"Geen Beas" Please

I just thought I would share my child's new obsession. This week it is green beans! This is a good thing considering he pretty much hates all vegetables now. His new thing is to get in the lazy susan (which he is not allowed to do) and get out a can of green beans. Then he digs through my utensil drawer (which he is also not supposed to do) and finds the can opener. Then he carries around the can and opener begging us to open the green beans. Crack me up! On another note, the paci is history and apparently so is Braden's memory of it. Maybe I should have done this say....A YEAR AGO if I would have known it would be this easy. Who knew? :)

Shocked again!

No paci, no problem! Who is this kid and where did my paci dependent toddler go? Like last night, it took him longer to fall asleep without the pacifier but he did not cry or fuss at all, just talked to himself. I am shocked and SOOOOOO relieved!

So far so good

The disappearance of the Paci has been easier than I could have ever dreamed! I am not completely holding my breath just yet though, tonight could prove to be the screamer night. But last night I laid Braden down and he said, "Paci up der?" and pointed to the dresser. I reminded him that it had went up in a balloon and left his room. Not a whimper! I was like, "WHAT? Are you kidding me?!?!?!" During today's nap he cried for about 5 minutes, but still, I was expecting 1 hour of screams, choking, the works! We'll see what tonight holds. My little boy is getting so big! :(

Bye Bye Paci

Chris and I decided that today, the day after Christmas we would officially get rid of the paci. Braden is 9 days away from being 2, so the time has come! He only uses it for sleeping, but I still said by 2, it would need to go. We have been talking to Braden for a couple of months about the paci going away in a balloon. He LOVES balloons (Well he did...we'll see now if he loves them) and so we asked him if paci could go up in one and he has been saying yes. Even as we were doing it, he was laughing and thought it was hilarious. However, I have a feeling when 8:30 rolls around tonight, he may not feel the same about paci taking a flight right out of here! I'll keep you posted. I hope I am prepared for a few days (and nights) of screaming. :( I think we are are going to take it harder than he is!

Christmas Fun!

I am finally updating the blog. I think I have been on blog strike because my new, good camera had to be shipped back to the store for repairs! Yep, the one I just got for my birthday. Apparently the sensor went out so I have been without a camera for Christmas which made me slightly sad. Of course, the old camera works just fine, so I should stop complaining. Ha! Anyways, here are a few pictures from our Christmas. Chris and I decided we could have written the movie "Four Christmases" because that is our life....of course minus the crazy family members in case any of our loving family is reading this! :) We had a great time with all of our family and of course you spoiled all of us rotten. Braden's toys have officially taken over the house. Thank you so much for ALL of the yummy meals (I actually went to the gym today due to the massive amount of dessert eating) and all of the thoughtful presents!

Helping Daddy put together his new car ramp

Testing out the new ride

The new dinosaur even helped unwrap presents

A new doggy...this is close as we are getting to the real thing...for now

Very excited about this present!

This was not Braden's present, but Mimi's, but he sure enjoyed it. Could he get any closer?

"Whoa!"

Chris' Dad's family Christmas at our house-the little kiddos playing a game.

Let's see how many toddlers we can fit into this little ball pit at once. :)

Braden was quite the professional this year at unwrapping presents. Check him out with his new "dinos."

Breakfast with Santa

This year's picture...No tears, but very serious

Last year's picture with Santa

This snowman is pretty cool


Today we met Chris' dad, step-mom, & cousin Izzy at a church in Jeffersonville for their annual Breakfast with Santa. It really is the cutest little set-up. They have breakfast, pictures with Santa, a Santa Secret Shop, a balloonist, and little games for the kids to play. Braden enjoyed picking a duck (and licking the clean water off of his hands) and rolling the bowling ball to knock over the penguins.

Christmas Flashback

This year's love for big totes

Last year's love for big totes

Decorating the tree this year

Not so much help last year :)

CALIFORNIA PICTURE OVERLOAD! :)

Checking out all of the "airpwanes" waiting on our flight

He fell asleep! This is what we had hoped for...too bad this is the only flight it happened on out of 4!!!

Chris was trying to catch himself a little nap during the layover-yeah right! There is no napping with Braden around. :)

Papa Scott did a lot of entertaining on the plane rides...even a little harmonica playing

Day 2-Stanford and the Bay Area

Braden LOVED the dog at my aunt's house. I'm still hearing "Hattey" at home

We walked around Stanford's campus since it was close to my aunt's house. It is a gorgeous campus! This is the chapel on their campus.

Braden is looking for his bike.

After Stanford, we went to the Bay area to eat lunch. Us "Hoosiers" were amazed at all of the crab pots.

People were buying live crabs right off of the docks. Chris was in heaven and I was a little grossed out! They were wiggling in this bag!

Braden found some cool shells on this beach. It was a wildlife sanctuary where you could find things but you couldn't take them with you...pretty cool!

Day 3-San Francisco

Sea Lions at Pier 39

Alcatrez

I love the hilly streets in San Francisco. Look at the one behind us.

Riding a cable car. This was so much fun. We didn't think the driver was going to be able to get the car stopped on some of the hills!

My uncle took us on top of a fancy hotel in the city. Braden enjoyed his crackers and milk sitting in the window.

YUM,YUM! That's all I have to say about this...oh and we ate a HUGE sundae here. :

Heading over the Golden Gate Bridge

Braden could not get enough of Grace, my uncle's dog. He even tried to ride her. If he keeps up this pet loving business, I'm afraid we're in store for a future dog purchase.

Day 4-Driving up north

My dad was quite the entertainer in the car for Braden. It's a good thing b/c the drive took 5 hours.

Since we were driving through all of the Redwoods, we had to stop off and literally drive through one.

Chris is driving and Dad...well Dad is riding on top! Those of you that know my dad know that this stuff is pretty typical-ha! Love ya Dad!

Day 5-Grandma's House

We went into town to piddle around and found this really cute little Children's Museum. Braden had a blast rolling the balls down this ramp.

They had a whole little simulated grocery store. I guess Braden is having lobster for dinner.

Back at my grandma's house everyone was getting in on the music

Loving this drum with Uncle Barry...even my grandma (in the background with the banjo) can play an instrument

And a little piano playing with cousin Alyce-I guess none of the musical talent made it into my genes-ha!

A little beach time