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!

what a week...

We had such a great time last weekend.  The weather was great so we spent some time outside.  

Then our sweet friends the Walker's came to spend the night with us.  Brant and his sweet friend.  Some of the faces he makes there is NO doubt he is my child!

He loves his coupe car.  He really loves any activity that involves being outside!

Saturday night the fun really began... Brant woke up around 3 and was UP.  Along with being up he was extremely fussy.  I had thought several times the week before that he possibly had an ear infection.  Everything I read said 80% will heal on their own so it is best to wait and see.  Everything said it is best to avoid antibiotics when possible so they do not become resistant to them.  I, of course, called the doctor to confirm.  She agreed and said it was possibly teething.  Sunday night was not great either so Monday I took him in first thing.  He did have an ear infection along with getting 5 teeth!  Tuesday was TERRIBLE!!!!  Brant either poo pooed or threw up every 45 min to an hour.  NO ONE slept in our house.  Every night has been slightly better since then, but still no good sleep.  We were also just sad our baby felt sooo terrible and we could not fix it!  

A few selfies while waiting for the doctor.  You can see in his eyes how bad he feels!

3 am....What's the big deal, mom?

and then this happened...

This was day one of the eye infection.  I am too embarrassed to show the days following including today.   

This was the highlight of the week!!  I really just can not believe our baby is walking!!!!!!  He's not totally steady but he is on the way.  And again confirmation that he belongs to me (and really his daddy too) he is after a chocolate bar!  

I intend to at least do a half post for baby boy #2 soon!

10 Months

Another month has pasted us by way too quickly!  Brant turned 10 months old January 22!!!  Here is the latest.

• You weighed 23lbs and 4 oz at the 9 month check up (which was like a 3 weeks ago).  Daddy said even the doctor wanted to doubt check because you had grown so much.
• You are a great crawler, super fast.  You follow your dad and I around from room to room pulling up on our legs.
• Actually you are pulling up on EVERYTHING!  Makes me nervous.
• You LOVE: 
• to eat.  The teachers at your school tell me all the time you are such a great eater.  We are thankful for this.  You still love fruit most of all.  You are not a fan of peaches or spaghetti.
• being outside
• watching Buster and throwing the ball for him, but not being licked
• bath time
• for us to chase you
• balls
• the dishwasher, your favorite
• You do not like:
• putting on your diaper, you try to roll over the whole time and scream
• getting dressed, love to be naked.
• the car seat, uh does this ever end???
• being told no
• I think you are even more attached to your paci now.  So weaning should be loads of fun.
• You can say Dada.  He loves it.  You are babbling more and more.
• Still a great sleeper at night and a terrible napper especially at school
• You moved up at school to the what I call the creeper class.  All the kids can crawl or walk.
• You are really close to walking.  You took a few steps this month.  You can stand up pretty well and are pretty steady.
• You have definitely began to really assert yourself.  Along with that we are seeing that your going to be a determined little guy.
• I try to redirect you when you want things you should not play with like any cords, glasses, etc that you come across, but you are not easily redirected.  You get focused on getting something and it is impossible to simply show you something different.  So this can easily result in a fit.
• You love opening and closing drawers and cabinets.  This has squished a few fingers.  Typical these days...

You are still the sweetest baby ever!  Daddy and I love you so much and just love our days with you!!

Happy 10 months!!