Eppersons 2008

We had some family pictures taken for Christmas cards for Chris's family, and since I am the world's worst at sending out our own Christmas cards, I will take the easy way out and just post them so you can see!

My First Baby!

My friend Rachel sent me this survey and I thought it was good for journaling purposes as well as fun! If any of you want to do it, copy it and fill in your own answers on your blog!

1. Were you married at the time? Yes

2. What were your reactions when you found out you were pregnant? Disbelief. We had been trying for a while and were actually to the point of seriously considering adoption, talking seriously about it anyway, the week we found out!

3. How old were you? 26

4. How did you find out you were pregnant? Good ol' Clear Blue Easy! Chris picked it out at Walgreens. I actually took all 3 that came in the pack because I was in denial (good denial that is)

5. Who did you tell first? Chris. He was waiting while I was in the bathroom. I came out and had a really sad look on my face and started shaking my head to fake him out. He hugged me and said "it's ok. It'll happen one way or another sometime" or something like that. I said "I know, but how would you feel about being a daddy now?" He got all excited. If you know Chris, it was like Christmas morning x3!

6. Did you want to find out the sex? Uh... YEAH!

7. Due date? February 12, 2008

8. Did you deliver early or late? Early. February 5. The Dr. discovered he was breech at the last second (just before 39 weeks. After that, it would have been a c-section!) and turned him. I think that jump started things cause he was born 4 days later.

9. Did you have morning sickness? Oh yeah... never threw up, but couldn't move much off the couch! Down for the count with nausea!

10. What did you crave? I hate to admit it... McDonald's hamburgers. Although I never let myself eat one. Is that bad?

11. Who irritated you the most? I can't remember. Chris would probably say that whoever it was, I took it out on him. I don't think I was ever rude to anyone though. Especially Chris! :)

12. What was your first child's sex? BOY! (That's weird... the Weitzells having yet another boy!)

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? I think I was just shy of 35.

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? Nope. Just at the end when we had to turn the little stinker around and he ended up with the cord around his neck 3 1/2 times! They had to vacuum him out because of it.

15. Where did you give birth? Banner Gateway in Gilbert, AZ

16. How many hours were you in labor? 12 hours about. I only felt about 4 of them though.

17. Who drove you to the hospital? Christopher- my knight in shining armor!
18. Who watched? Just Chris and the nurses

19. Was it natural or c-section? Well... not "natural" as there were drugs involved. Ahhhhh.... the drugs....

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? I think I just answered that... HECK YES I DID!!

21. How much did your child weigh? 7 lbs 8 oz, thank you very much!

22. What did you name him/her? Bretton Christopher

23. How old is your first born today? 9 months TODAY!

First Teeth, First Word and First Halloween

Here's just a good shot of Bretton's chompers:

And he has learned his first word!! He doesn't know what it means yet, but he knows it's a word!

(He got a little camera shy when I started recording, but he says it all the time!)

And on to the good stuff...

HALLOWEEN!!

My monkey boy

and his cousin the banana!

and his crazy dad!

(Believe it or not... all of Chris's "costume" came from his very own wardrobe!! Now that's scary!)

B's favorite way to travel is by daddy shoulders!
He was falling asleep most of the time we were trick-or-treating.

Oooohhh.... spoooookyyyy....

The Trick-or-Treating "gang"

(L to R) Katie Tolman, Luke Maroney, Brenden Weitzell, Ian Maroney, Justin Maroney, Jenny Tolman, Bretton and Chris Epperson & Hayden and Kimberly Stickler.

Tagged!

I've been tagged! Thanks Vicki! Here's the 4th picture in my 4th folder on the computer. Story behind the pic:

This was right after I moved to Phoenix and Nicci and I had just gotten our apartment together. For some reason, I don't remember why, I put this t-shirt on Tippi. I think I was just being dumb. Anyway, then Nicci grabbed our grandpa's old hat and put it on her (grandpa would be so proud!) We tortured her further by taking pictures of her new "doggie fashion." Tippi is so tolerant! Oh the things she would say to me if she could talk...

I tag: Rachel Moultrie, Jami Fergie, Linda Goodman and Laura Elder! (ok, I know I'm going over 4, but Nicci too)

Pumpkins!

Who doesn't love a good batch of pumpkin patch pictures?? Here are a few from when we went on Friday with my sister Wendi, her husband Chris and their boys Justin, Luke and Ian along with Wendi's Chris's nephew Roy and his wife Kerry (got all that?:) ). Marc and Sammy "super sleuthed" (Ok, I've been watching too many Disney cartoons, for those of you that are familiar with "My Friends Tigger and Pooh") and found us on their way to pick up Brenden, so they got to get in on the fun too!

There were baby chicks for sale... I begged Chris, but to no avail. He said "They get ugly real fast."

I had to agree and changed my mind. The boys loved watching them though! This was the 2 seconds where we got them to peel their eyes away for a picture.

And off into Pumpkin Paradise!

(Left to Right) Ian, Justin, Brenden, Bretton, Luke

Each of their faces is so fitting in this picture... words can't describe! (Bretton was eating grass and finding out it's not so much fun... he's just making faces, not crying. He did this a lot throughout our pumkining adventure).

Brenden thought he was so strong picking up these HEAVY pumpkins!!

Woops! There it goes!

"Just gotta get a better grip... Those things are slippery!!"

Brenden kept going for the white ones....???

Once again... tasting, but not enjoying...

A great picture to show off the 4 teeth he has popping through!

How could I EVER say "no" to this face??
My handsome boys!
...and someone's all wore out from the loads and loads of fun!

***

Earlier in the day, Nicci and I found Bretton doing this... I don't even have an explanation..

What do you think is going through his head??

Posterwall Revived and Laid to Rest

On Saturday, Chris's friend Greg got married.

Greg and Chris have been through quite a bit together since they met just a few years ago, including being in a super sweet band known as "Posterwall." Yes, yes... I know they're famous, I know you have all their CDs and listen to them relentlessly and I know how upset you were when they broke up a little over a year ago but I have great news for you all! Posterwall was revived at Greg's reception for a reunion concert at the request of Greg's new bride, Kendall! Here are some pics of my rockstar husband in action!!

Ah... caught me!

Wasn't that AMAZING?!?! (Yes, it was a Hawaiian themed wedding, and I must say one of the funnest I've been to. Well done Greg and Kendall, well done!) Anyway... I don't mean to break your hearts once again, but Posterwall was officially laid to rest after this brief revival.

Someday... new band, new sound...

*****

On to Bretton news! Last week, I went in to his room to get him up from his nap and this is what I find...

Yep. That's my baby STANDING!!
It's only a matter of time now!! He is pulling up on everything! Watch out world!!

Bretton's First Concert

So last night our friends, Brooke and Riley, invited us to go to a free Brooke White concert (she was on American Idol and from Mesa, for all of those who don't follow the AI crowd). They had their daughter Bryten with them, so we thought it would be a great first concert for our little man (Chris is itchin to get him into the music scene!). We got there and it was pretty loud so we saw him screaming about it (couldn't hear him, but saw the red face and tears). After a minute or two though, he got used to it and had a great time!

There was a girl behind us that played with him the whole time we were there and she was clapping to one of the songs. This is Bretton in awe of the clapping.

Summer Fun in September!

Where else but in Arizona can you still swim in September? Ok, there are lots of places, but seriously... 100+ degrees still... and it's SEPTEMBER! So, I have been going a little stir crazy in the house and have wanted to do stuff outside, but it's still too hot for the park, so I bought one of those little pools for the boys to play in the backyard. They love it!! I bought it almost 2 weeks ago and they have played in it almost every day since! It's a nice way to get relief from the heat and still be able to go outside! Here are some pictures:

... and this is what happens when you decide to put them in regular diapers instead of swim diapers. I knew that, just didn't think it would be a problem. I had to take Bretton's off because he kept tipping over it got so big! Brenden could hardly walk when he got out. I was just laughing.
My cute boy. He been sucking that bottom lip in a lot lately... come to find out, he's getting his first teeth! That would explain it!

Bretton was discovering grass. I don't think he likes it much yet. Our grass is kinda pokey.
I love this face. Always with the crooked smile!
The mornings have been a bit cooler so we do a little walking. Apparently, this walk was a little too close to naptime.

...and This is What We Do When Dad Gets Home!

To continue our Sunday adventure today... Bretton and Daddy practiced their "trick"


We went over to Chris's parent's house for dinner, like every Sunday, but this week Bretton discovered a new friend...

Playing hard with new friends can sure wear a guy (or 2) out...

Bretton has found his male modeling pose (yep, he did this one all on his own!)
...and what's Sunday without a nap with your brother?

How precious are they??