A new man

Today Brycen had surgery to fix his circumcision. He was such a good boy and "seems" to be in no pain now that we are home. Here is a picture of him just before he went in and he looks so cute in his gown. I was able to go into the operating room with him, just until they put him to sleep. Here we are posing with his doctor.

Merry Christmas

We had such a nice Christmas this year, just the three of us! We stayed in Ohio and had such a fun time watching Brycen react to his presents. He wasn't so into opening them himself, but it was still fun!! Later that afternoon we went to our friends the Hoskins for a wonderful Christmas dinner. Thanks, Hoskins!! I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays as much as we are.

We have taken Brycen to see Santa twice this year. He was great both times, it is just so funny how serious he can be sometimes! At our holiday party for the Mothers Center we wore our pj's as a way to "relax" during the holidays. I love the pj's my mom sent Brycen to wear for Christmas, and look at that butt!!!

Yesterday our Mothers Center group went to Christmas Wonderland. We loved looking at all the displays and Brycen found the blinking lights to be fascinating. Then today there was a Mom and Tot party at my friend Kate's...25 adults & 38 kids...pure, fun, chaos!!

Oh what a night...

Last night was definitely one of those nights. It is starting to get really cold here, so I turned the fireplace on to warm up. Brycen started crawling towards it and I diverted his attention. I had not turned around for 2 seconds and he was putting his hand on the hot glass. I ran it under cold water, but he would not quit crying, so I decided to call the pediatrician. I took him in and they put some creme on him and bandaged him up. While they were working on him, I starting getting light-headed and sweating really bad. So there Brycen was crying while the nurse is holding him and I am sitting in the chair with my head between my knees. We left the Dr.'s office and headed for Rite-Aid to fill his prescription. They had just called me up to check me out when again, I started feeling weak and light-headed. I sat down and started throwing up. I was so embarrassed. There was this nice lady there who watched Brycen for me while I went to the bathroom. I guess I must have the flu, because I was sick all night and Brycen woke up this a.m throwing up and the whole works!! So fun....oh yeah and did I mention that Les is out of town :) From the looks of the pic below, the hand is fine, but my "mom competency" is bruised.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Thanksgiving weekend. We were in Indiana and like always had a great time. There was so much food this year I could hardly believe it (2 dessert tables and everything from enchiladas to turkey and stuffing). Brycen had a great time playing (bullying) with his cousins Jayden and Keegan.

I loved the outfit I had Brycen in, but I have a feeling, by the pics, that it will be one of those outfits he will look back at when he is older and say "Mom, why did you dress me like that?" Thank you to Ron and Linda for hosting such a great time and thank you to Aunt Cissy for being creative with Brycen and making a reindeer shirt!

50/50/75

Brycen had his 9 month checkup today and here are his stats:
Weight... 20 lbs. 10 ozs. (50th percentile)
Height... 28 " (50th percentile)
Head circumference... can't remember, but 75th percentile!
HHMMM!! He gets that from his daddy...

Fall Colors

It was such a beautiful fall here and the colors were amazing. These pics were taken by our friend Vickie while were out walking one morning. That is her cute dog Mabel! I love that Brycen got to experience playing in the leaves (something he wouldn't have been able to do in Amarillo, due to the lack of trees!)

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! Brycen was a lion and he looked so cute in his costume that I just wanted to eat him up!! We had a Halloween party at Mothers Center on Thursday, and Brycen was so intrigued by the other kids all dressed up, that he just kept staring at them. Last night we went over to our friends the Hoskins for some chili and beer bread, then came home and handed out candy to the millions of little kids in our neighborhood. Fun times...

If you look closely you can see Brycens two teeth in the top pic.

Just the two of us...

We were in Columbus, Indiana for all of last week visiting Les's family. We had such a good time and ate great food (as always)! We were able to take in a few football games to see his nephew Anthony. He is ranked #1 in the state for interceptions...only 3 more to go to break the school record! Way to go!!
Les and I were lucky enough to get away for a few days by ourselves. We went to Cincinnati, stayed in a nice hotel and took in some of the fun sights. It was so good to get away and we desperately needed it. Thanks Ron, Linda, Nanny, Aunt Cissy and Tierra for watching Brycen. He is so lucky to have such great family that totally adores him.

First Teeth!!

Brycen has cut his first teeth!!! He has gotten his two front bottom ones. I knew he was getting close, but of course it happened while his Nana and Grand-daddy had him for a few days. He was actually really good and sleeping through the night while they had him, but then as soon as Les and I got home he has started waking up crying in the middle of the night. I can't believe how tired I am! I hope he is not this miserable with each and every tooth that comes in...

We miss you too...

You know it is sad to live away from parents and grandparents when you receive emails like the following...

Brycen,
Winter is sometimes cold and lonely, and loneliness is an empty swing.

Your friend,

The Backyard Swing

Pumpkin Farm

Yesterday we went to a pumpkin farm that is near our house. There was so much to do and so many animals to see! Brycen loved seeing the pigs, cows and sheep! There were about 8 piglets that were so cute, but Les wouldn't let me bring one home. I love that the weather is changing, and the color of the leaves. Snow is just right around the corner!!

Utah Again...

Brycen and I had such a fun time in Utah. We originally went out because Les was going to be out of town to China and India, and my mom was having her knee replaced. Just as Brycen and I had checked our bags, Les's trip got cancelled! NO FAIR! Well my mom was stilll having her surgery so we still flew out to keep her company, and try to keep her mind off the pain. The weather was unusually warm, so Papa rigged a swing about 15 ft. up in the trees and Brycen loved it!!! Dad, remember your not 19 anymore... My mom is recovering well, and it was good to spend some time with her. Thanks to Aunt Betsy for babysitting "soldier" while I pampered myself. This will most likely be our last trip out for a while :(

Who is 93???

Two weeks ago we were in Indiana for Les's birthday and to go the the Colts season opener. We had such a good time relaxing with family. Thank you to Cissy for watching Brycen for us. We had a really good time at the game. The Colts are in a beautiful new stadium that looks out over the Indianapolis skyline. Too bad they didn't play great, but it was fun to be there all the same!!

All great things must come to an end...

After 8 wonderful years enjoying free flying with Delta it is sadly over!! When I was furloughed from Delta in 2003 I was given 5 years of flying benefits. Les and my parents got the same great deal and we were able to travel wherever, whenever (space available, of course). Some of the memories include Ireland (numerous times), Jamaica, Peru, San Diego, and many others. I also had the luxury of being able to go to Utah all the time. I miss flying like crazy, and I am sad that my Delta days are over, but am grateful to them for being so generous!

Happy Birthday Babes!!

Today is Les's 35th Birthday. We are in Indiana visiting his family and tonight we are going to a Colts game with our friends Tyrone and Lori. I hope you have a great birthday babes and here's to at least 35 more!!

Bye Bye Bauters

My parents were in town this week and it was very nice having the help and just relaxing. My dad worked in the yard (instructing us that our landscaping wouldn't die if we just watered once in a while), we took in a Toledo Mudhens baseball game and ate some yummy food. Thanks again for the help Mom and Dad, see you next month!!

1/2 way there

Brycen had his 6 month checkup this week and the Dr. says he is doing really well.
Weight...17lbs. 10ozs. (50-75th percentile)
Height...26" (50th percentile)
My only real concern was his constant spitting/throwing up. He does it all the time and not necessarily right after he eats. Apparently I was a thrower uper so she told me not to worry! There is nothing like thrown up carrots all over...

Welcome Hoskins Family

This last weekend was Les's company picnic at the Toledo Zoo. The Toledo Zoo is ranked as one of the top 10 so it was fun to take Brycen there for the first time. Then that evening we had a babysitter for the first time so Les and I could go to a neighborhood party!! Brycen was so tuckered out from the zoo that he slept the entire time for the sitter...lucky her.

We are also so excited to welcome our good friends the Hoskins family to Toledo. They are good friends of ours from Amarillo, that are also relocating here with Owens Corning. We are so excited to have them here and can't wait to start up some poker games again. WELCOME HOSKINS FAMILY

Thanks for the great time!

We had such a great time in Utah. I must give a few shout out's:
My parents...Thank you soooo much for everything. I don't think that you realized how much stuff a 5 month could accumulate! Thank you for letting us turn your house upside down for so long. And most of all, thank you for watching Brycen so Les and I could enjoy a much needed full day to ourselves! Mom, thank you also for doing Brycens wash every single day... I can promise you he won't get that treatment at home!
Betsy...Thank you for giving up your room to us for sooo long. Thank you also for being such a great Aunt.
Linda... Thank you for saving us when we were stranded in Cincinnati... It could have been a long night, and it was a perfect end(in theory) to a good vacation!
Uncle Bill and my good friend Whitney...Thank you for all the great pics that you took of Brycen. I love them!!
Below are some of the MANY pictures taken while we were there. There were so many good ones that I can't choose. I will put some others in a slide show when I get a chance.

Grams and Brycen

Brycen and Great-Grandma Janie

Looks like Brycen is about to be dinner!

Les on Alpine Coaster in Park City

Papa Bauter

Whitney, Andrea and I

Fun in the Sun

Brycen is having such a fun time with his Aunt Betsy. She is so good to him and she calls him her "soldier". We will be sad to leave.

Fun In Utah

Brycen and I are in Utah and this was the first time he has been swimming. He did so well and really seemed to like it. I am so happy because I really want to get him swimming lessons while he is young. Brycen can't wait for Les to get out here so they can splash around together!

Thanks!!

It was so fun to see Paul and Ammie. They were in town visiting from Indiana. Thanks Paul for putting up ceiling fans and thanks Ammie for making a yummy spaghetti dinner! Brycen had so much fun with you (and oh yeah so did Les and I) :)

Crack Kills

This is one of our feeble attempts to sit up on our own...

Up and Runnin'

We finally have our basement back in order and I am now able to post some pics. Some are from the 4th of July weekend (which was supposed to be spent out of town, but we decided it would be a lot more fun to stay here and shop vac water).

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to introduce solids to Brycen? I am trying to start him off on rice and oatmeal, but he hates the taste and so it just sits in his mouth until I turn away and he can spit it out. I put rice in his last bottle at night, but I would really like to start him on using a spoon. Any suggestion would be helpful!!