Braden's "name" for Brodie

I've noticed lately that when we are going through the "who is who" with Braden, he will repeat us when we say Brodie with something that sounds like "Bobby."  Brodie has often had nicknames for his brother, or he will call him my baby,  but I never thought about what Braden might call Brodie.

Pediatrician's waiting room new place for playdates?

Yesterday was my day off and Braden was scheduled to have his 15 month pediatrician appointment/ turned into follow up appointment from his health issues this weekend (he is fine).  I decided that for a 10:00 appointment, I needed to be out of the door by 9, since I need at least a 15 min buffer zone (I hate being late.)  Well, needless to say, the boys were ready to go by 8:30, and in our house, that is what is referred to as the "window of opportunity."  This is the margin of time where the boys are ready, shoes are on, bags are packed, and they are itching to leave.  If you wait too much longer, then inevitably someone will mess their diaper, lose a shoe, or one of them will push the other one down... all leading to a cascade of events that will end up making us later and me more stressed.
So, since we got off so early, we arrived an hour before the appointment.  I was dreading going into the waiting room and having to entertain the boys and keep them off of the dirty floors.  To my shock, there were lots of other (non-sick) kids their ages in the waiting area as well.  They enjoyed playing with each other, trying to get into each other's strollers, etc.... Even the shots they received at the end of the appointment didn't cast a dark shadow over the good time had by all.  Next time they have a scheduled well appointment, I am going to make the best of it and show up early.

Let the punishment fit the crime

Today Brad and I were sitting on the couch and Braden was playing with us.  He kept trying to hit us, so Brad jokingly told him to go to timeout.  Next thing we know, he is over in the spot we use as timeout for Brodie.  I figured it was a fluke, so I told him to sit there, and he did! I guess he has seen big brother do it so much, he was already oriented to the idea.  We were so amazed at what he understands.  We'll see how long this "self punishment" will last.

Baby Boy Braden, not so baby anymore :(

Braden has really found his voice since he turned one a few months ago.  He is way more vocal than I ever remember him being as an infant.  He loves to have screeching contests with his brother (it usually ends up with a tie, and a headache for mommy.) The other day I was changing his diaper, he was fussing, and squirmed to the side.  There, his eyes met a dump truck.  He said, "ba da bider" -to the tune of "Bob The Builder." I wasn't sure if I heard him right until we were in the car and "Bob the builder" dvd was playing.  Sure enough, he chimed in once he heard the tune!

Funny things toddlers say

Brodie: It was obvious he needed to go to the bathroom, but he refused, so I picked him up    
              to carry him there and he said, "mommy, don't bother my doo doo."
         
              When we say our prayers before bed, we list our close family members.  After we say
              "grandad" (who plays guitar,) Brodie adds, "bless guitar."

               He is very routine oriented.  When I picked him up from daycare, he now is quick to
               tell me he had a good day (because I usually ask,) and asks "how was  your work?"

               When he wakes up in the morning or from nap, I will ask him if he had good dreams.
               He says,  "yes, I dreamed about God."

In the beginning....

Brad and I got married almost 5 years ago! Hard to believe.  In that time we moved to Chicago (and back from,) have had several new jobs, bought a house and have worked on it.  If all of that wasn't enough to keep us busy, we decided it was time for some kiddos.  Low and behold, our two darling sons. 
Brodie: At 2 1/2 years old, he is a ball of energy.  He hardly sits still for anything!  He is "Mr. Independent," always insisting on doing things himself, sometimes to our dismay! He is very smart, he can figure out how to do things that developmentally he shouldn't be able to do, like unlock the door!

Braden: At 15 months, he is a mover and a shaker! His favorite new skill is walking, and he does ALOT of it! He has also entered the full blown toddler phase, complete with tantrums and everything.  He wants to do what big brother is doing, including trying to talk.