Austin's 15 month appt

Austin went to the pediatrician on Friday for his 15 month checkup. I still can't get over that Scott and I have a 15 month old. The time sure does fly by!!

Here are Austin's stats:

Weight: 22 lbs 11 oz . . . . . . . . . . .25th percentile

Height: 31 inches . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50th percentile

Head: 18 3/4 inches . . . . . . . . . . .60th percentile

Pedi said that Austin's right on target in regards to his developmental milestones. He also said that in the next 6 months we will be seeing a boom in his physical and language skills. So that will be exciting.

We can't wait to see what's in store for us in the Bradshaw home!!

Waiting for the Pedi:

Playdates!

Austin and I have recently joined up with a group of moms here in the southern metroplex called Mansfield Christian Moms & Kids (http://www.meetup.com/Mansfield-Christian-Moms/ ) for various playdates and activites. Now that Austin's older and more flexible with his day, I wanted to meet up with some moms and kids in the area so that Austin can socialize with other children of various ages. I chose this group because the group seems very organized, has Loads of activities/playdates per week and all the moms are women of faith.

Today was our first meetup. So, Austin and I met with a bunch of momma's and their children at a place called Abbey's Playtown. www.abbeysplaytown.com This place was so amazing! I was shocked to find out that they are literally 2 minutes from my parents place, yet it took an act of God for me to find it! I will definately be going back there. They had an inflatable ball pit which Austin was not ready for. Let's just say, he freaked! He was clinging to the wall and acting like he was in prison, but we'll try again next time. He may love it then, who knows. . .

This place also had swings, which are always #1 in Austin's day of fun, as well as ride-on toys, play house, slides, balls and much more. The place also had a toy kitchen which Austin really liked - all those doors to open, close, open, & close. He kept on going back to it! Here are some pictures of the day.

Austin had a great time playing, although he did more solo-play than anything, and I had a great time meeting other mom's in the area. He was walking all over whoopin' and hollerin' (which is what he does best) just laughing at everything. At one point, Austin had to be 'pushed' into the inflatable maze. Once he was in the maze, he was laughing and having a good ole time but then he started freaking. In some parts of the maze he would laugh then whine, then laugh the whine and repeat. It was like he didn't know if he was suppose to whine with fear or laugh with happiness ---> silly silly boy!

We will definately meet up with the MCM&K again. We are slated to join them at another imagination playland next week!

More Fun in the Sun

The sun has been shining, the humidity and rain have left us (thank God!), so what's the best thing to do? Play outside!!!


For the past few days we have been spending that time enjoying ourselves on our new deck. For some reason, the second we put the deck in, the weather turned sour giving us cold, rain, and humidity. Finally, it's now beautiful outside to appreciate it, only a few months later. . . Below are a few pictures of Austin enjoying the backyard. Scott and I were nearby enjoying the deck and new patio furniture -- We had the difficult task of making sure they didn't fly away (haha).

Here is a funny picture I had to share. For the past few weeks, we have been trying to teach Austin where his nose is. He obviously thinks it is funnier to learn where his tongue is instead, so. . . when asked, "Austin where's your tongue?" this is what he does:

Austin & the spoon

Now that Austin is sitting at the table like a big boy we've decided to slowly incorporate placeware and utensils. He went to using a plate or bowl without any issues but here is his first official experience using a spoon. Before he would use the spoon as another teether but this was the 1st time he used it purposefully :-)

Happy Mother's Day!!

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."

Today I was given the best Mother's Day present. Instead of working my usual shift (weekends only), I got to spend this special day with my family and most importantly the person who's made me "Momma". The past 14 1/2 months has had its share of challenges, but it's been a glorious blessing each and every second!! So I am so blessed to be apart of this special "clique"!

Mother Prayer

Dear Lord,

today we pray for mothers--

our own mothers, and mothers everywhere,

who have made such a major contribution

to the good qualities we have,

sometimes through genetics,

more often through great effort and patient instruction,

and who have done their best

to gently polish away our rough edges.

Lord, please bless our mothers

for the endless hours of time they spent

and the boundless energy they invested in us.

Bless our mothers for their sacrifices on our behalf

as they often gave up or deferred their own dreams

so that we could have ours.

Bless our mothers for always being there for us,

for being the person we know we can turn to

when we need comfort, encouragement, or just a hug.

Bless our mothers for making a home for us

where we could feel safe, where we felt we belonged.

Most of all, Lord,

bless our mothers for their unconditional love,

for loving us no matter what,

and for frequently showing love

in ways that make us feel valued and cherished.

Lord, please bless our mothers mightily.

Strengthen them, soothe them,

wrap them in Your infinite love

and shower them with blessings

too numerous to count, too magnificent to describe.

We love them, admire them,

respect them,and we wish that You would give them back

many times the good they gave to us.

In Jesus' name we pray;

Amen.
By Joanna Fuchs

(www.poemsource.com)

Just some boyish outdoor fun!

The past week or more has been nothing but none stop rain. If it wan't raining, it was about to be. Today we had a break in all that rain, so after dinner we all enjoyed ourselves outside. A friend of mine let us have her son's turtle sandbox (Thanks Marnie & Dakota!) so today was the first time that we've been able to put sand in it to see how he'd react. Of course, it was just like his birthday cake -- this boy doesn't like things on his hands/feet - so he was a little freaked. We figure he'll have to get over it soon enough, but in the meantime it was so funny to watch him hover with his arms and legs up in the air!!!!

This is after he warmed up to it:

And since he was full of dirt, we decided to let little boys be little boys. So. . . I let Austin run around in all his glory in the backyard before his bathtime. He was having a good ole time whooping and hollerin' at anyone who'd listen. He was carrying that pinwheel with him everywhere for the 30 min or so he was outside playing. He wasn't going to let go of that sucker!!

Poppa's Work Picnic

My dad's work put on a family picnic at a local park about a week ago. We decided to join him so that he could show off his grandson --> he's one proud Poppa!! Trista, my neice who is 16 mo, was also there with my mom. Here are a few pictures of that day:

Cousins: Like two peas in a pod

Poppa & Trista

Here is a video of Austin walking. He loved this red pole -- no matter what direction he was headed - if he spotted the pole, he was headed for it!!