"Shots are not fun!"

Poor Bradley had to endure the painful rite of passage of being a 4 year old...the check-up.

We're so thankful for our healthy little boy. He's growing at a wonderful rate and is just right for his age. He was quite charming, sweet and compliant at the doctor. That's right, Bradley LOVES going to the doctor. He likes the nurses and Dr. McCorkle. He enjoys standing on the scale and seeing how big he is. He even thought it was kinda cool when he had to give a urine specimen and pee pee in a cup. (Although later he said it was "disgustin' "). He did his vision test and was precious reading the symbols on the chart...cup, star, heart, hand, circle...they all sounded so sweet. And, it was cute watching him "cover" his opposite eye with his fingers so separated that his "covered" eye was being used just as much as the one being checked. We had to show him the proper way to cover his eye so we could accurately check his vision. Anyway, he did so well and was enjoying himself so much. But, he had been very concerned about whether or not he was going to get any shots. I had been telling him I just didn't know. That had been enough to satisfy him for awhile. We felt bad about not telling him, but honestly, Bradley is not one that would have been better off knowing he was getting shots. He wouldn't have wanted to go to the check-up at all and wouldn't have had nearly as much fun up until the shots. As soon as the pediatrician finished his exam, we told Bradley that he was going to have to get shots. He immediately started crying. He kept saying, "No shots!!" We (It was not an accident that I brought Nick and left Rach and Trent with Gege!) did get him to settle down and be happy till the nurse came in with her 4 shots. Then, the tears started again. And, truthfully, these shots burned. He got 2 in each of his upper arms and bandaids to cover them. Unfortunately, Bradley's legs didn't "work" after he got his shots, so Nick carried him to the car. (This happens alot after a traumatic situation...Bradley won't use his legs/arms/fingers/etc...if he thinks it will trigger any pain.) He's very dramatic! Bradley kept saying, "Shots are not fun!"

After a few more tears in the car, he thought McDonald's would make him feel better. So, we drove to McD's and felt better immediately when we saw that they had NEW Superhero Squad toys!!!!!!! Bradley still didn't want to talk about his shots or let anyone see his bandaids till the next day, but thankfully, his legs started working again! :) We love our dramatic, precious, charming little boy! And, the awesome news...NO MORE SHOTS till he's 11 years old!!!!!! YAY!!!

Braddy Frankin is 4 years old!!!

Hard to believe that it was 4 years ago when we were blessed with our second child and first son. He was a sweet, laidback little fella who slept alot and allowed his 2 year old sister to dote on him quite a bit. Now he's a precious, sweet, energetic, funny, caring, silly, tough little boy who can hang pretty well with his big sister and is really enjoying teaching his little brother all kinds of cool stuff! He is so excited about his birthday, which he has been anxiously waiting for since Christmas! (It was hard for him to celebrate: mommy's, Trent's, Rachel's and daddy's...not to mention grandparents', etc...) He kept saying, "when's it going to be my birthday...it's taking such a long time!" Well, sweet son, your day is here! We hope our adorable son, Bradley Franklin enjoys his special day! We are taking him to his favorite restaurant...McDonald's...for lunch and then we are opening his presents when daddy gets home from work, eating sausage balls for dinner (another of his faves) and eating Spider Man cupcakes for dessert.

Happy 4th Birthday Bradley Franklin Milligan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We love you soooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!

15 months old!

Trenty poo is almost 16 months old now. Last week, I (finally) took him for his 15 month check-up. He did great and hated every minute of it. He just doesn't care about talking to the nurses and dr. or even giving them a pleasant expression. He practically hyperventilates when they are about to examine him. And, he cries angrily when they're checking him out. This time I took him and Rachel at the same time (for her 6 year check-up). He didn't even like it when the dr. was checking her out. He just kept watching with a quivering lip and a rapidly rising chest. Anyway, poor Trent had to get 2 shots, which he didn't like and which made him very mad...especially the part when he has to be held still while he gets them. We are so happy and thankful to have very healthy children who are growing and developing just beautifully.

Here are his 15 month stats: (unfortunately I can't find R&B's 15 mo. stats)
Trent- 23 lbs. 12 oz. - 30 1/2 inches

We sure do love our Trenty poo!

the 4th of July

sweet little Trenty enjoying his cookie in the wagon

together again!

big boy taking a break

the sweetest girls and bestest friends

6 of 8 enjoying popsicles...

Trenty was to the left, out of the picture shot and Abby was asleep.

On the 4th, we went to mom and dad's and ate a delicious meal! We had a great time getting all the Duke grandchildren together to play and having all the Duke children together also. The kids had fun playing on the playground and in the sprinkler! It was a super fun day!

the 4th of July (on the 3rd)

Bradley and Carter on their "sweet rides"

the bobbin' tub

Rachel...ready to bob!

little Ms. Lauren


my sweet Rachel...best "apple bobber" around

Trenty preferred eating the apples instead of bobbing for them

our "white" son, Bradley, lathered up with sunscreen

lovely Sophia

Rachel, Carter, Elle and Lauren in a pool in the pool

(somehow the baby pool busted after an hour or so!)

The 4th of July...

~was so much fun at Gege and Papa's.

~had the BEST BBQ ribs, chopped pork and chicken...YUM!

~involved the kids bobbing for apples.

~was when we all swam and swam.

~was a gorgeous day with perfect weather.

~also included a water balloon fight...

~in which Nick threw one at Matt M. and left a welp on his leg.

~and also when Nick was running away from Sophia

and fell in a hole and almost twisted his ankle.

~is such a wonderful tradition!

Trent's 1st big haircut

(pre-haircut)

Say "cheese"!!

look at those long locks! (pre-haircut)

(post haircut)

the sides don't really match all that well...

his sweet little neck

yea, not too good at blending anything...

Post hair cut...our handsome little boy!

We finally did it. We cut off Trenty's hair. We had been contemplating for awhile and after a few people asked us if he was a girl, (Really??!!) we decided it was time. I did the official cut, and it's not that great, but thankfully he's really cute no matter what his hair looks like! He was pretty cooperative sitting on my bathroom counter, messing with every possible thing he could...from toothbrushes to make-up to the faucet. But, it's cut and it'll do fine till we take him to a professional next time.

the kids @ the beach

hangin' on our balcony in their underwear

All my loves

waiting to take an airboat ride at Boondock's

Believe it or not, we did get a few pictures of the kids together. It's just hard to get them all to cooperate at the same time! :)