Blake, Brittney & Braxton Kluse

Chateaux de Samples

2010-08-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

My goodness, has it been a month since I posted? Holy cow where has the time gone! Not sure if you all know this, but I mainly use this blog as a running journal of our lives. I think it's great that our friends and family can see it, but at the end of every year I have all my posts printed into a coffee table book so we have a running list of pictures and my journaling of what we did that year!This month, August, has been a BUSY one! Our great friends, Matt, Wendi, Abbey, and Emma, are living in DC for two years while Matt is on "assignment" with PNNL. They absolutely love it back there and now I see why! We decided to take a week long vacation out there to see them and spend some fun time touring DC!

First things first ... at 9 months here are Braxton's stats: 23lbs (85% percentile), 31inches (97% percentile), 7.5 head circum (75% percentile). He started crawling AND pulling himself up while we were in DC too (9.5 months). Now he is into everything! He loves to crawl to the fireplace and stare at himself in the glass! His schedule is 7am - bm & yogurt, 11am - bm & fruit, 3pm - bm, 5pm - dinner, 7:30pm - bm and to bed! He sleeps until about 6am sometimes 7am if I'm lucky!

He is such an easy baby and Blake and I feel soooooo lucky! He has so much personality and I love to hear him babble! His favorite word to say is "da-da" but he also likes "ga-ga, ba-ba, and sometimes I get a "maaaaaaam" He loves to clap and waves at everyone (we tell him he is very polite!) and now dances by moving his butt back and forth on the ground and turning his hands together ... touching the backs of each of his hands together in front of his chest and moving them in and out!). Every stage gets more and more fun! We can't wait to see what's next! But my favorite part of the day is at night when he's eating his bedtime bottle and we just stare at each other. I hope I never forget that feeling.

Back to Chateaux de Samples....we arrived on Monday evening and in true Wendi fashion, our entire trip was scheduled. (this is a trait both Blake and I love! We love being busy and on the go!). Monday night I had a shoot (Yes, she put me to work in DC) and then we spent the night just hanging out in their gorgeous townhouse. Wendi is stellar at decorating so she could turn a shack into something out of a magazine!

Tuesday Blake and Matt had to work, so Wendi, myself, and the kiddos went to the mall for the better part of the afternoon! She introduced me to great stores like Papaya and Charming Charlies! That evening Matt & Wendi babysat Braxton and I took the Metro into DC too meet Blake for a date night! We saw Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G) and had a great sushi dinner! Wednesday Wendi, me, and the kids drove into Alexandria ... a photogs dream. Colorful staircases, beautiful, old architecture and buildings, unbelievable textures. I could have died taking pictures there!

That night we hung out at the Samples house for a great dinner and after everyone went to bed, the real fun began. Wendi and I had the best bonding night of our friendship. Here's the only way I can explain it ... when I was little, my Mom's life-long friends (namely Aunt Nancy!) would come to visit. I loved to hang out with them and would always be sad when I had to go to bed. I wanted to just be around them and feel "adult-ish" and hear their stories and see what it was they talked about. I can remember laying in bed and hearing them a floor above me LAUGHING until the wee hours of the morning and even at 8 years old wondering, "what are they talking about? How can they talk and laugh for so long?" ....well, Wendi and I have turned into my Mom. Now I know what my Mom and her friends were talking about! Old times, growing up, marriage, kids, life, things that shaped us, and everything in between. This conversation started about 9pm and lasted until after 2am!!! During it I peed my pants, Wendi cried from laughing, and we ate more Greek Russian Mexican treats than our stomach and thighs would like to remember. What we talked about will have to go to the grave with me, but here are some inside joke highlights to keep you guessing .... Wendi, here's to:
Dips bars; looking at people with towels on their heads sitting on couches and having an ah-ha moment; the forbidden FB; two words = middle school; bagels; kissing in backyards in the middle of the night; becoming bf/gf through a note; how the same person can change your life, then ask you to a dance and not remember changing your life; and through all of this ultimately ending up exactly where you were supposed to be in life ... but a little smarter.

Thursday Blake, Braxton and I went to the Air & Space Museum and then that night we all went to our other friends' Pete & Anna for a BBQ. It was there we all noted how life had changed. A few years ago, we were all at Jackson's after work. We were having a beer and no one had anything to rush home to. We laughed, took our time eating, talked, laughed and finally left the bar at who knows what time. Skip ahead 4 years. Shouting threats at the older kids, "If you don't eat your dinner you can't play" ... Blake and I rotating Braxton from lap to lap so one of us could eat and hold him so he didn't destroy the Tensmeyer's house as he pulled everything from every shelf. As we talked, every other sentence someone had to feed a child, change a diaper, discipline someone, or remind them (ah-hem, Braxton) not to eat carpet fibers from the rug. Ahhh life as parents.

Friday was awesome! Wen watched Brax all day and evening so Blake and I could go into DC and do all the tourist stuff! We went to all the monuments, memorials, and tourist attractions like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, White House, Ford's Theater, and the Smithsonian museums. Blake and I love museums so that was our favorite part! I even got to see Dorothy's ruby red slippers (they wouldn't have fit on my big toe!! ... I'm pretty sure she had her feet bound ... lol).

Saturday we spent the day at National Harbor walking around the shops, eating great food, and then flew home! It was sad to leave them because we had such a good time. But also nice to get home and back into a routine....however I miss my dungeon at the Samples (their guest room is in the basement and it's cool and dark and we love sleeping there!) One morning I slept until 11am!! Thank goodness Blake was there to take care of Brax!

Vacations like that always make me feel recharged and ready to go! I can't wait to see them next ... we love you guys like family and are so happy our families get to grow up together and have lots more nights eating too much, drinking great wine, and laughing way to loud!

This week in Kluse-land!

2010-07-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some updates! The pics below is my first time meeting my niece Alena! My parents and I drove to Seattle to see Blake and Lesli when she was about 2 weeks old! She is so cute and small! Braxton was already trying to eat her! Blake and Lesli are doing well ... just sleep deprived, as can be expected!

The pic of Braxton is his newest favorite way to sleep --- headlocking his poor Lamb! He grunts at the Lamb until he falls asleep then puts it into a headlock. Pretty funny!

The videos are also hilarious ... Braxton rolling like CRAZY and Blake figuring out a "unique" way to weigh him :)

Love you all!

Blake's 1st Father's Day!

2010-06-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

Blake had a great 1st Father's Day yesterday! The day started with Brax and I going to get him coffee (his typical routine on Sat & Suns with Brax!) ... which was more work than I expected, so I'm eager to let him have his job back! Then we had breakfast, Blake did some yard work, we ran errands, and topped off the evening by making a homemade veggie pizza! Ohhhhh was it delicious!! And of course, had to go to Dairy Queen for Blizzards!

Below is a pic and video of Braxton eating. He is doing this new thing where he blows rasperries when you put a bite of food in. Well this time it backfired, and he blew before the food was in his mouth, so he blew it up off the spoon and it went backwards and landed on his face! HA - serves him right! Blake and I wear 1/2 of his dinner each night! Had to capture this :)

Love you Braxers!!!

Jumping in June

2010-06-11T09:13:00.001-07:00

Hey, everyone! June has been a really fun month! This is my FAVORITE age for Brax! He has so much personality and is so fun ... but still not mobile! YAY! :) ...he loves to babble now (started on this 7 month bday) and says "dadadadadadadadadadada" all the time with a very stern look on his face! I wish he'd say "mama" more, but at least that was his first word!

He had his first ride in the big boy seat at Target! I was so proud! I basically walked around the store just taking pics of him in the cart and forgot half the stuff on our list! Oh well ;) The other pics are some I snapped of him playing! When we get up in the morning we spend time playing with all his toys, then use the afternoons to go on walks and run errands! Mommy gets to watch the Today show that way ;)

I also love the pics of Blake and his parent's dog, Winston. They were watching Baby Einstein together. How cute!!!

Mine and Blake's favorite new pastime is badminton! We have it set up in the backyard and when Brax goes to sleep Blake and I go out and challenge each other! It's really fun for us to do ... and he gets to see my superb athletic skills. Or something like that ... :) There is a pic of Blake showing off his mad jumps. Yes honey, you're amazing.

Below are a couple of vidoes too! Brax loves to bang anything he can get his hands on together, but for some reason he was a little shy when I put the camera on him. Better get over that one kid!

Good ole fashioned BBQ for Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T21:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! We had a great weekend and nice and relaxing! This was the first weekend Blake has been home in a while, so we had some great family time and even set up a badminton set in the backyard! I have negative athletic ability and proved that fully last night. I am the girl who swings and the birdie thing flies right by her ... oh well. I know how to shop and take pictures, so that's gotta buy me something 'eh?

Below are some pics from our weekend! I went with some friends to see SATC2. Not as great as I was hoping for, but a chick flick nonetheless!

*The first picture below is for my ole' father in law. I saw this painting and couldn't help to think that it was a "Mike of year's past" ... wonder what he thinks?!?! look at all that hair!!! Love ya, pops!

Way too long without a post

2010-05-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Wow, I really need to get back in the hang of things. Over a month? How unlike me .... so here is to catch you up on the last month of our lives!
1) I started back to work in April part-time; a couple days a week gives me enough time to be a "professional" but most of my time to be a Mommy!
2) Braxton started eating solid foods at 5 1/2 months and two days later slept through the night for the first time!! WAHOOOOO! Our schedule has been amazing since I started this kid on food. That was just what he needed!
*He loves all foods except green beans. He will spit those out every chance he gets! (I hate them too, way to go Brax!)
3) Braxton started swim lessons with his friend, Chaz! They go once a week and he is a waterdog! He loves to go under and we are so proud of our boy! I am in the water with him and proud Daddy stands on the side with video camera in one hand and camera in the other!
4) Braxton started sitting on his own right before 6 months and even though he knows how to roll, up until yesterday (2 days shy of 7 months) he hadn't done it a lot. Now he rolls all over his blanket ... namely when you are trying to change him!
5) In mid-May we flew to Lexington for Pete & Julie's wedding (we set them up!). Brax did great and he was a hit at the wedding and in Columbus (where we went first) so he could meet family.
6) At 6 1/2 months he said his first word --- MAMA!! (I am so happy!)
7) Today (one-day shy of 7 months) he has started babbling like crazy (lalalalalala and ahga ahga ahga are his favorites).+
9) In early April we got our first family car! A Mazda CX9 and I adore it! It is just the space we need for now!
8) Here's Braxton's day at 7 months
630am - breakfast (5 oz BM)
9am - nap
11am - 1/4 c rice ceral and 4T fruit and 6oz BM
1pm - nap
4pm - 1/4 c oatmeal and 4T vegetables 1 T meat
7pm - book, naked jaybird, bath, jammies
730pm - 8oz BM and off to bed
(sleeping thru the night!!!)

All in all life is amazing. It sure is busy, but routine helps make it great. Blake and I find that we can just spend time playing with Braxton on the floor and minutes turn into hours! We love to sing him songs and make them up all day (many of them include his name since we love it so much ;))

As I am writing this I'm thinking back that 7months ago I was in labor. If I remember correctly I was probably dilated to 9cm and I kept thinking ''in just a few hours I get to meet my little boy" ... and now not only is he here, but I know so much about him! Here are a few of things I love about Brax at 7months:
*I love how he sucks in his bottom lip
*I love how he flirts (will give you a big smile then turn his head away shyly)
*I love how he sticks his tongue out of his mouth and curls the tip of it up towards his nose
*I love how he gets super excited when he's playing and takes deep breaths and flails his arms and legs in a crazy way
*I love how he likes to cuddle on my chest and lay his head to the side right under my chin
*I love how he STILL holds my hand when he nurses
*I love what a HAPPY HAPPY baby he is (we feel proud that this is the thing we get the most compliments on)
*I love how he has my blonde hair and blue eyes and that the strands on the top that stick up like a peacock are still longer than any other hair on his head and have been like that since the day he was born!
*I love how he has a tiny strawberry patch on his left eyelid that has been there since the day he was born
*I love how he has learned to put his arms up in the air when he wants up and gets excited when he sees me coming
*I love how he laughs when I tickle his underarms and side
*I love the look on his face when he's milk drunk from his bedtime feeding and he is so sleepy his head bobbles all around
*And as always, I love being his Mommy more every day. He is truly the best thing Blake and I have ever done and in 7 short months I can't even remember what life was like without him.

I love you so much Baby Balooga. You will forever be our Braximus Maximus!
Love Mommy & Daddy

Sit, sit, sit ... I like to sit!

2010-04-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

How lucky was this? I was getting ready for a shoot and Blake was helping me prep the studio room. We had Braxton in there and all of a sudden before we knew it, he was sitting!!! He was balancing with his arms on the ground and as he would start to wobble he would correct himself! He did take a couple of dump-overs, but Daddy caught him and sat him back up! My baby is such a big boy!!! (he's 6 months next week). We'll have to keep practicing and let you know!

**I think he did it cause my good camera was in there and we were in the studio so he knew I could take some great shots of his newest trick!!!

We love you baby!!!

My silly peanut!

2010-04-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

Check out Braxton's newest game! It's called COVER MY FACE! He will cover his face with anything and he thinks its so funny! The other picture has a funny inside joke to it, but basically it's me, in my evening attire, enjoying my wine!!! :)

Braxamus Maximus!

2010-04-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone (not sure why this is underlining!). Well, I started back at work this week and it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be. A couple of breakdowns, but I got through the day! There is no way I could work more than 3 days ... by the middle of the afternoon on Thursday I started getting realllly ancy to get out of there!

Blake was gone today on travel, so Braxton and I had a nice day! My cousin, Christine came into town to meet him, so we had fun hanging out with her! We played, went to lunch, took a nap, went on a walk ... it was a great day!

April should be a fairly low-key month. I have a lot of photo shoots, but we are in town every weekend (something kind of out of the ordinary!), so we are hoping to have lots of family time! Every Saturday Blake and Braxton (following his Dad's tradition) go get coffee and bring it back. Usually I wake up two hours later to a slightly watered down iced skinny hazlenut latte... but good nonetheless! It is so nice that I get to sleep in on Sat morning and Blake and Brax get to have Daddy/Son time. This usually consists of going outside and checking on the lawn or watching golf or basketball!

Below are some pics I took for Braxton's 5-month pictures! Hard to believe my baby boy is that old already ... I am treasuring every SECOND with him.

Easter & Reflections ...

2010-04-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! What a difference a year makes ... last Easter was when we surprised our parents by wrapping the ultrasounds in Easter Eggs and telling them we were pregnant! Now, in the blink of an eye we already have a 5 month old?! How did that happen! He went from a little gummi bear on a piece of paper to my beautiful, happy baby boy!

Easter was terrific! This year we went with my parents to their church (we switch years with the g-parents) and then met up with Blake's parents and all 6 of us had brunch at Meadow Springs. It was great...and after 4 trips thru the line, I was finally full! Sooooo much good food! Nana and Papa made up a cute Easter basket for him (with candy we ate!). Good thing they did, cause we didn't!! As my friend told me last night, "after this year, you'll have to do one EVERY year, so enjoy your last year off!!!" ...AMEN!

Also, last week I had my first day back at work. It was better than I thought it was going to be. I still missed him, but to be honest, I was so busy it really did make the day fly by! I am going to do Tues-Thurs and my best friend, Aunt Julianne, will be watching him! She has her background in early childhood education, so I joke that he'll probably learn more with her than me anyway! Plus it will be good for him to be around a couple more kids on a regular basis. Bryce and Morgan love him and love to "babysit" him so I know he's in good hands!

Also, I'd like to make note of something. For all you people that nodded your head along in agreement to me last October when I said, "I can't wait to be home for 5 months --- I am going to get so much done around the house." .... well, now I know you were just being polite. The ONLY real accomplishment I got done in the last 5 months was giving birth to my beautiful baby! Everything else out the window. I didn't get my attic organized, I didn't go through all our files and purge stuff, my bedroom still has not been simultaneously clean at the same time as my house, I am still behind on laundry, and to make matters worse, now there are balls of diapers randomly around the house waiting to be taken to the "big" garbage. So this is what being a mom is, huh?

For any of you Mom's who DO have it all together, please do tell.

Below is a quick pic we snapped of him getting ready for Church! What a stinker with that tongue!!! I wish I had my better camera, but iPhone had to do!

We love you Braxamus Maximus ... next year dying eggs will be fun!

To my 5 month old

2010-03-30T01:25:00.000-07:00

To Braxton:

How are you already 5 months old? The black and white picture you were only 10 days old and in what feels like is a blink of an eye you are growing up before me. This past month has been one of a lot of changes for you! I am so proud of all the new things you learned and as a parent am amazed at what children are capable of learning in such a short time. I've fallen even more in love with you and I know that will only continue to deepen! Your Daddy and I love you so much and here are just a few of the things we have come to love about you this month!
* you rolled over at 19 weeks! Daddy and I were laying on the blanket playing with you and right in front of our eyes you just rolled yourself over! We were so happy to have been there to witness it together ... we were so proud of you and started kissing you and clapping for you immediately
* you suck on your bottom lip and make a funny little grin
* you like to grab your ... ahem ... "special part" in the bathtub, and then scream when it hurts (go figure!)
* you laugh out loud so cute when Daddy sings you "Pants on the Ground" (thank you American Idol for that diddy)
* you smile and laugh when we sing you your "Braxton Hunter Kluse" song we made up
* you sleep now from 7pm - 330am (eat) - 630am (twice this month you even slept 7pm - 5am ... we're getting there!)
* you love to look in the mirror, but always look behind you to try and figure out who that baby is!
* I think you know you're lullabye (stay awake, don't rest your head) because when I start to sing it you calm down
* I love the way you feel when I hold you (and yes, you actually feel light to me!) and I hope I never forget what it feels like to hold you. I know I'll miss it when you're 6' 6" one day looking down on me.

More than anything you are the best little boy in the world and you have made your Daddy and I so happy!

We love you, Braxamus Maximus!

****and I still love the way you hold my hand when you nurse!!!

Our first family car!!

2010-03-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

We did it! We have a family car now :) We got a screamin' deal on this 2010 Mazda CX9 (only $200 over invoice thanks to a hook-up with the commercial fleet manager at McCurley!). It has so many bells and whistles and I love love love it! Blake is now driving the Accord and "Old Blue" is parked with the boat and has been retired to strictly a hunting/fishing/boating vehicle!! I think Blake feels like he got a new car out of this too!

The first time I put Braxton in he was looking around like, "where am I???" It is so nice having so much more room!!! Now I need to come up with a name for her .... :)

Kauai and Catch Up

2010-03-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

We're alive! I didn't fall off the face of a cliff! Life has been soooo busy lately and I am really behind on my blogging. I promise to do better in April! So here's a quick update on everything!

We spent a week in Kauai with Blake's parents which was amazing! We were at a Marriott resort that M&G bought a time share at and it is soooooo pretty! Thanks to Grandma, Blake and I actually got to make it a vacation and sleep in and lay on the beach! With 3 plane rides there and home I was nervous about Braxton, but he did wonderful! We were so proud of him! The last flight from SLC to home he had pretty much had enough, but 5 out of 6 is great!

While we were on the island we basically read books, laid by the beach, got burned (well, ok, only me) and swam! One of my favorite things was snorkeling with Blake. I'm always on the lookout for Jaws when snorkeling in 4 feet of water!

This was also my last full month off from work :( ... I'll be returning in April, but only three days a week. I hope that I can find it to be a nice break rather than be sad I'm missing time away from my baby. Fingers crossed!

Aloooooha! See all the pics HERE.

Big bouncing boy!

2010-03-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Brax is in his bouncer now and he LOVES to bounce! It is so cute seeing him bounce up and down. He giggles and talks to himself in it and just watches me as I clean and do stuff around the house!

We are getting ready to leave in a couple days for Hawaii!! I can't wait to have some nice relaxing time with my fam on the beach! It will also be fun to take him into the water and see how he likes it! He loves bathtime now, so I'm hoping the same goes for the ocean!

I think we've hit the teething mark too. He is constantly drooling, sticking hands in mouth, and yesterday he went ballistic screaming and putting his hands to his mouth. It almost made me cry because I feel like I can't do anything for him! It must be so painful. Thank God for infant Tylenol. I also got some baby Orajel that said was good for babies over 4 months. Not sure if I'll see a tooth poke thru soon or what ... is this early??? I know some kids who are a year old and don't have have teeth!

Love to all!

My cool dude!!

2010-03-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding me? Could this boy get any cuter! Thanks Aunt Jamie for picking up my new FAVORITE hat for me! I look RAD :)

I had a newborn shoot today and my good friend Jamie watched him and they had a fun morning! He was laughing and smiling and playing with Jo!

PS - we miss you Daddy! We love you!

Boys & Bellies

2010-03-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Hey all! It's been a busy last week! Blake and Lesli came into town and I took some maternity pics of Lesli ... the sun was perfect! I love a good sun flare :) ... And Braxton got together with his lifelong (ha!) friend Chaz! They were born only a day apart so Jenni and I get them together for play dates! Check out how long Braxton's arm is compared to Chaz? Speaking of that ... he had his 4 month check up and everything looks great! He's in 100% for height and 90% for weight! He's on his tummy a lot and is close to rolling. After a push from us he'll pull his arm out, he just hasn't figured out why he'd WANT to roll :)

And since I'm always behind the camera, I had to get one of me and my sweet, sweet baby boy!!!!!!! In fun news we leave for Hawaii in a few days and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's "boy-hawk" time!!!!

2010-02-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting so long for this!!! Finally Brax has enough hair for me to give him little mowhawk!! I just snapped with my little point anf shoot so Ihope you can see it well enough!!! Once it grows in a little more I will trim it up! :)

Our first family walk!

2010-02-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Now that the weather is starting to warm up w were able to take Brax on his first walk! (thanks for the hat, Jack ... and the snowsuit thing, Easton!). There is a cool pond by our house so we took him down there! He has HATED the front pack since he was born, so I finally felt like he was big enough to turn him around and that I think did the trick! I don't think he wanted to look at my collar bone! Can you blame him?!?! He had a great time looking at the ducks in the water!

Is this the cutest boy in the world or what?!?!?!

2010-02-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

Bouncie Chair Olympics! Brax got Gold!!!!

2010-02-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

Who says you only get to wear it once?!?

2010-02-22T22:50:00.000-08:00

So, I was putting away some of Braxton's clothes in his closet and I came across a big white bag .... so naturally. I asked Brax, "Do you want to see Mommy in her wedding dress?" and I took his smile and drool to mean yes. I ate lunch in it and even changed Braxton's diaper in it! By the end if the day I packed it back up until the next time it catches my eye..... :)

What a baby SHOULD look like :)

2010-02-22T22:36:00.000-08:00

So here is what a new baby should look like! Emma is only 6 weeks younger than Braxton and HALF the size! Brax is going to take her for a ride on his big green tractor in a few years :)

Braxton's new girlfriend, Emma!

2010-02-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

Our good friends, Matt and Wendi, came home from DC for a long weekend, so I -- of course -- took pictures of Braxton's girlfriend, Emma! She's only 5 weeks younger than Brax! For those of you who know Abbey, you can probably tell these girls are sisters. Emma is almost a spitting image of Abbey from when she was born! Makes me wonder if we have another boy if I'll get another cutie patoootie like my Braxamus Maximus!

Check out him in his overalls! He's channeling a choo choo train conductor :)

To my 3 month old....

2010-02-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

Braxton:

I just wanted to say how much I love you! I cannot believe how much my love for you has grown over the past three months. It's hard to describe even the way I feel about you! You have made me realize that while I was so happy before you --- you have completed a part of my life I didn't even know I was missing! Since my last post to you, here are even more things I love about you:
• the way you make Dinosaur noises
• when I look at you and give you a big smile, you smile back and stick your tounge out!
• how you sleep with both your arms above your head like a "touchdown" position
• how your eyes get sleepy as soon as I start to sing your bedtime song
• how you hold my fingers with your hands when you're nursing
• how I felt when you laughed for the first time last week when I was singing you a song
• how you love the "stand up/sit down" game
• the way you grab your toes during naked jaybird time
• the way you always fart in your bathtub :)
• the way you cuddle with me in the morning after your breakfast
• and the way you stretch and your legs so super straight, feet point up, and your neck disappears!
• how you have my skin :)
• and how you melt my heart when I watch you sleep each night

I love you more than I could ever ever tell you. I was telling my friend just the other day that I don't even know if it's possible for me to love another child as much as him! I was scared to have another one! But she assured me that as soon as the next one's born, the love just continues.

A year ago today I was pregnant with you and didn't even know. You were our little secret baby who was just meant to be here! And I'm so happy you chose us to be your Mommy and Daddy!

You have made my life enormously better and I love you more every day we spend together!

You're mine and Daddy's best friend :) We love you, Baby Balooga!

V-Day!

2010-02-14T21:36:00.000-08:00

I did one of Southridge's coaches a favor and took a team pic for a program booklet...while we were there I found a HS collage of Senior athletes that had my charming hubby circa 2000! See below! And while I was waiting I had to get some pics of the cutest boy in the world!

Southridge HS also does advertising for me so I took a picture of the banner with my logo on it! They kind of stretched it weird, but oh well ... not much I can do about it now!

And also in the mix is a pic from Blake and I last night on date night! We went to a great dinner at Monoroso's (cool old dinner train!) then to the movie Valentines Day, then to get ice cream, then home! He surprised me with beautiful roses and my favorite chocolate covered strawberries and even a card written by my 3-month old himself :)

Love you baby! Happy Valentines Day to my two favorite boys!!!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

2010-02-09T23:16:00.000-08:00

So, did you all think I fell off a cliff? Well, I didn't! I have been horrible at posting and normally I am really good! Somehow these last two weeks have been super busy! We had our friends Pete and Julie come into town: (check my photog blog for their engagement pics! http://www.brittneyklusephotography.com/blog) and that was so fun and then I've been busy with shoots and hanging out with my favorite little boy in the world!

Below is a pic I got today of him smiling! Just the other day he gave his first laugh! It is seriously the sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeetest sound in the world! He's only done it another handful of times, but more laughs are surely on the way! I just can't wait for the next one! Ohhh I just love him so much!!!

In cool news for me (I shared this on my photog blog, but forgot to on this one!). I was recently asked by one of our area hospitals (Kennewick General Hopsital) to be one of two exclusive photographers to provide photos for their Birth Center!!! And the Children's Hospital Harvest Ball Committee (their largest fund raising event) have asked me to take the photos for this year's program! Wahoooooooo! That will be great exposure because it is sent to 1500 Tri-Citians!!

That's all on this front! For Vday my hubby has a cool Saturday evening planned so I'll take pics and post! Nana and Papa (my folks) are going to take Braxton so we get a date night and they get 3's company :)

Mr. Rashy-Rasherson

2010-01-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

Since inquiring minds want to know! Here are pics of Mr. Brax's rash. It looks tons better now thanks to time and modern medicine :)

Also, had to include a pic of what happens every day when Daddy gets home from work. He gives me a kiss, grabs his boy, and they sit and watch the NBA. Brax actually stares pretty intently at the screen! I think we have a basketball player on our hands!!!

I've been bad ..........

2010-01-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not done a post in what feels like forever! It's been a long week. As you know, Braxton had that double ear infection ... the Dr. gave us amoxicillian to treat it. He was on it for 10 days and did great! He never had a problem taking the medicine or anything! His ear infection symptoms cleared up almost over night!

Well, Sunday was the last day of his dose. We noticed he wasn't himself that day. Pretty lethargic and not really interested in eating. We took his temp, and sure enough he had a fever. Some infant Tylenol did the trick and brought it down. But Monday we were in for a rude awakening ... an awful rash all over his body!

The hard thing was, it looked different on different parts of his body! Here we go again with skin issues ... so the next day I took him to the Pediatrician and Dermatologist and what they think he has is a 3-fold rash going on! 1) possible allergic reaction to amoxicillian causing one part of the rash, 2) a viral exanthem rash and 3) another excema outbreak. Good lord. So, off to the pharmacy I went again!

The meds are helping some, but he's still pretty rashy and is off schedule (harder on Mommy than him cause I thought I JUST got that figured out!!). Any way, we have our friends, Pete and Julie (WHO FOR THE RECORD, BLAKE, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP!), coming into town from AZ to meet Brax! So we are looking forward to a great weekend with them and I'll have lots of pictures to post by Sunday!

Braxton - 3 months

2010-01-19T12:27:00.001-08:00

You have got to be kidding me ... in a week I will have a 3 month old?!?!?! Where is the time going? How do I get it to slow down! He is down for a nap right now and I am listening to him through the baby monitor make those same "honking" sounds the day he was born. He's our little goose! My little baby is growing up so fast right before my eyes. Now that he is sleeping in his own room I find myself going in there 5, 6, 10 times before I go to bed to just watch him sleep knowing that these are precious moments that I want to remember forever.

We love you Braxamus Maximus! - Mommy & Daddy

Updates on Braxton!

2010-01-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't had any posts lately, it was a BUSY last two weeks! Blake had to travel back to the east coast for work so I was busy busy busy with Mr. Braxton! While Blake was gone, Brax developed a viral infection and a DOUBLE ear infection, so I had a sick, sad little boy on my hands who needed some TLC from Mommy!

We got him on some meds and now he is back to my HAPPY HEALTHY baby boy! The day he started feeling better I was even able to teach him how to blog "raspberries" ... see the video below! Now he does it all the time! He is so smiley and I just love this stage!

Also, in GREAT news, I am following the BabyWise schedule and he is rockin' at it! In a 3-day period he went from really being on no schedule to a really set eat, play, nap schedule and after following that for only two days he slept through the entire night (8.5 hours!). That book is MAGIC. I can't wait to share with others. I don't even have to rock him to sleep anymore, I just lay him down, say nighty-night (for nap or sleep) and within about 10 minutes he puts himself to sleep! No crying anymore either! I swear by this book now!!!!!!!!!!

2 1/2 months and growing strong!

2010-01-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

How is it that my little boy is already two and a half months?! I quickly made the B&W collage below to show you one of his newborn, 1st month, and 2nd month pictures. I can't believe how much he is changing looking at that! Being a Mommy is really the best thing in the entire world. Each day it gets better and better and it feels differently than it did from the day I had him. I am so connected to him and it's getting harder for me to remember what life was like without him. I love my little balooga soooooooooooooo much and we miss our Daddy right now! We can't wait to see him on Wednesday and have lots of cuddle time! Love you, Daddy!

My new photog blog :)

2010-01-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

In fun news [I need some with my sick baby :( ...], I have a new photography blog! If you haven't gone out there already, check it out!

www.brittneyklusephotography.com/blog

Our sick little boy :(

2010-01-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Urrrgh - it breaks my heart that Braxton has his first full-on bad cold :(. He has been waking up in the middle of the night screaming and crying so hard and I had no idea what was wrong and could only comfort him for 10-15 minute periods of time (and of course this is happening when Blake is on the east coast for work!). So I took him to his Pediatrician today and he said sure enough, it's a bad cold and time is the only thing to make it better. We are glad it isn't an ear or sinus infection, but it's bad enough! He is so lathargic and not his normal smiley self, so it is even more sad! I think I just held him for an hour and a half tonight after he was done with his last feeding just so we could cuddle more. I didn't want to put him down! I could hold him all night .... I just want him to get well!!

We miss you, Daddy. Love Braxy and Mommy

The hardest day ever ...... :(

2010-01-03T22:31:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh, the hardest day of my life was Wednesday, December 28th. That was the day my little boy spent the first night in his crib in his own room. It absolutely broke my heart and I had no idea it would be that hard. Now that he is 8 weeks, we were encouraged from our Pediatrician that now was a good time to make the transition into his own room so he can learn good sleeping habits and can work on putting himself to sleep. Sure, sounds logical right? No. If I had my way he would sleep in my room until he is 20! I loved having him in his pack and play right next to my bed where I can peek in on him at any time. And just to watch him for a bit if I wake up in the middle of the night.

We did his normal bedtime routine and then I put him in his bed and he went right to sleep. I kinda hoped he would cry and scream as if to say, "no mommy, I'm not ready for this. Take me with you." ... but he didn't. He went right to bed and looked as peaceful as ever. And I just sat over his crib and looked at him and bawled my eyes out. Blake had to come in and escort me out of the room then cuddled with Mommy to make her feel better as I cried. I don't think I have ever been up as much! Every single noise I heard I raced into his room to see what it was. And sure enough, he was sleeping peacefully as the last time I raced in there. I still like to nap with him (see 2 pics Blake snapped of us below) and I am sad that our time together in my room is gone ... it all went too fast and it breaks my heart. I may still need to have him in my room for a slumber party now and then ... that's ok right????

I love you baby Braxy....stop growing up so fast, Mommy needs you to be her baby awhile longer.

Drinking, Karaoke, and some more Karaoke

2010-01-03T22:23:00.001-08:00

One of the nights with all the fam in town we headed out to a bar for some karaoke and good times ;) what resulted was mediocre singing and a lot of laughs! Our Bullie did his favorite "old time Rock and Roll" and Meghan and I rocked out to "save a horse ride a cowboy" ... and yes, that's a diaper bag I'm rocking as I'm Karaokeing. Whoop, there it is....

The Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

2010-01-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

So I am catching up on posts and I realized I never posted pictures from our Ugly Sweater Christrmas Friends "Festivus" ... our annual friends holiday tradition :) My attire will definitly be the envy of some old school 2nd grade teachers across the country, and my husband is wearing a womens --- yes WOMEN'S MEDIUM --- christmas tree embrodiered number. Tyhe O'Malleys' kept it traditional, Colt's snowflake sweater had hanger marks on the sleeves from christmases past, and Katie's kittens playing with snow and yarn was a sure delight. Jake's mother's Christmas sweater was a throwback to the year he was born and he topped it off with some pink velvet pants. Devo's "snoman fall from heaven one flake at a time" was fitting, and Meg took the snowman theme to a new level. But none was greater than Mr. Mustache himself - Eric. Eric's slicked side-do, winnie the pooh Christmas vest. cream mock turtle neck and 1970's mustache won him the prize of best dressed! all in all we had another great time ending at 3am! Wahhooo, parents can rock too! :)

Christmas with the Kluses

2009-12-30T23:37:00.001-08:00

Whew ... sorry it has been so long since my last post! Life has been hectic, but good hectic! All of Blake's family flew in to be with us for Braxton's first Christmas! It's been about a two week visit and we have been so happy for Braxton to get to spend this much time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins! His cousins love him and love to help me take care of him! They are always bringing me blankets, wipes, and diapers!

Here's a quick recap of the past week: Christmas was noisy and wonderful! We barely got a shot of all the kids in their Christmas outfits looking ... but at these ages, we'll take what we can get (fyi: Brady (4), Jodi (2), Cami (2), Carli (7 months), and Braxton (2 months). Then the 26th we had Braxton baptised! We asked Nicole (Blake's sister) to be his Godmother, and my brother, Blake, to be his Godfather. It was a beautiful service and I bawled like a baby. We all had a one-big-family night with the Kluses over at my folks' house which was so fun and resulted in a lot of "celebration" shots :) .... If you know the Kluses you know that sports follow them where they go, so we had to get a basketball gamed lined up! And my sisters-in-law know how to use connections and I took family pictures for each of them. Grandma told us all of our wedding photos are getting 86-ed and we needed to get replacements with family pics .... that's where I come in!

Everything was wonderful and we feel more blessed this year than any before! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tummy Time!

2009-12-19T16:40:00.001-08:00

Braxton is actually really good at tummy time and doesn't seem to mind it! We do about 15 minutes a day and he moves his head back and forth. Sometimes he gets tired and just lays there but for the most part he wants to/tries to look around!

Braxton smiling and riding his Harley

2009-12-17T23:39:00.000-08:00

When Braxton is in his bouncy chair he always puts his arms out and Blake and I call it "riding his Harley" cause it looks like he's hanging on to the handle bars of a hog!!! :) I finally got him on camera smiling and talking to Mommy! He is such a happy baby!! I love him to pieces!!!!!!!!

7 weeks!

2009-12-15T21:50:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe tomorrow, Brax will be 7 weeks old!!! My baby is getting so big! Here are a few pics I snapped of him this morning after changing his diaper :). In updated news, we found out the rash thing on his face wasn't baby acne but instead infant eczema. I think I was more upset than anything. It's hard being a first time Mom and you just want everything to be perfect, so when something like this comes along it really got to me. We talked to the Dr and he told us to use some hydrocortisone cream for a week along with Eucerin lotion and that should hopefully zap it. I just have to be dilligent now about staying on top of him with creams to avoid it coming back worse. Right now it's just on his face and a little on his chest. If anyone has advice or a child with it, let me know what you have found to be successful/helpful!

He is doing such a good job holding his head up and he seems to like tummy time ok too! We took a long nap together today which was GREAT since it was cold and yucky outside. We were cozy and snuggly inside!

Leavenworth 2009!

2009-12-14T00:17:00.000-08:00

This weekend was so fun! Jordan and Katie came with us to the Christmas Tree Lighting in Leavenworth! There was a little snow on the ground and it was gorgeous as usual! It was fun going through the shops and wine tasting!!! Little Braxy stayed with Nana and Papa at the house because it was pretty cold and we didn't want him out in it. They weren't complaining!!! Here are some pics from the adventure :)

Me and my darling husband!

2009-12-09T01:24:00.000-08:00

Wanted to post a pic of me and my darling hubby ;) Can't show you the family one, cause that's going on the "special" Christmas card .... look for it in a mailbox near you :)

Updated pics with Mommy and Daddy!

2009-12-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

Look how big our little man is getting! Hard to believe he'll be 6 weeks this week!!

Update on Brax

2009-12-07T18:23:00.001-08:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! I have been sick (got a breast infection) and it basically came with all the flu symptoms so I have been out for the count for a few days. The biggest update is that Brax is smiling now! It started at 5 weeks and is the CUTEST thing in the world! My favorite is when he gets up in the middle of the night for a feeding and when I peek over his bed and say, "hi baby!" and he gets this big smile across his face!!!!!! I love it!!!

Blake and I had our first official date night after having him! This last Friday we went to the NSD Christmas Party and it was so fun to get dressed up and go out for a big! Braxton got to go stay with Aunt Juliannem, Uncle Jeremy and the kids :) They loved watching him! Bryce loves to play with him and Morgan is a little Mommy and brings the blanket to cover him up and helps Julianne feed him!! And you'll see by the pics at the end of the night he was spent! He was fast asleep sprawled out on their floor --- sooo cute!!! :)

To my son...

2009-12-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

Brax. In your one month of being my son, here are the things I have learned about you and love about you:
• the way you honk like a goose when you eat ... and the way your breath smells when you're done
• the way you give me "pirate eye" (closing your left, keeping your right open)
• how BIG your hands are! and how they feel when they grip my thumb
• how you have 12 random long hairs on the back of your head
• the way your mouth feels when I kiss your lips
• how you have Mommy's color eyes, but Daddy's face
• the way you take three fast breaths in the middle of your sleep
• how your like to sleep with your arms above your head
• how you scream like a banchee and your face gets all red when I change you!
• how you can stare at your friend "fred" for an hour (fred = a drawing Aunt Julianne did for him!)
• how we touch foreheads when we cuddle in the mornings
• and last, but not least, how you feel curled up on my chest when we take a nap together.

I love you so much, baby balooga!

A few days of pictures and catch up!

2009-11-29T23:26:00.001-08:00

It has been a busy weekend! I thought I'd recap with a pic and caption of what's going on! See below!

So, after Brax's 6am feeding I like to bring him into bed and cuddle! (no one turn me into the authorities for having him near pillows :) We usually fall asleep again for another hour or so and Daddy lays beside us and watches football! Here is a pic Daddy took today of my son and I cuddling! We hold hands and have our foreheads touch when we do this. It is so precious!

Here is a picture of my screaming Banchee after his nice warm bath. We go from total relaxation in the bath to red face, screamin' lungs, and crocodile tears while we get him changed!

Brax's Aunties Barbara and Sara came to visit him! I just love them so much and it was so wonderful to catch up with them! We've been friends for so many years and no matter how long it has been since we were all together it always feels like it was just yesterday. I love you girls! Brax couldn't ask for Aunties to love him more than you do!

Brax's first bath with Daddy! He loves it and is cool as a cucumber in the warm water!

Auntie Michelle came over last week when Blake was gone and showed me her perfected swaddle! He was wrapped up like a cute little babooshka and stayed warm and cozy all night!!!!

Daddy and Brax doing what they do best ....... SLEEPING! But it gave Mommy a chance to catch up on pictures so it worked out perfect!

Brax's first Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-26T22:09:00.003-08:00

Happy Turkey Day!!! We had a great day! Myself, Blake, Braxton, Mike, Gloria all celebrated the holiday at my parents house! We had such a great day! ... and could it be a holiday without some engineering from the boys? Blake and my Dad rigged up a pulley system on a ladder to drop a turkey in to be deep fried using Uncle Al's famous recipie (PS - Wild Dave says THANKS to Crazy Al!!!! ... we love you Unc!)

We ate sooooo much great food and Braxton sat in his bouncer and just watched us eat! I even had a glass of wine which tasted soooo good after 10 months of water and apple juice! All in all it was a great day and we all left stuffed! ... and what made the day even BETTER was I cleaned our bedroom! First time since he was born! WAHOOO :)

Gobble gobble!

Brax

2009-11-26T22:09:00.001-08:00

Mommy and her baby that is growing WAY too fast

2009-11-22T23:39:00.001-08:00

I had to get a pic of me and my baby in! I'm always taking it and rarely on the other side these days, so I had to post one that Blake took! Brax sleeping on my chest is the single best feeling in the world!!!

My baby boy is growing so fast and while I am super happy he is so healthy, I am a little sad at the rate of his growth! He's going to be taller than me before I know it and won't even fit on my chest to snuggle!!! Took him for a weigh in last week and he has grown TWO AND A HALF inches since birth and gained almost 2 pounds! Yep, my three week old is 23.5" long and 10 lbs 10 oz!!! Maybe he can cuddle me on his chest soon :)

Sleeping just like Daddy!

2009-11-21T16:51:00.001-08:00

My two favorite boys in their favorite sleeping positions!

Braxton's First Play Date :)

2009-11-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

I met up with my friend Jenni today to have coffee and talk birth and boys! Braxton and Chaz are only one day apart! Jenni and I have been friends since Kindergarten so it's so fun to see our little boys together! You can tell they enjoyed their play date at Starbucks :)

We miss you Daddy!

2009-11-17T14:01:00.001-08:00

Hi, Daddy! Mom and I are just chillin' watching Judge Judy! We miss you and can't wait for you to come home!

Love, Brax

Daddy's Mini Me

2009-11-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

wow ... I was looking through some old pictures today and how crazy is this! The top pic is Blake at 2 days old, and the two pics immediately below it are Brax at 2 days old ... the one below that is Brax at 10 days old!! Like father like son, huh?!?! And I found another pic of Blake sleeping with his hands above his head just like Brax does!!! How precious!!! I sure love my boys!

My little muse ...

2009-11-13T00:54:00.000-08:00

So my newest pastime is just posing Braxton each day into new positions and taking pics! Grandma got to see me torture him today :) I did newborn pics for friends of ours and since everything was set up, I thought Brax should have ANOTHER turn :)

PS - the second one is so precious to me because that is exactly how Blake sleeps (the shape of his mouth!) I love that my two boys have the same expression when they sleep!!

Our first family pictures!!

2009-11-10T22:12:00.001-08:00

Our good friend Meg Borders came over to take our first family pictures :) ... it was actually fun being on the other side of the camera for a change and now I know what I put the poor parents thru during a newborn shoot! Both Blake and I were peed AND pooped on ... but it was worth it. The pics are amazing, thanks Meg!!!

From hospital to home

2009-11-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY got around to uploading pics (and captions) about our hospital adventure! Below are just a couple you'll find in the slide show. Can you believe in twelve hours I went from the top picture to the bottom picture? Best day of our lives ....

Click here to see the rest! (don't forget to read the captions below the pics so you know what is going on in the picture!)

Braxton's first photo shoot with Mommy!

2009-11-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day I broke out my big camera to snap a couple pics of our precious baby boy! We are doing "official" newborn pics tomorrow and I will post those as soon as they are done! I love the one of him winking because he's a hard core pirate! And the one of his sleeping is just too precious. Nice diaper too, huh? He was a peeing machine so I couldn't take it off. We'll strip him for the offical pics though!

Braxton's Debut.....

2009-11-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe my baby is a week old today. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant now all of a sudden the days are starting to zip by.

I know I have been promising to write about his birthday, but somehow my days seem to be getting filled up with feeding, diaper changes, clothes changes, naps …. and more diaper changes! Brax is asleep with Daddy right now, so I thought that since today is his week birthday, now would be good time to fill you in on the exciting events of 10/28/09! It’s not too graphic, but if you’re not interested in reading about a birth check back for the next post tomorrow! 

Tuesday 10/27 started off with Blake and I going to our Dr (Dr. Mark Mulholland (Dr. M) – we LOVE him!) for an 11:20 appt. He had told us the previous week that he highly doubted I would be pregnant through the previous weekend, but look who surprised him! During the appt Dr. M told us I had dilated even more (3 cm) and was still sitting at almost 100% effaced. He couldn’t believe I hadn’t gone into labor. He decided to strip (what was left) of my membranes, and that seemed to do the trick! That essentially was the tipping point that put me into labor! Once Dr. M realized that contractions were actually happening he called the hospital and “reserved” a room for me! He told us to go grab a light lunch and head to the hospital in about an hour.

We went to Stone Soup for my favorite Veggie Sandwich and that was when I noticed that the contractions were starting to hurt. It was so exciting knowing that the next place we were heading was to have a baby!! We got to the hospital about 1:30 and got checked in to Suite 12. They had me “gown up” and then we got registered, I got the IV-holder in, and they hooked me up to the fetal monitor to monitor his heart beat and my contractions.

Between 1:30-4 I had dilated 1 cm more and contractions were sort of painful, but not getting super close together. So at 4pm, Dr. M came in and broke my water. This was crazy!!! It literally felt like I was just peeing the bed! I also happened to be peeing all over Blake’s shoes! (not the last time that would happen this night!)

After my water broke my contractions started coming a lot faster and harder. About an hour later I realized I was ready for an epidural. They were really painful and I didn’t realize how tense it was keeping my body. My Dr said that while I stayed tense like that it would be hard for labor to progress as naturally. So I went ahead and went for it and am soooooooooo glad I did! I asked for a really low dose and the anesthesiologist did amazing! (Meg and Ty – we had Bill Smith too!!!!!) I could still feel and move my legs and toes and could still feel all around my hips, it just make the pain go away and I only felt pressure. I got the epidural at 5pm and that was what I needed to zoom my body even further! I went from a 4 to a 7 in about an hour and a half!
I stayed around a 7 for awhile and actually fell asleep for an hour or two because I was so relaxed! By 10pm I was really close to 10cm, but we found out our Dr got called into surgery, so here came the hard part. I had to “hold” at a 10 until he was done. Any woman who has been through labor and knows the “I have to push” feeling can sympathize with me. It is the biggest, most natural urge I have ever felt to “push” every time a contraction came on. But to keep the baby where he was at, I had to do everything in my power not to push every contraction (about every minute or so).

Finally a little after midnight Dr. M got out of surgery and came to check on me. Time to go he said! The room transformed before our eyes and about 12:45 am I started to push. It didn’t hurt, just felt a lot of pressure and got really tired after each push. Blake said he was amazed at watching the process of his son being born. At 1:48am Braxton Hunter Kluse made his way into the world! It was the most amazing thing to see him! He was blueish-grey and covered in the white vernix. He was so soft and I just was holding him and kissing him and saying his name over and over! Blake and I couldn’t stop smiling!

A few minutes later, the nurses cleaned him up and weighed him – 9lbs and 21in! I had a little gorilla in there! The best sound was hearing him cry and knowing his lungs were working like they were supposed to!

All in all, the experience was amazing. Blake videotaped the birth and he and I watched it our last night in the hospital. I have to say, a woman’s body is pretty amazing with respect to what it can do to push a child out!

Now Brax is a week old and I can’t believe how fast the time is flying. I just want to stop time and savor every second with him this size. The best feeling is him warm and cuddly on my chest as we nap together. That will never get old. I also love hearing all his squeaks and sounds! He is truly a little miracle and Blake and I couldn’t be happier that he chose us to be his parents !

We love you, Braxton
-Mommy & Daddy

A little sleepy sleepy time with Nana and Papa!

2009-11-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a pic of Brax chilling with Nana and Papa! They love this little cuddle bug and got to see him take his sponge bath which he HATES! He screams like a banshee!

Hanging with Uncle Mike!

2009-11-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Here are today's pictures! Blake's brother was in town for a couple of days before a hunting trip and we are so excited Brax is here to meet Uncle Mike! The top picture is one from this morinng when our little monkey was waking up! He just gets cuter and cuter every single day! We are sooooooooo in love!!!

PS Uncle Mike - Baxter says to shoot the deer in the mouth!! ;)

My Squeaky Sqeakerson!!!!

2009-11-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a video we took in the hospital of him with the hiccups! We should have named him Braxton HICCUPS Kluse for all the hiccups he had when he was in my belly! It is soooo cute to hear them in real life! He is such a little sqeak toy!!! We love all his little sounds!

What's a pirate's favorite letter .... Arrrrrgh

2009-11-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

That title goes out to Uncle Matt :) .... sorry I am late posting these, it's amazing how having a baby can fill your day!!! :) Since he was a little too big for his lion outfit, Mommy decided to make him a pirate for his first Halloween! He was the most cuddly little pirate I have ever seen!!

Below is a pic of Blake took of Brax and I eating dinner together (I love his smooshed face on my chest!!!) and below that are two that my friend Meg took while we are at the hospital. He is only 5 days old, how is it that he is already looking bigger!?!?! Stop growing Brax!!!

We're home!!

2009-10-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

We are home! We got relased from the hospital today and are spending our first night as a family at home tonight!! (Friday 10/30). I'll have a little more time tomorrow and blog about the birth story and add a few more pictures in. For now, Mommy, Daddy and Brax are heading to bed to catch some Zzzzz's ... at least for a few hours :)

PS - this is the coming home outfit I was talking about earlier! I got the idea at a conference where everyone has to wear those funny stickers with their names on them and I thought it would be hilarious as a coming home outfit, so I made one! Thank goodness I ironed it on a 0-3 month size onesie and not a newborn onesie!

Love to all!

Day 2 with Braxton!

2009-10-29T19:27:00.001-07:00

More Pictures of Braxton!

2009-10-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Braxton has arrived!

2009-10-28T03:29:00.001-07:00

Braxton Hunter Kluse
9 lbs 21 inches
Born on 10/28 at 1:48am

Mom, Dad, and Baby are all doing great!!!

You ask, and you shall receive ...

2009-10-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night we went with Meg and Eric to what we joked was 'the last supper!' We ate at Carmines (awesome!!!) and I loaded up on my last carb-fueled meal!! Then when we were back at their house Meg took some funny pics of me and I had to share them.

If you don't want to see a pregnant belly stop reading now! A lot of you who have seen my bare belly have told me to blog it cause it looks so ridiculous (like an egg!!) but I have been hesitant, well, this pic she got was too perfect, so I figured ... what the heck. I'll let everyone see my giant egg protruding from my stomach.

And that last one is Blake playing his game with him! He does duck calls into my tummy and it makes him move! It is the cutest thing in the world!! Enjoy ... and don't make too much fun of me :)

Blue Toenails for my Boy!

2009-10-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend Angie, who as part of my baby shower gift got me a nail polish named "BLUE FOR MY BABY" ... I now have my toenails polished, bedazzled with rhinestones, and ready for the stirrups! That was the LAST thing on my list....so PLEASE come now Baby Kluse!

PS - Dr. appt tomorrow (10/21) at 1:30pm, will let you know the latest after that!

Sneak Peek!

2009-10-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

Tera Pettit (our engagement and wedding photographer) did some maternity pictures of us last week and here is a sneek peak she sent us! Should have the rest soon and I'll post more then! Can't wait --- I LOVE this shot!! Tera, you're amazing! :)

38 weeks!

2009-10-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

My hubby the photographer :) like the tilt in the camera?!?!?! :) I'm a little over 38 weeks now! Contractions are starting to get a little more regular, but they're still about 20-30 minutes apart and pretty much feels like bad cramping. We go to the Dr again on Wednesday, so we should know more then!

This was our "relaxing" weekend and I was soooooooooo bored. Blake and I do not do good just laying around. I think we are so used to being on the go 24/7 that when we have 10 minutes of down time we don't know what to do with ourselves! We just go stir crazy!! We even went on a drive last night just get out of the house again and do something .... good thing we're having a kid, then we can APPRECIATE when we have down time!!!

Nesting almost complete --- CHECK!

2009-10-16T22:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, here is proof that my house WAS indeed clean before the birth of my son :) I have been nesting like crazy --- cleaning cupboards, the pantry, every closet in the house, having Blake shampoo carpets ... we're down to only our bedroom and our bathroom (tomorrow's project) then everything is done and I can say I am officially ready for him to come! ....now the garage is another story.

Now, I'm ready for bed!!! Cleaning the floors on your hands and knees at 38 weeks pregnant is a tougher job than I thought!! As my friend told me, "show these pics to the housekeeper you will hire so she knows what it should loook like!!!" :)

Is this what it's gonna look like?!?!?

2009-10-12T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is Blake's idea of a "posed" picture! Thanks to Andrea for snapping it and photoshopping the text in! You can see the petrified look on my face as Blake's saying, "trust me, trust me turn and spread your knees!" ... at 9 months pregnant I don't quite have the mobility I once did and seriously thought I was going in the freezing water!

Heidi & Sean's Wedding!

2009-10-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today was our friends'--Heidi and Sean--wedding! It was a beautiful fall day and Heidi looked absolutely gorgeous! I loved her dress! And being that it WAS a wedding, I had to include a picture of the most HANDSOME HUSBAND IN THE WORLD! Love you baby!

Abbey Mae turns THREE!!!

2009-10-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Abbey Mae turns 3 this month! Wendi and Abbey flew home for a visit and to have her birthday party here! Uncle Blake and I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a wedding to get to :( .... But miss Abbey did give Auntie Brittney a chance to play with her new camera and BOY DOES SHE LOVE IT! This little princess is gorgeous and was having a great day! We love you Abbs!

THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!

2009-10-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

Well today was just the best day ever! We had our 36 week Dr appt and did the Strep B test (will find out results later this week) AND .... did the first physical exam to find out if I was making "progress" ... and I am! I am already 75% effaced and 2 cm dilated!!!! The Dr doesn’t think I will make it to my due date and gave us a guess of about 2-2.5 weeks from now! He told us to pack bags tonight (just in case)….so we did! It was so fun packing for our son! We kept putting his little socks on our fingers because we can’t get over how tiny they are! YAY! We are so excited! I still feel great and am going to keep going-going-going because it sounds like that's what's helping me progress faster!

Also, my new camera came today! I am so stoked! This is the one I was going back and forth and back and forth on and finally decided to get!

The other pics are a couple Blake took tonight (one I thought was super cute that he took of me napping in our son’s new chair!). I kind of like to just go in his room and put on a nursery CD (thanks Staci!!!) and just nod off thinking about what it will be like when he’s here.

The last pic is my 36 week shot. I think I forgot to do a 34 week (sorry!). We have Abbey’s bday party and Heidi and Sean’s wedding this weekend, so I’ll have other pics up soon! BTW - we are shooting for 10/22 for his bday (that is the anniversary of the day Blake proposed!!)

Coming home outfit --- CHECK!

2009-10-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me well, you'd know that there is no way I could bring my son home from the hosptial in something "cutesy" .... must be funny. With any luck he'll be born with some hair so I can do a little "boy-hawk" from the beginning ... I already have hair gel packed!

First of all he's a boy, so the same rules that apply to girls clothes are excluded from boys'. In honor of that (and with the help of Aunite Shan!) I have made him the perfect coming home outfit that is the right amount of ridiculousness mixed with an outfit design that could only have come from my zany take on what's appropriate "coming home" duds!

31 days until you can see it :)

Got the rocker --- CHECK!

2009-09-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

The last thing we needed for his room was a chair ... and now that's done --- thanks to my wonderful husband! He was out the other day and came across a great deal on this recliner! He knew I was looking for something smaller and a recliner/rocker and he found it! It's even chocolate brown leather and matches his room perfectly. The nice thing is we can always put this chair in another room some day. It is really comfy and not too big, which I like. More modern and sleek ... and the price was unbeatable! Meant to be! Also included is a 35-week pic of me! Hard to believe we're on the week-to-week countdown now!

Child Preparation Classes --- CHECK!

2009-09-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, last weekend Blake and I finished our child prep classes. For those of you that didn't know we were doing it, it was a series of classes offered through the hosptial specifically catered to first-time parents and touched on everything from having the baby to feedings to medicines to infant CPR and more!

It was us and a few other couples and done classroom style. The teacher we had was really informative and we got a lot of great learning materials. The best advice I received from a friend is to read up, take some notes, then wing it when the baby gets here! She said half the fun is "figuring it out as you go along" with the first kid. We know that we'll probably make some mistakes, feed the baby wrong, swaddle incorrectly, but that's how we'll learn best!

Don't worry -- Blake and I will defintitely people know if we need some help, but right now we're excited to give some things the 'old college try on our own! It's going to be such a fun, new experience being parents and we are excited to pave the road together ... just don't make fun of us if our baby's diaper is on backwards!

34.5 weeks moving around in mommy's belly!

2009-09-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here he is movin' and groovin' in my tummy! Especially watch the right side of my tummy, that's where he is!

I like the way you moooooooove

2009-09-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

A lot of people have been asking me to descrbie what it feels like to feel him move inside my belly. This was something that I too was SO curious about. I remember when my friends were pregnant asking them and feeling like they never gave me a "good enough" answer. A lot would say, "I don't know, it just feels like he/she is moving." ...not a good answer for someone who's never been pregnant!

Here is kind of what I think it feels like:
• Little movement - you know when your eye spazes out and won't stop twitching? Kinda like that but in concentrated spots.
• Sharp jab - if I were to come up behind you and stick the eraser side of a pencil into your side really quickly. You'd feel it at first, but then like a few seconds later the pain would kind of hit you.
• Hanging on my rib - no way to sugar coat this one. It's like someone came and punched me in my rib!
• Rolling - this is what I am experiencing now. He is much bigger and I have less fluid, so I don't feel the pokes, prods, and jabs anymore. Now its the large pressing, stretching, and what I think is rolling. And here I go, being just like my friends who I used to think gave me lame answers ... but it feels EXACTLY like how you think it would feel to put a small person, animal or anything live underneath your skin and have it stretch! It is just this hard, concentrated pressure that expands until your skin can't stretch anymore, and then it slowly lets off.

Hope that helps! I will take a video of him tonight moving and upload it so you can see how crazy my stomach has gotten!

Since you've been asking!!!

2009-09-17T12:02:00.001-07:00

A lot of you have been asking about my growth chart that I received at my baby shower! So here is a quick way to answer the questions for those who are intersted!

1) Erinn Larsen is the girl who painted it. She is a VERY talented artist and a friend of mine and if you are interested in having her do something, please contact me and I can give you her email address (I don't want to publicly post it without having her consent!).

2) No! If you can believe it, she didn't have fabric sample! She did that by looking at pics of his bedding on the website --- I know, amazing!

3) Attached is a pic below so you can see how spot on it is ... his quilt is on the laundry basket next to the growth chart. Even the boxes have the same design!

You are amazing, Erinn!!!!

Hiccups, contractions, stretching – oh my!

2009-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, there is definitely an active little boy in my belly! He has been going crazy today! He gets the hiccups about 5+ times a day (usually a few minutes after I am done eating) and they last about 15 minutes at a time. Now that he is getting bigger you can see my stomach twitch in time to his little burps!

Also, what I thought was him pressing his head/legs/butt against my stomach I have found out are little contractions! When we were at the hosptial recently they had me hooked up to a fetal monitor and I got to see these little contractions every 20 minutes or so. Now I know that slight tightening isn't him pressing, but a minor contraction!

But, that doesn't mean he doesn't stretech. I have a few ribs that I think are barely hanging on. He's head down and his body wraps around the right side of my stomach, so his knees come across my left side, then feet are tucked back under my right rib cage. May be hard to imgaine, but ohhhhh man do I feel him! He gets those little feet moving and I just hold my ribs and brace!

Have another Dr appt on Monday, so I'll keep you posted!

His room is almost done!!!

2009-09-13T13:59:00.001-07:00

Here are some update pics of his room! We're getting closer! Clothes have been washed and put away, his bedding was dry-cleaned (my friends are going to tell me I'm an idiot for that), pictures are hung on the wall, carpets have been shampooed, black-out shades have been installed, curtains hung, baskets are filled with diapers and wipes .... almost ready to go! Last things we need are a chair and I'm still looking for a baby blue rug to match the colors in his bedding ... I'm going to start calling it the "unicorn" because I don't believe what i want exists out there!!

My Baby Shower!!!

2009-09-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a baby shower thrown by my amazing friends, Julianne, Meg, and Wendi! OMG, I can't even explain how much work and detail they put into everything! It was all a surprise to me --- everything from the colors, to theme, to games! The color theme was orange and blue (colors in his room) and they went to sooooooo much effort to make it wonderful! First there was AMAZING food! We had hommade maple glazed cinnamon rolls, a breakfast quiche, fruit, mimosas, punch and more!

There were also personalized gifts for attendees with blue bath salt in mini baby bottles and even the silverware were wrapped in handmade crafty goodness!!!! We played three awesome games: 1) was me and 3 frineds talking on a cell phone, holdling a baby (cabbage patch dolls), and trying to fold laundry ... whoever did it fastest won! ... it wasn't me!!! 2) was pass the present...a multi-layered tissue wrapped present passed around and questions were asked at each layer; whoever got the answer to the question got to take off the next layer and the last person to unwrap the last layer won the gift! 3) we played baby shower bingo! people wrote down what they thought I would get and prizes were handed out each time someone got a bingo as I was unwrapping gifts!

Speaking of gifts ---- I have some of the most wonderful and generous girlfriends every! I got so much fabulous stuff and I can't wait until he's here to put it to good use! I'm so thankful for all of you in my life and thank you for coming to shower. Our little man is going to have more Aunties that he knows what to do with!!!!!!!!!!

And a special thanks to Julianne, Meg, and Wendi for planning one of the best showers ever! I was so stunned with everything and it was so fun. I love you all so much and I just can't tell you how much I appreciate all the effort you went to! Thanks for everything!!!!! Love you!

A pic of the party:

The centerpieces for the tables!

This is from Auntie Michelle and Auntie Wendi --- it is a handpainted growth chart that matches his room PERFECTLY! It is amazing how well this turned out. I was so amazed and shocked! Blake is hanging it today!

I got some SWEET Paul Frank duds for him! I love PF and the outfits I got were classic!!! Definitely taking one to the hospital with me!

Auntie Barb MADE this bedding for a moses basket for him! They used one a lot with Odin so she made one just for me ... polka dots and everything!!!!!! It is so special! I also got a couple homemade blankets that I love! I have the most talented friends in the world!!!

Hosptial Registration ---- CHECK!

2009-09-11T12:14:00.001-07:00

We are getting closer! Today Blake and I did the hosptial walk through and registration. We just love Kadlec and are so excited to be having our baby there!! Definitely going through the registration, completing the birth plan, talking through what happens during labor/immediately after, etc sure makes it feel more real!

We're going to "pack a bag" in a couple weeks and start practicing learning how to work the car seat with his "bubba" (stuffed fishing bear ... thanks Brady!!!). I am now focused on doing a deeeeep clean of the house (HELLO NESTING!!) and getting everything perfect before he comes!

I have also been feeling the need to purge everything ... so friends, you're in luck! I'm giving away towels, pictures, decorations ... you name it! I want things nice and clean and sparse! Can you tell I hate clutter???

Just a few weeks and counting now! Can't wait to meet you, son! Mommy and Daddy love you!

Our BabyMoon!

2009-09-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

Well, we just got home from our babymoon ... and boy was it the break we needed!!!! Our last two weeks have been so hectic and an emotional rollercoaster, so a break from everything was just perfect!

We got into town on Friday and went straight to the outdoor mecca of sporting good stores for Blake. I walked around silently behind him trying to keep myself from stabbing my eyes out. Then we went to a speciality camera store where I spec-ed out my next big camera purchase---to which Blake walked silently behind me I'm sure ready to stab his eyes out! This store was my dream store (next to Sephora of course). It had every camera do-dad you could imagine. And my new camera is now less than a month away!!!!

That night we had sushi (well, i had vegetarian rolls, which were not as good as the real thing, but it's as close as I've been to it in 8 months!!!), then went to the movies and saw Inglorious Bastards. OMG - best movie I have seen in a long time! Defintiely had some parts I had to close my eyes through, but all-in-all I highly suggest you all see this movie!!! QT's best one yet!! Movie got done about 10-ish and we went and had a fashionably late dinner!

Saturday we woke up to rain ... and did you think we packed for it? NO! Blake didn't even bring a long sleeve, and I had only flip flops and heels. Good lord. Luckily for Blake the rain let up 10 mins before I was about to purchase a new pair of shoes to get me through the wet morning :) We shopped all around downtown then went back and took a nap, got up and went down to the water to eat some fresh seafood! After dinner we made our way back to the hotel and got ready for the play! Wicked was AMAZING. The stage, costumes, special effects ... everything . We both really enjoyed it! We're already scoping out the next one to see when we head back to NYC! After the play we went to the Cheesecake Factory for some delicious cheesecake (I got snickers, Blake got red velvet)...then off to bed!

It was a wonderful, romantic, relaxing, happy, and bittersweet weekend. We are so excited for the next stage in our lives, but weekends like this remind us how much we enjoy being together as just "the two of us." Although. we're sure "the three of us" will be equally exciting in new ways we could have never imagined. For the next 45+ days, I'll soak up all the together time I can get! Weekends like this make me fall in love with my baby balooga all over again :)

I won't give up my Paul Frank nightgown! (33 weeks)

2009-09-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

I have to share how funny this is ... my favorite PJ shirt is a Paul Frank sleepshirt. No matter how big I get, I keep putting it on at night because it's so comfy! I was walking by a mirror yesterday and realized how RIDICULOUS it looks with my basketball sized tummy stretching all the monkeys out!! Anyways, I'll probably STILL wear it to the hosptial :)

Happy Anniversary, Baby!!!

2009-09-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, baby! I wish you were here and not in TN, but at least this is the last trip until our baby boy comes! I know you will be checking this today and just wanted to send you a note and let you know how lucky I feel to be married to you! I love you more every day and have had the opportunity over the last 8 months to fall in love with you all over again in a brand new way! I can't wait to start our family together and see what fun the coming years have in store for us. I don't know what I would do without you ... You are my baby balooooooooga!!! :) I love you-ededededed!!!

My Beautiful Grandma!

2009-08-31T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is a hard post to write. This past weekend, my grandmother suffered a stroke which left her with a good portion of memory loss. She checked into the hospital mid-last week because her heart had been beating pretty fast. She has had heart attacks in the past and we didn't want that happening again. They had her on some medicine to try to control it, but unfortunately, a stroke was one of those things they feared happening --- and it did. It happened very fast and she wasn't in any pain, she just all of a sudden couldn't remember things. Our family has really pulled together over the next few days to try and figure out the next steps. She has good days and bad days. Sometimes I'm Brittney, sometimes I'm her dog, Buttons, and today I was even Buzzard! We're all here to help her the best we can and love her so much for all of her strength. She's a firecracker of a woman and we know she's in it for the good fight. We love you, Grandma!! Thanks for everyone's love, support, and prayers!

32 weeks baby bump!

2009-08-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here is my 32 week baby bump shot! I am on the phone with Julie in the picture and she reminded me to get one up!! I have a Dr appt tomorrow and will brief you with all the stats. He has the hiccups after every meal and I LOVE LOVE LOVE grapefruit. Can't get enough of it! He moves like crazy (which is so fun) and he especially loves my right rib. I don't know if it's his back, feet, or butt ... but SOMETHING is in my right rib all the time! Only a few weeks to go until we can see our little man!

So Long Samples ...

2009-08-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

It's official! Matt and Wendi are DCers! Us girls got together for one last movie night to celebrate Sarah's bday and Wendi's last hoorah! And I had to include a belly picture (both of our eyes are drunk and half closed looking ... nice picture taking Blake) so I have cut them out of the pic :) This is baby boy kluse's and baby girl sample's first kiss. We think he'll win her over in the end with his cut off hooters tee shirt, bass rod, and camo shorts...miss you already Samples clan! xoxo-us.

Gifts Galore!

2009-08-31T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ok --- here I go! I'm back to posting! I wanted to share a couple of the most unique and cool baby shower gifts I have recieved. My good friend, Shannon, who is a fabulous artist, made me this custom canvas prints for his room! They match his bedding to a "T" and are soooooo cool! The blanket below is made by my second mom, Sue Ferlan (Julianne's mom) and incorporates colors from his room! She is so brilliant at making blankets and I am so lucky I get to wrap my little man up in one of her specialties!!! I am so lucky to have you all in my life! THANK YOU!

I'm a slacker!

2009-08-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I haven't posted in awhile, I PROMISE I will put stuff up over the weekend. It's been nuts lately. Heading to Seattle today, back Saturday. Hope all is well!

The "Moms" Baby Shower for Baby Boy Kluse!

2009-08-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

Today was the "Moms" baby shower that my Mom and Mother-in-law threw me! It was so much fun! We had such good food (great sandwiches from Country Gentleman, fruit, blue MnMs, and more!) and then we played a couple fun games (moral of that story - I DON'T like baby food!), then did presents! I am so amazed at how much stuff I got!

Everyone was so generous and I was really appreciative! We had a blast and loaded up the truck! Thank you cards are already done, his new outfits and bibs are alerady washed, the bouncers and gliders have been assembled, and everything is already put away! CHECK! ... on to the next thing of the evening --- dinner and movie with girlfriends :)

Click here to see all the pics!

29 Weeks!

2009-08-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Here is my 29 week belly shot! Still feeling great. Starting to get some heartburn at night, hopefully that means he has some hair for me to "fauxhawk"!!!

My steal of a deal!

2009-08-12T14:25:00.001-07:00

How cute are these 'kicks' I found for the boy! They are size 2 and I have no idea at what point kids wear size 2, but I figure gotta buy when the buyin's good! You better believe he'll be sporting some snazzy shoes --- he is my son ya know! Let's hope he's born with hair so I can start the fauxhawk immedaitely! :)

Diabetes, Hiccups, and Daddy's Home!

2009-08-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

Diabetes free that's me!

Had my 28-week Dr appt late last week and that was the appt where they do the gestational diabetes test and mine came back perfecto! The range is to be between 80-125 and I was 115! Everything else looked good. Hard to believe only about 12 weeks to go!

Our first case of the Hiccups

Well, maybe not the first, but the first ones we noticed! We were playing with him today (and by playing I mean poking!) and I started feeling this rhhthmic thumping. Felt kind of like a heartbeat, but a lot slower and the only think we can attribute it to was hiccups! Lasted about 10 mins then stopped. It was so sad, I can just imagine my poor little boy being jolted around. I felt bad there was nothing we could do, but nonetheless, I held the left side of my stomach and Blake held the right and we just patted him through it!

Daddy's home!

After a two-week business trip Blake got home last night! Needless to say, we are soooo happy to have him back! The house was feeling pretty quiet. I think that's officially the longest we've ever been apart. I have to say that parting does make the heart grow fonder! We were calling and texting each other like crazy the last couple of days ... it was like the beginning of dating all over again! Here's our little Daddy doing what he does best! ...Could also be all the shots from last night ... :)

A decade later ...

2009-08-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can hardly believe it's been ten years since we graduated high school! We had my Kamiakin HS reunion last night and it was so great to see everyone again --- especially those I hadn't seen in almost 10 years! Everyone looks beautiful and happy which is all I could ask for! We had a blast --- I think Blake bought the entire bar shots to celebrate!! (He's feeling it today!!) It felt just like old times and was so nice just picking up where I left off with some of the people I hadn't seen in years! I wish I took more pictures!!! I was too busy catching up! Had an awesome time --- can't wait for the 20! :) Love you all!

Our "BabyMoon"

2009-08-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! My hubby is taking me on a "BabyMoon" ... a honeymoon of sorts if you will! One last vacation with just the two of us before the kiddo arrives! A nice symbolic end to our single lives together is to cap it off with a vaca!!! Kadlec screwed up on our dates for a class, so we had to get rebooked and our Labor Day weeked opened up --- which conincides with our 2-year anniversary!

We got the executive king suite at the Paramount Hotel downtown Seattle!! It is gorgeous ... AND tix to see the play I have wanted to see everytime we are in NYC --- Wicked!!! I love my hubby soooooo much! I can't wait to get away for a few days and just relax, eat at great restaurants, shop, and enjoy our last vacation as DINKS (double income no kids) :)

Thanks baby, I love you!!!!

Here's the Hotel we're staying at:
Can't wait to see this! I have been dying to see it for over 2 years!!!

The critters we'll see at the Aquarium! I'm sure Blake will bring his pole ...

...and these are a few of my favorite things ...

2009-08-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

Lots of people have been asking if I am having any cravings or what my favorite foods to eat are, so I thought I'd show you! I am absolutely addicted to veggie sandwiches on sourdough. And they MUST contain: lettuce, tomato, green pepper, cucumber, olives, pickles, mushrooms, sprouts, and cheddar. I eat one every day! The other thing I love is fruit. Can't get enough. And especially grapefruit. Love grapefruit juice, love grapefurt pieces, grapefruit popsicles...everything! What's funny is I hd never liked grapefruit before! Other fav things to eat are: rasin oatmeal, apricot protein bars, celery with peanut butter, and english muffins with cream cheese on top ... and who doesn't love an OREO?! So there you have it :)