Three B's in a Pod

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T20:19:00.002-05:00

We celebrated our five year anniversary in the Bahamas this month :-)

Big Boy Room!

2012-01-22T21:47:00.007-05:00

Deegan's room is almost done. Just a few finishing touches left. He was SO excited about his big boy room. I was excited too. Until I read him books and tucked him into his big boy bed. Then I walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and held back tears. I was focused so much on the project of his room that I didn't realize what it meant... our little boy is growing up. And worse... I won't be rocking him in the rocker at night as his little head wobbles back and forth and he drifts off to sleep in my arms. Sigh.
The bed we got for Deegan has storage underneath. Storage is a good thing, but it makes the bed very high! We were sure to get some rails to keep our little peanut from falling out...although he already did. Just once. On his head. He didn't cry, but I heard a loud thump in the night and turned on the monitor just in time to see him climbing his steps and settling back into bed.... so I didn't go in and let him be independent. The next morning I asked why his blankie and teddy were on the floor. His response "Me fall down go boom last night." Poor little guy.

The steps are custom made by daddy-o. Deegan loves them. They are like a new toy. He goes up and down them several times a day.

We painted stripes using Frog tape and we were thrilled with the results. Clean lines that required very little touch up. The stripes add color and fun, but they aren't too "childish" and Deegan can grow and enjoy the stripes for years. The baseball lamp is fun too. Since this photo we have changed the knobs on the dresser to little baseball knobs- one of my favorite details of the room. One of the last things to add to the room is a black and white photograph of Ty Cobb over the dresser. Should be a nice touch.

G and Nani got Deegan this shelf. It is a fun addition to the room and a great place to put things we don't want Deegan playing with.

Our little guy loves his bed. The baseball theme was a good choice for us- it will last for many years and doesn't feel too "toddler-ish". The bedding is from Pottery Barn Teen in case you wondered.

Looking into Deegan's old room (what we call the nursery) and seeing an empty bed each night is a strange thing. Hard to believe that the baby/crib phase of Deegan's life has passed and we'll soon be doing it all over again in May with our next little bundle!

Big Brother

2012-01-19T21:34:00.003-05:00

Baby number two is growing and we are starting to rearrange our lives a bit to make room for him or her! Deegan got a new bedroom (I hope to share more in the next post) and we are crunching to get some things done around the house before a newborn comes and takes our free time away. We have talked to Deegan about the baby and he knows the baby is in my belly, but I know he doesn't realize the true impact that the baby will have...
Deegan wanted to be a part of the belly pictures and he was especially concerned about the owie on my belly- a scratch that I got from Junebug, our cat.

Deegan was a nice little boy and kissed the owie. What a sweet boy. When Deegan talks about the baby he refers to the baby as "my baby" and it melts my heart.

Baby is doing well and growing as expected. We had our 20 week ultrasound and chose not to find out the sex so we will have a big surprise in May! I am 23 weeks pregnant as of now and feeling pretty good. Less heartburn than the last pregnancy (Amen!) and less weight gain so far (hoping to continue that trend). Baby is very active and J has been able to feel him/her kicking away on many occasions. I have put Deegan's hand on my belly and let him feel, but Deegan doesn't hold still long enough... we'll keep trying!

Jump Jump!

2012-01-05T20:53:00.004-05:00

Can you tell that I got a new camera? I am having fun taking pictures again and capturing some great moments! We were playing in the basement the other day and Deegan was running and jumping into his ball pit- what fun!
He doesn't seem to feel pain! He can be so rough! He always seems to be running, jumping, bouncing, yelling or banging on something!

I am so thankful we have a basement where we can put all of D's toys and the space for him to run wild. When it is rainy or bitter cold out it is great to have a place to go and release some energy... because Deegan has an excess of it! I am looking forward to the day we have another little one that can run around with him!

Santa

2012-01-01T14:26:00.006-05:00

Deegan was very interested in Santa this year. He loved putting on the Santa hat we have at home and passing out "presents". The presents were usually toys, one of his socks, or even a dirty diaper. It was pretty entertaining.
We made our trip to the Santa House on December 23rd. It was the last night that Santa was at the house, so I went early and waited in line before Deegan and J came. The Santa House is a lot of fun and we all enjoyed looking around at all of the elves, trains, toys, etc. in the house.

Did I tell you how excited I am that Deegan is looking at the camera again?! It seems like we haven't had many decent pictures for months. We got the traditional family photo in the sleigh... We'll probably have one of these every year for the next ten years.

Deegan wanted to be up high on Daddy's shoulders so he could check things out. He had a lot to say about the Santa House but was a little unsure about some of the scary looking elves.

Deegan sat happily on Santa's lap and they chatted for a bit. Deegan said that he had been a good boy and he would like a fire truck. Deegan talked about being nice to his friends and said he listens to his mommy and daddy. Santa asked him to work extra hard on picking up his toys.... we'll see how that goes.

Visiting the Santa House isn't the most important thing we do during the Christmas Season, but it is a fun tradition that I am sure we'll continue. And hopefully Deegan will keep in mind what Santa said!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-30T14:41:00.009-05:00

Merry Christmas! I realize I am a few days late, but it is taking approximately ten minutes for each photo to upload... which means I have to have a significant amount of time set aside to blog.

Deegan was very excited about putting up the Christmas tree and enjoyed looking at the ornaments each day and hitting the buttons on the ones that play music at least once an hour.

We always take pictures of Momma/Deegan and Daddy/Deegan on Christmas. This year I received a new tripod (and camera) so I will be able to get full family shots!
I am so excited that Deegan is willing to look at the camera and smile again! We went for several months without any eye contact to the camera!

Santa brought Deegan some presents wrapped in Santa paper. Deegan was extremely interested in the "Santa situation" this year.

He had a lot of fun playing with new toys and is still enjoying them.

Mimi and Papa got Deegan a new firetruck. He tested it out on Christmas Day and had a good time. He looks good in red, doesn't he?

I am always a little sad to see Christmas go. It is a time of year that I enjoy so much. The time with family, reflecting about all God's blessings in our lives and the joy of family traditions.

I hope your Christmas season was full of joy and peace!

We're back!

2011-12-12T20:45:00.004-05:00

It's been far too long since my last blog...
In fact, I just downloaded this picture from my camera to my computer. I am hoping to make more time for blogging because I really miss it! I have lots of pictures to share including our camping trip, some fun in the backyard, seeing Santa arrive in Midland, the Christmas walk and seeing reindeer, and more! I also have belly pictures to share of baby #2... due May 14! I don't have time tonight because I want to g0 to bed very early, but I will get to it soon!

Touch-a-Truck

2011-09-06T21:46:00.006-04:00

This July Deegan and I braved the miserable Michigan heat and humidity to go touch a bunch of trucks. Deegan wore his special shirt with a loader on it. They passed out the yellow helmets, which I thought was adorable until I saw the sweat running down Deegan's head and found that his hair was soaked with sweat.The Cherry-Picker was the first truck. Deegan kept pointing at the bucket and saying "Cherry picker way up high."

I am not sure what truck was next... maybe it was the garbage truck.

Deegan especially like the roller.

And of course, a John Deere tractor. Deegan really had a great time and I was impressed with his behavior. He had to wait in line for 10-15 minutes before sitting in the truck, then he only had a minute to enjoy it before it was someone else's turn. He was patient, he was great... until we were waiting in line for the fire truck and he smacked the woman in front of us on the rear. Then I decided it was time to leave.

A Fun Family Vacation

2011-08-24T15:40:00.021-04:00

We had a fun vacation in July. For J it meant a little bit of work; J and G (J's dad) rode their bikes from our driveway in Midland to Mackinac Island. This picture isn't the greatest, but this is them in our driveway before their long trek. The ride was almost 200 miles.

We went up to Mackinaw City the night before J and G arrived so we could welcome them. My mom, Deegan and I rode up together and had some fun before meeting with the rest of the family. Nana was trying to teach Deegan how to throw rocks appropriately... instead of throwing handfuls of sand. He liked looking at the "really big bridge" (and he said it in his deepest voice).

Deegan was excited to see his Daddy, and Daddy was very excited to see Deegan. J doesn't like to be away from him for too long.

Deegan was interested in the ferry ride. He was busy taking it all in (and trying to wiggle out of my arms and go exploring).

Once J and G arrived on the island they rode around the perimeter one time to complete their long, long ride! We were all so proud of them- what an accomplishment!

We toured Mackinac Island in a wagon pulled by horses. It was interesting and Deegan liked to watch the horses. The tour was a little long... but Deegan made it through without a major meltdown.

First kayak ride for Deegan- he kept talking about the boats and really wanted to go for a ride, but once he was on it and had to hold still he lost interest. J says it was fun while it lasted. We'll try again next year!

Another first- Deegan roasted his first marshmallow and had his first s'more. He was intrigued by the fire but had a healthy fear of it and didn't want to get too close. He wasn't shy about the s'more though- he dug right in!

Deegan loves his cousins. Jay and Nell are a lot of fun and they love Deegan back. I love this picture of them walking and holding hands. So sweet. You should hear him talk about his cousins Jay and Nelly, it will melt your heart.

Our attempt at a self-portrait. I asked him to smile big and this is what I got. I was laughing so hard when I looked at the camera afterwards. What a silly, silly boy.

Three generations of Brandles on the pier in Charlevoix. Walking out on the pier never gets old. The water is beautiful, the boats are fun to look at and the wind is refreshing. Deegan liked the view too and we even got to watch some kids jumping off the pier into the water. It looked fun!

It has become a tradition that we go into Charlevoix on the last night of our vacation and get ice cream from Kilwin's. Then we head over to the park and Deegan runs like a wild man on the grass. We all took turns chasing him... G included. What fun!

Another summer vacation is done. We had so much fun, and exploring with Deegan is always an adventure. He loved to be around his family and we found time to relax, laugh, swim, watch sunsets, enjoy bonfires and more. Michigan is absolutely beautiful and I can't think of two boys I'd rather share it with than J and Deegan. Our tradition of going to the yellow house with G and Nani has become something special to J and I and I hope we can continue it long enough that it begins to hold a special place in Deegan's heart too.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T14:10:00.002-04:00

Seeing Deegan so happy at the beach made my heart smile :-)

Swimmin' Class

2011-07-29T21:18:00.008-04:00

Deegan LOVED "swimmin' class" (that's how he says it). It was only 30 minutes a week but we have seen significant growth in Deegan's comfort level and interest in the water. I had hoped to have Deegan in swimming lessons before he was 12 months, but it never happened.

Deegan thought it was interesting that we had a teacher and that she had to give us directions. He talked about his "swimmin' teacher" a lot and always pointed her out when we walked up to the pool. Here she is helping Deegan kick...

I found that Deegan was so interested in watching everyone else that he didn't always practice the skills we were working on. I plan on signing him up for the same class again this fall or winter to continue practicing and make sure he doesn't regress over the winter. Before this class Deegan didn't like us washing his hair in the bath tub and wasn't comfortable with the water on his face during a shower. This class made a huge difference- now he crawls in the water, asked to go underwater and dances around in the shower.

One of the "highlights" of the class was teaching Deegan to go underwater. The first time he was "dunked", it was done by the teacher. She blew in his face then swooped him through the water- completely submerging him. I was waiting for him when he came up and was all smiles and cheers to make sure he knew what he had just done was indeed a good and fun thing! I wasn't sure how it was going to go over, but the first thing he said afterward was "more please." Now when we go swimming he asks to go under at least once. The class also teaches kids how to climb out and use the edge of the pool to move toward a ladder.

It was a fun time for Deegan and I and I am so glad we did it. It was great for Deegan to get more comfortable with water, but also to learn how to follow directions better (which is often a challenge these days). Hope you are all enjoying summer. Soon it will be August and I'll have to go back to work! The time is flying by SO quickly!

Father's Day

2011-07-21T20:49:00.006-04:00

I am way behind. I am going to stop saying that, you can just assume that I'll post pictures a few months after they've been taken. Someday I will catch up... maybe. Father's Day was a good time! Deegan and I bought a few things for J, including a book. When I asked Deegan to give Daddy his present Deegan said "Here, Daddy book" and handed it to him...
Grandpa came over for a little while and pushed Deegan in the swing.

Then we sat back in our chairs and watched Deegan run through the sprinkler.

Then Deegan and I made some cookies for our Father's Day dinner with G. It was tough for me because I couldn't eat raw dough in front of Deegan (but of course I snuck some when he left the room).

When you have such a big and involved family, days like Father's Day are full of love. Deegan was thrilled to have two of his grandpas over. He absolutely loves having family over and spending time with family.

"Boy Stuff"

2011-06-22T12:48:00.004-04:00

Sometimes Deegan and J do "boy stuff" together- like washing the rims of J's car. Deegan had a great time helping daddy. Deegan has such an interest in cars and trucks- he was happy to get a chance to help!The wheels got very clean... Deegan's coat got dirtier.

I can't wait for the days when Deegan and J can go hunting, fishing and golfing together. And don't worry, if we have a girl someday, she'll have opportunities to do all of the same things!

Easter Bunny

2011-06-15T12:34:00.008-04:00

Yes, I realize it is June 15 and Easter was a long time ago, but these are some cute pictures! Deegan made this cute bunny hat at daycare. He was happy to put it on for a little bit...We had a lot of fun on Easter. Deegan did a great job during the Easter Egg hunt in our backyard. We filled the eggs with mini marshmallows and fruit snacks. He opened the egg, the marshmallows fell into the grass, then it was a race between Deeg and Duke to see who could

get them first.

Oops... "Mama fix it?!" Deegan asks us to fix things often- he doesn't like when things are broken or out of place. He wasn't happy once he pulled the nose off the bunny and we couldn't fix it.

It is amazing to see how much he has changed since Easter... in only a few short months!

Yay!

2011-06-14T15:38:00.005-04:00

Why am I saying "Yay!"? I am so excited to have summer here to spend more time with Deeg. We've been having all sorts of fun lately... but I haven't been blogging about it. I'll try to catch everyone up. Some updates on everyone...

Deegan has been enjoying the warm weather and spending a lot of time outside (pictures to come). He doesn't do much walking whe he's outside though- and his legs are covered with bruises. J and I continue to be impressed by his language- he is talking about everything and it is hilarious and amazing. Deeg is really into cars, trucks and motorcycles right now. What a boy. He spends hours pushing around his trucks, cars and buses. He even says "beep beep Mama" if I am in his way. Driving in the car is an adventure because he stares out the window to find a big truck, tow truck, fire truck, bus, motorcycle or ambulance that he can talk about.

J is taking one spring class at Delta and plans on taking the rest of the summer off. He'll continue school part time, but is going to return to work full-time as of now. He is planning on riding his bike from Midland to Mackinac Island with his dad in July, but has had a hard time fitting in all of the training since he has been out of town for three weeks. Deeg and I miss him.

I successfully finished teaching another school year. It was a challenging year and I cannot believed how much I learned. I am looking forward to teaching the same program next year and using the knowledge and skills I gained. I am taking two graduate classes this summer towards my Master's degree and am excited for a break from teaching and more time with Deeg. We started Deegan's swim class last night and he loved it. We're also going to take a tumbling class in July and August- that should be fun!

Happy Summer to everyone and stop back to see more updates!

Brushin' Teeth

2011-04-11T19:51:00.003-04:00

When we began brushing Deegan's teeth he loved it... then the novelty wore off. We tried a few things- J would brush with Deegan, we bought a scooby doo spinbrush and we let him watch himself in the mirror. None of those strategies lasted for long. Then we found a strategy that worked... brushing Duke's teeth at the same time! J brushes Duke's teeth and I brush Deeg's. Deegan loves it and it hasn't grown old yet.

And...You'd think all the brushing would help Duke's breath... but it has not.

We're Still Here...

2011-04-04T22:02:00.008-04:00

Blogging has become more difficult now that I have a child who won't hold still for the camera. The challenge only becomes greater if I am alone with Deegan and am attempting to entertain him while taking pictures. He seems to get unhappy when I disappear behind the camera. I recently showed him that we can look at the pictures after.... now that impressed him and he began to smile!

I have so many things to share with you about Deegan- I don't know where to start. He is talking so much and we love it! He can really communicate with us and voice his opinions such as "more ranch!", "Mama Funny!" or "Daddy's Car!" He likes to identify objects around the house and who they belong to. He has quite the memory for names and loves looking at pictures of friends or family. He has become quite affectionate with the dog and cat, but is still a little rough on the cat. We've been practicing using the potty again... nothing serious, but giving him opportunities to go.

I just finished spending a week straight with Deegan for Spring Break and I had a blast! We laughed, played and he even let me cuddle him for about 12 seconds.... it was a good time! We love our silly little boy. He keeps our days bright... even when the winter weather keeps on comin'!

O-bot!

2011-03-07T21:25:00.002-05:00

Deegan is always asking for "O-Bot." That means robot, which means he wants to watch "The Best of Elmo 2"... his favorite DVD in the whole world. The other night we turned it on and Deegan watched... naked... from his Spartans chair. What a silly boy.

Keeping busy...

2011-02-14T21:04:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago we were hit with a big storm. Deegan and I had two snow days at home together. Deegan's teething was at his worst, so we did everything we could to keep him busy and his mind off the pain. To get him excited about eating again we got out his big boy plate. He LOVES using his big boy plates and has now learned that the smallest part of the plate is intended for ketchup or ranch... or both.
While J snowblowed the driveway, Deegan and I did the dishes. He likes the bubbles and enjoyed watching the snow fly around outside.

The floor got awfully wet, but we had a good time... and when you're snowed in for two days straight with a teething 18 month old... ya do what ya gotta do.

He still likes...

2011-02-13T21:46:00.003-05:00

This silly little boy still likes his exersaucer. We put it in the basement months ago and when we go down there he points at it and says "baby... baby... baby.... in? in?" Deegan knows that it is for babies, but he still likes to get in and bounce around.
Last month a baby started at Deegan's daycare. The baby is a year younger than Deegan and Deegan loves seeing "Baby Beau" every morning. Every morning when we go to daycare Deegan says the names of everyone at the daycare, including the family members that live there!

When I think about words to describe Deegan a few words that come to mind are: silly, upbeat, energetic, happy, determined and persistent. What a silly little peanut we have... I can't wait to share some recent silly photos!

What we've been up to...

2011-01-30T14:19:00.008-05:00

We've been having all sorts of fun in the house this winter. Bath time is usually good for a few laughs and smiles.
Deegan loves Elmo, and of course there's an Elmo in the tub.

Look how he's grown!

Deegan recently learned that crayons don't taste so good.

He continues to be a silly, silly boy...

He loves books, especially if they have to do with Sesame Street.

Deegan is doing really well communicating with us. He is able to answer yes and no questions quite well, which is a blessing and a curse. We'll ask him "Deegan, can you give Mommy a kiss?" and he walks away saying "no". At bedtime we'll read a book and rock him, then ask "Deeg, do you want to get in your bed or rock?" and he'll answer "bed". He has been throwing his fair share of tantrums, ya know, the kind where kids throw their arms up and make their body go limp... where do kids learn that stuff?

Even though he can be quite a little stinker, he makes us laugh so much every day!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T20:14:00.002-05:00

The First Haircut

2011-01-13T21:07:00.005-05:00

Our little peanut was due for a haircut... but how I loved those curls. I absolutely adored them and it took me a long time to be comfortable cutting them.
For several days though, Deegan would run, be wild and be his usual self. The sweat from his head and neck made his hair go wild... so I figured he needed a trim.

J had been suggesting we get Deegan a haircut for a long time, so he was totally on board... but with every snip I felt like we were moving a little bit further away from having a baby, and a little bit closer to having a toddler.

Deegan wasn't sure about the experience, in fact, he didn't think he should trust the woman with scissors at all. Every time she was about to snip, he'd jerk his head quickly.

She was nervous that she was going to cut his ear off. During the haircut the only way to entertain Deeg was to pull down a mannequin head and let Deegan check it out. He kept pointing up and saying "head." I suppose I should've gotten a picture of him playing with the mannequin head- it was entertaining.

All in all, it was a success. Our little boy does look a bit more grown up, which is hard on this momma's heart. Where does the time go? While I miss the little bundle that used to be content in my arms for hours on end, I am so amazed everyday by the amazing changes and learning that has taken place.

And one thing I am soaking up like crazy...Deegan is now becoming a cuddler again- he approaches us and puckers up for a kiss or leans in for a hug, then rests his head on your shoulder. It melts my heart and makes me feel like one lucky momma.

Tunnel

2011-01-10T22:29:00.000-05:00

The tunnel took a little break, but it is back and Deegan is using it all the time. What a character he is! He is doing so much talking and imitating everything we say. He likes to repeat the last word in your sentence. For example, I get home from work and ask J "How was your day" and our little guy will say "day.... day." Very funny.

He has learned a few new signs and has some new routines around our house. He recent obsession has been the Sparty toy that J has. Deegan will ask to go get Sparty, then he'll make his rounds in the basement. He likes to point at the litterbox and say "potty, potty, potty." Then we walk to the drying and he wants to look inside to make sure his blankie isn't in there. I open the door and he checks the lint tray. Next we walk to the cat food and Deegan says "buggy" (his name for Junebug). After that we examine the pots that are stored in the basement and Deegan tells me they are hot. The next stop is the Scarface poster that shows a bloodied Al Pacino and Deegan says "Nony" which is his attempt at Tony.

We do this at least once a day. It is pretty hilarious. In fact, Deegan is just a funny boy right now. He also learned the sign for yes, so whenever he really wants something he'll sign yes afterward. He walks to the gate leading to the basement and attempts to say "basement" then signs yes... over and over. He also walks to the fridge and says "grapes" and signs yes, over and over. He is still a high energy kiddo and we are having so much fun watching him grow!

Rub-a-dub-dub

2011-01-08T22:16:00.006-05:00

Pictures from tub time never get old. Deegan usually loves his baths, but occasionally he's in a hurry to get in and out so he can move on to something else.
He loves to be squirted with his squirt toys in the tub. We squirt his head to get his hair wet and he laughs as the water runs down his face.

And of course he likes to play with all of the shampoo bottles.

And the classic mohawk...

This was one of those nights that he was in a hurry to get out, so he wasn't thrilled about us playing with his hair. Since this picture he has had a haircut, and boy did he need it!

More Christmas...

2010-12-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

After Christmas morning at our house, we went to visit Grandma or "Nana" as Deegan says and Grandpa or "Boppa" Martin. We had a delicious brunch and then Deegan opened some presents.
When he spotted his new bike he couldn't stay away... he loves it! Today he got in his wagon in our basement and said "bike." We'll have to work on that.

And who is this? Well, you've read that Deegan loves the book "The Pout Pout Fish" and if you've seen the book, you know who that is. Can you believe that Nana made that for Deegan? After searching the Internet, we were disappointed to find that we couldn't buy a stuffed Pout Pout Fish... but worry no more! Deegan loves it and it has slept in his bed with him for two nights now.

And of course, Deeg loves his new baseball and bat. I nearly got a fat lip when he hit the ball right into my face. We decided this toy will be kept in the basement or outdoors!

After spending some time with Nana and Boppa Martin we got on the road and went to see Papa and Mimi Lewis and Nell and Jay. Unfortunately, Deegan was grouchy and I didn't take any pictues! I am sure that Mimi did, so maybe I can get them and post them!

It was a long day for Deegan- so many people to see and things to do. He LOVES to be around his family and friends, which makes me so happy. His eyes light up when he hears the name of one of his family or friends or when we pull in their driveway. This touches my heart and means so much to me, since family and friends mean everything to J and I. Deegan, J and I all received some nice gifts, but the best gifts we have are each other and all the people in our lives.

Christmas Morning

2010-12-30T22:35:00.006-05:00

Every morning feels special when you get to wake up to this sweet boy...
Christmas morning was fun at our house. Deeg and I had hot cocoa (which Deegan LOVES) and J has his coffee. Then we pointed at every ornament on the tree and said what it was, Next Deeg enjoyed playing with his gifts from Nani and G and then he opened a few gifts from Santa.

My favorite tradition on Christmas has become opening the gift that Deegan made for us and then taking a picture in front of the tree.

This year, Christmas snuck up on me. I didn't slow down and take time to enjoy the holiday season until Christmas was here. I have always enjoyed the Christmas Eve Service at church, it gives me some time to reflect, rejoice and remember what Christmas is all about. This year, I had to find my own way to do it, because I spent the service juggling Deegan and entertaining him by dropping prayer request cards on the floor so he could pick them up and put them in the correct place... over and over. And as I dropped each prayer request card I smiled inside, because I am blessed with a son who is healthy and happy, family who loves us and a God who loves us, no matter how much noise we make in church or how many prayer request cards we crumple up.

Mess = Fun

2010-12-14T20:58:00.003-05:00

You know it has been a fun day when the living room likes like a tornado hit. We received a package in the mail and of course, Deegan was very interested in the box and packing material.
We figure, you're only a kid once...

so make a mess and have a good time!

A late Halloween post

2010-11-27T16:56:00.003-05:00

Halloween isn't a big deal in our house but it is a good reason to get together with family and enjoy some tasty treats. Deegan was a bumble bee for Halloween. And what goes with a bumblebee?
A flower and a bee-keeper of course!

We went to J's dad and Selene's which has become an annual tradition. We ate all sorts of delicious treats and stayed inside since it was so chilly outside. Deeg wasn't sure about his costume and preferred that the hood stay down. All in all, it was a good time!

So thankful...

2010-11-24T20:46:00.009-05:00

There is so much to be thankful for, but the number one is this little guy:
Deegan's hair is growing longer, his vocabulary is growing larger and his personality is developing more and more each day.

Deegan loves Elmo. He says "moe" and points at the computer because he wants to watch Sesame Street songs on You Tube. His favorite is "Elmo's Song."

Deegan has really been enjoying his books. He has a handful of favorites- books with pictures of objects he can name, a book about the Detroit Tigers and a book with picture of family inside it.... and The Pout Pout Fish (which requires an entirely different blog entry).

We're thankful for our healthy and happy little boy and we're thankful for the numerous friends and family that love him, nurture him and keep him safe. We're thankful for our family members that we know we can count on and enjoy sharing company with. We're also thankful for friends- even if we don't see them as often as we'd like to!

I'm thankful to be a part of a marriage that is full of support, laughter and love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope you take some time to remember what you're thankful for and celebrate it.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T21:30:00.001-04:00

Pumpkins

2010-10-31T11:19:00.005-04:00

J bought some pumpkins a few weeks back and Deegan has been so interested in them. Every time we were in the garage he would point at them and want to get down and touch them. When we finally brought them in the house he got really excited!
Deegan wasn't too interested in the carving or touching the pumpkin slime. He had a lot of fun looking at the pumpkins outside once we lit them up.

Tonight we'll take some pictures of Deeg in his costume and I will share them with you later this week.

Since I blogged last Deegan has learned several new words and got his new molars (I think we're still waiting on the fourth to come through his gums though). He is growing and changing quickly and I am astonished with the things he remembers and picks up on. This weekend he keeps going to Duke's treat dish and wants to give Duke a treat. He also learned the word "booger" because he's had a runny nose and I keep having to chase him down to clean him up!

J is working really hard at school. I am impressed with his self-discipline. He has been hunting a lot but got his second buck last night (an 8 point). He got an injury this week when he was taking a tree stand out of the tree and the wind blew down a nearby tree- he sprained his neck but is going to be okay.

My new job continues to go well and I am learning so much every day. I am growing to care about the students more and more and enjoy advocating for them and planning their day to suit their individual needs. The job is a challenge in many ways, but I feel so privileged to be a part of the children's lives.

J and I are doing our best to find the balance between family and work and have agreed that the time when Deegan is home in the evenings is our time to forget about school and work and just be a family. It is the best part of the day and it is great to forget about everything outside our living room and just be silly with Deeg.

Happy Halloween!

Balloons

2010-10-08T21:27:00.006-04:00

Deeg and I went to the balloonfest a few weekends ago. We got up early and headed over to the fairgrounds. It was beautiful to see all the balloons and the weather was perfect... if only it wasn't so early!
I brought Deeg's breakfast so he enjoyed some pancakes and sausage while we watch the balloons float over and land.

Once the place cleared out I let him run around on the gravel roads... he ran around, screaming and picking up rocks. It was a fun time!

We'll certainly be going back next year because Deeg couldn't stop saying "ball" and "wow."

It is so fun to experience things with Deegan. While we were at the Balloonfest I had more fun watching Deegan's face than looking at the balloons myself.

He's turning into such a little boy with quite the personality of his own. He has started throwing tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants and is now attached to one of his blankies and carries it around in the mornings and evenings. He is learning new things and changing so quickly... where does the time go?!

The Park

2010-09-28T21:32:00.009-04:00

Everyone in the Brandle household is enjoying the beautiful fall weather. We've gone to the park a few times and have taken many walk. Deegan is really starting to enjoy the park...
He has always been a fan of the swings and we love his laughs. We make faces as he swings toward us and look like two silly parents who would do anything to make their child laugh or smile... isn't that what parenting is about anyway?

Then Deegan wanted to explore elsewhere. He looks so old and independent- going where he wants and exploring his world.

One thing Deegan has not grown out of: pounding on things and screaming.

We each took a turn going down the slide (although J and I agreed we need to watch our weight if we want to continue using this particular slide).

Doesn't Deegan look so grown up? What an amazing journey it has been so far.

Everyday things are such an adventure with Deegan. After playing on the slide for a bit we chased each other through the low-hanging branches of the weeping willow and laughed loud belly laughs. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-09-12T22:19:00.002-04:00

Yep, we're busy... very busy. I don't have much free time right now and the free time I do have is being spent with this little boy...
and not blogging. I am sure you understand; just look at that smile and those cheeks. I promise, I'll blog again soon.

In the high chair

2010-09-02T20:30:00.003-04:00

This is going to be short because I am overwhelmed by the amount of school-related work I need to do before Tuesday. I have been working hard from 8-4, then giving all my attention to Deegan until he goes to bed, then working until bed time. J has been in the same boat too- trying to get school work done and stay ahead with assignments and readings.

Anyhoo... Deegan doesn't hold still much, except when he is sleeping, getting his diaper changed (which I am not sure we can say he is holding still), and when he's in the high chair.
When he gets bored he starts to run his food-covered hands through his hair. This results in a spikey look that may look cute from far away, but upon a closer look when you can see all the bits of hot dog, veggie burger, cheese and watermelon, it isn't so great.
He also makes this strange face. He makes this face and then breathes loudly through his nose... and no, I don't know why. He probably did it randomly and now that he gets such a response (laughter) he continues to do it. Needless to say, our meals are quite entertaining.

Amazed.

2010-08-20T22:32:00.005-04:00

We've been hanging around... chasing Deegan and enjoying the last two weeks of summer.

I continue to be amazed by the changes that each day brings and the feeling of love that overwhelms me. Some nights J and I lay in bed and talk about the new things that Deegan has learned or discovered. We look at him on the monitor and talk about how much we love him. His screams and giggles seem to be hanging in the air and my heart feels happy. What an amazing love.

Have you noticed that I am a bit emotional lately? I don't know what it is- Deegan turning one, me going back to work, or simply the experience of watching a person grow. What an amazing thing we get to do, us parents. We get to watch a baby grow, blossom and develop into the person they were meant to be. We get to shape them, encourage them and love them.

All this sentiment might make you wonder if we have a normal one year old. Yes... he is normal. He thrashes wildy during diaper changes. He refuses to eat most healthy foods. He arches his back and screams when we try to pick him up. He refuses to cuddle unless you have a touch and feel book or a bottle. He throws himself on the floor when you won't let him play with your cell phone or the remote. He doesn't hold still for a second.

But I think he is amazing. And when he finally holds still long enough for me to give him a squeeze and a kiss... I take it in, because I know I will have to wait a while before the next one.

Silly Boy

2010-08-16T10:03:00.007-04:00

This little boy is developing quite the personality! I am not sure I have ever laughed or smiled as much as I have in the last few weeks. Deegan loves to be tickled, loves to be chased (especially when he knows a diaper change is necessary) and LOVES to RUN!

Just a few of the silly things he has been doing lately:

1. Trying to grab the camera
2. Playing in Junebug's bed (he's also been chasing the poor cat)
3. Rolling around on the floor 4. Chewing on Dad's toe.
He certainly keeps us busy and entertained!

Now that it is August 16 (how did that happen?!) I am spending a lot more time thinking about school. I've been using my free-time to go into my classroom and prepare for the year. J starts college next week and I start working (without students) on August 31. We're spending the last few uninterrupted days enjoying summer and family time!

Let Him Eat Cake!

2010-08-14T21:15:00.005-04:00

Deegan was introduced to something very special last weekend...
banana cake and cream cheese frosting!

He really liked the frosting and getting messy- no surprise!

Then he seemed a little worn out from all of the excitement and sugar.

You know what is great about a summer birthday? No need to use the bathtub!

12 Month Check-Up

2010-08-11T21:41:00.003-04:00

Deeg and I went to visit his pediatrician this morning, and yep...

more shots. Now that he is older he calms down a bit faster, but I still hate that first cry- that big gasp of air he takes in as the first needle goes into his leg and the wail that follows.

We are in the process of weaning. Deegan is taking well to cow's milk and bottles. We went the entire day yesterday without nursing. I thought that the night of his birthday would be our last time, but I caved today. I had been miserable for hours from the lack of nursing and once Deegan was sobbing from his shot and made it very clear what would make him feel better I gave in. I suppose there's no rush... so we'll get there when we get there.

I have photos from Deeg's big day and some video to share, but right now I am caught up in the whirlwind of school starting and the excitement of a new classroom and a new year!

Happy Birthday my Sweet Deegan

2010-08-09T10:26:00.016-04:00

"Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?"

What can a mother say? One year has passed since Deegan came into our lives. We went from a husband and a wife to a family. We went from a couple that sleeps in to a couple that wakes up early to hear laughter and the pitter-patter of Deegan's feet on the floor. This amazing little boy has changed us. He has filled this house of ours with even more love than I knew possible. I still look forward to scooping him out of his crib every morning and getting his first smile of the day.

This first year has flown by. Everyone warned us that it would, and they were right. There is always something new, something exciting, some kind of anticipation for the next change. Deegan reminds me that life is a miracle and every day is a gift. These pictures don't capture his laughter, his words, his energy... but look how he's grown!

Birth

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months

12 Months

Happy Birthday my sweet little Deegan. I love you with all of my heart.

Vacation (Part 3)

2010-08-03T22:57:00.001-04:00

Aren't these some good looking kids? They are fun and sweet too. Deegan loves his cousins and it is very clear that they love him. It was a blessing to have a few days straight to spend with them. Deegan loves to watch them and listen to them. I know he'll learn great things from them.

They are so caring and happy to help with their little cousin.

I took a few turns carrying around the big guy in the backpack. It is a good workout if you're looking to burn some extra calories.

We ended our vacation by going into Charlevoix for some ice cream at Kilwin's (YUM). We went to the park and let Deegan run around- which was hilarious! I wish we had video of it. We enjoyed our ice cream and he ran wildly. Something about open spaces makes him want to RUN!

Thanks to Geoff and Selene for inviting us to spend some of your vacation time with you, and thanks for giving the girls the experience too! We enjoyed our time with everyone and feel so blessed to have family that we love to be around. We look forward to our future vacations together!

Vacation (Part 2)

2010-08-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

I have always loved walking on the beach and listening to the waves, enjoying the fresh air, and good conversation (or peace and quiet). What a relaxing way to begin the day.
We spent a lot of time simply relaxing... just sitting around and looking out at the shore.

I love this picture... can you tell where Deegan got those blue eyes?

Vacation (Part 1)

2010-08-01T19:31:00.000-04:00

We spent four days in beautiful Northern Michigan. Not only was the scenery beautiful, we got to enjoy the company of J's dad and Selene and our two nieces. We started by enjoying Lake Michigan.
There was something for everyone- a kayak, a float and a little boat.

Deegan enjoyed the water, but mostly enjoyed watching his cousins splash around with Grandpa.

Deegan loved to run wildly and scream along the beach.

What a sweet little boy. I love his little belly. Why isn't that cute on adults?

The lakeshore was beautiful. We spend a lot of time hunting for petoskey stones, but J's dad ALWAYS finds the most. We call him The Petoskey Stone Hunter.

I enjoyed a walk on the beach by myself during Deeg's naptime. So peaceful.

We took a morning walk every day. I could get used to that!

Long Time No Blog

2010-07-31T22:07:00.004-04:00

Long time no blog, eh? I have been focusing my energy toward other things these days, but don't worry, I will get you all caught up.

I was in a graduate class for five weeks and recently finished. I have also been preparing for the upcoming school year. I will be working for a new district and in a new position. I was laid off in the spring and sought out other employment. I was offered a job that I have always dreamed of, and am very excited about it! I will be teaching at the same middle school I went to in a 6-8 classroom for students with moderate cognitive impairments and multiple impairments.

J has been going to physical therapy twice a week and working on gaining flexibility in his wrist. We are pleased with the progress we've seen so far. And the really exciting news in our family? J is enrolled to be a full-time student at a local college this fall! We've been discussing this for years and I am so proud of him for pursuing it.

These changes will of course bring challenges, but I am very confident that we'll be just fine!

When we're not busy with school, work or therapy we are chasing around our little Deeg. Deegan is much more stable now and is practically running... we'll call it speed walking for now. He cut two new teeth this week (which wasn't so fun) and can now say "Moo" and "Baa" like a farm animal. We've been putting a lot of miles on our bikes and using this new bike seat we got for Deegan. We love the seat, Deegan loves the rides, and we love exercising.

I'll be posting a bit more this week to get caught up before Deeg's big day!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T22:02:00.001-04:00

Deeg's New Wheels

2010-07-18T21:18:00.004-04:00

Grandpa, also known as "Bumpa" got Deeg some new wheels. These cozy coupes have come a long way since I was young!
Deeg was content cruising along.

Don't you love the vanity plate?

More Chompers

2010-07-11T10:21:00.000-04:00

Deegan's smile is changing...

These three new chompers have moved down even more. When he smiles or laughs we can see them. They really change his "look" and he looks so much older.... which makes me ask myself where did my tiny little baby go? He is beginning to look and act like a toddler. We are starting to plan his first birthday... but I still call him my little peanut.

In the Mouth

2010-07-09T10:13:00.000-04:00

Deeg likes to hangout in the flowerbeds and planters among all the plants and woodchips.

Momma starts to shake her head and say "no-no."

Momma says "no-no" in a louder voice with a fimer tone.

Deegan ignores Momma and goes for it.

Momma puts the camera down and fishes the woodchip out of Deegan's mouth.

Cluck, Oink, Moo

2010-07-07T21:49:00.009-04:00

A few weeks ago we celebrated my birthday. We always go to my mom's for dinner and enjoy the same delicious meal and dessert per my request, so of course we had that planned. We also had an open house to attend. But J said that we could do anything I wanted in the morning. What did I want to do? Spend some time with my two favorite guys outdoors at the Nature Center. I love my husband, I love my Deeg and I love the outdoors...

What are they looking at?

The sheep were excited to see us because we brought carrots. If you have carrots, they'll like you too.

Deeg was having a good ol' time. We enjoyed watching these guys roll around in the mud...

Deeg didn't think the chickens were too interesting. He does like to eat chicken though... especially when it's mixed with apples.

And Deeg couldn't stay in the backpack for too long, so we let him loose in the shade. He tried to eat several sticks. He also wants to run with sticks. I feel that a 11 month old walking with stick is equally as dangerous as a five year old running with scissors.

What a great way to start my birthday celebration. How did I end the celebration? With the ice cream cake my mom has been making for years. A thick Oreo crust, ice cream, heath, chocolate fudge... perfection.

Splash!

2010-07-01T22:14:00.009-04:00

Earlier this week we packed up the car and headed to the spray park. We met some family that is in town so the kiddos could splash around and cool off.
Deegan wasn't sure what to think about all of the activity. He was so busy watching the all the kids running around that he didn't pay attention to the water for several minutes.

Then he realized how much fun the water is!

He did a lot of crawling and exploring.

He was really enjoying himself!

After being at the spray park for half an hour, Deegan started taking interest in the water. He loved touching the fountains!

Deeg and Dad walked around for a bit.

And the kiddos enjoyed some posicles. It was a fun time, hopefully we'll get back to the park again soon.

"Ball"

2010-06-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

Deegan learned to say the word "ball" a while ago. He has always loved playing with his toy balls (as I shared in the last post). A few weeks ago he started paying attention to the balls hanging in his bedroom. Then as I stood him up on his changing table after a diaper change he realized he could touch them... what fun! Now, when Deeg is really grouchy we hold him up to the balls and let him hit them. This video was longer, but I shortened it. You'll see that Deeg is quite squirmy and he even says the word "ball" a few times.

Now this has become an evening ritual...

Playing alone

2010-06-27T21:45:00.004-04:00

We try to let Deegan entertain himself when he's in the right mood. Most of the time we are playing with him or at least following him around to ensure he doesn't fall onto a sharp corner or hit his head on the ceramic tile. There are a few times during the day that he sits down to quietly look at his books by himself. He has really grown to love his books, especially the "Touch and Feel" books.
But sitting still doesn't last long...

then he's back to being on the go. He loves to crawl through the dining room chairs.

Do you see the ball that Deegan has? That's one of his Oballs. He has two Oballs; the rattle oball is the one you see in the picture and he also has a big oball. If you're looking for a gift or toy for a baby or toddler, I encourage you to check them out. They are great for little hands to get a hold of. Deeg's other favorite ball is his Gertie Ball. They're a great toy and he has enjoyed them for many months now!

The Steps

2010-06-26T11:46:00.004-04:00

Deegan didn't know that our house had stairs... until last week.
Now that he knows they are there, every time we go downstairs he immediately crawls to the steps and wants to climb. It's pretty funny because we'll go downstairs and get comfortable on his playmat, then he'll take off to the steps. Eventually the novelty will wear off, but until then... we'll chase him up the stairs.

We recently did some work on our stairs. They used to have wood paneling and brown trim. The finish on the stairs was chipping off and the floor on the landing was stick down tile. We sanded the stairs, stained them, put a clear coat on them and re-painted everything. Then J and his dad did the ceramic tile on the landing. We are pleased with the result and we think Deegan likes it too.

Play Area

2010-06-21T15:22:00.008-04:00

Now that Deegan is always on the go, we've been spending a lot of time in his play area downstairs. I remember the days when he laid on the blanket in the middle of our living room, kicking, cooing and playing with the same three toys for several hours a day, for several days in a row. He never got bored, he never tried to escape... he was happy.
He requires a bit more excitement these days... a variety of toys, lots of interaction and a change of scenery. We don't mind providing the toys (I think we enjoy finding new toys more than he does) and we certainly don't mind the interaction- he is so much fun! We did have to do a little work to make a play area suitable for Deeg in our basement. Our basement was a "Man Cave" with lots of additional clutter. J and I spent some time getting organized. Then I brought home a few things from my classroom for organization (more about my teaching job later). Now we have a great space for Deegan!

I dug out my old toys from when I was a kid and found this car. I remember playing with it- now Deegan loves to push it around.

I brought home this bookshelf from my classroom and Deeg loves to stand and pick out (and chew) on his books.

Now when we come upstairs from the play area Deegan will stand at the gate at the top of the stairs and scream. I guess that is his way of telling us he likes it down there.

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all dads out there! At our house, we're celebrating this dad:

We're celebrating the dad that was born when our sweet Deegan came into this world. J is a fantastic dad. I have fallen more and more in love with him as I watch him grow as a father. We've both learned a few (or thousands) of things since becoming parents. Today I'll share some of the things it means... to be a dad.

1. Being a dad means teaching your baby two important words: Da Da.
2. Being a dad means coming home exhausted, but finding the energy to crawl around on the floor and play with your child.
3. Being a dad means realizing that small children create a magical time in life, and praying you won't miss it.
4. Being a dad means losing hair to little hands pulling on chest hair, nose hair, head hair, beard hair, and the most painful- leg hair (I know all dads are nodding in agreement about this).

5. Being a dad means gently roughhousing with your child even though the mother thinks he will break. Babies love it.
6. Being a dad means wondering how such a tiny baby can smile and deliver a nuclear blast in his diaper.
7. Being a dad means singing your favorite music to your baby at night. And the great thing about babies is, they don't care if you sing the Beatles, Twisted Sister, or Garth Brooks.

8. Being a dad means resolving not to miss the smallest details of your baby's life.
9. Being a dad means learning how to do things one-handed.
10. Being a dad means being your child's entertainment center.

Being a dad means realizing that more than a baby has been born. So has a father.

Walking!

2010-06-19T06:43:00.000-04:00

Yep... he's moving. He has been taking a few steps at a time for about two weeks now, but on Wednesday he seemed to decide that he was ready to walk. He's looking much more stable and taking up to 15 steps in a row! I like to let him roam the backyard because there aren't any sharp objects or hard tile floors... just big piles of Duke droppings (which we try to keep picked up).

How is Dad doing?

2010-06-18T21:53:00.004-04:00

If you didn't know, J had surgery yesterday. If you've been following for a while, you know that he had surgery last May. He had a bone graft done and it didn't work. Yesterday he had three bones removed from his wrist (including the bone that was dying and the graft didn't save). He had a nerve block done so he couldn't feel any pain (or his arm) when he went to bed last night. He woke up with a lot of pain, but we're trying to keep his arm elevated and iced.

For most of the day, J relaxed on the couch and rested. I tried to keep Deegan entertained and busy, so we went in the backyard and played in the pool. J joined us and discovered that Deegan likes to be squirted on the head! J squirted him on the head and he would laugh his deep belly laugh.

Then J and Deeg took a walk across the lawn.

Baby Speedo

2010-06-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Deegan has a cute little baby speedo. It is actually a cloth diaper made for swimming, but it's more fun to call it a speedo. There are only a few years in a male's life when they look good in a speedo and I think it is safe to say that Deegan falls into the "cute in a speedo" years right now.
He was watching Duke... very serious.

Then splashing... very fun!

Then the "ooooh face"... very cute!

And the baby speedo... love it!

Family Picnic

2010-06-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

All this wonderful weather inspired us to get out for our first family picnic. We headed over to Deerfield Park in Mt. Pleasant and brought the high chair, stroller, lunch, and dog. It always feels like we're hauling so much stuff!
Deegan loved eating lunch in his travel high chair. He loves being outside and he loves eating... so it was a good time!

Cute Little Bum

2010-06-12T22:38:00.002-04:00

Deegan LOVES to get in the tub. He hears the water running and comes crawling down the hallway at lightning speed. Then he pulls up on the edge of the tub and tries to get in. He was successful last week- he would've landed in the tub head first, but I caught him.

I have always enjoyed bath time with Deeg, but it has become more stressful now that he's pulling up and standing all the time. He wants to stand in the tub and it makes me nervous. He throws himself around, trying to grab at the faucet, stand at the edge, knock shampoo bottles down and chew in the washcloth. I am pretty sure my blood pressure goes up during bath time... but it returns to normal when I can rock Deeg to sleep and smell that sweet baby smell.

Splish Splash!

2010-06-03T21:33:00.008-04:00

I couldn't decide which photos to post... so I posted quite a few. You don't mind, do you?
Deegan loves splashing in his pool. He doesn't need much water to have a good time. He really got his hands splashing around- he ended up soaked from head to toe just from the splashing. He kept trying to eat the water too- he is certainly exploring the world with his mouth right now! Deegan has this new look (see below) which he usually does in his high chair, but was doing it a lot in the pool last week. We reinforce it by laughing, smiling and doing the same "oooh" look back at him.I am always excited to get a good photo with Deeg. J thinks he is starting to look like me. I am not sure yet. I think he inherited my ears, but I also think I am the only one that has noticed that.

Deegan continues to love Duke. The love is certainly mutual. Duke feels extra affectionate toward Deegan on days that he throws food on the floor or leaves spit up on the carpet. Either way, they're buddies.

Other than Deegan and I having the same ears... I am finding that he has a fascination for things found in nature (remember the bird poop?). Maybe he'll grow up to be a nature-lover like his momma. Maybe he'll be a scatologist, botonist, or whatever he wants!

Sometimes after Deegan falls asleep at night I hold him in my arms and wonder what the future holds for him. I wonder what kind of relationship we'll have in 25 years. I wonder how he'll change the world. I wonder when he'll feel heartache for the first time. Then I try to stop thinking about the future and enjoy the now. I breathe in his sweet baby smell, listen to his steady breathing and enjoy the feel of his warm little hand resting on my chest, because the future is never certain... but that moment, that love I feel for him... is the realest thing I have ever felt.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-02T21:40:00.001-04:00

Cruisin' Along

2010-05-29T11:29:00.009-04:00

Last weekend we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Martin's and played outside for a bit. Deegan is so proud when he walks behind his toys. He also enjoys pushing them outside where there is more space and no furniture in the way.

He has so many facial expressions now and we love catching them on camera!

As Deegan was pushing his toy he started going toward the rocks... what did he see? Bird poop. He is a nature lover like momma.

The neighbors across the street were outside and Deegan stopped to watch them- such a serious face.

And here's our sweaty, but sweet little guy.

Every day is an adventure with Deegan. He is such an explorer. I love his curiosity and excitement in the small and everyday things. He reminds me to slow down and enjoy the green grass, the sunshine and the warm breeze.

Teeth!

2010-05-27T21:35:00.002-04:00

Finally a picture of Deegan's teeth! We filled up the pool and played around in it for a bit tonight (I'll post the pictures this weekend), and Deegan loved it!

His two bottom teeth cut through on Easter and one of his top teeth is cutting through today. He doesn't seem too bothered by it- but is certainly using his tongue and various other objects to press against his gums.

One of my goals for the weekend is to post a video and some other recent pictures that are absolutley adorable! I will get to it eventually, but am excited that I am having a girl's night out tomorrow to watch Sex and the City 2 and then J and I are going on a date Sunday afternoon! Enjoy your long weekend!

Spike!

2010-05-24T20:57:00.005-04:00

Last week I went to pick up Deegan from daycare and look what I found:

A spikey haired baby! Linda (our daycare provider) had spiked all four of the boys' hair and it was so cute! Deegan didn't have a clue and could care less, but the other (older) boys thought it was pretty cool!

Deegan has so much fun at daycare. He is excited to be dropped off every morning and he is always happy when I arrive to pick him up. It is so comforting to us that we can go off to work and focus on our jobs while Deegan is loved, safe and entertained. Thanks Linda!

Not Camera Shy

2010-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I think everyone knows that I take a lot of pictures. No one knows this better than Deegan. I probably take 60-70 photos a week. J rolls his eyes, but sometimes he will steal the camera to get some fun shots too. It is hard to resist Deegan's sweet face and humorous expressions. Recently he has been coming toward me while I try to take pictures, which makes it very difficult to get the shots I want! I waved to Deegan and he waved back for the camera!

And I know I've had the camera out too much when Deegan starts making this face before the flash even goes off...

First Boat Ride

2010-05-18T20:59:00.006-04:00

We took advantage of the warm weather and went out for Deegan's first boat ride on Sunday! Grandma and Grandpa Lewis gave Deegan his lifejacket for Christmas, so we've been anxiously awaiting the summer.

Deegan wasn't sure about the lifejacket at first, he did some grunting and moaning.

We did our best to keep him happy and he ended up enjoying the ride. He is very interested in putting his finger in my mouth lately- poking around at my teeth and tongue.

Deegan loves his cousins- and they love him!

The boat ride was successful because Deegan fell asleep and stayed asleep until we took off his lifejacket. It will be fun to see how he feels about boat rides in the next few months- and we're really looking forward to swimming with Deegan. There are so many things to look forward to with Deegan- he is such a joy!

Go Loons!

2010-05-16T21:34:00.005-04:00

Deegan enjoyed his first baseball game a few weeks ago. We went with Grandpa and Nani to the opening game for the Loons. It was a nice day and we had a good time. Deegan enjoyed people-watching and was very content the entire time. We continued to be amazed by how easy-going Deegan is and we find ourselves saying "He did really welll, didn't he?" when we leave major events such as baseball games or the crowded grocery store.

He was also entertained by the strings on Grandpa's sweatshirt.

Deeg loves his grandpa.

Yuck-o!

2010-05-14T13:00:00.001-04:00

Deegan eagerly leans out and opens his mouth for a bite and then...

Yuck-o! He gets the shivers and looks at us like this! He makes this face for certain foods (green beans, squash, spaghetti) every single time!

Our Little Artist

2010-05-12T14:00:00.000-04:00

Deeg brought this home for us last month. I love these projects and I love having a fridge covered by them. What I love more? His mouth is open and he is yelling all the time!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T21:49:00.005-04:00

Deegan is such an artistic little guy... don't you think? He also decorated a flower pot for me. Linda (his daycare provider) said he didn't mind the paint on his hands... I am surprised he didn't try to eat it.

We had a nice Mother's Day. J and I made dinner for our moms and we all enjoyed each other's company. Since I am a mom this year, J tried to pull a little more weight so I could relax. We both agreed that our tradition of making a big meal and cleaning up afterwards was a lot easier in the pre-Deegan days. We have also found that to be true with projects around the house... more on that another day.

More about Mother's Day... I have always loved Mother's Day, probably because I love my mother dearly and I am certain that she is the most amazing woman I know. I think it is important to take a day and treat my mom to thank her for loving me unconditionally. When I was going though a biting stage and bit her on the ankle or when I was a teenager and was convinced I knew so much more than her (what was I thinking?), my mom still loved me and treated me with respect. I hope I can do the same for Deegan.

But this year, Mother's Day wasn't just about my mom. It was also about the mother I became when Deegan was born. It was about the transformation that took place when the doctor placed that little boy on my chest. It was about the greatest gift I've ever known: Motherhood.

Yum! Yum!

2010-05-07T16:45:00.001-04:00

One of the recent additions to Deegan's menu: yogurt. We mix in some mangoes, apples, peaches, prunes, or granola (in baby food form) and he is one happy boy. It is one of the messier foods that he likes though.

He is also working on his pincer grasp; he's mostly eating puffs and yogurt melts right now.

What a funny boy... so many smiles!

First Backpack Ride

2010-05-05T17:00:00.002-04:00

Deegan went for his first backpack ride last week. We went for a walk around the block... he looks pretty comfortable, don't you think?

Crib Full of Sunshine

2010-05-04T19:00:00.002-04:00

The sunshine was pouring into the window of Deegan's bedroom, so I plopped him into his crib and pulled out the camera.
Deegan has been standing up in his crib for weeks, but didn't notice the mobile until this week. I think we'll be pulling it down soon.

He kept giving me these sweet little looks when we were playing peek-a-boo.

Then he attempted to chew on the crib a bit more. Did I tell you that we found teeth marks on the crib?

These small moments bring so much joy.

Havin' a Ball!

2010-05-02T21:13:00.003-04:00

Deegan is loving his ball pit. Now that he is so active, he tires of playing with the same toys all the time. We go down into the basement several times a week and he gets so excited. He climbs right into his ball pit, plops down and yells. He yells a lot.

We've been using sign language with Deegan and he is responding to the word/sign "ball" by getting a ball when we say it/sign it. He has about 19 different balls to play with, but most of all he enjoys putting them into his mouth. And yes, Deegan has a runny nose again... and he hates it when we wipe it, so please excuse the runny nose in picture number one.

Two of Deegan's Favorite Things

2010-04-26T21:59:00.003-04:00

Finally.... a video! In this video Deegan plays with two of his favorite things: the blinds and the window. Since this video we have tied back the blinds, but Deegan continues to pound on the glass for approximately 45 minutes each day. Now he stands at the glass and pounds while screaming simultaneously.

He is such a character. He is SO busy these days and he is always babbling and yelling. J and I have done so much laughing in the past few weeks I am pretty sure our blood pressure has gone done. Deegan brings us so much joy, so many smiles and we also get a really good workout when we try to change his diaper- he sure can wiggle and squirm!

The Tunnel

2010-04-18T12:12:00.005-04:00

Deegan LOVES crawling through his tunnel. We set it up and he went right through! We've been playing in the tunnel and tent at home a lot. We sent it to Grandma and Grandpa's with Deegan last weekend so they could see how much he loves it.

Deegan continues to explore new things and recently found the dvd player and VCR; he's very interested in the buttons and the slot for videos, hopefully he doesn't shove anything in there. Deegan is also practicing eating finger food. He's made some progress and now gets about 60% of the food in his mouth. We shot some video of it- I'll try to share soon. My goal for the weekend is to upload some videos- so stay posted!

Flutterbies

2010-04-18T12:02:00.011-04:00

Deegan, my mom and I went to Dow Gardens on Good Friday to see the butterflies. It was so nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, Deegan's smile and the company of my mom.
Deegan was completely unaware of the butterfly on his head. Although he was very aware of the butterfly I was holding... he wanted to rip it to pieces. He was grunting and reaching for it.

I dipped Deegan's toes in the stream... it was chilly, but he seemed to like it!

He wants to grab everything!

Including Grandma's glasses...

It was a perfect day. And I have to say... my mom's love has made my life so full, so complete, so rich and it has shaped who I am today. When I see my mom share that same love with Deegan, my heart feels so full.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T21:55:00.005-04:00

Cruising Along

2010-04-12T21:23:00.006-04:00

Our sweet Deegan is eight months- wow! He is learning something new every single day and it is exciting to be a part of. He is now cruising along all of the furniture.

Duke would occasionally retreat to the couch so he was out of Deegan's reach- but Deegan has discovered that he can reach him up there!

We brought the dining room chair onto the carpet... Jason and I are nervous nellies when it comes to Deegan standing in the ceramic tile areas of the house.

A new face of Deegan's- so, so cute. He has brought us so many smiles and so much laughter in the past few weeks- his personality is really starting to show. It is so easy to love him.

Deegan's New Buddy

2010-04-07T21:03:00.007-04:00

Deegan continues to explore everything. In the past week he has been very interested in his high chair (above), rugs, cat toys, the blinds, the window, and.... Duke.

First of all, Duke is the perfect height for pulling up on.

Also, Duke never moves, he just sits still and lets Deegan crawl, pull up, or pound on him.

When Duke is outside, Deegan crawls to the door and pounds on the window.

Our two boys are good buddies. We are lucky to have suck a tolerant dog; I highly recommend a lab to anyone with a little one (although labs do not have any concept of personal space, but that's a whole other post).

Deegan continues to bring us so many smiles and so much laughter. He is constantly on the move now and wants to pull up on everything. He is also making so many new noises every week. He did cut two teeth and they officially through his gums, but still have to push through a bit more. I'll try to get a picture... that will be my challenge of the month.

I'm hoping to post some video soon so ya'll can see his crawling and hear his funny noises. I also have some pictures from Deegan's visit to a butterfly exhibit that came to town. Until then, enjoy spring!

Someday Soon

2010-04-01T21:36:00.005-04:00

I said we'd get Deegan a swing someday soon...

The beautiful weather today got us all excited... so we got the swing today!

Swingin'

2010-03-31T21:39:00.009-04:00

Deegan LOVES to swing. Today was his first time, but I would be willing to drive him to the swings daily so I can see that huge smile... pure joy.

I was a bit concerned at first because of this...
So next time I'll bring sanitizing wipes. Luckily, Deegan realized that swinging is so much fun he doesn't need to lick the germ infested swings. Thank goodness.

What a fun day we had! We'll be getting Deegan a swing for the backyard someday really soon!

Trying new things

2010-03-28T21:29:00.005-04:00

Deegan is trying all sorts of new things these days. I made him some prune baby food so now he is enjoying prunes mixed in with his oatmeal at night. We've introduced many new foods, but his favorite food continues to be avocados and bananas.

We're trying to put Deegan in his highchair more at dinner time. He seemed bored every time we put him in the highchair with his boring old toys... so we got out the measuring cups. He loves the measuring cups (and so do I), but don't worry... I will clean the Deegan drool off before I use them again.

Deegan is also trying out the sippy cup. He hasn't really figured it out yet, but it feels good on his gums and it's fun to hold on to. Every now and then he gets some water and he isn't sure about the taste.

Deegan has been a bit out of sorts lately... I got home Thursday night after a long day at work (parent-teacher conferences) to a very unhappy baby. I fed him, rocked him and tried to soothe him. He was very unhappy and seemed uncomfortable. He threw up several times and had a fever. I ended up sleeping on the floor with him for several hours because he just wanted to be held, but I worried about sleeping in the chair or bed with him. While he is no longer throwing up or feverish, he is still out of sorts. He's a bit fussier than usual and much more tired. We think we know why... teething.

And this week is Spring Break... so I hope my sweet Deegan is feeling well enough to go for some stroller rides and play with his momma.

On the move

2010-03-16T21:21:00.008-04:00

Deeg's officially on the move. His form isn't the greatest, but everyday he gets faster and stronger. He is doing the baby army crawl right now and that gets him where he needs to go. Everyday he seems a bit more coordinated.Now that he's mobile he is discovering many new things... like the heat register, the ceramic tile (which makes me a nervous wreck) and the dog food at daycare!

He enjoys pounding on things. He crawls over to the heat register, pounds on it and yells. He also does this with the ceramic tile, the rug, base of lamps, or any other change of texture on the floor.
And if you hadn't noticed... Deegan's hair is thickening up! So cute.

We're having so much fun watching Deegan explore the world. His personality is developing and it is so much fun to watch!

Sunshine

2010-03-09T20:51:00.006-05:00

The sunshine makes me feel like a child again... it puts a little spring in my step and a smile on my face. Another thing that puts a smile on my face:Deegan is loving the warm weather and stroller rides.

Who enjoyed the walk outside the most? This big brown guy.... Duke.

Enjoy the sunshine!

A well-oiled machine

2010-03-02T20:58:00.005-05:00

That's how we run, and it feels so good. We know that all children thrive on routine, but J and I do too. We love knowing what we're having for dinner each night and having the ingredients ready. We love knowing what Deegan is going to eat each night and when... and most of all, we love knowing when Deegan is going to sleep and when he's going to wake. Of course, things vary... but we're flexible. And flexible is good.

I hooked up our camera to the functional laptop... so I am bringing you some of my favorite photos.Deegan and J at Nell's birthday party. Deegan was such a happy boy.

One of my favorite pictures of Deegan. This pic was hiding in the old camera. He was four months old. His hair has really filled in since this picture.

J and I on our anniversary trip. We celebrated three years of marriage in Traverse City and ended the trip with some ice skating. Everyone in our family has a bomber hat, we really should get a family photo in them.

First sled ride!

2010-02-27T09:27:00.006-05:00

Deegan had a lot of fun in his new sled! He took in the scenery of the backyard and enjoyed watching Duke run around wildly. I'm curious to see how Deegan will do in the sled now that he's sitting so well, maybe we'll get a warm-ish day and we can go out again soon.

These pictures are from January 16- but I hadn't been able to upload them because of the "dead laptop/using really old laptop" situation. I can happily say that I will be blogging more now because I have a functional laptop! Brad got a fancy new laptop, so I got his old one -which really isn't old at all!

Now I can upload photos from our two cameras and even some videos. Deegan is rocking on all fours, so I think I may have some crawling video pretty soon- yikes! When did he get so big?!

Our Little Monster

2010-02-20T21:05:00.008-05:00

I didn't think Deegan could get any cuter, but then I put him in these monster pajamas.... He is taking a lot of interest in Duke lately. Duke's indifferent about it all... and we're trying to keep Duke's tail out of Deegan's mouth.

Oh... that smile.

Deegan loves his Grandpa.

Seventh Generation Product Giveaway!

2010-02-17T21:39:00.003-05:00

Some people might call me a treehugger. I love nature. I try to make decisions based on what is best for our environment and what is best for my family. I would love to live a more "green" lifestyle, although sometimes I get caught up in what is convenient and what is cheap.

Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I have been even more concious of the foods I am eating and the chemicals I am exposing myself to. In efforts to go green I have found a few mommy-bloggers that share tips and tricks about their green lifestyle and how they share it with their baby. One of the blogs that I have enjoyed is Le Petit Owlet. Jessica reviews some great green products for the household and for baby. She's giving away a Seventh Generation Healthy Home Kit and I would love to give it a try! I have been thinking about changing our cleaning products to something more mild and safe for Deegan, and I think this would be a great opportunity to do so! Head over there and check it out.

And by the way... Deegan was really sick from Thursday-Saturday. He had some kind of virus and his fever was between 100-103 for about 36 hours. Our little peanut is officially back to himself tonight. The bad news... while the smiley boy we love is back, his sleep habits of going 11 hours straight are not.

This is what I do while I pump.

2010-02-15T15:13:00.005-05:00

I spend 40 minutes a day pumping. Sitting in a cold handicapped bathroom with cold, plastic cups attached to my breasts. It isn't fun. It isn't glamorous. It is the best thing for Deegan, so I continue to do it.

The first few weeks of pumping were gratifying. I felt like SuperMom. I would go to work, do my job, and simultaneously be a milk factory for my sweet little baby. Deegan was getting what he needed and we didn't have to spend money on formula... Super!

Then it got old. Work got busier. I would sit through those 40 minutes and think about all of the other things I could be doing. I tried to do work while pumping; but I always ended up with breastmilk on my work or on my pants, and that isn't something you can explain easily to children (or co-workers)... "oh... don't mind the smudge on the paper, it's just breastmilk."

A co-worker was reading a book in the lounge one day when I asked what it was about. She gave a brief summary and shared how "hooked" she was. Then she offered to pass it on to me when she was done. A few days later, Emma & Me by Elizabeth Flock showed up in my mailbox.

I started reading during pumping sessions, and soon I found myself actually looking forward to pumping because I knew I would be able to read a few pages of a great book! There were times when I read that I looked down to see the bottles full of milk and actually felt disappointed that I had to stop reading! I had found a way to make my pumping time enjoyable!

This book ranks in my top five. It was a great read, and the other women at work who read it found it to be captivating as well.

The story is told by Carrie Parker, an eight-year-old girl who spends all of her time with her younger sister and best friend, Emma. They live with their mother and step-father, Richard. Their lives seem to be split in two; before their dad died and after. The memories of their father are warm and loving. Their step-father, Richard is an emotionally and physically abusive alcoholic. Carrie and Emma try to run away to escape the abuse and find a new life, but their plan fails.

As the story goes on it is touching to hear how a child views a world that is so cruel. In one part of the story, Carrie talks about their hiding place behind the couch.

"Behind-the-couch," she says, "is like another room for me and Emma. It's our fort. Anyway, we usually head there when we've counted ten squeaks from the foot pedal of the metal trash can in the kitchen. The bottles clank so loud I think my head'll split in two."

As the story unfolds, Carrie and Emma cling to each other to find love and support. The ending will leave you thinking, and knowing that there are children in this world who do live in households that have abusive, alcoholic or emotionally vacant parents makes Emma & Me so much more memorable.

Tonight's Dinner Conversation

2010-02-02T21:26:00.003-05:00

Jay and I always try to sit at the dinner table and eat together. Usually this means Deegan is in his beloved exersaucer nearby, and sometimes it means he's on one of our laps.

Tonight we sat at the table, enjoying our gourmet meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup while we both smiled and stared in awe at how adorable our son is.

Me: Deegan is so unbelievably cute
J: Yep. He is.
Me: No, I mean it, he is so adorable I can't stand it!
J: You say that every day.
Me: I know, but honestly, if he were any cuter, I would explode and tiny bits of me would be all over the walls.
J: (Staring at creme colored walls) Don't let that happen, I really need you here.

Playtime at Grandma and Grandpa's

2010-01-31T21:38:00.006-05:00

Deegan spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa's while J and I caught up on sleep. I was exhausted- Deegan's sleep habits of waking every three hours had really zapped my energy. J wasn't as tired because he can sleep through anything and everything... except for the alarm clock and me shaking him saying "J, it's your turn- get up!"

Deegan has been all smiles lately. The lack of sleep isn't slowing him down one bit. Must be those two hour naps he takes at daycare. Maybe I should sneak a nap in at work, I do have a long lunch.

You'll see in the pictures that Deegan learned to sit up. He is still a weeble-wobble, but can sit for a while on his own before someone has to catch him from tipping.

I have so much more I could say about how fast Deegan is growing and changing, how much his poop has changed since he started solids, how much fun it is to "play" with him and how he wasn't sleeping because his room was only 62 degrees... but I am tired, and tomorrow is Monday. Next time I post I'll share some adventures in baby food making with ya'll.

Time for some pictures!

2010-01-24T17:34:00.009-05:00

It has been too long- pictures of Deegan were way overdue! I uploaded these pictures from my mom and Brad's today while we went for a visit. Deegan spent a day with them last week while daycare was closed. I made the plans with Brad to watch Deegan, but when my mom heard she immediately took the day off- she said she wouldn't be able to work all day knowing that Deegan was at her house! I understand... he is such a joy to be around!

Deegan is absolutely loving his exersaucer! He has one at home, one at Grandma's, and one at daycare. I imagine he spends at least four hours in an exersaucer a day- and he wouldn't have it any other way! He is growing and changing so much. He is rolling around like an old pro, grabbing things with his hands, sitting with help, and keeping much more food down than he used to. I am pretty excited about the decrease in spit-up. There were a few weeks that I wondered why I even showered, got dressed or put on make-up.... I was covered in spit-up at least once an hour.

Also, Deegan is eating some solid foods. Did I mention that he was waking every three hours in the night? Well... he was. I swear, you could've set a clock by him. He was asleep by 8pm and up at 11, 2, and 5am. It was rough. We wondered what it could be... runny nose? diaper rash? We found out what it was... he was hungry! He needed some solid food... some food that would really "stick to his ribs." I guess the breastmilk just isn't cutting it anymore. Once we started giving him 2-3 solids a day he started sleeping longer (although there is still a lot of room for improvement).

Deegan has been eating oatmeal with banana flakes (thanks to Christina for suggesting it!) and now is eating sweet potatoes and bananas. Tomorrow he'll start avocados. I read that babies can turn orangish-yellow if they eat too many yellow and orange foods, so I am ready to start those avocados. I don't want Deegan to look like a yam.

We also learned the magical cure for diaper rash. Deegan had a terrible diaper rash. The rash was bright red and the skin looked like it might even blister. We felt terrible for him. That's why we let him be naked for nearly two hours. That's why we let him poop and pee all over towels that we spread on the floor. We tried desitin and baby powder, we tried A & D... no improvement. Then we tried bag balm and it was a miracle! Diaper rash was gone in no time. I recommend it to any parent- now we put it on him all the time- especially at night when we know Deegan will be hanging out in his dirty diaper for a while.

In non-Deegan news- J and I went away for a night to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. It was FANTASTIC! We relaxed, shopped, talked, ate some great meals, slept through the night... but most importantly, we focused on each other. When we came back I felt re-charged and re-freshed. Trying to be a great mom, wife, daughter, friend, and teacher can be a lot sometimes...and it felt great to have 24 hours to just focus on being a great wife and friend to J. And I am pretty confident that the grandparents are happy to take little Deegan for a night too.

Well.. there's three weeks worth of blog in one. I have so much more to share- particularly pictures of our retreat and Deegan's first sled ride! The sled was a big hit!

Until then... enjoy your winter!

My laptop is dead.

2010-01-14T21:12:00.002-05:00

Yep, laptop is dead. That means no pictures and no videos to post. Don't worry, I have them backed up, it is part of my job as a momma.

Let me tell you about the main focus of our lives in the past week: sleep training. First of all, let me tell you why we had to sleep train.

We have a night routine- food (oatmeal), playtime in pj's, read a book with dad, read a book with mom, milk from mom, bed. The routine had been going really well, except the last two parts. You see, Deegan preferred to nurse until he was in a deep sleep. He wanted to use me as a pacifier and drift into sleepy-land while in my cozy arms as I sang songs like Baby Beluga and You are my Sunshine. I can see why he preferred things that way. Then he would feel his body hit the cold matress in the crib, open his eyes... and cry. Then I would scoop him up, put him back on the boob and we'd give it another try.

Well, this got exhausting and it wasn't good for anyone involved. J would try to help by soothing Deegan back to sleep, but Deegan wasn't satisfied with a pacifier. So I'd go in and give it another try.

We decided it was time to change our ways and bite the bullet... let Deegan cry. We did the same routine, but once he was in his crib with is belly full of milk, we wouldn't take him out. He would cry and we would go in every 10 minutes for a "reassurance check." This usually made Deegan even more mad... but we felt it was important. Here are the results:

Night 1: Cried for 1 hour
Night 2: Cried for 45 min.
Night 3: Cried for 15 min.
Night 4: Put in crib awake, no crying
Night 5: Put in crib awake, no crying

We are pretty excited! I have to give some credit to the Baby Einstein Soother though, Deegan has drifted off while looking at the soother with sleepy eyes.

Hopefully I will be able to get my laptop fixed and get some pictures up soon. Cross your fingers for some "warm" weather this weekend so Deegan can go for a ride in his new sled!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T21:00:00.005-05:00

This is what New Year's Day looked like at the Brandle household:

We had a wild and crazy night with Geoff and Selene playing Blokus. We had a tasty dinner with margaritas. It was a lot of fun!

I have some action-packed videos to post of Deegan bouncing in his exersaucer and attempting to eat his feet. I'll post those soon.

We've been pretty tired at our house. We are in the process of de-swaddling Deegan at night, which has proven to be a challenge. He is now sleeping with one arm in the swaddle and one arm out. The nights when Deegan slept in his straight jacket were peaceful and he slept so well- but now that he's rolling he needs to be able to lift his head if he ends up face-down.

My mom called tonight. She asked if we wanted a babysitter tomorrow night so we could go out to dinner and celebrate our 3rd anniversary. My response "Oh, I didn't realize tomorrow was our anniversary." Then J asked me who called. I replied "It was my mom, she wanted to know if we wanted her to watch Deegan so we could go out for dinner tomorrow." J's response was "Why would we go out to dinner tomorrow?" At least we're in the same boat.

Christmas '09

2009-12-29T19:24:00.017-05:00

Christmas is a busy time for everyone, but this year we managed to slow down and really enjoy time with family. It feels so good to have brought Deegan into a family that loves him so much. He has two parents, six grandparents, nine great-grandparents, and many great aunts, uncles and cousins who love him very much. It brought me so much joy to watch so many of our family members hold Deegan and sneak in "their time" with him- a time to share some smiles, laughter, coos and giggles. And I must say, Deegan did so well being passed around and traveling to several different places.

Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Nany's

Deegan showing off his new moves

Christmas morning- look what Deegan made for us at daycare!

Catching a nap at Grandma and Grandpa Martin's on Christmas morning

Relaxing by the fireplace after a diaper change

Deegan's new toy- Sophie the Giraffe (he loves it!)

Every Brandle boy needs some green and white!

A new sled!

So tired...

Deegan loves his cousins!

A moment with Mom

Christmas with Deegan was special. As I held him at the Christmas Eve service, admiring everything about him I was overcome with such strong feelings of love. The love I feel for Deegan is powerful and I can't help but think it is simliar to Jesus' love for all of us. As everyone sang "Silent Night" and Deegan's face was lit with candlelight, I sat between Jay and my mom and I felt so incredibly blessed. Life is good. God is good.

4 Months!

2009-12-24T10:04:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the late post... busy times! Deegan was four months on December 9, and that's when these pictures were taken. He was looking sharp in his jumpsuit.

Have you heard of the "four month wakeful?" Well, I thought we were lucky. I thought Deegan wasn't going to go through that. I was wrong. It started about a week ago. Deegan was sleeping like a champ... he would go down around 8pm and sleep until 4 or 4:30am. I would get up, feed him for 15 minutes and we'd both go back to sleep. Sounds great, doesn't it? Well, things have changed. The good news is that I am on winter vacation and I can catch up on sleep and hopefully when school resumes Deegan will be back on some sort of schedule that allows me to sleep for five consecutive hours.

In other news, Deegan is doing many new and exciting things. He is rolling over like a pro and grabbing at his feet a lot. I' am working on a video of his rolling, so I'll be sharing that soon.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! We are feeling so blessed to have Deegan and all of our loving family members. I hope you can find time to think about how God has blessed your lives this season.

Ho Ho Ho!

2009-12-20T20:31:00.007-05:00

Deegan had a special meeting with Santa the other day. Deegan's Grandma Tina knows people in high places, so we had a private session with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Deegan's cousins, Jalyn and Janelle visited too. Deegan had a good time looking at all of the lights in the Santa House. What was on Deegan's Christmas list? Milk. He likes milk. That is why he weighs 18 pounds.

Santa asked me to sit on his lap. I am a good sport, so I did. He asked me if I had been a good girl. I responded "of course!" Then Santa looked at me, looked at Deegan and quietly said "I know you were naughty at least once!" Wow, what do you say in response to that?!

Then Santa asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said that I have everything I want, and I do. I have a loving husband who lights up when he looks at Deegan, I have my sweet baby boy who makes my heart feel like it has grown three sizes larger in the past four months and family who loves us and Deegan and shows it everyday. Jason and I are feeling blessed.

Here are three generations of Brandle men. Grandpa, Dad and Deegan. I think there are some good genes in the family, don't you think!?

And of course, one of sweet Deegan and I.

I have much more to share- four month pictures, family Christmas pictures, stories of Deegan rolling over (both ways) and stories of Deegan finding his feet. Right now he is talking to himself in his crib, probably rolling around and grabbing at his toes... so I am going to wrap him up tight in a swaddle and call it a night.