Brady had another great week with lots of new firsts.  This was his first week in the toddler room and he did great.  He's getting on a more formal schedule with breakfast, lunch, and snack times at school. All the kids go down for naps at the same time and we got Brady a really cute nap mat.  They come with built in pillows and fleece blankets (adults at Lockheed would love these).  So far he's napping ok as they pair the kids off and he sees the other kids sleeping so he sleeps too.  They did say he doesn't sleep as long as the other kids, of course he doesn't want to miss anything!  The daycare prepares all the food and offers him milk with meals and water periodically throughout the day.  So far he hasn't been a big fan of whole milk (at daycare or at home).  Some cute things about the classroom are learning to sit and eat at a table in kiddie chairs, the class pet fish Mr Shark, the water table, and arts and crafts.  This week Brady drew a picture of the fish tank for Mom and Dad to put on the fridge.

Other developments include running (we knew it wouldn't be long).  The walking/falling forward thing quickly became a run.  We started putting him in sneakers to get used to real shoes and for field trips and water days at school.  At first he took these funny wide steps but then he got the hang of it and they only make him faster.

He's enjoying bath time more trying to drink the bath water (yuck), standing up to play, and playing with the water at the faucet.  He likes to splash the faucet water and say "WOW!".  Not sure where he learned how to say wow but it's cute and he says it a lot.

As far as eating, his preferences come and go.  He seems to really like fruit especially blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and mangos.  Veggies it's hit or miss.  Sometimes he like peas, corn, carrots, green beans, and avacados, but some days he will shove them aside.  He really likes endamame beans when we go out for sushi.  For carbs he likes bread, his puffs (any flavor), pasta, and his favorite macaroni and cheese.  The messier the pasta the more he enjoys it.  He still hasn't taken to meats preferring to shove them on the floor for Indy.  Altogether he seems to be growing, looks healthy, and poops frequently so seems he's eating enough.  His bottom left molar is all the way in, but the bottom right is taking it's time and hasn't broken through the skin yet.  No signs of the upper molars yet.  He poops pretty consistently in the morning after his milk or after dinner before his bath.  Sometimes he'll poop a 3rd time at daycare.

He's really taken to sign language and can do milk, eat, more, baby, dad, up, tree, airplane, ball and bird.  We are working on cup and water.  It seems to work well as we can sorta communicate and avoid potential meltdowns (most times haha).  He does know how to shake his head "yes" and "no" and will let you know when he doesn't want to eat something.

We started playing with him in the backyard which he LOVES.  He's getting taller so will reach for the door when he wants to go outside.  He plays in the grass mostly walking around, throwing a ball, or playing in his kiddie pool.

This week we tried the Little Gym in Arlington to try to meet some local parents and kids.  It was a lot fun with circle time, shakers, sticks, balls, explore time, and playing on all the gym equipment.  There was about 10 kids in the class ranging from 10-19 months (the "birds" age group).  Brady was really sweet to one shy little 17 mo old boy smiling at him and reaching for his hand.  The shy boy gave him a half smile and within minutes was crawling around getting more adventurous.  Mom met another couple who kept apologizing for their son taking balls away from Brady.  Apparently their kid stays home with Grandma all day so doesn't get much exposure to other kids or learning to share.  Mom told them no worries.  We're all signed up for the 11 wk summer program so should be fun.

Another first was Brady climbing the stairs.  This kid loves to climb!  Mom let him climb and he did extremely well almost like he'd done it before.  He was proud of himself when he got to the top.  While he can climb up, we'll wait on going back down until he's a little older.

The forecast calls for 100 deg temps this week, bring on the Texas summer!

Enjoying a graduation cupcake - congrats on going to the toddler room!

Brady's nap mat

Our big boy in his new convertible car seat

 Walking in the yard with Mom

Playing catch with Indy 

Backyard adventures

The Little Gym in Arlington - I wanna go back in and play!

Checking my SPF before hitting the pool 

Pool time with Mom 

Splashing with Mom

Greeted by an amazing display of sidewalk chalk art during this morning's walk to the park.

It's official, Brady has graduated from the infant room!  He looks too cute in his CCY graduation paper "cap".  Starting Monday he will be full time in the toddler room.  Congrats to our "big" little guy!

1st week in the toddler room! This week Brady started his transition from the infant room to the toddler room spending a little more time in that room each day leading to full time next week.  He will be on a more formal classroom schedule, learning to wash his hands, and getting play time outside.  In addition he will use a cup (no bottles) and drink milk with meals (vs milk as a meal).  He is growing up too fast!

Last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and we spent time with the Seminara's in New Jersey for Jennie's graduation from Fordham University.  Congratulations Jennie!  We had a great party with wiffle ball, a monkey rope bridge, jukebox, food, and a fire pit.  It was really nice to see family and Brady had fun playing with all his cousins.

We were happy Brady was feeling better so we could even travel to NJ.  That nasty virus he had lasted 5 days with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and not eating.  Mom certainly earned a few more stripes on her Mom badge (and will miss her favorite pair of shoes).

Toddler room schedule

Brady and Aunt Jennie

The Pierce cousins - Issac (age 7), Sophie (age 4), Madelyn (age 2), and Brady (13 mos)

Brady's first Google search: <,, .fr4dep.;opk;p;.jn

Apparently this means "fever remedies" if you speak baby.  Poor Brady, he has caught a virus that caused him to vomit and have diarrhea (the first day) then spiked his temperature.  Mom stayed home with him today.  This morning he seemed his normal self, drinking a full bottle and eating some oatmeal and Cheerios.  But after his morning nap the fever returned with a vengeance spiking to 103.5 deg.  Mom gave him some Tylenol which brought it down to 102 deg.  Took him to the pediatrician, who confirmed it was not hand-foot-mouth disease but another virus that has been going around.  Typically the fever lasts 4 days, here's hoping we're on day 2.  At the pedi, his temperature was 103.8 deg.  Before bed it was 103.1 deg.  Mom is alternating Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours which seems to give him some comfort if only bringing the fever down a degree or two.  Thankfully he's keeping hydrated drinking 27oz of his normal 30oz of formula.  In addition to the oatmeal and Cheerios, he did eat some puffs and yogurt bites at dinner.  He also sipped water during the day.  Feverish fussy babies cry a lot and want to be held.  Now it Mom's turn for some Tylenol!

He's also getting his bottom 2 molars which can be pretty painful for a baby.  Poor Brady!  Daddy returns Sunday night from the bachelor party.

2nd Mother's Day 

Took a weekend RV trip to the Wichita Mtn Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.  Spring was in full bloom with wildflowers all along the highways and the park.  Free range buffalo and longhorns were grazing and enjoying the nice weather.  It was truly beautiful.  We rented a travel trailer from a place that rents privately owned units.  This one came complete with a flat screen TV and backlit "fireplace" both of which could rotate 180 degrees to face the master bedroom or the living area.  Brady did great on his first RV trip with ooohhhs and ahhhhs at the wildlife and all the trees.  He also slept well at night despite the campground noise and us going in and out of the RV to the campfire. 

Mom learned that Mother's Day is just a little more special to her than any birthday.  Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!

 Home away from home for the weekend

 Brady and Mom

 Life on the refuge

 Beautiful scenery

 One of the locals

 Brady enjoying the view

 View from Mt Scott (Fort Sill in the background)

Another resident of the park

Brady had his 12 month check up today - he weighed in at 21 lbs 7.5 oz (25%), 29 in long (25%), and 46.75 cm head circumference (50%).  He has gained 4 lbs, 1.5", and 1.75cm.  He used to be 5% weight, 25% height, and 30% head circumference, so guess he's adjusted well to formula, milk, and table food!  He also had blood drawn (pin prick on his toe) and 2 shots one in each leg.  Brady was a tough guy, he only cried with the shots but stopped and waved bye to the nurse.  His next checkup will be at 15 months.

Other new developments in Brady's life include a few words - Dada and Mama (although not necessarily at us), uh oh, and hi.  In fact when we go in to wake him up in the morning, the first thing he says is "hi".  It's really cute.  He has also learned how to throw a ball.  He can throw it with either hand, but seems to be a little stronger with the right hand. Future pitcher for the Red Sox?  Maybe.  Speaking of balls, he loves the giant bouncy ball the Massey family gave him for his birthday.  It's almost as big as him but he loves batting it around.  We also discovered he loves bouncing on the bed.  He may only be a year old but he knows know what to do!

Imagination starts at an early age