7 Months old and a Birthday Celebration with all the cousins!

Now that I am back in the classroom, you can probably tell that I have not had a chance to update the blog in the past few weeks. Well folks, you can get off the edge of your seat and stop wondering what Brady Smith has been doing. I am about to answer all of your questions!
Brady is now 7 months old and here are the things he can add to his lists of tricks:
-Brady can now sit up on his own. He still needs help getting up, but once he is up, he can keep himself in check. Once he figured how to stay a little forward and to keep his large cranium from going too far backwards or forwards he was in the money

-He is no longer nursing except for right before going to sleep. He has replaced mommy milk with formula, fruits and veggies (I have not felt this free since the day I moved to college). His favorites are all fruits, sweet potatoes, squash and carrots. We are working on green foods.
-He has mastered the roll
-He can go from sitting position to belly without face-planting
-He can almost hold his own bottle
-Don't turn around because he can roll out of a room before you have even realized he is no longer there


His favorite new evening activity is sitting up and going through his basket of toys.


Along with Brady learning new skills (because chicks dig guys with all kinds of skills) Brady has also spent some time with his cousins the past few weeks.

Last weekend he finally came face to face with his outgoing Californian cousin Johnathan. They had a good first meeting, but I don't think Brady's eyes can move fast enough to keep watch on Johnathan. He also had a visit from his second cousin, Jade. The objective was to have all the little darlings in one space in at the same time. I was not entirely successful...at least to have them all smiling in the same place at the same time. I set the bar too high, but did manage to get them all in the same frame. Not even a fraction of a second later, they had all split in 4 different directions...even though there was only 3 of them.



This past weekend was Dad's birthday. We got together for a fine lunch and had all of the grand-babies together. Anna, Johnathan, Kylie Peyton, and Brady all had their pictures taken by a photographer that awaited us at the house. She got some good individual shots and some shots of the kids playing. But when it came time for all the grand-kids and the grand-parents to have their picture taken together on the ground...I had never seen such semi-controlled chaos in my life. Two would be screaming while one was crawling away and two others were giving the perfect cheese. Every 3 seconds, the rolls would switch. When it was all said and done, the photographer had several shots that could make the scene to have looked like perfect harmony the whole time. I don't know how she did it.

Even without naps, all the kids had a great time. They enjoyed cake (except for Brady, who enjoyed some Gerber fruit mixture), ice cream and balloons. I don't know about the other kids, but I know mine came home and totally crashed!



Brady's personality comes out more and more every month, but some things stay the same. He continues to be one laid back, happy guy. He has his moments of course, but for the most part his favorite look is a smile on his face and a "go-with the flow" mentality on the busy weekend run arounds his mommy and daddy get him into.

All things considered

OK, so it has definitely been a little too long since our last post. You have a lot of catching up to do. To make things easier, I just decided to post everything I have, In one combined "mega" post of all the happenings with the Smith family.

Adam and I had our 2 year anniversary. It was so nice because this time I wasn't pregnant! I was able to go out and enjoy myself as much as Adam did...and boy did I!
We had a very nice small weekend getaway. Nana Nell took over the Smith house, including our son and our small pack/pride of dogs and cats. We didn't go far, just to Greensboro, but where we went was very special. We were staying at the Greensboro Biltmore Hotel. That's the same hotel that we stayed at the night we were married. We even stayed in the same honeymoon suite. We also had reservations to dine at 223 S. Elm, which is where our Rehearsal Dinner was held.

As soon as we checked in, around 3:30 that afternoon, we hit up the town. First we visited McCouls for some cocktails, then we skipped over to Natty Greene's for Happy Hour and a snack. We were wondering what we were going to do after supper later that night. At Natty's we learned of a block party that was going to be held just outside. Sam Bush would be performing. We had no idea who Sam Bush was, but we decided an evening concert would be perfect. We went back to the hotel, got ready for supper and made our way down the block. As soon as we walked in at 223 S. Elm, we ran into Mike, the head chef from the Rehearsal Dinner. No sooner had we sat that complimentary champagne was sent our way. This is also after we had enjoyed our complementary bottle of white wine that came with our room, our warm up drinks from McCouls and Natty's and after we had already ordered a bottle of wine for our table. We didn't waste a drop. Dinner was so romantic!

Afterwards we walked down the block towards the concert which was phenominal! If you have never heard of Sam Bush, you need to get some of his music. We had a fabulous time until we just couldn't do it anymore. We slowly walked back to the hotel and crashed. I was hoping to sleep in the next morning with no Brady getting me up, but I just couldn't do it. Our little honeymoon was over and it was time to head home.

So this anniversary was much different from my last where I was allowed a sip of wine every night, and during the day I dug a small hole in the sand for my baby bump so I could lay on my tummy at the beach. Both very special, and tons of fun in different ways!


This segment of the blog is brought to you by the letter "M"
What will Brady's first word be?


The Smith's at Smith Mountain Lake
Ronnie, Denise, Brady and I, being the only ones not working through the summer, were able to spend 2 quiet days at the lake. Brady did his usual things such as playing in the pool, driving the golf cart and learning new tricks (taking people's glasses off their face). He also experienced his first boat ride. I don't think he remembers ever being on the boat, as he slept peacefully the entire time.



A visit from Auntie Erin
Erin was able to come up from Florida to visit her bestest and Brady. We had a great visit and I told Brady that he had to be on his best behavior if Erin was going to go home with baby on the brain so he could have a little friend. Unfortunately Brady was teething and not all went as planned. But I have to remind myself that Brady is not a fussy baby, and what would appear very fussy to me, is nothing compared to a normal day of other babies.

Erin and I even hit up Greensboro for old times sake. I figured for sure that since I am used to getting in the bed between 9 and 10 every night that there would be no way I could hang with her like the good ole days. Much to my surprise, we were the last people to walk out of the door at 3am. I knew I would pay dearly as Brady would probably wake up around 7 or earlier. He did wake up super early, but then took a very long nap later that morning, and we caught up on all the sleep we missed out on.


Brady's 1st pony


I'm 6 months old!

This is what I can do:
Eat solid food 3 times a day
Babble constantly
Better hand/eye coordination
Grab Rusty's hair and Jetta's tail
I'm Teething
Almost crawling

The Traveling Baby

Well, it has been quite a busy 2 weeks with all of our travels. Brady has been from North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, to North Carolina's coastline in the east.

We spent some relaxing days at Dad and Jill's time share in Sapphire Valley. We came as close to becoming vegetables as you possibly can without actually turning into one...but we all know that's just silly. We took a lot of naps, read a lot of books/newspapers, and Brady spent a lot of time in the indoor pool. It was way too cold for any outdoor pool experience. He liked it all the same and I am now thinking of getting him enrolled in some kind of swimming lessons. This boy has no fear of water!

On the way home, we were lucky enough to be passing through during my niece, Peyton's, 1 year birthday. It was good to see Andrew and it was so much fun watching Peyton run around.


The beach was quite the opposite pace we experienced in the mountains. This was a rather large family reunion on Adam's side and there were many fun loving cousins that came to visit from Texas. There were a lot of people to meet and I thought Brady did very well as he continued to flash that innocent boyish smile as he was passed from person to person well into the night.

There was much fun to be had as cousins were reunited after many years. I like to think I met many new friends and I enjoyed watching old friends spend quality time together.


It was also good for Brady and Adam as they get to see a lot of each other. I feel privileged that I get to spend so much time with Brady, and I know that Adam wants to do the same. Brady loves his daddy so much, that I think Brady's time with his daddy was better than any pool.

Much to my surprise, Brady did not take to the ocean the way he took to the pool. I suppose it can seem rather intimidating and loud compared to a calm pool where water does not rush towards you with a roar. I guess that could seem scary to a baby. Nonetheless, Brady found himself a pool and was so wore out by his introduction to the ocean, that he fell asleep in his float.

After a long 2 weeks abroad the state, Brady, Adam and I were happy to get home.

5 months old

Brady is now 5 months old. Every day he amazes me as more and more of his personality blossoms. He is a little person with wants and needs and ways to express them to you. He is rolling over both directions, blowing bubbles, screaming, laughing, babbling, eating cereal, has an obsession with kicking his legs and every item that makes it into his hands deserves a taste test.

The boy smiles non stop but especially at women. I wonder who he gets that from? He hasn't met a stranger yet and he continues to be an easy keeper.

Things he wants to do so badly but he can't are:
stand
walk
talk
play with the pets
fly

Things he is working on:
The next Michael Phelps


A Cowboy


Next week he plans on trying out surfing and sand castle construction/destruction while at the beach.

First day at the pool

Well, Brady had his first summer adventure today. I figured that since Brady now loves bath time so much, that he would love the pool...since it would seem as a very large bath tub for him.

I joined Nana Tex, Deboranell, and Cynthia for a short day at the pool. As I figured, Brady took to the pool like a duck to water. He wore is brand new, very expensive Swimmer Diapers, and his fishing cap. He kicked and splashed and stayed happily in the water until he was almost pruny.

We will definitely be returning to the pool!

Look at what I can do!

I want to talk so bad!!!

Happy Father's Day

What a beautiful day Father's Day turned out to be. It was quiet, low key, and the weather was very nice. Adam and I went about our normal routines of a Sunday morning. Get up, feed Brady, shower, and get ready for church. We had a lovely Father's Day message at church and we headed home to start cooking for our guests. Grandpa Bud and Grammy Jill joined us for a delicious lunch at the house. Adam did all the cooking (like most always) and I got to have some playtime with Brady. Perhaps since it was Father's Day, it should have been the other way around...I don't know.

Dad and Jill came and we all had a very nice visit. Brady bounced in his door jumper as we all ate and laughed as he kept sliding down into the seat. We were very thankful he let us get almost completely done with lunch before he decided he had enough of the jumper.


After lunch, Adam went out and enjoyed 9 holes of golf for Father's Day before spending a quiet evening with Brady and myself.

It was a very low-event day, but nonetheless, very special as Adam's first Father's Day. Well deserved for such a wonderful, loving father!

Brady and I love you dearly, Adam! I hope that I show you how much you mean to me every day. Brady can't tell you how much he loves you yet, but I hope you see it every time he smiles when you walk into the room. He knows you're his daddy and he can't wait to do all the wonderful things with you that I know the two of you will do.

What does a mommy look like her first night away from baby?

So many people wondered how I would make it through a weekend away from Brady. I thought it would also be a little difficult but I figured I would not be one of those moms that calls every hour and does not have a good time due to wondering if the baby is asleep, eating well or is in route to the emergency room.

Well it was going to be my first night out (Adam's best friend was getting married) and I was determined to enjoy my first REAL night out since before I was pregnant.

I dropped Brady off with Grandpa Bud and Grammy Jill Saturday afternoon. It would have been an easy departure as Brady was in a great mood. However, I forgot all the nipples that go with his bottles. Immediately I went into mother panic mode. How will he eat? Ok, Dad and Jill can go get a nipple from the store. But what if it is not the right kind? What if he won't eat from it? What if my baby starves over night?

After I called to be sure they found a nipple for the bottle, Dad put my mind at ease and I continued on my way to Pilot Mountain.

The wedding was a success and we only called two times that night and not until after 10am the next morning. And no, my child did not starve over night nor did he visit the emergency room. He actually had a fabulous night, eating well and sleeping through the night in a strange bed. I was so proud of him and thankful for such wonderful grandparents.

Adam and I were able to enjoy the night out (a little too much) and will feel OK about leaving Brady for more sleep overs.



On another note, Brady experienced the Door Jumper this week. He can't jump yet, but he likes to just spin himself around and watch what you are doing. Brady is also getting better control of his massive Smith head. He can actually pick that big melon up. I have no idea how other than I may possibly have a super baby.


We also tried some solid foods, however he decided to pass on that idea. We have put it away and will try again in a week. Brady had his 4 month check up and all is looking well.

Brady is four months old...and so much more!!

This weekend, Brady turned 4 months old. I am so amazed of all the new things he is now doing. It is so exciting, and bittersweet at the same time. It is exciting because it is so much fun to see him show us something or learn something new. Every day is an adventure. At the same time, it is bittersweet because that just means he is growing fast and changing every day.

This month Brady can squeal, grab his toes (his ultimate goal is to get them into his mouth, which he is almost there), wiggle himself in a 360, coo, and best of all, he is experimenting with his laugh. The video does not do it justice how precious of sound comes from this little boy. Also, please excuse me in the background. In order for Brady to share his laugh, I have to make myself sound like a moron.







I believe Brady has started figuring out the camera...or I'm just reading into it, and he just likes the way it looks. Whenever the camera comes out, all of his attention focuses on it. This is when he is going to show off the most by kicking, squealing, laughing and smiling.

Brady has settled nicely into a good routine. He is not a big napper, but he is still a wonderful sleeper. He goes down around 8:00 and wakes up around 8:00 the next morning if I don't have to wake him up before I go to work. He goes for another check up June 5th, where I am sure he will be starting some solid foods. I fear Adam's tolerance for changing diapers will soon decrease once those solid foods start making their way into Brady's daily diet.

Brady had his first visit to the ball field to see his daddy play ball. He didn't catch any fly/foul balls.


Work update:
Last Friday was Spring Fling at my school. Adam was such a good sport and came along for the fiasco. Actually I wanted him to come so I could show off our son. Brady was such a hit. He smiled at everyone that walked up to him. I heard he was even smiling as I was being submerged in the dunking tank. Yes, that's right, I was a poor soul at the dunking booth. It was actually pretty fun and the water was warm. I am hoping that was not a cruel and disgusting result of those that were dunked before me.

I am looking forward to the last day of school...June 15th!



Pet update:
Rusty is still getting along. He is enjoying someone being at home with him all the time. He still has not accepted that he is not my only baby, and continues to be miffed at the fact that Brady takes a lot of my time and attention. I give him as much attention as I can, but it does not quite meet up to his expectations.

Beau and Oscar were caught in the act. I finally figured out why the big orange cat was sometimes soggy wet. I knew Beau was my prime suspect...but what I witnessed showed that Oscar was the instigator of these "cuddle" sessions. Unfortunately I started taping it towards the end.

*Video will be posted soon.

Jetta is still raging in the Battle for the Lap. She no longer pretends to notice that Brady has already occupied the lap. She just plunges right in. I have to stop her from actually laying on top of him. She doesn't have much longer before Brady will be out of my lap...however, I have a feeling she will be in my lap less, as I will be sitting down less.


I am back in the saddle and loving it whenever I can. I posted a picture of Icy just because she is pretty.