PiperandtheJett

Video of Piper and Jett

2011-05-10T12:13:00.001-07:00

I got a new camera and need to shot some video to experiment so what else to use as a subject but...Jett and Piper

2010-06-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

The explanation of these pictures is in the last blog.

My Swimming Cowboy

2010-06-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

I love that it's summer now. There's so much more that we can do and see and experience. I think summer was created for little boys, well at least for Jett anyways. Last summer compared to this summer already is so different. He is very aware of EVERYTHING that's going on around him. In early spring we cleaned up our backyard and planted some grass. Matt and his dad made an awesome "floating deck" for us to lounge on, we hung a hammock up and some awesome friends of ours gave us a great swing set. Jett absolutely adores the back yard. I don't think there's a inch of it that he hasn't been on. His excitement for the outdoors gets me excited too, so any time we get to do something new outside I'm always curious to see how he takes it all in. The other day we went to my Aunt Darla's pool. I knew the experience would go one of two ways: A) He would think it was too cold & freak out or B) Love it so much that he would never want to leave. I'm happy to say that he absolutely loved it. Being the independent man he is, he wanted to do everything himself, which was straining at times, but it was so much fun to watch him truly enjoy being in the water. He now wants to practice his swimming in the bathtub.

The next outdoor adventure we went on was the stables. I'm not sure what he like the most playing with the "kiggy cats" that were running around or hamming it up in his cowboy hat. I think the horse was a little too slow pace for him. Imagine that. Here are some pictures of both events hope you enjoy!

Toddler Jett

2010-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's truly amazing how much I love my little boy. He blesses our life everyday. He's so energetic and has such an eagerness to learn, discover and grow. Everyday he cracks us up with the new phrases he says are the funny expressions he gives us. He has completely stolen our hearts. Here are a few examples of how:

Jett's 1st Birthday!!

2010-04-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

Yes Jett is almost 15 months old now, but I thought I would still go ahead and post his first birthday pics. I'm an amazing blogger. I really do want to try and get better. So, I'll probably go ahead and catch everyone up in the next few days. Hopefully :/

I knew when Jett's birthday was coming up that I would probably be a little emotional, but I didn't expect to fall apart as bad as I did. However, his party was awesome! He had the best time digging into his cake and playing with all his friends. My favorite moment was when he was eating his cake in between Matt and I and he turned to me with cake all over his face and gave me a kiss then turned to Matt and gave him a kiss. Then he did the same thing two more times. It was like he was thanking us for his party. It was such a tender moment that I'll always treasure. So with out further delay here is Jett's birthday party:

Birthday boy at home waiting to go to his party with his super cool homemade "My 1st Birthday" shirt on.

Putting on his festive hat and bib.

And...it's on! He loved smashing the cake and stuffing in his mouth or around his mouth.

Yummm! "Why have yall kept this from me?"

Family Pic

Opening gifts. I have so many of him opening gifts, but I didn't want to bore everyone.

And... of course it's not a real birthday party until the guest of honor is in his "birthday suit." With socks on none the less.

NC State vs. Gardner-Webb

2009-10-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

I know we went to the game in September, but I figured better late then never. Jett's first State game was also Jett's first Gardner-Webb game. He granddaddy's alta malter vs. daddy's alta malter. But of course being State fans we sat on the State side with full State gear on. However, I did have my Gardner-Webb shirt on underneath my jersey just in case.

We tailgated before the game and Jett took it all in. I was scared that he would get freaked out by all the people and noise, but he did just fine. When the players come out of the tunnel and they set off fire works I thought for sure he would scream. Nope, he thought it was great. It amazes me that already he is becoming a little independent man. And, in a way that makes me a little sad, but I'm reminded that I'm his mommy and he'll always be my little boy.

The best part of our whole trip was watching the joy on Granddaddy and Memaw's faces as they spent time with their grandson's. I can't help but think that while granddaddy was attending State he didn't know at the time that he would be back years later with his wife, daughter,son,son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 2 sweet grandbabies with such joy in his heart. What a fun day!

Tailgating

State Boys!

"Hey Memaw whatcha doing all the way down there?"

In the stands.

Yeah Aunt Beba and Mewaw!

This is getting intense.

Seriously how do you sleep in a packed out football stadium?

Two happy grandparents.

Who says museums are boring?

2009-09-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on Matt's day off we decided we would go on a field trip. Our first thought was the Zoo but it was rainy, so we decided we would go to the Greensboro Children's Museum. It's great taking Jett to these types of things right now because he gets free admission; however the lady at the desk questioned the fact that he was 7 months. At 1 year you have to pay at the museum and the lady said with an accusative voice, "He sure doesn't look like he's 7 months," with a raised eyebrow. Yes ma'm I know that he is quite big for his age, but I do distinctively remember giving birth to him a little over 7 months ago.

We did have a blast though. We're not sure who had more fun though, us or Jett. We'll let you decide by looking at these pictures.

Jett wondering when it will be his turn to play in the race car.

Jett & Matt playing Legos.

Future Pilot? Maybe he can make his mommy not so scared of flying.

Pictures don't give justice to how cute he looked in that fireman jacket.

Little boy in a big chair

I could seriously go on with the pictures we took, but I'll stop here.

We're Back!!!

2009-09-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is now Brittany signing on. I've decided to take over the blogging duties in an attempt to keep our family and friends updated on our family's fascinating life.

So what's new in the Bryant household. Jett just turned 7 months old, which is crazy. It doesn't seem like he should be that old, but at the same time it seems like he has always been here. The child is into everything. His new name is "Crash." We're averaging 5 head injuries a day, which equals 5 mini heart attacks for me.

He does this awesome army crawl, which he's gotten pretty fast at. The newest thing that happened yesterday is pulling up on things, equaling more head injuries and more mini heart attacks. My compassionate husband informed me that he will get injured the rest of his life and I've got to learn how to cope with these small injuries now. That was the most comforting words I've ever heard. Man, he's sensitive.

In a couple of weeks we're going to the State v. Gardner-Webb game. The whole Bryant/Kelley clan. We're curious to see how Jett does. It will be a long day for an infant. We definitely know there's going to be one happy granddaddy there showing off his grandsons.

So, that's pretty much the latest. I promise to try and update at least once a week. Here are some pictures of one cute baby boy.

Waking up from a nap.

It's tiring being so stinking cute.

I love this face!

While moms away the boys will play.

2009-08-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Britt took a trip to Wilmington with one of her brides, (My wife is a wedding coordinator), in order to help them prepare for a wedding. While she was gone it was a total boys weekend. Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Picture and more pictures

2009-04-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

So it has become quiet apparent that Jett is going to either love or hate having his picture taken. Recently I began to investigate starting my own photography business with the hopes of paying for Jett's college education or at least make enough money to support my expensive hobby of photography. I have even gone as far as making my own website: www.mattbryantphotography.com.

I have taken pictures of weddings, senior portraits, baby/children portraits, and events for fun for a number of years and have finally gained enough confidence in my abilities to charge for it. Here are some pictures from the latest family day session, which lasted about 5 minutes before Jett decided he didn't want his picture taken any more. We got one good picture and one eh okay picture and here they are:

Family Day.

2009-04-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

So our newest attempt at household sanity has result in Thursday becoming our family day. This past family day we decided to take some pictures just for fun here are the results...

We have scheduled another picture day for next Thursday.

The Brainwashing begins early.

2009-03-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

So we can all agree that children for the most part seem to follow in there parents footsteps as far as the way they view the world. Like my father before me it seems that I as well have begun the process of leading my son into a belief system that will ultimately lead to heart ache and crushed hopes. There will now be many weekends and week nights that my son will sit with me in the living room shaking our heads in discouragement. This system of thinking that I am willing my soon into will cause him to face much criticism every day at school and will face ridicule from his classmates. Yes that's right ladies and gentleman in a State that claims to bleed blue (shade doesn't really matter) my son*, my father, and myself will continue to be NC State fans. And though I don't talk trash often...because State never gives the chance to...I bleed NC State red and I can prove it!

*I am well aware of the scheming of many of my friends who stand a good chance of leading my son astray to the blue side of the world, but I will still love him and completely understand.

Yoda.

2009-03-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Before Jett was born we would treat our dog (named Yoda), as though he where our child. We would take cute pictures and send them to each other during the day with our cell phones. We would sit around with friends and talk about funny things our cute dog did. Now that Jett is here it is obvious that Yoda has moved down the social ladder. However he still gets plenty of attention.

Wardrobe Malfunction

2009-02-27T10:46:00.000-08:00

My wife and I have devised a plan for maximizing the amount of sleep each of us receives on any given night. We have divided the nigh into 2 shifts. 11:00-3:00 is Matt's shift and 3:00-7:00 is Brittany's shift. During each shift whoever is on duty, or is it doodie, is responsible for anything that Jett needs. The perfect shift includes a feeding in the middle of the shift which means you get an extra 2 hours of sleep before your shift actually ends. However, last night was anything but the perfect shift...

10:34 p.m. - Brittany, Matt, and Jett are on their way home and Jett is screaming at the top of his lunges because he is hungry.

10:47 p.m. - We arrive home and proceed to make warm a bottle of milk, which takes 5 minutes, Jett is still screaming.

10:55 p.m. Jett is eating, and Brittany head off to bed as Matt begins his shift.

11:12 p.m. - Jett vomits all over himself and Matt.(Outfit change #1 for Jett, Shirt change #1 for Matt).

11:19 p.m. - Matt gives Jett gripe water.

11:23 p.m. - Resume feeding in an attempt to replace the recently discharged breast milk.

11:42 p.m - Jett vomits again (Outfit change #2 for Jett, Shirt #2 for Matt).

12:02 p.m. - Matt concludes that the vomiting is due to faulty equipment so he fixes a new bottle with new milk.

12:15 p.m - Jett vomits again (Outfit change #3 for Jett, no shirt change for Matt)

12:32 p.m. - Jett still screaming, Matt now assumes that he is not hungry but that his stomach is not feeling well so Matt and Jett lay down on the couch.

12:52 p.m. - Jett vomits. (Outfit change #4 for Jett, Shirt change #3 for Matt).

1:03 p.m - Matt halucinating from Stress and exaustion see's pink elephants dancing in the living room.

1:14 p.m. - After changing Jett Matt realizes wearing a shirt is pointless because it will ust get vomit on it, so Matt spends the rest of the evening topless...Jett still screaming.

1:17 p.m. - Matt and Jett back on the couch.

1:41 p.m. - Matt wake up on the couch very confused, Jett is on Matt's chest asleep. Matt realizes the opportunity to go to bed is at hand and proceeds to move in that direction.

1:47 p.m. - Moments after Jett and Matt are in bed Jett wakes up and expresses to Matt that he would like to go back in to the living room and scream for a few hours.

1:48 p.m. - Brittany Wakes up and holds Jett for a few minutes while Matt gathers his thoughts.

2:01 p.m. - Matt feeds Jett again...this time no vomiting and Jett seems to be very content.

2:14 p.m. - Jett falls aslepp on Matt in rocking chair.

2:15 p.m. - Jett pees on himself and Matt while asleep.

2:16 p.m. - Diaper change. (Outfit #I lost count for Jett).

2:31 p.m. - Jett finally goes to bed peacefully, Matt soon follows.

Our Car & A Swish Army Knife.

2009-02-22T17:04:00.001-08:00

So over the past few years of hanging out with different parents I have made an observation that has become a very true reality. One of the skills of a good parent is having the ability to use your car the way Macgyver uses a Swiss Army Knife. Let me describe for you the uses of our car on our first simple family outing to the doctor. Our car was used as...

- A rocking chair - when Jett was fusey the car ride was able to sooth him very quickly
- A changing room - my wife had change Jett's clothes after lunch didn't agree with him.
- A restaurant - My wife and I experienced our first meal eaten while waiting in the parking lot while Jett slept, and then ate.
- A trash can - even though I could have been accused of this before Jett was born...I had never put a smelly diaper in the trunk before.
- A relaxation booth - After the doctor we stopped by Barnes & Nobles, which proved to be too stimulating for Jett. Brittany and Jett retreated to the car as Dad went to the check out to purchase a new translation of the Torah. (and Matt pushes his nerd glasses back up his nose).
- A couch - After returning to the car Matt found Brittany and Jett both asleep.

The History of Naps.

2009-02-15T13:41:00.000-08:00

Good naps are an absolute art form. First of all the timing has to be right, there can't be a time limit on a great nap. Normally these great naps take place during the afternoon. Also the place where you nap has to have a strong history of napping. For me that is the couch. So here is my brief history of amazing naps...

1. The Sunday Afternoon Nap. This seem to be a great nap that I would often take on Sunday's during my high school years. Normally during the boring quarter of a football game.

2. The College Dorm nap. My bed in college was always my place of refuge when I felt like my brain was about to explode. I also had Mono my first 5 weeks of college so it was very easy for me to take 3 hour nap each day.

3. (The newest on the list) the Nap with Jett. My wife and I have both come accustom to really enjoying these naps as about any parent would tell you.

Jett the social butterfly.

2009-02-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

Apparently Jett has already begun to work is way up the social later as two of his cronies have already stop by to visit. The first picture is Jett and Stephen last night hanging out in Jett's room while the parents enjoyed some asian cuisine.

Stephen (left) is 11 weeks old. Jett (right) is 5 days old. They where the same height and weight at birth. Is that crazy or what?

Samuel drove by in his 09' Chico Trans System to see how Jett was doing at the hospital.

Jett already has scheduled play dates with the Bowers and Beavers in his Day Planner. As you can see he has made friends with all the older kids, which is a big popularity boast. I guess it's easy when you are 6 days old.

The Pursuit of Perfection

2009-02-13T07:23:00.000-08:00

I have heard it said that good professional photographers try to take 5-7 perfect pictures each year out of the million that they take. So by these standards I have 349 days left to get a few good ones of Jett's first year of life...here is what I have so far.

Some Things Change & Some Don't

2009-02-12T08:13:00.001-08:00

Some Things Change

Over the past few days I have noticed a few changes, mainly in myself.

Mood Swings...Yes, I cried when I first saw my son.

I'm a talker...Over the last few years I have been tracking my progress as a talkative person. Due to my perfession this has been on a slight increase in over coming my antisocial personality. However my new role as father seems to have given me the ability to take to a wall.

I enjoy people visiting...Brittany and I have been blessed a large group of close friends (more on that later) and to this point in my life I have been the person that enjoys going to their house to hang out rather than have them over to our house. (This is probably because of my controlling personality that I like to have the ability to leave the situation at any time). However I have noticed that during our hospital stay and our return home I have actually desired for friends to come to our house to hang out.

Mom and Jett in hospital.

A Real Picture with Daddy's Camera.

Some Don't

Friends are still very vital...Over the past few days there has been one consistent thing that has seemed to rejuvenate Brittany and I like nothing else. Contact with friends. Wether its Nate and Hannah visiting from Asheville, Jessica stopping by after all her children have gone to bed, or phone calls/txt/emails with Phil, Luke, Nick, Jeff, Michael, Sarah, Amy, Ashley, and anybody else my sleep deprived brain might have forgotten; Friends as always have been absolutely vital.

Marriage (and now Parenting is still fun)...We still making stupid bets on ridiculous television shows, this time it was the Westminister Dog Show. (I won because he cheated, I saw the highlights on Sportscenter). We still are goofy, last night we both got around 6 hours of sleep through a tag-team effort, and I felt it necessary to sing and dance and this small victory.

Nate & Hannah visit.

Journey Home. (In Pictures)

2009-02-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning we woke up at the hospital with baby boy...I mean Jett. ( I am still adjusting to publicly saying his name).

The outfit he wore home...or more correctly "Stated" the hat. Jett and I had a long conversation in the nursery after he was born regarding the lack of athletic dominance of the Wolfpack. He responded by screaming and shivering, but that might have been because the nurse was taking his temperature.

Mommy and Jett climb in the back seat of the car for the trip home. We listened to John Mayer Continuum which apparently bored Jett because he slept.

Daddy and Jett take a stroll towards the house.

The Greatest Meal Ever. Our first night in the hospital after Jett was born my wife had a craving for a Ham-Cheese and Mustard Sandwich. With a quick call to Memaw & Grandaddy we had some delivered. After downing the sandwiches, Brittany eating two and Matt eating one, Brittany and I both where struck with a severe craving that has continued to exist. So naturally our first thing to do once we arrived and home was to have our first family meal together which consisted of Ham-Cheese and Mustard Sandwiches, Cheddar and Sour Cream Chips, and Strawberry Limeades. A feast like non other.

The Faces of Love

2009-02-10T03:28:00.001-08:00

We all remember the family from yesterdays window scene:
So lets get to know them and their responsibilities a little bit better...

"Papa" Responsibilities: Automotive Education, Voice Lessons, & Randomness

"Nana" Responsibilities: Medication Consultant & General Yard Sale Management

"Granddaddy" Responsibilities: NC State brain washing & Emotional Development

"Memaw" Responsibilities: General Spoiling & On Call Medical Researcher

"Aunt Beba" Responsibilities: Artistic Development, Verbal Self-Defense, and Purchaser of Noisy and Annoying Toys

"Aunt Ashey" Responsibility: Favorite Child Psychology & Temptation and Per Pressure training through use of negative ECU influence.

Jett: The pictures.

2009-02-09T04:49:00.001-08:00

First family portrait. Jett acknowledges that bad eye sight is in his future.

The peanut gallery. Jett seemed slightly concerned about meeting the family.

Jett's first impression...Dr. Evil. (dad is slightly worried).

Tired from a long trip down the birth canal, Jett's decides that its time for a nap. And he has been sleeping ever since.

Birthday.

2009-02-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

It is February 8th, 2009 and my wife and I have just given birth to a 8 pound 8 oz., 21.5 inches long boy names Jett Robert Bryant.
We at the hospital until Tuesday morning and after a bit of sleep are doing well. Pictures coming soon.

Father: It just became real.

2009-01-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

My brain to this point has yet to fully grasp the thought of being a father. Even though my wife's belly has been very persuasive in trying to convince me of this fact, I have yet to fully grasp the reality that sometime around the beginning of February my wife and I will be parents. That is until yesterday...

Monday January 12th, 5:02 p.m. I find myself staring blankly at the screen of a cash register reading $12.46. We have been through all the baby showers and are now left to purchase the necessary baby supplies on our own. Once all the gift cards and money has been said and done we are left to pay $12.46 to complete our registry. This is the moment standing in the middle of babies'r'us that it hits me. I am about to be a father. Surprisingly my reaction is not a good one. I feel angry, scared, and defensive.

My body language and tone of voice quickly indicate to my wife that there is something wrong. She being the non-confrontational and loving wife assumes I am somehow angry over the $12.46 we are having to spend and she begins to apologize. i tell her its not a big deal and we quickly load the car and make our way home. Once at home i find myself frantically putting together a stroller, swing, and pack-n-play. My panic continues to rise as the only instructions included are in spanish. the next hour goes by in a whirl wind as I frantically try to assemble the items as if when I have put them together I will instantly be ready for parenthood.

Finally everything is together and I sit back on the couch as my adrenaline slows down. I make eye contact with my very pregnant wife for the first time since we left babies'r'us hours ago. With a concerned look on her face and a soft voice she asked me, "Are you okay?" I look around the living room, that is now full of boxes, foam, and newly assembled baby products. "I thought this would be a fun experience, I'm sorry your upset." my wife says before I have a chance to comprehend the first question.

That's just it. This was supposed to be a fun and joyful experience. I however managed to take the joy out of the event with worry, anxiety, and stress. What caused this? The answer is simple yet humbling...I am selfish. Having a child can be one of the most stressful, trying, and difficult times of your life if you let it.

Over the past few days the anticipation of welcoming baby boy into our lives is undeniable. There are boxes at the end of the driveway displaying the newly purchased stroller and car seat. When you walk into the house there is a box full of diapers and pacifiers where books used to be on the side table. Bottles are surrounding the sink washed and waiting. I now have to crawl in bed from the bottom instead of the side because my path is blocked by the pack-n-play. My dog even knows something is up as a stroller sits in the place by the window where he used to lay in the sunlight each morning.

One thing I don't want to hear my wife say during the course of our lives as parents is, "This was supposed to be fun." There will be times when we are tired, stressed, angry, and selfish as parents, but I now know I cannot allow my selfishness to over shadow the blessing of parenthood.