Happy Birthday Brayden!

Happy Birthday to Brayden J. Zakrzewski! He is finally one year old. They say time flies when you are having fun, but never did I believe time would go by this fast. Within the past year we have had a beautiful baby boy, moved to Colorado, Mike got promoted (to Sergeant) and I managed to make straight A's my first semester back to College.

When we first moved to Colorado there were a lot of changes happening, which were quite intimidating. In January when I started school, Brayden started daycare. He was not crawling at the time, but started within a few months of attendance. While he was there one of his friends (Stephen) began to walk and Brayden observed this little boy. Watching him walk and what he was doing, so ultimately he could do the same and did! Brayden was walking at ten months!

Mike and I feel as though daycare has been so beneficial for our little man, because he has been able to develop as an individual and experience things he would not have otherwise.

Now that Brayden is a year old, he is changing more rapidly. I could say that he changes almost on a day-to-day basis. He is now considered a toddler (which is mind blowing) and is able to point out specific objects in his book (toddlers first words). However, this is just the beginning.

Here are some of Braydens recent developments:

• When Brayden is tired he plays with his hair and sometimes with mommy and daddies as well.

•Loves books. Will bring a book to you, sit in your lap and read it with you helping you turn the pages.

• Brayden has a book we bought him that has toddler’s first words with buttons that correspond with the pictures. So, Brayden is able to point out specific objects which include: ball, flower, duck, car, cat and dog. He has such a personality because now that he knows the pictures he will only point to them when he feels like it!

• He is able to waive Hi and Bye. He is just too precious with this because when we enter a room he begins to waive at everyone and when he knows we are leaving he does the same.

• He can say “Hi” and “Bye”.

•Instead of riding his toys (like you are supposed to) he stands and climbs on them.

• When you sing, “If you are happy and you know it clap your hands” he will stop what he is doing, start swaying his hips and clap his hands with the BIGGEST and CUTTEST smile on his face.

• He LOVES to play with balls and will play catch with you!

• He loves when mommy and daddy chase him. He gets all excited and can barely run!:-)

• If Brayden is sitting cross-legged and I put my head in his lap he will put his head on top of mine giving me hugs!

• Loves to give mommy and daddy hugs! He will be playing by himself and will stop to come give one of us a hug then continue what he was doing.

• He is completely off baby food and formula.

• No longer uses a pacifier.

• Attempts to eat with a spoon (doing fairly well).

• Feeds himself.

• Drinks only out of a sippy cup .

• Loves to be outside.

• Talks all the time, and is doing very well with his speech and vocabulary.

• Does things to make you laugh and when he know he has or is about to do something wrong will watch you and just smile.

• Wears 18-24 month clothes and size four diapers.

• Knows what the word No means and does not care :-).

• Makes sad face and pokes out bottom lip (soo cute).

• Wines when he wants mommy or is tired.

• Likes to hit daddy with different objects.

• Just started bringing mom and dad items that he knows he is not supposed to have such as the remote for the T.V. or in other cases all my tupperware

• Is going through separation anxiety, always wanting mommy.

• Recently learned how to point and does it quite often when he wants something, or asks, “What is that?”

I know there is more that we are forgetting and will add later. But wanted to share these amazing developments with our family and friends because we are so proud of our little Brayden and amazed at his abilities. He is so smart and will never doubt him in anything because he is so advanced.

Happy Birthday Brayden, you are the best thing that ever happened to mommy and daddy and are so thankful to have you in our lives. You make every day that much brighter with your wonderful smile. You are always so happy and playful lighting up a room wherever you go.

Your dad and I want nothing but the best for you and hope that your life is filled with love and happiness because you are our son and deserve nothing less!

Love you,
Mommy and Daddy