Vacation

Vacation is always good! I had a blast visiting my Uncle Chet, Aunt Yaritza, Cousins Alyi & Almy in Delaware and Uncle Jim, Aunt Liz, and Cousin Bridget in Virginia. Mommy and Daddy said I did a terrific job in the car and with my sleep throughout the trip. Why that's a big deal, I have no idea.
At Uncle Chet's I really liked playing with the heavy rock eggs and balls and trying to climb their stairs. I don't have stairs in my house so it is always a treat when I see them at other people's houses. Alyi and Almi are getting so tall compared to me. I really like them because they play with and smile at me. On our way home we stopped at their house again. That time I gave Aunt Yaritza a few more smiles. I'll see them all again in June when we celebrate Great Great Aunt Betty's 95th birthday! WOW, she's had a lot of birthday parties! Lucky her.

When we got to Williamsburg, I was happy to be out of the car and to see another little person like me, Bridget. She had some very fun toys she shared with me the whole time we were there. The big cardboard box was lots of fun, and the fireplace was, too. I'm not sure Bridget was supposed to be playing with it, but I kind of ruined that. Sorry, Uncle Jim and Aunt Liz. I may have also taught her a bad trick by climbing up the stairs. They are just too hard to resist. Each morning we were happier and happier to see each other. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their time with my aunt and uncle after Bridget and I went to bed. They could finally take a break and drink some wine. They celebrated Uncle Jim's birthday one night. It was a relaxing time and a great time to get to know my family a little more.

We were supposed to stop at the Willis's on the way home for a night or two, but they were sick. Daddy had a super idea to stop at Rehobeth Beach, Delaware for a night instead and then to Uncle Chet's again. It was sunny and pleasant at Rehobeth so I got to play in the sand a little and Daddy even put my feet in the chilly water. I think I like the beach. (I know that makes Nana and GranJan very happy!) I even got to eat a little bit of crab cake. Yummy!

Now that we're back, our next big event is my 1st birthday. WOW, my first birthday party! I wonder what they're like?

11 Months

I've had a wonderful first 11 months of life! As they say, "Life is good!"

My latest tricks include taking a few steps holding on to only one hand of someone. Maybe I'm not that far off from walking by myself. I also learned how to put objects into something else and not just take everything out. I kept hearing Daddy talk about the object of some game was to putt the ball in the cup; so that is just what I did. I dropped the plastic golf ball I have into the red and blue cups that I play with. I guess I may be ready to go out and play that game with Daddy. He's been talking about it a lot lately because the weather is getting warmer.

This week it has been sunny and a little warmer so Mommy and I have been outside playing a little more in the yard. I especially like to take the wood chips and throw them out of the raised beds in front. When I see birds or dogs I grunt in excitement. Big news is that Mommy heard me say duck today a few times after we saw some on the lake and she called them ducks. That is one of my first words besides "Da da" and maybe dog.

I had a wonderful Easter celebration at Great Aunt Priscilla's and Uncle Dave's. It was great to see Nana and Poppy. Nana gave me my first Easter basket. Thank you!! I showed them in person how I can push furniture around (a play table). I got to play with my 2nd cousin Emmaline; we both provided much entertainment for all.

I am ready for my Daddy's family to come tomorrow. I have not seen them in a while so I bet I'll blow them away with how big I am and all that I can do.

10 Months and Crawling

I've learned to crawl. My belly was getting worn down. Now my knees and shins are bruised, but crawling on all fours is a much more efficient way to get around.

I'm also getting stronger and can push furniture across the room (like the coffee table and kitchen chairs).


Today I went in the pool for the first time with Mom and Dad at Waterbabies. I think I liked it. I'm sure I'll like it next week when my stomach bug is hopefully cleared up. I may have been a little punky today.

Play Date with JP

Yesterday I met a new little buddy, JP. Mommy's friend from her teaching work came over with her 8 month old son; so, we could play together. We shared our tricks with each other like him showing me how to clap and me showing him how I scootch on my belly. JP really liked my jumper; he was good at jumping and swinging because he had a lot of practice from home. Hopefully we can play together again soon.

Watch out, I am on the verge of crawling!
The last couple days I've taken a few crawling
movements before flattening out to my belly. I enjoy the military crawl and am reluctant to give it up, but I hear once I can crawl, I can get places quicker. That will be a thrill.

Time to get some rest. All this moving, reading, playing, banging, and growing makes me tired.

Even More Outstanding

I can now officially stand up in my crib all by myself. I can do it while I'm supposed to be going down for a nap or when I am finished! The great thing is that I already know how to lower myself back down. Mommy says that is a good talent to have. Even since last post, I am much better at pulling myself up to standing. I really enjoy the exercise of up, down, up, down...no big falls...yet.

I am currently teething with my 7th and 8th teeth; so nights are a little stuffy and wake-y. That shall pass, and I will have more chompers to chew my food while Mommy and Daddy will get a full night's rest again.

Speaking of Daddy, he took the Patriots' lose in the Super Bowl pretty well, as did I. I didn't even get to watch it because I was snoozing away. Now Daddy is focussed on golf! He says he's ready for the season to begin. I'm not really sure how that game is played, but Daddy says I'll like it.

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

Outstanding

One of my favorite things to do now is try to pull myself up to standing (and smiling at myself once I've done so)! I am getting very good at standing up in my "garden", but still have trouble on other furniture and people. Here are some of my other new favorites. Mom just loves to walk me around the kitchen in circles as I stick my belly out and swagger. (Mommy and Daddy say I have a long way to go before I walk.) I'm getting pretty good at making motor sounds (with my vibrating lower lip and lots of saliva). I still am very fond of eating wood or at least gnawing on it, especially the tasty church pew. Mom and Dad are slowly graduating me to big people food. I really like WHATEVER they are eating; so, they figured why not let me have that for dinner, too.

I met up with Cole and his Mom, Jill, yesterday for lunch in Sturbridge. Cole is about a week older than I am and doing the same things I am. Our mommies had a great time chatting and talking about us as we ate finger foods and dropped toys on the floor. Other diners complimented us on how well-behaved we were. We said thank you with our cute smiles.

Earlier today Mom and I hosted a play group, and it was lots of fun. I wasn't used to having other little kids in my house; so, it took me a while to eat my lunch. I didn't want to take my eyes off them. The kids seemed to enjoy my toys and books, and I think I did a good job of sharing them.

Last week, Mommy took me to my 9 month check-up. I'm doing just fine at 21.6 lbs. and 29 1/2 inches. I'm definitely a momma's boy these days, but that's natural.

Happy New Year!

I'm certainly having fun watching the Patriots this year!


I like sledding...



I like walking...






I like having fun...

My First Christmas

My first Christmas was spent in North Carolina with my GranJan and Pops. I got to take my first plane ride there, and I liked it. My ears didn't hurt, and I slept for half of the flight. Of course, my favorites on Christmas were the ribbons, wrapping paper, and boxes. Actually, no. My favorite gift was the Braeden-size wooden spoon that Pops whittled especially for me after watching me struggle with the adult size one. I appreciate all the gifts I got from both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and Mommy and Daddy. I have been playing with, reading, and wearing them all! I even got my sixth tooth on Christmas Eve!

While there I met my grandparents' friends and took many walks around their neighborhood. It was warmer than CT. I had fun exploring GranJan and Pops house, taking baths in their tub, playing in the laundry basket, playing the piano, eating in the booster seat they borrowed, and sleeping in the crib they borrowed. It was a very comfortable and relaxing holiday. I miss them.

I traveled to Rutherford, NJ, on the 29th to see more family, especially cute Cousin Bridget. Uncle Jim and Aunt Liz were there, of course, and so were Nana and Poppy, Great Uncle Jack, Great Aunt Lisa and Uncle Bob, and Cousin Justin. Thank you, Terry, for hosting us all. It was a quick visit, but I enjoyed seeing everyone, and I think everyone liked seeing me.

Currently, I am being weaned off one of my annoying, early morning feedings. Mom and Dad are good about reassuring me that it's OK to stay asleep from 11:30 to 6am. So far, it's working and I'm only up one time, and even that one's getting shorter and shorter. I'm also not very content to sit in one spot, and am wanting to be helped with my walking. I still only skooch on my belly, but that's OK with Mom and Dad, I'm not that fast.

My mouth is fun and making all kinds of new word sounds. Moving my tongue in different ways makes different word sounds. I also whine more now, to let Mom know that I miss her when she leaves my sight, and let Mom and Dad know when I'm bored, hungry, or tired.

I wish all my friends and family a safe and happy new year. Special thoughts go out to Uncle Drew and Aunt Erin as they travel the globe and see how other cultures live and struggle. They remind me to be thankful for my loving family and all the resources they have at their disposal.

My First Christmas Tree

Well it was a really cold day here, right around 20. But Mom and Dad took me to the tree farm to cut down my first Christmas tree.




Now Mom and Dad are putting up the tree inside the house. It's got lights and things!

Meeting Emmaline

Today I met my cousin Emmaline today at my friend Caden's house in Norwalk. We had a super play date. Emmaline is a good babbler, and is working on skooching like me. We are envious of Caden's ability to crawl around so well. I heard Mommy and Daddy say that they were just fine with me not being able to crawl yet.....


She and Caden are still working on getting teeth. My third tooth poked through and a fourth is shortly behind.

Daddy uploaded some more videos to youtube. Check me out!

Braeden

My First Thanksgiving

Nana and Poppy came to visit for my first Thanksgiving. We also shared it with our friends Lyssa, Jason, and Caden. Lyssa and Mommy ran in the 71st Manchester Road Race with 9,000 other people. They enjoyed their turkey trot. Daddy cooked one turkey breast inside and one outside on the grill. He said he's hooked on the grill and will do that from now on. Uncle Jim would enjoy that for sure on his big grill. Too bad I couldn't eat any of it. Maybe next year.

Nana and Poppy gave me some early Christmas presents, since I'll be flying to North Carolina for Christmas with GranJan and Pops. I finally got my Osh Kosh engineer overalls, some cool toys and books, and a warm snuggly snow suit from L.L. Bean, Dad's favorite. Thanks, Nana & Poppy!

We heard that Uncle Drew and Erin are doing well in Nepal. I wonder how they celebrate Thanksgiving there. That's really far away. Glad to hear they're enjoying their trek.

Lately I've been continuing my development by rolling all around, starting to skooch across the floor, and have more dexterity in my hands (vocabulary is coming along, too).

Love to all and check me out on YouTube - link to the right,

Braeden - 7 Months tomorrow!

Hey, my poop smells like sh&#*(Y%#!

I overheard Dad saying something about installing an exhaust fan in my room... My poops are harder to push out these days. They are fragrant as well. Another milestone passed by.

I can also roll over with ease, both ways, and I scooched forward today, too. Mom and Dad will have to follow me around more soon.

I gave Mom a raspberry today with my slobbery tongue.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving, and remembering our veterans today.

Love, Braeden.

Around My 6 Month Birthday

Lots has been happening lately, the biggest milestone being my 1/2 birthday. It is hard to believe I am half way through my first year of life! Wow!! With being 6 months comes eating solids, sitting up by myself, rolling from my back to front, grabbing and holding things pretty well, napping twice a day instead of 3, sleeping longer at night, babbling more as I discover new sounds my mouth makes, etc.
This milestone coincided with some other major events in my life. The Red Sox won the World Series against the Colorado Rockies in a sweep. Go Sox!! Halloween was a treat. I was a green costume earlier in the week to the 2 moms' M&M, and I got to visit 3 friends' houses to show off my costume. I was able to wear my groups Mommy and I are a part of. Sweet deal. One more thing, Happy Birthday, Nana! (Oh yeah, the Patriots are 8-0!)

Feeding Fun

The world of "solid" food agrees with me very much! Well, I'm not exactly eating "solid" food as Mommy the science teacher says a solid is something that doesn't take the shape of its container. My food definitely takes the shape of my colorful bowls. Anyway, I started eating oatmeal about 2 weeks before my 6 month birthday. I did very well by not getting too much on my face and not spitting it out. I wanted to please Pops (my grandpa) whose favorite breakfast is oatmeal.
When I turned 6 months (October 25), Mommy decided peas should be my first vegetable. What a birthday meal!?! Actually, I liked them OK as Mommy made them from sweet frozen peas and not from a jar. Mommy and Daddy even gave me a tiny bite of the 1/2 chocolate cake they made. Get it, 1/2 a chocolate cake for my 1/2 birthday?? I think I'll take after my 2 grandma's and really like chocolate. Can't wait for my 1st birthday when I can have real bites!
My next veggie was squash, and I liked that, too. A little bit sweet and a great bright orange color. Mommy's going to give me pears next. Finally, the world of fruits. I bet I'll like them, too. A little aside, now that I'm eating solids I leave some treats for Mommy and Daddy in my diaper.

Colors and Cows of Vermont

I made my first trip to Vermont to stay at Bromley Mountain, a family tradition, the weekend of Oct 19-21. Mommy, Daddy, and I had a super time seeing the beautiful colors of leaves on the millions of trees up there. On Saturday morning we drove to nearby Weston to go to The Vermont Country Store where there are always treats and treasures to look at. Then we walked across the road; so, that Mommy and Daddy could taste some really old cheese. They really like that aged cheddar stuff. We made one last stop on the way home at a farm to pick up some cider. When we came out of the store, Mommy and Daddy brought me over to see the cows and horses. I never saw those animals in person before!! I stared alot and didn't say anything as I was amazed at how big they were and how they ate hay. Yuck, they should try oatmeal.
I took my second nap, and then we hiked up the mountain a little from the condo where we were staying. (Thanks, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Bob, and Justin for letting us enjoy "Bromley".) I had quite the view from the Kelty pack that Mommy carried me in on her back. I could see out in all directions in one comfy ride. Life is good! Again, I was pretty quiet because I was just so amazed at all the colorful trees, wide trails, and huge mountains in the distance.
On Sunday, Daddy took me outside the condo to play in the leaves. Since I can sit up now, I was able to sit and swish the leaves all around me to make crunchy noises. I didn't even try to eat the leaves!
I am definitely looking forward to going back there in the winter, summer, spring, or fall. It was very quiet and relaxing for all of us.