Brennan and Daddy's Day

Today, February 25, 2012, Brennan turned 15 months old. Time is going so fast. To celebrate, James took Brennan out to Dalki Land by himself. It was nice to get a break, but I thought it was great that they had some father daughter time. When they got back, Brennan was super happy and active even though she had not had a nap. Here are the photos we took when they returned from Dalki Land:

The Gang's All Here

Finally, on Monday, February 20, 2012, we were able to get Brennan, Alex, and Ezra together for a play date for the first time in months. It was great! I really enjoy spending time with the boys' mommies and seeing the boys. I love seeing how much they have all changed (the babies, that is!). Brennan and I were a little late in arriving, so we hadn't been there long when Alex got grumpy and decided he needed his nap post haste. Unfortunately, all the photos I have are of Brennan and Ezra. Darn it! Maybe next week when we meet up again.

Ezra totally in love with Brennan's new Adidas.

As you can see, Brennan is not shy.

Two beautiful babies.

Annoyed with Mom for taking photos and disturbing play time.

"Hey, Ez! Check out this bucket! It's awesome!"

Nothing In Particular

Sometimes when we are doing nothing in particular, we get out the camera and just start clicking away. It can easily turn a so-so day into one of hilarity. I love those days. Even though the funny photos that I take of James (when I have the camera, he can't take photos of me!) get deleted almost immediately. We still get a big kick out of them. Of course, Brennan's photos are here:

February 19, 2012.

Bren in a Box

This morning, February 17, Brennan took a great interest in a box we received a few days ago. James was playing with her and decided to put her in the box to see what she would do. Well, you would think this kid is Miss Daisy or something! See for yourself...

New Things...

I suppose that every post could be called this since Brennan literally does something new every day. She is getting more coordinated by the day, communicates more eloquently (either by saying new words or using body language), and even plays in different ways. It us so exciting to observe.

This week alone she has figured out the patterns to the horn on her car (every fourth press there is a song that she loves to 'boogie' to), has said at least three different words (with attempts at numerous other ones), and climbed stairs on her own.

Her words of the week so far are: 'teacher', 'dirty', 'cheese'. She also correctly named one of her hand puppets (a pig we call Portia). Today, she made the association between Daddy's nostrils and the pig on her pajamas nostrils. She is also correctly identifying her toes and the number 1. Another new thing is driving her car forwards and backwards as shown below!

February 15, 2012.

Valentine's Day 2012

Valentine's Day is not a big deal in our house. James and I don't do much. Maybe a card or a small token of some sort, but that's it. Other than Alex's Valentine for Brennan, I hate to say Brennan didn't get anything. :-( Not that I didn't look in several different places though!

I did take some photos for posterity. Yes, Brennan's outfit is a little self serving...

"Really, Mom? More photos???"

Tolerating the camera.

Playing with her first baby remote.

Shaking her maraca!

When you get a photo like this, you stop taking photos.

Brennan and Alex Together Again

Well, it seems that it is still very hard to get all the babies together in one place at the same time. Amazing how that can happen. I mean, they are babies after all! Even though Ezra couldn't make it, Brennan and I finally met up with Alex and his mum, Mihyun, at Tumbland this past Monday, February 13. It was quite funny as this is the first time since she has started walking that Brennan has been to this particular kids cafe. Brennan was on all 4 cylinders the entire time. Going here, there, and everywhere! Alex was a little shy and wary at first and didn't want to go far from his mum. When he saw Brennan hit the ground running, he warmed up fast and was right there with her! 

And they are off!

"Mom, you are cramping my style!"

My absolute favorite photo of the day!

On the trampoline charming the employees (in the background).

Playing near the flying fox.

In the ball pit throwing balls at the employee.

Coming out of the ball pit.

Having a blast on the inflatable bouncing mound.

Alex catching Bren up on what he's been up to over the past few months.

Alex pushing Bren around in a police car.

In hot pursuit.

Climbing stairs like a pro.

As we were getting ready to leave, Alex gave Brennan a hug and gave her her very first Valentine card and present (a box of Hershey's kisses) from a boy! When the camera gets charged, I will take a photo and post!


Here it is:

"Oh" and Other Exclamations!

Today, Brennan is 1 year, 2 months, and 2 weeks old. Since my last post, I have been very busy with some freelance work and caring for a sick Brennan. I have thought numerous times about posting, but there just hasn't been enough time (if I actually want to sleep) to get everything done.

Let's see... last Friday, February 3, (after suffering for days of cabin fever due to extremely cold weather) we went out to our favorite local Korean restaurant. We are quite popular there (OK, it's really Brennan who is the celebrity) and we always get awesome service. The past few times we have been, they have even served Brennan some food for free. They love her and are always talking to her (in Korean, of course) and fawning over every little sound she makes and thing she does. Brennan is always trying to make everyone pay attention to her and this day was no exception. There were two young women sitting at the table next to us going absolutely gaga over Brennan. Brennan was more interested in their food (LOL) than them, but she charmed them anyway. Brennan would look at them and say, "OH!" really loudly. She also did this to the people who work there. It was very funny. My child is an attention hog. She may as well have said, "Hey, everybody! Take a look at me!". Later on that day, Brennan added a new facial expression to go along with her "Oh!". She dropped her jaw and opened her mouth in a full circle and said, "Oh!". The expression reminds me a lot of the baby in 'Meet the Fockers' when he starts saying !@#hole. If you haven't seen it, you should! 

Since last weekend, Brennan has become more and more verbal and generally more communicative. She makes sounds that really sound like words (some of which actually are) and now points to things that she wants. It is awesome. Being able to ask Brennan a question and get a yes/no answer is fantastic! A lot less guessing what she wants!

This past week she also learned 'what does doggy do?'. The answer is "uff"! So funny because she thinks that's what kitty does too... We are working on 'meow', but so far we've only gotten "muff" a few times. Brennan is super interested in reading now and must be read to numerous times daily. It's exhausting for us, but it is helping her verbal skills tremendously! 

Yesterday, February 8, Brennan used three words in the correct context: "belt", "baby", and "cat". It is truly mind-blowing. She also started playing around more with her body position and now likes trying to bend backwards to lay on the couch or push against the TV. She also plays around with leaning her head to each side and likes to dance by shaking her little rear end side to side!

Brennan also loves to "help" me with the laundry. Whenever I put something on the line within her reach, she will immediately take it off and walk around the house waving the item to "help" it dry. ;-)


Today, Brennan is finally starting to feel better. She still has a runny nose and a terrible cough intermittently, but much, much better than just a few days ago. She is finally getting her full voice back as well. Munchkin has been hoarse since last weekend! I took her to the local clinic on Monday and she even charmed the pants of the doctor and the nursing staff. She even tried to open the door to the X-ray room!  Brennan has not let her sickness get her down or get in the way of her playtime!

New foods Brennan likes: black beans!

Here are some photos from the first week of February:

Styling with Mom's scarf. February 1, 2012.

Wild Thing. February 3, 2012.

Reading Dr. Seuss with Daddy. February 4, 2012.

Enjoying her black beans! February 8, 2012.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Yesterday, January 31st, metropolitan Seoul received it's first real snowfall of the season. As promised before the snow started, I took Brennan out (after bundling her in three layers and snow boots!) and let her experience it firsthand. This is really the second season she saw snow, but the first time that she ever really touched it and watched it fall. Brennan had such a good time that she was very unhappy when I took her back inside! Enjoy the video and photos!