Tickle Monster!

Today, Brayden and I were at home, playing on the floor. We chase and tickle him a lot, and today, he was the chase-er and tickl-er. I laid on the floor and he tackled and tickled my tummy and my knees and my ankles and my arms. He laughed his silly, goofy, toothy little laugh the whole time.

We laughed our heads off!

Funny picture

Peanut really likes Brayden's alpha mat too. Cant you tell? Ha!

A healthy week

This week was very healthy! We still went to the doctor though. It was time for a Well Baby check and some shots. And another referral to the ENT to see if Brayden needs his adenoids removed...and to see if he needs reflux medicine.




Fingers crossed that we don't need either! That way we can play in the snow longer!

First Steps!

Brayden took his first steps today!

He has been walking all over the place in the last few weeks, as long as he can hold on to our hand (he actually usually just holds one finger), and off we go. We put his little leather slippers on so he can keep his feet going in the right direction, and he seems to enjoy it.

This morning, I stood him up put part of his alpha mat in his hands, and he took off! Well, he took a few steps anyway, but it was awesome. He repeated it once and is saving the rest for when Daddy picks him up at daycare, later on tonight.

The last two weeks have been full of diarreah diapers, puke and strep throat (for everyone but Momma). The pediatrician said Brayden needed a new toothbrush (but I boiled it for 5 minutes and soaked it in hydrogen peroxide instead...he loves that thing!)





He has also really loved rocking on his horse,


sitting in his chair, playing with his shopping cart and the farm animals on the fridge. His Rangers jammies keep him "cool" at night.

My good freind Kim, Orson (two weeks younger than Brayden) and her husband Matt were hit head on in drunk driving wreck on their way to Arizona, the night before Orson's first birthday. Orson's car seat did beautifully, Kim is bruised (and proved her hard headedness by shattering her window with her head), and Matt just finished surgery for a broken pelvis and knee. They were also a long way from home when it happened. You can read more about it here, but please keep them in your prayers, as Matt has a long recovery ahead, and it will be a challenging time for them as a family.

Birthday Party Photos!

Sorry these took so long (this still doesn't happen at home!). Other then that, there isn't anything else to say, besides Happy Birthday, Mr. One Year old!

Technical Difficulties

We have had some technical difficulties here at our house. They center around the Wii that George and Karen gave us for Christmas...and then zero in on the Marios Brother's game they brought witht them when they came to visit. I feel like I am not doing my homework before finals. Then I have to have serious conversations with myself (Jeremiah works late!) about the things that have to be done...I'll clean the bathroom in just two more tries to pass this world, I'll post Brayden's pictures after I beat this Koopa...

At least we only play when Brayden is sleeping. Is it bad that I dream in Mario?

Christmas Firsts

In the last two weeks, Brayden has had a myriad of firsts. His first Christmas, New Years Eve, and somewhere in the middle, his first haircut.

We spent Christmas Eve with Grandma Tammy and Grandpa Steve at the Waldbillig family Christmas. Daddy met us there, and Brayden was a party animal! He stayed up until 9:30 and danced to the music and laughter of his cousins. He delighted in his aunties adoration and was "Charlie Brown" to Grandpa Al, who is almost 90.



We left just before Santa came to visit our house. He brought Brayden some very fun presents.



Jeremiah and I really enjoyed capturing him through the lens of the new camera that Aunt Trish, Aunt Chris, Grandma Glenna and Pappa Suggs sent to us. We were so happy to replace our once lost camera with this very fancy fast acting new one.



Brayden's favorite toy is his new kitty - he is in a stage where he loves to hug and hold and snuggle his stuffed animals. And the real animals. The new words (since the tubes) are kitty and doggie. He even said "hi kitty" to the one that ran across the driveway today. :) He is also very helpful, and loves, loves, LOVES to climb on anything he can get his little hands on. Those pictures will come after his haircut pictures.

His first haircut was the first Saturday after Christmas. I haven't wanted to post them, because they are a little shocking (and not what we were after, of course). He went from sweet little baby to little boy. See for yourself.
This is before his haircut:









And this is after.


He just isn't a baby anymore. Next thing you know, he'll be shaving.

And here is our little boy climbing:



Our best gift of all...No FEVERS! He felt so good, he even helped us paint his bedroom.

Our little family wishes you and your family enjoyed the magic of the holidays as much as we did.