About Last Weekend

I feel like lately I've kind of fallen out of the groove of blogging about our daily lives. So, here is a quick peek at what went on in BralyLand last weekend. We woke up on Saturday morning with no plans whatsoever, so I threw out the idea of one last visit to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, because our membership (carried over from Pittsburgh) expires at the end of January. My crew was down with that. It took some time for us all to mobilize, but we were on our way out the door just before 10:30. When we first arrived at the museum, we went downstairs to check out the area where they have the traveling exhibit. The last time we were there, it was about Marco Polo; however, that is now gone, and the new "Whales: Giants of the Deep" exhibit has yet to open. So, we made a beeline for NatureQuest, where our kiddos were more than happy to run around and explore for the next hour or so. 

Balance-beaming on a tree trunk.

Captaining the sub.

A canoe built for two.

"I'm on a boat!"

Going down the rabbit hole.

Concentrated climber.

Piecing together a broken vase.

My pottery puzzle master.

A bit after noon, the boys were complaining of hunger, so we headed downstairs to have lunch. Malone was clearly not too pleased with her older brother's attempts to guide her to the cafe...

"Just let me walk by myself, dangit!"

Thankfully Sister calmed down once she was in her highchair with a cup of milk and a sandwich in hand. We decided to bid farewell to Fernbank right after eating so that we could make a quick stop at a children's shoe store on the way home for naps. That night we opted to stay in -- beef enchiladas for dinner, followed by Star Wars: Episode IV movie night (and, of course, popcorn) in our living room. For different reasons, all three Braly boys were very happy campers. 

On Sunday morning Mommy was running behind, which meant that we were late for church (and by "late", I mean that we arrived at 9:45 instead of 9:30 for the 10:00 service). When we went to check in the munchkins, Maloney's room was already at maximum capacity. Lesson learned. So, Mommy and Daddy had a tagalong for the gathering. 

Not sure what to think about being with all these grownups!

Of course, Baby Girl did awesome and thoroughly enjoyed worship; however, when it came time for the message, she and I snuck out with several other parents and their wee ones. Mommy was able to catch some of what Louie shared, but for the most part I spent the next hour pleasantly distracted by this cutie patootie:

"Am I under arrest??"

Our social butterfly made lots of friends in the lobby.

Though the second half of church was certainly entertaining for me, I can assure you that we'll do everything in our power to arrive at our normal time next week, so that every child gets a spot in his/her respective room in Bloom. :) 

After picking up big brothers, our family headed to Mason Mill Park for a picnic lunch and some playground time. Due to chillier temperatures, this Sunday afternoon tradition had to be temporarily abandoned, but we thought it was warm enough to resume this particular weekend. Unfortunately, our middle child spent a good portion of his time there throwing fits about one thing or another, so he didn't make it into any of the pictures I snapped. 

As always, headed for the slides.

Quickly realized he didn't want to ride on the bow of the pirate ship. 

Would rather slide with Sister, instead.

Though the look on her face says otherwise, she's lovin' it.

Around 1:15, it was clearly time to pack up our brood and head home. Porter had already been taken to the car because of his poor behavior, and his siblings were getting worn out, too. When we were back at the house and heading up for naptime, Malone's forehead and the bottom corner of the staircase had a little disagreement, and the stairs won. :( I was relieved to hear Daddy immediately say that she wouldn't need stitches (unlike Kaiser, who gashed his head open at Oma's + T-Pa's a couple of years back and had to be taken to the ER -- what a nightmare); however, I of course was worried about the scar it would leave behind on her pretty face. Call me sexist, but it's just different with girls. Our sweetheart was so brave (I really think she would have stopped crying within seconds if we hadn't kept putting ice on her head), but walked away with her very first battle wound. 

Later that night, in all its glory.

She seems rather proud of it.

"Check me out!"

Though a blow to our daughter's face wasn't necessarily my ideal way to wrap up our weekend, I am grateful that she fell the way she did and that Jesus protected her from a much worse injury. We are keeping it covered in triple antibiotic ointment and hoping that it won't be long until the only evidence of her wound are the photos taken as it heals.

And, just like that, one weekend is recapped, and another is upon us! Happy Friday, Y'all!

PCC @ Philips Arena

So last weekend was a pretty important one for our church. Over 20,000 18-25 year olds, from all 50 states and 33 different countries, gathered here in Atlanta for a lil event called Passion 2014. I think I've shared before, but Brett and I have a special place in our heart for these gatherings, as our attendance at Passion One Day 2003 played a not-so-indirect role in us meeting each other for the first time, two months later. 

Although we weren't able to be at the conference on Friday and Saturday, our family was excited to learn that, instead of regular services at 10:00, 12:30, and 5:00, our entire house would be gathering at Philips Arena for church on Sunday night! At first Brett and I weren't sure how we could attend this event with our trio, but, as always, Passion City was prepared. We received an email from our kids ministry telling us that, in order to make it the best possible experience for families with children, they would be reserving seating for us in the suites at the arena. They would also have reserved parking for us near the entrance we would be using. We were told to prepare for a longer-than-normal gathering, and to bring whatever food + drink/forms of occupation our kiddos might need to last for just over two hours. 

Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, Brett had to switch with a coworker and ended up being on spine and trauma call last weekend. We weren't too concerned, as most of his cases on Sundays are usually done during the morning/afternoon, but we knew there was always the possibility that he would get called in that evening. As it turned out, several people decided to go and seriously injure themselves on Saturday, and he was stuck operating from late morning on. I prepared myself to head downtown with Kaiser, Porter, and Malone solo, since that looked like my only option if we wanted to attend. I'd woken them early from their naps, loaded them up, and was just a few minutes away from Philips when I got a call from Brett saying that he was finished! Thankfully, the hospital he was at is walking distance from the arena, so we were able to swing by and pick him up on our way. Whew! I was so relieved to have my better half with me for this experience. :)

We got to Philips Arena a bit before 4:30, and waited in line just a couple of minutes before we were checked in and escorted up to our assigned suite, which we shared with two other families. The setup was perfect -- a great view of the stage, with plenty of room for our little people to spread out and stretch their legs when they felt the need.

Seats fillin' up.

They were seriously pumped to be in an arena ("like Star Wars")!

Killing time on the steps.

She's dangerously close to perfecting her "up to no good" face.

So, so glad Daddy got to come with us!

By 5:00, Kaiser was pretty anxious for the gathering to begin. (And, if I'm being honest, his parents were, too!) Soon all of our waiting paid off:

Let's do this, Church.

It's really hard to articulate how amazing the next couple of hours were. Now, I'm not going to pretend that we were able to completely engage in worship the entire time without any distractions; there were plenty of requests for toys, snacks, etc., which I had expected. I knew we were asking a lot of the kiddos, especially at that time of day. Part of me wishes I could have just set up a camera on a tripod and recorded the whole thing, so that we could rewatch it over and over and over again. I did try to get some footage of a few brand new Passion songs, just for memories' sake. Of course, my phone kept on maxing out its storage space and cutting off, leaving me frantically searching for something to delete so that I could record more. Anyway, here are a few little tastes of the awesomeness...

Y'all, those clips really don't even do it justice. I mean, really. At one point, I leaned over to Brett and said that it's been nearly 11 years since we've seen Chris Tomlin + David Crowder + Matt Redman + Christy Nockels on the same stage (add to that Kristian Stanfill + Brett Younker), and I don't think it's all that likely we'll ever see them together again. Makes us even more grateful that we were able to attend! 

As always, Louie followed up worship with a fantastic message about our God who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. (Again, wishing I had a video to replay, as it was getting later and the kids were needing more attention to keep them entertained.) After he finished up, we stayed for another couple of songs and then had to make the difficult decision to leave around 7:15. Miss Malone was just too worn out, and we felt like we needed to get our crew home. 

As we drove back to the house, I asked Kaiser and Porter what they'd thought of church at the arena. They both declared that it had "rocked their socks off!" :) Even though it was a long and later-than-normal night for our family, we feel so blessed to have been there, with thousands of other believers and our children by our side, lifting up the Name above all names. Thanks for making it happen, PCC.

Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth, we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and Your renown are the desire of our souls. 

Isaiah 26:8

Malone Marie: Month 16

Maloney B, it's that time yet again. {Sigh.} Though your momma may have no idea what 16 years old will look like, she can state with certainty that 16 months old sure is sweet...

Here are some highlights of life with you at Sweet 16:

• It's kind of insane to me that you've been walking for 1/3 of a year already. I still get comments all the time about how tiny you look to be trotting around so quickly. You've recently learned how to walk backwards, too, and you get a kick out of backing away from me when I'm comin' at you with a bow or clean diaper. Since you're now bound and determined to climb our stairs, I'm making an effort to teach you how to get back down them safely. Each morning when I come up to fetch you for breakfast, we practice your descent to the first floor. You turn around and lay on your belly at the top; then, with me standing just a few steps below watching, you cautiously move down, one step at a time, completely on your own. You are getting a little more confident with each trip to the bottom landing.

• Mealtime is happy time for you. You squeal and jabber with excitement when it's time to hop in your highchair for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I'm happy to say that you are still eating an excellent variety of healthy foods (though you definitely go wild when you see a cookie headed your way, too!). This month you've made a lot of headway with using utensils to feed yourself. I basically hand you the spoon and let you go to town with your oatmeal and yogurt in the mornings. If I'm not looking and you're getting to the end of the bowl, where it is harder to scoop, you will try to stick your fingers in to get some bites; other than that, you are really surprisingly efficient and quite proud of yourself! Poking with a fork is a bit harder, so Mommy provides some assistance at dinnertime, but you usually get the fork to your mouth with minimal mess. At this point, I'm thinking there is definite potential that you will be a lefty, which makes your biggest brother so happy. Kaiser is anxious to have a fellow southpaw in our family!

Still trying to figure the best way to hold that thing!

You make yogurt beards look good.

Stabbing food takes concentration, fo sho.

• I'm also so thankful that you are still a sleepin' machine. You never -- knock on wood -- fuss when we put you in your crib; on the contrary, you always seem ready to lay down and snuggle with/suck on Lolly, and drift off (or, at least, quiet down) at naptime and nighttime very quickly. Lately I've been coming up to get you around 8:00 am each day; sometimes you are still asleep, but often you are awake and just hanging out and talking happily to yourself. I live for the huge smiles and kisses I get from you first thing in the morning. Coming to fetch you in the afternoon can be a different story; even if you've slept a solid 3 hours, you often wake up cranky and extra-needy of Mommy's attention.

Your post-nap pout face slays me, Girl.

• You are still not a big gabber, but lately you've been showing us that you can talk when you want to. Among the words you've said are mommy ("mah-mee"), baby ("bah-bee"), night-night ("nah-nah"), and tick-tock ("tee-tah"). My attempts to teach you to communicate through signing (which, in all honesty, have been far from committed or consistent) were met with some resistance, but you have finally started to sign "please" (by rubbing your chest/tummy) and "more" (you have your own unique version of this one where you carefully press your two pointer fingers together, a la E.T.). Although I am incredibly anxious for you to talk, if I've learned anything from raising three children, it's this: Y'all cannot be compared to each other, because you each do everything when you darn well please. :) So, this is your momma, continuing to wait ever-so-(im)patiently...

• You cut a couple new teeth this past month -- your lower left lateral incisor (12/25) and lower right lateral incisor (12/27). This means you're finally even on top and bottom and have a perfect dozen in all. You've been more cooperative at teeth-cleanin' time; you love to stand on the boys' bathroom step stool and hang onto the edge of the sink, just like them, while we brush.

• As I've mentioned before, you are quite the busybody, and it's getting harder and harder to tame that mane of yours when you're on the move. I can usually get you to stay still enough to sneak a bow in your hair, but more and more often I find myself turning around to see that you've yanked it back out and tossed it on the ground. Thankfully I buy you pretty cheap bows, as we've already lost two when we've been out and about and you've ditched them without me noticing right away. Feel free to stop that anytime, Sister.

"Bow? I don't need no stinkin' bow!"

• As I look at the picture above (one of hundreds captured by your Aunt Amanda during her time here), I can't help but mention that you are one tough cookie. I guess it comes as no surprise, seeing as you have two older brothers against whom you have to hold your own. But really, there have been several occasions recently when you have taken a significant tumble, and I completely expect you to lose it, but instead you bounce right back. I felt so bad last Sunday at church, because I forgot to put my cell phone in my back pocket during worship and missed a text message letting me know that you'd tripped, fallen, and hit your head, and it was starting to swell up. I would have immediately come back to the nursery to check on you; however, by the time I got the message, they had already sent me another one saying that you'd calmed down so quickly, they thought you were ready to go right back to playing. After receiving reassurance that you were okay, I decided I'd best stay where I was so I didn't upset you by coming and then leaving again. When I picked you up at the end of service, you had a nice little goose egg and a big ole grin on your face. NBD.

• One of the quirky things you do lately is search for socks laying around our house (with the way Kaiser and Porter strip off their clothes, there are way more than I'd like to admit) and pull them onto your hands like mittens. It's seriously an obsession, and it cracks us up. Then you just go around playing, business as usual (except for the fact that you can't use your fingers on one hand, of course). I'd say that maybe your hands are cold and I should just buy you some real mittens, but I have a feeling you'd still go for the socks. 

Now we just need to teach you how to put them on your feet!

• When you're not busy wearing your brothers' socks on your hands, you like to be in on whatever they are playing. This includes fighting with lightsabers (see my "tough cookie" notes above). Whenever Kaiser starts swinging his saber, you pick up Porter's (turns out he's more of a lover than a fighter) and join in. Sometimes he needs reminders to go easy, because you can't defend yourself like he can, but Kaiser gets a kick out of your brother/sister duels. And, judging from the look on your face and the laughter that pours from your mouth, so do you.  

We fear you may be turning to the Dark Side...

• After spending the last several months watching Kaiser and Porter stand in our designated "picture spot" by the piano and saying, "Cheese!" so Mommy can snap a photo of them before school, you've caught on to our little routine. Now it's pretty much expected that you'll be "cheese"ing right alongside them. As soon as you see me pull out my camera and crouch down, you back yourself up against the white wall and smile. Gotta learn sometime, right?

Perfecting the smirk.

If that's not Christmas cheer, I don't know what is.

You'll be an old pro by the time you're in preschool.

• You have always enjoyed bath time, but as of a week or so ago, we can add shower time to your list of loves. One night Daddy decided to pull the curtain and spray you hooligans from above; turns out it was not only more efficient, but also a big hit! I peeked in on y'all the other night and watched your tiny self scooting around, trying not to run into your brothers' legs, just sputtering with a smile on your face. There is most definitely no fear of the water in you!

"Suds me up!"

• This past month was full of holiday fun. You had a blast hangin' with your beloved cousins and your aunt and uncle, and in between those visits celebrated your second Christmas. You weren't all that into opening up your presents, but you were a sport watching Kaiser and Porter rip into their packages, and then had fun playing with toys when it was all said and done. I am already excited for next year and the magic that Christmas brings to the world of a 2-year-old! 

• Since we've talked plenty about things you like, I should maybe mention something you're not really diggin' these days: riding in the car. You put up with it well enough, but it's not unusual for you to screech loudly and rip off your boots and throw them as an act of protest. A sippy cup of milk or a toy will sometimes keep you entertained for a while, but soon these get chunked, as well. Am I a horrible mom for admitting that, feeling completely helpless, I sometimes just turn up the music to drown out your fussing?? So sorry that I'm forced to strap you in that torture seat, but it's kinda the law, Kiddo.

• In the size department, you are still "small but mighty". Though it was not my intention, I lied last month about moving you up to size 4 diapers; you're still in a size 3. I have a feeling we'll be hanging out in size 12-18 month clothes for quite a while, too. I am already ready for warmer weather and anxious to pull out your summer dresses and bubbles!

How about a few extra snaps -- you know, to keep the grandparents happy?? ;)

Flashing your "One more bite of ice cream, please?" face.

Just begging to be tickled.

Kept yourself busy for close to half an hour with a cup of ice. Throw ice cubes on ground, put ice cubes back in cup, repeat.

Hey there, Squints.

Cruisin' the cul-de-sac with your favorite chauffeur.

Found your momma's soda stash.

Singin' karaoke at a playdate with a bunch o' boys.

This 'do never gets old.

Raising your glass to Daddy while he plays guitar.

Can't get enough of sliding solo.

My Gorgeous Girl, 

Thank you for letting me have a front row seat to your fabulous life. You are one of the four people in the world that make mine worth living. Love you so, so big. 

XOXO

5 & 15

So, backing up once again to the final weeks of 2013...

Because of the way their birthdays fall, I was able to kill two birds with one stone and schedule Kaiser's 5 year and Malone's 15 month well checkups with the pediatrician on Thursday, December 19. This was the first day of Kaiser's school break, so I was grateful to get the visit out of the way before things got busy with our trip to Charlotte, celebrating Christmas, and our Oklahoma visitors. 

We had our appointment with Miss Joy, the PA whom we had seen back in October for Porter's 3 year checkup. Our middle child loved that this time he got to lay low and play on the LeapPad while Big Bro and Lil Sis got all the attention. There was quite a crowd in the small room, as initially two nurses came in to ask me questions about both children simultaneously. Kaiser and Malone also went out to have their oh-so-important measurements taken. Here's where we're at currently:

KJB

42 pounds (61st %ile)

41 3/4 inches (27th %ile)

MMB

19 pounds 10 ounces (26th %ile)

29 inches (8th %ile)

47 cm (83rd %ile)

Our sturdy son had put on nearly 6 pounds and grown just over 2 inches since his checkup the previous year. Meanwhile, our little lady remains just that -- little. (With the exception of her noggin, of course...)

 

Clearly the pair were thrilled to be there.

We had to wait a while in between seeing the nurses and seeing Miss Joy. The boys were fairly patient and quiet. Their youngest sibling, however, was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster (par for the course for her more recent doctor visits). We managed to hold it together...barely.

Book-reading was short-lived.

"Let's just get this over with already!"

Giving up some small smiles for her brothers. 

When all else fails, we pull out the iPhone video camera...

Once Miss Joy finally came in to talk to us, Kaiser was glad to see her; Malone was pleasant enough, but not overly enthusiastic about making friends with the PA. Miss Joy chatted with/examined the eldest first, and everything checked out A-OK. Then he left to go down the hall with a medical assistant for hearing and vision tests -- both of which he passed with flying colors. Next up was Malone, whose exam was a bit rough (having things poked in your ears + nose + mouth = MAJOR trauma!). Everything looked great, except Miss Joy was concerned about Malone's lack of speech (since, when asked, I informed her that she did not yet say five words). I tried to remind myself that neither Kaiser nor Porter were talking at this age and to not be nervous when she wanted me to fill out an assessment for potential developmental delay. Our girl's scores in the other categories thankfully helped her fall into the "normal" range for now; we'll just see how her communication skills have grown at her 18 month checkup in March!

Unfortunately, a visit to the doctor doesn't seem complete without a couple of vaccinations for my kiddos. Poor Malone was already feelin' a little peeved, then we had to go and add three shots to make her step over the line into fightin' mad. Kaiser got off easy with just a flu mist and a quick blood draw (which I'm so thankful they are able to do right there!) from his finger to test his iron levels. He was told at his last appointment in Pittsburgh that he wouldn't need any more shots until he was 11, and he's definitely holding me to that!

Nearly two hours later, our crew walked out the front door of the pediatrician's office. A couple of us definitely looked and felt a bit more weary than others. 

"Please don't bring me back here for at least three months!"

I can never say enough how grateful I am for the blessing of three healthy children. I'll take a bit of well check whininess any day in exchange for knowing that my sons and daughter are indeed well!