Thursday, February 25, 2010

Keeping Busy

We have been trying to keep busy during this never ending doom and gloom winter. I am just bursting at the seams to get outside to my flower beds and dig in the dirt, to go on walks and watch the boys play out in the sunshine. Ah, this too shall pass:) I'm taking the opportunity while I have this time with just the boys to get creative and keep them busy during the day...before I am so distracted and overwhelmed with adjusting to three I don't know which way is up. So we have been keeping busy and having a great time! Some things that have been keeping our plate full...


Building train tracks. We usually make a new one everyday. I enjoy watching their imaginations at work and seeing their wheels turn as they try to figure out how the pieces will fit.
School work (as Jett calls it). He is loving going to preschool and that keeps him busy most mornings. He is super excited about spelling and getting more into his activity books lately, which is really fun. Of course, if I suggest it, it's a horrible idea, but if he brings it up - it's a great idea:) I remember when I was little I would always tell my mom how bored I was and she would list off all these "fun" things I could do and I didn't like any of them. Oh my word, I have just walked into her shoes!

UP TO NO GOOD! It's easy to be more mischeivious when you are stuck inside all day. Brayden is becoming quite the little stinker. He has gotten into this thing where if he knows I'm off doing something he runs to the fridge and takes everything out of the door and puts it into the big part. This picture is of the first time he did. I laughed. It was cute. Um yeah...there are no more pictures of this "cuteness"...and I am no longer laughing.


FUN DAY! Once a week I try to have a fun day. Last week we made this huge tent and pretended that we were camping. We made a "fire" and sang songs and read books around it. Had a snack. Went monkey hunting (we don't have any stuffed bears so we had to make do). This week I made a carnival. I put about 10 games around the living room and after they did each one I gave them a ticket. Afterwards they could claim a prize. I also had some face paints and they thought that was pretty fun.


I am at 33 weeks now, so I am staying busy just getting around:) I have started my spring cleaning early. I'm almost done and it feels so good to be organized before Little Miss arrives and organization flys out the window for a couple months. Right now I am working on one final overall good cleaning and then I need to price all the junk I have accumulated over the last month of going through closets and cabinets for our garage sale this spring. I can't believe I am down to seven weeks now. This pregnancy has been going pretty fast for me and March is already really full, so I know the time is going to fly:) I can't wait to meet this girl!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Brayden is 3 years old today! I can't believe how quickly time has gone and how much he has blessed and enriched our lives. He is a precious Child of God and I am so honored to be his mom.
For his birthday festivities we decided to take the boys on a mini-vacation over the weekend to celebrate Brayden. When we got to the hotel Jett got on the bed and jumped up and down and shouting, "We're on vacation!"...over and over again. Pretty sure the neighbors had bad luck getting a room next to ours. For the first 45 minutes (no exaggeration) the boys jumped back and forth between beds...and had a blast! There is just this deep happiness as a parent to see your children joyful and having a good time.

We got some sweet "air" pictures. Brayden just barley made his landing on the bed for every jump, but no bruised knees were going to ruin his fun!

Jett was Air-Jordan and liked to show off all his moves.

That night we took the boys to Chuck E' Cheeses and invited Darcy and the girls to join (Darin was invited too, but he was out of town). Papa Denny, Grandma Susie and our dear friend Ginger also came for the evening...OF MADNESS. I'm pretty sure every kid in Mishawaka was there...and running. Two hours later we emerged - tired, cranky, full of indigestion and with four lousy suckers that 160 tickets won:) However our evening didn't stop there. Darcy and the girls joined us back at our hotel for some swimming. Brayden loved the water and it was so wonderful seeing him have so much fun. Jett opted for the hot-tub...none of us with blue lips blamed him and joined him after we finally got the little ones out of the pool.

On Sunday night we had Brayden's birthday party. I had so much fun getting everything together. I planned a Mickey Mouse party theme. I made him a Mickey Mouse cake, got balloons, made a banner and had Playhouse Disney games for the kids. Brayden had a great time and enjoyed playing with his little buddies and loved his gifts. Thanks everybody!


~ALL ABOUT BRAYDEN AT AGE 3~
* He knows no stranger. He is so friendly and loves to say HI.
* LOVES to play on the puter (translated...computer).
* He can count to 20...and could go further, but refuses.
* He is a back seat driver. He will tell us if we are going to fast. My favorite is when he sees a red light - he SCREAMS, Stop! - even if we are half a mile away.
* He loves to wrestle with daddy - and when he is not around he would chose Uncle Darin, Uncle Lee and Aunt Becca any day.
* Weighs 36 lbs. and is about 39 inches tall.
* His favorite color is orange.
* Loves Mickey Mouse.
* Is addicted to his passy and blanket.
* Loves to swim.
* He is very polite. When people leave he usually says, "Thanks for coming to my house."
* He is very affectionate and loves to give hugs.
* Knows all his colors.
* Knows his ABC's and can almost point out all the letters individually mixed up.
* He loves playing games.
* Loves going to Mottts and Church.
* He has an incredible laugh. It's infectious!
* He loves playing with trains, tractors, trucks, cooking, and puzzles.
* Adores his big brother Jett
* He loves "peter sanmiches" (translated - peanut butter sandwiches), cheerios, oatmeal, apple juice, pop, mac and cheese with hot dogs, pickles, gumballs, ice cream, chicken nuggets, green beans, fish crackers and tractor treats.
* He loves mommy laying with him in his bed at night...I love it too! Every night I lay down with him and he puts his arm around my neck and tells me to stay "lots of minutes".
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Surviving Winter

Seriously mother nature...more snow?
Cabin fever is setting in and I have almost forgotten what green grass and blooming flowers look like. We decided to make the most of this crazy snowy weather and took the boys down the street to go sledding at our friends house. It took us twenty mintues to get them into their gear...five minutes to walk down the street...and ten mintues to sled.
Oh well, worth every smile!

My little snowbuddies!

I love this picture of Brayden. I giggle everytime. It's like he's saying. "Really? You want me to do what?" He is what you could say...not fond of the snow. He went down once and that was enough for him. Snow touched his glove and it was game over:)

Jett loved every minute of his sledding experience and even asked to go faster! He was bummed we had quit , but when the sleet started pelting his face, he agreed it was time to head home. Ah, the joys of winter!
Come on Spring! We are ready for you!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Running Out Of Room

The boys are starting to get jipped on the lap department. I've hit 31 weeks now and not much leg room in sight when I sit. They have made adjustments and usually just lay their head on my belly or just on my legs. Sometimes at night Brayden still wants rocked and I can't help but laugh at how far away he is from me when we rock and back and forth. It can't be comfortable for him at all and he ususally says, "Mommy, I gonna fall." But I guess he prefers the uncomfortableness for a little snuggle time with mommy...and that is just fine with me!



9 Weeks and Counting. I can't believe D-day is coming so quickly. I've been feeling pretty good. Mostly tired with lots of contractions already. I've been having quite a few uncomfortable ones this week and of course my doctor is out of town. I looked back at Brayden's baby book at this exact week and I was put on bedrest because of contractions. This stinking uterus. My bloodwork isn't great, which was a little disappointing, but the doctor is just going to keep an eye on things and I will need to have my blood drawn at every appointment from now on. She is moving around quite a bit and I am soaking in all the movements and little kicks since this will be my last time. Can't believe how much I love this little girl and haven't even met her yet!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Cart Before The Horse

SO...the baby's room is done...minus a couple of finishing touches...with over two months to spare. A little ridiculous, I agree, but you have been given just a glimpse of my personality. When I have something on my mind, I go with it. I love the room and it was so much fun decorating for a girl. My wonderful hubby repainted the squares for me while I painted on the flowers. It's definitly not perfection, but from far away, it doesn't look too shabby! Every time someone comes to our house, the first thing Jett asks is if they want to see the baby's room. My mom stops by several times a week and she gets the exciting -and never changing- tour!