Welcome Payton Elizabeth Helsel

To my friends and family, a message from my sister about my new niece:

Welcome our little girl--Payton Elizabeth Helsel!

She decided January 3rd was too far away and September 19 is a better birthday. She was born at 11:14 am Sunday morning, despite her mother's best efforts to keep her in. Birth-weight: 1.5 lbs. and about a foot long. I do not have all my email addresses, so please feel free to pass this on to other friends and loved ones and send my apologies! She has a very long road ahead of her. She will be in Grand Rapids in their NICU for a while. We are all optimistic. She seems to be a little fighter and a tough cookie. Please keep her in your prayers! Thanks for your support!

Love,

Nicki, Russ, & Jack

Brady line of the weekend

This weekend at Ethan's birthday party someone asked Brady if he was a genius and this was his response: "I'm not a genius, I'm a boy." Well he does have a point :-). Photos soon I promise.

love you all.

So Proud of the Bman

Last night Brady got up a few times to use the potty, but I'm so proud of him, because he kept his pull-up dry all night. He's really getting the hang of potty training and doing an amazing job. Even in the store yesterday and at dad's work, he blurts out "I gottah go pee," drops what he's doing and runs with me to the potty. I couldn't be more proud of him. I thought it was going to be a lot harder than this and I am pleasantly surprised. He still is having problems with the BM in the potty, but that's okay, we'll get there eventually. He also loves his "big boy pants." I'll ask him if he wants to wear a pull-up and he'll say no, I want my underpants. He's getting so big.

Speaking of getting big, last night Nick and I were watching TV with him and a baby came on and Nick said something about being a baby (his nickname is Baby Brady) and Brady looked at him and said no daddy I'm not a baby I'm a boy. Made me sad to think how he's growing so fast. He doesn't even look like a baby anymore, but a little boy. Maybe it's time for another baby...don't get any ideas, I'm not pregnant :).

I'll post more photos soon so you can see what a big boy he's becoming. Love and miss you all.

Brady comment of the night

Although there were many comments of the evening, this one is most memorable. The setting, Brady in the bath tub and Nick talking to him in the bathroom.

Brady to Dad: I'm peeing in the tub so I can have some more water.

Can't really fault the kid for his logic and problem solving. I need more water so why not pee in it. Silly goose!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

For those who haven't seen this yet...

The Latest Bradyisms...

Mom: Brady come sit over here please.
Brady: No
Mom: Brady come sit over here now...begin count...one...two...
Brady: OK, jeez mom!

Mom: Brady we don't say "God" we say "Gosh or Goodness"
Brady: Oh my GOSSSHHHHHHH (extend the shhh for about ten seconds.

Brady: I'm a "God"
Mom: No Brady, God wouldn't like it if you said that.
Brady: I'm a "Gosh"
Mom: Oh Vey Bubbas

Mom: I love you Brady.
Dad: I love you Brady.
Brady: I love you guys.

Mom: How's my little man doing?
Brady: I'm not a man I'm a boy.

Brady talking to Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Nicki: "I'm going to come to your house tomorrow and see you and play with the fishing pole and the frog and with Jack...but I don't bite Jack and I don't pinch Jack." :-)

Other great Brady quotes:

"I don't wanna pee on the floor, I want to pee in the potty, I tell you when I go."
"Mommy's a sucker."
"You guys love me so much and you're so proud of me...I'm the best." (yes he's confident)
"That's Terrible Daddy."
My personal favorite "It's okay mommy, I make you happy."

He's becoming quite the ham and a lot of fun. It's never a dull moment and if I wrote down all the isms I'd be here all day, so here's a taste. I hope you enjoyed. Be on the lookout for more photos and videos soon. He's always signing a nursery rhyme, R&B song, or the classic Take Me out to Ballgame, so we're bound to catch it soon.

Love you all, until next time.

It's been while

Hi All,

I know it's been a while since our last post and I apologize. Blame Facebook, I do all the updates there it seems. It's been a very busy summer for us this year. We went home to Michigan and Ohio in June and July and we've been going non-stop on weekends since our return. There have been numerous trips to Aunt Mindy's house, trips to Orange County, LA and soon to Phoenix. It's been a warm summer so we escape as often as possible. To put into perspective the coolest it's been this week is around 108 which is today up to a high of close to 120. Wouldn't you want to leave? I've been busy updating photos to our Shutterfly and Snapfish accounts though, so be on the lookout for emails soon. Mom and Dad, we're getting you guys Satellite so you can actually view the videos and photos, it's time.

Other than that, things are pretty normal around here for us. Nick is still working at Marriott and I'm still at the University. I'm always looking for the next step though. It's keeping me busy that's for sure.

That's about it for now. I'll send videos and photos soon.

Love and miss you all.