walk like a man, talk like a man

Brett took his official "first steps" back on January 15th...but until this week he's really preferred crawling, or at least holding hands with mom or dad while he toddles around. Today, though, he really broke through and started literally doing laps around the house. We like to think he was just working out in "training camp" for the last month...and now he's just gearin' to go! Enjoy this little video we caught, just before bedtime. What a champ!

As for talking, here are some of our little man's favorite words and phrases:

Dada, Mama, Bubba (referring to both cats and pretty much all furry animals)

Mummm ("yum," as in tasty food)

Yuck (self-explanatory)

Duck (sometimes sounds like Yuck, but he knows the difference because then he quacks too)

Ding! (in response to the microwave, or clinking glasses with mom or dad)

Yeah (just started saying that a lot today)

Baaaaa-bubba ("Bad Bubba," said when the cats misbehave)

Teh-heeiiz! (as in "there he is!" when we play hide and seek or peek a boo)

Mem ("Amen," after we pray together at the table)

Sat? ("what's that" - says it a lot when pointing to lights, fans, and stuff outside)

Drumroll Please...

We finally finished Brett's first-year video! It is a time-lapse of clips recored every week from his birth on Dec. 31, 2007 up until his first birthday on Dec. 31, 2008. This is the abridged "youtube" version, which had to be under 10 minutes and wouldn't allow some of the music. If you'd like to see the full version, let us know and we'll get you a DVD. :)

Enjoy watching our little man grow!

road trip part 2: MOUNTAINS

After our fun beach getaway, we were blessed to go along with Grandma and Grandpa Brown to their timeshare in central Oregon. We spent four nights at Eagle Crest, where at first it was just cold and sunny...and then we got some beautiful, glistening snow. We ventured up to Hoodoo ski park for some sledding - Brett and Jaciane's first experience. We also enjoyed using the resort facilities - Mo played tennis, while Brad and Jaciane soaked in the jacuzzi. Brett amazed all of us by sleeping through the night...every night we were there. When we got home, he was back to "normal" and we all wondered if maybe we ought to just move to Central Oregon (just kidding, sort of). Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa for the wonderful trip!!

First sip of soda pop...a Clementine-flavored Izze. He LOVED it.



Takin' a bath in the kitchen sink



Fun with Grandma and Grandpa!



More fun - snowmobiling with Grandpa


Jaciane meets a big bear, and Brett meets a big duck.

Sledding!!

Happy (frozen) girl

Happy (frozen) boy

Brett and Daddy hit the slopes!