Happy Thanksgiving (and a Mini-Christmas)!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Kirbys! We packed all of Branner's necessities and hit the trail towards Gigi's house this morning. We had a quick snack and visit there before the actual Thanksgiving festivities began at Mimi's house. Little did we know that Big Papa had a surprise in store for Branner--a rocking horse! My dad was so excited about the toy, which my mom had bought as part of Branner's Christmas present, that he insisted Branner get it today. Oh, but that was not all-- a Mickey Mouse from Big Papa's trip to Orlando last month, two sets of Christmas pj's, a sweater and a special ornament later, Branner had a mini-Christmas. He is ROTTEN! All I can say is I'm glad we are celebrating Christmas day here so that I'm not responsible for carting all of his gifts around.

After snapping a couple of family pics (I think the one of him with my parents is hilarious!), we headed over to Mimi's house early to feed Branner lunch and put him down for what should have been an afternoon nap (didn't happen today, he had "quiet time" instead) before enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Mimi really outdoes herself every year, and we stuffed ourselves to the gills. I didn't even have room for dessert, which made me sad! Branner played and entertained the crowd and we left for Charlotte late afternoon. It was a great day spent with great family! We love you all so much!

We are so thankful for our sweet, funny, amazing son! He is truly the biggest blessing in our lives! We are grateful for our wonderful families and that Branner is surrounded by so much love. We hope everyone else had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Park Play Date

We're just in from a nice morning at the park with Tracy, Meadow and Summer. Branner and Summer held it down on the swings while Meadow had fun all around the park. I can't believe this time next year,B will be going down slides and enjoying all the "big kid" park activities. We topped the morning off with a very quick grocery store run. Let's just say I had to stop by the in-store Starbucks to make it through. It was a madhouse! We were happy to get home and away from all the last-minute-Thanksgiving-grocery-shopping madness!

Bulldog PJs

I couldn't resist these sweet pajamas, and Branner can't resist a good apple!

It's The Simple Things...

Q: How much fun can a cardboard box be?

A: If you're Branner, TONS!

Backstory: We have joined a bi-weekly produce delivery service and are getting a box full of yummy, organic fruits and veggies each time. I'm excited because it is going to save us money, provide us with an abundance of fresh produce and allow me to try tons of new recipes. Branner's excited because we get a new box to play with every two weeks.

Giving Thanks

Everyone reading this knows how much I love to make lists. After a rough week (teething baby, sick husband, feeling kind of yucky myself and a day or two where I just had a "blah" attitude--which I hate), I think a list of a few things I am truly thankful for is exactly what will pull me out of this funk. Thinking about all the positive, wonderful things in my life is just the dose of medicine I need to start off Thanksgiving week with a good attitude and grateful heart. Here goes...

I am so incredibly thankful for:

1. My own little family. Last year at this time, when Branner wasn't on the "outside," we were eagerly and nervously awaiting his arrival. He has brought so much joy and happiness into my life, there is no way to even begin to explain how truly thankful and amazed I am that God gave me such a wonderful gift. I thank Him everyday for allowing me to be Branner's mommy, even though there were times in my life that I wasn't even sure if I wanted to have kids.

2. My sweet, funny, loving husband who is patient with me even when I give him reasons not to be and whom I dearly love.

3. My family and Barry's family. We are so blessed to be surrounded by the best great-grandmother, grandparents, great aunts and uncles (many of whom we choose to call family, but are not technically related to us), uncles, aunts and cousins. Ya'll are the best!

4. Having a roof over my head and food on the table. These days, those two things alone should not be taken for granted. I try to remind myself of this often, especially when I get upset over something silly or trivial.

5. Being able to stay at home right now with sweet Branner and playing such a large part in his growth and development. Everyday is not a cakewalk, and at times I do get frustrated, but this is the most important job I have ever had.

6. My babysitter, Brittany. She is a lifesaver and helps me keep my sanity in tact! It's amazing what a couple of hours to yourself a week can do to rejuvinate you!

7. My blogs. It is so nice to have somewhere to let my creative juices flow and having an "online baby book" is a major bonus!

8. Being able to wake up each day and start over with a clean slate.

9. Bravo reality TV. I love it, it makes me happy and entertains me. Enough said!

10. My wonderful friends. I don't know what I would do without any of them! I love ya'll!

11. Bogle Zinfandel and Phantom. Sometimes mommies just need a good glass of wine (pairs perfectly with Bravo reality TV)!

12. My volunteer work with the Junior League. It makes me feel so good to do things that help others, and I love still being able to do some marketing/advertising work since I am not employed.

13. Date nights. It's nice to get out of the house, dress in something cute, wear heels and do something out of the ordinary. We have really been trying to do extra-fun and different things now that we have a newfound appreciation for our dates.

Happy Thanksgiving--Early!

Steve Urkel (And a Cute Thanksgiving Shirt)

Look at my adorable shirt!
My daddy made me look like Steve Urkel!

Ok, so, being from the South, of course I love a monogram and anything personalized. I also love a good longall, and have been working on adding several to Branner's wardrobe, but more on that later. I found this cute, cute, cute Thanksgiving-themed shirt online and decided B had to have one. It's from She She Made--if you like it, find them on Facebook. They have all kinds of adorable personalized wear. Happy shopping!

Meeting Santa!

Branner met Santa for the first time today! We braved the crazy parking, crowds and chaos of the Southern Christmas Show with Shana and Carter to get his picture taken with the white-bearded wonder. He looked so sweet in his special Christmas outfit and he was actually fine with Santa. We got a really cute picture with no tears shed. The first introduction was a success!

10 Months Old!

How have the past ten months gone by so fast? I feel like time is traveling at warp speed. Branner has finally reached the double digits in age month-wise and we are obviously rapidly approaching his first birthday. My sweet boy is in between being a baby and a toddler, and even though I don't want to admit it, he is really closer to being a toddler than a baby. A glimpse into Branner's life these days:

Likes: Standing on his own for more extended periods of time, (finally) having his first tooth, trips to the park with friends, trying "big boy" foods, bear walking, pulling up on everything, shaking his head "no" and meaning it, talking all the time (we think he knows mama dada and baba for bailey because he is identifying the correct objects with them), dancing, flirting with pretty girls we see out, remotes, cell phones, the iPad, doing his version of hand-clapping (clasping his hands together and moving them up and down), hugging and loving on Bailey, Bailey in general, Chloe and Dylan (the feeling is NOT mutual), music, reading, bath time, going to the Y, other children, entertaining people, rummaging through cabinets, going for walks, playing with random household items, throwing toys and other objects and having Barry and I retrieve them, figuring out how things work and spending time with family.

Dislikes: Cutting his other teeth, being told not to do something, diaper changes, not being able to eat the animal's food and getting dressed.

Clothing size: 12 months, some 12-18 months in tops.

Diaper size: 3--I'm sure no one is surprised.

What he eats: Fruits (except apricots), veggies, meats, grains, yogurt, crackers, Vanilla wafers, bread and pieces of apple.

Oh, The Difference 9 Months Make!

Newborn

9 Weeks

6 Months

9 Months

After uploading the pictures from Branner's nine month session, I was inspired to compare and contrast a few pictures from the professional sessions we have had over the past nine months. I truly cannot believe how much he has changed and how much (hair) he has grown!

9 Month Pics

These are just a few of my favorite pics from our session with our friend, Angie, of AC Studios. We went to McGill Rose Garden in NoDa, and it was beautiful! It was the perfect location and we really got some amazing shots. Christmas card coming soon!

Girl's Weekend Recap

My first weekend away from Branner was a success! We left around 1:45 on Friday afternoon--surprisingly without any real tears from me. I fed Branner his lunch and put him down for his nap (I did get a little choked up at that point, but tried to hold it together), then packed my car and waited on Ashley and Colleen and for the fun to officially begin. We made a short pit stop to meet Stacey, who was coming from Winston where she had dropped her kiddos off, and headed up the mountain. A quick wardrobe change into stretchy pants and comfortable, warm tops was made by all before the "festivities" began. (Did I mention the snow?? There were several inches on the ground!) We gorged ourselves with junk food and a delicious meal from the Carriage House and broke out the adult beverages. We watched Sex and the City and went to bed early. It was the perfect night. I tried to sleep in on Saturday. I really, really did. However, the best I could do was 8:00, and I'm not going to lie, I am able to do that at home if Barry gets up with Branner in the morning. We ate breakfast and had some caffeine--be it coffee, Coke, or Diet Coke. And, then we lounged. And lounged. And lounged some more. It was delightful NOT to be on a schedule for the first time in 9 1/2 months. It was wonderful to be able to sit and do nothing. We watched Sex and the City 2 and Drop Dead Gorgeous. I took a nap. We ate pizza and had good wine and watched more movies and went to bed early. Sleeping in on Sunday was just not in the cards due to the time change and falling back an hour, so we ate breakfast, cleaned, got ready and headed down the mountain for lunch and a little shopping. I was anxious to get back to my boys. I missed them, but I am very thankful to have had a little time off to relax and recharge. And, I certainly did both!

Stand Up Guy

Today, something huge happened at our house! As I was getting ready and Branner was playing in my bathroom, he stood up by himself for the first time!!! He was opening and shutting one of my drawers, pulled up, and the next thing I knew, he was just standing in the middle of the bathroom all by himself. He stayed that way for several seconds, and I stood there in shock the whole time. I really cannot believe how fast my sweet boy is growing up!

Girl's Weekend

This afternoon, I will pack my car with my suitcase full of warm clothes, the junk food I purchased yesterday and Ashley and Colleen's weekend necessities. I will kiss my boys goodbye and head towards Beech Mountain for my first weekend away from Branner. I am excited and nervous and scared, but I need this time away with my college roomies.

I know I will miss Branner like crazy, that I probably won't sleep in like I keep saying I'm looking forward to, that I will worry and that I will probably shed a tear or two. But, I also know that I will have FUN. I will be off a schedule. I will get to spend time with some of my favorite people in the world that I just don't get to see enough. I will get to watch both Sex and the City movies back-to-back and probably more than once. I will get to shop at the outlets :)!

Here we go...Mommy's first weekend off. Woooohoooooo!

Toothless Wonder No More!

After months and months of excess drool and Branner chewing on anything and everything he could get his hands on, his first tooth broke through today! I could barely believe it. I was starting to wonder if B even had teeth. But, he does--one on the bottom left for now. Looks like the bottom right is soon to follow. Another milestone reached for our sweet boy!

Branner's First Halloween!

Our little monkey's first Halloween has come and gone, and it was a success! It was so much fun to picking out his costume and going to the pumpkin patch. We have really enjoyed "falling" into autumn with Branner. This weather makes outdoor activities so much more enjoyable, and we have been taking full advantage of that! Many trips to the park have been made, visits to the farmer's market have taken place and long walks have been enjoyed. Anyway, on to our Halloween activities...

On Saturday, after a wonderful photo shoot with our friend, Angie, of AC Studios (Branner had his nine month pictures done and we also needed some shots for our 2010 Christmas card), we jumped in the car and headed north on Highway 49 for Gigi and Big Papa's house. Of course, my family (including the Wilhoits) needed to see Branner in his costume! We dressed our monkey up for a few minutes before he got too hungry and too tired so everyone could see how adorable he looked in his costume. After a quick dinner fed by his Mimi, Branner turned in early due to virtually no nap, and the rest of us had a cookout. We love spending time with family in Asheboro!

After a nice morning nap and a quick "tractor" ride with Big Papa on Sunday morning, we hit the road for Charlotte. Several songs and dorky dances in the car to entertain B later, we arrived back to our house just in time for a long afternoon nap before going to the DiProspero's. All three of us had a great time there with our friends. Branner loves playing with Summer and Meadow, and even took his first "steps" behind a push toy! We love hanging out with Vinnie and Tracy and enjoyed the delicious chili they made for us. Thanks for having us, DiPs! Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!