Merry Christmas!!!!

The Bradley family wishes you a very merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Mark's-first-food-day! (I am 6 months old now!)

So, I am not sure what posessed my Momma and my Dad: Today I turned 6 months old, and for some very odd reason, they thought it would be a good time to introduce me to solid foods! Well, quasi-solids... I am not sure if mushed-up steamed carrots count as "solid" per se...

Haha! You're funny, Momma! I am supposed to do WHAT? Eat that stuff??! It looks nothing like milk, and that green spoon looks nothing like where the milk comes from. You're so silly!

Ok, this is my very first bite of food ever. I had no idea what awaited me!

*full body shudder* -Wow. This tastes really weird. Yuck. Or is it yucky? Swallow! Quick! Uh. Oh. *Gag* Not THAT quickly... Ewwwww!

(a few spoonfulls later) This is disgusting!!! I think. Ugh. ...or is it?

Yeah, I would say I have had enough of this messy nonsense. Just gimme some yummy milk! I've had it for 6 months now, why switch to something else?










More pictures of his next meal to follow! We will give him "food" for lunch from now on... and maybe some nibbles of stuff here and there. =o)

Catching the Kitty!

Hello again! Glad to see you! Hope you haven't gone crazy with Christmas shopping yet... my Momma and Dad have decided NOT to Christmas shop this year! They are going shopping together AFTER Christmas! But we still have lots of gifts under the tree that my Dad won't let my Mom peek at. I have tried to help her by taste-testing the packages, but my efforts are foiled each time.

Well, that darned tooth still hasn't made it through my gum, but it doesn't bother me as much right now, as long as I have something to chew on. I am not fussing as much, and I am sleeping better, too. In fact, a few nights ago, I didn't even wake up until 6am!

Today I had my check-up! Aside from making me take all my clothes off in a cold room, and then poking and prodding me with chilly tools, it wasn't so bad. I can't get my shots until I am actually 6 months old (which is on the 25th), so I didn't get stuck with any needles this time. Anyway. I am sure you have all been holding your breath to find out just how big I have grown: I am 28.7 inches long (74cm), and I weigh 19.2 lbs (about 8900g)!!! Yep, yep, I am a big, big boy. Just like my Dad. My parents don't need a work-out gym... they can just continue to lift ME all day!

Look at me play! Dad hung a blank CD from my playground, and it is fun to chew on!!!

Ok, so remember my lesson in caterpillar-crawling? Well, I have a much more effective mode of transportation these days! It is called the speed-rollover (also used in war zones, by the way!). Once I get going, I can go and go until I hit a barrier (the couch, the playpen, or the kitty!). Yesterday I had so much momentum that I rolled right on top of the kitty... he was surprized, (as was I) and was able to wiggle out from underneath me, but I had his tail pinned, so he wasn't going anywhere! I started pulling his ears, and got a few mouthfulls of his fur... but then my Momma spoiled the fun by freeing the kitty... coming to think of it, this was probably a good thing, because he was beginning to bite my feet!

Just for the record, the kitty and I are friends! We are! I don't torment him more than he lets me... He has figured out that I am rather fun to play with, and he frequently plops down right next to me. Sometimes he even bats the toys away from me. Here he decided his ears had been pulled enough... and was TRYING to get away. Haha! But my grabby little hands were too quick for him!

Swimming, Teething, and going to work with Dad!

You have probably begun to wonder what I have been up to! Well, let me tell you about the highlights:
Last weekend my Dad and Momma took me to Frankfurt to visit Jasmin and Timon! While we were there, I got to go swimming for the first time. It was quite the adventure. For the first 5 or so minutes I wasn't quite sure if I liked being in the water, and would hold on to my Dad or my Momma for dear life, making a very unhappy face. Then I realized that I can wiggle all sorts of waggles in the water! Those of you who have seen me "live" know how much I love wiggling... well, it works even better in the pool! I got a fright the first few times my wiggling arms made me splash my face... and then I gave Dad a fright by grabbing onto his chest hair! My Momma let me float on my back, supporting just my head, and I accidently dipped my face in the water a few times while "floating" on my tummy... but I liked it, I did! I also got to play with these weird streams of water that looked like cables (cables are FUN to play with) and were spraying out from the side of the pool. Tricky things, they were... I'd try to grab one, and it would squirt me in the face! Then my Dad and Jasmin and Timon played with me in the water for a bit while my Momma swam laps. After swimming, I was really hungry and thirsty, and then it was bed-time. I didn't even wait until we were home, but fell into a deep, deep sleep in the car. I enjoyed swimming so much that my Momma and Dad are going to take me swimming more often... and we will get a disposable waterproof camera to take a few pictures next time!

Hmmm. What else hav I been up to? Ahhhh! Yes! I got to go to work with my Dad! My Momma had a doctor's appointment, and Dad decided to take me with him to work. He had me sort through files, and I got to deal out a few article 15s to some soldiers... not really. I mostly basked in the admiration of his co-workers, and chewed on Dad's wallet and his cell phone. He had brought my own toys, but Dad's cell phone is SO much more interesting! Just wait til I have teeth! After a while, I got tired and took a nap... and then when I woke up, Dad brought me back to my Momma, and I had a good meal of yummy milk!

Speaking of milk, my Momma is still breast-feeding me 100%... but on Christmas day I will be 6 months old, and I get to try "real" food for the first time! ("real" as in mushed up pumpkin or peas, and cereal). I bet my Dad and Momma will get some good pictures from the experience!

Please admire my toothless smile... because it will not be toothless for much longer! I have spent the last three days being very uncomfortable because my first tooth is trying to come in on the bottom... it still hasn't quite made it, but the gum is red and swollen, and there is a little white point peaking. Lots of slobbering, and chewing on everything, everyone, and anything helps. My Momma also puts some ointment on my gum that numbs it. She tried it herself, and she shuddered from the taste just like I did, and then was weirded out when her lip went numb! I want to be held all the time right now, and am pretty fussy... it is a first for my Momma and Dad, but they will learn... cuz I have 23 more teeth that will come in after this one!

Uhm, no, I am not on a leash here... this is just a ribbon dangling for me to play with. I love playing with cables, and so my Momma and Dad are trying to re-direct my interest to ribbons and string instead... but cables are so much more yummy!

Ah, yes. My book. The edges are a bit more worn, but it is just as delicious as ever! If the pages aren't too wet, my Momma looks at the pictures with me and makes the animal noises and explains what they eat. I really like the horsy-noise and the sniffing bunny is great fun, too!

When nobody is available to read to me, I talk to my book myself. I am not yet able to open it, or turn the pages. But the good old kittens and airplane never fail to fascinate...

Yes, so I am told that traditionally babies are supposed to play with the dangly toys that hang off of this thing. How boring! It is so much more fun to pull myself over by the legs, or to push the whole thing around! I also like lifting the whole contraption by one leg, and chewing on the round blue ball on the end...

Walkin' in the Park with my Dad and Momma

A few days ago, my Dad and Momma took me for a walk in the Louisenpark in Mannheim. It is a huge, beautiful park with lots of playgrounds and greenhouses, and even a small zoo! The animals were still kind of boring, and I can't really play on the playground yet, either... but the bright green leaves in the tropical greenhouses sure were fun to look at!

Yes, yes, I know. Bundled like this I look kind of like a larva... but really, I am a human youngling. Not a larva at all. Nope.
Oh! Yep! Just what I was going to say! Ga! But why are you making that funny face at me, Dad?
Oh! To think that I did without my Dad for all those months without knowing what I was missing! I love having him around!
Don't I look like mini-Ben? My Momma thinks I am going to look just like my Dad when I am big... so that means I will be one dashingly goodlooking guy, right?
Ok, I am not sure why my Momma decided to photograph me from this angle. Bottom line (excuse the pun), I can now stick my feet in the air and grab my toes. I like doing that most of all while she is changing my diaper because then I actually can SEE my toes. Otherwise they hide in my socks, but I can take them off if I pull hard enough...

Waddaya mean, stop looking so serious and smile? I am busy studying for my SATs over here!
Nothing like a good old rattle. This is my "focus" -face. I point my upper lip, and tuck in my chin(s).
Alright, time for my Momma to stop working on the computer and start playing with me!

...my Dad is home!!!

My Dad came home on Tuesday morning! We are a complete little family again! My Dad and about 300 other Soldiers arrived in buses from the airport, and there was a fancy welcome-home ceremony where the soldiers marched in formation and yelled stuff. And then my Momma, who was laughing and crying at the same time, carried me over to this big, strong looking guy who had a big smile on his face. My Momma gave him a big kiss, and he kissed back, and they kinda squished me in the middle... but it was nice. And then my Momma told me that this is my Dad! So there was the face that went with the voice on the phone! And he held me, and kissed me, and made all sorts of funny faces and sounds at me... I loved it!

Oooooooh.... this is nice..... I like being in my Dad's big strong arms...


Look! It's me and my Dad playing! I think we are going to have great fun together...

Reading books... *errrr* sort of!

Ok, so just in case some of my fans were wondering if I was a boy-genius who learned to read at the tender age of 4 months: Sorry, but I am going to have to disappoint you. Nope, I can't read. You may be surprised to hear that. But, alas.... still working on other important skills. I have however discovered the joy of books! Yep, this one in particular. If I wave it around, sometimes it shows me different pictures! And the front has something different on it than the back! (Kittens on front, airplane on back) I can spend quite a bit of time just turning it back and forth, looking at the front, looking at the back, and so on. Ah, yes. And never neglect the culinary delight of a good book. Delicious. Just the thought of it makes me drool. Oh. Wait. Pretty much anything makes me drool these days... but you get the point. Love my book.

Uh! Uh! Grrr! It doesn't fit in my mouth this way!
Oooooooooh! Pretty blue sky with an airplane in it! Wonder how it tastes!?
Yep, and the kittens are on this side. Cool. They are there every time I look. Can't get tired of this game. Turning the book over and over and over.... and over!
Uhhhhm, right. Can't hear anything. It doesn't rattle. Nope, nothing. Humpf.
Oh! Hey! Wow! There are those kittens again! I love this thing!

A day in my life....

Since many of you live so far away, I thought I would give you a general outline of my day.
6:30am -wake up for breakfast! Boy, am I hungry! My Momma can get me to go back to sleep after this meal if she takes me into her bed and cuddles with me...
7:30-8am -wake up all the way! If my Momma is asleep, I make sure she gets to enjoy the morning just as much as I do by chirping and squawking as loud as I can. If she keeps on sleeping, I start fussing, but as soon as her eyes are open and her head leaves the pillow, I greet her with a squeak of delight.
8am-8:20(ish)am -my second breakfast, and then I listen to Bach/Bethoven/Mozart music from my mobile! I accompany the music with my LOUD yells and squeals of joy. Oh yeah, and I also fill my diaper during this time. While I am listening to my music, my Momma showers and eats breakfast.
8:30(ish)-10am -play time! My Momma looks at books with me and sings with me and plays with me... I love this time!
10-10:30(ish) -I start winding down and get fussy. My Momma often holds me on her lap while she checks eMails, or will cuddle with me on the couch. If she puts me down for my nap too early, I cry really hard, so she has to keep me awake for a bit longer...
11am-noon -nap time! I got the nap routine down... my Momma puts me in my crib, gives me a kiss, and tells me to go to sleep. Sometimes she sings me a song. Then I fuss for 3-10 minutes, and finally pull the burp cloth over my eyes and fall asleep.
12noon -feed me!!!!! Lunch time for me! Still 100% breastmilk for me... no food food yet.
12:20 (ish)-1pm -play on my blanket! My Momma puts me on my tummy, and I play and scoot, and pretend to be an airplane. Eventually I get tired of being on my belly, so I either roll over, or fuss until my Momma turns me over. My Momma usually eats lunch while I play.
1pm-2pm -if my Momma has errands to run, she puts me in the Mayan wrap or the stroller, and we go outside.
2:30(ish) -I start winding down again... but don't put me in my crib to early!
3pm -4(ish) -nap time! Sometimes I cut this nap short and only sleep until 3:30pm, depending on how soon I get hungry again.
3:30/4(ish)pm -feed me!!!!! This is my smalles meal, cuz I often get distracted...
4pm-5 (ish) - play time! My Momma will put me on my blanket in the living room again, or in my baby bouncer. Sometimes she paints or reads during this time... as long as I can see her, I am fine with that. This is also the time when my Momma usually gives me my bath, but not every day. (I LOVE bathtime!)
5(ish)pm -I start winding down again... sometimes I even take a mini-nap of 15 minutes. From now to bedtime, I want to be held by my Momma...
6:15pm (ish) -my Momma puts my nighty on, and gives me a final meal... then she puts me to bed. Sometimes I go right to sleep, sometimes I cry for about 10-20 minutes... but eventually I sleep.
11pm -ever now and then I still wake up for a meal... but most of the time I skip this one...
1:30am -feed me! My Momma has to rub my cheek though to make sure I keep drinking... it's so cozy being held that I often start dropping off again...
4am -feed me again!
6:30am -start over!

-
Of course, there are always variations. Wednesdays is youth group day, so I sleep in my Mayan wrap until my Momma puts me to bed at home. If my Momma has errands to run, I take my nap(s) in the stroller or the Mayan wrap.


Uhm, waddaya mean, I am no longer on my blanket? So I moved backwards this time! You trying to limit me? The world is my blanket, and I will explore it all!
Hi there! Is there a name for this yoga-exercise?
Resting a bit...
Hello! Hi! I see you!
Yeah... I know... went backwards instead of forwards again...
Look, Uncle Rob, I can fly too! And I can even wiggle my legs while I do it! Bet your airplane can't do that!

Mark's caterpillar lesson!

So YOU may think that WALKING is cool, but in my opinion, it is completely overrated! I think it is much more fun to scoot around the ground like a caterpillar! At least for now. You think I look goofy? Well, my self esteem can handle that!

Ohhhhh, man, my Momma put my toys out of my reach AGAIN! That big bully! Well, let the lesson begin.

Uh! Uh! Scoot that diaper-butt into the air! Ok! That should do the job!

Ok! Now push forward with the feet! Ouch, my cheek is being smooshed into the ground... gotta work on that...

*grunt* and then you lift the head to get your bearings... unfortunately this method doesn't always take you in the direction you intended...

Ha! Boy, did I show her! See? I got my toy! Watch out, world, here I come!

Phew, time for a rest! That was hard work!

How to grow a mustache!

So you may have heard that my Dad grew a mustache this month for some kind of "Hoooah" team building thingy in his platoon... or maybe they were just trying to prove that they are manly enough to grow facial hair... who knows? Well, my Dad is not the only manly man in this family! Look! I can grow a mustache too!

Uhm, yeah. See? I look really mature when I put on my thoughtful face! Do I look smart or what? Any chance I will be mistaken for a highschooler when my Momma takes me to youth group?

Pfffffft, waddaya mean, that isn't a real mustache? Are you trying to start a philosophical debate on the reality of things? Try me! I'll win it!

Woopsie, right, Mom, nice try, wiping my mustache off! Looks like you'll need a lot more than baby lotion to take this token of my manliness from me! *Arrrrrgh!* Yup, that was ME who just burped that loudly. I'm a man! I'm a man! I'm a manly manly man!