Time for some teeth brushing! ~ 6-29-11

Time for us to really brush teeth every night. Braydon is funny and let's us brush the bottom and then jerks away to keep us from the top one's. Then he turns his head quickly to avoid any more teeth brushing. He's a cutie!

Attempt at granola bars ~ 6-28-11

So I decided that I would attempt, yes I said attempt, granola bars. It was fun making them, but they weren't really that good. It was the thought and effort, right? I never admitted to be Betty Crocker!

Behind bars ~ 6-28-11

When we had Cameron we weren't quite sure how Bishop, our alpha male dog, would respond. We only had 2 snaps where food was involved and Cameron got between the two.

Fast forward to Braydon. You never know what a baby will do as he gets moving and how the dog will react. Especially since we are in a different house from when we had Cameron.

I'm happy to say that Braydon and Bishop are two peas in a pod. Bishop has been excellent with Braydon.

Braydon even tries to crawl in the dog cage, but of course we don't let him.

I think the reason Bishop likes him so much is that he drops table scraps off his plate to Bishop waiting near by! We are trying to break him of that. Kids, they will do the darnedest things.

Aren't they so cute together?!?!

Little flags for a water sprinkler ~ 6-27-11

Do you see the colored flags in the yard? We've finally made the move and found a company to install a sprinkler system. We've wanted a system for some time and finally "pulled the trigger" as Michael says.It was rather difficult to find a company who would even talk to us because our city evidently makes it diffcult to jump through the hopes to get the permits.

Fortunately the owner of the company we found does systems in our city all the time and knows the people who deal with the permits, so piece of cake.

After talking to the guy and getting everything flagged we were ready to get started. Then we had a day delay as a result of them having to finish their previous job.

Michael did some research over the last several months when we were thinking about installing the system ourselves (boy am I glad we didn't) to see what time of "brain" we wanted. He found the Rainbird system. It is a fabulous system that has a "monitor" attached to the house. It takes into account all the weather conditions and makes adjustments for when the system will go off and how much water should be put on the lawn.

When the inspector came to complete the inspections, when everything was finished, he said our house was the FIRST house in our city he has seen to have the Rainbird system.I was really proud of what Michael found. We are making water conservation a priority and being responsible in our drought by using minimal water, not to mention we don't have to drag water hoses all over the yard and set the kitchen timer to make sure we turn the water off in time.

Braydon trying Ice Cream ~ 6-26-11

Michael made us all ice cream cones of mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

He figured Braydon should have some also so he let him try some.

He went in for the lick or should I say bite...

And came away looking like this! I guess it was a tad bit to cold for him.

Then he recovered and was ready for more!

Catching up and happy thoughts ~ 9-23-11

Slow and steady wins the race right? Well, I'm being slow but steady and updating. If I could just catch up it wouldn't be so bad.

Is anyone even checking the blog?

On Saturday, 9/24 I will be taking the GRE to get into Graduate school. If you have a moment to say a little prayer that I do well, please do. Hoping for the best, but feel so unprepared! It's been almost 10 years since I took my last coursework.

Feel free to leave a comment if you are stopping by!

Photography on the side ~ 6-24-11

A friend from work and I were talking about her wedding in the spring and I mentioned that I wanted to get into photography. The next day she asked me what I would charge to photograph her wedding. I told her nothing because I didn't know how good they might turn out. After discussing it we agreed I would take the pictures. As a swap we got a hotel room out of the deal and thus a night away from the boys for the first time in over a year!!!

I rode down with a friend early on Friday morning because I wanted to be there all day and didn't want 2 vehicles there when Michael arrived. After a full day of pre, during, and post wedding pictures the final tally was 989 pictures. Let's just say I didn't really want to pick up a camera for a few days and totally understand why photographers get paid a fair amount of money to do the job.

Here a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

After Michael got off work he drove down to Surfside to enjoy the evening together.

After the wedding and clean-up a few of us including the bride and groom ate a late dinner at Kitty's Purple Cow" a great little dive place. Then Michael and I were able to get a night's sleep in WITHOUT waking in the middle of the night, oh how great that felt.

A picture Nana sent ~ "Having fun"

Another picture Nana sent ~ "Using brother as cover"

I was so happy to get the pictures. Thank you Nana. Being the first time away from both boys overnight since Braydon was born I was a little nervous, but I knew they were in great hands!

On our way home we enjoyed a scenic drive to Galveston. We drove around and found a cute place for lunch, The Mosquito Cafe. It was good and the food was plentiful but a little pricey. We strolled down the seawall to look for a place to stay during our upcoming girls weekend.

Last day for swim lessons ~ 6-23-11

Today was the last day for swim lessons. While it was sad for them to end I was sure happy to not have to get in a cold pool everyday. Both Cameron and Braydon enjoyed swim lessons this year.  In years past, we have enrolled in an earlier session when the water park has not opened yet for each day. However this year our session was at a time when the water park was already open. This meant we weren't able to have fun on the water park side our last day. :( Oh well. I'd say the boys had fun this year and can't wait to sign up again next year!

1 year doctor visit ~ 6-22-11

We waited until after Braydon's birthday for his doctor visit because we didn't want a cranky boy on our hands after shots. So, we went to visit Dr. S. He hadn't gained any weight since his last appointment but he has grown some. Crazy that Braydon and Cameron are only about 8 pounds apart!

1 year stats

20 lbs 12 oz, Head:18.25 in, Height: 28 in

Waiting before our doctor visit.

Cameron playing before our doctor visit.

Being silly after our doctor visit.

AFter our doctor visit we came home to enjoy some dinner. Can you figure out what Braydon had for dinner?

Braydon is getting so big and handsome!

Happy Father's Day ~ 6-19-11

 When everyone left on Sunday after Braydon's birthday party we went back over to the Payne's to celebrate Father's Day. In the midst of all the birthday planning the boys and I carved out some time to pick up a couple of things for Michael for his special day.

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Even though Cameron helped me pick out the cards and the gifts, he was so excited to see Daddy open them.

The boys gave Michael a saute pan for the grill and a propane tank level. I had to add a really cool ice cream scoop because every time he gets ice cream he complains about our OLD ice cream scoop.

Gary got adult beverages for Father's Day, imagine that!

Happy Father's Day Michael, Dad, and Gary!!!

Last of the Milk ~ 6-19-11

With Braydon turning a year old, I will start weaning him from breastmilk. As soon as I know that he will tolerate cows milk I'll decrease the number of times he gets breastmilk a day. It's bitter sweet as I am SO ready to stop pumping. Since I am weaning Braydon then as a result I am sending our last donation of milk to Baby Z. Her dad is meeting Justin and Erica to pick the precious cargo. While our donations will stop, I hope we stay in touch.

Thanks Justin and Erica for transporting the precious cargo!

Final Tally for Milk Donations:      5192.5 oz. 

Baby Z 704 oz. 6/19/11, 1045 oz. 5/6/11,
887 oz. 3/12/11 & 856 oz. 12/31/10 

Baby H 791 oz. 9/12, 449.5 oz. 10/10 & 460 oz. 11/18/10

Braydon turns 1: Birthday Party ~ 6-18-11

It was nice having a low-key actual birthday, but we also couldn't wait for family to arrive to have some fun and enjoy their company.

When we awoke, we convinced Elisa, Candace, and Ethan to take a walk with us. We walked around the block and stopped at the playground.

Cameron and Ethan sliding down the big slide.

Going up again!

Just a little bit harder. I was cracking up at Elisa trying to make her way down the slide.

Everyone woke up, we gathered up our things, the rest of the family got into town and we headed over the Payne house to have a 1st birthday party!

Papa with the birthday boy

Cousin Erica trying to get Braydon to walk. He wanted no part in it.

Erica, Cameron, Ethan, and Austin ~ Aren't they adorable?!?

Birthday boy Braydon!

Daddy and Cameron helping Braydon blow out his candle.

Finally getting the idea to dig in.

Braydon taking a picture with mom and dad. Of course he was more interested in the cake.

Cameron enjoying Braydon's cake too.

Braydon enjoying the pool

I think the best present from Braydon's perspective was his birthday balloon. He played with it for a week!

Braydon tearing into his presents.

Braydon enjoying some help with Cameron and Mom.

Cameron and Nini Shaw

The Shaw & Payne family: Braydon, Barbara, Michael, Kaci, Michael, James, Susan, and Cameron

It's SO hard to believe that a year has gone by. It's seems like just yesterday we were having you baby boy. I wish for you another year of happiness and that all your dreams come true.           Love, Mom