Baby #3

Some of you have heard, some have not ... but Baby #3 is on the way!

We are so excited about this newest little blessing that God has given to us!

This past Thursday, Oct. 1st, we had the first ultrasound to confirm dates and make sure that everything looked ok. It still amazes me that when your baby is only the size of a pea, you can see and hear it's little heart beating away. Daddy and both boys were able to be there to share this special time too. Braden was facinated to see the heart moving on the ultrasound screen. Both boys loved listening to the heart ... if you ask them what the baby says they will both tell you "boom, boom, boom!".

If you look at the picture below, you'll get your first glimpse of the little one. We highlited it with the green circle.

Daddy is very happy to have his family growing! He has been telling EVERYONE and couldn't keep quiet from the very beginning.

Mommy is hanging in there. I'm very tired all day long! Nausea seems to come around 4pm and lasts through the evening. Makes dinner and bedtime routines interesting.

Braden enjoys telling the "secret" that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. He is very excited to be able to feel the baby move. The other day I made the comment that "this baby is kicking mommy's rear". Braden ran over and held out his hand ... "Let me feel!".

Dylon even seems to understand what is going on. If you ask him where the baby is, he says "mommy tummy", followed by a kiss to my belly each time.

9/10: Lunchtime Conversation

We sat down to eat lunch - blueberries, cheese, and turkey meat. All the boys favorites.
Braden then turned to me and started his negotiations.
Here is the conversation that occured:
"Mommmy, can we watch a show"
"No, not right now. You already watched a couple this morning"
"But it will make my body feel better"
"What?"
"Watching a show will make my body feel much, much better!"
"Does your body hurt?"
"Yes, it needs some TV"

Alright - he is definately turning into a little man! I couldn't help but smile and laugh at his creative negotiation tactics.

9/8: Our Cubby

Braden started AWANA Cubbies tonight. Can my little baby really be that big? Since our church is just launching, they don't have extra activities like this. So, we signed up for AWANA and MOPS at a nearby church (Colorado Community Church). We had visited this church and liked it, but found it just a little too big for us. It feels a little strange to be seen as a "non-church" person coming to events. But, it's also a good perspective for us/me to gain. It's very cool too for him to participate in this program, since it is what brought Chad and I together.

Braden was excited all day about going to church and doing verses. However, about 10 minutes before we were to leave he told Daddy he was scared. Talk about making it even harder for this mommy! I'm so thankful for the kind of Daddy Chad is. He took Braden onto his lap and enveloped him in his arms. He gently told him what a good kid he was, how nice he is, how much his friends like him, how brave he is, and that we love him so much. Within a few moments, my brave excited boy was back and ready to go.

We checked him in and took him to his room. He ran right in, walked between all the kids, and sat down right in front of the teacher to join in with the song - hand motions and all. It still amazes me to see how outgoing he is. He definately gets that from his daddy! We walked away, thankful that our son is growing into such a great kid and excited to see his faith roots deepen through Cubbies.

I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I held Dylon even closer. This is probably the first time that I've left Braden anywhere without us (other than friends/family for babysitting). I can't wait to go back and get him (I need to leave in 8 minutes, but who's counting?!) Dylon even realized that this was wrong and asked "Whewr Brover" all the way home. We told him that Braden was at church and he replied "Go, get". He wasn't sure what to do without his best friend.

So, I'm off to pick up my now BIG boy! I'll write more when I return ...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got to the church a little early and was able to watch Braden during the game time. He was just getting up for his turn! He put the bean bag on his head, ran around the circle, and tossed it at the pin -- knocking it down! I don't know who was more excited - me or him! It was fun to watch him from a distance - to see him interact with the other kids, obey his teachers, and laugh with delight. When I finally was able to pick him up from his class room, he talked a mile a minute. So much to say! He told me about the other kids with their blue shirts and bears on them (the vests/uniforms). He is already working on his verses for next week and has the first one pretty much memorized: "God loved us, and sent His Son".

I am glad that he had fun and VERY glad to have him back home and in my arms. I know, overprotective mom!

8/8: Sand Fun

We enjoyed another afternoon of fun at the lake in Scottsbluff. Hope you enjoy sharing our pictures via smilebox.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

7/25: Go Rockies!

Braden got to go to his first game at Coors Field today. He enjoyed a special day out with Daddy and Mommy while Dylon stayed home with Uncle Jeremy. His adventure started with a ride on the light rail train to downtown Denver followed by a bus ride down 16th Street Mall and then a brief walk to the stadium that was so BIG! Lots of cheers for Todd Helton - his favorite player. He watched quite a bit of the game while he taste tested the food ... lemonade slush, funnel cake, peanuts, cotton candy. I think we only missed the cracker jacks!

Getting on the light rail train

Proud Daddy
Adoring Mommy
Excited Rockies Fan

At the Game

Mmmm... Cotton Candy!

Chad's boss, Ed, and his daughters were at the game with us and Braden enjoyed hanging out with the pretty girls.

He got snuggle time in with one ...

And photographed the other!

We had one happy, but very TIRED, boy when we headed home.

For dinner, we took Uncle Jer to PF Chang's -- had to pay our babysitter somehow?!

7/25: "DeSimmsnydmelchandermaster" Picnic

We went to Colo. Springs today for a picnic with life long family friends. It was fun to reconnect and have so many of us back together again. We enjoyed playing games outside and a yummy BBQ.

Brother Dan

Brother Jer and Chad

Hugs for Mommy

Dylon & Braden -- sitting at a table I used to sit at with my brothers when we were kids

The Girls: Sarah (family friend), Tara (sister-in-law), and Trista

We even made the best of an afternoon rainstorm by huddling together under the awning. Braden and Dylon really enjoyed the rain and were shocked when we let them run around and get soaking wet!

Trying to stay dry, while packed like sardines!

Photography by Braden (self portrait)

Photography by Braden (Uncle Dan)

Rain changes everything - little boys get soda!

Maybe next year we'll have to host and turn this into an annual tradition!

7/24: Fountain of Fun

We went to the water fountain at Southlands mall this morning. So much fun! I love that there are FREE places to go and cool off from the summer heat.

7/22: Boys, Dogs, & Water

Brooke is quickly finding her place in our family. We are all loving our new addition. Boys and their dog ... need I say more?! Braden can't wait to hold her on his "wap". Dylon tries to pick her up ... by the fur. She is patient, tolerant, and overall a good dog. I think I'll like her a little bit more after the potty training is done!

Brooke and Daddy are quickly becoming pals too. After the boys are in bed it's time for tug of war and playtime. And maybe even a few snuggles - although those usually go to Mommy instead.

And who couldn't love this face? You'd fall in love with her too!
We spent time outside today on the slip-n-slide. Braden was thrilled! He climbed the hill over and over and would have stayed outside all day if weather (and naps) had permitted.
Dylon enjoyed sliding a few times, but was content to sit warmly in his towel and watch his brother. Brooke enjoyed watching too!

7/11: Pool Fun

We have enjoyed having a pool so close to home that we can enjoy this summer. It's great to just go for an hour or so whenever we want. The boys love the water and are getting more and more comfortable all the time.

Here's a few pics of one of our pool visits.

We just bought Braden a swim belt too. He loves being able to "swim" around the big pool on his own. I'll try to get pics or video one of these times when we go.

7/9 - 7/13: Life in July

7/9: Still little? Most days I see Dylon turning into a little boy. But sometimes, I catch a glimpse of my baby boy. Watching play with the toys, for a moment, he was that baby that is quickly disappearing before my eyes!
7/10: Playtime outside. Dylon is enjoying learning how to work his bubble blower.

And Braden loved trying to cover Dylon with the bubbles!

7/10: Dylon the daredevil - he was all about trying to climb the curved ladder and almost made it to the top on his own.

7/11: Snuggle time with Mommy & Daddy! We take it whenver we can get it -- thankfully, our little guys give snuggles quite often.

7/12: Uncle Jer! Two little boys sure love their big uncle and couldn't wait to run and give him hugs.

7/13: Braden loves helping me cook! And I love having the help. It is so fun to have him in the kitchen with me measuring, mixing, and making messes.

7/13: The boys love to sit and watch for Daddy to come home from work -- truly the highlite of the day! Lately, they have chosen to sit in the doorway from the garage to the house. It is so fun to see the anticipation and excitement from my little guys. How blessed they are to have such a great daddy!