Well, Brady, we survived two years! It’s been the best, hardest, and most wonderful adventure so far. What a blessing it is to be your mom. I’ve already learned so much these past two years and I bet you’re about to teach me a lot more (especially about patience as we enter the two’s and three’s).

My goodness this month was jammed packed with adventure and fun. We started the month with a crazy strong storm (winds like a tornado) that left us without power for 3 days (the day after Dad left for a 3 week hitch, of course) and ripped our poor pean trees apart. Grandpa Clif thankfully came over and helped chop up all the fallen tree limbs and cleaned up the yard! You took baths by candlelight and I slept with the windows open. It was a nice change of pace for once, but we were happy to have electricity again.    Our sweet friends, the Parkers, invited us over for a homecooked meal during the power outage and you got to help Warren feed their chickens. Y’all had a lot of fun and you were not in the least bit afraid of them!  We visited the Dallas Arboretum many times as a family and with friends since the weather was pretty nice as we entered Fall. We visit the petting zoo at the arboretum and it seems that the crowd of crazy kids is what sets you off, because you’re fine with the animals once they clear out and you scope ’em out for a bit.

You’ve also shown so much interest in my camera so, we gave you my old point and shoot digital camera from college. You hold it up to your face and say “Eeeeeeze!” You also love the Fuji Instant (polaroid) camera. We played with the new remote shutter switch that Daria got me for my birthday and took some self portraits – you had a blast and loved clicking the remote.  You began to notice the moon on your own this month. You’re definitely entering the “terrible two’s” phase. You are very finicky with decisions. They change by the second and can end in laughter and a few seconds later wind up in full out tandrum mode. You are interested in dressing yourself and don’t like taking off your PJs most mornings. Son, I wish I too could wear my pjs all day and in public.  You are incredibly attached to woobie and paci, though, we’re trying to wean you from paci so it’s only available during sleep.

You love Curious George and watched the pumpkin movie special at least 5 times. Whenever you want to watch it, you make monkey noises and tickle your belly like a monkey.  I’ve been using Young Living essential oils on you several times a day and you even “help” me put the oils on your belly and feet. You get really excited to drink your Ningxia “Ninja” juice each morning. You practically chug it down before I can ask you if it’s good.

By the Grace of God, a spot opened up and you switched from Mondays & Fridays to Mondays & Thursdays at MDO!  There are pumpkins everywhere and you get really excited and say “WOOOAAAHHH” whenever you see one or gasp with big eyes and a smile.  You love to yell “MA-MA MA-MA!”. It almost sounds French.  We celebrated your second birthday with a construction themed party at our house. You were surrounded by lots of friends and family. Rara, Gammy, Aunt Di, Paw Paw, Daria & the kids all drove up from Houston to celebrate with you. I’m sad that I felt horrible (flu like) during your party and while family was visiting. Dad returned home from work a couple days before your party and I was sick the rest of the time he was home. Thankfully, neither of you really got what I had.  RaRa got you an awesome traditional red wagon (among many other toys) that you love. We got you an art easel that you’re learning to enjoy and draw on. You currently love markers.  Paw paw & Daria got you a cute remote control car and an awesome marching drum that is filled with even more musical instruments. You quickly learned how to wear it and play it simultaneously. Grandpa Clif and Paula got you some cute toys, but your favorite is the tool box with the drill. You are constantly “fixing” things around the house.

We dressed you up in a hilarious nerd costume for Halloween. We tried to take you to the arboretum for a special event a couple days before Halloween, but you weren’t having it (so tired and cranky) and I was sick, so we just ended up driving past and are hopeful of making it inside next year. I did get some cute/funny pictures of you, though.

We went to Paw Paw’s ranch for your actual birthday weekend (more photos in a separate blog post). We drove through Brady, TX and took a picture of you sitting on the land mark sign. You were so happy about it, as if you knew. You said “Paw Paw” for the first time at the ranch – it’s more of a whisper “Pa-pah”. Your vocabulary exploded right around your birthday! Your words include, but are not limited to: Mama, Dahdah, RaRa, iiiiiice, aaaiiigs (eggs), dog, jahw (George), moh (more), woob-woob (woobie), booooht (boot), poop, teetee, choo-choo (train), bahhh (ball), etc…

At your two year check-up you unfortunately had a double ear-infection, but were healthy otherwise. You are slightly over 27 lbs, 34.5 inches tall, and your head is nearly 20 cm. We love you so much, Brady bear!!

PS – Thank you to Daria Ratliff Photography who helped snapped some of the “action” shots during Brady’s birthday party!

 

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