Dirt, Water, Tar, and Heavy Operating Equipment

The title of this blog are the things that make Bryce most happy in this world today. My Mom had taken off and it just happened to be the day that the pavers came to pave their driveway. Bryce was there and was able to see everything from start to finish. He had a blast. I forgot my camera at home, so I couldn't get a picture of him on the mini-steamroller. They took the dirt from part of the driveway and put it in my parents yard. Bryce is in BOY heaven as he gets to dig, bury, and find earthworms in all that dirt.
I am sure that he will sleep well this afternoon!

Bryce's funny comment of the week:
While playing with the hose last night at my Mom's house, he got that LOOK in his eye. The one that says he is definintely up to something. He turned around, looked at my Mom, and said, "You're going down Nana!" He proceeded to spray her with the hose. Well, all 3 of us laughed! Guess Bryce really is picking up on some of that preschool chatter!!!!

Sickness and a hilarious comment

Bryce has been sick this week since Tuesday. He awoke Tuesday with a fever, and just layed around for most of the day. Wednesday, the fever reached the peak of 103 degrees, but he was acting a little more like himself. The fever broke early Thursday, but I was woken up at 0445 to Bryce saying that his belly hurt. At 0515, he began to throw up---what fun. 2 hours later, he seemed back to himself but he slept in until 12:30.
Later, we were downstairs and he asked me for some ginger ale. I said to Bryce, "What do you say?" His response, "I command you!"
After I laughed so hard I cried, I asked him where he heard that. He said, "On TV." I guess that will be enough magic shows for awhile.
Unfortunately, the fever returned this morning and now I do believe that I am seeing spots on his tonsils. We are going to the doctor this afternoon.

BIG Bubbles

For Christmas, Bryce's Nana got him this huge bubble wand. It is the coolest thing I have ever seen and Bryce loves it too. There are instructions inside on how to make "special" bubble solution. We have used it twice, but can't wait until this summer when it is a little more humid. The directions say the more humid, the bigger the bubbles.
Remember Bryce is now a little over 42 inches tall and my mom is 5'2"---remember that when looking at the size of the bubbles!!

Bryce and Breckin

Here are a few new shots of Bryce and Breckin.


Breckin excited to spend the day with Bryce and me---so I like to think!!


Bryce hanging out with his buddy!

Easter 2008

We celebrated Easter with my family. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were there also, and we all had a great time. My mom likes to make Easter fun for the kids, so with that being said----Bryce had to find hidden Easter eggs in the front yard, while the back yard was reserved for my brother and me. Yes, Adam and I got to find Easter eggs too. We had a great time---with the exception that I didn't take into account how cold it was and almost had an asthma attack.
She filled Bryce's eggs with money and candy. Adam and I hunted for money and lottery tickets. You should have seen how fast Adam and I can move when motivated properly!
Bryce made out like a bandit from the Easter Bunny and upon seeing his loot at home he professed, "I love that Easter Bunny!"


Bryce searching for more eggs


Bryce collecting his eggs

The running start for Adam and me.

Adam picking up one of his loot filled eggs

Professional Gymnastic Photo

Here is the professional copy of Bryce's gymnastic photo as promised. We are missing the other pose, but I am sure that the photographer will get it to us ASAP.

Visiting the Easter Bunny

This past Wednesday, Amber and I took Bryce and Breckin to see the Easter Bunny. Bryce WOULD NOT sit on his lap, but that was OK. Breckin, unfortunately, was right in the spot under the skylight where the sunshine was streaming in. His little face is all scrunched up to block out the sunlight. It is a really cute picture though. Bryce asked me twice if there was just a guy in there dressed up like a bunny. I told him NO! That is the real Easter Bunny. Bryce wanted to know where his bunny car was that takes him to all the kids houses--hahaha. He is getting a little too SMART!!

Last week of Feb 2008--Review

This week was full of things to do--as always. Breckin was here 2 days this week and he was such a good boy. Occasionally cranky, but i think that he is trying to cute some teeth. He drools ALL the time!! Today he is 3 months old already. It is so hard to believe. He has grown a huge amount in these first 3 months and is just so darn CUTE! Bryce is getting used to having him here, and when Breckin stays home with his Mom or Dad, Bryce always asks where Breckin is at. Bryce can't wait for Breckin to get older so they can play together.
It might be a little hard to see Breckin, since he is in camo......

Bryce LOVES to help me with Breckin--here he is holding his bottle. Breckin is looking up at Bryce.



Bryce had his first speech session yesterday. The teacher said that she could understand almost everything that Bryce said. He really has improved the last few months on his own, so hopefully he won't have to do this for long. Next week when we go, we have to write his goals.
Bryce's big thing this week is that he LOVES to take a bath. He would stay in there for HOURS if I would let him. He also loves bubbles. I walked away the other night for a few minutes and in that time he squeezed all of the full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap into the water. It didn't make as many bubbles as I thought, but when you flushed the downstairs toilet, it created a bubbly toilet bowl rinse.

Gymnast Bryce

Bryce has been taking gymnastic lessons for almost 10 months now, and it is that time of year for pictures. Now since he is a boy, he just goes in sweat pants and a t-shirt/shorts and t-shirt in the summer. I could probably find a little boy gymnast suit (leotard) somewhere, but I don't think that is right for a 4 year old!!
Anyway, below are 2 of the pictures I am purchasing. They are not the best quality since they are printed off my printer from the photographers proofs on-line. When I get the real pics, I will replace them. Now the one of Bryce hanging upside down is a first for the photographer and the gymnastic school. They have had these professional pics for about 8 years now and Bryce is the first to have one like it!! Leave it to Bryce to start a trend! It is such a BRYCE like post, that I couldn't help but make that our package picture. The other one is just an extra I liked as well! Yes, he is using his own strength to keep himself on the bar. The upside down pose is called "skin the cat" and he ends up on the floor with his back to the bar. The second pose is called, ironically enough, an "angel".
If you click on the photo, it will enlarge but will be grainy.

Adventures in babysitting

Brecking enjoying the day at Aunt Nicole's


This week officially began my babysitting of Breckin. I love having him here, and am glad that I get the chance to know my nephew better and to see him grow up. It also makes me realize that Bryce is all I need. I love the idea of telling Bryce to get dressed and he can do it. I also like the age Bryce is at and can share so many FUN things with him right now. He can TELL me---sometimes whether I want to hear it or not--what he wants and how he is feeling. I don't have to guess and see if I chose right when it comes to figuring out what your baby needs.

Anyway, my days are filled now with big boy FUN and little boy smiles and fun. Bryce was definitely jealous at first, but he is rapidly getting over that. I like to include him as much as possible in what I am doing with Breckin. Today I had a baby in my arms, and a big boy on my lap.

I can't wait to see what fun summer holds for us with our swimming pool and hopefully a few trips out about town.

PA State Farm Show

Last night we made a family outing to the PA State Farm show. Bryce really wanted to see the pigs??!! Yes, I did say pigs. Why, I have no idea, but we did see them and he was so excited. He wanted to know where Charlotte was because he was sure that one of the pigs there was Wilbur.
We also saw cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and rabbits. He was able to pet everything except the chickens and ducks. He even had his picture taken with a week old baby goat. They looked so cute together; especially when the goat decided to lick Bryce's ear---See photo below---
We did the true farm show things and ate a whole bunch of stuff. Bryce loved the hot dogs and Jason got his customary dozen of potato donuts. I am not sure why, but they definitely do taste better than regular old donuts.
Bryce has already stated that he wants to go back next year, so I guess that is on our list of things to do in '09.
The odd thing about the weather this year, is that historically, the farm show brings the worst winter weather with it. However, this year, it was in the 50-60's most of the week. I'm not complaining, but it is a definite change from years past.

2007 Durham Christmas

Saturday we celebrated with Jason's side of the family for their annual Christmas party. I was running on 3 hours of sleep, but we all had a nice time. It is always great to see family and catch up on what everyone is up to. Once again, I lost the Durham quilt in the Chinese Christmas game that Nan Durham makes every year, but one of these years, I will get one!!

Here is a family picture. Jason never smiles for a picture, so I think it looks good!!

Christmas 2007

Bryce unwrapping some of his gifts



Today was a great day. It truly was in the Christmas spirit, and we were surrounded by family. I love that part of the holidays. Tomorrow the fun continues as we go and see Jason's side of the family. So our celebration is far from over.

Bryce made out like a bandit--to say the least. For the most part, his cache consisted primarily of trains, art supplies, and remote controlled cars, trucks, and machinery. His favorite of the latter being the remote controlled forklift he asked Santa for all along.

At 0030 last night, Bryce woke me up to inform me that he saw Santa's blinking sleigh lights flying over the house. He immediately went to sleep after that news bulletin. I had to put that in print, or I might forget it a few years down the line. He is so cute sometimes.

Here are a few pics from today.

Bryce and Jason checking out the Thomas and Percy Carnival set.

Bryce playing with his Darth Vader mini-laptop. This is a little too advanced for him right now, but he will be able to use it soon!!


Finally, here is Bryce holding Breckin at Nana's house. Bryce has his glasses on in this pic. I will post more of him in glasses soon--I have to make him stop smiling funny first.

Hands on

Breckin finally came home Tuesday and Bryce was finally able to meet his cousin. He was so excited to see him for the first time. Bryce was even more excited to HOLD him for the first time. Here are 2 pictures of the boys together at last.

Look alikes

Here is a comparison of Bryce and Breckin (in that order) as newborns. Can you tell they are cousins???!!! Yeah, I think so....

Apparently, Breckin was so comfortable he slept through his whole photo session! He should be home tomorrow. YEAH!!!!!! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for everything.

Meeting Santa Claus

Saturday December 8th my Mom and Dad took Bryce to have breakfast with Santa Claus. As he gets older, he definately gets better at the picture taking with a fat, bearded man in a red suit. I don't know if that should worry me yet or not??
Anyway, here is that photo. I think Santa has weird eyes, but the photo is cute.

Out of the mouths of babes

Bryce's vocabulary is definitely expanding and I am quite impressed at his usage. We were driving Friday in the car, and I put on my sunglasses. I turned around when we were at a stop light and asked him how I looked. He paused from drinking from his straw, looked at me, and proceeded to tell me without skipping a beat, "Ridiculous". After which he calmly began drinking again--I on the other hand burst out laughing!! I can't believe the things that he is coming up with. He is soooo funny.
He has also become a super hero of sorts. He has POWER in him and he has to drink his special power water to keep the power in him. Funny that the "power water" comes from the sink in the downstairs bathroom. He is definitely interested in the super hero cartoons. His favorites being Superman, Batman, and the animated hero Krypto the super dog!!!

What's new??

You may be asking what is new with the Durham family?? Well, let me fill you in on everything since my last post.

On Thursday November 29th, my nephew Breckin Matthew Dorwart was brought into the world. His mom wasn't feeling so well, so he was only 34 1/2 weeks old, and he had a VERY rough start. I am happy to report though, that he is doing MUCH better. He is still in the NICU but was moved to the feeders/growers side and will hopefully be home in the next few weeks. For being early though, he was a big guy. He weighed 5 pounds 6.9 ounces and is 18 3/4 inches long.

Here's my brother Adam (Daddy)with Breckin.


Breckin with his cute little hat that his great grandmother made him. All of the tubes are out except the little feeding tube under the tape.


Bryce had his 6 month cardiology follow up last week. He is 41 inches tall and weighes 34 pounds. He was started on a pill medication instead of the liquid we have used since birth. I was IMPRESSED with how well he took it this past Monday. I thought for sure I would have to put it in pudding or something, but he said "I don't want my pill in pudding, Mom" He took it like a little champ!!!

His preschool does vision screenings, and his came back in October that he needed a professional eye exam. I just thought that Bryce got tired of the screen, and made up letters or something. Monday we had our eye appt, and it turns out there really is a problem. Bryce's left eye is not growing as quickly as his right. Basically, it means that if it continues to go uncorrected he will develop a "lazy eye" on the left. SO.......we went to pick out his glasses last night. He choose a really cute pair from the 7 or so pairs I picked out first. He kept picking adult sized glasses saying, "Mom, this will make my eye bigger." I tried to explain that it is the lens that makes the eye bigger, but he still hasn't quite gotten the idea. For now he seems excited about the glasses....we'll see what happens when they finally come in?!!?

We are getting ready for Christmas and his preschool is having a little program next Wednesday. I asked him last night what they were going to do and he said, "I can't tell you Mom. It is a secret." I asked Bryce why he told Nana then what we got her for Christmas because that was a secret too. His reply? "Well, she asked!"
He makes me laugh out loud sometimes. So..I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they do in their program. I'll be sure to take my camera and post some of the pics.

That's about all fow now. I'll post some pics soon--we have cookie baking that we are doing with my Mom this Tuesday and then his program on Wednesday. Everyone stay safe and warm until next time!

Picture Time

Here is Bryce's preschool picture from this year. I'm going to post it with last year's pic as well. I can't believe how much more mature he looks this year when compared to last year. It is amazing how much changes in a year with kids!!


October 2007


October 2006

Trick or Treat

Tonight was Trick or Treat in our neighborhood. It seems to get a little smaller each year, but there is still PLENTY of candy for Bryce. He had a great time. He only slipped once and said Merry Christmas, otherwise he remembered to say Trick or Treat, thank you, and then Happy Halloween for all the other houses.
Here he is in his Peter Pan costume.


LOOK......Never Never land is the second star to the right and straight on until morning

Peter Pan trying to fly--guess he ran out of pixie dust?!?!?


Argghhhhh...waiting to fight those pirates.