Monmouth Race Park

Yesterday morning Stu and I ran in a 2 mile run called Kortney's Challenge. It was a race to raise money for pediatric cancer for a 9 year old that passed away in 2005. It was my first race and I was happy to complete it. My time for 2 miles was 25 minutes and 50 seconds. I was happy with that for my first ever race. Brandon was at the race watching with my parents.

Watching the race with Grandpa

Brandon, Mommy, and Daddy before the race

Brandon and Mommy before the race

Brandon wearing his Kortney's Challenge shirt

After the race we went to a benefit that the NICU was having at the racetrack. Brandon's friends, Brandon, Ava, Hannah, and Avery, were also at the benefit so he had a good time seeing them. A few of the nurses from the NICU were also there and same with two of the neonatologists. It is always nice for them to see how well Brandon is doing now.

the preemies and moms

the preemies- Avery, Hannah, Brandon, Ava, Brandon

Brandon and Ava

watching the horse race with Daddy

eating corn for the first time

waiting for the horses to come out

Dog Beach

Stu, Brandon, Hershey, and I went to the dog beach in Manasquan this afternoon. Brandon had a great time playing in the water and Hershey loved swimming to get the tennis ball. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so I had to use my cell phone to take pictures.

Fairhaven Firemen's Fair

Stu, Brandon, and I went to the Fairhaven Firemen's Fair tonight. We ate dinner there and then Brandon and I went on some rides together. We saw our friends Becky and Logan at the fair and Nancy, Patrick, and Justin.

Brandon's New Talent

Sucking on two pacifiers at once

Big Steps for Little Feet

Stu, Brandon, and I will be walking in the Big Steps for Little Feet walk to support the NICU at Monmouth Medical Center. This will be Brandon's second year in the walk and our third year. Brandon spent the first 12 weeks of his life in the NICU. If it weren't for the wonderful nurses and neonatologists Brandon would not be where he is today. This year we are teaming up with five other families from the NICU that we have become friends with to form our team 18 feet (9 preemies times 2 feet each gave us our team name). If you would like to make a donation to support us or join our team please go to the link below. Thank you in advance!

https://ssl.charityweb.net/monmouthfoundation/bigsteps/18.htm

Gangster Brandon

Welcome Victoria

Yesterday our friends Rachel and John had their first baby, Victoria Jacquelyn. Stu and I went to visit her this afternoon. She is really cute. Rachel even let me give her a bottle since she was due to eat when we were there.

Busy Saturday

We had a very busy day yesterday. We started the day with Joey and JJ's birthday party. Joey turned 2 and JJ turned 4. Their party was at the swimclub so Brandon had a great time going in the pools. He also loved eating cheese doodles. He honestly must have had about 50 of them. Brandon loves the pool so much that he was hysterical when we took him out of the pool to eat lunch.





After the party we went to a clambake in Bayhead. Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs were there and Uncle Brian and Aunt Laura were also there. There was a band playing music so Brandon was happy that he got to dance.

Aunt Laura and Brandon at the clambake

Uncle Brian and Brandon

wearing Uncle Brian's sunglasses



Our day ended with a trip to the Point Pleasant boardwalk to go on rides. This was the first time at Point Pleasant that Brandon went on rides by himself so he was able to do some rides that he has never done before. On the dragon ride there was a little girl sitting in front of Brandon that he kept waving to. It was really cute. Unfortunately Brandon was really tired when he went on the rides since he didn't nap long yesterday so he wouldn't let me take his pacifier away from him. He still had a great time on the rides and even signed more because he wanted to go back on a few of the rides a second time.

Brandon's Kitchen

I have been looking for a kitchen for Brandon all summer. He loves playing with the kitchen at his babysitter's and he also enjoyed playing with the one at jungeleriffic a few weeks ago. I have been looking at garage sales but haven't been able to find one that I liked so I finally thought to look on craigslist and finally found one that I liked a lot. Last night we went to look at it and bought it for Brandon. They also gave us a bag full of play food and pots and pans. He has been enjoying playing with it this morning.

Another Fair

Last night we went to the Colts Neck Fair. Unfortunately the only ride that they had that Brandon could go on was the train. I went on with him once and Stu went on with him once. Brandon also went on a pony ride at the fair and had fun listening and dancing to a band that was playing folk tale type music.

Playdate with Baby Ryder

Yesterday morning Brandon and I went to my friend Brooke's house to meet her baby, Ryder. Ryder was born at the end of June. Ryder slept for most of our visit. Brandon would not cooperate to have his picture taken with Ryder but I didn't try to take a picture until right before we left so I think he was tired by then.