Brian & Ashley DeBruin

When You Lose a Baby...or two

2012-02-12T16:13:00.001-05:00

You don’t know what to expect.
People surround you. For a couple of weeks. Making sure you are not going to kill yourself, refuse to get out of bed, or start rocking a baby doll like the crazy lady they heard about from a friend.
You get lots of sympathy cards, clearly written and designed to be sent to console a daughter losing her father. Not the other way around.
You get free baby formula in the mail. For months and months and months.
And free baby magazines. And free baby coupons.
You secretly envy every pregnant woman. But not without a tinge of guilt, because you know all too well that she might be one in four- expecting her rainbow child.
It seems like the whole world is expecting a baby.
You have baby stuff around your home. Because you never imagined you wouldn’t need it.
You feel jarred. In the grocery store. At a birthday party. At the dinner table. At Christmas. Driving.
The baby you never knew, but lost changes every part of your life. Every. single. part.
Forever.
You see baby clothes and it brings tears to your eyes.
You get sick and tired of crying. You never knew it was possible to cry this much.
You find yourself angry at God. Angry at yourself. Just angry.
You sware you can feel them kick but they’re gone. They call them phantom kicks. I call them painful, all kinds of painful. But sweet too.
You know, or you have a strong feeling of knowing what your child would have looked like, and been like. You see a child in the store, or on the street. Their hair color, dimples, smile, their personality and suddenly you are reminded of your child. You miss your child even more, if that’s even possible.
Your Babies R’ Us Registry is still active. There is no delete button on their site. The babies r’ us people don’t make a dime on people like us. Why bother right? You have to call them, plead with them to remove your freaking’ registry, because there will be no baby shower. There is an awkward silence. There is sadness. There will be no baby.
You get hospital bills about 3-4 months after you buried your child. You have to pay for the baby you delivered but didn’t bring home.
You find that moment of happiness in life for the first time, but the guilt swallows it up almost immediately.
You remember the size of the casket. The size of the plot. The face of the funeral director. The expression of those that attended the funeral. The feeling of raw pain, like your chest has literally been ripped open.
Somehow you convince yourself that you deserve happiness. Because you really do. But in the happiest, purest moment, there is still that hole that only they were meant to fill.
People compare your pain to their own pain. The loss of their grandmother, husband, their failed marriage, rebellious teenagers. Somehow this comparing leaves you stranded. If they can compare their pain of a situation to the loss of your BABY, they will likely never get it. Babies are not supposed to die. End of story.
You lost a dream. And it almost feels like you imagined their entire existence up. Their name becomes a distant memory on the lips of others.
There is awkwardness when you talk about your child in a crowd. No one knows whether to cry, walk away or pretend you never brought him or her up.
You lose friends. You find new ones.
You can’t believe that women have actually survived this and you never knew about it. Not really, anyway.
You would do anything for another minute with your child.
You cry when others bring up your child, not so much because it hurts but more so because it such a precious and rare gift.
You long for the rewind button, even after many many instances of acceptance.
You want to know what went wrong, and why…
You find a new appreciation for moments in life that make you laugh… you laugh harder and love stronger.
You know that you can die bitter, or die thankful. There is no in between.
You never ever, EVER get over your child. The one you hoped for, prayed for, carried and loved for the weeks and months they were with you.
You learn to live with the pain.
You are better for having known them at all.

Slow Me Down, Lord

2012-02-09T16:41:00.001-05:00

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace. Give me, amidst the day's confusion, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking "minute vacations"... slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise; that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than measuring its speed.
Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew slowly and well. Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into the soil of life's endearing values ... that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Slow me down, Lord.

{Wilferd Arlan Peterson}

Tyler - 11 months Old

2012-02-07T16:51:00.002-05:00

Le Petite Bebe

2012-01-30T23:59:00.000-05:00

Saying Goodbye - Benjamin Leo

2012-01-30T12:54:00.001-05:00

What a difference time came make.....and then again there are some things that time can never do! Today is the day that I said goodbye to Ben. He returned to our heavenly father as the sweet angel he is! I miss him terribly....but 30 years from now that will still be the same. I found myself unable to sleep last night and crying as I remember my last moments with him. I was with him when he came into this world and I held him in my arms as he left it!

Benjamin Leo DeBruin

Jan 20-Jan 30 2010

Flying Tyler

2012-01-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

Sweater Vest

2012-01-06T14:50:00.001-05:00

Playing in the Morning

2012-01-02T11:35:00.001-05:00

Tyler's First Christmas - Rochester MN

2011-12-24T11:24:00.001-05:00

Grandmad DeBruin's Christmas Tree.....please note all the presents (we all said we were not going to buy anything for each other as we are all saving to go to Hawaii in July) I guess we forgot!
Mommy & Tyler....We went to church on Christmas Eve with the family which was really nice. Unfortunately daddy got really sick when we arrived in MN and he spent most of the week in bed!

"what you doing mommy?"

Tyler "eating" I mean unwrapping presents (this was not a present for her by the way)

Tyler & Grandma DeBruin (so sad these turned out blurry)

"Grandma....I want to wear your glasses"

Tyler, Aunt Wendy, Cousin Savannah & Brett

Cousins (Savannah 11, Brett 6, Tyler 9 months)

My favorite Nephew in the world. Brett is so creative. He loves to color, draw, and write stories. He is such a loving and sweet boy. He and I love to watch Phineas & Ferb together.

I have the cutest niece & nephew ever! So beautiful!

We have a special tradition that we go out to breakfast in our PJ's. We went to Perkins on the last day of my visit. It was so fun...but it was soooo cold!

My neice is soooo tall!

Savannah "Savvy" is the sweetest girl in the world. She is so beautiful and so smart. She is in middle school and she is doing so well. She loves to play volleyball and to go shopping!

"Home Alone Face"

Opening presents with the kids on Christmas Eve....they were going to their dads house on Christmas day so we spent Christmas Eve with them. It was a great night.

Uncle Barry turned 40 on Christmas Eve! All the grown ups went to dinner on 12/23 to celebrate his birthday...and then he got to open his birthday presents on Christmas Eve.

Uncle Barry and his fiance' Christy with Savannah...showing off their matching Hawaii shirts. Barry and Christy are getting married in Waliea Maui on July 22, 2012. We can't wait to celebrate with them!

Ash The Cat in Baby Jumper

2011-12-24T10:50:00.000-05:00

This is my sister-in-law Wendy's cat Ash.....she is the coolest cat! She likes to take rides in the baby stroller and then we put her in the jumper and she liked that too!

Tyler Standing

2011-12-13T21:23:00.001-05:00

Little Mermaid Jammies

2011-12-13T11:20:00.001-05:00

Burlington Ward Holiday Party

2011-12-10T10:54:00.000-05:00

Not the best picture or Grandma....but it was the only one I got that morning. The Burlington Ward had a pancake breakfast Christmas Party.
I LOVE this picture of Aunt Jackie & Haylie
Tyler's 2nd introduction to Tyler!

Haylie did not want to sit on Santa's lap but her mom made her!

I love this look!

Playtime in the Morning

2011-12-08T09:36:00.002-05:00

Christmas Cookie Party

2011-12-08T09:27:00.007-05:00

All set up for the cookie decorating party!
I had every kind of frosting & candy you could think of available to decorate with!

Our lives have changed so much over the last year.....there was probably more baby chasing than cookie decorating but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sam and her twins Braxton & Emma

Tyler's bestfriend Emma!

Everyone is on the move these days.

The finished product!

Tyler's Golf Pants

2011-12-08T09:22:00.000-05:00

I loved this outfit sooo much that I paid full price for it. I just love the golf style plaid pants!

Watching cartoons as always!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

2011-12-04T20:45:00.000-05:00

This is how the pictures started....Tyler was less then enthused to be all dressed up. She just wanted to play!

I get this look a lot when she doesn't want to do something or she is frustrated......this face is almost always accompanied by growling!
Starting to cooperate

Pretty girl

Boydie told me I should stand Tyler up against a wall to help her learn balance and to start walking. She did great standing all by herself.

Thank goodness for the smile!

"Mommy....this is what I think about taking pictures"

Fish Face

"Mom.....I am reading.....hello!"

She loves sucking her thumb

I love this smile......She is the greatest blessing in my life!

Tyler is Getting Bigger!

2011-11-28T22:43:00.002-05:00

I know I am biased...but I don't think I have ever seen anyone so beautiful!

Love this girl!

Taking pictures has gotten more difficult since she started crawling!

Crawling to the toy basket (plus I love the ruffles on her bum)

My beautiful girl in front of the Christmas Tree!

I love her face.....so determined!

Tyler & Santa

2011-11-26T22:29:00.001-05:00

The Four Seasons Mall in Greensboro always has a beautiful Christmas/Santa set-up and this year was no exception. We did have to wait in line for 1 hour but it was well worth the result! Tyler meeting Santa for the 1st time. I was not sure what to expect as there were plenty of kids crying but Tyler was facinated! Tyler very rarely meets a stranger anyway...but she loved staring at Santa (and he certaintly looked like the real deal)

This was the best one we could get but no smiles. I am sure the people walking through the mall were laughing hysterically at the antics of my mom, me, sean, and ashley jumping up and down...making faces....noise....you name it we did it, trying to get a smile.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T22:14:00.007-05:00

This was right before Grandma left to go back home to Florida! It is always hard to see my mom leave Tyler! There is nothing like the relationship for a girl and her Grandma!

I love this photo of us!

My mommy & brother

Sean and his girlfriend Ashley

Aunt Jackie, Sage & Haylie

The love of my Life!

Our Christmas Tree....It is decorated with 200 black & white photo's of Tyler....it was the best tree ever!

This is kind of a joke. I bought that hat as an impulse buy on Black Friday....when I tried it on her...it was obvious that it was too small....but I squeezed her big head into it for a picture!

I love that she is holding my hand!

Mommy & Tyler playing on the Floor the day after Thanksgiving! I was babysitting my friends kids Evelyn & Tommy. I was sooooo tired by the end of the day!

Grandma Taylor feeding Tyler her Thanksgiving Dinner!

Thanksgiving Dinner......I always do buffet style...it makes it so much easier for everyone! I really love cooking and because of that I tend to overdo it. I am in diet mode so I tried to behave myself!

Thanksgiving Feast....with roast beast!

Sitting around before dinner was ready!

Now that is a compliment to the chef!!!! (anyone that knows my papa....knows that this is a very common occurance)

Everyone relaxing after Thanksgiving Dinner

Teething again....

2011-11-21T22:09:00.001-05:00

Tyler's top two teeth are on their way in....

Tyler is Crawling

2011-11-15T11:44:00.000-05:00

Fashionist: Part 2

2011-11-15T10:10:00.001-05:00

My fashion girl aready!!! I think she should be Target's model for these clothes.!!!! That's right folks.....Tyler is crawling!!! She has also gotten pretty good at the pincer grasp (bringing your pointer finger and thumb together). She is able to grab little puffs off her tray and put them into her mouth. Very exciting. She also loves her sippy cups! Beware....don't even let her see a sippy cup during a meal or she will fuss,cry, and yell until you give it to her.....eating becomes impossible!

Not that Tyler needs anymore clothes...but when I saw this outfit at Target...I had to buy it. This is Gwen Stafanni's line of clothes. Very Japanese fashion inspired. It looked even cuter that anticipated on Ty! This is her new expression. She loves making this face!

This is Tyler's favorite toy....a lime juice bottle. She saw me cooking with it one night and has loved it ever since! Also please note her super cute baby rolls!

Saturday Morning!

2011-11-12T09:51:00.000-05:00

This is our Saturday morning routine! Playing in our pajama's until our first nap....then we get dressed for the day!

Again....I know I am totally biased....put I think she is the most beautiful girl in the world!

Thi is my solution for keeping her hair out of her eyes while eating breakfast!

Fashionista

2011-11-10T09:40:00.000-05:00

These were not the best pictures I have ever taken. The first had terrible lighting and the second was over-exposed! I guess you win some and lose some!

Even though the pictures were bad I had to put a couple up. This is a super cute outfit. She has cord pants and a super cute pea-coat style sweater.

Also....for the first time ever....Tyler's hair is not sticking up anywhere. Last night was the first night that she let me blow-dry her hair...which resulting in beautiful hair!!!

Tyler's 8 Months Old

2011-11-03T22:40:00.004-04:00

My sweet girl is 8 months old! She is becoming more and more active which is really fun to watch! She loves to eat...anything but blueberries and raspberries. She hates those flavors! It's funny cause I don't like blueberries either.

She is a great sleeper both night (11-12 hours) and day (2 naps 2-3 hours each). The only time she is fussy is right before she is due to sleep. She is a lot like her daddy! She needs her sleep. This is her reaction anytime daddy comes into the room. She watches him! She is truly a daddies girl! She is very patient with me taking pictures all the time.

She has two teeth on the bottom. She loves to touch them with her tongue. She is constantly messing with her teeth.... She also will bite you hard if you stick your fingers in her mouth.

She loves to blow raspberries at mommy when she is eating her food. When I stick my finger up to her mouth to be stern and say "no" "no" she just laughs. I have started teaching her baby sign language which is a slow process but one that I think will be helpful for Ty. She gets so frustrated when she can't communicate what she wants.

Tyler loves: stuffed animals, books (mostly for chewing), her giraffe, Mr. Bear (her lovey), sleeping, and bathtime, and having her hair blown dry!

Tyler hates: Having her hair fixed, putting her arms in her sleeves, eating in the morning, getting buckled into her car seat!

Milestones: She rocks back and forth to music, she is working on her pincer grasp, she gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth. She is making sounds but nothing that really sounds like anything although she has started having inflections. She loves music and dancing!

Tyler's 1st Halloween

2011-10-31T12:35:00.001-04:00

Our Sweet Puppy!

What is this?

You can kind of see her teeth in this picture!

She is so cute!

"mom...whats going on?"

She is a very healthy girl!!!! This picture kind of shows how long her hair is getting! She unfortunatley has a mullet thing going on right now. As soon as the top layer of hair gets longer I will cut it so it is all even!

Although I know Tyler will hate me for these in the future....what kind of mommy would be if I didn't have the occasional naked pictures!

Pumpkin Carving Party

2011-10-27T22:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Spooktacular Halloween! Everyone knows how much I love Halloween! I would love to have thrown a huge party but those days are gone! Instead we had some close friends over for dinner and a pumpkin carving contest. I made potato soup and pulled-pork sliders. Our friends brought oreo truffles in the shape of eyeballs, a pumpkin roll, and apples with carmel. These were the creations of the night! Pretty good!

Such a different dynamic this year.....all the dads were getting down and dirty carving the pumpkins while all us moms kept a listening ear out for babies.
Thanks to the Magee's, Schledorns, Mizes, Humphries, and Hesters for joining us.

The view from up above.

I had decorated my dinning room for Halloween so that we could eat dinner in there....but with people arriving at different times and the influx of kids running all around it was impossible. We all just ate where we stood or in the living room. Brian says casual is better anyway.

On another note: the night was not as much fun for me as I had hoped. Tyler threw her 1st big tantrum right before/during the party. There was nothing that I could do to console her....she just kept yelling at me and then crying. I ended up having to excuse myself and take her upstairs for a bottle and bedtime. Although this was the first I am sure it will not be the last! I handled it okay...considering..but I couldn't seem to get back into the spirit of things!

Playing In the Morning

2011-10-24T21:55:00.002-04:00

"what?"

I love her little devilish looks!

Tyler's Rattle

2011-10-24T16:30:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-22T22:06:00.008-04:00

It was a very fun day as a family! Next year Tyler will appreciate it more but it was great for me! Happy Halloween from The DeBruin's!

I don't think we will ever get a good family photo...

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive

"I pick this one"

"mom....what am I going to do with these...they don't fit in my mouth"

Tyler was not sure what to think about the pumpkins but we let her explore for a while! We had to cut it short because we were all wearing long sleeves and it got really hot!

I did not expect the hay ride but Brian was a good sport about the whole thing. it was probably the shortest hayride ever but the little kids really liked it. They dropped us off at a hay maze that led us into a bubble forest (walking though a path of trees with bubble machines blowing)

LOVE this picture. Such a daddy's girl!

This was my favorite part of the Pumpkin Patch. There were a few different animals that we could pet (goat, pony, rabbits, roosters) but the baby cow "Oreo" was so sweet and soft. As soon as I sat Tyler down next to her she the cow put her head in Tyler's lap. It was adorable!!

Tyler was less interested in the calf and more interested in trying to eat the hay!

Random Turkey!

Playtime: part 2

2011-10-21T21:59:00.000-04:00

Playtime: Part 1

2011-10-21T21:57:00.001-04:00

Saying Goodbye

2011-10-17T14:36:00.004-04:00

Boydie & Tyler (that look on her face is definite reminder that she is my baby. I was looking through my baby pictures and there is more than one with me pouting just like that!)

My boydie!

We had a big spaghetti dinner the night before Boydie went back to Canada. Brian loves Grandma's meatballs! It was nice to have everyone together! It didn't really hit me that Boydie was leaving until Haylie & Sage started to say goodbye. The tears started right away and I realized that this was goodbye for now. I know that I am luckier than most to have had my great-grandmother in my life for 30 years but it is always sad for her to go back to Canada. It seems like she just got here.

I am very grateful that she was able to spend time with Tyler. Special memories were created!

I started crying too when it was time to go! I may be a mommy but I am still a great-grandaughter and it was hard to see Boydie go. I love you Boydie! Aunt Jackie, Haylie, & Sage with Boydie!

Boydie & Haylie

They have a special relationship as Pat Pat watched Haylie when she was little and Boydie was there full-time. Boydie would do schoolwork with Haylie and they sat and watched birds all day long. This goodbye was really hard for Haylie.

Boydie & Sage

Friends

2011-10-15T13:27:00.005-04:00

This picture is amazing to me considering how different life was for all of us just one year ago! I am very blessed to be surrounded by such loving friends. I have found so much love and support from this group of women (never a shortage of laughs either).

Tracy & Baby Carlin (1yr), Nancy & Tommy (2yrs, Baby Evelyn 10weeks not pictured), Jeanne & Baby Jamison (6weeks), Carrie & Baby Ella (4-5 months), Me & Tyler, Sam & Babies Emma & Braxton (1 year). We also missed our friend Kristy as she was not able to come to the Pig Pickin.

Making Cupcakes

2011-10-15T11:56:00.001-04:00

We were invited to a Pig Pickin' so Tyler and I made Chocolate Carmel (snicker) cupcakes. I am trying different ways to make these so they are just perfect. So far I have the moistness just perfect but the carmel swirl needs to be more prominent and less messy.

Tyler asked me to tell everyone not to look at her hair as she just woke up! Her hair really does have a mind of its own. Brian and I both have a ton of hair....and she got that thickness paired with daddy's cowlicks. Not the best combination but it gets better every day.

These are her favorite toys right now since she is teething. The only other thing that she is missing is her sock monkey!

Tyler is a very good helper. She is always in the kitchen when I am cooking. I hope she develops a love of cooking like I do.

Pink Cowgirl

2011-10-10T20:35:00.000-04:00

Pink Cowboy Boots

2011-10-10T11:44:00.002-04:00

Our pink cowgirl!

Pat Pat bought Tyler a pair of pink cowboy boots! I think I am training her youg to have a love (okay maybe obsession) with shoes! I mean what's not to love!

I love shoes!!!

MVI 2405

2011-10-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

Tyler's 7 Months Old

2011-10-03T14:47:00.001-04:00

Tyler is 7 Months Old

(mommy has perfected pigtails)

Boydie & Pat Pat whistle to Tyler a lot and she has started trying to do it too! She puts her lips togther and blows spit out!!! Unfortunately I can't whistle at all...never could so she has to have daddy do it with her at home! She was in the middle of giggling

I love the month of October (maybe it is because jewel tones suit me the best)! I don't know why....but I love October and Halloween. This little outfit has a kitty with a witch's hat on plus her kitty fur bows!

7 month milestones

Tyler is an accomplished roller....anywhere she needs to go she does so by rolling

She also has no trouble sitting up on her own and she can transition to laying down from a sitting position.

Her hair is down the middle of her back

She giggles a lot

She is extremely ticklish

She sleeps 12 hours at night and she takes two naps during the day for 2.5-3 hours each

She has eaten a wide variety of foods...her favorites being pears and yogurt

She is finally cutting her 1st tooth on the bottom middle (broke through 10/9/11)

She loves her stuffed duck Eliott and her Littlest Pet Shop Panda

Her favorite toy besides her Jumperoo is her Backyardigans Guitar

She loves music and dancing

I think Tyler looks so much like me in this picture!!!

Mommy's 1st Yard Sale

2011-10-01T14:44:00.002-04:00

My community does a community wide yard sale twice a year. I have never participated before but thought it could be a good way to get rid of stuff that we don't need/want. I had hoped to get a picture of everything once it was set up but I underestimated the yardsale crowds.

I got everything ready the night before so all I had to do was open the garage and pull stuff out in the moring. The yard sales was scheduled to start at 7am. I was getting stuff set up at 6:15am when I had people show up and buy stuff! No time to take any pictures.

Tyler was still in bed asleep but she got up at 8am. It was an cold front in terms of weather and so I had her as layered as much as possible to keep her warm. Aunt Jackie & Haylie came to look at all the yard sales and then they hung out for a while. They even bought me biscuitville!!!!

Tyler's getting So Big

2011-09-30T14:43:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how fast time has flown by and how big my girl is getting! Pat Pat loves this outfit on her. I think it makes her look older...like she is ready to go to school!

1st Pair of real blue jeans

2011-09-29T14:32:00.002-04:00

The jeans were a little stiff (every girl knows that feeling)...hopefully they will losen up. Jeans are always better the second day.

Getting ready to eat breakfast and go to Pat Pat's house

I love all the stitching and detail on the jeans. They are very authentic...not like jeans with elastic in them for babies.

So tired!

2011-09-28T14:28:00.003-04:00

Tyler loves her jumperoo more than any other toy. She will jump in it until she falls asleep. This is a picture that Pat Pat took of her

Bad Hair Day....Again!!!

2011-09-25T10:40:00.003-04:00

I try to do Tyler's hair but it has a mind of its own!!!

Birthday Song

2011-09-24T15:51:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Sage!!!!

2011-09-24T10:47:00.002-04:00

We planned Sage's birthday party to be held at my pool. We had never tried that before because every year before the pool has already closed for the season....I guess for good reason! We arrived at the pool...got everything unloaded from the cars, everything decorated. The kids showed up and all the kids jumped into the freezing pool! No sooner had they done that that it started to thunder/lighting/rain. We had to leave the pool area. So the moms helped us load up all the cars and we relocated the party to my basement were we let the boys run around like crazy and keep themseleves entertained.

Beautiful Family Picture
Tyler loves balloons.

I love this picture!!!

Jackie had soda, chips, cookie cake (decorated by Sage) and a rice krispie cake (decorated by Haylie)

I think that Sage had fun which was all that was important

I had left Tyler home with Daddy when I went up to the pool because she was sick with a cold. since the party came to our house she was able to hang out when she woke up from her nap

She always wakes up with a smile on her face

Tyler & Boydie

2011-09-12T16:43:00.002-04:00

There is nothing in the world like a snuggle with Boydie!

Whenever Boydie talks or plays with Tyler she is all smiles. It's very funny!

I have so many wonderful memories with Great Grandma Boyd! There are not that many people that have the ooportunity to spend 29 years with their Great Grandmother. I remember baking chocolate chip cookies, her mom's fried potatoes, cabbage & ham, pies in every variety.

I also remember thinking the potty at her house was so funny because it had one of those foam seat cushions that was super soft! I remember that she always smelled like Olay lotion. We would walk from her house down the street to pick apples from the apple trees to make pies.

When I slept over at her house we would always wake up early and do our excersizes....she would dab egg whites on her face to help prevent wrinkles and she would always take me to Chuck E Cheese (only now do I realise what a huge thing that is...what a nightmare)

I guess this is all to say I Love You Boydie!!!!

Tyler's 6 Months Old

2011-09-11T21:54:00.010-04:00

I tried to do an impromptu photo shoot with Tyler after church. We were a few days late of her 6 month mark....but thats how it goes these days!

Tyler started being able to sit by herself shortly after we got back from Florida in August. She was wobbly for a couple of weeks but quickly learned to balance herself.

My brown-eyed Girl!!!

This is the devilish look that scares me for the future.

Buddah Belly

I saw a picture of a baby's back in a magazine but my version did not turn out like that at all. Thought I would keep it anyway!

She looks like Brian in this picture!

My baby has rolls upon rolls upon rolls!!!

After Church!

2011-09-11T21:43:00.002-04:00

Quack Quack!!!

This picture really doesn't do this dress justice but it was the best that I could manage. Among many other more important reasons that having a baby girl is the best....are the clothes!

Tyler's Many Faces...again

2011-09-11T10:25:00.001-04:00

Smiley

Flirty

Coy

I'm done!

Pig Tails!

2011-09-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness Tyler is so beautiful on her own. This was my 1st attempt at pigtails (sad I know!). I know what you are thinking....how hard could it be? But I will tell you that I am struggling with Tyler's straight hair. With my hair being SUPER curly, if you put it in a ponytail...it stays there! I am finding with straight hair it is difficult to smooth and then hair eventually starts to fall out of the ponytail holders!

I also have to say that Tyler is a good sport about having her hair washed...most mommy's don't have to worry about washing their babies full head of hair and then making sure it is dry before bed. Tyler does not really love people messing with her hair (just like mommy) so I am trying to get better at getting it right the first time.

Go Steelers Go!

2011-09-09T16:30:00.000-04:00

Daddy is a Steeler's fan (most days...) so he is starting Tyler young.
Love the socks that look like little MaryJane shoes

Sitting up on her own!

Waking Tyler Up in the Morning

2011-09-09T07:30:00.000-04:00

PJ Party

2011-09-08T23:49:00.001-04:00

Our friends came over for our weekly bible study (small group). Since all of the kids are getting to the point where they don't want to stay in their car seats we all have to put the kids down to sleep before we can get started. Emma & Braxton got to our house a little early to pay with Tyler!

Mom...you are a little close....I need some personal space!

My girl...already trying to take charge....now Braxton this is how you play with this toy!

I admit....I don't have a clue when it comes to buying age appropriate toys for Tyler...so what has been happening is that when we go play with Emma & Braxton at their house I watch to see which one of their toys Tyler likes and then I go buy the. (imitation is the greatest for of flattery). So it is no big surprise that Emma & Braxton feel right at home in the middle of the toy pile! Everyone playing before bedtime!

Tyler & Daddy

2011-09-05T23:11:00.001-04:00

Tyler is definitely a daddy's girl already...then again what's not to love!

I am not sure if she is trying to watch TV or if she was trying to look at the ceiling fan!
These two are very difficult to get pictures of together (I blame daddy)

Monday night football! GO STEELERS (actually I can't remember who was playing but daddy is training her young)

Tyler has been teething on and off for a while. She loves Sofie the giraffe (renamed Gerry by daddy). She naws on his nose and ears. Thanks Uncle Barry and Christy for the present!

The are super cute together. Seeing Brian in a father role has made me fall in love with him all over again. When we were dating I never had any doubt about his ability to be a great father but seeing it in action is more than I ever hoped for!

Aunt Char Char's Visit

2011-09-04T16:08:00.003-04:00

Have your people, call my people!

I love my Aunt Char Char!

Great Aunt Char Char came for a quick visit after she went to the football game!

Mommy...seriously stop taking pictures of me!!!

Tyler & Emma

2011-08-30T15:57:00.000-04:00

Best Friends 4Ever!

Magee Twin's 1st Birthday!

2011-08-27T15:07:00.006-04:00

The Magee's (Shawn, Sam, Emma, & Braxton)

Tyler & Braxton playing together. Even though Braxton got a bunch of cool toys he was more interested in playing with the bags the toys came in!

Happy 1st Birthday Emma!!! (big sister)

Happy 1st Birthday Braxton! (little brother by a minute or two)

The group shot

(Chris, Jakes, Brian, Dave, Carrie, and Kristi)

We hate that the picture is blurry but it was the only one we had with Sam & Tyler

Carlin is learning to walk!!!! Hooray!Playtime with all the kids

Tyler & Julianne

2011-08-25T15:00:00.003-04:00

Both of the babies waking up from a nap at Pat Pat's house.

Nap Time

Playing in the morning

2011-08-23T23:32:00.000-04:00

Tyler has gotten very good at tummy time! She is an old pro!
Please ignore the bad hair day as she just woke up and she HATES to have her hair brushed!!!

Arn't those pants/skirt just the cutest! Thank you to Grandma DeBruin for buying them for Tyler. I love that leggings are in because I think skirts kind of look weird on babies.

Grandma DeBruin & Me

2011-08-22T23:09:00.000-04:00

I love snuggling with my Grandma DeBruin! She always loves on me!
Kisses from Grandma!

Again Jeanne looks like a model! I have never taken a bad picture of her. Tyler on the other hand is sporting mommy's famous pout!

This is my favorite picture of Tyler & Jeanne from this trip. It was not planned and it just shows so much love between them.

Grandma singing Tyler to sleep....

night night baby!!!!

It was so great to have mom & dad DeBruin down to visit. It is sad that we don't live closer together but that makes the time we do get together that much sweeter. Brian & Wayne went golfing and Jeanne & I went shopping (I honestly have no idea where Barry was? I guess that happens as the youngest child). Then we all went out to eat at PF Changs (so yummy). Tyler was such a sweet girl. So far so good as far as her restaurant behavior goes. I have been super lucky when it comes to restaurants and airplanes!

Grandma & Grandpa DeBruin

2011-08-22T22:55:00.000-04:00

I always say that my mother-in-law is the most photogenic person I know. It doesn't matter when/where/how you take a picture of her....she always looks beautiful.
The second day they were here we went swimming at the pool It was pretty fun to hang out in the sun and talk. Tyler loves the pool so she took a little nap in her floaty. Uncle Barry & Grandpa said that Tyler looks a lot like Great-Grandma Despard (Jeanne's mom). It is so neat to see so much of both sides of the family in Tyler. As Brian would say...duh!

Trying to get three people to look at a camera all at once is impossible!

Grandpa DeBruin & Me

2011-08-22T22:40:00.000-04:00

I am always happy to be spending time with my Grandpa DeBruin! He is the best!
It was so nice having Grandma & Grandpa come to visit. The first night they were here we went out to dinner at Mellow Mushroom and then we went & played putt putt golf. It was past my bedtime so my mommy put me in my sling and wore me around the golf course. She played with one hand. She even came in 2nd to last....she beat Grandma DeBruin!

Nothing better than snuggling with my Grandpa!!!

Meeting Uncle Barry

2011-08-22T15:50:00.003-04:00

This is my Uncle Barry! He is my daddy's baby brother! Well in truth he is my daddy's only brother. He brought me all kids of cool presents!Uncle Barry was super fun...when he wasn't on the phone or computer (just kidding)

Thank you to Uncle Barry's girlfriend for all the super cute clothes, sunglasses, french giraffe!!!! Tyler loved everything!
She looks like she just got caught! (goodness knows that is a face I will probably see a lot if she is visiting with Uncle Barry).
I wish Tyler was smiling more so you could see her dimples. DeBruin dimples were the one trait that I 100% wanted my babies to have.
Are we done yet!

Tyler & Uncle Sean

2011-08-16T23:59:00.004-04:00

I love Uncle Sean (time to change your facebook picture uncle sean....you promised)
My mommy keeps telling me that Uncle Sean is her baby brother....but that does not make sense since he is so much bigger than my mom. He is a super fun uncle because he plays with me, he makes funny faces with me, and I am his favorite niece (forget the fact that I am his only niece!)
This is a great picture of Sean...not so good of Tyler

Wow!!! My Uncle Sean just told me something unbelievable!

Tyler's face cracks me up in this picture. She reminds me so much of Brian!

1st Beach Day: Part 2

2011-08-16T23:59:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Daytona Beach! Not the best picture but I thought I would try so I would have something for Tyler's scrapbook. If you look to my left you will see the Daytona International Speedway. I am not much of a nascar fan but still pretty cool to see up close.
Thankfully both the DeBruin's and the Foss's are BEACH People so Tyler was bound to love being at the beach. She loved it from the start!

Thank you to Uncle Sean who is Tyler's unofficial papparazzi. He does a great job of taking hundreds of pictures which provides me with some great shots!

Mommy & Tyler @ New Symrna Beach, FL

I think it is pretty obvious how in love I am with Tyler. I still can't believe she is here with me. I am constantly staring at her and wondering how I got so lucky!

1st Beach Day: Part 1

2011-08-16T15:19:00.020-04:00

2011-08-16T13:35:00.001-04:00

Playing with Uncle Sean
They both have freakishly long tongues!

Watching Uncle Sean from across the room.

Tylers's 1st Beach Trip

2011-08-15T09:59:00.000-04:00

Tyler's 1st Trip To Florida

2011-08-14T12:56:00.005-04:00

Playing with Grandma Taylor......
This was Tyler's first trip to Florida to visit Grandma. I was interested to see how she would do on the plane this time since she is older and more wiggly than her 1st plane ride. She was good as gold! She liked looking out the window and she slept the rest of the time.

She liked snuggling on the couch in Grandma's blanket. I tried to lay her down to sleep like this put she was not very interested in napping that way.

Every mom has to take a few naked pictures of their babies! I promise not to bring these out with any future boyfriends!

At 1st I thought Tyler was going to have a flat butt like Brian....but she has been cursed with my bubble butt! She has super cute birthmarks on her butt & hip!

Playing with Uncle Sean. He taught/encouraged her to blow rasberries! It was really cute at first but now that she is eating more solid food it can be a challenge.

Grandma gave Tyler this duck. It was one of my baby toys that she had saved. The duck's name is Elliot! My mom spent most of the week making "Quack Quack" noises.

Blowing Rasberries!

Chi Omega Mini Reunion

2011-08-13T23:47:00.003-04:00

Getting ready to go to the Chi Omega reunion in Tampa. Please note she is wearing an Owl Bow. Definitely a future Chi O girl! I think if you look at her hand closely you can see her fingers making a "Go Bulls" symbol!!!!
Yes, she also has an owl dress on too!

I love this picture of Me and My little with our little(s).
Vivian & Me
Callie & Tyler

This is my Little Sister in the sorority Vivan. I knew I wanted her as my little as soon as I met her. She was so much fun and she was a great Chi Omega. I am so lucky to have her in my life. It was really neat that we were able to spend time together during my visit to FL.

Tyler & Emma

2011-08-03T23:40:00.002-04:00

Best Friends!

I am a sap for chick flicks...its true! One of my favorites is Bride Wars. I hope that Emma and Tyler can be friends for a long time. Having moved around so much I never had a lifelong friend and I always wanted that. I love the idea of having a trusted friend to spend your life with.

p.s. Braxton is playing in the background. Don't worry he is not left out of the playing....he just wasn't that interested in Tyler.

Emma has 6 months on Tyler so she is pretty mobile at this point. Still it is fun to watch the babies interact. Emma and Braxton are interested in Tyler's hair so us mommies have to keep an eye out for accidental hair pulling.

Tummy Time!!!

2011-08-01T18:05:00.000-04:00

Tyler Chronicles: 5 Months

2011-08-01T16:30:00.004-04:00

The Loves of my Life!!!!!
She is a daddy's girl already!!!! Tyler looks so much like Brian. Thank goodness I married a great looking guy!

I always have to find creative ways to get pictures of Tyler and I together. This is the creative work of my camera tripod, timer, and living room ottoman. I loved this outfit on Tyler. Leggings are definitely in style for kids! I love my little girl. She is definitely fun to hang out with.

"hi mommy" "hmmm....now if I can just get out of here I can take over the world"

"hoo" are you looking at!!!

Family Photo

2011-07-31T16:28:00.002-04:00

Our Little Family

Thank goodness for the tripod....it is the only way to get pictures of all three of us. Brian doesn't love taking staged pictures but we looked really good before church!

Caroline Baby Shower - Part 1

2011-07-30T16:20:00.001-04:00

The gift table before the guests arrived. As you can see....Catherine is peeking out from behind our presents. We hosted Caroline's shower at Bravo Italiano Cuccina! The most important consideration for Caroline's shower was FOOD. Caroline is a very tiny girl but she loves to eat good food. Then again...who doesn't!
Catherine was in charge of the cupcakes and she did a great job! She got these from a cupcake shop in Randleman! There were red velvet, mocha, vanilla, and snickers. I have to tell you...the snickers cupcake was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. This says a lot because I love food especially sweets!!!! If anyone ever needs cupcakes....I highly recommend them!

Caroline's nursery is super modern and super cute. I needed a theme to work with for the shower so she has a set of sheets with really modern owls that I went off of. Not to "themey"!

I saw this duck the morning of the shower and I just had to buy it for Caroline. Anyone that knows Caroline knows her love of plastic ducks!!!

I loved these napkins!!!!

The two frames...

1) Owl love you forever

2) Welcome baby

One of my favorite gifts was the ceramic owl bookends!!!!

I think everything turned out so beautiful!!!

I made the placemats out of 12x12 scrapbook paper in modern prints

This was the complete table setting!

These were the shower favor's for all the guests. They are owl sugar cookies....yes you can eat them. I have a lot of people ask me where I got them. Link below: http://www.tscookies.com/

I made the menu cards to match the invitations

The flowers were soooo beautiful. Caroline loves hydrangeas!!! Anyone looking for a florist in Greensboro should call Botanica

Anyone who knows me....knows how much I love setting beautiful tables.....

Guests had just started arriving...

Jody (left) and Catherine (right)

Tracey (left) and Caroline (right)

Baby bumps! Baby Krumroy (coming soon Jan 2012) and Baby Wilson (coming SOON)!

Caroline & Jody

the eating begins.....

We played two games...

1) Baby trivia

2) Baby shower candy bar game

Caroline Wilson's Baby Shower - Part 2

2011-07-30T16:06:00.005-04:00

Caroline & her niece Gabby
Such a pretty girl!

Gabby displaying some of Caroline's gifts "diaper changing pad"

Gabby helping Aunt Caroline opening her presents!

Every girl needs....diamonds.....I mean BOTTLES!

teethers!!!!

Toys!!!!

Caroline likes to read and I know she wanted a big library for her baby so.....I asked each guest to bring a book with their name inside instead of a card.

Swaddlers....i think!

sleepsack!!!

The Gift Table

Tyler Chronicles: So cute!

2011-07-27T16:02:00.002-04:00

Such the pretty girl inside and out!

It is amazing how fast she is growing! She doesn't even look like a baby any more. People that don't know her definitely think that she is older.

Tyler Chronicles - My lamby

2011-07-24T21:47:00.000-04:00

"Don't even think about it....this is my lovey!"

I have tried to introduce Tyler to lots of different textures! Thank you to Grandma DeBruin for this super soft lamb lovey. Tyler just loves it! She is still to small to have a baby to go to bed with (choking/breathing hazard) but once she gets older I will let her take it to bed with her.

Tyler is relaxing in her swing before bed in her yellow jammies and with her lamb lovey! You can tell she really loves it cause it goes straight into her mouth!

Tyler Chronicles - Grandma Taylor's Ladybug Outfit

2011-07-24T21:35:00.001-04:00

No bow in the hair equals her hair in her eyes! The pain of beauty I guess.

Hi Grandma! I am growing like a weed so this was the first/last time I will be able to wear this outfit. But I did you proud and threw up on it so it was truly loved!

Family Photos: Foss Family

2011-07-09T21:14:00.000-04:00

Some people have asked where we took the pictures. This is my Grandma Pat & Papa's house! It is a view of the pond and horse pasture! The pictures turned out fantastic!

Family Photos: All the Grandkids!

2011-07-09T21:02:00.000-04:00

The whole gang together with our grandparents All 9 of us. Ashley-29, Sean-21, Colby-21, Jordan-14, Jackson-11, Sage-11, Haylie-8, Larsen-6, Logan-3

Grandparents/Great Grandma-old (enough said)

Family Photos: My Loves!

2011-07-09T16:43:00.000-04:00

The DeBruin's July 2011

I think this is our 1st family photo together since we left the hosptial. Not to bad if I do say so myself! It is still hard for me to believe that we have Tyler. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us!

This is a rare photo of Brian. He hardly ever smiles in photos but Aunt Buddy was saying something funny (I think??) and we were all laughing.

My brother Sean, My mom, Me, Tyler, & Brian! Please ignore the fact that my white shirt is pulled up (would have been great if someone had told me) oh well!

Family Photos: Aunt Buddy, Uncle Tom, Jordan, Jackson, Larsen, & Logan

2011-07-09T16:31:00.002-04:00

I think Uncle Tom was dying from the heat. It fetl like it was 150 degrees out there.

The day before pictures all us girls went and had pedicures! It was such a fun time to spend with the girls. Jordan reminded me that the 1st time she had had a pedicure was 5 years ago the day before my wedding. I took her with me to the salon.

I felt like I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Jordan this time which was so great. We practice music for her singing at Haylie's baptism and made Oreo Truffles at 1am in the morning. She is such a sweet, beautiful girl. I can't wait to hear how her 1st year of high school goes.!

Aunt Buddy's family is just gorgeous! Brian and I really admire their parenting style and we hope to be half as good as they are.

Everyone was so excited to have Boydie here. We all wanted to make sure we had our picture taken with her. She was definitely the star of the day!

Family Photos: Aunt Jackie, Sage, & Haylie

2011-07-09T16:13:00.002-04:00

This picture I snapped by accident but it turned out to be the best one! The sweetest brother & sister.

They did not want to hug each other

Haylie & Sage suffering through taking sweet pictures together. They were ready to be done with the picture and go play with their cousins.

Jackie & Sage

Jackie & Haylie

This is a great picture of their family.

Family Photos: Lights, Camera, Action

2011-07-09T16:10:00.002-04:00

Aunt Buddy said it looks like we were shooting a movie. The truth is....it was so hot we were all sweating to death. The umbrellas provided a small amount of relief...especially for Boydie....after all she is 92 years old.

Family Photos: Random shots

2011-07-09T16:02:00.002-04:00

Grandma Pat, Haylie, Boydie, Papa, Sage, & Jackie

Colby, Grandma Pat, Aunt Char, & Boydie

Family Photos: The Original 6 + Boydie

2011-07-09T15:49:00.003-04:00

Grandpa & Grandma Foss + Boydie (first row)

Kathe Taylor, Buddy Roberts, Charlene Foss, & Jackie Foss (2nd row)

My grandparents were pair ice skaters....they fell in love, got married, and the rest is history. They had all of their daughters in Buffalo, NY and they moved to NC when my mom was ~15 years old.

My favorite story they have told me from when they lived in Buffalo....was the water hose fight they had in the house while papa was at work.

Grandma, Papa, and Boydie had no idea what their girls were doing!
I am so lucky to have grown up with our family. It is funny because no matter which Aunt I was spending time with...each one would ask me.... "Who's your favorite Aunt?" which my reply was always "you!" I'm not stupid!!!

Family Photos: Five Generations

2011-07-09T15:45:00.002-04:00

Five Generations of Women!

It all started with Boydie (Ilene Boyd).....

then came her 1st daughter Patty....

then came her 1st daughter Kathe...

then came her 1st daughter Ashley...

and saving the best for last, came her 1st daughter Tyler

"As I have loved you, love one another"

Family Photos: Aunt Char & Aunt Buddy

2011-07-09T15:38:00.002-04:00

Aunt Char & Aunt Buddy. I think this picture shows great personality
Beautiful Women!

Family Photos: Aunt Char & Colby

2011-07-09T15:16:00.002-04:00

This was my favorite picture of Aunt Char & Colby!

My cousin Colby is such a gorgeous girl! She is a junior at U. of Texas, Austin. Go Longhorns!!

Colby was so kind to model for me so I could get the camera set up!

Family Photo

The doggies are Petra & Giselle with their mommy Colby

I Love Grandma Taylor

2011-07-08T14:51:00.002-04:00

I love this picture. Such a sweet moment!

Good morning hugs & kisses from my Grandma Taylor

Kisses from my Gram

Mommy...stop taking pictures....my hair looks silly!

I love my Grandma Taylor. Kissy face or fish face...only she knows!

1st Solid Food

2011-07-07T23:00:00.002-04:00

All cleaned up and ready to play!

Don't worry, Bee Happy!

okay mommy..I am done. My thumb is better than oatmeal.

Thats my happy girl!

hello!

Love all the faces she made throughout the process

As you can see she probably has more on her face than in her belly but thats okay. Her pediatrition said that solid food at this age is just for practice...so she can learn how to move food from front to back with her tongue. We started with oatmeal vs rice cereal because I was worried that the rice cereal would constipate her due to some experience with rice starch formula.

The first few bites she didn't really know what to do or what to think...but in true DeBruin style she dove right in to food.

Her bib was a present from Grandma Taylor and is a picture of the space shuttle. Pretty fitting because while I was feeding TJ the space shuttle lifted off on the last mission of the space program as we know it. Pretty historic...but I wasn't really paying attention as I was more interested in watching Tyler each.

I was so excited to feed her solid food. I guess it is just another milestone like many that I am anxious for her to experience. I plan on making all my own baby food for cost/nutrition reasons. I don't have strong feelings about fresh vs. store bought food....but since I got pregnant I knew I wanted to make my own baby food. Maybe it is because I like to cook in general.

Grandma Taylor & Me

2011-07-07T22:48:00.002-04:00

Although grandma is looking at me.....I am looking at my friend the ceiling fan!

I was so happy for my Grandma Taylor to get here. Mommy and I went and picked her and Uncle Sean up at the train station early in the morning. Grandma could not put me down!

Playing at the Park

2011-07-06T23:17:00.005-04:00

I was really sad I didn't get any pictures of Jackson, Sage, and Haylie....

Larsen making his way across the wiggly disc things!!!! (yes that is a technical term)

Logan being a ham!!!!

Logan was a wild man....he was not afraid of anything on the playground....he definitely kept me on my toes running back and forth. I was especially nervous because Aunt Buddy's kids seem accident prone and I didn't want anyone to get hurt on my watch.

A lot of people don't know but I am the oldest grandchild out of 9...older by quite a bit. I am 29 and the yougest is 3. I am kinda more of an unofficial aunt than a cousin...at least thats how I feel. I love having all my cousins around. I took 5 of the kids out for the afternoon. We started at the park but it was sooooooo hot that we detoured to the inside bounce house place in the mall. We finished up the afternoon with frozen yogurt.

Meeting my Great Aunt Buddy & 2nd cousin Jordan

2011-07-06T22:46:00.006-04:00

She thinks Boydie is so funny. Also lavender is my favorite color on Tyler......

Playing with Great-Great Grandma Boydie and Jordan!!!

My girl is always smiling. She has such a happy, sweet disposition. She smiles more than she does anything else.

Tyler looks so much like Brian in this picture. It is funny to think how quickly time has passed. I remember when Jordan was this age. I was 15 years old when Jordan was born. Jordan was a flower girl in my wedding and now she is a teenager and holding my baby. The Lion King was right....Circle of Life!!!

Two beautiful girls. Can you believe they are 2nd cousins!!!

All Tyler could talk or think about was meeting all of her Great Aunt's and 2nd Cousins. Afterward she told me it was even better than expected. She loved play with Aunt Buddy and Jordan

Tyler Chronicles - 4 Month Doctor Visit

2011-07-06T22:25:00.004-04:00

4 month Well-Baby visit with Doctor Wheeler

Such a sweet girl. Here she is rocking a Victoria Beckam (posh spice) hairdo!
Tyler is always a sweet girl for her doctor. She cooperates and doesn't cause much trouble....especially considering that Mommy always has a laundry list of questions for the doctor. Tyler got her 2nd round of immunizations and she although she screamed...as soon as I picked her up it was like nothing had happend. Later in the day Great Aunt Buddy touched her leg where she got her shots and she started to cry so I guess she was a little sore.

Tyler weighed 15lbs 10 ounces (99th percentile)
Tyler was 23.5 inches long (99th percentile)
Her head was 16 inches in circumference.

I have a very healthy girl.

The Obstacle Course

2011-07-06T21:50:00.001-04:00

This pretty much sums it up!

This was the air t-ball station....fun yes, BUT everytime one of the kids was playing there I felt like I was going to be sick. There was no safety net or anything so when the kids swung the bat it could very easily hit other kids. This did end up happening once....no blood so we were okay.

Despite the slide....Logan went into the obstacle course again and again and again....each time he would have a blast until he would get to the top of the slide only to have cousin Ashley come up and get him.

Again & again & again......

This was THE SLIDE (insert ominous music)....Logan got to the top of the rock wall and sat at the top of the slide. He kept yelling I can't I can't. Larsen and I tried everything to get him to come down. I finally had to climb up the slide as far up as I could...stretch my arms as high as I could so I was touching his feet...and he finally would slide down. He thought this was so fun!

Logan was so excited until he got to the top and saw what came next!

The biggest challenge the inflatable rock wall. I though this might slow Logan down...but not a chance. He is a fearless little guy which must come from having two older brothers.

and they are off....

Larsen & Logan racing through the Obstacle Course. Larsen was a very good sport about staying with Logan the whole time

Side note: This was a detour in our afternoon. We had started out at the park but it was so hot that we went to the bounce house. Pretty funny but socks are required for this place and the only one who had socks was Larsen...who was sporting his socks and sandles look proudly. So we went across the mall to a shoe store and bought everyone socks....

MVI_0954.MOV

2011-07-06T21:13:00.000-04:00