23

February is a busy month for our family. My birthday was on the 10th, Braxton's is on the 22nd, and then there is Valentine's Day smashed in the middle. Needless to say, all these celebrations break the bank... and our budget. :S So stay tuned for future posts!

My birthday was on a Friday. We didn't really do much to celebrate because Kyle had class, and a test, and work. So while he was busy studying away, Braxton and I went on a walk to the temple. I love taking Braxton to the temple. We talk about the temple, the missionaries, Jesus, the Angel Moroni on top of the temple, etc. Of course, we sit and look at the fountain, too. Here is my Braxton Buddy next to the fountain. Excuse my hand in the picture. I didn't want him to jump off the ledge, and I'm too lazy to crop the picture. :)


We didn't do any celebrating that night due to Kyle having to work, but he did bring me home these pretties. (Side note: I always get flowers for my birthday and chocolate for Valentine's Day because the flowers are ridiculously expensive right after my b-day).


Saturday, we celebrated all day. We went to lunch up in Salt Lake at The Cheesecake Factory. Delish, as always. We ordered the Avacado Eggrolls as an appetizer and split the Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp. Our dessert was the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Oh my. So good.

After lunch, we went and walked around the mall and I bought this shirt at H&M. Thanks, Kent and Debbie.

We went to a bunch of different stores and I spent some more birthday money, which is surprising because I usually don't find much that I like. While shopping, Kyle made me try on some peach colored skinny jeans. And I'm not going to lie, I looked dang good. He knew it, and I knew it. But I couldn't buy them. Why? I don't think I have a flashy enough attitude to pull them off. They are attention-getters. And I am not that kind of person. Plus, I'm not really in to the whole 80s colored pants that are coming back in style. I don't know, any thoughts on this?

Anyway...

That evening, Kyle made me a special birthday dinner: King crab legs, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. It was so good! I was so stuffed that we had to hold off on cake.

This is the beautiful cake that Kyle made for me. Triple chocolate fudge with cream cheese frosting drizzled over it. And yes, he did sing to me; and yes, I blew out all 23 candles. :)


My birthday was so much fun. Kyle treats me so well-- I am very spoiled. Thanks to everyone for all the cards, messages, and phone calls. I am looking forward to another wonderful year.

Little Moments...

My baby turns one on Wednesday. Of course, this occasion will be celebrated with presents, balloons, and lots of cake smashing. However, as I look back on the best year of my life, I can't help but be a little sad about all the little things that I am sure I have already forgotten about my sweet boy. So here are a few things that I always want to remember about my almost-one-year-old boy.

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My baby is usually really good at playing by himself. He is a curious little guy and is easily entertained by the little things he discovers around the house. Every once in a while though, he will come back over to me, crawl up on my lap and rest his head against my neck or cheek. He will sit there for a minute and then climb down and start playing again. Even though he can't speak, I know this is his way of saying "I love you, Mama."

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Today, we were walking down the stairs to the parking garage and Braxton started giggling out of no where. I have found him doing this a couple times, usually when he is playing with his toys or found something fun to play with in Mommy's room. It always makes me smile that he finds himself so entertaining that he can't help but crack up.

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Braxton loves being upside down. Anytime we are sitting with other people around us (Relief Society, Sunday School, waiting rooms, etc), he will throw himself backwards and lay upside down with this big goofy smile on his face until someone looks at him, smiling, and he starts giggling and sits back up. Then he will throw himself back again. Lather, rinse, and repeat about twenty times. He is such a little entertainer.

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At home, when we are just hanging out and cleaning house, I will sometimes growl at him and hide behind a corner. I love how I can hear him super speed crawling and breathing excitedly as he comes and finds me.

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At bath time, I will take Brax into the bathroom and stand him up against the tub while I start the water. Then we go out into the bedroom and take his clothes off. When we go back into the bathroom, he is so wiggly and happy and excited to get in the bath that he practically jumps out of my arms.

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In the mornings right after Brax wakes up, we sit in the rocking chair together and snuggle. Then when he gets wiggly, I pull up his blinds and sit him on the arm of the rocking chair so he can look out the window. He loves to sit there and watch the cars and people passing by, bang on the window, and play with the window tract and sill. He loves seeing what is going on outside.

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There are probably a zillion more things that I could write about, but I think this is probably good for now. I love my son so much. I think it is fair to say that he has taught me far more in the past year than I have taught him. I love my sweet little guy. He makes life so much happier and has brought our family so much closer. I feel so blessed to be his mama. I hope that years from now when I think back on my first year as a mother, I will be able to remember the joy and happiness that radiates from my son and the love he has brought to our family.

So far...

2012 has not been very forgiving to Braxton. He has caught just about every nasty little bug out there and has literally has been sick most of the year. He has been in this cycle of getting sick, getting better, almost back to normal as far as eating, sleeping, number of diapers in a day, etc. and then he gets sick again. Here is his running tally for 2012:

Flu
Cold
Two Teeth
Ear/Throat Infection

That's a lot for just a month into the year. I feel so bad for my little buddy. We have had wayyy to much of this:

And this:

And not nearly enough of this:

Ya... More of this would be nice. I miss my happy little boy. He is on antibiotics right now to help his ears and throat so hopefully within the next three days he will start feeling better. And maybe he'll even stay healthy this time.