Mystic Aquarium

Watching the beluga whales first

My first trip to an aquarium was a splash! I liked watching the sea lions best and would have liked to climb into the tank with them. They made some loud funny noises and rolled around in the water a lot. I got to put my hands in the sea ray tank, but they did not have any stingers; so I was safe. The best activity was toddling around inside the darkened aquarium in between all the big and little people and windows with fish behind them. It was so exciting!!! We saw beluga whales and little African penguins, too. The penguins were really cute, and Mommy let me buy a stuffed penguin that I kept grabbing off the shelf. It was a terrific and tiring day; so, I am going to bed early tonight. Enjoy the pictures. Good night.

Here's me playing in the ray tank.

" Braeden, Braeden, come see this!" said my friend Marika.

Here are the cute African penguins hanging out.

Come here, little penguins, so we can see you!

Here I am stopping for a moment amid my toddling to check out the BIG fish.

Wow, June Already?

I can't believe it's June already. That means I get to go swimming soon! Yeah!! I actually went in my 2" kiddie pool yesterday for the first time and quite enjoyed myself. Being the beginning of June, that also means my cousin Bridget is about to turn 1. We are going to her birthday party on Saturday in New Jersey. I hope she likes her cake.

I've learned some new signs in the last few days. I think I'm getting the hang of it. I can sign bird, bath, and hat. I am pointing more at things I want and to tell Mommy and Daddy what I see. I am pretty good at saying and waving bye-bye now, too. I even wave and say bye-bye to the water when it drains after my bath.

Tomorrow, I'm going to Mystic Aquarium with Mommy and some of our friends. Mommy says there will be lots of fish and other sea creatures. I bet it will be really fun to watch the fish swim from real close, instead of looking at them in books. I'll let you know.

Bye-bye,
Braeden

Eating, Swinging, Signing, and Little Bison

Did someone say I was a clean eater? What were they thinking? Yesterday, Mommy left my prunes on my tray, and I decided to help myself. I now really like eating my Cheerios with a tinch of milk to moisten them. I feel empowered feeding myself. This morning I enjoyed raspberry-ing with milk in my mouth. My, my, eating can be so much fun!

Mommy and Daddy did some yard work this weekend including mowing, planting flowers, and putting up my new swing. Weeeeeee!One of the coolest things that has happened recently is that I can sign to Mommy and Daddy when I want to eat something!!!! I have signed "eat" after my naps and before meals/snacks when they ask me if I'm hungry and want to eat. I put my hand/fingers up to my mouth and tap my lips to let them know I want to eat. I usually giggle, too, because I'm excited that we're understanding each other. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me!

As you can see from the picture below, I'm studying already to maybe one day be a Bison like my uncles. Friends of ours from church went to their grandson's Bucknell graduation and bought me this hat while there. They knew my two uncles, Jim and Drew, went there. I hear it's farm country out there; so, I thought this book was quite appropriate to start reading. The hat fits great, and I don't mind wearing hats now.

Please have a nice Memorial Day and say a prayer for those who served our country and lost their lives protecting our freedom.

God bless you!
B

P.S. I LOOOOOVE walking!!!

I Dig Dirt!

Today I got my first mouthful of DIRT! Rather than spitting it out, I savored the flavor. We went inside for a real snack after that because Mom figured I must be hungry.

I've been enjoying my new mobility and am discovering all kinds of new places to go.



Yesterday I went to Sturbridge to meet up with my pal Cole. He's walking very well and gave me some great stability pointers.
We saw goats, chickens, turkeys, and an emu. We also got to play on the kid playground. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Here, turkey, turkey, turkey dinner....

"And the Walking Man Walks"

That's me. This weekend I finally started walking on my own initiative, and it's great!! I can tell there will be lots of falling, but that is one reason why I wear a diaper. Check out the videos. I can stand up from the ground by myself now, too.
Adios!

One Year Old!

I'm one year old now and doing some great stuff. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, but I've been very busy. I had a marvelous time celebrating my birthday at Nana and Poppy's. I ate my first piece of chocolate cake and loved it!! It was so sweet especially the icing. Thanks, Nana, for baking and decorating it for me. I was a pretty clean eater compared to many pictures of first birthday cake eating that I've seen.

Nana came to visit us the next week, and I had a very fun time with her. I got to spend some time with just her, no Mommy or Daddy. That was extra special for both of us. One day, Nana, Mommy, and I went the Lutz Children's Museum where I saw birds, turtles, rabbits, snakes, and some other animals. I loved the fan-tailed pigeon the best. I got to play in the farm room and pretend I was milking a cow. I wanted to lick the bucket, but Mommy wouldn't let me. We celebrated an early Mother's Day with Nana and Mommy one night. I am glad I have a Mommy and two grandmas who love me so much!

Last weekend was Mother's Day, and Mommy, Daddy, and I celebrated by going for a hike with our friends, the Ellis's, at a nearby park. On Sunday we went to church and then took a hike at nearby Case Mountain. Daddy carried me in the backpack both times. Thanks for the ride, Daddy! We had gorgeous weather both days.

In between all that activity, I'm learning to point at objects, walk, and eat with a spoon (and help unload the groceries as you can see to the left). Just this morning, Mommy asked me where the lady bug was in one of my books, and I took my pointer finger and pointed right to the lady bug! Last night, we played this fun game where Mommy and Daddy sat a little bit apart from each other and had me walk between them. They would catch me if I fell when I got to them. It was so much fun I was giggling up a storm. I think I'll try some more walking on my own. I've had a few chances to use a spoon to eat my own food, and I'm pretty good at it. Mommy helps put the food on the spoon, and then I hold the spoon and put it in my mouth. We've practiced with sticky foods like avocado and lasagne so the food doesn't fall off the spoon so easily. Oh yes, I did get my 8th tooth a week or so ago. That makes for easier chewing and biting.

I am excited to go hiking with our CT cousins this weekend. It should be another great time in the woods.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Today is my birthday! I've been realizing the wonders of the outdoors and the extra fun I can have now that I am more mobile and more smart. Here are some pictures of what I've been up to lately. It's only 8:30 in the morning so we haven't celebrated my birthday too much yet. I did get 2 really cool (and cute, Mommy and Daddy said) outfits with fun socks from GranJan and Pops this morning before Daddy went to work. I really love the green rhinoceros t-shirt, green plaid shirt, and funky monkey and lion socks. We'll celebrate a little at my play group at Marika's house. Then we'll go to Nana and Poppy's for the weekend to celebrate my and Poppy's birthdays. It should be a blast. I'll tell you all about it when we get back.

Just to update on what I can say... I know Da-da (Daddy), gah (truck), duck (duh), and sometimes Ma-ma (Mommy). Since I love bread and milk, I have learned the signs for them, and Mommy doesn't even have to say the words. I get quite excited when she makes those signs. Mommy is positive that I was saying banana yesterday because I was saying "nanana" several times when we were eating one and she kept saying "banana".

Enjoy your weekend and the blooming world outside!

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.