A Random Grouping of Updates....

Packing and moving....exciting once it's done! We are officially moved into our new house. It's still a work in progress since we are trying to remodel a good bit of it, but we are having a lot of fun with it. Looks like the kitchen will be finished in the next week or so and then on to the bathrooms!

Easter: Braylin attempted to hunt Easter eggs, though she much preferred pulling them OUT of her basket. Had a fun day getting to see both of her cousins!

Showing us what a fish does... she loves making this face when she wants goldfish, sees a fish, hears the word fish... Looks like we're going to need a pet fish pretty soon.

Still one of her favorite times of the day... bathtime!

Emma's 3rd birthday party at the petting zoo / farm. Thank goodness Jay was there to help out because Braylin couldn't get to the animals fast enough. As soon as her feet hit the ground she would head towards whatever animal was in sight. We had a great time!

First sip from a straw! Success!

Updates......

Trying my best to update this blog but can't get our internet up and running... Oh the joys of moving. Hoping to post some badly needed updates by Monday!


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Quick update...

I'm a total blogger slacker lately. Here's a quick quick quick update to hold you over....

Bought a larger house... so excited... been busy selling our house... luckily sold in 1 week!.... our new house will be a total remodeling project so busy busy picking out appliances and things for it... trying to pack to be out of here in a few weeks... busy working... Braylin's a load of fun and keeping us on our toes!...

I'm posting a few pictures and will be back to update you soon on everything! Here's Braylin in her Elton John sunglasses (spent the day outside -- so excited Spring is here!!!), and Braylin modeling her swimsuit prior to her first Water Babies class last week. We had so much fun!

Braylin's first snow

It has been snowing since 8:00 this morning and has yet to let up! We have large trees all around us, but we managed to find one part of the backyard that collected some snow.

Birthday Party

We had a wonderful time celebrating Braylin's 1st birthday! Here's a few pictures from her party. We had hotdogs for lunch, watched (helped) Braylin open her gifts, and then had cupcakes and cake for dessert. She did great, and we left with a bundle of gifts!

Uncle Ray, Aunt Jennifer, and Taylor

Aunt Kasey, Poppi, and Bryce

Opening presents

Showing Humpty Dumpty to Dada

1 year ago today....

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

Pictures...

Swamp Mamas

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!

Having fun

Ready for a bike ride, riding my new rocking horse, relaxing in my new chair, eating fingerfood like a big girl!!!

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Swing

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

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

A quick little update....

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....

Halloween -- our little honey "B"

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!

Meeting Taylor....

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!!!