Thatcher's Story

Thatcher's Story
I didn't want this to get lost in my list of posts, so I am creating a place so that everyone can easily access this link. Please read this touching story about baby Thatcher, our friends son who was born with a rare liver disease and is in need of a liver transplant. Jessie has worked closely with Brad for over 4 years and I became friends with her while working at WSA until I left last spring. Thatcher was born a month before Braden and this story really hits home for me. When I look at Braden I think about how incredibly lucky I am. This could just as easily be our him going through this. Jessie will most likely be the living donor for Thatcher and they are in need of our prayers! I promise you will be touched by reading this story. Thanks!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Connor's first T-Ball practice

We finally got Connor signed up to play t-ball this year. He is playing in a league with 3-4 year olds. Connor is ready for coach pitch but we weren't sure about him being in a league with 5-6 year olds, since he just turned 4. We have been working with him and he does pretty well at hitting, but needs a little work catching. He can throw pretty well too. We also had a hard time deciding what kind of glove to buy since we still aren't sure if he is going to be a lefty or not. He uses both hands to do just about everything but does hit right handed.
Connor did so well at the practice and really impressed us all. Just look at the pictures. I know I am a little biased but he really does look like he knows what he is doing. Ha! He went after every ball that was hit and dove in the dirt for most of them. Lol! Pop's told him that he definitely looked like he played the hardest out there because he was the dirtiest. Ha! I got there like 5 minutes late because of Braden but I was told that he hit really good too. This is why there are no pics of him hitting. He almost filled the stands with spectators...Grandy, Grandma, Grannie, Pops, Mommy, and Braden were all there to watch. Daddy is helping the coach so he was out on the field. I tried to talk him into to coaching but he told me he really didn't have the patience for this age group. Ha! It is going to be a fun summer!

He looks very determined here.
Dusting the dirt off of his pants from his dirt slides.


Braden was really impressed with their grass. ha!
Grandy and Braden
Doesn't he look like a pro?


Grannie and Pops had a great time watching their oldest grandson play ball. They will have lots of ballgames to attend in their future with 3 grandboys!
Grannie and Braden


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Braden's 6 month pictures

Keep in mind when you look at these pictures that this was the first day that Braden started feeling bad. I didn't know it at the time but he had RSV. He was not his normal happy self and I was so worried that they wouldn't get any good pics of him. I was so wrong and was pleasantly pleased with the shots they got!











This next one is my absolute favorite.
Look at all of that drool...can you believe he still doesn't have any teeth?!

Look at those rolls...

This next picture is out of order but it was the last one she took. He had had enough...poor guy.

February

February has come and gone. Our family was blessed by the birth of Justin Patrick...our first nephew! I am beyond excited for my two boys, that they will now have a cousin (and another boy) to play with and grow up with! We were so glad to be able to be there for the birth and hate that we live so far away that we can't see him more.
Braden turned 6 months at the very end of the month. I can't believe that in another 6 short months we will be celebrating his first birthday. My how time flies with the second child.

Brotherly love!
Braden is learning how to use the sippy. Maybe I will have some luck with him drinking out of this since he won't take a bottle.
Connor is signed up for T ball and beyond excited for it to start! His first practice is this Saturday.
Celebrating Grandma's birthday!


We were blessed with a few warm days and were able to play at the playground.

Braden loved watching brother swing!

Taking a walk...
Introducing Justin Patrick Reckard... We are all so in love!
Braden's first swim in the pool at the Rec.
Watching cartoons and loving his exersaucer!
I love this morning shot!

January

I am so mad at myself for getting this behind on blogging that I have to title this...January. Here is most of what we did this month...sit inside and watch the snow fall. We got so much snow this month, and had a couple of snows in December too. Connor of course was in heaven. Braden starting having some issues with reflux this month. I am so happy to say that we now have it under control with medication. When I look back, he has had symptoms since he was a newborn but apparently it peaks around 4- 6 months which would make sense why we were having so many issues around this time. He is on Zantac now and there are days when he hardly spits up at all, which is a far cry from going through 4 changes of clothes, 10 burp cloths, and 15 bibs a day.

I can't believe how fast the boys are growing. Connor will be going to preschool next year, kindergarten the next and Braden is already half way to being a year old. They are so cute together and I just know they are going to be the best of friends!

I love this picture...you can get the full effect of how big Braden is. (He is 5 months in this picture)
Always so happy for his morning breakfast!

At a roller skating party for Lily (our neighbor).
It surprised me but Connor loved skating!
Our first big snow...not really a good snow for a snowman. It took us forever to make this one.
My little snow angel!






Connor is all about the Yankees these days! Grandy is so proud!