My Adoring Fans

A couple weekends ago, Nana and Poppy came to visit and it was wonderful.  SO sweet and special to be able to spend time with my parents and just have them love on little man.  Mom and Dad came to Houston to buy a car they actually bought online (very modern of them).  So Friday night we went to the dealership with them to check out their new sweet ride.  Saturday was a day devoted entirely to loving on Brody and eating Shipley doughnuts. (One of my personal favorite things about when my parents come is that my Dad always buys doughnuts which I have to eat, right?)  Sunday we went to church and checked out our new interim pastor, went to China Inn for lunch of course and loved on Brody some more.  Sunday night Greg's parents came over for pizza and games.  After a rocky start, my dad ended up winning and we all had a good time.  OH, and I loved that every five seconds all weekend long I could hear my mom say, "Oh, Jim look at _________" (referring to something Brody was doing).  So cute!  AND I loved that Poppy got a smile and/or laugh from Brody everytime he looked at him or talked to him.  Seriously.every.time!  It was such a perfect and relaxing weekend! 

Then this past weekend, Greg's parents watched Brody so that Greg and I could go on a real live actual date.  Now, don't get my wrong, we've left Brody with them for small group and other occasions, but never so that just the two of us could go out.  It was a.mazing!  We went to dinner at one of Greg's favorite Italian places, Hasta la Pasta.  It was such a nice night that we were able to dine outdoors.  Then went to a movie (which I don't think we've done in six or so months).  We saw Silver Linings Playbook.  I personally really liked it.  It's rough around the edges, but made me laugh and had a good ending.  I wish we would have taken a picture because I was actually dressed with my hair done!  Why do I not take advantage of these rare opportunities, but I guess you'll just have to trust me.  Anyway, it was some much needed time out of the house with my hubs. 

Grandparents, in a word, are awesome.  I think the four of them will be starting Brody's official fan club soon in case you're interested in joining. 

Time Marches On

Not only does time march on, but it marches a little too quickly which is again why this post, Brody's five month post, is SO late.  I think my official life motto for the next several years is going to be better late than never.  This just might kill my husband who is a little eager beaver and "why wait to do tomorrow what you can get done today" type of person.  Hopefully it won't and I'll continue to try to get things done, but none the less, Brody turned five months and this little post here will recap his fourth month of life. 

Brody hit two big milestones this month.  He rolled over from stomach to back and started eating rice cereal.  Now, Brody CAN roll over, but he often chooses(?) not to.  He is becoming more of a wiggle worm, but not so much a roley poly.  Brody has done very well with his cereal.  Obviously the first time was a little messy, but he continues to get better and seems to enjoy it.  He's the cutest little thing when he opens up his little mouth for his next bite.  We do cereal one time a day after his 11:00 feeding.  His schedule really hasn't changed much.  He eats at 7:00, 11:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 10:00.  His morning nap is still usually pretty good and he sleeps anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours.  This is a wide range and I just roll with it.  His afternoon nap has really become the better nap and he usually sleeps from 12:30 to 3:00.  And he still needs a little nap in the late afternoon.  We no longer take any naps on the floor which daddy is happy about since he thought it was weird.  Thankfully Brody usually doesn't wake up and cry anymore between 7:30 and 10:00.  Sometimes he does, but it's rare and if he does it's only for a few minutes.  He is still the most precious baby.  He's a total people watcher and will stare you down.  He is very aware and loves to check everything out.  He smiles and laughs at mommy some, but man does this little boy LOVE to smile and laugh at his daddy.  He's just a little bit goofier than mommy and Brody eats it up!  Brody is still wearing size 2 diapers (VERY close to size 3) and wears 6 months in clothes for the most part.  He is still extremely hot natured and usually wears short sleeves and light pants unless it's VERY cold.  I can not go by my cold natured self when I dress him.  He will let me know when he gets hot and it's one of the times he gets fussy.  He is a little bit more fussy also when (I'm guessing) his teething bothers him.  He loves his Sophie giraffe and thankfully I think she helps ease the pain.  

Normally, I would not have known Brody's stats for five months, but since we had to go back in for his head check up, we know that Brody is 16 lbs. 5 oz. and 26 1/4 inches long.  We are SO grateful to report a good check up on Brody's head.  His head grew and they could still feel his soft spot.  These are the two things we wanted to hear.  They are going to continue to monitor it because it's still in a lower percentage than it was his first few months of life, but as of now there is no need to do anything further.  We feel so blessed that this is the news we received.  On my way home from the doctor I couldn't help but think that we could have received such different news and was so thankful.  Thank you everyone for your prayers on Brody's behalf. 

Four Month Highlights

• First Christmas
• Starting eating cereal
• Likes to stand up more
• Started using Sophie
• Started using his bouncer
• First visit to see daddy at school

Now on to the pics....here is Brody in all his baby cuteness.

Photo shoot with cousin Jordan.  He LOVES little Brody Bear.

Brody, however, is not so sure what to think about Jordan.

 

 

Lovin' my Sophie girl.

 

 

Little angel baby.

My precious little man.

 

Brody LOVES being outside.

 

Case and point.

 

 

First time in his bouncer...a little dazed and confused.

First visit to see daddy at school.

Liking it a little better.

 

 

Poor little man did not feel very good this day.

 

 

Yeah, I'm a chill baby.

Before the eating shenanigans.

Concentrating very hard.

I think I like it..

Too cute for his own good!

 

Love, love, love my daddy.

     

Oh Me, Oh My!

The Christmas break came and went and I've not posted a thing!  I've got so much, so here goes:

• We celebrated Greg's grandmother's 80th birthday and an early Christmas with all of the Krauses on December 22.  It was a fun evening full of family, good food, presents, and even karaoke. *I totally forgot to take my camera, but thankfully Karen Kraus took some pictures.  Hopefully I can add them later.

• Christmas Eve was my BIG birthday.  That's right the BIG 3.0.!  I was able to talk to both my sisters and parents and got several other sweet calls, texts and FB messages.  I felt very loved and special.  Greg and I mostly hung out during the day.  He was sweet and got me my usual from my favorite Bagel Cafe for lunch which was fabulous.  Then the 8 immediate Krauses went went to our Christmas Eve Service at church and out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  In true Emily fashion, I waited to almost the last possible second to open my presents.  I got lots of sweet and thoughtful things from my accountability girls and family.  A very special present came from husband.  He bought tickets for us to go to wicked when it comes to Houston this year.  Apparently, they are amazing seats and I was SO surprised at the generous and thoughtful gift.  I did have an amazing day, but there will be even more celebrating in June with my mom and sisters.  SO excited about this!

Yea!  Our first Christmas Eve with our precious Brody!

Jordan wants to keep the winning ticket.  Grandad won $500 big ones!

 

Brody is not so sure about someone else sharing Dad's lap for his
bedtime story.

 

• We celebrated Christmas Day at David and Cathy's.  It was great!  It was laid back and relaxing.  We opened presents and then had a late breakfast.  I must give credit to David for being one of the best breakfast makers I know.  He made omelets that put most restaurants to shame!  Little Brody Bear made out like a bandit thanks to his grandparents and aunts and uncles.  He got toys and clothes galore!  I must also say that I'm SO glad the Krauses open presents like I did growing up.  We pass out all the presents from under the tree and then we open them one at a time.  It's SO great!  And one of my favorite parts of this Christmas was Jordan playing Santa.  Gary would hand him a present from under the tree and tell him whose pile to put it in and Jordan would skip & hop to put the present into the correct pile.  He did try to "steal" some of Brody's presents by putting them in his pile (accidentally I'm sure), but we made sure each present got to the rightful owner.  It was super cute to watch the whole thing.  Later we had gumbo that Cathy had made, but sadly David couldn't join us because Nanny was not doing well and had to be taken to the hospital.  Her white blood cell count was drastically low, but she is recovering now and will hopefully be back to feeling good soon. 

Opening his first present on Christmas Day!



 

 

• On New Years Eve, we celebrated Greg and I both turning the BIG 3.0. by going out to dinner and back to our house for games.  It was another relaxing and fun evening! 

How cute does my little man look in his polo and jeans!?
He's ready to ring in the new year with style...except that he
still went to bed at 7:30 and amazingly slept through
the fireworks that sounded like bombs going off.

 

• One of the biggest highlights of the Christmas break was we bought a new car!  Well, new to us, so we consider that new.  We had been looking into getting a new car, and felt the time was right to part with our dear Acura for something just a little bit bigger.  I felt the time was right so we could still get some money for our beloved car.  So, instead of seating for five, we have seating for 8!  We're hoping this is the biggest car we'll have to own, since we have room for six little munchkins in the back.  The first time I drove it, it did feel slightly like a tank or bus bigger than the Acura.  However, I think I'm already getting used to it with the exception of parking it in the garage.  I don't know if I'll ever get used to that.  I think I almost gave Greg a heart attack.  Yikes!

• Another high from the break was that I cut off all my hair (as pictured above).  Well, not quite ALL of it, but 9 inches later, it feels like all of it.  In following my typical pattern, I let my hair grow out really long, I got really sick of it and I chopped it all off.  The best thing about cutting my hair short is always the first shower afterwards.  It's SO easy and it makes you ponder your sanity for the fact that you've been washing all of those extra inches of unnecessary hair.  Anyway, for me there's no buyers remorse on our purchase or the removal of so much nagging hair.  I do however look like a true Katy, suburban stay at home mom 30 something with my short hair and SUV!  Notice I didn't say feel  like it.  I'm not really embracing or hating it because I totally don't feel 30!  But as I start the new year with new things:  new car, new age, new hair, I remember they're just things.  I'm so thankful for the real gifts in my life: my family and friends.  I don't know what 2013 with bring for the Kraus House, but we commit it to the Lord and trust him with each new day.