Growing....so much...in just a year

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!

It was a white...."post-Christmas"!

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)


Auntie Ashley and her two little Glo-Worms!


Yet another group photo taken of the kids. (As you can tell, Drew LOVES pictures)


Brody. I think that he is telling Pappy that we were making fun of him and putting him in Uncle Scott’s underwear.


He got over it quickly…he’s used to being the butt of the jokes!


The first…but not the last time...Eli is punching Brody! Ah cousins!


Uncle Scott: Okay Brody…you can do it just like this.
Brody: Ummm…that’s not how you do it….


THIS is how you do it!
Uncle Scott: Touché!

Christmas Traditions

With Christmas comes tradition...and all families have those special things that they do, year after year. As random as they can be, no year goes by without the excitement that goes along with that tradition. I do not know how ours started, but it's been going on for at least 20 years (probably more). I remember so fondly getting together at my Grandma's house. She would take such care in making everything so special. Year after year Christmas Eve was such a special time. Our menu NEVER changed, we have Chicken Ole' (like an enchilada casserole...only 100x better). Now I know what you are thinking, not very "Christmasy", but that is what we did. Not only did we have Chicken Ole', but raspberry jell-o with raspberries in it, green (lime) jell-o salad, olives, pickles, rolls and green salad. Before the meal...there was plenty of homemade fudge, beef stick, cheese log with crackers, and my Grandma's favorite...peanut M&M's. As we kids got older, lives got busier, but that tradition NEVER changed, although the location did, the menu didn't.

Christmas time ALWAYS reminds me of my Grandma. Its been a couple years since my Grandma has passed, but the thoughts of her tradition keeps going. I often think about my grandma and since having Brody, I find myself thinking of her more and more. I watch my parents with Brody...the love in their eyes for him, I can see just how much my Grandma loved me. I know she has already met Brody, she has already held him in heaven, I can picture her rocking him in her arms, telling him all about his family, stories of me when I was just a baby, cherishing that special time knowing that soon she would have to let him go...send him perfectly formed, from heaven to earth to meet his parents. I know she is watching us...laughing at her great grandsons, proud of her children for carrying on the role of being a perfect grandparent, proud of her grand-kids for making family a priority. I know she is beaming as she watches from heaven the family that she worked so hard for, still to this day, laughing together, making time to be together and carrying on the traditions that she loved so much.

This year was no different. Although with families growing and the responsibilities of life, the traditional "Christmas Eve", was moved up. Last Saturday, December 19 was "Christmas Eve". We gathered for Chicken Ole, raspberry jello-o with raspberries in it, lime jell-o salad, cheese balls, beef sticks, fudge and a bowl of peanut M&M's. My family gathered together to celebrate Christmas. Although some vital parts of the family was missing, this was such a special time. I remember looking around the room, thinking about how much the roles have reversed and quickly life had changed. When once I enjoyed the Christmas time as a little girl, with my grandma, aunts and uncles...there I sat with my son and husband. Watching my parents...being that same grandparent that I so fondly remember. Brody is still so young, but I cannot wait until he truly can understand the love and devotion of family. Until he can remember these memories and truly enjoy these traditions.

Pappy, Grandma, Uncle Ryan, Auntie Des, Eli, Uncle Sam, Aunt Jill, Troy, Lana, Auntie Jan: Thank you for being there for this tradition, for sharing the love of family during this special time. For being a part of Brody's first Christmas!!!

Scott and Ashley...you were not forgotten!! You were so very missed and more than anything we would have LOVED for you both to be with us. Denver will be UNFORGETTABLE!!!!





Eli (left) and Brody (Right)...they are going to be TROUBLE!!!


Aunt Jan...happily watching her great-nephews


Brody LOVES Lana!




Eli opening presents!


Brody showing off his new bib!


Eli gets a bib too!


Grandma sharing her water with Brody






Merry Christmas from the Simpsons!!!!
We hope you make wonderful memories!

Santa Comes Early

This year the family opted not to do gifts for the adults in the family, however they all pitched in to get the babies something really fun (which worked out well for us):) !!

A special "THANK YOU" to Grandma, Pappy, Uncle Ryan, Auntie Des, Uncle Scott and Auntie Ashley for making Brody's first Christmas gift so fun!!!


SPECIAL DELIVERY! Grandma and Pappy are here to make the drop.


FUN!!!!


Grandma will help you go up! (And the EVER PRESENT Thor)


Pappy will be at the top!


SUCCESS!


And now he thinks he's a pirate!


Going down!


...and the box is just as fun!





All that work...deserves a snack!

Thanksgiving (well "leftovers" anyway)

Although Halloween was Brody's first "Holiday", Thanksgiving was his very first meaningful family holiday. It was great to be together with the WHOLE FAMILY (minus Uncle Scott and Auntie Ashley...who were EXTREMELY missed). For those of you who don't know Brody, he LOVES food! Whether it be stuffing, jello, mashed potatoes or turkey...I just lay it on his tray and allow him to just go for it. Fitful after fistful he shovels it into his mouth (sometime having a little better aim than other times). My motto..."he's washable...and he's having fun". Drew, on the other hand, cannot bear to watch Brody eating with food all over his face.

I am sorry to say that I forgot to bring my camera to the actual Thanksgiving day, however I did get the following pictures of him eating leftovers.


Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole and cranberry salad!


"What are you looking at?"


"I'm funny....I know"


"mmmmm Turkey is good"


Yes...that IS a piece of cranberry in his ear!


He sat...he ate...he conquered!

Just because he was sick...doesn't mean he can't have fun!

This past weekend Brody was really sick. 103 fever, not wanting to eat or drink and waking up all night long. The poor little guy was just pitiful, (as were Drew and I). Saturday night was the WORST night we had ever had with him. He was up at least once an hour, and was screaming. He couldn't breath because his nose was so stuffed up, he was HOT to the touch and seemed to have a sore throat and was achy all over (I can only assume that these are his symptoms, since Drew is home in bed with the same ones). Sunday morning he woke up...we were all 3 in the same bed (along with BOTH dogs), Brody went 3 full hours solidly sleeping, while he and I both sat up in bed. Bottles, medicine, and pacifiers were everywhere, but at 7 am when he opened his eyes...he looked at me a laughed, like, "wasn't that fun!". Regardless of him being so sick, he did have a FUN weekend. See pictures below of his VERY FIRST ice cream cone (Grandma shared with him). He was so funny because it was sooooooo cold (hence the facial expressions), but also soooooooo good.

I just love this kid!