Pumpkin Patch

What happens when you take four squirrelly boy cousins to a pumpkin patch and try to get a group photo?

Maybe next year.

Brady at 12 Months

Mysteriously, my little baby looks like a total big boy in this month's photo. I don't know how it happened, but suddenly Bryan and I are the lucky parents of a 1 year old! 

We had a fun month celebrating Brady's birthday - it seems like we never really stopped celebrating his birth and somehow a year has gone by.  We decided to wait on a big party until another year and just celebrated with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - but there was no shortage of attention and gifts from this group. 

I am a total sugar fiend, so it came as no surprise that Brady enjoyed his birthday cake immensely.  He loves anything sweet, and anything he thinks is grown up food.  Currently his favorite way to score a taste of whatever we are eating is to dramatically smack his lips together and give a loud, "MMMMmmmmmmmmm". 

Brady was unsure how to handle gift opening but he did love the paper.

Brady weighed in at 24.5 lbs and measured 30.5 inches at his doctor's appointment and showed off 8 teeth and awesome clapping, waving, and walking skills.  Once Nurse Jaclyn appeared with her syringes, he also demonstrated healthy lung capacity, incredibly strong leg muscles, and an advanced ability to hold a grudge.  After his shots he was offered a toy baseball as a reward, which he indignantly hurled across the exam room.  He cannot be bought, Nurse Jaclyn.





Big Paws

Brady finally decided it was time to hold his own bottle. Only when I took the photo did I realize how very, very overdue this milestone is.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You're My Boy, Blue!

I've spent the last 11 months hoping Brady's blue eyes are permanent, but not allowing myself to believe they are.  I have brown eyes, and Bryan has hazel - but thanks to some grandparental blue eyes, Brady has a chance.  They look pretty permanent in this shot...

Playing the Field

Brady has long been (and still is) enamored with Miss Molly May, but he's had a bit of a wandering eye in the last few weeks.  How can he help it with all these adorable girls around?

First, he made the acquaintance of the gorgeous Ms. Katie Rose.  They shared a delightful afternoon at Katie's house where Brady attempted to woo Katie with his toy handling skills and his ability to eat solid foods.  The date ended abruptly when it became apparent that Katie needed a nap.  Brady spent the rest of the afternoon with Katie's protective older brother Sam... we are pretty sure he won Sam's approval with a peace offering of a dump truck and by picking his nose at lunch, which Sam found hysterical.

Next, Brady met the lovely Miss Mary Adele, aged 1 month.  What a sweet, mellow baby!  I guess when you have four older sisters you learn quickly to go with the flow.  Sadly I neglected to take any photos, which I'll really regret if they get married one day.  The photos, if taken, would show Brady sifting through a bin of little girls headbands, ribbons and barrettes in complete amazement while Mary's older sisters kindly tried to interest him in more age (and gender)-appropriate toys.  He was distracted from the ribbon bin when the charming Miss Molly May arrived for a visit, and the two of them spent some time trying to keep up with Molly's older siblings and cousins with limited success on Brady's part.  Molly, now a seasoned walker, was able to get into the mix much more easily.

Last but not least, Brady shared lunch with Ms. Sophie Grace!  (And when I say 'shared lunch', I mean Brady inhaled anything placed in front of him while Sophie daintily sipped a bottle.)  Such a beautiful, fun little girl!  She and Brady had a blast 'talking' to each other across the table and attempting to poke each others' eyes out whenever they were within arms' reach.

What a week for this bachelor!  It may seem early for Brady to be dating but apparently this stuff is starting younger and younger these days!

Owning a Labrador Retriever - Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Unconditional love
- Companionship
- Excellent with children
- Never having to sweep under the high chair

Cons:

- Occasionally you may find your baby happily eating fistfuls of dog hair he has found on the floor.

Hopefully Lab hair has some nutritional value.

Brady at 11 Months

Every month I'm amazed at Brady's new developments, and this month was no different! In addition to his first haircut, this month included a fifth tooth and the big one, Brady's first steps. He took those right around the 10 month mark and has been gaining speed, distance and confidence since.

Aside from walking, a favorite new activity this month is clapping. Things Brady deems worthy of applause: his own reflection, his walking attempts, a meal being placed in front of him, most of Seven's activities, and anytime anyone says, "Yay!".

This month Brady took his first plane ride, to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Whittier. He did well on the plane thanks to a steady stream of snacks, and had a blast being showered with attention and new toys for a solid week.

Next 'first'? A birthday!