May 13, 2007 (now a Big Brother)

On May 13, 2007 - you welcomed your arms to a new baby brother named, Brextin Kohen. He weighed 6 lbs and 13 ounces and was 17 1/2 inches long. At this time I don't really think the two of you look a like - but only time will tell.

I just got a new charm made to wear around my neck - I selected a picture that included the two of you - so I selected a picture of you holding him for the very first time. You even celebrated his first birthday at the hospital with a cake -

Sadly Brextin developed epilepsy early on (around 2 months old) and lost his life in May 2010 while receiving a second opinion at a local hospital - we miss him dearly!! www.brextinshope.blogspot.com

June 2 2009 (eye lash)

You had an eyelash in your eye so I took it out - I then told you to make a wish and blow - you said - "I wish for super powers"

"Moon" October 6, 2008

You and I went for a walk and you saw the moon out (it was only 5:30 so the sun was out as well) You told me - "something is pretty fishy" how can the sun and the moon be out at the same time? When the sun goes night night the moon comes out and now both are up.

"Something is pretty fishy" maybe a guy jumped from that roof onto that roof and he put the moon up into the sky - we were walking from Matthew's house in your Ford truck toy - you and Matthew were "buddies"

4th birthday 2008

You celebrated with a party in the back yard - you had a pool party with your friends from the neighborhood.

Theme: spiderman

You got a pretend police man outfit and an army outfit

3rd birthday

We were up at Marshfield hospital with your brother - for a two week stay - however Grandma held a party for you and other family members.

Theme: Curious George

Cute sayings: Frosted flakes was snow flakes

Marshmallows were called mushrooms

2nd birthday 2006

You and your mom spent the day with Aunt Staci and your cousins at Wakanda Game Park then we went hone to eat.

We also celebrated again at Pizza Plus Eatery with family and friends.

Theme: Construction trucks

Things that we did during this summer were: children's museum, airport, train ride in Carson Park, library, saw clowns. went swimming, spent time with both Grandparents, Kindermusik, looked at construction trucks, shrine circus and Irvine park.

Swimming lessons at North High School.

April 9th you took your first bus ride with Grandma and Haylee to the library.

April 13th you learned how to pedal your trike

April 13th you participated in Kindermusik

First birthday

We celebrated with family and friends at Pizza Plus Eatery.

Theme: jungle - mom made ornaments out of the decorations - she got them at Michaels.

August 13, 2007

You learned how to pedal your trike - you tried to teach me - but since I was 9 months pregnant - I was unable to.

You are watching more and more movies that have Charlie Brown in them.

First visit to the urgent care!

Two days after your 2nd birthday you dislocated your elbow - momma picked you up by the hands while you were laying on a kitchen chair and having a fussy tantrum - you started to cry and I noticed you kept grabbing your hand or wrist- so I took you to urgent care and saw Dr.Tom Hunt. X-ray's were taken - you had your 2 year old check up the very next day.

Dad then dislocated it again later on - you were playing hide and seek with him and you were hiding in the closet downstairs.

When I first . . .

Slept through the night: October 23rd (9:30 until 7 am)

Smiled: 2nd month - you were a happy boy!!

Laughed out loud: I'd say the end of the second month - you are ticklish in the belly

Rolled over: November 13, 04 - I yelled to your dad - he's rolling over and he thought I said - someone was coming over.

Sat up alone: Feb 23, 2005 - 6 1/2 months old

Crawled: Feb 23rd 2005 - 6 1/2 months old

Bathed in the tub: Your daddy gave you your first bath - and it's on camera - you hated it!

Waved: you started with a full arm and now at 18 months you only move your hand.

Took your fist step: a day before you turned one

Danced: Nancy Lane (our daycare provider - got you to dance)

Spoke a word - you say ho-ho-ho when asked what does Santa say (ma & da & hot)

Got my hair cut: by Aunt Laurie

Went potty: June 12, 2006 at 22 months you went potty for the first time in the potty chair

You said Tee-bone with sign language

January 16, 2006 - at 18 months you took your fist poop while taking a bath

18 months: you say: Hot, momma, dada, ho-ho-h0, waf- what a dog says and you can flex when asked - you haven't liked wearing a bib and you started to take it off - you love crackers.

When ever you went potty in the toilet - you waved bye bye to your pee pee and poop

I started each day by . . . smiling - Good morning, Good morning and seeing your big smile in the beginning of the my day.

I love to eat rice and oatmeal.

I hate green beans

My favorite toys: elephant - named Elly (you loved his tail)

My best friend (was Cooper)

My favorite books: a sounds book - titled, Sounds on the Go - Uncle John and Shirlee gave it to you

The songs I liked best were - Kindermusik

At bath time, I liked my tugboats and toys by discovery toys

My favorite pets - my wiener dog - named Tee-bone

It was time for bed when I said my prayers with my parents

I would drift to sleep when it was nine at 18 months - you switched to 8 pm

First time being sick - February 12th - you threw up at 1:45 am in your crib twice - we gave you a bath and cleaned your sheets and you went right back to sleep - then you threw up again 4 days later all over your mom and dad while watching Sesame Street - you have not been eating - only drinking - we have your 18 month check up today - (Feb 24th)

Went to your first baseball game: You went to the Express game in Carson Park on August 7th 2006.

At 22 months

You were obsessed with trucks - such as diggers, dumptrucks and front loaders.

Finding out your brother was sick

Date unknown -

Since we know your baby brother is sick - you often see mom sad, especially when I cry - you often hug me and tell me it will be "ok" - I always prayed you were right!!

December 14, 2007

You were sucking your thumb so loud while laying next to me - I told you - your thumb might fall off - you responded - "I can ask Ho Ho (Santa) and he will bring me a new one.

June 12, 2007

You have been going to bed around 9:00 pm and getting up around 5:45

Today I asked you why do you get up so early, and you responded - "because it's morning outside mom!"

January 22nd 2007

You were 2 1/2 years old and you like to say - No WAY, me flush, momma or dada mean, stop, you like to pretend to blow a whistle and then you yell STOP! You learned this from the movie, Frosty the Snowman. You are still in love with trucks and most of them must have hooks or trailers hitches.

You are starting to use more and more words everyday, such as; grapes, tracks, ice, hoo - hoo, for monkeys. You and I had matching PJ's they have sock monkeys on them, plus we had matching slippers. This weekend you are going to see sesame Street live, a couple weeks ago you went on some of the rides at the Mall of America and currently you want to name your baby brother, baby - how original.

Welcome home!

You came home on Sunday - August 2004.

You were dressed in a baby gap outfit - a blue onesie and a terri cloth stripped pants and a blue hat.

The day we found out about our new eddition!!

It was November 23. 2003

I surprised your dad by placing the pregnancy stick inside an orange box - when he opened it up - it said - Congratulations, Daddy!

Due date was July 27 - 29

The first person we told was - both set of grandparents -

We took a photo frame holder - and placed each name of their grand-children in each holder and then added a slot that read- baby Stanley - (It took them awhile to catch on)

Mommy inserts from baby book . . .

I felt anxious to hold, love, and care for the little guy that was growing inside my belly.

I loved oranges and watermelon and especially Kool-aid (it always made you active)

I read to you each and every night while you were in my belly - the book that I read was titled: I love you more - written by Laura Duksta and another book was titled, I like myself - written by Karen Beaumont

I especially enjoyed your kicks and movements - it is indescribable!!

I especially enjoyed our trip to Baby R Us and the Burlington Coat Factory in St. Louis Park, MN(this was where we bought your crib and other baby items) Your crib was $251.99

Potty Training 2007

This is an entry that is in his current babies book:
Potty training 2007

You have been a challenge - at first you wanted to sit on the potty and then all of a sudden you wanted nothing to do with using it. We tried stickers, M&M's - we even went out and bought a doll that went potty once you feed the baby a bottle -

Then one day you got interested in Batman and I purchased you a pair of underwear that had them on it - and you since you really really wanted to wear them - it helped A LOT!

As of April 19, 2007 - you have been wearing the batman underwear over the top of your diapers and have been giving us a hard time when it is time for a diaper change - because you didn't want us to remove your underwear. One night I came home from work late and I asked you if you had your underpants on - you said yes - then you realized you didn't so you ran into your room and took off your PJ bottoms and attempted to put your batman underwear over the top of your diapers - it was a very funny memorable moment.

Things that happened in August 2004

I bought this information/publication from a company while we were in the hospital. (thank you Birthday Keepsake) I will cherish this information!!

Time of birth: 5:57
Weight: 7 pounds 12 ounces
Length: 18 inches

You share your birthday with: Neil Alden Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon, born in 1930

Famous events that occurred on your birthday:
The US government enacted its first tax on in-come - 3% on income greater that $800 (1861)
The US, Britain and the Soviet Union signed a treaty outlawing most nuclear tests (1963)

In headlines on the week you were born:
The US raises the terror threat level to high in three cities following intelligence reports of plans for specific attacks.
President Bush signs a $417.5 billion wartime defense bill, including Monday for equipment and pay increases for troops.
Hurricane Alex spares North Carolina a direct hit but brings 100 mph winds, rain and flooding to the coastline.

About the year you were born . . .
Best of the year
Children's TV: Dora the Explorer, Clifford
Children's video: Shrek; The lion King 1 1/2
Children's book: The tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Best movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best actress: Charlize Theron, Monster
Best actor: Sean Penn, Mystic River
TV shows: Everybody Loves Raymond, CSI, American Idol
Top record: Coldplay, Clocks
Super Bowl: New England Patriots
Stanley Cup: Tampa Bay Lightning
NBA Champions: Detroit Pistons

Cost of Common Items
Average price of a new home: $195,000
Four years of private college in 2022-2023 $259,582
Average cost of a movie ticket: $8.00
First class postage stamp: .37 cents
Gas: $1.96

Top News Stories
The passing of our 40th US president Ronald Reagan is marked by a national day of morning and the first state funeral in the nation's capital since 1973.

Fun and Fashion
Toys and videos featuring Yu-Gi-Oh and Dragonball Z are popular. Yo-Yo's are making a comeback. Video games, Hot Wheels and fashion dolls like Barbie are bestsellers. Boys like tee shirts and corduroys, and denim carpenter or cargo-style pants that zip off into shorts, and running shoes. Girls like monogrammed accessories, miniskirts, capris and yoga-inspired shoes. Music from The Wiggles is a hit with preschoolers. Preteens enjoy Radio Disney tunes and CD's and DVD's from TV stas Hilary Duff and Raven.

Summer of 2011

Valley Fair, Drive in, Chuck-e-Cheese, beach, tennis, lumber jack event, mini-putting, raising butterflies and yet more to come!

Braydens electronic growing up book/blog!

My husband and I waited 7 years to have children after we were married and I had hopes of keeping track of our children's lives in a baby book - well - I haven't kept that promise true - so I thought if I would used technology instead of writing I would be better at keeping things up to date. So today is my very first entry for my son's, Brayden's Blog.

I kept his baby book kinda up to date and then we welcomed a second child into our lives, Brextin and then things really fell behind - for two reasons -

1) my life just got busier
2) our second son was born with special needs - which required more of my time (bless our guardian angel (May 2007- May 2010) I did keep an electronic blog throughout his short life - which allowed me to vent my frustrations and to connect with other parents who were experiencing the same complications as we went through. His blog can be found at www.brextinshope.blogspot.com

I was forever grateful that I now have his blog in print and I can read it at any given time - so I thought - it is better now than never to get caught up with my oldest son.