Amazing Grace

Today was Brax's big day. He had three little hernias right in the middle of his stomach that we noticed about 7 months ago. He had been complaining of his "tummy hurting him" and after taking him into the doctor and being referred to a surgeon the concensus was that they should be corrected now while he was young and were essentially causing no problems.

We arrived at the georgeous Levine Children's Hospital this morning at 6am. I was so very impressed with the facility but even more so with the staff. After we got in our room and he changed into his gown (which he hated because it was too big) the doctors and nurses started coming in. But what was so wonderful was what they did for him! They brought in crayons and markers and let him color on his bed sheets which he loved. We had to have a quick talk about not doing that at home! They gave him a little mouse looking doll that had all kinds of bracelets, a blood pressure cuff, heart monitors, and bandaids on his belly so that they could actually show and talk him through what was about to happen. They also brought in a beautiful quilt that was handmade by a lady for him to cover up with during surgery, recovery, and to bring home.

Brax has been in a great deal of pain today but I'm hopeful that it will subside tonigt after a good nights rest. Thank you to all that have called, texted, and prayed for our little man today. I included a picture from tonight. He's enjoyed hanging out on the couch.

I'm also so very greatful for having such a wonderful facility close by and for the amazing medical teams that work within.

Amazing Grace.

Big City Venture

I Wuv Dis City!!

These were the words said by my son on Wednesday morning as he sat in an apartment over looking New York and New Jersey. We just returned from an amazing trip up to visit with Chris and Ali for the Thanksgiving holiday. With all of the changes that took place in our lives this year we thought it would be a good idea to do something different for Thanksgiving. Brax did great for his first plane ride and was a real trooper as we hustled and bustled though the city. He walked almost the entire time and absolutely loved the subway.

After arriving on Tuesday morning we walked into Times Square and saw various sights in the city. On Wednesday we went to Radio City Music Hall and saw the Rockettes perform their incredible Christmas performance. We went to FAO Schwartz and retrieved a new "Busch" (that is NOT to replace the old one per Brax) and even walked on the BIG piano from the movie Big with Tom Hanks. (click on the link to see what I'm talking about) We ventured into China Town and Little Italy later that night. We found some fabulous finds and ate real good too!

On Thursday we all went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and we watched from Central Park. Our most favorite balloon was Spiderman! We enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch at Gracie's Diner. We had chinese food for dinner that night. Would it be hard for you to believe that hardly ANYTHING is open on Thanksgiving day?
We had a great trip and look forward to another visit real soon. Special thanks to Chris, Ali, and Mark for making our time so memorable!

Enjoy the pics!!

A Request

Braxton has been asking for a pretty big gift lately: A baby brother. The other night he told me he wanted a baby brother "right now!" I wrote about Zoie and how I hadn't gotten over to see her yet. Zoie is now seven weeks old and since yesterday was a holiday at work I thought it would be a perfect day for us to go and visit. She is absolutely adorable and was awake for a little bit while we were there.
Take a look at the pictures and you decide how Braxton felt about her. I had to get a real quick picture of him with me and Zoie. He was a little more cooperative when I wasn't the one holding her.
Later in the afternoon Allyson asked him if he still wanted a baby brother. He said, 'Yeah, just not at my home!"

How is it Halloween Already?

How can it possibly be Halloween? Last night was "Halloween" out here. We hope (only by the amounts of candy that we still have) that some people will actually come and Trick or Treat tonight. Spiderman had a blast. At first he didn't want to wear his mask and I had to convince him to put it on just so I could get a picture. After that he didn't want to take it off. The town we live in had it's first Fall Festival last night and there was a huge turn out. We walked up expecting a few people but it was really crowded. He jumped in the Bounce House (without one of us and with other kids!) and did some Trunk or Treating. When he said he had to go to the bathroom we headed home because it was a little chilly out and the costume had to come all the way off for something like that to happen.

We had a fire in the fireplace and Brax was so excited when people would come to the door. I was even able to get a picture of him in the candy bowl. A tradition we started his first Halloween and almost was unable to get him to pose for last year. This year he climbed in happily and posed!

Happy Halloween!!

A New Addition

Meet Zoie Eleanor. Braxton's new cousin. I, unfortunately, haven't had a chance to run by and meet her but these are some pictures that my dad took.

She was named after her mother, my cousin Rachel, and her great-grandmother Eleanor. Braxtons's G.G. Zoie is wearing the dress that G.G gave to Rachel this past May for Mother's Day.
I know she would have loved her so.

First Day. A Mere Memory.

Brax is a big boy no secret. But now we have the picture to prove it. Last month he had his first day of "school", preschool that is. Being that my school had just started a few days prior there was no way I was going to be able to take off to go and Brandon had a meeting so we made my dad swear that he'd get a picture.
For over a year my dad talked of retirement. The one thing that he kept saying he wanted to do was keep Braxton and do things with him. I convinced him that 2 days was plenty and that way he'd still have time to do things for himself. After the way summer turned out in a number of events, I was really looking forward to him being able to do that.
The boys have had a fabulous few weeks. They've been to the park, to the nature museum, and panning for gold. I know my dad has lot's of other things planned. Be sure to tune in.
I apologize for not posting in such a long time. Again, I promise to do better. The beginning of school is always so hectic. I feel like I'm on the run all the time.