Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Haps!

So quite a few changes have been going on lately and I just wanted to let you all in on the haps. First, I have a new job!! I recently got the job as the property manager for my apartment complex and two others. This means that I will get to stay home with Brayden as I will be quitting my other job at the school. Although I am sad to be leaving the little boys I work with, and even more sad to leave my co-workers, I am very excited to have the opportunity to stay home with Brayden and still have a full-time job that pays. Can you say awesome? Because I can!
Also, with this new job, we will be moving. I am not so excited about the moving process but I am thrilled that we will be moving into a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. So much extra space and a place for family to actually sleep when they come to visit. So freaking amazing! This move means packing up all our belongings just to move down a block and a half. Yep...we will be living on the same street which is great because we LOVE the area where we live. But, it makes it even more annoying to pack everything up to drive it down to the next block and then unpack. And this will most likely be happening the week of Brayden's birthday so we will have family here as well! I hope they are ready to help move ;) Of course, everything is so much better when I remember that I will get to spend my days with this crazy boy!

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Wordless Wednesday

Two words on the "Wordless Wednesday"....STINK. FACE.


Linking up with Jenni From the Blog!
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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Day at the Farm!

At the school I work at, we take the kids on weekly field trips during summer school! This past week we got to take the kids to Centennial Farms in Costa Mesa. This place is pretty cool even when they aren't hosting the Orange County Fair! We got to see tons of animals and all the food they were growing on the farm. This is definitely a place I would like to take Brayden! Maybe I should add it to my summer bucket list?!? I think Brayden would really enjoy hearing all the animals make their noises...we even got to see a cow get milked! Now that's not something you see every day in southern California! Anyways, here are some pictures of what we saw!

The cow getting milked!

HUGE cow!!


A very loud goose!


Silly goat :)

Pregnant piggy!!

Beautiful peacock!! Totally trying to impress the female!

Hens!


Yummy fresh produce!

Makes me want a garden!

I LOVE Weekends!

Okay so this title seems like a total "duh" but because I work full-time, my weekends are my mini-vacations! Sometimes we don't do much and other times our weekends are full of family adventures. This weekend is a little of both. Today I took Brayden to the mall after his afternoon nap just because it was something to do. Shockingly, I only spent about $12.00 and only bought Brayden 2 books!! I was going to shop around for a new top or two but I am not patient enough to be in those small stores on a Saturday with a stroller...not my thing! So we booked it out of the mall and headed to the park. Much more like it!!! Brayden was very excited to have so much space to walk around like a free bird!
When we finally got to the sand, Brayden was a little apprehensive. He has been in the sand before but not recently so he was figuring it all out.
Once he got used to it, he discovered that he actually liked it! I know...weird...a boy that likes sand!

He didn't want to leave the sand but I got him back over to the grass and he walked all the way back to the car. Brayden LOVES the park and it's so easy to take him for an hour or so and then head back home.
And THIS is why I love my weekends so much! I really wish my hubby could have the same schedule as me so he would experience these adventures with us but he gets to have his own adventures with Brayden while I am at work and he is home. One day our schedules will work together and then you will all see more pictures of the hubs! For now...you will just have to suffer by looking at Brayden...life is tough...get used to it! :)

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Father's Day!

As usual, I am a little late posting about the recent celebration BUT...it was a great day! I completely failed at taking pictures because we were pretty busy trying to fit in a bunch of fun before the hubs had to go to work (on his very first Father's Day...BOOO!!). Anyways, our day started with Daddy sleeping in and Mommy taking Brayden to the grocery store for the necessary ingredients for our special breakfast. We woke Daddy up with cards, gifts and a cup of coffee! Next up was going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for brunch and relaxing! This recipe was found on Pinterest and it was fantastic! Click HERE for the direct link for the recipe.
Oh and did I mention that Brayden dressed up for the occasion?!?! Well he did...redneck style! 

Yep...that's a T-shirt with a tie(the shirt came that way!) and we paired it with his super classy denim shorts! It doesn't get any better than that folks! Oh well maybe a little better...he played with the hose water for a bit...splashing it up in his face and then laughing about it! Great stuff!


Because the day turned out to be so dang hot, Brayden traded his fancy outfit for...nothing! Naked baby in the pool!  
Naked baby then decided to get out of the pool...awesome!
Like I said...I failed at taking pictures because according to my phone, this is where our day ends. Not even close! Chance had to go to work but we headed over to my Aunt Kym's house for some amazing food, margaritas and family! It was a great Father's Day even though Chance had to work. Maybe next Father's Day he will be able to take a day off work and have the whole day for his wife and son to be at his beck and call....haha!! Probably not that last part! 

Wordless Wednesday

Time with family beats everything!! Obviously Brayden thinks so too!
This is my grandma on my dad's side and she lives in Oregon! We don't get to see her that often but as you can tell, it's always a great time when she is here! It was so fun to have her visit and although she wont be able to be here for Brayden's first birthday, she was able to see how much he has grown! We definitely look forward to her next visit!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Awesome Sunday!

Our Sunday last week was pretty spectacular! (I am finally getting to blog about it!) It started out with some family snuggle time in bed, then pancakes for breakfast, a trip to costco and then THIS!!!


Yep! Brayden has his own pool now! This thing will be so great for summer when it is hot and the nice cool hose water will keep him from overheating! For this particular day, we filled it with warm water from the sink because it wasn't hot enough outside. Brayden had such a great time splashing around! We all know how much he loves his baths and being outside. This was like having a bath outside...a win, win! After the pool shenanigans, we went HERE!
El Dorado Nature Center!

He was pretty excited about it!

So many turtles!

And brave little squirrels

Beautiful flowers

Cute spiky caterpillars!

He almost made it to the end!

A stunning view!! 
Who knew you could find a place like this in the middle of Long Beach?!?! This place is great. It has so many fun things for Brayden to look at and I get some exercise in! Brayden really did love looking at the squirrels, turtles, fish, and we even saw a rabbit! I definitely want to make more trips to the Nature Center during my summer break and I know Brayden will love visiting this place when he is a little older. It was the perfect way to end our Sunday!
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

I mean....COME ON!!!! Could he be any cuter?!?!

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Success!!

Holy cow, I didn't think the Cry-It-Out method would work as fast as it has but I am LOVING it! Since my last post about the CIO method, we have been consistent in putting Brayden down while he is awake and letting him fall asleep on his own. Our routine goes something like this: bath, bottle, music, night light, bed! Brayden started out by crying and screaming for about 10 minutes for the first two nights, only about 6 minutes the third night and maybe 2-3 the forth night. And now?!?! Not a peep! It is AWESOME!!! I love that his bedtime is not stressful anymore and that he knows that being in his bed means its time to sleep. We are still working on this for his daytime naps but those are getting so much better. I think its harder for him during the day because his room is bright and he can hear so many more noises. We are just making sure that we stay consistent because that is the only way the CIO method works!! Anyways, just wanted to let you all know how successful it has been for us so far!
And the best part, I get to see this awesome face when he wakes up!
He was very pleased with his
breakfast of pancakes and banana!
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Only 1 Month Left....

I think I am in denial about the fact that in one month, my sweet little baby will not longer be a "baby!" He will technically be a toddler and that is so freaking WEIRD!!! He will obviously always be my baby but I will now have to tell people that he is a year old...no more "months." *tear*
So although it is weird that he will soon be a toddler, Brayden is seriously so much fun right now! He is happy almost all of the time, loves to play, smiles at strangers(women), points and so on! Here is a list of the things Brayden currently likes:

-pointing
-shouting
-chasing(especially up and down the hallway or around things like a kitchen island)
-laughing
-being outside
-walking/running
-baths
-being upside down
-brushing his teeth
-eating...shocking, I know!
-Elmo
-touching my teeth (future dentist?!)
-swinging
-picking flowers

I may have missed some things because honestly, this kid loves practically everything. He DOESN'T like: falling down/getting hurt (duh!), being in his car seat for long periods of time,...and that is pretty much it! And this is why we are frightened for our second child...whenever that happens. Brayden is so good and happy! We could not be more blessed!
Also, it is so much easier to take him places now because he is entertained by new people, things that are not his toys, and walking! I also don't have to bring as much stuff with us when we go places because he can eat regular food so that is a huge help when packing for a day out or at family's house.
As much as I am sad about Brayden turning one, I know it will be so much fun for us to see him continue to explore, learn and grow. His personality is so bright and it is an amazing feeling to see him learn something new! And, I know his first word will be coming soon (we keep pushing for "mama") and that will be an amazing experience in itself! So maybe him turning one won't be so bad....and we know the party will be fun!! Who doesn't want to party with THIS face?!?!
Happy 11 months bubba!!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

I almost let this week get past me!! Yikes! Anyways, for those of you that are friends with me on Facebook or Instagram you have already seen this picture...however, for those of you that aren't, this photo was from last night and I just can't get over it. Brayden really loves his new toy (from Target) and as always, he LOVES bath time so its was a win, win kind of night.
P.S. this toy lights up, spins AND shoots up water like a fountain...even I would like something like that!

Linking up with Jenni From the Blog for Wordless Wednesday!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Summer Bucket List!

Since I am lucky enough to get a summer break from my job, I am planning to take full advantage of it by filling up my schedule with fun activities!! Most of them are family activities because now that Brayden is older, he can appreciate more and is intrigued by new adventures. So here is my current bucket list(in no particular order):

-visit a petting zoo
-go to a farmer's market
-visit new parks
-go to the beach
-introduce the pool to Brayden
-redo my kitchen table and chairs
-complete a 5k or 10k
-make banana ice cream(recipe from pinterest)
-organize!

So thats all I have so far but I plan on adding to it. Obviously things like redoing the kitchen table will not include Brayden but most of the other activities do. I really want to make my summer active and fun and I don't want Brayden to get used to being inside all day just watching cartoons. I was raised in a home where I wasn't allowed to watch tv more than an hour a day and we were not allowed to play, or even own, video games! I spent my time outside playing sports or just playing games with my neighbors. I want Brayden to grow up that way too. I think I am a healthier person because I wasn't just sitting on my butt all day long and I want Brayden to be the healthiest boy he can be. When I find new things to add to this list I will be sure to blog about it. I would also love any suggestions for places to go or things to do! Just leave a comment below!

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Cry-It-Out Method

It is about that time folks...that we actually start the CIO method. Yikes! Let me start that by saying up until about a month ago, Brayden would totally go to sleep on his own. When we noticed he was getting tired we would simply give him his pacifier, put him in his crib with Elmo, turn on the music/sound machine and just leave the room. Sometimes we would stay for a minute to rub his back but most of the time, he would go to sleep on his own without any problems. Well, then came along a little something called "separation anxiety"...I HATE it! Brayden started showing his separation anxiety right around 9 months (on track for developmental purposes) and I was not allowed to leave his side. Even when I just left the room to go pee or change my clothes, he would immediately start crying. Not fun! He has gotten better about this during the day time but it is a whole different ball game at night when it is time for bed.
Our night time routine is usually the same because I know that is very important to babies...to get them prepared to go to bed mentally. So we usually play like crazy until about 6:30 or 7 and then we take a bath. After the bath we use the amazing lavender lotion, get dressed in PJs and then have a bottle. Immediately after the bottle, I brush his teeth and then we head into his room. I turn on his music, light up his turtle night light and turn on the humidifier. On most nights, it only takes him about 30 seconds to fall asleep while I rock him in his chair but tonight was a different story. He flat out REFUSED to go to sleep. He was looking up at the stars on his ceiling(courtesy of his turtle night light), swinging his arms everywhere, crawling all over me and so on. I tried so many things to get him to relax and fall asleep. My last resort was just putting him in his crib and letting him scream. I knew he was tired and I knew nothing was physically wrong with him when I put him in his crib so I knew I had to let him cry-it-out. Ugh.
Brayden cried for about 10 minutes but it wasn't just little whimpers....he was full on screaming at the top of his lungs and even made himself cough a few times because he was crying so hard. Of course, I was right outside his door crying right along with him. As much as I know that he needs to learn to fall asleep on his own, for everyone's sanity, it still did not make the situation an easier. As I heard him start to stop, I was able to wipe my own tears and have hope that this will only be a phase and that eventually we will get past it. Hearing my son cry like that was HORRIBLE but I know its best...blah blah blah!!
So the bottom line is that we have started the cry-it-out method. Ugh. Wish us luck!

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