Six Months In ONE Post...

Ok, so it's been awhile... It seems as if much has happened in a short time. I don't know why I stopped posting, I blame it on the hustle and bustle of life but that always seems to be a poor excuse as I often sit on the couch in the evening doing nothing but cheering for the latest reality TV villian (this is a great time to plug BIG BROTHER: All Stars... coming soon!). Anyway, as I sit here, only 8 days from the due date of my new baby boy... I felt it time to update the blog before I really do become "too busy" Some of the noteable topics of the past 6 months include:

1. Brayden had an incredible Christmas! How cute is he! One of the all time favorite gifts this year was a guitar... He has recently shown quite the interest in music... to date, this toy is still played with every day... quite a feat for a 2 year old!



2. We installed a fence in our backyard making the all time coolest "running ground and play area" for Brayden and Abby... They love it!

3. My college friends and I had a "first annual girls weekend" Unfortunately, I don't have pics (that I can find currently) to post but it was a blast and I loved every moment with them. Everyone came to Indy for the weekend and crashed at our house. Tony was so great and kept Brayden the entire time and allowed my time with them. I can't wait for future weekends like these.

4. My grandmother passed away in March. This was a very hard time for my family, yet a time to rejoice knowing that my grandmother is no longer in pain, no longer suffering. What a great sense of peace knowing that she is spending eternity with Jesus! Oh how she is dearly missed though.

5. We found out we are having a "BOY!" Another boy... I could hardly believe it... we went into the ultrasound with only girl names picked out and confident "he" was a "she". But we have been blessed (ok, still up for debate) to have another boy. Brayden will be a great big brother and it's my prayer that the two of them are extremely close friends. We have chosen the name Bryce Anthony. Anthony is Tony's middle name. Brayden's middle name (Thomas) is Tony's first name. We are very pleased with the name and Brayden is anxiously awaiting his new baby brother!

6. Easter! - Brayden is apparently still terrified of the Easter Bunny and any "walking stuffed character" We waited in line to see him for 30 min. in the heat....7 months pregnant and this is as close as we got:

Oh well, he's still darn cute.. just check him out on Easter Sunday!

7. Jacob and Esau- Brayden's picked out his first pets! Of course, we have a dog named Abby... but Tony and I had her before Brayden so she was already part of the family. Jacob and Esau are fish that Brayden picked out and put in his pond. He was very intent on the name Jacob and Daddy named Esau. Brayden loves them! And the whole experience of getting them was such a great moment in itself! Brayden showed the pet story lady which fish he wanted... color and all and carried them to the car. We were both very proud. Our little baby is growing up!

8. The Big Boy Room!- Recently, we transitioned Brayden into the room down the hall to prepare for the arrival of Bryce. Brayden had already moved to a toddler bed and we assumed Brayden was ready for a bigger room and it would be easier to use the same nursery for Bryce. We hyped up the change and Brayden helped to get his room ready!

We like it... he has a big boy cool bed and he LOVES IT! We're so glad!

9. And finally... I'm home full time now! Holy big adjustment! After much discussion, thought, prayer, and Brayden hugs, I've decided to stay home full-time and raise the kids! I was working part-time and loved my co-workers, my job, and the "personal time away" but the cost of 2 in day-care, the constant day-care switches, the long drive, the Brayden moments I was missing, the arrival of a new baby, my husbands desire for a stay at home wife, the challenge of finding someone at the last minute when your childcare is sick... were all motivating factors in staying home. I've really enjoyed my time the past couple of weeks with Brayden... We have gone to the children's museum, parks, water parks, played dinosaurs, blocks, letters, and watched endless Wiggles movies. I know that in a short time, I'm going to learn to share my time with two children so I've been intentional in my attempt to savor every moment with Brayden. It's been great time for us and I wouldn't trade it. I do miss my job and co-workers tremendously (Celeste--I hope you didn't give up on me, I'm posting, I'm posting!!!) but I'm confident at this time in my life that I made the right decision and am in the place I should be.

There it is... a quick update on what we've been up too... Tony is doing great and getting ready to start his final semester of seminary. I can't believe he's almost done... I'm so proud of him... I'm hanging on waiting to start training for the mini in May... as soon as I can. I'm tired of looking and walking like a giant whale. I can't wait to see the face of my new baby boy and to hug and kiss him for the first time. We are praying for a healthy, smooth delivery and a smooth transition for Brayden. I'm so confident he'll be a great big brother, yet still a transition. I've often wondered how I could possibly love something... another child as much as I do Brayden but with each movement Bryce makes, I understand more and more... how you just do... I can't wait to meet him!

So... The waiting game continues... COME ON BRYCE!!!