Wrapping up the week with Grandma

Just for giggles...check out the funny faces. :)

This week has been an interesting one for me. I continue to be amazed as I realize just how much love I have for this little man. This whole week I was really trying to take care of Brady's basic needs (feeding, diapering, comforting) and then share him with others. My arms and heart ached for him. I know that sounds so melodramatic and maybe it's just hormones talking...but I really missed my son this week. I cherish our time together and love him too much. Wait a minute...there's no such thing as loving your child too much! Okay, so maybe I'm a borderline "SMother" lol! I don't care. I love my son.

Too cute!

This outfit is another from the Riley Collection. I thought it was adorable so I had to take a picture of the onesie and terrycloth overalls outfit with puppies on it. It also came with these funny little puppy slippers. But even cuter was Brady laughing this morning as I tried to take his picture!

Little Version of Daddy

Another funny shirt from Auntie Sharon and Uncle Stephen. It is the messy (drooled on) shirt that makes Brady a true little version of his daddy. :)

3 Generations of Luhrings

Brady, Daddy, and Daddy's Daddy

Grandma & Grandpa Luhring and the Luhring Boys
Brady and Romey (who snuck in there)

Party like a Rock star

We had an overnight visit with Aunt DeeDee (Deanna), Uncle Ken, and Connor (Rock is their last name, hence the post title) this weekend. As always, we had a blast and having little man join us just made it that much more fun! We again laughed until we hurt...sometimes @ fun memories, sometimes @ the dogs' hysterical behaviors, but most of the time @ someone's expense! Deanna gave us all gifts...Mommy and Daddy got this wonderful framed quote (above...Love it!), Brady got some super fun toys, Grandma and Grandpa got a sweet picture frame and cute grandparent's signs. Grandpa's was funny. It said: "Grandpa: so simple even a child can operate." :p

I'd like to say our adult sense of humor is more sophisticated than Brady's, but really the things we were laughing at this weekend proved it's just not. LOL! Anyway, here's Brady enjoying a classic game of "peek-a-boo!"

Romey vs. Roomba

For our 4th wedding anniversary (April 23), for our new hardwood floors, and for my sanity...I got Brett a Roomba, one of the vacuum cleaning robots. (what can I say? I'm a romantic clean freak!) Our friends Toby and Piyush told us about it and the "modern" gift for the 4 year anniversary is electrical appliances. Despite the fact that Brett really wanted a flat screen tv (as if!), I got him a Roomba...it's a gift for both of us! I mean really, we just don't have enough vacuums! :p Seriously though, this one is cool because it's like a mother's helper. It thinks and works on it's own...and also serves as a new toy for Romey.

Family time

Daddy got home from work early today and was able to spend some extra time with his son...who again drooled all over his work clothes. Daddy needs to change in to his play clothes first! :)

Brady with Grandma and Grandpa Luhring:

Content with his paci

Things head south
Sad Brady
This face tears at my heart,
but Daddy and Grandpa took pictures of it!
Poor little man.

We have to have happy Brady in here too...that makes Mommy feel better.

One of my favorites:

Grandpa is here

Grandpa Luhring got here from Denver early this evening. He'll be staying through the weekend. Grandma's flight arrives a little later tonight, and she is staying through the week. Originally only Grandma was coming...we got her a flight out here for her birthday. Then we found super cheap airfare from Denver and Grandpa booked his ticket to come see little man.

The Ladies' Man

After having an online relationship for 4 months, Brady and Drea finally met FTF (face to face) IRL (in real life). LOL! Brady and I went over to Claudia and Drea's house for a play date (literally!). :p Drea showed her affection immediately and gave Brady lots of hugs and kisses.

What's a date without a walk to the park? Well his "older woman" (Drea is over double his age right now...he's 4 months, she's 9) wore Brady out! He fell asleep in the Bjorn. Since Claudia is also a blogging mom, she took a few pictures for us!

Our little man

Sometimes clothes do make the man. :) Doesn't he look like a real little person (and not a baby) like this? I think this is the first button down he's worn...another from our Riley Collection.

Upper Level Mission Control

If one exersaucer is this much fun, why not have two? :) We are loving these things. Brady doesn't tolerate more than about 15 minutes in them...and that's fine because that's all that's recommended and it's enough time for me to have breakfast or take a shower. This is his upstairs Mission Control Center and it actually converts to a toddler table too. (Brett was laughing about the fact that I call it "the command center" but forgot exactly what term I used, so the other night he said, "Time for Mission Control!" funny!) The guy I bought these from (off Craigslist for $10/each) had twins. He goes, "Oh, do you have twins too?" I said, "No, I'm just lazy, have things to do upstairs and down, and am not in to lugging this thing back and forth." :p

4 months old

Happy Birthday Brady! Little man is super fun these days! He smiles, giggles, and laughs regularly ...especially when he's being tickled (under his chin, under his arms, on his knees), when he's amused (like when we do "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" on his Learning Puppy), or when you smile and act silly when he's already in a good mood. He often coos and sighs happily. He is really into razzing and blowing bubbles. He's begun to roll over but I don't think he realizes what he's doing. He can go from back to side and back again. He sucks on his whole hand or a few fingers at a time a lot and is also beginning to use his hands to hold toys (when they are given to him) or pull his paci out of his mouth. We've been been trying to get him to do the opposite and put the paci in on his own. He also seems to have discovered his feet this past week.

Weight: 14 lbs. 3 oz. (46th percentile)
Height: 25.25 inches (55th percentile)

His crazy growth has slowed down a bit. The doctor says she's not worried about it, but to just keep feeding him whenever he's hungry or it's just time. :)

Daddy Day

Today Brady and Daddy had "boy time" while Mommy had "girl time" at Auntie Sathya's birth blessing. Babraham looks like a little basketball inside his mommy's tummy. Soon-to-be grandparents, Daisy and Umesh got some practice with Brady. He enjoyed the time with them as much as they did...they are definitely ready for their first grandson!

Daddy gave up a trip to Va Tech to watch a spring Hokie football practice with the guys in order to spend the day "practicing" with his little Hokie. (Thanks to Auntie Toby and Uncle Piyush for this adorable Hokie jumper- with baby bird on the front and HOKIES on the butt- too cute!) We busted out Daddy's very own VT diaper bag and the boys were ready to go!

Before they left, Brady got to meet Lily, who's about the same age (she was born about 2 weeks after him). Afterwards, Brady got to see his girlfriend Kadyn. He was fascinated by her beauty (and height) and kept staring up at her. Then the mommies switched babies so we each could hold the other.

Daddy did a great job with the little man. He gave Brady a full and exciting day that enabled him to sleep really well. We left Richmond around 7:30. Brady fell asleep in his car seat, opened his eyes and squealed a tiny bit, stayed asleep while being transferred from the seat to his crib...and did not wake up until 6:45 AM! WHOA! Yay Brady for sleeping for 11 hours and doing so well on the road trip!!!

I am seeing more clearly now...

My eye doctor's office called this morning to let me know my lens was rush-ordered and was in! Yay! She said if I wanted it today, I had to be there in less than an hour. doh! Brett was in a training class this morning and couldn't come home. So Brady and I drove very slowly on the Toll Road. This was painstaking, as Brady screamed the whole way. Oh well...I was still in a good mood and excited about getting the new lens. He stopped immediately as I pulled in to the parking spot at the doctor's office. ha ha!

Well, everything does happen for a reason. While performing a quick eye exam once the new lens was in, the doctor determined that my prescription is in need of an adjustment. She said to go ahead and take this lens (since it was better than nothing), but asked that I make another appointment for a full examination. I usually go to the eye doctor regularly, but was due for a full annual exam in December. Well, I was busy having a baby then and then busy taking care of him for the past 4 months. Speaking of which...we had another Murphy's Law case at the appointment today. Brady was great in the waiting room- playing with his toys and talking to me. He started off just fine in the exam room. He sat quietly while I put the new lens in and while we were waiting for it to settle. But as soon as the assistant came in to perform the exam, Brady began to fuss. It was comical...here I am rocking his car seat with my foot, holding the thing up to my right eye so that I could only use my left, and shouting out the letters I think I'm seeing as I shush Brady. It was like this: "E...shhh, Brady it's okay...uh, I think P...okay, buddy, little longer...hmm, maybe an O...be a good boy son" The assistant was cracking up. Then she left and told me the doctor would be in to talk to me shortly. Well wouldn't you know it? As soon as she leaves and Brady and I are alone, he konks out and sleeps the rest of the time! I made the appointment for the full exam for next week...when Grandma Luhring will be here to occupy Brady. :)

It's all good in the 'hood

This Flavor Fav look was done by Brady himself. He actually turned his hat around during our "photo shoot" as he was sliding down from his sitting position....Timber! I thought it was cute so I propped him back up and took some more picts.

525,600 minutes...How do you measure a year?

...in blogs? 1- started one year ago today when we confirmed we were expecting our first child!
...in blog posts? 104
...in pregnancy tests? 10
...in prenatal doctor appointments? 12
...in pregnancy pounds? 33
...in labor hours? 21
...in delivery minutes? 85
...in birth weight? 8 lbs. 2 oz.
...in birth length? 20"

How about love? Measure in love. (These are the real lyrics to Seasons of Love.) If we measured in love it would be infinite, endless, incalculable, unconditional.

Brady, We Love You
Always and Forever.

The Command Center

Brady got an exersaucer today. (Thank you Great Aunt Toni!!!) He's reaching the age where toys are actually becoming interesting. He loves his Learning Puppy, Counting Maracas, Wacky Doodle Dandy, rattles, and playmats. But by far his most favorite thing to play with is Mommy...YAY! :) Here's little man's first moments in the command center.

"We Are Virginia Tech"

In remembrance of one year ago today @ Virginia Tech, Daddy's alma mater. At that time Brady was known as Ziggy and probably was indeed a zygote (where the "Ziggy" name came from) at that time.

Brady and I did not observe the moment of silence @ noon today though. We were too busy visiting with our friends. Brady got to see Oliver (born the day before him) and Kellan (born exactly one month before him) today and I got to see their moms Christin and Danisa. We had lunch and then led a stroller convoy (as one of the bikers called it) on a part of the W&OD trail. We always have a great time hanging out with each other...we have so much to talk about as our boys grow up together!

When Daddy came home, he wanted to enjoy the weather with us too so we took another walk to the swings and played some more. Yay Spring!!!

Earning his keep

Yup, Brady's doing his part (eating, pooping, drooling, crying, napping...being a wonderful baby or "dependent" in IRS terms) to assist the economics of the Luhring family. Daddy got his wish for a 2007 tax deduction.

Happy Tax Deadline Day!

Running Walking Errands

Well seeing as it's probably not the safest course of action right now, I'm really trying to drive only when I need to before I get my replacement contact lens. So today Brady and I ran errands by actually walking them. You've got to love planned communities like our neighborhood. Not only are they pretty, but they are pretty convenient! We have 2 grocery stores within a 2 mile radius. Today we strolled and baby hiked (bjorn style) the mile or so to the Safeway plaza. The weather was perfect- sunny, a light breeze, and not too warm. (still working on perfecting the camera timer shots...this one was taken from the porch but you can see how beautiful the day is)

I can't see clearly now...

But the rain does seem to be gone. :)

Ugh! One of my contact lenses broke today. They told me it would take 5-7 business days to get a new one. I wear gas permeable lenses and am unable to get an accurate prescription for glasses...so my lenses are all I have. I believe this particular lens was the one that was 11 years old. What a bummer...I was going for a record! Gas permeable lenses can last for as long as the prescription is good. In fact, my doctor told me one of the reasons my lenses fit me so well is because they have had years of rubbing while cleaning.

Having only half my vision creates a bizarre feeling of helplessness and disadvantage. My depth perception is way off and I'm straining to watch tv and read the computer screen (eesh! the lengths I'll go through to blog and document our lives!) :) On the one hand I think, why couldn't I just have 20/20 vision? On the other hand I am grateful that I have a condition that is able to be corrected. If you see me in the next week or so and my clothes don't match or my hair is all crazy, I'm blaming the missing lens and not sleep-deprived motherhood this time. :) In fact, last night was the second night ever that Brady slept for 9 hours straight! I put him down to sleep @ 8:00, he fussed for about 15 minutes, and then did not wake up until 5:00!!! I woke up @ 4:45 in a panic when I realized that I hadn't been up at all yet. I immediately went to Brady's room and touched his little rib cage to ensure he was breathing. Everything was just fine, and I actually welcomed the little hunger-signaling wail that came from him 15 minutes later. It is really wild to think that for so long you are just wishing for your baby to sleep through the night. But the first couple of times it (or any extended sleep) happens, you wake yourself up with worry.

(Little) White Men Can't Jump

Well, not yet...but he's working on it. Given that Brady loves to go up-down while in our arms, I'm sure he'll enjoy his Bumper Jumper when he's just a little bit bigger. Right now with 9' ceilings, his baby legs don't quite reach the floor yet. However with adult supervision and support, he seemed to like his new toy. A well-spent $5 at the church consignment sale. :)

Alluring weekend

This alluring weekend is A Luhring Weekend. :) Currently we have no plans...and that feels good. It's just us spending time together. Awesome! We had lunch, walked around this cute little shopping village, and played with Brady. Does it get any better than this?

I realized I have no pictures of Brady in his car seat...and I certainly have no pictures of Brady smiling in his car seat. (These days, at least the first 5 minutes in the car are spent in the company of the purple tera dactyl. I suspect he's just lonely back there. It usually does get better as the trip progresses and I turn up the radio, sing, and go more than 25 mph.) At any rate, he was in a happy mood today even in his car seat...again, it's a Great weekend!Many times Brett has commented that attitudes and perspectives color everything. It's amazing that tasks that I once considered mundane (grocery shopping for example) can now be super fun learning experiences and photo ops! Now, don't get me wrong...this can also go the other way and what used to be a relatively simple task before we had a baby now becomes an adventure. See our Wal-mart post for a detailed example of these sorts of adventures. But today was one of the former...we all went grocery shopping at Harris Teeter. For the first time, Brady was carried around the store by Daddy (instead of his usual place riding in his car seat in the cart when it is just him and me) and got a different experience while Daddy described all the things he could see and had him touching things like prickly pineapples, bumpy cantaloupes, and cold steaks. :) And of course in true blogging and new parent fashion, I took pictures in the parking lot. (I forgot to take the camera in the store- bummer because Brett and Brady were cute together and I usually do not have an extra set of hands to complete the task and also capture these very normal everyday but adorable moments.)
Brady looks very serious about grocery shopping here, but it was really just the bright sun making him have this deeply pensive look.
He needed Daddy's help today, but one day he'll think these shopping CARts are way cool!