We have some fun news to share: This afternoon, while Nicole was writing words with Brayden (a regular activity), this happened...
YES! He can spell his name from beginning to end! After he did it we freaked out and he just laughed and laughed. We did it again and again and again. It's so exciting! He's been able to recognize his name (as his own name) for awhile, but this is something NEW! What a smarty.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
In case you missed it...
If you missed your church-for-the-week, have at my sermon from last Sunday. Read the lesson first (specifically the Gospel), then click here for the sermon. Let me know what you think!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
"Bye-bye" high chair
It's official -- Brayden no longer wants his high chair. Nicole said that a couple days ago, he climbed up into one of our regular chairs, looked up, and said, "Please!" (meaning he was hungry) From then on, he's only wanted to eat at the table. I even tried putting a phone book under him to boost him up, but he'll have none of it. He just casually slides the book out from under himself and onto the floor (all while he's chewing, mind you).
AND, he no longer wants his infant oatmeal... so it's on to big boy foods like Cheerios and toast (with apple butter... oh yeah!).
AND, he no longer wants his infant oatmeal... so it's on to big boy foods like Cheerios and toast (with apple butter... oh yeah!).
Friday, January 25, 2008
NFL sneak
Brayden's a BIG Steeler's fan... thanks to the Girata side of things. Here he is supporting his team...
...all the way to the Super Bowl!!
...um, what? The Steelers aren't going to the Super Bowl? Well then who cares about the Super Bowl? I suppose I could always watch it for the commercials, right? OR, perhaps I can root for my friend Nicholas Fine's favorite team, the Giants. That sounds good to me... so...
...all the way to the Super Bowl!!
...um, what? The Steelers aren't going to the Super Bowl? Well then who cares about the Super Bowl? I suppose I could always watch it for the commercials, right? OR, perhaps I can root for my friend Nicholas Fine's favorite team, the Giants. That sounds good to me... so...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Your January Gymboree update
If it's Saturday, it's a Gymboree day! Actually, yesterday was a Gymboree day because today we're off to a friend's ordination at the National Cathedral. But, no worries, because we have some videos to share.
Brayden's been doing lots of cute things lately... I need to catalog them for you when I have time to think. Until then, one of the things he's doing now is reading (yes reading, not reciting) the whole alphabet. Some of the letters aren't pronounced well (the "s" sound is still missing) but even those "s" letters have their own unique sound. It's quite fun to see him running around reading the letters on signs and the like. He's also reading the numbers 1 through 10. Hopefully I can get some video of that soon, but the other things...
...and just for fun, here is Brayden in his new shoes from Gido (thanks Gido!).
Brayden's been doing lots of cute things lately... I need to catalog them for you when I have time to think. Until then, one of the things he's doing now is reading (yes reading, not reciting) the whole alphabet. Some of the letters aren't pronounced well (the "s" sound is still missing) but even those "s" letters have their own unique sound. It's quite fun to see him running around reading the letters on signs and the like. He's also reading the numbers 1 through 10. Hopefully I can get some video of that soon, but the other things...
...and just for fun, here is Brayden in his new shoes from Gido (thanks Gido!).
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Some randomness
The FINAL Christmas post. At last, close to catching up. This is a random collection of pictures that didn't fit into any other post.
Brayden loves his baths -- no doubt. He REALLY loves baths in jacuzzi tubs, like at Gido and Gigi's house. He took quite a few (always with bubbles, or course), and here are some highlights:
And some baths weren't alone!! Aunt Nancy joined in the fun for some priceless laughs.
Finally, one of B's favorite things to do -- watch TV. I know, what glorious parents, right? Whatever... there's always room for some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. That mouse knows how to entertain a toddler, ya hear?
(btw, he's sitting in my garment bag... what a goof!)
Brayden loves his baths -- no doubt. He REALLY loves baths in jacuzzi tubs, like at Gido and Gigi's house. He took quite a few (always with bubbles, or course), and here are some highlights:
And some baths weren't alone!! Aunt Nancy joined in the fun for some priceless laughs.
Finally, one of B's favorite things to do -- watch TV. I know, what glorious parents, right? Whatever... there's always room for some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. That mouse knows how to entertain a toddler, ya hear?
(btw, he's sitting in my garment bag... what a goof!)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Layna update!
Last week, Nicole had a check-up with her doctor and an extra sonogram. Everything looked great, but that's not even the best part -- we got this fantastic picture of Layna:
Yes, friends -- that's her face! It's not as good as the real thing will be, but I thought it was pretty great. Nic is doing just fine, too. It's so close!
Yes, friends -- that's her face! It's not as good as the real thing will be, but I thought it was pretty great. Nic is doing just fine, too. It's so close!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Christmas with Shamu
We're back in Alexandria, so that means a new post. One of the last ones from our Christmas vacation to Florida is from Sea World. Nicole thought Brayden would love to see all the animals while we were there (the perfect age) and she was right! With our tickets in hand (a Christmas gift from Jen and Eric -- thanks!) we were off. I was surprised how much Sea World has "classed-up." Things are so much better than they were when I was there last, years ago. It was a wonderful day!
Just inside the gates, Gido and B found Shamu (he's just behind them).
We walked all around, seeing shows and more. BUT, one of the best stops was at the stingray tank.
As we walked around the park, there were many photo ops. Here are a couple --
Toward the end of the day (just before nap time!) we headed off to Shamu's Happy Harbor. Although most of the play area is designed for older kids, there were some great places for Brayden to play.
It was a great day -- we'll be back again, I'm sure. With a long day behind him, B was ready for a nap...
Just inside the gates, Gido and B found Shamu (he's just behind them).
We walked all around, seeing shows and more. BUT, one of the best stops was at the stingray tank.
As we walked around the park, there were many photo ops. Here are a couple --
Toward the end of the day (just before nap time!) we headed off to Shamu's Happy Harbor. Although most of the play area is designed for older kids, there were some great places for Brayden to play.
It was a great day -- we'll be back again, I'm sure. With a long day behind him, B was ready for a nap...
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Christmas Morning!!
Even though B's not too aware of Jolly 'ole St. Nick, we still tried to get him excited about Christmas morning. We talked about Santa, but I don't think any of it sank in. However, jumping around in the bedroom and revving him up for stockings got him plenty excited:
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... and look -- a whole bunch of stuff was there!
One of the things Brayden likes to do the most when we go to Gymboree is to shoot hoops. We just knew this would be a hit, and it was!
After stockings, we moved into the living room for all the gifts under the tree. B had a good time, especially with Gido.
And of course, if it's Christmas, it's church. Here we are, just back from mass at Resurrection Church. A lovely Christmas pic.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... and look -- a whole bunch of stuff was there!
One of the things Brayden likes to do the most when we go to Gymboree is to shoot hoops. We just knew this would be a hit, and it was!
After stockings, we moved into the living room for all the gifts under the tree. B had a good time, especially with Gido.
And of course, if it's Christmas, it's church. Here we are, just back from mass at Resurrection Church. A lovely Christmas pic.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Out of town... again
This post is out of order (after I promised to get all the Christmas pictures to you) but I just thought it was too cute to wait. As I was writing the Christmas morning post (stay tuned), I heard Brayden and Nicole laughing in the back room. I had thrown our large suitcase on the bed so we could pack in preparation for our trip to Birmingham tomorrow, and here's what B did with it:
He is such a funny kid. He climbed right in and said, "Bye Mama! Bye Dad!" I wish I had a video of that. He just said it over and over again, then tried to close himself up inside the suitcase. He's such a trip (pun intended...). We'll be gone all this week.
This trip (another drive... 12+ hours!) follows a marathon national exam I had last week (over 24 hours of actual testing). I tell you, we seriously need a vacation. I suppose that's why God didn't schedule the spring classes to begin until February. "Praise Him!" ;)
He is such a funny kid. He climbed right in and said, "Bye Mama! Bye Dad!" I wish I had a video of that. He just said it over and over again, then tried to close himself up inside the suitcase. He's such a trip (pun intended...). We'll be gone all this week.
This trip (another drive... 12+ hours!) follows a marathon national exam I had last week (over 24 hours of actual testing). I tell you, we seriously need a vacation. I suppose that's why God didn't schedule the spring classes to begin until February. "Praise Him!" ;)
Friday, January 04, 2008
Christmas Eve (finally!)
Christmas Eve is finally here, and what a great night it was! Per the usual, we spent Christmas Eve at Casa Roenick in Palm Harbor. The Roenick clan was there (including the Weitzs) and also the Hart family. It was wonderful to see everyone. Brayden was flooded with gifts, as was Ethan (and we didn't do too shabby, either!). Let's begin the show...
One of the highlights of the night (and it remains very exciting) was a pair of Elmo slippers for Brayden. Here he is, saying, "Elmo."
The next showcase is of some favorite gifts. First his "mobile" horse,
and his "non-mobile" steed. (This one was actually for Ethan -- Poppy was kind enough to leave Brayden's in the box so we could bring it back with us, whew.)
One of Brayden's favorite cartoons is "Handy Manny." It's a great Disney show about a handy man and his talking tools. Here's Manny:
And for good measure, another shot of the shoes-of-the-year (how cute is he?!):
Finally, the night was drawing to a close and the boys got into their jammies. Ethan had a great Elmo sleeper.
And one with the sisters and their boys:
One of the highlights of the night (and it remains very exciting) was a pair of Elmo slippers for Brayden. Here he is, saying, "Elmo."
The next showcase is of some favorite gifts. First his "mobile" horse,
and his "non-mobile" steed. (This one was actually for Ethan -- Poppy was kind enough to leave Brayden's in the box so we could bring it back with us, whew.)
One of Brayden's favorite cartoons is "Handy Manny." It's a great Disney show about a handy man and his talking tools. Here's Manny:
And for good measure, another shot of the shoes-of-the-year (how cute is he?!):
Finally, the night was drawing to a close and the boys got into their jammies. Ethan had a great Elmo sleeper.
And one with the sisters and their boys:
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
On to Atlanta (one more time)
Our last post before Christmas takes us to Atlanta for my ordination to the diaconate. So many people came to share the day with me -- thanks to everyone! It was great to have all your support (and those of you at a distance, too!).
The family met at Brio for a late lunch before the evening service.
Then is was off to the Cathedral of St. Philip for the ordination.
The big moment (that's me under the hands, fyi):
Then it was off the reception!
Stay tuned for the Christmas picture-palooza!
The family met at Brio for a late lunch before the evening service.
Then is was off to the Cathedral of St. Philip for the ordination.
The big moment (that's me under the hands, fyi):
Then it was off the reception!
Stay tuned for the Christmas picture-palooza!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year to all of you!
As the year begins... and with promises for the biggest year YET... I thought it was time for a baby update. AND, hold your breath, it's a baby bump update, too! Here's the beauty, 3 weeks ago (so not exactly "right now" but close). Such a good lookin' mama!
Nicole had an update yesterday and everything looks good. Layna's measuring just right -- works for me! We're excited about the new year and can't wait for the coming months!
As the year begins... and with promises for the biggest year YET... I thought it was time for a baby update. AND, hold your breath, it's a baby bump update, too! Here's the beauty, 3 weeks ago (so not exactly "right now" but close). Such a good lookin' mama!
Nicole had an update yesterday and everything looks good. Layna's measuring just right -- works for me! We're excited about the new year and can't wait for the coming months!
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