The meaning of "No"

The meaning of "no" is lost on Brenner. Although he can say it - he doesn't listen when we tell him! He continues to be lively and finally whipped his runny nose - Matt unfortunately is still suffering from his illness. BHP's vocabulary continues to grow - the other day he said "ush-um" when I got out the mushrooms for dinner. He is also infatuated with bulldozers, tractors, and fire engines. Our neighbor even gave Brenner a ride in his big John Deere tractor - Brenner wouldn't get into it without momma but loved the elevated view (and honking the horn). Funny story - Matt caught Brenner holding a piece of my pottery from Mexico. Matt informed him to put it down. Before Matt could get to him - BHP put it down and then ran away. As he was mocking Matt about his brilliant escape (ie he was running while looking backwards), he ran into the chair and wall. Lesson learned the hard way! Brenner is also becoming more of a papa's boy even wanting Matt to put him to bed some night. This worries momma as she is in Phoenix this week - will the little guy forget her :( Funny how life has changed - in the first year I had a cling-on now he seems to care less when I leave. I know he cares - but it is hard to realize how independent a child can be even at this young age! Brenner is also praying hard for Grammy Vo who undergoes knee surgery this week and his buddy Jack who has been sick.
The usual - running wild outside. He enjoys telling Emi what to do - we just need to stop the finger pointing.

Grandpa Bob gave BHP this cool trike. Brenner likes to push it - even with momma on it!

BHP loves kicking the seat in the car - how do we get him to stop?!?!

We measured the big guy the other day - 30 3/8 inches - two whole inches since his first birthday. He then became intrigued with the tape measure - putting it on everything including poor Emi. If there was such a thing as a dog spa - Emi would certainly deserve it for putting up with Brenner and his shenanigans!

Momma's birthday surprise

Despite developing pneumonia, Matt planned a surprise birthday lunch at Jack Stack with friends and family. It was a beautiful day to be out and about. Brenner didn't enjoy eating as there was too much sitting and not enough running around!
Jerry and Itati made the long car trip for the lunch - it was wonderful to see them! Brenner was once again unimpressed with being confined to take a picture.

Grandpa Bob, Matt, BHP, Grammy Vo, and PawPaw Floyd - what a handsome bunch. Look - Grammy and BHP have the same hair color!

Well, Brenner does love to dance.....I caught this image without them knowing it...wonder what Matt is thinking.

Brenner is trying new foods - dead flies and dirt clods. We were out this afternoon and before I knew it he had a huge dirt clod in his mouth. The fly was found on the floor and in his mouth just as quick - I think I got most of it out.

Little body, big attitude

I mean attitude in a good way - it is so refreshing to know exactly how this little guy is feeling - no hiding his feelings! He is so active and energetic. I was telling my friend Rhonda about this and she commented how the mental exhaustion kicks in at this age - so true! BHP adjusted well to the time change - wish momma and papa could say the same (Matt is sick in bed as I type this). We went to the district basketball game at Matt's school on Saturday night- quite energetic - Brenner loved the activity but by the 3rd quarter was on meltdown mode! He crashed in the car on the way home. And there was evidence of contraband at church - mysterious red drops were on Brenner's collar - hmmmm....I don't even want to know what it was.
Grandma and Brenner watching the birds. Brenner even says "cardna" when he sees male cardinals.

Getting a ride from Papa - what a little ham!

Two cuties! I don't know why everyone says Brenner is "Little Matt".

It was so windy this weekend but warm - we spent most of Saturday outside. This picture reminds me of the old York peppermint patty commercials with the gale force winds.

Brenner taunting Emi once again. We are so excited to see everything greening up - the daffodils even have buds ready to bloom.

This crazy Elmo doll scares Matt and me ("Elmo loves you" is pretty creepy)- but Brenner likes it. He was pouty when I took this picture - notice the lower lip stuck out - priceless!

I told Matt I didn't like him in his hat because he looks too grown up!

One hundred miles per hour

This continues to be the pace we have been keeping lately. Such a busy weekend with visits from friends and family. Brenner did really well and seems to enjoy all the chaos. He is also 100 mph on a daily basis - running, running, running. Our bird feeders are on opposite sides of the house - so he will run from our bedroom window all across the house to the dining room window to watch the "birs". Brenner is learning other new words daily - Mo (Elmo), pees (Please), Beeb (bib), Poun (Spoon), Ranmaw (Grandma), CoCo (Colten), and Knee Knee (Aunt Lynnie) - there are many other that we just don't understand yet. He knows many body parts and can also point them out on the animals/pictures in his books. And if you ask - he will show his teeth and give a funny grin!
Brenner didn't know what to think about Shawn's facial hair.

Charlee and BHP - perhaps a babysitter for him in the future?

The dismount......BHP is all about up and down onto the bed.

This picture is for Grammy Vo - she loves pictures of Brenner smiling.

Brenner sleeps with his feet caught in his crib. He still sleeps with his hands tucked under his tummy.