Just So You Know Part I

Mom and dad have been telling me that I am going to have a lot of visitors between now and until we leave so I thought I would jot down some things that people may not know about Britain that I have learned are different than in North America.

Some of the most different things are the names of car parts. For example the hood of the car is called a 'bonnet' and the trunk is called the 'boot'. Tires are spelt 'tyres' for some odd reason. Semi trailers are called 'trollies' and fuel is called 'petrol' (and it costs a lot more money).

Also, the Welsh do not like being called English and do not call Wales, England! But it is ok to call them British or Brits but they still prefer Welsh. And you can say that you are in the U.K. or Great Britain even if you are in Wales.

When I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Tea

Yesterday mom, dad, and I went across the street to visit David and Nermal for tea. David had some great stories to tell about fighting in WWII, traveling to Canada, and the history of Swansea.

Apparently Swansea was mostly destroyed by German bombings in 1939. Most of the children were sent out of the town (as David was) to orphanages, relatives, or boarding schools until the war was through. David finished school and joined the war in 1944. He remembers a contigent of African American infantry stationed in Swansea before D-Day. He remembers this clearly because until then most people in Wales had never seen black men before.

David travelled to Canada but left because he thought Canadians worked to hard! David used to be a rock climber but now he just mountain hikes with Nermal. They have almost made it to Mount Everest base camp as well many other famous mountains in Switzerland and Nepal.

David's wife, Nermal, is a doctor from India. She moved to Wales to work at the hospital in Morriston where she met David and stayed in Wales.

It was a fun afternoon and we made some new friends!

Their house had lots of nice ornaments that I got play with. Mom and dad chased me around the house quite a bit. Apparently they thought I was going to trash the place.

Bracelet Bay

This weekend we went to Bracelet Bay just outside of Mumbles. Unfortunately the weather was very very windy. I played for a little while on the swings and then we had a snack at a seaside restaurant.


This picture is us overlooking the bay from the front deck of the restaurant. If weather was better we probably would have stayed longer but we were unaware that Hurricane Katrina was coming into town. We'll have to go back when the weather is better for the whole experience.

Getting the Belt

Everytime I notice dad is wearing a belt I try to make dad take it off and give it to me. If big boys wear belts that I should be wearing one because I am really big. Finally mom got me a belt! This picture is of me modeling my new belt. It is just like a belt that dad has! However, my pants still keep falling down even though I am wearing a belt... I think I need to grow a butt.

The Swimming Ninja

Guess what I am wearing!


It's either a one piece swimsuit that protects me from the sun's rays or its my costume for my new job as baby wrestler. My character is the Green Ninja. As you can see by the picture I am preparing for my cage match.


Here's me preparing for my secret move 'the finger of death'!

Just kidding. Mom took me swimming in this outfit to get me used to being in it. I guess I have to wear this on the beach. I like it quite a bit. It shows off my great body (I know I need to work on the baby fat belly).

Robin Hood

In some places of the world they call me a ranger. In Britain they call me little John.

This metal staff is part of a baby gate my parents finally had to break down and buy. I guess they didn't like me rippin' up the stairs all the time. I don't know why, I am as graceful as they come and I've only fallen a few times... each minute.

Praying and Walls

Here are some newly revealed photos from last weekend in Brecon. We were walking beside one of the rivers and I saw a gate I thought I could get through. The gate was locked but that didn't stop me from trying.


I also thought about going over the wall but as you can see by the picture, its a little high!

I am getting really good at praying before dinner. As soon as dad starts praying for the food I fold my hands together. I don't quite have the 'closing my eyes' thing down yet. While we are praying I keep looking back and forth between mom and dad giggling the whole time!

The Bambino

Tonight dad was telling me about the person who gave me my nickname. The Bambino. I don't really know too much about him but I guess he was pretty good. His picture is above.

For those of you that don't know I was born during the game where the curse of the Bambino was broken during the Pennant championship when the Red Sox made a miracle comeback to beat the Yankees. Mom and dad were watching the game in the hospital room while mom was in labor. I must have wanted to see the end of the game since I came flyin' out! Since then my nickname has been the Bambino, Bams, Bammer, Beez, etc.

Soccer

Here's me playing one of my new favorite sports. Soccer. Since dad has banned me from playing basketball and I am pretty violent with the hockey stick (although I do play with my hockey a lot!) I hava picked up the game of soccer. Unfortunately, dad says that when I carry the ball I am 'breaking the rules'. Mom says I break the rules a lot so I might as well keep up the good work!

PS - For all you Shutterfly.com members mom just uploaded all our Christmas pictures to the website. In case the number of pictures on the website doesn't give you a fill of the Bambino.

Brecon

Today we went to town of Brecon in the Brecon Beacons National Park just west of the Black Mountains.


Above is the town castle which has been converted to hotel. There is also a stunning cathedral (built in 1093 by the Normans).


We stopped by a park where I played on a merry-go-round. First dad pushed me around (with mom holding me) and then I pushed dad around.


Brecon is one of the starting areas where one can rent a canal boat that goes on the many canals of Wales and western England. Unfortunately boats don't start sailing until the first Sunday of March. I told mom and dad we are definately going.


Within the town of Brecon two rivers meet. The town streets are narrow but well kept. Mom and dad thought it would be a neat town to own a house or cottage. Apparently a lot of people had the same idea. The house prices (for a stand alone house) in the town fell between $300,000 USD and $600,000 USD. A little more than we have in the bank account. Even my college fund wouldn't help with that bill.


We have marked down Brecon as a place we definately need to return to. The drive through the National Park is beautiful and it is less than an hour from Swansea.

Pre School

A little too big dad! He's always trying to save money and now he is trying to give me his hand-me-downs already.

Today dad took us out to eat at the Dillon Thomas restaurant after he was done with work. There was a 11 month year-old boy at the restaurant sitting beside us who was just my size! I let him borrow my container lid. Apparently getting along with others is one of the key ingredients to passing pre-school so I am well on my way, unlike dad who failed pre-school.

Coloring, Sitting, Sleeping, Bath, and Haircut

Here's a picture of my first coloring session. I didn't do too much besides some light scribbling. Most of the marks you see on the paper were made by my dad as he tried to demonstrate how to use the crayons. Dad went outside the lines!


Sitting is one of my favorite things and this is something I can do in combination with backward walking. I can start from far away and walk backward until I reach the stairs with my butt and I sit down. Sometimes I'll just sit here and watch all the activity.


This is where I sleep guys. Just in case anyone was wondering. Cribs (called cots here) are considerably smaller than cribs in North America but I am used to it. When I go home it'll be like getting upgraded to a king sized bed!


I got a little out of control at supper time tonight. Even I knew I needed a bath so I went straight to the bathroom and got the soap!


Here's the before picture of me getting my haircut. Notice there is no after picture. Even though dad was distracting me I wouldn't let mom cut my hair. I knew she was doing something up there! I overheard mom and dad say they were going to have to get safety scissors and pin me down. Not likely.

More Updates

Here's another update on what I have been doing because I change so much everyday.

One of my new tricks, that dad really likes, is that I can wiggle out of my carseat while my parents aren't looking. Usually my parents put me in the car, then we start driving, then they look back and I am sitting in my chair... with my seat belts half off. I think its pretty funny. Mom and dad do not think it is funny.

I also like to brush my teeth more and more (interesting because I used to loath teeth brushing). I like to spin in circles, bounce to music, and especially, almost more than anything, I like to walk backwards.

I like to turn lights on and off whenever possible. Sometime I crawl up the stairs and reach through the spindles and turn the lamp on and off. When we were in London the lights were right at my level so I could turn them on and off all dad long.

Today I drew with crayons for this first time. Mom and dad made me stay in the high chair to color. I don't know why they don't trust me with crayons around the house?

Another thing I learned just tonight is how to fold my hands to pray before dinner. Unfortunately I haven't grasped waiting before the prayer has ended before starting dinner. When dad finished praying and my mom and dad opened their eyes I was half way through my first plate. I can't help it, the burgers were so good!

After dinner I put my newest skill to work. Mom and dad taught me 'more' and 'eat' in sign language. Whenever I get the hankering I wander around the house yelling and signing 'more'! 'More'! Tonight I got three crackers out of the deal.

The Gower Again

This weekend we went out into the Gower. We have gone into the Gower before but not nearly as far as went today. We went all the way to the end.


We went down to the ocean to walk around a bit. Here's a picture of me discovering my first sea shells.


Suddenly I looked over and there were two horses walking down the beach. I loves horses! I could not take my eyes off of them. Later we drove further up the coast and I saw them again. I think they just wander down the beach all day. One of the riders was dressed in a fluorescent jersey. Either she was a police officer patrolling the beach or she was afraid of getting run over by rogue sea gulls.


The weather today was beautiful. When the sun was out it was down right hot. Officially I think the temperature was about 10 degrees Celsius or about 50+ degree Fahrenheit but with the sun it was probably closer to 15 degrees Celsius or so which is almost 'no jacket' weather.


We stopped a roadside restaurant called Compass where we had some sandwiches and chips. The food took forever to arrive so I tried on dad's sunglasses. Here's a side-by-side of me and dad. I'm sure glad I didn't get his looks.

Driving Baby

Today mom and me drove to Mumbles to see Emma. I was a good boy in my car seat all day and didn't even cry. Then we went to dad's work to help dad finish up. I was a pretty big help. I re-arranged dad's office and moved some papers around. Then I took a #2 in the room and mommy changed me on the floor of dad's office. When you have to go you have to go!

Outta Here

I do love ripping around in wide open spaces. Here are some pics of me in Green Park in London, England that last weekend.

We are still trying to decide where to go this weekend. With me its always an adventure! Dad says that gas price gouging is still doing on so we'll have to see. Gas is priced at a real bargain of $6.50 USD per gallon and the gas tank takes $100 USD to fill!

Breaking News

I just wanted to let everyone know about the newest things I have learned:

I now know where my nose, ears, mouth, and toes are and mom and dad's too.

I also know what pants, shoes, socks, coats, and jim jam's are. If I had my choice I think I would stay in my jim jam's all day, mom's says she would too.

I just learned how to blow a kiss & give kisses too. Mom says I am such a sweet heart...all I know is that must be a good thing.

Finally I learned how to march, although I am having a hard time doing it with both legs, so I just do the one legged march.

I guess all this means that basically I am no longer a baby, but a BIG BOY!

Playzone

Yesterday mom and Emma took me to a local indoor play area where they even have a play area for kids less than four years old! Of course mom forgot to bring the camera even though I told her a bunch of times.

There were a lot of really soft toys for us to play on in an enclosed area where mom watches from the outside. At first I was really shy and didn't want to touch anything (since mom and dad are always telling me what not to do all the time) but then when I realized I was allowed to play with everything I was ripping around everywhere.

One time I was playing and a girl about my age came and pushed me over! It was really mean! I just ignored her because dad told me not to hit girls and I didn't want to hurt her.

Dad has been teaching me some of girls' meanest tricks such as the push over (which I experienced), the groin kick, the eye gouge, the fishhook, and the hair pull. I'll be ready next time!

London

UPDATED 01/09/2006 with new photos!


This weekend I put on my classiest outfit and took my parents to London. We got up early Saturday morning and caught the train from Swansea to London Paddington Station. The train ride took almost four hours but we were in London a little past noon.


Dad got us a room at the luxurious Hilton Green Park Hotel which is very close to Buckingham Palace. We got upgraded to a king suite room and they even had a little cot (crib) just for me!


Here's a picture of me and mom at Piccadilly Circus. I liked to look at all the flashy lights. We warmed up in Starbucks along the way but with no sun and a temperature of only about 5 degrees Celsius it was sort of cool.


These next two pictures are of us at Trafalgar Square. The Canadian Embassy has front row seats to Trafalgar Square, I am not sure how they ended up with such prime real estate.
The other site at Trafalgar Square was the National Gallery. We never got to in since mom and dad had a feeling that I might run amok. I wonder why they would think that?

Here's me and mom in front of Big Ben and Parliament. From here we could see London bridge, the Ferris wheel, and we could have seen Tower Bridge if the weather had been clearer.

While we were walking around on Saturday I got a little cold because my mom and dad carried me around most of the time and I wasn’t keeping warm moving like they were. Because mom and dad felt so bad I got the spa treatment back at the hotel and got to relax in the big bed, order room service, and get pampered. But don’t I get this treatment all the time?

Once we got back to the hotel one of the funniest things I have ever seen happened. Right now I always like to see where my mom and dad are. Dad needed to go to the bathroom so he left the door open so that I would be happy. I ordered room service and mom decided it was time to put the food tray in the hall so she opened the door wide open. It just happens there is a perfect line of sight from the door, into the hotel room bathroom. Of course right when Heidi opens the door dad yells out, "Heidi! What are you thinking?" and two girls from down the hall go walking by the room. Alerted by dad's voice both girls look into the room to see dad sitting on the throne reading a local tour brochure. The girls could be heard laughing down the hall. Needless to say mom thought this was the funniest thing that has ever happened. The only thing that could have made it funnier was if we met the girls again.

At breakfast the next day I took mom and down extra early because we wanted an early start on the day. The waiter showed us to our table... right beside the girls that had seen dad in the bathroom! Somehow the girls managed to contain themselves throughout the breakfast but could be heard laughing as they left the breakfast area. Unbelievable.

Here's a picture of me right in front of the gate at Buckingham Palace. If you look closely you might be able to see the Queen's Guards.


Across from Buckingham Palace is Queen Victoria's Memorial. I was supposed to be looking at my mom during the picture but I couldn't get my eyes off my mom she's so cute!


Here's a picture of me trashing my hotel room, well, the bathroom anyway. I love unrolling toilet paper rolls and this bathroom had two!

Because of the light weekend traffic the trains were not running all the way to Swansea so we were forced to get off and catch a bus at Cardiff. Incredibly the train company had to hire three buses to take all the Swansea passengers. I can’t imagine it would have been more expensive to run the train a couple more stops.

Needless to say we are all tired from the weekend and looking forward to a week of recovery!

I might add more pictures to this post later but for now, I need some rest!

Sleepytime

Here is a picture of me and my dad sleeping in the chair. We were both sleeping but my sixth sense picked up that someone was taking a picture of me and I wanted to see what was going on.

I really like to take my blanket with me more and more now. I always have slept with my blanket but now I like to have it within an arms reach, even when I'm eating. No! I don't eat with it I just like to have it within my line of sight incase I need a quick snuggle.

How Big Is Brenden

Here is a picture of me showing my dad how big I am. Notice my cool mittens I am wearing (indoors). I love outdoor clothes right now. I especially like to put on my dad's leather gloves (even though they come up to me elbows). I also like to look at and wear outdoor jackets.

Rudolph The Red Nose Baby

Well today I got my first of what I am sure will many, many nose bleeds. I was running really fast into the bathroom and tripped on a bathroom rug and did a face plant into the bath rub. There was blood (only a little cause I'm tough) and a lot of tears.

In the picture you can sort of see the busted blood vessels on the left (my left) side of my nose.

What Day Is It? Where's My Mom? What's That Smell?

Those are typically the first three things I think of in the morning. However, looking at this picture I should be asking "where is my comb?".

Usually I wake up around 7 AM but during the week I always wake up as soon as I hear dad get in the shower. No matter how quite he is I have a sixth sense lets me know as soon as anyone is up because then I know its time for me to get up and rip around.

No Heat

Well this is annoying. Sometime last night our boiler quit working meaning we have been without primary heat for the last day. Fortunately we have a gas fire place to provide some heat but tonight will still be a cool one! Mommy made me wear three layers of onesies to bed tonight. I think I am tougher than that mom!

Luckily the temperature during the day was 10 degrees Celsius (which is 50 degrees Fahrenheit for my American fans!) so things didn't get too cold. We'll see about tonight though.

The gas company is coming out to our house tomorrow so hopefully they will fix things or I am going to take matters into my own hands.

Future Job

Here's me investigating this stone column. I can't believe this has stood for almost a thousand years. I tried to push it over but I couldn't. Maybe I'll be an architect when I grow up like my uncle Paul.

Fun with the Fam

Well today is my auntie Heather's last day here & I really wanted to show her a good time. So I decided to take her to Margam Park and give her a tour. It is an absolutly beautiful park with a Fortified Manor house, 12th Century Abby, traditional English gardens, rolling hills and beautiful scenery all around us. I think she really liked it there, as you can tell by the pictures.