An Open Letter to 21 Year old Braeden

Dear Braeden,

This morning, (this Sunday, weekend, no-work morning) you woke me up at 5:45 am. I stubbed my toe on your exer-saucer and nearly broke my neck when I stepped on your rattle. I then fed you breakfast which you promptly spit up all over my bare feet. I thought I could grab a quick nap in the late morning but you only slept for 20 minutes and I just had time to clean your bottles out.

When you woke up, you slobbered all over my face and left the largest drool string I've ever seen on my forehead. I then changed your diaper and you thought it was hilarious when you filled the new one with poo before we even left the changing table. You've managed to leave bodily functions, clothes and toys from one end of the house to the other even though you technically aren't even mobile yet.

I'm writing this because I want to remember today and say thanks. It's been the best day of my life just like every day before it for the past 6 months. Love you buddy...

-Daddy-

Some "Ups" are better than others...

So, The Dink as we so affectionately refer to Braeden around the house has learned a few tricks in his 5.5 short months of life. I like to call them his "Ups". Braeden has been standing "up" since he was about 3 months old. We will hold his arms and he'll stand "up" and then he'll actually take steps forward with a little help. He doesn't have the whole "Balance" thing down but how many of us honestly can say we've mastered balance? So we'll call "up" number 1 standing. It's pretty awe inspiring to see such a little man accomplishing such a monumental task.

So what cold be harder than standing "up" you might ask? Well surprisingly to me, sitting "up" is much harder. It requires muscles beyond just the legs, it requires balance, and it requires a thorough understanding of your center of balance, which is hard to find when your head makes up 40% of your total body weight. But The Dink has it down now. He can sit "up" on his own! So I now submit for you, the steps in mastering sitting. I can honestly say I've never been so proud of anything in my life! (By the way, if you're still wondering who he looks like, check out the 5th picture down. Very obviously Heather...)

Is that Monkey Bling?...

This is what happens when Mommy and Daddy both get to pick out a Halloween costume. By the way, his initials are BMC...