Yup, Daddy and his apprentice are still working on paintingthe back deck. Brett's noticed that despite the fact (or perhaps that should be, due to the fact) that he has a little "helper" at all times, tasks that used to take a few hours to complete now take significantly more time. ;p
Later this evening, we skyped with Grandma and Papa who were finally able to get their webcam working. Yay! As per usual, Brady sat nicely and attended for about 5 minutes-- showing his grandparents his "cheeese" face on demand, waving back at them, and introducing them to Ruffey. After that, he crawled under the desk in John-Jr. style and entertained himself with his other (real) dog Romey.
We went to Auntie Monica and Uncle Satish's for a playdate today- for Brady and Avi and for all of us adults too. The Guptas were visiting from Richmond and it was great to be able to get together. Before we left, we made dessert to bring. Brady got to lick the beaters from the cream cheese mix. I used to love to do that when I was little and my mom baked. Brady loved it too!
Avi shared his booster seat and his truly magic markers (that only showed up on paper) with Brady and the budding artists went to town.
Then the boys played outside with water toys for a bit. Interestingly enough, the one who seemed to enjoy the beach ball sprinkler the most was puppy Mika and the one who seemed to enjoy the pool the most was Kiya! They were both so funny- Mika trying to eat the water squirting from the beach ball and Kiya swimming circular laps in a pool that she barely fit in to. The dogs and kids provided solid entertainment for us all.
This picture was taken at our house. I love the tough-guy sunglasses and tank top look. "You talkin' ta me?!"
After his bath and while we ate dinner, Brady sat and "watched" Diego with Avi. Brady doesn't really watch tv. I'll admit Brett and I have tried to get him to sometimes. He will attend for a few minutes, but he's not mesmorized and doesn't sit still like some kids do. Admittedly, those times when Brett and I are looking for 20 minutes of peace, we wish Brady was a tv watcher. ;p
Today Brady's shirt says, "I don't have an off button." While this may be true, it appears his "snooze" button was activated by the vaccines he received today. It was a long doctor's appointment. He did well and remained occupied the entire 1.5 hours we were there. He didn't love his shots, of course. We heard some other child getting shots and Brady said, "Ouchie. Baby cry." He cried when he was pricked the 3 times, but then just kept saying, "ouchie" and "sticker" because I kept trying to divert his attention to the Snoopy band-aids on his chubby little thighs. Both the doctor and the nurse commented on Brady's pouty lip. Oh yeah, he gave it to them to show his displeasure. They were cracking up saying he was too young to do that. I told him he was born that way...Brett and I remember him doing pouty lip when he was only a few hours old.
Anyway, so we get home and I give him his lunch appetizer of Cheerios and silver dollar pancakes. I'm making my lunch and the rest of his and I'm thinking, "Boy, he's being so good." I turn around and his sleepy head is bobbing like those kids on America's Funniest Home Videos. I raced around the house to find the camera. But no rush- little dude was out cold.
Murali was in town this weekend for his niece's first birthday (amazing what a difference a year makes!). His visit prompted a partial C-Bud reunion. We joined him, Jeff, and Eric for dinner at PF Chang's tonight. Brady visited a bit with the boys, had a drink with them at the bar, and then did some mall-walking and escalator-riding, of course!
Happy 1 1/2 Birthday Brady! This kid Totally cracks us up and Totally makes us crazy! :p His ever-expanding language skills have helped to mitigate his temper tantrums. Often times we can get in front of an "episode" if we just calmly tell Brady what we're going to do and then what we can do next. For example, "We need to change your diaper and then we can come back downstairs and play, okay?" He nods and says, "kay" instead of getting all stiff-bodied and screeching in protest. It doesn't work all the time, but has definitely helped!
It's nice to have a trained retriever in the house too. :) Brady is happy to help out and this is convenient when we're lazy. He understands things now so when we're across the room, we'll say, "Brady go get (a blanket, or pillow, or the remote, etc.) and bring it to Mommy." and he happily tot-trots over, retrieves the item, and brings it back. We reward him with a pat on the head and an enthusiastic "Good boy!" Our experience being puppy parents is really paying off! ;p
As with most toddlers, Brady is very familiar with the word, "no." He doesn't really scream it (although we have heard it used in that context before). It's more this sarcastic little sound...kind of funny. Brady does not use the word "yes." He simply repeats what you said if he agrees. For example: "Brady, do you want milk?" (sarcastic) "Nooo-wuh." "Brady, do you want a cracker?" "Caaa-cker!" "Brady, did you go poo-poo?" (sarcastic) "Nooo-wuh." "Brady, do you want to go outside?" "Outsigh!" Weight: 27 lbs. 7 oz. (75th percentile) Height: 33.25 inches (75-90th percentile...weird but that's the stat they gave me this time)
It turned out that we sort of observed Father's Day today and made the day all about Daddy. This morning Brett said that he needed to do some shopping for more work clothes. I asked him if he first wanted to open his Father's Day gift from Brady. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) Brady got Daddy a few fitted dress shirts he'd been wanting. He even decorated the box himself with his colors (crayons). He was very pleased to give it to his Daddy.
After hanging out and jammin' a bit, we had to go take Romey to the zoo, I mean the groomer at PetSmart...which doubles as a zoo. :) While we were looking at the birds, the PetSmart lady asked us if we wanted to hold and pet one. Way cool! Brady's never pet ("niiiiice!") a bird before. He also thought the real turtle was interesting. I'm pretty sure he's only seen them in his books. He sat at the glass saying, "turtle" and looked in on him for quite some time.
Later on, while Daddy was shopping and trying things on, Brady was doing what little people do in clothing stores...running through the racks. I remember Totally LOVING this when I was little. I also remember my mom begging us to please settle down. She used to say, "Do you want them to come on the speaker and say, 'Will the lady with the three crazy kids who are running through the clothes racks please leave the store?'" That memory had me cracking up today as I watched our little Narnian Prince disappear in to the rack and heard squeals of delight.
Then we found this soft furry rug and Daddy gave Brady rides- more delighted squeals! :) In another store, Brady totally wore himself and me out! We played run and chase way too much. We went up and down the escalator way too much. Daddy tried to keep him contained by locking Brady in the fitting room with him. That occupied his curiosity for about 10 minutes...then he realized he could fit under the door and didn't need Daddy's permission to leave. lol! Finally, Brady found a stuffed doggie that he just had to adopt. He carried him around, hugged him, and then used him as a pillow in the fitting room. So cute! He put the doggie down, mushed the clothes that were on the floor, laid down, and said, "Night Night." Daddy asked him what that doggie's name was. Brady said, "ruff ruff" and Daddy said, "Ruffey? That's a good name." And so it is.
After dinner the boys had some quality time together sitting around the table chatting. Of course, when he saw the camera, Brady put cheeese! face on. What a goober!
Brady and I went to the fountain pool in our neighborhood this morning. The water was cold, but it was still fun. This afternoon we opted for the one closer to home (on the front porch). You know, the warmer-water, more-private, clothing-optional pool. ;p
Many of our friends express concern over their children climbing out of their cribs. We do not share this concern...ours is the opposite- Brady climbing In to his crib! haha! It's actually easier for him to do this because he uses the bottom railing as his first step and the mattress as his second step. It's pretty impossible for him to do this from the inside. He's never actually made it over the summit, but he seems to really enjoy the Spiderman-ascent. Tonight he insisted on throwing his ball in to his crib and then asking me to get it. When I was finally done with this game, I told him I didn't want to get the ball again. So he took matters in to his own hands.
Yup, Daddy and his apprentice are still working on painting the back deck. Brett's noticed that despite the fact (or perhaps that should be, due to the fact) that he has a little "helper" at all times, tasks that used to take a few hours to complete now take significantly more time. ;p
Later this evening, we skyped with Grandma and Papa who were finally able to get their webcam working. Yay! As per usual, Brady sat nicely and attended for about 5 minutes-- showing his grandparents his "cheeese" face on demand, waving back at them, and introducing them to Ruffey. After that, he crawled under the desk in John-Jr. style and entertained himself with his other (real) dog Romey.
