Brayden & Everett's Check ups

"Ow, my arm really really hurts. I feel like Woody from Toy Story 2 when his arm got ripped. I can't move it. Except his was ripped. Mine just got poked!"

This is a glimpse into how today's doctor's appointments went. Brayden's one shot was the most traumatic shot for me as a Mom so far. He was screaming and flailing and panicking. And even after it was done, it took him a long time to calm down. He was more afraid of the thought of it than the actuality of it. He took a 3 hour nap this afternoon, and we stayed home from T-ball because every time he tries to pick that arm up, he cries. Real, legitimate tears. His poor arm has been dangling at his side all evening... hence, his Woody comment.

Fortunately, Sean came with us, and he was able to hold Baby while he got his shots. He cried and screamed as well. But, he got 4, so that's understandable! The second she was done though, he was done crying. I think he just disliked being confined.

The doc says that everything looks great, and that there isn't anything to worry about with either of them. They are both growing and developing beautifully!!

Here are their stats:

Brayden Kyle

Weight: 38 pounds (29th percentile)

Height: 44 inches (72nd percentile)

He gained 3.5 pounds since is 4th birthday check up and 3.5 inches. Not sure if that is normal or not, but it doesn't seem like very much!

Everett Bradford

Weight: 19.13 pounds (8th percentile)

Height: 30 1/2 inches (59th percentile)

Head Circumference: 36 cm (34th percentile)

Here are his 9 month stats.

I can't believe how fast my boys are growing!!

Happy Birthday Brayden!!

Brayden, you are FIVE today!!

Photo taken by the amazingly talented Courtney. Thank you!

I cannot believe how fast time is flying by! You are growing up to be a loving, generous, tender-hearted young man, and I couldn't be more proud.

I stole this idea from Claire, but I loved it so here we go. I asked you 21 questions and you answered, so that we can forever have a glimpse into the life of Brayden. Ready? (The words in the parenthesis are mine.)

1. What is your favorite colour? Black. No, really really dark blue. Well, I like those colors but let's do dark red. Because I LOVE dark red!
2. What is your favorite toy? My new dinosaur! (that was his cake topper)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Bananas
4. What is your favorite TV show? Backyardigans
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut butter and honey sandwiches! Open face. Honey is soo delicious!
6. What is your favorite outfit? My T-ball jersey and pants
7. What is your favorite game? Super Smash Brothers on the Wii with my Harston cousins.
8. What is your favorite snack? Craisins
9. What is your favorite animal? Horsies, because they go 'Neigh!' and you can ride them.
10. What is your favorite song? I am a Child of God
11. What is your favorite book? The Book of Mormon, because it gives me strength.
12. Who is your best friend? Jackson and Baron!
13. What is your favorite cereal? Hot Cereal because sometimes, for an extra treat, I get chocolate chips in it!
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play frisbee with Asher, Jackson and Baron
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? My Birthday!
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My baby blanket because it's so soft and keeps me warm.
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Aebelskiver
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza! With the pineapples on top.
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer that takes care of animals and a Paleontologist.
21. What is your favorite thing to do inside? Play your phone. That's a special treat!

It was so fun to hear your enthusiastic responses to all of these questions. You love talking and most of these questions took a few minutes to get through :)

Brayden, we all love and adore you so much. We are proud of you for being such a good big brother, and for working so hard to do what is right. Thank you for being a part of our family!

Love, 

Mom, Dad, Asher, and Everett

breakfast of champions

We have been enjoying lots and lots of smoothies lately. This morning's smoothie was filled with yummy goodness, and the boys are devouring it! I want to write down for my record (so I can make it again) and so that the boys (if ever in doubt) can know that healthy tastes GOOD!

3 large handfuls spinach

4 dandelion leaves (picked fresh this morning)

1 orange

1 apple

1 banana

1 canteloupe wedge

1 large carrot

6 grape tomatoes

2 inch pineapple piece (the entire circumference of the pineapple)

2 tbsp flaxseed

2 tsp vitamin D supplement

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix it all in the vitamix then add:

8 frozen strawberries -- to thicken and chill everything else

Devour!

#7 Brayden Janeway

I sure do *love* this little guy!

Dawson Creek Duck Pond

We went to Dawson Creek Business Park out in Hillsboro for preschool last week. It was BEAUTIFUL outside and we were itching to go walk around. It was so good for all of us! 

I love these boys.

For preschool a few weeks ago we made boats out of milk cartons. The boys had a blast and were so happy to finally get out to be able to float them! So they thought. Jackson was the only one that floated his! Brayden and Asher held theirs while it sat in the water. They loved watching Jackson's go down the stream over and over again. And Jackson loved going after it!

I don't know why this picture flipped. Oh well. 

I had never seen a duck like this. It was black with green and purple feathers. It was beautiful!

And...what animal is this!? I have no idea and we cannot figure it out! Anyone? It ran back into the water after the boys chased it so this is the best picture I got. I've seen 2 of them in 2 weeks though!

Everett's Birthday

Everett got to celebrate his birthday twice this year! Friday night with my Mom and Sisters who were in town visiting, then again Monday night with the Janeway family...who came for dinner and cake and ice cream! It was such a blast, and he loved getting cake THREE times! (Including the photo shoot.)

The candle freaked him out a little lot

but when he realized there was frosting under that flame, he recovered quickly.

Everett loves opening this drawer under the oven and climbing in. I had to get a picture!

Monday night Ryan and Heidi and their family, and Brad and Lorraine came over. The neighbor that owns "our" backyard said we could have family over and eat dinner outside. He even made sure that the lawn was freshly mowed. He spoils us! All of the kids had a blast with the chickens and the sprinkler! It was a beautiful day that allowed us to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest!

Asher, Tyler, Brooklyn, Aaron, Brayden

I was really stressing over this cake because I didn't know how to decorate it. I knew I wanted to do a football but since we are avoiding red food dye (at all costs), I really didn't want to use fondant. I don't have the right tips to frost it all cute but Heidi came to the rescue! She came over just before dinner and threw this together in the blink of an eye, and it looked amazing!!! So, thanks Heidi!! You saved me a lot of trouble, and a sloppy cake :)

Look at those blue eyes!!

Everett got this little monkey from Ryan and Heidi's family. He loves it!!

And, he loves his Mama :)  He melts my heart!

Happy 1st Birthday, Everett!!

Everett, 

You are ONE today! How is that even possible? This last year has been filled with SO much joy, laughter, cuddles, smiles, and loves. You are such a light to this world, I love every second of watching you learn and grow...but you are growing too fast! I wish to keep a snapshot of how you are today, because you are such a special, caring, loving baby.

You are ALWAYS happy. Always. You constantly have this glow behind your bright blue eyes, that captivates the attention of everyone that sets their eyes on you.

You love to eat. Bananas, carrots, peas, black beans, and avocado are your favorite, but you aren't picky!

You love playing with your brothers, but you'd rather be playing in the open dishwasher, or on the piano.

You sleep in your crib through the night (finally) until about 5:30 am when I bring you into my bed so you don't wake up your brothers. You then go back to sleep until about 7. Then you nap at 9! It took you awhile to get into a nightly sleeping routine, but I think we are finally figuring it out.

You love music. You dance to anything with rhythm including the dishwasher and vinyl cutter. If you ever are grumpy, all I have to do is sing "You are My Sunshine" and you perk right up!

You have 6 teeth! 4 on top, 2 on bottom.

You can crawl up the stairs as fast as I can walk up them. And you can slide down them faster than I can run down them. You are very stable on your feet.

You LOVE getting thrown in the air. Having Dad "ding-bump" your head on the ceiling makes you giggle like crazy.

You love to smile. You have about 17 different smiles and you know when and how to use all of them masterfully. 

I cannot believe that you are already one. I feel like you are growing up so fast, and you are so dang adorable and happy while doing it. I hope that this joy that you constantly exudes is something that stays with you forever.

Love you to the moon and back!

Mama

(My neighbor offered to take cake smashing photos of Everett for his 1st Birthday. How could I refuse? She did a fantastic job! Thank you Melissa...for capturing those baby blues and that bright smile!!  http://purewhimsyphoto.com/)