Year in Review

Ok so I know it has been nine months since I have updated the blog but we are still around. Just a quick update on our lives.

DECEMBER -
We spend Christmas in Houston with my mom. All three of Bryce's cousins were there and it was so much fun to see Bryce watching the other boys and trying to figure out what they were all doing.



We had a nice visit from Santa Claus while at Grandma's house. Bryce was intrigued by Santa's beard.



It didn't take Bryce long to get into tearing all the presents open.



Unfortunately, just after Christmas my grandma passed away so we flew up to Sacramento for her services. Bryce really took to my cousin Ryan and even though it was a sad time to be here we sure enjoyed spending time with the family.



JANUARY
Bryce suprised us all by walking at 10 months! We quickly started to baby proof the house and watched him move all over the apartment with new found curiosity.

FEBRUARY
We had a cold but relatively dry winter here in DC so one Saturday we spend the afternoon on the Capital Mall. Bryce had a great time and we loved being together as a family.



MARCH
We spent Bryce's birthday up in New Jersey with John's Mom and sister Janeen. John's mom went all out on the cake - creating a train and a little village of castles. Bryce had a great time eating cake for the first time.











APRIL
Bryce continues to grow bigger and bigger. Here he is in his easter outfit sent by Grandma Fuller





Bryce has also become mommy's little helper. For some reason he LOVES the broom. We actually have to put the broom out of reach otherwise he tries to sweep EVERYTHING!



My mom was a lifesaver yet again and came out to stay with us for several weeks while John finished up the semester. Bryce loved being with his grandma and pretty much has her wrapped around his little finger!

MAY
After school ended, we went to Las Vegas to visit with John's Dad. We had a great time visiting and loved the nice warm weather.








JUNE
Bryce really started to pick up baby sign language this summer. We taught him the sign for dog and soon after we came home from Las Vegas (where Grandpa Durkin has two dogs) Bryce started noticing dogs everywhere and signing when he saw them. Since that time, he now regularly signs dog, milk, more, and a couple of others!




My mom proved to be another lifesaver when she came out for two weeks in June to watch Bryce while John had a week of intensive classes this summer. It was fun to see Bryce "remember" grandma and have such a fun time visiting with her again. Bryce really started saying a few words this month. He loves to be outside and quickly learned that before he could go outside he has to have his shoes on. Accordingly, one of his first words (after mama and dada) was shoes! He will pick up shoes and put them right in our face and say "shoes, shoes" It is simply adorable!

JULY
We had a fun 4th of July with Bryce. It was his first time watching fireworks and he really seemed interested in them (at least for the first 10 minutes). He was so funny with the glow sticks. As long as John was holding the glow sticks, Bryce thought they were funny and interesting but the minute mommy touched them - we had screaming and crying. Not quite sure why it was ok for daddy but not for mommy but that is how it was.

Bryce has started eating regular food (picky though he is). One of is favorites spagetti as you can see from this picture.



He also loves strawberries!



Bryce continues to suprise me daily and loves life. He is such a great little cuddle bug and loves to just snuggle against my chest and put his head on my shoulder. I couldn't love anything any more.