Ring around the Rosie

I am so thankful that today is Friday. It feels like this week has gone on and on...I never thought it would end.

Bryce has started a new thing. If you sing ring around the rosie he will start to turn in circles and even falls down when he is supposed to. His favorite place to do this dance is in the laundry basket. I will try to catch him and post a video...it's hilarious and SO cute!

Wednesday Bryce went to the doctor and we found out he has a intestinal infection. He is acting fine, but has potty problems. They put him on probiotics for kids and he is doing much better. =o)

Aunt Katie came to the rescue on Thursday and played all day with him while Daniel and I worked. Today, he is at grandma Jane's.

The house is still in boxes, but Bryce now knows that he is home when he walks in the door or when he wakes up from a nap. I could care less if we lived in boxes the rest of my life, I just want Bryce to be comfortable and know that he is home.

This weekend we plan on getting the guest bedroom set up for visitors so give us a ring and come and see the new place!

Love from the Brody world,

Kelly

Our First Dinner

Last night we had our first cooked dinner in our new house, and best of all, I did't have to cook it!

Daniel took the day off from work to be home for the cable and phone people and to finish up some stuff and Bryce and I came home to yummy grilled hamburgers and french fries. It was the perfect way to end a long day at work.

Bryce slept better last night, still woke up at 4am, but at least it wasn't 1:30. =o) He is starting to get adjusted and for that I am most thankful.

Tonight Daniel is going to be at a Rockets game and Bryce and I are going to watch Winnie the Pooh and make english muffin pizza's with a side of yummy peas!

Have a wonderful day!

Love from the Brody world,

Kelly

Allow me to introduce myself

Well hello people!!

It was been SO long since I have written that I feel I need to introduce myself. I'm Kelly. Daughter of Kenny and Yvonne Franks, sister to Katie Franks, wife to Daniel Brody and mother to Bryce.

This morning I decided that blogging needed to be put back in my daily or every other day schedule. So many things are new in the Brody world and with Bryce getting older and more curious I have many fun stories to tell and so many people to tell them to. It's easier for me to tell it once on here than 20 different times on the phone =o)

Allow me to fill you in. Since March the following things have taken place...

1. Bryce turned one
2. Bryce started walking
3. Bryce started bobbing his head to music
4. Daniel and I became new homeowners (we are still unpacking)
5. Bryce can "if you're happy and you know it clap your hands" by himself
6. Bryce plays Ring around the Rosie by himself
7. Bryce is starting to hear the word "no" more and more
8. Bryce fell in love with lego blocks and cars

Really, I could go on and on. As you can see, everything is about Bryce. His personality has really started to take shape and I just know that busier and harder days lie ahead. Sigh, I can't say that I'm ready. However, there is one thing I know that is going to help in the days to come. Bryce is actually a very good listener. It might take him once or twice, but he really does listen when you tell him no. He responds well.

Funny story for this post...

We moved into our new house this past weekend and the TV and game consoles are down low where he can touch them. Bryce LOVES the XBox, mostly because it has a green light on it, and now that it's low he figured out that he can turn it on and off by himself. I was sitting on the couch and I had already told him no and he stopped, but then he walked up to the Xbox when I wasn't looking touched the button and I caught the tail end of him turning it off and said "Brycer No!" and he turned around with a "I didn't do it look" and walked off from the area. It really was hilarious. My mom and sister were cracking up. I wish I would have gotten it on camera.

You guys have a great Monday! It's good to be back.

Love from the Brody world,

Kelly

St. Patrick's Day and more

Yesterday was Daniel's 28th birthday...man we are getting old! Yesterday was the anniversary of the day that Daniel and I found out we were expecting Bryce. It's crazy to think that this time last year we had no clue what he would look like, sound like or anything. Our life was so empty. I can't imagine a day without Bryce.

St. Patrick's Day was fun. Katie took some really cute pictures of Bryce in his "I'm a McCutie" onesie and he even got to stick his feet in the pool. He wasn't too sure what to think about that.

Katie has been watching Bryce all week long and it has been wonderful. I don't think she has any clue how much Bryce loves her. Daniel and I are so lucky to have a sister (in-law) that takes such good care of Bryce AND did all of our laundry for us! She has been a god send this week!

Bryce's new thing is jumping in his jumperoo thing. He is a jumping maniac! He currently has a 51 jump streak...yes you read that right. He jumped 51 times in a row without stopping. I'm sure he will break that record in a few days...he LOVES to jump!

I hope everything is well with you all!

Love from the Brody world,

Kelly

Feet as promised

So I promised pictures of Bryce with his feet in his mouth and here they are! He cracks me up!

This week the little kids at Mrs. Amy's keep telling him to be quite. They will walk up to him and say, "shhh baby Rice". Yes, you read that right...they call him baby Rice because they can't get the B out yet. lol You see, Bryce is LOUD to say the least. He talks non-stop! It's so cute for the first 10 minutes and then it starts to get a tad bit annoying. I know that might make me sound like a horrible mother, but you just have to hear it.

Saturday I let him play with Jell-O. It was so funny. He didn't know what to do at first and just kind of patted it, but he got in to it before it was all over. I've put some pictures up of that as well.

I hope all is well with everyone!

Love from the Brody World,

Kelly

Feet

Ok, as most of you know, I HATE feet! I don't mind dealing with my own, but the thought of having to touch, smell or do whatever to someone else's foot make me gag big time.

Yesterday Bryce added a new trick to his list; putting his feet in his mouth.

Ok first of all...WOW! Do you know how flexible you have to be to put your foot in the mouth? And he hasn't even done yoga or anything! lol =o)

Second, I think he just wants me to throw up. I'll admit it's funny, but that is the NASTIEST thing EVER! Seriously, I tried to get a picture so you guys would believe me but I wasn't fast enough. I will however keep trying.

As for his pink eye, he now has it in both eyes but is still in good spirits =o)

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

Pinky

Yesterday I got a call from Mrs. Amy. She told me that Bryce had green mucus coming from his left eye. So, me being the "doctor" that I am, I quickly typed webmd.com into my browser and I was off to self diagnose my little man. I couldn't really find anything. Pink eye kept coming up, but the discharge in the description was either yellow or tan. Needless to say, I convinced myself he couldn't have pink eye.

The second Mrs. Amy opened the door and I saw Bryce, I knew he had pink eye. Afterall, I am the queen of it =o) Dr. Prihoda was able to see him in the early afternoon and 84 dollars later, we had a little bottle of eye drops. They have worked REALLY well and Bryce doesn't have a problem with getting them either.

Even when he is sick Bryce is upbeat. He smiles through it all. I've really been thinking about that a lot. Since he has been here with us he has had countless tummy problems, a double ear infection, the croupe and now pink eye, but he remains and happy and content baby. I'm simply amazed at what a happy baby he is. His little smile warms my heart!

I've attached some pictures of my little guy and his yucky eye so you yourself can see that he is still one little happy camper!

Love and disinfection (LOL) from the Brody world,

Kelly

Catching Up

I apologize as I have not been as good at this blogging thing as I would have liked, but life happens and I must tend to it =o)

Valentine's Day was great! All of the cards and gifts for Bryce, Daniel and I were so thoughtful and they will make a great addition to his scrapbook...thank you. Daniel had flowers sent to work for me with a note from him and Bryce...it was really sweet and made my day! Bryce had a hot date with his Aunt Katie that night while Daniel and I got a much needed break. We went to dinner with Chad and Jill and it was wonderful.

Last week Daniel and Bryce were sick and now I'm trying to get over a cold or allergies or something. We all go down at the same time....

Today Bryce is 5 months old! Can you believe it!?! He has gotten so big soooo fast and he is cuter than ever! =o) Daniel and I are working on getting him ready to sit up and so far so good. He's dying to be able to sit up! He's a little roly poly too...rolling over more and more everyday. A funny thing he just started was taking his paci out and playing with...that's no biggie, but now he is trying to put it back in his mouth but he can't because he is holding on to the part that he normally sucks on. So, after a few minutes of trying he gets mad and we have to do it for him...he'll get it eventually =o)

All else is well at the Brody home =o)

Love from the Brody world,

Kelly

Catching Up

Well, it's been a while!

Since I last wrote, Bryce has had the croup, his second tooth is coming in and he has figured out that sticking his tongue out is fun. Yep, that tongue comes out at every chance he gets. See the picture attached...cute huh?

Bryce started at what Daniel and I are calling "big boy school" today. He is getting so BIG! I can't believe the little person we brought home with us last September is already 4 months old. Time really does fly! His personality is getting much bigger and I must tell you, I truly think he is going to be funny just like his mom =o)

On a totally different subject, 2 lives were lost over this past weekend. J.B. Davis and Drew Lyons both went to be with the Lord. If you have a second today, please say a prayer for the family and friends of these two wonderful people. They will both be missed.

That's all I have for right now.

Love from the Brody World,
Kelly

Teeth

Bryce's first tooth has finally made it to the surface! You can see the very tip of it when you look in his mouth...that is if he will let you =o) Whenever I try to look at it he sticks his tongue over it...little teaser! I'm so glad his tooth finally showed itself. He has been fussy this whole week and not even Tylenol, Orajel or teething toys would sooth him. Saturday for example, it took three of us to entertain and "deal" with him. Thank goodness Katie came down! Ya know, I'm beginning to think that he considers Daniel and I his butlers. For example, he will not for the life of him hold onto his teether toys. He wants us to sit there and hold it while he chews it. Seriously, I'll try to put his hands around it and as soon as I let go he lets it drop and looks at me as if he is saying, "ummm aren't you going to get that?" I'm afraid we might have spoiled him too much already...lol

Speaking of Aunt KK...she was a WONDERFUL help and it was so good for her to come and spend time with Bryce. I attached some pictures of her and the the baby...that little boy is in love with her!

As soon as I'm able to get some pictures of the tooth I'll be sure to post them! Oh and Bryce turned 4 months yesterday....he's getting big!

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

Mr. Mom

Last night my mom and I went to Proverbs 31 Ministries "Girls Night Out" and had a wonderful time. It was wonderful getting to hear from other moms, laugh ,and most of all just spend time with my mom....just the two of us. I want to brag on my husband for a second. Daniel, aka Mr. Mom, is great! Bryce has been fussy but Daniel didn't call me once. When I called to "check in" and see how everything was going, he kindly gave me a report and said everything was great. When I got home the bottles were washed, stuff was laid out for the next day and the apartment was picked up. Yep, he is hired! lol It's not that I didn't think he would do all of that or be able to keep Bryce and his fussiness at bay, it's just that he was so cool, calm and collected about it. I admire that.


On the baby front...Bryce went back to the doctor yesterday and he has two beautiful ears (thats a direct quote from the doctor). The infections are gone! He is starting to cut his bottom teeth and should have them in a few months =o) He weighs 16 pounds and is one happy and healthy baby.

Some things Bryce has learned in his 4 months of life (besides the normal milestones):
1. How to stick his finger in his nose
2. How to wiggle himself around in his bed so he can do a complete 180
3. That when he yells he can hear himself better (you can imagine how much I love that)
4. Hair is a wonderful thing to pull on
5. Grape Tylenol is lip smackin good (he really does smack his lips when he takes it)
6. How to bang his legs on his bed to get attention or to bounce himself in his bouncer (what a ham!)

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

What Matters

So last night I went into our room to change Bryce and instead of putting him on his changing table I put him on our bed. He loves getting to lay in our bed on the cold sheets =o) I changed him and he was as happy as could be so we started playing and he was laughing like crazy! I called Daniel into the room so he could hear and see. Bryce brings us both so much joy.

As Daniel, Bryce and I sat on the bed together playing and laughing I kept thinking to myself "this is what it's all about". It's moments like these where everything you are worried about, the stuff at work that needs to be done and trying to figure out what's for dinner the next night just drops off your To Do List. I had such a peace come over me as I watched Daniel pretend to "eat" Bryce's cheeks so that we both could hear him laugh.

I love my little family so much and that short 20 minutes on the bed last night warmed my heart so much that I just needed to share.

We all get so worked up or worried about the little things in life that we forget that some of the most important things in life is blowing on tummies, "eating" cheeks and singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" over a million times in a day. I hope all of you get a chance to have a moment like this today and I wanted to thank all of you for the other moments in my life that you have given to me. The funny emails that have lighten my spirits just when I needed them, the tickle fights that I SO enjoyed when I was little, the grape juice you always had ready when I needed it, the "did you know" tidbits that you so willingly share and make me laugh - that have all warmed my heart.

Sappy isn't always my thing, but I wanted to share.

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

Well our little one is slowly getting back to his normal playful self. Tonight Bryce was busy playing "rocket baby" and Daniel caught it on video. Daniel's no professional, but he did make sure that you can see Bryce laughing and smiling as he makes his perfect landing every time. (thanks to a wonderful pilot...his mom!)

Enjoy the video and don't mind me being loud. Ya know, when I go back and listen to the videos we take of Bryce, I can't help but be annoyed with myself. Why you ask. Well, because I'm so annoying! lol I guess it's like hearing yourself when you replay a message you left. You think to yourself, "do I really sound like that?" I'm rambling, but I can't be the only person that feels that way can I?

Love and entertainment from the Brody world,
Kelly

Ouchies

I just put one crazy screaming baby to bed. Yes, our cute little Bryce is a screamer...hard to believe, but trust me HE IS! However, he does have good reason. Both of his ears are infected. We went to our doctor yesterday and luckily we caught it early. So with Tylenol and Amoxicillin Bryce should be back to normal in a few days. I honestly think the medicine is hurting his tummy a little and that's why he's so fussy, but either way I hate hearing him scream in pain. It's heartbreaking to say the very least.

Jane came over tonight to pick up Brody's walker and ended up staying and helping our with our fussy boy. What a lifesaver that was. Yep, it took 3 of us to take care of a 15 pound 12 ounce bundle of joy...sad lol I hate to think how many people it's going to take to take care of him when he's 16! =o)

Other than the ear infections, Bryce is doing good. He's really getting good at sitting up. He can't do it by himself yet, but I think it's only a matter of time. He's growing up SO FAST! I'm still trying to catch him rolling over but everytime I get the camera out he doesn't do it, yet, when I don't have the camera out he does do it. Hmmmm...maybe he is showing us that he is going to be hard headed? If he is, he definately doesn't get that from me! (wink, wink)

On a side note....just because amoxicillin is a pretty pink color and bubble gum flavored doesn't mean it smells good. That stuff stinks!

Love and sleepiness from the Brody world,
Kelly

Let the baby proofing begin!

Monday Bryce rolled over all by himself! Tricia (his nanny) texted me with the great news. I'm so proud, but am also well aware that the world Daniel and I currently live in is no longer safe.

Since Monday, we have tried our best to begin living with this one rule; If it shouldn't be eaten then it can't be on the floor and must be higher than 2 feet off the floor. I challenge you to put this rule into action at your own home. You have no idea how hard this is! Now, I do realize that not everything needs to be put up for baby and I don't plan to, but Daniel and I have a long way to go on this child proofing thing. It's going to be our second job for a while =o)

Bryce is doing great! He's really starting to show off his personality. I have a feeling he is going to be a lot like me in the humor department and I think that's a good thing. The other day at 3 am I heard him just a talking in his crib so I went to check on him. When he saw me he smiled. It was if he wanted to make sure that if he was awake so was I. I couldn't help but laugh at him. Then, last week I put him in his bed while he was still somewhat awake, told him I loved him and good night and then I got into bed. Not 2 seconds later he starting banging his legs up and down on his bed. I had to hide my head in my pillow so he couldn't hear me laughing. I really hope he is a funny kid and I have a feeling he will be.

Oh and Bryce's hair is getting blonder. Dad I am not lying...it's so blonde it shimmers in the sun! HA!

On a non-baby note, I would like to send condolences to my husband. Daniel's Ohio State Buckeye's lost their bowl game to UT. Why do I mention this? Well, because I won five bucks and I just wanted to rub in the loss one more time.

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

Advice Giver

So we went to dinner with our friends Chad and Jill and half way through eating I realized that I was freely handing out motherly advice like it was going out of style. Why and how does that happen?

I remember one of the things I disliked most about being pregnant was everyone always giving me their expert advice. "If they cry a lot do this...", "the best toy on the market is this..." etc. It really was mind numbing at times. However, please understand that I knew it all came with love and the best of intentions, but I still told myself that I wouldn't be one of those people. Boy was I wrong.

When you have a kid you suddenly have this urge to scream all the tips you have from every mountain top. "USE DR. BROWN BOTTLES!", "MAALOX WORKS WONDERS FOR DIAPER RASH" and of course of course you have to go there with the diapers "PAMPERS ARE STUPID USE HUGGIES!"

lol...I'm telling you it's so true. It's like you feel obligated to tell everyone everything. It's so strange. And yes, I do it with much love and the best of intentions, but when I hear myself doing it I get annoyed with myself so I can't imagine how much Jill must have wanted me to shut up. I'm going to have to work on this part of being a new mom....

For those of you who read this to catch up on Bryce. I am happy to report he is still perfect in every way =o)

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly

A New Year

Can you believe 2008 is over? What a whirlwind of a year! I turned 26, found out I was pregnant, gave birth to the most wonderful baby ever, lost a loving Grandfather, lost one of the best sunday school teachers I've ever had, and lost my precious Nanaw. It was an emotional year to say the least.

I gladly welcome 2009. Just like everyone else I have made a list of resolutions, things that I really want to make happen for 2009, but like other people, I'm sure that list will be null and void in about 2 weeks. Ya know, what is it about January 1st? As soon as I woke up this morning I thought, this is it! Time to clean my house from top to bottom, organize every last thing in every closet, write someone a letter, get in touch with an old friend and take a 2 mile walk to jump start my new and improved weight loss plan. Truth is, I'm still in my PJ's. I did manage to get all the laundry done, take some trash out, put eyeliner on and wash dishes, but none of the other stuff on my list. Oh well, I guess there's always 2010!

Daniel and I atempted to spend New Years Eve with Bryce at a friends house, but Bryce was SUPER fussy that we threw in the towel. We were home by 9. I was disappointed at first. Worried that we would miss all the fun, but as we played with Bryce and tucked him in his bed, I realized this was the best New Year's ever. Bryce was sleeping by 10:45, I was in bed by 11 and Daniel woke me up at midnight with a kiss and we both went back to sleep. No, we aren't 70 years old! We are just learning that it's the little things in life that make everything worthwhile.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year. Stop by from time to time to see what's going on in the Brody world. I can't promise an interesting read, but I needed and outlet and you wanted to be updated...we both win.

Love from the Brody world,
Kelly