Dear Bradley...

June 20, 2006 (excerpt from my journal)

Dear Brad,
In a few days I will be 35 weeks pregnant. Last week you were almost born when I tested positive for preterm labor during a regular check up. I was sent to the hospital for monitoring and while there I went into full on labor! I was admitted, and for three days was subjected to steroid shots and magnesium sulfate, one to speed up your lung development and one to stop my labor. We had neonatal nurses coming in to talk with us about what would happen if you were born and it was really incredible to me that all this was happening. It was so scary and I didn't want to think that anything could go wrong with you. Luckily my contractions slowed down and I was sent home, but since then things have not been the same...We are ready for you now, as much as we can be. Just please stay inside a little longer...then you will be physically healthy enough to come out and see us. We love you baby Brad and we'll see you soon!

6 Weeks Later!!!

He got the message...but I was never happier to see my beautiful baby boy come into this world. He still clings to me, and I don't mind it so much. I know it won't last. I mean...he's already 4 now! Seems like yesterday... Happy Birthday to my favorite little man. We love you! Here's a few things about Brad right now...
1. Finally mastered the toilet issue. He wouldn't sit on a toilet unless it was white and oval and flushed quietly...Europe has a wide variety of toilet shapes and colors, so we had lots of problems.
2. Most kids love the word No! Brad loves to say it in German...Nein!
3. Loves to wrestle and bike ride with dad.
4. Hates dogs...for the most part.
5. Torments Rhi.
6. We call him Bean.
7. If you tell him not to do something he will turn around and say, "Well I'm a boy, so I can!"
8. Gets mad and screams "I'm not your mom anymore!" heehee
9. Survives on minimal sleep.
10. Will likely get anything he wants from me with just one look.
11. Raids the fridge when no one is looking.
12. Loves Lady Gaga!
13. Runs really fast...I mean really fast.
14. Favorite sport is soccer, favorite color is green.
15. Despises wearing eye patches but is extremely proud of himself when he gets to take one off after a few hours of no complaining.

July 23, 2010

So I've been thinking that it's time to change the title of the blog. Our Life... doesn't quite say enough. There is more to it than that. After much brainstorming and pondering, perusing through a multitude of motivational quotes on life, love and happiness, and knowing that we are still growing as people, ever changing, always learning, reflecting on the many happy and tumultuous events that have shaped Our Life... I have come up with something I think more fitting. "The Moments that Make Up Our Journey, Will Lead us to a Beautiful Destination."

July 12, 2010

 2 Weekends...2 Fantastic Kid Occupiers

Not Necessarily a Parent...

 It has been over 90 degrees for the better part of July now and we are dying without AC. So the past few weekends we've tried to get the kids outside and worn out. We got to see fireworks on the 4th, took a 10k bike ride round trip to an amazing park with a restaurant, mini golf and paddle boats, and finally this weekend we found a huge park in Belgium with a lot of free play areas for the kids as well as an arboretum and open air historical museum and multiple bike trails. We also enjoyed a few World Cup parties and once Brad's school closes for vacation this week, we are ready to pack for home!

 Sometimes you just need to take a nap...kitchen floor works. Even better when you have an older sister to stand over you and make fun! Don't worry, he'll get her back one day when he is the bigger one.

Look Familiar? A long day of fun, capped off by a nice nap in the restaurant!