Babes in cute hats

How cute is this?

Elf Yourself!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1301493357

Who does he look like?

PJ and his brother Chris - pj was about 4 mos

Brennan at three months

Kyle at 4 months?


Hmmm......not to hard to see who Brennan looks like! His dad for sure! Though he does have my hair and eyes......and energetic personality!

Well, we made it through our first day of day care - I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was, but it was okay. Brennan was happy when I left - smiling at Melissa and ready to play! He was only there for 5 hours and slept for 1/2 of the time. I had forwarned Melissa that Brennan is an active baby and LOVES to sit up - she said that the exersaucer was his favorite thing b/c he could play and watch everything going on. He likes to be part of the activity! She also said that one of the other little toddlers played with him the whole time - yay!!!!!! When I picked him up, he was ready for his nap, so it was perfect timing.

We also had a check up for his hips yesterday and things are still PERFECT! Yay! We do follow ups until he is 1 year old, just to be sure, but the doctor is confident that everything will keep progressing normally. Whew.

So it is 8:15am right now and Brennan is still sleeping - this is a miracle for us! The past two nights I have started the bedtime ritual (nursing, changing into pajamas, reading Goodnight Moon, more nursing, rocking in the rocking chair, patting his back, listening to Baby Einstein Classical tunes) and last night he slept for 5 hours before getting up to nurse. Then slept until 6 and went back down - goodness, I love it!

Brennan also did great last night when I went to pilates - he usually gives PJ fits - and just cries and cries adn cries - and I come home to the vacuum cleaner running, a naked baby, and a frustrated husband. But not last night - they were listening to music and dancing around the house - everyone was happy (and I am especially happy b/c pilates means my abs are getting back to normal!).

Life is good. Can't wait for Christmas!

Brennan met Santa!

Brennan met Santa this week - it was so fun for him. Santa was napping when we arrived (it was a slow day for Santa and the elves), but then he woke up just in time to ring his jingle bells and snap a pic with Brennan!

Looking forward to Christmas - lots of people to see and meet when we go home to St. Louis!

Brennan is still a really active baby - loves to try to sit up - not really fond of being in the bouncy seat or swing any more and we have to always make sure to strap him in b/c otherwise he tries to sit up and could fling himself out of them!

Brennan's First Thanksgiving!

Max, Finn, and Brennan

Ian, Izy, Madison, Sebastian, Brennan, Finn, Max, Quinn, Ashley, Olivia

Full Turkey Belly!

Brennan had a great first Thanksgiving - we spent it in Evansville with the McCool's and it was so much fun! Brennan met all of his many cousins and loved spending time with them. He was so happy and interactive with everyone and of course, everyone LOVED him! :)

Tonight, PJ was holding Brennan and Charlie Brown Christmas came on TV - no joke, Brennan started laughing at the TV, and just kept laughing and laughing and laughing! It was PRECIOUS!

Sleeping...

Brennan was doing so well with sleep - going down between 9-10pm, sleeping 4-5 hours, waking up for a snicky-snack - and then sleeping again until 6-7 and feeding again. I can handle that. Until this weekend - little man decided that he wanted to push back his bedtime to MIDNIGHT - I am not a night person either - are you kidding me? Last night was rough - he went to bed at 12, and was wide awake at 5. And I had to work today. I am feeling it right now for sure! Oh well - he is home with his Aunt Jessie and has been a great napper of course (I wish I was napping!). With a trip to Evansville looming, and lots of new exciting people to meet, I am sure we are going to be off-schedule for a while longer, not that we were really on a schedule......

So I have been trying to start packing for our Thanksgiving trip - are you kidding me, these babies have a lot of stuff and you have to bring it all! My list is a mile long - I know, I know, there are stores if I forget something, but why buy if I already have? I just need to pre-plan - and I keep thinking of things to add to the list. Oh well - it is totally worth it! HE is totally worth it! :)

Better get back to work - just finished a pumping session or a "p" appt as they are designated on my calendar...hopefully people know what I am doing when they walk by and see the "Do not disturb" sign with a Cow's face on my door. Kinda clever huh?

9-10 week pics!

Getting ready to roll over....



Ta da!

I can sit! (with mom propping me up and her hand very very close!)

Such a little man - don't I look like my dad?

Tired baby - just needed a little catnap after all that work :)

My favorite thing...

My new favorite Brennan thing - when I am holding him on my hip and he lays his head on my shoulder - makes me want to cry!

Such a smart baby!

So as many of you know, I have the most smart, bright, and strong baby ever!!! Of course, if you have a baby, he/she is probably great too, but I think Brennan is the greastest! So, about two weeks ago he rolled over from his back to his belly at playgroup and has continued this! Wow! But his brillantness doesn't end there....a few nights ago he was sleeping (yes, on his belly - reserve your comments - that's what we do.) and he rolled over on to his side. Hello - that takes some thinking! And then yesterday he did TWO miraculous things - he was having some tummy time on the play mat, propped up over the pillow (like he doesn't get enough belly time at night, but he loves the belly!) and rolled off of it, on to his back and then over to his side. Smart Baby! But wait, he also is trying to sit and so yesterday I propped him up and he held a sitting position - what a smart smart and very strong baby!

Dr. K informed us that he is no longer a newborn, but a baby, because he is such a strong little guy with excellent head control. I am a proud mama!

Okay breastfeeding mothers out there - question - is it me or does breastfeeding make you UBER thirsty? And I also get itchy armpits (sorry) when I feed Brennan, but not when I pump - can't seem to find anything out about that. BF is going really well still - I am pumping at work a few times a day and exclusively feeding him all other times. No formula supplementing here. My hope is to BF until he is at least a year or so.......of course, we'll start introducing solids at 6 mos, but no earlier unless there is a medical reason to do so, which I cannot imagine.

Anyway - I am very proud of my happy baby - my active, strong, smart, genius of a baby! He must get it all from me. ha ha!

More pics soon...

Back to work

Yesterday I started work again on a part time basis until January - to be honest, I was kinda excited to get back into a more regular schedule. Thankfully, PJ and I have very generous family who has given their time to us for the next few weeks to babysit Brennan (not that we really had to twist any arms - they were chomping at the bit to spend time with him w/o us being around) so we did not have to start daycare thankfully. I wasn't sure how leaving yesterday would be, but it was fine. I took TONS of pictures to my office and decorated it a la' Brennan - frames, on my cabinets, brought an album (which I carried around and made everyone look at). I also called home numerous times to chat with Debbie and see how he was. All in all, he had a great day. Was leery of the bottle, but with the 6 options we had for him, Debbie got one to work! He ate as much as I pumped yesterday - that's my little chunker!

When I got home, he was ready for some mom time though. Unfortunately last night Brennan also came down with a cold - which PJ has been battling and I started getting yesterday as well. He had such a horse cry yesterday and then the nose started running. PJ went out to get a humidifier for his room and a new filter for the one in our room. Not sure if it is helping...

Sleep has been great the past two nights. Wednesday night he went down (in his crib!) at 10:30, woke up to eat at 2:45, and then slept until 6am when he ate again (and again at 7 before I left). Last night he went down at 10pm, woke up at 3am to eat, and then was up at 5:30 (we needed to do some aspirating of the nose and of course, feed him!). It was so great to get 5 hours of sleep in a row. He actually seems to sleep better in his crib than in the co-sleeper or with us (sad), but it is probably a good thing. Now, if only he would love sleeping on his back... :)

At work again today....feeling good about it. Feel so great that family is with him. Debbie comes back next week (hopefully with my dad), then Jessica is on the week of Thanksgiving, followed by Belle the week after T-day, and finally my mom comes the first full week of Dec. Then it's time to start daycare....eeks! Nervous about that for sure!

Two month check up!

It was a big day for Brennan today - first we went to play group, but had to leave early....to go to the doctor for his two month check up and to start (da da da....) shots!

The group picture is of playgroup - there 7 of us that get together every Tuesday (until Jan when I go back to work full time - sad) - each week, we go to someone else's house - have some food, maybe an adult beverage, and lots of laughter (and lots of breastfeeding!).

So PJ and I were really worried about the dr's appt today - as many of you know, we were most nervous about vaccinations and really struggled with what to do. There are just so many unknowns with vaccinations. So we did what we do best - we researched, lots. Lots of reading, lots of talking to friends who both did and did not vaccinate, lots of talking to the doctor, some internet research. And we came up with a plan that we feel fairly comfortable with, though not 100%, again b/c of all the unknowns and LACK of quality research on vaccinations.

First things first.....

Weight - 12 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces

Length - 24 inches

He is in the 75-90% in weight, length, and head size! Big Baby Brennan Boy! That's our future quarterback (only if I decide he can play such a sport - soccer is a little less rough, and cross country is even better!).

And here is what we decided to do with vaccinations:

Opted out of the Rotavirus vaccine - too new and too many unknowns.

2 mos - Hib, DTaP, PC

Will continue those three at 4 and 6 mos.

Delaying Polio and MMR for now....not sure when we will do those. We will, probably before he turns 5, but just cannot say with certainty when.

Chickenpox - if he doesn't get the actual virus before he turns 5, we will have him vaccinated.

Hep A and B - wait until he is older - maybe 10-12 ish..... as of now we do not have a intravenous drug using sex maniac for a son, so we feel comfortable waiting, considering that is how you get it!

We are somewhat concerned with the amounts of aluminum in the vaccines, so are trying to minimize it, though he got more than we would have liked today. Since we opted out of the rotavirus (weren't planning too, but after chatting with the dr, decided it was best), we opted to do three today, rather than just two and saving two for next month. That way we only have to go every two months for now.

Brennan did amazing during his shots. I opted to breastfeed him to minimize the pain and shock. You could see it in his eyes when he got the vaccination, but he just kept eating - at quite a pace (that explains the 12 pounds!) - he let out one wail at the end and has basically been sleeping since. I can handle that.

Amazing

Sometimes I think it is absolutely amazing to think that PJ and I created this child. I see my eyes when I look at him, I see PJ's face, nose, mouth - crazy! And it is amazing to realize how much you can love something that has only been in your life for 8 weeks! Well, 48 weeks if you count in-utero! I just want to cry sometimes when I look at Brennan - so cheesy, but so true.

The laughing baby

Brennan continues to be such a joy! We got great news a few weeks ago at the doctor - perfect hips, so no worries there. We go to the regular doc next week to have his two month check up and start vaccinations. And yes, we are vaccinating, but we are opting for an alternative schedule for various reasons - still working it out. Luckily we have a VERY supportive and open minded doctor who fully supports our decision to make alternative choices for Brennan.

Sleeping is still an interesting thing in our house - Brennan is sleeping in the crib during the day finally - though he is more of a cat napper than anything else - takes lots of 30 min naps throughout the day. Still gets up quite often at night to nurse and sleeps in both the co-sleeper and with us. It works!

Can you believe I start work next week? Just on a part time basis until Jan....actually I am looking forward to it - I am ready to be on more of a schedule! I think it will help with sleep as well - though I anticipate I will spend more of my evenings nursing than I already do!

Oh, get this - Brennan rolled over at playgroup the other day - from his back to his belly - it was amazing - he did it twice, though hasn't done it since.....

He is starting to laugh, which is so cute, and LOVES to look in the mirror. I can tell that soon he will be ready to play with toys, though we are not quite there yet.

Such a curious baby!

I noticed recently just how much Brennan has changed in the past 6 weeks. He is so attentive, awake a lot more, and can really hold his head up! He interacts with us, follows us across the room, and "talks" all the time. Amazing! Isn't he precious in his Bumbo? And Tucker just is so curious about this moving little person - loves to try to lick his face! 10 pounds already, but really long.....

Please think good thoughts for us - Friday we go back to the orthopedic surgeon for x-rays - hopefully the brace is gone for good!

6 weeks old!

Brennan is now 6 weeks old and get this - 10 pounds! Yikes! I told you all he was a breastfeeding champ!!!!!!! Double chin and everything! I went to the doc for my 6 week post partum check up and we weighed him then.

Things are going well - I think he went through a growth spurt this week - lots and lots of eating, all day and all night. This mommy is very very very tired!

Ran for the first time this week with my neighbor and new friend - it was so great to be out again!!!!!!! Am starting pilates soon. Need to get those tummy muscles back. Oh, and only 13 pounds to go! Whoo hoo, almost able to fit into my pants!

Sleep

Sleep - or lack thereof....

Sleep in our house is interesting - Brennan sleeps great when he is laying on one of us......but not so great in his crib, co-sleeper, or moses basket - well, not for more than 20-30 min.....I have to admit, I love having him in bed with me, but for many reasons, we need to work on getting him more comfortable sleeping in the co-sleeper, at least for part of the night! He does sleep well in the swing, and today took a 25 minute nap in the Moses Basket, which is in the co-sleeper at the moment. I am going to keep working on it, but I absolutely refuse to let him cry it out; just don't believe in it.

Anyway, he is getting himself on a somewhat schedule - if he falls asleep at 11pm, then he tends to wake up at 2 for a feeding, then 5 - stays up for an hour or two, and then we take a nice two hour nap in the am - and I need to be better about sleeping in the middle of the day when he sleeps. Though last night he slept from 11-4 and then was up until 6 - mommy is tired today!

Let's see, what else his he doing? Well, he is really good at holding his head up and does some form of crawling attempt when he is on his playmat over the pillow - does a lot of pushing with his legs -such a smart baby!!!!!! He is "talking" lots as well - and loves to smile.

Oh, it was so funny last night, I was in the kitchen and PJ came in and was like, Kyle - I think he spit up on me - and no joke, it was all down PJ's back and on his pants - and then we found more on the couch and carpet!!!!! Ha ha - smart baby! Not so great for PJ's work clothes!

introducing a bottle, hip update, and the heartbeat bear

Brennan, sans brace, on his playmat

Brennan, in his rainforest bouncer - he loves this thing!

Brennan and the heartbeat bear - his fav!

So per the lactation consultant's suggestion, we waited until Brennan was about 1 month old to introduce a bottle. I was really nervous about it - my mom had a terrible time getting me to take a bottle, and I was feeling like Brennan, breastfeeder extraordinaire, would have no part of it either. Goodness, he hardly takes a pacifier, and then only for a few seconds before spitting it out. So I prepped PJ, who was going to introduce the bottle - preparing two different bottles with different nipples, and warned him there would probably be screaming.....and then I left the house (another tip I had recieved). Took Tucker on a walk - and when I returned, I returned to a happy baby, a happy dad, and TWO empty bottles! So the next night we tried yet a third bottle, with me in the house, and he took it no problem, then proceeded to feed on me (I guess the bottle wasn't enough!). Guess I didn't need to worry! He loves the Dr. Brown's bottle best, though we also tried the Soothie bottle and the Breast Flow. The medela bottle didn't work at all - came out too fast. Yay for no nipple confusion!

Update on the hip - as many of you know, Brennan was born with hip displaysia, due primarily to his frank breech position - and since he was in the hospital, has had to wear a brace to keep his hip aligned and forming right. We have had numerous x-rays, ultrasounds, and doctor's visits to make sure things were progressing - and they are! Today the doc told us that he only has to wear the brace at night and a double diaper during the day - for the next two weeks. We go back in three weeks for a stress x-ray, and if all is good then, we are almost in the clear!

On Brennan's changing table we have the heartbeat bear, as I call it - a teddy bear that plays a soothing "in utero" heartbeat sound - he loves it! And while we change his diaper, just loves to stare at it - so cute!

Brennan is one month old - weighing in at over 9 pounds already (or so we think.....had to weigh him via me today at OrthoIndy where there was no baby scale). He can hold his head up for a few seconds, does great on his play mat with tummy time, and has the pincher grip down pat!

Welcoming Brennan Patrick McCool!
Brennan is now just over 3 weeks old and doing so well. He is a thrill to have around and I am loving motherhood. Brennan breastfeeds like a champ and is generally a really happy baby. Of course he has is fussy times, and no, doesn't sleep through the night, but what baby does at this age (okay, if yours does, just don't tell me!). He loves to be held and his favorite place to sleep is on mom or dad, which we love as much as he does - something so wonderful about a sleeping baby on your chest. Brennan coos and makes the greatest little noises - he is perfect!