The pink stuff.

Unfortunately I'm not talking about Pepto-Bismal! Nope, Braden has "the start of" bronchitis and has his first prescription of children's pink stuff. It's amazing how something can change so little in the 30 plus years since I was a child... same smell, same texture, same taste. I guess it can't be improved upon! Thankfully Braden hasn't minded taking it and we actually get the normal "ummmm" after each swallow. We're not too big on medicine in our house unless it's absolutely necessary, so we're glad he's made it to just about 20 months before needing it and also that we have the ability to get it to help him get better. What the poor people in Haiti would give for some penicillin... And thanks so much to Poppa (who just got her late Monday night) and Grammy for taking Braden to the doctor today!

Lately.

I think Braden is a business man in training. Here he's waiting for whatever was being printed which he then ceremoniously handed to whoever it is that is waiting. This morning I kept finding him in the desk chair pretending to type away on the keyboard.


Giving back rubs is something that Carla's family is known for. Anthony is great at it, but unfortunately I'm not good at all at reciprocating. Braden is already in training, so in a few years Daddy will be lucky!

We found a good use for my yoga mat since it seems that I've retired it since having kids! Braden has had a great time building tunnels for his train. The joys of childhood!

Braden helped Grammy make a cake and then had a treat of actually getting to have some (minus the frosting!).

Our poor, little guy has a cough and runny nose. He had trouble sleeping tonight and got a rare chance to snooze on our bed. I'm so glad he doesn't get sick often... it breaks my heart!

The remnants of our winter storm from last week! We had a few days of rain and it was great to get everything cleaned off and refreshed. Plus lots of snow in other parts of the state. Here's what Braden decided to do with the puddle! He knows he's not allowed to go in the street, so this was the next best option for splashing in the puddle!

March 29th!

We have a date! The newest member of our family will arrive on March 29th, sometime after 7:30 am. That is, of course, as long as he goes along with the plan! Considering Braden was born a day before his due date and I didn't have a single contraction, I'm hoping this little guy will follow suit (both in coming when planned and the no contractions part!).

We are excited that this date worked out with our doctor and the hospital. I would have loved to share my birthday with my son (his due date), and do have an affinity for the month of April, but per my doctor's advice, didn't want to risk going into labor. The 29th is perfect because Braden was born on the 29th and our anniversary is on the 29th. We think it's a pretty good date! Anthony and my birthdays' are both on the 5th, so we'll have 2 special numbers in our family.

As far as a pregnancy update - this pregnancy has been going great. We have 10-weeks to go and I'm hoping I'll be saying the same at the end. He continues to move around a ton and I think he knows he is coming by c-section because he literally tries to push his way out through the top of my belly. I sometimes wonder if people can see him moving around if they just happen to be looking at my belly. These 10-weeks are going to fly by and I'm in no rush for them to be over. I'm cherishing all my times with "just Braden" as well as all the kicks, pushes and constant companionship that this little guy provides me. We are very thankful.


Braden's "Auntie" Cynthia (Carla's sister) came for a visit this past week. He loved having her here and asked for her constantly. They had lots of fun.


Braden got to have some of Daddy's "frozen mug" milk. He is a little milk monster and literally dances with happy feet while waiting for his milk in the evening. He has a habit of saying "yummmmm" when he eats things he likes lately. This can happen for anything from angel food cake to split pea soup! It also happens nightly with his new toothpaste! He loves it!

Outside things.

Braden loves his swing. We had his playroom window replaced and the swing is right outside of it, so he can see it. The first time we took the swing down he bawled, the second time he was just rather perturbed by the whole thing. He decided to take matters into his own hands in getting it put back up by going to the garage and asking for one of Daddy's "turn-turns" (screwdrivers). We didn't actually need it, but it was pretty clever that he realized that screwdrivers fix things and might help get his swing back into action!

Daddy was doing some grading on the side of the house. Braden wanted to help, so we got his shovel. So cute...

Kyndal came over for a bit tonight and the kids had a great time playing. Braden noticed Kyndal's diaper and spent about 5 minutes trying to get a better look at it - at least that's what I think he was trying to get a better look at!! It was rather comical watching him follow her around and her swatting him away. Guess it starts young!! Another action that can be added to the "all boy" comments!

Happy Birthday, Gramps!

My Grandfather turned 90 over Christmas. We had to miss the party, but the rest of my family was there. We'll definitely be there for the celebration of the 100th! Here's a nice picture of 4 generations of Utterbacks!

(Front - Uncle Harry, Gramps, Addison, Brandy and Devin. Back - Mom, Dad and Mike).

Grammy's Back!

Braden was very glad when his Grammy came back to town! Today we went to the Zoo. Braden and I fed the giraffes! It was fun and he liked seeing it's long tongue! He got up close and personal with the baboons, too, but thankfully there was glass between us and them.

People that have spent time with Braden lately like to say "he's all boy." Always an interesting statement, since yes, he is all boy. He definitely loves to do boy things, but he's sweet, loving and cuddly, too. However, I think the fact that when he's in a situation and isn't exactly sure how to handle it he decides to make the "blast off like a rocket sound and motion" helps people to make the comment! And, as you can see in the videos below, he does love his sports. I could have easily added a football and basketball video from today as well if I had only had the camera with me!

Happy New Year!

We are very thankful for what 2009 brought our family and are awaiting the memories that 2010 will provide. Braden blessed us over and over and continues to be more of a joy all the time. Of course there are challenges too, it wouldn't be life without, but we are grateful of what they bring as well. We, of course, are looking forward to the birth of our second son sometime this spring! The anticipation of meeting the newest member of our family is sweet. We hope for blessings and joy to you in the New Year!

Celebrating the end of '09
and the start of '10!

Happy New Year from the Harmon's!

It's so nice to have friend's with kids the same age. Adults and kids had a great time hangin' at the Eriksson's and we even got some game time in after the kids went to bed. This photo op was fun trying to capture before someone escaped!

Toby's room was like heaven for Braden!! Filled with trains, balls, cars and all kinds of other fun stuff!