High Five for Spankings and Baseball

Sorry I have been MIA in blogland. Here are a few updates. First, John bought me a remote. I don't know if it is because I was threatening that was what his Father's day gift was going to be or what, but it doesn't matter... I can now flip though my three channels while in bed. :)

Could my son get any cuter? He is now saying "Mama," and says it all the time. I'm loving it!

He is starting to stand and take steps on his own and I swear he is everywhere! Here is a little footage of his first steps. Funny how he would only do it for a while in his crib (my kid's no fool, softer landing).

Besides that, we are working on teaching him what he can and cannot touch around the house. The other day he was pushing buttons and turning knobs on the stereo (a big no-no which started as a result of him turning up the volume to a deafening level without us knowing). Anytime he would go to touch it, I would simply hold up my hand next to his and spank his hand whenever he would reach for and touch the buttons (call me old-school, but that is what works for us so far so spare me your Love and Logic discipline suggestions). Now, my trouble with this way of discipline coincides with teaching him to "give five." So here is how it usually plays out several times a week:
Braden- Reaches for the buttons on the stereo.
Me- Hold my hand up ready to spank if he touches the buttons.
Braden- Sees Mommy's hand, stops his finger 1 cm away from the stereo, turns Mommy's hand over and gives her five with a big smile.

The other day I also caught him pulling books off the book shelf and when I called out his name he quickly threw the one in his hand down and sat there looking at me like, "Listen Lady, it wasn't me and I don't know why you keep leaving books on the floor." This looks to be an uphill battle... the hill being Mt. Everest.

Last week John turned the big 3-0. We had a great weekend going out to dinner and a movie and then a Ranger game. The game was so fun, but what was even better is that we not only got to be on the Fox Sports Station, but John was on the jumbo-tron for his birthday (made possible by yours truly!)! I had it recorded, but because of the bright lights, you can't really tell what it is. You can however see his beard and the fact that he is holding Braden. Oh well, thanks Jami for the footage! We had such a good time with our friends the Hamricks and the Browns.

Oh, and just when I thought the night couldn't get any more exciting, a fly ball came soaring up a few feet above our heads. I was holding Braden so I quickly covered him up. The ball landed on some old lady sitting directly behind us. She was okay, so I am glad Braden didn't have to witness some sprawled out unconscious old lady at his first baseball game.