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!

Three weeks young

Brendan is 3 weeks old today. We are starting to get into a routine and doing remarkably well. He is eating about every 2 1/2 hours except at night when he can eat when he wakes or after 5 hours. I accidentally slept 6 hours straight a few days ago when my alarm didn't go off. So, we are on our way to sleeping through the night.

Lou and I have been on two dates since he's been born- both with Brendan. One to the Melting Pot (fondue restaurant) and one to the drive-in movies. We want to make sure our marriage stays strong and can serve as the foundation for our family. We are going to try a date without him Saturday night. His grandparents will watch him for a few hours- the best babysitters ever! We watched fireworks from Lou's office downtown with him too.

The hardest part has been keeping up with the messes. Two days ago we had the messiest day ever; I have never seen anything like it! It started when I was changing Brendan's diaper and was lifting his legs to put a new cloth diaper under his bottom. As his legs were up in the air, he sprayed yellow poo across his new carpet about 4 feet in every direction. He got it on the walls, on the changing table, changing pad, on the diaper stacker, on his door, and somehow a little on his face. Looking back I should have taken a picture, but was in such shock from the explosion. I put Brendan down in his bassinet in our bedroom and he proceed to scream his head off while I was trying to get the poo out of the carpet. I called Lou at work to see if he could come home (at 10:45 am) and was trying to get a hold of my parents for back-up but was unsuccessful. I picked up Brendan to try and calm him and he began to pee. The warm pee came gushing out of his diaper and began to drip down my legs. That's when I lost it. I cried with him. What a mess!! I'm all about the cloth diapers but his legs are still so skinny that they leak often. I decided to take care of Brendan instead of cleaning the carpet that I was actually making worse. Lou came and helped me to clean the mess about an hour and a half later. Needless to say I am very cautious during the changing now.

Dialation Station

Today Brendan and I went in for our 36 week check-up and found out that I am dialated two centimeters. I was absolutely shocked to hear Dr. Hunt say that. I will be full-term on Friday and everything appears to be healthy. His heart rate was in the 150's and I have gained 24 lbs to date. 

I was told I could deliver in an hour or in a few weeks but my body was getting ready. I hope it is in a few weeks. I would like to finish the school year (May 28) and would like a week to relax before he comes. We all know he's gonna come when he's ready whether I am or not. If he comes between May 27 and June 7, then another doctor will deliver him- a Dr. Eric Royce. My doctor is finally taking her honeymoon in the mountains.

I was joking with Lou yesterday that I am good at this whole pregnancy thing. I read and hear from others about how miserable they were during pregnancy and yet everything has been just peachy for me. Most of the symptoms I had early in the pregnancy like hair loss, gas, and acne on my back went away. I haven't been swollen, haven't lost any sleep, haven't had crazy mood swings, morning sickness, or spotting. I pee a lot and my breasts leak a little but I'm used to it now. My body is sore and it is getting tough to bend down and get up from sitting or lying, but I would think that happens when you gain a ton of weight in mostly one place. I actually really like being pregnant. Especially how nice people are and all the attention they give pregnant women.

So we are in bed last night and I told Lou how sore my pelvic region has been lately and how I had been trying to use stretching to help ease the muscle pain and soreness. He was not taking me seriously and mocking me. I calmly told him, "I'm going to sprain your nut sack and see how you like it." We were laughing uncontrollably for a good 15 minutes. 

Over the last weekend Lou was an outstanding husband. We went on dates and enjoyed each other's company. We went to dinner Friday night and watched movies at home, layed by the pool Saturday and then went to the movie theater to see Angels and Demons. On Sunday I worked on the nursery and in the guest room/office and Lou helped me clean the house. He went grocery shopping and brought me flowers too. What a sweetie! I started to nest and made four frozen meals for post-baby, and vacuumed the walls in my bedroom. Yes- the walls!