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!