Skill development

Everyday Brenner does something to amaze us. He is wanting to hand you things and then you hand them back. Yesterday Brenner would hand momma a block, she would shake it, hand it to him, then Brenner would shake it and hand it back, and so forth. Not rocket science - but these things seem to keep his attention for good chunks of time. Brenner has also been working on his eye-hand coordination with stopping rolling balls and grabbing swinging objects. Brenner's balance has also improved as we took our first STEPS this week! Pretty neat to watch him concentrate and move those baby steps. We are so proud of him and wonder what we did before he entered our lives. A sweet, innocent boy that we want to surround with love. Matt laughs at Jo when she worries about "messing Brenner up" - he is the best thing ever!!!!

Sharing with Emi. They are really cute together. We are lucky to have such a mild mannered dog
First steps. Matt calls this the Frankenstein walk. He will do 4-5 before he plops down.
Play date this week with Jack, who is 10 days younger than Brenner. His grandma babysits him as well - I think it was a nice break for the grandmas as well as the boys!
Brenner had some "camero hair" that needed some trimming. Grandma Val cut while momma distracted with watermelon and Cheerios. The cut came out pretty good although neither Grandma nor Jo should enter the profession!

Weekend with friends

We had some very special visitors this weekend - the Ritters! Rhonda, Jim, Hannah, and Brooke came to visit and we had a great time. Brenner warmed up to them all - who wouldn't to such cute little girls? We talked a lot (funniest line of the weekend was Jim asking Rhonda if we had run out of things to talk about yet), played, hiked around Diana Bend along the Missouri River, and even had a dance-a-thon in Brenner's room. Brenner loves to wave his arms and stomp his feet to the music. He was facinated by Hannah and Brooke. Unfortunately, Brenner is cutting his second tooth and was up most of the night - sorry Ritters! After our company left, we took it easy. One of Brenner's favorite things is "helping" with the dishwasher. If he hears it open - he immediately wants to come and climb on it or grab things in it. We tell him "no, no" which he usually doesn't listen to :)

Hannah, Rhonda, Brooke, Brenner, and Jo on a hill over Diana Bend. See the trail behind us - it was a steep hike - but a great time!
We had fun pointing out critters and creatures to the kids. In this picture, you can still see the bruise on Brenner's forhead that he earned with Grammy Vo.
Brenner's first time eating cottage cheese - he loved it - well at least the ones that made it in his mouth!

A social boy

Brenner has had a busy week. On Sunday, the Heath's came to visit. During the week, Grammy Vo babysat and Brenner had a wonderful time. There was much energy expended this week by all of us! Brenner weighed 18 lbs 4 oz and was 27.5 inches long at his 9 month checkup - he is doing great in his "10th" percentile - some kids have to be there right?! He is strong kiddo - we know as he pulls our hair (head on momma, legs on papa)! He is always on crumb patrol around the house - even concentrated the other day in order to pull one stray hair off of Emi - he got it too!


We don't think Reagan Heath was too impressed with Brenner's "playing".
Jo, Brenner, Melissa, and Reagan strollin' on the Katy Trail at Rocheport, Missouri.
Grammy Vo and Brenner - quite the pals. Watch out - she will get your little piggys!
See my first tooth!
A neighbor's granddaughter gave this to Brenner. Aunt Lynnie should like it :)

Nine months already!

It is hard to believe that Brenner turned 9 months old this weekend. He has quite the personality - lots of smiles, laughs, and yes, cries. He definitely knows the meaning of "no". He seems to enjoy our evening walks - when it is cool enough - and jabbers as we walk down the road. We are probably quite entertaining as his momma and papa fly airplanes, swing arms, and make silly noises and motions!

Brenner has learned to like bath time. When he hears the water start, he will crawl into the bathroom. I think the caption of this picture could be "can you see we are busy here"?
Brenner loves to pull all the books off of his book shelf - does this mean he will be an early reader or that he needs more fiber in his diet?
For those of you who know Jo well, you will get a kick out of this picture. Brenner chewing on a wooden spoon - ugh! Jo has this thing with wet wooden utensils - like fingernails on a chalkboard to her. She had goose bumps while taking this picture at Grandma Val's house (Matt and Jo don't own any wooden utensils).
Jo and Brenner spent the weekend at Grandma Val's house while Matt was on a float trip. Brenner enjoyed playing outside on the blanket - he is afraid of the grass - so he is still easy to keep tabs on...for now.