Sunday, August 31, 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

Such a "Man"

Nothing beats lounging around in your underwear (eh, diaper) and watching TV!

Stand In The Place Where You Live

I can't believe how strong he is already!

And, yes, the blanket he is laying on is for his daddy's favorite team... (and NO, he is NOT named Brett because of the former Packer :). Not if mommy's vote counts anyway!)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Today's the Day

Today is the one year anniversary of the day our lives changed forever. It was one year ago today that I woke up, took a pregnancy test and saw the positive result. This lead to me waking up Steve with the news and throwing off his whole game plan of getting the dogs to the kennel so that we could go to Chicago. (My parents ended up getting the dogs in later.... Steve's head was in a fog, and he totally forgot).

It was a Friday, so I worked a half day and then we drove up to meet Steve's parents and go to a White Sox game.

Well, conicidently, this was the same weekend that Steve's family wanted to get together again this year for their annual Sox game.

Last year I took this picture of Steve and I at the game to mark the day we found out we were pregnant with Brett.


Well, this year, I decided to try and take the same shot of us at the game in the stands, this time with the little man to mark the anniversary. Not so easy with three people (and one who is inclined to cry).



We did, however, manage to get a good shot from grandma right before we left.



Brett now has a "My First White Sox" t-shirt and official Sox hat... he was stylin' at the game!


And, he got a certificate of his first visit to Comisky. Overall a pretty cool trip... and one that left me amazed at what a difference a year makes!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Caught Red Handed

When Brett was born, his Chicago grandparents bought him this adorable little puppy that plays music when you pull on a handle attached to it.

Well, Brett really didn't get it for awhile. After about a month, Steve would sometimes hold it in front of his face and pull the blue handle. Brett slowly became amused by this, but didn't get how it worked.

About 2 weeks ago, I decided to attach it to his crib. He still didn't know how it worked, so I thought that maybe by leaving it there he would.

So, one night at about 3 a.m. over the baby monitor, very loudly we hear "Woof. Woof. See The Colors....". It woke me dead up out of my sleep. Pretty funny, but we didn't know if he rolled over and caught his hand on it, or he had figured it out.

Well, as he was napping this afternoon, the baby monitor suddenly lit up with the "Woof, Woof". I crept into his room and caught him!

Smart little guy! See how he realizes that he's not by himself halfway through :). Again, gratuitous baby cuteness...(only about a minute long, I promise!)


Thursday, August 21, 2008

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

They're Playing MY Song!

If you watch Keri & Misty play beach volleyball tonight in the Olympics, you might hear them cut in for a second here and there with my song!

Yep, it's Carrie by Europe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=666lbj8RlbE

Check out the cheesy 80's hair of this guy in the video. I was sooo psyched when this song came out when I was like in 3rd grade. It was so cool when they played it at the skating parties!

Anyway, just something that made me smile :). I am stoked for their game though... go team USA!

And, on a side note.... Thomas Finchum, the diver? His father was my high school english teacher, and wrote my recommendation letter to Butler for me! I vaguely remember Thomas as a little kid. His older brother played against my youngest brother in basketball. Even then he was doing backflips along the sideline as a little kid. I think his final event, diving on the platform is up within the next couple of nights. Anyway, it was funny to see his family in the audience early last week for his first event. It was like "hey there's my high school english teacher." What a small world!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Beanpole Brett

So, Brett had his 4 month appointment today. I've been anxiously awaiting to see how he's grown. Here are the stats:

Weight: 14 lbs (31%)
Height: 26 1/2 inches (91%)!!! (Have you SEEN this kid's legs?)

He's also talking (a LOT!), kicking (a LOT) and giggling and doing all of the cute baby things. It's amazing that 4 months ago his biggest talent was sleeping.

Here's a 1 week old picture with daddy and his teddy bear chair.


And, here's the little man on his own, 4 months later.... almost DOUBLE his size!


Mr. GQ

His hair is starting to grow back (yay!)

Look at how well he stands. Trust me, he REALLY wants to run, and I think it will be sooner rather than later when I'm chasing after him. Better get in shape and FAST!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

This is awesome

I don't know who had the time to put this together, but it's pretty good.

Obama in 2008!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Chillaxin' in the high chair & on mom

Eating dinner has been challenging for us since we brought Brett home. We put him in his bouncy seat which we have at the table during dinner. However, it is so low to the ground that he is isolated from us and fusses. I, in turn, feel bad and end up putting him on my lap. I have gotten way too good at eating with one hand!

Anyway, we were going to wait until he started eating food until we bought his high chair, but based on our babies r us coupon expiration, we decided to go ahead and get it. Steve thought it wasn't going to work, since he can't sit up by himself yet, but I thought he'd be okay since all high chairs have harnesses.

So, we put it together today and Brett seemed happy in it! We haven't put the tray on yet, since he doesn't need it yet... so he can do his favorite thing... kick his feet up! Now he can feel a part of the action at dinner.



Then later, Brett and I took a nap together (which we do from time to time). Daddy snapped a picture of us sleeping :).

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Toes In Da Mouf!

Here's my latest annoying "my kid is sooo cute" video! :). (I know, I'm guilty for posting more and more lately... I guess it's a guilty pleasure)

Witness Brett and Daddy having another very deep riveting conversation... about eating feet and such.

And, it has an action sequence. Watch for gratuitous violence towards Daddy :).

Plus, hear Brett comment on his rival Internet celebrities.

It's about 3 minutes long, so I'm warning you ahead of time... if you don't want to watch a baby eating his feet, don't bother.

Hey, I warned you! But, I have a feeling that grandparents and relatives outside of Indy will love it!!!!


Thursday, August 7, 2008

We're Rockin' The Suburbs

I can't believe I forgot to add what might be my absolute favorite thing to my "Favorite Things" blog! Well, absolute favorite thing, is a little much... how about absolute favorite musical artist?

Yep, I am obsessed with the music of Ben Folds & Ben Folds Five.

This happened rather innocently enough. About 3 years ago, I was at my local library looking for music to add to my brand new iPod (okay, I know it's "illegal", but I'm not uploading it online, so who cares?). I stumbled across "Forever & Ever, Amen". At this point, my knowledge of Ben Folds was limited. "Brick" was okay.... but then his "Song For the Dumped" and "Army" were awesome! So, I decided to give this CD a try. I was hooked. Really, why he released "Brick", I'll never know. This is by far one of his most boring songs.

Soon after I compiled some of his CD's onto my iPod and made a huge Ben Folds playlist. I'd listen to it here and there, when I wanted something different. I'd forget about it for a few months and then I'd play it again and remember how totally awesome it was.

But, (and this is how I am going to tie this post to the theme of my blog!) you know how when you are pregnant and you crave certain foods? (for me this was cheese and cherry flavored ANYTHING). Oddly enough, I couldn't get enough of Ben Folds music. Starting at about my 5th month, I pretty much soley played Ben Folds. At this point, I also went ahead and got the rest of his albums to add to my playlist (which now totals about 100 songs!).

So, starting at about 5 months in utero, Brett got aquainted with Mr. Folds & Co. I figured it would be good for him to listen to an awesome piano player, since I want to get all of my kids started playing piano a young age. (On a side note... Steve and I grew up with a heavy musical background. I played flute and competed in all of the state competitions and everything in high school. Steve played trombone. I always wished I'd learned piano as a kid, though... I took a keyboard class in college and got a little bit of background and eventually taught myself to play a couple of songs, including Tori Amos' "Winter"... but that's a whole 'nother blog :)).

And, then, coincidentally enough, Ben Folds came to Lafayette the last week of February! So, we HAD to go! The concert was amazing, buy the way. This guy is a musical genious... all he had on stage was himself with the piano, a guitar and drums (which he had musicians for...he didn't play all at once!). But that's all he needed for an awesome show. No fancy lights, no dancers, nothing... and it was the best concert I've ever been to! The only downside was that we got tickets last minute and all they had were second balcony. Yep, I had to walk all 7 months of my pregnant self up to the second balcony... not an easy task! So, anyway, Brett got to enjoy his first concert in utero! I think he liked it... he didn't seem to complain too much anyway.

And, now that Brett has emerged into the world, I can tell that he enjoys the music! I'll put on my playlist and I'll look at him in his baby mirror and he'll be moving his arms around. It also seems to keep him calm and from fussing in the car (most of the time anyway). I really think it's just very familiar to him! In fact he was smiling and cooing as I played the youtube videos below!

Anyway, here are links to some awesome early Ben Folds songs (when he was with the Five)

"Underground" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ-omwxAwpU

"Kate" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8BOX0GEKe0

"Battle of Who Could Care Less" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkcWL-VMn3U

"Selfless, Cold and Composed" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzVjzSbKwRQ

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

In Training for the 2028 Chicago Marathon

Or, he's imitating a sea turtle out of water on his back.

You decide :)

Saturday, August 2, 2008

What long legs he has!




And they just keep getting longer and longer and longer!

Friday, August 1, 2008

B-R-E-T-T





Just in case there is any doubt about which room is his!