Monday, September 28, 2009

For my Grandma

I spoke to both Brendan's Grandmas yesterday and they miss him like crazy. So, this video is nothing special- just everyday action. Brendan is talking and playing with a mobile in his crib. He was exercising those chubby little legs too. I love the rolls on his thighs the best! His hand-eye coordination is improving everyday. He will grab anything you put in front of him and his favorite thing to grab and pull is my hair!

First Time I held My Bottle

Brendan's Uncle Bill and Auntie Julie came over on Friday night to grill and go bowling. Right before we were about to head out Uncle Bill got Brendan to hold his own bottle for the very first time. It was short, but we were all excited for him.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Sleeping Baby

Brendan slept in his crib in his own room the last two nights. Lou and I had agreed at 3 months he would move to his nursery and leave the bassinet at the foot of our bed. He has done so good and I couldn't be more proud. I'll admit, I cried, but the first night was the worst and it's over.

It is a good thing we move him out now rather than later. He is starting to be much more aware of his surroundings and is also learning cause and effect. When I come into the room he knows it now. I love how he lights up when he sees me. He smiles constantly and I absolutely adore him for being such happy baby.

Our little guy is not so little anymore. He's got to be pushing 15 lbs. and about 25 inches long. Brendan is already growing out of his 3 month clothes and is onto 6 month clothes. I feel like he barely got to wear them and they are all tight on him. I did the most scientific measurement I could outside the doctor's office and hopped on the scale with and without him. We have a cheap scale so the weight is only a good guess.

For the record, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but still keenly aware the baby pouch and wider hips remain. While pregnant, I couldn't see the stretch marks under my belly, but I'd easily do it all over again. The damage done to my body was so worth it though because Brendan is Amazing- with a capital A!

Last week while going to Tucson I noticed all the trash between the road and Brendan actually inspired me to start a cause on Facebook called, "Green Your Community." The first event is to get people to sign up to recycle litter in their community in honor of him and his generation on 10/30. His romper above says it all, "Plant A Tree For Me!"

Over the weekend Brendan went to two luau birthday parties. The picture to the right shows he and his Daddy in their Hawaiian shirts.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Brendan Takes Tucson

On Tuesday, September 15th, Brendan, Mom, and Reese hopped in the truck and headed South to Tucson to visit his Gram. It took us about 2 and a half hours to get there from Phoenix. It was nice to visit Gram and hang out at her house. She's done a great job remodeling and decorating.

Brendan enjoyed taking a nap on his Gram's shoulder in the creaky rocking chair. We spent time together and then took Gram out to dinner before heading back home. We started to head home about 8 pm and I thought Brendan would have been sleepy. He had just ate but we weren't on the road even 10 minutes when the screaming started. I pulled over before getting on the expressway to see what the problem was and changed his diaper.

While on the expressway Brendan had many screaming- not crying or whining- screaming fits. I pulled over 4 times on the way home. One of the times I pulled off the road and parked to give him a bottle and a change, a police officer pulled behind us to make sure we were okay and stayed until we got back on the road. That time I found him with a little cut that was bleeding on the side of his nose and gave him baby Tylenol to help with any pain he may have been in.

I had never experienced so much screaming from Brendan ever. I thought maybe he was teething because he was trying to eat his hands all day. When we got home we tried unsuccessfully to take his temperature, but don't think he had a fever. We still don't know what his problem was that night, maybe he was uncomfortable, lonely in the back, didn't like the darkness, tired, had gas, or a combination. He is not teething and he soon returned to his happy self, but boy oh boy was that a long ride home. A two hour trip took three. Next time will be better and I'll make sure Daddy is with. Poor Reese was like, "Let me out of this car!"


Last Saturday, Brendan's other Grandma and Grandpa came over and babysat for us while Mom and Dad had a date night. We went for pizza at Oregano's and drinks at our favorite local pub Rosie's. We were only away a few hours, but it was nice to catch up with each other and go out alone. This was the first time in weeks Mom had shaved legs, make-up on, spit-up and booger free clothing, and her hair done. She even smelled like a lady and not a Mommy! It was wonderful! We came home and played Catch Phrase head to head for a while before going to bed. Brendan slept so well too!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Baby Development 3 Months Tracker: Baby Milestones Chart

"Brendan has met almost all of the milestones except for pushing himself up with his arms."
New Mom? Want to track your baby's developmental stages? Use our Milestone Tracker to track your baby's first year development!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Great Grandparents Visit


Brendan was lucky enough to have all of his Great Grandparents over last week to play cards and spend time with him.


He also rocked the Chicago Bears onsie his Great Aunt Melissa sent us while he helped him Mom and Dad draft their fantasy football teams.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The visitors keep coming!


Brendan has been attracting visitors from the midwest lately. First, his Auntie K-Money, then, his Great Grandma Go-Go, and now his Grandparents and his cousin Renee. Everybody wants to get a piece of this goodness!

I have the best feel-good story. One night recently, we were all in the nursery changing diapers and putting away laundry. We had put on a CD Brendan's cousin Rex sent him and started to dance to a song from the Jungle Book called, "I want to be like you." The three of us were dancing and Brendan started to laugh and smile, which cause Lou and I to do the same. Soon we were all laughing so hard; it was out of control. Brendan was just belly laughing like I never have heard a baby laugh for a good minute and a half straight. It was the best minute and a half ever! We were all so happy and having a great time together. Time stood still and my and Lou's endorphins went off the charts as we enjoyed our baby in a new and special way. Talk about pure joy and happiness!
In the picture to the left we discovered Brendan is just the right size to travel by laundry basket. Here he is on top of some of his cloth diapers. Yes- we are still cloth diapering and doing really well with it. I like that I can match his diaper to his clothes. Oh, and we are keeping it Green by reducing our waste by the 3,000+ diapers he will use before being potty-trained.
I'm looking a little tired here, but this very well may have been the same day when Lou was going to work in the morning he kissed me goodbye and I told him, "Good night," before passing back out. :)