Florida Day 2, Fort Pickens

The beach and Fort Pickens; sounds like a great time, until there was no place to park close to the public access so once we did park, our walk to the water included walking up hill, in the sand, climbing a concrete wall and continuing to walk for over a mile. Holy Moses, it was hot! I blew out my flip flop and we had SO MUCH STUFF to carry; chairs, cooler, towels, umbrellas, umbrella stands, baby toys, baby pool, baby… I felt like I was in the desert. Once we got there, we tried to make the most of it and forget about the walk back. It will forever be known as the Beach from Hell :o)

Brennon's first time in the ocean!

Florida with the McNulty’s!

Friday, June 3, Day 1

Brennon and I headed to the airport around 8:30AM. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:20 and I wanted plenty of time to get through security. Gamma took us inside, cried a little and then Brennon and I got all checked in and through security without a problem. Just as I was attempting to make Brennon a bottle and give him a snack, I heard my name being paged over the airport intercom- strange. I went up to the desk at our gate and the nice man working for Continental, proceeded to tell me that the plane was delayed over 45 minutes and I wasn’t going to make my connection in Huston. Awesome. He then offered another connection, in Huston, with a 6 hour layover- ummm, no thanks. So then, he began looking for other flights, with other carriers, and told me to go sit back down. I had just enough time to finish the bottle and get out Brennon’s snack, when I was once again paged. I attempted to pack everything back up, Brennon knocked all of the food onto the floor and walk back to the desk. The next flight was with Delta, in another terminal, with a 50 minute layover in Atlanta, at 12:38. Super awesome. So, Brennon and I called Gamma back to pick us up and take us to get some breakfast, while we waited for the next flight. The time was approaching 10AM and my child who had been awake for almost 3 hours, had not yet had his morning nap or any substantial amount of food. We decided on Panera and once inside, Brennon was a cranky mess. I held him the whole time, we ate quickly and just before leaving, Brennon knocked the entire table over.

Having had such a splendid day thus far, we headed back to the airport to continue to press my luck. Once reaching the Delta security gate, the first officer attempted to give me a hard time about my printed Delta ticket, on Continental paper. She must have thought I was going to lose it, because she went ahead and stamped it and let us through. Also, I am all about airport security, but they were very extensive. Not only was scanning my bags not enough, but they emptied both of them, took my stroller apart and swabbed everything. We waited for what seemed like forever and Brennon was so tired and cranky. The majority of people were business people and I could tell that they were REALLY excited to see me and my son waiting for the same airplane. People in airports are so interesting. I love people watching and the airport is the best place to do so. I would be an air marshal in a heartbeat. Just my luck, the plane was totally full, but a really nice lady switched me places so that I could sit in the front where there was the most leg room. Brennon was SO GOOD on the flights. Right after takeoff to Atlanta, he fell asleep and stayed asleep until landing. After landing in Atlanta, we sat on the tarmac over 20 minutes before pulling into the gate. Again, I could tell that people were really excited that I had a cranky baby with me in the plane where the heat was rising by the minute. Please remember that I opted for the 50 minute layover at one of the biggest airports in the nation, thinking that would be more convenient. Once we finally got off the plane and loaded up the stroller, Brennon needed food and a new diaper badly. Luckily the next gate was literally right across from the previous and I ran to check in. The lady asked for my boarding pass, which I was confused about, because not only did I not yet have it, but why would she need it? She then proceeded to tell me that the entire plane to Pensacola had already boarded and I needed to get moving, if I was going. This is when I knew that I was having the best day ever. Luckily, she was able to scan my previous boarding pass and Brennon and I walked swiftly down the gate, grabbed our bags and struggled to find a seat. Again, the entire plane was full. We finally found a seat between a couple, who refused to sit next to each other and I sat between them, with my hot, wet, cranky son for 30 more minutes. Again, Brennon fell right to sleep AGAIN- God love him. The flight was so fast, that they didn’t even have time to pass out snacks or drinks. We arrived early in Pensacola, Florida at 4:04PM. Hallelujah!

Memorial Day

We spent a fun filled Sunday with the Puett's! My dad made really yummy grilled chicken and Aunt Leslie made a fresh and scrumptious broccoli salad.

Grandad had to go buy the "correct" hardware to hang Brennon's toddler swing from our deck. I'm pretty sure Brennon would have let Grandad push him all day long!

Good Day, Sunshine!

It was REALLY hot today. When Brennon and I went to the grocery store my car said it was 96 degrees outside! So, Brennon and I purchased a baby pool- it's good practice for the beach. He played in it for about 20 minutes this evening, before he decided that eating grass would be more fun. Some of the pictures are foggy becasue it took my camera awhile to ajust to the humidity.

Sappy Mother's Day

I was feeling a little reflective this evening...
I hope all past, present and future Mommies felt loved today. I sure do.

To My Brennon,
You have forever changed my life. Being your Mommy has given true meaning to my life. You are only 9 months old and I am already excited about all you have accomplished. Your smile lights up my heart and your joy is contagious. I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for you. I am so proud and feel so privileged to be your Mommy.


To My Mom,
Thank you isn't ever enough. You have taught me more things than I can name. Thank you for never giving up. You’re perseverance is a quality that I admire in you so much and I genuinely appreciate all of your sacrifices. My success in life is a reflection of the excellent job you’ve done as a parent. Thank you for your unwavering support throughout my journey. You’re belief, love and confidence in me is valued and cherished. Thank you for always having hope for me when I didn’t have for myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a million things, for everything.


To My Step-Mom,
Your never ending patience and kindness are enviable. You've shown me a true love for educating young children, which I never knew to be my forte. The way that you stand true and clear to your faith is marvelous. Thank you for choosing my Father as your partner. You make him a better person. Thank you for giving me a Sister, a friendship that I'll have for a lifetime. You’re grace and serenity is truly unmatched.


To My Mother-In-Law,
There aren't enough ways to say thank you for raising the incredible man, that I am lucky enough to call my loving husband. Your strength and dignity seems endless and is very admirable. Thank you for all you have done for us, all of the help you've given and times you've lent a listening ear. I am tremendously grateful for the job you have done.


To My Other-Mothers; Granny, Aunt Leslie and Aunt Tracie,
Thank you for being there for me in ways that no one else can; keeping secrets, giving advice and supporting me along the way. Your words are always with me. You've shown me what it means to be a family, how to have stick-to-itiveness and you all define a spirited woman. Thank you for always being proud of me.

Attempt at Coloring Part 1

Exploring...

Contemplating...

EATING-Yuck!

Just handsome.

Hoppy Easter!

Saturday Night Phone Call...

Gamma: Can Baby dye Easter eggs?

Me: It’s 8PM! (Like whatever I’m going to say matters)

Gamma: He can take a nap on the way here. (She lives literally 2 miles from our house)

Exploring (insert crunching noises)

Vinegar, yum!

 

 

DISCLAIMER: I would never put my diaper Baby in a basket, with Easter eggs and grass. My mom made me. For real.

 

 

(To the tune of, 12 Days of Christmas)

 

On the first day of Easter, my crazy family bought for me…

1 box of diapers,

2 pairs of Elmo socks,

3 toddler crayons,

4 Easter baskets,

5 bath time toys,

6 sand toys,

7 other toys,

8 Easter eggs,

9 books,

10 hugs,

11 kisses,

And 12 pieces of summer clothing!

The kisses and hugs are actuallly an underestimate, but everything else is legit. I’m honestly a little embarrassed to post these pictures. Although it is all very much appreciated and loved, my child should not have such an accumulation from Easter! I’m worried that we’ll have to move after his birthday...

For Brennon's next trick, he will be inserting an entire plastic egg into his mouth, while surrounded by all of his Easter goodies.

9 on 9 on 9

I am well aware of the fact that I have been a slacking Mommy Blogger. School and Brennon have literally consumed my life. So, I thought it would be fun to do a 9 on 9 on 9; Brennon is 9 months old and I took 9 pictures over the course of 9 hours! Then, I started having a good time doing it and can't narrow it down to just 9 pictures so this post is really "A Day in the Life of Brennon."

Brennon woke up at 8AM, but because the post title was going to be 9 on 9 on 9, we started the pictures at 9AM!

9AM bath time!

Taking a bath without the baby tub or the Bumbo is new for us and he LOVES IT! He just splashes and spins like a little fish in is 1/2 inch of water.

Brushing our teeth is next.

He's a very serious brusher and actually does a pretty good job. I don't think I've mentioned yet that Brennon went from having no teeth, to having 6 teeth in about 3 weeks. 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom.

AT 10:22AM we got a little sleepy. We've been working on taking no nap in the morning, but sometimes we're way too sleepy!

Woke up just a little before 11AM and needed some playtime!

Or, just enough time to make a huge mess!

AT 12:10PM we had a Skype date with Granny. I took her picture too, but she'll be REALLY mad at us if we post it. :o)

After our Skype date we ate lunch. Tuna sandwiches, winter squash and Green Goodness!

What is Green Goodness you ask? The juice in my cup (and on my chin)! Gamma says it looks like sludge, but it's actually very yummy and healthy! It's made by Bolthouse Farms is 100% natural, no additives, preservatives or concentrate.

After lunch is nap time, but at 2:12PM I woke up quite happy and handsome! <3

At 3:03PM we were playing with toys and waiting patiently for Daddy.

3:23PM, we see Daddy and make an army-crawl beeline for the door!

3:24PM HI DADDY!

At 4:53PM Daddy and I were playing in the living room. This toy has a fan in it and when the air blows on my face I laugh and try to get it in my mouth.

4:54PM, my Daddy is real funny.

5:27PM, dinner time!

274 Days

Brennon was 274 days old on his 9 month birthday. Coincidentally, 274 days is also the average length of a pregnancy. 9 months of pregnancy + 9 months of mischief= a thriving little life. :o)

We, of course, have been busy, busy, BUSY! The MWSU spring semester is almost over and I am less than one year away from graduation. It feels really good. People are constantly giving me hard time for the length of time I have been in college, but to be honest, I wouldn’t take a second of it back. When I get my BS next year, I will have been out of high school for exactly 10 years. While I have a great appreciation for college and higher education, I would venture to say that most 18 year olds have not been academically or mentally prepared for all that encompasses college life. Nevertheless, I’m proud of all that I have accomplished.

Justin was recently given the opportunity to take a new leadership position at work. Instead of continuing to be vacation relief, he’s now a gang leader on the weekends. Basically he will control everything that happens in the train yard, lead the morning meetings and best of all, no more working on his days off! Wahoo!

Little Brennon is not really little anymore. :o(

 Last Sunday he figured out how to pull himself up and now he will not stop. Tables, chairs, the couch, the mantle and everything else in his reach. Wednesday he pulled himself up to the couch and walked all along the side, while holding on. I was lucky enough to see, but we’re not going to talk about it because it was INSANE.

Thursday, Brennon went for his 9 month checkup and all is very well! I’m not sure if I have ever bragged on our Peds office, but I love them! We go to Priority Care Pediatrics. Dr. Grimes is our doctor, but we’ve also seen several other doctors in the practice. I took in a list of questions with us to this well-baby checkup and Dr. Grimes was excited! They have never left us disappointed! They also have a brand new fancy-schmancy office that is pretty amazing.

Brennon is 22 pounds (75th percentile), 30 inches long (95th percentile) and 18 inch head circumference (90th percentile). Dr. Grimes gave us the go ahead on all (safe) foods, an occasional glass of whole milk, answered all of my questions about traveling, flying and beach-bumming with a baby. Then there was the binky deadline… DUN, DUN, DUN! I had been thinking about it anyway and Dr. Grimes confirmed my concerns; at this point it’s beginning to change the structure of his mouth, the growth of his teeth and is nothing more than a nasty habit. We leave for vacation on Friday, June 3 and return on Friday, June 10; we’re breaking up with binky on Monday, June 13. The ONLY reason we’re keeping it until then is to help his ears on the airplanes.

Once again, he was impressed with Brennon’s gross motor skills and strength. He also told us to expect Brennon to be walking in the next six weeks. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!? WHERE DID MY BABY GO?! I’m only kidding (sort of). You NEVER understand how quickly time passes until you share your time with someone else. The time that Justin and I have been together (5+ years) has seemingly gone by in the blink of an eye. The last 18 months have been ridiculous. One minute you’re pregnant and the next minute your offspring is asking for the keys to your car. In all seriousness, you can’t help but reevaluate your priorities and attempt to be as present as possible in every single moment.

Oh Say Oh Playmate!

Brennon had his first real play date, with my friend Danielle and her sweet baby Jace! Brennon is only 2 ½ months older than Jace, so it worked out perfectly! Danielle and I had some much needed ADULT Mommy time and took the boys for a walk. Hopefully this was the first of many play dates to come. All and all, a pretty perfect Wednesday!

Posing for the camera, Danielle thought it was hilarious that my child is a HAM!

Jace and his Sophie Giraffe. The must-have baby toy!

Swapping toys and sharing quite nicely. Danielle and I were very impressed!