playground

Ever since we moved into our neighborhood I have looked forward to someday taking our little one to the playground, just a short walk from our house. Yesterday was our first visit. Oscar got a Radio Flyer wagon from Grannie and Grandpa Irv for his birthday... so we loaded it up and off we went. He wasn't sure what to do with all the playground equipment but he will learn all those skills soon enough. We plan to be going as often as possible.

"Hi, I'm Oscar. Who are you?"

"wheeeee."
A TOUR OF THE PLAYGROUND

exploring outside

The weather is finally warming up enough for us to explore the outdoors. Now that the ice and snow have receded we can let Oscar walk around on his own.

He played some B-ball with Dada

and visited the neighbors with Mama.
We are all happy to be outside!

Bradley Babies

We recently hosted a little get together with the other Bradley families. Unfortunately, a few of the other families were not able to make it. We did enjoy seeing everyone that was able to make it. The boys are all growing and learning so quickly. They all seemed entertained by each other and got a kick out of showing off their tricks.

Oscar explores the zoo

Oscar and I went to the MN Zoo last week for an outing with our neighbors Laura and Alice. This was the first time we've been to the zoo since Oscar has started walking. We explored the tropical forest and he walked the whole path! He excitedly checked out each animal and was quite surprised that they moved (especially the Gibbon). I think his favorite was the turtles... he recently started saying "tur-tl". We are so looking forward to the warmer days to ahead and many more afternoons at the zoo!

silly O's

Olive and Oscar have really been enjoying each others company lately. Oscar immediately gets wound-up around her... and they just get silly. It's contagious!

GG comes to town!

Last weekend, "GG" (aka. Great-grandma Amaro) and Grannie came to visit Oscar. It was a very relaxing weekend hangout at home and just getting to spend time together. GG came ready to cook and get our freezer stocked with her homemade deliciousness. It was a great chance for her to share her kitchen wisdom and pass along some of our favorite family recipes. Oscar thoroughly enjoyed all the attention and loved getting to spend quality time with GG. It was so nice to get to have my Grandma visit, she doesn't really travel, so this was a huge treat for all of us. I think she really had fun getting out of town! Hopefully she will get back to visit us once the weather warms up and there isn't 3' of snow on the ground.

making meatballsenjoying meatballsGG shared her pizza with Oscar... and he LOVED it
"my new wagon... when can we go outside?"
dancing with Grannie
"bye-bye"

Happy Birthday to Oz!

Oscar turned ONE!

Matt and I are amazed that it has been a year since this little guy joined our family. It seems like he has been here forever. We spent the day reflecting on February 2, 2009 and the events leading up to his BIG arrival.

cake #1

"look, no hands!""I have to open ALL these presents?" (mini) cake #2

It seemed as if his birthday celebrations were going to last forever. The week afforded him the opportunity to taste 4 cakes! He quickly became a fan of dessert, especially the ice cream. We will have to practice blowing out candles for next year, but he loves the birthday song... and cheerfully applauded each performance.

"GG is funny"

cake #4Oscar has accomplished many of the typical milestones over the last year... but a few of the current highlights are:

• Weighs in at 22 lbs, 29in, on his birthday
  
• Has 6 teeth, and possibly 2 more on the way soon
  
• Started walking January 10th (about 3 weeks before his birthday)
• Knows about 6 very useful signs and uses them to let us know his wants and needs
  
• Says "Mama", "Dada", "Hi", "Up" and can "moo" like a cow... he has lots of words and phrases that he tries out and is starting to get pretty close to a few
  
• Will give us kisses and hugs when requested

• Consistently sleeping through the night
• Busily practices stacking and sorting his toys
• Loves music; listening and playing
• Sits quietly and attentively while we read to him - and will even bring us books he wants read to him
  

Our little guy has become a toddler! He is very busy these days. He has such a sweet and happy personality! We are thoroughly enjoying watching him learn, grow and change.

Happy Birthday little Oscar! We are looking forward to what the next year will bring. We love you so much!