Merry Christmas!

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Eight Months

Here is the last month or so in pictures. Enjoy!

This is how wide Braden opens his mouth every time he takes a bite. The boy loves to eat!

These days I have to put Braden in something to keep him from getting into mischief.

Papa and GrandJan with Braden during his first "snow." You can't even tell it's snowing!

Braden had his first cold in November. He was so sweet and slightly more cuddly than usual.

Such a sweet little sick guy!

Braden had his first popsicle on Thanksgiving. You would have given him one too if you saw the way he eyed the older kids eating theirs! :)

Joslynn was in town for Thanksgiving and several us of went to Cracker Barrel. Unfortunately I only took this one picture. Braden liked the old timey high chair. London did not!

I think he likes the stocking we picked out for him!

Precious sleeping boy!

When Braden wakes up happy I crawl in there and talk to him through the bars on his crib. We call him our little jail bird! I tried to capture how cute it is, but the flash kind of messed it up!

"Enough pictures....get me out of here!"

Into everything already. Childproofing my house kind of snuck up on me!

I don't know what he's doing here, but it's funny!

"Look Mom! Watch me pull up."

Another one of our sorry snows! Still, you have to capture it on camera.

So, Braden usually wakes up happy and talking to himself. However, this was not one of those days! I know he looks so sad, but I still love this picture of my favorite boys.

Sometimes it takes a little while to wake up!

Playing with his favorite toy! Thanks again Traci...he still loves it!

What picture post would be complete without some hilarious pictures of Braden's funny faces?

Eight and a half months and still no teeth! I am in no rush....I LOVE this gummy smile!

Mamamama

Braden just started making this face the other day. I have no idea what he's doing. I like to think he is saying Mamamama, but no sound comes out. He really just looks like an old man with no teeth slapping his gums together. He makes me laugh so hard!

Seven Months

Since Braden is close to eight months now I thought I better post a seven month picture. This was actually taken on his seven month birthday. He is growing faster than I had hoped, but I absolute love each new stage. He still has no teeth. He isn't technically crawling, but he knows how to get from here to there, either by rolling or army crawling. He will eat anything you put within reach, which is scary! Sorry to be a lame blogger, but this little boy keeps me busy! Did I mention I am absolutely crazy about him?

Edisto Island

We had so much fun at Edisto Island with the Hughes and Andrews! We had never been to the beach with friends before, but we can't wait to do it again. I didn't take many pictures so I used some of Allyson's. Thanks friend!

Sarah, Allyson and I on our way to get breakfast. Unfortunately we had to listen to a long talk about time shares to get the free breakfast, so we came back to our condo and cooked. Aren't my pregnant friends cute?

The resort was so kind to provide us with salt and pepper! Ha ha!

Our breakfast was better anyway!

Braden enjoying his apple slice on the beach.

Allyson and Braden

I forgot to bring Braden's hat so we made a makeshift turban!

What a big boy!

One night we went into downtown Charleston. Here we are on a carriage ride.

The Blantons

The whole group eating dinner on the rooftop terrace at the Crab House (or Shack)

Braden fell asleep with the bottle in his mouth. Ben doesn't get to feed him much so I think it's sweet to see him giving Braden a bottle.

Dessert at Kaminsky's! I ate way too much!

Hughes, thanks so much for inviting us along for the trip! We had the best time! Thanks for putting up with a fussy baby on your last vacation without a baby!

Savannah

Well, these are nearly a month old now but I am trying to get caught up. In October we went to Edisto Island, SC with our good friends the Hughes and Andrews. On the way down we stopped in Savannah, GA to visit my sister, who just moved there. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few.

This is what Braden does in the car...watch Baby Einstein DVDs. They have been a life saver for long trips in the car.

Being a good boy while we have brunch at Firefly Cafe.

Andy feeding Braden some melon. He's going to be such a sweet Daddy!

Sisters!

Andy and I with our chocolate covered marshmallows!

Ben and I

Walking around downtown.

Close up! I just thought his eyes looked pretty here.


My boys taking a nap while Becky and I scrapbook.

We were only in Savannah for about 22 hours, but it was so fun to spend time with Becky and Andy. I'm so glad they are only 7 hours from us now. Hopefully we will get to see them more often.

The Mirror

Braden has found a new love....himself! He makes me laugh!

Fall Fun

On Tuesday Ben and I decided to take Braden to the Pumpkin Patch out in Greenback, TN. I'm not sure why we picked the coldest day of the year to go, but it was still a lot of fun. Braden didn't seem to mind the cold too bad. He really didn't make a sound or even change his facial expression the entire time we were there. Here are a few pictures from our trip:

The sun was just setting and it was beautiful out there. It made me want to live in the country.

"I'm not so sure about this, guys!"

The only smile of the evening. I'm glad we got it on camera!

What a cute farmer! He was so sweet to let us take his picture 1,000 times.

Check out his red little nose.

My little pumpkin!

"How long, O Lord?"

Yikes!

Mama and Braden

Daddy and Braden

A couple weeks ago we drove up to Townsend and ate lunch and went for a walk. It was a beautiful day, but much hotter than we expected.