Well, I am going to include a lot of pictures for you in this post, but I would also like to write a few things first. I am now employed and will start working part-time at Emprise Bank on April 21. While I have mixed emotions about leaving Brenton and searching for someone to take care of him when Travis' and my schedule collide, I am SO excited about a paycheck and benefits that I have already called and made myself a much awaited eye doctor and dentist appointment! And I hate the dentist! So...please be praying for us as we have several big changes in the works.

On a much more fun note- Brenton's newest accomplishments include this adorable kissy-fishy face/noise that he does constantly now and his own realization that standing up on his own is hard work. The kissy-fishy face is really cute- you can say to him something like "give me a kiss" and make a kissy face to him, or ask him "what does the fishy say?" and open and close your lips like a fish and he just giggles and then starts making a similar face back! Even with the little pop pop pop sound that your lips make when doing that. His realization that standing up on his own is hard work is not as fun-- but just as entertaining. He'll grab onto my hands and without me lifting him he'll push and grunt and groan and usually scream until he is standing up...and then he smiles and laughs with this face that looks like "yeah, I know I'm good!". It cracks me up! And then often times he'll try and move his feet- and when he realizes that I am not helping him gain the momentum to move forward he starts to scream and throw a little fit because he wants it to be easier than it really is. This little screaming because he is not getting/achieving something he wants has become VERY familiar to us. Brenton has definitely learned that screaming is a fairly effective way of communicating when you can't use words and I have realized how difficult it is to begin parenting/teaching/discipling a tiny little not-even-8-month-old baby!!!! A couple of days ago while I was feeding him lunch he started pulling his bib to the side to pull it off and every time he would look at me and grin and every time I would say something like "Brenton the bib is to stay on" and move it back to its proper place. He knew exactly what was going on and had the most mischievous grin the entire time! I am just amazed at how quickly he is figuring things out!!

Ok....now for the pictures!






My new BFF














My first year of Easter Bunnying it up as a mama!













He loved the eggs....and the candy through the wrappers!
















"Let me pull your clothes off, Cousin Korbin"















Brenton got several Easter baskets full of goodies. Grandma Tammy got him a set of Dr. Suess books- these were mommy's favorite growing up.
















Great Grandma and Grandpa put up a swing for the little guy and he LOVES it! We pushed him really high- he is a little dare-devil! And when the swing would slow down he would kick his legs like crazy for more!

















And then one day we ran into our friends Mike and Brandi at lunch and Mason and Brenton had a little reunion!

I can't think of any good April Fools! :(

I've been trying to think all day of April Fools jokes that Brenton and I could play on people....and I just can't think of any good ones. The only thing that comes to mind is to announce that I am pregnant again....


But I just don't think that would be a funny-haha joke to everyone.

So- Happy April Fools- and please don't start any rumors!!

I have several pictures I would like to post, but for now I'll leave you with these:
Brenton's first car- from the Easter Bunny- it turns into a push-walker also
-and-
Brenton and Grandpa Matt- I think they look so much alike! And how about that hat??!

here comes peter cottontail!

Last weekend we took Brenton to his first Easter Egg Hunt and he met the Easter Bunny! It was so fun helping him walk around and he was definitely into the idea of picking things up off the ground (not always the eggs!). He was also fascinated with trying to eat the candy through the wrappers! Of course, the real fun will be on Sunday as we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection with our families and friends. The Easter Bunny will be making a visit here as well!
































































We went to Manhattan for a day this week while Travis is out of school and visited Josh and Heather (and Sadie!) and Great Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, Aunt Cindy, and Aunt Arlene. We were glad to finally make it up there after we missed Christmas because of the icey-snowy weather. Brenton was great and Sadie really liked having him to play with- she even bit his fingers and toes a few times to show him! Travis and I taught Josh and Heather how to play "the train game" (aka Ticket to Ride) and watch out-- we have a little competition on our hands! And the funniest thing ever happened- as soon as I handed Brenton to Great Grandpa Anderson Brenton yanked his checkbook out of his pocket to steal! I promise I did not teach him that!

7 months

I guess I forgot to mention that Brenton has now passed the 7 month mark....just inching his way to that first birthday! He is saying dadada all the time now- mama is much more rare, and he is so determined to get what he wants we are definitely starting to get a feel for what the future holds! I can't leave Brenton alone for even one second now unless he is somehow confined....that sounds bad....but I think you know what I mean. I can't just leave him on the couch while I run to grab his food from the kitchen or anything because he lunges forward to get whatever it is that he has his eyes on. Usually this results in him on his belly pushing with his legs trying to scoot himself around, but sometimes he rolls onto his side or back and stretches his arms as far as he can while pushing with his legs. Yesterday he really scared me- and that's when I realized that everything is changing again- he was napping in the middle of our bed horizontally instead of vertically and when I heard him fussing and talking and went to get him his head was upside down off the edge of the bed and he was flailing his arms around trying to grab stuff off my night stand. I almost freaked out because I realized that if that night stand had not been there....Brenton probably would have ended up on the floor- yikes!

Anyway- I am so tired today because the little man with the big personality was up A LOT (to say the least) last night...he sounds really stuffy, too, so maybe he was awake because he couldn't breathe through his nose? He HATES his nose being touched so this ought'a be fun!

Back to 7 month stats...his eyes are more and more blue every day (according to me), he is 28 and a 1/2 inches, and weighed in at 19 pounds, 15 and a 1/2 ounces. This is funny to me for two reasons- 1. at birth he was 7 pounds, 15.6 ounces....almost 8, but not quite. Now, he is 19 pounds, 15 and a 1/2 ounces....almost 20, but not quite. It's like he has to add that little bit of drama into everything he does! :) And 2. I'm pretty sure he would have weighed 20 pounds or more if he hadn't projectile-spit-up on us in the waiting room, peed on us in the exam room, and pooped his pants all immediately prior to being weighed!!!

Things we are looking forward to: Brenton's first Easter, and Easter in general- what a great time to renew your life, take a look around at all of the beauty blooming around you, and remember what's really important in life. I'll post more pictures soon- I think most of them are going to be from the zoo...Brenton and I go to the zoo often to get some fresh air and exercise.

Travis and I went out for our second wedding anniversary last night and it was so much fun. From Travis incorrectly pronouncing almost every item on the menu...to mini golf like we were dating again...and then the most memorable part:

THE STREAKER.

Yes, "Ironman" himself visited us while we were eating our wonderful (not on our diets) Marble Slab ice cream. No, it was neither one of us. Seriously- we were at Bradley Fair when all of a sudden I hear "I am Ironman!" and look over and boy did I get a treat! I am just thankful I was far enough away to not get a detailed view!! Travis only got the second half of the show (the backside!), but lucky me- I got the whole thing. The guy proceeded to run back to a parked truck and jump in the back as the truck drove away. Let me just remind all of you that it was not exactly warm outside at 8pm last night....and this guy jumped into the back of a truck....the truck bed....the METAL truck bed. BRRRRRR.....poor streaker. (sarcasm)


Today-dinner for Aunt Michelle's birthday! Happy 26th tomorrow! Which reminds me- I better go get started cooking!

smile!

Brenton makes me smile...all the time! Just now he was sitting in his high chair (not so high, by the way) chewing on his spoon after dinner and all of a sudden something caught his eye and he started chasing it (with his eyes) all over the ceiling. Guess what it was- the sunlight reflecting off of Grandpa Mike's watch onto the ceiling. Just a little circle of light....seriously- who needs toys?!


By the way...there are more pictures on facebook.http://friends.facebook.com/profile.php?id=151000976

Spring...

So...this may be a random post...

First- this is one of my favorite sights to see...










Spring is on its way!






2- Brenton loves animals! As you can tell- Peyton, our dog, loooooves Brenton too! His favorite thing to do right now is lunge forward and rub his face in things- people, animals, toys, whatever he's around. Usually he reaches his arms out and grabs you too- so it's kind of like a hug!












3- Brenton and I got to see some of my favorite women a few weeks ago! Love you ladies! Sadly this is one of the only pictures I have.













4- Brenton loves to MOVE all the time! And he loves being outside...so we moved his bouncer outside!















5- Brenton likes to hang out...literally- hang. out. (watching tv in a very strange way...he did this himself, folks, not joking)











6- Brenton is feeding himself snacks now! Here- he's sharing with you!













7-Good job!














8- Either Brenton really loves his Godmother Ann.....or he is secretly working for the Louisville Slugger company creating baseball bats.













9- Brenton is ready for spring and golf season! And by the way...who needs those expensive toys?? Brenton likes plastic hangers!



















10- We were thinking Brenton might become a musician because he loves music and noise (as a mom I have now decided there is a difference).....but now we're totally thinking ROCK STAR!








Have a great day!