John

This is John, Braden's day care buddy, at Tristan's first birthday party. These boys have all grown so much.

PaPa time

This is Gary, a.k.a. PaPa he takes care of Braden everyday with his wife Shirley. We were at Tristan's first birthday and Braden had to take control of him. He stayed like that for about 20 minutes. That is his favorite place to be.

Cool

Braden loving the cool breeze we got over the weekend. He is so tall you can see in this picture. Love the PJ's?

Daddy time

Bath time is daddy time for Braden . Steve and Braden have the best time and water seems to be everywhere when they are done. Sounds like to much fun for mom to be in there.

Bath time

That smile would melt anyone's heart!!

WHAT A DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AUNT CONNIE!!!!! She is ?? Today

Happy Grandparents Day to ALL of Braden's grandparents today!!! He is so blessed to have you all in his life!!!!

We celebrated the events last night with my family and steve's mom at our place. We had way to much food and a great soccer cake. YES a soccer cake.............Saturday was JoJo's 1st soccer game and they did a great job. They did not win but the whole team did a great job and the family was there to cheer to them on!!!!! WAY TO GO JOJO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we are taking Braden to the park with his cousins for the 1st time. IT will be very exciting to see him at the park. I will report all the good details later.

This weekend was a great time and we had many things to be thankful for. We look forward to many more wonderful weekends.

Check back for pictures!!!

The SUN

Braden was at the Carters outlet shop in Allen a few weeks ago with Aunt Clara, Mom & Dad and we got this pictures with the sun just peaking behind him. He does not look real happy with any of us.

Braden & Jonathan

Braden LOVES his cousin Jonathan that he can even call him by his nickname "JoJo", he started to say it one evening and has not stopped.

Braden & Jackson

Braden LOVES his cousin Jackson. Some people in the family think that Braden looks like Jackson when he was a baby.

Best place to be

Braden loves to snuggle up with his Uncle Chris.

Once again.......

Braden is 18 months today!!! Happy 18 months to my BIG BOY!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Braden's great grandfather in Hereford Texas!!!!!!!

School has started and the weather will hopefully change soon and fall will begin. Braden went to his lung doctor on Friday Aug. 25th and we got the news that Braden will have to have synagis again this fall/winter. He will have his first shot in Oct. and end sometime April or May. These shots will help to prevent RSV which we all know can be very bad for Braden. The Dr. feels that as well as Braden is doing one more round will keep him on the pace that he is now and not fall back any. So we will be doing the same stuff we did last winter. We will not be out as much with Braden, we will not take him to crowded place and NO SICK PEOPLE!! If you feel that you are sick please know that we will understand if you do not come over to visit. We have to do what is best for Braden. I was very upset to hear this news, I just cried over the fact that he was going to have to do that again. I know that he will not remember but I do and I think that he has been through so much what else can he go through. But my Braden is strong and he will get over this and we will move on and he will be fine. I on the other hand will smile and go on and then cry in the closet like every good Mom does, to show no fear.

We are very excited Braden's cousin Jonathan is playing soccer this year. He is on a team called the Rockets and there first game in sometime early September. So Braden will get to see at least a few games before RSV starts. Chris is helping the team get ready and hope that they have a great year.

The Miller Family in Frisco still needs prayers for Audrey. She was in the hospital last week and our hearts break for that family. Jenn please know that if you need anything call us. It takes special people to care for a special needs baby but it takes friends to take care of the parents. So call if you need us and we will be praying for you! To see more on the Miller family go to http://jennmillerblog.spaces.live.com/

Kedroski's Texas welcomes you back!!!

Landon Jax Crowley WELCOME !!! Landon is the grandson of my friend Jan Hill. He was born on Tuesday Aug. 22 8 pounds 4 ounces. Everyone is doing great and he is a doll. Lots of love to you!!!

Braden is talking up a storm some of his words are "WOW" "Uhh Ohh" "Wal-Mart" "Clara" "pamper" "Jo Jo" and "touchdown" now they are not that clear but you get the point of what he is saying. If you point to food or want him to eat if you say "MMMMM" he will say it too. I love to see him learn new things it just makes me smile every time.

We will post some pictures soon so check back!!!!

Too CUTE

Look at this boy I mean there is nothing but CUTE written all over that face.

Family of Year

The Havis Family in the parade!

HUGS

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Shirly wants hugs from Braden! So the driver of the truck stops so that Braden could go up to them and see them. Can we say "spoiled"!!!

Having fun with Dad

Steve and Braden having a good time at the parade.

Braden

Braden giving his MoMo a big smile at the parade in Denton!

A year ago..............

A year ago today I took Braden to his first day of daycare. WOW a year!!!! He has grown so much from that first day and that comes from good care from Shirley and Gary. We are so blessed to have them watching over Braden everyday. Amber and Shannon Parks opened their home to Braden and it has been the best place for him to grow. John, Sam and Tristan have all become such a big part of our lives that seeing them everyday just makes my day!!!

Here is a picture of Braden on his first day of day care a year ago today

Braden NOW

So much stuff.......

Braden has had his glasses for a while now and is doing pretty well with them. He will wear them about 3 to 4 hours and then when it is time to sleep they come off. We are very proud of him he is such a big boy. We went to the cardiology on Friday July 28th, and got great news. Dr. Clapp said that she "NEVER" wants to see Braden again. "never" I say as I look at her in a uncertain way and she looked right at me and said "Braden is doing amazing, I never want to see him again." I heard that all day in my head word for work and trying it now I am just smiling. To hear that we are slowly getting out of the woods makes us feel so good.

Braden weighed in at 22.5 pounds and 30 and half inches long at her office. She said that most babies born at 24 weeks that survive that she sees have serious problems and have to have very special care, and she was surprised to see how well Braden was. Of course while she is bragging on the boy, he is walking around the room with just a pamper on and yelling "blah blah blah!" It was very good to get a good report. Of course if any of Braden's Doctor's have any heart concerns we will go back and see her but for now we are checking her off the list of Doctor's to see every year. YEAH BRADEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


That same day we took Braden to Baylor to see some of his nurses, they were so surprised to see him. One of his Doctor's from the NICU was there and could not believe that was Braden. They all came to see him walk and just stare at what once was a maybe and then turned out to be a YES he will make it. As we were getting ready to leave the Doctor looked at us and said "you all have done a great job with him" I quickly said "NO you all did it we just took over." I wanted to cry. We will forever be thankful to the whole staff at Baylor.

The next day we went to a parade where my sister and her family were in for the Family of Year for Denton County and had a great time. Grandma Shirley and Pawpaw Gary were in the parade as well and Braden was happy to see them too. We got some great pictures that we will post as soon as we can get them all together.

We are all doing great other then that. We are working and just making each day count. Steve and I are planning on getting out of the house for a date night on Saturday, Aunt Clara will stay to watch Braden. We hope we can make it out it has been a while since we have gotten dressed up and out of the house alone.

Just wanted to say to the Miller Family in Frisco we are thinking about you and Sweet baby Audrey you keep on fighting prove those doctor's wrong it will make your parents happy to hear them say WOW she looks great.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRANDMA LYNDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be seeing her for dinner tonight.

Thanks for checking in on us. Pictures soon!!!!

THE GLASSES

We finally got Braden's glasses!! Here are a few pictures of him in them last night. He is just in a pamper and if you live anywhere in Texas you will understand why!

Braden in his glasses

We took Braden today to get fitted for his glasses. The did not have the color that we wanted or the right size so we will get them next saturday. Here are a few pictures of the style that he will wear.

Another answered prayer

Audrey went home!!!!!!!!!! To my surprise I look at her blog and see that she went home Monday June 3rd. We are so happy for her and her WHOLE family. Many people have been praying for her and we are so happy to prove that prayers work. To see pictures of that sweet girl go to http://spaces.msn.com/jennmillerblog/

First Ear Infection

Braden has been really fussy the last few days and last night I said enough I am taking him to the Doctor. So this morning MoMo and I took him to see Dr. Day and we have our first ear infection! We are really surprised that it took us 15 months to get one we are not happy he is not feeling good but happy that his body has been able to fight it off this long. So we have some medicine and hopefully we can get him through this quick!!

Braden's Eye Appointment

Well we took Braden for a second opinion on him having to get glasses and it looks like he will have to get them. We have called all over the metro plex for these special glasses and we found a place in Plano Dallas Youth Optical. We will go July 8th at 10:00 a.m. We will post pictures as soon as we can. Thanks for checking.

A year later......

A year ago today Steve and I got to be come parents. We finally got to walk out of Baylor with Braden. What a feeling that was to walk out of the doors and not feel like you are leaving your heart up on the 7th floor NICU. We were so happy that day and we cried tears of joy when we got him the car. Aunt Clara came to drive us home so that Steve and I would not fight about who got to sit with him in the back. Leigh one of Braden's nurses was our discharge nurse and we loved her like she was one of us. So it really meant a lot to us when she cried when we left with Braden. But I am sure that all the nurse feel that way when one of there babies leave, they are HAPPY!! So we get home and not a few hours later any family member that was within an hour drive was at hour house. It is weird to think that Braden has been with us a year today. I remember driving away from Baylor and looking back at it from the window and thinking there are still babies in there, and I want so bad for other parents to feel the way I felt taking my baby HOME!!

What a difference a year makes. Braden is walking, and talking, and doing more things all on his own . He is almost 22 pounds and 30 inches tall. We are so blessed to have Braden. He was well taken care of at Baylor and we would have not had him anywhere else. But this day was the day that I said BYE BAYLOR and ran out the doors with my baby!!!!!! We have gone back a few times to see the family that took such good care of Braden!! We will always have a special place for the staff at Baylor. Thanks to all of you who helped us get to this point your prayers and support have been amazing!!!

Well check back all summer long we are sure to have some great pictures for you all to see.......


Last family picture taken at Baylor,on the day we took him home one year ago today!!!



The Bunger family now!!!

TODAY

A year ago today Steve and I went to Baylor for the last time. This was the day that they wanted us to come and do what they call a "sleep in" where we stayed in a little room off the NICU just the 3 of us. For the first time it was just us 3. The purpose of this was to see if Braden could make it through the night with his very scared parents. We all did just fine. I woke up this morning to get ready for work and I looked at Braden sleeping in his crib just as sweet as can be. I thought of this day a year ago and I just can not believe it is here. I can remember sitting at Baylor that night thinking in one year I will be holding him at home rocking him to sleep and it is here. The second part of your journey with Braden was about to begin the very next day!!!!!

Happy Birthday Braden??

Yes you are reading that right!! Today is Braden's birthday "B". Today was he due date, that back in Feb. Of 2005 they wanted me to TRY to get to. Well we are very excited at how well Braden is doing he is growing so much. He is over 21 pounds and almost 30 inches tall. He is going to be tall like Steve. So happy birthday Braden we all love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy...Happy Fathers Day Dad

Tomorrow is my mommy's birthday. She keeps telling me that when I can talk and people ask how old she is to say she is 25!! So mommy is 25 on June 17th. I am spending the night with MoMo, PoPo, Aunt Connie, Uncle Chris and my cool cousins Jackson and Jonathan, so that dad can take mommy out for dinner and shopping tonight. We will all get together on Saturday for her Birthday and to celebrate Fathers Day!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL YOU DADS OUT THERE.

So I hope that mommy has a good birthday she deserves it. I Love you Mommy.

Love Braden

Now on to Fathers Day...........Happy Fathers Day, Dad!! I am so lucky to have you as a dad. You take good care of mommy and me. I hope that you have a great day!! I love you Dad!!!

Love Braden On June 17, last year mommy and daddy moved into our new house......I was still at Baylor but little did they know I would be home in a few days!!!! So happy 1 year birthday to us in our house!!!

Happy Birthday PoPo

Happy Birthday to PoPo!!!! June 11th was PoPo's birthday and we had a nice lunch for him in Denton. He is still going strong and still very much the life of the PARTY!!!!!!

Walking and pointing

Braden walking and showing his age "1"

Braden and the BELLY

This is Braden at the back door at Gramy and Grandbob's house!!!! Look at that belly.....

Gran & Aunt Hope

This Gran sitting the bar stool and her sister Aunt Hope sitting in the chair. This is Gramy's mom and Aunt. They both had the best time watching the kids play. The two people on the floor are the neighbors and there son Beck he is 8 months old.

Henry

This Braden's cousin Henry and you can see the back and arm of his older sister Kate. We had a great time with them in Memphis TN.

Braden & John

John's 1st birthday party!!!!!!

Memphis and Back

Well we made it!!! Braden, Steve and I got in the car on Wednesday May 31st and headed for Memphis TN. Braden did a great job in the car. He loved being able to look outside and see so many new things. As it got darker the closer we got to Memphis, he loved to see the big trucks with all the lights on them, that was his favorite part of the trip. We got to Gramy and Grandbob's house around 9:00 p.m. and Braden was ready to put on a show for them. I know he was tired but he still made a very good impression on his arrival. The trip was great we had a play date with Braden's cousin's Kate who is 3 and Henry who is 10 months. They had a great time, Libby their mom was brave to let them take over the house. Saturday night the WHOLE family came over and we had a fijita party. What a BLAST we had. Eating and drinking and just talking it was so much fun I could do it all over again tonight if it could happen......... Sunday morning we got up and start to pack to head home we got on the road around 11:30 or so and we were home by 7:30!!! Good driving Steve!!!!!!! Got home and we got ready for the next day and we were all in bed by 9:30.. THANK YOU to all our family in Memphis we had such a good time and we hope to see you in November. If all goes well with Braden of course. Not sure we will get in the car anytime soon with Braden on a long trip. It really took a lot out of him so we will have a while before we make that trip back to Tennessee. We will get some pictures up as soon as we get them downloaded. Thanks for checking in on us!!!

One more thing, will you please say and extra prayer for some friends of mine Dave and Amy. She is in the hospital doing what she can to keep their sweet baby girl in from entering this worlds to early. They are hoping she will last for at least 3 more weeks!!! We are praying for you guys everyday and we wish you the best!!!!!!

School Ending, Summer starts, 1st Family Vacation

Well it is that time of year again where kids are more excited about going to school because they know that there is an end in sight. I know that my nephews are very excited to be done with this school year as well as their parents, Connie & Chris. Mom is ready to relax this summer and I am pretty sure that most of that relaxing will have to do with a little boy about 22 pounds, just started walking and ready to eat!! This summer will be fun for the both of them. He will still go to day care but I have a good feeling that most days will just be half days.

With end of school starts summer break for most people. And Texas is already HOT HOT HOT! This past weekend was well into the 90's and steamy. Nothing like some good old Texas heat to make you want to get in pool grab some ice tea and sit outside with family and friends. Or for some people it is a sign to go to cool places. Many things are going on this Summer for us. Braden will have his 2nd birthday on June 20th his original due date. We have Father's Day, My birthday, PoPo's birthday, our 1 year birthday of being in our house, 4th of July and just good old family BBQ's. Aunt Connie has a pool at her house so I am pretty sure that we will spending a lot of time at her house this summer. Braden loves the water so that will be a lot of fun. So bring on heat, the sun screen and lets have a nice summer!

Along with summer comes VACATIONS and the Bunger family is going to take their first family trip!!!! That is right we are going to venture a trip with Braden. We are excited and nervous all at the same time. I know that Braden will do great but still have to worry about the sitting in a car seat for 7 to 8 hours. We plan to stop and let him get out and move those legs but I am sure we will have our moments. So wish us luck as we venture out.

So we wish everyone a Happy End to a School Year, and a very happy summer break.
Look back to see pictures of Braden though out the summer!!!

Mad Face

This was taken at the Cinco de Mayo parade when Aunt Clara took away his pacifier.

Happy Mothers Day

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL YOU MOMS OUT THERE!!!!! Being a mom is tough but nothing get you ready for a day in the NICU on Mothers day. Last year was my 1st Mothers day and I was in the NICU starring at Braden through plastic and praying that his surgery would be a success. This time last year Braden was going to have his first shunt surgery and May 16th was the day!!!!! My mothers day was spent at Baylor with that wonderful food that we can not forget to soon. My WHOLE family came to spend the day with me which was a blessing for me. I would have never left the NICU if they had not shown up like many days I had done just that.

BUT this year has been great. Steve had to work today so yesterday we went OUT!!!!! We went to the Dallas Farmers Market I LOVE that place and bought all the fruit and veggies I could eat in about a week. Then we went and look at some furniture . Steve has been wanting an entertainment center and we had been eyeing this piece downtown....WELL we talked to guy and made some offers but told him we would have to think about it. We then headed to Plano for lunch at Black Eyed Pea and then a trip to Barnes and Nobles. On the way home we talked about the entertainment center and guess what..............................It is in my living room!!!! We have been piecing our house together room by room and trying to get the stuff we want and not just settle so that we can have furniture in our home. Steve and I are very happy with it but I think Braden likes it more. He walks around it holding on to the knobs and handles. It is very cute. We watched the Mavs win over San Antonio and then off to bed. This morning I got up and Braden and I came to Denton where I had breakfast with mom , dad and sister Clara and then had lunch with MoMo, PoPo Connie, Chris, Jackson, Jonathan and my brother Leroy.

We had a very nice by and can not wait for another year to go by so that I can share more of my high lights of being mom till then I will leave with these 5:

5: Seeing Braden sleep
4: Hearing him call Steve "Dada"
3: Seeing him smile when he sees me
2: Seeing him trying to walk
1: Rocking him to sleep at the end of everyday!!!!!!


WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
Braden's Uncle Junior in Galveston TX May 15th
Braden's Gramy in Memphis TN May 16th
Braden's Greatgrandmother in Hereford TX May 16th

And HE WALKS

Yes Braden took his first steps on Tuesday!!!!! Shirley and Gary got to see it. I was kinda sad that I missed it but hey I have to work to be able to afford that kid. But I am so happy that people who care for him got to share that moment with him. That made me feel really good. So Amber calls me and is like "B is walking" I was like "WHAT and I MISSED IT!" Everyone was so happy and I could not be happier about it. It makes Steve and I feel like all that we have gone through with Braden the little milestones like this make it all worth it and then some...................As soon as we get some pictures of the newest 2 legged creature I will post them......Thanks for checking

Power of Prayer

Just wanted to let you all know that Audrey surgery this morning to reconstruct al her organs back into place and things are starting to look very well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were able to get the organs in place they did not have to use a patch on her diaphragm and the best news ever...........SHE HAS A LEFT LUNG......................... It is small but functional to grow. The power of prayer is alive and we must all take note at these little miracles that are running around in our crazy world. I called a friend of mine to share the news and she has had a pretty bad day and this news of a baby that she has never meet just touched her to the point to where her day is 100 times better. Audrey you sweet baby girl you have no idea how much you mean to so many people. Thank you Jen and Nate for sharing her will all of us.

Now like with NICU babies she is still not out of the woods yet. She still has a lot to over come but it looks a little brighter now. I know that when Braden came out of his surgery we felt a sense of peace, relief, and uneasy all at the same time. Uneasy because of the unknown after the surgery. But like Braden, Audrey is a fighter and she will prove them all wrong. And we will once again have proof that the power of prayer is like no other.

To follow Audrey please visit http://spaces.msn.com/jennmillerblog/

i am sure her family would love to hear from you..............

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