Updates

Hey all,
Sorry that it's taken me so long. Things have been crazy. We've been living life like crazy here for the last month or so.
Chris has been busy at work with a new project and getting to work with a new team in Costa Rica. He's feeling much better, less asthma problems and no more flu. He's been spending lots of free time getting ready to go backpacking over the summer. He's putting together a list of everything that he needs. It's very comprehensive. He's doing a lot of research and looking at everything very carefully. He's way excited.
I've been busy just trying to keep up with my toddler. I spend my free time reading or watching TV. Once in a while I game or hang out online. I'm doing well, finally lost all my baby weight, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. Haven't been sick or anything like that. We're all still seeing Dr. Kristina for chiropractics and it's keeping us healthy.
Now for the one you all wait for...Braxton!
He's doing great. Getting SO big. Almost 23 lbs now and tall. He's walking great, starting to run even. He's got a huge vocabulary, about 25-30 words now. Most of what he says is still baby babble, but he talks a lot. He's learned what no means, even though he doesn't always listen. We're working on colors (he can say purple), body parts (he can find his nose, ear and toes), and computer skills. He's learning how to work the keyboard and mouse a little.
We got one lucky night, the end of Jan, when Kim came down, he slept through the night. 7 hours without a problem. So far...that has not been repeated. We're hopeful though.
Well, he's up from his nap, so this has to be cut short. Sorry it took so long and I hope I'll get with it eventually. I'll try to keep things up more.
Loves to all.

Christmas!

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. Dorie and Jake came over about 4 and we had dinner and watched movies. Then we opened up the presents that we usually do on Christmas Eve. Just something small. Braxton got an Elmo doll, which he LOVED. He was way excited. Chris got GI Joe on DVD, I got a Wii Fit from Dorie and Jake, which I have wanted for like 2 years now and from Chris I got Quantum of Solace. Then everyone left and we put the baby to bed. Chris and I stayed up for a bit and played video games.
Braxton's first (real) Christmas was a bit hit. Things went really well. Chris talked me into getting up when Braxton first woke up...7 am is a bit early for my taste. But I got up and we opened presents. Then when Braxton went back to sleep, Chris and I started the stuff for lunch and just chilled for a bit.
Braxton made a haul! He got a Cookie Monster doll (to go with Big Bird and Elmo), a ball popper thing (which is his very favorite present of them all), a ride-on alphabet train that you can also push, a puzzle, a snow suit, socks, a new hat and mittens, and he'll be getting snow boots from grandma. He also got a stocking with teething gel, a toothbrush and toothpaste, some snacks and a treat.
Chris got some fly fishing stuff, including a new reel, a leader tying kit, a multi tool, and a stainless steel water bottle. He also got a picture collage of Braxton growing up, and I ordered him a bunch of tea samplers from online. He got a stocking with some candies, bubble gum, and then a few household things.
I got a bunch of DVDs. Chris bought me the Complete Farscape (!!!!!!), the Star Trek: The Next Generation movie pack, The Dark Knight, Studio 60, and V, the original miniseries, the movie and the TV show. All of which I was very excited about.
Well, that's all from us. We're just getting ready to head down to mom's tomorrow morning. We'll be back on Tuesday. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you all have a very Happy New Year. Loves!

Braxton's Birthday!

Well, last night was Braxton's party. It was a lot of fun, Mark and Kamis came over, and brought Carmen. We had pizza for dinner and then Braxton had a chocolate cake. While the adults had cheesecake.
He made a haul in presents. He got bath toys, a stuffed Big Bird, Sesame Street board books, and a singing book, a piano, a table that does a bunch of songs, ABC's, Numbers, and spanish. He also got a little garbage truck.
He seemed to have lots of fun, and was REALLY wound up by the end of the night. He didn't go to sleep until pretty late. But it was fun and we're glad that we did it.
Enjoy the pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/ravennationopperative/Birthday?feat=directlink

First Birthday and Christmas!

Well, let's see here. As time flies on, we're getting closer and closer to both Christmas and Braxton's first birthday. Chris and I spent most of the day today doing shopping. Our normal Saturday grocery shopping, along with some birthday and Christmas shopping. Mostly for Braxton.
He's getting a new car seat, forward facing (YAY), a V-tech Sing Along Piano, a plush Cookie Monster, a little garbage truck, some Baby Einstein books, and a snow suit. He'll also be getting at least one other toy, and some snow boots, but those have to wait til we get paid again.
Oh, last night was Chris's work Christmas party. Anna babysat for us so we could go and have fun. It was a total BLAST! We went and played Blackjack for most of the party. We started out with 1,000 dollars a piece and by the end of the time, between us we made about 100,000. Too bad it wasn't real money. ~_^ Then they did the door prizes and Chris won an IPod Shuffle. One of the REALLY little ones. Hopefully he'll be able to keep track of it. He tends to lose little things like that...
Now for updates on everyone and upcoming plans...
Chris is working really hard on a new project at work, and so is having to stop "working" from home on Wednesdays until it's done, but that's ok. He's feeling much better, got over the swine flu and we were lucky enough to catch it before it gave him pneumonia or bronchitis. He's still playing Dungeons and Dragons on Wednesday nights with Mark and his friends. He's also thinking about starting his own group here in the neighborhood, because he would like me to try playing.
I am doing well. Busy with Braxton most of the time, and that seems to be about it. I've been reading as much as possible when he sleeps or is otherwise occupied. I've mostly been reading some new young adult series, about vampires for the most part. If anyone is interested in a good quick read, they should check out Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. Or The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. Both are really good. I have been spending lots of time with my new friends Dorie and Kamis. It's really nice having girlfriends again. I didn't realize how much I missed that support and love you can only get from another girl.
Braxton is doing amazing. He weighs about 22 pounds now and is about 30 inches tall already. He's a tall little boy. He's walking without a problem and talking up a storm. He knows about 20 words now, the newest one being "that." He walks around pointing at stuff saying "that, that that." He's learning to be really soft with the kitties and with us as well. We're constantly amazed at how fast he is growing and changing. I can not believe he is going to be a year old in just a few days. We switched to cloth diapers (I know, kinda late in the game) in an effort to save a little money every month. I have to say that I really like them and I'm really glad we changed to them. They haven't been as much of a hassle as I thought that they would be. Braxton seems to like them as well. They certainly provide more padding for those rare times when he does fall.
Upcoming plans...well, on Thursday the 17th, we're throwing Braxton a party for his birthday. Nothing too big, just a few people, presents and some cake. He's getting a chocolate cake, cause that's his favorite. Then that Friday, we've been invited to the ward Christmas party here. Don't know yet if we're gonna go, but we'll see.
That Saturday, Chris is going to hang out with Scott and his friend Carl. They are going to do "man things." On the 22nd, Anna is headed to Washington to be with her mom, so I'll be running her to the airport. Then on the 23rd, I get to do all my Christmas shopping for Chris. I hate that it has to be 2 days before Christmas, but what can you do? We don't get paid again until then.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are going to be normal for us, we're going to spend time as a family and have a nice dinner, then open presents.
After that we're heading to Cedar for a couple of days to spend time with mom and my friends down there (if they are around). That's as far ahead as we dare plan right now.

We hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy and we love you all.
Here's a little video of Braxton's newest trick...

Thanksgiving and swine flu...

Well, it's been a crazy few weeks. We spent most of the month of November just doing normal things until the week of Thanksgiving. The Saturday before, Chris came down with what we THOUGHT was a cold. It stuck around, and by Tuesday, his throat was SO sore, he could barely swallow. So, we went to the urgent care clinic here because our family doc was already on vacation. Turns out, Chris had swine flu and had to be quarantined. Well, that pretty much killed our plans for going to Boise. Sigh. So instead, we made our own food. Did a turkey and stuffing, corn, rolls, etc. Everything you should have on Thanksgiving.
It turned out really well, the food was great. Unfortunately, I was not able to help cook, as Braxton got a fever on Wednesday night and it didn't break until way early Friday morning. So all day on Thursday he was tired, listless and cranky. He didn't get sick though because we started dosing him with propolis and garlic right away. He didn't like it much, but I figure making him hate me for taking medicine is better than letting him get sick. Thankfully Chris was better by Saturday, and then I got a sore throat. ONLY that though. No other symptoms. And now it's gone. It was mostly gone by Monday, I only coughed when I laughed.
We're all feeling better now and we're going on with normal life. Getting ready for Braxton's first birthday and for Christmas.
That's all for now, hope everyone is well. Love to all!

Wow...it's been SO long!

I'm SO SO sorry that it's been so long. It was a crazy summer. I'll give a quick update of what happened in August, September and October. Well, we moved at the very end of July, and that kind of carried into the beginning of August as well. Unfortunately at that time, Chris had to look for a new job so that added a ton of stress to everything. Luckily he was able to find a new job in couple of weeks. He started at InContact on Aug 10th and has been very happy there so far. He got a raise and MUCH better benefits, so it was a plus in every way.
At the end of August, my grandma passed away and then we went to Boise. We actually had our tripped planned for a month or so before, but then grandma passed and it was kind of too late to change our plans. We went up to visit family and friends and see Marta/Matt while they were down here from Canada. It was awesome, and we were really glad to see them and that they got to see Braxton.
In September we didn't really have much going on other than getting settled still into the new place and Mom's B-day.
October was pretty normal as well, Braxton was a monkey for Halloween, but we didn't go trick or treating with him, he helped me hand out candy at home.
Okay, now for the individual updates.
Chris has been doing really well, he loves his new job and has made some new friends here in the complex that he hangs out with. He goes to Dungeons and Dragons on Wednesday nights, and has been liking that. He actually likes it so much that he's thinking about starting his own group. Unfortunately, he was sick all of last week with the flu, so that wasn't fun. It started out as a terrible headache, then moved to the rest of his body. On Wednesday after we went to dinner with my mom, he started throwing up. He threw up so hard that he actually ripped the lining in his stomach and was throwing up blood. But he's feeling much better today and went back to work this morning.
I'm doing well, resisiting getting sick and feeling pretty healthy. I'm spending most of my time trying to keep up with the energizer bunny that is my baby. He's lots of fun but rather tiring at times. I've made some new friends here as well and that has done wonders for my mental health. I missed having people to talk to and do things with. I'm so glad to know the people who live in the complex here. This is the best place we've lived to date by far! The first day we were here, just about everyone came over and introduced themselves. It was wonderful.
Braxton and I spent Thursday and Friday with my mom on her visit up here. It was really great, we bought Braxton winter clothes and just spent time together. We also took Braxton to the park for the first time and he went on the swings. He had a blast.
Braxton is growing up SO fast. He's been walking since he was a little over 9 months old. He'll be 11 months old on the 20th, so he's been walking for almost 2 months now. Goodness, how time flies. He's about 22 lbs and is wearing 12 to 18 month clothes for the most part. He still has some shirts and pants that were a little too big, so he still fits in them. He's doing really well, he's so dang smart. He's been talking for a while now and says about 15-20 words already. Among them are "hi, bye, kitty, mama (only when he's mad or stuck), daddy, yummy, book, yucky, bear, tree and baby." There are more, but I can't remember them all. He's wearing shoes now too, because the weather is changing and the ground is too cold for him to be barefoot anymore.
He's going through both stranger and separation anxiety, so that's been fun for me. The stranger one goes away after a few minutes, but I'm still not allowed to leave the room unless someone else is in there with him. He screams if I have to leave and he's alone. So much for eating during the day.
We're heading to Boise for Thanksgiving this year, and doing Christmas with my mom. Hope everything is well for all of you and that we hear from you soon.
I'll try to do a better job of updating...Love you all!

Long time no see...

Sorry that it's been so long again. Things got totally crazy around here. As you probably know, we've been trying to find a new place to live. Mainly because we just couldn't afford to live here anymore, but also surprise...she's selling the house. So yeah, we kinda need to go. We found a nice town home in American Fork, about 5 miles from here. It's a bit smaller, but we'll be saving around 450 a month on rent and utilities, so we don't care. It's a nice place, but we are going to have to downsize our furniture a bit. The entertainment center has to go, cause it's just too big, and our desks as well. We're losing a bedroom, going from 4 to 3, which is why our desks need to be downsized. Uh, we're getting rid of our table and chairs as well because we NEVER use it, and it's just a place for us to stack stuff...which is the last thing we need.
So yeah, I've been busy first trying to find us a place, and now that we have one, trying to get everything ready for our 8th move in 3 years....YAY! NOT! Packing is the not fun part, but at least when we unpack I can babyproof from the beginning. Which is good because...drum roll please....Braxton has started crawling! And boy is he fast!
Okay, so to update everything else, we went to my mom's for the 4th of July, and had a lot of fun. We saw her garden space out at Adam and Marnell's, it's way nice. She's finally able to have a bit garden again, but not have to do all the work by herself. She also painted her bathroom, which looks nice, a little green for me, but it works well. She's working on getting the rest of the house ready, especially her bedroom which has a bit of water damage going on. She's going to bring Aura down to live with her because unfortunately, my grandma isn't able to live with just one person to take care of her anymore. She's being put into a nursing home because she really needs round the clock care.
Um, let's see what else...Oh, Chris went fishing with his dad this last weekend and had some good luck. He brought home a nice size trout. He had a good time and I was glad for him that he was able to go. He's working on a new project with some people in Boise, on his own time. He's contracted right now for 40 hours, and in exchange he's getting some shares in the company. He's pretty excited about the opportunity. It's a little bit of an inconvenient time with the moving, but oh well.
As for Braxton, he's doing great. At his last checkup, which was his 6 month, done on July 6th, he weighed 18 lbs 2.5 oz. And was 27 inches in length. That puts him in the average percentile range for weight, and the 95th for length. He's crawling now, and babbling lots, knows Mama, Dada and Nana (which is his name for Anna). He's signing for milk, mommy and daddy, and is loving his new high chair. His favorite snack is crackers, he loves to munch them. He has a tooth or possibly 2 coming in on the bottom, and has been chewing on everything he can get his hands on to help with that.
He's using the sippy cup really well now, and loves to have juice, which he also signs for, but uses the sign for milk because he can't really tell the difference yet. I'm looking forward to moving into a place with a fenced in yard so that he can go outside and play a little. There is also a playground right outside the gate, so that will be wonderful too. He's been having big boy baths in the tub because he outgrew his infant tub, but I haven't had the chance to get him a bigger one yet. That's next on my list after we move.
I think that's everything. I hope you all are doing well and that everything is going great for you. Have a wonderful week (or possibly 2 hehe) and I'll see you again soon.