Little Monkey Bizness and other fun!

Aunt Dara and Summer asked us to join them for a some fun at Little Monkey Bizness. The place was packed wall to wall with people because of winter break. We still had a good time though.

Shooting some hoops! He wouldn't let go of the ball for the longest time! :)

Look at that face...don't you just want to eat him up!!

I love this picture. She is soooo cute!

Hmm....

 

Music with Mar Class

I love to go to this class to watch the kids participate and sing. Everytime we are in town on a Thursday, Dara and I coordinate the time to go to the music class. All the cousins love going and we always have a great time. This time Braeden was given a kazoo and he watched everyone for a little bit and figured out how to make noise! For the next week, we heard that kazoo and he cracked up laughing everytime someone made noise with it.

Alyssa and Summer

Lolly Lolly Lolly...Lolly Lolly Lee....if your name is Summer...get your sticks from me! One of my favorite songs.

The instrument song. Braeden grabbed some bells.

Here he is humming in the kazoo!

Such a good listener...up front and center!

Look at all that love!

Hanukkah Party and December update

Wow! This month has been filled with many ups and downs.
Braeden can do so many things now. He is so much fun to be around and he has grown into such a big boy now. His personality shines whenever he is around family. We have been in Kansas City visiting family while Mike was on vacation. At the beginning of our trip, we celebrated Hanukkah with everyone at Aunt Jen's house. It was great seeing all the smiling faces and excitement from all the kiddos. We even did a mini Hanukkah at the hospital with Nonnie and Poppie!

Braeden can clap now! He is so proud of himself when he does it too! He also took his first steps this month! I am so excited to see him trying and working so hard to get each step. We video taped him taking them...now I just have to get them uploaded and on the computer! He also became a fast pro at going up and down the stairs. This is so neat to see him fly down the stairs. He turns around and slides down. We didn't even show him how to do this either. I think the stairs were he favorite toy at Grandma and Grandpa's house this trip! On January 2nd he will be 14 months old! Time is flying by!

Braeden and Grandpa

He loves his cousin Summer!

Checking out David's new bike!

Opening presents with Daddy!

Playing with everyone's favorite Hanukkah present. It's an aquadoodle mat that you can draw on over and over again. The fun never ends with this toy!

Such a happy boy!

PICTURES COMING!!

Whirlwind Weekend

Last week, we drove to Kansas City to be with family before a big family event. We all caravaned to St. Louis on Friday morning. My dad had two walkie talkies and we thought we would try them out. They actually turned out to be a blast. We were talking back and forth all the way there and even in the hotel rooms! Uncle Gary was so kind and was able to get all of us rooms at the Ameristar hotel (which was beautiful, super nice, and big). We didn't have much time when we got there to get changed and ready for the Friday night service and dinner. Before we knew it, the evening flew by and we were headed back to the hotel. All of a sudden, Alyssa starts to throw up in the car (**This is in the Sienna that we are not allowed to eat or drink in!!) We are totally worried she doesn't feel well for the B'Not mitzvah tomorrow and that it is going to be a long night. So, we arrive back at the hotel and Jen starts to clean the mess up in the van. THE VAN SMELLED HORRIBLE on Saturday morning. So, next day, we party and have a great day with everyone. On our way back to the hotel.....David starts throwing up in the van now. We can't believe this!! So, once again, Jen tries to clean it up the best she can. We couldn't take the car in to a place to be cleaned, b/c we had no time and they weren't open on the weekends. So, we had to drive home on Sunday with a smelly van! Ugh.
We will not forget this road trip....EVER! Our first time to ride together and 2 sick kiddos is what we got.
All the kids had so much fun together. I really enjoyed seeing them all play.

Updates

We finally made it in to our pediatrician, Dr. Zomer's office for Braeden's 1 yr appointment last week. Braeden is doing fantastic!!! The stats are a little different from Dr. Gus's office. Here they are:

Weight: 19 lb 10 oz (with clothes on and full diaper 10 % normal chart)
Height: 28 3/4 in  (20 % normal chart) That's great!!
Head circumference: 42 cm (not on chart...never has been)

We got the okay to start whole milk if we choose and to continue doing physical therapy until he is walking. Braeden is doing fantastic cruising and standing along furniture and anything that he can grab. He actually LET GO and stood all by himself a few times this past week. On Tuesday, at physical therapy he stood for a long time (several seconds) and played with a toy. I think he did it longer this time, because I didn't gasp with excitement and scare him!!
We are so fortunate to have him here with us to celebrate the holidays and be a kid. Last year on Thanksgiving we were visiting him in room 532 in the NICU at St. Francis. That was not a very fun way to celebrate the holiday. So, we are eternally grateful for our health and Braeden's health this year. I can't even begin to express how happy I am to have my family home with me for the holidays.

1 yr check up

This week we had a few doctor's appointments for Braeden. Every few months we see Dr. Gus, a developmental specialist and his team. They evaluate Braeden and make sure we are doing everything to help him grow and progress to catch up to other babies his age. The appointment went really well. The physical therapist gave us more ideas and things to work on with Braeden. He is doing all the activities that a 10 month old is and some older. They evaluate Braeden based on his adjusted age which was 9 month 27 days for the appointment.

Braeden's 1 yrs stats: 
Weight:   18.7 pounds  (30 % on preemie chart)
Height: 27 3/4 inches (25% on preemie chart)
Head circumference: 16 1/2 inches  (not on chart )

Mike plotted Braeden's statistics on the regular chart and he is not quite at the 5th percentile. So, he's a little guy for now. He fits right into our family!! Braeden did a fabulous job showing off all his skills. We are so proud of him!