Brendan Boy Turns ONE!

It's hard to believe that Brendan is one. Not because the year flew by. It took a long time to get here! I know everyone says it but it really is amazing how much they change in a year. From being a true newborn, and having meningitis and spending almost a week in the hospital to battling the reflux and the other digestive problems, he's truly a changed little guy. He is completely healthy, happy and always active. Always. He never stops.

I know that I shouldn't compare, but I'm going to. This is really more for me and keeping a record than me thinking anyone is really interested in the things I'm about to write. :-) Julia could always nap and for a long time, and she loved it. She still loves her naps and sleeping, which is great now. When she's a teenager I'm sure it won't be the treat that it is for me these days. It was between 2 and 3 that she gave up the morning nap. Brendan already has. Julia would often wake up, still tired and it would take a bit for her to get started again. Brendan wakes up ready to go. We walk into his room and he's in his crib, jumping up and down, squealing and ready to get OUT!

Julia has always been very verbal and all about communicating with us. Always happy to learn new words. Brendan is more focused on exploring and he just communicates differently. He's more coordinated than she was at this age and is happy playing independently or with us. Julia's never really been a fan of the independent play.

Julia's always had a big appetite. She still loves her food. Almost all food. Meals take a long time with her. It's like she's making each meal an experience. Very little was and has ever been lost to the floor. Brendan seems to be a little more particular about what he eats, but it's still early. He eats relatively quickly and is the messiest baby I've ever seen in a high chair. More than half the food, at least, ends up in his lap, stuck to his bib, in his hair, on his face, in between his fingers and once between his toes. I dont know how our sitter, the amazing Cristina, keeps him clean considering that almost each time he gets a meal at home it ends up in a change of clothes or a bath.

Both of them love to swing, back and forth, as long as we'll indulge. They both love to laugh and jump and interact with each other and us.