The Cute & Sometimes Embarrassing Ramblings of Bryson!

If you have been around my son lately he was probably really shy and would not talk. I would just like to go on record as saying this is completely abnormal because he is never quiet at home! When we are out and about and people try talking to him he will grab my neck, hide behind me, or just stare at them! Since hardly anyone gets to see him in his usual form I thought I would introduce everyone to the Bryson I know.

Since we got back from Dallas in January he will walk around with a phone in his hand and act like he is talking to mommy or poppy (Mike). Brian started letting him call me at work, and he will say "hi mommy" over and over and then "bye Mommy." I will say "I love you Bryson," and he will kiss the phone and hand it back to Brian.

Brian gets off a couple of hours before I do. When I get home both boys will be hiding on the couch under a blanket. I will walk in and ask the dog where my boys are, and then Bryson yells out "I hiding mommy, you find me - daddy shhhh!" When I find them he will start yelling "hi mommy, I play room," which means he wants me to go and play with him in his room. Then he will say over and over again "I play ball, I play ball mommy." When I get changed I will join him in his room, and we have a routine we have to do every time. He grabs the soccer and basketball, I have to grab the bigger basketball, he tells me to "sit mommy, sit," which is the same place every time, then he says "shoot mommy, shoot!" He does not want to shoot, he just wants me to shoot continuously. He is very bossy for 20 months. I am glad that I am not the only one he bosses around - he gets grammy and poppy, nana, daddy, aunt Ta (Kelly), and aunt Katie to do everything he wants also.

This past Saturday I happened to meet Kelly, Tracy, and Rachel at the mall. Rachel was shopping for a prom dress - so depressing - she was in kindergarten when I was graduating from high school. Anyhow, we went to lunch afterwards at The Outback. I had to change Bryson's diaper so I took him to the bathroom and the changing table was occupied, so we had to stand in a stall to wait. Bryson saw toilet paper in the toilet and started saying "shew mommy, poop that stink. I poop mommy. Mommy poop, shew, let me check you mommy!" He proceeds to lean down to try to raise my shirt up so he can check my pants (like I do to him)! There are more people in the bathroom by this time, and they all crack up! My face just turned red. Then he notices the baby getting changed is staring at me and just cooing. He looks at her and grabs my neck really tight and says, "my mommy, my mommy. I mommy's boy." It was so cute and totally made up for the embarrassing comment right before. Brian tries to get him to say he is daddy's boy, and he will say "no, I mommy's boy!" Love it and love him!

Yesterday, I was laying down with him while he took a nap. All of a sudden he woke up and started rubbing his head with this sour look on his face. I asked him what was wrong, and he leans up and says "where'd my pillow do (go)? Mommy, you have my pillow." Then he scoots as close as he can to me and puts his head up against mine and says, "head butt mommy," and starts laughing. Then he grabs my hand in both of his and goes right back to sleep. The funny thing is he never sleeps on a pillow. He has been talking a lot in his sleep lately. He will sit up in bed and start yelling "I play ball mommy," or "that mine daddy, no." He must be having some wild dreams!

Needless to say he talks non-stop at home, and we have so much fun with him. Sometimes a little too much! He has a hard time saying balloon and blue, and Brian tries to get him to say those words all the time - it's actually kind of mean. :)

Graduation!

On Sunday, March 8th Bryson graduated from the nursery into the toddler class at our church. He could have actually started in the toddler class in late January, but the nursery workers really had a hard time letting him go. I teach the toddler class (Sunday School), and I have all boys - 7 total. Let me tell you it can get chaotic, but I love those little boys. They are so much fun. They will come and put their stickers on the board and then they will just stand by me and start rubbing my leg - it is hilarious. Some of them are afraid if they put their stickers on then their toys will get taken, so they have to bring their toys up to me to hold while they place the stickers. With 7 two year old boys it gets really crazy, so my mom helps me with the class. She does all the running while I teach and help color. Of course since it is not her class she refuses to change diapers (except for Bryson's).

Anyhow, the purpose of this post is to celebrate Bryson's first Sunday into the "big boy class!" He was so excited that I actually let him stay in class instead of taking him straight to the nursery. He ran in and immediately started playing with everything saying "look mommy, I play!" I was so glad when it was coloring time and he did not try to eat the crayons! Brian and I have been very fortunate because Bryson is not that kid that grabs something and it immediately goes into his mouth. He had so much fun, and I had a blast watching him. Last Sunday was his second Sunday in the class, and he just strutted in there like he was a pro! He was the only one in there for a little bit, and he kept saying "where'd they do (go)?"

Bryson's first day in the big class!

Bryson - I am so glad you are now in mommy's class! I love you baby!

February Catch-up!

There were a couple of events in February I forgot to blog about. Maybe after all the events I can start back with cute Bryson stories! :)

On February 6th Brian, Bryson, and aunt Kelly picked me up from work and we headed to the city for the OKC Thunder game. Kelly bought Brian tickets for Christmas with one condition - that she got to go and keep Bryson. We got there a little bit later than usual because my husband forgot the tickets at home and we had to turn around and go get them. We wanted to eat at Toby Keith's, but we did not have enough time because apparently the best part of the game is getting to see them warm-up! I don't get it - must be a guy thing! We ate at a BBQ restaurant on the river, and it was really good. Then I had literally 10 minutes to get dressed before we headed to the game (Bryson and Kelly hung out at the hotel). We were a little disappointed because Desmond Mason is one of our favorite players from OSU, and he was hurt and out for the rest of the Thunder's season. We did get to watch Kevin Durant (Texas-#2 1st round draft pick) and Greg Oden (Ohio State-#1 first round draft pick) play each other. Oden plays for the Portland Trailblazers. Kevin Durant was amazing of course! And, the Thunder won the game! We had great seats, and even made it on TV when the guy in front of us stood up for the "Best Air Guitar." He won a guitar signed by an artist (I could not hear the name). I am sure Brian thought our seats were really good because they were right next to the Thunder Girls. The next day we went shopping and then back home.


For Valentine's Day I bought Bryson and I tickets to the Playhouse Disney Live on Tour show. Amy and her two girls went also. We had really good seats on the floor right by the stage! We got to see My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and of course Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It was a really cute show, but it only lasted 75 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. I guess they knew their target audience could not sit still for much longer. We had to visit the souvenir shop and Bryson bought a Little Einstein's guitar. The kids had a really great time and they were so funny to watch. They would get all excited and start jumping up and down yelling out the character's names. I lost it during one part because the "Postess" (the girl hosting the show) was describing the hundred acre woods as the introduction for My Friends Tigger and Pooh and Haylee yells out "Oh my gosh it's Snow White." Amy and I were cracking up! Oh, I forgot to mention all three kids had to wear their Mickey Mouse shirts!

The mouse himself - sorry it is a bit blurry!

Quincy from Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and the tools

OH, OH, OHOHOH - The Right Stuff!

That's right it's New Kids on the Block baby!!!!! A group of girls I work with plus some friends and I went to last night's concert and let me tell you we had a blast! We had the Spirit Bank suite for the concert, so we had great seats, great food, and awesome company! We really did not know what to think about the concert before it started, but it was so good. They can still hit the really high notes and they are great performers! I was hooked the whole time! I am really feeling the late night today though, but totally worth it! The concert did not end until after 11:00 p.m., so after the drive home and a shower I got in bed around 1:30 a.m. I can not say enough about how much fun we all had! Below are pictures from the event.

So, all of us girls were huge NKOTB fans when we were 9-13 years old, so we decided we would all dress up in our 80s gear! Actually, I think we all got our outfits from Forever21 - yes, the 80s clothes are back! Stacy, one of the girls in our group, is a hairdresser. She came up early and fixed all of our hair! We thought a lot more people would be dressed up - uh no, there were maybe 10 other girls in their 80s gear. Of course we all looked the best! It was hilarious - people kept stopping us and telling us how awesome we looked and then they wanted a picture with us! We thought it was so cool until after the concert and we got to thinking how we are going to end up on one of those emails about the crazy things girls are wearing these days! :)

You can't really tell, but most of us girls had colored hair pieces woven through our hair - it was awesome!

Me, Rhonda, and Val

All of us crazy chicks - even the people working the concessions wanted pictures of us!

Connie, me, and Allison

Stacy is in the middle - she is the one responsible for all the great hair! Her shirt said "hey, Jordan I am legal now."

Zoo Trip

Yesterday my little man woke up and would not let his mommy out of his sight. He was not cranky, but I got to thinking the last time we were home together during the evening was last Monday (2/23). We usually play together every night and read books, but we have been running around like crazy for a week and a half. When I was getting dressed he started crying "no mommy, no," and then he started asking me "where you doing (going) mommy?" I said "mommy has to go to work," to which he replied, "no mommy, take off, take off." I don't know where he got that from, but anyways my heart was breaking for my little man. Then when I was leaving, I had already kissed him good-bye and he cried, I grabbed my purse and he grabbed his backpack and said "my bag mommy" and started out the door with me. I was in tears with him. So, I got to work and decided to take half the day off. It was 80 degrees outside, so Brian and Bryson met me for lunch and then we headed for the zoo. I learned on our way that we had no stroller and no sunscreen (that is what happens when daddies are in charge of packing the bag and car)! Just kidding! We ended up paying more for a wagon and sunscreen than it cost to get in the zoo. Of course Bryson did not want to ride in the wagon he wanted to be held or to walk around, but he did not want his daddy to hold him he wanted his mommy the whole time! We had such a great day together. We were there for about 3 hours!

My son was the one yelling "I ride dat, I ride dat" as we passed the carousel and train. He rode on the "roar, tiger" (as he says) on the carousel and rode the cho cho! He also had to say hi and bye to all the animals as well as make their animal sounds. He had to say "pig mommy, oink oink, bye pig." That is how our conversation was at every animal. This is the first time he has really gotten excited over the zoo. He loved the "po bear" (polar bear). Then when we got to the deer he very loudly starts yelling "deer daddy shoot shoot!" He even has his fingers in the position of a gun. Everyone passing us was cracking up. He yelled this until we got past the deer exhibit, and then we when had to walk by them again he started all over. He was so much fun!

Playing on the playground.

Riding the train - excuse our wind blown hair!

Friday Night Hockey!

We have had a really busy couple of months! We got back from Dallas on Thursday, January 22nd, around 8:00 p.m. And, I had to work Friday and then Friday night we were invited to the Tulsa Oilers/OKC Blazers hockey game. Spirit Bank has a suite and the girls I work with were hosting the suite that night and invited us up for the game. I am not a hockey fan, mainly because I really don't understand the game, but we had a great time eating, visiting, and chasing Bryson around.

The night was filled with some drama outside the game. After we had to pay $10.00 for parking. I put our tickets in the diaper bag and did not zip it all the way. I asked Brian to grab the bag without thinking. Well, that was the night the wind was blowing so hard you had a hard time walking. So, Brian comes around to my side of the car and I feel something hit my leg. This is how the conversation went from there:

Me: "what was that?"

Brian laughing: "hope it was not our tickets?"

Me furious: "did you not zip up the diaper bag?"

Brian: "how was I supposed to know to zip up the bag? You had it. Where did you put the tickets?"

Me: "just give me the bag!"

Yeah, we could not find the tickets. Brian even walked up and down the road and could not find them. So, I called my friend Connie who was already there and told her what happened, and she said to meet her and she would get us in. So, minus the tickets we still got into the game!

But, the tickets were not the biggest fight of the night. I was changing Bryson's diaper and missed the biggest fight where every one from both teams were fighting. Two players for OKC were ejected. One was a goalie - how in the world does a goalie get ejected?

The "ladies man" Bryson, me, Allison, and Connie (my girls)

Bryson striking a pose!

The family - I swear Brian always looks like a dork in pictures. He hates to have his picture taken so he gives the cheesiest smiles.


Side note #1: I did apologize to Brian for blaming him for losing the tickets.
Side note #2: This past weekend I found the tickets in the car stuffed between the seat and side.

Going to the big "D"!

Around the end of January we had to take a trip to Dallas for Brian to do some management training with Lowe's and I had some work down there also. Brian's mom went with us to watch Bryson while we worked. We left for Dallas on Sunday, 1/18 and headed home on Thursday, 1/22. Brian had training Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (long day), and I worked my schedule around where I just had to work on Monday. When I got back to the hotel Monday afternoon Bryson, Cheryl, and I headed for the Galleria (huge mall in Dallas - 1.2 miles from our hotel). This mall is amazing. I felt like the Beverly Hillbillies the way were probably walking around with our mouths wide open. It was 3 levels, and they even had an ice skating rink on the lower level (so it would be 4 levels). On the top level they had this really neat play area for kids. Everything was made of a soft foam. No lie - we went to this mall everyday just to walk around and then we would go back after dinner to let Bryson play. Brian thought this would tucker him out. It did not work - he was up until after 10:00 p.m. every night. I guess he was just too excited to be in a new place.

One day we drove to Rain Forest Cafe in Grapevine, Texas, and what do you know it was inside an outlet mall. The restaurant is so neat. They have one in Orlando at the Animal Kingdom, but we did not get to eat there, so I was really excited to find out they had one near Dallas. They had three main characters - gorillas, elephants, and a leopard or maybe it was cheetah (which we sat right next to). And, every 30 minutes there was a "thunderstorm" where the lights flash and all the animals start making noises. This totally freaked Bryson out. Below are a couple of pictures from the restaurant.

On Tuesday we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. All I have to say is step aside Jenks Aquarium and Tulsa Zoo because this was so much better than both! It had a three story waterfall that was just beautiful. There was also a jaguar that we could not pull Bryson away from his area. The jaguar would pace back and forth in front of the window and Bryson would follow him.

Shark tank - Bryson thought it was so cool when the sharks were right above us.

You can't really see the waterfall, but it is on the far right through the trees. When you walk into the aquarium you start on the third floor and wind your way down to the bottom. You can see this waterfall from all floors. When you get to the very bottom floor you can see the large fish and other animals in the tank the waterfall is falling into.

Bryson watching the otters eat at the aquarium! We went to the Dallas Zoo the next day, and of course I forgot my camera. But, it was really cool because it was very interactive for kids. Bryson even rode on a pony all by himself, and we were cracking up because he had the posture right and rode like he knew what he was doing. Anyhow, my point of telling you about the zoo was because when we got to the otter exhibit there were tons of otters. However, I think a couple of otters thought there were not enough and they were trying to "make more" (if you get my drift)! I honestly felt really dirty standing there trying to pull Bryson away from the window while he is saying "Ook Mommy, Ook!" There was one little boy that was around six or seven years old standing there with his parents just bawling because he thought they were hurting each other. Cheryl and I were trying so hard not to laugh.

In the mall (talked about above) they had this toy store right across from the kiddie play area of course. It is not your typical toy store. They had an area for kids to draw, tunnels to crawl through, build-a-bear area, and then a train right in the middle. Bryson had to ride the train, and it was the last ride of the night so he got to ride all by himself. I really did not think he would stay on it, but he loved it!

This is the track and the area the train went around.

Here are some pictures of the little play area we went to every night.

There was a play palm tree in the middle, and Bryson was not paying attention when he was running (go figure), and he ran smack into the tree. He got up and looked around and then kept running into it on purpose (kind of trying to make it seem like he meant to do that)! :)

This was a crocodile that was in three pieces and anytime any other kid would get on this Bryson would stand there looking at them like "uh, you are on my crocodile." It was so funny.

Like I said lots of shopping, eating, animals, and playing. It was a really fun trip.