Brendan at 18 mo.

Brendan has been keeping us busy. At 18 mo., he is a solid 30 lbs. and coming in the 90-95%tile in measurements. He is running, climbing, and exploring all of the time. Most days he can re-arrange the house within a few minutes. (Our house is never clean long.) He also likes to play outside.

He is using sentences and is a great communicator. He tells you exactly what he wants. Yesterday he requested ketchup out of nowhere. (Definitely his father's son.) My favorite word he says now is Buckaroo. He also blew us away when he said a 4 syllable word- application- on the way home from Christmas in Sedona.

He likes to listen to the Beatles and Bob Marley. Our special song to dance to is All You Need is Love. He even sings along. It was the only reason I got him to smile in the Christmas photo. He calls musica, "mica". Yes, he is sort of bilingual already. Everyday at 4:30 he gets to watch his favorite show Word World on PBS. Brendan also likes to watch football w/ his Dad.

He likes to play 'bball' with his new basketball hoop and despite being a foot shorter than the rim he can make 'em in. He has been using his potty here and there and last night he climbed out of his crib twice. It is on the lowest setting so convertible toddler bed here we come! Now that scares Mommy!

We got him a Children's museum membership and he enjoys visiting the museum and playing with kids. He is excited about his new house and other kids in the neighborhood too. Speaking of which- we are closing on a new home nearby on Jan. 18. The boys will have a bigger house and much bigger yard to play in.

Brendan counts in English and Spanish to around 15, skipping a few #'s and also knows the alphabet. His favorite toys are balls, horsies, and cars. Next time you see him be sure to share a toast and 'cheers' drinks. He's quite the character!

It's Potty Time

Brendan got his first haircut today then went to the library. He did so well at the barber- no crying or fuss, just fun and curiosity. He sat in the car and had fun exploring. Then at the library, his favorite part was the fish.

Over the last couple weeks Brendan has showed signs of potty readiness and we got him a singing potty. He has used it about a dozen times, almost once a day. He will tell us he has to go then walk to the potty. He's telling us with out prompting. So, while we are not thinking about underwear we are learning.

I think he knows about 13 or 14 letters. I noticed he was saying letter names and decided to see if he really knew them or if I was hearing things. He really knows them and loves learning- especially repetitive learning.

Safety is a major issue. He can climb up on the back of couches, chairs, stairs, and onto desktops. We have to watch him closely. He loves to be chased!

Fun Photos of Our Toddler!

Today he said he wasn't tired and we were going to try for a nap after lunch but he couldn't make it! Spaghetti everywhere he fell asleep!

Brendan came and cheered on Mommy at a volleyball tournament over the weekend. Watch out- we are training him early. His favorite toy is still the ball.

Brendan walked over to the neighbors house with a plunger and mop. Did someone call a plumber?

He's climbing everything he can. Tables, toys, boxes, pillows, couches, chairs, anything in his line of vision he will climb and stand on top of! Safety is a big concern these days...

After we took a walk in his wagon he had to climb in and out of it a bunch of times and he was laying his head down in this photo.

Happy Camper

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Happy Camper

Brendan is now walking, running, and climbing on furniture on his own. He knows more words than I can list, but my favorites are: "Do Dog Do" (Go Dog Go) and "pica" (pizza), "Reesey Reese", "hummer" (Hummingbird), baby, Pop Pop, Elmo, Word World, Hulk, keys, and feet. He loves to read and we probably read anywhere from 5 to 15 books a day. He will grab a book throw it at you and say "read." Lou and I don't have the heart to tell him no.

We stopped nursing this month and he has done so well. He drinks organic whole milk from a sippy cup and eats well. He lets us know when he's finished eating by throwing his food everywhere. Bed time is still going well and he sleeps 10-12 hours a night.

I think he's gonna need a playmate soon an being around all of my helpful neices and nephews helped me see things get easier as kids get more independent. Brendan can follow simple directions like putting things back. He gets along well with other kids.

Camper never wants to get out of the bathtub. Loves to paint, draw outside with chalk, and be chased. He also enjoys playing with rocks. He eats cat food almost everyday when we aren't looking and has been wearing marti gras beads every day for about a week now. He is full of energy and life and is a happy lil' toddler!

cousins

Sedona

We have been in Sedona 5 days to celebrate Daddy Lou's birthday. Here is a family photo. More to come.

Brendan Explores...

Playing bocce ball.

swinging out front.

way too much fun with a golf club. watch out for Dada's TV!

Celebrating Mama's big deal at the Wrigley Mansion.

I apologize for not keeping up to date as much as I should. Brendan is a walking, talking, and vocabulary building each day. Brendan enjoys exploring everything these days. He repeats words and can get most of the first syllable.

Our One Year-Old

Brendan is active and curious as can be. He is a wonderful handful and rarely sits still. He loves swimming, playing with his ball, reading books, and clearing off tables! Brendan's vocabulary is impressive and I am quite surprised at the things he knows and can communicate. Proud too of course!

He is crawling, climbing, and cruising the furniture. I went to put a stamp on a letter and he destroyed the whole room by the time I came back the other day. My house will never really be clean again and we will leave trails of cheerios behind us, but we are enjoying it.

Brendan's personality really can warm your heart.

He loves hearing about and watching animals and to learn about everything around him. The best toys are pots, pans, tupperware, and utensils in the kitchen.

He also has a push toy that he will do laps around the house with. Grandpa taught him to climb the stairs and today he climbed and climbed and climbed!

We still do not let him watch television, though he has watched some Planet Earth on BluRay. I seriously think his social and verbal competence is because of it. We try to eat as a family at the table every night and he will eat just about anything. He loves cheese like Mom and raspberries like Dad. We feed him colorful food from all of the food groups and if he doesn't like it he throws it over his shoulder.

He now has 6 teeth and brushes them himself every morning. :)

Brendan's First Birthday

Brendan's actual birthday at Dr. Lichtsinn's office. He's a healthy 23 lbs. and tall.
Da-da read to him just before his shots.

Birthday lunch at Oregano's across the street from the hospital he was born at. He was dancing to the music and playing with other children dining nearby.

Brendan opened some gifts from Mom and Dad on his birthday.

Brendan and his Grandma at his birthday party.

All of the guests wore their favorite hat for the Hat's Off to Brendan theme.

Kids craft table.

Photo with Mama and her big green hat.

Being the Birthday boy is tiring!

Tearing into the cake and making a mess!

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

How old am I game.

Cat in Hat themed entry. Guests were asked to write a birthday message in chalk.

Favor table with used Dr. Suess titles. Dr. Suess books were everywhere.
We also had Dr. Suess inspired food.

Good bye and thank you message.

The invite said, On June eighteenth, two thousand and nine, We rushed to the hospital, as fast as could be. We rushed there so quickly, We rushed there, we two. In our suitcase we carried little clothes all in blue. For we knew that we soon would at last get to meet Our beautiful boy, oh so precious and sweet. At six o'clock sharp, we greeted with joy, The love of our lives, our new little boy. We soon took him home. Now the days quickly pass, As sweet little Brendan Is growing so fast. As we look back with joy At this year filled with fun, It's again time to celebrate Our wonderful son. So join us on Saturday, June ninteenth to celebrate Brendan's first! The party's at three, So please don't be late. We'll have for you ice cream, games, and cake on a plate. It's sure to be fun. So please RSVP! You will have a good time, You will not want to miss, A Cat in the Hat celebration like this!