Braden's 1st Halloween

Braden started off his Halloween by waking up at 7:45am. He played with his mom for a couple of hours and then went down for his morning nap. He decided to take a 1 hour and 15 minute nap. When he woke up, mom had a surprise for him. They were going to the Science Learning Center to play with friends.

There was a big box of lentils to play in. Braden needed to check it out.

He wasn't too impressed.

By the end he warmed up to the Palouse treasures.
After the box of lentils, he had some good floor time playing with these connectors and his friends.

After the learning center, Braden so graciously escorted his mom around town to run errands. By the time they got home he was SO tired, but only took a 30 minute nap. Not only did this drive mom crazy, but it made Braden grumpy too. This resulted in mom calling dad and telling him to come home 10 minutes early.

After a little cuddle time with dad (and a 20 minute power nap), he got dressed for the ward Trunk or Treat. There were some good costumes and candy!

This is the only picture he would let us take. We will attempt to get some better pictures of him tomorrow. (cute monkey videos to follow as well)
Tarzan & Jane (so strong!)

The cute candy bowl mom made. Braden couldn't be more impressed with his mom's crafty skills (I actually made this with a friend, so it wasn't my idea at all)

Overall, Braden had a wonderful (but grumpy) first Halloween. It should be a little more fun next year when he can walk and enjoy some candy. Note the word some.

Day Hike: Kamiak Butte

Yesterday I went with some friends on a hike up Kamiak Butte. My friend let me borrow her backpack to carry Braden and I have decided we need to invest in one. The hike was so fun and so beautiful. Braden loved sitting in the backpack and looking around.

This is Braden at home getting ready to go.

Mom & Son on the hiking trailLook at the autumn leaves
Picture taken by me.
There was a fun log at the top that had a great view. Braden was super tired, so he just relaxed on the log with his binki.

Look at the beautiful view

We made it to the top

Another beautiful view

After we made it down, we headed to the playground to play. Braden loved the swing. He looked so tired by the end of it. We should really get a swing for our house.

Morning Discoveries

A couple of weeks ago I walked in to get Braden in the morning and this is what I discovered.

It is really cute to walk in and see him sitting up, however, he would only do this when he was in his crib, until this past week. Look how happy he is.

I finally discovered how he does this since he would only sit himself up when I wasn't looking.

This is what I walked into yesterday. Oh boy! We are going to have to lower the mattress.

Carving Pumpkins

We had a fun time last night carving pumpkins. This is everything we need to make the night successful. 2 pumpkins, a couple of apples & caramels, and a pumpkin carving kit.

Blake & Braden carving pumpkins

Braden & his Gnome Themed Pumpkin

Me and my Bat Themed Pumpkin
Blake and his Witch Themed Pumpkin

A Family of Pumpkins

Sick Baby Update

This is what our sick baby was doing today. He was so much happier than he has been in awhile.

Just checking out the camera

We went to the mall tonight and Braden couldn't be happier. I went to workout when we got home from the mall. Before I left, I asked Blake to keep Braden up until I got back. This is what I came home to. Blake couldn't do anything about it and I couldn't either when I tried. Look at our tired, sick, but happy baby. He was dead to the world. We love him!

Ear Infection & Sore Throat

We finished up our Stake Conference today and let me tell you, Stake Conference with a sick 8 month old is miserable. While walking the halls trying to calm Braden, I ran into my friend Suzie. I enquired about teething (as her daughter is teething pretty bad right now) versus ear infections. Braden has been grabbing at his ears a lot lately, which is a sign of both.

She told me ear infections tend to hurt worse when lying down. Sure enough, Braden always tugs and screams when we lay him down to change him, feed him, etc. Right after the conference we said a little prayer and felt good about taking him to the doctor's. The Ready Care (or Insta Care for our Utahan friends) got us in right away. Braden acted all sweet at first, but the moment we laid him down, the devil inside of him came out.

The doctor was so helpful and did determine that not only did he have an ear infection (in his right ear), but he also had a sore throat. We headed off to Safeway to fill his prescription and help him get feeling better. She said we should notice a difference within the next 24 hours, but he won't be fully well until next week.

Needless to say, we had a hard night last night. I am really hoping this medicine will help him (and me) sleep better. We just hope our little guy gets back to his happy go lucky self.

First Official Babysitter

That's right! Tonight Braden had his first official babysitter. What I mean by official is it wasn't a family member. Both sets of Grandparents (and Uncle Blair) have watched Braden while we have been away, but we didn't have to pay them for that. And now that I think about it, my good friend Monica and Clancy watched Braden while we attended the temple a couple of months ago (payment: Olive Garden desserts), as well as Jessica and Dane (payment: watching their daughter). Still, tonight was his first official teenage sitter.

Thanks to Hannah (the Bishop's daughter) for putting up with Braden. Stake Conference is this weekend and the adult session was tonight. In order to entice more adults, the Stake provided a wonderful soup dinner prior to the speakers. My friend Jessica and I went in on a babysitter. I was more worried about her than Braden, especially since Braden has been fussy from teething.

I picked her up at 5:30pm and gave her my first time babysitter speal. I made her aware that she needed to call if Braden was not manageable and that I would be calling only once! (I promised Blake I would call no more and talk about it no more than once.) I did just that. When I called at 6:50pm Braden had already gone to sleep for the night. And guess what, he is still sleeping.

It wasn't so bad. Although, the final speaker did go a 1/2 hour over what I thought he should. The speakers were great and really brought the spirit for the evening. I am glad we had this opportunity to listen (uninterrupted) because Blake and I were both uplifting and rebuked a little. I think we all need to be rebuked a little sometimes. We have a renewed energy for FHE and missionary work.

Afterwards Jessica and Dane came back for homemade milkshakes, while their little ones were fast asleep. The night was great. We will have to try this again. The babysitter was wonderful and Braden needs to get used to other people. Have I said that I LOVE Pullman. If I haven't then, I LOVE PULLMAN!

Followup question: what is the going rate for babysitters? Jessica and I gave her $30 for watching 2 kids for 4 1/2 hours. Is that right? I would like to know your opinion.

Learning to Share

Favorite Part of Swimming (7 1/2 mo)

We had our weekly swim night last night and took some cute videos of him. He has a new favorite part of swimming that I discovered last Friday at swim lessons. Take a look...

He was a little less patient with his dad

Getting Ready to Crawl

Our little guy wants to crawl so bad. He hasn't quite figured it out yet and there is NO way I am going to push it. Once he becomes mobile, there's no going back. I just wanted to take some pictures and remember his valid attempts.

From sitting position onto hands

Proper crawling position

And he falls onto his tummy and starts kicking his legs and moving his arms

"Hi mom! I didn't crawl yet."

Braden is growing so fast and I know it will be so easy to forget these crawling attempts. I love him so much.

Canning Apples

$42 worth of apples makes: 3 dozen quarts of sliced apples, 1 batch (quarts) pie filling, 3 dozen pints of applesauce & 2 quarts apple juice. After my run and our Costco trip on Saturday, I came home and spent the rest of the day with my friend Jessica. Here is what it took to get this canning done.

A good friend to gab with (I know this apron makes me look pregnant, but once again, I'm not)

A sink full of apples (many sinks actually)
Several sliced & peeled apples
A knowledgeable person (telling Blake what to do)
A good peeler (Blake now wants to get one) 2 Water Baths & a Stock Pot (thanks to my good friend Lyndzi for giving me the stock pot, I never knew I would use it so much)
2 garbage bags full of apple remains
Almost 7 dozen jars, rings & lids (I had to borrow some)
This is all you need to can $42 worth of apples. Blake and I are so excited to eat these yummy apples during the cold winter months. Thanks to Jess for all your help. I can't wait to help with her batch this next week. And sorry about your broken apple slicer.

5k Fun Run?

Disclaimer: I want you guys to know that I use my blog as more of a journal, as the prophets for many generations have told us to keep a journal. I know I post a lot, but it's mostly because we are up to a lot and I want to remember these moments, especially when Braden is so young.

Yesterday I participated in a 5k fun run held in Clarkston. 2 girls from my ward were participating in the half marathon, but I knew that would kill me. I know a 5k (3.1 miles) isn't that far, but the last time I ran that distance was 4 years ago in Helena, MT. The 5k wasn't that fun but was very fulfilling and motivating. I rode down with my friends Collette & Rick. Collette is 20 weeks pregnant and ran the half marathon, that shows you how pathetic I am, but really, for those of you who don't know Collette, consider yourself unlucky. She is amazing!

Morning of the race

Mom & Son (Braden was very encouraging) Running to the Finish line
I finished in 33.58 minutes. I know it's not very fast, but all things considered, I am proud of myself.
Family picture in front of the river
Afterwards we went to Costco and got a membership. Our first trip cost us $375. A ton of money, but all stuff we needed. Let's just say we don't need to go shopping for awhile.

I do have to admit that I like Sam's Club way better than Costco. Sam's Club has a lot of choices for each product, versus Costco only has 1 brand. Can you find Braden in this photo?