All By Myself

Just when I think that we are finally settling into a stage, he starts to change again. I felt like I had the whole "one" thing figured out; tons of tantrums, lots of giggles, and mommy still has to help me do most things throughout the day. I wrote earlier about Bradley trying to feed himself with the spoon. It is the most adorable thing, but he really is getting better and better each day. Well, recently he wants to try and dress himself too! I know these photos aren't the greatest it was the end of the day and I was tired.

We we just heading up to bed when Bradley (who was running around the house in his diaper because he was trying to eat yogurt with a spoon again...well you get the picture), so I had striped him down and he decided to put his shorts back on. This was his first attempt! You can see that both legs made it into one side, it is the new style now?

This got me thinking that pretty soon he will want to do things "all by himself" without mama. This whole process must be harder on the mama than the baby. I feel a little bit of me get sad inside, the same way I totally balled when Bradley's little umbilical cord fell off after he was born. I know it is gross, but I cried my eyes out. That was the last piece of me that was connected to him. Just like that he had been growing inside me, and then he was his own person no longer connected. I am really glad this whole process takes longer than 18 years, because I am not ready to let go any time soon.

Just for a little fun, he decided to sit on the steps and flash me his diaper!

It's a nice look!

Happy Monday:)

Cure for the Common Cold

No, I don't have the cure for the common cold! But, I really wish I did. For now these things are working at our house:

A trip to Toys R Us, in which we got a fabulous tent....
loaded with pillows, blankets, and lots of toys.

(It is also nice when Daddy snuggles with you inside the tent since he has a cold too!)

A new "Choo, choo!" as Bradley would say to entertain me for an hour, I mean five minutes. Mommy picked this toy out, can you tell? (it's made out of wood, doesn't make any noise, stacking and thinking required to play with this toy!)

And then the best thing to cure a cold is this amazing Seasame Street CD player! As we wandered through the aisles of Toys R Us, looking for the perfect toy to distract Bradley from the green snot dripping down his face all day he found this...




Chris and I's arch nemisis! If you see this toy run as fast as you can to the next aisle. Please don't let you tantrum throwing, sick, snotty, one and 1/2 year old pick up this toy!!!

Most. Annoying. Toy. Ever. It plays all tunes of seasame street in country, rock, and hip hop genres. I mean come on people! Please help a parent out!

As soon as Bradley feels better I am hiding it in the basement.

If you really do have a cure for the common cold please feel free to send any ideas to me!

Your Turn

It is so amazing to watch your child grow and develop. It is mind blowing to think that just last summer Bradley wasn't even crawling yet...and now look at that face. He is so fun and playful! He LOVES to blow bubbles, and say, "Bubble" in his little peanut voice that I just adore. The best party of Bradley blowing bubbles, it that he INSISTS that you put the opposite end in the bubble mix. Chris and I have made numerous attempts to show him how to dip in the bubble stick, but he always takes it away and puts in the wrong end. At least we know he is persistent...I am guessing he will figure this out at least by next summer?

We are still under the weather this week, so I thought I post some photos that I had wanted to share. My Aunt Annmarie and I took some of these photos while Bradley was playing outside a few weeks ago.

There he goes putting in the wrong end of the stick, go figure!

That look is so cute, like he is saying, "I have the best Dad in the world, didn't you know?"

Another game that Bradley loves to play is "come and scare me" as I run around my tree house. He finds this absolutely hilarious, and will get laughing so hard I am afraid he is going to fall right out of the house. Every time he climbs into the tree house he waits for you to run around the house peeking in at him. Oh little Bradley, you are growing up right before our eyes.

"Oh my gosh, this is the best day of my life!"

Road Trip by Numbers

12 bags we took to travel to my cousin's graduation party with a toddler

750 miles traveled in two days

103 degrees, Bradley's temperature when he woke up on Saturday morning

2 seconds it took us to decide we needed to go back home


4 hours Bradley napped in his pack n' play in the hotel

6 times we stopped at sheetz on the way there in back, Bradley would only drink smoothies!

3 times Bradley threw up in the car on the way home! Poor baby!

67 times we heard, "La, la, la, la, Elmo's world" in the car

11 pm when we finally got home on Saturday night

42 times we got to snuggle with our baby when he was sick

Finally feeling better and on the mend...it was a long trip, but we did get a little bit of time to visit with family before we left.

3 generations, Great Grammy, Mommy and little Bradley

The graduation girl, Kristine, with the fussy baby

My cousin Bridget and I, catching up!

My PA ladies, Bridget, Aunt Annmarie and Kristine! Sorry we didn't get to stay longer at the party. Kristine we are so proud of you! Love you!

"Real" Bloggy Love from "Real" Bloggy Friends

OK, so I have only been blogging for a few months....just four. But, I am totally in love with it! I love to share our story, I love to hear how much my friends like "peaking" in our lives. After seeing all of the girls last weekend, all of them told me they love seeing the blog and watching Bradley grow up. I love to see little Bradley's smile up there on the computer screen.

Yesterday, I went into "Bloggy Biss" because Jen from Cheaper than Therapy gave me my first "Real" award. I say it is my first "Real" award, because my sister gave me one earlier, but I think she is a little biased. I have been reading Jen's blog for a while, and I love her humor...stories about my favorite reality TV...and pictures of her adorable three kids. Thank you Jen!

I tried to tell Chris about my excitement over my first award and it went a little like this:

me: "So, I know you won't think this is a big deal, but you know the girl Jen's blog that I love reading, "Cheaper Than Therapy?"

Chris: "Huh, what, oh yeah?"

me: "Well, she gave me my first blog award today and I am so excited!!!"

Chris: "You're right, I don't think it is a big deal, I don't get it." (add in rolling of the eyes)


Well, even if he doesn't get it I am going to pass on the bloggy love:

First to my sis' Lindsay at The Whitcomb Family....first because I love to see pics of my adorable nephew Sammy. But, also because she designed my blog and hers and she is awesome!

Second to my friend Carly at Are We There Yet?...I love her sense of humor and stories about the adorable MR! Also, because she is in post vacation depression this week and I thought she might need some cheering up!

Lastly, to Heather at A Big Boy, A Baby Girl, and a Precious Pug because she has been going through some sad times, and I thought this might give her a little cheer! Heather, we are praying for you!

Share the love and pass it on!

Mint Springs

Doesn't it just sound like a place you want to visit? We went there yesterday to soak up some sun and let the babies play. It is a beautiful park located on the other end of the county...but definitely worth the drive. I feel like the pictures don't do it justice! There was a large stock fishing pond where I snapped the photo above of Bradley. We got there a little early, so we explored every dock on the pond. Then we headed over to the lake to swim. Chloe and Bradley had a great time. Bradley started saying Chloe's name, but is sounds more like, "Wowee!" Too cute!

Bradley looking out a the lake and the mountains in the background.

Since I am back from the shower, I can show my gift;) I was worried Steph might see it on here. But, since she lives so far Lori and I bought her a place setting of her fine china and sent it to her house. Well, I didn't want to just give her a card at the shower....so I tried for the first time to make her a picture frame. I used the same color family as her invites. I put her invitation in the middle, but she can put a wedding picture or something in it later. I want to make one for myself now!

It takes a long time to grow an old friend, John Leonard

This weekend was just what I needed! Lots of old friends, wine, and some quality girlie time!!!

Stephanie (The Bride) and I have been friends since she moved to my high school Junior Year...
We have experienced high school, proms, dances, dates, boys, college, kappa delta sorority house, more dances, more boys, sick parents, great times, sad times, I miss her!!!

Stephanie now lives so far, and it was so wonderful to spend the whole weekend with her and celebrate with many other great friends.

This weekend we rented a limo bus to take us on our adventures!


Our cute t-shirts that April made for us, "Lookin' Fine and Drinkin' Wine!"


The girls...


Lori and I having a little girl time!


Dance Party in the kitchen (of course)!


The bride and the matron of honor!



Gotta have some margaritas!

Retta, Steph and Janna! (Retta we missed you on Saturday!!)

The Spoon

It really is such a simple concept...a utensil that all of us use almost everyday! But, for a one and a half year old "the spoon" is a disaster waiting to happen...

It all starts with a container of yummy yo-baby yogurt. And then the one and a half year old insists that he can feed himself this runny, drippy yogurt WITHOUT your help, MOM!!

Then the first drips start to appear on the shirt.

"Where did that come from? I am so great a using a spoon!"

Some of it did reach his mouth!



Just to get the full effect of "drippyness" and mess...

Oh, it is soooo good! Dad, this post is for you, and how raw you made our mouths wiping us up as kids! It has now become a family joke, and he has to physically restrain himself from doing it to his grandsons. Sometimes it is fun to get a little messy, and let them do it "all by themselves!" I know my father is cringing just looking at these pictures!

Off to a weekend with best friends, wine, and bridal gifts....can't wait!