Brady's Blog Book

As I've mentioned on here before, I've been keeping a blog for Brady that chronicles his developments and activities.  We post lots of photos there to share with family and friends and make posts when he first rolls over, first crawls, etc.  Well, now that we've had one year of blogging, I decided to create a book for him so that he can have it in the future.  Since I've been such a slacker at keeping his "baby book" updated, I figure this will do since it's got tons of photos and all of the important dates and other information.

Here's what I did:  I used Blog2Print to create a PDF from the blog.  This is a very straightforward website that will allow you to select which entries to include and automatically populates the book with the entires. The good news is that it is simple.  The bad news is that it doesn't provide a lot of editing options.  The other alternatives seemed like they would take too much time, so I decided to accept Blog2Print's limitations.  Anyway, instead of printing it through Blog2Print I decided to purchase the PDF and then used Lulu to print out the book.  I updated the index a little, created my own cover, and then printed it out.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out!

First, here is a screen capture of Brady's blog:

And now here is the book.  You can see I tried to make the cover look like the blog:

The binding:

The back cover.  I made it look like a real book with an "author bio" and quotes from critics - who happen to be Brady's Mommy and Daddy!

Here is a look inside the book.  The photos aren't quite as big as I would like them to be, but again, not a lot of formatting options with Blog2Print.  This book is over 270 pages, though, so I guess if the photos were bigger it would be even more pages!

There you go!  Brady's first year all wrapped up in a hardback book.  Now on to Year 2!

Brady's 1st Birthday Party!

We had Brady's 1st birthday party on Saturday.  They say that the first birthday is really for the parents, and if so, I just have to say that is was MY favorite birthday party ever!  It really was everything I had envisioned - lots of family and friends eating, drinking, and talking; kids running around in the yard playing in the sprinklers; a smash cake being totally demolished; oooohs and aaaahs over the food, decorations, and cupcakes!

Here is the cake table the night before the party:

I made the banner using some white cardstock I had leftover from making our wedding invitations!  I just printed out the letters, cut them, and then used blue ribbon from Michael's to string them together.

Here are some of the details of the decorations.  Let's start with the cupcake stand and cake topper:

For the cake stand I bought the Petite Square Cupcake Tree from http://www.cupcaketree.com/.  I decorated it by spraypainting it blue and then glueing the red and white ribbon on (spraypaint and ribbon from Michael's).

I got the cake topper from Etsy seller SpiritMama.  When it first arrived it was more of an aqua color and I wanted it to be baby blue, so I contacted SpiritMama and she was extremely gracious and offered to repaint it if I sent it back to her.  She made a quick turnaround and I had it back in a few days and it was perfect!  I love Etsy!

Next are the pinwheel displays:

The red containers are from Blumebox and they are the 8" blumebox in red burst.  I also bought some 4" white cubes from there that I decorated with argyle and put the plasticware in.

I made the pinwheels with the help of MrKLB using a combination of instructions I found here and here.  Basically I used all of the supplies listed in the first one, but didn't use the pattern to cut the paper and instead used single sheets of paper as described in the second link.  I bought 2 12x12 pieces of cardstock to make the large red and blue pinwheels and then printed the argyle on white cardstock to make the smaller ones.  I also used wooden dowels, wooden tie pegs, wooden spools, and grommets that I purchased at Michael's.  MrKLB helped me drill the holes in the wooden dowels and put the grommets in the center.  It was actually much easier than I expected it to be and I thought they really added a nice touch.

The blue tablecloths were from Publix and the white and red paper lanterns were from Asian Ideas.  (I also hung the lanterns on our deck and used them as centerpieces on the dining room table, but I don't think I have photos of that.)  Then I threw the birthday invitation into a frame we already had and used Brady's sock monkey to complete the table.

We've taken a photo of Brady with his big Mickey Mouse each month so that we can see how he has grown and changed.  I printed all 12 photos and taped them to ribbon and hung them in one of our doorways:

The cake and cupcakes were delivered by The Cake Lady herself (aka Eileen Carter) on the day of the party and they were sooo cute and delicious!  Here is the table all setup before the party:

I made this sign for the front yard:

The kids had a great time playing in the yard with Brady's new pirate ship water table and turtle sprinkler:

Brady's new wagon was also put to good use:

My beautiful niece:

Then of course we had to sing Happy Birthday and watch Brady smash his cake:

He started slow...

Then he dug in a little more...

Now he's getting the hang of it!

Everyone cheered for him and he was very proud of the mess he was making:

What did I do?

The end: total cake destruction!

As I've said, we really had the best time and I'm so thankful that we could celebrate this day with so many family and friends around us.  There were so many kids and adults running around that it was a hectic party, but we had a great time and managed to get one quick family photo, which I will cherish:

4th of July

The 4th of July holiday is always one of my favorite of the year.  Mainly because my birthday is on the 3rd so I can always count on some extra time off work thanks to the 4th.  Also, now that I have a son whose birthday is on the 2nd, it gives us more reason to celebrate!

This was an awesome weekend which started with Brady's birthday on Friday.  I left work early and picked him up from school so we could spend the afternoon together.  Then we met MrKLB for dinner at Willy's.  This is a little tradition for us now because MrKLB had Willy's for lunch last year about 15 minutes before Brady was born - thanks to my mother who delivered it to him just before I delivered Brady!

After having some cupcakes we then took Brady and the dogs down to the park for a walk.  Brady got to ride in his new red wagon and he LOVED it!  Here he is crossing the bridge over the Chattahoochee...

Then we let Brady swing for a while because this is also one of his favorite things to do at the park:

Saturday was by birthday and we started the day by going out to breakfast at a little place in Roswell called Artisan Foods.  It was a gorgeous morning and we sat out on the deck and ate omelettes and pancakes and beignets!  My birthday could have ended there and I would have been satisfied!  Brady was the life of the party, as always, and was just smiling and laughing at everyone who looked his way.

Later that day we decided to go to the Braves game because the weather was so nice.  So, Brady got to go to his first Braves game and he loved it!  Here we are all ready to go to the game:

Brady hanging out in the seats:

Watching some baseball:

On Sunday we painted our deck and then my mother came over and we cooked out.  That night we got the message that some friends of ours had their baby on the 4th, so now we have one more reason to celebrate!  On Monday we went to visit baby James in the hospital and then did some shopping.

I have many more photos from the weekend, but not much time to blog, so maybe I'll try to upload some more of those later.

Brady's party is this Saturday and we're very excited to see family and friends and celebrate even more!

Happy Birthday Brady!

Today is my son's first birthday!  I went into labor on July 1, and he was born at 2:09PM on July 2!  I can honestly say that this has been the best year of my life and I have cherished every minute of it.  Being a parent has far exceeded any expectations that I had, and the love I feel for this little boy is something that only God could have put into my heart.  I know that he is an angel God sent to MrKLB and myself to care for, and our greatest purpose in this world will be to love him.  Even at the young age of 1 year I can tell that he touches peoples' lives and brings joy into their hearts.  It is an honor to be his Mommy.

We write another blog for Brady that chronicles his daily life.  We try to update it with photos at least once a week so that family and friends can share in his life with us.  One day he'll read that blog and hopefully know how much he was loved each and every day and look back at photos from when he was a baby.  I wrote this over there, but I think it bears repeating:

Brady - 


We loved you before we met you, because you were ours.  Now that we've met you, we love you even more because you are you!


Happy Birthday Bradyman!


love,
Mommy and Daddy

One year ago today...

One year ago today, I was 39w2d pregnant.  It was July 1 - a Wednesday - and I was working from home because my manager had moved to NYC and there was really no reason for me to go into the office when I could just lounge around my house in the air conditioning for the last week or so before my baby arrived.  MrKLB was at work.  I had been to my weekly OB appointment on Monday and was excited that I had an induction date, in the event that he did not decide to arrive on his own.  I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I was excited!

That morning, an email conversation started between my best friend from college (A) and myself.  A has a son who was born 2 years prior.  I saved those emails and am so glad that I did because looking back on them helps me recount the events that led up to the birth of my son!  So, in honor of Brady's first birthday tomorrow, I'm posting them here (leaving out the other random things we were discussing in between):

7:49AM
Me:
> So, I think I may have started having contractions yesterday evening.  I
> was definitely having some pains that started in my back and would sorta
> go into my abdomen.  I say sorta because the majority of the pain was in
> my back, but a couple of times I definitely felt it in my stomach.  These
> feelings were pretty far apart and not as intense as I assume the real
> contractions will be, so I basically just ended up going to bed and
> figuring that I'd wake up if I were really in labor.  I don't know if
> they continued or not, but they didn't really keep me up.  So, I'm
> wondering if it will continue today or if that was just some random
> contractions that don't necessarily indicate labor is close.  Did you
> have any contractions prior to actually going into labor?  If so, what
> did they feel like?  When you woke up that morning and knew you were
> having J that day, what were you feeling?  Was it already the
> intense, regular contractions or did it start with less strong
> contractions that eventually got closer?


A:
> oh!  So I can't really respond now, but...
>
> Maybe you were :)  Maybe you aren't.  Who knows?  I had some that changed
> intensity when I got up and moved, so I assumed they weren't real, but
> then in the morning the contractions woke me up and J arrived the
> next day.  They were less strong contractions than at the end---I didn't
> even really have to breathe, just noticed them.
>
> Feel free to call me anytime.


11:22AM
Me:
> Hi!  So, I'm pretty sure I'm having contractions today.  I feel the pain
> in my back and then through my lower stomach.  Sometimes more on the
> back, sometimes more on the stomach.  So, I'm just writing down when I
> feel them and will start to get excited only if they start getting closer
> together.  I know walking is supposed to help get them more intense and
> closer together but I can't decide if I want to do that yet.  I'm
> confused/anxious/excited but also worried that this is either "false
> labor" or just something that is going to continue for days until I go
> into "real" labor.  Who knows. I don't want to get my hopes up too much
> just yet.  I'll keep you posted.
> 
> I may call you later if I need someone to talk to me to either convince
> me I'm in labor or that I'm not.  Ha!


A:
> OMG!
>
> YAY!
>
> Before I started walking around, I paid all the bills.  I figured there
> was no telling when I would get to that again :)
>
> Then I took the dogs on a walk because, you know, I figured they might not
> ever get to leave the house again.
>
> Do the contractions stop when you move?  As in, if a contractions starts
> when you are sitting, does it continue when you start walking?  If so, I
> htink that is supposed to be real labor---but there is still no telling
> how long early labor will last.
>
> Are you at home?  Is K with you?  Make sure you eat, even if you don't
> want to.  They won't let you eat at the hospital, and by the time J
> arrived I was so hungry I was almost more focused on getting the baby out
> so that I could eat rather than so that I could have a baby!


11:40AM
Me:
> The last one I had definitely continued when I stood up to walk to the
> bathroom.  I'll see what happens with the next.  I just ate some lunch,
> too.  I am at home but K is not.  I am okay with that until they
> become closer together.  I may take the dogs for a walk soon, but it is
> hot so I have to be careful not to get overheated.  I'll definitely take
> my phone with me, though.
>
> Will keep you updated...


A:
> Don't overheat!
> It really sounds like you are in labor. :)
> Sending lots of easy labor vibes to you...
> It is really amazing how excited this makes me...
> Hopefully this means you will avoid a 7/3 birthday for him.
> Now I jsut have to convince myself that you getting really close to having 
> a baby doesn't mean that I am excused from working today.


12:55PM
Me:
> Just went for a walk with the dogs for about 35 minutes.  Now I'm sitting on 
> the exercise ball and trying to cool off.  I'm getting no work done today, but 
> hopefully you can get some done!  I'll update you later if anything 
> exciting happens.

> Yeah, I'm thinking this could be a July 2 baby unless the contractions stop... 
> Still trying not to get too excited yet, but we'll see how that goes...
>
> Yes, send easy labor vibes!!!


A:
> I think that you are allowed to get excited... I mean, even if the
> labor doesn't move quickly, you are 39 weeks pregnant, and you are
> going to be meeting your baby "soon".  It just depends on what "soon"
> means...


1:43PM
Me:
> Thanks!  :)
>
> I really am excited... just trying to decide how excited I should be.  I 
> have actually considered going to get a pedicure (the place is about 
> a mile from my house) but haven't decided yet.


A:
> Go get a pedicure.  Let me live vicariously through you.
>
> Then come back and take a long hot shower or bath.
>
> I have had *one* pedicure since J was born.  I could probably
> make the time now, but daycare takes so much of our money...

2:17PM
Me:
> Getting a pedicure now!  :)
>
> And probably taking a hot shower later...
>
> And hopefully having a baby some time soon!


A:
> your toes are going to look so pretty :)
> Get someone to take a picture of you today with your belly at its
> largest.  I wish I had that picture.


4:31PM
A:
> OMG.  How are you doing?


5:15PM
Me:
> I'm doing fine.  Still at home.  Contractions getting closer together 
> but not under 5 minutes yet.  I showered and am now putting last 
> minute items in my bag.  I anticipate being in the hospital tonight.  
> I'll let you know if I actually go, but probably won't be able to update 
> after that until either they send me home or I have the baby!!!


A:
> Yay!
> I'll be (and am) sending lots of wonderful labor thoughts.  Hopefully
> your experience so far has been good---it has sounded good from this
> end, at least!
> Send me updates to this address, that way I can get them from my
> phone...


9:35PM
Me:
> Going to hospital.  Prayers welcome.  :)
>
> Will update when I can.  Pretty much an emotional wreck now...


12:35AM (7/2)
A:
> I know you probably won't get this, but I wanted to let you know I am
> over here thinkin' about you.  I hope that you are either holding your
> baby or getting some rest.
> Sending prayers and birthing vibes.


9:56AM
Me:
> Hey!  Quick update -  got to hospital around 10pm.  Was only 2cm 
> dilated but almost fully effaced which they said was great.  Offered 
> me epidural and I got it around midnight.  Fantastic stuff.  After a 
> couple of hours they said they'd let me labor throughout the night 
> and give me pitocin at 6:30am bc my OB is on call today.  So, we 
> slept most of the night (off and on) and I got the pitocin at 7am.  
> Just saw my OB at 9:45 and she checked me again and I'm 6cm.  
> She broke my water.  Said I'm doing fantastic and should be holding 
> my baby by this afternoon!!!
>
> I'm not in pain.  Excited.  You are the only one who knows we are 
> here still, so lots of prayers for a quick, safe end to this journey!!


A:
> Hi!  Thank you SO much for the update.  I was at daycare working on
> the newsletter, and I was SO happy to hear from you.
> I was really hoping that you either had already had that baby and were
> so caught up I didn't know yet, or that you had gotten an epidural so
> that you could rest.
> YAY for 6cm.  YAY for broken water.  Things happened fast for me after
> they broke mine---hopefully they are happening fast for you too!





And then the next time she heard from me, I was calling to tell her that I'd just met my beautiful baby boy and his name is Brady Jasper B!


I tear up just thinking about that whole experience and am happy to have these emails as a reminder of the excitement and joy I felt that day!


I did take that last belly pic, too, and am so glad I did.  This is me not too long before we left for the hospital:

And this is me with my beautiful baby boy:

Oh, and if you want to read my full birth story I posted it here.