Brendan Thrives

Brendan is growing up so fast and is just under 35 lbs now. He's getting big! I am pretty much blown away daily and at loss for words in describing his vibrant personality. This kiddo is very verbally advanced for his age and we are told so in public all the time. He is a little sponge and has an amazing memory too. At any given time I can stop reading to him and he has the words to the story or song memorized. I am also proud to report he speaks Spanish and will run around singing "Abuscante amigos, to Rescue my friends" from one of his favorite TV shows Go Diego, Go.

Yes, he is all toddler and our house is never clean anymore. It's not uncommon for the boys (Brendan and Reese) to be running or scooting through the kitchen. Brendan enjoys reading, playing outside, swimming, going to the park and for walks, 'driving the car', looking at photos, and helping mom cook. His favorite game is hide and seek. At his age he will cover his eyes and think he's hidden- mom and dad's closets also are favorite places to hide.

The intelligence and his ability to understand things is advanced beyond most 2 year-olds. He recently stopped telling people he's 18 mo old and now will answer with 2. While running errands I noticed he picked up an employee's name from another employee saying it and remembered it. Suddenly, he goes what is Chris doing? and I'm like Who's Chris? And the other employee pointed to the guy on phone who's name Brendan happened to pick up. Sure enough name tag said Chris. I have no idea how he picks things like this up all the time seemingly from no where but he pays attention.


I wonder if he is gifted based on the way he likes to learn. He will read a picture dictionary, same stories over and over (fiction and non-fiction) and have it memorized. He seeks out information on his own and directs his own learning. I think the first time we left Brendan for the weekend we realized just how smart he is. While in Mexico in April/May Brendan got on the phone and told us everything he did at his grandparent's house in detail and so clearly. Lou and I were just both taken aback that he could annunciate so well and understand we were in Mexico playing in a volleyball tournament.

Now I don't know if it is all toddlers, or just mine, but this kid negotiates. He totally wants to negotiate vitamins, dessert, amount of time in time-out, pool time, etc. He's not quite ready to use the potty yet but we are talking about it.

He's a pretty amazing kid and I don't know how I got to be such a lucky parent. I just have to keep up with him...Lou was joking the other day how he's going to be smarter than us soon.

Adventures in March and April '11

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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.