Sense-Sational Toddler!

Brody has always been a very sensory oriented baby. He does not like the way A LOT of things feel, which was partly the reason for him being so late standing. He didn't like the sensation of standing on his feet. We noticed this when he ate as well. He refused to pick up anything wet. Had no trouble with crackers, puffs, cheerios but by all means put some veggies or fruit down there and he squishes up his face and throws his hands up.

He has recently been moved up to the toddler room...woohoo...more on this later. And they let him finger paint, play with play dough, all sorts of things that force him to get over all of these sensory issues. Low and behold, I think its working. He devoured his spaghetti tonight! Take a look for yourself..

Back to Brody changing classrooms. Finally, finally, finally he's being moved up. God answers prayers. I was really concerned that him not walking was going to keep him in the infant room past the summer. But the daycare tried him out last Friday in the toddler room and were shocked at well he did right off the bat. He of course cried when he realized he was leaving Ms. Sherry. (They even had to go to the extent of covering the window so he couldn't see her in the infant room across the hall.) What can I say, my baby gets attached!

He took a GREAT nap on a mat, just rolled over on his belly, stuck his booty in the air and asleep he went! He loves arts and crafts, but going outside and music time tie for his favorite. He is just so much more stimulated now! PRAISE!!!!

And as promised...more pics of our fun weekend this past weekend. These are some of the "toys" we bought for the backyard. We got a pool and a ball pit. He LOVES them!!

Wonderful, Relaxing Weekend

For the first time in a long time, I actually felt rested and ready for work today. We had such a great weekend!

Friday we had dinner with the DeLoach's at Hamils. YummO!!! Then we played at the park for awhile. The boys had a blast

So did the parents...

Baby boy at sunset

Seriously...I know I have a huge bias but that boy is CUTE!

*pardon the sagging shorts. they are 12 months but the 9 months look like daisy dukes.
I love these pics of Kim and Brody...

Saturday, we just hung out at the house, did some yardwork and spring cleaning. That night Ken made a pizza and we watched a movie. See I told yall very relaxing...

Sunday, we made a run to Walmart and loaded Brody up with some backyard toys. More pics to come later. We're off to Ken's softball game...

I Heart Elmo!

Okay, all 9 of you that read Brody's 15 month checkup post know that we have been replaced by Elmo. He makes my kids eyes light up! Its actually hard for me to get a picture without Elmo in it. So I decided to dedicate this post to that ball of furry goodness.....ELMO! (Some pics are repeats)

5 Reasons Elmo makes the best FRIEND! (According to Brody)

1. Who else fits so perfectly on my push toy?

2. Who else would get that close to PINK EYE?!?

(well other than momma and daddy)

3. Because he makes me laugh to take my mind off those icky shots...

4. Because he can go anywhere!

5. Because he's ELMO!

This is a video of Brody saying "Elmo"

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Its usually only a matter of time

When baby's sick....EVERYbody's sick! Well in this case just momma. I woke up EARLY this morning...still dark outside early. My throat was on fire and I felt like I had a baby elephant on my chest. I managed housework and making 100+ invitations for my sweet MIL's retirement party. But now the baby elephant has grown into its adult counterpart and I feel MISERABLE!!!

Brody is asleep and I must soon follow. Please pray for a speedy recovery so I can be ready and well for my JOB INTERVIEW on Tuesday. Yes, you read correctly. I have a job interview on Tuesday and am nervous but very excited!! Please send your prayers over our way this week.

*****Baby Update: Brody is on the mend! His eyes look so much better just after a few days of anitbiotic drops. He is still VERY congested and has seemed to take over his chest now, but everything else seems to be clearing up.*********

Sick Baby!

After shots on Wednesday Brody had a near sleepless night. We up about every thirty minutes. We blamed it on the shots and prayed for a better night Thursday. No luck! He was up even early that night performing his 30 minute screams.

Friday I picked him up from daycare and his eyes were completely matted shut! They said they had been cleaning them alot and they just kept "junking" up. So I called the doc and they told us to bring him on in.

Diagnosis: Pink Eye in both eyes and a Sinus Infection. They gave us some antibiotic eyedrops and some Augmentin for the SI.

This is how I found him this morning. So we headed straight for the bathtub and the warm water seemed to do the trick on his eyes. Needless to say, we are staying put his weekend!

Happy 15 Months!

On April 9th, Brody celebrated his 15 month birthday with no presents of course but lots of hugs and kisses from momma and daddy! He had his check up Wednesday and here are his stats:

Weight: 22lbs (20%)

Height: 32 inches (75%)

Head Circ: 42 cm (92%)

I asked the doc about his weight being under 50% and he said he was smaller than average but that that's where he's always fell and all three of his stats are pretty consistent throughout his 15 months of life.

So I got a little curious and checked back over previous milestone posts. You can see 12 months, 9 Months, 6 months, 4 months, 2 months. I forgot how little he really was. And it is a heart warmer to know that each month he's picking up those percents. And I have to say I'm proud of the 5%- 20% jump. Good job Brody!

We also had a long talk with Doc about his toe surgery, which we are scheduling for this summer with the same doc that did my surgery when I was little. We have to schedule another CT in a month or so to check on Hydrocephalus and Craniosynostenosis (which we are 99.9% positive he doesn't have either one! Praise!!!) He upped his Zyrtec from 1/4 tsp up to a whole teaspoon for his allergies. We seem to be very lucky that he doesn't affect his chest so as of now asthma looks like a no-go.

Brody Loves:

• I think I have to say his first love has changed from us to Elmo!
• Us...an impressive second
• Puffs. He will eat these by the container full.
• Balls, thank goodness the Easter Bunny brought him some more. Bailey seems to enjoy eating them as much as Brody likes to play with them.
• Pulling Up, Standing, and Cruising!!!!!!
• Getting into things he shouldn't
• Milk and Juice
• Spaghetti, anything for breakfast, English peas and carrots, fish sticks and chicken nuggets
• Constant and complete attention
• being outside
• dogs
• sitting and bouncing himself in the bouncy seat that I keep meaning to put in the attic
• HIS bed and is great at bedtime.

Loves, Not so much:

• Changing his clothes or his diaper
• Being told No-No
• Taking anything away from him
• F-R-U-I-T!!!!
• the pack-and-play at my parent's house. Refuses to sleep in it!

Milestones:

• Getting those legs stronger each day, pulling up and standing are now his preference.
• Has a total of 6 teeth, including two molars in the back, and the two next to the two top ones are coming in now.
• Only drinks from a sippy cup, eats "people food" except for fruit. We still are having to give baby food fruit to supplement, takes no pacifier and does not suck thumb.
• Still no official words. We can understand "Elmo", "bye-bye", "ball", "dog", "momma" and "daddy". He is so funny. Most of his "words" are just different pitches of uuuhdduhh. Elmo is VERY high pitched. I have to get a video of this. Its hilarious!! Ball and dog are beginning syllables only. Bye bye is more like dye dye and he waves. Doc has referred us for speech eval.
• Completely understands what we say to him so his receptive language is great!

Happy 15 months Brody!!!!

Its Been Decided!

Crawfish Boil is May 23rd at 2:00! I'm so excited and can't wait to see yall there.

(This day was picked because Ken doesn't have to work this weekend. Which of course I need him around to cook the crawfish! And because my sweetheart Bryce, who I get to keep tomorrow, is having his Bday party on the 30th.)

Crawfish Boil Poll

Its that time again!!! The 3rd Annual Hayman Crawfish Boil returns! Before I set the date, I wanted to hear from you on when you would be able to make it. I always have people that really want to come, but have already made plans. So here goes...

• Choice A: Sat. May 9th
• Choice B: Sat. May 16th
• Choice C: Sat. May 23rd
• Choice D: Sat. May 30th

Leave me a comment and let me know when you would be able to come. I tried to make a poll on the side of my blog but it kept messing up after it was posted. So this is the next best thing.

Easter 2009-Easter Sunday

Sunday morning we woke up EARLY...even before Brody woke us up. We wanted to go to early mass (8:00) because of the crowd. So here is Brody before we woke him up. I promise his crib is big, but he chooses to sleep as close to the rail as possible. Some mornings he wakes up with bruises on his head from being so close.

He woke up in a GREAT mood!

I thought his "basket" turned out cute!

Brody seemed to like it too!

I really wanted to get a family pic of us after church but somehow that didn't happen.
Here is Brody still playing with his bucket after church...

Easter 2009-Saturday

Saturday we spend a gorgeous day at the park with Ken's side of the family. We had a great time seeing all of the kids and catching up. Here are some pics from the day:

Brody cheers the boys on!

Seriously...look at the double chin!

Ryan and Brody playing on the slide.

Ken and Brody

Evan and Connor

Sweet Ryan

Brody loves putting on his shades...too bad he won't keep them on.

These two just seemed oblivious of each other...Ha!

Mary Eileen and John watching the kids play

Brody loved playing with the eggs.

Ryan loved the swing

Happy Brody!