Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We spent our holiday (and Pete's birthday) in WV.  Each time we go home to WV we rotate whose house we stay at, so Brady never knows where his little head will wake up!  Fortunately he's a good traveler and doesn't mind sleeping in new places.  Now, Lucky on the other hand...

We enjoyed two Thanksgiving dinners, two birthday celebrations, and even a date for lunch and Harry Potter!

Today Brady turned seven months old.  His newest accomplishment?  He transferred an object from one hand to the other while we were in WV.  Unfortunately, today we also had to take Pete to the airport for another two week trip to Arizona.  Brady and I have a lot on our to-do list, so hopefully the time will fly.

It goes without saying that we have so much to be thankful for this year.  Add to that list our heartfelt congratulations to Mark and Jessica on welcoming their daughter (and Elena's little sis) Lilliana!

Trying out Uncle Dustin's lap

Playing baseball under the coaching of Aunt Casey

"Where's my turkey dinner?"

Celebrating the November birthdays

What's so interesting up there?  You guessed it, the ceiling fan!

Watching football with Uncle Frankie

"Wow, Aunt Mary Gay has a lot of Santas!"

Happy to see Lucy again

Relaxing on Aunt Casey

"Do these come in my size?"

One tired turkey

Speaking of turkeys... Uncle Daniel takes a turn holding the munchkin

Odds and ends

Brady has been chatting up a storm this week, and he has learned some new sounds.  Ma, meh (Mommy right?!), and ba.  Pete thinks Brady and I are practicing the Ma's a little too often and the Da's a little too infrequently during the day, haha.  I assure you we are equal-opportunity sound makers in this house!

Brady is also about to learn that you can never have too many holiday meals.  We had an early Thanksgiving dinner with our friends Steve, Meredith, and baby Sophie this week, and there are two more on the horizon.

Catching up with Sophie

Little Drummer Boy

Baby yoga

Just... one... more



Awwwww




Spoiled?




"Yeah yeah, guy in a cow suit.  But who is she?" 



Sitting in the shopping cart...

... ended like this on both attempts!

Checking out the view from the newly installed big boy car seat

West Virginia Weekend

We just can't seem to sit still lately, so we hit the road again for a weekend in WV.  Pete and I went to a Mountaineer football game with Denise and a friend on Saturday.  The weather was unseasonably warm, and the 'Eers played unseasonably well, so it was a successful day!  Brady sat this one out, opting to have his own fun and games with Nana, Pop Pop, and Aunt Casey instead.

The rest of the weekend was crammed full of family visiting.  Brady has not seen most of them for a few months, so he was eager to show off his new tricks.

A great day to be a Mountaineer

Aunt Casey helping Brady eat some lunch

Time for a walk with Nana

Lounging with Lucy, Brady's favorite toy of the weekend



Happy to run into great Aunt Nancy Rae and Uncle Norman, also in town



Mammaw with her very funny keys

Gayle's brothers looking contemplative



Gayle's dad and brother watching The Brady Show



Brady jumping around for Grandma





A duet with Uncle Dustin





Great Aunt Mary Gay and Uncle Frankie are hilarious!

Taking a power nap to recharge the cuteness

Brady's serious pose

Sad to be leaving so soon

Casey and Mammaw

Still loving that ceiling fan





One last group picture before we head off



"Finally, someone who speaks my language"

6 month pediatrician visit

This afternoon was our six month pediatrician appointment.  Brady continues to be very healthy and seems to be on track with all of his developmental milestones.  He measured 28" long (90-95th percentile), weighed 19 lbs 1.8 oz (75-90th percentile), and his head measured 17" (25-50th percentile).  He received the same immunizations as last time plus a flu shot.  He did better with his shots- he only cried for a minute or two this time.  He's sleeping now, so we'll see how he does tonight.

We've been trying new foods every three days, and Brady seems to like everything we give him.  He has mastered carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, prunes, and we tried bananas today.  It's hard to say, but I think sweet potatoes have been his favorite so far.  We tried giving him some water in a sippy cup the other day, but he had no idea what we were trying to do to him.  I think he got a couple drinks, but he didn't seem to appreciate the taste yet.  He doesn't quite have the motor skills for holding the cup, but we'll keep working on it.

He has been getting better at sitting unsupported.  He can do it for about a minute at a time now, and he can use his arms to correct himself if he starts leaning to the side a little.  He can get up on his arms, and pull his knees under himself, but not at the same time.  He rolls over in both directions easily, and can squirm himself around the floor (and crib) pretty effectively.

He enjoys music, toys with lights, and things that rattle.  He also likes to be read to, but he's grabbing at the pages now so board books are best.  And when he gets excited, he pants and does this little twirly-thing with his hands- so cute!

Another cute sleeping position.  We put him down on his back to sleep, but he obviously prefers his stomach.  Here he is hugging his crib bumper like a pillow.

Denise babysat for us on Sunday so we could go out to eat.  A good time was had by all!

Sitting pretty

His new favorite pose- the toe grab

Mr. Cheeks

Here is a sneak peak at his Christmas picture outfit.  We tried it on last night and he did NOT appreciate it.

Yeah, I look good.



Not so much now.



I think he looks like a big boy here- so serious

Playing with his new musical turtle from Denise

At the doctor's office