Turning 2...

Birthday time again!?!?! I cannot believe that our little man is turning 2 this Friday. This year, the countdown to Brayden's birthday was so different than last year----on one side I wanted his birthday to get here slowly---because I just cannot believe that my baby is going to be 2 and I want to soak up every minute of this one-year, but on the flip side of that---I also was on a countdown for it to get here...because I am so excited to meet our new little boy (and at 38 weeks, I am just so done being pregnant).
We had his party today---which was fabulous! We were surrounded by our wonderful families and great friends---which made the day so special for us. After the party was all done...the gifts were picked up, the cake was put away...we headed back to put the little man down for bed. And, of course, we had to read one of my favorite books to Brayden---which is a special book that we have read since he was born---"On the Night That You Were Born"...which is when it hit me....that our little baby---is no longer a baby but a toddler who is growing too fast. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying watching him grow and change every day, and I still get plenty of snuggles in, but its hard to believe that they grow so much, and much too fast!
Here is a quote from the book....gets me every time...

"On the night you were born,
the moon shone with such wonder
that the stars peeked in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
'Life will never be the same.

Because there had never been
anyone like you...
ever in the world."

An "Apple Pickin Berry" Good Time

Yesterday we headed out to Woodstock, IL to go apple and raspberry picking. Brayden LOVED apple picking...all he said the whole time was "Apple, Apple, Apple". He rode in his wagon happily (which is a new thing for him---he likes our sitter's wagon, but for some reason was not a fan of his own--until yesterday). He got right in those apple trees...and had some scratches to prove it! Raspberry picking on the other hand was not as exciting for him....and I must say...it is a lot of work! Good thing, we only signed up to pick one pint...that took us quite a bit of time---now I know why they can sell those little buggers for so much! After all our hard work...we headed to our favorite little Woodstock eatery, the Creperie. So delicious!!! The whole way home, he held on tightly to his favorite apple. Now...what to do with a peck of apples!?!?!?

All Boy...

The little man will be 23 months tomorrow. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone and how much he has changed and grown. He is a REAL BOY these days...here are a few pictures to show his boy side, some family shots...and of course some shots of him being his sweet self.
A LOVE for DIGGERS...
At the Arlington Heights Racetrack

At a family reunion (when we were in southern Illinois) He played with these diggers for at least 2 hours...


At the Labor Day Parade...


A TRUE fish...
Here he is bathing with Clara...they were so cute together all day....and in the tub the fun continued, they took turns putting bubbles on each other's faces to be Santa...

At the Dells this past weekend...Brayden was such the daredevil...he saw the pool, the water, the slides...and OFF he went...He had a great time...


Rock Lover...
Also in the Dells, he and the other 8 kids that stayed in a cabin with us (thats right---there were 9 kids +1 on the way) had just as much fun finding rocks and throwing them into the pond. We also having a growing rock collection---some from southern illinois, central and northern illinois...I swear every time I open my purse, the car, etc...I find another rock!


We also went to a great birthday party for Brayden's friend Keira who turned one...



Here are some family pictures from our trip to southern illinois...




34 1/2 weeks...I think that this is how big I was with Brayden when I went in to give labor. We had our last ultrasound last week...and the baby at 33 weeks, was already measuring over 5 pounds...so they are predicting this boy is gonna be a BIG one! Everything looks good though....so I just want to keep him under 10 pounds!!!

Even though Brayden is such a boy these days, he has not lost his sweet side one bit. He still loves to give kisses...and every morning he checks in the crib and says "baby?!!?" I know that he will be a great big brother...here he is pre-kiss for the baby...

Last week of summer in review...

Last week was my last week before school started back So, Brayden and I wanted to make the MOST of it...so each day we tried to squeeze in extra fun events. Here are some hi-lights from our week...
Monday, we had a BIG park day...no pictures, but it sure was fun....and later kitchen fun....

We also got his big boy room decorated....



Tuesday we headed into the city to Lincoln Park Zoo. Brayden LOVED the animals---I wish I could have bottled his excitement and emotion looking at all them different animals. He ran around ooowwing and awwing at all the animals. He was so good about getting in and out of the stroller in between exhibits. Here are a few of his favorites...
The penguins---he kissed the glass the whole time we were in there....

He thought the big cats were fabulous...he just kept saying Meow....

Monkey time

Climbing....

A quick ride, you can see how tired he is starting to get...

Souviner shopping...we ended up with a penguin...and Brayden passed out before I even backed out of our parking spot.

On Wednesday, we had another big day at a different park. And then he enjoyed/protected his favorite snack...raisins...

He was also a little snuggle-bug reader...

Brayden has been waking up at 5:30...so Thursday, I decided that we would head out to breakfast....so, it was just us and 2 senior citizens enjoying pancakes at dawn...but boy, did we enjoy them! Afterwards, we headed to our last music class....at class, Brayden had a blast and received 2 stamps on his arm....which he refers to as damns :)

On Friday, we headed to Heritage Farm in Schaumburg....its just part of a nature preserve/walking path. He LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the chickens....and of course all the farm equipment....




Saturday, a family from our first mom's group was in town from PA...so Brayden had his first girl/boy sleep over. It was so great to see them and as you can tell, he and Ruth had fun times together...

Sunday we had a little mom's group reunion brunch...here are our almost 2 year olds....crazy to think we they met they were just a few weeks old, now they are all going to be 2 and have brothers/sisters!


Sunday we also celebrated Grandpa's birthday! They were in town to watch Brayden for my first day back to school. Strawberry shortcake was a hit!



Today, Brayden received mail from great-grandpa...and inside the letter were stickers...which he proudly placed all over Bruiser!


On a side note, I was really concerned about Brayden's speech---I just feel like he is not saying a ton of words---and I talked to the DR about it at his 18month visit....so tonight, while all 3 of us were playing with playdough...Aaron and I decided to make a list of all the words that Brayden is saying....and the number is over 75...so he has acquired a TON in just a few short months...I guess its just the teacher/and mom in me that will always worry about something....I am sure before long he will be talking so MUCH, that we will be praying that he would just stay quiet :)
In closing....31 weeks and counting....