Hair, there, and everywhere!

Brycen's hair has started to grow over his ears, so a trim was much in need. Brycen got his first haircut today!

People have told me, "you'll spend one whole year of your life trying to get him to walk and talk and the rest of your life trying to get him to sit down and be quiet," but I didn't think it would come true so fast. While Brycen isn't talking yet, he is scooting and crawling EVERYWHERE! We have reached the point that we can't take our eyes off of him. Just the other day, we were cleaning the kitchen while Brycen was playing with his toys in the living room. All of a sudden, we heard noise that wasn't toys and found him under the couch playing with magazines and pictures that are under the coffee table.

It seems that crawling under things is what he likes best. Once he found out he was getting his picture taken, he crawled under his music table. What a clown!

Scooting is his main mode of transport, and it appears that walking will happen before crawling. He discovered this week that he can pull up on anything and is now circling tables, chairs, etc. He even stands by the door to look outside.

We've had an eventful week with him and enjoy every minute of it. We are so blessed to have our family.

We're healthy!

We had a busy but fun and enjoyable Christmas. Brycen loved tearing off the wrapping paper and playing with it. He got so many new toys he can't make up his mind what to play with. During the Christmas break, he figured out that he loves to hold onto things and stand up. It won't be long and he'll be walking. He has been go-go-go for the past week!

We had a rough start to the Christmas season due to me being in the hospital. Christy became supermom/wife and somehow got all of our shopping done and managed to keep our family in order during the hard time. She deserves more than I could ever repay her for her love and support. Brycen and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful mom and wife.

I am almost fully recovered now. I am eating anything I want again and have been up and out and about. I still lack some energy, but I think that's just from being in a bed for 2 1/2 weeks. I go to the doctor today to hopefully be cleared to drive and lift over 5 pounds. I couldn't take not holding Brycen any longer and started toting him around last week, so I expect the doctor to give me the green light.

Brycen had his check-up from his balloon procedure yesterday at Children's. Dr. Fontenot said everything looks and sounds great and we don't have to go back for 4 months! It appears that the bloodflow through his aorta may possibly be pushing back the rest of the coarctation. We hope that this is the case and we hope that the heart patch will continue to grow with his heart! We are so blessed to have had such wonderful care at Children's and even more blessed to have Brycen!

We did have some sad news while at Children's though. Those of you who have followed along with Brycen's situation from the beginning will remember Brycen's friend Caden who was at Children's during our first trip. As we were going to see our favorite nurses yesterday, we ran into Caden's dad. Caden had to have another open heart surgery earlier this month to take out a band placed on his heart during his first surgery. While they were taking out the band, they accidently poked a hole in his heart. This caused many complications and he has also contracted pneumonia. He is in CVICU and has an uphill battle to overcome again. Please remember Caden and his family in your prayers. They are ready to go home and have their Christmas!

We have experienced quite a year and hope that 2009 goes a little more smoothly. But as we look back we are so thankful for 2008. Without Brycen our life would be incomplete. God has truly blessed our family in good times and bad this year. We thank you again for all of your prayers and support this year and we make it our prayer that He will bless you and yours just as He has blessed us. Have a wonderful and happy 2009!

Happy Birthday Charlsie!!!

Kevin planned an awesome surprise 30th birthday party for Charlsie! Everyone was waiting at Shogun Steakhouse when they arrived for their so called reservation for 2 (really was 13). Charlsie was so surprised. After dinner some of us went out for a few drinks. Happy Birthday Charlsie!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas

Who is this funny looking man?

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's St. Nick!

Everyone needs a good laugh now and then

As you have seen in the past Brycen loves bath time. Tonight he was playing with his daddy in the bath and thought it was hilarious! Check it out.

Catching Up

Wow! What a long past few weeks. Brycen had his first tooth come in and double ear infections that have finally cleared up. He had his 6 month shots this past week. Brycen is 75% Height, 25% Weight, and 15% Head circumference. The doctor said "little b" will more than likely be tall and skinny. I think that sounds like a great plan but dad doesn't want him to be scrawny.

Happy "belated" Thanksgiving! This year we spent Thanksgiving at Nonnie and Grandpa's house in Conway!

Today is my 6 month birthday!! I am such a big happy boy.

My first snow! Can't you tell that I just love it. And yes I have a fever and ear infection.

I wish I could just taste the Christmas tree.

We are home!

We are home! We said the same thing about 6 months ago when we brought Brycen home. This time I brought Brad home. He is sore and tired but doing well. We visited with the Gastro doctor and he said the biopsy of the liver showed the mono type virus but they received blood work back and it did not say he had the mono type virus. The doctor believes the diverticulities was causing all the symptoms.
We are so glad he is home! He is on a full liquid diet for at least another week and can't lift anything for six weeks. Brycen can't figure out where his dad has been and why he is back now but won't pick him up. They will both have to adjust.
Thanks for the prayers and all the visits and help we had the past week!
Christy, Brad, and Brycen