runDisney Kids Races & Diaper Dash

For this year's Princess Half Marathon weekend, my entire family participated in one race event or another. Brayden felt left out (well, maybe), so I decided to sign him up for his first official race, the Diaper Dash!

If you missed other updates from our Princess Half Marathon Weekend, you can check them out here:

• 2017 Princess Weekend Expo & VLOG
• 2017 Diaper Dash & VLOG
• 2017 Enchanted 10K & VLOG
• 2017 Princess Half Marathon & VLOG

Packet pickup the day before the race was super easy - you can read about it here. When I picked up his bib, I also received one of those clear plastic Disney bags as well as his t-shirt. For the Kids Races, runDisney offers shirts from a 2T on up which obviously doesn't fit my baby now, but will in the future. I'd definitely rather it be too big than too small.

Also, there were two mornings to choose from for the Kids Races. Since all of us were participating in the 10K on Saturday morning, I registered Brayden for Friday morning instead.

The night before the event, I read up on all the information inside the digital program guide. I was under the impression that the race started at 9 a.m., but it didn't. The Kids Races in general started at 9 a.m. with various wave times for each distance, ending with the Diaper Dash at 10:20 a.m. I'm so glad we didn't arrive at 8:30 a.m. only to sit around for a few hours! Crisis averted and lesson learned....always read the program guide! 

We arrived at ESPN (same location as the Expo) around 9:30 a.m. and followed the crowd. There were several runDisney volunteers who were there to direct us to the New Balance Track and Field.

Right as we arrived, I heard Carissa (the runDisney race announcer) mention that the Diaper Dash would be held at the black start/finish line sign. Had I not heard her say that, I would have been very confused because there was no signage for the Diaper Dash.

We got Brayden situation, then he was ready to race crawl!

We stood around and watched the Kids Races for a little while, then it was our turn!

We lined up behind the gates and about 5-6 babies were allowed on the track at one time. I somehow ended up at the back of the line instead of midway through the pack like I wanted. Oh well. It took about 15 minutes to get to us, but we had fun watching the other babies attempting to crawl, crawl, and even walk!

We all lined up with our babies backwards so the photo pass people could determine which kid belonged to which parent/photo pass account.

Also, they rolled out a carpet type mat for the babies to crawl on so they didn't have to crawl on the actual track! So smart!!

So as you know, Brayden was 10 months old for the Diaper Dash and had only started crawling (officially on all fours) about 2 weeks before the event. I was worried that he wouldn't cooperate but with a little persuasion (aka puffs), he did crawl a little bit! I think he was mostly confused as to what was going on!

The race announcer knew how to keep things rolling and let us play around for a while, then started to wrap up our wave.

He crawled about half way before I picked him up and half walked him to the finish line. This is when he spotted Minnie Mouse and boy was he intrigued!

Like his outfit? I figured it was appropriate for Princess Half Marathon Weekend! :)

 

 YAY he did it!

After the finish line were cups of water, bananas, and apple sauce pouches.

Brayden's first race was complete! Even though he had no clue what was going on, we still had fun with him and definitely have stories to share for the future!

Diaper Dash: he did it! 

Stay tuned for more fun recaps of our Princess Half Marathon weekend!! :)

Oral Surgery & The Weekend

I hope everyone's week has gotten off to a great start! Happy Valentines Day!

Last Thursday, I had to have oral surgery to remove a fractured and abscessed tooth. Do y'all remember me having a bunch of mouth issues last year after having Brayden? Well, I went in last summer to have my back molar refilled and the dentist was worried about it abscessing. He put a temporary medicated filling in it and told me I might have to have a root canal or have it pulled. Well, in the mean time my sweet dentist passed away. He was close to retirement and already had another dentist in the area set to take over his practice, so I saw him two weeks ago for a routine cleaning. He told me the tooth was definitely abscessed (although it wasn't bothering me) and he wanted to try to save the tooth. I was referred to an endodontist who said a root canal wasn't my best option because the nerve root was fractured. In turn, I saw an oral surgeon because my dentist was worried about pulling it with the location, the curve of the roots, and the fact that it was fractured. In less than two weeks from the start of it all, I saw my oral surgeon and the tooth was gone. Now, I'm nursing the area, trying to remember not to drink out of straws (I developed dry sockets with my wisdom teeth), and letting it all heal up. 

Yikes. Did I mention I'm not a fan of the dentist (in any form)? All I can say is, I'm so very glad the oral surgeon knocked me out for the procedure!

Oh yes, I also made the oral surgeon PROMISE that I would be better and ok to run by Princess. He told me I would be ok to run mid week this week so here's hoping all stays well and I'm good to go!
 

We didn't sit in the waiting room long - and funny story - the nurse who started my IV last time for my wisdom teeth (about 8 years ago) was the one who started it again for this procedure (and in the same spot, too)! She said she started working for this oral surgeon when he first came to town and is still there!

My diet for two days consisted of blended bananas and potato soup.

I also had a few visitors after my nap! :)

Oh yes! Exciting news!! Brayden had several firsts this weekend!!

HE IS NOW CRAWLING! Just in the nick of time for his first diaper dash, too! Also, he started clapping his hands without us doing it for him, and he's finally learning the process of a sippy cup!

It's crazy to think that his first birthday party is right around the corner!

On Friday night, Brayden and I attended a gender reveal for some sweet church friends. Only one person at the party knew the gender and almost EVERYONE was team boy except maybe 3 people. It sure was a surprise to see PINK silly string come out of those containers!

On Saturday morning, we were supposed to have Brayden's Valentine pictures taken, but the weather was cray cray and the photographer had to cancel. Instead, my friend Kim came over to help me and in a pinch, we set Brayden up in his outfit with a few props and voila....a "free" Valentine mini session! Hah!

These were not what I wanted at all and I am in no way a professional, but they will do in a pinch.

After his nap on Saturday, we spent a little time shopping for a few things for Disney! It's coming up so soon - can't wait! 

We spent Sunday morning at church followed by lunch with my parents.

I also worked a lot with my silhouette this weekend. Our magic bands are ready to go!

This upcoming weekend, a small group of us are running the "Make Your Heart Race 5K" in honor of Mr. Tracy, my friends dad who passed away about a month ago. He passed away from a sudden heart attack and he loved Disney, so that's where the combo of the team name and race of choice came from. I also have a design on the back but I guess I forgot to take a picture! Whoops!

After Sunday's nap, we had to run to Michael's for a few extra rolls of heat transfer vinyl.

After returning home, we went for a 2 mile walk, then waited on Jason to get home from work so we could eat dinner.

In all, it was an awesome weekend despite the sore jaw and mouth pain! I feel great now and am hoping all continues to heal well!

Hope you have a great week!

Happy Valentines Day!

10 Month Baby Update

Ten months - just two months shy of his first birthday. I say it every month but it's hard to believe that so much time has passed already! Thinking of the moments we used to share in smaller baby activities like tummy time and play mat time doesn't seem like that long ago (because it really wasn't)! It's hard to believe he's come so far and grown so much in such a short amount of time! 

This month was another big one for Brayden as he is becoming stronger and able to do so much more than before! Although he's not crawling 100% yet, he's getting there. He will crawl for a little bit, then fall into his army crawl position like a silly kid. This month, Brayden also began pulling himself up from a sitting position and he LOVES to stand along side the bathtub and watch as it fills with water for his bath time! His other favorite thing is to stand at our coffee table and play with the TV remotes. 

Clothing: 9 months and 9-12 months; sleepers are still at 9 month and 9-12 month
Diapers: Size 3
Weight: 23.2 pounds
Height: 29 1/4 inches 

Brayden still loves to eat and we've tried a wide variety of new foods. Something I'm glad he loves is rice and gravy (because I love it too)! Another favorite is mac and cheese and beans! Something I'm super grateful for is the fact that he does really well in restaurants! He is such a chill kid and as long as I have food or a toy, he's great!

He's also taking two naps per day - one in the morning about three hours after he wakes up and one in the afternoon (again about three hours after his last nap). 

He's also done so well with sleeping through the night again! YAY! In the past month, I could count on one hand the number of times he woke up at night! Thankfully, he always takes a bottle and goes right back to sleep. 

 

Brayden will put himself to sleep for naps and most nights, unless he's absolutely exhausted - then he will fall asleep in your arms (I love it)!

Remember how I mentioned he's now pulling himself up on things? Look what happened one night!

He was so proud of himself, too! Needless to say, he was confined to baby jail the following day!

Whoops! :) Sorry baby! 

Brayden LOVES to feed himself small finger foods! His favorites still include puffs and yogurt bites.

For Christmas, he received a walker which was a huge hit! He loves to zoom all over the house and explore new areas in it! 

I also can't forget about Mickey Mouse. Y'all...don't mess with the kid when Mickey is on! He's a hard core Mickey fan! 

Babbling in his baby language is another thing Brayden loves to do and it ranges anywhere from a whisper to a squeal.

A few additional likes include:

• Toys that light up
• His Wubba-Nub
• Playing peek-a-boo and patty cake
• The dogs
• Meal times
• Bath time
• Pushing buttons
• Going outside (especially when the door initially opens)
• The wind
•  Walks/runs in the jogging stroller
• Being put on an adult's shoulders

A few dislikes include:

• Wet or dirty diapers
• Being confined to one area (like the jumper)
• When I leave the room he's in
• Sitting still too long 

This upcoming month has so many exciting things like Brayden's first race at Disney as well as his first haircut (also at Disney), not to mention his very first Disney trip! I am so excited and can't wait to spend time with my little man at my happy place! 

This is such a fun age and we truly are enjoying our sweet little happy, smiley, baby boy! :)

 

Thanks again for following along in our journey! We appreciate you and your support!