Friday, October 3, 2008

Pumpkin Patch Time


This weekend we took Bryson to Bengston Farm to pick out pumpkins.... and wouldn't you know he's apparently scared of pumpkins!! Maya sat so pretty for her pictures with the pumpkins and Bryson.... well, Bryson screamed, and made a scene. Finally we got him to hold a baby pumpkin. I guess I should expect nothing less from my son!



We had a lot of fun watching the pig races. The kids especially got a kick out of the crazy guys 'mc-ing' the event! Both kiddos loved watching the chickens... they practically fought to see who could get closest to the gate. After checking out the chickens Bryce decided to take Maya for a ride!! It was so darn cute to watch him try to pull the wagon all by himself!!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Bryson's Baby



After a bit of 'dicussion' between Nate and I, my mom got Bryson a little boy doll that he could play with. It's a very "cool" doll as it teaches the different body parts in both English and Spanish. It's interactive, naming it's parts as you touch them with it's hands (i.e. This is my tummy, tickle my tummy. These are my ears, I can't hear you!) This morning Bryce wanted to bring his baby along to visit a friends house.... I couldn't resist the picture!

Ode to my Auntie Anna

Mmmmmm, bacon!


Saturday, September 27, 2008

The last days of summer...










Enjoying the last few warm days of summer, Bryce and I often go to the park with some of our friends... Bryce occasionally gets to go without his helmet for a little while since he sweats so bad! He loves the slide and insists on doing it all by himself! He's also a big fan of the swings and enjoys going really fast and really high!! He and Micheal often fight over who gets to play the little piano and Aanya likes to walk around saying, "Bryce, come!" Maya usually comes along for the ride! Before you know it she'll be joining running around with the other 3! Micheal and Bryce also like playing with chalk on the driveway. Margret, Micheal's mommy is quite the artist and keeps the kids interested with her cool drawings!

Monday, September 15, 2008

The time has come...

...for Bryson to learn to accessorize! That's right Bryce is now sporting the latest in fashion accessories! His new 'band'. We often call it a helmet but that is not the correct phrase for it. We also thought we'd call it a hat to make it easier on Bryce but decided that we didn't want to ruin him on hats for life... so we've decided to call it by it's official name which is 'band' (though we are teaching Bryce the sign for hat so that he can refer to it easier).
Just to bring everyone up to speed. Nate and I noticed Bryce's misshapen head around 4-6 months. We mentioned it to our original pediatrician who assured us it would correct itself. At our new doctor, shortly before Bryce's first birthday, it was brought up again but this time by the doctor who recommended that we go see a specialist. We toyed with the idea but knew that the consultation was free and we were interested to see what they said. After a session of special digital photos and measurements were taken they determined that not only did Bryson have plagiocephaly, he actually had a borderline severe case of it. The interesting part is that the way it presented in Bryson is actually the opposite of the way it typically presents. The doctor is attributing this to Bryson's growth and positioning in utero.... which boils down to there was no way to prevent it and nothing we could have done differently to stop it! So after a small battle with the insurance company to cover the 'insane' cost of the band we went ahead with the procedure. Bryson is now sporting his cranial band which he will have to wear for 23 hours a day for a minimum of 4 months. It is very difficult for Nate and I to see him with it on, but we are taking comfort in the fact that it doesn't seem to bother him too much. He's tried to take it off a few times today but did manage to take a nap and go to bed the same as usual.
We just wanted everyone to know that this was going on with him/us and to give you a sneak peak at his latest accessory so you wouldn't be surprised the next time you saw him!
**One more thing to share. We went to visit our friend Anya who has an older brother, Andy, who is 10 year old. Andy and his friends were over while we were visiting and after noticing Byrce's band each of them commented with such sweetness to Bryce (as though he could understand them) that they liked his helmet and how they wish they could get a cool helmet and that he looked tough like a football player... it took all my will power not to tear up at these boys being so kind to my little guy!!


Thursday, September 11, 2008

A visit downtown!



This past weekend we were finally able to get downtown to see Auntie Lynda! Bryson enjoyed the sights, especially the ducks at the pond in Lincoln Park! We also got to go to the zoo! Bryce enjoyed seeing the giraffes because they were so close. Auntie Lynda and Nate enjoyed decorating Bryce and his stroller while I visited the bathroom!!

Yes, I let my baby go tubing...


But only when he's with his mommy! Apparently we're raising a baby with no fear! He giggled his way around the lake three times, trying to stand up and jump in the whole way around! I think I should fear him getting older and braver!!

A drummer is born...

Our little man proudly following in his 'aunt' Kristin and uncles Josh and Jordan's footsteps. Now I don't know if they play drums necked in the tub, but that's where Bryce makes his "best" music!


Sunday, September 7, 2008

My Buddies...

While many of you know Bryson's 'girlfriend' Maya, you have yet to meet Bryson's two other neighborhood buddies! Anya lives 3 houses down on our side of the block and Michael lives two houses down from Maya. Michael is the oldest of our little pack at 19 months and enjoys running, yelling and sharing his ever expanding vocabulary. Michael is like the big brother that Bryce needs to push him around, share his toys and be his best bud! Anya is the next oldest at 17 months. Anya is a shy little thing but once she gets going, look out!! She loves being a little mommy to Bryce and is always very concerned when he cries!! Together our little group of four makes quite the play date!!


Friday, August 15, 2008

Do a little dance...

...get down tonight. And that's just what they did!! Even Bryce made it until 10:30 or so!