The Ertel Family Corner

More Summer Fun

2010-08-14T22:32:00.004-04:00

Brian has had a blast playing at the playground! He loves the slides - and climbing up them is so much fun!! He also really likes the swings! It's been a really hot summer, so he has also enjoyed the playspace at the mall!!

My first Motorcycle!!

Look Mom, No hands!!

I think I can, I think I can...

I'm gonna do it!!!

Yep, I knew I could make it!!!

See, I told you so!!

Pure Joy!

18 Months Old...

2010-08-14T20:34:00.004-04:00

ALREADY!!! We can't believe our little guy is already 18 months old, but he is - happened on July 31, 2010!! Brian is getting so big and becoming so very independent!! It has been a challenge keeping up with him - he NEVER stops - not even when he sleeps! At his 18-month check-up he weighed 25lbs 7 oz and was 31 3/4 inches long!! He is a growing boy!! He still loves to play outside and Veggie Tales have become his favorite thing to watch on tv!

Daddy is very proud to have taught him how to say his name!! When you ask Brian what his name is, he proudly says, "Bubba"!!! We definitely won't encourage this much longer, but for now it really is too cute!! He continues to LOVE music and loves to dance (So You Think You Can Dance in the future?!?!). He also really likes to color with his crayons - and most of the time he keeps them out of his mouth!!

We found out this summer just how much Brian LOVES the beach! We have been able to go down to the beach a few times this summer and our little guy is fearless!! Straight for the water - waves and all!! Mommy would have really liked for him to have at least a little caution, but NOOOO, he even wants to ride on the boogie boards!!

We are so blessed and are truly loving watching our little guy grow!

Ready to hit the beach!!

One cool little guy!

Boccie Ball Daddy?!?

Here comes the waves!

My boogie board!

Good Stuff!!

Nap time!!

My First Haircut!

2010-06-22T20:23:00.003-04:00

Brian got his very first haircut today! Mommy was NOT ready, but Daddy was determined that Brian needed a haircut! We went to Master Cuts at Triangle Town Center and Ms. Jazz did a great job moving around with me while she cut my hair! How does anyone expect me to sit still that long?!? I did sit still for about the first 30 seconds, but then I wanted to use a comb, too and I needed to comb my hair!!! Daddy thinks my haircut looks great and so does Mommy, but she says I now look too much like a little boy!!! But isn't that what I'm supposed to look like?!?

Watchin' myself in the mirror!

I didn't really want to hold my head still!

So handsome!

Look at me now!

Outdoor Fun!!

2010-06-21T20:35:00.005-04:00

Grammy and Poppy set up a playspace for Brian in their backyard - as you can see, he had a LOT of fun!! Mommy and Daddy can't wait for the beach trip this year - it's going to be a blast!!

The slide was my favorite!!!

And the sprinkler!!!

This is so much fun!

Mommy said, "Feet first!"

Want to join me?

Our little Angel!!!

Pure Joy!

Mother's Day Pics

2010-06-21T20:10:00.004-04:00

Yes, I know I'm more than a month behind...but better late than never, right?!?

Overdue Update!!

2010-05-25T14:38:00.000-04:00

Wow! So, I'm really behind in updating the blog and there is so much to include, but I'm just going to give a quick update and hopefully I can get some pictures posted REALLY soon!!

Chris continues to do REALLY well in the Culinary Arts program and truly loves it! And don't get us wrong, Mommy and Brian LOVE it when daddy comes home and cooks!! This semester he is taking American Regional Cuisine, Baking, and Asian Cuisine classes! Grammy is super jealous about the baking class and Poppy can't stand it that Chris is taking the Asian class!!! :)

Daddy has also been such a wonderful father and husband over the past 3 weeks as Mommy got a new job!!!! She is working with Smart Courier, which is a shipping company, that ships freight to VA, NC, TN, and AL! She was hired as their bookkeeper and has really enjoyed learning the job! The owner is really nice and is allowing Mommy to be flexible with her work hours - right now she is mostly working 7:00pm - 3:00am, so Brian doesn't have to be put in daycare! It's a tough schedule to get used to, especially when Mommy gets home from work at 3:30am and then the alarm goes off at 5:00am so Daddy can leave for school at 5:30am!! Thankfully that only happens on Wednesdays! And Brian usually lets Mommy sleep until at least 7-7:30am! Mommy has gotten pretty good at getting in at least a small nap while Brian naps these days!

Brian continues to get bigger and bigger each day! He is walking (RUNNING!!) all over the place and very rarely stops! At his 15 month check-up he weighed 23lbs 15 oz and was 30 inches long! He continues to be in the 50% for weight and 25% for height. He's a growing boy!! He LOVES to be outside and really enjoys his basketball goal, firetruck (Thanks Ben!!!), and popper! He has also decided that it is HIS job to walk Raelin (our Cocker Spaniel). He loves riding in his wagon, and when he does he has to be the one holding Raelin's leash! When we just go outside to walk, he also has to hold her leash and, of course, does not want any help from Mommy!!!! Thankfully, Raelin is pretty good about staying close and not jerking the leash from Brian's hand! We have also recently found out that he likes the sandbox and the water!!! We are so excited about trips to the beach this summer!!!!!!

We have been busy adjusting to our new schedule, but God continues to be gracious and we are so thankful for the job opportunity and not having to put Brian in daycare right now!

Mommy has pictures she needs to post so hopefully they'll come soon!!!

My Firetruck

2010-04-08T14:53:00.000-04:00

Mommy was able to get a video of me on my firetruck! I'd been saying "Whooo, Whooo" for the firetruck all morning, but I just didn't feel like telling Mommy what the firetruck says when she asked me!!!

Feeding Myself!

2010-04-08T14:44:00.000-04:00

Brian has started to feed himself with a spoon! It is really adorable! I took this short video while he was eating breakfast!!

14 Months Old

2010-04-07T19:57:00.000-04:00

Mommy is posting a lot of random pictures of all Brian is doing lately! He's finally figured out this whole walking deal and is on the move (even though he still prefers to hold mommy's hand!). He loves to ride on his firetruck that we are borrowing from our friends Adrienne, Caleb, and Ben while they are in Papua New Guinea. He knows what an elephant says, a dog, and of course he makes his firetruck sounds! We're not hearing a lot of new words, but he's got "more" and "please" down pat!!

Enjoy the pictures!

My firetruck and my cookies!! Perfect!

I can make the lights flash and the siren sound!

Look Mommy, I'm driving!!

Daddy was enjoying this just as much as I was!

Mema Velma's piano is great!

John didn't think I should eat the mulch at the park!

I love the park!

Wheeee!! John and me on the slide!

The BIG drum at Kindermusik!

So much fun!!

Hi Mommy!

Checking my email on my first Blackberry!

Watching Caroline and James at Gymnastics - with my snacks, of course!

My new buddy Sean!
He's 9 months old and our neighbors' foster child they're hoping to adopt!

Look at that, Sean!!

Our Stud Muffin!

Too cute not to post!

Way too precious!

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T19:37:00.000-04:00

We had a really good Easter this year! The week before Easter we drove to Fairview, TN and surprised Nana K and Papa G with a visit!!! They were so excited to see us - Nana K even cried! We had so much fun with Aunt Amy and Uncle Andrew while we were there and Nana K's sister, Aunt Pat was there for the weekend, too!!! I don't think Papa G really knew what to do with us all! We had a wonderful trip and Brian did amazingly good on the 10 hour trip! Praise the Lord!

Easter weekend, we took Brian to a free Easter carnival on Walnut Street in Cary for his first Easter Egg hunt! He actually found 5 eggs! Ok, so he found the first two and was perfectly content with one in each hand and Mommy helped him find a few more! Our friends Heather, Gavin, and Gage were there, too!

Easter Sunday was wonderful as always!

I found one!!

The grass was almost as tall as me!

My Daddy and Me!

Hey Mommy, let's go find some eggs!

I'm not so sure about this Easter Bunny!

I wanted to take my brush with me to church!

Mommy and Me Easter Morning!

My Easter Basket!

Of course the Yogurt Melts are my favorite!!

Look at all this great stuff!!

13 Months

2010-03-10T06:30:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not posting in such a long time! We continue to trust God for His strength and endurance DAILY (and many times, minute by minute). It's been a roller coaster for us over the last few weeks/months, but we continue to believe in God's faithfulness and goodness!

Mommy continues to be at home with me!! I LOVE IT! We go to the library for storytime, take lots of walks with my wagon, play with friends, and go to Kindermusik every week! Mommy had two interviews a couple of weeks ago with Raleigh Rescue Mission - they were looking for a Pre-K teacher. We said lots of prayers for mommy because she really wanted the job, but God wanted her to stay at home with me!! I'm really glad He decided that was best!

Daddy continues to LOVE culinary school and is doing REALLY well! He brings home LOTS of great new recipes and practices making them at home! Brian eats like a champ!! He tries all of daddy's dishes (that don't have seafood in them!) and has really liked all of them so far! We are so blessed to not have a picky eater - for now, anyway!! Brian has 6 teeth coming in on the top!! ALL his front teeth decided to come in at almost the same time! (oh, how much fun it has been!!!) But he's a trooper and LOVES to crunch his cheerios (multi-grain, of course!) with his new teeth!

Brian has taken a few steps on his own, but he's not really ready to let go of mommy's finger and walk on his own! He's a pretty cautious little guy - when he knows for sure that he can do it, we're sure he's going to take off!! Mommy's not really that anxious for Brian to walk anyway, he is already fast enough on his knees!!

Enjoy the pictures!!

Major static electricity!!

Mommy and Aunt Amy LOVE my baby mohawk!!

One Cool Dude!! (You talkin' to me?!?)

My first shirt from Las Vegas!! Thanks Uncle Andrew!

Heart Breaker!!

SNOW!!

2010-02-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

It snowed about 3-4 inches the weekend of Brian's birthday and we had a lot of fun playing in it - some more than others!!! The snow was a pretty cool birthday present for Brian!! Enjoy the pictures!

All bundled up and ready to ride!

Daddy sledding!! He was having way too much fun!

And mommy even sledded - but only once!!

Poppy, Daddy, BUB, FAB, Uncle Andrew, & Mommy

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!

2010-02-02T10:41:00.000-05:00

January 31, 2010

ONE YEAR OLD!!! Is time really supposed to go by this fast?!? Brian has grown so much! He now weighs 22 lbs 14 oz and is 28 inches long! He is growing perfectly and we really have a little eater on our hands! We have yet to find a food that he does not like! And he wants whatever mommy and daddy are eating! He LOVES vegetable soup, mandarin oranges, bananas, and yes, Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets!! (But who doesn't like Chick-fil-A?!?!)

Brian has decided that he's just not ready to walk yet - he much rather super-crawl (this kid is FAST) and climb on everything! He'll walk around all day, holding someone's hand, but he's not decided yet that he wants to let go and do it on his own! However, we're pretty sure it won't be long and we definitely get all the exercise we need chasing him around the house and going up and down the stairs several times a day!!

He is saying more words now - mama, dada, nana, aw-duh (all done!), uh-oh (that's his favorite!), and he likes to say "baba" even though it's for nothing in particular! He LOVES music and likes to dance and "sing"! We were blessed with a scholarship for Kindermusik and he absolutely loves going to the classes each Friday! He also really like storytime at the library and continues to LOVE books (yea!!!). Brian loves to go for walks in his red wagon, and if it's raining or too cold outside, mommy and daddy get to pull him around the house in his wagon!!!

Brian got a really special treat for his birthday this year - SNOW!!! We got to play in the snow ALL weekend! We postponed his party for all his friends for next weekend, but we had a BLAST with Nana K, Papa G, Uncle Andrew, Grammy, Poppy, Mimi, FAB (Fun Aunt Beth) and BUB (Brian's Uncle Brian) all able to be here for the weekend!!! Grammy made his birthday cake and it was YUMMY! Mommy made the decorations and daddy made some AWESOME vegetable soup and we made grilled cheese sandwiches!!!

SUCH A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!!!

Can I eat the balloons, too?!?!

Mommy helped me blow out my candle!

It look a minute for Brian to realize he really could put his hands in the icing!!

This is GOOD stuff!

So much fun!!

That's a BIG bite!!

Brian got LOTS of great presents for his birthday! He had a lot of fun opening the gifts and pulling the tissue paper out of the bags!! We're not sure what his favorite present is yet, but we know Mommy's is the BUBBLES!!!

Clothes from Mimi! I'm gonna be stylin'!!

A Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License from Poppy and Grammy!!

Grammy & Poppy gave me a Giraffe Guitar Band to play with now!!

Are those MY bubbles, Mommy?!

I CAN GET THEM!!!

How does this thing work?

I GOT IT!!!

Nana K and Papa G got me my Kindermusik set!!!

Brian had a great birthday!!! Aunt Amy sent mommy a whole set of Arbonne Baby Care products and FAB and BUB got Brian a picture frame, pajamas, and a toy helicopter (that FAB gave him early because she couldn't wait!!). All in all, it was the best 1st birthday ever!!!

Can we go back outside?!?

Such a GREAT birthday!!

Fun Times!

2010-02-02T10:23:00.000-05:00

Brian is a very busy little boy!! We have so much fun watching him explore, learn, and grow! Here are a few pictures of all that he is into these days!!

Helping Mommy clean!!

Such a big helper!

Climbing over and through EVERYTHING!

Here I am!!

Peek-a-boo Daddy!!!

I have found the tupperware cabinet!!

I'm too smart for this cabinet lock!!!

I can take them ALL out by myself!!

My FAVORITE toy!

Yes, I have found the stairs!! And I'm a GREAT climber! Thankfully Raelin watches over me!

LIFE IS GREAT!!

2010-01-09T14:07:00.001-05:00

Christmas was a lot of fun this year - and even more so with an 11 month old!!! We traveled WAY TOO much and kept the roads hot, but we loved getting to spend time with so many of our family and friends! Of course, Brian threw a kink in festivities the Wednesday before Christmas as we found ourselves in the doctor's office with an ear infection!!! And then Wednesday evening, Nurse Aunt Lisa had to come over and give Brian steroids for his croup!!! But he was a real trouper through all the traveling and all the partying!! Brian's first Christmas was full of blessings and joy!

My First Red Wagon!!

OOOOHHHHHH! Look at all the gifts!!

Grammy, I got into the Christmas Bag!!

Cousin Emma and Brian

So sweet!

Christmas at Uncle Mike and Aunt Brenda's

Christmas at Great-Grandma Lucille and Papa Ed's

Such good kisses for Cousin Carly!

YEA for Christmas!!!

My First....CANDY CANE!!!

2009-12-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly! Brian had his first candy cane while we were in TN visiting Nana K, Papa G, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Amy! Nana K didn't think Brian could get to the actual candy, but Momma had to eventually take the wrapper off the candy cane! It was probably one of his most favorite things!!!

Great - Mema Velma watching me closely!

This is GOOD stuff!!

This is MY Candy Cane!!

And the Christmas Joys have begun...

Uncle Andrew's Graduation

2009-12-20T17:32:00.000-05:00

We got to take a trip to Nana K and Papa G's house in Fairview, TN for a long weekend! Papa G's birthday was December 18th and Uncle Andrew graduated from Middle Tennessee State University on December 19th!!! We had a great time and Brian's feet barely touched the floor the entire weekend!!! :)

Uncle Andrew walking into graduation
(middle of picture with white scarf thing!)

The program was good!!!

Chris, Uncle Andrew, Kristin, and Brian

Sooooo proud!!

Congratulations Uncle Andrew!!!

The Dog Bowl...

2009-12-20T17:06:00.000-05:00

Brian has been crawling around for quite a while now and pulling up on furniture and "walking" wherever he can hold onto something! And for some time, he never left the living room!!! But why would he? All his cool toys are in the living room! Mom and Dad were LOVING it!!! However, this dream state was short lived when Brian threw a toy down the hall and went to find it - and the door to a whole new world opened up! Brian has now found the dining room - and his highchair which he loves, but his favorite new "toy" is Raelin's food and water bowls! He has figured out how to take the bowls out of the holder and he has also discovered the wonderful noise they make as they are clanged together or banged on the floor!! Some mornings are so musical!!!...

OOOHHHH! What's this?!?

Hi Mom!!!

Wanna play with me?

Clang and Bang on the floor!!

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-10T12:12:00.000-05:00

Brian's first Thanksgiving was wonderful!! We got to see so many family and friends - and of course we ate WAY TOO much food! Brian's first Thanksgiving Dinner consisted of him eating Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, and a cream cheese appetizer (that Brian ate 2 of!!).

We are so thankful for all our family and friends and all the support and love they have shown us this past year! We have been so blessed and are so grateful for all that God has given us!

My first Thanksgiving Dinner! YUMMMMM!

Mimi enjoyed playing with me!!

Having fun with FAB!

Boy, this is good stuff!

Great-Grandparents ROCK!!

Aunt Amy gave me a pickle!!!

I wanted to share my pickle with Papa G!

Daddy and I ate way too much Turkey!!

Nap Time after a GREAT Thanksgiving!

Bonfire!

2009-12-10T11:48:00.000-05:00

We had a blast at the Cookout and Bonfire with our Young Adults group and the "Original" Young Adults from our church! Brian had a blast!

Sportin' my Carolina Panthers outfit!!

Community!

Deep Fried Turkey!

It was a BIG Bonfire!

My First Tractor Ride!

Mrs. Sarah let me nap on her shoulder!!

My First Halloween!!!

2009-11-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

We were at Holden Beach on Halloween and all our mommies and daddies decided that we were going to go Trick-or-Treating in the house!! Some of the adults went in all the bedrooms with the doors closed and my friends and I went around knocking on the doors and getting candy!! It was a lot of fun, even though I think the adults had more fun than us kids!!

Tigger (Brian), Firefighter (Ben), Superman (Brayden), and Bear (John)

Trick-or-Treat!

Even the Hunchback was giving out candy (spider cupcakes, actually)!!

This is a lot of fun!!

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Beach Retreat

2009-11-02T20:43:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend we went down to Holden Beach with our small group from church for a weekend retreat! It was AMAZING! Adrienne and Caleb have friends whose parents own a beach house and they let us use the house for the weekend and only pay the cost for the housekeeping/clean-up!! Such a blessing! Every couple from our group was able to come and we even had babysitters for the kids!! (Caleb's parents graciously agreed to come along to watch the kids so the adults could get together by themselves for a while!) We had such a good weekend and the most wonderful food!!! We pretty much stayed full the entire weekend! Thanks to my awesome husband, meals were outstanding!!! The weather was absolutely beautiful the entire weekend - sunny, warm, BEAUTIFUL!!!

The house was INCREDIBLE!

What a group!!!

The boys LOVED playing in the sand!

Up on the Crow's Nest! It was HIGH!!!

I LOVE THE BEACH!

The boys playing football! (Some of them decided they are too old to still be playing!)

Beautiful weather!!

Such a wonderful view!

God's AMAZING sunset!

Ben and Brian!

Brian found a new place to play!

9 Months Old

2009-11-02T20:16:00.000-05:00

We can't believe Brian is already 9 Months old!!! October 31st came very quickly, and we know that we'll turn around and it'll be January 31st and we'll be celebrating his 1 year birthday! Brian has been a VERY busy little boy in the past month! He has learned to play his drum, shake his morocco, clap his hands, and wave his hands bye-bye! He has also figured out how to crawl!!! He was walking around our coffee table for the longest time and we were sure he may just go straight to walking, but a week before he turned 9 months old, he figured out how the whole crawling thing worked and he is on the move!!! He is such a strong and determined little boy! You can see it on his face when he's trying to figure out how to pull up on something or get to something he wants. It may take him a minute, but he usually gets it! (Man, are we in TROUBLE!?!) Brian is eating more and more table food, and starting to decide that he would much rather have mommy and daddy's food than his!! He really likes cheese, apples, bananas, macaroni and cheese, dill pickles, and bread! He loves to eat with his hands, unless he's really hungry and then he would much rather us just shovel it in his mouth!! :) We continue to cherish and enjoy every day with are little one!!

My new favorite thing to do - blow bubbles!!!

Great-Mema Velma came to visit!

Great-Papa Leo thinks I'm the best!

I decided to help daddy cook! The best part is licking the spatula!

Yes, I knocked over my entire basket of toys!!

My First Ear Infection! YUCK!!

2009-10-19T19:34:00.000-04:00

Brian has officially had his first ear infection!! Mommy and Daddy both got colds last week and Brian ended up with one, too. Unfortunately, his cold also got to his left ear - so, here we go with the "pink stuff"!!! Thankfully, he really seems to like his medicine and takes it like a champ! Drinks it right down! And, as you can see, after less than 2 full days on the medicine Brian was back to his old self!!

Hehehe!! I have learned to stick out my tongue and blow and make lots of fun noises!!!

Fun Day at Hillridge Farm

2009-10-12T09:05:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, October 11th, we went to the Hillridge Farm Pumpkin Patch in Youngsville with our friends Jennifer and Brayden! It was so much fun! They have LOTS of things to do and see! Mommy & Brian and Jennifer & Brayden played in the "Corn Box" - it didn't have sand, it had kernels of corn!! Brian wasn't too sure about it at first, but then decided it was fun to kick all the corn around with his feet! Then Daddy took Brian down the BIG slide - that was fun, but daddy said it was really bouncy! There were LOTS of animals to see - goats, chickens, horses, ducks, bunny rabbits, fish, and even a Llama!!! Brayden & Brian liked to watch the train, too! But everyone's favorite part was the hayride and the pumpkin patch! Brian LOVED playing with all the pumpkins!!!

The Corn Box!!! What's this stuff??

WHEEEEEEE!!! Down the slide with Daddy!

The Llama!

We're goin' on a Hayride!!

My Pumpkins!!!

8 Months Old

2009-10-12T08:27:00.000-04:00

Another month old and learning so many things every day!!! Brian loves to be on his feet and our coffee table is definitely his favorite place to be! Every day he gets better and better and cruising back and forth along the side of the table! Even though he will get up on his knees and scoot some, something tells me he's not going to be much of a crawler! I think we're going to go straight to walking with this little guy!!

This month he has just exploded with new things he has learned to do! Brian loves to play "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!" He doesn't make much sound when he claps, but that's really okay with mommy!! He has learned to wave and loves to wave bye-bye to everyone! He has also started putting some consenant sounds in front of his vowels, so we've heard, "ba-ba" "ma-ma" and "da-da"!! We did hear ma-ma before da-da, but his first official word was "uh-oh"!!

We still don't have any teeth yet, but Brian LOVES to eat his puffs, apple slices, and whole dill pickles!!! He'll gum almost anything we give him! His gag reflex has gotten so much better in the last month!! YEA!

We can't wait to see what month 9 holds in store!!!

My First Pickle!!

Mommy & Daddy had to lower my mattress when I learned how to pull up and stand in my bed!

The Coffee Table!

I found the laundry basket! So fun!!

Watchin' Sunday Football!!!

What a week!!

2009-09-21T19:06:00.000-04:00

We have had an incredible (and busy!) week! Last Tuesday, Chris' grandmother, Mimi, rode the train from Charlotte to come visit us for a few days! Brian had so much fun with his great-grandmother! We are just thrilled that so many of his relatives get to come visit! On Friday, we all loaded up our Vue and headed to Asheville, NC for the weekend! Chris' sister, Beth, or as Brian calls her, FAB (Fun Aunt Beth), was getting married to BUB (Brian's Uncle Brian!). The wedding was on Saturday and everyone looked absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Unfortunately the weather didn't really cooperate and the rain forced the wedding inside, but it was still incredibly beautiful! I wish I could say that the ceremony was wonderful and I really enjoyed it, but our sweet little boy had other plans for his mommy...

Brian and I were seated on the front row awaiting Mimi and Grammy (and eventually Poppy) to join us at the wedding! Lots of family and friends were seated around us talking and playing with Brian. About 5 minutes before the wedding started, Brian started getting really antsy, so I sat him on the floor in front of me. He seemed much happier playing with his toes!!! Daddy escorted Mimi down the aisle and seated her next to me. Grammy's next door neighbor who was sitting behind us tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Brian's pooped all over the floor!" To my horror, I looked down and Brian's diaper had EXLODED!!! Poop was all up his back and all over the floor!!! WHAT'S A MOMMA TO DO?!? Chris was just then escorting Grammy to the front row and when she sat down I looked at her and asked if I had time to get out! Of course there was no side aisle - just the middle aisle everyone was being escorted down!!! I remember Grammy saying, "Yes, if you go right now!" I scooped Brian up in a football hold, draped over my arm, desperately trying to not get poop all over my dress, grabbed the diaper bag and high-tailed it down the aisle and straight to the bathroom! And of course EVERYONE saw me leave!! But we made it to the bathroom and was able to get Brian cleaned up (without a changing station, mind you!). Only by the grace of God did it not get all over me and I had enough wipes and a change of clothes for Brian!

So, to say the least, as we emerged from the bathroom and were walking to the entrance-way to the room, I heard the preacher say, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Beth and Brian looked absolutely beautiful (and handsome!) as they walked back down the aisle and past Brian and I as "Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lea"! And we did make it for pictures - in a different outfit, but there none-the-less!

I am learning more and more every day about Motherhood, the joys and the horrors that come along with it! You take the embarrassing momments and smile because really, who could stay upset with that adorable, precious little bundle of joy?!?!

I don't have any pictures quite yet, but when I get some, I promise to post them! As for now, the story will have to do, as I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share!!!

Go Wolfpack!

2009-09-08T15:02:00.000-04:00

Brian got to go to his first NC State football game on Thursday, September 3rd! We went with our good friends Matt and Jennifer! We tailgated before the game and got to see the Wolfpack play South Carolina. The pack lost 7-3, but Brian had a ton of fun! He only took a 20 minute nap during half-time! He got to meet lots of new people and didn't fuss at all - except for about 3 minutes before he fell asleep at 11:30pm when we were still in the parking lot trying to get out!!!

Tailgating is FUN!!!

Cheering with Daddy!

Mommy, Jennifer, and Brian

Watchin' the game!

Brian and his catnap!

New Tricks!

2009-08-25T20:01:00.001-04:00

Just in the last week, Brian has really started sitting up by himself and playing with his toys! He is even trying to scoot across the floor to get toys! He's going to be crawling (or walking!) way before mommy and daddy are ready for him to! It's hard to believe he is almost 7 months old! This is very quickly becoming one of mommy's favorite ages! We love that he is "talking" to us all the time and he loves to laugh! There's only one thing we are still waiting for...teeth! But we're pretty sure they are on their way!

Sitting all by myself!!!

I wanted that toy!!!

Trip to Fairview, TN

2009-08-25T19:45:00.000-04:00

Mommy and I went to visit Nana K and Papa G for a few days, and I got to ride on an airplane!!! Mommy says I did very well - I don't really remember, I slept the entire flight - both times!! We had fun in Tennessee - we got to see Aunt Amy, Uncle Andrew, and Shawn, too! They all can't believe how big I'm getting! We did miss daddy, but we got to see him and talk to him on Skype! It was a lot of fun! Mommy's friend, Meredith, let Nana & Papa borrow her exersaucer that her little girl doesn't use any more - it had all the fun toys that mine at home has!!! I had a lot of fun showing Papa G how the cow goes MOOOO and the lion goes ROAR! Papa G can even make those sounds, too!!! :)

I got a window seat just like daddy likes!!

Just waiting to board the plane at RDU airport! I got my keys, ready to go!

There were LOTS of ducks at Bowie Nature Park! Ducks go Quack, Quack!

Papa G gave me my very own remote control!

Just like mine at home!!

6 Months

2009-08-10T20:34:00.000-04:00

We can't believe Brian was 6 months old on July 31!!! Obviously he is keeping us VERY busy because I'm pretty behind on posting! But to my defense, our world has been somewhat stressful lately. Mommy's work (Building Together Ministries) had to leave the building they were renting and put everything in storage and then Mommy got laid-off the end of July! So, now Mommy and Daddy are both looking for jobs! But we know that God's plan is bigger than what we can see and His plans for us are to give us Hope and a Future and He will always provide for our needs!

Brian is getting so big! At his 6 month check-up he weighed 15 lbs 8 oz and was 25 1/2 inches long! He had jumped from being in the less than 3% for weight and height to the 20-25%!!! Mommy and Daddy were so proud! He is rolling over like a champ and starting to pull his knees up under him! He's sitting up by himself (for short amounts of time, but he's still sitting up!). And he has the best laugh EVER! Daddy has found Brian's tickle spots and we love to hear him laugh! He loves to play in his exersaucer and jumper - and of course ALL the toys go straight to his mouth!!! But no teeth quite yet! He has also found his feet and loves to try and get his toes in his mouth!!! I guess it's a good thing he's not running around outside in the dirt all day and then trying to put his feet in his mouth! :)

He is eating like a champ! Mommy is making his baby food and so far he LOVES peaches, applesauce, green peas, and sweet potatoes! He is not a fan of green beans, but mommy's going to try them again a little later! He also likes the Yo Baby Vanilla Yogurt, and of course he LOVES his cereal (mixed with apple juice preferably!).

We are so blessed to have this little bundle of joy - that is finally getting some fat rolls!!! Gotta love it!! Enjoy the pictures!

Grammy made this bib for Daddy when he was my age!!

I love Raelin, but she gives SLOPPY kisses!

Such a big boy!

Getting so BIG!

There's my toes!!!

Getting So Big

2009-07-20T21:50:00.000-04:00

I sit and marvel at how incredibly big our little man is getting! He grows overnight!! It's so hard to believe that Brian will be 6 months old on July 31st! He is eating Rice Cereal and Oatmeal like a champ (we're gonna have to start veggies soon!) and taking a 7-8 oz bottle 4 times a day!!! He definitely has his daddy's appetite! Plus he has started rolling over ALL the time - however, only from his back to his stomach (and that's supposed to be the harder way for babies to roll over!). We even got video on my cell phone of Brian rolling over, but I cannot figure out how to get the video off my phone and downloaded to our blog!! (If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!). And he's started staying on his stomach longer (even though he still doesn't like tummy time much) and he'll pull his knees up and try to scoot across the floor! We have one smart little boy! He LOVES to sit up and stand up and he already has his favorite toys! My absolute FAVORITE thing is that he has learned to play "Peek-a-boo"! He will pull his bib up over his face, wait for someone to say, "Where's Brian?" and then pull his bib back down and grin from ear to ear when you say Peek-a-boo! I LOVE IT!! We are so incredibly blessed by Brian's wonderfully positive personality and spirit - he is almost always happy and bubbly! SUCH A BLESSING!

Eating is FUN!

I don't like to use the lid to my cup!!

Around and Around and Around they go!
Where they stop, nobody knows!

So Happy!

Look at those big blue eyes!

Maybe Rice Cereal isn't so bad...

2009-07-12T14:47:00.000-04:00

Brian has finally decided that his rice cereal really isn't all that bad! In fact, mommy and daddy can't shovel it in his mouth fast enough! Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer and Brayden sharing his oatmeal, Brian has gotten the hang of eating it! Of course Mommy thinks it also helps that it's mixed with Plum juice since Brian's little system doesn't always like all the iron and stuff in his formula! We're just glad he likes eating his cereal!

Lunch Time!!

Look at me Dad!!

Mommy's little helper!

YUM! YUM!!

GOOD STUFF!!!

July 4th Celebration

2009-07-12T14:30:00.000-04:00

We spent July 4th weekend at Cherry Grove Beach! Daddy's friend Jeremy and his son, Christopher, and friend Liz came down to the beach with us. We had a lot of fun! Brian absolutely loves being outside and he loves the beach! We thought he was going to miss the fireworks because he fell asleep about 7:00, but that proved just to be a nap because he woke up around 9:00 just in time to watch the fireworks!!!

Chillin' at the beach!

Christopher Sand Mound!

Waiting for the Fireworks!

OOOHHHH, Pretty!

Fireworks off the pier at Cherry Grove!

Jump, Jump, Jump

2009-06-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

Brian has finally grown into his Musical Jumper! It has lots of things to play with and plays music. He's not quite sure how to move the chair all the way around to see everything, but he's learning!

Brian's Dedication

2009-06-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

Brian was dedicated to our Lord on Sunday, June 28th at Grace Community Church by Jeff Hancock. We were so blessed to have so many of our friends and family join us for this wonderful occasion.

Daddy gave me a "Baby Hawk" for the special occasion

Brian was being dedicated and Kate was being baptized

Daddy's First Father's Day

2009-06-21T15:15:00.001-04:00

Daddy and I have had a great day today! Father's are GREAT! I made Daddy a special picture with my handprints and footprints! He REALLY liked it! Mommy even let me wear my NC State polo shirt just like Daddy!

Mommy & I made a card for Daddy!

Look at my hands and feet!!

NC State red!

Daddy's nose is so much fun to chew on!

Whew! It's been a long day!

Rice Cereal Anyone?!?

2009-06-21T15:03:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Daddy decided to try and give Brian some Rice Cereal to help increase the calories he's getting each day - we need our little man to gain a little weight!!!

But, as you can see, he was not very fond of it at all!!!

What is this stuff???

Okay, I'll try it!

Still not sure I like it!

NOPE! Told you I didn't like it!

4 Month Check-Up

2009-06-09T10:12:00.001-04:00

Brian went to see Dr. Britt yesterday for his 4 month check-up! Mommy was a little anxious about this one, because we had been to see the doctor last Wednesday because Brian would scream every time Mommy tried to feed him on the left side - Mommy started worrying something might be wrong with his ear. But the doctor said everything was fine with his ears, however, Brian only weighed 10 lbs 8 oz last Wednesday and had fallen off the growth chart!!! He wasn't getting enough to eat! :(

So, all weekend we gave him a 3-4 oz bottle after he nursed and he would down the entire bottle!! This little guy can eat! So, on Monday Mommy was a little anxious about his weight and when he was weighed he only weighed 10 lbs 6 oz!!! How could he have lost 2 oz in 4 days eating as much as he did?!? Well, on Wednesday they did not get Brian undressed to weigh him and yesterday they did, so the nurse assured me that was the 2 oz difference. But still no change in his weight! He is growing - 23 1/4 inches long (but still in only the 3% range) and his head circumference stayed in the 10% range at 40.6 cm.

Dr. Britt assured us that we are not starving Brian, he is just not getting enough calories!!! So, we will continue to supplement him and give him more after he nurses and we're going to start Rice Cereal (stay tuned for pictures of that adventure!!!). We go back to the doctor on July 8th for a weight check, so hopefully this little guy can gain some weight in the next 4 weeks!!

With all that drama the 2 shots he got for his vaccines seemed like nothing!! He only cried for maybe 10 seconds which really helps Mommy! We have such a good little boy! We are so thankful that Brian is such a happy and healthy baby!

4 Months Old

2009-05-31T16:06:00.000-04:00

Brian is 4 months old today! I know all parents say this, but the time really has gone by so fast!! We are truly enjoying every single day with our little guy! The past month has been full of new joys, new experiences, and lots of "firsts"!

Brian rolled over from his stomach to his back just last week! He really doesn't like "tummy time" but momma makes him do it anyway and last week, he just rolled on over to his back! He has also really started pushing himself on his back with his feet - he is never in the same spot in the mornings as when we put him to sleep! He has some really strong little legs and LOVES to stand up - we can't get him to sit up when we hold his hands and pull him up - he goes straight to his feet!

Momma also saw the first signs of little teeth this month! 2 little white teeth just below his bottom gums! No wonder he's drooling so much! And his hands or momma's fingers are ALWAYS in his mouth! Brian can't quite figure out which fingers he likes the most (or which hand) - some days it's only 2 fingers, some days it's 3 or 4, and some days it is his whole fist! But we don't think he is at all interested in his thumb because it never goes in his mouth unless he's trying to cram his whole fist in his mouth!!

We did have our first round of antibiotic eye drops for pink eye this month! Thankfully Momma and Daddy neither one caught it! And we have to brag on our amazing child - No screaming and crying while putting the drops in!! He let us put 2 drops in each eye 4 times a day for 5 days with only a little blinking and rubbing of his eyes!!! HE IS SUCH A GOOD BABY!!!!

We are so blessed that God has given us Brian! The past 4 months have been so much fun to learn and grow with him!!

Papa G got me a bear that says "Papa G" on his bowtie!

This grass feels funny! But I love to stand up!

Everything is already starting to go in my mouth!

Thanks for the Bumbo chair Bridget!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-31T09:17:00.000-04:00

My first trip to Mimi's beach house down in Cherry Grove, SC!!! We went with Grammy and Poppy for Memorial Day weekend and had so much fun! I loved having my feet in the sand and I even got in the water!! (there were some tidal pools that the sun had heated up, so momma said it was okay for me to get in!! She wouldn't let daddy take me in the ocean with all the waves, though, it was way too cold!)

Ooohhh sand!

Look at Me!

It feels like bath water!

Me and my big boy swim trunks!

Where did my feet go?!?

More Beach Pictures

2009-05-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Love my sunhat!

Me and Mommy!

Daddy's Big Boy!

Me and Grammy!

Chillin' with Poppy!

Surprise!

2009-05-30T12:28:00.000-04:00

Papa G and Nana K came to visit the weekend after Mother's Day! We had so much fun with them. We even to a trip to Elkin, NC to surprise the great-grandparents! Nana K's parents and Papa G's parents knew Momma and Daddy were bringing Brian to see them, but they didn't know Nana and Papa were with them, too!

Brian also got to meet his second cousins - Kileigh and Rylan - they were born in April and May! Great-Grandma Velma and Great-Grandpa Leo became Great Grandparents 3 times in 4 months!!! Now that's exciting!!!

Papa G; Great-Grandpa Leo; Great-Uncle Stan

Daddy; Cousin Seth; Cousin Zachary

Me; Kileigh; Rylan

All 3 Great-Grandkids and Families

Great-Aunt Pat Loves Baby Brian!!! And so does Nana K!

Great-Grandpa Ed got a hold of me!

Great-Grandma Lucille's BEAUTIFUL roses! They smelled so good!

Mother's Day

2009-05-11T19:00:00.000-04:00

Mommy had her very first Mother's Day!!! We were at Grammy and Poppy's house and Daddy, Poppy, Aunt Beth, and Uncle Brian cooked Breakfast and Lunch for everyone! And I gave Mommy the cutest card!! (Daddy helped me pick it out and sign it! Thanks Daddy!)

First Trip to the Beach

2009-05-11T18:53:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Aunt Lisa took me, Caroline, and James to the beach for the day!!! Caroline and James had a lot of fun playing in the sand and the water! I slept most of the day, but it was a lot of fun!

My First Trip to the Beach!

Sleeping in the jogger!!

Aunt Lisa and Me in the shade!

3 months old

2009-05-01T16:11:00.000-04:00

Brian is already 3 Months Old!!! Mommy can't believe she was in labor only 3 months ago! The time is going by so fast and we know it will just continue to get faster and faster. Brian is changing and growing every day. He is holding his head up REALLY well and loves to smile at everyone! He is starting to like Tummy Time more, but he would much rather be on his back looking at his toys, or better still, in someone's arms facing outward so he can see everything that's happening! Brian still loves his swing and his bouncy seat! He is definitely a mover - already going to sleep on one side of his bed and waking up in a totally different position (but not rolling over yet...still a little young!).

Enjoy our pictures!

Bright Eyes!!

My Favorite Sleeping Spot!

Look at Me!!

So Big!

Yeah, I've found my fingers!!

AIRPLANE!!!

2009-04-20T19:46:00.000-04:00

Papa G took Brian on his first airplane trip while we were in Fairview over Easter! He absolutely loved it!!

Brian's 1st Easter

2009-04-20T18:57:00.000-04:00

Well, it only took me a little over a week to get the Easter pictures posted! I'm considering that pretty good for me right now!

We had so much fun in Fairview, TN with Nana K, Papa G, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Andrew! Brian took his first trip to the big ol' metropolis of Fairview!! LOL! (For those of you who know Fairview, you know why that is funny!) Brian did EXCELLENT on the 10 hour car ride! We are so blessed that he likes to ride and he slept most of the trip!

We really enjoyed our week with my parents, however, we are NOT going to let Papa G carry Brian around ALL the time next time we visit! It took almost 3 days before Brian was content again in his bouncy seat and on his playmat! But I guess it is a lot more fun to be moving around all the time!!!

We are very thankful for being able to spend Easter with family!

Brian's 1st Easter Basket!

It was a BEAUTIFUL day!

Uncle Andrew and Aunt Amy couldn't get enough of me!

2 Month Check-Up

2009-04-06T12:06:00.000-04:00

Brian had his 2 month check-up today! We were so glad that he continues to grow and is very healthy! Mommy was the closest to guessing his weight! Brian weighed 9lbs 4oz and was 21 1/2 inches long today! He has gained 1lb 3oz and grown 1 1/2 inches in the last month! Mommy and Daddy thought that was great (and so did Dr. Britt), but he is still only in the 5% for both his weight and length!!! He's a little guy! His little (well, daddy says "big") head was 38cm in circumference - and that's only in the 10% range! So we can still brag that our little miracle is perfect - proportional and healthy! Dr. Britt also assured Mommy that it was perfectly normal for Brian's poopy diapers to happen less frequently - he's gone 5 days without pooping!!! Dr. Britt said breast-fed babies can go a week or more when they hit about 2 months!!! Mommy and Daddy both agree that they don't want to go a week without pooping, but it doesn't seem to bother Brian! :)

Brian took his shots like a champion and Mommy did pretty good, too! Hopefully he won't have any negative reactions to the vaccines. Now hopefully we won't have to see the doctor again until May 29th for our 4 month check-up!!! And then we'll do this all over again!

2 Months Old

2009-04-01T21:15:00.000-04:00

Brian is now 2 months old!!! He is getting so big! We go to the doctor for his check-up next Monday, April 6th! Any bets on how much he weighs??? Momma thinks he's gonna weigh 9 lbs 2 oz, but daddy thinks he weighs over 10 lbs! We'll see who's closer! Brian's definitely grown some in length as we are having to put away some of the newborn clothes that are getting too short for his long little legs (looks like he's gonna take after his daddy!).

Brian also got to meet his other great-grandparents last Friday! Great-grandma Lucille and Great-Grandpa Ed came to Great-Aunt Pat's house in Winston Salem to see us! Great-Grandma Velma and Great-Grandpa Leo came, too! Aunt Pat cooked a great lunch and we loved spending time with everyone! Brian is so blessed to have 5 great-grandparents alive and 7 great-aunts and uncles to love and spoil him! Not to mention the 4 grandparents and 4 aunts and uncles that spoil him like crazy!!!

Here's some more pictures!!!

Great-Grandma Lucille and Great-Grandma Velma

Great-Aunt Pat thinks I am ADORABLE!

Nana K and me! I'm 2 months old!

I'm thinking hard!

4 generations!!

Great-Grandpa Ed, Great-Grandma Lucille,

Nana K, Momma, and Me

8 Weeks Old

2009-03-29T21:23:00.000-04:00

Brian Christopher is 8 weeks old! Momma can't believe it's already been 8 weeks! We are so excited that Brian continues to grow and has remained healthy. Brian is more and more alert each day. He loves to interact with his toys on his playmat and his bouncy seat. Brian loves storytime and bathtime! Momma and Daddy are VERY excited that Brian has slept from 11:00pm until 5:00-6:00am several nights in a row over the past couple of weeks!

We continue to thank God for our little miracle and continue to pray for guidance and wisdom in raising this little guy to love God and love others.

I'm 8 weeks old!

LOVE my bouncy seat!

I tried to cheer Duke on to the championship!

SMILEY!!!

Thanks Aunt Amy!

2009-03-12T12:57:00.000-04:00

When Aunt Amy came to visit, she brought Brian something special to go over his crib! We LOVE it!

Play Time!!

2009-03-04T12:39:00.000-05:00

Brian has started staying awake for longer periods of time during the day!!! Yeah - that means Momma gets a little longer stretch of sleep at night! We are having a lot of fun playing with his Safari Play Mat and even Raelin enjoys the time!

Gotta Love this face!!!

I love playing with Daddy!

Momma loves my "Totally Cuter Than Daddy" shirt!

My First Snow Day!

2009-03-02T15:53:00.000-05:00

It actually snowed last night!! We got about 2 inches of snow overnight and even though Brian slept through Momma and Daddy bundling him up and taking him outside for 2 minutes just so they could get pictures, it was a lot of fun! OOOHHH, The snow is COLD!

All bundled up!

Daddy doesn't think the snow is all that cold!

One Month Check-up

2009-03-02T15:41:00.000-05:00

Brian went to the doctor today for his one month check-up and everything went really well! He was actually awake and alert during the visit (that was after we had to get him undressed to get his weight - he REALLY doesn't like to be naked and cold!). He has gained 1 lb and now weighs 8 lbs 1 oz - he's in the 10-15% for his weight. The nurse thinks the hospital nurses may have measured Brian wrong because he only measured 20 inches today (instead of the 20 3/4 measured at birth), which is in the 8 percentile for his length. His head circumference was 36.7 cm which is in the 25 percentile! Dr. Hedgepath said Brian looks very healthy and is growing at a perfectly normal rate! Brian only had to get one vaccine today and he only screamed out for about 5 seconds before Momma picked him up and then he was fine! He's a pretty tough little boy!

We'll go back to the doctor on April 6th for our 2 month check-up!

One Month Old

2009-03-01T14:58:00.000-05:00

You know, February is an odd month - there's only 28 (sometimes 29) days which throws everything off when your birthday is on the 31st of the month!!! I was 4 weeks old on Saturday, February 28th and so I guess I should have been one month old on February 31st - but there is no February 31st!!! So, Momma and Daddy are just saying I'm now 1 month old!

A lot has happened over the last month! I've met so many new people - family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers (but Momma says it's okay - they just want to comment on how adorable I am and ask how old I am)! I love to cuddle (especially on Daddy's chest!) and I like to go for rides in the car and my stroller. I didn't like bath time at all the first couple of times I had to take a bath, it's so cold and I don't like to be naked, but I am actually starting to enjoy the warm water and the bath is not so bad! I really like after bath time when Momma and Daddy read me stories, sing songs, and we say our prayers. My favorite things to do are still eat and sleep, but I'm staying awake more and more each day and before long, Momma and Daddy will have to find more things to do with me when I'm awake!!!

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (if it doesn't snow too much tonight!) and we can't wait to see how much I've grown! Anyone want to take a guess? Momma thinks I weigh almost 9 lbs and Aunt Lisa thinks I weigh almost 10! I am a growing boy, so we'll see! I am definitely getting longer, because I just can't fit into my Newborn size pajamas that have the feet in them - my little legs are just too long and they don't fit! But Momma says that's okay - I am sure we can find friends to pass the newborn clothes to - especially since I only wore them a couple of times, but I guess that's what is supposed to happen when you're a growing boy like me!

What's up everyone?!

Sleepin' Good!!

So comfy!

I'm 1 month old!!

See my big bright eyes?!?!

Aunt Amy came to visit

2009-03-01T14:43:00.000-05:00

Aunt Amy FINALLY got to come visit me over the weekend!!! We were so glad she got to come - after all, I am 4 weeks old now! I've grown A LOT since Momma and Daddy brought me home from the hospital!

We had a lot of fun! Even though the weather was really yucky and rainy, I got to go shopping and Aunt Amy bought me 2 Duke onesies! Now I can cheer on Duke when they play just like I do when NC State plays. (Momma was very happy about my new onesies!)

Aren't we SOOOOO Cute?!?

Aunt Amy and Me!

Shawn (Aunt Amy's boyfriend)

thought I was cute, too!

Pullen Park

2009-03-01T14:28:00.000-05:00

My first trip to Pullen Park was a lot of fun! We got to see the ducks and geese in the pond! Momma and Daddy just pushed me around in my stroller - oh the life! I've got it made! Momma was really glad to get out of the house and go for a nice walk! If only the weather would stay nice and warm, but it is North Carolina and it is February!

Grandparents are the best!

2009-02-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

All Brian's grandparents and Great-Grandparents have been able to come visit except Great-Grandma Lucille and Papa Ed! We hope they can come visit soon!

Nana K

Papa G

Poppy

4 generations

Mimi

One Week Old

2009-02-24T12:21:00.000-05:00

Brian had lots of visitors on his one week birthday! Papa G and Uncle Andrew had come into town, Nana K was still here helping Momma and Daddy, Great Grandma Velma and Great Grandpa Leo, Great Aunt Pat and Uncle Bill and Justin and Carly all came to see me! Plus Papa G's best friend, John Muir, came by - he brought a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!! YUM!

We had a lot of fun with everyone that day!

Sleeping on Uncle Andrew

Great Grandma Velma and Great Grandpa Leo

Great Uncle Bill, Justin, and Carly

Great Aunt Pat

John Muir and Me!

(Watch out - he can be trouble!!)

My Family Loves Me!

2009-02-24T11:57:00.000-05:00

Nana K and Me!!

Grammy Terry and Me!

Poppy Richard and Me!

Fun Aunt Beth (FAB) and Me!

Brian's Uncle Brian (BUB) and Me!

Visitors

2009-02-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

We have been so blessed by our family and friends since Brian was born! We had lots of visitors in the hospital and once we got home! Brian loves seeing all his family and friends! You can come by anytime!

Aunt Lisa, Caroline, and James!

(They brought Chick-fil-A! YUM!)

I wouldn't wake up for Uncle Caleb!

Aunt Adrienne LOVES to hold me!

Going Home

2009-02-24T11:26:00.000-05:00

We were able to go home on Monday, February 2nd! Momma was actually glad we were able to stay Sunday night as well since I didn't arrive until 12:08 Saturday morning, the hospital didn't count Friday night as one of my two nights in the hospital! Momma and Daddy took advantage of the extra night and Brian went to the nursery for almost 6 hours! Some much needed sleep was gotten before taking Brian home!

As many of you know, there was some debate on what Brian would wear home from the hospital! Here's the compromise!

What joy

2009-02-01T08:24:00.000-05:00

As I sit here in the hosptal I still cannot get over the fact that one we have a little baby boy that is heathy and secondly I never would have thought that it was this much fun watching someone so small change right before your own eyes. We have now been in the hospital since friday around 2pm but it seems like it has been days. I have never gone this much time with out sleep (except when I was doing Extreme Makeover projects). Baby Brian is such a joy and blessing to have in our lives. I have heard from all of our friends that have recently had little onies (with in the past couple of years) say that when your little is born that it will change your life forever. Ever time I would heard that I would be like ok, but man was I wrong. Little man has taken our lives and turned them every which way. But I would not change that for anything in the world. Kristin and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful and great gift from God in our little Brian. Second we are so very blessed to have great friends and family. Here are just a couple of the pictures of Baby Brian that I have taken over the past day or so.

He has Arrived!

2009-01-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

Our little miracle was born this morning, Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 12:08AM! Brian Christopher Ertel weighs 7 lbs 1 oz and is 20 3/4 inches long! Mommy was so glad her prayers were answered and Brian was only 7 lbs! He gave us a little scare during delivery as he decided to turn sideways at the last minute and after mommy being in labor for 10 hours, her blood pressure skyrocketed and little Brian's heartbeat plummeted! But our doctor and nurses were wonderful and they were able to get him out with a vacuum extractor and mommy continuing to push!

Daddy was such a big help and really supported mommy during the entire labor process! Now we have a beautiful little miracle to hold in our arms! Our God is so good and so gracious!

We will get to take Baby Brian home on Monday!

Praise the Lord!

Almost 38 Weeks

2009-01-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

Baby Brian will be at 38 weeks (and considered full-term!) on Thursday!! Momma and daddy are very excited that it won't be long before little Brian Christopher is here.

Momma has not started dialating, yet, but is having contractions and Baby Brian has dropped quite a bit! Maybe by Friday morning at the doctor's appointment some progress will have been made!

We are ready for the trip to the hospital! The only thing not in place is the car seat, and Aunt Lisa PROMISES that she'll get it installed before we need it! We are so blessed to have a best friend that is a Pediatric RN!

We are so lucky to have so much love and support from family and friends! We promise to let you know when our little miracle decides he's going to make his grand appearance into this world!

A Crib Divided!

2009-01-27T10:48:00.001-05:00

Our wonderful friends gave us a Baby Shower last Thursday (that was supposed to be a big surprise last Tuesday during the Duke/NCSU game, but the snow threw a kink in the plans!). We already knew that Duke reigned supreme!!! (Sorry daddy!) The party was a LOT of fun - even if half our friends wore UNC stuff b/c they didn't want to wear Duke or State!!! Even though Duke won the basketball game, the State team won the Baby Bottle Game!!

The kids had to help us open gifts!!

We love all our friends - and their children!!

Most of the dads finally had to get help with the Bottle game!

Drink, Drink, Drink!

(And yes, it's only apple juice!)

Duke vs. State - even in the punch bowl!

Thanks again, Lisa and Adrienne for giving us this shower!!!

Baby Shower at Building Together Ministries!

2009-01-27T10:15:00.000-05:00

Mommy's co-workers and friends gave us a "Gift Card" shower last Friday! It was AWESOME! We had a lot of fun and even got to see some of my past students! Have I really been doing this for 3 years?!?

God has been so gracious to us and we are so thankful for our friends!

Gift Cards are such a blessing!!!

We had some wonderful food as well!!

My preschool friends have gotten so big!

Presents and CAKE!!!

My preschoolers even made me a very special cake!

Our first snow of 2009

2009-01-22T12:39:00.000-05:00

We had a great deal of fun playing in the snow. Even mommy got out in. Baby Brian really must have liked it as well since as soon as mommy went out in he started move around a great deal.

Daddy trying to find out how much snow we got (7 inches)

A look down our street during the snow storm

Raelin says i hate the cold and snow I want back inside where its warm

Mommy and Brian out having a little fun in the snow.

Yes it really does snow in Raleigh.

36 Weeks and counting!

2009-01-14T12:21:00.000-05:00

We are 36 weeks along and Baby Brian can come whenever he is ready!! Believe me, Momma is ready! Here's a couple of pictures! The last one is Daddy's new shirt! Hope everyone can read what is says! Thanks Casey for the t-shirt!

Bigger and Bigger!

Momma's all smiles after her nap!

Daddy's New T-Shirt

"I Don't Do Drugs I Get High on Baby Hugs!"

Results from Poll

2009-01-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

Well, the results are in!

Most of you thought Baby Brian should come home in a combination onesie - Duke & NCSU! Well, Momma and Daddy have come to an agreement! Baby Brian got a Duke hat and a NCSU onesie for Christmas, so he'll be wearing both to come home in! (Momma just wants to find him some Duke socks, especially since the onesie over-powers the hat!)

35 weeks

2009-01-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

Baby Brian will be at 35 weeks tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 8th)! His little legs and butt continue to be in Mommy's ribs (but she still loves him!). Brian continues to do well according to the doctors and he is definitely active! He loves for Daddy to talk to him - and Chris has gotten kicked and/or punched several times!

We have a doctor's appt on Friday and will then start seeing the doctor every week until he is born! Baby Brian has several people curious on when he is going to enter this world, but Mommy knows he'll come when he's ready (even though she really won't mind if he comes before his due date - February 12th!)

Christmas and New Year's

2009-01-07T09:23:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! Momma couldn't travel all over the state this year, so our families graciously came to us in Raleigh! We had a great time with everyone and Daddy cooked a WONDERFUL meal for everyone on Friday - Deep-Fried turkey, Roasted Cajun turkey, glazed carrots, broccoli casserole, roasted rosemary & onion potatoes, potato rolls, and White Chocolate Strawberry Tiramisu!

On Saturday we went to the NC Museum of Natural Science with our parents and Mimi (Chris' grandmother) to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit! It was amazing to see those ancient manuscripts of the Bible!

We are so grateful for the love of our families and truly enjoyed having them around for Christmas! (So, when's everyone just going to move to Raleigh?!?!)

New Year's Eve was a lot of fun, too! We had our friends Adrienne & Caleb & Ben, Matt & Jennifer & Brayden, and Jeremy & April over to celebrate with us! We watched the football game, stuffed our faces, and tried to hit each with balloons! Kristin even stayed up until the ball dropped!! (That was a miracle!)

You can click on Adrienne and Caleb's blog to see pictures of New Year's Eve!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!

Baby Shower #2

2009-01-07T09:08:00.000-05:00

We had our second baby shower in Charlotte on December 14th at Grandma Terry's house! Thanks Great-Grandma Mimi, Great-Aunt Brenda, and FAB (Fun Aunt Beth!) for giving us this shower!

Mama's ready for Baby Brian's gifts!

Daddy's Happy! Brian got his first NC State blanket!

I think Grandma Terry liked the Frog!

Daddy got his "Daddy Diaper Bag"! Butt Paste included!

All the food was great!

1st Baby Shower

2008-12-11T13:31:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from our first baby shower the Saturday after Thanksgiving! It was so much fun!!!

Thanks so much Aunt Pat, Mom, Amy, and Grandma Lucille!
Brian is going to LOVE all his stuff!

Life is Weird, but Birth is Normal!

2008-11-19T15:32:00.000-05:00

This saying was on the sticker we were given at our first Labor & Delivery class at WakeMed hospital Monday night! And to be perfectly honest, I have to agree that Life can be strange, but it's very comforting to know that our Heavenly Father has created our bodies so uniquely and perfectly that being able to delivery this little miracle inside me is perfectly normal!

Chris and I attended our first class on Monday evening and will go every Monday until December 15th - and even then I still won't be ready!!! LOL! We are in class with 7 other couples and it is very neat to hear other couples' views and opinions. I am excited about the classes and so thankful that it is available to us.

There is such a wide range of "normal" according to how our labor and delivery will happen - and I am so glad that God already knows how it will happen and His plan is Perfect!

Baby Brian at 28 weeks

2008-11-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

The ultrasound technician assured us that we were still having a little boy!!! It's a good thing since the nursery is already painted!!

Baby Brian is doing VERY well! He weighs 2 1/2 lbs and all his measurements are "perfect" according to the doctor! He has a good strong heartbeat and a good strong KICK as well!

Enjoy the pictures!

Brian's profile at 28 weeks
(Head on right, Shoulder on left - nose and lips in middle!)

Kicking a lot harder!

2008-11-11T09:58:00.001-05:00

Baby Brian continues to move around and kick Mommy daily! But this morning, Daddy got to feel him kick!!!

Daddy had his hand in just the right spot on Mommy's belly this morning when Brian started moving around and kicking! Daddy asked, "What was that?" and Mommy asked him if he felt that and when he said, "Yes!" she told him it was Brian kicking! Daddy actually felt it a couple of times before Brian settled down.

It was so exciting for Daddy to be able to feel Brian move around! We are so grateful that Baby Brian is doing well and growing bigger every day!

Sick, Sick, Sick

2008-11-11T09:55:00.001-05:00

Sorry we haven't updated the blog in so long! Mommy got sick with a really bad cold and started having a lot of problems with her back and leg again! Thankfully, the cold is almost completely gone and we are working on the back pain!

Then Daddy got Mommy's cold! YUCK! Now Daddy's all stopped-up and congested! Hopefully he'll feel better soon!

So, Mommy's just added several new things to the blog below! And next week hopefully we'll have more pictures of little Brian - we have an ultrasound on Monday!!

Pictures of the Painted Nursery!

2008-11-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

The paint is on the walls in the nursery!! Thanks Aunt Amy for picking out such great colors for Brian's room and laying out the stripes! Mommy and Daddy really like it!

Daddy did about have a heart-attack when the light blue was being painted on the walls because when the color was wet it really looked like "Carolina Blue"! That didn't go over well with Daddy! But thankfully the color dried darker and it doesn't look like Carolina Blue!

Nursery Painting Party!

2008-11-11T09:43:00.001-05:00

Without the help of Grandma Terry, Grandpa Richard, Joe, Brian & Marisa, we could not have completed installing the ceiling fans (in the nursery and guest room) and painting the nursery last weekend! We had some amazing help and it looks wonderful!

Thanks to all of you for your help!

Nursery Cabinets

2008-11-11T09:38:00.001-05:00

Grandma Terry helped Mommy find these decals at Stone's School Supply! They are perfect!

24 Weeks

2008-10-20T13:30:00.000-04:00

We had our 24 week doctor visit last Friday!

Baby Brian has a very strong heartbeat and Mommy is measuring "perfect" for being 24 weeks along - according to the doctor! We are so thankful that all the lower back pain and leg pain has gone away and Mommy is only slightly uncomfortable in the evenings sometimes after a long day a work!

Mommy will have another ultrasound on November 17th to make sure the placenta has moved away from her cervix and everything else is looking good! Oh Darn, another time to see the baby!!! :)

Pictures of Mommy

2008-10-09T11:16:00.000-04:00

Mommy at 22 weeks!

Baby Brian is getting bigger!

In ALL your ways...

2008-10-09T08:04:00.000-04:00

Acknowledge Him (God) and He will direct your path.

Kristin's meeting at Building Together went surprisingly well yesterday! The board of directors had asked the executive director to meet with the staff and talk through what they thought God was leading them to do in regards to their ministry. We know God is working daily through BTM to reach children and families and bless their lives for His glory. None of us feel that God is leading us to move from this place at this time - which was very encouraging considering that half of the staff we had in August has resigned since then.

BTM staff (all four of us!) deeply desire to continue serving and loving the families that God brings us daily. We continue to pray that God will be glorified and our Board of Directors and Community will continue to support all that He is doing through BTM.

Even though BTM is still struggling financially and we know it may be a while before all that is straightened out, we walk by faith that God will continue to provide.

"Do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward! For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the Will of God, you may receive what was promised!" Hebrews 10:35-36

And we walk by Faith...

2008-10-07T14:31:00.000-04:00

We continue to trust God for our every need - even when we can't see the way out!

Chris received an email today that Newcomb & Co. is holding off on hiring right now because of the economy. They wanted Chris to know that he is on the top of their list, but it may be another week or so before they make a decision on when they'll hire for the warranty position and be ready to schedule an interview. The news was disappointing, but we choose to trust that God's timing is always PERFECT.

I did receive part of my paycheck from last Tuesday today, but we're not sure when I'll get the rest of it - maybe by Friday is what we were told. The staff at Building Together has a huge mtg tomorrow starting at 9:00am - ALL PRAYERS WELCOMED!!!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying, encouraging, and supporting us through this time! Our "Thank You" just doesn't seem sufficient, but THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

On the Move

2008-10-06T15:12:00.000-04:00

Mommy has started feeling Baby Brian moving around! She started feeling him at 21 weeks and he is quite active! I've noticed that he is especially active in the evenings when I'm trying to wind down, but I don't really mind it much right now as it is such a joy to feel him move!

That little flutter is only going to get stronger, I know!!

Relief for Mommy

2008-10-02T16:15:00.000-04:00

Physical Therapy is working!!!

Mommy has been going to PT twice a week and it is tremendously helping the pain in her leg and lower back. The therapist is doing a great job getting the muscles to relax and stretch out and the pain continues to decrease daily! Mommy is basically getting a great massage twice a week!

Thankfully she has been able to return to work and is sleeping better at night! We will continue to pray that the pain continues to diminish and soon it will ALL be gone!

Update on Daddy

2008-10-02T16:10:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for your many prayers for Chris.

Unfortunately, his interview with Newcomb was canceled at the last minute on Tuesday due to an emergency the Vice President had to take care of! And even though it was disappointing, Chris was told he was one of their top priorities and they would contact him hopefully by the end of the week to reschedule for next week.

We continue to trust God for His guidance and direction and know that His plan for our lives is greater than anything we could achieve by ourselves.

We'll keep you updated!

Yeah for Daddy!

2008-09-27T20:55:00.000-04:00

Daddy has a 2nd interview with Newcomb & Company (HVAC company) on Tuesday at lunchtime!! He received an email late Friday from the operations manager that he interviewed with last week asking if daddy could meet with him and the Vice President on Tuesday for lunch! We are very excited about this possibility for daddy to talk with them further about the Warranty Associate position that is available!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Pain in my Rear

2008-09-27T20:38:00.000-04:00

So, is mommy talking about daddy or baby Brian?!?!

Don't get me wrong, I probably could be talking about my sweet and loving husband some days, but unfortunately I'm talking about little Brian. Mommy's been out of work a lot the past week and barely able to get out of bed because of all the pain in my right leg and backside! Thankfully, daddy has been absolutely wonderful and has been pampering mommy for weeks! The house is clean, dinner has been great every night, and mommy has been chauffeured wherever she needed to go! Daddy is the worlds best. Even Brian says that daddy is the best. Brian cannot wait to see his loving daddy.

We've been to the doctor and thought it could be inflammation of my sciatic nerve, but thankfully there was a cancellation at the physical therapist and I was able to get in on Thursday. My PT did a lot of muscle relaxation work (which helped tremendously), so we think it may be built up muscle and nerve tension that is going to take a little while to work out. I will have PT twice a week for a little while to see if we can continue to alleviate the pain.

Thankfully, mommy has had some relief the past 2 days, so we are hopeful that at least the intensity of the pain will continue to decrease. Please continue to pray for us (especially since my co-pay for PT is $50 a visit!) as I continue to work as much as I can and as daddy continues to look for a job.

19 Weeks

2008-09-19T12:49:00.000-04:00

We are very close to being half-way through our pregnancy - and if Baby Brian decides to come early, we may already be there!!! Our doctor's appointment went well yesterday and Brian's heartbeat is still good and strong - I love hearing that sound! I think I've decided that his heartbeat is one of the best sounds in the world!!

Our doctor asked me if I had felt him move yet. My response was, "I don't know!" Thankfully, he said that was the exact response he expected to hear! He assured me that in the next days to week or so, I should feel something that I know is the baby. I'll be sure to let you know when I do!

Mommy's not really started craving much of anything yet - except Olive Garden! All you can eat pasta, salad, and breadsticks - I could eat it every day! And they have this new Asiago Garlic Alfredo sauce that is WONDERFUL over angel hair pasta! Unfortunately it is not a craving I can give into regularly, but we did get to go last Saturday for dinner! So if anyone has the desire to pamper Mommy anytime soon, Olive Garden gift cards are more than welcomed!! :)

Hopefully we'll get some more pictures posted within the next week or so!

The World of Registries

2008-09-13T15:05:00.000-04:00

Well, Chris and I braved the world of baby registries this past week! Babies R Us and Target were our stores of choice! Chris thoroughly enjoyed himself with the scan gun - I got to point to everything I wanted and he got to scan. However, I am not afraid to admit that creating our registry at Babies R Us was very overwhelming! 5 different brands of everything, different colors, different feels of materials, a range of prices, where do you even begin? At least we knew what colors we are doing in the nursery - greens, blue, and yellow - and we are putting Noah's Ark things in the nursery as well. After maneuvering through all the aisles at Babies R Us and scanning almost 180 items, Mommy called it a day!

However, Daddy had gotten a little "scanner happy" and suggested we go ahead and register at Target as well, especially since it was "just down the road!" Target was quite as overwhelming as Babies R Us, but there was still a LOT of baby stuff to look at and choose from! To say the least, our Target registry is much shorter than the other one, because Mommy got TIRED!

Shopping and doing our registries was definitely my favorite kind of shopping - FREE, but I'm definitely done for a while!

First Glimpses of Baby Ertel

2008-09-06T20:33:00.000-04:00

My First Profile

Look At My Little Feet!

All Layed Out

(Head at the right, feet at the left)

Baby Ertel's Head

It's a Boy! (The money shot!)

Tiny Little Arm

(Waving Good-Bye For Now)

Belly Shots For Future Grandmas

2008-09-06T20:22:00.000-04:00

Here are some shots of Mommy at 17 weeks!

Our First Blogging Experience!

2008-09-06T19:37:00.000-04:00

Well, we have finally gotten on the blogging train!!! I don't know how good I'll be at keeping this updated every day (please don't hold your breath!!) but we want to be able to share part of our lives with you!

So, as of today, we are 17 weeks pregnant and so excited that we are having a little boy! God has blessed us with this little miracle and we are anxiously awaiting Brian Christopher's arrival. His arrival is scheduled for February 12, 2009 and all our doctor's visits have shown a strong heartbeat and a VERY active little boy - he's going to be just like his daddy!!! So please keep mommy in your prayers! :)