MONTH 11:
Happy Holidays from Bob, Wendy, and Brandon! 12/24 |

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12/21/03
Mommy and Daddy (along with friends) saw Brandon take a few steps on his own! on separate occasions he took 2 steps
and one time took 3. Yippy! The week prior our friend gasped and yelled out "He walked!" and both Bob and I missed
it. Her husband said "oh yeah he's been doing that all night!" And we said thanks a lot for telling us!
So today we officially saw it for ourselves!
12/22/03
Brandon took a picture with Santa for the first time. He was not too pleased and was a little scared of the bearded
one. The Monmouth Mall in Eatontown had a very nice looking Santa who was very sweet and tried to take Brandon when
Brandon had his back to him but Brandon was smart enough to turn around when he heard Santa creeping up behind him!
Brandon's happy that Christmas is coming! |

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Look at his 4 teeth! 2 on top 2 on bottom! (12/12/03) |
Brandon's 2nd girlfriend Dana. |

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Look what Santa Riccobono gave Brandon! (12/24/03) |
Brandon was scared of Santa again until... |

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someone gave him a Cheerio! (12/24/03) |

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This is my Great Uncle Takahashi! (12/25/03) |

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Brandon's 1st delivery was yummy fruit |

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from his Great Uncle David & Great Auntie Justine! (12/23/03) |
Brandon pushes his walker by himself! (12/15/03) |

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2/1/04
Two more teeth cut through the gums for a total of 4 on top. Brandon is walking everywhere! It is so cute!
Today in the store while we were looking at decorations for his first birthday party, we had to keep running after him because
he would take off down the aisle with store items in hand! He likes to walk all around either with his arms in
the air, or holding onto things. We had to install another gate to section off the kitchen, and first when
it wass open, he used to feel insecure so he would walk to it, then crawl over the gate bottom, then walk again in the kitchen.
But Bob helped him across it so now he will hold on to the gate when crossing it and when he gets over it we clap and say
"yay", so now when he goes into the kitchen, he starts clapping his hands! It's so adorable! He's also now pointing
and goes "ooo" or "goo" when he wants something. It's so neat!
A-ma finally meets Brandon (2/8/04) |

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I like to eat goldfish crackers! (2/8/04) |

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I want my mommy and daddy! (2/8/04) |

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Pucker up for Brandon's birthday kiss! (2/8/04) |

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I love my Uncle Paul (2/8/04) |

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2/11/04 Today Brandon climbed the stairs at a furiously fast pace. In the past he would get as far as one step
and stand there whining for us to save him! Of course we have gates on the top and bottom of the stairs, but Brandon
saw his daddy go up the stairs and mommy was right behind him as he climbed the whole staircase without a break in between
with ease. He did it twice. Brandon knows what things are. We asked him where his sippy was, he went to
get it, where is the balloon, he looked up at his birthday balloons, where is daddy, he went over to daddy. Brandon
was holding something and waving it up and down hitting mommy and we both said No. He started to cry. We comforted
him and he started to do it again. He cried again when we said no. This happened 1 more time and then he stopped.
It was so heartbreaking seeing him crying, but so interesting that he actually understood that we were telling him what he
wa doing was wrong! Yesterday was a beautiful day and when daddy got home, Brandon walked over to the door and we decided
to take him outside. For the first time, Brandon walked all over the front yard examining the leaves, snow, and carried
his ball all around the yard. He also discovered mud and got his outfit all dirty. One of his favorite things
to play with is a touch light and he knows to touch it to turn it on and off. He likes to pick it up with both hands
with the light facing out, and squeezing his fingers in his hands to click it on and off. Brandon's vocal range has
expanded. He seems to delight in exploring the high octave ranges and uses it to get our attention. His new favorite
snack is Pepperidge Farm low sodium Goldfish crackers. He prefers it to Cheerios and goes for them first.
Look how tall I am! 1/17/04 |

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Brandon loves his "brother" Ghost! (1/23/04) |

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December 12, 2003 - January 11, 2004
What do you mean I have to wait until Christmas? |

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12/12/03 |
1/5/04
It's amazing how fast Brandon is walking now. He can make it from the Living room into the Kitchen and has learned
how to move the plastic gate sectioning off the kitchen. Since he's never explored the kitchen, he's always going over
to that gate and moving it so it's time to buy and install a locking gate!
This is Mommy's favorite present! (12/22/03) |

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Brandon's First Christmas! (12/12/03) |

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Brandon at 10 months (12/12/03) |

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Eating makes me sleepy! (1-2-04) |

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Brandon's first bubble bath! (12/21/03) |

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Brandon getting into places |

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he's not supposed to as usual! (12/23/03) |
Which CDs did he pick? Why mommy's of course! |

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January 12 - February 11, 2004
2/8/04 We celebrated Brandon's first birthday today at Janet (Bob's sister) and Paul's house. We had 20
people so it was a little overwhelming for Brandon to see all the people there. We had a sushi platter, vegetable platter,
and a 4 foot sub. For dessert we had a Carvel ice cream cake and Brandon got his own cupcake to totally destroy.
It was funny, it took him a while, and he was examining the icing carefully and got a little on his hand, tried a little in
his mouth, but didn't really devour it. I was very happy that he didn't eat it up. I was so worried about any
sugar high or allergies. Almost everyone participated in the Pin the Tail on the Donkey game. Brandon got
lots of wonderful presents and got to meet his other Grandmother for the first time.
This is a cupcake you say? (2/8/04) |

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Oh no the cupcake fell! (2/8/04) |

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Brandon is putting on quite a show! (2/8/04) |

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Happy First Birthday Brandon! |

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We hope you enjoyed your party! (2/8/04) |
Do you think I can't get out of here? 1/17 |

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Brandon likes to sit in his activity table. 1/17 |

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Thank you Grandma! |
But when he has enough he can climb out! 1/17/04 |

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I am brushing my teeth! 1/19/04 |

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