He is officially growing up ..

So the other day as I was strapping Braxton into his convertible car seat I realized it was no longer working. The kid is just too big for it. The straps were just too tight around his little chest. I seriously dreaded this day for a long time. The car seat was the only thing I was holding on to that still made Braxton a "baby" in my eyes. I cringed and told Conrad it was time we buy booster seats for Braxton. We find the perfect one and the other day I throw it in my car and I lost it. Seriously in my garage full out crying. What in the world is wrong with me? See I have moved Braxton into everything toddler and the car seat was all I had left. We have went to sippy cups instead of bottles, a toddler bed instead of crib, and the list goes on. In the garage it finally was real for me..he is growing up and as much as I want to stop it I can't. I mean seriously the kid is 3 1/2..how in the world did that happen so fast? I still remember having him like yesterday. I think I hate him growing up because I know I can never go back. As much as I hate that time is going so fast I have to admit that I adore the stage we are in right now. Braxton is like my bestfriend. He has so much personality and the biggest heart. For example, the other day he caught me crying even though I tried VERY hard for him not to see me. He jumped on my lap and told me that Daddy told him to take care of me while he was gone and he didn't want to see me sad. He wiped my tears and kissed my cheek. Made me feel so blessed. The love a child gives is so amazing. This stage also makes me realize how much I want to hold on to it forever. I am #1 in Braxton's eyes. As he gets older I see his interests growing and hobbies he enjoys. At some point in his life I wont be his number one priority and right now I cannot even imagine that. The bond I have with this little boy is indescribable and I don't want it to go anywhere. So to Braxton just know I may be your mother, but I am also your friend and I will always be here for you. You are my prince and the love I have for you will NEVER go away. You and your Daddy make me the happiest I have ever been:) Thanks for being you!!

Now on to my amazing husband Conrad who is gone this week in L.A. He has been working a lot so I haven't had a lot of time to talk to him. I am anxious to hear what LA is like and if he has seen any celebs. I told him to make sure he stops at Louis Vuitton and pick me up a bag, but I don't think that will happen:) He is working really hard and I am just so proud to be his wife supporting him through this new journey. Sometimes I hate it, but I know without this job I wouldn't be able to go to school. God has provided for us so I have to learn to love it. From now on I am trying to look at this job as a growing time for our relationship. Since Conrad is gone a lot I REALLY have realized how lucky I am to have such a STRONG man in my life. Conrad is an amazing father and husband. He does things for me that I didn't think anyone would do. I trust him with everything I have and more importantly I love the person he has made me grow into.

I started working out at CrossFit South Bend this week. I have taken a LONNG break from there and was just running, but that got old fast. It felt AMAZING to be back working out with people in the gym and I need to make sure I make time out for myself to workout. It makes me such a better Mom when I do something for myself and I totally realized that yesterday. Having a husband gone a lot and going to school I spend a lot of time with just my 3 year old. Which isn't all bad, but sometimes I just need some adult time and working out gives me that. Not that I don't LOVE talking about doggies all day with Braxton:)

Well I am off to my anatomy class. Hope everyone has a GREAT Wednesday!!!

What Santa left me for Christmas..

Don't worry people I am still here...

Anyways the holidays have come and gone and the one thing I am left with is holiday weight. Yuck. I spoiled myself so bad over the holidays. Now its time to get rid of the sweets. Oh I will miss them. Back to reality. Braxton has even been working out with me which is truly hysterical. The other night I couldn't get to the gym so I decided to do our p90x videos. Braxton wanted to work out too so he put on his shorts and tennis shoes and was ready to go. He did the whole tape, but what was so funny is he followed my every move. It really is true that kids will follow whatever you do and I appreciate the fact that I am teaching Braxton how important it is to take care of your body. He loves to work out and asks to do it all the time. He is such a good boy.

We have been so busy latley. Conrad is in busy season and I can already say I am not that big of a fan. He is gone all the time. Next week he is going to L.A. That should be very interesting for him. He really is loving his job though and it just seems like a perfect fit for him so I am VERY proud.

School has started up again. I decided to not beat myself up this semester so I am only taking 8 credits. Thank God! Seriously they are both hard classes I don't think I could handle much more.

Braxton is back in school and loving every minute. He is learning so much and sometimes he just surprises me on how much he knows. He also in LOVE with cooking right now. He always says lets make a recipe mommy. It is something we love to do together. He especially loves baking at Nana's house because you know she does all the cookies, cakes, and whatever else yummy Braxton can talk her into. (Which trust me isn't very hard and my Mom will be the first to tell you that).

Well I am off to do laundry. I cannot believe how much laundry 3 people can make in one week. Where does it all come from??

Update

So we went to Indy and I LOVED this doctor. He was beyond awesome and gave Braxton the attention he deserves. He told me he felt everything was in line and the only thing he was concerned about was his leg length. However, this could fix its self on its own and probably will. Either way he wouldn't do anything about it until Braxton was older so we will wait and see. Braxton is doing really well. He limps every once in a while, but it is getting much better. We hope he will make a full recovery and we are doing everything to make that happen.

We have been so busy lately with the holidays. It has been wonderful though. Our family had a WONDERFUL Christmas. Braxton was soo excited for Santa this year and I enjoyed it probably more than he did. To see his reactions were completely worth it.

Tomorrow I am back to school. I cannot say I am too excited about it. This semester I am not taking as many classes as I did last semester, however, my classes are a lot harder so I think this semester is still going to be tough. Braxton is excited to get back to school, but I really have enjoyed being home with him.

Conrad is working a lot and starting busy season. I don't think either one of us is looking forward to the next couple months with him being gone a lot, but we will get through it.

I hope everyone has a GREAT new year & we will keep you updated as much as we can.

To Indy We Go . . .

Well Braxton has been out of the cast for about 2 months and I have been frustrated with his surgeon. I kept giving him the chance to make changes, but he never has. For one, I have been asking my doctor for physical therapy since the cast came off, but he still says it is not needed. Which I have never understood how he knows that because the man has never seen my son walk, he also has never taken off his shoes to truly examine his leg length difference. Most importantly I just feel like he is not giving my son the attention he needs so I decided I am taking matters into my own hands and getting a second opinion. My WONDERFUL Pediatrician who I seriously cannot say enough good things about has recommended a pediatric surgeon who works at St. Vincents hospital in Indy. I already like this new surgeon because he works at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, but that is besides the point. I am just praying I get some good information and a better plan for Braxton's leg. Even if I am completely overreacting that is totally ok as long as I get some assurance that we are doing everything we need to be doing for my little man. The kid still has a horrible limp and I just want to make sure I do everything in my power so he doesn't have any long term issues.

So we are driving down to Indy this Monday and my mother and sister will be driving along with us. Conrad unfortunately will be out of town for work so he will be missing out. I am hoping this trip will be worth it and we get some information we need.

Kelsey is mostly excited to stop to get some PF Chang's:) We are also thinking about making it a fun trip so if anyone has any ideas please let me in out it. Also pray for Braxton because I know he is getting over this going to a doctor all the time. I also know how traumatized he is by all this and it truly kills me. Every time he falls he is afraid he is going to break his leg and I can already see him babying it. I just hope we are taking a step in the right direction. We will wait and see...Keep everyone posted.

Loving the Holidays

We have been loving the Holidays and the memories we are making:). Braxton and I made our first gingerbread house together. I should have read the directions though because apparently when you first put the house together you should 15 minutes before you decorate it..Now I know why. The roof was slipping off until finally at the end I got it to stick. Anyways Braxton had a blast and I was really surprised that he didn't try to eat the candy. He was so happy just to decorate. It was so much fun. I had the Christmas music going and it was a great memory. One that I hope to make a tradition.

We have also been outside trying to build a snowman, but the snow just wasn't working in our favor so we just stuck with a "Baby" snowman. Still made Braxton happy and it was a LOT easier. We love playing in the snow together and it looks like we will have plenty to work with. We have done so much fun things this winter season from putting our tree up, making hot coco, wrapping presents, and even dancing to Christmas music. Braxton is at just an awesome age and we have so much fun together. I know most people say terrible 3s, but man I love it. Don't get me wrong Braxton can be bad, but most of the time he is always making me smile. For example, Braxton is potty trained, but every once he waits to long and has an accident. Whenever this happens he always says REPEATEDLY, but Mommy it's only a little bit. For some reason my child thinks that if he goes in his pants he will turn into a baby and he doesn't want that at all. It is just so funny how he tells me over and over again that its just a little and hes a big boy.

Here is another great conversation my son had with his father the other night. Before Conrad leaves for the week I always ask him to go and have a conversation with Braxton about it. That way when he is gone Braxton understands why Daddy is away, but also that he loves him. I listened to the conversation Sunday night and I heard Conrad telling Braxton that while he is gone, Braxton is the man of the house and he has to take care of Mommy and be good. Braxton replied that he was going to take me to the doctor then. Conrad asked why and Braxton said to get rid of her huge zit. I just started cracking up. I cannot believe the things that kid comes up with.

This is seriously every day. He says something like this where you honestly just cannot stop laughing. Kids just say whatever they feel. It is hilarious.

Tonight Braxton and I are thinking about going to see some Christmas lights if the weather isn't bad. I know Braxton will love it so wish us luck.

Hope everyone is enjoying this December..Christmas is less than 3 weeks away...its flying by!:)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..

Isn't he so handsome! Braxton went on a Field Trip and he needed to be in his Sunday's Best:). He was a big hit on the field trip.

Yesterday we went on a Holy Walk together in Bremen. It was my Mom, my sister Carrie, Braxton, My nephew Aden, and myself. Aden & Braxton loved it and participated in everything. I couldn't believe how well both boys behaved because we had to wait 2 1/2 hours before we even went on the walk. The Church hosts this event every year, but they only do it one weekend so you end up waiting for a long time. We didn't get home till midnight and I had 2 very tired boys, but it was well worth it. It really put you back into the reason for the season. I encourage anyone to attend this if they can next year, you will not regret it.

This weekend really has been awesome with Braxton. We put up our tree, played in the snow, made breakfast together, and even wrapped presents. So relaxing and just what we all needed. Especially since this week I am going to be having some finals..booo! I am almost done with this semester though..woohoo!

God's Love..

So I have to share a story about Braxton tonight. First off Braxton told me this morning that he had to bring his Teddy Bear to school. I of course thought he was just trying to pull a fast on me so I asked him why? He simply replied that he was taking it to school because he wanted to wrap it to give it to baby Jesus. I thought it was the cutest thing ever and of course let him take it to school. Once I picked up Braxton from school we watched Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. It is my all time favorite Christmas movie. It was so fun and relaxing. I love moments like this with him. However, this one takes the cake. So today in class we were talking about noticing God's presence in everyday life..All I could think about was how much I see God when I look at my son. Braxton makes me so happy and he seriously completes me. He always puts me in my place and he makes me realize what life is all about. Anyways tonight we read a story from his children's bible and I was talking to him about ways he can show Jesus he loves him. We had a great conversation and then we went into prayer. At this time I told him a little bit about seeing God in all the things that make him happy. He starts telling me about all the things that make him happy. Then I tell him when I see God the most is when I look at him..Braxton just smiled the biggest smile and says because he is in my heart Mommy. I just couldn't believe that my 3 year old could see it like that. He is so amazing. I gave him the biggest hug and gave him the biggest kiss. Braxton will never know how much he means to me and just the fact that he is growing into this amazing little boy makes me so proud. He seriously says all the right things when he needs to say them and at that very moment I felt God's amazing love. I am so lucky and with Christmas season already upon us I cannot wait to see the new amazing things Braxton will learn about Jesus that I and others will teach him. Together we learn so much and I am just so grateful.