Potty Training

Well the light switch turned on for Braxton and he is rocking potty training right now. All the sudden he just told us he needed to go and he did. It is awesome. My sister was totally right on this one, just wait till they are ready and they will do it. My favortie part of the whole thing is how excited Braxton gets when he goes to the bathroom. He is just so proud. His favorite part has to be the reward of chocolate. I have to say that potty training was stressful in the beginning, but we have had some hilarious times with it as well. Coming from a woman raising a boy I never even thought to teach Braxton to point his pee pee down when he is sitting on the potty. Well lets just say I got sprayed once and now I a pro at reminding him. Also we love how Braxton just touches his toes when he is done pooping for us to wipe him. Where do kids learn this stuff? My all time fav is when Braxton looks at me and says, "Mommy I need to drop a deuce." Thanks to all daddy's wonderful friends for teaching him all these wonderful new sayings. All I have left to says is man I love the fact that we don't have to buy diapers. Just think every month I spend at least 25 bucks on diapers. Hello that a lot of money. Now its staying in my pocket! Woohoo!!

We are so proud of our little boy!!!

The Kissing Hand

Braxton loves to read. We have an amazing night time routine where we climb into bed and read. It's a great moment where we can relax and cuddle up together. I adore that Braxton enjoys reading just as much as I do. One day we stopped at Barnes and Noble and read books for an hour. Braxton just thought it was so cool that there were so many books he could choose from. He of course picked out a ton that were about dogs, I wouldn't expect anything less. Anyways I picked out a book called The Kissing Hand and totally feel in love. The book talks about a baby raccoon going to school and how he is so scared, but his mother teaches him a secret that allows him to feel his mother's love wherever he goes. It is just perfect. I always feel sad whenever I leave for work or something because I miss my baby so much, this book allows us to have something to bring us together when we are away from each other. I suggest this book to any parent. It's something I share with my little buddy and I adore it.

Happy 3rd Birthday Braxton!

Braxton's 3rd Birthday Party was wonderful!! I know I always throw Braxton a birthday party every year so far, but I never want to forget how important that day was to Conrad and I when our healthy baby boy was born. I love the fact that each year people come to celebrate another great year with our amazing little boy! For us we wouldn't mind if no one brought presents, we really just feel blessed to have SOO many amazing people in our little boys life and that they take time out to celebrate that day with us. This year was perfect and it was a great time with many new memories.

Some of my favorties were with Braxton and "his girlfriend" Cecilia Heeter. She is truly Braxton's best friend and her parents are amazing friends to Conrad and I. We just adore their family and look up to them in a lot of ways. Anyways Cecilia was asked by Braxton's Great Grandfather Warren if she was Braxton's cousin. She simply looked at him and said, "No I am his girlfriend." If that isn't the cutest thing ever, I don't know what else is. Also after Braxton opened up Cece's present, which was a bunch of toy story stuff that included big boy underwear and a potty book, she started giving him a huge speech about how he needed to start going on the potty and not in his diapers. It was hysterical and I appreciated it coming from her. To be honest, I think she got to him a little bit because he has been wanting to sit on it so I will take it. They are just so cute together and I love the relationship they have. It's totally normal that I want to pre-arrange their marriage right?

Another favorite thing about the party was I adore the close friends we have. At Braxton's party I stopped and just looked at all my amazing friends and smiled the biggest smile. You all have welcomed our baby boy into your lives and he has an amazing relationship with you all. Seriously we couldn't have asked God for better friends. You all have stuck close to use through the hard times and the good times. We just hope you know how much we love you and appreciate you! WE WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT YOU!

Lastly I enjoyed playing cornhole all afternoon. Seriously the party was still rocking till like 8 when it started at 1. I especially enjoyed beating Uncle Will and Uncle Joel more than once. Sorry you know I am so competitive I have to brag:).

Overall, the party was great and we are just so happy. Braxton is growing up and every year we look forward to celebrating our beautiful gift that God gave us.

Braxton's Toy Story Cake (He did awesome blowing out the candles)

Braxton's huge dog from Uncle Joel & Uncle Will (Which he wants to sleep in bed with him every night, and it pretty much takes up his whole bed)

Opening presents with Cece's help

The day my life changed...

On July 17th 2007 my life completely changed. I will never forget that day. It was 7 o'clock in the morning, and I rolled over to tell my husband it was time to get ready for work and all the sudden my water broke. Everyone knows I am not a morning person so maybe that was why I wasn't nervous, I was just still asleep. Or maybe it was the fact that I had so many false alarms in past that I just wasn't sure if it was all real. See I had a time in the past where I thought my water broke and it really didn't, yes Braxton was a jokster. Anyways Conrad asked me what I wanted him to do, go into work till I thought it was time or just stay with me. I wasn't sure, I figured I didn't want to rush till the hospital till my contractions were close enough so I told him to wait till I knew. Well 15 minutes later I had my first contraction. Lets just say it was painful enough that I informed Conrad he wasn't going anywhere. After that it only got worse and of course my lovely husband didn't have his bag packed or the car seat in the car so while he did those things I tried to relax. However, my contractions made that impossible. After trying as hard as I could to relax I lost it. I was in horrible pain that was coming too often for my liking. I will never forget the ride to the hospital, although I would like to. That day was a hot muggy day and we had construction everywhere. It took us FOREVER to get to the hospital. I yelled at my husband the entire way, had the A/C on full blast, and was all over the place. It was awful. My favorite part of this story was when we got to the parking garage and people were walking slowly in front of our car, I rolled down my window yelling get out of the way I am in labor and honking the horn. I think at this time my husband was wishing he wasn't with me. On top of that when we got out of the car my contractions were a minute apart and I could no longer walk or stand for that matter. I looked at Conrad and said you are going to have to carry me in there. His face was priceless, lets just say this momma was a biggg momma and Conrad wanted to laugh, but had to act like he would try because he knew at this point I might kill him. Luckily he found a wheel chair and he ran me inside. Once getting into triage and by this time crying with every contraction, the nurses finally got in and I kind of had to believe they didn't believe I was as far as I thought I was. At this point my body was telling me to push. Finally they checked me and I will never forget the nurses face as she said Oh my your 9 cm already we need to get you to a birthing room. The nurses there rocked even though I was a little crazy trying as best as I could to deal with the pain. In my birthing plan I always said I would go as far as I could without pain meds, but by this point I would have given away anything to get some. The nurses thought I was too far to get anything, but luckily my WONDERFUL doctor said I could have an epidural. I am telling you once that baby was in it was like heaven. I enjoyed the rest of my birthing experience and it was an amazing moment I shared with my husband. Both of us in tears as our son was finally arriving into the world. My favorite part was when Braxton's shoulders were out Conrad and I pulled Braxton out together and laid him on my chest. Our doctor truly believed in letting the newborn baby lay on the mothers chest when they are born for at least an hour. It was the BEST experience on my life. I remember just being in awe, that he was finally here!! I remember Conrad being so jealous that I had Braxton on me for that long because he was just itching to hold his son. After everything was said and done, I didn't care what pain I had been in because it was completely worth it. The love of my life was in my arms and I was the happiest I had ever been in my life. Conrad and I just sat there together so in love with our baby boy.

Now I look at my son, who is about to be 3 on Saturday and it just amazes me how far we have come. He has now grown into this little boy with so much personality. He is beyond sweet and makes me smile all day long. Braxton is our world and we feel so blessed that God gave us this gift. I love you Warren Braxton Bontrager!!!

The Joys Of Parenthood

I think many of you know I have been trying to potty train my child for a long time now. I remember when Braxton turned two telling Conrad why don't we try to start potty training Braxton. I read the books and I felt like Braxton was showing signs so why not. Atleast get him started and see where we go. Well my son was doing great. He had peed a couple times in the potty and even pooped. I was thinking I was super Mom. Then all the sudden he started getting not interested. He didn't want to take the time to sit on the potty when he knew his Mom would just change his wet pants. It was like this kid was totally taking advantage of me, and I knew it because the kid would be pooping and look at me and say, "Mommy I am pooping so I am going to need you to change me soon." I couldn't help but smile and think you turd you know exactly what you are doing. Even being discouraged I still pushed forward with potty training. One day I took Braxton on a special trip to our favorite store, Super Target of course. I went down the big boy underwear aisle and made a huge scene about how cool big boy pants were. I mean seriously parents walking by me were laughing at me, they had to have thought I was crazy, but I didn't care. My son looked me right in the face and said, "Mommy I like peeing in my diaper." I was shocked and for the first time in my life I had nothing to say. I left the aisle and went straight to the diapers, in disappointment I cringed and grabbed a pack. Finally I said I was done. I was done pushing the issue, and I knew when Braxton was ready he would do it. I have given him all the tools and I know he will accomplish it. Now Braxton will be three in July, so try and remember we have been on this journey for almost a year. Well this weekend we were at our favorite place in the world, my parents lake. Braxton is a little fish and he seriously will live in the water if I let him. Anyway from the very beginning I told Braxton he had no diaper on so if he has to go he better tell me because he doesn't want to go in his new bathing suit. Then all the sudden I look over at my child who has his pants down, grabbing his butt apart in a squat, grunting, and taking an enormous poop on the beach. My family was sitting on the deck laughing hysterically. I think everyone was waiting for me to go yell at my child for just pooping on the beach, but not this Mom. I ran down there telling him how proud I was that he didn't poop in his pants. I praised him over and over again. Yeah that is right, I did! That's the joys of parenthood. Is it ideal absolutely not, but is a step in the right direction, you bet it is. I will never forget Braxton's excitement. He was so proud of himself, and if you ask him about it he will still smile and tell you the story. Every day with Braxton is a new adventure and every day he makes me smile. He is so amazing and to see him happy when he accomplishes something new is what every parent dreams of. So am I proud of my son for taking a dump on the beach, you bet I am!

Exciting Exciting Exciting

SO PROUD OF YOU CONRAD!!!

Well there are some great things happening for our family & I have to share them. Conrad is done with school. He is graduating with two bachelors degrees. His degrees are in accounting and finance. He already has a job set up and I am so proud for him. I cannot say it has been easy for us doing all we are trying to do, but to see the outcome makes it all worth it. Yes I am well aware we did things backwards, but we wouldn't change it for the world. When I got out of high school I had no direction of what I wanted to do, and I was in school because that's what I thought was the next step. I was a horrible student, and didn't care what so ever. It wasn't until the day I had my son, in that delivery room was the day I realized I wanted to be a nurse. So now it is mommas turn, since Conrad is done. I am signed up at Bethel for the nursing program this fall. I am beyond excited, but really nervous. I know it is a huge commitment and I am going to miss some things, but I am doing this for my family and me. Wish me luck.

Holding Myself Accountable

I'm sure many of you know I am into fitness. I love crossfit and running and do it regularly. Exercise makes me feel awesome and it is my stress relief. I have always been athletic and I don't think that will ever change. Here is the issue ever since I had Braxton I have had trouble losing that final 10 pounds. Well after working my butt off constantly and still not dropping it my husband said, "Ashley honestly look at what you fuel your body with, garbage, how do you expect your body to change." Well off course I gave him some crap for the comment, but I knew he was completely right. I always gave myself an excuse for treating myself, you can have that Ashley you worked hard today. Ya you can feed yourself all the BS, but at the end of the day I am the one ruining it for myself. Lets face it when I run I run 3-6 miles, and anyone who's ever done crossfit knows it kicks your butt every time and I mean every time! I workout at least 4 times a week, but why even bother doing it all, if I eat the way I eat. Well here I am and I am going back to Paleo. Paleo is an awesome diet. You eat clean, meaning goodbye grains, sugar, dairy, and all the other junk. Basically you eat what the caveman ate. It is so simple. I have done it in the past, but always fell off the wagon. This time I am doing the 30 day challenge, no cheats! YES NO CHEATS! Whenever I have done this diet, I feel awesome, I have more energy then ever before and I swear within days I can already tell a difference. Lets just put it this way, this morning I was just starting day 4. I decided I would get on the scale even though I promised myself I would only check once a week because I don't want to get discouraged if it doesn't drop. However, I talked myself into it. I got on the scale looked at it and thought haha that cannot be right. So I hopped off and got back on again. I looked at it again astonished and said, "What the hell I am down 4 pounds already"! Here I have been beating myself up to lose 10 pounds and within 3 days of eating healthy I was almost half way there. It does work to fuel your body with good food, and to be honest whenever I even think about cheating I run myself through it and realize one it doesn't taste that good and two I would be so pissed at myself after I ate it. I always feed my son healthy food, so now its my time to practice what I preach. The point of my post is to keep myself accountable for what I am doing. I also want to show others what I am doing, in case it helps them. I will keep you all updated, because I am determined to do this not just for me but for my family!