Bella's 1st Birthday Party

This past weekend we attended Bella's 1st Birthday Party. Jeannie got a "bounce house" for the kids. At first, Braden would not go near it, but by the end of the evening, you couldn't get him out. We all had a really nice time. Most of Jeannie's family was there. They are such a nice group. They always make you feel like you are family.

I was proud of Brian because he did not wrestle Dan, Jeannie's husband in the "bounce house" this time. They wrestled the last time which was quite amusing, but not a good idea! Brian did get in the house with the kids and at one point bounced off the side! He got stuck and all you could see were two feet up in the air. The house almost tipped over and all you could hear was someone saying, "MAN DOWN!" It took the people who were by the house a minute to get over to help him because they couldn't stop laughing. I did NOT have my camera at the time. It was terribly funny.

These are pictures of Braden, Bella, Gabby and Kayla in the "bounce house". It was hard to get any really good pictures because the minute one would stand up, another would fall.

So much to update!

Wow, it really has been a while since I have updated this blog. We have been doing really well. To begin, here is somewhat recent picture of me. My belly has grown this past week, or at least it feels that way, so I will have to get another one. I feel really good. Getting a good night of sleep could go little better, but I can't complain too much.

There are not many days left of teaching for me. I have to say, I am ready to be done. I am home with Braden today, I just had so much to do that couldn't be done on the weekend. He seems to be trying to change his sleep schedule, but it is hard to do with my work schedule. He is waking up at his normal time, between 5am and 6am, but is very tired and wants to go back to sleep right away instead of taking a nap later in the morning. What I think his body is trying to do is sleep in and only take his afternoon nap. The hard part, is I have to leave the house at 6:30am when I work and 7am when I watch the kids so he just isn't getting a chance to sleep in. I am guessing that this will work itself out when my school year ends. I am also hoping that he will be sleeping in his "big boy" bed by the end of June also. Brian and I have set everything up in his new room and the weekend we did Braden was very interested in his new bed. He went into his crib and brought his blankets to put on his new bed. We took the hint and with some advice, went and bought a bed rail and tried to get him to take a nap in his new bed. It didn't work as well as I was hoping, so he is still in his crib.

Other than that, we have been outside so much. Braden has helped Brian and I weed, wash the cars, and we of course have played, played and played outside. Braden can't get enough of his wagon. I think he went for a ride in the wagon 4 times yesterday! He went twice with me and twice with Brian.

These are pictures of Braden hanging out with me in the house.

These are picture of Braden outside with a roll of wrapping paper, really, who needs toys!

Busy week

It has been a busy few weeks here. Brian and I have had a lot of graduate homework to do. Usually it is spread out enough that we are never overwhelmed by it, but this week, we both were swamped. We are all doing really well. I am glad that tomorrow is Friday. This weekend I plan on finishing Braden's new room. He won't be moving in for a while, but I want to slowly move his things over and have him get used to it. It was so much fun to go shopping for a new comforter and dresser. Brian and I put the dresser (an IKEA purchase, of course) together last weekend. I love that store. I am so excited that they have one in Michigan now. We can officially move back now. :-) I honestly don't know where else to shop because we go there for everything!

I have a two videos for this post. He can say "wawa" aka water. I tried to get him to say it in the bathtub, but I wasn't very successful. You will also hear his babble.

The blogger is not letting me upload any pictures right now so I will try again this weekend!

I almost forgot

Braden's new words he can say, that we understand!

1. Cheese
2. Eye
3. Down
4. Down stairs
5. Ready (he only said that once, but we are pretty sure it was ready)

Easter Weekend

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We did. My Dad and Juli came to visit Maryland. They stayed in Bethesda on Friday night and hung with Mel. They came up Saturday and we spent the evening with them. On Sunday we went to church and had a wonderful Easter dinner. I love being Polish. So much great food and wonderful traditions come along with it, and it is such a blessing to share those with Braden. I hope he grows to love the traditions as much as I do. If you aren't sure what I am talking about, Easter has traditional Polish dishes that make the house smell so wonderful.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

We colored Easter eggs on Friday. Braden thinks they are a "ball".

So cute.
On Easter, after he ate lunch, we give him an Easter basket filled with plastic Easter eggs. Each egg was filled with one M&M. He had a great time opening each one.

The three of us. (I am so excited for there to be another one.)

Braden was making sure each egg was empty.

Braden's Hair Cut

I took Braden to get a hair cut today. He will look great for Easter now. We are spending Easter here with Mel, my dad and Juli. My dad and Juli are visiting Mel tonight and for a little bit tomorrow before heading up here. We are all really excited to have them here.



FYI the hair-cut experience has not become any easier. He screamed last time, and he screamed this time.I have tried to trim it myself, but they do a better job. The lady cut his hair much shorter than last time, but it still looks good. He loved the lolly pop they gave him afterwards.

A taste of next year

Being home these past two days has been wonderful. I am getting a little taste of what next year will be like. Braden and I have gone grocery shopping, and have played, played and played! He is talking up a storm. I think he said "floss" and "down" today. He sounds like he has said "outside" also. It is hard to tell. He just looks you right in the eye and babbles. It is the cutest thing. I have been trying to get in on video, but he just doesn't let me!

Here are a few snap shots from the past two days.

Braden loves to get his picture taken. This was the best smile I could get out of him.

Braden reading "The Tooth Book" by Dr. Seuss. This is one of his favorite books.


















This is Braden and his new ball. That is the one work that is unmistakable. He says "ball" all day long!


















"Thanks for my new ball mom. I love it!"






















This is Braden in the pillow case. He thought this was very funny.

To the Aquarium we went!

This past weekend Jeff and Shelly came to visit. Braden had a very nice time with his grandparents. Friday night we all relaxed, as they had a quite a drive behind them. Saturday we were going to go to a local farm to see the petting zoo and some other attractions, but it turned out that they were not open yet. Easter weekend is the first weekend of the season for visitors. I am hoping to try again this next weekend. I know Braden would love to see the animals. Sunday morning we headed out to the Baltimore Aquarium. There wasn't much of a crowd, which was perfect. We were able to go right up to each tank without waiting and Braden was able to see so many of the fish on display. It was nice. You can't bring a stroller in so they have you check it and give you a backpack to carry the baby. Braden enjoyed his view on daddy's back. I decided that we should go to the aquarium in the morning so Braden could get his afternoon nap in, which is the most important one for him, and he was tired as we were ready to go. We took a quick stop at the Cheesecake Factory to grab some desert for later, which was delicious. Braden did not appreciate skipping his first nap, and made us quite aware of that in the afternoon.





















Braden and my water bottle.

















Braden, Mommy and Daddy.

















Us + Grandma and Grandpa Wysocki
















Braden checking out some fish.
















Braden munching on some animal crackers. Check out those cheeks. (Ignore Brian in this picture, he wasn't ready for the picture to be taken.)


Jeff and Shelly left Sunday evening to a crabby Braden Michael, but fortunately he wasn't inconsolable the entire weekend. He is 16 months old, what can I say!!!





As for me, I am feeling great. I had Brian take a picture of me, but he cut off the top of my head, so I will have to have him try again. I can't believe I am half-way through this pregnancy. It has been so fabulous this far. I have felt the baby kick and so has Brian. I completely missed the flutters that are supposed to happen first. I must have been teaching that day! :-) I am on spring break and go back to work next Tuesday so I should have a few more updates on the blog this next week.