Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Welcome Baby Parker!!!

Parents Again!
We welcome to the world Parker Jackson Seminara born 5/6/14 at 10:40pm weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and measuring 20" long.  Parker was born almost 1 lb heavier than Brady and with much less and what looks to be blonder hair.  He also seems to have Mom's complexion with fairer skin.  Parker was born after 5 days of nightly contractions and while Mom and Dad had hoped for a VBAC, at the very end Parker was delivered by c-section.  Both Mom and Parker are doing well and we just love the latest addition to our family!


Monday, April 21, 2014

Brady's 2 Year Old Checkup

Today Brady had his 2 year old checkup - he weighed in a 26.8 lbs (25th percentile), 34 1/2" tall (50th percentile), and 48 1/2 cm head circumference (50th percentile).  Other than weigh maybe he won't be a munchkin like his Mommy!  The doctor was very impressed with his vocal and communication skills.  Brady was telling her about a toy helicopter in the play area - when she asked where it flew he said in the sky.  He definitely understands what you're telling or asking him, and for the most part you can understand his responses.  His left ear tube has been out for some time, but his right tube is still in, so for the last month we haven't been using ear plugs during baths.  Also the doctor noticed his lower left molar has broken through, and his lower right molar is about to break through.  His upper two molars are still not present.  These four molars break between ages 2 and 3, so Brady's already ahead of the game!  He was in a good mood until he got his Hep A shot in his leg, but Daddy was there to comfort him.  Next checkup is at age 3, and lucky for Brady there are no vaccinations on that checkup.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Brady's 2nd Birthday

Happy 2nd Birthday Brady!!!  After having to postpone a week for rain, we were able to have Brady's 2nd birthday party at the park.  And we had a beautiful day.

It's hard to believe that 2 years ago today Mom would go through one of the hardest days of her life and end up with this wonderful bundle of joy.  Brady has brought us so much love, joy, and tenderness - we are so grateful to have him in our lives.  Happy birthday to our little munchkin, you brighten our world :)

In honor of turning two Brady has said two full sentences.  The first came one night just before dinner when he asked "Daddy can I have a cookie?"  We really didn't want to give him a cookie and spoil his appetite, but how can you say now to a kid's first full sentence?  The next came later in the week with "Mommy I have full diaper" and Brady proceeded to stand up and head upstairs to get changed.  Love this kid!  He also has a new favorite saying - "Mommy/Daddy hold you" where he wants you to hold him, haha.  Another observation of Brady turning two is that he has grown a neck - no longer is he cheeks on chest.  Our little man is growing up!

Our little family

Firetruck cupcake cake - yum!

Sugar high

 Ms Keira

Keira and Michelle

Ms Barb and Brady - from daycare

Randy, Kris, and Brady

 Ms Sam, Kayse and Devin, and Ms Christina - from daycare

Brady loves his teachers

 Playing trucks with Keira

 Showing Keira how to feed the ducks

 Beautiful day at the park

 Trying to catch bubbles with his tractor?

 Babies and bubbles - like peas and carrots

 Keira getting in on the fun

 Bubble guns - fun!

 Digging with Keira's Uncle Angelo

 Doodling with sidewalk chalk

Snack time

Time to go - happy birthday Brady

Monday, April 7, 2014

Spring School Pictures

Brady's spring school pictures are in!  Our handsome little man looks so grown up, and we think he's pretty photogenic too. :)

March 2014 - Brady 23 months (almost 2)


Friday, April 4, 2014

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?"




Saturday, March 29, 2014

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

Sunday, March 2, 2014

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