Christmas Continued

Today a big box filled with presents from Great Gramma Braun, Great Grampa Braun, Aunt Vicky and Uncle Ed arrived at the house.

M“ear”ry Christmas

Christmas Eve and Day were filled with good food, a happy family, brightly wrapped presents…and a trip to the urgent care for an unexpected ear infection (but not for the Jewell you’re thinking of).

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas may be holly jolly, but it is also holly hectic. The lead up to Santa’s big arrival has been filled with activity for Brayden and me.

Moment of Reflection

In light of what happened on Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, this week's blog post is simply a reminder to hug your loved ones and show appreciation for the good in your life.

The rest of my usual weekly blogging time is being spent giving extra cuddles and love to Brayden. I'm sure you understand why, and I encourage you to find extra cuddle time in your schedule this week too.

Santa Success

What a difference a year makes! Brayden was all smiles during today’s visit with Santa Claus.

Christmas Kick Off

With a day of festive fun (and my first-ever toy banning), Christmastime has arrived in the Jewell household!

Thankful, grateful and full

Thanksgiving is special day devoted to appreciating what we have, those who love us and the opportunities we’ve received.

Ear Intervention

Brayden had surgery to remove his adenoids and put tubes in his ears, and it was a day of ups and downs, to say the least.

Halloween 2012: Attack of the Middle Ear

Most kids just got peanut butter cups, lollipops and chocolate bars on Halloween. Brayden got a hospital date for ear surgery.

Little B and the Big Vote

Casting a ballot in an election is one of the most important rights we have as Americans. Today, Brayden got a civics lesson in democracy.

Avery Do It

Brayden is going through a phase I like to call “I want my big brother to do everything for me.” Except there’s one little problem—Brayden’s big brother is a cat.

Where the Wild Things Are

At 2, Brayden thinks animals are awesome. He knows so many different kinds and loves to mimic their sounds. So to keep his imagination alight, we spend time at the Sierra Safari zoo.

Next Generation Eager Reader

Many of you know I still take odd pride in winning the Eager Reader award in 5th grade (and if you didn’t, you do now). So it was quite the happy moment when I took Brayden on his first trip to the library.

The Once and Future Blog

Welcome to the Biggest Little Family Blog! Here you'll find all your favorite posts from the Jewell Family Blog, along with new stories from the next chapter in our lives.

Brayden’s 2nd Birthday Bash

Splash pools, bubble machines, balloons and even Kraft mac n’ cheese— little b turned two in grand toddler style.

State of the Toddler: Two Years Old

Brayden turned two years old on September 1. We’ve officially crossed the line from baby to toddler, and, as President Mommy of the United States of Brayden, it’s time another milestone review.

Mommy Makes a Craft – Part I and II

As promised, this post has been updated and now features a Part II below.
Part I – I’m not crafty. I don’t know the difference between macramé and paper mâché and don’t get me started on a cricket versus cricut. But a certain chicken motivated me to get creative for Brayden’s upcoming 2nd birthday.

Jewell Family Farms

Brian and Brayden tried their hand at growing strawberries this summer with very sweet results.

Bees, Babies and Bad Words

What do these three things have in common? If you guessed my company picnic then you are: A. correct B. psychic C. need to pick my lottery numbers

Call of the Wild

Animals and their appearance, sounds and habitat are big part of a the syllabus in Toddler 101. Brayden has been getting really good at identifying his favorites (zebra, elephant and lion) so Brian and I decided to take little B to the Animal Ark wildlife sanctuary just outside Reno.

Petit Picasso

Four colors, three pieces of paper, two hands and one baby equals a very messy morning of finger painting.

The Adventures of A & B: Copycats

In this episode of The Adventures of A & B, Avery and Brayden practice the ancient art of “Me too!”

Independence (From Nap) Day

Today may have been America’s 236th birthday, but it will also go down as one of my biggest parenting miscalculations.

Little Rituals

Some kids say prayers. Others read a bedtime story. But Brayden’s bedtime ritual is to sing Happy Birthday to just about everyone he knows in his whole little life.

Father’s Day Fly By

Airplanes and Jewell men go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it was no surprise when Brian, his dad and Brayden celebrated Father’s Day weekend at Stead airport during pilot training for the National Championship Air Races.

Kiddie Contagion

Brayden caught a virus that was clearly named by a perverted scientist who wanted parents to cringe every time they said its name: coxsackie.

Workin’ it for the camera: Braun family photos

So this post is a bit of a trip in the way back machine, but it’s also new news too. We technically took the photos in February but I only got the disc the other day. My little sister, Heather, flew in from Connecticut and we took advantage of the opportunity to have new family photos taken.

Jewell Family Reunion

Over the past couple week’s Brayden and Brian played host to their extended family.

What’s little, red hot and a force of nature?

Had you asked me this question earlier in the week, I would have said Brayden and his sky high fever. But thankfully he’s better so today’s answer is the amazing annular solar eclipse (also sky high).

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day was more like Mother’s Weekend this year thanks to several lovely events and gifts in the lead up to the happiest Sunday in May.

Take me out to the ball game

Brayden watched his first baseball game today when we took him to see Reno’s minor league team, the Aces. And in the spirit of the outing, I’d call the experience a double.

Little B Visits Chuck E.

I think I’ve discovered the secret behind the sensory overload chamber known as Chuck E. Cheese—caffeinated air.

Bouncin’ Birthday Party Fun

Brayden’s good buddy, Elijah, turned 2 this week and celebrated with a bouncin’ bubbly birthday party at Gymboree.

Seeing green

Brayden teed up at the putting green for the very first time with his Daddy and Uncle GP.

Elmo’s Tweaktastic Easter

The Easter Bunny brought very different things for Brayden and me this year. Brayden got an explosion of Elmo, and I got medicated.

If you build it, the toys will come

It may be April Fools Day but Mommy is serious about reclaiming her living room from toy creep. Cue Brayden and Grampa to build toy boxes!

March (Birthday) Madness

March is a month of many birthdays so we’ve been doing a lot of celebrating lately, culminating with my big day on Friday the 23rd.

State of the Baby: 18 Months Old

On March 1 Brayden turned 18 months. So, as President Mommy of the United States of Brayden, it’s time for a review of where he’s at at this milestone.

Does Harvard have a preschool?

Well, they should. And this could be Brayden’s video application.

Aunty Liz Comes To Town

Aunty Liz flew in from Connecticut last week to share some good times with the family.

Can ESPN interview you in 2026?

Mark this day in your calendar. You’re going to need it when ESPN interviews you about how golf prodigy, Brayden Jewell, got his start.

Love Bug

Brayden really enjoyed this year’s Valentine’s Day (cards! candy! treats!) and got into the spirit of this annual celebration of sweetness.

Little Buddies

On Saturday, Brayden and Elijah had a totally fun play date with dancing shape sorting and high-speed baby carting.

Pardon the Interruption

I am in a period of mourning due to Super Bowl XLVI. As a result, the Jewell Family Blog will be dark this week. Now excuse me while I medicate myself and ask the gods how they could have let this happen twice…

Aunty Heather Loves Her Baby Muffin

This week we're enjoying a visit from my sister, Heather. She hasn't seen baby muffin (her nickname for Brayden) since he was little peanut, so she's been having fun seeing how big Brayden is now.

East Coast vs. West Coast

I spent this whole week in D.C. while Brayden enjoyed time with Nana and Daddy.

Flashback: Brayden’s first oplatek

What's oplatek? I'll give you a hint: You eat it. Beyond that, you're going to have to click the link to find out more.

Rumble in the Tunnel

Three generations of Braun family men went to the park this week. And to be honest, I’m not sure who had the most fun…

A journey of a 100 posts begins with a single thought

How fitting is it that today, New Year’s Day 2012, is the 100th Jewell Family Blog post? With more than 6,000 page views since our inception, you’ve been there through all our moments. Today’s milestone post is a look back and ahead.