January 2012

Brandon got his first ear infection this month and had to go on antibiotics.  The antibiotics cleared the infection right up.  He was weighed about halfway through the month and weighed 26 lbs 6 ounces.  I did not measure him height wise.  I love the opportunity to start a new Year but hate the month of January in Oregon.  Its so rainy, cold, and dark.  The days are so short.  This makes it hard for me to entertain Brandon as we can't go outside and play after work.  We continued to do Gymboree this month which was a great way for Brandon to exert energy and exercise.  Brandon got really good at climbing things at Gymboree this month and got much more sure footed with walking.  He began running even.

Playing with his elephant toy

Running at Gymboree

Playing with the parachute at Gymboree

Brandon stopped nursing this month.  He just did not want to nurse any more and wanted cow's milk instead.  He loves cow's milk and could drink it all day if we let him.  It was sad to have him stop nursing as it was proof that my little baby boy was growing up.  Brandon now sleeps about 11.5-12 hours a night (usually 8:00 PM-8:00 AM) and naps still twice a day-usually a short nap in the morning and a longer one in the afternoon.  This boy loves his sleep!

Brandon got his first hair cut this month.  We went to Little Clippers in Lake Oswego and got his hair cut.  The haircut place had a little car that he got to sit in while his hair was getting cut.  Brandon always has had a lot of hair.  It was sad to see them cut his curls but I knew that they would grow back.

In the car about to get his hair cut

Those adorable curls about to be cut

Brandon's first hair cut!

Almost done!

Brandon gave his hair cut a thumbs up!

Towards the end of January my mom came and visited for several days to keep me company.  It was so nice to have another adult around in the evenings to talk to and help out with Brandon while Sean was working.  We went out to dinner and watched silly HGTV shows and took Brandon to the park as the weather was dry.

Playing one morning

Swinging at Cook Park-it was cold!

Swinging away

Running around the playground

Brandon loved being outside and playing on the playground

Brandon: The 13th Month (December 2011)

Brandon turned one this month!  At his one year doctor's appointment, Brandon weighed in at 26 lbs 3 ounces (in the 88%) and was 32 inches tall (96%).  This month was filled with Brandon walking every where.  Brandon is still napping twice a day usually in the morning and in the afternoon.  He started napping longer probably due to him being so tired from all the walking.  Usually Brandon goes down at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.  Brandon also started sleeping in real late this month.  Some days on the weekends he sleeps in until 8:00-8:30 and one day even until 9:00 AM.  We also started Brandon on whole milk this month and he transitioned to it great.  Brandon nursed twice a day.

We went to Al's to get our Christmas tree and they had a electric train Brandon loved

Brandon and mommy near the train

My little walker is now walking every where!

Brandon "riding" the reindeer 

All dressed in Oregon gear before the Pac 12 championship game-Ducks won!

We celebrated Brandon's 1st birthday on Saturday December 3rd.  We invited close friends and family and over 20 guests showed up to see Brandon's big day.  Brandon did great and loved being the center of attention.  I made Brandon his own cake (Daddy's favorite) Confetti cake and he got it all to himself following the Larson family tradition.  I got gourmet cupcakes for our guests.

Brandon playing with a balloon on his birthday

Playing with the balloon

Just before cake time!

Enjoying his cake

Family shot in the middle of cake time

We continued going to Gymboree this month and Brandon seemed to enjoy it even more now that he was walking.  His favorite activity is the parachute time at the end of class.  He also loves climbing up the slide and little rope gym.  Brandon became more verbal and said his first word besides "ma ma" and "da da"-"doggie."  He loves "doggies" and got to enjoy them even more over Christmas with Sean's parents who have a dog and my parents dog Callie.

Brandon playing in a tunnel at Gymboree 

Family shot in front of our Christmas tree

My sweet little boy

Playing on the rocking horse that Sean's parents got him for his birthday

Sean and I had the entire week before Christmas off for vacation which was really nice.  We relaxed and took Brandon to day care and saw two movies! We took Brandon to see Santa and he did great.  He was not scared of Santa at all.  We spent two days down in Eugene (Christmas Eve) and two days in Corvallis (Christmas day and the day after).  Brandon loved spending all the time with his family.  He was not super into opening presents but liked his presents.  I put some of them away to bring out later in the spring.  Brandon also had his first overnight stay without Sean and I at my parent's house for 2 nights.  He did great!  

My little walker

Brandon and I outside Santa's House

Brandon on Santa's lap for the first time 

Playing in his little wagon Brandon got for his birthday from my parents

Dressed in Santa's hat for Christmas Eve dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Pomerleau's

Daddy and Brandon playing with his new present

Playing with the loot in his stocking Christmas morning 

Opening Brandon's big present together 

Enjoying his Christmas dinner 

Enjoying the giant Christmas tree on Christmas day

We ended up having Rosie and Thomas and Brooke, Taylor, and Logan over to celebrate New Year's Eve at our house.  We had a fondue party and played games.  It was really fun.  Everyone made it to midnight too to ring in 2012 (well the babies were asleep).

Brandon and Logan playing together

Brandon and Logan on New Year's Eve 

Brandon and I bringing in 2012!

Group shot New Years Eve 2011

Brandon: The tenth month (September 2011)

At Brandon's nine month doctor appointment he weighed in at 23 pounds 3.5 ounces and was 30 3/4" tall. Brandon was in the 98% in height and 86% in weight.  Brandon generally goes to bed at 8:30 AM and wakes up at 7:00 AM and naps usually at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM.  Brandon eats three solid meals a day and and drinks mommy's milk four times a day.  Brandon tried and loves Spaghettios, Ravioli, waffles, and the Trader Joe's Gnocchi pasta.

Happy boy in the morning!

This month Brandon is cruising around the house holding onto furniture.  He loves standing holding onto things and even stands in the bath tub!  Brandon also loves crawling up the stairs and learned how to clap.  I got Brandon a push walker this month that lights up and he loves it.  He is also talking much more and says "ma ma" or "da da" and looks at us like he knows what it means.  Brandon still loves throwing the books out of the bookcase in the family room.  Towards the end of the month, Brandon learned how to cruise around holding onto the walls.  Towards the end of the month, Brandon stood on his own without holding onto anything.  He also started liking looking at books especially the ones that are tactile. Brandon also graduated to an "adult" bath tub from the baby bath tub.

Brandon all dressed up to watch the Oregon game

Brandon standing up holding onto his Jumperoo

My little cutie going after my camera (notice the two front teeth)

We went to Lincoln City for Labor Weekend with Brooke, Taylor, and Logan and rented a beach house.  Brandon also got his third tooth (top tooth) during this weekend.  We had a great time in Lincoln City playing at the ocean (it was awesome weather the first day we were there).  Brooke and I went shopping and we went out to dinner.  We started swim lessons this month at the Sherwood YMCA with Brooke and Logan.  It was a 8 week program with swim lessons being once a week.  Brandon loved swimming and the games we played at the lessons.

Playing in the sand for the first time over Labor Day weekend

Playing in the sand in 80 degree weather in Lincoln City

Brandon and I at the coast, it was a beautiful 80 degree day

Sean and Brandon the next day-the temperature dropped back down to the typical 50s

Family shot at the beach over Labor Day weekend