Thomas the Train & Play Date

Brady has gotten big into trains - he'll line up boxes and sit on them saying "choo-choo" or he'll build trains out of legos and drag them around.  What better way to get him on a real train than the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.  And it just so happened last weekend they had Thomas the Train.

After an afternoon at the tracks and playing outside, we met Keira and her parents for dinner.  Despite both kids being exhausted off short naps, they had a blast playing together singing songs at dinner, smiling and chattering back and forth (they have their own language), and mimicking one another.  Outside the restaurant they had potted flowers.  You're not supposed to pick them, but it was really cute seeing Brady pick one to give to Keira.  They have so much fun together, when we left Brady was asking for "More Keira?"

Fort Worth Zoo March 2014

Took advantage of a clear cool spring day to visit the Fort Worth Zoo and see if the animals were out of hibernation.  Sure enough, not only out of hibernation but with a few new additions to the zoo family.  Brady had a blast seeing all the animals, going on the train and carousel, and exploring the zoo.  He's been into the movie Madagascar lately so was excited to see the lions, zebras, hippos, and giraffes - he calls all lions Alex.  Can't wait to take him to Fossil Rim or SeaWorld.

 Getting a birds eye view

 Baby Belle and Baby Bowie (born late summer/early fall 2013)

 Wanna go play?

 Riding on the Yellow Rose Express train

 1st Carousel ride - he hung on all by himself!

 Wow what big teeth you have

 Conversing with the gorillas

 The fam on the Yellow Rose Express train

Checking out some of the man made wildlife

February 2014 Adventures

Another month goes by and Brady gets one month closer to turning two.  His birthday falls on Easter this year (as does Uncle E's) so will take some coordination and planning.  But Mommy already has some ideas.

Brady still sleeps great, going down for bed at 8pm and waking up at 7am (school days) or on his own at 730-8am on weekends.  He also still naps 1x/day right after lunch for ~1.5-2 hrs.  We put a pillow in his crib and playpen that he seems to like to sleep with, plus a favorite soft blanket.  He really loves his Cars toddler blanket he got from Grandma Reggie at Christmas.  As for eating, he has one cup of warm milk when he wakes up, then breakfast, lunch, one snack, dinner, and another cup of warm milk before bed.  He drinks water or a 50/50 mix of water/juice intermittently during the day.  He regularly poops mid-morning, with an occasional poop after dinner before his bath.  

He has a few new favorite things - he's gotten into Curious George and Dinosaurs.  He likes watching the Curious George or Dinosaur Train cartoons on TV, or reading Curious George books.  We recently took him to the FW Museum of Science and History to see the dinosaur exhibit, he makes the best dinosaur roar (it's the same noise for sharks, lions, tigers, and bears)!  Another favorite thing is running full speed around the house pushing his dump truck or motorcycle.  Indy got run over once, now he gets out of the way.  Speaking of Indy, for about a month he got in super protective mode of his family.  Not sure if it's because Mommy is preggo or he's guarding Brady, or both, but when we were out with him twice he's barked and lunged at our neighbors.  Thankfully that phase seems to have passed.  Mommy was just happy that wasn't a sign of imminent (and early) labor.

Brady's also learned to count, and can count from 1 to 10.  We're working on colors, he seems to call everything blue but on drives home from school Mommy teaches him red and green (stop lights).  He likes to draw, either with his markers on his special paper or with chalk on his easel.  One day he just started drawing "Mommy, Daddy, Brady" on his easel - we were just some scribbled lines but it was really sweet.  

He really enjoys his independence.  When we get home Mommy gives him the house keys to take to the door.  This gives Brady a sense of responsibility and keeps him from getting too distracted by whatever he passes by (and frees up Mommy's hands).  He also brings in groceries or mail (ok maybe 1 item), will help pick up stuff off the floor and throw it in the trash, and take whatever item to Mommy/Daddy.  But still no real interest in using the potty.  

Here are some photos from his recent adventures:

Izzy's 2nd Birthday Party - at a giant bounce house indoor park.

 Wheeeeeeee!!!

 Playing grab the flag with Izzy

Sharing cake with some friends

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day at the daycare - love all his little friends!

(plus a few bonus gifts from Grandma Reggie)

Mom & Dad's 9th anniversary

Our little man growing up:

 Enjoying this February spring weather (nice shirt too)

 Coloring with Daddy at dinner

 Mommy did this as a kid, it's hereditary?

Drinking from a big boy cup all on his own

Daddy teaching him how to make big bubbles

Bumps and Bruises

What a week, got 3 separate bumps on the head this week.  First, falling into a corner while playing chase at a birthday party.  Then winning a tug of war game with a toy that hit him in the center of the forehead.  Then scraping up his forehead and nose running and sliding outside.  The latter two required parent signatures at the daycare.  Boys will be boys right?

Growing Up - Our Little Boy

This month Brady transitioned to the next room up, the Early Preschool I room.  Preschool?!?!  Would somebody please slow down time.  Without warning Brady has become a little boy, at 21 months old he's full of wants and needs and lots of energy.  His communication skills are improving - what was once one word sentences has now become 2 or 3 words.  Guess he hears us talking to Indy, because we get a lot of "Mommy/Daddy come" or "Mommy/Daddy sit".  And when he goes up to bed, he likes to say bye to everything like "Bye balloon", "Bye tent", "Bye tiger", etc.  He likes his movies, recently preferring Nemo or Lion King to Cars (finally, not sure how many more times we could watch Cars), but we try to limit TV/cartoons to lazy weekend mornings or when Mom and Dad need time to do chores.

His sense of independence is growing.  Now that he's a big a boy he has his own tent, chair, and TV.  Sounds like a typical man.  He enjoys playing in his tent inviting Mom, Dad, or Indy in to join him.  Instead of sliced apples, he prefers to eat whole apples (with supervision).  His legs were getting so long we turned his car seat around so he now faces forward.  He loved it the first day, saying "Wow" at all the new things he could see.  He can open doors with lever style handles, but not knobs just yet.  And he loves playing outside and with sticks (he must get this from Grandma Reggie).  He's such a good boy, always sharing his sticks with you, and he loves to scrape them and play in the dirt.  The outdoors is such a big adventurous place for him, he never wants to come inside.  Good habits take practice, and we always wash our hands when we come in.  With lots of wants, and limited communication skills, no toddler is exempt from tantrums.  We find we have less tantrums if we give him choices instead of telling him what he can or can't have, no different than any adult.

Getting excited for spring time here in Texas to take Brady back to the zoo or spend more time playing at the park.  Soon enough we'll be planning a 2 yr old birthday party.

EPS I Daily Schedule

Chillaxin' in his new chair

 Eating an apple like a big boy

 There was a football on top of that cupcake - where it'd go?

Yum a lemon

First day in the forward facing car seat = lots of smiles!

 The new tent

 A toddler bachelor pad in the making

Mommy came home from a business trip to be greeted by this smile = Love!

Brady & Keira Playdate Jan 2014

Starting off the new year with good friends!  Brady and Keira had their first play date of 2014 while the adults watched the NFC and AFC playoff games (the Patriots beat the Colts 43-22 to advance to the AFC championship game).  The kids had a blast playing together, running, giggling, chasing, and squealing.  It's so fun to watch them grow up together.  This visit you could see more distinct developmental changes - they're both talking clearer, they're able to vocalize happiness or frustration to each other (no, share!), they can both climb, and help one another out.  And it's really cute to hear them say each others names.  Can't believe they'll both be 2 in April!

 Giving each other high fives

 Playing Legos

 Sharing a seat

 Taking turns riding bikes

Keira taking a break with Mommy 

Brady posing with Mommy 

Keira and Daddy building a lego tower 

Mr thumb sucker

Playing with the new easel 

 Brady saying "Go Pats!"

Playing peek a boo in their "apartment"

(These videos, with sound, are located in the Videos folder on the right - enjoy!)