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!
