Bebba

is Pepper!

Brendan is finally starting to talk a WEEEEEEE bit! He's still mostly interested in figuring out the walking thing (he can walk across the room when he WANTS to, but usually he just doesn't want to! Crawling is faster for him and this is still his choice roughly 90% of the time).

This morning Chris and I were changing his diaper and then were cuddling with Brendan and Pepper. Chris said, "is that Pepper?" And Brendan said, "Bebba." Coincidence? I then ask him, "Pepper?" and again he said, "Bebba!" Later tonight he actually did walk (almost running, actually) to Pepper and shouted, "BEBBA!" and gave him a kiss and laughed. So I'm pretty sure that's it!

Besides that, not much is going on. I had my gallbladder out last week and it was no biggie, really. I'm healing pretty quickly. I can tell when I do too much (like today...oops) and need to cool it, but for the most part, I feel pretty good. I'm having trouble eating, which is to be expected. I CAN eat the weirdest things like stuffed shells and chili, but CAN'T eat things like baked chicken and salads. There is a silver lining, though! I seem to be losing weight! My pants are all getting too big now, so that's cool!

In fact, I've lost 40 pounds!!! Okay, not so much. Our scale is broken, so it's registering 40 pounds under what I really am...so I'm pretending. I'm not sure if I'll be buying a new one or not. I've gotten used to my dramatic weight loss... :D

Vrooom!

That's what Brendan's cars say now :)

Or, my makeup case, actually.

Or anything that he can move like a car.

The step count is up to 18- I think we're almost to the point of being a full time walker! Not quite yet, but close!

That's all I've got today.

Pretty Much Sums Up Today!

My sister, Meghann, summed up today's adventures pretty well in her own blog. I don't feel the need to add anything else =P

Busy Bakers

Brendan has been cooking up some good things. So far our favorites have been hamburger bun and wooden spoon. Delicious!



He has been going crazy playing with all of his new toys. He's KIND OF getting the idea of the Little People now! He knows that they go in cars and such, which is pretty big!

Even bigger than that...

WE HAVE A WALKER!!!!!!! Well, also kind of. Brendan has been taking between 6-12 steps for the past few days, so we're pretty sure he'll be taking off very soon! We are soooo excited for him!

Mommy has also been baking...the new bread machine is probably going to get burned out with all I have used it for! So far we've had two loaves of raisin bread, 3 loaves of white bread, a coffee cake, applesauce nut bread, and today, we made BAGELS!!! Sesame Seed and Cinnamon Sugar. They turned out GREAT! Maybe not in looks, but certainly in taste!

Before...



...And After

Family, Homemade Bread, and Play Kitchens

Christmas was absolutely wonderful this year! In the past, we have always done crazy Christmas traveling to see everyone, and by the end we were completely exhausted. This year was SO much easier! Christmas Eve at Chris's parents' house, Christmas Day at my parents' house. Relaxing, no rushing around, and wonderful!

It was so nice actually getting to spend quality time with the people we love. This year there was no arguing (that I know of, at least), and people genuinely seemed to be in good spirits, which is truly what Christmas should be.

Now for the materialistic stuff...Chris got me exactly what I wanted! Something I have been wanted for such a long time, but never actually bought because I don't really have the space for it: A BREAD MACHINE! I have owned it for about 48 hours now, and am on my 3rd loaf of bread and need to buy another bag of bread flour!

Growing up, my mom always had fresh baked bread in the house. It was always so special, and something we looked forward to. She didn't have a bread machine, however, and all of the bread was done by hand. When it was time for the bread to be punched down before the second rising, we would FIGHT over who got to punch it. The bread would be barely out of the oven and we'd about knock each other out to get the first pieces because they'd be the warmest and the butter would melt into it. Yummm. Now, I don't have the same time (cough::talent::cough), but I hope that one day Brendan, and any future kids will remember having homemade bread in the house. I know it's lame, though, and there are so many other things I'd like him to remember and appreciate, but this is just one :)

Now for Brendan's Christmas. Sometimes I'm amazed at how smart he is. Santa may have gone a SMIDGE out of control...but it was totally worth it. He LOVES his play kitchen and Cozy Coupe (the two "big" gifts), but what I'm impressed with at how well he knows how to use them! One of the food items was a hamburger, which came in three parts. He knows which parts of the bun go together!!! Yeah, Brendan! Now the car...Brendan hasn't ever seen anyone actually drive a car since he's still rear facing, but as soon as he's in the car, it's like he has seen it every day of his life! I'm totally overreacting, I'm sure, but it just amazes me to see him learn :)

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

Santa finally came...she (um, he) must have been really busy in her (I mean his) family room (I mean, workshop)! Santa will try to buy toys that will require a little less assembly as the Cozy Coupe near killed her (HIM!!!).





Results later... :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

*Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!*

I do love the snow! Despite the fact that it is just horrid to drive in, there is something about it that makes me smile!

I was so excited about the first snowfall of the year that I went out today to buy Brendan some snow boots! Size 4 boots are kind of hard to come by, but Target had 2 pair hidden behind some size 10s. Special shout out to the wonderful associate who will regret her stretched out earlobe one day for finding them!

Anyway, it seems Brendan loves snow about as much as I do! In about a year we're going to be making the most awesome snowmen together!







<3<3<3<3<3

I can't believe it has been almost a month since the last time I blogged! I apologize to me (3?) readers! ;)

Brendan will be 13 months old on Saturday! Each day he gets closer and closer to walking! I have a feeling it can be any time now. He can now get himself into a stand from a seated position without pulling up!

His current list of words include:
Dada
Uh oh
ah ah (means no)
Mama (FINALLY!)
Mmm (when something tastes good...does that even count as a word?)
Dwah-doo (the jury's still out on this one. We thought maybe doggie, but probably not)

He currently sleeps about 11-12 hours a night with 2 two-hour naps during the day, but the morning nap is getting shorter and shorter...it will probably be dropped sooner rather than later!

Brendan loves whole milk and we made a seamless transition from bottles! Woohoo! I'm so grateful he had no issues giving them up! Yayyyyy Brendan!