Crush

Someone is in love with his Papa!

Brady's First Steps

Brady took his first steps last night (exactly 1-month after his first birthday)! His balance seems to be what is holding him back. He did take a few more steps tonight on his own, so it won't be long before he's on the move. Whoo-hoo, Brady!

Four Week Recap

It's been an eternity since I've last blogged. My only excuse is that it's summer. Every Saturday Carson wakes up and asks, "What's our adventure?" He's usually looking for something like, "We're going swimming...We're going to a friend's house to BBQ...We're going to watch fireworks...We're going to a birthday party...We're going to Bread Co. for breakfast. We're going to Lowes and Target to run errands." These are all things we've done over the last few weeks...needless to say, I have not had a free minute to blogspot-it. Here's a quick random recap:

1.) We visited Purina Farms. (Twice actually - once just us and once with the Corless clan!) Carson loved the tractors more than the farm animals and show dogs! (He also liked holding hands with "Peanut!")






2.) We went to Luke's 2nd birthday party and Gma's annual 4th of July pool party. It ended up raining on the 3rd, but we still had a great time!

3.) We went to Rob and Tracy's house for a BBQ.

4.) We watched fireworks with our friends the Brummonds. Carson had no problem staying awake until 11 PM due to the insane amounts of sugar he ate. Brady, too, stayed awake, but only because it was impossible for him to fall asleep in my arms in 90 degree heat with loud "booms" in the background. Sorry, B-man. Perhaps you'll enjoy it more next year.

5.) We had Mexican and great conversation on our patio with Jerry and Cassie.

6.) We went on 4-wheeler rides with the our neighbors in the woods in our subdivision.

7.) We had a lawn chair, wine and beer spur-of-the-moment party in Bryan and Melanie's driveway. (Again soon, neighbors?!)

8.) We played (a lot!) outside with Jake and Isabelle.

9.) Nate and I laid out in the sun while the boys were napping in an effort to get ready for our Floria trip.

10.) We watched millions of minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in our family room while being stuck in the house due to the heat. That said, I have had more fun in our home-made tents and caves than I would like to admit. Hot dog!

This summer is shaping up to be the best summer of my life. Thank you Ross boys for making it so special.

Brady's 1-yr stats

Come on, walking. Mommy's back can't take it any more!

Weight - 28 lbs (> 95%)
Height - 32 1/4 in (> 95%)

Carson's Stats
Height: 31 inches (90%)
Weight: 25 pounds (80%)
(And to think when I blogged about Carson, I said, "We got us a big one!" HA!)

Brady's Birthday Party

The weather was great. The cupcakes and sundaes were great. The company was great....and Brady was GREAT. He was fabulous, actually. The little man did nothing but smile all day long, and he thoroughly enjoyed eating cake and ice cream with everyone crowded around him. (He literally leaned over his cake and tried to take a bite out of it. It was hysterical!)

Thank you to everyone who shared his special day with us. We certainly didn't need any more boy "stuff" around, but Brady managed to get a nice loot of toys and clothes. Until next year....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRADY!

The Invite


Brady's Sweets


Carson waiting for the guests to arrive...


Mommy and the Birthday Boy


Daddy and Brady


Awaiting his cake...


...COME ON, PEOPLE, LET ME EAT!


Brady loves cake!

Carson-ism

Headed to school this week, Brady decided to freak out in his car seat. Carson quickly turned to Brady and said, "Brady, don't you cry. Mommy will get you when the car stops." I looked at Carson from the rear-view mirror and said, "You are such a good big brother and a great son."

He replied to me, "I'm a good moon, too, Mom."

BRADY IS ONE!

You know, I don't remember having to tell Carson "no" more than once. He didn't break anything "decorative." He didn't climb up the stairs when he was told not to; he didn't try to pull things off of tables. He didn't try to climb out of the bath tub before he could walk. He didn't eat toilet paper, bugs or random "yuckies" off the floor.

Brady....oh, Brady. He's in to everything, borderline reckless....and we love every minute of it! Aside from his "nothing is off limits" attitude and need for endless exploring, Brady is quite the love bug. He loves to hug, kiss, lean on, sit on and lay on any warm body within his reach. He giggles. He full-belly laughs. He laughs when he sneezes. He eats most anything you put in front of him. Cherry tomatoes, anyone? Brady loves them!

Brady, our little bundle (No, wait...make that large bundle!) of love...we can't wait to see what life brings you! Happy Birthday, B-man!


(You bring your Mommy love she never knew she had to share.)

Why you gotta be so mean?

Farmer's Daughter

That's me, and because of my roots, Carson and Brady are able to enjoy weekends riding in combines, driving tractors and racing on 4-wheelers at my parents' house. See for yourself...(Thank you, Mom and Dad, for a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! And it was great to see you, Fred!)

Outside Insanity

We did it. We bought a ridiculously expensive swing set that WASN'T ASSEMBLED. Nate spent nearly 40 hours putting the swing set together, one weekend building the box around it, and a second weekend hauling and spreading the mulch.

Thank you, Daddy, for giving us years of outside fun!

Carson-isms

1.) When we were checking out at Wal-mart yesterday, I mentioned to Nate just how much stuff we had in our over-flowing cart. He said, "Ya, we have so many groceries I'm going to be broke. Carson, are you broke?"

"No, Dad. I'm not broke. I'm fixed."

2.) When I was putting Carson down for his nap, he gave me a hug and said, "I like you so much, Mom. Too much to talk about."

3.) The rain does a number on our mulch, so after every storm, we have to go outside and sweep mulch off of the drive-way. I was doing this a few days ago when Carson said to me, "Good job with the mulch, Mom. I 'preciate it."

Strong like bull.

Brady could win a "strongest baby" contest if we entered him. He's been crawling now for 2-3 weeks and is now on to bigger and better things, like: climbing up the stairs, pushing his activity center across the floor, dancing by anything he can pull himself next to, pushing away from me when I'm holding him (He looks like he's climbing on to my head!)...the kid is fearless. Carson better toughen up, because B-man is comin' for him!




(Brady's First "Accessory" Casualty)

"Talk about my day."

Nate and I were talking about work over dinner when Carson interjected, "What are you guys talkin' 'bout?" We both said, "Work." at the same time. He let us go on for a few minutes before shouting, "Talk about my day. Ask me!" We followed orders and here was his response:

"Today I played with tractors, trucks, fire engines and trains. I rode Camden's tricycle, Henry's tricycle, Will's tricycle....and......Drake took my car from me."

I quickly reminded him that he didn't go to school today but was instead home with Brady and me, and that we played outside, went on a wagon ride and bought a Caterpillar bulldozer at Wal-mart for - outside digging - as Carson puts it. He looked at me and said "Oh?!?"

A story-teller, he is.....a spoiled little man he is, too. Check out his new back pack.

Dance Party

Carson loved to dance (and still does) when he first learned to pull up. It looks as if Brady is following in his foot-steps. (Let me remind you that Brady first crawled a week ago. Two days later, he began pulling up and cruising on anything he can get his little hands on/around.) Go, Brady!

Brady's crawling!

It's been a long time coming, but Brady has finally figured it out. He isn't crawling all over the place, but he will venture out a few feet at a time. Yeah, Brady!!! (Now....on to walking. Lugging around a 27 pound 11-month old is taking a toll on my back. Ouch!)

Imagination Train

Carson built this "train" this morning while Nate and I were getting ready for work. His green chair is the "engine" and the baskets are the "rail cars." As you can see, he's using the TV remote as his "engine controller." (All of the words in quotes are straight from Carson's mouth!) As we left the house, he said, "Don't wreck my train, Mom. It's going to wait for me while I'm at school today."

Our little man has quite the imagination.

Oh, how I love these two!

Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderful Mother's Day (weekend) with my boys! My favorite part of the weekend -- a family walk/wagon ride Saturday afternoon, followed by a trip to Sonic for some very kid-friendly grub, topped off by a stop at our local ice cream shack. (I think this "adventure," as Carson calls it, will be one we'll take a lot this summer! :)

I cherish the time I spend with my little rug rats and Nate. We are making such great memories, ones that I will keep with me forever. (And thanks, Mom, for making such wonderful memories with us when we were little. They are irreplaceable!)


We met Nate's parents and Greg, Carrie, Luke and Laura for brunch on Sunday. Eating out is always chaotic with 4 under 2 and 1/2, but that's our life these days. : )


It will be years before we are all smiling at the camera!


Oh, B-man.

Weekend Rendezvous

We had a great weekend in Hermann, our new favorite Saturday night getaway...

1.) It's one hour from our house and is ridiculously quaint. I'm in love with it because I get that "small town" feel when I'm there.

2.) We have managed to find the best B&B in town, Haus Wineries at The Inn at Hermannhof. We recommend the Brahms suite in the Berger Grass Haus Winery.

3.) We have befriended the owners of The Bank Bar at Schiller and feel like we are welcomed by close friends every time we return there.

4.) We love Three California Vineyards within Hermannhof. They have fabulous Cab, Shiraz and Chardonnay that is born, raised and bottled in California and then shipped to Missouri via the Dierberg family.

5.) You can't go wrong with a bottle of Hermannhof Vineyard's Norton, Genoa summer sausage, creamy Havarti, an apple and fresh baked wheat bread.

Thank you Papa Mo, BaaBaa, Aunt Brookie and Missy for hanging out with the boys while we were gone. The boys miss you already!