Journeys with a Jeep

It's no secret that Bradyn loves jeeps. From the moment we landed in the States, he's been able to spot them a mile away! His obsession with jeeps has even made Mike and me question whether or not we should trade our car in for one. I guess when you are constantly forced to look for jeeps, you start thinking "hey that one is cute" or "oooh, I like that color". Therefore, it made sense that his first birthday gift from us should be a jeep. We would have preferred it to be a YELLOW jeep, as those are B's favorite, but we had to settle for a green one. Regardless of the color, he loves it!

When he first got it, he'd get in, press the gas pedal, lurch forward, and then jump out!! This went on for several days and the poor lonely jeep would spend a lot of time outdoors not being driven. So, we parked it in the garage. One day, the three of us were in the garage, Mike and I were talking. Next thing we know, Bradyn is in the jeep with the pedal to the metal backing up and almost ran me over. I got out of the way in time, but my car was behind me...near miss! No damage, luckily! We hurried and switched it to forward instead of reverse and he was off! Down the driveway, over the rock bed, through the grass, and into the fence! No more lurching forward and stopping I guess...now he throws the pedal down and goes!

Other moments with the jeep have been fun, like experimenting where you sit...he's sat on the roof and with Mama's distaste...standing on the roof!! He also likes to feel the wheels when he drives.



My favorite moment though, happened yesterday. He had driven the jeep to the side yard, stopped, and just sat there! Impatient Mama wanted him to get a move on it and get back to the backyard. After much prodding I said, "Give it some gas, let's go". Next thing, I know he gets out of the jeep and starts pulling at the grass. I said, "What are you doing?" and he said "Gas, gas." Then he throws some grass into the jeep and then jumps in and takes off. It took me a few seconds, but then I realized what he was doing...I said to "give it some gas" and that is how he says grass - gas, since he can't say the r sound yet. So, he "gave it some gas"! If only gas were that cheap!

Bradyn's Big Birthday Bash!

He's 2! He's 2!! Yes, our baby turned 2 years old and to celebrate we held a big birthday bash...this was his first "American" birthday celebration, so we had to make it extra special! We began by inviting our family and friends. Then the decorations...we had a Mickey Mouse celebration and Mickey himself attended (okay, maybe just the balloon version of Mickey, but Mickey nonetheless).

We decided to have the party when he woke up from his nap, so that we could decorate while he was sleeping and then he could be surprised. Well, his nap was a short-lived one and once he came downstairs he wanted to start in on the festivities...even though most of the guests had not arrived. Here he is trying to open his presents and the party hadn't even started yet:

We finally lured him outside to detain him until people could arrive.

Finally, the bouncy house we ordered arrived and the set up of it had Bradyn mesmerized and a bit scared. As a matter of fact, he never got in the bouncy house...luckily the other kids were thrilled by it and they were entertained all afternoon!

Then the gift opening began...paused...began again...paused...and began again. I say this, because Bradyn had to get each gift out of the packaging and play with it before the next gift was opened...needless to say it took a long time!! You can tell that family and friends know him so well...he LOVED every gift and now we need to get a new house with a 3 car garage, just to fit all of his new vehicles, sports equipment, and art supplies!

After a bit of dinner (and a diaper change), we moved on to the Mickey Mouse birthday cake! Bradyn was SO excited and he even blew out his candles! He thoroughly enjoyed his cake, so much that he forgot about his fork and hands and did a face plant bite into the frosting!




The long day ended with a very happy (and a bit overwhelmed) baby sleeping peacefully. The next day was like a party all over again as he discovered and played with all his new toys! Thanks everyone for making Bradyn's 2nd Birthday so special!

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Here's our little Muffin Man with his first baking experience. He is such a great helper and we made yummy banana bread. Then I found out that at daycare today, he made cupcakes for his birthday! I guess we have a little cook on our hands!

Like Father, Like Son

Happy Father's Day!! Yay, we get to celebrate Papa!! And if we didn't have Bradyn, we wouldn't be able to do that!!! Mike is a wonderful father...sweet, caring, kind, fun, and the list goes on! The look that is on Bradyn's face when he sees his Papa is a testament to the kind of father Mike is!! And when Bradyn doesn't see his Papa, he's always asking for him! We've waited a long time to be parents and I always knew that fatherhood would suit Mike perfectly! Now that he is a father, he has not only stepped into that role, but embraced and flourished in it! Bradyn is blessed to have Mike as his Papa and I'm blessed to have him as my husband! Happy Father's Day Mike, we love you!


And of course, Mike has a wonderful role model, his Dad! Happy Father's Day Dave (Oompa), we love you!


And my Dad has always been my inspiration and rock! Happy Father's Day Dad (Oompa), we love you, too!!

Look Out Brett

Will Brett Farve be seeking the quarterback position for the Green Bay Packers in the year 2028 or will he finally retire? Well, all we have to say is look out Brett...Bradyn Lee is getting ready! Go Green Bay or as Bradyn says "GO Gogoomba!!

Firsts....

It's hard to believe that a month has gone by without me posting! Time flies when you are having fun and when you are sick. Bradyn seems to be building his immune system. After he finishes one daycare cold, he gets another!! In the meantime, we have had the chance to provide Bradyn with some more "firsts".

He went to his first baseball game. He didn't realize that he was supposed to sit and watch the game, he thought he was supposed to climb on the chairs and run around the bleachers. In his typical fashion, he enjoyed the ball park foods.


Bradyn went on his first overnight camping trip. He had a great time! He loved playing in the dirt, exploring, and throwing rocks in the river.


And of course...he had to enjoy his first S'more with his friends Anika and Kendal.


And we have another big first coming up soon! Bradyn will be having his very first American birthday party to celebrate him turning 2!!

Blessed Baby, Blessed Life

We are so blessed! I can't tell you how many times I think this on any given day...but I think today I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for all the blessings in our life! First off, look at these two beautiful women...

they are beautiful inside and out and Mike and I are blessed with being able to call them Mom. Happy Mother's Day Moms...we love you!
Adding to the blessings...I get to be the Mama to a wonderful baby boy who has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives! The blessings continue as Mike and I acknowledge what caring and thoughtful families we have! And not only do we have so many wonderful friends, but there are so many people who have supported us through this amazing journey!
Today we celebrated Bradyn's baptism and what a day it was! Bradyn did a great job in church and kept both sets of Oombas and Oompas busy during the service. All in all he did really well during the baptism. Afterwards, Bradyn relished in all the attention that was lavished upon him from family and friends. We are so blessed!

A Week In Wisconsin

Bradyn, Mike and I boarded a plane on Tuesday with Oomba and Oompa Taresh. We landed safely and tear-free in Minnesota and drove to Mike's hometown in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Oomba and Oompa Lee's. We made the voyage to Wisco so that Bradyn could get baptized in the church that Mike was baptized in. We are especially excited that it will happen on Mother's day with both sets of Grandparents and his soon-to-be Godparents Aunt Lora and Uncle Bob. Bradyn is beside himself with love, affection, and attention from both grandparents, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins! He has made himself right at home at Oomba and Oompa Lee's house! We've had a fun-packed week already visiting a cheese factory, an Eagle preserve, Oomba's work and Leinenkugels! More fun is in store for the remainder of the week...stay tuned!

Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses

Sometimes we all just need to stop...

and smell the roses (or tulips).

Or the bushes!

And if you just can't get enough of them...just grab the things!

So precious!

First Post Placement Report

Our first post placement report should be in the hands of the Russian officials by tomorrow. April 28th marks 6 months that Bradyn has been in our arms. Russia requires follow up reports sent to them by our Social Worker. We have to do this after the first 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. It is hard to believe that 6 months have already passed! Our social worker gave a very nice report on us and Bradyn won him over with his charm and good looks!

And what a handsome boy he is!! Here he is enjoying his first ice cream cone!! He used to say "ice cream" until he actually tasted it...now he calls it honey!

What A Week! And It's Only Wednesday!

Our week began on Saturday night with Bradyn waking up in the middle of the night coughing and crying. He seemed miserable so we moved him into bed with us. He fell asleep for a bit but then woke up and threw up all over Mama! Which wasn't that big of a deal, but Mama was experiencing bodyaches and fever!

Easter Sunday morning came bright and early at 5:30 since Bradyn decided he didn't want to go back to sleep but would rather wake up Oomba and Oompa and play with them! He had lots of fun looking through both of his easter baskets, finding easter eggs and playing with cousins. He thinks that easter eggs are for throwing as opposed to collecting! (They do look like a ball!)

We all went to school and work on Monday, and when I picked Bradyn up from daycare he had a fever and a rash on his legs. I took him to urgent care and we learned that he has strep throat! Poor little guy! That means no daycare for at least 24 hours! Well, Mama HAD to go to work the next day and Papa HAD to make a daytrip out of town for work...so, we called Oomba T and she drove 2 hours to babysit Bradyn for us.

Tuesday was an exciting day for Bradyn, despite feeling crummy, as Oomba was here and he didn't have to go to daycare! Mama had to go to school because she is working on the 2nd grade program that will be performed in 2 weeks. While she was showing the students the dance steps, she came down on her leg the wrong way and pulled her muscle!! (I guess I'm not a BlazerDancer anymore!) Mama wasn't even able to drive home, let alone, walk! Luckily Oomba was here to help with Bradyn. Papa arrived home in the evening with a sore throat and bodyaches!!

Oomba stayed today to help out and then the snow came...looks like she will be staying another day!!

Despite the tough week, we are all managing. Here are some pics of Easter:

Our Little Reader

Bradyn was running around playing with his usual full-force energy, then all of a sudden he grabs this book and a blanket and starts reading. Neither Mike or I knew that he was so interested in this chapter book!! He loves reading books, but this book took us by surprise!! He sure knows how to make his "avid reader" Papa and his "teacher" Mama so proud!