Summer Update

Summer has been so busy - a quick update of our summer festivities!

End of June - 

I convinced some of my Portsmouth field hockey team mates to play in an all day tournament with me.  Unfortunately, it was 90 degrees outside and much more competitive than we expected (so we lost every single game).  But, everyone was great about it and we made the best of the experience.

July - 

Oslin family Fourth of July celebration.  We survived our first tenting experience with Braden.  He loved crawling around inside and all over the air mattress.  I did have to nurse him to sleep at night and for naps, but he slept through the night!  He did go in the water for a bit.  He didn't want to swim around (a little too cold) but he enjoyed cuddling and actually ended up falling asleep while on a float with dad.

Braden turned ONE! We enjoyed celebrating Braden's first year with friends and family.  We had a The Very Hungry Caterpillar themed party - more details to come in a separate post.  We also celebrated many of Braden's friends birthdays as well!

Friday the 13th/swimming play date with our mom & baby friends.

We attempted to go biking, but Braden did not like the helmet.

We visited the Portland Children's museum with Amanda B, Amanda W, Owen & Liam.

Dubay family reunion.  We enjoyed a nice week in Bridgeton Maine with the whole Dubay clan.  We enjoyed great food, company and entertainment.  We spent some time in the lake, the pool and played lots of games.  On Thursday the 26th everyone was together for a big breakfast.  Then we took many family photos.  There was some down time for individual games and then we we enjoyed a nice slideshow and some Dubay family trivia.  There was never a lack for delicious food - as we enjoyed some delicious appetizers and a BBQ lunch.  Hopefully less time will pass before the next reunion is planned!

We visited the Maine Wildlife Park with Heather, Jaden & McKinli.

August -
We enjoyed a few beach dates.  Some with our mom & baby friends and others just B and I.  

Megan came home to Maine for a visit!

We spent some time on Peaks Island.

We visited the Deering Oaks splash park.  The water was a little cold, but Braden seemed to be fine after a while.  

We visited Storyland with Mimi, Auntie Ashlea & Eva.

We ended the summer celebrating some fun events with family and friends.  Eva's 2nd birthday party and the 4th annual Oslin Labor Day BBQ!!

Potato Sack Races!

September - 

Although I am not looking forward to the cooler weather (still hoping to get a few more beach days in) I am excited about a few Fall festivities.  

Thirteen Months

Another year begins...

I feel like he has changed and grown so much in just a month!

A little summary:

* gives high five

* gives open mouthed "kisses" on cheek or lips 

* walking while holding onto toys, chairs or anything else he can find

* real crawling most often now

* enjoys swimming again & enjoyed hanging out in the float

* gasping in surprise

* up on feet & hands in a hand stand

* can climb the stairs 7/20

* arms up in question 7/21

* more talking constantly saying "what's that?" "what is it?" jumbled together

* signing "milk"

* enjoys pat-a-cake 

* 8th tooth finally popped through 7/26

* shaking his head yes & no

* standing on his own for brief periods

* saying "oh no" mostly just the ohhh part

* experienced the Dubay family reunion

* Children's museum with Amanda B & the Wild's

* celebrated friends 1st birthdays

First Birthday Video

I created a video of Braden's growth and accomplishments over the first year.  I had it all ready for his birthday party to be played as background music.  And then I forgot to start it.  So, since I took the time to make it I thought I would share!

Braden's First Birthday

I am actually writing this post one year & one month late!  But, as I am thinking about starting his 2nd birthday post I thought I should write about his first birthday.  I did include some highlights in my Summer Update last year.

For Braden's first birthday we went with a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme.  I found tons of amazing ideas for decorations, favors & cakes on Pinterest of course.  

Guest "book"

Favors - butterfly bubbles & caterpillar playdough

Sun decor

Mini caterpillars that we hid around the yard

More party favors - butterfly snacks

I used Braden's monthly pictures to create a "guess my age" game.  I couldn't use the onesie pictures, because that would give it away! ;)  Mimi won - but I think she studied?!

Braden had his own little cake, which of course at that time had to be dairy free.  There were regular chocolate/vanilla cupcakes for everyone else.  

When it was time for the cake Braden did not dig right in.  I had to help him a little bit by giving him a small piece.  He slowly ate some of it, but really never got into it.  

We are so thankfully to have so many friends & family members close by who could join us in celebrating Braden's 1st birthday!

It was also pretty special to have some of Braden's new little friends join us as well!

Twelve Month Birthday

A little summary of the month:

* "real" crawling in the grass or when approaching something

* pulling himself up to standing more frequently

* cruising along the furniture

* first time at the Maine Jump (slept in the Ergo)

* babbling constantly

* prompts wanting to walk by grabbing onto your hands

* fake laughing or imitating someones laugh

* attempting to climb the stairs

* loves watermelon & grapes

* first Fourth of July celebration in Poland

* first experience sleeping in a tent
* falling asleep on his own and without a pacifier

* participating in the Scarborough library summer reading program

* swimming in the lake with dad (fell asleep)

* 20 lbs, 14 oz (22%), 33 in (99%), 18.5 in (69%)