Brayden is 4

My baby boy is four. He is growing so fast. I know it sounds like every other mother, but it really seems like yesterday when we brought him home from the hospital. He are some cute (and funny) things about Brayden.

1. He still sucks his thumb and carries his "B" most places. He's my Little Linus.

2. He uses the words "actually" and "cooperating" and uses them correctly!

3. He knows that if he's sick, he can't go to school. So he says he's sick on the days he doesn't want to go to school.

4. He fake sneezes when he smells candles. And not just a little ah-choo, but a BIG Ah...Ah... .AH.... CHOO!

5. Jon & Kate Plus 8 is one of his favorite shows. He calls the little ones his friends.

6. If Brayden could eat whatever he wanted, it would consist of "chockey" (milk with ovaltine), cookies, cake, chips, pancakes, candy and popsicles.

7. Brayden now knows that fast food isn't good for you and will tell you that he can't eat at McDonald's because "it's not healthy."

8. He likes to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and the theme songs to any Noggin show.

9. He still loves to snuggle and will actually say, "Mommy, I want to snuggle with you."

10. He is very proud of his bike and that his daddy wins races. He wants to race with Shawn every time. Future mountain bike champ???

11. His favorite books are "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?," "We're Going on a Bear Hunt," "I Love You, Mommy Bear," and "Smokey Bear's Touch and Feel Forest."

12. He loves "Clumsy" by Fergie and calls it the "button song."

13. "The Farm" is one of his most favorite places to be (my parents' house) where he helps Grandma bake, drives the tractor with Pa and feeds the horses.

14. Brayden pronounces "gutter" with with New England accent. He says, "guttah" like his great-grandmothers. (It all came from playing Shrek Bowling....long story.)

15. Phrases I hear daily....
"Carry me."
"I want/need you."
"Where are Blake and Ashton?" ("In West Palm Beach.")"I want to go to West Palm Beach!"
"It's too milky!!!" (referring to his milk not having enough ovaltine in it)
"I not going to school?" ("Yes you are.") "I CAAAN'T go to school! I want to stay home with Daaaa-ddy!"
"Why?" (my answer) "Why?" (my answer) "Why?" (my answer)....then finally, "Oh."

I could go on and on. He's just got so much personality now and I love it! I love that he still crawls into bed with us in the middle of the night. I love that he runs up to me when I get home and throws himself at me with open arms. I love that he insist we have what he's having so we're all eating the same thing. I love that I was picked to be his Mommy. Out of all the mommies in the world, he was sent to me and I'm just so blessed. I love you, Brady Bug. More than anything.

Here are some pictures I took of him on Friday to capture who he is. There are sooo many more than what I've posted on here. Go to my facebook page to see all of them. And be sure to watch the slideshow at the end. :)

Isabel

Wow! So much fun shooting this little girl and her gorgeous ex-model mama! We met at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens for this girly shoot and already have plans to return in May for a family session! Little Isabel was so spunky and kept us on our toes. But boy was she a sweetie! And don't you just love her outfit. If you haven't heard of them already, check out Chasing Fireflies! They have the most gorgeous pettiskirts I've ever seen! I'm so happy to know this sweet family and look forward to fun times we'll share again!

The Biggest Loser

Have you seen this show? It's on Tuesdays at 8 on NBC. I have been addicted to it ever since I saw the first episode of the season. For the past few months, I've been changing the way I eat. No sodas. No meat, except for fish. Major limits on the amount of junk i eat. Basically, I have been eating more organic, all natural, consuming more whole foods and sea vegetables, etc. I started that by reading the book, Skinny Bitch. Great book! If you haven't read it, you should. Not that I'm saying you should follow everything they say, but read it to be educated. It was so enlightening to me. Anyway, because I've been making a change, I've been so motivated by the amazing changes the contestants on this show have made.

Saturday afternoon, we were with Shawn's family and several of us started complaining about our weight. Summer is just around the corner and the thought of being in a bathing suit soon just makes me shudder. So. Not. Ready. Then, Shawn's mom said, "Hey! We should have our own Biggest Loser!" And it took off from there. So I've started a blog and we're all in this together. Which is great because what better way to reach a goal than to go through with someone else! Our deadline is June 30th. Four months from now. And our present to ourselves when we complete this is a girls weekend in West Palm Beach for shopping and fun in the sun!

Not only are we having our own challenge, but we're taking on one more. The Biggest Loser Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound we lose, Pound For Pound will donate 10¢ to Feeding America™ - enough to provide one pound of groceries to a local food bank. Isn't that so cool? So we are helping ourselves by being healthy and helping others by feeding them through this great program.

Every week, I'll be weighing myself and recording it on our personal blog. But I'm going to hold myself accountable by sharing it on here too. My goal by the end of the Pound for Pound Challenge, which ends May 5th, is 15 pounds. My goal for the end of our personal family challenge is 30 pounds. So check up on me. Ask me how I'm doing. I will take all the support I can get! ;)

To close, I'm interested in hearing what motivates you. Hanging up a picture of yourself at your ideal weight? Looking at pictures of other fit people, maybe ones you'd find in Shape or Fitness? Quotes? What works best for you?

Sneak Peek - Baby Addison