Braden's 3rd Birthday Party

If you know me at all then you know that I am HUGE birthday person. I believe that this is your SPECIAL day to celebrate your SPECIAL gift of life. Therefore, I have always tried to make Braden's birthday a celebration! This past summer I started brainstorming ideas for his 3rd birthday and it was a toss up between trains and buses. Braden loves both! Braden helped me finally settle on a school bus theme.

So the dilemma each year is not so much the theme as what are we going to do? Considering that it is a January birthday doesn't always make for the most terrific weather. And this year was NO exception. To go along with the school bus theme I had booked a tumblebus to come for Braden's birthday, but because we actually got snow and ice the Thursday before the tumblebus driver wasn't comfortable driving an hour to our house. So what did I do? I called Brad and cried!!!! And then I picked myself up and decided that we would make the best out of it anyways and it ended up being a great party!

Braden helped me make the treat bags earlier in the week and he was SO excited about all of his friends coming over, but his favorite part was the school bus cake! He absolutely could not take his eyes off his cake when we showed it to him Saturday morning!

There is absolutely no doubt that Braden has my birthday celebration genes! He certainly loves the attention, presents, fun, and CAKE!

Happy 3rd birthday Braden! We love you!

Parker- One Month

Our precious Parker Reed is already one month old. I can't figure out if it seems like he just got here or has been here forever. He is simply adorable. Here are some of his month one milestones:

• Parker has slept for 5 hours stright for the past 2 nights



• He is lifting his head and he seems to be really strong
  


• He is alert for over an hour at a time now



• He loves to lay on the floor and watch Braden



• He turns his head towards Brad when he hears his voice
  


• He is cooing, squealing and smiling

Christmas 2009

Christmas is really a huge blur for me this year (I'm pretty sure it has something to do with being at the hospital for most of the week, delivering a newborn, and sleep deprivation!). However, Braden really enjoyed Christmas this year and that is all that truly matters

Here are a few of the special memories that I can recall from Christmas.

• We were released from the hospital at 2:30 on Christmas Eve and went straight to my parent's house for the Christmas Eve festivities.
  


• DINNER- wedge salad (my favorite), twice baked potatoes, grilled shrimp and shrimp scampi- YUMMMMMMMM!
  


• Braden helping to pass out gifts



• Having Parker with us for his first Christmas
  


• Santa being way too tired to put together all of Braden's gifts
  


• Braden being SUPER excited about his trains and train tables- not even paying attention to the other toys!
  


• Enjoying Christmas breakfast with our boys and our parents

The one tradition that we didn't get around to this year was making Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes, but we will certainly continue that tradition with the boys in the years to come.

Brothers

All for one and one for all

My brother and my friend

What fun we have

The time we share

Brothers 'til the end.

~Author Unknown

My Baby is 3!!!!

Today Braden Wright Hoffman is 3 years old! I cannot believe how quickly these past 3 years have flown by or how much more I love him each day. Braden is so sweet and yet so challenging at the same time. He is without a doubt his mother's child. He can make me laugh and want to scream all with in the same minute, but I enjoy every second with him.

My prayer for Braden is that he will always know how much we love him unconditionally. That he will remain firm in his values and opinions even when they are not popular. That he will treat others with kindness, humility and respect. My prayer is that he will be confident in who he is and where he comes from. That no matter what he treasures his relationship with Christ above all else.

Braden Wright Hoffman, you are such a special gift from God and Mommy and Daddy love you more than you can ever know or understand.

Parker Reed is Here!

Parker Reed Hoffman made his grand entrance on December 23, 2009 at 12:16 pm. It was another eventful delivery- just like his big brother! We feel so blessed that he has joined our family and we can't wait to watch him grow.

We love you Parker!

Santa on a Fire truck!

Each year the local volunteer fire department near our house visits the local neighborhoods and gives out bears to all of the children. It is so neat because they drive in on two fire trucks and Santa and Mrs. Clause are always riding at the front. They run the siren to alert everyone and then play Christmas music from the speakers. It is so much fun to see all of the neighborhood kids come running into their front yards to see Santa.

The past 2 years they came the first Sat. in Dec. and we have always just caught them before we left to go to Brad's parents for our annual Christmas gathering. This year we thought that we had missed it because we assumed that we left before they came, so we were so excited when we heard those sirens! Braden and I were still in our pajamas so we bundles up and headed outside to wait on them. Braden has been sleeping with his new bear the past 2 nights! So cute!

Braden's Favorite Things

Braden is growing up so fast and I know his "Favorite Things" are going to change just as quickly, but I just want to freeze time for a minute and remember what he likes for today. Here are a list of what he said his "Favorite Things" are"

Food: Teddy Bears (Teddy Grahams)

Drink: Orange juice

Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate

Song: Wheels on the Bus

Movie: Thomas

TV Show: Thomas

Book: Tractor book (John Deere)

Friend: Micheal (from preschool)

Toy: cars and trucks

Thing to do with Daddy: play with my toys

Thing to do with Mommy: read and cuddle

Place to be: in the bathtub

Christmas Past and Christmas Present

I was going through pictures on my computer to upload to Snapfish to make Christmas gifts when I ran across the first picture we have of Braden during his first Christmas. Here are his Christmas pics from past 3 years. Sniff! Sniff!

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009

All Aboard

Saturday morning we headed up to Chattanooga to take Braden on the Polar Express train ride. We took him last year, but he wasn't as crazy about trains as he is this year. Saturday morning he was up before 7 am and I went in to get him he said, "I'm ready to go on the choo choo train!"

When we arrived at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Braden got so excited to see all of the train cars. Side note- I booked our trip over 2 months ago and when I booked it I reserved a train car suite for the night. Brad wanted me to call and confirm our reservations last Monday and when I did I booked it for the 22nd instead of the 21st and all of the train cars were booked for the 22nd. Needless to say there was LOTS of crying on my part and Brad tried every angle to get it fixed...he even offered to sleep on the floor when we got there on Saturday since they had one available, but it only had a queen and no daybed for Braden. I will be SO glad when this pregnancy brain goes away!

The Chattanooga Choo Choo had so much to do that we know we want to take the boys back again. We visited with Santa in the lobby, made a stop by the Elf workshop, and ate a pizza dinner on one of the train cars before heading off to the Polar Express train ride.

I booked a 7:30 train ride and in retrospect I would definitely book the 5:30 one instead. He was so excited that he didn't nap and when we go there we had a while to board the train which is very hard for a 2 year old to do....especially when he was SOOOOO excited!




This year his excitement level was a new high. Last year I was way more excited than Braden, but this year he was jumping up and down and participating in everything- all the songs, the story, dancing and seeing Santa. It definitely made the trip worth it!

Making a List...Checking it Twice

On top of an already hectic holiday season, we're having a baby due 2 days after Christmas! While we are super excited about Parker's arrival, I also feel extremely overwhelmed by my VERY LARGE to do list! My wonderful husband has been helping me a lot with the everyday chores that need to get done around the house and I truly appreciate it. He also went ahead and put up our Christmas tree. Yes, I know it is REALLY early and our usual tradition is to put it up Thanksgiving night, but the thought of putting it up after a huge meal and in anticipation of shopping the next day made me exhausted. So this was our only free weekend and as good a time as any to get it done. However, it WILL BE DOWN THE MORNING OF THE 26th!

I am posting my to do list in hopes that it will keep me motivated to get everything done....plus I have really bad pregnancy brain this time around and checklists have become my friend!

• have the carpets in all the bedrooms cleaned- COMPLETE
• buy, paint, and put up Parker's initials in his room- COMPLETE
• order my breast pump accessories- COMPLETE
• finish washing and putting away Parker's clothes, blankets, etc.- COMPLETE
• get Parker's bedding ready- COMPLETE
• set up the co sleeper in our bedroom- COMPLETE
• get the bouncy seat and other various baby items down from the attic- COMPLETE
• finish my thank you cards from my school shower- COMPLETE
• take pictures and order our Christmas cards- COMPLETE
• take Braden to Chattanooga to ride the Polar Express next weekend- COMPLETE
• take Parker's blanket to get embroidered- COMPLETE
• get my winter coat dry cleaned-COMPLETE
• finish putting away shower gifts- COMPLETE
• Christmas shop- COMPLETE
• wrap Christmas gifts- COMPLETE
• take down our scarecrow outside and put out pine straw- COMPLETE
• take down glass doors in the bedroom and put up our new doors- COMPLETE
• paint Braden's train table and frames
• finish my parent/teacher conferences- IN PROCESS- 1 left!!!
• write my long term sub plans- COMPLETE
• prepare for our field trip on Tuesday- COMPLETE
• order Braden's birthday invitations- COMPLETE
• get everything prepared for Braden while I'm at the hospital- COMPLETE
• take Braden to see Santa- COMPLETE
• bake Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes
• pack my suitcase for the hospital- COMPLETE

I'm sure that I am leaving several things, if not a couple out. I am just praying for peace that I don't go into a panic mode. It's hard being a control freak and then having no control and feeling overwhelmed. However, I have an awesome family who loves me and that I can count on to help. So thank you in advance to Brad and my parents for enduring the break down that is sure to happen in the next few weeks and picking up the pieces! I love you guys!

Halloween 2009

I know that I really late with this post, but I swear I am so exhausted that at this point I am proud of myself for getting it done.

Halloween day was extra busy due to the GA/FL game. My brother and Erica, along with my cousins came over to watch them game and I made some pregame goodies to snack on. By the time the game was over, the rest of my family was here to celebrate Halloween.

All of the boys were SUPER excited this year, since they actually understood they were going to get candy! We feasted on our traditional chili, rice, hot dogs and all the fixins'. By the time we ate dinner the boys were racing to get into their costumes and ready to get out the door. I didn't get eh best pictures this year since the weather was yucky, but it did clear off enough for us to hit a few houses.

Braden ran up to each house yelling, "Trick or Treat! Happy Halloween!" At one house the lady gave him a coupon for a frosty. After she put it in his bag, he kept standing there with his bag open staring at her. So I prompted him by saying, "What do you say Braden?" fully expecting him to say "Thank you." Instead he said, "I'd like some candy please!" It was priceless!

Getting together with my family at Halloween was a tradition that I treasured when I was little and I feel so blessed that we have been able to continue this tradition with my whole family as we have grown. I hope that Braden will enjoy the years to come as much I have in the past.

5 Little Pumpkins

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Parker's Baby Shower

Yesterday we celebrated Parker's arrival with a baby shower. My cousins, Amberly and Staci, gave me the baby shower and I am so thankful for all of the hard work, thoughtfulness, and special touches that they put into making it such a memorable day. One of my favorite things was a prayer box for Parker that Amberly made where everyone could write a special prayer for him. I will treasure that always.

Amberly and Staci- The Hostesses with Mostest

My Amazing Mommy and Me (Parker's Grrr)
My mom, Amberly, me, Erica, Staci, and my Aunt JoyBefore the shower- Braden really wanted to go with us! (Brad told him it was just going to be a bunch of crazy women, so he didn't need to go!)
My Granny (Parker's Gigi)

My Mother In Law (Parker's Grandma)

We got LOTS of great gifts for Baby Parker, including the MUCH wanted packs of diapers, wipes, baby wash, etc. I realize the second time around how awesome gifts like these are! We also got the cutest and sweetest little outfits for Parker. It was exciting to actually get clothes that weren't green and yellow, since that is what we mostly got at Braden's showers since we didn't find out if he was a boy or girl. I am really excited about getting them all washed and hung up in his closet ready for his arrival! My Granny, Braden and Parker's Gigi, got Parker a bedtime bear just like the one that she got for Braden (except Parker's is blue) before he was born.

The Bedtime Bear from Gigi

How many pieces of toilet paper does it take to fit around me?

We had so much delicious food! And you know I am ALL about the food right now! We had a Mexican feast and it was scrumptious! For dessert we had mini strawberry and chocolate cupcakes and they were awesome!