Pumpkin Patch!!

I've been looking forward to this day for weeks now!  It was PUMPKIN PATCH DAY!!!

Ethan (Brayden's little buddy who is exactly two months older than him) was supposed to join us, but his Mommy wasn't feeling so well so they weren't able to make it.  We were originally planning to go to the pumpkin patch in Irvine, but I also heard great things about the pumpkin patch in Long Beach, so we decided to check it out instead:  http://paspumpkinpatch.com/

I originally wanted to dress Brayden up in a pumpkin costume, but I didn't have the time to pick one up that day (we finally slept in as a family and it felt so nice).  SO... I decided to dress him up in his bright orange polo shirt. 

We arrived at the patch and I was very impressed.  I've only been to pumpkin patches back at home (in Washington) and they were nothing like the one in Long Beach.  The pumpkin patch that I went to when I was younger was a real, actual, pumpkin farm whereas the one in Long Beach was NOT a farm, but more like a small carnival of pumpkins with rides, a petting zoo, and lots of picture opportunities.  Anyway, this was not what I expected of a pumpkin patch!

The admission was free, as well as the parking... SCORE!  I was so excited to take pictures of Brayden with all of the huge pumpkins, so we just went at it.  All of the pictures are on his Dad's camera... I've gotta figure out how to use that thing because his Dad takes a very long time to upload his pictures, which really frustrates me, but I won't get into that right now.  I took a few on my phone, and here is one of them:

My son is such an observant baby that he didn't even care to look at us... HIS PARENTS!  He kept looking around the patch and all of the other kids that were there.  I love the fact that he is such a curious mind, but I also wish that he would have looked at the camera for us a little bit more so we can capture his first experience at a pumpkin patch.  Ahhh... maybe next time.

Whenever we're out in public, Brayden always looks at other kids and babies with this very amused look on his face.  He's practically in awe with every other baby because he doesn't see many other babies very often.  I feel bad that all of his cousins are back home in Washington.  While I lived back at home, it was great to see all of my nieces and nephews play together, and even fight sometimes.  It just goes to show how close they are with each other.  I feel guilty that Brayden doesn't have any cousins to grow up with down here.  :(  One day, he will be closer to his cousins... hopefully sooner than later. 

More pictures from the Pumpkin Patch will follow shortly... give my Husband a few days.

We had so much fun!  I even have a video of Brayden at the patch... he's going to hate me for it, I think... I hope not.  Eeeps!

I love you, my little pumpkin!!!

Life of the Party!

Dear Brayden,

Tonight was your Uncle Tep's birthday party.  He threw a little party at your Grandparents' house and of course, you were invited.  In fact, you were the guest of honor (you always are).

There, you were not one bit shy.  You played with everyone that you crossed paths with and you were definitely the life of the party!  You were the only baby there, but that didn't bother you (or at least it didn't look like it bothered you).  Everyone told Mommy how much you've grown since the last time they have seen you (for most, it was only a few weeks).  What can I say?  You are definitely a growing boy... a healthy one at that!

The strobe lights and loud music didn't bother you.  In fact, you seemed to love it!  It definitely bothered Mommy though because I felt so bad for your poor little ears and if those strobe lights made Mommy dizzy, I assumed that it might have had the same effect on you.  Your Grandparents and I tried to keep you as far away from the music as we can, but it was inevitable.  Your Uncle Morn put you on his DJ turntables a few times and of course,  you loved it!  Mommy?  Not so much.  Your Grandparents tried to put you to bed because it was way past your bedtime (typically 7pm-8pm) but you weren't having it... you wanted to party!  I knew you were tired, but you were just trying to fight it.  You especially got happy when Alyssa (4 year old) finally came over.  You grabbed her hand and everything!  She loved you too!

Finally, Mommy couldn't stand knowing that you were tired but you couldn't sleep because of the music so we packed our things and called it a night.  Daddy stayed back to celebrate his baby brother's birthday, which is fine, especially because you were so peaceful and KNOCKED OUT the whole way home.  You were a perfect little angel!  You continued to sleep throughout the night because you were exhausted!  We didn't get home until around 10pm and that was the latest you've ever stayed out. 

You are quite the party animal, Brayden!  Nevertheless, I LOVE BEING YOUR MOM!

My Santa Baby...

Someone is sooooooooooooo excited for his first Christmas!!

Santa Baby Brayden

Mommy is so excited too, Baby!  Hopefully you'll experience some snow when we fly up to Washington for Christmas!  Wouldn't that be awesome?  My baby's first Christmas, a WHITE Christmas!  Ahhhh... I'm so excited!

6 Months!

I still cannot believe that my precious baby is 6 months old today!  He brought so much more joy into my life these past 6 months that I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, not even a couple of million bucks (and I do love a couple million bucks). 

Brayden is the strongest baby I know!  Of course, I am probably bias because I am his Mother and he is my baby... uhh... but he really is!  He got his 6 month shots yesterday... 4 separate shots this time!  I hate seeing my baby cry like that.  He only cries like that when he gets his shots, and I don't blame the kid.  In fact, I'd probably be crying more than him if I was in his shoes!  On top of getting shots, he was hungry and tired.  I tried to keep him up before the shots and wanted to save his feeding until after the shots to help soothe him.  So... he was really really upset.  My poor baby.  I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed while I was holding him (and now as I am remembering how hurt and upset he was).  I don't think it is going to get any easier for me to see him get his shots.  Thank goodness he won't need to get any more shots until another three months.  Whew! 

He is on the verge of crawling already!  The pediatrician was so shocked to see that he was on all fours, rocking back and forth... ready to crawl.  He said that most babies are expected to crawl anywhere from six to eight months.  I am willing to bet that Brayden will fall in the six month bracket.  :)

He is definitely teething more than ever.  I was told by his old pediatrician that he was beginning to teeth since he was 3 months, but it just wasn't showing yet.  Well, its month six and I still don't see anything, but I know that its coming.  He's drooling like crazy and puts everything and anything inside his mouth.  Yuck!  He especially loves gnawing on my shoulders!

Here is how he measured up at 6 months -

Weight: 19 lbs, 8 oz.
Height:  27.25 inches

He is amongst the 75th to 80th percentile for both.  He's growing up beautifully... and still loving his Mothers' milk!! :)

6 more months until your first birthday, Brayden!  I cannot wait!  I love you!

-Mommy

April 9th, 2012 - Your Birthday!

Dear Brayden,

April 9th, 2012 was the HAPPIEST day of my life!

Why?

Because this was the day that you and I met for the first time, face to face.  I was in labor for about 40 hours (I first went to the hospital on Saturday evening and you didn't arrive until that following Monday!).  You really wanted to stay in there, all warm and cozy, didn't you?  ;)

You finally arrived at 10:44am on Monday, April 9th, 2012.  You weighed a whoppin' 8 pounds and 9 ounces (as you can see in the picture) and you measured at a lengthy 22 inches!  No wonder I was having such bad back aches, especially toward the end of my pregnancy!  (You were so worth every little pain)  I initially got an epidural when I couldn't bare the contractions any more.  BUT... somehow, the epidural was flowing more towards my left side, to the point where I couldn't even move my leg or wiggle my toes on my left side.  I was told that if they continued the epidural, I wouldn't be able to walk for days!  Immediately, they stopped giving me any more epidural.  That magic juice typically wears off within one or two hours and I didn't have you until a good 12 hours later so I would consider myself having you naturally (yay me!).

Anyway, you arrived so safe and sound... perfectly!  You cried for only a few seconds but once they put your precious self on Mommy, you stopped crying and just looked up at me like you knew exactly who I was.  And THAT was the best moment of my life, thus far.

Brayden, I LOVE BEING YOUR MOM!!

8 lbs, 9 oz - 22 inches long

BIG FEET like his Momma!

My HAIRY baby!

My sweetheart... love him so much!

Dear Brayden,

This is probably Mommy's 409th time trying to start a new blog about and for you.  Nothing I did seemed to be good enough for you, my love.  I would write posts and kept them private or in my drafts, reminding myself over and over that I needed to rewrite and perfect it all for you.  The truth is that I would never be able to do anything that is good enough for you in my eyes because to me, you always deserve something more or better.  Therefore, I have decided that I am just going to go ahead and lay it all out here for you, even if it may not be perfect or up to my standards of what I want for you.  I am too busy spending true quality time with you that I wouldn't want to waste any of that precious time trying to perfect something that could never be perfect enough.  Trust me when I tell you that the only time that I will be posting is when I can't be with you (the times that I spend pumping milk for you, on my lunch breaks, when you are sleeping, or when you are preoccupied with something or someone else).  I may even gradually go back to some of the old blogs where I wrote about you and post it here because they were all too wonderful of memories to leave out!
Oh Brayden, you are the sweetest baby in the world.  I LOVE BEING YOUR MOM!!!