Dr. Brandon is charming and funny. He is an excellent dancer and wasn’t at all shy about showing his moves at the local farmer’s market on Saturday morning. However, lately, Mr. Hyde is rearing his head more often than we are accustomed.

Bubba is going through a moment. Life easily frustrates him. Being 2 is sometimes really difficult. He often knows what he wants, but can’t always express his needs or is highly disappointed when the answer is “no”. Other times I don’t see any rhyme or reason behind his suffering and just wonder what is going on in his head. Throwing himself on the floor and banging his head have become daily reactions to aggravating times.

Baking Oatmeal Cookies

I’ve let him bake with me a few times. So now often when he sees me cooking he will get the chair and want to participate-which is not always a safe option. Thus like Bill Bixby would morph into the hulk when angry, Brandon too changes into a wild man.

“This too shall pass”.  In the meantime, we are just trying to be patient and loving-and when that isn´t possible, we pass him off to someone else. 

Popsicle

We have been enjoying some glorious summer days.  Brandon’s godmother has been making popsicles and we have loved sharing one on these hot afternoons.

Cleaning

Last Tuesday, Brandon found the joy of cleaning.  He would steal the sponge we use to wash dishes and wipe “clean” different surfaces in the kitchen.  It kept him busy for long stretches of the day.

Exploring

Our little man is getting gutsier.  He loves to go out an explore our new yard.  We need to be extra careful as he has “escaped” on a solo mission several times.

Eating Pasta

Brandon continues not to be too picky about his food.  He likes to sit on the chair with his bowl in front of him (he can´t reach the table) and feed himself.  Sometimes he uses a fork and sometimes he doesn’t.  Sometimes it goes right in his mouth and sometimes it doesn’t.

The sun is shining every day now and we are living it up.

Sitting Up in the Jocote Tree

Digging in the Dirt

The boy loves dirt! I guess most little boys do. On Friday, Brandon decided to cover himself in it while waiting for Papa to get home from work.

Lovin' Every Minute of It

Tío Victor keeps his cow and her baby on our property. Brandon and I visit with them every day.

Vaca and her Baby

After a long break, the blog is back!

2009 has been busy so far. We started off with a visit from Mom. It is always wonderful to have her here and difficult to see her go.

Mom, Virgilio, Brandon and I at the Basilica of the Virgin

At the end of January we made a quick and big decision to sell our lovely little home and purchase Virgilio´s parents´ place next door. The house and land are larger and we would hate to see the family land in someone else´s hands. So, we spent February packing and prepping the old house and the March focus has been in making our new house a home.  Here are some pictures of the Brandon and his new yard:

Helping Papa Dig out the Plants in the Middle of the Yard

Playing in the Dirt

Enjoying the Sunday Morning Sun in the Front Yard

View out the Kitchen Door

Toilet Training Begins

The great trek towards independence and less garbage has begun.  We had two successful trips to the bathroom today.  We shall see what tomorrow holds.  Wish us luck!

It is hard to believe that my “baby” is now two.  I have been sifting through pictures and I am shocked to see how much our little boy has grown and changed.  Virgilio and I feel so blessed to be Brandon´s parents. “Thank you God for the gift of Brandon.”

December 2006

December 2007

December 2008

Christmas morning began with Brandon opening his two gifts while the coffee brewed and the tamales boiled(typical Costa Rican christmas food made by Virgilio´s sister Denia).

Brandon wasn´t quite sure how this present thing worked.  We gave him his first present and he just played with it while wrapped.  We tore open corners of the paper at different moments trying to model proper Christmas morning behavior, but it still took him 5 minutes to open the first present.

Once he achieved that feat, we gave him gift number 2 which he promptly threw on the ground.  Apparently he was busy looking at his new book.

Playing With His New Car

Around one o´clock the gang started to arrive.  Three of Virgilio’s siblings and their families and some friends of ours came over for Christmas lunch:  lazagna, salad, and Karen´s yummy bread sticks.  After dinner, coffee, and Christmas cut out cookies it was time for the crazy grab a gift from the center or steal a gift from a loved one.  Lots of laughs were had by all.

It was a beautiful day, so the dads and kids went out front for a little Christmas sledding down the little hill under our mango tree.

Sledding

We had a lovely day, but certainly missed all of you who weren´t with us.  We also apologize to the entire Dooley contingent for not answering your many phone calls.   Our little elf had turned off the ringer on the phone!

Watching the Horse Competition with Chris and Karen

Abuelo (Grandpa) Virgilio  worked as the head lay person in the church for 35 years until a few months ago when he moved to a different town.  Here in the countryside this includes at least two litergies per month, an activiy every thursday, saying the final blessings over the dead, accompanying the family of a dying relative, organizing the other lay people, attending meetings, visiting the sick, bringing communion to the elderly…the list goes on.

In appreciation for all his work and leadership, the church council decided to organize a day in his honor.  This included his favorite horse riding competion, an open mic where people said lovely things about him (including a very touching speech by Virgilio jr.), mass, a plaque unveiling, dinner and bingo.  It was a great day to celebrate a great man.

This week we learned that the “Great Escape” is possible.  For those of you unfamiliar with our driveway, it is a long hill full of tree roots and rocks.  Brandon not being much of a daredevil, we thought much more time would go by before he would even attempt the adventure.  Not so. It was a slow trip done partly on foot and partly on his bum, but he made it all the way to the street.

Our baby will be TWO in about two weeks.  Amazing but true.

Halfway There

Part Two

Reaching the Door to Freedom

Brandon and Christopher got together this afternoon and spent some quality time appreciating the beauty of the moon.