Girls weekend at the beach

The last weekend in April, I headed to the beach with my 2 best friends from high school.  Renee and Susan, and I did everything together in school.

We have lived far apart since high school but now Renee and Susan both live in Concord (near where we all grew up).  You would think that we could get together some time, but between kids, work, family, etc we just never seem to be able to schedule just a dinner together.  We started planning this weekend back in September or October!

Thankfully, Renee's parents have a house at the beach that we were able to use for the weekend!  It was a cute trailer that was perfect for us!  There was lots of late night chats (and early morning chats for Renee and I - Susan could sleep till 3pm if we let her)!  We also did lots of shopping, at lots of yummy food, watched lots of girl movies (most of which we had all seen many times before), and played lots of cards.

The 3 amigas - Renee, Susan, and I (20 years after meeting!)

The weather was actually pretty nice (mid-70s) but it was still pretty chilly down on the beach.  We went out for just a few minutes after dinner on Saturday night to take a few photos and we all got cold pretty quickly!

It was what this girl needed after the winter/spring that we have had!  Thank you to my wonderful hubby for handling the kids all weekend by yourself!  Brayden had his 1st soccer game while I was gone, but thankfully Uncle John and Aunt Dana came to the game to help out!

NCSU Baseball game

We took the kids to a NCSU baseball game a few weekends ago.  One would have thought that the 1st weekend of May would have been warm, but no.  It was a chilly, breezy 65 for the high which meant that the evening was even colder.

Thankfully, the game was good and NCSU won 8-1 against Presbyterian!!  We had great seats behind the net (my requirement) along 3rd base.  The stands were not crowded so we were able to spread out a little and let Lilly more around a bit.

Since the Wolfpack are doing so well this year, we may try to go to one of the ACC tourney games at the DBAP.  Not sure yet.  I know Brayden would enjoy it!

Easter 2013

This year we decided to stay in town for Easter.  On Saturday, the weather was so nice...upper 70s and sunny.  We spent most of the day outside with the kids playing and dying eggs on the deck.

Bradyen dying eggs. He was very "into" it this year and didn't want/need much help once we were set up.

Being silly.  It is VERY rare that he let me take a silly picture of him :)

Poor Buckaroo.  It was so nice outside so I forced him out to enjoy the warm weather and fresh air.  He has never been outside (except in the carrier) since we have had him and he was terrified!

Lilly was not as excited about the egg dying process.

Sweet girl before church on Easter Sunday

After church on Sunday, we headed to Matt's parents house for a late lunch.

Getting in the rocking chair at Nana and BB's house

After lunch, Brayden wanted to play outside and he requested that they play baseball.  BB, Uncle John, Aunt Dana, and Daddy all obliged while Nana and I played with Lilly and hid eggs multiple times.

Hunting eggs

After hunting eggs several times and playing lots of baseball, we took the eggs across the road and Brayden and I took turns throwing them into the woods to see who could throw them the farthest.  I think Brayden won!  That kid has an arm on him!

We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend Easter with family.  Throughout Lent and Easter, we talked with Brayden about what Easter is all about and that Jesus died for us.  I pray that as our kids get older, that they come to know and love Jesus and to fully understand what God has done for us.

Soccer

This spring, Brayden joined his 1st soccer team.  Most of the kids on the team are in his class at daycare and the coach is one of this friend's dad which makes it much better.  Typically Brayden is really shy in new situations, but not on the soccer field.  He is outgoing and active...I guess because he knows most of the kids and the coach.

Coach Kelly is great with the kids and is really trying to teach them some fundamentals and positions to the game.  It is all about having fun but each week, you can see them picking up on little things here and there.  Light bulbs are going off :)

So far, they have had 3 games and 4 practices.  Each practice is 30 minutes followed by a 30 minute game.  Brayden is doing really well and has about the strongest leg on the team.  Now if we could just get him to understand (while he is actually playing) which goal he needs to go towards!

Lined up ready to practice a drill (Brayden is 2nd from the right).

Practicing a drill with Coach Kelly

Practicing dribbling the soccer ball

Ready for the game to start

Brayden is in the far right corner ready to play some defense :)

Ready for this 1st game with the Blue Tigers!! (Not a fan of the carolina blue color)

Another action shot

Post game huddle with Coach Kelly

All the boys (All but one of these boys are in the same class at daycare!)
From L to R: Kyle, Brayden, Andrew, Zachary, Brady, Drew, and Davis

Full Team shot...And we add the girls, Hadley and Chloe

Happy Birthday Wesley

Our Godson, Wesley, turned 4 on April 20.  He had a Firetruck/Fireman themed party at the Greensboro Children's Museum.

This was our first time visiting the museum and I thought it was great!  Just the right size and not too crowded at all!  They had a real firetruck, tractor trailer truck cab, plane, and race car that you could climb in/on. 

Sitting in the drivers seat of the fire truck!

They also had a rock climbing wall that Brayden enjoyed as well as small "rooms" set up like different stores, constructions sites, houses, Dr. offices, etc. 

Starting up the wall...he only needed a little help from Daddy to kept going.
I think it was more moral support than anything!

By far, Brayden's favorite thing though was the wooden blocks...1/2" thick, 4" long, 1" wide.  He designed and built an entire town all by himself with the blocks!  He stayed at the block table about 3/4 of the time we were at the museum!!

Brayden designed and built all of those buildings himself  :)

Lilly decided to help as well!

Happy Birthday Wesley!  Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with you!  We love you!!  Thanks for letting us share your special day with you!!

Brayden's 1st Circus

Yes, I am WAY behind on the blog but I am going to try to catch up on posts this afternoon (or at least make a dent in the list of blog updates)!

Back in February, yes 3 months ago, we took Brayden to the circus for the 1st time.  Ringling Brothers was in town and we decided that he was old enough to actually sit through the entire performance and enjoy it.  We are so glad that we waited until this year to take him...he LOVED it and was enthralled by all of the acts.  I don't think he would have enjoyed it nearly as much last year!

The one thing that Brayden kept saying he wanted to see was the lions & tigers.  He couldn't wait for the circus just to see them.  We got there a good bit early and watched (from our seats) all of the action down on the floor.  We could have gone down on the floor and met some of the performers and clowns but decided not to.  We had great seats and were able to enjoy it all quite well from there.  I don't remember what the 1st big act was now, but once the 1st major performance was over, Brayden again said that he wanted to see the lions and tigers.  We told that he would but that he would just have to wait.  Well, once the "between act" was over and the main lights came back on, what do you suppose was the next act?? 
                                                      The Lions and Tigers of course!!

My favorite was the elephants of course!

Another favorite of Brayden's was when 8 motorcycles got in to this big sphere and rode around!  It was really loud and crazy!!

As we were walking out, Brayden looked at us and said "That was the best basektball game ever!!" - the circus was in the same arena that we watch the Wolfpack play basketball, so to him, basketball is the only thing that happens in the building!

Brayden continued to ask about going back to the circus for several weeks.  We told him that we would wait until Lilly could enjoy it before we go back...Brayden liked that answer because he enjoys doing things with his sister (at least for now!)

Lilly - 18 months

My LillyBug - you turned 18 months old this past weekend!   Where has the time gone?!? You are a fiery, spunky girl that knows what you want, when you want it, and how you want it!  You don't like to be told no, especially where food is concerned!  You LOVE to eat!

We walk in the door every afternoon and you immediately start saying "mo mo" and signing "more".  You then walk to the pantry and beat on the door until someone gives you a graham cracker & your cup.  You are quite happy then...until the graham cracker is gone that is :) You love just about everything that we offer you to eat including mushrooms, asparagus, spinach and broccoli!

First Popsicle...you were NOT a fan!

Enjoying dinner

Currently, your favorite snacks include graham crackers, animal crackers, any fruit, squeeze fruit in any flavor, puffs and yogurt melts sometimes, and fruit cereal bars.  Your favorite place to have a snack is on the kitchen floor right in front of the refrigerator or just to the side of it...so funny!  I guess you have easy access to ask for more :)



We had your 18 month appointment today.  You weighed in at 22lb and 6.5oz (23%) and were 29.5"high (5%) (as comparison, Brayden was 22lbs 3oz and 31.5" at 18 months).  You are still on the short side for your age.  I actually bought you a mini skirt (12-18 mo size) but when I tried it on you, it came down almost to your ankles!   You can still wear 6-9 months pants but they are finally starting to get short!  You can wear 12-18 month shirt but they are slightly large.  Your feet are still really tiny as well...you are still wearing a size 3 shoe but I think they are starting to get small.  It is hard to find hard bottom shoes in size 3!  Most babies that wear size 3 are not walking yet :)

Having a snack at the Drs office this afternoon. 

You had to have your finger stuck twice today for a blood draw.  You were a champ both times and didn't cry at all.  The 1st time they did the finger stick, the blood clotted in the tube before they were able to run the CBC panel.  When the Dr told me that, we both had the "we need to have you checked for clotting issues" look.  The 2nd time they drew the blood, it was fine with no clotting.  Your hemoglobin is a bit low, we we have to try to get some more iron into you.

You have had several nasty ear infections recently.  The most recent one a few weeks ago caused a 104.5 fever that lasted for 3 days.  You refused to take the antibiotic or any motrin/tylenol, so after the 3rd day, the Drs office said to bring you back in for antibiotic shots.  They worked like a charm even though you hated the shot part.  At least you started feeling better quickly!

My pitiful, sick baby

This is how we spent about 3 days.  Poor thing...you were miserable!

 You are trying to talk but still only have a few words.  You clearly say mama, dada, shoe, thank you, and ball.  You also try to say shirt, hat, and cat.  You can point to your feet and nose and hands.  I suspect that you know so much more but you are stubborn and won't show me where your eyes, ears, etc are.  We also keep trying to get you to say more words, but you just don't seem interested yet.  You also don't seem to care about picking out pictures in a book or making any animal sounds.  When you choose, you can sign more, please, thank you and all done.

You seem to like music more than Brayden did at this age.  If you hear music, you start bouncing up and down and clapping along.  I hope your love of music continues as you grow...your BB and Uncle John are so musically talented and I hope that you got some of that talent.

Enjoying a basketball game with Grammy.  We couldn't find a sitter that night so you got to come with us to the NCSU vs UNC game!

In the past few months, you have really started to enjoy books.  Some of your favorites include "Hippos Go Beserk", "Moo, Baa, La La La", "Barnyard Dance", "Pet them Gently", and "Doggies".  

Reading books in bed

You are still very much a Mommy's girl but love your Daddy too!  You enjoy sitting on the couch with Daddy and watching football and basketball for brief periods of time. You and Daddy and sometimes Brayden enjoying chasing each other around the downstairs. At bedtime, you want a few books, some loving, and occasionally you still want to nurse.  Sometimes you wake up during the night just to nurse as well.  I am not quite ready to let go of the baby in you so I am glad that you still want to nurse some.

"Helping" Mommy cook on Sunday afternoon

Snuggle time

 We redid our 1/2 bath downstairs in January.  We decided that to save money on a fancy painting for over the mirror, that we would each paint a canvas to hang.  You had a blast with this project!  Now, we just need to get them hung up!



One of your favorite things to do these days is to tear apart Brayden's train tracks that he has so carefully built!  He is no longer quite so tolerant of your destroying his creations!  You also like to "help" when we are playing games with Brayden.  It makes it very difficult play without Brayden getting upset!  You also love your baby doll and stroller.  You collect all sorts of things in the stroller and push them all over the house.  You also like to have your baby wrapped in her blanket and carry her around like a little mommy.  It is so cute to watch you take care of your baby.

Trying to take apart Bradyen's train track

Another favorite pastime is to take everything out of our bathroom cabinets (there are 2 that are Lilly safe) and put everything into the tub.  You then get mad because you can't reach anything anymore.  You also enjoying playing with all of my shoes.  You don't care about putting them on but you do like to play with them.  Your shoes on the other hand are a different story.  You LOVE your shoes and are quite persistent on which shoes you want to wear...pink polka dot, red Mary Jane's, and black Mary Jane's are your favorites.

Fun at Marbles Kids Museum

Making a mess in the playroom...you hardly ever actually play with anything.  Instead you pull everything off the shelves and move on like a tornado :)

Wearing Brayden's football helmet

You also love your bows but don't like to leave them in for very long :)  At least your hair isn't too long in the front and isn't hanging down in your face.  You do have a lovely mullet going on though :)  I wish we could cut some of your hair in the back and move it up front!  I guess, in time, your hair will come in.  It is still a beautiful, silky strawberry blonde color and I hope it stays that way!  Your eyes have also stayed a beautiful blue color.  I am so happy that your eyes stayed blue...I have always wanted a blue eyed baby :)

Bathtime fun!  You now beg for bubbles every time we get a bath!

You and Buckaroo also have a love - hate relationship.  You get so excited when you see him and you like to walk right up beside him and squat down but you are not so sure about petting him.  Occasionally, you will pet him but it is only a one time petting.  I did catch you a few weeks ago trying to pick him up.  Buckaroo is so good...he was just sitting there and letting you mess with him.

We are so blessed that God chose us to be your Mommy and Daddy!  You are the perfect addition to our family and we all love you so much!  I can't wait to watch you as you continue to grow and learn (but slow it down a bit girl...you are growing up WAY TO FAST!)