Miracle Grow

Some people have recently made comments that Brandon has developed a bit of a bald spot at the back of his head. So we decided to exchange his shampoo for a bottle of miracle grow. The results are pretty spectacular if you ask me................

Standing Tall

Little Brandon is slowly starting to build up strength in his legs and thus find his feet. Somewhere I have a very similar picture of Joshua standing on my belly leaning on my legs like this, but I cannot find it for blood or money. Anyway just enjoy the new pics of Brandon.

Driller Killer

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that on Monday we had the pleasure of our first parents evening at Joshua's nursery. It was great to hear about his development and some of the things he gets up to. It was also good to exchange ideas with his key worker as to how they are developing him and what we are doing at home, so we can both work together. Overall they were pleased with Joshua and have no concerns. He has shown a real keen interest in art and music related activities so far.

We have taken a copy of Joshua learning log that the nursery keep and there a couple of things in there that made me laugh. The first one is how domesticated Joshua is. At home he will often help wipe tables and the floor, he helps carry shopping in from the car and if you do not let him have a go at the hoover he screams blue murder. Anyway there are a few comments in his log about picking up the toy hoover and running it up and down the nursery!!

The second one is related to swimming. After swimming we usually let Joshua play with the hair dryer and help him dry his hair. Despite the hair dryer being too big for his little hands, he has a good crack at holding it. Well basically anything that is the shape of a hair dyer - is a hair dryer to Joshua. Anyway there is a bit in his nursery log about him picking up the toy electric drill and then taking it over to another toddler whilst waving it up/down and side to side simulating drying hair. So lets hope he never gets his hand on my cordless drill otherwise someone is in for sore head!!!!

Apparently Joshua has a friend called Rosie at nursery who by the sounds of it is very similar in character to Joshua i.e. loud, outgoing, full-on, boisterous etc.etc.. Anyway the two of them are often found getting up to mischief such as hiding toys and then looking around to see if anyone noticed. How funny!

Chunkier Monkey

Brandon got weighed again on Monday and we can confirm that he is now an even chunkier monkey. The not so little chappy has put on over a pound in 2 weeks, now weighing 14lb 11oz. Now that he is eating proper food his weight is just rocketing unlike Joshua who was 3 steps forward, 1 step backwards. Anyway he is a picture of Brandon when he is most happy - i.e. with a spoon full of food in his mouth.

We also had the pleasure of our first ever parents evening at Joshua's nursery yesterday. It was good to hear that he is developing well and that they have no concerns with him. He is playing with the other children really well and has made some good friends there - which he often seems to get up to mischief with!!! Its really funny to read through some of the comments in his development book.

Here are a few nice snaps I took at dinner time tonight playing around with the macro settings on the camera.

This is supposed to be Joshua's mean and nasty face!!!

Weald Park

How can you live in Essex for sooooo long and live on the doorstep of some wonderful places without even knowing it. Today's adventures with the boys took us to Weald Park just north of Brentwood and I have to say there is some stunning scenery there. Once we were parked up we were greeted by a heard of fallow deer. Check out these beauties.........

After the deer we found a large lake which was absolutely full of ducks and swans. Unfortunately we came unprepared with no bread for the birds, but some kind lady had two loafs and gave Joshua about 4 slices to feed the ducks.

The adventure then took us over a nice little bridge to some fields the other side of the lake.

The fields were a very dangerous place to be. We soon discovered that lurking in the long grass was some very very dangerous wild monsters. Check out this picture and you can just about make one of them out in the middle.

I tried to get a bit closer to the monster to get a photo and you can imagine my shock when this jumped out at me!!!!

In all seriousness Joshua loved running and diving in the grass. He was shouting "ready, steady, go" and then running up and doing superman dives into the grass! Anyway after battling the monster we then found another bridge which took us out to a bird lodge overlooking the lake. Josh crossed the bridge first just in case there were any trolls!

Once safely across the bridge we entered into the lodge and went bird spotting.

The end of another adventure. We only covered about a 10th of the Park so be sure we will be heading back as there is a fort, some ponds and the Belvedere Church which we want to check out next time.

Fear Factor

Not much to report in today. Brandon is still eating really really well and sleeping even better. Last night he had his dream feed and then didn't awake until around 7am.

Anyway heard of the program Fear Factor? Check out the look on the two boys faces as they embark upon their first dual ride in the bike trailer with Dad at the helm. Clearly they know what my driving is like and expect the same on the bike.............

For Brandon's side of the trailer I had to modify the chair a bit with supports from his car chair. But he seemed more than happy as I took him for a quick spin around to the local shops and park with Joshua. We haven't found a cycle helmet that fits his little head just yet though!

Also we managed to seat Brandon in a swing for the first time. So here is a nice shot of both the boys on the swings at the same time.

And here is Brandon in training for ToughGuy 2009 learning hos to traverse the cargo nets.

Silent Night.............

..............no its not time for Christmas carols already. Last night we tried the spoon full of baby rice in Brandon's dream feed and it worked a treat. Brandon slept right through until nearly 6 o'clock this morning. So for the first time in over 5 months we had an undisturbed nights sleep with both boys going right through the night. Major step in the right direction if you ask me......

Hanningfield Reservoir

After the excitement of Basfest yesterday it was time to get back to nature today for a bit of downtime. So we had a nice pleasant walk through the nature reserve at Hanningfield reservoir.

These pictures were taken in one of the nature observation lodges overlooking the reservoir. Plenty of birds for Joshua to watch.

Even Brandon stayed awake for the trip and got to have a good look around.

Me and the boys................

Tina attempting to get Joshua out of the hut.

I have been trying to teach Joshua to jump for some time now. He is slowly getting the concept. Here he is getting ready to launch into one (or is he just squatting down for an outdoor dump) - you decide!.

Wow that was a big jump. 2012 long jump Olympics here we come.

To end this blog update here are a few nice pictures of the two boys together in Brandon's cot. They do have some lovely moments together and it is really great to see them interacting. Brandon just looks so frustrated at times as he see's Josh doing things and you can almost see that he just wants to join in. And Joshua equally looks as frustrated at times as he does not understand why Brandon will not do some of the things he can.

Poor Brandon does get pulled around a bit. But he is a tough little cookie and often just puts up with what ever his brother dishes out. I think Brandon is going to be a lot tougher than Joshua. His temperament is certainly calmer and more laid back. Joshua is the full on in your face character and Brandon is more the chill out and watch the world go by......

Bas Fest 09

The weekend are always such fun now as I get to spend quality time doing fun things with my boys. Today was no different as we headed over to Bas Fest. We kind of figured it was appropriate to take our two little Bas Boys to their first Bas Fest. The weather was a scorcher and it was nice to bump into some of the family over there as well. Anyway here are a few snaps from the days.

Essex ambulance and Fire Service were there doing a display. Man are their drivers getting younger and younger!!!!

And Josh thought the Galaxy was big and fun to play in with lots of buttons to press!

Thanks to Zoe and Amy for winning the boys these little inflatable bat and ball sets.

Joshua did well walking everywhere but his little legs soon got tired so it was time for Dad's shoulders again. Also helped out for seeing over the crowd to watch the dog show.

Check out this dog riding on the back of a motorbike.

There was lots of fairground rides over there but only two or three that Joshua could go on. Even so I still had to go on with him to make sure he was safe. The little guy absolutely loved them though and didn't want to come off.

We even got him on his first ever roller coaster. At first when it set off he had a look of fright on his face, but after the first lap he was full of smiles and again didn't want to come off.