One year check-up

Brandon has managed to stay in his growth curves for height and weight, and has managed to go up a curve for head circumference!!!! He weighed in at 26 pounds, 4 ounces, 31 inches. He definitely eats well. The poor kiddo had to get another round of vaccinations and he was finally able to get his H1N1 flu shot (unfortunately we have to return @ 15 months for more shots....). We have started and are almost done transitioning to whole milk and soon we will be done with bottles all together.
Brandon fed himself using one of his forks tonight for the first time. All I had to do was help him "stab" the food onto his fork, he did the rest. Does this mean feeding time will be easier....probably not. He has perfected feeding the dogs his food, maybe he can teach them to eat off his fork too! Brandon has really taken a liking to the dogs and vice versa, he will often hug them (and us too) and has started straddling them and bouncing on them (when they are lying down). At first I felt bad for them but they seem to love the attention. We are working on "being gentle".
Kevin has been trying to get Brandon to say the word elk but the most he'll do is ek! How excited would Kevin be if Brandon's third word was related to hunting.
Be on the look out for a video of Brandon "dancing", which he often does when commercials come on with good tunes. It's hard to catch though, as soon as he sees the camera he comes running for it.
Kevin and I are still working 32 hrs a week and hoping that Kevin will return to full time hours sooner than later (it has been a year since his hours were cut). I returned to my consulting job and so far it hasn't been bad (schedule wise, although I do miss having a full day off with Brandon).

1st Birthday Party

We celebrated Brandon's 1st birthday today at Arthur Pack Park. The weather turned out to be sunny and cool. He absolutely loved the playground, Kevin even took him down the slides. I have a feeling we will be spending lots of time at the park.

It didn't take long for him to dig right into the sand. Luckily, cousin Elma was watching over him.

Not too interested in eating the cake, just mashing it between my fingers!!! He really liked the cake part of the cupcake the best....just like mommy. I had made a cupcake for Brandon and cousin Melanie, since they share a birthday.

Thanks to everyone for the great toys and clothes Brandon received. He is growing like a weed, already in 18-24 month sized clothes (depending on the store).

More birthday moments

He's getting ready to open his birthday gifts from Aunt Gail and Grandpa. Thanks for the warm up outfit and Alaska shirt Aunt Gail! Of course my Dad had to get Brandon is first fishing pole.

"Don't I look cool?" Such a big boy. Unfortunately, Brandon will not keep the sunglassess on (or hats for that matter)!

Just trying to figure out how that fish is hanging there....it may be awhile before he can actually cast the fishing pole.

Thanks to Grandpa for sending us the backpack with the fishing pole, tackel box, and sunglasses. We can't wait to go camping and fishing this summer!!! Now all we need are a sleeping bag and camp chair for Brandon and he will be ready for the great outdoors. This year it will be a bit easier since last time we went camping Brandon was only five months old.

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Brandon!!!! We took him to IHOP for breakfast this am, after getting to sleep in (I consider 7am sleeping in since he usually is up ~6am). He practically ate half of my omelet and pancakes! He does well out and about, as long as there are snacks to keep him occupied.
We were planning to go to the zoo today but the weather has deterred us. We are having a winter storm that has brought rain to Southern Arizona and blizzards to the mountains. Hopefully my Dad will be able to make it down for the party on Sunday.
So instead of the zoo, we are going to get his birthday picture taken this afternoon.

More things to remember

We are fast approaching Brandon's 1st birthday!!! The past year seems to have flown by in retrospect. Brandon it such a little boy now. He loves to play, he is constantly in motion, and he loves being outdoors. He is practically running around the house and has mastered wearing shoes, which is good since his birthday party is at a local park. We have been working on Brandon holding up his index finger to show that he is one year old, which he sometimes will do on command. Brandon and his cousin, Melanie, share a birthday and we are looking forward to celebrating both birthdays this weekend!!!
He can really melt my heart, he has started to cuddle with us and often crinkles his nose when he flashes us a big smile. He has also discovered his nose, much to our dismay as he often has a finger in it.
Here is hoping the weather is good for our party!

1st haircut

Brandon had his first haircut today. He did really well sitting on my lap, no tears or anything.

His hair usually swoops to the side but doesn't it look like the "Dumb and Dumber" haircut in the front???

Brandon LOVES to play with the swiffer. He'll usually occupy himself for a good 10-15 minutes with it. If only I could get him to clean the floors....

2010!!!!

We spent New Years Eve at home, just hanging out. Brandon had fun playing with all of his new toys. He is really good at making his "Tow Mater" truck go backwards.

New Year's day was spent with the Payne's in Chandler. Brandon absolutely loved spending time outside with all the animals.

Uncle Robert, Kevin, and Brandon on a tractor ride in their arena.