Top Ten- 9 months

Every 3 months I have been posting my top ten favorite things about Brayden. It is amazing how much he changes in just 3 short months. My top tens from January and April are so different from what I love about him now. Here goes: (in no particular order)

1. His smiles with those 4 teeth he has!
2. His belly laugh. Sometimes he just randomly starts laughing while we are out walking and I love it!
3. Reading with him. He still enjoys books. I love that he really has favorites now. He likes There's a Wocket In My Pocket, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You, Baby Plays Pat Pat and The Itsy Bitsy Spider.
4. Our bedtime routine. Putting him to bed these days is so enjoyable. After his bath and dinner, we go upstairs and get into the sleep sack, turn the lights down and read our bedtime books. He snuggles in and we read quietly. Then we rock briefly and I lay him down.
5. Giving him a bottle. Brayden isn't a real snuggly baby, but he does snuggle in while he eats. I love it. We are starting the transition to a sippy cup and I will surly miss these days where he eats in my lap while we snuggle.
6. Eating solid foods. Brayden is becoming a lot of fun during meal times. He is eating lots of table foods and he is now able to feed himself (by fingers, not spoons). He sits at the table and participates in family dinner EVERY night. Some favorites of his are toast sticks (toast that I cut into sticks), cheerios, puffs, green beans and cheese.
7. Our outings. If you know me well, you know I don't stay cooped up at home well. I am happy to say that Brayden is the same way. We try to leave the house on at least one outing during the day. We go over the lunch hour and walk, eat out with friends, go to the zoo, or go shopping. Even on his fussiest days, he loves going out and is a great boy! He is so curious and observant and enjoys taking in the new surroundings.
8. Swimming. Brayden has been in swimming lessons for 4 weeks now. I have learned he does NOT like being dunked. Can you blame him? I hate it too. But now that I have told the instructor that we aren't going under again for a while, he is much happier. Last class he smiled and giggled for the whole 30 minutes. I love watching him learn new things.
9. All his new milestones. Crawling, pulling to stand, sitting up from laying down and walking (holding my hands). It seems like he is learning something new every day. I love that I am able to witness all of these new and exciting activities.
10. When he falls asleep in the car and we have to transfer him to the crib. I love how he snuggles up on my shoulder and sleeps in my arms all the way upstairs. It is so sweet and I am sure it won't last long. It is the moments like this that I will always remember and treasure.

I love you Brayden! Happy 9 months!

9 months old

Monday was Brayden's 9 month birthday. It has been an amazing 9 months. We had his doctor's appointment today so I wanted to give you the update.

He is BIG. Nothing we didn't already know. He remains the same % in all categories. I can't believe he is now wearing 18 or 24 months clothing. Where did my baby go?
23.2 lbs (87%)
30.5 inches (97%)
Head: 18.6 inches (94%)

I also found that that Brayden is about to get 4 teeth! She looked in and was amazed that all 4 are very close. Yikes. Poor kid. That may explain his crabby mood lately. So when those come through, he will have a mouthful of 8 teeth! Wish us luck, the next couple of days may be painful for both me and Brayden. ;-)

Crawling- the video

This was the first video of Brayden "crawling". He really scoots more than crawls but he does get where he wants to be. And before you comment about how mean I am pulling things away from him, no, I am not mean, just trying to teach him to crawl. He gets the magazine eventually. ;-) This was taken earlier this week (Monday) and he first started scooting last Friday. He has since learned to get those knees under him and do more actual crawling.

Back pack

Here is a video of our first walk with the new back pack. Brayden seems to like it (and his paci).

Cutie Pie

Brayden in his pack n play. He is getting so big.

Standing in the pack n play

Brayden LOVES to stand these days. I put him in here when I need to get ready, or just need a minute. He can't quite pull up on it himself (it is a bit too tall) but when I stand him up, he can stand there on his own. He looks like such a big boy.

Show me those teeth!

Some of Brayden's favorite toys are plastic containers.

Come on Brayden, show me those new teeth.

Ok momma, here you go! (click picture to make it bigger)

More books

Like the previous post, Brayden loves to pull himself up on his book basket. He likes the books, but he really likes to chew on the wood of the basket.

Standing by the books

Brayden loves his books. He also likes his book basket. He has learned to pull himself up on things and the book basket is a favorite of his. He is not completely stable and often falls on his bottom, but he wants to stand and walk so bad.





He falls on his padded bottom often!

Michael and Brayden

Brayden and I went to the zoo with our friends Lisa and Michael. We had fun. It was great to go to the zoo with another mom of a baby Brayden's age. We were there 2 hours and we were all ready to go. The boys almost interacted together and sat nicely so the mommas could eat lunch.

More zoo pics

Michael and Brayden were very good during lunch. Michael was occupied with his mesh bag full of ice and Brayden was occupied with my Snapple bottle. Aren't they cute!

Zoo with Lisa and Michael

Michael and Brayden during lunch.

Me with Brayden and Michael

Lisa with Michael and Brayden

Lisa playing with Brayden

Random pics from my phone

Our way home from the zoo trip

Brayden was so sleepy the other day that he fell asleep on the floor.

Jeff and Brayden shopping for the new back pack.

Momma and Brayden showing off the new purchase.

Auntie Manda testing out the new back pack.

Happy Birthday America

My All American Dude would like to wish you all a Happy 4th of July!


Our fireworks extravaganza! Yes we know it is light out, but Brayden needed to get to bed, so 6:30 seemed like a great time for fireworks! He actually liked watching the sparks. Shelly, Mike and the kids helped us pop some pop its!

Shelly had to help Maddie not set anything on fire with her sparkler. I think she just about lit Jake, a car, and her own hair on fire. ;-)

The kids and their glow sticks. (And no, Jeff didn't have to pee, he was just crouching down to get Brayden closer to Jake and Maddie)

The Zoo!!

Rooooaaarrrr!!!!



We took Brayden on his first zoo trip this weekend. We went super early so many animals we still sleeping. Our friend Aaron joined us and we all had a blast.

The Zoo!!

Brayden got up close and personal with this sea lion.

Aaron, Jeff and Brayden watching the elephants. One trumpeted and scared Brayden.

I was introducing Brayden to baby Packy the elephant

Family photo by the zebra exibit

Daddy showing Brayden the giraffe

The Zoo!!

Brayden and I found this small hippo. He made a nice seat.

Aaron checking out the giraffe.

Time for Brayden's breakfast!

Brayden enjoyed his meal at the zoo.

Nap time!