Before and After

Yesterday, we were out walking and got stuck in a massive rainstorm. We took cover under a store awning. Bryce was very patient at the beginning, but became rather bored as the rain continued. Ultimately, Bryce wanted to run around in the rain and play. We were less than enthusiastic with that idea given the thunder and lightening that were accompanying the massive amount of water. Jeremy compromised and held Bryce so that he could put his hands in the rain, without getting everything soaked. Bryce would gather the rain in his hands and then put it in his hair. By the end of the rain storm, he had quite a spiky hair-doo!
Today, Bryce enjoyed the aftermath of all of yesterday's rain - the puddles! He walked his baby and stroller through every puddle we could find. There was one puddle that I only let him go part of the way in because the water came up over his knees! (I "saved" his baby and stroller from wading too deep in that puddle, too.)

Peek-a-Boo!

Bryce loves peek-a-boo...especially when it involves the blinds in his bedroom. Thankfully, this is a game he plays only when Jeremy or I are around to play, too!

Look Who Hatched!

Bryce and I started out the day by playing in the sandbox. He really cracks everyone up with the way he wears his sunglasses! We then headed to the zoo with Jackie and Julien. Bryce liked the sea lions, as usual, but I think had the most fun in the egg shells with Julien!

What a Face!

Bryce was full of giggles (and drool) today as he ran around in the mulch piles at the park. There were lots of squirrels and birds to try to catch, which is what made Bryce laugh so much!

Jeremy came home and snapped this picture of Bryce and me hanging out in his window. Bryce had fallen and hit his head a few minutes before, so his bunny and the great outdoors were providing a much needed distraction!

Flashback

I didn't take any pictures of Bryce today, so I thought (thanks to my mom's prodding) it would be fun to do a flashback story and picture.

This is from April 8th...

Bryce "drove" his truck around the park and compared it with all of the trucks we saw drive by. A very friendly two-year old came by and wanted to play with the truck. Bryce wasn't interested, so the little boy offered up a stick. Bryce still wasn't sure, but the little boy stole the truck from him anyway. Bryce was seemingly happy with the stick. Then the little boy came back and took the stick too. Bryce turned and looked at me, put both hands palms up and made his sound for "where are they at?" It was really funny!

Water Fountain Fun

Bryce and I went to the library today for story time. When we were leaving, I noticed that the library (which recently renovated it's front plaza) had turned on the fountains that run along the stairs. These fountains are perfectly sized for little kids and Bryce had a lot of fun playing in them. He started out by just putting his hands in, but then wanted to drink the water. After he soaked his head and face, I guess he figured he might as well go in all the way! Luckily, we live just across the street, so we didn't have to go far for a clothing change.

Threat of Rain

Bryce and I went out to play a couple of times today, despite the threat of rain. We did get rained on a bit, but missed most of the heavy stuff. This afternoon, we went to a playground at one of the neighborhood schools. Bryce had such a great time chasing all of the older kids. I don't think they realized that he was trying to play with them, but that didn't matter to Bryce!

Holes and Rocks

This afternoon, Bryce, Michael, Jeremy and I went out to play in the park. Jeremy snoozed on a blanket, I chased Bryce around in the field and Michael showed Bryce a big rock on the top of a hill. Bryce tried to push it around, but wasn't able to get it to budge...despite lots of grunting. Bryce also found a toddler sized hole and perfect for digging with his sticks.

Bryce's "New Baby"

Bryce met Julien in the park this afternoon for a play date. We blew bubbles, played ball, ate blueberries and then...Bryce pushed Julien around in his stroller! Bryce really had to muscle it over the bumpy grass, but I think both kids had fun!

Choo-Choo

Bryce is really interested in trains at the moment. He keeps putting together his trucks, blocks and train into one long train and then pushes them around...with the "choo-choo" sound effects, too! Bryce also discovered today that it is more fun to get out of one's crib and play rather than take a nap. It took almost two and a half hours to get him to go to sleep! Every time that I would hear the "thump" of him getting down, I would walk in and escort him to bed. The problem was that he was so cute, I had a hard time not laughing!

First (Professional) Haircut!

Bryce received his summer haircut today at LuLu's (a children's hair salon and toy store...what a combo!) He was the perfect customer...he sat still, didn't cry and loved driving the truck! Bryce also got a balloon as we were leaving and it provided him with many hours of entertainment this afternoon and evening!

Big Boy Bed

Bryce and I encountered an area in the park where someone comes and leaves food for the squirrels and birds. I had passed the man who does this the other day, but today we were there for the after effect. Bryce was in awe, though I was a little nervous that the squirrels weren't that nervous that we were around... Bryce tried to call the squirrels and birds to come to him by patting his chest, just like he does when he is trying to get Puddy to come to see him.The other exciting news of the day was that Bryce took his first nap in his big boy bed...and is currently sleeping in his big boy bed for his first overnight! He stayed awake and played for a while during naptime, but never tried to get down. We have pillows and blankets all over the floor...just in case! And, tonight for bed, he fell asleep really quickly and soundly - hopefully, the soundness will last!

1, 2, 3...Slide

Bryce is really becoming such a good mimic. Whenever he goes down the slide, I say, "1, 2, 3...slide (or go)!" Today, when he was about to go down the slide, he did it, too!

He also loves singing and signing the "Eensy-Weensy Spider" and "Pat-a-Cake"! Jeremy and I accompanied him with these two songs at least 20 times this evening...

Banana Cravings and Marking Territory

Bryce and I were at the playground this morning, when out of the blue, he turns to me and says, "banana"? I ask if he wants a banana and he says yes. Of course, I don't have a banana with me or any at home, so we leave the playground with a mission. It took 3 stores to find appropriately ripe bananas, but Bryce thought it was worth it...he ate 1 and half!Tonight after his bath, Bryce came into the living room wearing his towel like a cloak. I quickly grabbed the camera. Bryce set down the turtles he was carrying and I thought he was going to pose. Instead, he peed! I should have known... using the bathroom is about the only thing he will stand still for!

Happy Father's Day!

Bryce, Jeremy and I celebrated Father's Day by playing in the rain at the playground and then (once the rain let up) walking through the 7th Heaven Street Festival.

Bryce loved the rain...especially where it was running down the slide. It was a like a giant water fountain! Then, Bryce climbed up on a very wet bench and asked Jeremy to sit next to him. Jeremy did and then Bryce linked his arm through Jeremy's and gave me a big smile. It was so cute!Hugs and kisses to all of the dads out there!

Rockin' Out

We had a picnic in the park with some friends this afternoon. We blew bubbles, played Frisbee, kicked a ball around and played a game of Ultimate Frisbee with a ball instead. The best part of the picnic for Bryce was getting a hold of the radio! He sat in the beach chair and surfed the dial and danced to any music that happened to come on.

Catch!

Sorry for my shrieking at the end of this video, but I was just so excited! Bryce learned to catch a ball today. He used to just stand there with his hands by his sides and let the ball hit him...but now, he puts out his arms and hands to get the ball!

Stolen Truck

Bryce "found" an unattended truck at the playground this morning and was thrilled with his find! He drove it all around and even went down the slide with the truck between his legs. Of course, other little kids thought the truck looked like fun, too. Bryce didn't want to share and so took the truck and ran! Eventually, with a few tears, Bryce returned the truck to the owner.

Future Filmmaker?

Bryce, the artist, was making a movie today. I don't think it is ready for public viewing...that is, unless everyone takes a big dose of Dramamine! Lucky for me, Bryce's movie schedule wasn't too busy for giving kisses to his number one fan!

Heat Wave!

It has been really hot for the last few days, though, thankfully, we are supposed to get a break tomorrow. Bryce and I head out to the playground early to beat the heat and play in the sprinklers. Unfortunately, they are usually slow about turning on the sprinklers... Bryce doesn't mind too much because he prefers the sandbox or the puddles. For the most part, we have had a good time, though yesterday, some kid grabbed Bryce and bit his head! (It was completely unprovoked and Bryce was really freaked out! The other kid's mom was so embarrassed. It must be so hard to be the mom or dad of a biter.) In the afternoons, we nap and play inside.

Sprinklers!

We may not have lawns in Brooklyn, but the playgrounds have water sprinklers for the kids to play in...and in today's heat, those sprinklers were an absolute necessity. We left for the playground really early this morning (to beat the heat as much as possible). We had not brought Bryce's swimsuit, so we just put him in his diaper. However, he didn't want to go in the water at all. Eventually, we put his clothes back on him for extra protection. Bryce went down the slide a few times and then had a great time jumping on the bridge. He can actually jump with both feet! As more and more kids showed up at the playground, the water features became interesting to Bryce. (That, in combination with the fact that he now had all of his clothes on...) He started by running around in the puddles. Then, he copied Jeremy by trying to catch the water in his hands. Finally, he stuck his head in trying to drink the water. It was really funny when the little boy on the left was playing with the same stream of water that Bryce was trying to drink from. The little boy would put his hand in front of the stream, so the water would stop for Bryce, and then Bryce would lean in a little more trying to find the water and the little boy would move his hand and the stream would get Bryce right in the head!

NY Mini

Hot and humid greetings to everyone! This morning, Jeremy, Bryce and I trudged into Manhattan to Central Park so that I could run my very first 10K (the New York Mini). It was exceptionally warm and muggy, but despite that, I met my goal of finishing in under an hour (57:29). My good friend, Kim was running with me for most of the race, but nature called around mile 4 and I continued on without her.
While I ran, Bryce and Jeremy played at a really great playground. I quote Jeremy..."If I was a kid, I would have thought that this was an awesome playground; however, as a parent, it made me panic." The playground was a large concrete castle/fortress. Bryce loved going through the tunnels and scrambling up the stone ramps and walls. He fell once, but wasn't too bothered.
This evening, we went and listened to a band playing Nigerian dance music at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The music was a nice backdrop as we ate our dinner and chased Bryce around!