Braden is 5 Months Old!

Where has the time gone? I find myself asking that a lot lately. My baby boy is 5 months old as of Saturday!! I think this boy is always going to throw me off since he was early. I still can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that he joined our family in October instead of December. Things have been a whirlwind with trying to get him healthy and happy. He is doing much better health wise - although we are still battling severe reflux and what I think is probably a milk allergy of some sort. This is just me as "mommy doctor" talking, though. We are waiting on some lab results before anything is "official". I'll keep you posted. Other than that, Braden is a happy little fella. He sleeps well - about 10 hours at night and two wonderful naps during the day. When he is awake, Braden loves to watch his big sis play and sing songs. He is mesmerized by her. Maybe it's because she gets right in his face and talks so loud that it makes him blink really fast. Cracks me up every time. Braden has really started to notice everything around him and he LOVES to play on his play mat where the toys dangle down over him. Life with this boy has been non-stop and fun! We love you big little man!

This guy will flash a smile to almost anyone who will stop and take the time to talk and smile at him!

My big boy sitting up....

...with the help of a bumbo seat anyway. I love this thing. I can't believe he's big enough to actually use it!

And here is Braden grabbing for his toy. I know even more active days are in our future!

Thumb or Pacifier?

Pretty much from birth this boy has been trying to find and figure out how to suck his thumb. I was a thumb sucker too, for way longer than I actually want to admit. Sadie was a pacifier girl and gave it up with no problem at all around 8 months. From the day he came home from the hospital, I've been trying to offer Braden the pacifier over and over, but all he wants to do is gnaw on his hand. Well, the other day it happened. Braden found his thumb - but he gets super frustrated and sometimes even ends up gagging himself. So, when he was fighting with his thumb the other day during naptime, I went in to offer him the pacifier and found him like this...

...but I was able to exchange his thumb for the pacifier. I was so happy he actually took it.
So, what do you think? Should I keep trying so hard to make him take the pacifier or should I give in and let him have his thumb? He does look so cute in that first picture though doesn't he?

Home, Home on the Range

Before I get to the actual post, here are some pics of our big little guy. I figured if I just did a post about Mersadie I would really hear it. Braden is doing great. Still spitting up like crazy, but the prilosec makes him comfortable at least. He is sleeping really well and is a very happy baby. I have a lot to post about our trip to MO and new things this little guy is doing, so stay tuned!!

Okay, now to the reason for the "Home on the Range" title. A couple in our church invited us over for dinner and they wanted Mersadie to be able to ride one of their horses! Man, was she ever excited! She told me before we left that she wanted to ride the purple horse. I think she was thinking we were going to ride another carousel.

Here is Sadie sporting her cute helmet.

At first she was a little timid as you can see. Not sure what to think of that big fella. By the way, look at the eyes on that horse - beautiful!

Pretty soon, with Miss Jackie's help, Sadie was ready to pet the horse.

Here are the loves of my life. Sadie was just about to hop on!

This is Mr. John. He is Jackie's husband (they are the horse owners). I totally cut Braden out of this shot on accident!

Up on the horse - not scared at all!

She's having a great time thanks to Miss Stacy! Stacy is John and Jackie's daughter and probably the best horse trainer/teacher ever! She did such a great job with Mersadie!

Sadie felt like a big girl holding on by herself and everything!

Sadie is patting "Lily" telling her thank you and that she is a good horse.

Stacy hopped on with Mersadie so that she could ride a little faster and Sadie loved it! She just giggled and giggled.

And then it was Brian's turn to ride! I think he had just as much fun as Sadie did!