Brandon has a lot to say now.  He can say beta (as in Siamese fighting fish!), banana, apple, grape, Brandon (this is a new he just started saying!), down, done, grandmama (damama), papa, drive, that, stuff, bath, pants, cookie, cracker, shoes, crab, dang dolly, boohbah, no, cheese, yumyumyum, ball...let me know if I've forgotten something!  Plus, we've been putting him on the potty for a while now, just to get him acquainted with it.  He had his first peepee on Tuesday, December 21st, 2004, and his first poo on Christmas Night, 2004.  He's an old pro at it now, and when we ask if he has to go potty, he'll run to the bathroom and wait.  He also likes to have his privacy, so if any unwanted people (or pets) try to come in, he'll hop off the potty, shoo them out, close the door, and try to get back on all by himself. 

Bear with me, folks, while I get these next photos sorted out!

Brandon started walking on his own on Tuesday, November 16th.  He was just about 15 months old.  We had gone over to my friend Rosalynne's house, and Ros, Brandon, and I were playing.  Ros and I sat on the floor, coaxed him to take a step or two, and then cheered and cheered and cheered!  We moved farther and farther apart until he was walking close to 8 feet.  For the first week or so of his new-found skill, he would only walk if there were a group of more than two people around, and they HAD to cheer as if their lives depended on it.  He's a bit dramatic.  Here are the pictures.

If you haven't noticed, the older photos and updates have been moved.  Please click here and here to see them!