Breakfast with Santa!

Today is Grandma Sandy's Birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma Sandy, thanks for helping out so much when Bryson was born! We love you!

We went and had breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. Jaden was so excited to go and see Santa. He said he wanted Santa to bring him suckers and candy, and said this with such excitement. He hardly even ate breakfast, so I finally got in line with him to sit on Santa's lap. When we got close to Santa, Jaden freaked out and wouldn't even look at him. He got scared, (as he will tell you). We waited at least 15 minutes, to not even tell Santa we want suckers for Christmas. This is a picture of us at the breakfast in front of our Nevada Family Chiropractic Chirstmas tree at Nevada's Festival of Trees.

This is Jaden laughing in front of our Christmas tree at home. It is decorated with all of Jason's ornaments from his childhood. Jaden loves all of them and likes to take them off the tree and play with them, especially the motorcycles and the tractors. :)

Bryson is a pretty good baby. He sleeps most of the day, which helps mom get stuff done. He is not too fussy. He is getting better at tracking us with his eyes, and he loves to hear dads low voice. It will get him to stop crying at any time. We are blessed this Christmas season with our two lovely boys!

One Week Old

Jaden says, "I've had the hardest day sharing my tractors with Bryson... just get me a foot rest and let me watch my shows."
On our way home from the hospital

Welcome Bryson

Bryson Joseph was born this morning at 9:56am. He was exactly 10 pounds and 21.5 inches long. Bryson is a little bruised but doing so well. He breastfed right away and then has been sleeping. Labor was only 4 hours this time, as opposed to like 20 with Jaden. Jaden is so proud to be a big brother, but is even more excited to be playing with Grandma Sandy the next few days. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. The hospital is allowing visitors as long as you are over the age of 18, we will also welcome visitors when we get home too. :)

Halloween

We had a very eventful halloween, beginning Thursday night.  Jaden and I went trick or treating at the local retirement center, where Jaden dressed up as a cow.  He loved his costume, and even wore it to Cindy's that day.  He also loved showing people that he can sound like a mean cow, a nice cow, and a calf. Then Friday night we went trick or treating around our neighborhood, and met some of our neighbors.  It was raining and cold so we didn't go for very long.  

Saturday, Jaden and I made pumpkin bars (well actually cake, b/c I accidently put the batter in my cake pan and not my bar pan, but they are still really yummy).  He really enjoyed helping me put the ingredients and mixing.  Then our babysitter Amber came over (which Jaden was so excited to play with) and Jason and I went to a Halloween party.  I was a pregnant nun and Jason a priest, and no I did not have to stuff my costume.  That is all natural baby there.  I know, I know I am huge.  And yes, that is Axel Rose behind me! :)  

Tonight the varsity volleyball team is playing in the district final to go to state.  We are really excited and fired up.  It should be a fun night and a good game.  We play Marion (who happened to win state last year).  If you aren't doing anything, we are playing in Tama at 7pm. Go Cubs!!!! After we win this, we play at state which is the 11th-14th.  

Pumpkins and Babies

Jaden and I started carving a pumpkin the other night, but he scooped about 2 times and then had enough.  So I cleaned out the insides and let Jason make the face when he got home.  Jaden thought it was pretty funny.  Then last night, our friends gave us some balloons from their birthday party, and Jaden thought it would be funny to put it in his shirt, so he could have a baby in his shirt too.  We had about an hour of fun with those balloons.  The things toddlers get a kick out of! :)  I am now 35 weeks and going to weekly appointments.  This baby will be here before we know it.  

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time on Sunday at the pumpkin patch.  They had a petting zoo, and Jaden loved the animals and he really enjoyed finding his own pumpkin. He picked the smallest one out there, it was supposed to be for the baby, but I think he is going to keep it.  :)  We rode a pony, and a tractor pulled us out to the patch.  Fun day to be had by all.  I even added a picture of me, so you can kind of see my HUGE belly.  I am now 34 weeks, so we are getting there, 5-6 weeks left and we get to meet the new little guy! 

Dressing Up!

I think I have put pictures like this on here before, but Jaden LOVES to play in the box of hats and mittens.  Jason took these pictures the other day, when every couple of minutes Jaden would put on different mittens and a different hat and say, "see daddy".  It is even better when he puts on the blaze orange hat! :)  

Love to Dance and Sing

Last weekend our friends Mike and Amy Jefferson stayed at our house with their little girl, Natalie.  Jaden and Natalie had a fun time playing and reading books.  Natalie is just a doll, we had a good time.  

This is a video of Jaden jamming out to the music on our Leap Frog fridge magnet.  The first 30 seconds nothing really happens, but skip to about 30 seconds, and it is pretty funny. Enjoy!

Thomas the Train

This weekend Grandma Sandy came to visit, since Jason was at a chiro seminar.  Jaden, Grandma and I went to see Thomas the Train at the Boone Railway.  Jaden had a blast.  There were tattoos, trains to play with, jumpy houses, and of course we got to ride on the train.  We didn't want to wait in the long line to see Thomas up really close, so this is what we got, with a photographer in the background. :)  Jaden is still showing off his tattoo, he even showed blankie!  It is always hard to go back to work after the weekend, and hard for Jaden to say bye to mommy.  Can't wait until maternity leave, and next summer! :)

At the Farm!

Sorry I didn't take any pictures, but Jaden had another fun filled weekend.  Jason and Jaden went to Garrison to the farm on Friday night.  Saturday, Jaden got to pick apples from the apple tree and feed them to the cows, he rode in Poppy's dump truck, helped daddy mow the lawn, fed grambo's fish in the pond, and played and played with tractors.  When I got there Saturday night, he didn't want anything to do with me since he was so busy on the farm.  Sunday, he helped Grambo water the flowers, and went with daddy and poppy to the pasture to check the cows. Jaden LOVES cows, tractors and Poppy.  We are so lucky to have so many loving family members!  

I met them Saturday night because I had a freshman volleyball tournament during the day.  My girls won all the games in their pool play, but lost the first game of the tourney play.  The team we lost to was pretty good, but we also didn't play as well as we could have.  We are now 5-1.  They are pretty good, and I hope to not lose another game! 

Weekend in MN

We went to Minnesota this weekend to see Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Marty.  Jaden had the time of his life, (like he always does when he sees a grandma and/or grandpa).  We saw sheep poop, played with kitty's, played in dirt, saw aunties, uncles and cousins, went for a four-wheeler ride (for about an hour, at least) went to church and the best of all.... we went to a tractor show, and watched a tractor parade.  The parade was an hour and 20 mintues.  Jaden sat for, and LOVED, the whole thing.... I on the other hand was about to shoot myself, I was so bored.  Jaden still talks about the tractors, and now all he wants to do is "I see tractors mommy", meaning, he wants to go see tractors.    

Jason and I had some time away on Saturday afternoon to go and watch Luther football play at St. Olaf.  Luther lost pretty big, but we got to see some good friends we hadn't seen in awhile.  It is always fun to be back in a sea of Luther blue! Go Norse!  

Fun Sunday

We had a really fun day on Sunday in Garrison and Vinton.  We we to Grambo and Poppies house first and got to see a lot of tractors.  The first picture is of daddy and Jaden watching the tractor take out the male corn in the field.  Grambo then let Jaden feed the fish in the pond, he really enjoys doing that and then watching them come up to eat.  

Then we went to Vinton to celebrate Jaden's cousins, Lucas and Kristen's birthdays.  Lucas has a little gator, that Jaden got to drive and ride on.  Lucas also had a huge sandbox with tons of tractors, so Jaden had the time of his life there.  And mommy had fun too, because there was plenty of cake! ;)  

  Lucas and Jaden being boys! :)  

Inservice started last monday for school and school starts tomorrow. I think I am ready for tomorrow, but not so much for the rest of the week. Oh well, my mom always says take it one day at at time. Now that I only have one class left for my reading endorsement (to teach reading) I am going to teach PE. I will have 2 periods of high schoolers (11th and 12th grade) of individual sports, and then an hour of 3rd and 4th graders. It should be pretty easy and fun.

On the baby news, I am also getting huge. I am feeling the baby all the time, HE likes to kick and move around. I look like I am due tomorrow but I still have more than 3 months left. I am 26 weeks and we go for 40 weeks. I am going to have the boys share a room, and we have it all done, it is pretty cute. The walls are brown and the baby has blues and greens polka dots and Jaden has brown and blues and greens animals bedding.

Jaden is awesome, talking all the time. He LOVES tractors, trains and firetrucks. He is such a boy. Whenever we are in the car, he says, "see tractors, mommy" meaning, he wants to go see a tractor somewhere. Uncle Billy has taught him some good car sounds....bbbrrrrrrmmmmm..... :) The picture is of Jaden at the Benton County Fair riding the race car. He LOVED it. I am going to really miss him as school and volleyball continue to get busier.

Update!

I had misplaced my camera for a few weeks so I don't have any updated pictures, but I found this picture of Jaden at 3 months. My, how he has changed.
We have been pretty busy lately. We went to Adventureland with Jason's family last weekend. We rode the train and trucks and planes and more with our cousin Lucas, who is a year older than Jaden. We have spent sometime at the library, which Jaden loves to look at and read anything about trucks or tractors. This weekend Grandma Sandy is visiting, so she has been wearing him out. Today he fell asleep before lunch on Grandma's lap, so we are a little off, but we're dealing.
I start volleyball on Monday, so my summer is pretty much over. I also got a new job, I will be teaching PE in Nevada. I am really excited to be in town, and I will be full time. I start inservice on the 17th and the kids come on teh 24th. Jaden is going to hate me for awhile, until he gets used to me being gone a lot. He will get some really good daddy time in.

Happy 2nd Birthday Jaden

Jaden had his 2nd birthday yesterday, and his birthday party.  A lot of family and friends were able to come and spend time with us.  Jaden had such a fun day with his friends and family.  Uncle Joe and Auntie Renee stayed all weekend, and we had a fun time playing with them.  This is Jaden and his cupcake he demolished (the second of the day).  This was his turtle car he got, that goes really fast.  

  

IT"A A.......

BOY!!!! we found out on Monday afternoon, that Jaden will have a little brother.  Everything else on the ultra sound looked good too.  He is a healthy, active little guy.  We even saw him swallowing on the ultra sound.  Now we can finish decorating the room, Jaden will share his room with the baby.  :)  

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Jason and my anniversary. We are getting a babysitter and going out to eat. This picture was taken about a year ago at our friends, Jadean and Alisha's wedding. Happy 4th anniversary honey!

Paying for good Help!

Since I've been home more this summer, Jaden and I like to visit daddy at the office. As we pull into the parking lot, Jaden starts chanting, "da-dy, da-dy" because he get pretty excited we are going to see daddy. He also does such a good job helping out when we are there, check out the video.

17 Weeks Pregnant!

I haven't offically said anything on the blog , but I am pregnant again and due Nov. 30th. A thanksgiving baby! I am 17 weeks along, and I have been showing since I was about 9 weeks. Either I will be having another BIG baby or I just have a lot of room for growing. We have an ultra sound scheduled for July 13th, we will then find out what we are having. Can't wait!

Busy Weekend

We had a busy, but really fun Father's day weekend. It started out on Friday afternoon with Jaden falling asleep in his high chair during lunch. These early 5:30 am mornings he has been enjoying so much must be getting to him.
Saturday afternoon our friends Jadean and Alisha came and brought there 12 week little girl Alivia. Jason and Jadean were in the same Tri at Palmer and Alisha just graduated from Palmer as well. They were traveling back home to Fargo from Davenport and stopped by for a visit. It was so fun to see their little girl and spend time with them. I lived with Alisha when Jason first moved here to Nevada, and I was finishing up my school year in Davenport, and I was very pregnant with Jaden. Thanks for coming guys!
Then yesterday, Father's Day, we went to the pool, dad even got in free. This was our first time this year, since it has been so cold and rainy. We had a really good time and they have an awesome sandbox, which Jaden also loved.
Our bathtub upstairs is leaking and until it is fixed, Jaden has to take showers, which he is not a fan of, so I told him we could have a popsickle afterwards. So last night before bed, we enjoyed popsickles. Yummy. Here are the pictures to enjoy! :)

so tired!

Jason, Jaden and Alivia.

Jaden and Daddy at the pool! Jaden really was enjying it, he doesn't look like it here.

Loving our popsickle!

Zoo

We went to the Zoo on Wednesday. I am now done with school and Jason usually has Wednesday's off, so we took Jaden and the neighbor boy, Ethan, to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. We all had a really fun time. Jaden especially liked riding the train. He has his hands doing "toot toot" most of the time. They also have a little playground, which they boys loved, Jaden loved the little water that would shoot out. And before we left we had to stop for ice cream. I added a picture of Jaden eating a pushup. He really did pretty well, most of it was on his mouth, and his shirt only got a little dirty!

Hair Cut

I took Jaden to get his hair cut yesterday.  He didn't want to sit in the chair by himself, so he sat on my lap, the pictures I took of him were after the cut, and were just for photo sake.  He did a very good job, the Laffy Taffy worked well, and they had a truck he really liked, so he had that on his lap too.  After the hair cut I told him we could go to the park, we did, and he decided to climb up a ladder, he is getting braver everyday.  He also really enjoys playing with the hose and watching the water pool up around him.  After this picture was taken we had to go in for lunch, and he actually screamed, not cried, but screamed, he did NOT want to go inside.  

Family Pictures

These pictures were taken during Thanksgiving time with Jason's family.  We got them and I thought they were pretty cute, so I thought I would share.  Jaden's hair is a lot longer now, as you have probably been noticing.  We are getting his hair cut today after school, I will post pictures later of this first experience.  I have trimmed his hair here and there, but we've never been to the salon with him.  Keep your fingers crossed that he sits well.  I thought I would get him some Laffy Taffy beforehand, because he loves them, and it takes him a long time to eat them! :)  

Milk with Dad!

This is what dad and I look like every morning I wake up.  I stand up in my crib and yell, "dad dad... dada.... dada." Then dad gets me milk and we watch my cartoons.  I am usually pretty wide awake by 6:15, and dad.... well.... he's still sleepy.  

Before I go to bed I get to cuddle with mom or dad too.  

More Easter?

We went to Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Marty's house this last weekend, and Grandma saved the Easter eggs to hide for Jaden.  We had a great weekend, finding eggs and eating the candy instantly.  Grandma even put a wrapped prune in one egg and Jaden loved it! :)  And Jaden got a new bike from the Easter Bunny.  

Then Uncle Joe and Auntie Renee came over with their four-wheelers, and Jaden had a short ride with Joe.  It was so nice visiting for the weekend.  And MN had a lot less rain there then what we were getting in Iowa that weekend.