TOOOO Cute

Sorry this is a late entry of Braden's easter pictures. He is way toooooo cute for words.

Prayers are needed

Please link on to the following web site http://spaces.msn.com/jennmillerblog/blog/ this little girl is needing some prayers fast. She is fighting for her life as I type this. I know that we ask so much of Braden's supporters but we need this little girl to have the healing touch of God. So please just when you can link on say a little prayer and keep her family in your heart.

Baby Audrey

Day Care

Have you ever wondered what your kids do at daycare when you are not there? Well Amber, who is John's mom, went home to peek in on the boys and this is what she saw...........

Tristen, Braden, Sam and John

want to see more??? keep looking

What are you reading?

Braden and Sam

Come on we can over take this place.......

John and Braden

Trying to Escape

Busted

As you know, Braden's Team participated in Walk America 2006 for The March of Dimes. We met very early on Saturday morning even though it was misty and drizzling. We got to White Rock Lake and got ready for our walk. We set off and found a good pace. There were various turn around points on the walk. One turn around point would have been a 4-mile walk, the second turn around point would have been a 7-mile walk, and the final turn around point was a 10 mile walk. Braden's team had some walkers in each range. We walked a total of 182 miles all together. But we all ended up at the family tent at about the same time. Then we enjoyed the nice lunch that was provided for the family teams. The weather was typically Texas that day - it went from drizzly to sunny to pouring rain in the span of 3 hours. But we were all happy to be there together. We saw many family teams and corporate teams all walking together for this wonderful cause. Together we raised $2,380 for Braden's Team! This could not have been done without the help and support of our friends and families. Thank you for always showing just how loving and considerate you are. Thank you for walking and working for Braden's Team. WE DID IT! :)

Please see the attached pictures of the Braden's Team!!!

Braden's Team

Walking, talking and clapping

There was lost of talking going on but mostly encouragement that we could make it and Annie sure did her part.

Backs

We all had signs on our back of before and after pictures of Braden. Just to give people an idea of who they are walking for.

HERE WE GOOOOOO

Walking Proud

Chris and Melissa hold up the teams banner.

Tristen

Tristen, Braden's buddy, ready to get pushed around the lake.

John

This is John, Braden's Buddy, and he was ready to get the walk going. Well more like stroll for him.

The Reason we walked

Aunt Connie and Braden doing what they do best!!

Connie and Braden were having a nice quite afternoon on one of the many days that they go get Braden early from Daycare!!

MY COOKIE

Braden was making it very clear that we are not to touch his cookie.

Jackson and Jonathan

We had a scavenger hunt for the boys to find their baskets. They were very happy to find all the good stuff.

Braden with his 1st Easter Basket

Look at those feet!!!!!

FULL????

Braden got really full after the second or third round not sure not how many servings he had.

Shells and CHEESE!!!!!!

Braden eating his first round of shells and cheese.

Daddy help me

Braden looking up at Steve hoping he would save him from this hair cut.

First Hair Cut

Braden getting his first hair cut from MoMo on Easter Sunday. We had to give him a cookie to keep him calm for this, you can see that all over his face.

What's this?

Braden was trying to figure out what was making the noise inside the egg!

Where oh Where can those eggs BE?

Cousins Jackson and Jonathan join in the fun!!

Hunting for Easter Eggs!!

Mommy and Braden hunting for Easter eggs........this one has money in it!!!

Happy Easter-Results of CT Scan-Hair Cut & TEETH

I think that we need to start with the best news we've had in a long time. We had Braden's CT-Scan Thursday and the results were great! Braden's surgeon, Dr. Weprin told us that results from this scan were extremely better than any from the past. The shunt is doing it's job and the brain is developing normally. There is some still some minor scar tissue, but he did not seem overly concerned with it. Dr.Weprin was elated and couldn't wait to tell us the news. He seemed almost as pleased as we were, although we doubt that is possible, but you could tell it meant a lot to him. This says a lot about him as a Doctor and a person. We will be forever indebted to him and his staff. So thanks for all the prayers and well wishes - THEY WORKED! The power of prayer is truely amazing and we are very blessed!

Oh yeah, and HAPPY EASTER!!!! What a difference this year was. Last year we celebrated Easter at Baylor Hospital and spent most of the day staring at Braden through plastic. NOT this year. Braden started his Easter weekend with a day out with mom and dad. We went to McKinney Trade Days and had so much fun. Braden slept for most of that but we still had a good time just walking around and enjoying the morning. After that we ran some errands including Braden's first trip to HOME DEPOT. We bought some stuff for the yard and for the grill for our Easter cook out. Steve then took Braden and me to Jason's Deli for lunch. WOW Braden ate so much. He had a little bit of everything and enjoyed it all. I think his tummy hurt just a little bit but he took a good nap after all that food. Aunt Clara came by for a sleep over with Braden, so that Steve and I could get prepared for Sunday.

On Easter, MoMo and PoPo were the first to arrive. We had to get the yard prepared for the kid's Egg and Scavenger hunt. Grandma Lynda soon arrived followed by the Havis family and uncle Leroy. The kids had a great time. It was really fun to see them out side and enjoyng the sun. After the hunt it was time to start cooking. The guys fired up the grill and the food went on. We had SOOOOOOOOOO much food - steaks, chicken, sausage, hot dogs, hot links, beef ribs, potato salad, corn on the cob, and a wonderful spinach dip that Connie made. We all ate so much that everyone was pretty much useless after that.

After we settled in it was time for MoMo to give Braden his first hair cut. We had been putting it off, but his fly away curls were getting out of hand on the sides. So we wet the hair gave him a cookie and MoMo got the the scissors. He did ok for a few minutes until he realized that someone was messing with him. But he got a trim and we were able to save his first locks.

More good news (kindof?) - Braden cut his first two teeth. His bottom middle teeth are just starting to peek though. He gets uncomfortable at times, but has done well with it. So watch out, if you feed him you might get a bite. Braden is also standing more by himself and crawling everywhere. So we finally are starting to feel like we can take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy having a baby in the house. Thanks for continuing to share our experiences and we plan on having many, many more - so feel free to join us or check back in at any time!! We will post pictures soon.

CT Scan

Thursday April, 13th Braden will have a CT Scan done at Children's Medical Center. This CT Scan is VERY important. If we get good results like we did in December we will not have to have another CT Scan or MRI for at least a year. And that makes us feel so good knowing that things are working the way it should be. Braden is doing so well that we will be really surprised if something is wrong. But like always we will take whatever news we get and we will make sure that Braden gets whatever treatment he needs. If we get news that everything is great then we will feel like we have done all we could to get him to this point. We will post results as soon as we can.

On another note Braden will not have to see his lung doctor until July or August. I know to some people that seems like only a few months but for us a few months with one less Doctor to see is like a year. Braden made it through RSV season and now we just wait and see if we will have to do shots again for this years round.

Thanks for checking on us.

Going AWAY

Steve and I are going away for the weekend!!!!! This will be our first trip alone since May 2004!!! We are very excited to go and relax and enjoy time with each other BUT we will miss Braden like crazy. This weekend leads into our 2 year Wedding Annivasery. So what a good time to go. Braden will be staying with MoMo and PoPo for part of the evenings on Friday then he will go to Aunt Connie and Uncle Chris' house where he will have a sleep over with cousins Jackson and Jonathan. Saturday morning Uncle Junior will be in town for NASCAR so Braden will be spending family day in Denton. Saturday mid afternoon he and Aunt Clara will make their way back to McKinney where they along with MoMo and PoPo will spend the night and await our arrival on Sunday afternoon sometime. Braden will have to go through detox when we get home I am sure of that but well worth it. Braden will be in good hands so that will make it a little easier for us to relax this weekend.

As for our plans we are headed towards Waco. Steve really wants to go to the Dr.Pepper museum and go to Cameron Park. There are some really neat little towns around there so I am sure that we will venture out some and just drive. More like a road trip and just see what we can see. We do not want to go away to far just in case something comes up with Braden.

We are getting ready for Easter. I am sure that we will have family over and have a great time. We will be sure to get pictures up as soon as we can.

Braden is crawling now and he is pulling up on everything . I am thinking that Braden will be walking in no time at all. He is very mobile now and gets into everything. He is really a joy to watch and to see him discover something new is the best feeling ever. His eyes lights up and you can tell that he is very excited about what he just learned.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Family Day

Saturday was the perfect day! Steve and I took Braden out for day of fun in the sun!! We started the day by making sure that Braden got a good nap in the morning and then off we went. We picked up Aunt Clara in Plano and headed for the Farmers Market in Downtown Dallas. We had lunch at this Mexican restaurant that is in the middle of the market and lets just say that Braden will have no problems with his tummy when eating Mexican food. He had a little of everything. Then we head off to the Dallas Arboretum. WOW what a beautiful place. I must say that if you live in the Dallas Fort Worth Area or come to visit YOU must go there. What a magical place. You just feel a calm come about you and you feel so relax. This place had areas of open space where people can picnic or read books or just lay down and relax. Brides were there taking Bridal pictures and the best thing about it is that no one bothers you. People are there to relax and enjoy the flowers and trees and the water. It opens up to Whiterock Lake, where we are doing the March of Dimes Walk American April 29th, and WOW what a view. We took so many pictures but thought that we would share the best of what we think we got. We hope you look at all 10 of them they are really worth it. Thanks for checking in on us........................


Braden and Aunt Clara discussing the day!

ONE more thing.....GOOD LUCK to Jonathan, Braden's cousin, who will be at the district science fair this saturday!!!!

The Bunger Family

Picture Perfect

The picture speaks for it's self!!

Touch

Braden is touching everything now and learing differnt textures. He loved the feel of the tulips bulbs. Look at that little fat hand!!!

Shoulder rides already

Steve is carring Braden on his shoulders as we walk through this walk way full of tress that have yet to see there leaves but what a scene.

Steve & Annie

Steve & Annie enjoying eachother and the beautiful day!!!

Posing

Braden took time to pose for Aunt Clara for this picture.

Annie & Braden

Annie & Braden looking at the tulips. Tulips are Annie's favorite flower so she was in heaven with her son and a park full of tulips. Braden said "Mama" for the first time on Sunday, Annie could not be happier about that.

Reaching

Braden enjoyed beign pushed around the park and when he would see something he would reach out for it.

Grass???

Braden was loving the grass. He was a little unsure of it at first but that grass was so soft to the touch that he could not get enough of it. LOOK AT THOSE FEET!!!!

Steve & Braden

Steve and Braden at a creekside. There was a little bench by the creek and just listened to the water it was very relaxing.

Happy Birthday........

Happy Birthday to Braden's Uncle Leroy!!!

We hope that you have a great day!!!!

We took Braden this weekend to the Dallas Arboretum and he had the best time. As soon as we get the pictures ready we will post them, so check back in a few days.

With our Deepest Sympathy

This morning when I took Braden to day care, I was greeted my Grandma Shirley just like every morning. But this morning there was a different look on her face. On top of the fact that Grandpa Gary is in the Hospital, we found out that Melissa Dolan's mother passed away last night. Melissa is a neighbor to the Parks family and is truly more of a family member to them and to all of us. Her mom was an amazing woman who loved life and her family more than we will ever know. You can see her beautiful soul in Melissa.

Melissa is the person behind the fundraiser for the March of Dimes at Taco Cabana in Denton. She did all the leg work for us and gave so much of her time for this fundraiser. We are so grateful and happy to have her in our life. At this time we feel that we need to make sure the the Dolan family feels the same support from us as they have shown us. We will pray that The Dolan family will get through this time with help of family and friends and the touch of God's hands on their hearts.

Grandpa Gary will be fine. We are hoping that he will released from the hospital today or tomorrow. We will pray that he will continue to recover quickly.

Thank you for keeping them in your hearts and in your prayers.

Can anyone believe it? Braden was born a year ago today!!! Steve and I can not believe all that went on day to day for the last year and look at him now. Almost 18 pounds over 27 inches long and still growing. We have so much to be thankful for and where do we start? Who do we start with? Our family? Friends? Staff at Baylor? Where? If God had not been with our little Braden this entire time, I am not sure where we would be. If God had not given the staff at Baylor the knowledge to help Braden, if we didn't have the support of family and friends, where would we be? We thank everyone for the interest and support, we couldn't have made it through this ordeal without it.

Well our little boy is a year old and we couldn't be prouder parents. BRADEN IS A YEAR OLD we could just scream that all day long!!!!! Steve and I decided to both take off work to spend time with Braden. Several family members are planning on coming up that day to spend time with the Braden.

We had a small family birthday party for Braden on Saturday the 25th which turned out great. Braden got a new walker and playpen. He received some new clothes and a instrument called Walking Wings to help him learn balance while trying to walk. He has received wonderful gifts from family & friends from toys, to Texas Longhorns outfits, to new car seats, everything we could hope for.

Braden will have another small birthday party at his daycare with his buddies: John, Sam, & Tristen. Amber, Johns mommy, is going to make Braden a homemade cake suitable for little babies!!!!!!!! We are going to serve the boys their favorite baby foods while the adults have some good pork chops cooked on the grill. Braden also gets his 1 year checkup on Thursday, so the only downer is he will be going to the party shortly after getting some shots. He is so resiliant, he handles his shots well.

Well we will leave you know with just a big THANK YOU for putting up with our happiness, sadness, forgetfullness, moods, tears, heartache, joy, love and finally CELEBRATION for a very challenging first year that turned out to be more than worth it!!!

Bathtime

Sitting Up

Here are a few pictures of the soon to be 1 year old sitting up on his own.

What a face!!

We took this picture after a feeding of sweet potatoes you can see some leftovers on this adorable face.

It's A Boy!!

A year ago today Steve and I found out that we were having a boy. We gave him the name Braden Wayne Bunger. We had the appointment at 1:30 p.m. and were very excited to call and tell everyone. We left the appointment and I looked at Steve's face and he had the best smile on his face,I knew he was very proud and happy to know he was having a son. We would have been happy either way. We get to the car and the first person we call is Grandbob. After all they have the same initials. He was very happy. We told family and friends all night that night and we both went to bed very happy.

The next day I got to work and my co-workers/dear friends Kim Mankin and Jan Hill had decorated my office with blue stuff and papers with his name on it and gave me presents. It was great.

Here is a picture of Braden that we got a year ago today. WOW this kid of ours is something else.