Brennan: October 2009

Our little boy sure is growing up! Brennan turned 18 months old yesterday. I decided I would post about some of the things he is currently doing.
Brennan is talking much more. I won't try to list out everything that he says like I did a few months ago, but his vocabulary has increased immensely. He still will not talk unless he wants to though. We try to get him to say things by saying, "Say ..." However, our efforts with that seem to be futile. The funniest thing that he has said recently was last week on the way home from church. Daddy said, "Brennan is a silly goose." Then Brennan laughed and said, "Daddy is a silly goose!" Then he laughed a lot (and so did Mommy and Daddy).
Brennan is loving being a big brother! He "helps" Branton all the time. Anytime he sees Branton's pacifer, he tries to cram it into Branton's mouth. :) He also loves to deliver Branton's burp cloths, blankets, socks, and anything else he sees of Branton's to him immediately. He likes to rock Branton when he is sitting in the swing, and he occasionally likes to hold Branton. He loves to kiss Branton and rub on his belly and head. His is a great big brother!
Brennan loves to help in general now. If I drop something he is quick to pick it up. He will bring things to me when I asked him to. He LOVES to throw trash in the trashcan (and occasionally other things). He also LOVES to put clothes (clean or dirty) in the laundry basket. He puts his sippy cup in the fridge. He also helps put his toys and books away. He is very happy to help with things and is very proud of himself when he does.
Brennan has some new favorite toys and games. He now loves his rocking horse. He can climb on and rock himself, and he does so multiple times a day. He loves to play with blocks. He has ABC blocks that he stacks on top of each other and then knocks down. He also has big legos that he loves to put together and take apart. He likes to draw with crayons on paper and with his marker on the Aqua Doodle. He enjoys push toys much more now then he did a few months ago. He especially likes to push his lawn mower that makes real lawn mowing sounds. He still likes to read books just as much as he always has and still likes playing with balls. He used to just carry balls around but now he likes to throw them. He especially likes his new football that Daddy got for him. He likes anything that Daddy gives him or does with him. One of his favorite activities is climbing on Daddy's back and riding around with Daddy down on all fours. He also loves to play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek (I'm not really sure what you would call it). Brennan hides (with his hands, with something in front of his face, behind a door, behind the couch, etc.), we say, "Where is Brennan?", and he comes out, laughs, and says, "There he is!" He is so much fun!
Brennan is doing great with potty training. When he is at home and awake he goes in the toilet at least 95% of the time. He is getting much better about telling us when he needs to potty. He now takes himself into the bathroom and puts his seat on the toilet. He also goes almost everytime we set him on the toilet seat, even if it is just a little or very close to the last time he went. He has more trouble when we are away from home but is getting much better. In the last few days, he has gone at GGma's, Grandma's, church, and Chili's. This week we are going to try wearing underware instead of diapers when leaving the house, so hopefully he will continue to do as well as he has been. Staying dry while sleeping is still going to take quite a bit of work (or time). He occasionally has a dry diaper after a nap but normally wets even if he has gone right before he laid down. However, Mommy and Daddy are very happy with his progress!
I think this is the longest post that I have ever done. I just wanted to update everyone on our big boy. We love him so much and are so proud of him! I will post pictures later showing how he has changed during this first 18 months of his life.