Late July just a week before Braxton turned nine months he took his first step. Anthony and I were sitting on the floor playing with him when he took a step from the ottoman to the couch. We both couldn't believe it! He now is walking everywhere. He loves that he can keep up with us and the dogs a little better. I cannot believe how much our little monkey has grown. Yes...I called him our monkey. Braxton climbs onto and over everything. We have decided that 2009 is the year of the monkey for us. Even before he was walking he was climbing onto the ottoman and on top of toys. Since it is the year of the Monkey we decided to dress Braxton up as a monkey for Halloween. I already ordered his costume and cannot wait for Halloween. Anthony decided he will be a banana. I think they will look SUPER cute walking door to door together. I am not sure what I am going to be yet. I think just a Jungle Jane.
Mid August Braxton came down with a NASTY stomach bug that landed him in the hospital for 2 nights. It was the worst three days of our lives. Braxton had an IV to keep him hydrated. He did not like it at all. When he looked at the IV he cried! Oh....it broke my heart. To add insult to injury I had the same stomach bug the first two days we were there. Being sick when you child needs you is the worst. Luckily, Braxton is a Daddy's boy and wanted his daddy more than his Mom. I woke up the day we finally were able to go home feeling better and Anthony had the bug. It was not a good week for us. Hopefully we will NEVER have to go through that again. Braxton has another virus right now. We are really working on his fluid intake and being over the top cautious. His doctor has been great calling often to check on Braxton and keeping us posted on what is best to give Braxton food,fluids and medicine wise. I have concluded that the recent back to back illnesses are a result of attending the play group Braxton and I joined. He has never had more than a runny nose in the past. I guess the sharing on bugs is part of being social with other children. Hopefully this will help build up his immune system and this will NOT continue to happen.
Right before Braxton got sick the second time we began teaching him baby sign. I thought it would take forever for him to grasp it but he picked it up fast. We taught him to say "all done". He signs "all done" all the time.....in his car seat, at the dinner table and even at the Circus. I love that I know what he wants. We were teaching him "eat" and "more" when he got sick and we fell of with the consistency. Once he is better we will pick it back up. We may not need the baby sign much longer because Braxton has said his first word. He said .......SCOUT! We knew there was no doubt he would say that first. Scout is our blue heeler that is Braxton's best friend. They play together all day. He first said "dat" and we thought he was just making that sound. Then he added the s and said "sdat" when playing with Scout. Now he has progressed a little more and says "scat". The best part is Scout has figured out he is being called and comes when Braxton yells "scat" the hundred times a day he does. He sounds like a foreigner trying to say Scout. It is really funny and of course cute. Braxton will sign "all done" to me when he is finished eating and then yell "Scat" and toss his food off his tray. We are working on not feeding Scout and Kramer his food.
It is AMAZING how fast Braxton has changed from a baby to a toddler. We may not have another so I wish he would slow down. In a few short months he went from crawling around to walking and talking. Our little monkey is still the most awesome kid out there. He is our world and makes life so much better! We are blessed to have a happy, healthy, cute as all get out baby boy!
Braxton didn't understand why the water came and went.
Family Photo
Braxton with his IV. He looks so thin. He lost a pound while he was sick!
Working in the service center of our store.
Hanging out a the pool!
