Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Most Imaginative Costume Award...

We took Brayden to the Lucille Ball Little Theatre for their annual Halloween Costume Party and Contest. Brayden got to go up on the very stage that I had spent many moments on myself as a child...and won the Halloween Award for the most imaginative costume! Daddy was tickled because it was his idea, and I was tickled because I made it...and Brayden was...well...asleep. It was a great night, we had so much fun walking around with him, and people seemed to get such a kick out of his costume, and that he was so tiny in this big huge glove. I can't wait to take more pics tomorrow night, but here he is...and here is his award. His very first costume contest and he won! We are just so excited!


Monday, October 29, 2007

Holding onto Daddy...

Baseball Baby... Happy Halloween!!!



Sunday night I started working on Brayden's Halloween costume. Ron and I knew we wanted him to be a baseball glove, with his head being the ball coming out of the glove. Next was making it. I went to wal-mart Sunday evening, and got all the material and accessories I would need for it. Ron said he would be surprised if I could really pull this costume off. I do know how to sew, but have never made anything except curtains. This is Grandma's thing...sewing costumes. I decided to dive in last night, and drew a pattern from looking at Ron's baseball glove, and hoping that it would work. I was most nervous about cutting the fabric. I decided to just go for it! Here is the finished product...I got it done this afternoon. Beth came over and helped me make the baseball head bonnet because I could not figure out how to make it. She did such a great job on it, his little head looks just like a baseball.
I called mom and told her I pulled a Pat! I was able to get this thing done in less than 24 hours, and it actually turned out really well! It made me realize, and appreciate how much love and time goes into something you are making for your child...and I was touched when I thought back on all of the costumes mom always made for me. It was special. So...we will post pictures of him actually in it later this week...(with Daddy in his baseball uniform carrying him around)but for now...here is the finished costume. We will be going to Little Theater Tuesday night for a costume contest, and a chance for Brayden to "walk" across the stage in his costume for judging...fun stuff. Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 26, 2007

7 Weeks old...


Brayden is 7 weeks old! I cannot believe how much time has gone by so fast. He is growing so quickly, and everyday he does something new, and looks like a growing boy. I just love this hat, and have been trying it on him weekly to see if it fit yet. It finally "somewhat" fit today, so I had to take some pictures. He smiled a few times, but I am not that quick with the camera yet, so I was unable to capture it...yet again. Soon I hope to post some smiling Brayden photos, but until then...

Thursday, October 25, 2007

The most beautiful music a mother could love...





I have been listening to this CD since my good friend Carol got it for me for my birthday and sent it to me from Florida. She thought I would love the songs because they are perfect for a new mother. This CD was written by the artist while she was pregnant with her second child...and every song is a true depiction of exactly how I feel about my own child. I have been learning the soothing songs to sing them to Brayden. He loves when mommy sings to him, and these songs are relaxing and beautiful, and have words that he will remember me singing to him for the rest of his life. I just love it. My favorite song I sing to him right now is called "Me" and here are the lyrics...just beautiful:

I haven't had
A chance to sleep
And when I wake
I wake with your dreams
I guess my pillow
Holds some kind of key
To your peace... Your peace
Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me

I haven't showered
And I tried to eat
But all your tears
Oh they needed me
I need some time, some time to think
But when I hear you
And what you need is...
Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me
I wash your face
To make room for
All the kisses
Of tomorrow
And every day
That I get to
Be here with you
Is sweet
Me
I wouldn't trade your love for all the candy
In this great big world
Me
I feel so crazy blessed and oh so lucky
To be the place you go
When you need to feel safe
When you need a kiss
It's me
Oh don't be afraid
Cause you'll have is....Me

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Mommy is going to be 30!


For everyone who knows me...you know that November marks the start of "Birthday Month" for Shanny. I LOVE this time of year, and having birthday month starts my time of good luck, good chi, and some personal pampering. I was given this idea 10 years ago from my good friend Theresa, one of my first friends in Florida. What a great idea...I loved it, and have kept it going ever since. Ron teases me and says that nobody gets a whole month...just a day...so I drive him bonkers every year with my claim to my birthday month! I just generally feel happiest in November...probably because I give myself a whole month! (ha ha). So...this year marks my 10 year Anniversary for Birthday month AND its my 30th Birthday at that! I can't believe so many years of my life are over...and I can't believe that now that I am a mommy the best years of my life have just begun. I can't wait to give Brayden September as his birtday month. I might spoil him though with that huh? Ah...it would be fun, and he can enjoy a month out of a while crazy year that is all his own, just like mommy. My mom always said that I should be the luckiest person in the world with my birth numbers...11-11-77 born at 1:00 weighing 7 lbs 7 oz exactly. For much of my 29 years of life I thought she was crazy...but now that I am about to be 30...and after some reflecting on the past...I believe that I am the luckiest person in the world. I have the most wonderful people in my life, my faith, family, friends, pets, and most importantly...my son. I prefer to call it blessed. Either way....it's BIRTHDAY MONTH and I felt the need to share my excitement, and to call on everyone to CELEBRATE!

Brayden and his first real bath...


Here is Brayden and his first real bath. He loved the warm water on his little "feetsees" and kept slamming his little legs down in the water and enjoying the splashes it caused! After about five minutes, it became a challenge to keep him awake, and as we drained the water, he sloped down in a deep sleep, and was content. He loved that he could immerse himself in all the water, and not just get the normal sponge bath. His belly button was all healed, so Lynn (Dr. Dunham), said he could finally have a real big boy bath. His lavender soap made him smell like a little flower...
Needless to say, he LOVES bath time, and now he finally stays awake....he loves to have his feet in the water, and especially enjoys the baby massage he gets after each bath with lavender baby oil. He knows the drill now...he points his little feet up at me when Im getting him dry so I will rub his feet first. He just smiles and smiles when you rub his toes, and he curls them around your fingers...its so adorable. We are just having so much fun with him...he's our little baby doll guy.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Brayden is eating cereal!


A few nights ago Brayden started to become increasingly irritable due to being hungry so frequently. We have been feeding him formula until now...but finally at his 6 week mark...he has been acting like he wanted more. So...my sister in-law Beth came over the other night armed with Rice cereal and baby spoons, and we "suited" up for his first cereal feeding. We mixed just one Tbsp. with 1/2 a scoop of formula with his nursery water...and made it very soupy. I gave him his first spoonful, and after he mowed it around his mouth for a moment...he figured out how to swallow it. Then he let out a huge scream for more! So...I gave him another...and he screamed again....gave another...he screamed again...and so on until he had just about finished eating. I could not shovel it in his mouth fast enough! We let him wash it down with water in his bottle every few bites...but he continued to whimper in delight with each new bite! It was adorable. Beth switched with me and at one point while she was feeding him...he grabbed the spoon from her hand and pulled it into his mouth with a little controlling grunt. Stinker! His little belly was finally distended, and he could barely keep his little eyes open. He was so full, and so content...it was beautiful. Needless to say...going from sleeping every three hours, to sleeping that night for 5.5 hours...I was very pleased! His bowel movements changed slightly, but he is doing well. Last night be fell asleep at 10:45, and did not wake again until 4 am...so mommy is finally getting caught up on some much needed rest! Motherhood is exhausting and wonderful all at the same time. We will post feeding pictures soon :-)

We are just gearing up for Halloween now, and I will start making his costume this weekend sometime. Daddy had a great idea...but you will have to wait to see the pics until after Halloween! Yes...we are kind of dorks...dressing him up so young...but what are firsts for if you cant have fun with them you know? Until then...much love to everyone.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Sweet Cuddling

Brayden snuggled Daddy lastnight after he got home from work. Guess the little guy needed some loves after missing him all day. I thought this photo was absolutely precious. Brayden seems to love skin to skin contact and it calms him when he gets a little cranky. For the most part...he is a very calm baby, and loves to be relaxed, rubbed, burped, and snuggled. We find ourselves staring at him a lot! We are like crazy parents trying to take the perfect picture of him, and adoring every little new thing that he does. He has started to follow us more with his eyes now, and we love to watch his little gas bubble smiles as he falls asleep. He makes the cutest little laughing sounds, almost as if he is mocking us...it is quite funny. Today he actually held his head up while lying on his tummy, and held it there for a few seconds. He has already learned to role himself onto his side, and is trying to figure out mastering thumb sucking. I can't wait to see what he will do next. Ron said he can wait...he is not ready for his son to grow up so fast. Yet, he is anxious to see if he will be left or right handed...as he is praying for a left hand pitcher. Guess we are never going to get away from the baseball thing. That's okay though. I'm sure our little snowbaby will love it as much as his snowman daddy does :-)

Snowbaby moments...

Brayden Guy Snow at five weeks old! We decided to play with the camera for a little bit today. My little guy was not very amused...but I suppose when he is old and grey someday these photos will mean something to him, or even when he is about to have babies of his own. Either way...he stole my heart again today. I just love him to pieces. Too cute.
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