Back in business soon...

Editors Note: Our digital camera is BROKEN!! It started giving us problems a few weeks ago when there were lines streaking the screen, then the lens wouldn't open. Now the "Geek Squad" is fixing it and we should be up and running again soon!

We should be getting some video clips posted soon of Brayden crawling and climbing. This past weekend was spent "baby proofing," so the gates are mounted, foam corners applied and drawer/cabinet safety latches screwed in! Fhew!

Family Weekend

Saturday Derek and I went to the MOOOOOvies for the first time in over a year. What a date it was!! The Dark Knight was the best movie I've seen in a long time. It gets 5 stars from the 2 of us!

Sunday was the Miller Family picnic. Brayden got to meet his Great-great grandmother. We got a nice picture of the 5 generations of "Millers." We're so blessed! Clockwise from the bottom left: Great-great grandma Beulah Miller, Great "Pop-pop" Miller, Pop-pop Miller (my dad), Me and Brayden! :)

This week is "baby-proof the house" week. Brayden is getting into EVERYTHING, so I practically need a video surveillance system to keep track of his every move. :) Derek hung the gate for the top of the stairs, but now we must put those "annoying" but oh-so-important door and drawer locks and plug covers!!

Cole has about 50 days left down @ Marine boot camp in HOT south carolina.... I've been thinking about him a lot this summer. We can't wait to get down there (with smores pop tarts & a burger king whopper!) to celebrate his hard work. I wonder if he'll actually enjoy playing on the beach- we're all headed to the Outer Banks following graduation... I guess as long as no one yells at him. He's been doing a lot of martial arts-type training, but this past week he started water training... they have to learn to swim and tread water with their uniform and full equipment pack (at least 35 lbs!) YIKES. Check out this website for a more detailed version of his training schedule: http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/ (he's in week 5)
If you haven't sent him a letter and would like to, here's his address:

Recruit Miller, Cole D.
PLT 2060 2nd BN H. Company
Box 12060
Parris Island, SC 29905-2060

You can send photos (he LOVES them and requests them) but nothing bulky or care packages.

Summer is flying by!

We've been so busy the last few weeks (months, really) so I gotta keep you in the loop! :)
For July 4th weekend, we travelled to western PA to visit with Dereks family.

The weather was fantastic, and Brayden even went for his first SWIM! The water was a bit cold at first, but he was thrilled to swim around with daddy for a little.

We also went for a walk at the park and HAD to stop by the swings! Brayden L-O-V-E-S swinging at the park! :)

We have a busy week ahead, "Auntie" Natalie is coming to visit on Thursday and then the Miller Family reunion is on Sunday. Of course who could forget that the new Batman movie is coming out this week, so "Mimi" miller is babysitting so Derek and I can get out for a date.... a concept that is nearly unknown to us since Brayden was born!! CAN'T WAIT! ...even if it IS seeing batman... :)

The stats: Brayden is 8 months old, close to 17 lbs and busy ROLLING, in early stages of CRAWLING (ie. rocking back and forth on hands and knees, pushing himself backwards, and a few steps forward, etc), and PULLING TO STAND!

It's been a while!

So I got busy and didn't keep up with the blogging thing....

but, here goes another round!

Brayden decided to bless us with his presence on November 6, 2007... one week after Natalie and Todd's wedding and THREE weeks early! He was 5lb, 9oz and 18" long. Just a wee man, but wonderful things come in small packages!

The day after Christmas 07, we moved from Geneva, NY with the help of both sets of parents- thank goodness! We have now set up shop in the small town of Dublin, PA (north and east of philly).

For Easter (see picture above- Brayden mid-yawn) we travelled to my uncle Craig's. Brayden was already 4 months old and around 11lbs!!

I've been thinking about going back to work, but have decided to stay at home with Brayden for now. We've been blessed that I'm able to do so for the time being, and I'm LOVING it! I don't want to miss a thing and he's growing so fast!

Brayden LOVES his exersaucer (and thank goodness, because I wouldn't get ANYthing done around the house if I had to hold him all day!) In this picture, he even dressed up for the occasion!!

Our average day starts around 7am and we try to stick to a routine of feedings, playtime and naps. We started rice cereal around 5 months and now at 7 months, Brayden's eatting fruits, veggies and meats too! Right now, his favorites are squash and chicken vegetable..... At least they are healthy choices!

In the beginning, I couldn't get Brayden to lay on his tummy to play... Now at 7 months, we can't get him OFF his belly! he's rolling all over the place and I'm "hoping" by the end of the month he'll be crawling. I'd rather him not rush into that as he'll get into EVERYTHING- not that he doesn't now, but I can only imagine the possibilities!

Natalie's Wedding

What a crazy whirlwind, but BEAUTIFUL fall wedding weekend! Everything turned out fantastic for Natalie & Todd's event. We even got sunshine just as guests were beginning to arrive at the ceremony!

The ceremony went off without a hitch and I don't believe there was a dry eye in the place! The flowers were brilliant, and the rings shimmered in the fall sunlight. The reception, held at the historic Rockford Plantation, was very elegant and we all "got down" on the dance floor! ;) Now the happy newly weds are off to Punta Cana in the Dominican for their honeymoon.

It's back to the grind for Derek and I. We are getting quite anxious for the arrival of our little one... I washed all the receiving blankets, onesies and bassinet sheets today! He is moving around a lot (somersaults, actually) making sleep a distant memory and back pain a reality... Thank goodness I'm married to a chiropractor!

Giving this "blogging" a try...

So I'm trying this for the first time today... :) I'm not super technically enabled, so this could get interesting!

At this time, I am 35 weeks pregnant and starting to get just a little uncomfortable. I've been very lucky through this pregnancy- never sick, no swelling (YET), and I've managed to keep my weight in check! Derek keeps me walking, at least 2 miles 2-3 times a week, along with yoga every other day to keep my muscles nice and loose! I'm only working 2 days a week right now, but thats ok! There is a lot to do in preparation for the new baby, and I get tired very quickly!

The exciting thing this week is NATALIE'S WEDDING! We're all very excited and anxious (esp. me- I'm hoping that I still fit into that dress!!!) It's looking to be a fantastic weekend, and the time will pass quickly... Gotta get back to work, lots to do before we go home to PA!