Happy 2nd Birthday!

Saturday was Abraham's second birthday.  We had a mini party with Grandpop and Grammy Jacobs, Pop Pop and Grandmom Leatherman, and Uncle Glen and Aunt Emmy.  For the past few weeks, we've been talking about his birthday so he was getting pretty exciting.  He knew that on Saturday he would "Be Two" and that after "Happy Birthday" he would get to blow out a candle.  To my surprise he devoured his cake and asked for a second piece.  I thought it was going to be too messy for him because he's been going through a phase where he doesn't want his hands messy and sometimes doesn't eat things when he knows they are messy.  This desire to be clean has yet to encourage him to use utensils, though.  Here are some pictures of the birthday fun.

Warning: it might gross you out

Last week Abraham had another first--the first stomach bug.  We have been very fortunate that Brahm hadn't yet gotten sick (except a few colds).  In fact, at his 18 month well visit, I had to ask his doctor what to do if he ever got a fever.  Well, we are still waiting for the fever, but we experienced puking. 

He's a smart boy.  He warned me, he was reading a book and said "Need towel, Need towel." Luckily, once he had fully emptied his stomach he was able to sleep through the night.  After a day of bland eating and sleepiness he's back to normal.  He was very concerned that we had to clean his Thomas book.  He keeps saying "Clean up Thomas", "Thomas dried", (and another gross phrase you don't want to read) when he sees his book.  It certainly made an impression. 

Of course during the whole process Jeremy was busy getting ready for and being at work so he couldn't partake in the clean up fun.  I was smart enough to layer his crib with towels so I didn't have to strip his bed a bunch of times. This will be the first experience of many, I'm sure.

Mommy's and Brahm's Adventure and some Mommy Brags

  Yesterday, Abraham and I travelled down to Bucks county to celebrate the soon to be born Baby Kyle.  We left early in the morning so we could stop by to see Baby Owen and Cora on the way to Grandma's house. The weather wasn't as clear as it was supposed to be so the first part of the driving trip was slightly more stressful for me than normal.The second part of the trip, Brahm had taken off his glasses and he couldn't put them back on his face, so he was pretty upset with himself. He kept saying "Try again, Try again!" and crying.  I tried to keep him calm by sing ABCs, B-I-B-I-E, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, and Row Row your boat for about 45 minutes. 

  Cora and Brahm had a short visit but we were able to meet her little brother.  Brahm didn't really notice Owen, but I'm sure he will have lots of fun when they can play with the soccer ball together. 

  We then ventured on to Grandma's house.  I dropped Brahm off with Pop Pop and Uncle Glen while I went to my brother Steve and future sister in law Jessica's baby shower.  Kyle is due in March and we all are excited to meet him.  When I got back from the shower, it seemed Brahm had a good time with the boys.  He ate 1/2 a bag of Goldfish, so I guess he was fed well.  He certainly didn't want to leave when I said it was time.  As I was driving up Deep Run road, he kept saying "Apples again, Clean up apples again, Dusty Bear again, Pop Pop again, Uncle Glen again, Grandma's house again, Cora again, Baby Owen again.."  I think that means he had a great time.

  Brahm continues to amaze us with everything he is learning.  He knows most of his letters, he is able to put together his ABC puzzle and names each letter pretty consistently.  He has been starting to pick out his favorite letters out when they are in capital letters in his books.  (He only knows his upper case right now).  He can alternately count to 10 (I say 1, he says 2 etc.) and loves it when we count to twenty.  He doesn't recognize numbers yet, but if we get a puzzle with numbers in it, I bet he would pick them up pretty fast. 

He's starting to love to draw, but Jeremy decided one day to start drawing Sesame Characters for him so now Brahm just wants us to draw Elmo, Oscar, and Cookie.  Cookie I can handle, but when Brahm asks for Grover, I just give up. 

I can't believe that he will be two in only a few weeks!

Christmas Weekend 2011

Brahm was able to spend Christmas Eve with Grandma, Pop Pop, Uncle Glen, Aunt Emily, Aunt Cathy, and cousins: Carson, Caitlyn and Cole.  Here are some picture highlights of our present opening.

Brahm played very well with Baby Cole.  He can't wait until Cole is big enough to roll the ball back!

Brahm woke up to presents Christmas morning!

Grammy and Grandpop came over on Christmas Day.




 

22 Months Old!

On Friday, Brahm and I decided to go Christmas Tree shopping.  Brahm and I packed in the car to a trip to Big Lots to pick out our tree.  We decided to get a small one this year.  Our big one has half the lights out and I didn't want to try and figure out which bulbs and fuses needed to be replaced.  (Jeremy wasn't too thrilled to get it out of the attic anyway).  I asked Brahm if he wanted a green tree or a purple tree.  He choose Purple, but I overruled him this year.  I did let him pick out colored or white lights, and surprisingly he he choose white.  I put it together and decorated it during nap time so he was surprised when he woke up.

He learned how to say "Christmas Tree" right away.  He has started to touch it and pull on the table cloth today, so we'll see how soon it topples over. 

After Church today Brahm was playing with some balls with a 4 year old girl and 6 year old girl.  He looked so big running after them. 

Almost two!

He's learning so many new things.  He knows all of his colors.  He loves using his computer, his purple dino, and watching Wheel of Fortune to learn his letters.  His current favorite letter to say is Q, however he loves hearing the zoo animals after he presses Z.  (He also seems to think that the word Zipper is hilarious).  Brahm will repeat the letter he hears on Wheel of Fortune and frequently, he encourages the contestants to buy vowels, saying A, E, I,  and O.  It is too funny.  The other night I sang the ABC's during bath time, stopping randomly, and he was able to fill in the next letter.  I am working with him on numbers.  He has the concept of "Two" down, I think.  He will tell us he has Two balls and asked Jeremy for two stuffed owls a few weeks ago.  He has memorized that there are eight boats in his number book, but doesn't count along with me yet. I guess he has some time before he has to start preschool. 

Brahm loves to get goodies when he goes potty!  He usually pees on his potty after he wakes up, after his nap, and before his bath.  He makes his accomplishments known, telling us he needs his goodies after he pees.  And don't try to argue with him, he makes sure he gets the tiniest bit out so he can get his goodies.  He makes us laugh every day!

Brahm loves to sing!  He will frequently burst out singing "B-I-B-I-B" ,"E-I-E-I-O"  , or "Grooby A-B [Groovy ABCs].  He loves The Song of the Cebu from Veggie Tales.  Today he sang "BOO!! then said "ACHOO!"  [There is a verse that goes "Achoo moo moo, Achoo, moo, moo Etc].

Brahm has also been doing super at night.  Up until two months ago, I had to rock him to sleep at night, but now we have our routine down so we read a Bible story, sing Jesus Loves Me, pray and then go "night night".  Finally! 

November Update

This November Abraham has been busy with adventures, but his Mom is not good at writing about them. 

Brahm was able to spend time with Grammy and Grandpop early this month while Jeremy and I went on a date to see Owl City in Allentown.  Brahm must have had a great time because he is still talking about Grammy's house.  Just so you know, he watched Doodlebops with Uncle Bay while eating Peas. 

A few Saturdays later, Brahm went to the mall with me and Jennie, my good friend and Brahm's babysitter.  Brahm was super excited to ride on the Elmo Ride, see the puppies and get a ball from the Old Navy ball machine. 

Brahm was able to spend Thanksgiving with Pop Pop, Grandma, Uncle "G/Day ", Emmy, Emmy's boyfriend Jeremy, Cathy, Baby Cole, Carson, Caitlyn, and Cameron.  Emily and Jeremy stayed until Saturday.  Brahm had fun playing with them and was sad when we left them at Grandma's house. 

Brahm was also able to see Cora last Saturday.  Cora tried to teach Brahm how to play tag but he just wanted to run after her, not tag her back. 

Brahm was able to spend a lot of time with his Daddy this month. Jeremy switched from his previous schedule to 7days on 7 days off.  He's enjoying every minute!

Halloween Fun

Every Tuesday, Brahm goes to the Under 2 club at the Bloomsburg Children's Museum.  Brahm loves going each week!  Yesterday, Daddy dressed Brahm in some Halloween attire. 

This shirt even glows in the dark!!

In the paper today, I saw the Columbia Mall was having trick or treating tonight.  I had the following conversation with Jeremy.

Me: Good, you're up!  Want to take Brahm to the Mall to show off his costume?
Jeremy: Okay..This doesn't mean I have to wear my [Cobra Commander] costume does it?
Me (Immediately, in disbelief of his previous comment): No! No! You definitely don't have to wear it.


There were a lot of kids there, so we didn't stand in line for the goodie bags (or go around to get any candy either) but Brahm had fun watching the kids and walking around.  His costume was a hit!