Uncle Ray, Aunt Jennifer, and Taylor
Aunt Kasey, Poppi, and Bryce
Opening presents
Showing Humpty Dumpty to Dada
Happy 1st Birthday Braylin! One year ago today I woke up at 2:00 am contracting.... nine hours later I was on the labor unit... and at 8:07 pm our 8lb 3oz, 20inch baby was born! One week earlier than we expected, our little chunky sweetheart was here.
I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by. She has brought so much joy to our lives, and we are looking forward to seeing the changes she'll make over the next year to come! Such an exciting time!
A few things she's doing....
-- walking on her own
-- crawls with her feet on ground and bootie in the air
-- saying "woof" at a dog, pointing at EVERYTHING, saying dak dak at a duck, uh-oh, oh-boy, daint for Saints, ball, bowl, ba-ba for baby
-- eating big-people food
-- drinking whole milk
-- loves to swing and rock
-- kisses when you ask for one
-- loves to blow a kiss
-- loves to clap her hands
-- I'll add more as I think of them....
Started off her birthday morning like this:
Reading the Birthday Monsters book from Taylor, Aunt Jen & Uncle Ray
Today we had our monthly playdate. Cat started calling it the Swam Mamas playdate group since we all graduated as Captain Shreve gators. After high school we took off to LSU and LA Tech but all ended up back in Shreveport (well, except for Shala who we will eventually talk into moving back). We were so excited that Shala and Sloane could join us during their visit home from Houston.
I always take my camera but never end up taking pictures since we all spend most of our time chit-chatting and chasing kiddos around. So, we were thrilled when Katie's mom Kak came by to take a group pic for us!
Braylin had a fun time with (in the back) Sloane, Jack, (on the couch next to Braylin) John Thomas, Brennan, Reily and Judson!
Ready for a bike ride, riding my new rocking horse, relaxing in my new chair, eating fingerfood like a big girl!!!
Though Braylin doesn't truly understand Christmas, Santa, and all of the fun stuff that takes place this time of year, we have had a wonderful time this holiday season. She is at such a fun age, and we cannot believe she's almost a year old!
Some ways she's been entertaining us include:
1. throwing the decorative ornaments around the living room
2. saying "oh" every time she looks at the tree
3. saying "ho ho" when we ask what Santa says
4. saying "ball" when she sees a ball (and then repeats it over and over and over...)
5. turning the pages in a book
6. taking her first few steps without holding onto anything & without falling (but refuses to do it again)
7. saying "woof" when she sees Kobi
8. pointing to her hair, tongue, and belly button when you ask where they are
9. tearing paper off of Christmas gifts
Crawling all around -- Walking with assistance -- Getting VERY fussy when she can't walk on her own -- Opening cabinets and drawers -- Drinking with a sippy cup -- LOVING bathtime -- Eating Gerber 3rd foods -- Making a mess with finger snacks -- Saying "uh oh" when something happens -- Favorite word is "DaDa" -- Laughs at Kobi when she pets/hits him -- Claps at everything.... 
After eating, hanging out with everyone, picture time, and Emma handing out candy to the kids at our door, we went trick-or-treating! Braylin had a lot of fun -- she spent the whole time "talking" and giggling. It was a GREAT 1st Halloween! Here are a few pictures from our trip to New Orleans to meet sweet Taylor. On the Wednesday after Taylor's birth, Braylin, me, and Susan Austin headed to New Orleans to meet up with my mom. We had a wonderful "girls" trip and of course had a GREAT time with Jen, Ray, and little Taylor. My dad, Jay, and Dr. Austin made the drive on Friday, and we all enjoyed a fun weekend. It was so hard leaving on Sunday. I can hardly wait to get back down there and get my hands on my niece!!!
Yes, it's true.... little Taylor was born on Sunday and one day later little Bryce was born! Braylin has 2 newborn cousins now! I'm counting down the days (well, only 1 day now) 'til I get to meet my niece on Wednesday!!!! I can HARDLY wait to get there and see her. I get all excited just looking at pictures of her.
Meanwhile, I had the pleasure of being Matt & Kasey's nurse today and delivering my nephew. It was a wonderful experience, and I had a lot of fun being part of it all. Thanks so much Matt & Kasey for asking me to be your nurse. You both did GREAT today! Picture to come.... Poppi, email me a picture!
Well, Taylor decided she didn't want to wait until Monday morning...
Jen's "water broke" this morning a little before 4am and off to the hospital they went. Jen is still in the OR right now, so I don't have ALL of the details, but we do know that she weighs 8lb 5oz and is 21 inches long. I can hardly wait to see her little chunky self!
I posted this video so Aunt Jen and Uncle Ray can see how much Braylin's changed since last time we saw them. Have fun Jen! Everyone else...feel free NOT to watch :)
When Gram wrote me asking if I was waiting on Braylin to write her OWN post, I decided it must have been way too long since I've written anything! Where does the time go?!
Braylin has grown so much over the last month! She's decided to hold her bottle on her own, she loves sitting up, she gets around pretty good in her new walker, she waves bye-bye, and she has 2 teeth coming thru. It's been so much fun watching all of the changes she has made. Here's a few pictures...
