Exciting Times Are Ahead

We are getting close to our due date... which, of course, is such a flexible term that it means from "any day now" to "the baby will definitely be here by Christmas". :) Over Thanksgiving weekend we (and when I say "we", I mean Michael) emptied the guest room, and yesterday I finished putting final touches to it - Braiden now has a new room! It still needs a few things, mainly the dresser that is coming, but it looks like he might be sleeping there tonight!
I've been decorating the house for Christmas today, but we still need to put up and decorate our Christmas tree.
Braiden is getting over what we are pretty sure was a mild case of chickenpox, but unfortunately Michael is sick now. So don't send those labor vibes to me yet!
As you can see from the pictures again, Braiden loves having Daddy home. It has been amazing to watch, especially since he isn't very keen on strangers overall. Michael went back to work yesterday, and Braiden kept asking for him all day. These pictures were taken when Michael came home from work last night - you can see Braiden's joy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

... a day late! Pictures of Braiden and Daddy at the playground today.

Daddy's Home!!!

Getting ready to go to the airport. Mommy and I made me a shirt that said "Welcome Home Daddy!" and had my handprint in the back.

Waiting at the airport!

Daddy, me, and my new puppy!
As soon as we got home, Braiden was completely comfortable with Daddy. He excitedly showed off all of his toys and new walking skills. He even got upset when Daddy went outside to get his bags from the car.







We are all so happy to have Michael home. What a Thanksgiving it will be tomorrow!

All Boy

Braiden loves his trucks. A good portion of his day is spent doing exactly this:

More Walking!

Braiden has been getting up and walking a lot in the last couple of days. Tonight he walked across our living room! Crawling is still his main method of getting around, but he is getting closer! Here are some videos - they are all short.









And just a bonus... Braiden's newest game is piling all the pillows on the floor. Hours of fun!

Hullabaloo!

Our playgroup had Steve from Hullabaloo Band come play for us today! It was so much fun, and we love their music. It was held at Steph and Claire's, and Braiden had a great time playing with all of Claire's toys - he loves going to other people's houses! New stuff!!! Thanks so much to Bess, who took some pictures for us too!

Hello?

Happy Father's Day!

Finland celebrated Father's Day today, so Michael, Braiden and I would like to wish happy Father's Day to Vaari!
We are on our way to having a walker... Tonight Braiden stood up twice all on his own and proceeded to take seven steps! He was very proud of himself! Of course, by the time I had the camera out, he was done with that.
Our countdown to Daddy's homecoming is now down to days... wow! Braiden definitely knows who Daddy is... just watch this video!

Aquarium

Our playgroup made a trip to the Birch Aquarium today!

Bryce and Braiden.

Checking out the fish!

Admiring the sting rays.

Overlooking La Jolla.

Some of my friends - Norah, me, Bryce, Celia, Clare.

Grandma's Visit

Thanks, Grandma, for coming to visit us this last weekend! Unfortunately, we were a little off our game and forgot to take a picture of Braiden with Grandma... yikes! Grandma took some pictures though that she sent to us.

Braiden loves swim lessons!

Peek-a-boo!

Grandma needed some help with her work.

Okay, inserting a misc. picture here... Lauren sent this to us, taken at the Halloween party. Mommy didn't even realize she had dressed to match the little monkey! :)

A few days ago, we got a package from Muori & Vaari (that's grandma & grandpa in Finnish), with some goodies in it. Braiden knows the good stuff - chili chocolate.

Guess Who?

This was sent to my sister and I by our second cousin (thanks, Riikka!). We always say that Braiden is a spitting image of Daddy, and he really is! But the funny thing is that he looks like Michael as an adult and me (and my dad) as a baby. Genetics, go figure!?