Happy Birthday Jason!

On Friday, August 28th, Jason celebrated the big 29!!! Granny, Grandma, and PawPaw came for a visit and babysat Bryson while Jason and I went out to dinner to celebrate. We went to Cafe Excell for a quiet dinner, and then hurried home as fast as we could! Wow- our lives have changed so much! I think we spent most of our dinner talking about Bryson, and I realized that he has never been away from both of us at the same time. I'm sure I was much more scarred by that thought than he was. Of course, we knew he was in good hands. We just wanted to get back to him. :) When we got home Jason opened gifts and we had an ice cream cake (Jason's favorite). It was a lot of fun to have the grandparents here, and of course we enjoyed our first real date since Bryson came along. Thanks to Granny, Grandma, and PawPaw for entertaining our baby so we could enjoy some quality time together!

Here are Granny and Grandma thinking they were posing for a perfect picture- not realizing what was going on behind them...

Bryson has become VERY vocal! He loved having his grandparents around to talk to. Like most babies, he would suddenly stop talking every time we got the camera out. Here is one conversation that we actually caught on camera. He loves his Granny!

Pottery Painting Fun!

We had a special treat on Friday--- Grandma came to visit! After eating lunch at Olive Garden and a quick visit to Bryson's future daycare, we decided to go to the U Paint It pottery studio. Bryson's footprint was the focus of our painting!

Grandma had the great idea to paint these cute little candy dishes.

A cross to hang in his room.

Bryson was pooped and spent most of the afternoon snoozing in Grandma's arms. Look at that sweet little smile...

Evening Walks

Bryson loves evening walks. It seems to soothe him and has almost become part of our bedtime routine. We have also enjoyed spending this time together as a couple. Can't wait until it cools off a little bit!!!

Sitting in the stroller like a big boy!

Jason decided to try out the carrier, but didn't want any of his friends to see him! He was so funny. I think I burned more calories laughing than walking. :)

Bryson likes the carrier so much Jason decided to leave him in it for a while...

(If you look back at the older post with him in the carrier you can tell how much he has really grown in just a few weeks! It's happening too fast...)

More Pictures!

We met up with Ashley today to get the rest of the pictures she took of Bryson at six weeks old. They are amazing! Thought we would share a few...

Mom and Dad's New Toy...

We decided to invest in a small video camera and are having a blast with it. Below is a video of Bryson smiling and talking. So much fun!!!

-Six Weeks Old-

So- I realize that Bryson may be coming close to being the most photographed child ever, but these opportunities keep falling in our laps! My friend Ashley is trying to break into the photography business, and needed a "newborn" to take pictures of for her portfolio. She asked if she could photograph Bryson, and I couldn't say no! We went to the horticulture gardens on the A&M campus last Thursday, and she took some great pictures. Here is one that I LOVE!!! He is growing so fast and has already changed so much. We are thankful for friends who are able to capture this sweet time on camera.

Big Smile!

Bryson has started smiling at us! Last Wednesday (8/19/09) he smiled for the first time at his Mommy and hasn't stopped since! I was able to capture it on camera. Melt my heart!!!

Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath...

Bryson loves taking baths! When he was smaller he had to sit in a sling in his little tub, but has since graduated to sitting up like a big boy. He loves the water- we just hope this continues!

Visitors!!!

Aunt Amy and (soon-to-be) Uncle Zach drove all the way to College Station last Monday, August 17th, to see Bryson. Zach gave Bryson a Duke basketball onesie that is so cute! We had lunch and spent the afternoon together. It was great to see them both!

Going to Church

We got brave on August 16th and decided to take Bryson to church for the first time. He was so cute dressed in his little polo and khaki shorts (looked a lot like Daddy!). It was great to see everybody and get back in the swing of things. Bryson was great- he slept the whole time. Here are a few pictures of him dressed like a little man...

One Month Old!!!

On August 10th, Bryson turned one month old. The first month FLEW by! I think we were in a constant sleep-deprived state, trying to figure out how to be parents and loving on our new little boy. We had a few issues with my blood pressure and Bryson's stomach, but I am happy to report that we are doing great!

Here are a few highlights from his first month...

Bryson came home to his jungle-themed room (of course he still hasn't slept in here!).

One of the first things we had to do was introduce Bryson to Halle (our first baby). Halle didn't know what to think at first, but is doing great with him now.

We had lots of friends and family that were so excited to meet Bryson. Here are some pictures of a few of them...

Blake, Sarah, and Ansley Leggett

PawPaw

Grandma

Granny

Allison, Brooke, and Matt Henley

Leslie Springer

Grandma again (with Bryson wearing his onesie that says "God made me special, Grandma spreads the word.").

Kale and Kristy Haschke

Great Grandma Strawn came to visit- she loves Bryson!

Bryson had his first bath at home on July 16th. Jason and I were quite comical on this new adventure. Luckily Granny was there to catch all the action on camera. Just when the bath was over, Bryson pooped through the towel all over me! Of course all we could do at that point was laugh. We learned our lesson really fast and now always have a diaper handy. So, he really got two baths that night. :)

Right around three weeks of age, Bryson started having stomach problems. This resulted in him being very upset and crying a lot. We found that walking with him in this carrier was soothing to him, so we did it- OFTEN!

Granny and Grandpa Ruple came for a special visit.

Our good friend Melissa Pickens is a photographer. When we found out we were pregnant, she made us promise to bring Bryson to her for newborn pictures within two weeks of his birth. We kept our promise, and when Bryson was twelve days old we traveled to Houston. The pictures are AMAZING- we couldn't be happier. Here are a couple of them. We are using them for our birth announcements, so check your mail in the next few weeks!

A few random shots from the first four weeks...

Jason had flowers waiting on my nightstand when we got home from the hospital.

My men watching tv together!

Several friends from church brought meals over after Bryson arrived. One night a thunderstorm developed, and a tornado came while the MacDonalds and Rocconi's were over bringing their meal. We all ate the food they brought over and enjoyed the company while waiting out the storm.

When Granny came back to stay with us for a few days, we gave her a birthday gift. It was a picture frame that said "My heart belongs to Granny. Love, Bryson". We put a picture of the two of them from the hospital. So cute!

The first month at home with Bryson was the sweetest time we have ever experienced. We are so thankful for this perfect little life that God has blessed us with, and can't imagine anything better. We are also thankful for our wonderful families and friends that will be part of our lives as we start this new chapter. Our hearts overflow!

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