9 months old

Today Brady is nine months old!  I know I say it every month, but I still can't believe how fast the time has gone.  We'll have full stats next week when we go to the doctor, but his unofficial weight is 21 pounds.  His rate of growth seems to have slowed down, at least physically.  He is definitely thinning out and is not the chubby baby he was a couple months ago.

He is energetic as always, and has found a new mode of transportation.  We keep his exersaucer in the kitchen to entertain him while we cook or eat dinner.  While we were eating the other night, he started jumping in his exersaucer (more than normal- as in, the house was shaking).  He learned that he can hop/scoot himself, exersaucer and all, across the room!  I'm quite sure this is not what Evenflo had in mind when they developed the toy.

Maybe he's got a future in the toy-testing industry?  I predict he will be a pro at pushing his toys to their limits!

The bib says it all.

Trying to master the sippy cup.

His new thing- sticking his little tongue out!

Having a splashing time in the bath.

Baby, it's cold outside

We have had a relatively quiet start to the new year.  We've mostly been home catching up on all the housework that got pushed aside during the holidays.  We've done some furniture rearranging to accommodate Brady's growing collection of toys and to give him a play space on the main level.  We have also been able to visit with friends, and Mommy and Daddy got to have a date night thanks to Denise!

Brady is working hard at trying to crawl.  He's got the stance right, but he can't seem to get his arms and legs moving in a cooperative motion.  Instead he scoots backwards, which really frustrates him!  He seems to have a little more control from a seated position.  He can scoot backwards and also rotate himself around sideways.  Unfortunately most of the things he wants are in front of him!

Brady is still eating a wide variety of foods (including meats now), but vegetables are definitely his favorite.  Now we have to bribe him with vegetables to get him to eat his cereal.  And feeding time has gotten increasingly messy since Brady wants to "help" with the process.  He's quick to stick his hands in the bowl or grab the spoon from you and fling slop across the kitchen.

We are counting down to Spring when we can get outside again!

This picture perfectly illustrates their relationship.

Ready to crawl!

Teething, but still no teeth...

Morning play time

So serious

I think he's growing a little mohawk

Happy boy

Extra cute

He's getting so big!

Happy 2011!

We rang in the new year in WV.  Actually we didn't do much "ringing;" it was the first New Year's Eve in I can't remember how long that we were in bed waaaay before midnight!  Welcome to parenthood.

"I'm eight months old and one bushel big!"



Checking out his new teddy bear from Mammaw



Just when you thought we were done opening gifts...

Aunt Casey helps out the little man.

Fun with Uncle Jacob

and Aunt Stephanie!

Niles got a new hiding place for Christmas.

Tired of the coaching drama at WVU, Brady throws his support behind the Badgers.

Giving his best grouchy face.

The Merriment Continues

Brady's first Christmas stretches on!  Gayle's dad, stepmom, and two brothers came to visit on Sunday; her mom, stepdad, and sister visited on Tuesday.  As usual, Brady loved the opportunity to play with everyone and show off his unwrapping skills.  And in a twist I'm sure no one saw coming, Brady is officially spoiled!  We have enough toys to start a daycare.  In fact, the living room definitely resembles one!  Brady is such a lucky boy to have so many people who love him.

"For me?!"

"I hope I have hair like Uncle Daniel's some day!"

Vroom vroom

"I've got the hang of this now..."

"But it might take a while!"

"Gimme that bow!"

Enjoying his new toys

Merry Christmas to all

We had a very Merry Christmas today!  Brady got up waaaayyyyy too early this morning, so we waited until after his first nap to open presents.  He seemed to really like all of his toys, but I think he was a little overwhelmed with the unwrapping process.  He started to fuss as I would take a toy away from him so he could open the next gift (hello object permanence!).  And Santa made a rookie mistake- no batteries!  But there was a happy ending- Brady got to spend the afternoon surrounded by his shiny, new, colorful, loud toys!  I think he'll sleep well tonight.

Christmas Eve

It's been another fun week with Brady.  We were able to meet his newest amiga, Katie and Sean's beautiful daughter Shannon!  We also met Denise one day for lunch.  It was Brady's first time in one of those little wooden restaurant high chairs, and it was quite an experience!  He managed to hop and move around the entire time, and even head-butted the table once.  I ate with one hand and kept the other on the chair, but we both survived.  I guess Brady is who they had in mind when they invented the 5-point harness system.  :)

Today we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with Denise, René, and Mary.  I made a ton of food, lots of desserts (made possible by my lovely new stand mixer), and the company couldn't have been better.  We have been looking forward to Brady's first Christmas, and we were so happy that we could kick off the celebration with family and friends around.

Brady got to open his first gifts tonight from Denise.  He liked ripping the paper and playing with his new toys, but the best part seemed to be the shiny, sticky bows!  Judging by the snail-like pace he went at tonight, we'll still be opening the massive pile of presents under our tree come next summer!

I can't wait until the morning.  I haven't been this excited for Christmas since I was a kid!

Pffttttttt!

There's my handsome boy

Shannon is very impressed by Brady's driving

Saying hello to familiar faces in the photo album

Playtime with Lucky

With Uncle René and Aunt Mary on Christmas Eve

"Bring on the ham!"








"So shiny! So pretty!"

"You mean there's more than just the paper and bow?!"

"Ooh, how does this one work?"

Thank you Aunt Denise!