Thursday, September 17, 2009

Our Right Hand Man


Our little man is growing so fast, that I have to admit, I am a little bewildered by the speed of it. Just last a few weeks ago, he was really learning to crawl on all fours. No more army crawl or baby scoot, but to move with a surprising speed toward dog or cat or whatever the object of his attention.



This week our little right hand man (he shows serious sings of being a "righty") figured out he can pull himself up on things to stand. And now if he can stand, there is no reason to sit, or heaven forbid, lay down. I was really hoping he would be in our new house, in his new room before he discovered he could pull up on the edge of the crib. I tried to contain him in there, one day, while I vacuumed and I turned around and there he stood, happy as he could be. So pleased at his accomplishment that I couldn't help but laugh. Now we have to hide behind the bed at nap and bedtime so he doesn't see us (and so we don't start laughing and encourage him!).


Out in the yard today, Timmy and Mav were playing and Bradyen was down in the grass while I was a short distance away. Mav drove his John Deere tractor all the way across the yard only to look back and see if Brayden was following him. And he was! The look of determination so strong on his little face that my heart skipped a beat.

It truly is a good thing we are moving in two weeks. The fan is a constant tease and the electrical outlets beckon. He even has a little toddler four wheeler in the sandbox that he has started to love (and I am still trying to keep him out of the sandbox).



His favorite toys are Grizzly's kennel, and blocks and balls and the soft trucks at Auntie's house. She has all of the best toys! He has four words that he uses pretty regularly. "Hi" was the first at about six months, and is the reigning favorite. "Dadda" was next, followed by "Mamma" and "babba" for bottle. If you think it's a little early for words, you can get in line behind me. But he knows what he wants when he uses them! ONe night he was fussing and calling "mamma" so I got up to soothe him and put him back to sleep. We are less than two feet apart, after all. In the morning when he was calling me again and I wouldn't get up, he switched his tune..."Dadda?...Dadda!"




Here are some other fun pictures!

He loves to feed himself!!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Brayden's Summer of '09

This summer was very busy for our little grow worm. He had lots of new experiences and we can't believe how fast he learns. He learned a lot from his cousins, Timmy and Mav, and he loves them so much. Auntie Deandra has been his daycare provider and he loves her so much that when she lays on the floor, he crawls up to her and kisses her cheek, big and sloppy! We are so grateful the Purcell family shared their home with us this summer.
Here are a few fast photos from the summer. You will be amazed how big he is by the end of the pictures!
Brayden has a stand in Grandma for his Texas Grandma...the funny part is, her name is also Karen. We went swimming at her pool one hot day, and he sure had a good time.
He was supposed to be taking a nap in the stroller after our swim, but we caught the little stinker spying on us!

He thought it was pretty funny to be caught!


We had tea parties with friends while we were learning to sit up on our own...
...and kicked back to enjoy the conversation!








We learned to love our books!







And Minnie our lamb cracked us up!







The best part was when Daddy joined us. Mommy left me with Grandma and Grandpa Waldbillig and Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Bart for a racing, whirlwind trip to Montana with Uncle Nick. They picked up Bailey too and now she is at Auntie Danielle's farm having fun.








Brayden went to his first parade. Stillwater days was a lot of fun!









Brayden loves to eat, and hates to miss out on a meal. He really wants my food in this picture and just about climbed out of my lap to get it.











It was a pretty common occurance, because by the time Mommy gets home from work, it is almost Brayden's bed time, and so hard to put him down.



Brayden also started his teething biscuits. They are good for teething and entertainment!
My first tooth finally made it's way in at 7 months.
And I learned to crawl about the same time. Now, at just under 8 months, I am a speed demon!


He grew out of his Bumbo chair and play tray...



...so we finally got him a high chair of his own. Now he sits in his own chair while we eat dinner.



Brayden also got to see Auntie Danielle ride her horse, Haze, in their first parade!

Here they are!



It was a busy summer, but we managed to catch some zzzzzzzz's.




We also met up (finally) with the Tix family! Owen, Zach and Reid are some fast growers!



Brayden still loves that bouncy chair like no other!





Brayden also had his first trip to the zoo! Como zoo is so much fun! Though Brayden had more fun watching the people than the animals.


















His hair is pretty long these days-long enough to spike it up (even though Daddy says we're silly)!




Getting ready for bed is not always fun...but we sure had fun this night!

Brayden was the chief diaper inspector and wore his pants on his head.








He loves to ham it up for the camera!




Sometimes we think he looks a lot like Calvin and Crew...







But sometimes...he looks just like Daddy!




Brayden also just got to meet Emily...and I know this isn't a good picture but it was finally time they met, and were finally in the same state!


We found a new place to live and our moving into our new house at the end of September. We close on the 25th and we are very excited. There is room for everyone, so once we get settled, come and visit!