Independence Day

This is my favorite picture of the day. We love our little boy's laugh!

I started out Independence Day by running a 5K with my friend Ligia. We ran through Bush Lake park, which is beautiful, but my favorite part was the end when I saw Brian and Bracken waiting for me as I crossed the finish line. It really made me happy to know I have their support in whatever I'm doing. I really enjoyed the run, and I want to keep jogging and get faster. Brian got off work a few hours early and we went to the park and had a BBQ with some friends. Yummy! And the best part was just having all three of us together (and awake) at the same time.
When it got dark we set off some fireworks with our friends Alex and Ligia. Bracken was a little frightened by all the noisy fireworks, but he liked the sparklers.

Jumper Fun

A couple of weeks ago Bracken discovered his hands and fingers. Now his two fingers are almost constantly in his mouth. He tries to get his whole fist in there and ends up getting frustrated when it won't fit. It's pretty funny.


Bracken loves his jumper. Notice the little toys. He gets so upset when the zebra falls on the floor and he will holler until we pick it up and give it back to him.

The first time he giggled was so exciting and rewarding. I find new ways to make him giggle every day. The funniest is when I'm taking his clothes off to get him ready for a bath. When I pull his shirt over his head he always breaks into a huge grin and then starts giggling away. His giggles are my new favorite part of being a mom.

Our Little Man

Happy Birthday Brian

Happy Birthday Brian! Whoo hoo! 24 Years Old! We celebrated on Sunday so we could spoil him all day long instead of just in the morning. We had his favorite breakfast (home-made Egg McMuffins), went to church, spent the afternoon together, opened presents, and had a few friends over that night for cake, ice-cream and games. His favorite present this year was a penny collecting book. As he's out working he finds change all the time and has found some pretty old pennies. So now he can start a collection. Then on Tuesday night we went out to see a movie, and it was so fun to just have a couple of hours away from the house. Thanks Heather for watching Bracken!

Happy Birthday Handsome! Bracken and I love you.

Swimming with Daddy

Our pool is open early enough that Brian can go swim with us sometimes before he goes to work. Bracken loves having his Daddy around, and Brian has fun pulling Bracken around like a little boat, and laughing at him for being so chubby that he floats.

Hi Grandmas!

Here are lots of pictures of me so you can see how much I'm changing.

Bracken is growing! He's 13 pounds now and is looking like he sure gets enough to eat. He takes 3 to 4 one hour naps every day which is when I get things done.

He loves being outside. He'll just lay on his blanket with his arms above his head and feel the sunshine and the wind. If he's fussy he cheers up when we walk out the front door. We go on at least three walks a day, usually more.

You can see how much weight he's been gaining. He looks like a tubbo there, with a double chin and everything.

Just woke up! This is one of my favorite times of the day. He'll sit and coo and wiggle and "talk" to us for 30-45 minutes.

Here is Bracken with his jumper. He really likes the zebra toy that's higher up on the strap and will sit and just look at it for minutes at a time. I was so excited for him to get the jumper, and so when he just cried the first time I put him in it I was pretty sad. But now he likes being in there for a few minutes at a time. He likes being upright so he can see everything, he just doesn't like that I don't stay right by him when he's in it.

Bracken fell asleep on our walk. He's so precious! I used to just leave him in his carseat so he'd keep napping, but I've found if he's in his carseat but we're not moving he wakes up. So I have to take him out of his carseat and put him in his bassinet so he'll get a good nap.

Playing with Daddy before Brian goes to work. Bracken is always happier when he is upright so he can see what is going on. He loves playing with Brian. Playing "beehive," "garbage truck," and getting roared at. He thinks Brian is the best.

Our couch has a nice little nook in between the cushions that holds Bracken so he can sit up and see what's going on.

Uncle Ryan (with his i-pod, gotta love it!)

Uncle Tyson. Tyson is so attentive and cute with Bracken. During the three days we were there before we flew to Minneapolis, Tyson hardly let Bracken out of his sight.

Baseball Kids: Bre and Bracken in their baseball outfits (Check out Bracken's shoes!)

Bracken has discovered his hands and is often either holding them both tightly in front of him, or trying to devour them.

Video of Bracken in his jumper.