Our Christmas Decorations

OK, so the tree's a little crooked. It's character, people.

Brendan's First Christmas

Brendan's first Christmas came and went and we can't get over how generous everyone was. He got so many wonderful toys that we had to put some away to get out at a later date simply because we just don't have room for it all. And he's sure to be decked out in the cutest clothes from all those gifts, at least until he hits the age of one. We had so much fun visiting with all the family. The most exciting thing that came this holiday is that we are soon to have a new sister-in-law. Johnny proposed to J'me on Christmas Eve, and we were blessed enough to witness the momentous occasion. Congratulations again you two, probably for at least the 10th time. We are SO EXCITED for you!

1st Thanksgiving

Brendan's first Thanksgiving went off pretty smoothly. He was a little overwhelmed at all the attention when we'd first walk into a house, but once he got over that, he seemed to have a great time. The most exciting news of Thanksgiving was that he had his first big boy meal--rice cereal. He seemed to take to the spoon very quickly. Keeping the food in his mouth, however, is a different story. It's definitely a work in progress.

HUH?!

Eckert's 2008

21 Weeks Old! What a Big Boy!

We just had Brendan's 4 month check up (it was a little late) and he got a clean bill of health. The last appointment 2 months ago he was trying to keep up with the kids in his gestational age group but since then he has caught up with the full-term babies! He is in the 70th percentile for his weight (at a huge 17 lbs) and 35% in height. And when they tested his development he ranks in at the 4 1/2 to 5 month level--right where he should be! We're so proud! He can now hold his head steady when he's upright, can squeal, reach for objects, smile (spontaneously and back when you smile), grasp and hold a rattle, keeps his head level with his body when pulled to sittting, can roll over (occasionally), says "ah-goo" and mommy's favorite "gooey, gooey, gooey", blows raspberries, and turns in the direction of voices. His favorite new skills are gurgling and standing while holding on to someone. He's so gosh-darn strong!

He is over his colic as long as we keep him on the extremely expensive formula. We tried to slowly take him off of it this past week but it was definately too soon! Back to the expensive stuff. But luckily we are no longer giving him any other medications (no more Pepcid, Mylanta, gas meds., etc.) That's really nice. And he is so happy!

Since he's so much more pleasant, and more mobile, we took him for his first annual trip to Eckert's for pun'kin pickin'. We go every year with the Coles and Pelhanks to pick out our pumpkins and apples, and this year was no exception. We made the poor guy dress up in his Halloween costume for his pictures in the 85 degree heat. He was such a trooper. He didn't fuss at all. What a difference a month makes :)

More Brendan Pics

Brendan's First Vacation

Our first vacation as a family of 3 came and went this past month and we had a great time! We stayed at a cabin in Carbondale with the Cole family for a couple of nights. Daddy was happy because he got a little bit of fishing in and Mommy caught her first bass! They caught 15 bass total (Ryan=11, and Mandy=4)--all catch and release since it was a private pond. Brendan got to hang out with his Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Shane, Aunt Lilly, and his Aunt Jess. We spent a lot of quality time together by helping each other make dinners, having a washers tournament, watching a movie, and just hangin' out. It ended up being a relatively low stress first trip together.

Brendan got to meet his baby cousin, Jaxon, this month. Mommy wasn't able to meet him as she was at work, but rumor has it that he was a tired little guy. He made B look like a very big boy! And he IS getting to be quite big now, tipping the scales at over 15 lbs. We'll have more official numbers after our next doctor's appointment at the end of October. Other developments this month include Brendan continuing to improve on his colic, he can hold his head much higher--so high that he is starting to extend his arms, he's reaching for things (but hasn't figured out how to use his hands to grasp), he is starting to speak baby (mostly coos, ahhs, and squeels), he just noticed his feet today, and with the help of his new "Bumba" he is getting the hang of sitting up with assistance.


And our greatest news is that Ryan received the promotion that we so desperately wanted. He starts training next week. With that, Mommy now gets to go to part-time, for the first time in over 6 years, in order to spend more time with Brendan. We're so happy! Two full-time parents working opposite shifts was much more difficult than we ever expected. But we don't have to worry about that any more. And Daddy no longer has to be at work so early in the morning (6 am) as he is now going to be on the night shift. Woo! Hoo! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.