Brantley Carter: 21 Months Old

Dear Brantley,

First of all, let me apologize.  I intended on doing a monthly update in February (at 19 months) and then again in March (at 20 months), but never found the energy or motivation.  Well, now that you're 21 months and this is your last monthly birthday as an only child, I feel compelled to update.

You've officially been a toddler for some time now, but each day you are looking, acting, and behaving more like a big kid.  It's crazy!  Not only are you acting like a big kid, but yesterday when someone asked how old you were, I responded with "He'll be 2 in July" instead of with your age in months as I've done you're entire life.  Nonetheless, this stage is more fun than the last, which was more fun than the prior, which was more fun than the prior.  I love that you're able to communicate and I seriously think you're the cutest thing ever.  You constantly make your daddy and I laugh, you make us proud, and you continue to amaze us with pretty much everything you do on a daily basis.

Since my last update, your vocabulary has grown exponentially.  You went from a handful of words to an entire dictionary of them in just a few short months!  You say words we didn't even know you knew (noodles the other day, for example) and I swear you acquire a few new words each day.  The average person may not be able to decipher half of the things that come out of your mouth, but your Daddy and I are pretty good at it.  And secretly, I love that you have your own way of saying things that only we can understand. :)  Not only do you have a crazy-wide vocab, but you speak in short phrases, as well, and I'm certain you understand about 95% of what we say.  You also repeat nearly everything we say, which is going to get your daddy in trouble one of these days. :)

Similarly to in months past, you're constantly on the go.  You will go and go and go until we put you down for a nap/bedtime.  I think you would go until midnight every night if you could.  Of course, you'd also be a crab the following day, because you're not one to elect to lay down when you get tired.  At the same time, when we do put you down for a nap or bed, you typically roll over and fall fast asleep within a few minutes.  You are doing so well in your "big boy" bed and have only fallen out a handful of times since January.  We do get a kick out of you each morning (and after naps)...you wake up, but stay in bed until one of us comes to get you, despite having the ability to climb out on your own.  I guess you assume it's the right thing to do?  You went through a minor phase of waking up in the middle of the night in February and again in March.  I honestly think you were having bad dreams and luckily, it didn't turn into anything permanent.

Miss Stephanie says you're a leader at daycare, which makes your mommy and daddy really proud.  There is very little you fear and you love showing off for people.  You occasionally show signs of shyness, but overall, I wouldn't say being shy is one of your traits.

At 21 months:

• You are a major Daddy's Boy.  You wake up each morning and repeatedly whine for "Daaaddddy, Daddddddy, Dadddyyyyyyy".  Whenever you are upset or get hurt, it's your daddy you want to hold and comfort you.
• You are very polite.  Among your favorite things to say: "Peas", "Thoo Too", "Arry", and "May I Be Cacused?"  
• You have known the word "no" for months, but recently starting saying it.  A lot.  It was cute at first, but it's getting reeeeallly old!
• You can count to 5 on your own.
• You repeat the letters of the alphabet and Spanish numbers 1 through 10.
• You can identify the colors blue, green, red, orange, purple, and yellow.
• You love to help around the house.  Laundry, dishes, and throwing things away, whatever it is, you jump at the opportunity.
• You love wearing Mommy's bracelets and headbands, brushing your hair with Mommy's hairbrush and comb, and filing your nails...much to your daddy's dismay.
• You already show signs of the terrible twos.  Stomping your feet and throwing a fit when you don't get what you want.  You definitely have a temper and you can be quite impatient.
• You love playing outside.  Like I'm pretty sure it's your favorite thing in the world.  Fortunately, Mother Nature has been nice and given us lots of semi-warm to warm days lately, but there have been a few days too cold and you throw a temper tantrum (see above) about being stuck inside.
• You are a typical boy - you love balls, trucks, and blocks, and you think it's the funniest thing when you toot.  You know, all the usual boy stuff.  One of your favorite activities (indoors or out) is shooting hoops.
• You are obsessed with Hawkeyes, Jayhawks, and Chiefs logos.  Hopefully Royals, too, now that it's baseball season!
• You often bring us the "mote" and ask to watch "Mouse".
• You love to read.  Your favorite books include Little People flap books, "I'll Teach My Dog a Lot of Words", and your Hawkeye and Jayhawk books.
• We're pretty certain you're a lefty.  It's been our intuition since you first started feeding yourself and now that you're throwing balls, we still think its the case.
• Speaking of, you have a heck of a good arm for a 21-month old.  You can chuck the ball across the entire living room.  We're trying to teach you not to throw it at Kinnick or people's faces.
• You tell us when you go "poo poo" in your diaper.  Your daddy is ready to potty train, but Mommy isn't so sure.
• You absolutely love dogs and you have no fear of them.  You love yelling "Doggy!" out the window when you see one walk by.  Same thing when we are on walks and meet/pass one.
• You are incredibly detail-oriented.  You pick up tiny pieces of fuzz off the floor, off your clothes, off of furniture--wherever--all the time! 
• You hate shoes and socks.  It's a rare occasion when you leave them on.
• You are a pretty picky eater; though you'll never turn down a "nack".
• You are crazy and ornery.  You will randomly yell at the top of your lungs and purposely run into things and fall down for the attention.
• You hate letting us down.  You don't get in trouble all that often, but when you do, you cry big time over disappointing us.
• You are the sweetest--you randomly give hugs and kisses, and hold our hands while in parking lots.
• Your favorite things to watch on t.v. (or the iPad) are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Elmo's World, and Wheel of Fortune.
• You never want to leave daycare.  No matter if it's Mommy or Daddy that picks you up, you often cling to and cry for Miss Stephanie.
• You are aware of the baby in Mama's belly, though I don't think you truly know what it means.  Regardless, I think you're going to be the best big brother!
• You still don't smile for the camera, but make the funniest expressions (on and off camera). 

Phrases at 21 Months:

"Oh no!"

"Whoa!"

"Help peas."

"More peas." or "I want more peas."

"May I be cacused?"

"No no no." (While pointing)

"I tooted."

"Where Dada?"

"Where Ki-Ki?"

"I Wuh You"

Size: 27ish pounds

Food: You are quite picky these days, at home anyway, though Miss Stephanie says you eat almost anything (including veggies) for her at daycare.  You love any and all fruits and your diet consists mostly of fruit, cheese, cottage cheese, hot dogs, chicken nuggets (dipped in ketchup), and snacks.  Though we do encourage you to try new things and give you whatever we eat for dinner each night.

Sleep: About 11 hours each night.  We attempted to transition to one afternoon nap per day around 18 months, but have since altered that to one late-morning nap each day due to you never lasting through lunch. Naps are usually 1 to 2.5 hours in length, average I would say is 2 hours.

Bedtime/Waketime: Bedtime is around 7:30/7:45pm.  Wake time ranges from 6:00 to 7:00am.

Hair: Blond.  (And you've had two haircuts at this point: the first at 19 months old and the second a week ago.)

Eyes: Blue

Teeth: No idea.  It's way too hard to get into your mouth and count them!

Wardrobe: 24 month/2T shirts, 18-24 month/2T shorts and pants, and size 5 shoes.

Diapers: Size 4

Mommy's Fave: I love when I'm getting ready to leave each morning, you say "Bye bye Mama, I wuh you."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (a million times), you make being a mommy so much fun, Brantley!  These past 21 months have truly been the best!  I look forward to seeing you take on the role of big brother/buddy to your little bro and look forward to watching you grow!

Love you lots, Stinker, Sweetie Pie, and Brantley Boy!

Brantley Carter: 17 Months Old!

Dear Brantley,

Today is the 6th.  December 6th.  Which marks 17 months in your life.  It was 17 months ago that you came into this world and over two years ago since we first learned of your existence!  To say that the time has flown is a huge understatement.  Somedays, I find it hard to believe {still} that I'm a mom...let alone that I'm a mom of a toddler!  I had planned to wait until 18 months for a another update, but you are growing and changing too much, too fast, to let yet another month pass.  And...I love this stage.  Three months was better than newborn, six months was better than three, and one year was better than six months.  But, this stage takes the cake.  By far.  You are a mini-person.  A little boy with a firecracker of a personality and a sweet temperment that often melts your mama's heart.  Words can't even describe the love I have for you and the excitement and fun you bring to my days.  Sure, you wear me out at times all the time and you can be both difficult and frustrating, but this whole mommy thing is the best thing in the world.  And I know your daddy agrees.

You continue to learn and surprise us each day.  Your vocabulary is growing and I'm amazed at how much you comprehend.  For example, yesterday when I picked you up from daycare, I told you to get your shoes.  You walked over and picked out your pair of sneakers from the mound of shoes on the floor by the door.  I just couldn't believe it!  Today, I asked if you wanted some fruit snacks and told you to take a package from the box in the pantry.  You did and I told you to get another.  You did that, as well.  Then I said "Let's take them in the living room and eat them" and you immediately took both packages from me and walked into the living room!

When asked if you're ready for breakfast ( or lunch or dinner) you walk over to your high chair and wait to be lifted in.  When asked if you want a bath, you don't walk, but run to the stairs and wait for the gate to be opened.  When Kinnick comes inside, you point at the treat jar and gesture that you want to give him a treat.  (And you are so proud when you do.)  You can identify multiple body parts (nose, teeth, tongue, ears, hair, head, belly, feet, toes, belly button, and...wiener) and know lots of animal sounds (cow, monkey, dog, duck, lion, snake).  You can also point out Hawkeyes, Jayhawks, and Arrowheads and have gotten pretty good at saying 'Hawkeye'.  (You technically say 'Jayhawk' as well, but it's more like 'ha'.)  You learned how to sign 'more' at daycare and use it all the time.  Cutest thing ever!  And super helpful.  Such a smartie pants, you are!

You continue to show your independence, as well.  Just the other day, I went into the hallway while you were in the bathtub.  (Don't worry, I was still literally two feet from you.)  Next thing I knew, you were standing right behind me, naked and all!  I guess you decided you were done with your bath and climbed out!  You are getting better at feeding yourself with a spoon and fork.  You also love helping throw things away, like your diapers.

You love Elmo.  You love watching Elmo on the iPad.  Just in the last few weeks, you've become very focused on watching a full episode instead of just a few minutes.  You know where we keep your iPad and often whine when you want to watch.  When we start an episode, you kick your legs or stomp your feet in excitement.  You also sing along to the "La la la la" part!  You signing is literally music to your mama's ears!  It's one of the most adorable things you've done in your 17 months of life!

For a 17-month old, I think you are very well-behaved.  Sure, you are ornery and still like testing the limits, but for the most part, you listen to what we say and do what we ask.  You are well-aware that "No touch" means hands off and move to a different activity when we say "No, thank you" as a warning against something.  Though the Pack 'n Play is readily available for time-outs, it's been a long while since you've had one.

Though well-behaved, you are very impatient and have a pretty big temper.  You've already started throwing tantrums when you don't get what you want!  Makes me a little terrified of your twos and threes!

For the first times in your life, you've shown mommy/daddy attachment when we leave you somewhere.  When I dropped you off at daycare a few weeks ago, you hugged my leg as I tried to leave.  Last week, you cried when we left you with a high school babysitter to go on a date night.  Ditto to when we left you with Grandma for a night out with friends while in Wichita for Thanksgiving.  You get over it quickly, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel a little a lot happy. :)  (To be fair, you also cry when you have to leave daycare.  75% of the time.  You reach out for Miss Stephanie instead of wanting to come with me.)

Other sweet moments to remember:

• Mommy and Daddy often decide things by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.  You shake your arm like you are playing, too.
• Your other "tricks" include: giving knucks, shaking hands, rolling over, high fiving, blow kisses, hugging.
• You love pointing out Mommy, Daddy, and even Brantley in pictures on our wall.
• You think it's weird when Mommy and Daddy hug and/or kiss.
• You love reading books.  You will bring one to us and then back up into our lap.  One of my favorite things about you!
• You love chasing (and tormenting) Kinnick.  He isn't as fond of you as you are of him.  You also give him hugs, which is the cutest thing ever!
• You love to give your friends hugs (thanks to your friends at daycare for teaching you)!  I wish I had a picture, but I'm never quick enough.  

Size: 25ish pounds

Words: Dada, Mama, nigh nigh (Night Night), nana (banana), Melma (Elmo), Mou (Mickey Mouse), duck, hi, bye bye, Ra-Ra (Rollie the daycare dad), Rudy (the dog at daycare), light, tree, flower, ball, water, hot dog, hawkeye, ha (jayhawk), block, button.

Activity: You love to watch episodes of Elmo, you love playing with balls (rolling them back and forth, throwing them, shooting hoops), you love playing with blocks (both your Mega Blocks and your blocks Grandma made), you love reading books.

Food: People are always amazed at your eating habits.  You love to eat, that is for sure, and often shove it in quickly!  You don't like hot dogs quite as much, but still love fruit of all kinds.  One of the first things you do when waking up is yell "Nana!" 

Sleep: Still sleeping like a champ and usually fall asleep without any fuss/fight.  Still napping twice per day on most days, though you've definitely gone days with only one nap.  Naps range between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

Bedtime/Waketime: Bedtime is around 7:30.  Wake time ranges from 6:30 through 7:30.

Hair: Blond.  And it's getting longer.  Though it'll still probably be a few months before your first haircut.

Eyes: Blue

Teeth: 14??  Not sure exactly.  Your four canine teeth are the most recent additions (within the last four weeks). 

Likes: Baths, Kinnick, Rudy, climbing on anything and everything, fruit, snacks, cars/trucks, balls, blocks, books (current faves: Duck and Goose, Where's Spot, and Hawkeye First Counting Book), playing in boxes, pushing buttons on the dvd player, the remote control.

Dislikes: Vegetables, having your face wiped, having your diaper changed (mostly because of horrible, recent diaper rashes), the bright sun in your eyes, leaving daycare, your winter stocking hat, shoes and socks.

Wardrobe: 18-24 month shirts, 12-18 month pants.

Diapers: Size 4

Mommy's Fave:  Your hugs are the sweetest.  Especially because you give them on demand and they're a sign of your affection to us.  Love you, little man!

And a few recent videos:

Brantley Carter: 15 Months Old!

Dear Brantley Boy,

We made it to 15 months.  It's been three months since my last monthly update and boy, have you changed in those three months!  You grow more and more into a big boy by the day.  Independent, curious, proud, mischievous, busy, and most of all, fun!

You are still very ornery.  In fact, your daddy and I started giving you timeouts just recently.  1 1/2 minutes in the Pack 'n Play whenever you disobey.  Usually for pulling the foam protectant off the fireplace or for eating dog food.  You love you some dog food!  Don't worry though, we don't go overboard with the timeouts and always give you about a million warnings before we actually put you in the Pack 'n Play.  I will say, you definitely know what the word 'no' means.  And sometimes you purposely disobey us.  Just to test your limits!  Ornery, I tell ya!

You also have quite the temper.  You whine, yell, or cry whenever you don't get what you want.  It's comical, but worries me a little bit. Kid, you're not always gonna get what you want in life, so you better get used to it!

But on the other hand, you are also so super sweet.  You blow kisses and say "Hi Mama" and "Hi Dada" in the softest, cutest little voice.  Sweetest thing in the whole wide world and makes Mama's heart melt.

You love feeling like a big boy.  You get excited to climb the stairs, go down the stairs, and drink from a big kid cup.

You also love daycare.  You love Miss Stephanie and love your daycare friends.  Not once have you cried during drop-off.  Instead, you cry when it's time to go home.  I guess that's a good thing that you love it so much, but it breaks mama's heart that you don't even want to come home and spend three short hours with us each night.

You are still all boy.  People (even strangers) tell us this all the time and we couldn't agree more.  You love balls, cars, trucks, and blocks.  You also love to read (and flip through) books.  You fave books right now: Where's Spot? and Yummy Yucky. 

I'm amazed every day at how quickly you learn and how much of what we say you actually understand.  The other day, for instance, we heard an airplane and you immediately looked up into the sky.  A little bit later, I asked you where the airplane was and again, you looked at the sky!  You know lots of "tricks" as we call them.  You signal touchdown, can identify your belly and ears, blow kisses (complete with a "mwah" sound), and wave on demand.  You can identify lights, fans, the doggy, even the pumpkin glow-light on the wall.  Recently, you made your daddy really proud by identifying a Jayhawk.

You also love to play the game "Monkey See Monkey Do."  You often mimic whatever your Daddy and I do.  Gestures, sounds, faces, whatever.  Makes you feel so proud.  It's adorable.

You are also still the happiest of kids.  You rarely cry and smile/laugh all the time.  (Just not in pictures.)  Your always on the go and never stop moving.  Like Daddy said, his favorite times of day are when you wake up and when you go to bed.  Oh, isn't that the truth!!  We love ya, kiddo, but you sure know how to wear us out.

At just past 14 months, we finally did away with bottles.  And boy, did it feel great!  No more washing, no more sterilizing, no more counter space taken up by the drying rack.  At least for another 6 months.  You weren't completely transitioned to milk in a sippy, but we finally cut you off.  And you know what, you did just fine and quickly learned that it was milk in a sippy, or nothing.

The biggest change since my last monthly update - from crawling to walking exclusively.  It happened around 13 1/2 months.  And literally, it happened overnight.  One day, you decided you were going to get up from a sitting position.  And then you took off!  And you really haven't turned back since.  I love, love, love that you're walking! 

You continue to bring so much joy in your daddy and my lives.  So much joy that we never knew existed.  We are thankful for you each and every day and so very proud to be called your parents. We can't wait to see what the next three months bring and can only imagine they will be even better than the past three.  Love you B-Man!

Size: 24ish pounds

Update: At your 15-month appointment (15 months & 4 days), you were 23 pounds 3 ounces (31%).  Height was 30.3 inches (23%) and head circumference 46.5 cm (30%).

Words: Dada, Mama, Nigh Nigh (Night Night), Nana (Banana), Melma (Elmo), Duh (Duck), Hi, Bye, Ra-Ra (Rollie the daycare dad).

Activity: Lots of playing independently.  You love taking things out of places - toys out of toy basket, books out of bookshelf, megablocks out of wagon, etc.  You can identify your belly and ears.  You recently started pointing to things of interest. 

Food: You can eat pretty much anything, but your faves include hot dogs, mac & cheese, and fruit of all kinds - apples, bananas, plums, peaches, berries, grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, kiwi, and fruit cocktail cups.  I'm not sure you've met a fruit you didn't like!  Fave snacks include fruit snacks (go figure), pretzels, goldfish, and cheerios.  You're not fond of anything bread-like (PB&J, grilled cheese, muffins), nor do you like vegetables.

Sleep: You love your sleep!  11ish straight hours at night and one to two naps (45 minutes to 2 hours) each day.  We haven't exactly transitioned to one nap per day, but there have definitely been days you've gotten by with just one.  Quite honestly, I enjoy the two naps per day.  Gives us a much needed break! :)

Bedtime/Waketime: Bedtime is around 8:00.  Wake time ranges from 6:30 through 7:30.

Hair: Blonder than ever!  Lots of comments about your white-blond hair!

Eyes: Baby blues.

Teeth: I'm not even sure how many you have!  I try to count, but you're not very found of my fingers in your mouth.  You have four top front, four bottom front, and at least one molar on each side top and bottom.  I recently noticed the teeth in between starting to poke through.

Likes: Baths, Kinnick, turning lights on/off, fruit, cars/trucks, balls, blocks, reading, pushing buttons on the dvd player, the remote control, looking out the windows, testing your limits.

Dislikes: Vegetables, having your face wiped, having your diaper changed (really, laying still long enough), the bright sun in your eyes, leaving daycare.

Wardrobe: Pretty true to size - 12-18 months.  Though the 12-18 pants are pretty long.  You must be on the short side.

Diapers: Size 3

Mommy's Fave: I love that you're starting to communicate.  Your sweet little voice is like music to your Mama's ears. :)

A {Year's Worth of} Picture{s} are Worth a Thousand Words

I really enjoyed documenting Brantley's first year of life!  The photo sessions were a bit stressful, I'm not gonna lie, but I'm so glad I stuck with them, instead of giving up around month eight like the hubs suggested!  I love that I can look back on any given month in Brantley's first year and recall the little things that made each stage so special!  I also love scrolling through these pictures.  It's amazing how much changes in one short year and fun watching a newborn morph into a toddler.  So without further ado, here's Brantley's first year in review--in just 13 quick photos!

And for anyone that's interested, here are the links to each monthly blog post!

1 Month: August 6, 2012

2 Months: September 6, 2012

3 Months: October 6, 2012

4 Months: November 6, 2012

5 Months: December 6, 2012

6 Months: January 6, 2013

7 Months: February 6, 2013

8 Months: March 6, 2013

9 Months: April 6, 2013

10 Months: May 6, 2013

11 Months: June 6, 2013

1 Year: July 6, 2013

 

Brantley Carter: 11 Months Old

11 months old.  Let's repeat that.  11. months. old.  Already.  It's been nearly a year since you came into this world.  A year since I sat anxiously every day wondering if that would be the day.  In one sense, it seems like yesterday.  But then in another, when I start looking back through all the photos I've taken (which I've been doing a lot lately in preparation of your upcoming birthday), it truly seems like a year.  You've grown from a newborn into a near-toddler.  And it's just so darn crazy!

Feeding you has started to get more difficult.  I wouldn't say you're losing interest in eating, but you are losing interest in eating pureed baby foods (see, toddler!).  You often look away in rebellion.  When you do take bites of the pureed food, you immediately put your hands in your mouth.  Like you want to feel it.  Or feed it to yourself.  Who knows.  You still seem to love eating, as long as it's something you can feed yourself.

You must have recently gone through a growth spurt.  Friends keep telling us you look so big!  Maybe I see it??  I don't know...it's hard when I see you everyday.  Some of the t-shirts you've worn this spring seem shorter and more snug in the belly.  That's my only clue.  We've been in public twice in the last week and strangers have commented on how big of a baby you are.  Unless you've really sprouted on the growth charts, I think you're pretty average for an 11-month old?  But apparently, you look gigantic to others!

With your older age comes more vocalness.  You are becoming louder and more talkative every day.  No true words, but lots of screams, yells, baby babble, and just constant noise.  It's almost like you have a language of your own.  You have also recently shown signs of a temper.  You get mad when you don't get what you want and throw mini-temper tantrums.  And you're not even one...yikes.  You are also uber-ornery.  You know you're not supposed to be doing things (pounding on the window screens, climbing the stairs, playing in the plant dirt), but you do them anyway and wait for us to "catch" you.  You think it's so funny.  You also play this little game.  When Daddy is holding you, I'll hold my hands out for you to come to me and you onerily (is that a word?) turn the other direction.  Ditto when I am holding you and Daddy reaches for you.  Such a little teaser, you are!

Other words to describe your 11-month self: fearless (not scared of anyone or anything), happy (smile and laugh all the time), active (always on the go and rarely cuddle), inquisitive (always trying to figure out how things work), silly, and of course, sweet.  You play hard and you sleep hard.  You truly are the best baby we could have hoped for!
 
Only one more month until your big first birthday!  One more month until we can officially tell people you are 1!  Here we go...

11-Month Update

Size - Unofficially about 24 pounds, according to our bathroom scale!

Words - Ba-ba (baby) - we often look at your pictures up the stairs and you mimic the word baby.  Also da-da and pa-pa and an occasional ma-ma, though none of the three seem to be in reference to anything specific.  You know what the words 'fan', 'doggy', and 'light' mean, and you now give high-fives!

Activity - Not a huge difference from 10 months.  Your balance seems to be improving and you are better at standing unassisted, but only when I work with you on it.  Still little interest in walking.  You're a master crawler and even a speed-walker with your walker toys.  You play independently all the time, though it's rarely with your baby toys.

Food - Three bottles per day (morning, afternoon, and bedtime) - 6 to 8 ounces each.  You always drink 8 ounces in the mornings, but it's a struggle to get you to drink that much during the other two feedings (you'd rather play).  You are eating three full meals per day - a mix of pureed baby foods, rice/oatmeal, and table foods.  Among the table foods you tried this month: refried beans, crumbled hamburger, raisins, muffin, yogurt, cupcake, doughnut, hotdog, cottage cheese, mac & cheese, cheese stick, fresh blueberries, crackers, and goldfish.  You also love bananas and the typical "baby" snacks (mum mums, yogurt bites, puffs, cheerios, etc.).

Sleep - Around 10 hours per night plus two to three naps ranging from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours (in your crib) per day. We don't really follow a "schedule", but morning nap time is typically around 9 and afternoon nap time is around 1 or 2.  You've been going for occasional runs with Daddy and often take a third nap in the stroller during his run.

Bedtime/Waketime - Bedtime is anywhere between 7:30 and 9, after your last bottle. Wake time is usually 6:15 on the dot, but has recently been as late as 7:00.

Hair - Very blond.

Eyes - Dark blue

Teeth - You've doubled your number of teeth in the last month, and you're now up to 8!  Four on top and four on bottom.  And luckily, they haven't seemed to bother you!

Likes - Kinnick, feeding yourself, and getting in everything you shouldn't.

Dislikes - Waking up from naps, having your face wiped after meals.

Wardrobe - You are wearing mostly 12-18 month summer clothes.

Diapers - Size 3

Mommy's Fave - Oh boy, what is my favorite thing right now?  I love that you're becoming so independent and developing your own little personality.  Even though it's hard to believe (and emotional), I love that you're almost a toddler!  My favorite age for kids has always been 1 to 3 and I'm oh so excited you're almost there!

And can I say, I'm so glad we're almost done with these monthly pics!  Seriously stresses me out so much each month because you never cooperate!  We got a couple of decent pictures (sans smile, of course)...

 But this is how most of the session goes...

 Love ya, Kiddo!

 

Brantley Carter: 10 Months Old!

Today marks your big 10-month birthday.  Also known as the day you took your first tumble over the arm of the chair.  It happened during your photo shoot.  These darn photo shoots get harder and harder each month, I tell ya!  Especially with a baby as active as you!  But I can't give up now, with just two months remaining until your first birthday.  (You were fine, by the way, after your somersault.  A little scared, but Mommy came to the rescue and caught you mid-air.)

This is why you fell...you crazy, fearless kid!

People say "you're all boy".  I think it has something to do with the fact that you never stop going.  I repeat, you.never.stop.going.  You're like the energizer bunny.  Or a honey badger, as Daddy says.  You don't care what's in your way...when you want something, you get it.  And you couldn't care less about what you have to crawl over, under, through all of the above to get it. 

You are ornery, too.  Like the other day when Daddy told you "no" when you were pushing on the window screen.  You moved away, but then slyly snuck your hand back on it, and pulled it away super fast when you heard Daddy's voice again.  Hilarious.  I have a feeling the orneriness will only get worse.

You seem to be learning what the word 'no' means and just today, for the first time, seemed to get your feelings hurt when I spoke sternly to you.  You still don't have much stranger danger and seem to enjoy being the center of attention.  I swear, you even show off at times.  Gramma and Papa Fritz were here over the weekend.  I gave you an avocado/pear popsicle.  You put the wrong end in your mouth, and when we laughed and laughed at you, you continued to do the same thing.  You thought it was the funniest thing.  Such a funny personality you have!

This is what happened when I told you no

Speaking of, it doesn't take much for you to laugh nowadays.  Maybe not the belly laughs like we heard on this video, but you've got your own silly, squeal-like laugh.  Ditto with smiling.  You smile constantly, and your daddy and I think it's the most handsome smile we've ever seen.

Though I wouldn't ever trade these days for the newborn days (this stage beats all, so far!), I do miss my snuggly, little baby.  It's rare that you want to snuggle or lay your head on my shoulder.  I'm seriously not kidding when I say you go, go go.  It's tiring chasing you around all day, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Two months until your first birthday.  They will be the quickest two months, too.  I'm just sure of it!  I have 13 days remaining of my school year and then it's Mommy/Brantley time for 2 1/2 months!  Did I mention that I can't wait?!?!

10-Month Update

Size - At your 9-month appointment a few days after your 9-month birthday, you were 20 pounds and 6 ounces officially. So maybe 21 pounds?  I was too lazy to weigh you.  Sorry.

Words - No new words to report.  Lots of "ba-bas" lately and even a "da-da" or two, though I don't think either word is in reference to anything specific (sorry Daddy).  You still know what the words 'fan' and 'doggy' mean, as well as the word 'light'.

Activity - You recently started climbing stairs.  Like entire flights.  It's so crazy!  You have also stood unassisted for a few brief seconds multiple times.  That just started within the last few days.  You are a speed crawler and really show no signs of walking - yet.  However, you will push your walker toys and "walk" around the ottoman while holding onto it.  I think you've also recently realized that you're the baby you see in mirrors (or on my phone screen when taking a picture).  It's so cute to see you look at me, then my reflection, then me, then my reflection.  It's like the whole world is beginning to make sense. :)

Food - Three bottles per day, pretty consistently, but the amounts vary.  You almost always drink 8 ounces each morning, immediately after waking up.  Then another bottle in the afternoon and another before bed - those are typically between 4 and 6 ounces each.  It's rare that you drink a full 8 ounces except in your morning bottle.  Fine by me because formula is expensive!  You are eating three full meals per day - mostly pureed fruits and veggies, rice, oatmeal, pureed meat, or a combination thereof - and multiple snacks as well (puffs, Mum Mums, Cheerios, goldfish, graham crackers, Gerber cookies, among others).  Miss Stephanie feeds you a multitude of table food (pretty much whatever the other kids eat), but I'm not sure of the specifics!

Sleep - Around 10 hours per night plus two naps ranging from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours (in your crib) per day.  We don't really follow a "schedule", but put you down for a nap whenever you act tired.  You are a champ at falling asleep, even for your naps nowadays.  Maybe a little fussing, but you soothe yourself to sleep (most often without a paci) within a few minutes. 

Bedtime/Waketime - Bedtime is anywhere between 7:30 and 9, after your last bottle.  Wake time is still between 6:00 and 7:00, typically.

Hair - Very blond.  And growing.  You have lots in the back...more than it appears because it's so blond.  Still little on top, but more than it looks!

Eyes - Dark blue

Teeth - Two on the bottom and now two on top!  Miss Stephanie thinks you have a third coming in on top, but I have yet to see it.  This is the first month your teeth have seemed to bother you.  Tylenol has been our friend this month. :)

Tried to get your top teeth

Likes - Eating, Kinnick, bathtime, hanging upside down, taking all of your diapers out of the diaper caddy, ceiling fans, Kinnick's dog bowl, the dog bowl placemat, books (Yummy Yucky), your motorcycle, air vents, most things in the kitchen, Mommy, Daddy, bottles, stroller rides, and exploring the world around you.

Dislikes - Waking up from naps, being hungry, being tired, medicine (Tylenol, antibiotics, you hate it all).

Wardrobe - Pretty true to size - mostly 9-18 months.  Size 2 shoes.

Diapers - Size 3

Mommy's Fave - I'm not gonna lie.  I love it when you are upset or fussy and you crawl to me for comfort. 

And one final photo to commemorate you double digit monthly birthday.  It's rough being a 10-month old...