Just a "lately" post!

Here are few pictures from the last few weeks!  

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Jason came to visit us!  Brant loves these two and had a blast at a baseball game with them.  

We were so thankful that they came and played with Brant so that we could finish up our guestroom.  We had to paint, and we knew that would be a hard task with little hands and feet in the room.  I love how it turned out.  Next project is Brant's big boy room.

Then Brant ended up home for a few days.  So daddy took a day and mommy took a day.  Daddy had the first and worst day though.  I text him to see how it was going his response was the picture below... and he said this is the only way he will sleep.  Poor guy.  

My day was a little better but I got a lot of this...so we snuggled a lot.  This is not an usually view for me though with both of these guys at my feet.  

Best friends in the making....Brant will get Buster's toy and take it to the door sometimes.  So sweet and funny!

The Walker's came to visit.  These two were much more interactive this time.

He loves to splash now that he knows it wets mommy too.

Brant does not sleep with us, and he usually refuses to sleep in our bed but I got out of the shower the other day and found this.  So sweet!!!

Someone has a birthday tomorrow!

Brant,
Your birthday is tomorrow!!!!!!   I don't even know how it could possibly be a whole year since you came into our lives.  I am much more emotional about this than I imagined. We had no idea just how much our lives would change or just how much we could possibly love you.  This morning as we watched you on the monitor as we do every morning, we said as we say every morning..."I just love that baby".  We can't seem to love on you enough or kiss those sweet cheeks, which you clearly got from your mother, sorry baby but yours are adorable!  We have loved watching you learning and grow.  We get so excited about every new thing you do (and you love to be cheered for), and spend a great deal of time telling each other about things you do.  Your little personality has really developed!  I remember in the hospital you were particular about nursing and the nurse told us this may just be a little insight into his personality!  Boy was she right!  Things may change but at this stage you act a lot like your mother sometimes.  This was very evident as you fell down this morning and threw a fit like the floor was responsible for your fall.  You don't do anything you don't want to, and you are very expressive.  You can get the most mad ever and can also be the most happy/excited ever.... whatever you are it is to the extreme and dramatic.  You are also a very affectionate baby and are always hugging and kissing us, and constantly want us to hold you and cuddle you (no complaints from us, daddy and I both love it).  You have to be in the same room as us at ALL times!  You need a buddy for sure!  All those things are just like me.  But you have some of your daddy in you too...  You never sit still, ever!  You walked quickly because you have to much to "do" to be laying or crawling.  One of your nursery workers told us once that you were fussy because you already wanted to be on the go.  You are extremely friendly!  You love to be around other people and are always on your best behavior around other people.  The other day you were pitching a fit in the bathtub and Aunt Molls walked in and you stop IMMEDIATELY like nothing ever happened! Such a people person!  If you do something and we say ouch or scream you WILL continue to do it like splashing in the tub!  You love to get a reaction from us.  That is SOOO your daddy!  It is so fun seeing different sides of our personalities in you.

You are a perfect addition to our family.  We are looking forward to many many more years and memories with you.  Here is a little look back at your first year....  

      (quite long for any blog viewers)

Create a slideshow

Brant's first hair cut

Brant has been in desperate need of a hair cut.  So we finally got around to it a couple of weekends ago.  We were just a little nervous how he would do with this, but he was so great!  He did not move at all, and even looked down like she needed.  As you can tell from his face he was not so sure about it though....

No before and after's I got caught up in the moment and totally forgot!  It is already long enough for another one!

Trip to DC/Baltimore

We had such a great trip.  Brant did awesome the whole time.  He had some trouble sleeping, but that was due to his cough and teething.  We loved getting to spend time with family and have a little get away.

Brant loved looking out at the snow...

Sweet time with Aunt Iris

Lots of fun with uncle Chris

The boys were able to go skiing one day.  I was jealous.

Brant and Luxie became best friends

Brant's first trip to the zoo

We all met Natalie and loved her including Brant.  Her and uncle Sam are turning him into a Raven fan.

We had a night out with the families.

Then it was time to head back home.

Brant did so good on all the flights except one.  Our flight was late leaving which caused Brant to tucker out before we boarded.  By the time we took off he was wide awake and stayed that way.  He went back and forth from my lap to Ike's the entire flight.  All together he was such a great traveler I might would even try it with two...maybe.

24 weeks, baby #2

I have heard that the second pregnancy is so different, and it is true.  We are just as excited, but don't have as much time to express it or document it.  Baby boy does not yet have a name.  We are about 97% sure we know the name, but not quite ready to commit.  Here is 24 weeks...

How far along: 24 weeks
How big is baby: The size of a rutabaga or cauliflower....about 13 1/2 inches long and weighs a pound and a half 
Weight gain/loss: I have no idea!!!  I'm guessing 15lbs?
Maternity Clothes: YES.  I could wear my pants with the belly band but I don't really like that thing.
Stretch marks: No thankfully.
Sleep: This question is tricky when you have an 11 month old also.  We are sleeping better, but my back is killing me already.
Diet: ANYTHING! I'm starving all the time.  I can't eat salmon and don't love hamburger meat.
Gender: Boy!
Movement: YES! This baby boy is quite the little mover and shaker.  He moves a lot all day!
The belly: BIG! I feel like I am so much bigger this time.
What I miss: Warm weather but that has nothing to with the baby. :)  I am looking forward to summer dresses.  I think I will like those for pregnancy.  
Symptoms: Heartburn/indigestion, restless legs
What I'm looking forward to: I'm excited for him to be here.  I know it will be a crazy few years with two baby boys, but I really believe it is going to be a blast.  I think Brant will love having a buddy.
Best moment of the week: We had an EKG on the baby.  My sister was born with 2 holes in her heart, and she had to have open heart surgery at 4.  We told the doctor this with Brant.  We talked about doing it with that pregnancy but never did.  At my last appointment on the way out she handed me the appointment card for the EKG.  We didn't discuss it, and really Ike and I didn't give it much thought till we got there.  It was like all of the sudden it hit us, Why are we doing this, THIS time???  I was panicking as she did it.  It was a special pediatric cardiologist, not our normal US tech or doctor.  I couldn't see Ike or talk to him so I could not tell he was having the same reaction as me.  ANYWAY most importantly at the end she said that baby looked great.  However she did in a very American Idol way....She said ok now I'm going talk to you for a minute and then proceeds to giving us the stats on our chances of having a heart issue....then tells us our baby looks fine.  When we got out of there we were both like what in the world was that???????   I still plan to ask our doctor at the next appointment.  So best moment was hearing that all is well with our babies heart.  

Our big adventure

Brant went on his first vacation!  We really wanted to make it to see Aunt Iris, Rose, Chris, and Sam before I was too pregnant to travel so we decided to make it happen.  Ms. Susie had also mentioned wanting to visit so we ask her to come too.  It was nice to have a 3 to 1 ratio on the baby.  I was nervous leading up to the trip about how Brant would do, how we would maneuver all of our stuff through the airport and make our connections etc...  

We were scheduled to take off Thursday morning.  Wednesday night our flight in Atlanta got cancelled so they re-booked us for later in the afternoon and seemed sure that flight would be fine.  So bright and early we flew from Jackson to Atlanta...Brant was amazing!  He played until take and then slept until landing. 

So by the time we get to Atlanta the flight is already cancelled.  We were booked and re-booked so many times I lost count.  I knew one thing I DID NOT want to spend the night in an airport with Brant.  Not that he had any trouble sleeping...He got comfortable!

made new friends..

Played with daddy

But after several cancelled flights and receiving the information that hotels were filling up quickly.  We booked a very expensive room for the night, and started making our way to the hotel.  

We (not including Brant who had EVERYTHING he needed to be comfortable including PJ's) didn't have any thing as far as clothes and things.  So Ike and I took a taxi to wal-mart to get a few things.  This night turned out to be pretty great in my opinion.  We ordered pizza, watched American Idol, and played with Brant.  He seemed to enjoy the new place.  Hotels have baby beds woohoo!  That was nice!

So the next morning we had an early flight out of Atlanta.  All went well.

Brant was great again and was asleep by take off and slept the entire time!

We are excited to arrive in DC and see family! 

even if we didn't have any luggage....

11 months

You are 11 months already!  This month was definitely a whirlwind!  I have so much to update on in post to come.

• Weight- I have no idea!  I don't think it has changed very much.  You do seem a bit taller.  Your little legs are so short.
• You are pretty much a full time walker these days.  You are still a little unsteady but you are not at all interested in crawling.  
• We love how animated you are.  Everyone comments on all the noises and faces you make.
• Definitely letting us know what you want mostly by grunting.
• It is almost impossible to get a diaper on you.  You try to roll over the entire time.  You love to be naked.
• Moved to the big boy seat and you seem much happier.  I think you would love facing forward but mom is sticking to backwards.
• Obsessed with opening and closing doors
• Can't stand anything blowing on your face 
• Much more engaged in your toys.  You love putting things in stuff.  Daddy found a few toys in his boot the other day.
• You had an ear infection this month and you got 4 teeth so it was a bit challenging.  You had a hard time sleeping.  I think we are back on track now.  I also think you are realizing more now that we are gone during the night and want us to come into your room.  We had to do a few crying it out spells, but you are awesome so they were not long at all.  I think I was more of the problem than anything by coming in to give you a bottle at night and putting you down asleep.  We switched that up and always put you down awake which seems to be helping.  
• Still LOVE your paci.
• Doing better with a cup
• Much more picky about what you will eat these days
• LOVE your daddy!  I love seeing your face when he comes in at night!  

I can't believe the next post will be for your FIRST birthday!!!  We love you so much sweet boy!