Standing

Brady is all about standing and cruising these days. It took him about a week go from kneeling to pulling up to cruising. I hope he's satisfied with cruising for a little while because I'm not ready for him to start walking!!

Learning how to pull up



The first time he pulled himself up in his crib

Hands down, bath time is Brady's favorite time of day

Weekend in PA - take two

After Memorial Day weekend, we hit the road one more time to visit Brady's old friends Chase and Nolan, and his new friend Bryce! Brady was much more interactive this visit as compared to January, when Chase had the whole coordinated-movement thing down and Brady did not.

On Saturday afternoon we headed into Philly for the CHOP Healthy Children's festival. The weather was perfect and the company was even better.

Two buddies just hanging out at the music table

The fam out in Philly at the music festival

Eating lunch out on the lawn

The Palskys!

After we got back from the festival, Christina & I took the boys for a ride in the wagon to the park. Brady absolutely loved the wagon. I'm afraid that I might look crazy toting Brady around in a wagon on the city street but I may have to get one any way.

Brady and Chase going for a ride

Boys love swings

On Sunday before we headed back to DC we stopped by the 'Berger's place to meet the newest addition to our group. Little Bryce Charles was just over a week old when we got to see him and he is precious!

Where's Bryce?

There's Bryce!

Anti-gravity hair!

Brady's future roommates

** Christina, thanks for letting me poach some of your pictures. You did a great job capturing the wonderful weekend!

Memorial Day

We went to Pittsburgh for Memorial Day weekend and had an absolutely wonderful time with Jim's family. Saturday was the annual Sheriff/Shipe Memorial Day Picnic hosted by Jim's great aunt Betty & his second cousin Patty. There was a lot of family there, including Brady's great grandmother Marge and the newest addition to the extended Shipe family, Sophia, Jim's cousin Emily's daughter. We didn't get any pictures with her, but she is adorable!

The hosts of the party with Brady

Kisses for Mommy

Brady's first encounter with a balloon, apparently they are hysterical

Brady is quite the conversationalist

Brady playing with Amah

Mother's Day

I know this is seriously out of date but I needed to share because I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. It wasn't fancy but it was perfect.

Jim and Brady started the day out by letting me sleep in and then bringing me Starbucks in bed. Yum! After a lazy morning my parents came over for a afternoon of grilling out. My Dad & Jim let my Mom and I sit back and drinking sangria all afternoon as they prepared the entire meal. And, it was so good! (No more excuses for not cooking, Jim!)

Showing off their good work

What's better than ice-cream cake? Ice-cream cake that Jim decorated!

Grandma & Brady

Hugs for Mommy!

Why is Six Afraid of Seven?

Because 7 8 (ate) 9. Seriously, I think it really happened because I don't know where Brady's ninth month has gone. I'm sure several factors such as us moving, Jim being sick, Brady being sick, the hockey playoffs (don't get me started on how long and boring it is) and some traveling has had something to do with it. We were so unorganized this month that we didn't even get a picture for Brady's 9 month birthday! I bought some cupcakes to celebrate but then Jim had to work late that night and then the following night we were out and then those darn cupcakes started to look too good to just sit there so Jim and I ate them. We're bad.

Anyway, I'm very sorry we've neglected that blog lately. On top of all of the aforementioned events of the past month I also lost the cord to download pictures and videos from the camera in the move. Moving sucks and moving with a baby sucks even more. After about a month in the new place we are starting to feel more settled and are enjoying the new place so much. While I loved our old place, I did not love that we faced that back of Whole Foods, which provided us with the sounds of delivery trucks all day and night. Our new place is like a little oasis in the city with some beautiful outdoor spaces and we can actually hear birds chirping.

So, I found the missing cable today and I plan to do a massive download of pictures tonight so over the next few days keep a look out for some new posts. In the meantime, here's a cute picture from Jim's iPhone...

Let's go Pens!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful first Easter with Brady & my family. My grandparents were visiting from Pittsburgh and it is always so nice for Brady to spend time with these two very special people.

The Easter weekend started out with an egg dying party at our friends Malena & Jameson's apartment...

At first, Brady was a little unsure of the dyed eggs...

Then he decided they looked delicious.

On Easter we went down to my parent's house and had a great brunch at their neighborhood's clubhouse. Then we headed back to their house for Brady to get his Easter present and for Jim & Aunt Kiki to compete in the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Let's eat!

Let the hunt begin.

Brady's Easter present from Grandma & Grandpap

Cutest little Easter boy, ever!

Family shot

Extended family shot