Bryson is NINE months old today!

It's hard to believe that my little man has grown so fast! He is such a pleasure - always happy, easy going, and ready to show that toothy grin! He is eating carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, corn (least favorite), peaches, bananas, and applesauce. He sleeps from 8pm-8am (or a little later...wahoo!). Although he is not crawling yet, he sits well, rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy, does well laying on his tummy and reaches for things that are near. He is starting to pull his knees up when he is on his tummy, so I don't think it'll be too long until he is pushing up on all four.

 

Above is just a quick video that I took after Bryson woke from his afternoon nap and had a bottle. Mattison was still sleeping, and we had a sweet time it just being the two of us. I just remembered - while we were playing, he actually BIT me for the first time! He leaned forward and layed his head on my chest. Then he turned and bit me! I told him that is not nice and he gave me a pouty face. haha

This video monitor has been the best thing ever! I love checking on him when he is sleeping. He looked so comfortable here, just chillin'. The video below is probably only entertaining to me. haha He had turned around 180 degrees, and it was like he was looking right at me. I've never known him to take notice of the camera before, so it made me laugh.

Wild Animal Safari "Drive Thru"

 

I started getting a little "cabin fever" a little while after Bryson was born, so we (the fam + Gramy) decided to get out of the house and see what we could get into - something low-key, of course. We ended up visiting this Safari in Pine Mountain, GA that you drove through, which promised to be interesting, to say the least. I think the pictures do the talking, here...

We bought a bag of food to feed the animals that approached our vehicle. I don't think we realized how eager (and numerous) they would be!

FEEEEEED ME!

The animals were so used to people that they started walking our way as soon as they saw our van. They would stick their heads in or just stand near so you could reach through the windows to pet them, and then some would even follow us as we drove away.

Definitely too close for comfort here! Oh if only you could hear the laughter and Mattison freaking out here.

The scary part is the zoom was NOT used on the camera here.

This guy didn't like that we had ran out of food to feed him, so he put his head IN THE CAR and SNORTED! Thank goodness Mom ducked right before he did it, so everything that was in his nose didn't hit her. The unfortunate part, though, was that it went all over Matt. It's been a long time since we all laughed that hard. Tears were definitely falling!

Mattison hung out in the very back of the van with me and Bryson (who slept through it all), except for when Matt convinced her to come up front to see the little deer.

At the end, we were able to walk through a section where the animals in pens or cages. We had a great time making memories!

Bryson's First Week of Life

I know I can't totally catch up on everything that has happened in the last year, but I'll try to hit some of the highlights. Here are some pictures of Bryson's first week at home. Mom was able to stay with us for two weeks, and we loved having her! She was so helpful, and Matti LOVES playing with her Gramy!

Gramy and her first grandson

All dressed up for the Louuisiana Tech game on TV. Go Dawgs!

He slept so well in his Nap Nanny. Thanks, Meme!

Brother was not a fan of baths at first! He screamed loudly, and oh how it upset Mattison!

Flat, long feet like his daddy's

Having a new baby in the house is exhausting! ;)

Let's Get This Ball Rolling Again

Well, it's been a while since I've added a post unfortunately. Last June, we moved to Phenix City, Alabama. Actually, Matt transfered to Ft. Benning, Georgia earlier in March 2012, but we moved after school finished.  Our new house was in a newer subdivision/part of town that was not able to have decent internet, so we've lived with using my iPad. I couldn't update the blog using it, but now we are back in business with cable internet. Wahoo! Since my last post, we've had an addition to the family - Bryson Bruce Russell! He was born October 9, 2012 and weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz and was 21 inches long. He has been such a pleasure! Here are a few pictures....

Mattison was so excited to be a big sister!

Time to Head Home

Home from the Hospital

Daddy and Bryson having a little "skin on skin" bonding time.

Saturday

Mattison had her friend, Lucy, over to spend the night Saturday. They played and played! When they decided to take the car for a drive, they took turns in the driver seat.

Lucy's turn!

I'm not sure whose great idea this was! I was near, though, in case there was a mishap.

Now, it's Mattison's turn. I think she was pretending they were in a parade or something.

They played so sweetly together. After riding all the bikes/cars, they took a bubble bath together, watched one last episode of Dora the Explorer, and we read some books. They were asleep by 9pm. THAT won't always be the case! I remember the goal being to NOT fall asleep. haha

Mattison LOVES to watch the train go by at the mall, so yesterday when we were there, I let her ride it. She did so good and sat and waved as it made the loops around the mall.

Next was riding the old timy car. That one wasn't quite as exciting, but she still enjoyed it. :)

Friday, 10/7/11

Friday, my good friend, Ulli, and I headed to Midway, GA to the factory greeting card store. It only opens every now and then, and usually it's on a Friday when we are working. We must have circled the store 4xs and spent around TWO HOURS shopping! :D Matti did fabulous. Of course, I bought a few "extras" that made their way into the basket. Below is a pic of some little notebooks that she just had to have.

After my buggy started getting fuller and fuller, people would walk near and look puzzled when they would hear singing/talking coming from my pile of "goodies". She was almost hidden and was hard to see after a little while. She was content inspecting all the cards and fun things, though.

This vest made me think of Danielle - the ultimate teacher holiday vest. I laughed out loud and emailed this picture to her. If money was not an option, I would have bought it to send to her.