Happy 8th Birthday, Brennan!

Happy 8th Birthday, Brennan!

8?! How did this happen?  We are so proud of this young man!  Brennan has a wonderful, silly, caring personality.  He loves to make people laugh.  He's an inquisitive guy, always wanting to learn more.  Brennan is excelling at school and is the process of being further evaluated for gifted services.  He enjoyed playing on a soccer team earlier this year and is looking forward to another season.  Brennan recently joined Cub Scouts and is excited about participating in upcoming events.  

We celebrated Brennan's birthday with a Pokemon themed party at a local pizzeria with friends and family.  Unfortunately, he woke up with a fever on his birthday, but insisted we continue with his party as planned. He had a great time celebrating his special day!

An interview with Brennan:

Favorite subject at school: Reading

Favorite special class at school: Gym

Favorite sport: Football

Favorite game: Pie face

Favorite book: Captain Underpants

Favorite toy: Legos

Favorite Cedar Point ride: Corkscrew

Favorite color: Black

Favorite joke: Knock knock jokes

Favorite song: Believer by Kidzbop
Favorite food: Hamburgers
Favorite things to do: Collect Pokemon cards, Play outside, Watch sports, Read, Draw, Play Video games, and Assemble Legos

What I want to be when I grow up: Football player or Police Officer

We love you, Brennan!


Current Stats:
Height: 4ft 5 inches (85th percentile)
Weight: 67 lbs (82nd percentile)

18, 19 and 20 Months

We've been so busy having fun and making memories, I have not been good about documenting Natalie's latest tricks!  She's growing up very fast and making us smile every day with her sweet charm and silliness!

~Natalie is a chatty girl!  She says new words nearly every day and is speaking in short phrases.  She enjoys labeling objects (e.g., "Brennan's toothbrush", "Gavin's backpack").  She's also able to describe actions (e.g., "Abby's sleeping").  Natalie is very polite, nearly always saying "Please" (e.g., "Up, please, Mommy!"), "Thank you", "You're welcome" and "Excuse me".  Some other often heard phrases are:
-"I do it myself!" Followed by "I do-ed it!"
-"Help, please, Mommy/Daddy"
-"I want _____, too, Mommy/Daddy"
-"I don't know!" (complete with gesture)
-"Come here Mommy/Daddy" (complete with a gesture of waving her hand/arm)
-"Why, Mommy/Daddy?"
-"Want out please, Mommy/Daddy"
-"Oopsy daisies!"
~Natalie finally cut all 4 canine teeth. 
~Natalie is officially weaned.  She nursed only at bedtime for a few minutes.  She did well after we lessened the amount of time she ate each night and Daddy putting her to bed instead of Mommy.  I will forever miss nursing our babies.
~Natalie loves to dance!  She likes to bounce and wave her hands/arms
~In addition to talking, Natalie also likes to sing.  Some of her favorites include Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (sang as "Twinkle twinkle little star), Happy Birthday (sang as "Happy birthday to you!", Skinamarinky Dinky Dinky Dink (sang as "Love you in the morning. In afternoon"), and the Alphabet (In it's entirety! Even with "Now I know my ABCs, Next time sing with me"). She often sings the alphabet when her siblings are swishing their mouth wash (our timer for swishing!)
~Natalie is able to point to and name several body parts -- Fingers, hands, belly, belly button, arm, ears, eyes, hair, toes, feet and legs.
~She loves to give hugs ("Huggies!").  She'll give a big squeeze and sometimes pack your back.
~Natalie likes to be clean.  She often immediately asks for a paper towel after getting food on her fingers or her high chair tray.
~Natalie is showing some interest in toilet training.  She often tells us when she soils/wets her diaper (Mommy/Daddy!  Poop! Diaper!).  She enjoys sitting on the toilet and will only want to get off after wiping and being told she can flush.
~Natalie is very observant and wants to do and say everything her siblings do! 
~Natalie is such a sweet, happy and lovable girl!  She has a sweet and hilarious personality and we love her to pieces!