Santa, is that you?

My serious son... as always. Great Christmas.... see highlights below.
Wind chime time with G-Bob!

Look closely but this "Santa" is related. This was after an initial meltdown.... eventually he warmed up.

Super excited about the TREE in our house!

Opening presents with Nana.... WHO-HOO a sand/water box!

Playing matchbox cars with Poppa! He is so much fun!

Not pictured are many more amazing family members. Special love to Nana, Paw paw, Gammy, and G-Bob for taking care of Braden while we work. We even saw Aunt Abbey and Uncle Scott briefly. Thanks to Aunt Sue and Uncle Brent for being amazing during the holidays and well beyond! Also, Braden has LOVED spending time with Uncle Geoff for a week straight! A special bday wish to my sweet Ama and I LOVED hanging out with my Poppa Godley (even though he is a backseat rocker).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Pics from my party... let's kick it off with the CAKE!

Hanging with my Aunt Jen.... love her! She even built my new train toy all by herself!

Hanging with my Gammy who came up for the entire weekend with G-Bob!

Hanging with Melissa and her really really really pretty daughter Lanie. She is helping me color!

Giving Thanks.

Hanging at Nana and Papaw's house building LEGO structures. I am so an engineer in the making. :)



Daddy getting ready for the game and dressing me to support.


Hanging in my tunnel. This is awesome!! Thanks Ama!

Cracking up with Poppa Godley! He is sooooooooo funny :)

Braden also got to see Gammy, G-Bob, Uncle Scott, Geoff, and Brent and Aunt Abbey and Suzanne. We are so blessed. Braden is FULL on tornado mode tearing up our house but he is so much fun and full of life!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

People always ask me... what is Braden doing these days? Funny thing is I find most the things he does are simple and entertaining to me but really.... other people want to know? Well here goes...

1. Braden likes to feed Daisy her food after I scoop into the bowl. But then after he feeds her he likes to go back and get one piece at a time and take it to her bowl.

2. He likes to pull daddy's beer bottles out of the fridge and throw them on the ground (fortunately they do not break).

3. Everything is, "I want this!?!?!!!!!" This = everything and anything.

4. Lately he likes to head butt us.... this is not fun for mommy and daddy. He has a larger than average head that he likes to throw it into our head and laugh. Hard part is I cannot help but laugh too! Even if it hurts.

5. He loves slides.

6. He loves older girls, especially ones with hair he can yank out.

7. He loves to eat rocks, leaves and dirt and then spit it out.

8. He loves to ask me to open and close the sun roof of the car and garage door.

9. He likes to go out the dog door... NOT a good thing either but hey, he is a boy!

10. He likes to sing... ALL the time. Favorite song is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in English and Chinese.

Happy Halloween!

2 years ago last Friday my water broke and we were sent into an unknown situation with our little man. Rather than reflect on a tough time I want thank you all again for your support and show you how amazing our little monkey is doing today!

Hanging with my daddy! Can I take this outfit off yet??

Figuring out the pumpkin. I see engineer in him all the time!

Making a major mess with mommy.

Happy Halloween!

Official Candy Inspector

Suiting up for Halloween!

Braden is thriving and enjoying his friends and teachers at daycare. We returned from Houston where we saw Scott and Abbey tie the knot. Unfortunately Braden's debut as a ring bearer was a major flop and Brian watched the wedding from the cry room with him. It was a beautiful wedding and we loved seeing all our cousins, aunts, uncles, etc, most of whom met Braden for the first time.

We got to swim with fellow fish, cousin Kiera who was slightly attached to Uncle Brian!

I Need Your Vote!

Mommy cannot decide what I should be for Halloween so cast your vote for:

1. Monkey (because I can go everywhere even with obstacles)
2. Koala Bear (because I cling to mommy but she says I need to grip better)
3. Fish (because I LOVE the water!)

What do you think?!

Game Day!

Ok, I told mommy I write better blogs so I am taking over again and in honor of college football kicking off, below are some of my favorite pictures!

From the beginning in the NICU mom and dad were trying to confuse me (Thanks again for the hat nurse Lily).

Dad trying to convert me... I look pretty nervous about this idea.

One of my momma's favorite pictures.... me day dreaming of my future days watching UT games... or just in shock she would put me in Gilbert's jersey... still love the Horns regardless.

Hanging with the fellas Luke Panko and A.J. Franty. Many more of these times to come likely with booze and babes... WAY in the future.

Overwhelmed at that GIANT Longhorn bib. My Sooner Aunt Kelly gave this to me perhaps as reverse psychology of some kind.

Me and my die hard TCU Horn Frog Uncle Geoff. I have to admit this may be the front runner as my favorite team.

Me and momma on game day... even though I run around so she misses most of the game. Which was ok since her team was really bad last year.

Aunt Martha if you are reading this I wore the Ohio State shirt today... but I move too quick for good pics these days :) Love to you all! Going to cheer on all my respective teams as I am still undecided... no matter what mom and dad dress me in!

First Plane Ride and Trip to the Beach - From Braden's View

Sorry my mommy has been sooooo out of touch on the blog. I thought I would tell you all about my trip to Florida!

Started with my first plane ride. I did not have my own seat but mommy let me ride on her lap the entire way there as I mostly slept and sweat all over mommy.... that plane was hot! We met Gammy at the airport and drove down to Venice.

I saw the ocean for the first time and took off towards it. I vaguely remember my mommy running frantically behind me with a camera while yelling something to daddy about not letting me drown. Video evidence of this will be posted later... my mommy is technically challenged with uploaded videos. :)

Daddy bought me "cool dude" sunglasses where I perfected my, "hello ladies" move.

I went to the splash park every day with Gammy and Poppa Godley and Ama. The park was a good place for me because my risk of diving into the deep water (which I love to do at the pool) is eliminated and I think mommy has better blood pressure. I really do not know why she gets so stressed, I tried telling her I am part fish.

We also went and got me my first ice cream cone.

I also went looking for sharks teeth with daddy and Poppa Godley. We found a bunch! Apparently this part of the world is known for sharks teeth!

I had a really good time and was a perfect angel on the plane ride back too. Even though I did get slightly fussy when we had to turn around on the drive home because daddy forgot the pack and play on the curb at the airport.... at least that is what mommy told me.... :)

Thanks for letting me take over the blog. I will be sure to let mommy know to get with the program on more frequent updates!

Can You Hear Me Now?

Well, Mr. B had multiple ear infections and after a visit to the ENT he now has brand new tubes in his ears. At his follow up appointment,,,, he was told he has "perfect" hearing :). So we are on our way to a ear infection free Braden and on track to him having no excuse to tune me out .... at least for now.

He is doing great. Had some visits to splash parks, making friends at day care and really just growing to be such an inquisitive little man. We head to Florida in a few weeks which will be a trip of firsts including a vacation on the beach and our first plane ride :)

Picture Catch Up

Lots to catch up on. Braden just got tubes put in his ears. He is wonderful, happy, thriving and healthy! See some of the latest pics below.

Discovering the dog door!!

Swimming with Poppa Godley!

Enjoying the pool... more than sweet Luke!

Aunt Suzanne!

March for Dimes

First hair cut

Like a Fish!

Braden LOVES the water. He swam with Poppa Godley and Ama this weekend and went to another pool party to celebrate the 4th of July! He loves the water ans splashes constantly. He also jumps in with NO fear and even after going under he surfaces SMILING! He went on his first boat ride and loved the water but hated the life vest. Boys... :)

Braden has had good health and has been back in daycare for a few weeks. We are switching pediatricians as we feel it is best for Braden to be somewhere where they listen to mommy and daddy a little bit better...

Pics to come soon... we have been posting on facebook so transferring on the camera seems like a lot of work... :)) Love to you all. Thank for checking in on B.

I Take Mine in Twos or Threes

Well... the delayed blog is because it has been nuts for Mr. B. He got really sick... again. Docs could not figure it out but I finally understand that they were trying to diagnose him for one virus when in fact he had 2 and was teething. So after temps between 104 and 106 for a few days he finally got better and we are on the mend.

He is walking around like a maniac making is impossible for us to do anything while he is awake. But it is also so much fun. He loves to share things. He loves to play with our dog Daisy. He loves to open and shut doors. Most of all he LOVES his musical star!

I have wonderful friends and family who helped us get through the last few weeks and hopefully he will stay healthy back in daycare.

Swimming With My Girlfriend

Braden jumped into the pool more than willingly with daddy. Must have been that cutie pie on the other end of the pool :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5m-u70hDFg

He is 25lbs and attempting to walk all the time. Still wobbly and unsure at times but fearless in attempting. He loves to share things with us and shows us everything he encounters. It has been rough on his health as he has been sick all the time. He is such a sweet baby and everyone comments on how well behaved he is in public places.

Honoring Mothers

Mother's Day is only a week away and a day we honor all our moms. As many of you know my journey with Braden was... well a journey, especially at the beginning. You may recall I had an amazing night nurse care for me who was involved with an organization African Mother's Health Initiative (AMHI) that focuses on saving moms like me and babies like Braden in Malawi Africa, a place with far less resource, money and technology to do what we can do in the United States.

In honor of Mother's Day, AMHI is running a fundraising campaign to help mothers and babies in need. Any amount makes an impact: only $20 provides a postpartum visit from a trained nurse and $35 will provide a month's supply of formula to an orphaned infant. Please consider giving a gift to AMHI on behalf of your mom, wife, sister, daughter, or any woman in your life who is an amazing mother.

Easy options to give are found here.

Thank you for continuing to follow Braden's Journey. He has been healthy for a whole week! Thriving at school. Trying to walk everywhere! Laughs all the time and loves life!

Stepping Out

Everyone is asking if he is walking yet.... so here he is stepping out. Not too graceful but he loves trying over and over and over. http://youtu.be/za5ui2ql0hk He also loves to yank on my hair... hard. He discovered how to turn the shower on as I run his bath which was hilarious to watch. He even crawls to his crib to put himself to bed... I know I am so lucky. He continues to be a complete joy.

Discoveries: Trash Cans and Toilets

I am starting a new standing piece called "discoveries" because Braden is into EVERYTHING and it is so fun to watch him process new things and how to interact with them. Hence he "discovered" my computer months ago and when I let him "interact" with is he proceeded to rip the keys off, some permanently. A funny discovery was the toilet and trash can. Brian had him in the bathroom and when he rounded the corner towards the toilet Brian found him in there sloshing his hands around in the bowl.... clean bowl.... thank goodness. Then he proceeds to find the toilet paper roll and he loves to make is spin spin spin so all the paper rolls off. I know I should stop him.... but it's so cute how fascinated his is by it all. Then there is the trash can. He is so curious what is in it we just moved them all to higher ground for now because really is there anything good a toddler can pull out of a bathroom trashcan? He is doing better health wise. After the flu and throat ulcers he got an ear infection. So things happen in threes right?? Which means he is done?? :) I know this is all good for him but sure but I love having happy healthy Mr. B back! Headed to see the grandparents in Houston this weekend to celebrate my dad's new marriage to Diana/Ama.

Two for the Price of One

Mr. B started day care and he had the pleasure of catching not one, but two viruses.... He got the flu as well as a throat ulcer infection. Unrelated and both painful for different reasons. Thank God for Gammy helped as I was in Houston for most of it attending a wedding. Expected him to get sick of course but man it was still rough watching him suffer through the ordeal. He is def a mommas bot as he crawls around saying "momma, momma". Probably because he knows I am the sucker who will pick him up :) What can I say... :)

First Week of School

Braden started day care this week. He did well but is having a tough time adjusting to the new environment, people, food choices and nap schedule. I have to admit I would too as that is a TON of change. He only went three days and of course when I picked him up day three he had a fever and runny nose.... that did not take long. He will be fine as he is going to Houston with me to stay with his Gammy (my mom) while I attend a wedding. Hopefully we will see Papa and Ama too :)

Bad to the Bone

Two guesses at who dressed Braden up for Luke Panko's birthday party... it took about 10 shots to get this picture as he was not a fan of the glasses, however he dug the leather jacket and rocker shirt. He is just under 24lbs and getting closer and closer to walking as he pulls up, reaches out for us, leans and then decides to get down and crawl. This is his last week at home with Nana and then he enters the world of day care!

My Daddy's Chair and Crazy Hair

Nana brought over a small rocking chair that Brian used when he was a young child. We put Braden in it to watch Baby Einstein and he sits very intently. However, I did take my eye off him and he plunged forward and did a face plant onto the carpet. It is moments like this when I realize this will be one of many bonks and cruises, especially with a boy!! I also felt like a horrible mom and Brian came running upstairs while I was consoling B and he knew better than to "judge" even though I could tell he had a look on his face to say, "if that had happened under my watch I would be getting yelled at." and he is right :)

Brian is also determined to convince me that Braden needs a haircut and he proceeded to take him into the bathroom, put gel is his hair and spike it sideways just to make his point. I do not know why I am resisting, but cutting his hair is such a big moment and I refuse to let it happen until absolutely necessary.

Braden is still home with Nana for one more month and then he is off to daycare. While it is bittersweet I am actually excited he will get to interact with other kids and learn new things.... including picking up all kinds of germs but that is to be expected!

In Remembrance

Braden's Great Grandpa passed away but not before we had some great memories and pictures. Great Grandpa Charlie was a good man who served his country for many years while being a loyal and dedicated family man. Here is a picture of four generations of Betts men. Too much trouble in one room if you ask me :)

Braden has surgery this week and the recovery will be hopefully straight forward. He is crawling up on all fours and into EVERYTHING! Just put a swing in the front yard and he is enjoying it so much!

Ringing in the New Year

Braden is doing great! He has fought off a few colds and tonsillitis. He is crawling and pulling up everywhere! It is fun but a tad stressful as he is such a hazard to himself! We enjoyed a nice holiday break and he got a little attached to momma. When I am in the room he will crawl as fast as he can towards me, throwing toys to the side that stand in his way.

He takes a bath like a big boy. He flails around on the changing table so I often find myself on the floor which makes it interesting for other reasons but removing the 3 foot drop sure makes mom feel better :) He has favorite books, toys, and sounds. He is just so much fun and such a sweet baby. Still having a tough time with actual solid food. We tried egg for the third time and it resulted in puking all over himself for the third time. He is still at home with Nana during the day and will venture into daycare in a few months... I cannot believe it!

We took a new picture with daddy's Aggie ring and WOW what a difference in a year. Day 3 versus 1 year.