The Birthday Party

We celebrated Brady's 1st birthday this past weekend with family and friends.  Brady had a great time, and it meant so much to us for everyone to come.  We had a pool party/cook out/football party (since the Gamecocks happened to be playing at the same time) at my Dad's house.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  The pool was a little cold, but Brady's cousins, Walt and Emmie, still got in!

First we watched a little football.

Then we went out on the patio while Walt and Emmie swam and Paul grilled.

Brady's cousin, Henry (10 months)

"Uncle" Chris and Frankie

Love these 2 boys!  They are best buddies.

My Grandma, "Gigi", and Brady

After we ate some food, it was time to open presents!   He racked up on lots of goodies!

This Gamecock truck from Dave was a definite favorite.

Henry wanted to get in on the action!

Brady really enjoyed climbing on this box.  He must have done this for 10 minutes.

One of his favorite activities at Waldo's is playing the drums.  No one even think of getting a drum set for Brady...he can always go over there to play ;). 

After opening presents, it was time for cake.  Notice the eyes and mouth on the picture cake...apparently the machine messed up.  But, they gave us a discount on the cake and we were just going to eat it anyway!  It still turned out cute :).

I think he liked it!

Family picture attempt #1

...and attempt #2

Not sure what Geno was doing to his head here?

Then he thought he would climb on the box again...

I love you birthday boy!

Brady and Waldo being silly.

I think the party was a success!  Thank you so much for everyone who came to celebrate!

1st birthday

Oh my goodness tell me my baby boy did not already turn 1!  I just can't believe it!  This year has gone by too fast.  It has been such a joy watching him grow and change every day.  If you can't tell we love this little boy just a little bit.

He had a great first birthday!  He woke up at 5am (guess he was excited...).  Paul couldn't wait to give him his present:

Better watch out he's coming through!

After he took a good morning nap, we went to the zoo!  Paul's parents met us there as well.  Brady had a great time.

We had a little run in with the giraffe today, and I am so glad that George got these pictures.  I seriously busted out laughing when I saw them.  Here we are feeding the giraffe, he likes us...

We try to pose for some pictures with the Giraffe, and apparently he wasn't in the mood.  He growled and snapped at us.  Seriously our faces say it all...priceless!

I'm not so sure the giraffe is his favorite anymore...

 

He loved the monkeys and riding on Daddy's shoulders!

Love this one!

We also rode the carousel!

Of course he had to have his first cupcake when he got home.  He loved it and was immediately thrown in the bathtub after he finished.

Happy birthday, Brady! Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

1 YEAR OLD!

Favorite foods and life update

I was on a role with updating my blog, and then life got in the way!  Brady was very sick last week and  had us worried to death, but that is for another post.  We have kept him out of daycare all this week so we didn't risk him getting sick again or getting the other kids sick.  He has to be healthy for his birthday party this weekend!  He is 100% better now, and we are so so thankful.

I thought I would do a little post on Brady's recent favorite foods.  Brady loves to eat, there is no denying that.  But, he definitely has his favorites.  If he sees these favorites before the rest of his meal, that is all he will eat.  We have recently learned that he is a pineapple feen!  Paul bought some the other day and gave it to Brady at lunch for the first time.  He told me that he really liked it, so I gave him a little bit at dinner.  You could barely put them on his high chair fast enough before he was inhaling them!

He is also a strawberry lover.  And when he eats strawberries, you find them ALL over the place later.

I have a hard time coming up with finger foods to give him that are healthy, and that he will eat.  I found this recipe on Wholesome Baby Food's website.  Brady also LOVES sweet potatoes, so I figured this would be a hit with him and it definitely is.

Sweet Potato Fries


Ingredients:

6 medium to large sweet potatoes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F)

Scrub sweet potatoes, clean and/or peel them if baby cannot handle the skins

Cut the sweet potatoes into sizes that will suit your needs or, cut into strips that you may then cut down after baking

In a large bowl, add about 1/4 cup of olive oil.

To this you may add cinnamon, ginger, a pinch of brown sugar, etc.. (I add cinnamon and sometimes a bit of brown sugar).

Toss the cut up sweet potatoes into the bowl and stir so that the potatoes are drenched with the olive oil mix.

Dump mixture onto a baking sheet and drizzle the remaining olive oil in the bowl over the potatoes on the baking sheet. Stir and swirl the potatoes on the baking sheet before placing in oven. Bake for approx 30-45minutes or until tender.


I am also trying to transition him from formula to whole milk.  So far he doesn't like the milk too much. But, we are working on it!

Speaking of favorites, while at work today I got this picture from my husband:

Is that my baby at Baskin Robbins with his Papa?  Why yes it is.  Have I ever given my baby ice-cream?  No I haven't!  Call me mean mommy, but I'm pretty strict on the healthy foods only.  The things they get away with when mama's not around...

I also then received these pictures:

Yes, that is Paul and Brady at the toy store.  As if he is not spoiled enough, and has a birthday party this weekend, they take him to the toy store.  Who looks more excited to be there Paul or Brady?  I smiled from ear to ear when I got this picture on my phone.

Yes, he came home with this toy.

And, and it looks like he also picked up a birthday present.

Our little boy just doesn't know how much he is loved.  He spent the morning with his Waldo and the afternoon with his Daddy and Papa.  I am so happy that we live near family so Brady is able to see them all the time.  There is nothing more precious to me than my family. I can't believe my baby will be 1 tomorrow!!!

New Kicks

I do love a barefoot baby, but since Brady was starting "pre-school" we decided we should go pick out his first pair of shoes. (Notice I always put "pre-school" in quotations.  It's because I can't really call it "pre-school", because let's face it there is not real curriculum involved.  However, "pre-school" sounds much better than daycare.  And, that is technically what they call the program.  So putting it in quotes makes it not so technical.) He can't go to school barefoot right?  Our little chunkster has some serious wide feet.  We had to get him a 4 wide to fit his plump foot.  Anyone who knows me knows this trait did not come from me.  I have very narrow feet. He did however inherit my long toes.  Fat feet and long toes, cute? 

 Tell me that isn't the cutest, chunkiest little cankle you have ever seen?

Picking out his shoe.  He liked the sparkly Toms.  Don't think so bud.

Look at those leg rolls!

Check them out! We decided on some gray Stride Rites.