Friday, September 11, 2009

Bliss

If you've been reading this little blog of mine for awhile you might remember this post.
And tonight, we returned to that same sunflower field and took it all in. The beauty. The quiet. The sound of the crickets. The sunset. The thousands and thousands of sunflowers surrounding us in simple elegance. A undescribable gift from God.







Brady cried when we left, he just loved being there. I think that means we have to go back. Twist my arm....Mike, I think we need to plan all of our trips back to Dayton around the blooming of this field. I'm serious. I have about 90 other pictures to share but this will have to do for now. It's time for sleep, I'll be dreaming of sunflowers and my precious little family.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The first, first day of school


Now that Brady is 3 1/2 there aren't many "firsts" that occur anymore. But yesterday was a big first in my first born's life, his first day of school.

His first day only lasted for one hour because, go figure, there was a 2 hour delay because of FOG. We were so disappointed that this happened of course on his very first day. Normally preschool would be cancelled on a 2 hour delay day but since it was the very first day the teacher had them come in for one hour.

In that hour, they did their opening rug time where they find their letter of the day, Brady's was the letter "E" yesterday, they say the Pledge of Allegiance and they say a prayer. Then they did stations, they could chose from coloring, playdough, manipulatives or kitchen. Brady did some playdough time and manipulative time for that's where the blocks and trucks were! Then the parents did a craft with the children and then just like that, our hour was up!
Tomorrow will be the true test for my little Brady. Tomorrow I do not get to stay with him like I did yesterday. Tomorrow we will say our goodbyes in the "hello, goodbye square" and he will be a big boy and walk into the amazing world that is school.

You're gonna love it Brady Bear and I'm going to miss you while you are gone. Listen to Ms. Kim and Ms. Theresa and be a good friend. And if you miss me while you're there know that you can always go look at our picture hanging on the apple tree.
I love you sweet boy, to the moon and back.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In case you were wondering

this

was the surprise that The Pacifier Fairy left Brady. The picture above was taken at 7:09am, we bounced until about 9pm that night!

And below is just a glimpse at the fun that was had over the weekend. I'm sure there will be many more big grins captured on this bounce house over the next few years.




Do you see Lucy? She's really into the bounce house too.

More pictures to come from the weekend and Brady's first day of school!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Emotional

That's not unusual for me, I'm very emotional, always have been, always will. But for some reason, the tears won't stop rolling down my face as I type this. It's silly, really, for you see, my little Brady Bear just continues to grow and grow and this Mama isn't really ready for that.

Tonight is a big night in our house. For tonight the magical fairy named "Pacifier Fairy" is coming to our house. Yes, it's true, up until August 19th, Brady was still using a pacifier. Over the past year Mike and I have talked about just when we should "make" him give up his pacifier. There was never a good time, something BIG was always just around the corner like a move, a baby sister, etc.. But, on August 19th, something happened and Brady decided that he was done with his "ooeeies" as he has called it since mid-2007 (prior to ooeeies, it was known as "uh-oh").

And that was the end of it. Just like that. I asked him what he wanted to do with them, and he was happy to just put them in Mama's drawer. So that's what we did. For the past 3 years and 7 months, that green little pacifier was a big part of his life, my life, our life. It's silly I know but so many funny memories and pictures that tug at my heartstrings are ones with the green soothie pacifier stuck in his mouth. Lovey's are a big part of both of our babies lives here and I'm so thankful for them. Thankful for calming their fears, soothing their pain, quieting their tears.

Mike and I wanted to reward Brady for this accomplishment. He knew about "The Pacifier Fairy" who, if he wanted too, would come and take his pacifiers away to give to other children who really needed them, and in return a surprise would be left for him. Tonight, he decided that it was time. Time to send his beloved green ooeeies away for good. We wrote the fairy a note and this is what it said:

Dear Pacifier Fairy,
I want you to pick up my ooeeies so I can have a surpirse.
I loved doing funny things with my ooeeies like putting two in my mouth.
I made this green picture for you like ooeeies is green.
I'm going to miss them a lot. I loved my ooeeies.
Love Brady.


The note

Sitting outside his door, waiting for the Fairy to come tonight.

One last pic with them. I asked him to put one in his mouth and he said "no"

This whole pacifier thing taught me a lesson that I guess I've been learning for the last 3 + years, something that my Mom has always said, "they'll do it when they are ready". Whatever that "it" is, potty training, sleeping through the night, sucking their thumb, and in our case, getting rid of a pacifier. Maybe it takes some kids longer than others but they'll do it and until then, don't bother them or fuss with them over whatever "it" is. What's the sense if having all the drama and tears. Just let them be little. Thanks to my Mama for always gently reminding me of this.

So, goodnight little ooeeies. Thanks for the memories. The good, the not so good and everything in between. And goodnight big boy, Mama loves you more than you'll ever know.

Tomorrow is a new day and a surprise awaits. It's a big one, I tell ya. You deserve it kiddo. I hope this "surprise" will provide you (and your little buddies) hours and hours of big belly laughs. Stay tuned....


Week in review

Wow, it's been one week since I have posted anything! The last week was one of the busiest weeks we've had all summer long. Since Mike's deployment has been cancelled, our calendar is filling up with all kinds of fun things like weddings we thought we couldn't go to, Penn State football games, birthday parties and festivals, not to mention all the exciting activities that will go along with Brady going to preschool (he starts on Tuesday!) Here are some pictures from some of the things that have been keeping us busy. What's keeping you busy these days? (warning: lots of pictures below!)

Swimming at the Kettering Rec Center



This is the life!

We went to
Carriage Hill Metro Park with our friends, Jen, Katie and Daniel. What a gorgeous place. We can't wait to go back!

Saturday was a busy day. I donated blood in the morning for the Light the Night walk on October 1st that I am participating in. Then we went to the 2nd Street Public Market (part of the MetroPark system here) in downtown Dayton, and then to another Metro Park, Riverscape, to take a paddle boat ride. Brady also wanted to play in the fountains which I was not prepared for so he ran through in his shorts and then used Mike's tshirt as a "towel"

On Sunday, we spent the afternoon and evening celebrating our sweet friend Brianna Allard's 7th Birthday, Mike and I have been to all of Brianna's birthday's since she was 2 years old. She means the world to us. Lots of laughter and yummy food! Thank you Mark and Gisela for hosting all of us for dinner, our military "family".
And just a few cute shots of Mia Allard
Another busy weekend ahead with a wedding, a birthday party and my parents and sister arriving! And then, the big day, Brady's first day of preschool. Stay tuned! Happy LOOOONG WEEKEND!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Love affair

between these two. I'll enjoy it while it lasts. And hope and pray that they always have a special bond full of laughter and happiness.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Like I said

she's trouble, with a capital T

She didn't take an afternoon nap on Tuesday so I thought for sure by 7:30p she would be out like a light. I put her down and 20 minutes later she's still entertaining herself in her crib. So I go in to see what all the shrieking (in delight) was all about. And this is what I see:

Her pacifier had been thrown overboard and she was screeching at it. She threw it over two more times before finally calling it a night. Let the games begin.

Oh we got trouble, right here in Dayton city. (anyone besides Catherine know what song I am referencing? Anyone?)

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