A new view

As I've mentioned before, Braden loves to sit up and be able to see what's going on.  We often put him in his swing so that he can sit up (which he loves, but it usually puts him to sleep).

A few weeks ago I got out his high chair (well, really a booster that straps onto our dining room chairs) - he's not eating any solids yet so we haven't put on the tray part  (I think we'll get the "go ahead" for that at his 4 mth. appt.), but he is enjoying sitting in his seat up high where he can see!  He will sit contentedly in the seat while we are cooking or cleaning up in the kitchen, and also can sit with us while we eat meals . . .  Braden always wants to be part of the action. :)

I think he looks like a toddler here!

 . . . and we're still working on that rolling thing!  He gains momentum for the roll by swinging his legs up and over, then his torso/head follow in slow motion.  So far he's still just making it from his back to his side.

Deal of the Day

I love to shop . . . and I especially love to shop when 

a) I find things that I like that I need

b) things are a great deal

Allison and I hit the outlet mall on Saturday (brr!), and I found a bunch of great stuff for Braden that met both of the above criteria!  Yay!  Check out the winter coat that I got for him (I know it looks huge in this picture, but it is 12-18 month size, so should be just right for next year!) . . .  for $6.72 (originally $42!!) - and the matching hat/mittens for $2.50 - whoo hoo!  I also found some other misc. stuff that he'll need in the coming months - I think it is more fun to shop for him than for myself. . . In fact I got Billy and Braden each several things on our shopping outing, and only got a new pair of yoga pants for myself.

Here's our bouncin' baby boy after his bath today - he still needs to put on his jammies in this picture, but I just love his cute baby legs!  These days he truly does "bounce" in the bouncy seat - so funny to watch.

And a few more random shots from the week:

The boys waching TV at my parents' house . . .

Future football player?

Our little star! (I'm noticing he is sitting with this green boppy in a lot of our photos - it's because Braden prefers to sit/be propped up so he can see - not just lie flat).

Tummy time - Braden is getting really good at holding up his head. :) . . . .his feet move the whole time, so once he figures out how to move his arms - watch out - he'll be crawling!

Life lately . . . and lots of pics!

Baby, it's been COLD outside! 

This past week temps in Iowa dipped waaayyyy below zero.  We had 3 "snow" days last week (days off school) more due to the dangerously low temperature than the actual snow.  

Wherever we go, we always get compliments on this:

(Well the baby too, but I am talking about the carseat cover!  Wish I had invented it - it is wonderful!) 

This handy cover keeps our little guy toasty warm even on these cold days - without having to bundle him up in a snowsuit every time we go out (it is a waterproof cover lined with fleece with zippers that open it up to put in/take out baby - and a great little flap that secures with velro that you can close over the hole when outside - much better than a blanket because it doesn't blow off! We got ours at target.com)

 . . . although we did break out this cute little number the other day for an extra layer of warmth (it's still rather large on him, but kept him cozy)!

Anyway, we think he's pretty darn cute peering out of his little "hatch" when we're ready to leave . . .

So cute, in fact, that I got a little carried away taking pictures of him last week! (Hey mom, don't forget I am in here!)

Ok - enough!

This is how we feel about having 3 snow days in one week . . . .

So what do you do when it is sooooo cold outside?

Well, you can take a warm bath . . . .


or play x-box (daddy's new toy)  with auntie Allie and Beth  . . .

or learn to roll half way over!  Braden learned how to roll from his back to his side a couple of days ago!

Or there's always a nice nap!

Or you could just smile so that Mommy can take your picture!

So sweet from head . . . (yeah, I have spit up on my face)

 . . . to toe!

Still not so sure about this bumbo thing . . . it's nice to sit up, but . . .

So - there you go - finally downloaded the pics on my camera from the past week or two. :)

Luckily for us, our furnace decided to stop working yesterday (amidst the balmy 20 degree weather versus last week's below zero temps) . . . hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow (when the part arrives) - in the meantime we're snuggling with blankets and space heaters, and are actually quite toasty (and yes, the blankets are away from the space heaters, Mom!).  When you have small rooms in a small house, a space heater can keep you nice and cozy.  

Well, now that my report cards are (finally!!) done, and the blog is a little more up to date, I am off to read  -- I'm smack in the middle of the Twilight series (which I was reluctant to start) - and can't wait to find out what happens next!  Braden is happily occupied in Billy's lap while Billy is playing tennis (on his new toy!)  . . .  so I can sneak in a few chapters before it's time for bed -- after 5 days off, I have to get used to getting up early again!

3 month pictures

As promised, here are Braden's 3 month pictures . . . he's looking so old!  He is still wearing 0-3 month clothes, and a few things that are 3-6 month size.  When I was putting away laundry tonight I went through his closet and put some of the things that are getting a little too small away (for some reason I find it so hard to put away clothes he's grown out of - it makes me sad! anyone else have this problem?).

This one is my favorite

Here's his classic grin!

And a fun one for the Hawkeye fans! (it is supposed to be horizontal/he is laying down - but I didn't rotate it after it was scanned).

 I have taken a few pictures this week that I will try to post soon, but haven't downloaded from the camera yet. 

Today we had snow day #3 (yikes!  while I love a snow day, making them up won't be nearly as fun!), so I got to snuggle with Braden again this morning and give him his first bottle (yesterday was a late start due to weather) . . .  I ended up going to a dentist appointment today as planned (dontcha hate when you spend time writing sub plans that never get used!?); the roads weren't great, but ok - it's just that it is soooo cold!!!. While in IC  we made a few stops - so the day kind of flew by.  Mom watched Braden so I didn't have to take him out in the cold.  When I finally got home I ended up making cinnamon rolls (which I enjoy), but after cleaning up that mess and the supper dishes, it just didn't feel like much of a "relaxing" day off . . . and I STILL don't have my report cards done.  Oh well - it's looking like we might have another day off tomorrow!

Back in the Saddle

Sorry for the lack of posting . . . it's been a busy week.  Actually, not so terribly busy, just tiring!  On Thursday I realized that perhaps one reason for feeling so tired is that I have not worked a "full" work week since last May (summer off, and when I came back to school I had Thursdays off for OB appts, then worked 1/2 days, then 10 weeks off for maternity leave . . ..) - so that, combined with coming off the "holiday wirlwind" has left me a little wiped out. 

Today I am enjoying (and yes, not using too wisely yet!) a workday at school to do report cards. Sadly I have spelling, reading, and social studies tests to grade before I can even start the report cards - I had high hopes of doing the grading over the weekend, but I am very selfish with my weekend time and use most of it to snuggle with Braden (ok, and to read Twilight while he napped - I admit - I am now hooked on that series!).

Sorry, no pictures this time - I took some over the weekend, then my camera battery died, so it is charging up so that I can download.  We also got Braden's 3 month pictures back, so I will post those soon too.  He is looking so old!  But you'll just have to wait to see . . . 

3 months!

On Saturday Braden turned 3 months old (sniff! this is going waaay to fast for me!) . . .  here's our little guy giving me an after-a-nap grin in his crib (yes, I realize it is January, but it is warm in our house and he was all sweaty in his fleece sleep sack, so I let him nap in just a onesie -- usually his jammies are seasonally appropriate :) ). 

And here's his monthly shot (in the 12 month size outfit - we do this each month on the 3rd) . . . top pic is from one month in November, and the bottom picture is 3 months - January 3.  Those little legs are getting chunkier . . . :)

Today we had his professional 3 month pictures taken - I'll post 'em as soon as I get them. Those dang photographers know just how to pull at a mommy's heartstrings and it is soooo tempting to buy lots!  I tried to be good, but ended up purchasing more than I intended to (I wanted more than one pose) -- but am guessing we will never regret having more pictures of that sweet face - I am amazed at how quickly he is growing and changing.  The next time we take professional pictures will be at 6 months - he will be twice as old as he is now, so I am sure we will see big changes!

Time to get to bed - vacation is officially over! :(  It was a wonderful one though . . . Hopefully we can get jump right back into things without too much trouble - we just got "on schedule" (after my maternity leave ended) for a week, then had 2 weeks off for Christmas vacation. This time we're not so lucky -  my next day off other than a weekend is on Monday the 19th for MLK day.  Over the holiday break Braden has done really well sleeping till 7:30 or even 8, so I am sure he will sleep past 7 tomorrow so that I can get us out the door to daycare/work on time.  Ugh.  Does anyone else get the "Sunday night blues" too?

Happy New Year . . . 2009!

Happy New Year!  

Yes, our little man was awake to ring in the new year . . . well, sort of - his eyelids were very heavy (no, he didn't "stay up" - he "napped" before midnight hit)!  We had a fun NYE celebration with friends - but decided that we are officially getting old, since we were definitely ready to get to bed! :)  Braden was great at the party, and since he was up late to greet 2009, slept in till around 9 (so we did too!) . . . then time to cheer on the Hawkeyes to a win in the Outback Bowl.  Whoo hoo!

Here are some final pics from 2008 . . . too cute not to post!

Best wishes for a wonderful, happy and healthy 2009! We can't wait to see what this year brings. :)