1st Birthday Party

We wanted Bray's 1st birthday to be special for him, so we invited all his favorite people to share it with him.

We rented the Cooper's Ruritan Club and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixins'. Mickey Mouse was the theme of the party.

We also had Brayden's Baby Dedication service at his birthday party. Pastor Steve Webb was kind enough to accept our last minute request to perform the service. I know it's not the traditional dedication in the church, but we felt since all the special people in Brayden's life were there, what better time to stand before family and friends and dedicate our precious son's life to God, the One who blessed us with such a wonderful miracle?

There are many, many more pictures of this special event, but due to rather slow upload for Blogger, I'll try to get more blogging done for now.

Love,
Amy

Unbelievable!

I am more than ashamed to admit my son is almost 2 years old and I have not posted anything since June of last year! There are so many stories...so many milestones...

Well, the best I can do is try to catch up yet again and hopefully capture and share as many of those moments with you guys.

Tonight, I'll start with Brayden's first birthday...May 28, 2009.

Happy Birthday to me...happy birthday to me!

Later that morning, we joined Granny, Papa, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Garland, Aunt Lee Lee, Uncle Willard and Aunt Joyce for birthday brunch at the Cracker Barrel.

This is the regular group Brayden has breakfast with about every other week. Awesome folks if I do say so myself! :)

Nice Afternoon Outside

These pictures were taken in February. It was such a beautiful day. One of those "upper 60's" days in dead winter that make you long for spring. We took Brayden outside and let him play in the grass for the first time. He absolutely loved it! He was just starting to pull up a bit and attempting to crawl.



Brayden is hanging with his favorite pal. :)

Dani & Becca Visit

My niece, Danielle, and her friend (my adopted niece), Rebecca, came to visit Brayden before their Christmas/New Year break from school was over.



The adorable hat Brayden is wearing was given to him by his Uncle Tad and family. I'm sad it doesn't fit his head anymore b/c it was perfect all winter! Hint hint Uncle Tad! :)

Brayden's First Christmas

Brayden's first Christmas was probably more fun for Ray and me than anything. Helping "Santa" place each item and seeing Brayden's face light up with excitement was thrilling for us. Ok, yes he was more excited about the bags and paper than any toy, but we had our moment.

More than anything, our family was together celebrating the most important birthday ever. Isn't it amazing how on Jesus' birthday Ray and I felt we received the most precious gift - our son? I thank God every day for blessing me with my family. Even the not-so-great days.

Amy

PS As you can see, Mommy had gift opening duty at each family gathering while Daddy worked the camera. :)

Catching Up

I truly feel horrible I have not updated Brayden's blog in a really long time. Thanksgiving was 7 months ago! With that said, please allow me to play "catch up" and bring everyone up to date on my now precious 1 YEAR OLD!

Amy

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was packed full of family time and we wouldn't have it any other way. I made it to Union's annual Thanksgiving breakfast joining my parents, siblings and nephews. I left Ray and Brayden in bed as they were sleeping so soundly.

Next stop is my my parent's house where we filled up our tummies on some absolutely delicious cooking! I prepared Brayden's plate with turkey and gravy, sweet potatoes, peas and Hawaiian Delight for dessert (all purees of course!). A bottle from Granny came a little while later...


Lastly, we joined Ray's family at his dad's where we ate left overs and enjoyed some much needed family time with the Williams'.Brayden left Danielle a Thanksgiving moment to remember - she was wearing his dinner (and so was her cellphone) by the time the night was over. :) Sorry Dani!

Overall it was a great week. Brayden and I were able to spend the entire week with Daddy, which is very rare these days!

Charlotte Trip

Brayden and I spent a few days with Ray in Charlotte. Brayden and I hung out at the apartment while Ray "worked". We shopped one day and Brayden met Santa for the first time. He was simply amazed with Santa's beard (which was real!). I'm just glad he didn't pull on it!

Go Canes!

Brayden has now been to three Carolina Hurricanes hockey games - and we've won all three! He absolutely loves going to the games!

He usually watches a little of the first period and then drinks a bottle. He then sleeps through most of the second period and is back to watching again during the third period. And yes, believe it or not he can sleep right through the crowd roaring over a goal scored.

There's one thing for sure: babies attract more smiles from strangers than I ever imagined. I can't tell you how many women stop (while changing Brayden's diaper)in the restroom to tell me how adorable he is. :) One of the attendants came to us after a game and said he believed Brayden was the happiest baby he had ever seen. Talk about a proud mom! :)

Go Canes!

Halloween 2008

Ray and I learned a valuable parenting lesson: Always make sure the costume still fits the day BEFORE Halloween!

We bought Brayden an adorable puppy costume that I just couldn't wait to see him in. Just two weeks later, the costume was too short!

Thankfully I had purchased a pumpkin sleeper for him to wear to Union's Fall Festival, so we had a back up plan (sort of).

Designers do not make it easy for us parents. The puppy costume said it went up to 9 mos. Obviously their version of a 9 month infant does not have long legs like Brayden!

Love you all!
Amy

Welcome!

I finally had a few moments to set up this site so all of you can watch Brayden as he grows. Brayden is now 5 months old. It's hard to believe I was pregnant with him this time last year - about 11 to 12 weeks pregnant that is.

He is such a curious fellow and takes a few moments to inspect everything, whether it's what is on Mama and Daddy's plate or Granny and Aunt Sissy's hand waving bye-bye.