Happy 2nd Birthday Brayden!

Somehow Brayden has turned 2!! We had a fun day celebrating with his friends at Tumble Jungle and later with our family at our house. He had a blast and it was so cute to see him interacting with everyone and really enjoying himself. Tucker was such a good big brother/helper and was so excited for Brayden. Brayden was trained to answer who's birthday is it (Me) and how old are you (2)! He started answering the first question with: Me, 2:)

He wanted a Dusty Crophopper (Planes-the movie) birthday party:)

He was so into opening all of the presents! And he had lots of helpers:)

He is really into Duplo block right now so the Planes Duplo sets he got were some of his faves! Those and his helicopters...kid loves planes and helicopters!

On his actual birthday he woke up to streamers and balloons on his door and down the hallway. They lasted a lot less time than Tucker's have...I guess two boys wreaking havoc does this! That and Brayden LOVES to pop balloons!

His present from us was this roller coaster that our neighbors have that he loves. It's fun in the house, but it's been moved outside to the backyard! Anyways, Tucker was so excited to show him his present and card!

Tucker was so cute and wanted to get Brayden a present for his birthday! He really wanted to give him the same lizard light toy that he has. He decorated construction paper and drew a picture of Brayden and we wrapped the lizard up in it. He was so proud to give it to him! I can still remember my little brother giving me a bouncy ball when we were little. I love the sibling gifts!

It has been a LOOOOOONNNGGG time since Brayden has gotten a monthly update! It's hard to cover everything that's happened in the past year/6 months, but here's some main ones:

Brayden loves everything Tucker does! He is into trucks for sure, but he also LOVES planes and helicopters a little more:) He has always loved to climb things and jump on anything and jump off of things. He loves to draw with chalk on the driveway and ride the Plasma Car. He always wants to wear his helmet...even if he's not riding anything:) He's a great running partner, as long as he has a snack to eat. He is also a lover of the swings. He likes when you hold his hand to go down the slide, but lately has been getting braver and going by himself:) He tries really hard to ride his tricycle but his legs just aren't quite long enough to make it around the pedals yet. He is also mildly obsessed with his lawnmower! He likes to "help" us cook, rake, mow, sweep, and vacuum. 

He loves milk, will tolerate water a lot better than Tucker ever did. He can be a finicky eater. He's not so much picky about what he eats, but he's more picky about whether he's going to eat or not. He's definitely too busy and active sometimes. We've had to feed him on the go sometimes just so he'll get a meal. He likes snacks, but isn't a huge snacker. When he does get snacks, he likes Bunny Snacks and pirates booty as his faves. He also LOVES ice cream-especially froyo:) And candy...he was probably the most pumped about the excessive candy haul from Halloween.

He is just starting to string 3-4 words together. He says enough words to get by, but is definitely more of a gross/fine motor fan at this point. Although he has no problem saying, No, (especially No, Tucker), and most recently, Move! He's been able to feed himself with a spoon and fork for at least the last 5-6 months. He can also sip out of a cup very well, although he usually just drinks out of his water bottle and Nalgene. He counts like this: 1, 6, 8! His favorite color seems to be blue...and it's what he defaults to when guessing a color.

He's a great sleeper! He sleeps from 8:00pm until 7-8:30am and he naps from 1-3:30/4. When he wakes up he is very content to hang out in his crib...sometimes he even says he doesn't want to get out! Sometimes he'll yell "Mama, Mama!"

He is a super sweet little guy that also lives up to his fiery red-headed stereotype! He is very very active and outgoing. He sometimes gets shy, and he'll snuggle into my shoulder and even say, "Me Shy," which makes it that much cuter:)  When he cries, he gets SO blotchy...to the point where he looks like he's having an allergic reaction...and the tears, oh the tears! Good thing I'm not too easy of a push-over because he'd get his way every time!

He likes Jake and Thomas and George, and pretty much any show that Tucker will watch.  His favorite book is his Bible and he loves to read the Pookie books too. Tucker has started to pray before dinner and so Brayden has started to as well.  It's the cutest thing! He puts his head down on the table and arm in front, and it's barely audible, but he thanks God for mommy, daddy, tucker, brayden and then he always throws his buddy William in, and most of the time includes "Sesha" (sarah) and Matt too:) And he says Amen like Ahhmen:)

It has been so fun to see Brayden grow into the little boy that he's becoming.  He's certainly going to be an energy and force to contend with. He, like Tucker is really a great kid with so much energy and love to give.  We love you Brayden (or as he FINALLY says-he called himself ME for so long- "Baynen")! Happy 2nd Birthday!

18 month update-Brayden!

It is more than safe to say that I have seriously neglected this blog the past month!! My whole trip to Africa thing really put a halt on all of my technology updating, as I'm still going through my 2400 pictures. More on that trip to come shortly!

But for now, Brayden turned 18 months old a couple of weeks ago!
He is quite the spitfire-fully living up to his red-headed stereotype.  He is so incredibly snuggly and cuddly and loves to snuggle in your shoulder and tuck his hands/arms in between his belly and you. It's pretty adorable! He also will scream bloody murder if he's mad, tired, or doesn't get his way. Quite the anomaly.
He is a very active kid, but does walk more than Tucker does. He is not a good teether-he has 4 teeth on the bottom and 4 (maybe 5) on the top-and none of them come in in the typical order. He gets very whiney and just wants to be cuddled and doesn't like to eat much at all. His favorite drink is most definitely milk, and like Tucker he shuns most other drinks. Unlike Tucker, however, he has no problem going poop (TMI-sorry!). His favorite food is probably avocado and goldfish, but he definitely goes through phases with everything else. Meals can be very trying with him, as he sometimes decides he's not hungry and throws all of his food not he floor. He's not much for watching TV, but he loves to play with trains, trucks, wreck forts, anything that Tucker is doing, and play outside-especially the swing and sandbox. Tucker his definitely his best bud and he loves to play tag with him and follow him around. Tucker is a great big brother to B and he entertains Brayden too:)
B usually gets up around 7ish and then naps from 1-3:30ish and then goes to bed around 8. He went through a worse separation anxiety phase than Tucker, but he seems to have moved on for the most part. He was a real trooper when I went to Africa and was a big help to Max, not being too whiney at all. He is not as verbal as Tucker but more physical. He's started climbing and running etc a little earlier. He tends to yell instead of say words so we need to always remind him use his words. He says about 20-25 words and is smack in the middle of the "repeat what you tell him to say" stage, which is so so cute! He definitely wishes he was older. He is always trying to climb up the swing-set, walk, not crawl, down the stairs, and he loves to put the bike helmet on and try to "ride" some of the bikes/toys we have. Shockingly he's actually pretty good about stopping at the bottom of the driveway, although he does love to test the boundaries sometimes.
Besides Tucker he loves to play with Si-Si who is such a good friend to him and takes great care of him. He also loves to play with Nama and Papa. Papa always makes him laugh and Nama is his bud!
He is a joy and is overall very very happy boy who takes great joy and happiness out of all things. We love love love him and can't imagine life without this little guy!!

Tucker is 3!!

Tucker turned THREE last week!!  My laptop broke and I just got it back so I'm still missing some pictures from the celebrations, but I still have a bunch.

Tucker is such a joy! He has really become such a compassionate, loving, caring, fun, hyper child.  He has so many sides to him! He's certainly an energetic boy and runs more than he walks. He loves trucks, forts, mac n cheese, and anything outside. He also is always concerned with why someone is "whining" (crying). He apologizes and says it's his fault if he does something wrong.  He throws tantrums and would rather go to timeout sometimes than do what's expected. He is very concerned if someone is hurt or upset. He soaks up every piece of information thrown at him and LOVES to learn.  He's able to count to 11 (often leaving out 10) and has a pretty good ABC song, although the letters are often mumbled and jumbled. He knows his colors and many of his shapes. He is loves to point out  when things are same or different. He enjoy reading and especially likes Seek and Find books. Planes is his favorite movie, with Cars being a close second. He loves Bubble Guppies and PAW Patrol. Molly (BP) is his "best girl" and Ryder (PP) is his "best boy". He absolutely loves school and his teachers and is learning so much there. He loves Brayden and gets excited to share his toys and things with him. Brayden thinks Tucker is the coolest person ever and wants to copy and do everything Tucker does.  He's very affectionate and loves to give kisses and hugs and has lately wanted me to cuddle with him. He is excessively outgoing, saying hi to everyone we see and meet. He has no problem talking to people (not always the best thing) and talking to himself! He is easily entertained and can have fun playing by himself or sitting in his bed chatting to himself (or the imaginary friend we've yet to meet).

I gave Tucker an interview and here's what he share about himself (note-not all of these may be accurate, but they're what he answered!):

Age:  3 ("free")

Makes you happy: people

Favorite Animal: moose, cow

Favorite food: noo-noo's and cheese

Favorite TV show- PAW Patrol

Something you're really good at: Playing Games

Favorite movie: Planes

Favorite Color: Blue

Best Friend: Addie

Best Guy: Ryder (From PAW Patrol)

Best Girl: Molly (From Bubble Guppies)

Things you and mom do together: play balls and outside

Things you and dad do together: build forts

Favorite Sport: baseball (???)

Favorite Place to Go: Restaurants and park

Favorite Toy: Trucks

Favorite Book: Planes book (search and find)

What do you want to be when you grow up: Eat Gum

What's Mom's name: Mama and "your other name"

What's Dad's name: Max

What does mom do during the day: plays

What does dad do during the day: works

 What do you like to do outside: play with red car, sandbox, swing set

Friends at school: Ben, Mila, Maya, Eliza, Cortney, Adelaide, Daneielle, Mason, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Schober

I celebrated my birthday by: Breakfast at Chips (panpakes with spinkles and syrup)

Tonight I thanked God for: belly button, pinecone.

I LOVE birthdays! Tucker had three celebrations! The first was with our family and some close friends. He had so much fun with everyone and was even very polite and said Thank You after he opened each gift (he was reminded about that before opening them)!

our only family photo of the week...thanks for the photobomb Chris!

Tucker had to try out some of his gifts during the "after party!"

This guy has been reaping the benefits of his brother having a birthday! Tucker has been surprisingly great about sharing his toys! So glad!

We celebrated with all of his buds at My Gym the next day! It was pure chaos of kids running everywhere having fun and Tucker had a blast! He was especially excited about the bubble machine...he was jumping and trying to eat the bubbles....weirdo! They also did zip-line rides for the kids which they loved:)  So much fun!!

We inconveniently planned the party for the elite 8 game that UCONN was magically playing in...notice all the dads watching it on the computer:) Thankfully they won in the first 15 minutes of the party!

buds:)

I thought it was so cute-they put Tucker on a little sled and played the Rocky song while they pulled him around to high-five his friends.

On Tucker's actual birthday we went to Chip's for breakfast for the special birthday pancakes. Tucker explicitly wanted "pancakes with spinkles and syrup."

We brought cupcakes to school where his sweet teachers took picture for me. They have this special cupcake thing and candle, and give him a crown. He LOVED it!

We took the family to Habachi for dinner for the first time...it could become a birthday tradition! We went a little early and the place was empty! We had our table all to ourselves. Tucker LOVED the "fire fire" and Brayden was so enamored. Tucker kept asking the chef "why no more fire?" and the nice man kept doing more! Needless to say, Tucker and Brayden love "dubachi!"

They were watching so intently

More fire!!

He had opened so many presents already that he didn't even ask for any from us! 

We gave him a "Marshall" card (from PAW Patrol-that was really just a dalmatian fire dog) that he got really excited about-very cute.

Some new Planes from Brayden

A new Logging Truck!

What would a 3rd birthday be without a bowl of ice cream sundae?!

Oh we just love this little boy SO very much and are so excited to see the complex person that he is becoming. What a unique little boy who captures the heart of all he meets!