Who Me??

Brayden's new thing is to use a pacifier...but not like most babies. He likes to turn it around in his mouth & chew on the handle!



Happy boy!


Where is Brayden?

Memorial Day at Sunset Beach

Warning: There are LOTS of pictures of Brayden in this post!!

We packed up the car & headed to Sunset Beach for Memorial Day weekend with all of Matt's family. Oma & Opa as well as Uncle Sandy & Aunt Lynn all live at the beach so we always have a nice place to stay (and take over with baby gear when we are there) :)

Opa, Oma, Brayden, Matt, & I just be heading back to Raleigh


Brayden & Uncle Sandy hanging out together


Nanna & Brayden playing


Brayden & Aunt Dana



This was Brayden's first official beach trip. We went back in March, but it was way too cold to actually go out on the beach. I am happy to say that he LOVED it, since we are going back at least 3 more times this summer! On Saturday & Sunday afternoons, we spent about 2-3 hours out on the beach. The weather was perfect & the water was just starting to warm up. Both afternoons the tide was also way out so there were lots of little tide pools, perfect for Brayden to play in.

Dressed & ready for the Beach


Playing with Daddy's hat


First time ever in the Atlantic. He really didn't mind the tiny waves, but when the wave came & hit his knees...well that was another story altogether!


Looking for the tiny fish in the water


Playing with Daddy in the water


Family photo at the beach


Testing out the water



Splashing in the water


Playing under the tent after getting really wet in the tide pool (I forgot a change of clothes so we had to let his clothes air dry in the sun)


Chilling with BB on the beach


We also celebrated Uncle John's 30th Birthday with dinner & a guitar cake, specially made by Benny (cake carver), Teresa & Dana (bakers & decorators)! I was rather impressed with their cake carving & decorating skills!

Guitar Birthday Cake


Brayden also started waving to people this weekend. He hasn't really repeated the wave since last weekend, but he waved bye-bye to Uncle John & Uncle Sandy sevearl times last weekend. Brayden was great the whole time, including all of the time in the car. We are so blessed to have such a happy, easy going baby!

Pictures

Just a few pictures from the past few weeks.

Matt thinks we should cut Bradyen's hair on the sides. If we are not careful, it will fall over his ears. His hair in general is getting longer quickly.

Brayden loves to eat!

Here is a list of all the things that Brayden is now eating:

Oatmeal - LOVES THIS!!
Peaches
Pears
Applesauce
Peas
Green Beans
Butternut Squash
Carrots

Remaining on the list of things to try:
Bananas - I am dreading this one since I hate bananas!
Prunes
Sweet Potatoes

So far, the only thing that he has not been able to deal with is the rice cereal. He is "intolerant" of this & throws up violently about 2 hours after eating rice cereal.

Mother's Day

Matt's mom, dad, John, Dana, my mom, dad, & grandmother (Buh) all came over for Mother's Day dinner. We had a great time hanging out & enjoying each others company. Of course, Brayden got passed around to everyone & loved being played with all afternoon & evening. Poor guy was totally exhausted by bedtime & passed out quickly!
Here are a few pictures of our family Mother's Day.

All of the Mother's (plus Brayden)


Brayden hanging out on the swing with Aunt Dana


Brayden wearing Uncle John's sunglasses


All of the women watching Brayden eat. He seems to eat better with an audience!

Fun Times at Grammy & Paw's house

A few weeks ago (yes, I am way behind in my updating), we went to Grammie & Paw's house for the weekend. We got there late Friday night after a detour to meet little Wesley James Swanner & to visit with his parents. Of course, Grammie had bought Brayden some new clothes & a new hat to match.



On Saturday, Brayden went on several walks around the neighborhood (3 walks I think total) with Paw. Brayden & Paw also walked all over the yard (and it is a big yard) looking at all of the wildlife. They saw birds, squirrels, fish (my parents have a goldfish pond with LOTS of fish), cats (my parents have 6 cats,) and even a black snake! Glad I didn't see the snake! We also went to a family reunion & met lots of new family members.

Brayden also really enjoyed playing with new toys at Grammie & Paw's house. My mom got out my Fisher-Price ring stacker & Fisher-Price Ferris Wheel. Apparently, my parents used the Ferris wheel to entertain me while I ate, so we tried it with Brayden. It actually worked! Ever since then, he has been an eating machine! Carrots, peas, & Butternut squash...he loves them all! We also borrowed a jumparoo from one of my friends. Brayden LOVED this & I really wish we had room at home for one, but it is either that or the exersaucer and we already have an exersaucer. At least he can enjoy the jumparoo at Grammie & Paw's house. Thanks Hayden, John, & Renee for letting us borrow this!!

Not so sure about the jumparoo at first...

I think I like it!!!