Last weekend. [Sunday]

Sorry it has taken so long for me to upload pictures from the entire weekend, but the blogger has been very slow!

On Sunday we spent time with Brian's parents, Jeff and Shelly. They came out to Livonia to see us since we were in Michigan. They were able to visit with us and play with Braden.




Braden and Grandpa



Braden and Grandma



Braden playing with Grandma












It was a busy weekend, but we were able to see and spend time with so many people! The flight home was without delay. We all slept well that night!

More Wedding Pictures

Me and Brian.



Me and my dad.



Me and Juli.



Colleen and Braden.



Me and my brothers.

The Wedding [Saturday]

On Saturday my dad and Juli were married. It was very nice wedding. The weather was perfect. No rain! :) The wedding was held at Green Meade in Livonia. Mel and I were asked to do a reading. My brothers and Brian stood up along with myself, Mel and Colleen. Mel and Colleen walked their mother down the isle.

Braden kept us busy on Saturday. He didn't stay dressed up for very long. He also was a bit picky about who could hold him that day. Sometimes he will go to anyone anywhere, but then there are the other days where mom is the only person who seems to make the crying stop. I love that little guy, but after holding an extra 21 lbs all day my back was sore! Braden got a lot of attention that day and loved every second of it.












Dad, Steve, Tom and me.













Me and Mel.











Mel, Colleen and Juli.










Grandpa and Braden.










Mel, Colleen and me.

What a Weekend! [Friday]

Well, I have to admit, I was really nervous about taking Braden on a plane. I just was not sure how it would go. We flew to MI this past weekend for my dad and Juli's wedding! Braden really did well on the plane. I was suprised by how kind the people around us were also. I didn't want any cranky people sitting around us on the plane, and there weren't! He ate his Cheerios and drank is bottle and even slept a bit! For the most part, it wasn't so bad.

So I am exhausted after this weekend. We flew out Friday morning and arrived in Detriot (after an hour and a half delay at BWI due to a bomb scare). That night we had rehersal and then dinner. Before rehersal, Brian, my brothers, Colleen, and Melanie went to have our picture taken as our gift to our parents. They really liked it. Braden did really well that night at dinner. He had lots of rolls and watched every server that passed by.


















Uncle Steve, I love to follow you around.















I love to do the superman with grandpa!


















Uncle Steve and Braden.















My pointer belongs in your mouth grandpa!

















I am all dressed up for the wedding!

Braden's Toys

Braden loves his toys. He loves his dinosaur toy and his table. Both make lots of fun noises and light up! It has been such a joy to see Braden develop his coordination. He can put the balls into the holes of the dinosaur and he knows where they are going to come out!

Me and my table....





































Me and my dinosaur....

My first steps!

Well we knew it was going to happen soon. He has been walking very comfortably holding on to only ONE of our hands. Today, it happened. Braden has been extremely close to walking. He even a step, of course when we weren't watching, but today, today was different. Today in the kitchen while I was cooking dinner, Braden and I were practicing his walking skills. He usually gets unsure when you let go, but today, he took a few steps. I was so excited. I cheered him on and he laughed after he fell to the ground! Brian was able to see these steps when he came home from work! Braden performed his amazing new skill AGAIN for his daddy!





Hey, I am pretty good!







Look at me standing on my own!




I don't know about this. I think I am going to have a seat!





I think I like to play on the ground best.




Giggle, Giggle!

Braden's 9 month appointment

Braden and I went to see Dr. Zilioli on Tuesday for his nine month appointment. He doesn't cause much of a fuss until the doctor starts to examine him. He must not like his glasses! No shots this time, but we have the new measurements.....Braden is now 21 lbs. and 28.5 inches long! He is doing great. Our little boy is getting so big. In terms of percentiles, he is between the 50th and 60th in weight, height and head circumference. I just can't believe that very soon he will be 1 year old! I am glad I have 2 and 1/2 months to prepare for that.

Today we are going to watch the ND v. UofM football game at a friends house. There will be fans of both teams watching the game, which is always interesting. Brian was planning on dressing Braden up, but we didn't get anything for him to wear. I guess will have to find something blue and gold!

Well, I am sure you want some pictures of the little guy so here are two. (I don't have a lot of new ones downloaded.) He was eating if you can't tell.



I don't get the what the big deal is mom. Why are you taking my picture?



Look, I was hungry and I like have a little extra left on my face just in case I get hungry later! I like to put it in my hair too!

This was one of those days were you just take him up straight to the bath tub!

My days that don't include teaching!

When I am not teaching, I am watching two girls and Braden. It is a lot of work, but I do enjoy my time with them. Gabby is almost 3 and Bella just turned 5 months old. The 3 of them play together and it is so cute. Braden loves to follow Gabby around and Bella likes to follow Braden around.
I have been meaning to post some pics all three kids playing.





EXTRA
These are two pictures of Braden playing with himself in the mirror. Sometimes he smiles at himself. It is so funny to watch.

Braden's first trip to the zoo!

Today Brian, Braden and I met Aunt Melly and went to the Washington DC Zoo. It was a really nice day for the zoo. Braden held in there like a trooper. It was hard to point out animals that were far away, but we were able to see the apes and elephants during feeding time. FYI: The baby elephant in the picture weighed in at 4,000 lbs.

Sorry it's been so long!

Well, I am back to work. Even though it is part-time, I am out of the house every day, it is busy. I forgot to get a picture of the girls and Braden this week, but I will do that soon. The pictures I did get include Braden and us in the house. He has been having fun hanging out with us this Labor Day weekend.

Braden loves to see what we are doing. "Hey dad, can I help?"

Since Braden has been around the vaccuum cleaner, he has learned to love it! He just follows anyone around who is vaccuuming. As you can see in the pictures, Braden is following around Brian. Yes, he does vaccuum. I married the best guy ever!!!!

"Mom, if you ever want to find me, just turn on the vaccuum cleaner and I will be near!"

"I wish I could play with this all the time but my mommy and daddy take it away from me."

He also loves the most obscure toys. I know that all you parents already know this, but he loves tuperware. As you can see, he has not only figured out how to get to the tuperware, but he now knows how to get it everywhere!

Braden Michael, could you get anything else out of that cabinet?!

So we do spend time with people our own age. This is Brian playing a game with Peter, Cindy, and Michelle. They live near by. Cindy and I take classes together at Towson. Braden, Brian and I met them for Sushi tonight and after Braden went to sleep , the games began!

Relax Peter, it is just a game!