How it all began

Ralph and I have been together since the summer of 2008 but it all began in 1992. Ralph's sister, Colleen and I have been best friends since 6th grade and we grew up at each other's houses throughout the years. Ralph was always around but being the younger brother was forbidden to be around us (not that he wanted to make up dances with us). We said hi during high school and when I needed a jersey to wear to school on Fridays, Ralph was nice enough to let me wear his. He visited Kent State while I was there once to look at the football team and campus but decided against attending. He joined the Marine Corps and we spoke through emails every now and then just to see how the other was doing. Life went on and our paths finally crossed again in 2008 when Colleen invited me to their families yearly 4th of July party. Ralph was home on leave from Iraq and I just moved back to Cincinnati. This time when we saw each other things seemed a little different and the rest is history. In December 2011 we were engaged, July 2012 we were married, April 2013 we bought our first house and March 2014 we had our first child, Braxten! Each year has been more blessed than the last and we are so excited to see where our future takes us!

Monday, August 25, 2014

5 months old!!!


 5 MONTHS!!!!


Braxten is now 5 months old!!!!
Weight: 16lb 2 oz.

We don't have to go see the pediatrician until next month! But he keeps growing like a weed.
He is still one of the happiest babies in the world and continues to brighten our world each minute. He truly is a blessing! He is still not rolling over but he is enjoying tummy time a little more each day. He talks non stop and laughs all the time. As he sees Ralph and myself he lights up and smiles - best sight ever!!! He is extremely observant and doesn't want to miss a thing. During one week this month he did not want to nap in his crib, we think he was afraid to miss something (or starting to feel teeth, or not feel well) but he would fall asleep on us which never happens. Although we wanted his schedule to stay the same we welcomed the extra cuddle time! He seems to have gotten himself back on track and is currently napping without trouble. We continue to wonder what took us so long to enjoy the miracle of being parents! 



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Day at the pool! (August 17th,2014)

The last day with Rylan and CJ in Cincinnati we went over to Missi and Pop's house. Daddy and Rylan played outside but 4 balls ended up getting stuck in the tree; 1soccer ball, 2 basketballs and a football! Mommy climbed the tree to save 2 and Daddy saved another. When I was eating dinner CJ fed Brook her bottle, I like eating with someone else. Everyone went for snowcones after dinner and I thought the colors of my families tongues were pretty funny!!! What an amazingly fun weekend!!!




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Another fun day!!! (August 16th, 2014)


I dressed in my football outfit to watch my cousin Zoe cheer at a football game. I have never been to watch cheerleaders or football players in person and I was super entertained! Mom tells me that Dad used to play and Aunt Colleen would cheer! I was asked by a few people if I would play when I get older, Mommy told them we would wait and see (with her fingers crossed). Look at my awesome cousin cheering!!


Later that night we went to the Seton festival with all my cousins and more friends! It was my first festival and there was some serious people watching happening. All of my cousins wanted to make me laugh and they were continually successful! I love my family. 


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Saturday, August 16, 2014

Day with my cousins!

Mommy went to work today and I got to spend the day with Rylan, CJ, Missi and Pop!!! CJ sang to me and and even changed my diaper (I didn't have a dirty one). Rylan played with me and gave me hugs and kisses! We all went to Entertrainment Junction and I got to ride in a big boy stroller! I am getting pretty big :) It was a great day and the best news is... they are here all weekend!





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Rocky the horse






 I tried to ride Rocky the other day with Daddy's help but Rock wouldn't get up. He doesn't look like he is very amused but we all had a good time! I have the best dog ever!!!

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No more nursing

August 10th - 4.5 months
Braxten has been on a "nursing strike" for about a month. It has been a struggle to have him nurse in the mornings before work for a while but it is now a fight at every feeding time. The stress and the lack of milk that I am producing has brought us to the decision to stop nursing. Although it is not an easy decision I am just not producing enough to make it worth the time and frustration. He is super happy with formula and the frozen milk that we have stored so our chunky man will continue to eat plenty. I think with working 12 hour days he got used to the ease of the bottle. I am feeling better about the decision and realizing how much stress is being relieved. I love that Ralph and I are on the same page and his support is never ending!

On a cute note we went to a farmers market with Missi and he was able to wear his farmer plaid!!


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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Just for fun!


 Over the past few days we have all been hanging out with together - it has been wonderful! As Braxten is getting older his looks change by the second. Although he still looks like his Daddy, Mommy is still hoping there is a feature of her! As you can see by the following pictures there is not a whole lot of hope for the Eckel genes :) Good thing I have a handsome husband!





 

 
 

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