Snow Day

We had 5 inches of snow here in Wake Forest last week and even though everyone around here seems to freak out, it was a nice treat for Brayden and Champ.

Brett went off to work as planned, but came back after sliding around the neighborhood in his four-wheel drive truck. He decided since everyone else was working from home and most offices were closed that it was best if he worked from home too.

He was able to spend an hour or so with Brayden and Champ outside in the snow and Brayden really loved it. He loved kicking his ball and watching Champ romp around happily. I was inside missing the fun, but was able to snap a few pictures of the boys playing.

-Sue-

Yes, he FINALLY got a haircut!

Yes, yes, we finally took him to get a haircut. Everyone wanted us to do it sooner, but I love having him all shaggy and curly. However, even I will admit he was starting to look like a homeless kid every time he woke up, so I agreed with Brett and my mom when they said it was time.

My friend Robin’s mother cuts all the kids hair at her shop in Raleigh, so we decided to take him there. He knows her and I thought he would be a bit more comfortable than the last time we tired this.

Well, he was ok, not great. He freaked out a bit, but Pauline is so fast that she got the job done in a jiff. I have to say, he looks great and doesn’t look like a little baby anymore. He looks like a little man and very dapper!

-Sue-

* Here is the new hairdo even though he looks a little deranged. He was all crazy for this lollipop! HA!

Baby Shower

Last Saturday I was able to get out of the house to enjoy the company of my girlfriends at my baby shower thrown by one of my close friends, Jodie Hepp.

It was so nice to get out of the house, as painful as it is these days. This was probably going to be one of the last times I see them all and get to hang out before this baby comes.

These women have become my rock out here in NC. I am so grateful for meeting them during one of the hardest transitions in my life and I know that I would be a mess if I didn’t have them to talk, laugh and cry with. Thanks so much ladies and love you guys!!!

-Sue-

Brayden Turns 2!

Brett, Brayden, Champ and I enjoyed a nice family birthday at home this year. I wanted to have a party for him so bad, but my energy level only allows me to sit around so that wasn’t going to happen. Plus, Brett and I have been trying to spend as much one on one time with him before our threesome becomes a foursome! 

We surprised him with his new room in the morning and then we played whatever he wanted all day long! He was so happy all day I didn’t think he could get any happier, but I was wrong! Once he saw that we were having pizza, ice cream, and cake and eating them all on Lightning McQueen plates, I thought his head would explode! 

He was such a happy boy that day and such a joy to be around; all three of us were smiling from ear to ear! I can’t believe it has been 2 years already!

-Sue-

* It is SO fun being 2!

* Playing with my new airport from Nana and Papa

* Veggin' out in my new couch from Uncle Dino and Auntie Gina! Thanks guys!

Brayden's Big Boy Room

Besides having a nice quite family birthday for Brayden this year, Brett and I planned to unveil his new “big boy room”.  Brett and I moved Brayden into the guest room since it is bigger and he will have more room to play. We left all of his old furniture in what will now be baby sister’s room. I have been a bit nervous about this transition because I didn’t want to disturb the fabulous sleeping habits that Brayden has.  So for Brayden’s birthday morning Brett had everything set up and transitioned to surprise him when he walked in. 

We were lucky enough to have a night out the night before while Brayden had a slumber party at his best bud Landon’s house. Robin and Chris offered to watch Brayden for a night before baby #2 came and we finally took them up on it. Brett and I went to Chapel Hill and enjoyed a nice romantic dinner at a new Indian restaurant called Mint. It was such good food and so nice to be able to be alone together before the “storm”, as we call it, hits.  We were amazed at how far we have come in the last five years. When people ask you “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I would have never have thought “Well I see myself married, living 3000 miles away from my friends and family, getting pregnant and having two kids.” No way would I have thought that.  

Anyway…back to B’s room…he was so surprised to see a new bed, new toys, and a new Lighting McQueen blanket! He loved it and we have had NO problems with the big switch. I was even nervous to have him see his old room, but he could really care less. I am more and more amazed by him every day. He always seems to surprise me with how he will react to stuff. So as of right now, I have NO idea how he is going to react to his new sister! HA!

-Sue-

* The new room

* The new room

* The unveiling

* Loving his new train set

* Playing with Daddy in his new room

Happy Birthday "Braydon"!

So I did a totally horrific thing for Brayden’s birthday this year. Those of you know that me will understand why it was so mortifying for me to stoop this low for my son, but deep down I know in actuality it isn’t that big of a deal. 

I am at the end of my pregnancy and long story short; I am in a lot of pain. Doing normal daily activities are difficult, let alone baking the ideal birthday cake for B’s 2^nd birthday like I wanted to. So I needed to order him a cake somewhere if I wanted to have one for him. Since living in NC I have yet to find a bakery that meets my standards since working at one of the best in CA. All you are really left with out here is your local grocery store, but Brett and I shop at Super Target. 

So I ordered him a cake from Super Target and thought I was going to have panic attack about it. It sounds so silly thinking about it now, but at the time I was sweating and all uncomfortable about ordering it. In my mind I was thinking, “You have a degree in this for pete’s sake and if Kim, Jeff or Lynn could see you right now they would die of laughter!” HA! The poor woman behind the counter thought I will a weirdo because I was all anxious about it. After the fact I was able to calm down because of how cheap it was!  

Well…I got what I paid for in the end and a punch in the ego as well. As you can see below, I should have suffered through the pain and made the damn thing myself. “HAPPY 2^ND BIRTHDAY BRAYDDON!

-Sue-

Brayden and his “bubal hat”

Brett brought home a 49er football helmet that he used to play with as a kid and Brayden has fallen in love with it.

He wants to wear it while Brett watches football and even gets his football out when he has it on.

The only problem is that it is a tad big and turns around and he gets really mad when he can’t see. He doesn’t take it off, he just gets really mad! HA!

- Sue -

A Day in the Life of Brayden and Landon

Brayden and Landon have been spending a lot of time together over the past few months and have become quite fond of each other. He lives close by, has the same obsession with trains that Brayden does and it doesn’t hurt that his mom is kind of cool too! (Love ya Robin!)

Robin and I are shocked when they get together because we have to do relatively nothing to keep them happy and busy. They both have the same quiet temperament and will play trains nicely with each other with little to no fighting for literally hours. It is unbelievable! This is nice anytime, but has been especially nice since I have been getting to the end of my pregnancy and have zero energy.

Below are some pictures of Brayden and Landon together. We had them over for an arts and crafts day full trains, painting, snow globe making and eventually a necessary bath. You can tell by the looks on their faces that they have a blast and can be quite the characters when together.

– Sue –

Holiday Events

Brett and I went to some holiday events around Wake Forest while the weather wasn’t too cold and I forgot to post the pictures. Here are a couple of pictures from our outings and from some holiday fun at home.

Enjoy!

–Sue -

* Playing at the Oak View Park kid's kitchen
* Waiting in line for the sleigh ride at Oak View Park

* Daddy and Brayden during the sleigh ride

* Mommy and Brayden listening to a Christmas band

* Loving his Christmas music top

* Playing choo-choo under the Christmas tree