countdown, cool night, and crawling cutie

Only 4 more days of school . . . I am so excited to be a full time mommy for the summer. :)  I really need to get my groove on and work on checkin' things off my to do list as we wrap up the school year (namely report cards!); it is just so hard to make myself do school tasks in the evening - it's much more fun to hang out with our little guy!

Tonight was the first home softball game of the year - however, it was an unseasonably cool night to be out. But we bundled up and trekked through our backyard to the field to support Aunt Amy (aka the coach) and to cheer on and the team! 

Braden at his first game:

Of course, cousin Addie was willing to hold B and keep him entertained. :)  He was in such a silly mood and was really babbling and flashing his sweet smile.  His favorite phrase/babble lately is dadadadadada . . . we're not sure if that counts as a "Da Da" or not!

After the first game of the doubleheader, Braden and I headed inside for warmer territory and to change into jammies . . . here he is digging into his basket of books before bedtime.

I want this one, waaaayyy in the back!

And . . .  I finally got a better video of Braden crawling - he's a pro now, and is quite good at making his way quickly toward any object of desire . . . somehow remote controls, phones, and cameras are at the top of his list of things to "get."  So in this clip, I encouraged B to crawl by putting the remote on the floor. :)  As always, just ignore the goofy sounding comments by the photographer!

baby busy with books!

Ah, what a nice (long) weekend!  We especially enjoyed having Daddy home alllll day today (we don't have whole days together as a family very often with Billy working weekends - we're so happy that that will change during summer vacation)!  

Today we all slept in and had breakfast in bed. After lounging around for the rest of the morning at home, we went out for lunch and did a little shopping (the rain spoiled our plans for a picnic in the park - but we still had fun). When we got home, Braden was in a great mood and entertained us . . .

His new favorite toys are his books (yay!! says the teacher in Mommy)!

Whew - all that reading wears a fella out!

Kind of crawling!

Watch out world, here I come!

Today when I got home from work, Billy had some fun news to share - Braden is crawling!  Of course (as with rolling over at first) it is hard to get him to do it on command/for the camera.  I did witness B crawling several feet with a little more "finesse" . . . however on this clip Billy caught him kind of crawling, but not getting too far:

(excuse the TV which sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher in the background . . . and the rattling noise is actually a rattle that Billy is shaking in encouragement!  also, B does his tummy to sitting move in this clip too!)

Bring on the baby proofing/baby gates! :)

Superhero

We have a superhero at our house . . . "Captain tough guy!" Check out his bib cape. :)

Sometimes when he's playing, B's bib gets turned around . . . and he's our little superhero!

His superpower is his charm . . .

 . . . really, no one can resist that grin! (Look closely and you can see his 2 little teeth.)

Even superheros get tired . . . 

I snapped these one day when he was fighting sleep (Guess that is what "captain tough guy" fights?!) . . .

On Saturday night we went out for pizza with B's cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Hartsock . . .

 . . . . then went to Grandma Miller's retirement reception at IMS.  B had fun meeting lots of people.

We're still not sure who makes funnier faces - Grandpa Miller or Braden!

In other news (for which there is no pictures), Braden learned a new trick this week!  He is now able to pull himself up from a crawling/tummy position into a sitting position.  He did it once or twice over the weekend, and today his daycare provider said he did it a lot (and he's been showing off at home tonight) - such a big boy!  I'll have to catch this new accomplishment on video to share - it sure is cute how he wiggles his little bottom back as far as he can (in a crawling position on his knees), tucks his feet under, and then pushes with his hands and rocks back until he lands on his tush.

So close to summer!

We're getting so close to summer vacation, I can almost taste it (despite all the rain this week)!  I'm sooooo ready for the carefree days of warmer weather, and spending all day with Braden (well, most days - we are going to keep taking him to daycare occasionally to hold his spot and so that he stays familiar with his buddies there . . . and so I can tackle a few projects - like painting the kitchen and living room (yay - can't wait!) - that will be much easier without B around).  

HOWEVER, there are still 11(?)ish more school days to make it through, as well as end of the year testing/grading, report cards, and cleaning out my classroom that have to be completed before the summer fun can begin.  Whew.  Makes me tired just thinking of all that needs to be accomplished . . .  It is comforting to know that by June 3 it will all be done!

Though I am anticipating summer, I am hoping that it doesn't fly by as quickly as spring has. . . our weeks have been packed full with activities, meetings, etc..  After several nights of being gone, I actually skipped one of my favorite events (Book Club), just to stay at home to see my boys and go to bed early. 

Braden is such a little busy-body.  His new favorite activity is pulling himself up into a standing position . . . and the laundry basket is the perfect height for this feat (note to self - be sure basket is full of laundry that is heavy/someone is holding the basket down before allowing B to try this trick!).

These pictures don't show him standing up very well, but you get the idea. It is hard to photograph this stunt while also being his "spotter."  (He also continues to like to chew on anything he can get his hands mouth on. 

We've had visitors this week!  Braden's cousins have been coming over to play now that their mom is busy coaching softball (almost literally) in our backyard after school.  We'll have a lot of fun hanging out with them this summer.

And last, but not least - Congrats Mom!  

My mom is retiring after 41 years of teaching! 

(not sure I will last that long . . )

On Thursday night Allison, Billy, Braden, and I decorated the school with "41 and done" signs (which included pictures of Mom from old yearbooks), balloons, left treats in the teachers' lounge. . . 

 . . . and sent her 41 roses on Friday at school (Dad was in on those, too). (Ha, Mom - snagged the picture off your site!) ;)

My mom is not one to "toot her own horn," (she'll probably tell me do delete this!) but I am so proud of her - she's one of the most dedicated teachers I know, and has spent many, many hours working on things for her classroom outside of the school day.  Numerous times I've met people over the years who tell me that she was their favorite teacher, or the best teacher they ever had.  I'm sure she's not going to slow down a bit in retirement, but I hope she'll have more time to do things she enjoys and hasn't had time for.  Congrats, Mom!!!! (note extra exclamation points)! Love you!!

Mommy's first Mother's Day

Dear Braden,

Today I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mom.  I love being your mommy, and feel so blessed to have you in my life, and to be able to call you my son.  Your dad and I love you like crazy, and are so excited and humbled to be your parents.  You've brought us more joy than we ever imagined in the seven months since you arrived.

  

I love your (already) spunky little personality, your beautiful bright eyes, and the sweet grin that you flash so generously;  I see your daddy in your eyes, and your grandpa Ed in your smile. I love:  your sweet perfect nose, the way you kick your feet at night as you're falling asleep, how you thoroughly enjoy your bottle (and demonstrate your despair when it is empty!), when you hold my hand or reach up to touch my face as I rock you, your love of investigating all things new, . . . and a million other things about you. I love how you get so excited to see your daddy, because I feel the same way; he's my favorite too - but I'll share him with you. Braden, I love you more than I ever thought I possible.

You are such a little sweet pea, and have been pretty "easy" on your dad and I as new parents trying to figure things out. . . and though we appreciate and love it when you sleep through the night, smile and coo, and are just so cute and loveable, we also love you when you wake up in the night, are teething, crying, or cranky. 

So far you have shown us that you like to be on the move and love to be in the company of others (you seem to make friends easily!); I can't wait to see what you'll do one day with these gifts.  My prayer for you is that you'll grow to love the Lord and use your talents to glorify Him. 

I love you, sweet baby Braden.

All my love always,

Mommy  

We took several pictures of today's Mother's Day festivities, but can you believe I didn't get one of me with my baby?  So here's our "self portrait" in jammies . . . I think it turned out pretty cute!

Today my family came over for dinner; Billy had to work, and it is difficult for my Grandma to be out and about.  It was fun to host a family meal of grilled chicken and veggie kabobs, cheesy potatoes, salad, homemade bread, and "death by chocolate" dessert (Allie and Beth contributed to the menu - thanks!).

Some lovin' from Auntie Allie

When Billy got home, we went to visit his Mom at work to wish her a happy Mother's Day, and then visited the Raths.  Cousin Addie gave B a ride on the swing (love how he is hanging on!)

We think our little guy is teething again - he has been a fountain of drool.  I think this was his 3rd outfit today!

Sucking/chewing on an ice cube after bathtime seemed to help . . . we'll see how much sleep we get tonight!

And one last photo that was on my camera for this upload . . . B did swing today with Grandpa Ed, but this shot is from earlier in the week.  Thanks for hanging up our new swing more permanently from the tree, Grandpa! (Notice Billy busily mowing with our new self propelled mower  in the background - whoo hoo - no more "push" mowing!)

Finally - a shout out to our moms for being such great moms for Billy and I - we love you guys, and appreciate you a lot!  

so happy for sunshine!

This weekend was filled with perfect spring sunshine . . . finally!  We enjoyed a lot of time outside, and get this:  Billy and I had not one, but TWO date nights!   

On Friday night my parents watched B so that Billy and I could go check out lawn mowers (we're afraid ours is on its last leg) . . .  we browsed Menards and Lowes (yeah, yeah, not such a romantic date - but it was fun to just hang out together for the evening (and for some reason I could spend hours in those types of stores just looking at everything); we didn't end up with a mower, but did get a bunch of new plants for our landscaping.

Saturday was May 2 . . .three years ago on May 2 we had our first date!  Wow have things changed! ;) So on Saturday Braden got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa H. and Billy and I dined at Olive Garden (much more date-like!) - yum.

Sunday we spent the day at home soaking in the sun.  Here's our little man enjoying the gorgeous weather.

On Friday night we picked up a swing for Braden . . . he loved it!

Braden can sit up like a champ these days - in fact, he gets excited sometimes and sort of "hops" up and down on his bottom - so funny.  He is getting really good at doing it without face planting. 

He's also really into reaching and grabbing for things now, and will hold up his arms to you when he wants "up."

And he's not crawling just yet, but is getting closer . . . I caught him up on his knees trying to get this toy.  Often when he moves, he ends up going  backwards (farther from the object of his desire), which is most frustrating for the poor boy.

Typically he just scoots or rolls, but does manage to get from one place to another.  In this picture he started out sitting up on the blanket, but traveled to the chair.  When I first found him, he was actually halfway under the chair. 

He is very funny to watch, but he moves most when he thinks we aren't watching; if he knows we are there, he gives up more easily and fusses for us to get whatever object he is after - unless we act like goofy cheerleaders and give him lots of encouragement.

Finally, what mommy doesn't have a cute food picture (prunes!) . . . OR . . . .

 . . .  bathtime picture on her camera?

PS - 20 school days left!

7 months

Our little (well, big!) guy has reached the 7 month mark.  Last week (or the week before, I guess - on 4/23) when we had his "6 month" checkup, we learned that Braden weighs 16 pounds (20th percentile), and is 27 1/4 inches long (80th percentile).

And, as is our monthly custom, here's the progression of his growth in photos:

1 month

3 months

5 months

7 months