I know, I know, it has been a long time!

Things have been busy and I usually enjoy my down time reading a book or watching my shows in order to relax these days!  That is my excuse for not posting in over 6 months!  However I have recently been organizing our photos (thanks to my hubby who has taken out the time to go through photos with me) and also uploading on Shutterfly.  As soon as I get my sharesite organized, this blog is my next move (don't get too anxious though - I am slow moving!).  I just finished a free Shutterfly book (thanks Jamie!) so I thought I would post it here (didn't even know I could before - will have to try to add my others!).

Just be prepared because once I do start posting I will have a lot to make up for!   

Fall 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

Furry birds

Click here to view this video

I am trying to figure out how to post videos on blogger since they changed their format.  This one was my test and it worked!  yeah...now to find my fun videos to add! 

We have some furry birds here at our home.  You never know what you will find on our front porch.

Crabby Baby

Although Braxton has overcome many obstacles - intolerances, reflux, eczema - he still is high maintenance and throws fits when he doesn't get his way, such a strong-willed child!  Most of the pictures I post are happy ones but here is a picture of how life can be part of the time!

Getting along in life....

What more precious to a mother than the love that siblings show one another.  I know this time won't last forever so I'm really trying to cherish the moments.   Braxton lights up when he sees his sister.  All she has to do is smile or talk to him and he laughs and smiles at her.  Although it is nice to have her in school each day I always look forward to when she will come home so she can play with her brother.  Here is one activity they share together...jumping! 

Movin' Around

One day after chaning Braxton's diaper I left him on the floor to go throw Mr. Stinky away.  When I came back there was no Braxton!  (At least from my angle)  The closer I got I found out why...little stinker rolled underneath the table!  He was 5 months here.  Although he knows how to roll, he still hasn't completely figured out that if he contined to roll over and over he would be able to get somewhere....other than under the table!  It was too cute.

Snow Time!

Brooklynn had many chances to play in the snow this winter (hopefully those days are behind us)!  G-pa got her new snowpants and a coat for Christmas.  A few times her friend, Katie, came and joined her in the fun.  The swingset actually got some use too! One time Beth and Ben, Katie's parents, took them sledding....they loved it!

5 Months Old!

I was exactly 5 months old when this photo was taken!  (Hey Aunt T - check out the shirt!).  Trying to think back this past month to see what I have learned and discovered.  Hmmm...I find my right hand so interesting.  I often hold it out (as if admiring finger nail polish), wiggle my fingers or rotate my hand and just stare.  You might catch me doing this many times a day.  A few times I have caught my momma coming in to check on me, thinking I was asleep, only to find me facinated with my hand!  I have also found the volume on my voice.  I can talk loudly and shout.  What fun it is to make all kinds of different sounds!  Momma prefers they be happy sounds though, as I have a tendency to make intentional loud screams when I am not happy and want my way...but hey, who doesn't?  I'm getting bigger by the moment.  I am approaching the end of my pumpkin seat days.  I wear 9mo/6-12 months although some are getting a little snug.  Momma is hoping to hold out until the weather changes before updating my wardrobe - she has several 12 months spring/summer clothes from cousin Jacob.  I tried eating some solid foods and giving soy formula a try but I showed signs of either intolerance (soy, wheat) or a hard time digesting (squash).  She is going to wait until after my 6 mo growth spurt to try again.  I have mastered the jumpy-jump station and the walker in stationary position.  I enjoy the vertical position, playing with my toys.  I HATE being on my tummy and am still working on the ability to sit unattended.  I do like being on my back where I can kick and stretch.  I have also discovered how to roll to my side...so close to rolling over on my tummy!  But by far my favorite thing is to be NAKED!  Momma says that I will love summer when I won't have to wear so many covering clothes.  Catch up with you next month...I have to go and get discovering all the new things awaiting me!   

Beautiful Baby Girls!

I just felt led to write about two of my best friends who had their first baby girls this past week.  Madison Grace McGhee (daughter of Laila and Anthony) was born Feb. 10th in St. Louis.  She is a big baby with lots of dark hair.  Laila has her hands full as her other child, Britton, won't be 2 until May 1st!  Riley Elizabeth Behr (daughter of Beth Anne and Tom Behr)  was born on Feb. 12 in Ft. Lauderdale.  She was a smaller baby with lots of dark hair.  This is Beth Anne's first baby, although she is step-mom to two older children. 

I guess I wanted to write about them because they are both so close to my heart and it kills me to be so far away from them and not being able to see them or be a part of their newborn stage.  My neice is due to arrive mid-April and she will be born in Memphis so that will be even harder!  It has been so fun to go through (or part of) pregnancy with some of my closest friends (Vanessa had Olivia back in the end of June too).  I didn't get to experience that with any of my friends during my pregnancy with Brooklynn.  And to know that our kids will "grow up together" will be so much fun!  Just wish we all lived closer!

 

Proud Parents

I am here to brag on my beautiful daughter.  The kindergardeners got tested a few weeks ago in order to get into the gifted program called STRETCH.  Although we are awaiting the second round of assessments (this time informally), we did receive "the letter" stating that she advaced to the second round.  Even if she doens't get invited, we were extremely proud of her!  Her score was 129 (took the NNAT) having a superior IQ.  She was only two points away from a Genuis IQ!  Much smarter than her momma....I think she got her dad's smarts!  I know it is just kindergarden, non-verbal testing, but we are proud none the less!  Even though we are proud of her regardless of any test!  She will have her one-on-one assessent on the 16th.  The good thing is that her school is one of the sites for the program so if she does get invited and we chose that route for her, it wont be changing schools.     

4 Months Old!

Braxton turned 4 months old this past Sunday, the 7th.  He gets happier and more fun the older he gets!  Some of his accomplishments this past month were rolling over (although he still doesn't know how to do it, he just randomly does), screaming (yet in the good sense this time, not in pain), and sitting up with help.  He is full of energy and is so interested in the world.  When he does cry, it is actually for a reason, usually being fatigue or hunger.  Although he does have a routine now (eating every 3 hours, taking a nap after two hours of being up) he does not have a schedule.  I wish he did...but as with everything else he has always done in his life, he calls the shots!  He is a replica of his daddy!  He went to the doctor on Monday and had his 4 month check up.  He is just shy of 28 in and 17 lbs!  Percentage wise he is in the 95th for height and went down for weight, being in the 85th.  Yet still a big boy!  He is in 9 month clothes (has been for several weeks).  I love him so much....he is a true blessing from God!  Makes me feel bad that it has taken 4 months of his life in order to say that with 100% truth behind it!  I guess it makes us appreciate his happy demeanor and not take it for granted!  I can't wait to see how much more he grows and develops this month (starting cereal soon!) but yet I don't want him to grow so I can keep him at this stage forever! 

Some too cute pics!

Heath can always get Braxton to laugh and smile so easily.  Thought he looked extra cute here!

I have been trying to organize pictures and clear out our memory cards so that we can take some more pics (new camera eats up space - especially the HD video).  I found a super cute one of my hottie hubby and beautiful daughter.  They both look so young! 

3 Months Old!

I am three months old today!  Momma has me dressed for the national championship game since daddy is a big fan.  Because he hates Texas, we are rooting for Alabama!  Roll Tide!  As you can tell in the above picture, I am growing bigger each day and hitting landmarks such as putting my hands together.  (Aren't I so cute?!)  I have also begun to make faces such as the picture below.  One of my trademarks.

My temperment is much better now and getting better and better the more I grow.  This makes my family happy!  I like to play with my sister - she always brings me toys to play with and look at.  Although I still don't sleep much, I do give mommy about 6 hours each night but she still doesn't think that is enough.  When I feel like it, I will talk mostly in ahh's and ohhh's.  I hate tummy time but do like to look around so I am starting to get a bald spot on the back of my head.  Not sure what I weigh right now - I go to the doctor at 4 months for my check-up.  It has been a whole month since I have been to the doctor!  That is by far the longest stretch (was going weekly/bi-weekly for this and that). 

Momma put this hat on me - she thought it looked like the old leatherhead football helmets.  I wasn't a big fan, especailly since it was too small.  Well, I am off for a cat nap...see you next month!