And Even More Catching-Up

23 Weeks:August 31 - September 6

All Sorts of New Stuff

Well, bare with me on this post. Warning there are tons of adorable pictures. This week was full of several first, from new dining options, to a new bathtub, to a new toy to play with. Brandon is just growing so incredibly fast; you would think I would get used to it, but no! We are amazed how coordinated he is becoming and how quickly he gets EVERYTHING into his mouth.

Our speciality for today: Green Beans

Here is our first taste of green beans. He is a little more enthusiastic about them now, but he was a little unsure at first. These are our first 'real' solids, beyond cereal.

Um, this is a little weird.

I don't know about this Mommy? A little help Daddy!

At the Farm

We got Brandon a new bouncer. It is sooo cute. It is a farm scene, and he loves it - well for a little while anyway. My favorite part of this thing is that Brandon 'fusses' at his animals. If he can't get them into his mouth, they get a good stern talking-to!!! I also like to watch the quantity of drool 'cause any mommy knows, the more drooling the more fun we are having!!!!

Thank you Daddy for putting my bouncer together.

What are those chickens doing in there?

Wow, this thing is great!

I got the pig and the chickens should have brought umbrellas.

This is amazing Mommy!

Yummy, bacon!

Check out the slobber!

We have noticed that since Brandon began rolling over from back to stomach he has been sleeping in the strangest positions. Here is one example. We don't really like to take these pictures because we sometimes wake him up. That does not look comfortable.

Who is that adorable elephant?

Cody's parents, sister, and kids came over for a cookout! Cody cooked some delicious burgers and we did some good visiting. Brandon spend the whole time with Pa-pa.

Aunt T, Jor'Dazhalyn, Jordan, Rayanna, and Boo

Brandon's new bathtub. He loves this! Check out the belly.

Dominick and Brandon

Dominick, Brandon, and Lexi

Lexi and Brandon

Cute Out-take!

My First Bubble Bath!

Brandon enjoyed his first bubble bath with Daddy. It was so cute! Brandon was a little unsure at first. But then he figured out how to splash! We could hardly get him to stop once he got started.

Daddy, I don't know about this.

I like the bubbles.

Darling

These bubbles are better than the green beans.

Oh my gosh, this is the most fun ever!!!

Daddy are you having this much fun?

Santa Clause beard

Splashy splashy

Brandon kept putting his hand in front of the jet. I think he was trying to figure out what was happening with the water.

Hey there are my feet.

I hope you can see all of the water he splashed up. It was hilarious watching
Brandon splash, and then get surprised that water hit him in the face.

And Still More Catching-Up

22 Weeks: August 24 - 30

Quality Time with Pops

I went home after the first week of school for some much needed family-time. I was very impressed with myself because I made the trip alone! Brandon slept most of the way. We made a quick detour at Aunt Margaret's and Uncle Evan's house. Aunt Margaret did a GREAT job playing high chair! I really enjoyed my time at home. Pops and Brandon had a good time. They checked out the Cabella's catalog determining what all they need for hunting season. Then, they picked out tractors together. It was so cute!

Pops and Brandon

Picking out tractors. Pops was explaining all of their features to Brandon.

Still MORE Catching-up

21 Weeks: August 17 - 23

Well, it was my first week back at school. It was so difficult to drop Brandon off at Nana's everyday again. I was really enjoying playing 'stay-at-home-mommy'. But alas, all good things must come to an end. It was a week filled with the normal pointless inservice type meetings. Although I enjoyed my time with my little man, I am looking forward to and bracing myself for my new class. (When everyone says, 'Oh, you have ALL of those!' a person gets a little nervous!)

Brandon is growing so much. Everyday there is something new he tries or does. Brandon had a major milestone that I missed. He rolled over from his back to his stomach! I was at Meet the Teacher Night meeting all of my new students. I called home to let Cody know I was on my way - that was when I got the news. Brandon had been working on this trick for quite some time now and finally mastered it. I teared up a little bit, just because I was not there to see it, but at the same time I was thinking, "YES!! Now I won't have to go flip him over at night!!!" (Brandon is a tummy sleeper and would roll over to his back at night. It would wake him up and he would cry until I would come and flip him back over.) Now he is quite the little rolly-poly and somehow gets everywhere.

This is what our bed looks like most school mornings. I get Brandon up and feed him. Then, Brandon and Daddy nap while I shower and such.

I love how Brandon has mastered sucking his thumb.

Okay, well sucking everything he can get his hands on!

More of what our mornings looks like. Daddy snoozes and Brandon watches Sports Center.

Playing with Daddy.

Brandon loves playing with Daddy. Daddy will blow on his tummy and Brandon just laughs and laughs. Brandon loves to touch and rub on Daddy's face. I think he likes the strange feel of Daddy's whiskers. It is so cute to watch them play together and it is kind of hard to tell who is having more fun.

Daddy and Brandon playing

Daddy and Brandon talking

My silly Daddy

How adorable is Brandon??? I know - very!

Snugglebugs

Our ac went out so there were a few days of warm temperatures INSIDE our house while we waited for the repairmen to fix it. We had no idea it would turn into a three week process. We had someone come and "fix" it, which turned out to only be a patch. Then, when the next person came out, he discovered that the entire unit needed to be replaced. Then the unit had to be ordered, and then installed. What a mess! We are glad to have it fixed and blowing cold now!

Brandon knew how to beat the heat!

More Catching-Up

20 Weeks: August 10 - 16

This week marked the official end of summer for me and Brandon. We had a great time together, but as always it went entirely too fast for my liking.

Brandon loves to hang out in his crib. The talks to the animals and even pets them. It is so funny to walk in and he is staring at the monkey 'fussing' at it. He has very serious faces when he is deep in conversation.

Talking to the monkey.

Not happy! I like the pictures of him crying, mean I know.

I just needed my binky.

How quickly my mind changes. The before.

The AFTER!

Brandon has been trying to sit up for several weeks now. He is not quite there, but he thinks he is. We try to prop him up with pillows, not very successful.

Timber!

So close!

Yummy Cereal and Toast!

Um, you got the wrong side of the spoon.

Mmmmm, good!

Look at me Mommy!

All done!

Off to the Zoo

Daddy and I took Brandon on his first trip to the zoo. We thought it would be a great way to cap off the summer, since I had to return to school the next day. Plus, as much as Brandon talks to his animals in his crib, he was sure to love the zoo. It was really fun, but goodness it was HOT!!!! I got Brandon all ready for the zoo, even dressing him in his animal outfit. You will see how that turned out! We packed a bag and off we went on our grand adventure.

Mommy, I am ready!

I am going to see animals!

All smiles and drool as we get ready to leave.

Brandon sitting like a big boy outside the gate. He did not stay like this for long.

Brandon loved the aquarium and the reptile house. After thinking about it, that is probably because he could not see the other animals because they were too far away. Duh, Mommy why did you not think about that!

Me and the fishies.

Brandon and the piranha

Brandon looks at the big fish.

Me, Mommy, and the zebra

Brandon was sweating like crazy, so we stopped for a sip of water. He does not really drink it per say. He just sucks it into his mouth and then spits it back out down his chin. Too funny!

Um, water!

Daddy thought it would be a good idea for Brandon to touch the snake. We just got a picture.

TOO HOT!!!

We shucked Brandon clothes about 45 minutes after getting there. It was incredibly hot! I like how his feet are propped up on the tray.

Hang out at the zoo.

Holding my own cup!

Cooling off!

They had misters throughout the park, and we took full advantage of them.

Baby and Baby Elephant!

Shortly after the elephant we decided it was too hot and left. We have plans to go back when it is cooler and when Brandon can SEE the animals!

Just eating and enjoying my toast!

I have to cram it in my mouth!