gate five minutes before the plane left. (See bottom for things I learned about flying with a toddler.) We made it safe to Myrtle Beach.
We stayed in a condo complex that was SUPER nice. It was called Ocean Keyes, and it had several buildings, five pools with baby pools and hottubs. We were a five minute walk to the beach, and a ten minute walk to a park with a toddler playground. Lauren and Blake took the big room and Caleb slept in his packnplay in the walk in closet. (I know it sounds terrible but he slept great in there! :) Drew and I had our own room, and Brayden was in his pack n play in the kid room. There was a big kitchen, living room, and a screened in porch.
The boys had gone grocery shopping, and we ate all but three of our dinners in the condo. This saved us a ton of money, and hassle without having to worry about the boys in a restaurant.
We got into a routine daily. We would go to the beach in the morning. Brayden liked the sand a little. The ocean he HATED. He would walk up to it, and the minute the waves would take the sand from under his feet he would scream. So then when we go to the beach he would immediately start running towards the street. Since we traveled so far to come to the beach we did go several times, but it never lasted long! I got to swim in it one day and it was so nice!
We would then have nap time, and lunch and then head to the pool. The pool was SO nice as well. It was warm, almost too warm! The boys went between the baby pool and the big pool in their floats. Then it was another nap, and we would wait and have dinner.
Three nights we went out to dinner. This was the only time we ate out! We went to Dick's Last Resort which is hilarious! They put hats on you with crude sayings, and throw stuff at you and are generally rude to where it is funny. The boys enjoyed it because it was loud. We went to a Brick Oven Pizza place one night that was yummy, and to a Buffet. (I am totally not a buffet fan, but that is what the Drew and Blake wanted so we went.) Brayden actually loved it because he could have as much as he wanted!
We usually went to the park after dinner for the boys to play. This park was kind of hidden, but I was asking around for a playground, and someone told me about the park. It had a walking trail, pond, and a toddler playground. It had teeter totters for babies, slides, swings, tubes, trains, airplanes. They LOVED it. It was something easy and fun for the boys to do.
Then the boys would go to bed, and we would stay up playing cards and games on the porch. We got the game Partini and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun new game!
One afternoon Lauren and I went shopping at the outlets, and the boys went the next day. We went to Barefoot Landing one night (which has restaurants, shops, and boardwalks) and the boys rode the carousel and walked around there.
Caleb and Brayden were hilarious together. There were definitely hard times when Caleb would scream for fun which would make Brayden scream and cry and they would do it over and over usually in the car. Caleb is also used to older kids taking toys from him so he took advantage of being around a younger baby and took anything Brayden had. Brayden did pretty well, and it was a good learning experience for all! By the third day they realized that they could be friends, and enjoyed running in the condo together. Caleb would hide in the blinds, and Brayden would find him and they thought this was hilarious. They went out of the room and it got quiet, and I found them splashing in the toliet. They generally loved running from room to room together and yelling baby talk at one another. It was so sweet to see our boys play and it made me sad to see how big they are getting.
The last day we went to the airport and Blake and Drew dropped us off. After waiting for our flight we learn that it has been cancelled. I was a stress ball to begin with and it sent me over the edge, I was crying and Brayden was crying. After waiting in a huge line we go back to the ticket line and they tell us that they booked us for a flight the next night. All of our stuff was in the car with the boys on their way home so I told them this was impossible. They send us in a van taxi two hours to Charleston and fly us home from there. Thankfully being upset got us home that night! Brayden went all day with about a 20 minute nap, and we made it home!
Besides the airport experience, we had a wonderful trip! It is so great to have friends to spend time with, and time with Drew and Brayden all together.
Things I learned on this trip:
1. Flying is not single parent friendly- nearly impossible
*I had to pack a survival backpack with bottles and toys and books, have Brayden in his stroller. They make you take the child out of the stroller and put it up for security. They pull you aside and test all of your juice.
*The survival bag kept getting taken away from me by flight attendants because they said you couldn't have anything at your feet-which defeated its' purpose.
*One seat isn't big enough for the two of you. Last year Brayden was 8 weeks old when I flew, and he slept on me. This year he was wanting to climb all over me and my poor neighbors.
*MOST people are very understanding and nice. Some are not.
*Lines are ridiculous. crazy.
2. Putting two one year olds together in the back seat of the car side by side might seem cute, but not a good idea
3. Having good friends on a trip makes it more fun!
So this year we went with Blake and Lauren and Caleb to Myrtle Beach for a week!
The guys drove down with all the stuff, and Lauren and I flew with the boys. The flight down was a little hectic, with having to wait in security for an hour, and getting to our gate five minutes before the plane left. (See bottom for things I learned about flying with a toddler.) We made it safe to Myrtle Beach.
We stayed in a condo complex that was SUPER nice. It was called Ocean Keyes, and it had several buildings, five pools with baby pools and hottubs. We were a five minute walk to the beach, and a ten minute walk to a park with a toddler playground. Lauren and Blake took the big room and Caleb slept in his packnplay in the walk in closet. (I know it sounds terrible but he slept great in there! :) Drew and I had our own room, and Brayden was in his pack n play in the kid room. There was a big kitchen, living room, and a screened in porch.
The boys had gone grocery shopping, and we ate all but three of our dinners in the condo. This saved us a ton of money, and hassle without having to worry about the boys in a restaurant.
We got into a routine daily. We would go to the beach in the morning. Brayden liked the sand a little. The ocean he HATED. He would walk up to it, and the minute the waves would take the sand from under his feet he would scream. So then when we go to the beach he would immediately start running towards the street. Since we traveled so far to come to the beach we did go several times, but it never lasted long! I got to swim in it one day and it was so nice!
We would then have nap time, and lunch and then head to the pool. The pool was SO nice as well. It was warm, almost too warm! The boys went between the baby pool and the big pool in their floats. Then it was another nap, and we would wait and have dinner.
Three nights we went out to dinner. This was the only time we ate out! We went to Dick's Last Resort which is hilarious! They put hats on you with crude sayings, and throw stuff at you and are generally rude to where it is funny. The boys enjoyed it because it was loud. We went to a Brick Oven Pizza place one night that was yummy, and to a Buffet. (I am totally not a buffet fan, but that is what the Drew and Blake wanted so we went.) Brayden actually loved it because he could have as much as he wanted!
We usually went to the park after dinner for the boys to play. This park was kind of hidden, but I was asking around for a playground, and someone told me about the park. It had a walking trail, pond, and a toddler playground. It had teeter totters for babies, slides, swings, tubes, trains, airplanes. They LOVED it. It was something easy and fun for the boys to do.
Then the boys would go to bed, and we would stay up playing cards and games on the porch. We got the game Partini and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun new game!
One afternoon Lauren and I went shopping at the outlets, and the boys went the next day. We went to Barefoot Landing one night (which has restaurants, shops, and boardwalks) and the boys rode the carousel and walked around there.
Caleb and Brayden were hilarious together. There were definitely hard times when Caleb would scream for fun which would make Brayden scream and cry and they would do it over and over usually in the car. Caleb is also used to older kids taking toys from him so he took advantage of being around a younger baby and took anything Brayden had. Brayden did pretty well, and it was a good learning experience for all! By the third day they realized that they could be friends, and enjoyed running in the condo together. Caleb would hide in the blinds, and Brayden would find him and they thought this was hilarious. They went out of the room and it got quiet, and I found them splashing in the toliet. They generally loved running from room to room together and yelling baby talk at one another. It was so sweet to see our boys play and it made me sad to see how big they are getting.
The last day we went to the airport and Blake and Drew dropped us off. After waiting for our flight we learn that it has been cancelled. I was a stress ball to begin with and it sent me over the edge, I was crying and Brayden was crying. After waiting in a huge line we go back to the ticket line and they tell us that they booked us for a flight the next night. All of our stuff was in the car with the boys on their way home so I told them this was impossible. They send us in a van taxi two hours to Charleston and fly us home from there. Thankfully being upset got us home that night! Brayden went all day with about a 20 minute nap, and we made it home!
Besides the airport experience, we had a wonderful trip! It is so great to have friends to spend time with, and time with Drew and Brayden all together.
Things I learned on this trip:
1. Flying is not single parent friendly- nearly impossible
*I had to pack a survival backpack with bottles and toys and books, have Brayden in his stroller. They make you take the child out of the stroller and put it up for security. They pull you aside and test all of your juice.
*The survival bag kept getting taken away from me by flight attendants because they said you couldn't have anything at your feet-which defeated its' purpose.
*One seat isn't big enough for the two of you. Last year Brayden was 8 weeks old when I flew, and he slept on me. This year he was wanting to climb all over me and my poor neighbors.
*MOST people are very understanding and nice. Some are not.
*Lines are ridiculous. crazy.
2. Putting two one year olds together in the back seat of the car side by side might seem cute, but not a good idea
3. Having good friends on a trip makes it more fun!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Brayden is ONE!
We had Brayden's birthday party on Saturday! We had it at my parents' house, and had about 50 friends and family that came. There was a play area for the babies in the yard with toys and pools. Ivy and Ella and a few cousins were too cute playing. Brayden wore his birthday outfit, which thankfully fit, and was adorable.
We ate hotdogs and tons of sides, and Brayden loved it. He opened his presents, while sitting on top of his new car. (Krisi gave it to him.) He LOVED the car, and had to be wheeled around. Thank you Brooke and others for pushing him around! With his cake (which was made by Drew's aunt) he was very dainty and only had a few bites before pushing it away. What a fun day!
Today he went to the doctor for his 12 month checkup.
Weight- 24 lbs
Height-29 inches
*one finger prick + 2 shots= screaming
We will work on when we get back from the beach getting off the bottle. (He only takes one a day)
He is RUNNING now!
Loves water (playing in it), food (fruit, hotdogs, grilled cheese), music, dancing, books
Has a MEAN temper when he gets frustrated
So loving
We ate hotdogs and tons of sides, and Brayden loved it. He opened his presents, while sitting on top of his new car. (Krisi gave it to him.) He LOVED the car, and had to be wheeled around. Thank you Brooke and others for pushing him around! With his cake (which was made by Drew's aunt) he was very dainty and only had a few bites before pushing it away. What a fun day!
Today he went to the doctor for his 12 month checkup.
Weight- 24 lbs
Height-29 inches
*one finger prick + 2 shots= screaming
We will work on when we get back from the beach getting off the bottle. (He only takes one a day)
He is RUNNING now!
Loves water (playing in it), food (fruit, hotdogs, grilled cheese), music, dancing, books
Has a MEAN temper when he gets frustrated
So loving
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Gatlinburg
Brayden and I returned today from Gatlinburg. We went with my parents and sisters. We stayed in a cabin up in Pigeon Forge.
Brayden had some trouble adjusting to his new place to sleep. It took a while for him not to be scared of sleeping in the cabin. He had a ball though playing in the hot tub, swimming in the baby pool, and playing on the playground. My dad and sisters and I went horseback riding one morning. That was fun! We had to keep the horses on the trail, and it was a beautiful ride through the mountains. My family went to some shows at night, and I stayed back with Brayden. He is not quite ready to sit through a show!
It was such great quality time to spend with my family. We joked that a lot of the things we did could have been done in Georgetown, but we knew that it was just taking the time to do them.
We were supposed to stay another day, but my great grandmother "Gran" passed away and we had visitation and funeral tonight and tomorrow. It is always sad to lose a family member, but she was 96 years old and lived a long life! She passed in her sleep and is now in heaven with her husband.
Drew left for Phoenix yesterday for work. He will be home late Friday night. It has been so hard not having him around. I can't wait to see him again!
Brayden had some trouble adjusting to his new place to sleep. It took a while for him not to be scared of sleeping in the cabin. He had a ball though playing in the hot tub, swimming in the baby pool, and playing on the playground. My dad and sisters and I went horseback riding one morning. That was fun! We had to keep the horses on the trail, and it was a beautiful ride through the mountains. My family went to some shows at night, and I stayed back with Brayden. He is not quite ready to sit through a show!
It was such great quality time to spend with my family. We joked that a lot of the things we did could have been done in Georgetown, but we knew that it was just taking the time to do them.
We were supposed to stay another day, but my great grandmother "Gran" passed away and we had visitation and funeral tonight and tomorrow. It is always sad to lose a family member, but she was 96 years old and lived a long life! She passed in her sleep and is now in heaven with her husband.
Drew left for Phoenix yesterday for work. He will be home late Friday night. It has been so hard not having him around. I can't wait to see him again!
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