Teething has begun!!

Lil Bear...

And... Bijoux, our little 4 1/2 lbs dog, was scared to death of Brase in his new hat!

Lil Bear in the wild...

Puppy Dog Eyes...

Krafy Korner - Easy Infant Belt

Keeping Brase's pants up in style!

Ribbon + Pair of D-Rings + Needle & Thread = Snappy Belt

This is a quick and easy project that can be completed in 15 minutes.  Supplies can be found at your local fabric or craft store.

Baby Food 101

Food is fun!

Everything is organic and made from scratch in our kitchen.  We continue to try new foods and add to our menu selections on the sidebar of the blog.

Ice cube trays can be found at Ikea.  Links are attached below.

Ikea Ice Cube Trays (Heart Shape)

Ikea Ice Cube Trays (Other Fun Shapes)

Lazy Saturday...

The finish line is near...

Today was our last post placement visit with our social worker.  Chicken salad and fruit were served along with our conversation.  It seems everything is in order and we will be ready to finalize Brase's adoption in July.  Jennifer, our Social Worker, is pictured above with Brase.

Feed Me Seymour!

Brase Crawling - Take #1

Playtime...

A Belated Birthday Post...

Last week I blew out another candle! 

I am thankful for so many things in my life.  My list includes a supportive partner, beautfiful son, caring friends and wonderful life.  I cherish all my failures and triumphs along this journey.  I am thankful for all the wisdom I have taken from my experiences.

Granny Olive!

Today was the first time Jose and I had been away from Brase at the same time. Mind you, our little boy will be 5 months old on May 30th. This was a long over due break!

Granny Olive kept Brase from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. She did a fantastic job! We are very lucky to have such a wonderful baby sitter.

Olive, thank you for keeping Brase and making our 19th anniversary very special.

Two Little Monkeys!!

New Friends!

Grandma Dorothy

Fit for a Prince!

The last few weeks have been full of preparation. Brase’s Christening is fast approaching. The date has been set for Saturday, June 19th at noon.

We thought this date would be a perfect time to celebrate two very important events. First and foremost, Brase will be initiated into the Roman Catholic Community through the sacrament of Baptism. Secondly, the date falls closest to the 3rd Sunday in June which is always Father’s Day. The coordination of dates makes this sacred event even more special in our family’s eyes.

Invitation design was finalized and printing was completed last week. The printing service hand addressed event envelopes and added post marks. The mailing option was a wonderful value added service as our time is limited these days. Below is a version of the invitation that has been edited for privacy.

A small luncheon has been planned immediately following the private church service. We have arranged to host our guests at a local Italian restaurant. The place is elegant and a regular venue for small intimate parties. The light summer lunch menu will begin with tomato caprese and a hearty Italian chopped salad. A choice of chicken picatta or lemon herb salmon will be offered accompanied by fresh asparagus and crispy red potatoes. New York cheesecake and almond pound cake will be served as a final course.

We have looked for table favors for weeks. Finally, a beautiful silver cross pendant surfaced via the Internet. Each piece of jewelry comes in a white organza bag tied with silk ribbon. The bags will also include personalized prayer cards. Each card will have Brase’s complete Christian name, Baptismal date, Godparent’s names and our parish priest’s name. A brief prayer will be printed at the bottom of the card. The prayer will read, “...watch over and cherish this child, whom You have blessed with the grace of baptism.” Sepia wallet sized photos will be set in silver frames at each guest’s place setting. Place cards and menu cards will accompany the table favors.

Presentation gifts have arrived and were sent to the engraver. Brase’s Godparents will receive a personalized silver coffee table box with royal blue velvet lining. In addition, they will receive a black and white photo of Brase mounted in a sterling silver frame. Our gift to our son will be a sterling silver Baptismal shell set with his initials. We hope Brase will later use this shell to hold personal belongings from his pockets and be a daily reminder of his Baptism.

Brase will be almost 6 months old by the time this special event takes place. That being said, he will not wear a Christening gown. In lieu of the tradition garment, we have opted for a classic white ribbed jon jon by Strasburg Children. Accompanying his outfit is a bib and blanket embroidered with laurel wreaths. The finishing touch to his ensemble will be a sterling silver pacifier clip in the shape of a cross.

A few loose ends still exist. We must decide on floral arrangements and a photography session needs to be scheduled. Brase will of course be posed in his Christening clothes.

Continue to follow this unfolding event via Daddy Times Two and look for pictures in June!

The Prince and a Frog...

Liza Speaks...

Jose and I are the gatekeepers to Brase's history. We continue to collect the facts and words that will one day make up his past. These are a few comments Liza, Brase's Mother, has shared with us via Daddy Times Two.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Liza said...
YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST PARENTS IN THE WORLD. Thank you for an awesome Mother's Day. Love Always, Liza.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
Liza said...
He is getting bigger and is well-taken care of! Happy Easter! Love, Liza (birth mother)


Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Karlan,
You are very lucky to have two wonderful parents who will give you a better life than I would have. I hope you are having the time of your life and hopefully we will meet in the future. I will always love you!
Love, Liza (birth mother)

Another Day... Another Meal!

Happy Mother's Day 2010!

This was the first time we have seen Brase's mother since his birth. We had a lovely lunch that stretched into late evening. Happy Mother's Day Liza! Thank you for giving us such an amazing and beautiful son.