We realized we’ve never posted our annual holiday card, which is always some kind of spoof. Here’s this year’s card:

Pictures holidays

Carson and Braden have always had completely opposite levels of thirst. At meals, for example, Braden may have a sip of his beverage while Carson will have two glasses.

The other day, Carson chugged two cups of milk in front of Kristin, who remarked, “wow,  you must be really thirsty.”

Carson replied, “I am thirsty.” That was stunning, as his ability to make sentences and use pronouns is more advanced than Braden’s ability at the same age.

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Carson has regressed in terms of drop-offs at preschool. Since early March, he often clings to Brian’s leg, and the teachers have to pull him off and hold him so that Brian can leave. Carson will make a face like he’s about to cry, and a few times he has. Fortunately, he gets over it quickly.

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Braden was excited for his Easter egg hunt. We hid eggs in the living room and in parts of the backyard for him. Carson’s eggs were much easier to spot; we hid them in the dining room and the deck.

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It’s been a few months now, but Carson is permanently out of high chairs, much earlier than when Braden stopped using them. It can be difficult at restaurants, as sometimes Carson will get up to walk around, plus he’s a little short to eat over the table.

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The boys often fight over the same toys. Any particular toy isn’t popular until the other is playing with it. Braden is getting better at sharing, but Carson is not.

Journal holidays, preschool, talking

Brian spotted a big, fat rabbit living under a tree between our backyard and the neighbor’s yard. The other day, Brian showed the kids the rabbit, telling them that the rabbit was eating food. Carson repeated it, saying “rabbit eat food.” We guess that is technically his first sentence, as he probably did understand every word he said.

Otherwise, Carson’s vocabulary continues to grow, and he’s quick to repeat anything he hears. He knows to say “more please,” he says he “Thomas” when he wants to watch Thomas the Train and he says “choo choo” to watch The Wiggles (the opening song has the lyrics, “choo choo chug-a-chug-a”). The latter is reminiscent of Braden saying “bow wow” to watch a different Wiggles DVD (that opening song had “bow wow” in the lyrics).

For some reason, Carson’s pronunciation of “no” has turned into “not.” We’re not sure how this happened.

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As expected, Braden loved Christmas more than Carson, even helping his brother open his presents. The kids helped Kristin decorate the Christmas tree, and Carson only periodically tried to remove a few ornaments in the month of December.

We think the most popular gift was a foot-powered (like the Flintstones) car with roof for Carson. Both he and Braden battle over who gets to ride it.

To make room in our playroom, Kristin packed up most of the infant toys, as well as some of Braden’s toys (that formerly belonged to Brian, much to his dismay). Brian also had packed up some infant toys after removing the gate that we used for a playpen for Carson.

For a while, Carson did play throughout the playroom once the gate was put away, but now he primarily plays with his toy cars on the staircase. He started doing this one day a few weeks back, and he hasn’t stopped. We have to be careful when we talk down the stairs and not trip on any of the cars.

Journal holidays, playroom, talking

Just uploaded a few photos from Christmas. We realize it’s not a lot of photos, but that’s because we took a lot of video of Braden opening gifts.

Pictures holidays

What a difference a year makes. At the end of 2008, we were eagerly awaiting Braden’s arrival. Now, he’s almost 11 months old!

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Braden is standing a lot more frequently now without having to lean against anything. We think most of the time he does it inadvertantly, but there are a few occasions where it seems he is purposely trying to stand by himself.

Another cute thing Braden is doing is now when he lies down, he put his hands behind his head like he is relaxing. We’re just waiting for him to cross his legs …

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Braden’s first Christmas went well. We thought he would tear through the wrapping of his presents, but he was surprisingly uninterested in opening anything. He is, however, enjoying his gifts.

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We took Braden to the UW basketball game on Thursday. Fortunately, he was a good boy, not crying or being overly squirmy. He fell asleep with about 4 min. left in the game, then slept the entire walk back to the car. Braden had not been to a sporting event since the Brewers game that Brian took him to back in the summer.

Journal going out, holidays, standing

They’re finally posted! Check them out under the Photos 2 page.

Pictures holidays

Braden and Brian did two Thanksgivings on Thursday–one at Brian’s mom’s house, and the other at Kristin’s parents’ house (Kristin had to work so she missed the earlier one). The two Lee boys ate a lot, as to be expected.

At the latter Thanksgiving, Braden got to hang out with two other babies–Bennett (son of Kristin’s cousin Gretchen) and Elise (daughter of Kristin’s cousin Katie). Braden was a bit fussy, perhaps from the fact that there were 23 people there. He did lighten up a bit when he and Bennett starting chasing each other around the house.

It was cool to have a four-generation holiday, and it was neat to see how times have changed (each age group moved up). Pictures will be posted soon!

Journal holidays

Happy Father’s Day to Brian!

The social committee at our condo organized a Father’s Day breakfast, and Brian took Braden there in the morning. There, he was the center of attention (in fact, the Lee boys were the only two males there at one point).

Kristin took Brian and Braden to Fleming’s for lunch. There were two other babies seated near us.

After buying his mom a nice gift, Braden got his dad a nice one as well: two-tone gold cufflinks. What a son!

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Braden had his four-month check-up today, which meant he got three shots again (poor guy).

He now weighs 19 lbs. 11 oz., moving him up to the 97th percentile (up from 95th)! His length of 26.5 in. moves him into the 86th percentile (up from 85th).

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Braden can now put his feet (one at a time) in his mouth. It’s really cute to see!

(Just like his dad, always putting his foot in his mouth.)

Journal holidays, new skills, pediatrician

Happy Mother’s Day to Kristin!

We took Brian’s mom to the Madison Club for brunch on Sunday (yes, Braden came and behaved, though there were other babies there), and then we grilled out at Kristin’s parents’ house at night.

Of course Braden got his mom a gift: a tanzanite pendant. Brian is now curious as to what his son will get him.

Journal holidays