Is she really coming down?

Well, it's been 2-3 years in the making...the 80+ year old bungalow that the Eatherton family called home for 30+ years is on a collision course with demolition equipment in the very near future.  

After lots of thought and analysis, it just made the most sense for mom and dad to stay in the town they love, surrounded by family and friends they love, while investing in themselves.  We're super excited to watch the progress of the new house being built.  It's about time that mom and dad did something big for themselves after doing so much for our family over the years.  We love you mom and dad!

Here are a couple pics with the house nearly empty in late January when we had an estate sale to get rid of some junk.  Demolition and architect signs were already up... 

The neighbors came over for beer/pizza on one of their last nights in the house and graffiti'd the walls with a bunch of funny/thoughtful things...

And finally, here are some recent pics in early February with all of the fencing and signage up.  Word is, demolition is scheduled to start on 2/17.  Craziness.  If/when it happens this week, I'm going to try and get out there to get some film footage, so more goodness to come!

Fun on the changing table!

For whatever reason, Brady is the most smiley and talkative while getting his diaper changed. He "coos" and "gaaas" up a storm! While not the best quality, here is a sampling of what I get to see every day...

Sneezin', barfin', laughin', smilin'...the works!

I finally got around to saving/editing some of our videos of Braden.  I thought this one was one of the better ones.  It pretty much sums up a number of things that he's good at these days.  Well, minus the cryin', poopin', tootin', and peein'!  Hard to believe that we get all of this at 6 weeks.  He's so dang cute and so much fun to be with.

Superbowl baby!

A good luck charm? Perhaps! Brady watched his very first Superbowl today and supported his Dad's favorite football team (of late) by wearing his little Roethlisberger jersey... and the Steelers won! The boys in my house are happy tonight.

Dad teaching Brady about football

Superbowls make me sleepy

What else did we do this week? Well, Grandma and Grandpa Stetzer and Amanda came out to visit us on Sunday, to celebrate Grandma's birthday. Brady had a lot of fun hanging with Grandpa in the Boppy seat...


Brady had his 1 month check up on Monday and did very well. He weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 12oz, which puts him in the 50th percentile for his age. His head, however, ranked in the 95th percentile... so hopefully that means he's going to be a smarty. Otherwise, he'll just fall over a lot :)

On Friday, Auntie Susie came out to visit us with Ashlynn and Danny and we had such a fun day. Actually, Brady slept in his swing the entire time, something he rarely does! But Ashlynn cracked us up by hanging out without her pants on...



Yesterday, we visited Grandma and Grandpa Eatherton at their "temporary home" in Des Plaines; Aunt Megan, Uncle Justin and Aunt Lindsay were there too!

Riding in the car is fun!

Other than that, we just hung out at home and drove Tinley crazy. Here are some other random pictures of my "5th week"...

Napping with big brother

Dad's MVP

Almost a whole month old!

Brady is 4 weeks old today, with his one month "birthday" just around the corner. He's still growing like a weed; over 9 lbs now! And his hair (including eye brows and eye lashes) is finally starting to get a bit darker so we can actually see it. He's been smiling a ton (the open mouth smiles are the best!) and soaking in everything around him. I've never seen such an alert baby (what naptime?!)

We've been keeping ourselves busy by singing, doing "tummy time" and playing on the Boppy, since the cold weather keeps us locked indoors most of the time. We have had a few outings to Grandma and Grandpa Stetzer's, where we got to meet Great Papa Joe, Great Aunts/Uncles and cousins. And one trip to Grandma and Grandpa Eatherton's, for Brady's first and last trip to the house his Daddy grew up in (Steve and Linda have closed on the house and demolition will be taking place very soon). Brady got to meet all the Park Ridge neighbors and he was quite the hit!

Mom and Brady are trying to establish a routine at home, but each day is still different from the one before. Every couple of nights Brady sleeps for 5 hours and that makes his parents very happy! But for now, we just eat and nap, cry and poop (well, Brady does) and enjoy each other's company. Here are a couple of pics from the last two weeks...

"Yes, we can!"

Let me think on that...

Tuckered out

Brady with Great Grandma Bubby and Great Papa Joe

Dad learns the football hold

Brady and Uncle Justin

Snoozin' in my chair

So sweet when I'm sleeping!

Look at that smile!

Bathtime

Tinley's a baby too!

Some of you may be wondering how our first "baby" is adjusting to our new arrival. Tinley knew something was going on the second he came home from Grandma and Grandpa's last week and has barely left Brady's side ever since. He is very curious of every sound and movement the baby makes and gets upset when Brady cries. He has acted out a few times to get our attention (I have a hole in my dining room rug to prove it!), but overall, he's adjusting really well. We captured an interesting moment though when Tinley wanted us to know, "I'm a baby too!"

Tinley in Brady's Boppy

Two weeks old!

It's hard to believe that it's already been 2 weeks since Brady was born. Time really flies when you're... not getting any sleep! I've definitely learned that no amount of research/reading can prepare a person for parenthood; every day is a new adventure. While we are certainly loving every minute we have with Brady, our patience is tested over and over again. Who knew something so small could scream so loud?!

The first week home Brady did pretty well; sleeping, eating, and pooping like a champ. We tested out all the "toys" we got at our showers and discovered that he really likes the vibrating Boppy seat and is mildly entertained by the swing (although Dad doesn't let him swing very fast!) We also had our first trip to the pediatrician and everything went well. We had a few visitors; Brandon and Katie Garber, Uncle Justin and Aunt Megan, Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Jason, Cortney, Bambi, Megan and Nora, Sarah, Denise and Frankie, Auntie Manny and both Grandmas and Grandpas. We are always on our best behavior when our friends are around! :)

At our two week appt. the doctor said that he's still doing very well- has grown 1/4 inch and is tipping the scales at 8 lbs now! But the last few days have been a bit rough, as we are finding that Brady is having a bit of trouble with gas. We're trying a bunch of different remedies, but are certainly open to any suggestions! Hopefully gas is all that it is, since acid reflux and colic are two avenues we hope we won't have to go down. Fingers crossed!!

We are amazed at how fast he has grown and changed already. His hands and feet are getting bigger and he gets stronger by the day; he barely resembles the tiny newborn we brought into the world two weeks ago today. I keep telling him to "slow down", but it doesn't seem to work!

Below are a few pics from the last week and a half....

Last day in the hospital

Going home!

Dad trying out the Bjorn. Gotta love those bug eyes!

Partying in my crib with Frankie and Nora

Hangin' with Grandpa

Quality time with Dad

Conducting my first symphony!