Indianola Balloon Classic

We decided to keep trying new things, so we headed to Indianola one of the Friday nights of the Indianola Balloon Classic.  We had fun and it was beautiful out, unfortunately just a little too breezy for the balloons to take off.  It was a big bummer to not see them, but we had fun!!

Emmy Lou's Baptism

This past week has been fabulous.  My sister Melissa has been home with her kids and we were able to spend quite a few days with them.  I treasure every second since we just don't have it in the budget to fly out to Vegas this year.  I will be uploading pictures of this past week over the next few weeks (visit to Papa's farm, water time, the park, etc), but I just have to post this one of my little Goddaughter and myself.  I LOVED finally being able to meet her and miss them already!

About Brady

It's been extremely clear that I live my life for Brady.  He's hands down the true love of my life.  Nothing lights up my day more than seeing that little smile with the shrug of his shoulders or his great big bear hugs.  Unfortunately, he is growing up WAY TO FAST.  I have compiled a list of "new" things he has been doing lately because let's face it, I'll never remember them years down the road. 

* He is seriously one polite kid.  He will often say "Thank you mommy" if I help him with things.  He also says "Excuse me" often - for example, when we are in the grocery aisle and we are passing someone.  This 'excuse me' also applies to burps and toots.  :) 
* A few weeks ago, he randomly started calling me 'Heidi' again.  Chris claims he had nothing to do with it this time.  I decided that it's not as funny the second time around (sort of) and so I really worked with him by saying "Call me Mommy, not Heidi".  So he really worked on it and often when he started to call me Heidi, he would correct himself and say "Heidi, no not Heidi, Mommy".  It was hilarious - even over the monitor!!
* He tries to count.  It goes something like: "3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12".  Or "3, 5, 6 RACE!!" (if we were racing).  He'll get it right...  Eventually...  I'm not concerned.
* He likes to walk up and down our steps like a big boy - by walking and hanging onto the railing.  Lately he's started saying "Almost there" on the first step already.  It's really cute because he has a long ways to go yet!
* He's noticed his nipples.  What's funny is that he'll touch one, say "Ouch!" and then the other and say "Ouch!!".  And then he smiles and laughs...
* Swinging on things is something new that he is experiencing.  Like the treadmill handles or the handle bar above a slide.  He likes the feeling I think!
* He LOVED the fireworks.  He wasn't afraid and had an excited expression or comment after each and every one!
* He sometimes likes to buckle his seat belt in his car seat himself.  This really takes a lot of time, but it's a learning process and I don't want to be the mom who does everything for him, so if it takes us 10 minutes to get into the car and seat belts buckled, then it takes 10 minutes.

His first haircut without an aunt cutting his hair.  Look at those eyes!!  I could just kiss the crap out of that face.  :)  And of course, he did great!

What happens the week after a Boji trip with your college friends?  Detoxing and late morning (instead of early morning) workouts.  They don't have daycare there, so a movie worked for about 45 minutes.  He then proceeded to workout next to me by hitting the bags, trying to do push ups, jumping jacks, fast feet and he even proceeded to lay on my back as I was doing mountain climbers.  It took me by surprise and got some laughter out of the person next to me!

 

 

 

Another first experience for Brady

We decided to go to the horse races last weekend.  It's free to be there and we thought Brady would enjoy seeing the horses.  He did, but playing with the other kids who were running around and playing games was way more fun for him!!  Overall, it was a successful family night!

Seeing the horses for the first time

Trying cheese fries for the first time

Trying to play with the other kids.  They were REALLY good with him - even calling him by his name and fist bumping with him.  I made sure to thank the kids.  It's always interesting to watch your child interacting with other kids, especially when they aren't used to big groups and organized play.  It pulls at the heartstrings a little (I want him to fit in and I'm proud of him for trying).  Just watching him watch the older kids gets to me for some reason.  I can't explain the feeling adequately.  

Part of the group :)  (he's the little guy sitting down in the blue tshirt)

This one is hilarious!!  He's the little one way behind everyone else!!  He made it though!!  :)

Pictures

Rain or shine, we swim.  It sprinkled the whole morning we were there that morning.  He didn't care, until his lips turned blue and he started to shake because he was getting cold. 

At Joe's Crab Shack watching the little sailboats on the lake (with his tow truck and Buzz on the table of course.  He doesn't go far without some of his toys!)

 

 Live at the Creek - another "new" thing we tried this summer!

I decided that planting flowers would be a fun experience for Brady.  Notice his adorable little blue (Dinosaur) gardening gloves!!

His favorite part was watering the flowers!

We met Amy and her kids at Big Creek to have a picnic lunch and play for a little bit.  Braden and Brady were good buddies!! I love seeing Brady having so much fun - lots of laughter on the tire swing!

His first ice cream cone at the Waukee Ice Cream shop.  We will definitely be doing this again!

A few hours with his cousins - and look, they are all looking at the camera at the same time!!

Being brave at the park... with daddy's help of course!!