16 months (and 2 days)

Hello, everyone! It's me, Brayden. Mommy has been meaning for 2 whole days now to write a post about my 16-month birthday. She seems kind of busy, so I thought I would write it for her. Where do I begin??

Mommy and Daddy can't believe how fast I am growing. They say it about 58732 times a day. Don't they know that I still can't reach all the fun things in the house? Except the romote. They always seem to put it in a low-lying area, then tell me "no no" when I grab it. What gives?

Now that I've got this walking thing down (Seriously, what a great way to get around! Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?!), I've started working on my language skills. Those big people don't always know what I mean when I grunt, so I'm trying to learn some words. Mommy taught me to say "more" and "please" with my hands. With my mouth, I can say mama, dada, bye bye, car, no no, outside, pa pa (for my paci...I love that paci), shoe, sit, bite, banana, cook, book, Mack, and some more words I can't remember right now. The list is getting long! I also like to repeat words and dance when the big people sing funny little songs.

I've recently discovered that I really like to look at books. Mommy is happy by this decision. Her books are a lot longer than mine are though. I managed to grab one once...it didn't even have a single picture in it! Whatever. My favorite book is "My First Words" by Baby Einstein. It has lots of fun pictures. I also really like to drive my little car around the house. I can steer it and everything!

Mommy and Daddy keep saying something about "the new house." They say I'll have my very own room and lots of space for all my fun toys. I keep hearing that we'll be moving soon. I'll miss my Nanny and Pop, but Mommy and Daddy said we could still visit them lots. They'll still be right down the road. Mommy and Daddy also said that our new house is right by that fun park they like to take me to. It has a fun slide and everything! I like to watch the other kids there the best. I'm very friendly and like to play with other kids!

I got moved to the toddler room at school about a month ago. I was nervous the first day, but it's been really fun! I have new friends who are really fun. I also get to color and make a craft every day. I really like coloring! Sometimes I still like to eat the crayon though...I always forget what they taste like. I like going to school, but the BEST day of the week is Saturday mornings. Daddy wakes up and plays with me while Mommy sleeps in. Daddy lets me ride his motorcycle in the driveway (shhh...don't tell Mommy!) and he also lets me climb all over him. It's really fun!

Anyway, that's about all for an update with me. I have to go night-night now so I won't be a cranky pants in the morning. I love you guys!

Love, Brayden

making Valentine's

Brayden recently got moved to the toddler room at daycare. He now gets to have music time, make crafts, eat at a real table, and sleep on a little mat instead of a crib. His little class is having a Valentine's Day party tomorrow, and Brayden needed to bring some Valentine's for his friends. So, instead of buying some, we decided to make our own! I may or may not have done most of the work, but that part isn't important. :) Check out his (my) handiwork!


Painting the paper



My cute little artist.

The finished product!

the park

Brayden loves the park. He could spend all day walking around and going down the slide. We try to go as often as we can. Hope you enjoy the pictures! :)

bad blogger

Ugh, I've been a bad blogger again. :( And an even worse photographer...I didn't take a single picture during the month of January! The horrors.

Brayden is talking up a storm. It seems he learns a new word or sound every single day. Most of his "words" probably wouldn't be understand by a random stranger, but we're loving the communication. He's such a fun, loving, sweet, precious little boy!

And in other important Bellon family news...WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! We just recently started the bank process to begin purchasing a home in the University area behind Dolby Elementary. We're SO excited!! It will need some light construction before we can actually move in, so if you are the handy dandy type, you are more than welcome to stop by! :) And if you're not the handy dandy type, you're more than welcome to visit too!

I promise I'll be better at blogging soon...for real this time. :)

2009 in review

If you haven't noticed, 2009 has ended and 2010 has begun. We can't believe that the first decade of the millennium has ended. 10 years ago I was the awkward middle school years. I never dreamed I would be where I am today. 2009 was an eventful year for the Bellon family. Here is our year in review:

• January 2009: Jason turned 23. Brayden started smiling and interacting more, and started sleeping through the night. Sleeping baby = happy parents.
• February 2009: Our first married Valentine's Day and Brayden first Valentine's Day. The day was more or less uneventful...we spent a quiet evening at home with pizza. We started thinking about what we would do once I (Kristen) graduated college.
• March 2009: Kristen started her final quarter at Louisiana Tech. This including spending 1-2 days per week in Shreveport, leaving Jason at home to take care of the bouncy Brayden. This resulted in Brayden spending many days in unmatching clothes.
• April 2009: Brayden's first Easter. He looked quite dapper in his little sweater vest. Brayden started eating solid foods, starting with cereal. He was not a fan at first, but he quickly learned that eating foods with different textures and tastes was very enjoyable.
• May 2009: May has officially been dubbed "Kristen Month." Kristen turned 22. Mother's Day. Kristen graduated college. Kristen and Jason celebrated one year of marriage bliss. Brayden had his first serious illness...a 9 day stomach virus that resulted in one doctor visit, two ER visits, and three unhappy Bellon's. Brayden also started sitting up and enjoyed playing from a new point of view.
• June 2009: Brayden spent his first "vacation" away from mommy and daddy. He stayed in Lake Charles with various grandparents while mommy and daddy relaxed at home. We were definitely happy to get our little booger back! Jason's first Father's Day. Brayden started sitting up in the big bathtub for baths, took a few trips to the park, and went swimming in his first big swimming pool.
• July 2009: Brayden's first Fourth of July. Brayden started crawling. Mommy and Daddy spent many hours chasing a mobile baby. The Bellon's officially decide to move to Lake Charles!
• August 2009: Bellon's make the big transition from Ruston to Lake Charles. Jason starts work at Signs Now, Kristen starts working for EarlySteps. Brayden starts school at University United Methodist. Brayden gets a new car seat (but will remain re-facing for a while longer). We all adjust to life in the deep south.
• September 2009: The Bellon's purchase a new fancy schmancy camera and take lots of pictures of little man. Brayden visits the horses in Longville and falls in love. College football starts, resulting in lots of purple/gold attire. Brayden starts pulling up on things and cruising around furniture.
• October 2009: Brayden finally starts crawling on all fours. Brayden turns one whole year old. Mommy gets really emotional, and mommy and daddy spends lots of time reflecting on the past year. Brayden discovers that he loves cake, and makes the official transition to whole milk.
• November 2009: Brayden starts taking a few steps, but still mostly crawls. The family takes Brayden to his first carnival. Brayden spends Thanksgiving eating LOTS of sweet potatoes.
• December 2009: Brayden starts walking full time. Brayden sees snow for the first time. We spend Christmas with our loved ones and Brayden gets way too many toys.

2009 was definitely a blessed year for the Bellon's. We're looking forward to all the adventures that 2010 will bring! :)

Sad attempt at Christmas pictures

A few weeks ago we attempted to take some Christmas pictures of Brayden and Mackenly. It was more or less a huge fail, but we got a few decent ones out of the 150 or so pictures that were taken. Taking pictures is hard when your subjects are:
a) Very mobile
b) Very tired
c) Hungry
d) Cold

Oh well, enjoy. :)


Brayden and the tree.

Not one, but TWO crying babies. :)

Brayden's only decent picture.

Sweet Mackenly.

In other Bellon Family news, Brayden has finally mastered the wonderful world of getting around on two feet. As expected, he is all over the place and very eager to explore everything he was once unable to reach. He thinks walking is the funnest thing since sliced bread. It's still so weird to see him walking around! He's also "talking" and trying to communicate more, although I don't think he's increased his word count just yet. Also, I think it's pretty safe to say that he LOVES Christmas lights. And Christmas goodies. He spends his days as a busy little toddler, eager to get into anything and everything! :)

Stay tuned for pictures and a re-cap of the Bellon Family Christmas activities. Hopefully they'll be up soon!

Snow in SWLA

I'm really behind on posting these pictures. In the beginning of December, it snowed! More like a light dusting, but it was exciting to see the fluffy white stuff falling from the sky. It melted about an hour after it fell, but it was fun while it lasted.

And yes, Brayden missed most of the fun, sadly. He got outside and felt his first snow, but we forgot the camera.