Santa Cruz 2012

Its going to be hard to plan any sort of outings this summer with my husband in paramedic school but we had one weekend where Deke AND Tyler were out of school at the same time. We took advantage of that and went to Santa Cruz for a long weekend. 

  Day 1 was beach fun

They found lots of sand crabs! 

A little chilly for the baby so I kept him nice and bundled. 

He kept me warm too 

Some of our friends were at the beach the same day we were so we met up for a while 

Broderick with papa 

My boys ♥

View of the boardwalk from the pier 

Day 2 Boardwalk fun 

This was the worst ride ever. Notice how I'm double checking my latch to make sure its secure? Oh and see my terrified face. Yeah, I knew I was in trouble here. 

Ha, again I'm the only one who looks scared. Figures. 

Ok how much of a paranoid mom am I? I have one arm around Tyler and the other holding onto Deke. I wanted to make sure no one fell out! 

The swings are my favorite! 

There was about one hour in the day that was hot. The log ride was perfect for a quick cool down! 

Tyler and I on the roller coaster 

We went on the Carousel the most of all the rides. We LOVED grabbing the rings and throwing them into the clowns mouth, just like the ride is supposed to be like! 

Broderick was a doll on this trip. So content and happy while we carted him around. 

I thought it was so cute how he was looking out the mesh sides. 

Day 3 fishing and pier 

Another great view of the boardwalk 

Lots of cute seals to look at! 

Blessing Day

Broderick was blessed by his daddy last Sunday, June 3, 2012. I was a little concerned having him blessed at 10 weeks old but he did wonderful. Daddy did a great job too :) 

I took this picture today after church. It seems as though he never wants to smile when a camera is in his face. Got a little one this time! 

Summer to-do list

1. Rivercats game

2. Glow night swim

3. Make slime

4. Go on a picnic

5. Go to the lake

6. Paint a picture

7. Balloon tennis

8. "Ding-Dong" ditch someone (leave treat)

9. Create a holiday

10. Fly a kite

11. Go to the community pool

12. Go geocaching

13. Mini-marshmallow construction

14. Drive-in movies

15. Write a letter

16. Make marshmallow shooters

17. Go to the beach

18. Make taffy

19. S'mores

20. Have a pool party

21. Play baseball

22. Go to the movies

23. Kayaking

24. Decorate a cake

25. Go on a hike 

With only a few days left of school I felt it time to make our summer plans. Let the fun begin! 

A fireman and a baby photo shoot

When I was pregnant I had been searching for cute photos of firemen and newborns for us to do once the baby was born. I had several saved on my pinterest that I was dying to do. However, I wasn't expecting the little peanut to come so early AND spend so much time in the hospital. Once he finally came home and we got the chance he wasn't quite young enough to do some of the shots I wanted to attempt. My sister and I did a little photo shoot regardless and will just keep those other cute poses in mind for the next time I have a baby. Here are some of the shots we got yesterday in our mothers dining room! 

Two very cute models 

I just imagine Broderick screaming "SAVE ME" when I see this one.. I love the outreached arm! 

My fav ♥

See what I mean about not being young enough? He wouldn't curl up at all! 

Newborn photo shoot

Thank you Benton Photography for taking such beautiful pictures of my new baby boy! 

I love how cozy and relaxed he looks in this one. 

This one is my favorite. Love that face! 

Welcome home party

Today Broderick was finally released from the NICU! He was there for 18 days and went in weighing 5 pounds 10 ounces, he was released weighing 6 pounds 12 ounces. Having him in the hospital has been so physically and emotionally draining. It's 45 minutes from our house and I would go every single day to try and teach the little man to nurse (which he does beautifully now). Since the hospital wasn't close enough to go back and forth for feedings I would sit in a rocking chair next to his crib for about 7-9 hours a day which was 3 feedings. He had his ups and downs and I drove home crying on several occasions because he wasn't showing the progression he needed to come home. I knew he was in the right place and under excellent care but this wasn't how I had imagined spending my maternity leave, I felt so robbed of my baby bonding time. Those days are now behind us, our sweet angel is home and we can start enjoying him all day every day!

Coming home outfit

 (which be pee'd all over as soon as we got home)

Ready for the car ride! 

We were surprised when we got home that my parents and sister had planned a little welcome home party for Broderick. It was a mustache bash! 

They were even sporting mustaches when we walked in the door. Even baby Kyla had a stache! 

Broderick wanted to eat his mustache 

Mustache cake! 

Baby and daddy 

The nicu won't allow anyone under the age of 14 to visit so this was the first time Tyler got to meet his little brother. It was really hard for him going 18 days only seeing his brother in pictures! 

He loves him ♥

Baby and mommy 

Tyler wanted to help any way he could with the baby. He wanted to rock him, change his diapers, feed him, read to him, etc... He is going to be such a good big brother.