Like Father, Like Son

Need I say more?

Karma

Oh my, Brock's ability to communicate is really exploding (words, constant jabber, gestures, and the like). I was apparently a very wordy child and a bit strong willed (I won't say bratty) and so the word Karma has come up a bit. Posting pictures is so easy, but I'm not much of a story teller. I will do my best to describe these precious moments in time...

Story #1
It is a constant battle...the fireplace! Brock set his cute little foot on the hearth, and I immediatly said, "No Brock, don't climb on the fireplace, you need to get down". Without budging he looked at me with a cute little grin and jabbered a long sentence that went somthing like this, "Sheebaa tuuu baattdaddadda kaaahha". It sounded as if he was trying to bargain with me, so my translation is this, "Mom, if I just stand here and don't touch anything I won't get hurt". I repeated, "No Brock, don't climb on the fireplace, you need to get down". Again in response he said the same sentence,"Sheebaa tuuu baattdaddadda kaaahha". For the third time I said, "No Brock, don't climb on the fireplace you need to get down". This time with shrugged shoulders and a big grin he politely shook his head NO. REALLY!? Then I removed him from the fireplace without protest and he went on to the next thing. Oh my, already testing us!

Story #2
A couple days ago Brock began throwing food from his high chair - a sure sign he is done (he does say done some of the time now). Anyways, when the food began flying I said, "No Brock, do not throw your food". He stopped, looked right at me, and said, "NO"! Oh my, another test!

Story #3
I'm constantly amazed at how much a 13 month old can comprehend. The other night he walked right up to Cory, pointed at his eyes (really it was more like jabbing them) and said "eyes". Then we asked him where his eyes were and he pointed at his own. He can identify some of the body parts from one of his favorite songs, "Head, shoulders, knees and toes". It is very cute and I'm glad to report, Cory's eye is just fine!

Story #4
Now that I have told you how brilliant my child is, this one might make you think twice. We have a really long trip home from daycare...about 20 bumpy yards. Today Brock wanted to walk on his own in the snow. We walked home, one mitten off, one mitten on, had a couple stumbles along the way but we finally we made it. A few minutes later, I put Brock in his high chair for lunch. I placed a cracker on his tray and turned around to get the rest of his food. I heard a big "CLUD" and turned around. Brock had removed the giant rock he had some how found and stored in his mouth, to eat the cracker! Geeez!

I hope these stories give you some idea of the funny, happy, cute, and crazy boy who is constantly entertaining us! It will be interesting to see what these long sentences really turn out to be - I can hardly wait!

Beach Bums

We escaped to the beach this weekend to be beach bums. The weather and tides were perfect for walking and playing at the beach. This is Brock's second visit to his Grandparents house in Capitola (the first time he was only 4 wks). He took to the beach like a pro - he loved the water, sand, shells, sticks, birds - everything! It was so fun to see him exploring and enjoying every sight and sound. Our next trip will be in the Spring or Summer and we will get him on a surfboard then. On Sunday night my aunt, uncle, and cousins joined us at the beach house for, what is now, the annual crab feed. Brock loves hanging out with the big guys. We were sad to return to reality - Reno, but had a great Christmas day at our cozy home here. We are trying to figure out how to make our millions and move to the beach :) We will put that on our "to do" list for 2008!

Love you all! Merry Christmas!

Santa's Little Helper

We finally got a Christmas Tree! Brock was a big help unpacking our decorations and decorating the tree. I was expecting him to be more interested in the tree, but he really just looks for the most part. We have also been playing in the snow...yes snow. We have had a couple inches in our yard for about a week now. Brock likes to walk on the snow and pick up snow clumps.

Playing in the snow.

Brock has started carrying this little blankie around. Sometimes he even puts it over his head and walks blindly...what a nut!

Brock loves to unload things - boxes, drawers, dishwashers, etc.

Brock really liked this gold, shiny, Noahs Ark ornament.

Helping with the lights...or "ites" as Brock says.


Weeeee!

Week in a nutshell!

Christmas parties, running after Brock (no longer walking) , more teeth coming in, no sleep, running after Brock, work, christmas tree, christmas shopping, baking, running after Brock, friends birthday parties, play dates, running after Brock, starting to wean Brock (not easy, since he wants nothing to do with cows milk), running after Brock...oh and did I mention...no sleep! That is our week in a nutshell - managed to take some cute pictures along the way.

A Tooth!

Oh my gosh...I can't believe I'm typing this...Brock got his first tooth today! I've noticed a little blister or spot on his gums for a few days and today, to my suprise, I felt a tooth! I sensed a bit of concern from the Dr. and he told me if Brock didn't get any teeth in the next month that I should take him to see a pediatric dentist. I wasn't worried, but it is pretty rare that a baby has no teeth by their first Birthday. So yeah, a tooth has arrived...no baby dentures needed!

Birthday Madness

Wow, what a week! Nana J, Nikki, Cathy and Connie were all here for a visit. We had a blast and Brock sure loved the attention! We had birthday party #2 with all of Brock's friends. We are so lucky to have such a great group of parent friends! After all the Birthday Madness Brock ended up with a bad cold and croup! It's been a rough couple days of recovering. Add to the discomfort a tooth coming in and 4 shots at his one year apt...what a trooper he is! He seems to be almost back to normal this evening, but we will see what the night has in store for us. Aside from the illness we have all good things to report on Brock's health. He is 28 inches long and 19lbs 5oz.! The Dr. reports a perfect, smart, social baby - things we already knew :)




Playing on the playground with Nana J.

Eating sushi with Aunt Nikki.

Nana J worked her magic decorating, while Aunt Cathy entertained Brock!

We had a birthday bash with all of Brock's buddies. This will be a fun picture to look at in years to come as the babies grow.

A full house!

We went for a hike in the hills above our house on Sunday. As you can see, Brock wants to walk everywhere!

One Year Old!

Happy Birthday to Brock! We have done a lot of reflecting over the last several days. Playing the "A year ago at this time....my water broke, Grandparents got THE call, we were admiring our new baby boy, etc" game. We thought we couldn't be more blessed on the day of his birth, but as it turns out the blessings keep coming! We are so thankful for this happy, healthy, and growing baby - oops toddler! Brock had a wonderful birthday - love, cards, and presents have been arriving all week from neighbors, California, Alaska, Michigan, and even Guam. Nana J and Aunt Nikki are here and smothering Brock with love! I think it will be hard to get them on the plane home. Thank you everyone - Brock is so loved!

An update on Brock - he is happy and healthy, walking a lot, but has not given up crawling - talking a TON - in addition to many, many words he now makes sounds that go with dog, crash, airplane and a couple others. Oh and the cutest thing - when he drops something (which is usually on purpose), he says "Uh Oh". He loves to read books. It is really fun to read with him now because he points out and says all the words and sounds he knows. He is growing fast. I'll have his stats in a week when we go to his one year appointment, but I'm sure he is approaching 20lbs. He is a busy, goofy, funny boy! Still NO teeth! Do they make baby dentures?



A new car! Brock kept saying car, car! We had to park it next to him while we ate dinner. Thanks Grandma and Pa C.

Brock opened each gift and had to play with each gift before moving on to the next. Uncle Chad got him the General Lee car from Dukes of Hazard. Cory and Chad loved that show. Cory told me it was becuase of the car crashes, but didn't Daisy wear really short shorts...hmmm.

Brock loves his fun toys from Nana J and Nikki - they make lots of noise!

Smashing, I mean snuggling with his new doggy.


Brock started by putting one finger in his cake and tasting it, and then...

it went in by the handfuls until it was all gone. I was so glad it didn't make him sick!




Brock would dance and clap everytime we sang him Happy Birthday. He also clapped when he finished his cake!