Bathtub

Age 10.5 months
Brianna loves taking baths. Usually she and her sister take baths together (and Brianna has MUCH more fun when her big sister is with her!) She has recently developed the habit of holding things in her mouth so that her hands are free (as illustrated in this picture!) Her walking abilities have really flourished as well. She can take 5-8 steps in a row at this point!

First trip to Serbia

September 21, 2010
Age 10 months, 1 day

Brianna has been enjoying Serbia with her hearty appetite, social personality, and thigh wrinkles that will charm anyone.

Yes, there was even a 'bounce house' play arena a few blocks from where we stayed.

Brianna comfortably passed out in Cousin Tibor's arms.

Aunt Maria hold Brianna during our visit to the Zoo.

Cousin ViVi pushing Brianna's stroller.

August 27, 2010
Age 9 months, 1 week

Brianna took her first steps tonight! She is growing just so fast- Stew prefers to call her "4 wheel drive" because she charges through anything/everything to reach her desired destination. She also continues to be a fabulous eater. She has yet to decline any food that is offered to her. Tonight she had some blueberries that were fairly tart. Every time she put them in her mouth she wrinkled her nose and puckered her mouth in response. She clearly didn't like them... but that didn't stop her. She ate all of the blueberries.

She enjoys making cute noises and will try to mimick us with sounds. I have to say, she's pretty darn cute!!

Talking

August 16, 2010
Almost 9 months old

Brianna continues to be a joy and shocks us everyday with her developments! The other day she "cruised" for the first time - she walked while holding on to the couch. We also suspect that she is saying "Da da" and "Ma ma" directed, appropriately, towards Stew and I. Tonight her speaking abilities were confirmed. Tonight she saw one of our cats and she said, "Ki-Kah." I was floored! I tried to videotape it, but of course she stopped when the camera turned on...
Our little genius.

July 2010

I asked Gabriella to sort her laundry in her bedroom. She happily agreed to do so. I was so proud of her. When I heard Brianna begin to cry I quickly came in to scoop her up so that Gab could continue to do her laundry.

My angellic and responsible 3 year old apparently decided to put her baby monkey sister in a cage. Brianna was miserable. Sorry baby sister.

Age 8.5 months

Brianna is such a fabulous baby. If I had to pick two words to describe her, they would be: calm and curious. I hope these qualities stay with her throughout her life. She is also persistent. As she explores our home I may try to gently redirect her to something else. She may placate me for a few minutes, but soon enough she is crawling back to the forbidden area. I can't help but smile at her tenacity. Similar to when she was a newborn - she hardly cries - still preferring to whimper. Super cute.

Brianna-isms

July 14, 2010
Age 7 months, 3 weeks

Brianna now has two little teeth in the bottom of her mouth. We first noticed them about a week ago. She is developing so much faster than G did (she didn't get her first tooth until she was 10 months old.)

Brianna also likes to say "mamamama." I know that she is probably saying it indiscriminantly but both Stew and I, independently, noticed that she says it more frequently when she's crawling towards me... so I'm secretly hoping that "mama" is her first word!

We went to a July 4th barbecue last week. Brianna was eatting a cracker. I watched her take the cracker out of her mouth and put it on one of my friend's plates. I picked the cracker off of the friend's plate and put it back on my plate. Brianna then crawled over to my plate, picked up the cracker, and placed it back on my friend's plate. WHAT? This amazed me. (Only a mother..)

Brianna now has her own little crib. :( Up until now she was sleeping next to my bed in a little makeshift cosleeper, or in bed with us. Much to my disappointment, she transitioned really easily. She sleeps just as well in her crib as she does anywhere.

When Brianna is angry or frustrated, her whole body collapses (shoulders fall, head droops down, hands on floor) and she begins to cry. It is .... the... cutest... thing... ever...