Man, 1 year goes by FAST!

[N2Advnture]

Well, Brandon turned 1 year old Sat!

The whole year has been crazy with adjusting to a baby. Sold all the motorcycles, moved to a single family home from a town home, prepared for his arrival, etc...(ie stress)

Then there is the figuring out what the F to do with a baby. Figuring out how much to feed him. It turned out we weren't feeding him enough at first and we couldn't figure out why he was crying. All the baby books, friends and doctors were all wrong in how much to feed him, we just figured it out. The sleeping, or lack there of sleep plays a huge factor as well. (ie more stress).

I'm not even going to mention the sudden "communication" issue with the spouse that seemed to come out of no where (ie even more stress). :biggrin:

In any case, here I am 1 year later and can say that over the past 3 months things have started to get really fun. Don't get me wrong, the first 9 were cool (minus the stress - LOL!). Watching him change on a daily basis is fascinating.

Each day is a new adventure for him and you're there to help him figure stuff out, even if it's something as simple as opening a box or a cd player. Watching his eyes light up and smile when he figures something out is pretty awesome and happens all the time.

He's first words (bird, dadda, momma, bus (for "Buster") and ball - btw, anything round is "ball". An onion = "baaalllll", an apple = "baaalll", etc.

He sees and hears a plane fly over and he looks up to the sky with wide eyes and points - that's pretty cool.

When he gets excited about something his whole body tightens up and shakes and he lets an "eeewwww!" - it's a trip.

A few weeks ago he started taking his first steps, now he's taking 6-10 steps between pieces of furniture to get around the house (he's quick, so you can't take your eyes off of him for a second or he' playing in Buster dog bowls).

He seems to dig (and figure out) mechanical stuff pretty quickly. Locks, switches, doors, anything that latches or slides. I have a feeling that a lot of stuff is going to get broken in the near future - LOL!

He also seems to understand a lot of what you're saying even after only hearing it one time. If you say what an object is once and then ask him where that object is hours later, he'll turn and point to it. That's pretty neat as well.

Anyway, we're had his b-day party on Sat and planned on enjoying an RA Estupendo from the cab I picked up with an "OCT 07" date code as well as an 80s Part 898 that AllanB was generous enough to gift me this week (thanks again Allan!).

I don't feel like I talked to anyone with running around grilling, taking pics & video.

He started taking a few steps a few weeks ago (about the 11 mo mark) now he books around averaging about 10-20 steps.

Thanks for letting me share a little bit of what has started out to be the coolest milestone of my life.

~Mark

ps - notice the DWSC shirt that Bob & Dale sent (www.dogwatchsocialclub.com)!

[N2Advnture]

Oh yeah, he went for his 12 month check up yesterday.

32" tall (96%)
24 lbs (76%)

We are thinking about calling NFL scouts now

~Mark

Mark thanks for sharing! Makes me miss the old days.

It's NHL not the other one.

Nice pics Mark.
I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the Pats some day!
Hell, I'd rather a 1 year old be QB than Cassel.

[boonedoggle]

Hey Mark...have you done the video chat on Friday night with Bob and Dale at Stickam? I try to get on every Friday night. It's pretty cool.

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by N2Advnture

Oh yeah, he went for his 12 month check up yesterday.

32" tall (96%)
24 lbs (76%)

We are thinking about calling NFL scouts now

~Mark

Congrats! Cute kid. just took mine for his 1 yr. checkup. Same size as yours.

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by Scottw

Congrats! Cute kid. just took mine for his 1 yr. checkup. Same size as yours.

Oh yeah, let's get our CA NFL team together now!

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by boonedoggle

Hey Mark...have you done the video chat on Friday night with Bob and Dale at Stickam? I try to get on every Friday night. It's pretty cool.

I'm asleep on Fridays about the time they get started. It's amazing that I've EVER been on the show, let alone a dozen or so times.

Yeah, my wife informed me last Sunday when I got home from a weekend Golf trip that we were pregnant! I am looking forward to all of the things (stress) that come with it.

I don't want to sell the Bikes though!

Thanks so much for sharing Mark & CONGRATS SmokingJoey!

You know, my wife & I have been trying & are about to enter into IVF next month (Invitro Fertilization) and are scared to death so reading something like this reminds me what it's all about. Thank you.

btw, great lookin' boy!

[icehog3]

Very cool , Mark! Happy Birthday to Brandon, and congrats to you for having such a wonderful son.

[Ironman]

Congrats, they grow up so fast!!

[N2Advnture]

Originally Posted by Ironman

Congrats, they grow up so fast!!

At the rate you pump them out, I would think that you ALWAYS felt like you had a little one running around

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by N2Advnture

At the rate you pump them out, I would think that you ALWAYS felt like you had a little one running around

I still do Mark, the youngest are 6 now and they are non stop running!!

[chippewastud79]

Congrats Mark and Happy Birthday Brandon

Cool stuff bro - congrats! Ready for #2 yet?