Bathroom Remodel

Ever since we moved into our house 3 years ago, I have been wanting to redo the bathroom.  Well, the time has come and I finally talked Bryson into it.  Even better - Bryson and his friend, Ty, are doing it.  I have been without a full shower for two weeks now and getting a little antsy.  Having only a stand up shower is making me go crazy!  Braylea thinks she is big stuff taking a shower now since that is our only option.

Here are the gutting stages:

Christmas 2010

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  It was so nice to spend it with family.  We had a busy schedule, but we managed to spend quality time with everyone.  Braylea was such a joy to watch this year.  She still thought it was all birthday presents and couldn't understand why everyone else was getting presents as well.

On Thursday, Santa came to visit the kids at daycare.  They were really excited.  Braylea didn't want to sit on his lap, but really wanted a candy cane, so she got on for enough time to retrieve one and off she went!  When he asked what she wanted for Christmas, she said, "I dunno." - what kid says that?  ha!

Opening presents from Santa.

Christmas Eve we always go out to Bryson's parents to have a shrimp feast and open presents.  The fun began..

Aunt LoLo got her this Dora tent - she loved it!  Everyone had to get in it with her at least once.

Santa came to visit Christmas morning!

After opening presents, Braylea watched 'Where the Red Fern Grows' with Daddy - Bryson got this on DVD for Christmas - it was his favorite movie as a kid.

Our first stop was Great-Gma/Poppy Schoenhofer's.  As you can see, I used the video camera all day Christmas day and forgot about the camera, so I have very slim photos to share!  I can't mulit-task, I guess.  After our first stop was my Dad's house and then my Mom's.  We finished the evening at Great-Gma/Gpa Nutter's house.  It was a full day!  No nap and full of sugar - it was interesting! :)

Braylea and her Papa Tom.

Happy New Year to all!

Raising a 2 year old..

So you hear about the 'terrible two's' all the time.  I actually thought Braylea had this disease when she was about 18 months when the attitude began..but I was wrong.  It honestly feels like a light was switched on her birthday.  She can just be flat our rotten at times.  Already telling us no and 'attempting' to throw fits in public because she knows we can't do much in front of people.  She has been getting in trouble at daycare for hitting - in which they all have.  My poor daycare provider has 5 girls within a 9 month age span - they definitely make her earn her pay, let me tell you.  I'm hoping it is possibly the season.  She was spoiled rotten on her birthday and then turn around and get her pumped about Christmas presents constantly(if she is a good girl, that is).  The kids are also locked in doors now from the cold weather.  I know I've talked to some of my co-workers with kids and they say the same thing about the time period we are in - and it doesn't matter the age. 
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying my child is this terrible kid, but she has her moments!  She can also be the sweetest kid at times as well.  But, I do agree with her daddy, she has my temper. :)  I can't blame her then, right?  She is set in her ways and doesn't want anyone getting in the way of that.  At least I've taught her to be independent - that's a good lesson, correct? ha..

On a side bar - since Braylea's birthday is so close to Christmas, she is still talking about her party and the kids coming, and her presents.  So, when you ask what she is getting for Christmas, she says, "Happy birthday presents!"  We are slowly getting her to understand that Santa will be bringing her 'Christmas presents' if she is a good girl.  If she gets in trouble and we threaten the 'Santa wont bring you presents since you have been bad', she acts like you broke her heart!  So funny!

She is definitely a handful but I wouldn't change a thing about her!  We are truly blessed with a healthy, smart little girl.

Thanksgiving/Birthday Party

Thanksgiving - check
Birthday party - check
Happy little 2 year old - check

I can't believe the holiday is over for another year.  We had a great time with family and ate a LOT!!  Bryson and I took off Wednesday to spend the day with Birthday girl.  That evening we had a dinner at my cousin's house.  Thursday we went to my mom's, then dad's later in the evening.  Saturday we had Braylea's birthday party and then out to eat with Bryson's family.  Finally, Sunday we had lunch at Bryson's Grandma's house.  Tomorrow back to regular routine?? No thank you!!  I need a day to just do NOTHING..well and clean house - guess we will wait another week for that!

Here are some pictures of the week:

Dora couch and bed from Nama Karen along with Dora, the doll and Dora's backpack.

She had to remove every bit of paper before digging in.

A Dora rocking chair from Papa Tom!  Yes - LOVES Dora.

Jamie got her a cake for her actual birthday - thanks Jay!

Mallory and Braylea posing silly.

Karaoke for hours..she sang and danced all evening!

Birthday party time!

I was so happy with the cake.

Kamden helping Bray open.

She loves babies, so this was a hit!  She also received a baby crib and car seat.  She is definitely entertained being a Mommy at home now!

Halfway through opening gifts, she said, "I play with kids now, Mommy" and walked away leaving me with the remaining gifts.  It was SO funny!  She is a little social bug.  I made the mistake of telling her about her party a few days in advance and so she asked when the kids were coming to her party non-stop.  Who needs presents when you have kids??

I'm so thankful for the family and friends that God has blessed me with.  Becoming a mommy definitely makes you appreciate things at a deeper level.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because all it is about is family (and food - can't forget that!) lol..I love family gatherings and am blessed that most of my family is local. 

Last Day at 1

Tomorrow my baby girl will be two years old.  It just doesn't seem real.  It is so true how they say that once you have a child, the time goes by even faster - I don't like it!! 
For the past few weeks, we have asked Braylea what she wants for her birthday and the only thing she says is a 'birday cake!' - I can handle that!  She must have gotten this from Dora - where else, right?  We watch at least 4 episodes daily.  I have the DVR set to record every new Dora so we have some assortment.  I'm just thankful that she is learning from it.  Since she began sitting and watching, she has learned to count to 10 on her own.  Her brain is like a sponge!  I do love that I can sit her on the couch and put Dora on and I can take a shower, clean house, or even lay down and relax - something I haven't had since she was born!
I took tomorrow off to spend the day with her.  Daddy and I are taking her to Joplin to get things for her party and shop for her gift.  It'll be a good time to hang out with her before we begin the hecktic  Thanksgiving schedule we have with family gatherings.

I wanted to get a good picture of the day before her birthday and I got a goofy ball instead - then, I tried to upload the pictures to show and it keeps giving me a failure status - I guess no pics today!

Pictures!!

We have pictures ready to view!!  Again - love them like always!  Kelli is great and has great ideas.  We did these a little early because of the weather because I wanted to make sure we still had pretty leaves on the trees..it worked out!  The only downfall is that is was pretty windy, so some are better than others, but I think we will be able to pick out several to order - anyone want to give me a loan? :)

To view, go to:
http://www.studiokonline.com/
click on website
go to Client Proofing
Password is 'nutter2010'

Enjoy!

One vs Two

Last weekend the fabulous Kelli Carnahan (Studio K) took Braylea's two year pictures along with some family pictures.  She let me see a sneak peek this week when she posted it on facebook.  I LOVE this picture and cannot wait for more to come..2 more weeks of trying to be patient.  It has been a whole year since we have had professional pictures, so it is insane to see the difference from last year.

Difference from last year:

Braylea's hair is 4x's longer.  Last year she just had hair on the top of her head..not even at all.  Now I'm able to do about anything to it.

She had no teeth at one, now has 11 - still not a lot but making a lot of progress.

She was still needing help walking, now she is running.

She understands when you tell her to smile or say cheez - we were able to bribe her by telling her to smile for a picture, then she was able to take one picture each smile with Kelli's phone - thanks for your patience, Kelli!

I love this age - I wonder how long I will say that?  It seems like I think it couldn't get any better and it does!  Now I feel like I can carry on conversations with her.  It makes it nice when Daddy is gone all weekend and it is just the two of us.  It makes it so much more enjoyable.

We are still semi working on using the potty.  When she tells me she needs to go, I let her and normally she does go - it just isn't consistant.  We just need to spend a weekend home and work on it, but we have been so busy lately that it hasn't worked out.

She can count to 10 now and 'help' sing the ABC's (she has certain parts she has done and others we are still working on).  She is getting better with colors as well.  Her attention span just isn't the greatest, imagine that, so it is hard to keep her on track to retain things!