Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Bwooks and Bwody



These two little guys are going to have so much fun growing up together. Hopefully they will get to play football and baseball together in high school for the Ricebirds. Brooks became good friends with Brody when we rode with he and his mom to get his haircut in Sugar land. Wish I would have gotten pictures of the two of them in the backseat.

On June 2nd, we all got together in El Campo to visit with Grandpa Popp's sisters, Sister Adalaide and Sister Anna Marie. They got a kick out of all the kiddos.

Sip N See






We are very blessed to have an amazing church family. I grew up Catholic and in Shiner, nearly everyone is Catholic. I still consider myself Catholic, and always will, but in order for Nick and I to attend the same church on Sundays, I attend with him at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wharton. I really love the people there. It is a very small, tight knit church. Mamo was never happy that I married outside of the Catholic religion...she's obviously a very old school, hard core Catholic. I think she became more accepting of it when she attended Brody's baptism. Anyways, on May 16th, we along with 5 other families were honored with an old fashioned "Sip and See." It was absolutely adorable! Here are a few pictures from the event! I cannot wait for all these kiddos to attend Sunday school together. Should be very interesting!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Brodster's Life

Everytime I start a post it goes...since I have been a terrible blogger....blah blah blah! I just hate taking time away from Brody to actually sit down and type anything out. I spend very little time on the internet...if I can't do it on my phone, I just don't do it. Watch out when I get an iphone! I have been writing little blurbs on a calendar and will transfer some of it to the blog, which mostly consists of stuff about him!

APRIL:
2nd-3rd we were in Shiner to celebrate Brody's 1st Easter. We took a few pictures that didn't turn out very well because it was just toooo hot outside for the little fellow. We picked Easter flowers in Mom and Dad's ditch to make Brody's 1st Easter nest. Most people don't know what an Easter nest is, but it's a tradition we have done since we were all little bitty. The Easter Bunny comes and puts gifts and candy in the ring of flowers, much like St. Nicholas. Brody's 1st nest didn't consist of the mother-load of gifts like we usually got because there really isn't anything he needed. We gave him a swing for the tree and my parents gave him a super cute Gymboree tractor outfit. We left early Sunday morning to make it in time for church in Wharton. Brody were his Easter suit and was such a ham. Nick held him at the end of the pew during communion and he jabbered to everyone as they walked back from communion. He seems like quite the politician...full of bull corn!

11th- What an amazing day! It was my birthday and Brody's baptism. What a wonderful birthday gift. We had lots of family and friends to celebrate the special day with us. Auntie Jamie, Auntie Jill, Uncle Luke, and Uncle Jake were chosen to be Brody's Godparents. Each one of these people are soooo very special to us, we know that they will help guide Brody and be there for him whenever he needs them. After the baptism, we had a catered meal at The Lodge in Wharton. It ended up being Staff's fried chicken with trimmings. I was disappointed at first because it was supposed to be chicken fried chicken and they made the wrong meal. It was still very good, but not exactly what I wanted! Those that attended Brody's baptism were: Granny and Popo Chumchal, Uncle Jaace, Auntie Jamo and Uncle Robert, Auntie Jill and Uncle Tom, Mamaw and Papa Chumchal, Mamo Migl, Great Auntie Carolyn and Great Uncle Allen, Grammy and Papa Popp, Uncle Luke and Aunt Jenna, Eli, Uncle Jake and Auntie SBG, Great Grams, Great Grandma Popp, Great uncle Ken Mattheaus and Beverly, Joe, Julie, and Jennifer Mask. Brody got lots of very generous gifts....several Bibles, a rosary, lots of money, a life insurance policy, clothes, a personalized cross and frames. He is abundantly blessed and loved.

15th-Brody and I made our first trip alone to Shiner to help decorate for Auntie Jamo's wedding. The great grandma's did most of the babysitting while we decorated. Daddy was not thrilled about being without us at home, but he survived.
16th-During the day, we met up with lots of Jamie's out of town guests at the Spoetzl Brewery. Brody went on his first of many tours! He slept through the entire thing.
17th-Brody had a huge day! He got to be the ring bearer at his auntie's wedding. He was absolutely adorable in his little tux. I got to walk him down the aisle and handed him to Nick at the end of the aisle. Nick held him throughout the ceremony and walked him down at the end. I was one very very proud Mommy when I walked him down. It took everything I had not to burst into tears. You could hear all the oohs and ahhs as we made it down the aisle. Brody slept throughout the mass.....such a good little boy. The wedding was fabulous and everyone had a wonderful time. Mommy had a really really good time! Grammy and Papa had a room at the Bed and Breakfast so they took Brody with them for a while until we left the wedding. We cleaned up the hall the next day.
24th-Mommy went to Shiner to attend Auntie Jill's Pampered Chef showers. Brody stayed at home with Daddy for the 1st time. They had lots of fun riding around and visiting people.
28th-12 weeks old. We transitioned him from his pack and play to his crib. He did a wonderful job and continued to sleep through the night. He usually goes down at 9:30pm and wakes up at 6:30am for a bottle. Again, what an awesome baby!

MAY:
1st-Jill's bachelorette party at the Longhorn Saloon in Shiner. Nick, Popo, and the rest of the guys babysat while we partied!
4th-We went to the WCYF steer show. Brody was thoroughly impressed with all the animals. He just stared and stared! The love of cows and tractors are in his blood!
7th-Brody went all day and night without his paci and has not had one since! We went to Great Grandma Popp's for Mother's Day dinner.
8th-Went to the WCYF sale.
9th-Mother's Day! Such a beautiful day, that I never fully appreciated until this year. Being a mother is the BEST job on the face of this Earth. I would give anything and everything I have for this handsome little boy. He makes our world go around! Nick and Brody took Mommy to lunch at PF Chang's and then shopping to the Galleria where we bought lots of clothes for Brody. I have more fun shopping for him than myself so that was my request! Brody gave me a "B" charm for my necklace. I absolutely LOVE it!
11th-Brody was antsy in bed and clawing at the sheets. A put a "lovey" in bed with him to grab and he was immediately soothed. This began his love for his "snoozie rag!"
12th-Brody, Mommy, and Grammy went to El Campo to pick up his 1st little Red Flyer Wagon that he actually got as a gift from Grammy and Papa at Christmas. It just took a while to come in. While we were there, we fell in love with a John Deere "big" wagon so Grammy spoiled him with that too. He loves being in both wagons!
13th-Brody and Daddy went to check cows in Pledger and Brody was amazed again at the cows. He just sat stared at them the entire time.
14th-Uncle Jake graduated from Texas State. We had lunch with everyone in Wimberley. Brody had his 1st hotel stay in New Braunfels that evening.
15th-We shopped in Gruene and all had a "bottle" at Gruene Hall. We went through Shiner and stayed the night.
16th-We left very early Sunday morning to be back in time for church. The people of our church put on a Sip and See for the 6 babies that were born this past year. It was absolutely precious. They really outdid themselves. We are very blessed to be members of a church that is so close knit and loving. Brody will have lots of little pals to attend Sunday school with. They gave us a monogrammed blankie, a ceramic plate that says, "For this child, I prayed," and a willow tree statue.
18th-Brody really found his "monster voice." It is so funny to hear him growl and funnier to watch him figure out how to do it when he forgets and we make the sound to him.
19th-Granny came up to go shopping and take pictures with Brody. They are adorable. We also got his baptismal pictures taken.
20th-We bought Brody and blow up pool for the summer time. It was too cold to get into so we waited until the next day. He absolutely LOVES the water. I was always a water baby and we hope he is as well. I think knowing how to swim is one of the most important things in life.
21st-Moved up to a size 3 diaper. They look huge! There is nothing cute about a big ole size 3 diaper compared to the itty bitty size 1s. He has grown entirely too fast! Nick and I had to go to Sugar Lanf for tires for Nick's truck so Brody stayed with Grammy, Papa, and Uncle Jake. We ate dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It was nice to have a little alone time together, but we sure missed our little B-man....especially when the people next to us had a baby about the same age. It made me feel guilty for not having him with us. I'm sure that feeling will subside when he starts daycare.
22nd-San Marcos trip! You were going to stay with Granny but she had lots of work to get done for Auntie Jill's wedding. You came with us and boy, was that interesting! The trip there was fine. We forgot your float so we went to Target to get a new one. We swam all day at Uncle Jake's apartment and you LOVED it! We went to Shiner that night and it took us about 2 hours to get there. You screamed the entire way to Shiner. It was HORRIBLE....so unlike you. We would stop and pull you out of the carseat and you were fine. My stomach was in knots! We knew it was the carseat, but we had no choice. You HAD to be in the seat. The next day, I went to get you a new big boy carseat! You were a-ok when I put you in that one!

JUNE
3rd-Brody, Mommy, and Grammy went to Shiner to decorate for Auntie Jill's wedding. Grammy watched you most of the time, while Mommy decorated. Friday we all hung out and went to the brewery gift shop.
5th-Brody had another VERY BIG day! He got to wear a tuxedo and be the ring bearer AGAIN! The next time we go to a wedding, you are not going to know how to act without wearing a tux! ;) You were the cutest little guy around, once again! You were an angel and slept through church, but woke up in time for pictures. Mommy held you throughout the entire mass, and let me just tell you, you are HEAVY!!! The wedding was a blast! We cannot believe that both weddings are over....very sad!
7th-4 month checkup. 19 3/4 lb. 28 in. Doctor Schafer says you are comparable to an average 10 month old. Jeez, son....please slow down!
9th-12th--FRIO RIVER FUN!!
12th-Back home and went to the Leopold Family Reunion in Nada. That night we picked up Uncle Tom and Auntie Jill from the airport. They had arrived from their honeymoon in St. Lucia.
14th-You started eating pears and we introduced you to your 1st sippy cup. You loved the pears and the apple juice!

I'll expand on several of these important days when I can pry myself away from you, you spoiled little boy!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Mommy's Last Brody Check-up

On Tuesday, February 20th, I had my last doctor's visit for this pregnancy. We had started seeing Dr. Cone in November of 2008. We very quickly got familiar with he and his staff as things did not progress the way they were supposed to and we were at the clinic LOTS of times within about 4 weeks. I don't even want to know how many times we made that trek to Houston in the past 16 months. The good thing is that we have a break for an entire year! Wooo! This is very bittersweet for us. We absolutely LOVE Dr. Cone and the people who work for him. I was on the verge of tears when we walked out on Tuesday. They have all been very helpful and supportive throughout our trials and tribulations. They were never frustrated when I would call with silly questions. We appreciate everything these great people did for us. We couldn't leave without pictures.

Nurse Becky and Brody~She wanted to steal him from us, but she only got away with a kiss!


Dr. Cone and Brody

Nurse Angela and Brody-Angela is the floor nurse so she knows EVERYTHING about me.

Nurse Lynn-When I was 38 weeks preggo, Mom, Jamie, Jill, and I saw Lynn and her daughter shopping at Memorial City Mall. It was neat that she knew my name outside of the clinic. That may seem silly to some people, but this clinic sees lots of people. There were 9,300 babies delivered at our hospital and most of those are OGA patients.

We are very blessed to have these wonderful nurses and doctor. Can't wait to use them for the next baby.....yearssssss down the road!

My Preppy Little Redneck!

I like boys in sweater vests or button downs with jeans. The "preppy" outfits are my fave. Nick has (very surprisingly) let me dress Brody in whatever I pick. He had even agreed with me on not putting Brody in John Deere baby clothes. When he's a little older, I'm sure he'll have a JD t-shirt or two, but it was just something I didn't want to subject him to as a teeny little infant. Well, today we got a very cute, teeny tiny little cap from the Schaefer's for Brody's birth. He looks sooooo cute in it, but we still aren't running out and buying him a JD onesie!


Nick Jr.

Brody, your Mommy DOES exist!

The only time I am in a picture or video is if I ASK someone to take a picture of Brody with me. How sad! Here are a few of you and me, little man!


Businessman

How can you NOT laugh at this??