Bonus Braden Birthday Photos

It just recently occurred to me that I didn't get any pictures of Braden and me together at his first birthday party. I was disappointed. But low and behold, Grandpa came through and brought with him today an entire CD of photos from the party- including several with Braden and me. Thanks, Dad!

A special visit from Grandpa

Braden's Grandpa came to visit today. We enjoyed lunch together. And Braden and Grandpa did a few laps around the kitchen island. It was terrific to see him and we hope to do it again soon!

Cool Cousin

Braden and I enjoyed a wonderful visit from our dear cousin, Jennifer, today. She is always so kind and generous. We truly enjoy her company.

Braden pulled out all the stops for Cousin Jen- he showed off his teeth, walked with his truck, gave her a High 5, drank out of his new monkey cup and even gave her a kiss. There was lots of giggling, talking and cruising. Braden and I look forward to her coming to play again soon!

Party Time!

Braden helped Carson celebrate his first birthday today. There was cake, food and friends. It was nice to see everyone together. It was a perfect party. Carson, the daredevil in the picture below, seemed to enjoy himself as well. What a special day.

Pictures:
Cutie Patootie Gracie
Carson doing his King Kong impression
Braden playing with the adorable Sophia

A New Adventure

We rejoined our gym today. It was a plan in the works for a few weeks now. Our primary goal was to give Braden a new social outlet. No time like the present to practice good social skills and graces. Not only that, it's high time I get back in shape and take a few, well-deserved moments for myself (good advice I've received from several veteran moms- thanks!)

So off Braden and I went to the childcare room. While I checked us in and was versed on the rules, Braden crawled off to play with a new toy. He was comfortable and excited. So was I. I said a quick goodbye with a wave as I tried to nonchalantly make my way out the door. How easy was that?

I hopped on the treadmill and settled into a nice rhythm. Head phones on, baseball on the t.v., I was set. Twenty-five minutes later, I was tired and feeling done. As my name was announced over the gym PA system, asking me to come collect my son, I realized Braden was done as well. He was sobbing when I picked him up. I felt terrible. I grabbed his diaper bag and calmed him as we slowly made our way to the car. He was none-to pleased to be strapped in the car seat, but as the car began to move, he settled into the familiarity.

I shared this story with two of my mommy friends, both of whom, gently laughed at my tale, as if to say, "you novice! Twenty-five minutes. My kid couldn't make it five the first time we left him alone!" I was reassured through their humor and realized what an amazing accomplishment Braden achieved today. He spent his first time alone, without familiar people, successfully. He survived. Way to go, Braden! I'm so proud.

Memories... like the corners of my mind

Sesame Street is a favorite show of mine. It has been since I was little and perhaps even more so as an adult. I love Ernie and Bert; Ernie's raspy laugh and Bert's frustration with Ernie's overzealous nature. When I was little, my mom and I would watch the show together. We would sing the songs, say the letters, and laugh out loud. Every once in a while, and catching me quite off guard, I get teary-eyed watching. A familiar Ernie and Bert segment appears, I reminisce, and now here I am sharing the same moment with my son, as my mom did with me. It's a special feeling.

I love taking pictures of Braden. I'm proud of the great memories marking special moments, flashes in time, that I've caught on camera. It wasn't until recently that I realized that my love of picture-taking is inspired by my dad. As a little girl, I vividly remember him snapping photos with his big, black Nikon camera- real rolls of film and all. How many slides must he have, capturing special memories of his own? In fact, this past Christmas, he took the time to transfer some slides of me as a baby to actual color photos and place them in a thoughtful picture collage. It's now a cherished memento.

I am grateful for the seemingly "little" things; small, kind acts my parents shared with me. Because of them, I know to share those moments with my son.

A note about the pictures:
-Braden is standing on his own!
-Check out those top teeth!

Deep Dog Dish

Daddy and Braden were playing yesterday afternoon. All the tell-tale signs of fun were strewn across the family room and kitchen floors: blocks, newspapers (Braden loves the rustling noise), books, Cheerios. In all the excitement, Braden climbed himself into uncharted territory. Duncan discovered him when he heard whining coming from the kitchen nook corner where Indy eats his dinner.
Here's what Daddy found!