Toddler Pants. Yuck.

Brayden is wearing his toddler pants today.

He doesn't wear them all that often, and it is usually just for a few hours at a time, but today, he seems to be wearing them all day. They are the pants that make him scream when he doesn't get what he wants, cry for no apparent reason and cling to his mamma like he is terrified of the world around him. He screamed when I changed him out of his pajama shirt, and spent the next 10 minutes trying to rip his clean shirt off. He threw a tantrum when the socks went on his feet, and as I expected, just about lost his mind when he had to wear his tennies instead of his sandals today. Even his little jacket just about put him over the edge. During all of this he hit his head on a sharp corner, didn't get his favorite snack (I am not sure what was missing) and just nothing was right. Those are toddler pants.

For a change of scenery, we went to play with the neighbors and their really awesome jungle gym. When we came home, only yogurt and milk were what we would eat of our lunch and then it was time for nap. I unfastened his belt and he wrapped his little arms around me, and then his little legs, hugging me with his whole little self.

And I soaked it up. I stopped cheering for bed time and pressed my check into that sweet, soft little scalp and hugged him right back, with all of me. When he didn't let go, I soaked the moment into my soul, knowing that this moment wouldn't last forever. That someday soon mamma and daddy won't be his favorite things in the world anymore.

Then we changed his diaper and he gave me one more great, big squeeze, grabbed his kitty and laid his beautiful little head on his pillow.

And suddenly, toddler pants just don't seem quite so bad.

Hiking at Lake Rebecca

We've decided to do some more exploring around our area (it really helps when we are missing the mountians!). Now that Brayden stays up until 7:30 or 8 at night, it isn't so much of a race to get home, make dinner, do the dishes, give him a bath, read a book (do a nebulizer treatment), and quick throw him into bed. You wouldn't think a half of an hour would make so much of a difference, but for us, it totally does (just in time to add another sleeper into the mix! oh well, newborns sleep anywhere). We have been enjoying Lake Rebecca the most.

One day we decided to try out Auntie Deandra's hiking pack, and that was our first evening at Lake Rebecca. We loved it. Then, we found the GIANT playground, made to look like it was made out of logs! We love that too, though we haven't spent much time there so far.

Then, we found the Lake (I know, you would have thought we'd have found that first). We usually go after dinner, when the humidity loses some of it's oppresive force (the heat index has been up over 100). And Brayden walks right in. Up past his knees, past his diaper and we have to grab him before he's up to his armpits! And then we kick and float, and blow bubbles and let the fish nibble at our toes.

For a southeastern suburban girl (who would never admit this otherwise), I love the area we live in! Between the clear lakes with the great beaches, the apple orchards and farmer's markets surrounding us, I have to say, the northwest metro rocks!!!

Oh baby!

Here is beautiful baby number two (no cute nicknames, just baby number two...or your brother/sister, whatever we happen to be in the mood to say)!

Here is some sweet little face rubbing.

Baby is growing well, and is in about the 56th percentile.

Just like big brother!

Little baby waving to the camera, with an open hand.

Love the little belly!

A very perfect little spine.

The ultrasound puts us at 22 weeks and three days.

That would actually put our due date ahead one week,

but the doc says no reason to adjust it

(I may disagree around Thanksgiving!).

We'll get a mamma belly picture up soon!

Potty Training!

We started potty training Brayden a couple of weeks ago. The potty chair had been in the bathroom for a while, and he was always pulling at his wet diapers. Changing time was also becoming a bit of a screaming struggle. So we thought we would give it a shot. And the first couple of days went so well!
Our little Punkin' Head was so excited about his new big boy undies that he spent a good hour running around the living room and kitchen, shrieking with joy.
It makes me laugh just to look at these pictures.

By the end of the first day, he was running to the potty on his own when he had to "go". Then we had a change in plans with Grandpa Al's funeral and slapped the poor kid back in diapers.

It was a little confusing for him, but he was a good sport. We still try the potty, and have another weekend coming up, devoted just to potty trianing.

We've also been having cereal with milk. It's kinda messy, but worth the effort!

Cousin Lincoln turned one this last month, too.

We had a really fun time at the birthday party.

I even got to bake the birthday cake.

It was a six layer rainbow cake. YUM!

And there was a pinjata!

Everyone got a chance to whack it!

We also recieved a surprise visit from Super Baby!...I mean Super Toddler!

Don't let this picture fool you. Brayden is gearing up for a heated battle:

Twins vs. Rangers, September 4th.

Brayden will be wearing a Rangers hat (and a Twins shirt)

and new baby will be draped in Mamma's Twins shirt.

It's going to get ferocious around here!

We also had the new little baby's ultrasound this past friday,

and there is a good, healthy little one in there!

Ultrasound pictures coming soon!

Love ya Charlie Brown

Albert Wiliam Waldbillig

1920-2010

4th of July

Here are some quick pictures from Independance Day. I never broke out my camera (I don't know why), so these are a few from my mom's collection.

We went swimmin' off dock.

It was a little nerve rattling for Brayden.

Auntie Deandra tried to show him how much fun it was

But you just never know what you are going to find out there!

We had more fun later, when we didn't have to wear our life jacket, and Mavie could show us how to kick like a pro.

And as always, we spent some time with whatever critters we could find.



On Sunday, when Daddy had to work, we went up to the Robinson's cabin in Brainerd and hung out with the Waldbilling Nation
(yes there are enough to be a "nation", and no, they are not all in this picture...this is about 75% of the grandkids, and all of the great grandkids so far with Grandpa Al).

Oh, and I almost forgot. On Sunday morning, Brayden woke up very early...around 6am. So I filled him a milk cup and snuggled him into bed with me and ignored his wiggling around in hopes that sleep would find him again. About two seconds later, he peeled one of my eyes open and said "itsokay!".

It's okay, Mamma! Time to get up!

:)

Father's Day and a perfect 350

Brayden made this for his daddy at daycare. It was his Father's Day present.

It is covered in his sweet little hand prints and says "You Rock My World!"

Isn't that so sweet?!?

I think Jeremiah thought it was pretty special.

Just days before Father's Day (we celebrated on that Saturday), our very lovely new oven was delivered. And, the house was converted over to natural gas, so it could even be hooked up...and used! And the house no longer smells yucky, like propane! Yea!
You will notice the knobs are missing, but don't be alarmed. They did arrive with the oven, we just have to keep them in the drawer, away from those cute little fingers that like to turn and twist! All together, it is a pretty cool oven/stove. The stove part can either have a griddle down the middle (!) or be regular, large burner.

And the best part is....(drumroll please!) It heats up to the desired tempature!

And then it stays there until you turn it off!

I kind of forgot ovens were supposed to do that! ;)

And yes, those are sticky little handprints on the door.

They kind of come with the territory!

Thanks again Fairy Godmothers! We made Father's Day extra special because of the breakfast and Snicker's Cake we could make him!