RIIIIIGHT…  But if there’s a way to reference Star Wars, I’ll do it!  (By the way.. did you know the original title for the movie was REVENGE of the Jedi? Yes.. I’m a nerd..)

To those who’ve been so wonderful to me and have been reading my random ramblings here, I’m so sorry I’ve neglected this site.. and I’ll try to do a much better job.  I can’t tell you how honored I am that you check in and check out my blog!

Since my last post, I returned to work, my baby has grown so much!, and we’ve slowly started to figure out a new, wonderful routine.   It’s been great to be back at work.  I truly love what I do–I love telling stories, WRITING stories, meeting people and getting to share information with people every night.  I’m a mother, and a wife, but I’m also a journalist–and it’s so fulfilling to be able to say my “job” is doing something I enjoy so much.  Things have changed though.. my Easton is ALWAYS on my mind–I miss him terribly during the day, and he’s made me view everything differently.  I look at things as a ‘parent’–and whether it’s a story about a toy recall or a child’s injury or death, I have a completely new perspective.  For example, we had a story from Joplin, Missouri after the tornado, and the reporter described how the twister literally pulled a toddler out of her parents arms and the family still didn’t know what had happened to her.  I laid in bed that night just thinking of those people… and my heart broke for them.  I don’t think I’d be able to go on without my family.

There’ve been great moments, too–telling stories.

CLICK HERE for an exclusive look behind the scenes at TD Ameritrade Park, the new home of the College Word Series

CLICK HERE to learn about the Omaha volunteers who headed to Joplin after this spring’s massive tornado

CLICK HERE to meet Evan Sharp, an INCREDIBLE young man bravely fighting cancer, inspiring everyone around him

At home, things are WONDERFUL.  I’d often heard it before our son was born, but it’s incredible how much LOVE you can feel for someone.  Easton is growing everyday–I swear, I come home sometimes and know he got bigger since I left that afternoon!  This week, he rolled over for the first time and it was just EXHILERATING!! Every milestone, every smile, makes every moment perfect 🙂

A few notes from the ‘unsolicited advice’ files.. if you are an expectant parent, two books I can’t recommend enough:  Baby 411 and Sleeping Through The Night.  Baby 411 could also be titled Cliffs Notes For Raising a Child… it covers every category you can think of in a comprehensive, yet easy to understand way.  Sleeping Through The Night… enough said 🙂  But if you’re WEAK like me and can’t handle hearing your baby cry, it provides a good middle-of-the-road strategy to help your child sleep without sitting outside his/her room crying yourself 🙂

Thanks for your patience during my blogging sabbatical.. I hope your summer is starting off great 🙂  And ENJOY THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES!!  Best of luck to the eight teams coming to Omaha hoping to leave champions 🙂

As a professional, unbiased journalist, I can state with certainty, as fact, that our baby is the cutest child in the history of children.  🙂  Here are a few photos from Easton’s first ‘photo shoot’, courtesy of Photography by CB, and my friend Cathy Beeler.

I know what you’re thinking.. but we’ve decided to hold off on the baby modeling for a few more years.  Baby Vogue will just have to wait! 🙂

WHAT IS EASTON THINKING TODAY?

A)  “I am such a stud.  Handsome, witty.. I bet you ARE thinking “I-rish I could kiss him!”

B)  “What a beautiful day outside, perfect for Irish folks like me to celebrate our heritage!”

C)  “Wow… my mom’s the greatest..” 🙂

OR…..

D)  “Mom.  Seriously.  I don’t care what day it is.  Neon green pants are NEVER cool.”

(OF COURSE, I completely disagree–when you’re this cute, everything is fashionable :))

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!

Tonight, my friend and coworker, Rob McCartney, will receive a huge honor: he’s the next Face on the Barroom Floor at the Omaha Press Club!

Way to go, Rob!!

CLICK HERE to learn more about this very special honor!

One of the questions I am asked most frequently about my job is “do you guys all really get along?” I always laugh and respond yes!  Rob is an INCREDIBLE journalist–he’s always pushing to find out a little bit more or to make his story a little bit better–he never sits back, he never mails it in, he never does anything halfway.   Rob is known to edit his own stories, or to stay until 3 am to make a piece as good as it can be.  His personality on air and his talent as a journalist have made him a household name in the Omaha area.

BUT.. there’s so much more to Rob than what you see on TV.  He is our newsroom leader not just because of his role as anchor.. but because of how he treats other people and his attitude in the newsroom.  There’s not ONE PERSON on our team who doesn’t like Rob and respect him.  He’s kind, funny and he always takes time for everyone whether they have a question about how to make their story better or if they just need a friend to talk to.

Tonight’s honor is well deserved for a longtime newsman and just a really good guy.  Congratulations, Rob!!

Hello!

In just a few days, Easton will be 6 weeks old.  6 WEEKS!?! Where has the time gone!  He’s now much more alert during the day.. he keeps his beautiful blue eyes open longer, makes eye contact with us, and often ‘talks’ to himself in his swing (aka.. he grunts 🙂 It’s so cute!)

It’ll be wonderful to see what happens next.. we are anxiously awaiting that first smile for his Momma and Daddy and every other milestone that comes after.  And when he’s ready, he’ll have a big group of friends waiting to play with him!

I’m one of the last ladies in my group of friends to have a baby.  Everyone’s kids are very close in age, and in a few years, it’ll be wonderful to get all of the tots together and let them run loose! 

EASTON’S PALS

Nathan, 20 months

Noah, 4 and Jack, 15 months

Ashton, 14 months

Ashton, 6 and Hudson, almost 3

Ashley, 5 * Owen, 4 * Aidan, 4

Shelby, 8 months

Coen, 4 months

Leah, 7 months

And just this week, I found out one of my best friends is ALSO expecting her first child 🙂  Congratulations, Cassie!  And welcome to a full and absolutely WONDERFUL club 🙂

Last weekend, Easton met who will likely be one of his buddies growing up..

…his cousin, Jace!

Note:  Easton’s not crying because Jace is holding him.. he’s crying because we took away his binky to take the picture.  BAD IDEA!!

5-year-old Jace is our sweet, smart nephew.  I still remember the first time he called me ‘Aunt Brandi’–a first for me!  And even when I was pregnant he knew he was getting a new cousin!  In fact, he looked at the ultrasound photos and offered his own name suggestions for us 🙂

It’ll be wonderful watching these boys grow up together.. looking for Easter eggs, playing football in the backyard, and hanging out together when they are teenagers.  For now, they’re just our adorable little boys 🙂

Hello!

The title of this post may have confused you.. Easton is our first child, so how can there be any sibling rivalry?  Well, truth be told, before the little man came along, my husband and I had another baby at home…

MACK

We adopted Mack from the Nebraska Humane Society several years ago and yes, he is our other BIG baby 🙂  He’s 80 pounds of love and affection, always looking for a belly rub and a biscuit.

I must admit–I was a little worried about how our ‘only child’ would react to someone new.  Several months before Easton was born, we started reading up on how to best prepare Mack for his new ‘little brother’.  In the hospital, we wrapped Easton in a t-shirt to bring home to Mack so he could get used to the baby’s smell beforehand.  Brian came home before the baby and I did.. to give Mack some attention after we’d been gone for a few days.  When we all came home, I made sure to take a few minutes just for Mack so he wouldn’t get jealous.

So far, Easton and Mack are best buds.. Mack is simply curious and likes to sniff the swing when the baby is in it 🙂  The only time Mack gets worked up.. is when Easton does!  If the baby cries, Mack whines.. his own way of saying “Hello!! The baby needs help!! Help him!!”

He doesn’t get as many belly rubs as he’d like now.. but Mack seems to be handling Easton very well.  Although, every now and then, I think I can see in his eyes that he knows he has to share his “Mom and Dad” from here on out.

You can take home a new friend just like Mack–CLICK HERE to see the dogs available for adoption at the Nebraska Humane Society!

The time has come..

Our little boy is ONE MONTH OLD!!  Which means I’ve reached a self-imposed deadline I set several months ago… time to get back to the gym!

Inspiration!!  

Yesterday, I walked into a gym for the first time in too many months to count.  I’ll head BACK there several days a week with some lofty, but reachable goals in mind.  My I-Pod is loaded with heart pumping tunes.. and I am ready to feel the burn! 

Goodbye, Runza and your amazing french fries!! Goodbye, McDonalds and your scrumptious strawberry shakes!  And Hello to who will hopefully, become a new me in the next few months.

What’s your Workout Strategy?  I’d love to hear from you!  Leave me a comment with your favorite exercise, the songs that get you moving, or the food you love that is also good for you!  Thanks for reading!

First, thank you so much to everyone for visiting our blog and leaving such kind messages!  It truly warms my heart–I am a very lucky woman to have so many blessings 🙂  THANK YOU!!

Now, down to business.. BASEBALL!  Today marks the beginning of the 2011 Spring Training schedule!  My husband and I receive the MLB Network, so Easton and I will be watching the Phillies take on the Yankees today.

As many of you may have noticed, our son’s name has baseball roots 🙂  My husband, a varsity baseball coach at Millard North High School, came up with the idea of Easton after a practice/game.. one of his players headed to the batter’s box without the cap on his bat.  The bat?  An EASTON.. Brian and I both loved the sound of it for a little boy’s name, and from early on, that was our pick!

Coincidentally, both of us are HUGE baseball fans.  I’ve been an Atlanta Braves fan since I was in junior high, and Brian religiously follows the San Diego Padres.  We both played softball for years (Brian still does), and between that and Brian’s coaching schedule, most of our spring/summer evenings are spent at the ballpark. 

So obviously, our little man will be raised in a baseball household!  Whether he decides to play or not will be totally up to him–the world is at his fingertips!!  And if he becomes as big of a fan as his Momma and Daddy are.. he’s gonna have plenty of choices as to what team is right for him…

“I’m in my Padres gear.. with my Chipper Jones bear.. who do I cheer for?!?”

As for today, w’ere cheering for Rob’s Phillies.  Anyone but the Yankees 🙂

I woke up this morning on a mission–that the little man and I were going to LEAVE THE HOUSE today.  There’s a whole world outside of our living room I want him to see!  Fiji.. San Diego.. Niagara Falls.. and Target!

As I’m quickly learning, when everything is scheduled around a new eating and sleeping regimen, it’s tough to figure out when you can squeeze in that load of laundry or quick meal.. let alone a trip to the store.  But today, the weather was BEAUTIFUL!! (Thank you, Bill!), and we were in desperate need of some baby essentials.  So this afternoon, all dressed up in his baseball best, Easton and I set out for Target! 

Easton in his baseball gear, ready to cheer on Nebraska Baseball in their first 2011 game!

For the little man, shopping seems to be a very calming experience–he slept through the entire trip!  For Momma, it was WONDERFUL to get out for awhile!  Before-baby, I’d cruise through the store, grabbing what I needed, trying to get in and out as quickly as possible.  Post-baby, I strolled up and down aisles, browsed the furniture and baby clothes and simply enjoyed our hour-long adventure.

Today, Target.  Tomorrow, maybe Fiji.  🙂

To close out, I’ve heard repeatedly “they grow up so fast!”  HOLY COW is that true.. every day I see our little boy changing and growing right before my eyes.  Yesterday was my official due date, and instead, on Sunday we’ll celebrate three weeks with our amazing gift.  I can hardly believe how quickly time is flying by.  We are treasuring every single moment, and can’t wait for what is to come.

Thank you for checking in!

Brandi