Omaha & Books

I had a great day in Omaha on Saturday.  I LOVE my hair color (thanks Jenn!) and I got some good chat time in with my sisters and mom.  It was weird - we actually were able to have an hour or so conversation with no kids to distract us.  I always have a hard time leaving Omaha - I would love to live by some of my sisters.  It always takes awhile to get over that feeling. 

I left Brady at home with Chris.  I very much dislike not being with Brady, so although I enjoyed my day, it was hard to leave him.  I guess I "over-instructed" Chris and he decided to make a joke out of it.  First off, he said "Drake who?".  And then I would get text messages that would say 'Does Brady like Ranch or BBQ sauce with his chicken?' and 'He likes Mt. Dew, right?'.  And the best one was that afternoon I got the following picture below titled 'Afternoon Snack':

Point taken Chris.  I should trust that you know how to take care of him.  :)

**Also, I just finished reading two books and really enjoyed them.  'The Opposite of Me' by Sarah Pekkanen was one where it was hard to set down until I finished.  It was really great.  The other one was a bunch of short stories about being a Christian mom - it was good too!  It was 'Mothers Have Angel Wings' by Carol Kent.  I would recommend both of them!

Favorite Moment

I had a favorite moment with Brady yesterday.  Yesterday was not a great day because I had one of those make you nauseous light is too bright headaches.  We lounged around and after lunch, Brady wanted to lay on the couch next to me and drink his water.  We layed facing each other and he looked so grown up in my arms with his head up on the armrest.  Eventually he fell asleep and it was such a great cuddle moment.  He really does melt my heart.

And he is really just moving right along with his learning.  He is pointing to things he wants.  If I say "Do you want another cracker?" he'll walk over to the counter and point to where they are.  If I say it's bathtime, he'll walk over to the steps to go upstairs.  If I ask if he is ready for his milk, he'll walk into the kitchen.  Looking at books is another favorite of his.  He brings you a book and then sits in your lap so you can read to him.  He says "Hi" now when he sees people (most of the time) and it's high-pitched - - - it's so adorable!  He knows what his belly button is and sometimes when you ask "Where is your belly button" he pulls his shirt WAY up!!  He loves Drake and gives him kisses a lot (which entails leaning forward and putting his head on Drake).  He also recognizes the pictures on our fridge of his cousins.  And he can just reach the door knobs - he's getting so tall!  It's been a blast watching him grow and learn.  What a wonderful thing to experience!

Messy Eater!!

Mom Moments

Today at the Y daycare, I almost had a smack down with a kid.  He was probably about three/four years old.  I watched him taunt Brady and then push him down.  Brady was screaming.  Of course, I would never do that, but boy did I want too!  I know I'll have "mom moments".  I've had a few already!  Our last night in the hospital, Chris and I had went for a walk and as we walked by the nursery on the way back to our room, Brady was the only baby in there and he was crying in his little bed.  The nurse was busy and wasn't paying attention to him.  I became all emotional and had Chris go get him and told him I was never leaving him again.  :)  There were also a few times this summer when Brady had woke up in his bed crying and he was facing the wall.  It was like he was disoriented and couldn't figure out why he couldn't see anything.  He didn't realize he was on the wrong side of the bed.  It sounds stupid, but I felt so sorry for him both times and rushed in to grab him since he sounded so scared.  Another time recently, I watched Brady in the big kid room at the Y before he noticed me.  He was just standing there holding a toy and watching everyone - to me, he looked a little lost.  I just feel so protective of him in these situations.  That's why today as I watched this kid push Brady, I wanted to lay into the kid.  But I didn't.  I know that when Brady is old enough to understand, we'll use those situations as learning situations, but it's still so hard to watch....  

Pictures

Brady and  Beckett cracking each other up!!!

Brady thought it was hilarious when they would both start screaming at the same time...

Beckett thought Brady needed his paci.  :)

Brady and Drake.  Drake is just waiting for a piece of his cookie to drop...

More things to never forget.....

Brady is just changing so much that it's hard to remember all the little things!  Here are some more things that I never want to forget:

1. When he is tired and I am changing his diaper, he grabs my arm and holds it against his cheek and cuddles with it.  It's so sweet.  And then when he feels like being silly, he'll touch his feet to his forehead or eyes and starts laughing.  Now, this only happens when he decides to lay still - which is hardly ever!
2. For almost a month now, he has been on regular food - no more baby food or formula.  And recently he has decided that he WILL drink his milk out of a sippy cup, so we are done with bottles too!  There are multiple bonuses to all of this.  First of all, I have my counter space back which I love!  Secondly, it's so much easier to go places when you don't have to pack all that formula, baby water, bottles, etc. etc. etc.  Love it!  And finally, it's easier when he eats now because he feeds himself.  He uses spoons, plates and bowls, although he's not completely getting the spoon idea.  He ate his whole bowl of yogurt with his hands the other day. 
3. Brady loves food and is really not that picky.  He hasn't liked maidrites or meatloaf, but will pretty much eat anything else.  He loves yogurt, bananas, any fruit really like grapes and strawberries, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, potatos and Club Cracker Snack Sticks.  And string cheese. 
4. He loves to be silly.  His newest thing is that when he wants you to chase him or pick on him, he'll run in place and stare and smile at you.  Of course we think it's hilarious.  Just tonight he came into the kitchen and stared at Chris and ran in place.  Chris copied him and he burst into giggles.
5. Although he has a happy temperment, I feel like he is getting fussy.  He has always been a little fussy from supper until bedtime (it must be common, daycare or not).  But lately it seems like it's quite a bit during the day too.  I guess it's mainly when he wants something so I know he's just trying to communicate with me, but sometimes it's like he woke up on the wrong side of the crib. :)
6. His bath time is typically not my favorite thing to do, but he makes it cute.  He stands on the side of the tub in his diaper as it's filling up and throws all the toys in.  I even caught him throwing the tote where we store the toys in one time.  He saves his car and scooter or helicopter though and drives them on the ledge - with sound effects.  Adorable.
7. I know he's 13 months so I should expect this, but his 12 month clothes are getting to small.  I always mourn a little when he outgrows his clothes.
8. He still loves to rub my arm or face or neck when he falls asleep. 
9. Our bedtime routine has changed and I finally like our routine.  Although it was sad to not have the bottle/rocking to sleep moments anymore, we do something similar.  I give him a snack and water around 7:20/7:30.  Then we head upstairs.  He gets a bath every other night, so once that is over with, we brush his hair and teeth, put on his pjs, read a few books, and then shut off the light and rock him to sleep.  He's usually out by 8:15/8:30.  I like it. 

Here's a picture from today.  He just couldn't keep up with my mom, Grandma and me.  :)