Oh what a week

Sit down, pour a cup of coffee...this is going to be a long one.  Man, so much has happened in the last week (or two...I've lost count).  I tried to sit down and compose individual posts for each event, but you know what?  I'm about to enter my eighth month of pregnancy (in other words, I'm fat and feeling heavy), I'm still working full time, and I'm managing a home and a toddler (thank God for Billy and all his help lately).  So, I know you will understand the following hodge podge of a post.  Thank you in advance...

First up, Core's First Birthday Party...

Billy was out of town, so Beau and I drove up to Baton Rouge together to celebrate with Core.  (PS - Nat, I know you keep calling him "Baby Core" but, guess what?  HE IS NOW OFFICIALLY A TODDLER!  Kind of rocks your world, no?) 

Beau and Core hanging out after cake.

The birthday boy and his baby blues!

Beau had a WONDERFUL time hanging out with Core and all of his cousins.  Some of Core's new gifts were real big hits - especially the inflatable car ball pit!  Holy cow did he have a good time in that thing! 

Just like the doctor's office...except no shots!

I think it's safe to say he enjoyed this one...

...a lot. 

Next, Colin's Birthday Party in Storyland...

Yes, we are now professionals at the birthday party scene.  Colin's party actually marked three parties in four weeks for the Brian clan.  This time Billy was in town so we all made the trip to City Park.  Storyland was an adorable setting for a birthday party.  And, despite the bonechilling cold (yes, it was about 40 degrees and breezy outside) Beau had a wonderful time. 

That way!  I want to go that way!

So cold, but so much fun!

Weee!!!

But dad, all the other kids are doing it. 

Buddies.

Knock, knock.  Anyone home?

Yep, still cold. 

My boys.  *Sigh*

Yea, I think I'll leave this one alone. 

A rare picture with mommy. 

"Houston, we're having fun!"

Also, it was so nice seeing some of our friends with whom we should stay in better touch.  The occasional phone call, facebook message, and annual Christmas card really are insufficient. 

Star of the Week...

Well, last week Beau had his best week at school yet!  He napped well, ate well (shocker), and played well with his classmates.  And, to top it off, he got the baby in the king cake at their Friday king cake party.  And so, to mark his great week, Beau was named "Star of the Week." 

As Star of the Week, Beau had the honor of bringing home for the weekend the class stuffed animal Ted E. Bear, as well as, a great book called, "I Love you So."  His instructions were to spend the weekend with Ted and take lots of pictures to share in the Star of the Week journal. 

When he realized that I sat Ted next to him...well, he gave me the evil eye.

Well, guess what...Beau HATED Ted.  Seriously, he wanted nothing to do with him.  At one point after practically forcing the teddy bear on him he looked at me, walked up to Ted, kissed him on the nose and then after making sure I saw him, knocked him down to the ground. 

As such, all of the photographs were staged!  Shhhhh...it'll be our secret. 

Another first...

Beau had his first dentist appointment Thursday.  He was a trooper, only briefly whining when I laid him on the table.  Beau's dentist, Dr. Brausell was great though.  And Beau loved him.  Beau, without prompting, pointed to his teeth and exclaimed proudly for the dentist, "TEETH!"  Dr. Brausell was impressed.  ;)  He also saw the LSU football mural on the wall and threw up his arms as if to say, "Touch down!"  Again, Dr. Brausell was impressed. 

His teeth look good and actually he has a few more than average for his age.  Dr. Brausell was particularly happy to hear that Beau is just as content sipping ice cold water as opposed to juice.  Such a smart kid. 

And of course, a visit to a doctor's office is not complete without Beau's requisite flirting with the office staff ladies.  He's such a romeo.  And of course, they were all smitten. 

The Never Ending Ear Infection...

As reported earlier, about two weeks into school Beau came down with an ear infection.  After a few days of antibiotics, we discovered he was allergic to Penicillin.  Sheesh. 

Well the ear infection had not resolved, so on to another strain of antibiotics.  At his 15 month well check, his pediatrician put him on clarithorimycin and we crossed our fingers. 

Saturday night Beau seemed a little lethargic and had a mild grade fever.  We chalked it up to us being bad parents and keeping him out in the cold for an hour for Colin's birthday party.  We were wrong.  He woke up Sunday with a fever and tugging (actually more like, boxing) his ears.  He was a pitiful mess all day.  I think he stayed in either Billy's or my arms for 75% of the day.  Ibuprofen did seem to help, but he just wasn't feeling up to snuff. 

Monday morning was the worst.  He woke up with a high fever and feeling absolutely miserable.  To add insult to injury, he was teething too.  Damn eye teeth!  Again, ibuprofen helped...but there's only so much of that you can give a kiddo.  So, off to the pediatrician we went. 

What fever?

As suspected the ear infection was still there.  So, we are trying yet another antibiotic.  Ugh.  Last night his fever broke in the middle of the night, so maybe there is some light at the end of that tunnel.  And hopefully this antibiotic will do the trick.  Most of his moaning last night was actually due to teething pain.  I mean, can this kid catch a break?! 

So, say a prayer that he gets to feeling better soon.  I do have to say in typical Beau fashion he is trying his hardest to be pleasant through it all.  Monday, while laying on my chest exhausted from fever and teething pain he tried to bob his head and shake his hand to the Jersey Shore theme song.  (No, I did not know that Jersey Shore had a them song either.  And yes, we were watching Jersey Shore.  I tried putting on Yo Gabba Gabba and the Backyardigans and he just cried.  I started flipping channels for anything and that is when his ears heard the "thump thump thump" of the mindless - and I mean mindless - Jersey Shore theme song.) 

The 15 Month Check up...

Beau had his 15 month check up and with the exception of the ear infection, he is doing splendidly.  He is over 32 inches, putting him somewhere between the 75th and 90th percentile for height.  His weight is just under 25 pounds, which puts him right at the 50th percentile. 

Dr. Richard said physically he is developing right on target or a little advanced.  (Beau has gone from being a timid walker to a fearless runner.  Ask Murphy; he's really bearing the brunt of that development!)  I did ask her about his eating habits - the child can eat more at a sitting than I can sometimes!  I was informed that "technically" he could stand to gain some more weight so...eat away!  I'm sure he was happy to hear that. 

Our big boy!

In other developmental milestones, he was also doing great.  Although he went on a two week "talking strike" (he refused to use words in front of us; although I caught him "reading" books to himself when no one was watching), his vocabulary is pretty expansive.  He's still really only mastered nouns, but will throw out the occasional adjective ("pretty," "hot") and verb ("eat"). One of his favorite things to do is to point to and call out facial features - "teeth," "eyes," "ears."  Adorable.  Oh and he moos and barks...which brings me to yesterday...

Should I be concerned...

Yesterday during an ibuprofen high, Beau was feeling good and playing with Murphy.  I think maybe they are spending a little too much time together.  Beau crawled up to me, "woofed", and then licked my leg.  Hmmmm...talk about monkey see, monkey do! 

UPDATE:  Well, the fever is long gone, the teeth broke through yesterday evening, and little dude slept through the night and is in a wonderful playful mood this morning.  Maybe the worst is behind us!  Now, let's just hope that new antibiotic works! 

Under the Big Top

Each month Beau's school has a theme for their curriculum.  This month it was "My Little Sprout Goes to the Circus!"  Each week Beau's vocabulary words (eg, circus, elephant, jump, fly, tent, lion), art projects (eg, lion hand print pudding paintings), and science/sensory lessons (eg, "I Spy" circus items) revolved around the Greatest Show on Earth. 

The month was capped off with a Circus performance by the Pre-K class.  All the students were asked to dress up like their favorite circus personality (eg, ringmaster, trapeze artist, clown) or animal.  The problem is, they didn't tell us about dressing up until Wednesday evening!  That meant I had 48 hours to put together a suitable costume. 

Well, move over, Martha.  I think for $10 and three hours Beau had the cutest costume in the entire class.  Plus it doesn't hurt that he loves to "ROAR!" 

I love this shot because this is how Beau now mosies around the house...chest out with his hands behind his back. 

Well, I had to get a shot of that cute tail!!  Notice the red ribbon...it's all in the details. 

This might be the most appropriate photo of the bunch - deep in thought reading his book with one shoe off.  Classic Beau. 



Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?

Today Billy and I were playing with Beau after dinner and I found myself telling Beau, "Honey, you have meat in your eyelids."  Then it struck me, "Goodness, the things that come out of my mouth these days."  So I sat down and started to think about the strange phrases Billy and I have uttered recently.  Ahhhh...life with a toddler...it's an interesting affair.  So, enjoy.

"Beau, please don't put the remote control in your poop." 

"Honey, don't put the spaghetti in your hair." 

"Take your sock out of your mouth."  (This one I seem to say daily.)

"Honey, stop lifting mommy's shirt up."  (He is now obsessed with my growing belly.  This is fine at home, but not so appropriate at the grocery store.) 

"Billy, let me go change my shirt; I'm covered in snot again."  (Beau had a particularly bad runny nose last week that was compounded by some serious crying.)

"You know, Kelly, I think he might have eaten that leaf." 

"Sweetie, pantyliners are not toys." 

"Please don't eat the emory board." 

"Yes, that is your nose.  No, your finger does not belong in there." 

"Honey, take your hand out of mommy's mouth." 

"Please don't stick that blueberry up your nose."

"Beau, don't sit on Drew." 

"Ok, mommy has had enough tastes."  (He loves playing with spoons and "cooking."  He insists on making you "taste" what he "cooks.")

"Please don't spit on the floor/chair/your books/Murphy." 

"No, there's no baby in there."  (Beau knows that there is a baby in mommy's belly.  However, he mistakeningly asked if there was also one in my boobs the other day.  Hmmm...what does that say about my chest?) 

I know I'm missing some others, but these are ones I find myself saying fairly often.  Oh yes, these were not one time occasions.  This kid keeps us laughing! 

Wow. That was fast!

So Beau has officially been in school for just over a week but there have been so many new developments. 

To start with, separation anxiety set in around Day Three.  So, instead of having to steal a kiss to say good-bye his teacher now has to pry his tiny hands from my neck.  (He has a surprisingly strong grip for a baby.)  But, the crying spells have been shorter and shorter.  And by Monday he was dancing in the corner minutes after I left. 

Next, naptime that first day was a disaster.  There was no nap - just ninety minutes of crying.  Day two - Beau's teacher patted his back as he lay on his kindermat until he fell asleep.  He slept for an hour.  Day three - Beau walked up to his mat, covered himself with his blanket and slept for just under two hours.  WOW.  We really didn't think that would happen so soon. 

Finally, Beau went to the doctor today - pink eye and an ear infection.  Ok, so I knew that sending him to school would subject him to lots of germs and that really doesn't bother me.  I mean, everyone told me, "Hey, you're building up his immunity!"  But wow!  That was fast!  (PS - looks like Mommy and Daddy might have pink eyes too.  Yippee!) 

Well, no school tomorrow...or the next day.  But, we're looking forward to continuing on and more progress. 

UPDATE:  After one day of antibiotics and eye drops Beau slept through the night and his eyes are almost completely clear.  That too was fast!  Mommy on the other hand woke up with her left eye swollen shut.  Sheesh. 

An Apple a Day

I learned a long time ago that Beau is sly.  I can't count the number of times I turned my back and he had magically retrieved my blackberry from the far reaches of my purse/diaper bag/nightstand/sofa/etc...I think you get the picture.  And, now that he is getting bigger and taller, the little guy has incredible reach.  Seriously, EVERYTHING must be placed at least five inches from the edge of the countertops!

So I guess it should not have surprised me when at the grocery store yesterday he reached over to the apple bin and selected a bright red gala.  When I turned around and saw what had happened it was too late.  Not only had he grabbed the apple but he had taken a huge bite out of it.  Beau has NEVER eaten a whole apple before.  Applesauce, yes.  Apple chunks, yes.  The whole thing, no. 

When he realized what he did he was beside himself.  A look of sheer joy spread across his face...as did the apple juice dripping from his chin.  Not wanting to rock the boat (we've had a rough week with school starting) I let him enjoy a few more bites while I checked out. 

He was none too happy that I took away the apple for the ride home, but hey, my negligent parenting stops at choking hazards.  But when we arrived at the house and I returned to him his snack he was gleeful!  He walked around the house chomping away.  He managed to eat about two-thirds of the apple before I finally took it away to get him ready for dinner. 

It's a silly little story...but it's the little funny stories like this that have made the past fourteen months so enjoyable. 

Aww man, it's soooo good!

Yippee!

Nom, nom, nom, nom...

I can't believe you've been holding out on me, Mom.  (Check out the copious amounts of apple juice on his shirt.) 

First Day of School

Today marked Beau's first day of school at My Little Sprout.  We've been getting him ready for the transition for some time now.  We changed his meal and nap schedule to reflect his school schedule.  We've been shopping for fun "play clothes."  And he spent a couple hours at the daycare a few weeks ago and met his teachers.  On this last one he had a bit of an advantage as Nan is one of the teachers for the one year old class - lucky duck! 

I even did a little preparation of my own.  Beau needed a mat cover for his kinder mat and I couldn't find any I, I mean, he liked.  So I pulled out my sewing machine for the first time in a year and made a mat cover.  With the extra fabric I made a matching bag for his school supplies (ie, extra clothes, wipes, and aquaphor).  I'm no master seamstress, but I was proud of the final product. 

This morning started off as any normal morning - so much so Beau was too preoccupied with playing and visiting with Daddy and Murphy to stop for me to get an official "first day of school" photo.  THIS is what I ended up with instead. 

Once at school we explored his room.  Ok, I explored his room; he immediately began playing with toys and his new friends.  In fact, there were no tears when I left.  Hell, he didn't even realize I was leaving.  I had to chase him down to steal a kiss. 

Each kiddo has their own folder for "important paperwork."  See those little handprint antler paintings peeking out of the top?  I can't wait for my own little handprint paintings!! 

Beau's class will learn how to express themselves beyond screaming.  Wow, won't that be nice? 



Hmmmm...yes, we may have issues with no. 2. 



The day went very well, with one exception - NAP TIME.  Beau is a notoriously bad napper, unless he sleeps in his own crib.  At school each child walks up to their mat, lays down, covers themself with a blanket, and nods off.  When Billy and I first heard that we both thought, "HA!  Like that's going to happen."  Turns out we were right.  While other kiddos went immediately to sleep Beau refused to nap on his mat, choosing instead to nap on a teacher's shoulder or otherwise cry.  Hmmmm...better luck tomorrow.  

Oh, and how do we know how the other kids behaved?  Because Beau's school runs a live video stream on the password protected website.  It's a pain to get into, but once you're there, the footage is priceless.  The kids are adorable.  And let's just say I have A LOT more respect for Lindsay's profession. 

When time came to pick him up he was in good spirits but obviously exhausted from his lack of a good nap.  He ran to me when he saw me and started crying...just a little.  (This might be terrible, but it made my heart melt again - he still needs me!)  Once home it was a quick dinner and bath and then off to sleep.  Man, falling asleep tonight simply took me turning off the light.  By the time I walked to our rocking chair, he was O-U-T! 

So, Beau survived his first day of school.  And, with the 24/7 video stream available, so did his Maw Maw and Paw Paw.  Yes, his best buddies are going through withdrawal just 24 hours into the new schedule.  But I'm sure they'll make it.  After all, they'll be here tomorrow evening just to visit. 

Here's to tomorrow! 

By the Numbers

One of my favorite parts of the post-Christmas holiday season is all the silly countdown shows on tv - "Top Ten Commercials," "2010 Biggest Scandals," "Best Movies of the Past Year," "Worst Music Videos," etc., etc., etc.  I love those shows with stats and numbers and such.  And so, I have concocted my own year end review by the numbers.*

651 out of the last 699 - Days that I have either been pregnant or nursing.  (Ok, so this one goes back into 2009...so sue me!)

80 - Number of fingers and toes for which I will be responsible for the care and maintenance of after Jellybean is born.

4 - New tools Billy HAD to buy this year. 

2800-3000 - My daily average caloric intake while nursing Beau.  (That kid had always been a good eater.) 

1 - Brian grandchildren this Christmas.

3 - Brian grandchildren next Christmas.  (Yep, we've been busy.) 

0 - Food allergies we have discovered. (Whoohoo!  So grateful for this one.) 

11 - Number of teeth Beau has cut since May. 

0 - Times Beau has actually eaten green beans. 

2 - Nights I have been away from Beau.  (Overnight, that is...) 

3,000+ - Pictures that I have taken of Beau this year alone.  (You don't even want to know how many his Paw Paw has taken.)

2 - Pictures I have printed and framed.  (So I'm a slacker in some respects.) 

0 - Pairs of designer jeans Billy and I own.

2 - Pairs of designer jeans Beau owns. (Thanks, Aunt Lizzy.) 

It's always fun to look back at the past year.  But considering how much lays before us now, we are definitely looking forward to what 2011 has to offer!  Happy New Year! 

*  In the spirit of full disclosure I must admit that I stole the idea for this post from my dear friend, Rebecca.  Thanks! 

One Crazy Christmas

Without question, the hardest family photo we've ever had to work for!

This year Billy and I hosted our first official Christmas celebration for our families.  Yep, you read that right...BOTH our families were in town for the festivities.  This resulted in over thirty guests at our house on Christmas Day alone.  Pregnancy hormones aside, I think I did a pretty good job playing hostess.  There were some mishaps (Nanny, I'm looking at you and the bourbon sauce I am STILL cleaning from the crevices of my kitchen stove...) but that is to be expected, right?  Unfornuately, as hostess I had little time to take many photos to document the festivities.  Sure I ended up with about 200 pictures, but that is well short of the 500 or so I probably would have taken.  Oh well.  We sure did have fun anyway. 



We did manage to get his shoes on for mass...well, at least the first thirty minutes or so...



My two handsome men.

The festivities started with Christmas Eve mass.  Beau did fairly well considering we had to arrive an hour early and it ran through his dinner time.  But once at home we were joined by Deb, Tom, Aunt Lizzy, Melinda, and eventually my parents as well.  Lots of gumbo and pistachio cake rounded out the evening. 



Beau loved Chase.  Chase, well she tolerated him.

Christmas day was a blessed chaotic event.  Beau wanted nothing to do with opening presents.  He was just as happy having someone else unwrap the gift and place it in his tiny outreached hand.  And to my delight he was gifted as many outfits as toys. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  The toy cabinet has reached its maximum capacity. Really though, our families were so generous to our little boy. 

Maw Maw and Paw Paw know just what he likes.

The tent was THE present of this year's Christmas. 

Can you tell he was in heaven?

Even daddy got in on the action!

Aside from some minor mishaps (see the bourbon sauce incident above) Christmas dinner was a delight.  Full of good food and good family and friends, we were reminded of how fortunate we truly are. 

Yes, that's real Burberry...thanks, Aunt Lizzy!

Three generations and one little pot belly. 

However, despite the success of our first Christmas, I am very much looking forward to next year in Texas.  And yes, while it will be nice not to play hostess (I mean, worrying about where to seat 30+ people can take a toll on you) it will be even nicer to celebrate it with our newest family members, Jellybean and Nameless Baby Boy Brian (Yep, Robyn and Marcus....doesn't that sound pitiful?  "Nameless Baby Boy Brian."  Maybe you should pick a name...MARCUS!)  Next year at this time we'll have three grandchildren to make the season merrier - a two year old, an eight month old, and a seven month old.  Gracious...that should make things interesting!   

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.  And from the Billy Brian Family, here's wishing your family the very best the new year can offer! 

Halfway There...

This pregnancy has flown by.  I honestly didn't realize that I had reached the halfway mark until I read our own blog and saw the little ticker on the right side.  Twenty weeks?!  Twenty weeks?!  Then I realized that I had not taken a single "belly bump" picture for this baby. Poor thing.  I was so good about it with Beau.  Guess I had a little more time back then though...

Well, Billy's Christmas party was this weekend so I had an excuse to get all gussied up and take a rather pretty "belly bump" photo. 

Of course, a blog post would not be complete without at least one shot of Beau.  He has been walking around like a mad man lately and actually trying his hand at running.  *GASP*  More video on that to follow...

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Sunday Beau, Aunt Robyn, and I visited Santa Claus.  Beau was not having the best day (a combination of a missed nap and daddy out of town) so I was pretty worried that he might have a major meltdown when he saw the man in red.  Surprisingly he was fascinated by Santa and spent the visit starring at him and giggling.  The picture isn't the best, as it really doesn't do justice to the whole experience, but it's pretty cute all the same. 

Merry Christmas!!



And then my heart melted...

This morning Beau and I were partaking in our early morning ritual.  There we sat in the easy chair, me with my hot chocolate and Beau with his raisin toast, watching Sportscenter.

We haven't exactly told Beau that we're going to have another baby because we didn't think he'd exactly understand.  But he loves babies so much I figured I'd give it a go.  I lifted my pajama top to expose my baby bump then pointed to it and said, "Baby."  He looked at me perplexed.  I said it again, "Baby." 

He looked at me, smiled, then leaned over and kissed my belly.  He looked up and smiled at me again.  My heart melted.  Did yours? 

Just another day

What, your kid doesn't play in the cabinets? 

Seriously, if we turn our heads for one second, he has opened a door and is contently playing in the confines of any number of cabinets within our home...with or without the door open.   

One of his favorite past times is to crawl in one door of his bathroom vanity cabinets; shut it; and then crawl out through another door.  I think we have an explorer on our hands. 

I'm Walkin'...Yes, Indeed!

Last week was rather eventful, and not necessarily in a good way, so it was nice to end the week with a little treat.  Saturday morning while Billy was at the lease my mom and I sat in my living room having our coffee and just enjoying Beau.  I walked over to the "toy cabinet" and opened it up.  Well apparently this really got Beau going because out of nowhere he stood up...and STARTING WALKING!  That's right...no coaxing, no bribing, no pushing.  He just decided that the toy cabinet was far too enticing to leave alone. 

I was pretty bummed that Billy was out of town and missed it.  And I was just sure that like so many other milestones, Beau would practice all day and then be bored with it the next day.  Luckily I was wrong. Billy came home late that night and the following morning Beau was not up for more than thirty minutes when he stood up and walked straight to daddy! 

Since then, there's been no stopping him.  Guess it's time for a new pair of shoes!!