Brodys Antics: January 2010

I often look back, remembering back to being pregnant...being so anxious and wanting him to arrive early. I can still hear the voices of friends and family reminding me that I needed to cherish this time (blah blah blah). I remember the final 2 weeks...working around the house, cleaning, purging, getting my house ready for this little addition. Praying everyday...that he would come...I wanted him early...I wanted him NOW. I knew his little life was still being formed, that God was still laying out the path that he will be taking. That my grandma was holding him in heaven asking God for one more lullaby, one more kiss and one more story before sending him to me.

Well...I will admit it! EVERYONE was right...God sent me Brody, when Brody was ready. He had quite the schedule to keep...he was NOT allowed to come the weekend before his due date since it was a HUGE UFC fight night, and daddy really wanted to watch. He was not allowed to come until at least Feb 4th, since that's when Pappy arrived in town, and he was NOT allowed to come late...heaven forbid he would interrupt the Super Bowl. Being the compliant boy he is....he came at the earliest possible time, as to satisfy my yearning to meet him and not interrupt any other plans. Luckily for me...it was RIGHT ON HIS DUE DATE!!!

He was born at 5:42 pm on Feb. 4. He was 6 lbs and 21 1/2 inches long. Who was there to witness his birth...EVERYONE! Drew and I, of course, along with BOTH my parents and Drew's mom. Outside the doors were more friends and family. I was open (in more ways that one) to ANYONE who wanted to watch. The more the merrier!! Creepy...I know! Literally seconds after he was born, our room was flooded with people wanting to meet him. Uncle Scott, Uncle Ryan & Auntie Des, Erik, Brad and Gina. He was so loved...and still is by all of those people and more!

He popped out with his eyes WIDE open...ready to take on the world.

There were two things that I vividly remember to this very day:

#1 the feeling as I held him when I first saw him, thinking he was the cutest baby ever. Most newborns are not a pretty sight, but then you get those rare ones, who are perfect! I remember thinking that he was THAT ONE rare baby...that he was flawless. Well let me tell you....looking back at those pictures...he was a MESS!!! Cone head (seriously...like from the movie...full on conehead!), face all beat up...he really looked like he has gone through the ringer (which I guess he had).

#2 the food. Seriously to this very day...I still think (and tell people) that Kaiser Roseville serves the best meatloaf on the planet!!! That was my first meal after childbirth...and still thinking back today...so delicious!

I get tears in my eyes when I talk about that life changing day in my life. God had given this boy to me and placed him in my care and now it was my job to do the right thing in raising him.

Thursday, Feb 4th (2 days), Brody will be a year old and I have enjoyed every moment of this past year. He has grown so much and taught me more in the process.

Watching him take his first steps, saying a new word, his eyes lighting up when I come home from work, slide down a slide, throw a ball, play hide and seek, dance, throw his first tantrum (because he couldn't go on the escalator), playing with friends, making new friends, sharing a snack of goldfish crackers and grapes (with me and the dog), blowing kisses, splashing in the tub, reading books, throwing him on the bed, and sometimes...just sitting in our laps, quietly, enjoying the moment.

He is the little love of my life and he makes me want to be a better person...mother and wife! He has taught me unconditional love...a gift that I know I have received, but have never been able to truly understand.

My nurse asked me...(as my epidural had worn off and I was about to push) "Do you ever wonder why people do this more than once?" Although I do not remember my response (i bet it was very candid)...I do remember her handing me my son and saying "this is why"

Brody...everyday I have another reason to love you!

Happy Birthday my little love bug!

This year Drew, Brody and I traveled with Pappy (my dad) to Denver. There we met up with Uncle Scott, Auntie Ashley, Uncle Ryan, Auntie Des and Cousin Eli!

Denver?...you ask. Well there was a youth convention happening and since most of the family was involved, we decided to make a reunion out of it. Downfall?...my mom couldn't be there. Other than that...it was a BLAST!

This was a Brody's first airplane ride and needless to say, I was nervous. There were many things that went into my fears, but the one I couldn't get out of my mind...changing a nasty poopy diaper in the box of a bathroom that they have on airplanes. You see...Brody is a regular kid and he poops every morning within 20 minutes of his bottle. "Save the bottle for take off" was everyone advice...uggh "that meant poop on the plane"! Well...that went off without a hitch...because obviously the altitude kept him "stopped up"! Phew....dodged that bullet!

All in all, Brody did AMAZING! He slept most of the way there and even played "peek-a-boo" with the people in the row behind us. They literally entertained him for 20 minutes with that.

On the flight home...same thing. Although the initial part had me a bit worried. We decided to let Brody walk all around before we boarded, in an attempt to tire him out for the flight. Well....for those of you who know Brody, he makes friends with everyone. As I followed him around the gate, he would stop to squeal at and "talk" to fellow passengers. He made quite a few friends and also gained quite a bit of attention. It was now time to board and we took our seat. Still trying to entertain him we would take turns lifting him up to touch the air vents and lights above us. This really made him laugh...thus attracting even more attention to himself. Up and down he went as he laughed and played. Hearing the giggles behind us, I knew he had an audience. Well it was almost time for take-off and it was Drew's turn to lift him up.
To preface this, Brody knows the excitement of "Ooooone...Twwwwwoooo...THREEEEEEEEE" and his face and squeals show this every time.

Picture with me Drew holding Brody...captive audience behind us, watching this little man giggle and laugh as his head pops into view.

One...Brody is lifted slightly in the air with a big smile!
Twwwwooooo...a little higher up as he squeals in delight!
THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....BONK!!!! Head into overhead compartment..."silent" scream approaching....and here it comes!

Well there are two sides to every coin.
Downside? Brody is no longer "happy".
Upside? Nobody saw him again because after 2 minutes of crying he was sound asleep for 3 hours!
See? Two sides!

Aside from the lack of sleep and crazy effects that the altitude had on us, it was a great trip. Spending time as a family was amazing. We ate, we laughed, we played Saved By the Bell trivia, read disgusting facts from a book and watched Brody and Eli play together!

It was so surreal to be at the convention. To see people that I went to the same conventions with when I was in High School. There we all were...with our little ones by our side. Talking about how funny it will be in many years when our little babies are grown up and going to these same conventions together. Amazing that as much as time flies by, there are always those people you will run into...causing you to think about the past...and be amazed at where God has brought you in the present.

Although we do not know when we will all be together like that again, I know that when we are...things will not change. We will pick up where we left off...eating, laughing and watching the little ones!

Enjoy a few of the pictures from our trip! (compliments of Auntie Ashley..the family paparazzi)

CLICK on the picture to see the whole thing!

Heading out in the cold…walking to lunch!

We’ve arrived..we’re hungry…the little ones are tired!

From the looks of Brody’s shirt…I think he enjoyed lunch!

Uncle Scott…telling Brody about the view! This is one of my favorite pictures. Scott has only seen Brody 3 times, but his love for him makes me so happy!

On the tram…as “typical” we only left the warmth for 3 things. #1: Food, #2 Starbucks, #3 Shopping! (This was for Pappy’s Bday…and all 3 of the other reasons)