AnnMarie's Baby Shower

On Saturday we threw our dear friend AnnMarie a baby shower! It was a group of our co-workers who got together to celebrate AnnMarie and her baby girl. We had a mexican fiesta at our office manager, Barb's house. Barb's backyard is such a beautiful setting for any get together. It was a beautiful day with great people and yummy food! At the time of the shower AnnMarie wasn't due for 5 more weeks. However ... AnnMarie went into labor and gave birth on Monday evening! When we left her shower we certainly didn't think that was the last time we'd see her pregnant! Harper Louise Lynch was born Monday 5.17.2010. Despite her early arrival she is doing great and gets to go home with her mommy & daddy today! I cannot wait to meet this little peanut and many congrats to AnnMarie & Daren (Harper's proud parents)!

One of the table settings

It's A Girl!

Deborah & Vanessa having some fun!

AnnMarie & Karen

Nicole & Linsey

AnnMarie opening the Pack & Play

that Karen & I got her.

Some of the girls from work. Barb

is waving in the background.

Me & Karen

Me & the Mommy To Be

Jill and baby Ava.

Jill's was the last baby shower we held.

Brandy holding Ava.

Linsey, Jill, Karen, Me, and AnnMarie

Braden 9 Months Old

My baby is 9 ... almost 10 months old (next week). Can you believe it!? He has been crawling all over and getting into EVERYTHING! He is very different than Mason in that aspect. Mason would sit and play with his toys, not venturing too far out of my sight. He never really messed with anything he wasn't supposed to. Then there's Braden! Crawling everywhere and fast! He likes to play with wires ... chewing on them! He likes remotes, cell phones, the computer mouse, wall plug ins ... anything he's NOT supposed to have. He keeps me busy! But I LOVE that little boy. His smile is infectious and he lights up a room. He's SO happy all the time. He loves his big brother, follows him around and laughs at him ALL day! Mason is a great big brother and loves his little brother very much! I just can't believe how big B is getting and that his 1st Birthday will be here before I know it!

Playing in the grass

9 Months Old

Ready for a walk!

The strawberry on his chin is from crashing

face first into my parents hearth.

MIA ...

WOW! I knew it had been a while since I last blogged, but I didn't realize it had been nearly TWO MONTHS! My apologies to those who enjoy hearing our stories and looking at pictures of the boys. I have just been busy with life ... working and taking care of two little boys, a husband, and a house. Not to mention and probably the main reason I haven't blogged ... my camera was broken. We just ran out and got a new one last weekend literally an hour before Mason's birthday party! So this week when I have time, I promise I will post pictures of Mason's 4th Birthday party! I cannot believe my little guy is FOUR! For now I will leave you with a picture of sweet little Braden sitting in the grass ... taken with my phone. He loves being outside and he enjoys sitting and touching the grass.

Bedtime Pics

Yep he's teething ... chewing on everything!

Reading his favorite book.

Two clean boys ready for bed!

Jill's Baby Shower

Thursday we celebrated Jill's baby shower! Jill is one of my co-workers who works in our Worthington office. Our offices were closed Thursday and Friday this week because the doctors were out of town for a seminar. The shower was held at the Worthington office. AnnMarie did a beautiful job turning the lobby into the perfect shower setting! Jill is due April 3rd with her first baby. She is having a girl and is naming her Ava Quinn ... very cute! Congratulations Jillie!

Stacie with Deborah's daughter Leah.

Deborah with "Baby Jack"

Karen, Braden and Myself

Kristan (in the background), Stacie with Leah, and Barb

Thursday was also AnnMarie's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to a Dear Friend!

Jill, Nicole, AnnMarie

Sara MADE all of these items. She is AMAZING!

A skirt, headbands, knit cap, a case for wipes, and burp cloths.

Absolutely adorable!

Some of us with our children.

It's amazing to see us all now with children. When

we all started we were single! Now look at us.

L to R: Linsey with Karlee (she also has an older son Dakota),

Me with Braden (Mason was with Daddy), Sara with Brooklyn,

Deborah with Jack and Leah.

Braden and Brooklyn were taking a liking

to each other.

* SNOW *

I was off work today and after Mason and I made Valentines he went out to play in the snow while Keith was shoveling. He LOVED it! Keith was done shoveling and Mason didn't want to come in. Even as cold as it was. He then played out back for a little while with his dinosaurs in the snow! He's funny.

Winding up!

Will he be a lefty pitcher? Looks like it!

A Playdate With Our Besties!

Below are a few pictures of our playdate with our

Best Friends Nikki and her son Austin! We had fun

inside at Recreations Unlimited since it's so cold outsisde!

Hmmm ... what's this swing all about?

No thanks!

Austin trying NOT to smile!

Don't let this face fool you! He hates his green beans.

Six Months & His First Tooth

I'm a little behind on this post but Braden is now SIX months old! He hit the six month mark on January 25th. Here are his six month stats:

Braden ~ Height 27.5 in. Weight 16.2 lb.

Mason @ 6 months ~ Height 28.25 in. Weight 19.8 lb.

Today also marked Braden cutting his first tooth! He didn't take much of a morning nap, (maybe a half hour) and was kind of fussy. He kept wanting me to hold him. Every time I'd put him down he'd cry. This is NOT like Braden. He is so happy and laid back. This afternoon he again wouldn't take a nap and continued the fussiness along with chewing his fingers. Hmmm ... I felt inside and low and behold, his bottom right tooth broke through the gumline ever so slightly. I could feel its sharp little corner. So that explained it. By bedtime my little guy was exhausted. He got a bath, a bottle, and a dose of Tylenol and off to bed he went ... Finally!

I had alot to do today and having a teething baby was kind of holding me down. However, being the "seasoned" Mommy that I am; even with a teething baby and a crazy 3 year old, I still managed to accomplish all of my tasks today. Including, laundry, cleaning, a trip to Kroger, and even still managed to get my RUN in! NICE.

An Old Friend ...

I met up with a old friend of mine on Saturday. We used to be so close, but with building a marriage and a family over the past few years we had just lost touch with each other ... it happens to the best of us. But on Saturday I got to spend over an hour with my friend getting re-aquainted ... we'll call her "GYM!"

Nikki has a full gym set up in her basement! So we started working out this past Saturday. It was AWESOME! I have always enjoyed going to the gym and staying in shape. It's a stress reliever, a hobby, I just enjoy it! It is hard to find time when you have children, a full time job, and not to mention you and your husband work opposite shifts! But now it's great. Three times a week I have a "playdate" with my best friend and our kids. Mommies workout while the kiddies play! AWESOME!

After two days of hitting the gym (like I had never left, LOL) I am feeling it today! A little sore ... but a good sore indeed. So here's to getting back in shape!

On Sunday we had birthday dinner #2 for Keith at my parents' house. We enjoyed some time together, got to visit with Colton, and had a super yummy dinner. Keith and I concluded our night with some devine chocolate birthday cake!

Braden hanging out before we left.

My cuties!

Playing with the kiddos.

Dad was playing Dinosaurs with Mason when

Colton sat down and wanted to read a book!

Mom and Braden.