Utter Destruction

I'm a bad blogger. So be it. With a full time job and a full time toddler...time leaves me! However, I thought I'd take a moment to describe the destructive tendencies of a walking almost one year old.

When Brody was a newborn...up until about 3 months, I used to think, "man...I can't wait until he's old enough to walk and be more self sufficient. My life will be so much easier." I would disregard it when my friends with toddlers would tell me to enjoy my time with a baby who can't move and relies on me completely. Now I know. I'm much wiser! Brody is EVERYWHERE and into EVERYTHING. Cabinets, fridge, coffee table cabinets, tv, computer, etc. Everything he's NOT supposed to have, he gets into. This is also why we are having to implement a LITTLE discipline, but that's a blog for another day. He bangs toys on walls, knocks things off shelves, records every show currently played on tv, etc.

As destructive as he is...and I promise he is...my walls will tell you that, I can't refrain from saying how much fun he is. I mean SO fun. He laughs harder, plays harder, and loves harder. I melt when he snuggles up to me voluntarily...without me picking him up. The way he knows how to give kisses - the fun open mouth kind. Now when I pick him up from daycare, he all but RUNS to me with his goofy, show-your-teeth grin. I'm pretty deeply in love with this kid. His ONE YEAR blog is soon to come. For now, here are a few cute pics of Brody in his new football jersey for his upcoming football birthday party!

Blowing Kisses...sweetest laugh ever!

The Proof is in the Walking...He's Taking Off!

10 Months...one step closer to 1

I am beginning to realize my baby is almost a toddler. In two short months he will be 1 yr old. I can't even fathom this! I feel like just yesterday I was getting up every 3 hours to feed him during the night. In thinking back on all the milestones, however big or little, it's been a great 10 months.

The title of this blog can also be taken literally. Brody took his FIRST STEPS 2 weeks ago!!!! I can't believe I didn't blog about it then, but better late than never. I was sitting on the floor with him standing holding on to the couch, and I handed him one of his toys. He let go from the couch and was standing on his own, then took two steps toward me! I immediately called Taylor, who was totally bummed he missed it, then my mom! The next day he took 3 steps from me to my mom, and since then, more and more! This past weekend he took 6 steps on his own! He is transitioning from only taking steps when we are coercing him, to taking them on his own. He is starting to let go of one toy and walk to the other on his own. I can't believe my baby is starting to walk! I thought this happened closer to a year, not 9 months! I have a feeling in the next few weeks, he will be full blown walking. Running by a year.

He is a full fledged boy! They told me at his daycare that he is also taking steps there, and subsequently falling and banging his head on things! That child is sure to be scratched and bruised. A week doesn't go by that he isn't banging into something while trying to get to what he isn't allowed to have! Electronics, cords, the steps, etc. You name it, he wants it. Allll boy.

Brody's schedule has stayed pretty much the same as at 9 months. We are introducing new foods here and there. He still only has his two top teeth and two bottom teeth, but he is teething something awful! His top teeth beside the top two are coming in. I'm praying sooner than later. Last week had some sleepless nights for me, but he's doing much better.

So I'm going to try to enjoy as much as I can in the next two months before Brody is a year old! This toddler stage should be fun...bring it on!

What Do I Feed This Kid?

We are at a transition point. I knew it was coming. Getting rid of the bottle slowly but surely. I figure this will be difficult seeing as how, let's be honest...you've seen my kid, he loves his bottle! He would take one every hour on the hour if I'd let him. I've gotten him down to three a day, and this past week two. He eats breakfast consisting of Oatmeal or Cereal with apple sauce. After his morning nap he gets his first bottle. After that...it gets interesting. Do I give him another bottle after his afternoon nap, or try to figure out a good meal to feed him in place of that? I'm playing with it now. His daycare days, he still gets two bottles during the day and a bottle before bed, but on the other days when he's home, I try to incorporate new foods he may like.

Since we are at the 9 month mark, I can incorporate meats. I do not cook, so this should be interesting!!! I'm going to do my best to feed him foods he will like!! So, all you moms out there, tell me what you did at this point! Let me know good ways to get rid of a bottle and give more food!!

My First Braves Game

A few pictures from Brody's first Braves game on Father's Day!

Brody and Pop Pop doing the tomohawk chop

With Aunt Keri

Didn't last long:)

9 month update

It really has been an entire month since I've posted a new blog. Bad blogger...I know. Brody was 9 months old as of 7/25, and I am one depressed mommy! It's so bittersweet. I miss him being a baby, but this stage is just so much fun. I love that he's crawling and climbing and walking with his walker. He's curious and hilarious...just such a fun baby. So...on to the 9 month stats:

Brody is 23 lbs and 14 oz. Almost triple his birth weight:). He's in the 92nd percentile for weight.

He is 29 and 1/2 inches long - 85th percentile for height.

His head was 75th percentile.

We have one big boy on our hands! Everything checked out great.

Brody is down to two bottles a day (sometimes 3 if need be) so he's getting around 16-24 oz a day. He eats oatmeal and apple sauce for breakfast and gets a fruit and veggie for lunch. For dinner (this is transitioning) he's getting some table food. We are trying to incorporate pieces of fruit and pieces of vegetables, and now are supposed to bring in some shredded meat and yogurt. It's so hard to keep up with the constant food changes! Once I get used to his feeding schedule, we incorporate something else.

One odd thing is that Brody can't grasp putting food in his mouth. I know this is strange, but seriously my child NEVER puts toys or anything from his hand to his mouth. Never has. He picks up toys and plays with them, but doesn't put them in his mouth. Same with food. I will lay out food on his tray and he will pick it up and play with it or throw it down, but will NOT put it in his mouth. This has been challenging because, in turn, I am putting the food in his mouth. Yes, lovely. Hopefully he picks this up soon:). I figure watching kids do it in daycare, he'll pick it up soon enough? Until then, I'll just have messy hands:).

He is currently sleeping from around 8 or 9 PM to around 7 or 7:30 AM. He still takes a two hour morning nap and a two hour afternoon nap. I hope those stick a little while too!

I think walking is right around the corner...watch out!