Updates on Brody

I am so far behind on blogging, I really don't know where to start. It is still hard for me to believe I am finally a mama. I just look at him sometimes and have to remind myself that he is, and will forever be my son. I remember thinking that I can't wait to be on the other side of the pain of no children. It is so surreal to have that need filled. I still long to experience all the stuff involved with a baby, but hopefully I will get to experience that one day.
Brody is into everything. He especially likes putting things in the toilet and the dogs water bowl. This morning I found my book, my shorts, and my shirt in the toilet. He has even thrown his binky in the toilet. UGH!!!!
He had another ear infection a few weeks ago, and we have finally gotten him tubes in his ears. I found out he has had 9 ear infections since November. The first few weeks we had him, his chest was so congested. We said he sounded like a cat purring. Thankfully all that has been cleared up. He immediately started walking better after the tubes. He hasn't really started talking any more than he was, but he is making more sounds with his jabbering. He has even picked up a new sound from daddy. You know how guys do that thing of clearing out the junk in their throat? Well, Brody heard Eric do that one day when he was getting his shower, and he has started making that sound. I can't help but laugh, cause it is so cute when he does it. Eric, not so much, it is just gross when he does it.
Last Friday we left for our vacation. We had to go to his follow up appointment for his tubes, then we went to Middendorf's in Manchac, LA. Anyone in the area knows how good this place is. We then cut across to the MS gulf coast. He loved the beach there. It was his first time to see the gulf. The water isn't pretty there, but he liked it just fine. I will try to post video later. The next day we went on over to Orange Beach, AL. When we took him down to the water there, he didn't like it as much because the waves were much bigger. The water there is so pretty. He did get used to it, and had a great time playing in the sand.
Brody is still clinging to men when they are around, especially the grandfathers. He is fine with me when it is just the three of us, but when the grandfathers are there, he doesn't want anything to do with me. We spent our vacation with Eric's family. Both his parents, his aunt Pat from Ohio, his brother Mike, his two boys, and Mike's fiance' Tracy. Brody wanted to cling to grandpa the whole time. On one hand, it was kind of nice to get a little bit of a break since I have had him with me the whole time since we got him. However, it really hurt my feelings that he didn't want to have anything to do with me. I know this is probably part of the stage he is in right now, but it really makes it more difficult to still be trying to bond with him, and he doesn't want me at all.
Despite the hurdles we have to get through, and the mischief he is getting into, I couldn't be more thankful for my son. He has brought such joy to my life. I am quickly finding out how difficult parenting can be, but no matter how difficult it may be at times, I wouldn't trade him for the world. He is such a sweet natured little boy. It is so cute when I call the dogs to go outside, I will pat my leg to encourage them to come on, and Brody will pat his little belly. I can say no-no Hannah or no-no Molly, and he will grunt a no-no and point his little finger at them. Right now while I am typing, he is just as content as he can be sitting and playing in their dog pen. I have to laugh when I am trying to get him down at night, and I will think he is finally starting to go to sleep, he will pop his little head up and get right in my face and say "HEY!" He still isn't giving sugar. The closes I can get is to put his binky in my mouth backwards, and he will come up to me to take it out of my mouth with his mouth. I just love seeing that little face coming up to mine with his little mouth wide open. I can't wait for the day he will actually give sugar.
Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to the beach...