The Bus

For our initial journey (to the airport), I met David at work and we caught the Airport Flyer on Capital Metro to Austin Bergstrom International Airport. This was obviously Braxton's first ride on a city bus!

waiting at the bus stop

checking things out taking it all inchillin' with dad

Trip to Alabama

I haven't been blogging because we have been traveling to visit some of Braxton's great grandparents (on David's Dad's side). Great Grandma and Grandpa Chaplin live in Anniston, Alabama. I may have stated in a previous post that our vacationing this year would be to visit family....so, this was our BIG trip this summer. We left on Wednesday and returned on Saturday. It was wonderful to see them again (I've only seen them once). Grandma lives in an assisted living facility, which is very nice, and just a mile away from Grandpa. They are both doing well and were elated to meet and spend time with Braxton. Of course, Braxton was also excited!!! He is such a busy body these days, though, he wore us all out. I will post pictures from the most memorable moments!

Play date

Braxton's friend, Vinnie, came over to play today. He lives in Killeen and is exactly 2 weeks older than Braxton.

Braxton was very intrigued by him! You can see in the photos that he couldn't keep his hands away from him - his head, mouth, back, shoulder, etc... It was a fun day. Thanks for coming to visit us, Vinnie!!!

Moving Up

Braxton has moved into his big boy high chair...where he can join us for meals. He is enjoying chicken and carrots with us in this picture!

Early?

Who cares what time it is when you are greeted like this every morning.

What a darlin'!

Jack's 1st Birthday

Braxton's friend, Jack, is turning one on Thursday, and his birthday party was on Sunday. We had such a great time...thanks Dan & Kristen! Here's the birthday boy and his parents.

These are the onesies Braxton gave to Jack.

(Custom made for Jack by me)

What is this?

Braxton has us laughing again! What is this new gesture? Is it a sign for something? He's so funny.

Another Milestone

I went to get Braxton from his first nap today, and he was on his knees in the crib - holding on to the back top rail. As I stood there quietly (unbeknown to him), he pulled himself to stand for the first time! Afraid he may fall or sit quickly, I ran for the camera...but, as you can tell he was not ready to sit. He fully enjoyed his new found ability and was even brave enough to reach for the canvas above his crib.

I guess you know what David and I will be doing tomorrow...lowering the mattress again!

9 Month check up

Braxton went to the doctor yesterday for his 9 month check up, and everything looked great. Dr. Hargrave was so impressed by how quickly he has caught up on the growth chart. He weighed in at 19 lbs and 7 oz and measured 28 inches long...both between 25 - 50%. Thankfully, he only received one shot and had blood drawn from one of his big toes for a lead test. He did very well! He's our little slugger.

Link

Please check out my new link to Little Mess Pot. I have created a site strictly for my creations. You can access it directly through http://www.littlemesspot.wordpress.com/. Please feel free to give out that direct address to anyone and everyone you know! I appreciate your help with my business.

New Trick

He and I are both so excited about his new trick!

Hysterical

I had to post both videos! The first video, Braxton throws his head back and has many different laughs. In the second, you can see David's face AND Braxton does his silent laugh in that one.

Favorite Toys

When Braxton gets tired of all the nice, new, bright, fun, talking, music playing, colorful, educational toys, he always plays with his 2 favorites - the door stop and the outlet!

Sewing marathon

When my niece opened her towel I made, and I gave my friend Natalie her shirt - I received these rush orders on the spot. Of course I couldn't start on them until Sunday after church and needed them finished on Monday morning to have them monogrammed and back to Rockwall no later than Thursday!!! What a crazy marathon sewing Sunday. Thank you, Mom, for your help with cutting & ironing and taking care of Braxton so I could sew.

Jennah's top & Macy's dress

Hunter's towel

Cayden's towel Macy's towel Jennah's towel

I still have 3 towels and one top to make, but I'm taking a day off!:)

God WILL be glorified

So, after having spent about 24 hours in Rockwall, it was time to drive back home. As I was loading up the car, I dropped a can of dog food on my car and chipped a nice chunk of paint off. (Incident #1) That should have been my initial warning of things to come!!!

My mom was coming home with us to spend more time with Braxton, so, David played softball with some friends in the State tournament, and mom and I drove back together a couple hours earlier. Most of you know how happy Braxton is and that he very rarely cries. Well, of course on this trip, he was inconsolable for about an hour and a half. I stopped and fed him, changed his diaper, etc... Finally around 9:15pm he fell asleep in the car. We arrived at the house at 11:30 pm and he awoke immediately as I turned off the car. So, I placed him in his crib thinking he would fall right back asleep...that didn't happen. (Incident #2)

Meanwhile, my mom was getting luggage out of the car and noticed that a piece from my car door handle had fallen off somehow on the drive. (Incident #3) She then went to the kitchen to put away Braxton's food and noticed the floors (wood) were sticky. I knew something was wrong because I scoured the house before leaving. (Yes, I am a neat freak.) It was then that we noticed the freezer door was not closed completely. Some of the food was thawed and the ice had melted all over the kitchen. The finish on the floors was what felt sticky and about half the kitchen will have to be redone because the boards are warped. Mom and I, although extremely exhausted, cleaned out the freezer and dried the floors to the best of our ability. (Incident #4)

I decided to call David and let him know what was going on. He was not happy. He proceeded to tell me that he pulled his hamstring while playing softball and also stepped in some glass while changing from his cleats. (Incident #5 & 6)

All the while, Braxton was still awake in his room. (Ongoing Incident #2) I made a bottle for him around 1:15am and he finished taking it right about the time David got home. So, David hit the shower and I hit the bed....not yet. Braxton screamed! I went into his room and he seemed to be uncomfortable with his teeth. I put three doses of teething gel on his gums and he rolled over and fell asleep...at 1:45am.

The reason for coming home on Saturday was because we had our final monthly church service on Sunday. We woke up at 8 to arrive at the school for set up at 9. Upon arrival, everyone is standing outside..the school was locked. To shorten this already long story, the air conditioning was not working in the auditorium, and the computer that runs the announcements and music on the screens was not working. After having talked with the core team, we were all determined that Satan was at work this weekend. Other families had broken air conditioners at home, a toilet leak, a family member in the hospital, etc...

God is in control, and we did not give up or let any of these incidents get to us!

GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED!

Hannah's 5th birthday and Braxton's 3/4 birthday

The reason for going to Rockwall, other than spending time with family, was for my nieces 5th birthday. Her party was at Chuck E. Cheese and it was Dallas Cowboy theme...more specifically, it was HER Tony Romo party. She has been his biggest fan for the past year, and of course during football season, she decided her party would be all about Tony. She was determined to have him there, but since he is currently at training camp, the next best solution was to dress Chuck in a Romo jersey. Braxton had the best time on all the 'rides' but did get a little scared of Chuck when he was up close and in his face.My sister, Erin. I made Braxton's Cowboys onesie, too! :)

Oh, I nearly forgot! Pops gave Braxton cookies n cream ice cream for his 3/4 birthday!

Friends

Each time we make a trip back 'home', it's a must that I fit in as many friends as possible. A previous student of mine, Erika, came to visit with her precious son, Hayden. He is 19 months old and is absolutely adorable. He played wonderfully with Braxton and even gave him several kisses. Liza, my best friend from college, also came by with her son, Wyatt David. He is 8 weeks old and such a sweetie. David and I enjoyed holding him like we used to hold Braxton....you know, when they just lay there and let you admire them. It was so incredible to share stories and visit.

Back to Dallas

We drove back to Dallas (Rockwall) on Friday evening and stayed with my mom and my nephew, Hunter. He would never allow us to be in the same town and not spend time with Braxton. Hunter is so good with him and loves him more than words.

Recent gifts :)