Fist Pump

On the way to the Y yesterday, I was singing (which I do SO well-ahahahahaa) along to CeeLo Green's "Forget You" on the radio. When I came to a stoplight, I turned around to sing/talk to Branner, and he was waving his little fist in the air to the music. Too hilarious! So, I started doing it and he kept doing it. I guess we can add fist pumping to the list of firsts!

Happy Birthday, Jen!

Before Georges Brasserie

Happy Belated Birthday to one of my BFFs, Jen! She is the best neighbor, mani/pedi partner and person to have a glass of wine with a girl could ask for! We celebrated by going to Georges for a delicious dinner and a few cocktails Saturday night. Love hanging with the Harrisons!!!!

One Year Pics

You can look through B's one year pics here! I am so pleased with the way they turned out. Thanks again to our good friend, Angie, of AC Studios!

Miami Trip

We're back from Miami, and we had a blast! Of course, all of my careful planning went to the wayside, but what can you do? Our flight was delayed Friday, and we missed our massage. We ended up going somewhere different for dinner on Friday night. We had brunch on Saturday, relaxed, shopped, walked around Coconut Grove, got manis and hot stone pedis (Barry is a trooper) and went to dinner at Prime 112. I can't wait to go back again!!!

Stomach Bug: 3, Kirbys: 0

We have had our first (I'm sure of many) brush with the dreaded stomach bug--EEEWWW! Poor Branner and my parents, they all had it while Barry and I were away having fun in Miami. My mom didn't tell me until I got back because she didn't want to ruin our trip. So thoughtful! I felt so bad that they had all been sick and they said it was terrible. Barry and I woke up Monday feeling fine and went about our days as normal (see V-day post).

I started feeling nauseous Monday night. I went to sleep and hoped it would go away. Barry was up in the middle of the night sick. I awoke with Branner on Monday and just felt AWFUL. This is a nasty bug, and it seems to be going around everywhere. I took care of B in the morning, and Barry felt a little better in the afternoon (when I was MISERABLE) and took care of him then so I could rest. We were both in bed around 7 last night. Luckily, I feel better today and Barry is back at work. Whoa, that was rough!!!!

13 Months

Wow! Weren't we JUST having Branner's birthday party?! Here we are a month later, and he is walk/running everywhere and loving having Barry and I chase him! He is such an independent little guy! He DOES NOT hold hands. He wants to do EVERYTHING himself! He won't let me feed him yogurt (which he loves) or anything for that matter. So, we are working on teaching him/letting him learn how to use a spoon. We definitely have a big boy on our hands!

Likes: Walking, walking, walking, running, running, running, talking, talking, talking (Mama, Dada, Baba (Bailey), cat, uhuhuhuh, Mama/Dada! when he wants something), I also hear him practicing lots of new "words" in his crib, mimicking noises, driving his Cozy Coupe, "riding" his bike, going to the park (yay for the nice weather we've had lately), swinging, going on walks on the greenway, playing at the tennis courts, throwing tennis balls, playing in the yard, reading books, giving the best hugs ever, waving, clapping, singing, playing instruments, "fixing" things with his tools, his Little Ones toys, puzzles, blocks, other children, "talking" to people when we're out, baths and his bath toys.

Dislikes: Teething (he currently has four teeth, and is cutting more as we speak), not being able to play with sockets, not getting his way.

Foods: Whole milk, a wide variety of fruits and veggies, bread, cereal bars, waffles, pancakes, pierogies, turkey dogs, quesadillas, chicken, fish sticks, cheeseburgers (yes, I let him have a McDonald's cheeseburger--I wanted to see if he would eat it), turkey, ham, cheese, the list goes on and on. Our "good eater" is finally back!

Clothes: 12 months and 12-18 months.

I know I say this every month, but it just keeps getting better and we are having more fun than ever with our funny, sweet, happy, independent little man! We love you, Branner!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

In honor of Valentine's Day and since it was AMAZINGLY beautiful today, Branner and I decided to celebrate by doing something he loves...going to the park.

Branner got tons of cards and gifts from us, grandparents, great-grandparents and special friends! He had a great day and loved "reading" each card!

Barry surprised me by coming home with dinner, wine and a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lillies. We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed the rest of the night relaxing!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Love, The Kirbys

Miami Getaway!

Our hotel--The Mayfair

Rooftop Pool and Bar at The Mayfair

Miami!!!

Barry and I's first weekend away from Branner together is coming up! We leave this Friday morning, and arrive in warm and sunny Miami before lunch. We have spent a few nights away from Branner, separately and together, but we haven't spent a whole weekend away at the same time yet.

Barry planned and set the whole thing up with my mom and then let me pick our destination once the logistics had been ironed out. I wanted to go to NYC, but February in NY is not exactly mild, so I went with somewhere a little warmer. We are staying at The Mayfair Hotel and Spa, and have dinner reservations at Bond St. on Friday and Prime 112 on Saturday thanks to the recommendations of several people including my dad. We're planning on having lunch and a couple of drinks at the famous Joe's Stone Crab upon our arrival Friday and we are going to shop, shop, shop and get a couple's massage Saturday afternoon. Ahhhhhh, vacation! I can't wait!

Prince of Pierogies

After reading this post on Momsie, I was inspired! Branner is back to his normal-eating self, finally, and we are ready to branch out and try new things (again). So, I introduced pierogies yesterday at lunchtime. WHOA!!!! HE LOVES THEM! Huge success! He gobbled two huge pierogies up as fast as I could cut them up and put them on his highchair tray. I'll be feeding him these delightful, delicious treats again very soon!

Guest Blog--Project:BABY!

Project:BABY is an amazing blog written by the cutest pregnant person I've ever met--Kristin Timmerman. I met her through Modern Parent, and I've been following her blog ever since. I love to read it even though I'm not pregnant, and I think you will to! Check it out!!!

Goodbye, Sweet Dylan

Today was a hard, sad day for me. I had to put my sweet "baby" cat, Dylan to sleep. I am devastated. Those of you who are close to me know how much I loved this cat. He slept at the foot of my side of the bed every night. I miss him already, but he was very sick, and we never knew it.

This morning he was hanging his head in an odd way, so Barry took him to the vet. I met him there once my sitter arrived and the painful decision making process and exploring of the facts began. The bottom line was that he wasn't going to get better. I have never seen him so sick or pitiful as he was today. I could not let him suffer. It broke my heart, and MANY tears were shed, but I had to put him to sleep. I stayed with him and held him through the whole thing. I am glad he didn't suffer for long.

Branner was my light at the end of the tunnel. Him being too little to understand what had happened or that Dylan was even gone eased my pain some because he carried on playing, laughing and being happy this afternoon as usual. He helped take my mind off of everything and helped me have a surprisingly good day in spite of it all.

Spring-like Sunday

Oh, what a beautiful day it was yesterday! We took advantage of the 70+ degree temperature and played outside with Branner as much as possible! As you can see, he had a great time exploring in the yard and "riding" his bike. Barry also took him on a long walk and to swing at the park after his nap. What a wonderful day! We are wishing for Spring at our house!