August Ends and Fall begins, Right?

August sure has been a hot one!! But it is always hot in August. This last month Brandon had corn on the cob, and from the above picture he really enjoyed it.



















Mother's Day Out began this last week and Brandon was sporting a new backpack. He sure is a big boy!! He did really well, in fact, he probably did not even miss me. He really enjoys going to the nursery to play. It makes me feel so good to know I do not have to worry.














This is Brandon after his first day of Mother's Day Out, boy was he tired. But he did not nap once he got home, and he slept until 10am the next morning. He loves his sleep, just like his Mom.

The middle of August we went to Branson with Jeremy's family and we tried out a new indoor water park. Brandon wore himself out and he fell asleep on the way out to the car to come back to the condo.

Well, as the August pictures document, Brandon began taking steps on his own this month. Hence, all of the bumps and bruises on his head. He is really enjoying being more independent, but I never know where he might end up next. He still turbo crawls, but he is walking more and more. I guess I have a toddler on my hands now.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend and we are going to be staying local, probably smoking some brisket, maybe going to the new Corn maze in Cave Springs (www.ozarkcornmaze.com).

Oh, and a little thing, like the Razorback football game on Saturday. GO HOGS!!

I love the fall time of the year because pumpkin patches, fall leaves, oh, and my birthday is coming up in a few days. Yeah!!!

I have gone online to check out the etsy stores and I found three personalized fall and Christmas shirts for Brandon so I can't wait to get them.

Well, since today is Mother's Day Out, I better get to cleaning the house. I have the grocery shopping done for two weeks, so I better not be asking to go out to eat since we have food here.

Until then,

Vonda

15 Month Check Up and the last month or so

Successful trip to Chick-fil-a, using the plastic table mat. Usually, the table mat is in a ball and gets thrown away before Brandon begins eating.

Branson weekend with the cousins, here Kendall shows Brandon one of the seven fish she caught in one hour off the dock at Table Rock lake.

Jump Zone, one of my loves, Brandon likes going to JZ, and it wears him out so we have gone a few times the last few weeks. I think I get a work out too running chasing him around.

Here Ben and Brandon are receiving instruction about not taking Matthew's toy. I don't think they listened, sorry Lindsey.

Play group this week was at my parents' house, this was my first time to host. It went really well. Ben and Parker playing at Brandon's new table from Sam's Club. I am super proud of this table.


Today, Brandon and I kept the road hot, first we went to the Promenade for a stroll while the temperature was under 90 degrees. Then, we went to Sam's club for a hot dog combo, and off to the Bentonville Square for the First Friday event. The theme was Dog Days of Summer, so there were dog themed businesses represented.

Here is Brandon's first time this summer in the fountain. He really liked it.

Now, on to the 15 month check up:

Brandon was 15 months old the end of last month, but we just had his appt. this Wednesday.

Weight 24lbs. 6.6 oz
Height 30.5"
Head 48 cm

Brandon gained right at 1 pound since his 12 month appt., and he grew 1 inch in the same amount of time. His head is the same size as it was at his one year appt.

He still rides backwards in his car seat since the manufacture regulations need him to be 34" before it can be turned around. I have had his feet sized and he is wearing a 5 1/2W, and he wears 18 month clothes. He wears size 4 diapers.

He has taken a few steps, but he is primarily still a crawler. He took four steps to Jeremy on his 15 month birthday, and his motivation to take those steps was Jeremy playing with his phone.

Brandon loves phones and remotes. He is paying attention to the television, and recently he began waving at the television when the people on the television are waving. He plays with his puzzles, stacking buckets, rocking giraffe, and he enjoys being read to, and playing hide and seek in his room around the rocking chair. He is understanding "no", and when we goes for something he knows he should not get he shakes his head "no".

Until then,

1st Naturals Game & Wild Water Days

Brandon had the opportunity to attend his first Naturals game recently. I was wondering how long he would make it at an evening game, but we did not leave until the 7th inning. And he could of lasted longer, but I was ready to leave. Our seats were in the shade and it was quite nice. Except it was a little awkward that my OB doctor and his family was sitting right behind us.

It looks like Brandon has a little bit of allergies going on, but he is getting through it.

Then, Memorial Day weekend, we had a cook out with Jeremy's family and it was also my nephew's 13th birthday party.


Ethan wanted for us to all go fishing for his birthday so we went to the creek behind Walgreen's in Bella Vista. While we were there I think a total of about 12 fish were caught. The fish Brandon is trying to get a hold of is the one my Mom caught while we were there.


Last week for the off week playgroup we went to the mall food court, and playground.
Here a few of the kids are playing in the water. I do not know how Amanda and Kelly got those kids from not just jumping right in. It was so hot that day!!

This week we decided to try out Brandon's pool in the backyard. He had a nice time.

Today, we had playgroup at Sarah Grace and Lena Kate's house. Tracy is such a great host. We had pizza and homemade ice cream. Thanks Kelly and Fanya. This playgroup was to kick off summer so there were lots of activities for the kids to do outside in the water.






Until Then,

1 Year Old and Playgroups

Brandon turned 1 year old last Thursday, and we had his 12 month Dr. appt. on Monday. Here are the stats: weight 23 lbs. 7.5oz., and height 29 1/2". He wears size 4 diapers and 12-18 month clothes. His nap schedule has changed alittle, he is now waking up at 8am, napping from 11am until 1pm, and then falls asleep at 9-10pm. He still sleeps throughout the night. On his 12 month appt. he received 3 shots, and he got his finger pricked. No big deal for him though. Especially since that was the day the childrens' motrin and tylenol were recalled. So he did not have any pain reliever until he was about to get the shots. Of course, the generic was not recalled, but I did not think about that. Brandon crawls well, when he wants to. He rather scoot. He eats anything I feed him. He is officially on cow's milk as of May 3rd. So far so good. Jeremy has been surprised how much milk Brandon drinks a day. I am thinking yeah, I know how much milk he drinks a day, I was producing it. Brandon still has 7 teeth, and he does not mind to have them brushed.
Now on to the last two playgroups. Last Thursday at playgroup Robin brought us decorated cookies to celebrate Kade and Brandon's 1st birthday. They are only 9 days apart in age so I thought that would be fun. Ginger hosted us and we had lots of fun.
Then today, we had playgroup at a city park. I had never been to this park, and I would definitely visit it again especially when Brandon gets bigger. Brandon had fun in the swings, and I even got some exercise. I was 45 minutes early so we walked around the park several times.
That's all I have today. I need to run to the store I am out of paper towels.

Until then...

Brandon's 1st Easter

Brandon is now 11 months old and he army crawls to get where he wants. We still have him in size 3 diapers, and he eats stage 3 foods. He also eats canned green beans, carrots, pears, peaches, and apples. Oh, and those nasty lil' sticks (chicken and turkey). The only thing we have found that he does not eat is broccoli. And he had it a few months ago and it did not agree with him, but he ate what was fed to him. He has 7 teeth (four on top and three on the bottom). He babbles constantly. But he really does not say mama until he gets desperate. He wears 12-18 months clothes and he weighs 24lbs. He just learned yesterday to shrug his shoulders, too cute. He wakes up a little earlier now a days. He is up by 8am, but then is ready for his nap at 10am. He takes a 3-4 hour nap and then if we are home he will take another hour nap around 4pm. He begins to get sleepy at 8pm, but he might not be asleep until 10:30pm or 11pm. He drinks 3 bottles a day and enjoys juices and snacks.
Ok, now to Easter. We had a great playgroup on Thursday at Sarah Grace and Lena Kate's house. We had a Easter egg hunt. This was the first time Brandon had been on the grass. Our yard has issues with retaining water so it is a swamp, and I did not want the two little dogs jumping on him. He loved the grass and being outside, oh yeah, we don't go outside much. Below are some pictures to recount that day. Thanks Tracy for having us over and being such a great host.
Harper enjoying the sunshine and the grass.

Then on Saturday, my in-laws had us over for supper and Easter egg dyeing. Supper was traditional. Then my nieces dyed eggs. They really enjoyed it. And the adults did too.



Then on Sunday morning we went to early service, and then helped out for a little while with the two year olds during the late service. We did manage to get a family Easter picture in between services.

Then we went out to my family's for lunch and Easter egg hunting. And we did the resurrection eggs again this year. I am so glad my nephews like doing it, because I almost forgot where I had put them from last year.

Until then...

Valentine play group and Super Bowl Party

Well, today you get a two for one, I have two events that we attended this last week. First on Thursday, Brandon went to his first Valentine party. It was at Sarah Grace and Lena Kate's house. Thanks Tracy for hosting all of us. The Valentine card exchange was a great idea. And the cupcake decorating was very cool too.

Here is Molly, Ruby and Ben.

Kelly with Caleb, Kinley and Erin.


Lindsey with Ben, and Jessica and Braxton.
Mary Avery, Matthew and John Micheal. John Micheal loved that balloon. And Brandon eating his book.

And then Jeremy and I went to the Super Bowl party at Ross and Monica's last night. I only got a couple of pictures, but as usual the guys hibernated in the man cave upstairs and the ladies sat around the kitchen table. The game seemed to be a non-event, and it really did not matter to me which team won. It was good to catch up with the ladies. We had 12 families represented at the party. I enjoy the ladies of our Sunday School class so much for their genuine love for each other. And it is so nice to have close girlfriends to lean on for advice or just chit chat. There was one couple strangely missing from the party and that was Jason and Michelle. I miss you. :>(
Aaron, Billy, Wes, Lindsey, Robert, Matt, Amanda, and Amber filling their plates before kick off.


Stephanie, Brad, Amy S, Amy D, Ben, Jessica, Aaron, Ross, Monica, Matt, Ethan, Billy, Wes, and Robert chatting it up.

Until then...

Vonda

What is up at the Axe house?

Well, since it has been 4 weeks since I blogged last you would assume we have a lot going on. I am not sure if that is accurate. We now have a 9 month old in the house. And if his behavior now sheds any light how he will be as he gets older, we have our hands full. At our Dr. appt. Brandon's weight was at 21 lbs. 12 oz. and he was 27 1/2" long. He can rollover every which way, he eats puffs, and we are in the stage 2 foods. I have him in size 3 diapers and he is wearing 12 month clothes. He is a mama's boy, but he still has not said mama. He talks about his dada all day long though. We have recently set up his playarea in the living room. It has a few toys, but what I like about the area is it keeps the dogs out of Brandon's way. Or maybe it keeps Brandon out of the dogs' way. We have been fortunate to have a new friend move into town and give us clothes for Brandon so I have been able to reduce my spending on his clothes substantially. (Thanks, Amber!). We have been to playgroup at Miss Laurie's, and Miss Erin's homes in the last month. I find at every playgroup, Brandon shows me how boring I am at home. He really has a great time, oh and his mom really likes going too. We have had two birthday parties we have gone to this last month. One for Harper (first birthday), and one for Caleb (third birthday). Harper's birthday party was done so cute for a 1year old, it was a drop in party, and any gifts brought are being taken to the Ronald McDonald house. We brought a couple of kid games. Then we had Caleb's birthday party a week or so later, it was at Chuck E Cheese, and if any of you know me, I do not like Chuck E Cheese the mouse, or anything dressed up. So when he came over to see the kids I was a little nervous. I know that is ridiculious. We were able to play in play zone and get a few pictures. We will see if I can figure how to get the photos off of Jeremy's new camera.




Then, we had a birthday party to go to today, but with the roads a little hairy we opted to stay home. Today, church was canceled so we stayed inside where it is warm. Bentonville schools are closed tomorrow so we will have to see what this week holds as far as the weather.

Until Then,

Vonda