Back on the Farm

Although Brendan got a lot of toys as presents for Christmas, we spaced out opening them so he could enjoy each one. Then with the move, many presents just sat in the box. A couple months ago, we finally opened the farm and the tractor.

Brendan got a lot of nice things for Christmas, a Build-a-Bear with voice recordings from Scott's family, as well as a tool set, a giant Barney doll, nice clothing, a pull dog, Fisher Price Noah's Ark, all sorts of neat stuff. But from my family he got: a stuffed animal pig with "The Jolly Farmer" book from his Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Reed, a giant stuffed cow from his Uncle Jon, a John Deere Tractor from Aunt Norma, and of course the Fisher Price Little People Tractor and Farm from Grandma & Grandpa Reed. Can you tell my family is from Bakersfield?

Brendan just loves playing with the farm, I guess that apple keeps falling close to the tree. "Thank God, I'm a country Boy" (at heart at least).

The Tractor from Aunt Norma & Uncle Frank


The pig from Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Reed



And of Course the Farm from Grandma & Grandpa

Funny Story...

Those of you who are not aware, my husband has left me. Okay so I may have made it sound more dramatic than it really his. Currently my husband is touring all of Western Europe with a group of his students, he will be gone for almost three full weeks. I'm sure he is having a wonderful time.

He left on Saturday June 28th. That morning we were running around trying to get all the last minute things taken care of. An hour and a half before we were to leave the house, Scott decides he wants a hair cut. I have to agree that his hair was getting a little long and he didn't want to mess with the hair while away. So we got out the cheap clippers that are way past their prime and cut his hair to the desired length. After washing his hair again to get all the loose hair off of him, I took the clippers to do a final touch up....Oooops!!!

Not something you want to hear while your wife is cutting your hair. I had cleaned the clippers and forgot to put the attachment back on! (Unfortunately, this is not the first, or even second time I have done this, you think he would go to a professional). So as I cried and my husband tried his best to remain calm and not get upset over his wife's stupidity, we shaved the rest of his head. Oh how I hate his head shaved.

My poor husband. This was one of the first pictures I received of the group in Europe. Can you see Scott's poor white head? Most of the other pictures show him in a hat...

Here is a close up, just in case you couldn't find him. At least he didn't have to worry about his hair while in Europe! He was really a good sport about it, I really don't think I would have been so.

Mommy & Me

Staycation!

Last week was our family week together, I called it a staycation and Scott had never heard the term thought it was great!

We started the week at Disneyland. We went straight from church and spent Father's day at Disneyland. We went back again on Monday. We were able to stay on Sunday to see the new fireworks show, Brendan actually did really well for being up so late, he loved watching the fireworks show, I thought he would fall asleep but he watched the entire thing in my arms with Daddy holding us both. This Disneyland trip was great ass Brendan is getting so much more interactive and since he is starting to walk, we were able to walk around holding his hand and letting him experience it more than sitting in a stroller.

Happy Father's Day!

Brendan loved it's a small world, we were impressed with the small changes Disney had made to the ride to make it more "Disney" Brendan sat very still through the entire ride, there was so much to look at!

Brendan liked meeting Sully but was a little nervous about his size.

Then he couldn't keep his eyes off of this giant blue man.

Goofy was on his way backstage and wasn't suppose to be stopping for pictures, but apparently it is hard not to stop for a baby! We were lucky to get a picture with goofy and he played with Brendan.

Walking on Film

I know that it has been a while since I promised I would get a video of Brendan walking. My child has quite a mind of his own and will only do it on his timing. The girls and I were finally able to capture a few steps on film. This was about a week and a half ago (sorry it took so long to post). He is now walking so much better, we are up to about 8 steps at a time.

Enjoy a few of the first steps, it took a few times with the video camera before we were able to really capture his steps.

First Attempt:



Almost....


Finally!!

Long Vacation

I was looking back on my previous posts from one year ago and I realized that it was a year ago that I went on maternity leave. This was my time to prepare for the baby. (Although I didn't expect to have SO much time off before the baby since Brendan does things on his own timing, hm, a lot like his mother!)

So here I am, one year later, going on a break! In California, a new parent (mom or dad) gets an additional 6 weeks of Paid Family Leave, or "Baby Bonding". It is not full pay, but disability pay, but it is nice to have the opportunity to bond with your new baby. These 6 weeks have to be taken within the first year of the baby's life. Since Brendan is now 11 months old, I figured I had better take my leave, or I would loose it.

The past few weeks have been really crazy at work as my boss and I completed our University Catalog for the president. Trying to be proactive and get it out sooner than the past two years, we set a goal for ourselves. Then we called the president to make sure that he would be available to approve the catalog on that date. Silly us, the president then moved our goal date up on us, so needless to say, I have been a little stressed lately. Luckily, we hit our goal and I was able to get everything off my desk before leaving! Whew, what I relief!

Unfortunately, I am not taking the full 6 weeks (or 12 weeks if you take the 6 weeks of non pay). I know it sounds silly, but I just couldn't be away from my job for that long! Instead I am taking a nice 3 week break. I am so excited for this time off and excited to spend this time with Brendan now that he is even more responsive, interactive and WALKING! I have quite a full 3 weeks ahead of me! Next week is our Family time to spend some real quality time together! I'll keep you posted as I experience it!

I really needed this break!