Children's Museum

I took a Thursday off so we could all go to the Children's Museum in St Paul. It was a perfect day because there wasn't a ton of kids there so we had lots of room to explore. Chase enjoyed the wildness room and had a good time running around in that area. He also enjoyed the play area that shows people in everyday jobs. He went right to the grocery store and got behind the cash register. He's always helpful at Target and the grocery store when it comes time to check out.

Chase showing us his grocery checker skills

Or maybe he'll be a postman?

Brayden enjoyed the infant room so much he puked all over it. He climbed around the area for 5 minutes before he spit up a couple ounces of formula. Like I said in the beginning there wasn't many kids there and we were the only ones in the baby room at the time.

Brayden in the baby area (before he spit up)

Brayden hanging out in the kids furniture area.

Some videos of the kids

Here are some videos of the boys.

Chase is singing the theme song to one of his favorite shows. Super Why

A small video of Brayden crawling.

Big Brother will they ever share?

Chase's grandma gave him a small hula hoop for a gift this spring. Of course he played with it a lot this spring but like other toys he put it aside and moved on to something else. While along comes his little brother who loves to crawl to it grab it and shake it. Do you think Chase could share it? Of course not! As soon as he sees Brayden with it he drops everything to rush to take it from him.

I took a couple pictures of Happy Brayden with the hoop and than big brother taking it away. (Brayden is lacking pants here because once again he has crawled out of them)

Brayden reaches 7 months

Another month and the peanut reaches another milestone (while almost). He's pretty much crawling all over now. He gets up on all fours and rocks back in forth but soon drops to the ground and pulls himself around with his hands. He's getting around really well like this and is moving faster everyday.

He's sleeping though most nights and takes 2 naps a day. No teeth yet to report but loves to chew on everything so they must be making their way though.

I did a quick weigh in and he was 20 pounds. Which I believe because carrying him and the car seat are getting to be a workout. He is still a puker but every time he does it he has a smile on his face.

Here are some shots of the happy boy.

Christmas time is here!!

We have been getting into full Christmas mode. Over Thanksgiving weekend I got a lot of the decorations up inside and the outside. I did some Christmas shopping online due to not wanting to take 2 kids out on black Friday.

Chase's count down to Christmas chain

Brayden checking out the Christmas decorations

Last Friday we weathered a snow storm and went to pick out our tree. First we had Chinese food per Chase's request. Than we walked to the tree lot and let Chase pick out the tree. We got it all set up and spent the weekend decorating it. Let me tell you the boys weren't much help. But so cute to see them getting excited for Christmas. Brayden mostly just smiles and tries to put everything into his mouth.

Chase at the tree lot catching snowflakes on his tongue.

The boys helping with the tree stand.

Chase using his scissors like daddy to cut away the net.

Fonzie also approving of the tree.

Hotel stay

I didn't take any pictures over Thanksgiving not sure what happen to the camera. We decided to use a hotel stay that Eric had purchased at Canterbury Inn in Shakopee. On Saturday after naps we headed to the hotel and got checked in. We had a 2 room suite with a whirlpool tub. Chase enjoyed playing with the mini fridge, coffee pot, and microwave. (Thankfully he's getting a kitchen set for Christmas) Once Eric got done with work we had dinner and hit the pool for a while. Brayden and I sat the pool out. We headed back to the room to watch a movie and go to bed. With 3 of us having colds it made for an uncomfortable night. Brayden and I didn't get much sleep. Brayden didn't enjoy sleeping in the hotel crib which looked more like a little white jail. The next morning we woke up and hit the free breakfast. Eric and Chase took another quick swim and we packed up and headed home.

Here are some pics from the night.

Thumbs up for swimming

Brayden being an angel

Chase playing in the mini fridge and getting mommy a drink.


Chase helping daddy win the lottery.

Chase entertaining his little bro

At lunch last weekend I asked Chase to entertain Brayden. He made him really giggle so I had to get the camera. We all had colds and Brayden had been super fussy all weekend. For some reason Chase saying "phew" made him laugh. Excuse the messy faces and high chairs. One was having squash and the other pudding.

Some more family photos

Here are some more from our family photo shoot. Once a again so glad all 3 boys cooperated!!

Vegas Baby!!

So tomorrow (Thursday 11/18) at this time Eric and I will be in Las Vegas!!! This is our first vacation with out kids. It has been a long time since we went on vacation with out kids!! (I can't even remember when was the last time.) We are staying at the Flamingo on the strip. This will be my first time in sin city. Eric was out there years ago for a Denny Hecker thing. Let us just say he lost all of his money the 1st night and spent the next 2 nights in his room. So I'm crossing my fingers this trip goes better for him.
Joining us for this adventure is my brother and sister-in law (or SLP Bjorgaard's as we call them), our childhood friend Sarah and her hubby Ris, and Nate and Kember from Fargo. Should be a good crew!!
We are all staying at the same place and only have booked a couple things so we can just fly by the seat of our pants. We will be going to the "The Price is Right" on Friday night. Should be fun I hear just like the tv show only different host and you won't see us on tv. On Saturday night we are checking out the club scene. We are going to Tryst night club. I can't wait to report back to everyone what a $450 bottle of booze looks like. (yep that is what it cost in order for us to get a table so we can sit down at a club-CRAZY) We fly back late Sunday so the gamblers can bet on sports in the am.
The boys will be in good hands while we are gone. Uncle Russ is driving them up to TRF so my parents can watch them for the long weekend. I'm a little nervous for Russ and the car trip but hopefully he gets there still sane enough to bring them back to us on Sunday.
So maybe some pictures to come from this great weekend but of course what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas so we will see!! Hehe

Family Pictures done right

We had a holiday family shoot a couple Sunday's ago. We just got some of the pictures back and they turned out pretty good. No Chase leaving the photo shoot this time and Brayden didn't burst out crying. And with the 30 min shoot Eric even behaved.

Check out Paula C's blog on the right under "My Blog List". I'll post more pictures later when I get the cd.

6 months already

It's hard to believe 6 months ago today Brayden was born on a beautiful spring day. Especially since we woke up today to our first snow fall of the year. And so far it's a doozy!! The trees looks so cool with all the thick snow covering them. A great scene to look at but sure glad today it's Saturday and we are staying inside the cozy house for the day. Though Eric is at work today hopefully making a couple sales.

View outside the front door this morning.

We found one of our squirrel friends in the trees this morning.

Brayden continues to be a happy baby but starting to show some signs of "give me what I want right now or I'll scream until I get it." I have stopped with the breast milk so it's formula full time now. He's becoming more and more of a puker and formula puke makes me gag. The good side is he's loving his baby food. Haven't found a food he won't eat yet (though we haven't tried prunes). He's like a little bird when eating just sits there the whole time with his mouth open waiting for more.

Look I can hold my own bottle but not for long enough to feed myself yet.

He's almost crawling now too. He gets up on all 4's and moves his little body back and forth until he scoots forward. I'm sure by Christmas we will have a crawler. (YIKES!) His main means of movement though is rolling. He rolls everywhere until he gets stuck against a wall. He hasn't figured out how to roll the other direction yet.

I was trying to make him crawl to the bottle here. He got there but by pulling himself around.

He is still a joy to take places because he just loves to look around. And at this age he can't run away from you. He just stares and takes it all in. He is also a great sleeper when it's time for bed he gets fussy and you can put him right in his crib. This one doesn't need to be rocked for a while he just falls asleep on his own. I do miss the cuddling so I'll steal him from bed from time to time and he will sleep right on my chest. So he can be a good snuggler (and little heater).

We won't have his official weight and height until his 6mth check up which is in a couple weeks. But again 6 months has went by so fast and he has been such a great baby I could almost have more(?).

Hard to believe in 6 more months our little happy camper will be 1 and the weather should be beautiful once again!!

Look it's a Prowler Fan!!

Brayden supporting his dad and mom's high school!!!

And he's sitting all by himself.

A Trip to the zoo

I decided to take the boys to the zoo by myself on Saturday am. I had some tickets from work to use up and figured since it was a nice day what the heck. I'm happy to report it was a great trip. Chase really enjoyed the morning and could of watched the fish all day long. Of course most of the animals were sleeping but at least they were sleeping in the sun so we could see them. Brayden also enjoyed watching the fish & sharks too.


Here are some photos from our day.

Brayden on his 2nd trip to the zoo. Much more awake this time than when he was 3weeks old.

Chase and the giant tortoise.

Here are some animals we seen.

Timberwolf

Bald Eagle

Kind of hard to see but this was a baby lynx born the same day as Brayden.
Chase pointing at the ugly shark.
Chase and his new tiger sword that lights up and of course he had to sleep with it.

Chase's 1st T-wolves game

Eric was able to get some good seats to the T-wolves game last Friday. They where 4th row on the media side center court. I would of probably passed but with those seats you're almost on the court with the guys. And being it was game 2 of the season I can say I was there in the beginning of their championship season. (yeah right!)

Chase was pretty quiet at first but by half time he had warmed up. He clapped every time any one (Wolves or Bucks) made a basket. And by the end we kind of had him howling like a wolf. Krunch in this tighty red undies

Warm ups

Chase giving the Thumbs up

Can't remember what size these shoes were but scared to think Chase's feet could be this big one day since he's already a 9.5 at age 2.

Halloween Come Earlier

We traveled up to TRF to visit family & friends last weekend. I always like to get up there in the fall before winter hits. Grandma Char joined us for the trip up north and we left Thursday night late. The ride went smoothly as Brayden slept and Chase watched a movie and than fell asleep.

Chase and his cute shirt!!

On Friday we hung out with Grandpa Mike and cousin Bridger for the day. It was a beautiful fall day out and we headed outside for some basketball and football. We were invited to a Halloween costume party Friday night so I got the boys and I all dressed up and we headed to that. Chase enjoyed it and I tied for 1st place prize with my costume. Brayden enjoyed it so much he feel asleep half way though the party.

The Toy story clan & Bridger Favre

One darn cute chicken On Saturday we hung out with Grandma Sue and auntie Lindsay and Bridger came over. We did some Halloween crafts (Halloween craps as Chase calls them). Chase really enjoyed using the scissor and creating a mess of paper on the floor. On Saturday night I took off to go out on the big town of TRF with some friends. I left Grandma/Grandpa in charge of the boys. They had some help from my aunt Shirley/uncle Mike but come Nov 18-21 they are on their own. Eric and I with a bunch of other couples are heading to Las Vegas!!! Grandma/Grandpa are going to watch the boys while we are away. I hope Saturday night prepared them for the 3 nights we are away.

On Sunday morning I got the troops packed up and we hit the road back home. Brayden feel asleep 15mins into the trip and slept for 3 hours. Chase watched half a movie and feel asleep for 2 hours. We had to stop in Little Falls to eat and give the kids a break from the car. Brayden cried for the last 40mins so it made the end of trip that much longer.

All and all a great weekend getaway. Chase is looking forward to Halloween on Sunday as am I since it's my favorite holiday.

Pumpkin Carvings

Here are some shots of our pumpkin carvings from the other night. Eric was the artist with the knife. The rest of us just watched. We did help clean out pumpkin #2 but once Chase saw what I was pulling out of the pumpkin he said "I'll just hold the pumpkin. That will be fun too." (and he placed his hand on the front of the pumpkin) He is such a card!

Eric and his boys. (Fonzie was around someone too just didn't make any pics)

Out front for display. Lets hope the squirrels don't eat them before Halloween.

Chase and I doing our spooky sounds. (or howling at the moon)

Chase turns 2.5 years old

Chase more interested in Connect Four on the I-pad than in his gift.

Chase with the new Leap Frog computer game I got him.
Which after he played it told me the new game is boring. I guess he knows all of the stuff on the game that came with it. I'll have to find him something more challenging but it said 3-6 year old.

Chase turned 2 1/2 on Oct 18th. I can't believe come spring he will be 3 already. He's doing great and really starting to understand so much more about life. Like he gets it that I get frustrated with him when he won't eat (he'll tell Eric at bed time "mommy is mad at me because I only took 2 bites"). He knows his ABC's very well, his colors, shapes, numbers, and is starting to read books back to us now. They are the ones we have read him a hundred times so he's doing to from memory. But it's a nice change.

He still loves to play the WII and I'm amazed how quickly he catches on to the games. Some more than others but he has no problem navigating though the menus and playing on his own. He also is a wiz at the I-pad. We have downloaded games for him to play and he loves to do that. He also likes to watch movies and check the weather on it.

He still isn't potty trained. Not great progress there. He has good days and bad days. We are all still waiting for the day he says "I have to go potty!" We keep telling him no more diapers = more money for toys. We might have to try a weekend potty boot camp soon.

He has his moments but all in all a great kid. I'm hoping the next 6 months are free of the terrible 2's.

Some quotes from Chase:

We get a lot of "let me think about that". (as he touches his face).

When I asked what he was doing down stair he says "Watching Uncle Russ, he's busy working on his new game." (meaning playing a new video game). "

"I want to go with daddy to work, let me get my tie."
"I need to sleep in your bed tonight." Who told you that Chase? "Woody and Buzz"

"Mommy that dinner smells delicious" And than when you get it on his plate that's icky.

Chase mid year stats: weight= 36.5 lbs & height=38inches