The Brown Bunch

Thursday, July 7, 2011

So Much to Blog, So Unmotivated

I really do have tons of things to blog about, but I just haven't taken the time yet. I've been getting lots of other things done, which is probably good. So, just wait patiently while I decide to post about our lives. Things to look forward to: more pics from when my family visited, Independence Day, Brayden's 2nd successful haircut by me (today actually), and my pregnancy update. I'm 33 weeks! And I have this sneaky suspicion that Baby Brother is going to be pretty early. . . . Mother's intuition? We'll find out I guess.

I have another appointment tomorrow, so maybe after that I'll have something to post about. Hopefully not too much though! :)

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Family Visits

Last Thursday my brother, Steve, flew into Orlando and we went to pick him up. Of course, we can't go to Orlando without visiting the temple, so Steve got to catch up with Brayden while we went in the best place on Earth. My mom and Dad arrived in Tallahassee the next morning after breakfast (we were supposed to meet up in Orlando, but it got complicated). B loved seeing everyone and was especially fascinated by his uncle Steven. I don't know what it is, but ever since he was a baby, he just looks at Steve and laughs. The first day he followed Steven around and wanted to be a part of all his activities.

We went to the beach on Saturday and that was lots of fun too! Aunt Beck sent some beach gear for Brayden that he liked trying on at home, but of course wouldn't keep on at the beach. The water was so warm at the beach! At least 80 degrees! I could definitely get used to that! However, I don't think I'll want to go in August. . . it'll be much too hot!

Brayden has been wonderful at taking his naps and sleeping at night even with noise and people around. We are so lucky! He has loved having everyone here! He had to warm up to his Grampy Doxey, but once he did he's had some good play time with him. As always, he LOVES his Grandy. I can't blame him. She spoils him :) Overall, he's been a happy camper and let his cuteness shine out. With his silliness every now and then too. It's amazing how much more fun he has when there's always something going on! It makes me more excited to have more kids to provide entertainment!

Anyway, we have loved having our family here! They've spoiled us all! They even rented a car that we could all fit in because we couldn't all fit in our little car. So, we didn't have to use hardly any gas while they were here and we got to enjoy the nice DVD player in the car. Brayden points to the TV every time we get in :D Of course, he won't be able to get too used to that because we won't have one of those for a very long time. If ever. But, it's been lots of fun!

We said goodbye to Steve and Grandy today, but then their flight was canceled, so we get them one more night. They're on a 7:30am flight though, so we'll pretty much say our goodbyes (again) tonight. Dad sticks around until Saturday. We'll miss you guys! It's been so fun! And I'm just glad to know that I'll have more visitor's soon for Baby Brother.

Enjoy the pictures!

Grandy & Gramps bring yummy berries!

trying on his new gear

ready to go. Blanky and all.

He wore Grampy's reading glasses around for a little while and kept walking funny because they were hard to see through. He would stare at his feet and take really slow steps. Sometimes he'd run into something that you could tell he saw but didn't think it was that close. It was too cute to stop for a while, but my concern for his eyes won out in the end and we got him to take them off.

We saw a bunch of sting rays in the water. It was kind of creepy, but we swam anyway. We figured as long as we didn't step on them they wouldn't hurt us.

checking for sting rays before going in the deep.

Family Picture

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Wholesome Recreational Activities

Playing in the Rain

First of all, just notice his shirt. . . he picked it out and asked me to put it on over the shirt he was already wearing. He truly loves his cars. Thanks Causey's for donating the T-shirt! There's plenty of growing space!

The rain had died down by this point, but the water was up to his shins at the beginning!

Family Bath

we were all squeezed in the the tub for a few minutes and Brayden loved it! He wanted to sit on my lap the whole time. Of course, Brayden was the only truly nakey body. hehe. Just had to throw that out there.

Cleaning

This was the first time I had the thought to pull out our mini vacuum while I used the big one. Brayden has claimed it as his own and helps me vacuum!

Baking

I just can't get enough of my boys! We have so much fun together! I wish that every day were Saturday so we could always have Daddy around!!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

18 Months

I hope you're ready for pictures! I had the camera out all day on Thursday because Brayden turned 18 months and I felt that it was worth documenting. Even with some narrowing down there are so many pictures! But, I'm sure all of you who don't get to see Brayden in person can appreciate it at least.

Here's a few things about Brayden at 18 months:

He talks all day long, but we still don't understand hardly anything
His favorite toy is Mommy's cell phone and iPod (and you should see him navigate those things!)
He loves most fruits, but doesn't care for many veggies. Favorite fruit is blueberries for sure and favorite veggie is broccoli.
He has regressed to whining at diaper changes and kicking until the diaper is off. He's a generally happy boy, but doesn't smile and giggle at just anything. You'll see in the pictures that he's mostly very serious for the camera.
On occasion he will close his door, get his binky and blanket and put himself down for a nap. Of course I always go in to say goodnight, but it's pretty cute.
He's a sweaty little boy! It only takes a minutes or two in our Florida heat until he's sweating all over.
He loves to do actions to songs. His regular favorites are "If you're happy and you know it," "The wheels on the bus," "Itsy bitsy spider," "Shake your sillies out," "Head shoulders knees and toes," and finally he will always smile when we sing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" while tossing him up.
He reads scripture stories each night and then "kneels" at his bed for prayers.
He kisses his picture of Jesus goodnight anytime we lift him up to the wall.
He gives the best kisses with a smack sound and all.
He loves Sadie dog and follows her around when she's inside.
He always wants to help hold Sadie's leash during walks.
He's found a new interest in baby gear. He's wanted to sit in the bouncer and insisted on pulling out the walker so he could walk in it.
He still cries when Mommy holds little babies, but is doing very well with letting kids his age share her attention.
He knows where Baby Brother is and will pat my belly.
He wants to stand up in his bathtub a lot these days and has started to aim his squirting toys to try and squirt me.
He has a little toilet that works as a stool as well, so whenever we go to brush his teeth, he tries to pick it up and move it. Sometimes successfully, but usually with help.
He is fascinated with toilets and watching us go to the bathroom and then helping us flush, but he doesn't have the desire to try it out yet.
He has never tried splashing in the toilet, which I am very grateful for! We've had one toy that got dunked once, but it's been a while.
He can recognize all his standard animals that he sees and can point them out when we ask.
He knows a lot of shapes, but struggles with his colors.
He loves when strangers give him attention.
Cars is his favorite movie and now whenever I mention cars (whether I'm talking about his toys or anything else) he gets way too excited and brings me the movie so he can watch.

I think that's a pretty good list for now. There's so much to tell about him! He's growing up so fast! As soon as he starts talking so I can understand he will seem so old! I think he'll be a great big brother! But, he'll have a little hard time with sharing Mom's attention in the beginning. Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Breakfast. I pulled out some cheerios and oatmeal and asked which one he wanted. He looked at both then pointed at the cupboard and picked out Oops All Berries. He got his Daddy's sweat tooth for cereal.