7 Month Photo Shoot

Today marks Brady's 7-Month Birthday! We're already on the downhill side of a year! I can't believe it. If you would have told me (like so many people did) that it goes by fast 6 months ago, I would not have believed you. I would have looked at you like you were crazy and responded with... "Are you kidding? We're counting the days until a full night's sleep, and a smile, and play time!"

But now, 5 or so months have gone by with the majority of nights being full of sleep. We've started solid foods. We eat puffs, sweet potatoes, avocados and we're working on the green beans. We play outside. We splash in the bath tub. We watch Sesame Street and we say DaDa. This 'fall' has gone by incredibly fast and this will be the first time I have said this, but this is SUCH a fun age. Every day we have a new sound that we make. Sometimes we think he sounds like that Velocoraptor from Jurassic Park. He laughs at the weirdest things and I think he understands 'no'. I think he knows his name and he recognizes Elmo's voice. We love Veggie Tales Songs and Praise Baby Music. We like Dora and Diego and we like to dance and sing songs on the front porch. We still have no teeth yet, and we have days that I am praying they will break through at any moment. Brady LOVES his daddy and gets all wiggly and giggly when he comes home from work. He LOVES his bed. He's pretty good in the car... and he misses Georgia when she's not in the mood to play.

He follows her (with his eyes and his head) all day long. If he is in his exersaucer and I'm throwing the toy for Georgia, he will make a full 360 to keep his eyes on her when she runs back and forth. He reaches for her, kicks her and pulls her hair and she puts up with all of it... looking at me all the while with the silent words, "Help, Mommy." I love that dog, even though she may not feel it as much she did before B. came.

We do NOT crawl and we do NOT have an interest in crawling, although I make sure to have 'tummy time' every play time just to give him a chance. He doesn't move forward, instead he moves in a 360. Somehow, he manages to kick his legs and move his arms that makes him move in a circle, but not forward. He'll occasionally push himself backward. When he tries to pull his knees up under him, he face plants into the ground. He just can't do both at the same time!! I love to watch him try to figure it out... he gets so frustrated. He's just like his daddy in that way. I love that.

Today I took the Bug to White Rock to take some pictures. It's such a pretty day outside. Cool, but not cold, with a brilliantly clear sky. Brady loved being outside so he didn't mind. I'm trying to learn how to use my camera better and how to edit better, and the pictures I've taken inside just simply aren't as good as the ones you can take outside. So... there are a lot of pictures, but I wanted to post them all for the grandparents.

Bath Tub in Black and White

I LOVE black and white pictures and decided that I need to get a few (ok, several) developed for the sake of replacing some of our pictures in our house! So last night I snapped a few in the bath tub (because the Bug's eyelashes are so precious when they're wet) and turned them into black and whites. (He likes to chew on the rag in the tub, in case you're wondering what that is!)

Why Policemen Terrify Me.

I was thinking about this today as I turned into a CVS parking lot three blocks from my house when I realized a cop was following me. Ok, he probably wasn't following me... he was just in my rear view mirror. Actually, it ended up not even being a cop at all, but a white ford taurus that had that special black 'grill' thing on the front of it.

So as I was saying... policemen terrify me. They actually only terrify me when they're on the road with me. Truthfully, only when they're on the road when I am on the road. I have been trying to figure out when this all started, because I've only been pulled over once. When I was in high school. In a school zone. In front of the school, while every single one of my friends was driving by. While I had an expired license. Thankfully, I didn't end up getting a ticket, nor have I ever gotten a ticket. In fact, I don't even drive fast. I maybe got 5 over the speed limit... and that's when I'm in a hurry. If I sense a cop, see a cop or even smell a cop, I got 5 UNDER the speed limit. So, why do they terrify me? I have nothing to be afraid of, right?

Does anyone else identify with me? I have absolutely no reason to be scared, but I am! Maybe it's from years of being absolutely scared to death of having to call my dad and tell him that I got a ticket. Maybe it's from the two or three times the cops caught Jeff and I 'parking' in the Tinsletown parking lot. (Oh come on, I know you got that light shined in your face too!) Maybe it's because I drove for 2 years in college without getting my car inspected. In fact, I think that's it. That's when it all began! So, now that my car is inspected and my registration is up to date and my license is renewed, I shouldn't be terrified anymore. Right? Right.

Photo Editing

Okay, so Summer's blog this morning (or last night, I can't remember) got me in the mood to really focus on editing a picture in photoshop. Sometimes I just feel like I take ugly pictures, so I'm not sure if editing even will help! What do you think? Is it worth the 30 minutes it took to edit it Photoshop? (I know, it would probably help if I really had a picture to work with that meant something... but hey, it was already dark outside when I thought about it).

Before Editing:



After Editing:

It's Working!

Okay, so a few weeks ago (maybe SEVERAL weeks ago), we decided to begin our first 'battle' with our dear son. He had been eating solids for a while and it was beginning to be such a mess that I felt as though I should wear a bib for myself when I fed him. He would put his hands in his mouth to "help" his cereal into his mouth, he would grab the spoon in my hand if the food wasn't coming quickly enough and he would attempt to grab the bowl if he could reach it.

So, I did some research and according to the Baby Wise Mom Blog (and our parenting class, I might add) they suggested to hold his hands in his lap while we eat. Supposedly, eventually he would learn to keep his hands down. Well, I started this at about the beginning of September, maybe the middle... and this week I feel like he is finally understanding the concept!! Two or three weeks ago we really had to battle through this because he did NOT want to hold his hands down. He did NOT want me to help him hold his hands down and he cried for about 10 minutes (ok, it was probably 2 but it felt that long!) before he calmed down enough to eat his cereal.

This week I've started to not hold his hands as much. Right when he gets in his booster seat, he'll grab onto his tray and pretty much keep them there the whole time. Occasionally he'll begin to lift his hands and I calmly say, "No Brady, where do we keep our hands when we eat?" And most of the time he will correct himself and grab back onto his tray... ALL BY HIMSELF!! Can you believe it??? I honestly thought I was crazy (as some of you may be thinking I am right now) to be trying to 'train' him on things at this age... and I wasn't sure if it would really work but now that I'm seeing fruit from my labor, I think I will try to be more consistent in other little areas (ahem, the changing table?) as well!

So be encouraged, all of you Baby Wise Moms out there... it DOES work. It took 2 months and a LOT of patience but it did work! This is the first thing we've really tried and been consistent about, so we'll see how other stuff works, but it has been a big encouragement to both jeff and I.

A New Blog for my Hubby!

So Jeff has finally decided to start his own blog!

www.jeffleach.blogspot.com

Check it out if you desire an educated opinion as opposed to my passionate, yet possibly naive, opinion!

Readers beware - he is NOT apologetic for what he believes... which is why I love him so incredibly much!

Vote for Something! (and then go to Starbucks!)

This morning, I woke up extra early to be the first in line at the church down the street, casting my vote in this year's election. Much to my dismay, I was not the first, but probably the 50th and I got there just before 7, when it opened. (I could blame this on the #2 of Georgia's I stepped in while I was walking out the door, therefore having to clean it up and change shoes, thus being later than I had hoped, but I won't). I waited in line for about 15 minutes before it was my turn to check in and get my ballot. I could have checked 'straight ticket' but I didn't, because I wanted to go through each line and mark in my vote, absolutely savoring the moment.

I had tried to go a few times last week, but when I had Brady, the line just seemed too long to wait in, so I decided to wait until Jeff could be home so I could go by myself. I have to say that I got a little emotional as I was standing in line. This is totally unlike me to get emotional about something like this. I tend to get worked up about sentimental things, yes, but a once-a-year event like this would not have normally gotten this response. I'm not sure why I started to get teary, but nevertheless, I did. There were so many people around me, waiting in line before work, or before they start there day, to exercise their right to vote in this great country of ours.

I felt so patriotic, and it was such a simple thing. So many people simply don't even think about all that the country has gone through to get to this point (including me). Honestly, I do think it is 'important' to vote, but I probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to vote if it weren't for the super-politically savvy hubby of mine. (I know that when the day comes that he can check my voting record, he will).

I kept thinking about all of the people around the nation that are voting at that same moment. And all of the people who have voted in the past weeks. I started thinking about our grandfathers who fought for us and our 'right' to vote. I thought about how women were not given this right at first... and how minorities weren't given this right. How far we have come... and we've come that far by... that's right.... voting!

I've often wanted to write about my "Hot Sports Opinions" on the political realm, but I will be the first to admit that I am educated only slightly on the issues. There is one issue that I vote on and that's the way it will be until I am convinced otherwise. This may not be the "right" way to vote, but it IS the way I vote. (Jeff probably totally disagrees with me here). I choose to vote for life. What are you going to vote for? Our Troops? Our Taxes? Our Schools? Our Jobs? Vote.

So, like Gap, MTV, Starbucks and so many others have been telling you... vote for something, then go to Starbucks and get your free coffee! (I heard that Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts too!)

***UPDATE*** I had to add this daily devotional from Dr. James Denison (pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church) that Becky emailed me this morning. Enjoy!

"The election is already decided... That's if you believe Monday Night Football, where the Washington Redskins hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. Before the game we were told that the most reliable predictor of presidential winners over the last 17 elections has been the Redskins. When they win, the party which won the last election's popular vote wins the White House. When they lose, the party that lost the last election's popular vote wins the White House. In other words, if the Redskins won, Sen. McCain would win today's election. If the Steelers won, Sen. Obama would be our next president. Since the Steelers overwhelmed the Redskins, I guess today's election has been determined.

Of course, there's only one Person who knows who will win today's election, and he's not revealing the results this morning. But he has already determined the winner of an election even more important than the one being contested today. At the end of history, God "will gather his elect from the four winds" (Matthew 24:31). Peter wrote his first letter "to God's elect, strangers in the world" (1 Peter 1:1). Paul could say to the Thessalonian Christians, "we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you" (1 Thessalonians 1:4). Long after the new president's administration has come and gone, all who have made Christ their Lord will still be the "elect" of God.

As a result, your eternal security as the child of God is certain, no matter what happens in today's election or tomorrow's presidential transition. The global economic crisis, as challenging as it is, cannot touch your "retirement account" in heaven. The true King of Kings cannot be elected or defeated by human decision. As C. S. Lewis points out, the man who denies the sunrise doesn't hurt the sun—he only proves himself a fool. Your Father will be as much the God of the universe tomorrow as he was yesterday.

Today's election is indeed monumental and unsettling. This is the first time in 50 years that an incumbent president or vice-president is not running. We will elect either a first-term Senator or the oldest person ever to win a first term in the White House. The winner will inherit a set of challenges as grave as any faced by a new president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the office in 1933.

But these stressful times are no surprise to your Lord. He wants us to find hope and security in his presence, providence, and power. Indeed, "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). So name your fear and give it to your Father. Cast your vote for the One who has already voted for you. Then, no matter who wins today's election, you cannot lose. This is the promise of God."

Sic 'Em.

So we super close to not going to Homecoming this year. We really wanted to go, but it's been a very busy week for us and I was kind of anxious as to how it was all going to work. It was just going to be the first time we would be gone all day with the Little One and with the possibility of no nap. We've gone with no naps before for various reasons (in Sunday School, for one) and we've done pretty well until about noon and then we absolutely crash. So, I thought he might do pretty good at the parade. I LOVE the parade... yes, it might be dorky but I LOVE it. I LOVE to see the floats go by and critique each one... oh, and apparently Kappa's float burnt??? KOT won this year and I DID get to see that one and it was definitely deserving of the win. (If you know me at all, you know that is VERY hard for me to say!)

Anyway, we had a semi-late night last night with Halloween and a super-late night Thursday night with Baby Pierce... so we knew we were going to have a tired little bug on our hands. We left at around 7, (we were supposed to leave at 6:30 - just how it goes with a baby, I guess) and we let Brady sleep until about 8. (I was trying to get a head start on the end of daylight savings). Then we listened to Veggie Tales the rest of the way while I crawled in the back seat to feed him in the car. (I know! I fed him in the car... and it's not the first time!) He does great though in his car seat and holds his own bottle pretty much the whole time. I think it's easier with the way that his sitting. We also did pumpkin and banana in the back seat. He did really good keeping his hands down all by himself without me holding them. Maybe he is learning something?

So we got to the parade with a happy baby. We saw a few people on the way to our 'spot' and we got through the marching band and the cheerleaders before the Bug got fussy. I think part of it too is that he's been held a LOT more than he usually is the past few days so we put him down on the grass for a bit and that made things a little better... for a few minutes. I told Jeff on our way home that Brady has probably only had 2-3 episodes like this, so we must count our blessings and give him this one, but he was inconsolable for about 30 minutes before we decided to go to the car. We tried puffs, walking in the stroller, standing up, sitting down, playing peek-a-boo and patty cake, and the pacifier. Nothing worked. The minute the puffs would stop coming he'd start crying again, and it was a MAD cry. Not just a whine.... so we gave up. We did get to see a few floats, and from what we saw they were good. I am already looking forward to next year and Brady being a year older and being a little more thrilled about the Parade than he was today! :)

After we got in the car, we went by Skinny's to get a Skinny's coke. (If you went to BU, you know what I'm talking about). We then discovered that we had a flat tire. Ok. We tried to get cash back for our cokes... nope. They don't do that there, but there is an atm. Too bad, our debit card's little reader thing doesn't work. So Jeff dropped me off at my sister's house and took the Sleeping Bug and my sad tire to City Tire and Battery on Valley Mills. Alvarez charged Jeff $5 to 'patch' my tire and change it to the spare. Apparently there were 2 nails in my tire!! Luckily I have a full size spare! I don't think this was what Jeff had in mind when we talked about going to Homecoming! What a wonderful hubby he is!!

We hung out at Katie's place for a bit, and didn't even make it Ninfa's or Spice. That's right, folks. Instead of Ninfa's, Spice and Common Grounds, we had Veggie Tales, Puffs and Pacifiers. The life of a parent! The odd thing is that even though the day didn't go as "smooth" as we thought it would, it was the best Homecoming ever because we got to share it with our Future Baylor Bear!

Brady's First Halloween!

Megaw, Brady's Great Grandma, sent him this card this week:

"May your first Halloween be happy and bright ---

and filled with the fun of Halloween Night!"

Last night, we went to the Fall Festival at our church in Plano. I can't believe they were ever thinking of not having it! There were so many people there, and of course so many cute costumes. These are just a few:

Mimi and Papa Ron with Brady

I think this picture is really funny with the side view of Brady's hat!

We stopped by to show Baby Pierce our costume on the way to the Festival.

Big Daddy and Brady 

(Somehow I managed to not get a pic of Nana and Brady)

Marci had a little lamb... Miss Kennedy Kate.

Miss Sydney won cutest costume by our measure. 

(Her shoes were super sparkly. Mickey was her Toto.)

Maddie... Mason's sister!

Mason as Tony Romo (See his cast?)

Brady's New Best Friend

Yes, I know that's bold, but that's what we told Brady when we were scrambling to get to the hospital last night to welcome Mr. Pierce McCord to the world! Joanna and Justin recieved news yesterday around 3:00 that Pierce needed to come that night. They were to be at the hospital at 5:00 to check in and had to have decided whether or not to have a C-Section or to Induce labor! I can't imagine the pressure of having that choice. Fortunately for Jeff and I, we weren't given a choice, so we were never faced with that decision, let alone forced to make it in an hour and a half!!!

Needless to say, they opted with a c-section, and she did great!! Last night when we left, she was just a 'bit' sore across her tummy, but other than that she said it was super easy! Jeff went and got Brady from my parents' house around 10:30 and brought him up to the hospital to meet Pierce. I think he was kind of confused because he had just been woken up!

Enjoy the pictures! Congratulations Justin and Joanna! We're are just tickled to death for you all! Brady can't wait to play!

Playing the Waiting Game

The Soon-to-Be-Aunt and Soon-to-Be-Grandma

Killing time before it's time to go in!

The New McCord

Proud Daddy

Justin was showing his nephew, Will, his new cousin Pierce. Will had been so worried about "Aunt Jo" ever since they had gotten there. It was terribly cute!

A New Friend.

So, I went to get my haircut tonight and Jeff watched the Little Bug. I sat down while I was waiting and recieved this picture on my phone! If anyone knows Georgia at all.... you know this is HER friend, Maxwell. She has slept with him EVERY night for three years. She can't go to sleep unless he's on the bed with her. Seriously.

Jeff said he was outside with Georgia and came back inside and Brady was leaning way over to the side, reaching for something... and that something was Max. It's SOOO nasty, but I'm glad he got a picture of it before he took him away! (He was apparently watching Baby Einstein too!)

The Friendly Giraffe

So after much trial and error, we ended up going with a Giraffe costume for Halloween. We were originally thinking Charlie Brown, then Jeff wanted him to be an elephant (guess what for?) and then we settled on getting a costume from Pottery Barn Kids because we had a gift certificate there and Halloween costumes can get pricey!! Especially the ones that are so darn cute!! So we're trying it with different colors of shirts on underneath every day... and today was gray. He was in a particularly good mood (a.k.a. he was putting up with me changing him into his costume) so I decided to go ahead and snap some pictures. I was going to try to save them until after Halloween, but they were too cute not to share!

**He's trying to put his foot in his mouth in this picture. It's his new thing. I think he'd ROCK at Yoga!