BLOG HAS MOVED!!

SOO sorry I was terrible at updating this. I think I started it at a time I was a little in over my head! :) But we have a new blog... that's a little more "Riley" friendly and I'd love for you all to start following us there! Don't worry I'll keep posting pictures of the boys!

http://booramsbrew.blogspot.com/

Toddler Room for Eli!

As we have gotten ready for Riley's arrival, we have moved Eli to a bigger room (hoping he will enjoy playing in there!). With moving him, I thought it would be fun to give him a more toddler like room. It's been fun having him wake up and saying all the animals on his wall. Shortly i plan on doing the elephant in chalk paint, but as of now, Eli is SO not ready for the responsibility of drawing on a specific place on the wall!

Eli has gotten so verbal and it has been a blast! He can say many "nacks" (snacks) that he loves to eat, he is very particular about what type of things he wants even down to the type of sippy cup he is in the mode for. He would chose to eat oatmeal every morning, and most mornings he does! He also LOVES honey! He still has no idea about what is about to rock his world- his baby brother. While I think there will be many sweet moments of them together, I do fear for the safety of Riley because of Eli's great passion for throwing everything!! It could be interesting!


We are so excited to meet our second little boy! If Riley chooses to not come early, thankfully the doctor promised me she wouldn't make me have an other 9 pound 5 ouncer so Riley will be induced July 9th!

Ice Storm= Stir Crazy!

I don't know about you guys, but we went a little stir crazy this ice storm! So needless to say, we played in it a little (and by we i mean Brandt and Eli). Eli certainly enjoyed daddy being at home more than usual!


Eli is growing and changing lots. His new favorite thing is to CLIMB! On everything and anything. He is quickly learning how to climb on one thing and then on the next, i.e. dining room chair on to the table. I have very much felt the experience of how girls and boys just play differently!

He really has been a blast! We were having lots of fun inside while i made funny noises. He was actually in tears he was laughing so hard!

The New Year brings LOTS of New Things!

Thought I would make it goal this year to be more diligent about this blog. Lots has changed for the Booram house hold... as usual right? Well since September Eli is now OFFICIALLY a toddler. He is almost 30 pounds and is 33 1/2 inches tall. Staying right at the lovely 95%. He loves cars, pushing them, pulling them, throwing them off of stairs, and making the Voom Voom sound as he watches them drive away. His favorite word right now is by far "HI!" He says it in the greatest high pitched little voice and it is usually always accompanied by a big smile. Even though there have been times of him saying it at 3am it still makes me laugh. He is also loving the snow.


Even though he has been sick with a bad cough and cold for about a month now, he has gotten some time in there to play! Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Bri even took him sledding!


For those who don't know yet, I am no longer doing hair and have joined InterVarsity Staff as an administrative assistant for one of the Great Lakes West Regional Directors. Also I back in school finishing up my Bachelors. Also, come July 16th Eli will officially be a big brother!!!


We are thrilled about our new addition to our family! I think Eli will be a great big brother. He is already giving kisses to my belly and saying and waving, "HI!".

My BIG 1 YEAR OLD!

That's right. Eli is officially one! (well he has been for about a week and a day) We had a big puppy dog themed birthday party in celebration of his big day. We had quite the crowd, lots of presents, and most importantly a fabulous cupcake. He seriously loved it! First he sucked off all of the icing to insure he wouldn't miss a drop and then dove into the cake part. The cupcake was apple spice with buttercream icing! With a puppy face on it of course!

He has just grown like a weed. On his one year appointment he weighted 27 1/2 pounds, 48cm head, and 32 inches tall. He is 95% in his weight and head diameter and off the charts in his height. I think we always knew he was going to be a big boy, but it just still always surprises me even though he is fitting into 24 months clothes! He is walking like a mad man, and chattering lots, but nothing too comprehendible.

It was so fun to take some time and look back on the day i had him. It will forever be one of the most amazing days of my life. I was induced on his actual due date, despite the fact i went into early labor at 34 weeks. Surely this was a sign of his extreme stubbornness to do things his way. I was in labor for 7 hours, and pushed for an 1 1/2 hours. Never knew having a baby was a cardio work out too, someone should have warned me! :) He weighed 9 lbs 5 oz and was 21 inches long.


Brandt and I were so shocked to find out we were pregnant. There was lots of processing time to get use to the idea of how drastic life would change. Once he was here though, and we held him for the first time, we both knew there was no going back. He is wonderful in every way, i can't ever imagine life with out!

Oh Chi Town....

So, Brandt and i did it.... well i did it. I left Eli with Brandt's parents for two whole nights. WOW i know, i am impressive. Some people probably look at me like i am crazy for it taking me this long to do an over night away, but it was soo hard. I just love being a mom and taking care of Eli everyday. But Brandt and I needed some R and R, that's for sure. So we headed to chicago for a weekend! It was a great time. We went watched some of the air and water show, then that night we had a picnic in millennium park for the millennium park orchestra and choir. Cheese and wine, it was wonderful. The next day we had a great brunch, went shopping (of course) and got to have a fabulous dinner at a Brazilian restaurant. All you can eat meat... brandt was all about it!

The next day we were both pretty ready to see our little boogie, so we headed home. He was funny when we saw us for the first time though, very confused. But then he didn't want to be away from our side.

Things have felt like a whirl wind since that weekend. Life is going so fast. Eli is walking like crazy (not a full 100% walker yet). His 1st birthday is coming up soon. OH man babies grow up so quickly huh? I look at him can't believe he will be 1!!!! He is just a wonderful blessing.

Newest things:
1- WALKING
2- He can respond to "what does a cow say".... "Moooo", "what does a duck say"....."qwak, qwak"
3- recent words; "bye, bye", "love you", "night, night", "all done" (very rarely), and a few others
4- he has an official blanket that he will NOT sleep with out.
(i caught him in a serious deep sleep!)

I'll keep everyone posted with some pictures/ video of his first birthday party!

2 Years and counting!

Today is Brandt and my 2 year anniversary. I can't believe it's been only two years. While we are still only a "baby" married couple, i feel we have experienced quite a ride already. It is amazing how much the Lord can do in two years. Since getting married in August 2008, Brandt has gone on staff with Greek IV, got out first dog in October, found out i was pregnant in January 2009, moved in July, had Eli in September, moved again this May, and then Eli is turning one in a month and a half. Life is wild, but so fun. As cliche as it sounds, i really have fallen more in love with Brandt. While i knew a lot about him already going into marriage, it has been so cool to just really get to know every detail about him even down to how he prefers to brush his teeth or style his hair. : )


I could have never imagined it being any different. Today has already been so wonderful by getting to wake up to breakfast and flowers in bed... oh and coffee OH COURSE. I have loved sending the day with both of my boys. We are taking out first trip away from Eli in a couple weeks to chicago to really celebrate. It will be hard to leave him, but it will be a much needed time for us.

Thought i would post some great moments in our life two year ago today from saying our vows to celebrating with our amazing family and friends. Thanks everyone for your continued love and support through the years. It means the world. I can't wait for the next 50 years and more!

I Brandt David Booram make this vow to you Laura Suzanne Umbaugh. No matter what trials befall us. No matter where God leads us. No matter how hard our marriage becomes. I will strive with all the strength in my body and soul, to love you the way God loves you. I will never forget that you are perfect and wonderfully made, and that delighting in you is delighting in my God. I will adore you for being the captivating woman that God has made you, is making you, and will make you. To you I give my heart for all time.

I Laura Suzanne Umbaugh make this vow to you Brandt David Booram. No matter what trials befall us. No matter where God leads us. No matter how hard our marriage becomes. I promise to strive to love you passionately, encourage you continually and support you unceasingly. I will work to always remember that you are uniquely and specifically made in God’s image. I will continue to take shelter in the strength and passion that God has given you. To you I give my heart for all time.