Sunday, October 31, 2010

Too funny!


This is a photo montage of Jake's unwillingness to pose for a photo with his siblings...Cassidy decided to make funny faces and the baby (as you can see in some of the photos) is trying to figure out what these crazy kids are doing! Oh well, the pumpkin patch was still moderately fun...Jake's mood was less than stellar the whole night -- he was even afraid of the tractors!
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Today’s Highlight reel

Today’s moments are brought to you by the letter J!

Jake went to bed last night with terrible congestion…he woke up this morning with lots of drainage…the green gooey kind.  So needless to say, it’s been comical – I’ve found dried booger on my elbow, Jake actually sneezed a GIANT snot rocket onto my hand as I was buckling his car seat and I found a large pile of goo on his t-shirt as I was unbuckling his seat. And he’s had a crusty nose all day sometimes with two little green caterpillars inching down his face…but mostly not – thank goodness!  Can I just say -- GROSS!

Jake has bitten He also showed some new interest in the Duplo blocks…exciting!  He has been stacking regular blocks for a while but the legos are a new thing – yay Jake!  Although where he chooses to put them is a different story – while I try to tell him these aren’t pockets – he seems to think it’s a good hiding place! He also used his play screwdriver to screw his belly button…looked like a good fit I guess!?! Oh this child keeps me laughing!IMG_3859

I have loved cuddling with the baby today…he is so darn cute!  But how is it that the instant I put him in a fresh outfit, spit up comes barreling down his chest and usually all over the shorts below?  Is there some kind of baby instinct that says “I must prove that I can create the MOST laundry even though I’m the smallest person”?  He is already wearing 6-9 month clothes…he is definitely not deprived from the calories he spews – maybe it’s self preservation from baby obesity :) LOL!

Cassidy has been her sassy self…it’s truly amazing how much like me she is…scary really! Her constant ‘Mom, what can we do now’ is really getting frustrating but I know that she craves routine…it just hasn’t happened yet.  We started to get into some kind of groove last week but with a four day break from school, it kind of got out of whack!  Through the process of moving this child has become even further addicted to television…she constantly asks to watch and if it’s a show that she isn’t allowed to see then she tells me that it’s “okay if you turn the channel” – “gee thanks Dear!”  I know that this phase will pass…when she’s like 30 right?  Sometimes I think we should adopt another 4 y.o. girl so that she has a constant playmate!

We talked to Mike today (love bluetooth in the car)– which is always wonderful! Now off to tuck the kids into bed and have some ME time :) 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

If only….

All the things that run through my head on a daily basis would just magically appear on this blog…

I could tame my temper just a little more each day – the kids would stop giving it back to me and learn that anger is a fo not a friend

I could finish getting this house sorted…I think it’s depressing me!

I could make the commitment to start exercising on a regular basis and stop using excuses…I WILL start…SOOON!!!

this plugged duct would stop radiating pain on my chest…hugs should NOT hurt THIS bad!!

I were as productive in real life as I am in my head – my ‘to do’ list doesn’t seem too daunting until I actually start trying to DO it!

I were independently wealthy so that I could buy all of my hearts desires…oh come on, how fun would that be anyway!  I’m already hard to shop for – that would make it even harder :)

I could wrap my arms around my best friend and let her know how excited I am she’s finally having a baby girl xxxOxxx

I could kiss my handsome husband goodnight tonight and every night from now until eternity…I do it in spirit, but I wish it were in person.  mmmmwwwwaaaa!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Daddy wears combat boots

Michael left on September 11th for 3 1/2 weeks of combat skills training (CST). He's been staying very busy...but has been able to call most days.
All suited up - the gear weighs an extra ~40 lbs!

Busy day at the range
Seeing him in all of his gear reallly puts things into perspective.  He truly is going into harms way -- but I know that God will protect him.  After CST he'll head to Washington DC to learn Dari (one of the Afghan languages), then in late March he'll actually leave for Afghanistan.  I know that this separation can only make our family stronger, forcing better communication and appreciation for one another.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Will is 4 months!

Crazy how FAST time flies! Today we went to see the doctor for Will’s 4 month well-baby appointment.IMG_4179 - Version 2

Stats:

Weight: 15 pounds 15 ounces [heaviest Brannon baby at this age]

Height: 25.3 inches [longest Brannon baby at this age]

Head circumference: 41.9 cm

Basically he’s a triangle! Ha ha ha!

He is certainly adorable & very good natured. This smile is how he greets you from his crib!

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He loves his brother & sister, sucking his thumb and smiling & giggling!

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We love watching him roll from tummy to back & back to tummy.  He reaches for his toys above & in front of him, he even grabs Mom & sister’s hair :)  We love you so much Mr. Will!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Farewell to our Hero!

Today we sent Michael off to combat training – hopefully we’ll be able to see him again at Thanksgiving.  The dreary day symbolized the feelings we all had as this was the beginning of a very long journey for our family.  I am so proud of Michael’s commitment to maintaining the freedoms this country has been afforded.  We know that he will shine in his role to help rebuild a torn nation in a distant land.  We LOVE you Daddy!

2010-09-11

Friday, September 10, 2010

I’m a little cocoa nut…

Mmmmm…what could be more enticing than streets that smell of chocolate??? Not a whole lotta! We took a vacation to Hershey, PA before Michael left for training … it was awesome! IMG_3690

I was a little worried because we arrived late on Labor Day, which was the last day of the season for the amusement parks… we dashed over to Dutch Wonderland, a park just for kids 12 yrs and younger…Cassidy could ride almost every ride…even the roller coasters! She loved it! Mike & I took turns riding the rides with her.  Jake was very leery of the rides and just enjoyed watching from his perch in the stroller. 

The next morning we went to Chocolate World IMG_3695  – a free tour of the Chocolate Factory.  We took a trolley ride IMG_3707 around the city and learned all about the Chocolate town & it’s namesake, Milton Hershey – he is an amazing person everyone should try to emulate.  We bought freshly made Twizzlers & chocolates…Jake ate his weight in both chocolate AND Twizzlers! 

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Later that night we took a stroll through the Outlet Mall that was across the street from our condo.  Cassidy took a big step in the “Big Girl” department and got her ears pierced! 

Ears pierced!

The kids enjoyed swimming with Daddy in the indoor & outdoor pools and even took a bubbly bubble bath in the condo’s jacuzzi tub!IMG_3687IMG_3733

 

 

 

 

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IMG_3762 IMG_3768IMG_3754  We had some fun at the local park and just enjoyed family time as much as we could.  And sweet Will just hung out like a tourist should :)

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While the trip was surely worth it, it did prove to be a long car trip…an experimental trip for what it will be like when I travel to Texas solo (except instead of Michael who is soo helpful, I’ll have Ty [our dog] who is almost as much work as the kids!)