Braden's first Christmas

Whew!  I think we are still recovering from the whirlwind of fun that Christmas brings!  It was especially "merry" with Braden here to celebrate with us.  This year the lights and getting lots of cuddles from his relatives seemed to be highlights for Braden (I'm sure next year it will be a little different!).  

Here's Billy and Braden on Christmas Eve - we did our own little family of 3 gift opening at home that night.

ooh - new jammies! (we're getting lots of smiles from our little guy these days!)

Christmas morning at my parents - Braden's first stocking! (and yes, I washed his onesie between wearings - we just had to get all the wear we could out of his holiday apparel!)

Christmas afternoon at my aunt and uncle's - the extended Miller family gift exchange!

The Miller 2nd cousins

 

The whole Miller crew . . . (and Aubree's paper plate!)

Cousin Madi and Braden (all ready for bed in his Christmas sleeper)

Christmas celebration at the Hartsocks on Saturday

The Hartsock cousins

We had such a good time with our families . . . and Braden did great - he was his laid back, happy self (even though his "schedule" was way off - he rolled with it like a champ - napped in cozy laps when he got tired  . . . and woke up all smiles . . . and continues to sleep all night even when we mix up his days)!

I am very much enjoying having 2 weeks off for vacation - we're kind of back to our old schedule before I returned to work. :)  It sure is nice to get in this extra cuddle time with our little guy . . . each day I think he gets a little cuter, and he is developing such a personality. 

The best time day for me is still when Braden wakes up (usually between 7 and 8) and starts kicking and cooing is his crib . . . when I go in to get him, he breaks into a huge smile and I just love giving him his first morning hug.  Braden still loves his baths (can't wait till he takes them in the tub and we can break out all  the rubber duckies he received at baby showers!)  and his playmat/gym (he can lay there and kick his feet/watch the light up musical sun for an hour!), and is becoming more interested in music.  He also seems to focus on books when we read to him, and enjoys the sound of our voices (which he definitely recognizes now).  Braden is becoming such a little ham - and knows just when to smile when people are watching him - he loves to interact with people - our little social bug! He still is a great shopper (yay!), and it is no problem to take him just about anywhere . . . except if he is taking a bottle - watch out when it is empty!  His new "thing" is to scream when he realizes that there is no more formula - his little tantrum only lasts about a minute, but he really lets us know how he feels about finishing the bottle. ;) (and yes, he is getting enough - if he is sleepy he doesn't throw a fit at all, and if he is awake and we try to feed him more, he ends up spitting up the extra formula).  

Oh - one more milestone - he is now able to sit up/hold his head up and use his bumbo! (kind of!)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I was going to take a new picture of our little guy in his holiday gear to accompany this greeting (this one is from our Christmas card), but he's currently doing this:

(hee hee - love the hairline in this pic!) . . . but seriously, is there anything more sweet than a sleeping baby?

Well . . .

I think we're ready!  I just got  done making one last treat - Oreo bon bons - yum!  I usually don't make too much Christmas candy/cookies  (Allie and I often do some baking with Mom, or just let her handle making our favorites!), but this year I got on a roll. I dipped pretzels, made reeses PB cup brownie things using mini muffin tins (again, yum!), and stirred up some snickerdoodles (Billy's request) and turned them into Christmas cookies by using red and green sugar to roll them in.  I tried without much success to get Billy to help me make these treats, and can't help thinking that in a few years I will have an eager little helper! :)

We're excited to celebrate Braden's first Christmas with our families - it's always crazy, busy, and so much fun!  Tonight we go to my Grandma's house for a soup supper and gift exchange.  Then tomorrow we kick off the festivities with breakfast at my parents' house with my immediate family - then stockings and gifts!  At noon we're trekking to Iowa City to my aunt and uncle's house for the extended Miller family celebration . . . in years past we used to go to a movie on Christmas night, but now that we have so many kiddos, we're planning to have a movie night at their house - sounds fun!  We always eat wayyyyy too much yummy food!  Then on Saturday we'll celebrate with the Hartsocks at Billy's parents house (this gathering was post poned due to colds, so hopefully everyone will be feeling better!) - we're looking forward to a great supper, playing games, and gifts there too!  

I think my favorite part of Christmas celebrations is spending time with our families . . . we're so fortunate to have everyone close by and get to see both our families for the holidays (we'll be missing my Spain-residing-cousin Aubree again this year though - we'll be sure to break out a paper plate for you, Aub!  When a family member is missing for the annual family picture on the Miller side, you get a paper plate head when we pose for the pic). :)

In the midst of all the fun (and fun it should be!), take time to remember the birth of the little baby that is the reason for the season - truly a wonderful reason for celebrating!

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on his shoulders,

And he will be called 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Video

Ok, so I am still not able to successfully upload videos via blogger, but I did figure out how to upload to youtube then put that on blogger (yay me!) . . . anyway, this is not the original clip I wanted to upload - this is actually from this morning's cuddle session in our bed (and yes, he's still wearing the same jammies as he had on last night - as am I).  

So here's our little guy "talking" (and kicking - but this is not new - he's been on the move since before birth)!

You'll need to stop the music on the music player at the bottom of the blog (waayyy down after the last post - click on the pause symbol in the upper left corner) so you can hear Braden . . .

AND

Be sure to watch till the end for the grand finale . . . .

 . . . and yes, I am now washing the sheets!

Snowflakes and the Sniffles

I love love love the Christmas season, but every year it seems like something fun gets cancelled due to either the weather (snowflakes!) or illness (sniffles).  We've had 4 events cancelled for previously mentioned reasons so far, and it looks like we're going to have to miss another fun event (Ethan's b-day party) today . . . because we've got the sniffles (and baby it's COLD outside)! 

Braden was a little bit sniffly on Wednesday evening (probably picked up something at daycare or at the doctor's office, or I may have brought home a bug from being at school - ugh!) . . . and has gone from a little sniffly then to a lot sniffly today. It seems to get worse at night, then is better in the daytime. Luckily he's still his laid back happy self, and has not had a temp. . . . but now Billy & I have it too.  :(  So far it's still just sniffles though - no bad coughs or sore throats - hopefully we'll avoid that!

Here's our bedside table this morning -- Braden and I are cuddling/sniffling in our cozy bed (no, Braden does not sleep with Billy and I - the "our" is Billy and I -- but for this morning the little guy is joining me in the warmest/comfiest spot) watching Christmas movies (poor Billy had to brave the sub zero weather and head to work at 6!).  We're resting up and hoping to be at 100% for Christmas day.  

Braden doesn't seem to mind having his nose "sucked out," (he even smiles a little sometimes), but he hates getting Little Noses (saline drops).  Here he is resting up . . .

. . . and last night "talking" and kicking . . . .(I tried to upload a video, but kept getting an error report from blogger - I'll try again!)

Still our happy baby!

And a cute daddy/son shot from a couple days ago . . . have I told you how much I love seeing these two together?  Billy is a great dad!

2 month appointment

It's been a busy few days (being back at work + holiday happenings = not much time to blog)!   Today was Braden's 2 month (actually 10.5 week) doctor's appointment.  He now weighs in at 11 pounds, 13 oz (50th percentile), and is 23 1/4 inches long (55th percentile).  He seems to be right on track - yay!  These pics are from tonight after his bath, ready for bed in jammies.

Lately he is enthralled with his hands (several weeks ago he figured out how to put them in his mouth - now he loves to wave them and look at them -  like he just realized that he is the one controlling them . . .)  He is also having fun sticking out his tongue - I tried to catch a picture of it, but it's hard with a digital camera to get those quick action pics!   

 examining that hand . . .

And check out this pose while Daddy was feeding him tonight.  :)

Braden also got shots today at his appointment - and handled it like a trooper!  I think it was harder on me than him.  He fell asleep within minutes of the shots, and slept for several hours. When he woke up, he was his usual happy self!  Here's a pic of his "battle scars" (ie bandaids on his cute little thighs where he got his shots).

I've gotten inquiries about how it's been to go back to work, and how Braden is doing at daycare.  Well, school continues to be really busy, so I don't have a lot of time to miss my little guy. My favorite time of day is when I get to see him after work.  Billy is home with Braden on Th/F, so Braden has only gone to daycare twice so far - but it's going really well.  We're thrilled that he continues to sleep through the night (for almost a month now!) and almost always sleeps past 7:00am . . . so on daycare days, I wake him up just after 7 to change/dress him, and out the door we go.  He gets his first bottle of the day at day care, so I am able to get to work around 7:15-7:30 (we're so lucky to have a great day care provider just a few blocks away, so I don't have to get up too early to get him there).  Billy's off to work soon after 6, so as long as Braden sleeps till 7, we're golden and our morning routine works really well.

Here's  a shout out to all those working moms (and dads!) who make it look so easy.  :)  While I wouldn't trade our stage in life for the world, it certainly is more time consuming/takes some planning just to get where we are going each day.  

Today we had an early dismissal due to snow (whoo hoo!).   I stayed at school for a while to conference about a student, revise my lesson plans for the week, and catch up on some odd and ends, then picked up Braden. Since he was so sleepy, I took advantage of the extra time at home and made a home made chicken pot pie (actually 3 - one for supper and 2 to freeze - Billy's been asking for this dish ever since a friend brought it to us when Braden was born;  I got the recipe last week and finally made it today), and a chocolate pie for a co-worker who just had a baby, AND a batch of applesauce/cinnamon ornaments (we make them at school each year, and one kiddo was gone yesterday when we made them, so I felt bad and made more at home so he could have ornaments too).  . . . after all that (and the dishes that go with that much cooking/baking), this mama is calling it a night.  But first it's time to feed and cuddle with my little  sweetie (my second favorite time of day - snuggling with Braden at bedtime).  Seriously - it doesn't get any better than this!

In case you were wondering . . .

I survived my first day back at work.  Actually, it was so busy that I simply didn't have time to be sad . . . This morning I got a little teary when Braden woke up before I left and was crying while Billy (apparently not quickly enough) was making his bottle.  It was great to see my wonderful co-workers again, as well as my class - they were even especially well-behaved today (the kids, not my co-workers - but I guess the adults were pretty well behaved too, considering that it is t minus 6 school days till Christmas vacation!).  Weeellll, ok, so my kids were not exactly well behaved, but it was a good day!  Hopefully tomorrow will be too! 

Billy and Braden stopped in at lunch time (what a surprise!), so I got to love on Braden for a couple minutes (even though he was fast asleep - totally out!) while I did it.  When I got home, I was greeted by a happy baby and Daddy who (of course!) had everything totally under control.  

So, I guess I'll go back tomorrow.  :) tgif!

ps - thanks for all those prayers - they were answered today!

(sorry no pics today - I am wiped out - ready to catch some zzz's - this is the first day in a looonng time with no nap time and/or chance to sleep in for me!)

Lots of Thoughts

Well, the day has arrived (almost).  Tomorrow I go back to work.  Let me be clear here, I really do love teaching (ok, so most of the time I love it - I admit this year's group of kiddos is not an easy one).  But really I do like my job.  BUT, I never imagined how hard it would be to leave Braden.  It is the hardest thing.  Ever.

Yesterday I cried a lot in the morning and at night, but was distracted from my thoughts during the day . . . I went out to lunch with Braden and a close friend who is visiting from out of town, and we had my parents over for supper - the boys watched the Iowa basketball game and Mom and I watched a movie.  Today  I tried to just enjoy our last day.  We did a lot of snugglin', slept in, then I took Braden with me to work in my classroom after school was dismissed.  So now my lesson plans are ready to go, and I feel a little more ready too.  Tonight Billy and Braden and I went out to eat at one of our favorite Mexican joints, and splurged on some yummy margaritas. . . .which I think has helped me relax a little.  We've been cuddling with Braden, gave him a bath (love that fresh-from-the-tub-baby smell!), and now are going to cuddle some more before heading to bed.  One good thing about tomorrow is that it is Billy's day off, so I don't have to take Braden to day care for the first time (I am happy to report that we have a wonderful daycare provider, so I am not at all worried about taking him there - he'll be in great hands!), but for my first day back I just will have less hassle getting out the door.

But just how do you leave this?

And a couple more shots for good measure . . .

I haven't posted in a couple days . . . here are some pics that were on my camera when I downloaded today:

A shot of our 2008 ornament - Braden's first Christmas (inscribed with his birthdate)!  My parents have a tradition that each year they add an ornament to their tree that represents a significant event that took place during the year - and we've started this tradition too. Last year ours was a wedding picture, and this year our first child.  (We're thinking next year's will be a less significant life event - but who knows!!) :)

And here's the best gift under our tree . . .

These are a little older . . .

On Sunday Braden was all dressed up for church! 

uh, Mom, how many pictures are you taking?

I can't sit yet and this couch is slippery . . .


Please can we be done? My shoe is coming off!

And one more of that sweet face . . . 

How do I leave him?  I'll let you know how it goes . . . . gulp.

Sleepy, Snuggly Saturday Friday (it was really Friday, but Saturday sounds so much better in this title!)

On Friday I got so much done and was very productive snuggled on the couch almost all day with Braden.  Loooooove it.

That night the boys watched the Iowa basketball game on TV with my dad.

Don't you love the Hawkeye apparel? :)  Braden has lots of great Hawkeye gear that we received as gifts (the blanket in the first picture is actually a baby gift too!) . . . hmm - wonder why?  He wore this same onesie (was a little big back then) in the hospital - remember this post?   (you have to scroll down to see the picture I am referring t0.)

Lazy, snowy days . . .

 . . . are here (but not much longer for the lazy part - I am down to less than a week at home!). We woke up on Wednesday to this view (sorry, not such a great picture, but you get the idea).  The first few snowfalls of the season are always kind of fun, but I have to admit one of my first thoughts was, "here we go again!" (as I recalled memories of last year's never ending snow/winter weather).  The snow does look pretty, though, and our outside lights look great at night softly glowing under a coat of snow.

So this has been my last full week at home . . . I've just been soaking up every minute with Braden, as well as trying to finish up a few "projects" -- I am now officially DONE holiday shopping and wrapping (well, I might need to wrap a few things for Billy yet- things he has purchased) - whoo hoo!, and am now working on catching up Braden's baby book and writing our Christmas letter/getting photo cards made/addressing envelopes.  

Here are some pictures from this week:

Braden right after a bath - he is always so cuddly and happy . . . and I love the smell of a baby straight from the bathtub!

Our sweet pea -  I think he looks so old in this picture!

My guys!  Since Billy works weekends now, "our days" have been Thursday and Friday when he is home.  Today we slept in (I was up late wrapping gifts so someone in our house wouldn't snoop to see what he is getting - and no, Braden isn't a snooper yet!) . . . and Billy made me breakfast in bed.  What a guy! Then we all snuggled on the couch for the rest of the morning . . . I'm gonna miss these days . . .

The next few pictures are from my "photo shoot" to get a picture to use on our Christmas photo cards . . . (no, none of these were chosen for the card - you'll have to wait and see!)

Here's a fine photo of Braden's hairline (giggle!) . . . although we think the hair on top is growing a little thicker now and will catch up to the amount on the sides and in the back.  

Also - the front of his sleeper says" Silent Night?" and on the tush it says "Up All Night!" (which is cute, except our little guy sleeps all night now!!! He has only woken up during the night a couple times in the past 2 weeks, and goes right back to sleep with a paci).  Oh - I didn't even notice when I bought this outfit that on the bottoms of the feet one foot says "99% nice" and the other says "1% naughty."  I'd say that's about accurate . . . I know he can't wear holiday themed clothing very long (although do babies wear any clothing very long??), but I can't resist some of the adorable outfits!  They'll always make good jammies when the holiday is over - he still wears his Halloween ghost onesie to bed.

Ok, Mommy - enough!

And finally, we hit the 2 month mark on Wednesday!  So here's our monthly growth progress pic in the 12 month size outfit:

 

December 3 (love the kung fu pose and chubby legs!)

November 3

October 11

Ok, so it's still kind of hard to see notable growth in the monthly pictures (my sister says I need to be sure to take the pics from the same distance each time - but hey, I am lucky to remember to take them at all!).  When I was going back through my picture files to find the pics from each month, I found this one - also taken on October 11 - he looks so tiny here without that big outfit to disguise how little he is/was.  He's growing so fast.  Sigh.