Gap Casting Call

I have entered Brennan into the Gap Casting Call.... the link below should take you to the site where you can vote for him! You can vote once per day! So, why are you still here? Go on... vote!



http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/teastal74/211639905/

As Fall is now here and the weather is cooling down, the CUTEST outfits are out for little boys!! I just had to share this one... and because my little man is sitting up on his own! He started doing this a couple of weeks ago, but still can't seem to lay himself down from this position or crawl yet. I guess in his own time! I play with him on the floor, and put him on his hands and knees and he just thinks its funny and laughs. What do you do? LOL He will crawl when he is good and ready I suppose!

6 months old!

Well Brennan hit 6 months last week... he marked his 6 months by cutting two teeth. The first came out on September 3rd, and the second September 5th. His babysitter swears she has never seen a child drool as much as he does! He still puts fingers, toys, fists, toes... whatever he can get to his mouth, goes in his mouth. I had to change a pair of socks the other day because they were just soaked through. You can hardly see the teeth that came through, but as soon as they are picture ready, I'll post LOL.

We had a great trip to CA! Picked up Jeremy on the way and we were glad to see him! We missed "Bubba". We had a great time at Deanna's with her and the kids! She threw me a surprise babyshower/meet Brennan party and it was so fun! I was totally surprised until the tubs of Mexican food arrived! They kept coming up with the best stories for all the preparations going on! Thanks again Dee! We went to the beach on Saturday afternoon for a few hours. Above are the pictures from his first dip in the Pacific Ocean... he didn't cry, was just a little surprised by it! We spent Sunday with friends Bruce and Minday Dowhan and then swimming in Stacy Hackett's pool for Parker's birthday. Brennan loved his crab floatie! Which is at the top of this post... LOL

Time certainly flies!

I can't believe its been over a month since I have blogged! I really need to get on the ball and make time as things change so fast with an infant! Today is the day... Brennan and I are heading to California for a visit! I wish it was a longer visit, but since I am driving its only really 4 full days. Of course, everyone wants their visit with Brennan. I don't think his feet will even touch the ground the whole time we are there. Between Deanna's girls and all of my friends wanting to meet him and hold him, he may come home pretty well spoiled! It will be a nice change of pace for me as well! I need some girl time! Oh! The bonus of this trip, we are picking up Jeremy on the way! He has been at his dads for about 6 weeks spending his summer with his other family and playing in the Colorado River. I'm sure he has a better tan than I do, which at this point wouldn't be hard.
Ok, so for the last month in the lives of us... Brennan has started laughing at some of the simplist things! My mom will make a noise that resembles Daffy Duck, and he just falls into the cutest laughter! Its funny, when my mom walks into the room, he just has the biggest grin for her! I don't see the draw. LOL Brennan has started sleeping through the night, sort of. Sometimes he will for several days in a row, and then just stop for a few. We also started him on veggies! He seems to tolerate them, not at all excited. I think he just eats them because he's hungry. I am pretty sure when he learns how to "reject" what I am feeding him, I will know. He talks a lot, and has learned how to roar like a really small lion! LOL Brennan rolls over from front to back and back to front... although her really doesn't care for being on his stomach still. He only lasts a few minutes there, unless he finds a toy to keep his interest for a minute or two more!
We spent the 4th of July in Colorado with my dad and family. That was a nice trip and a nice break from the heat of Texas! I don't think the temperature went above 80 degrees. Brennan got to meet his Aunt Lori, Aunt Linnea, Uncle Chris and Aunt Kelly plus spend some time with Papa Snow and Grandma Judy. The picture above is Brennan with his Uncle Chris and the ones below are Brennan's 4 month pictures and a picture of me with my Aunt Lori in Manitou Springs, CO.

Well, its been another month and it has gone by fast!! Brennan's thrush has finally gone away after another trip to the doctor and some stronger meds. He weighed in at 15 lbs 1 ounce with his diaper and a onzie on... I guess they don't strip down for unwell visits. He has begun to laugh, and that is funny for us! In fact, his babysitter said she was making him laugh and he laughed so hard that he snorted, scared himself and started crying. She was laughing so hard, she was having a hard time making him stop! LOL I wish I would have been there... I hate missing things like that. Oh well. He really likes his exosaucer, he can turn in circles and play with all kinds of different toys! He is chewing on his fingers and fists... if he could get his whole hand in his mouth I think he would! I have noticed a white spot under his gums on his front bottom right, I think its a tooth getting ready to make an appearance! I will try and keep the blog updated on that event!
Jeremy is at his dads as of last week for his summer vacation. I haven't heard from him, that must mean he is having fun and his siblings haven't driven him crazy yet. I told him that in a few weeks he will be missing his quiet baby brother.
Brennan and I are leaving Thursday evening for Papa Snows and Grandma Judy's house in Colorado for the 4th of July weekend. My aunt from Tennessee is driving over to meet us there and see her new Great Nephew... wow, that made her sound old and she's only 40 LOL!
I am trying to plan a really long weekend to California in August... either the weekend of the 7th or 14 and a few days before or after etc... I will let everyone know when I will be there for getting together! Anyway, I am going to try and post a couple of new pictures and sign off!

Mom! This hats too big!!

This is my saucer...

So, it was a long weekend. Brennan's tongue had been getting more and more white gunk on it so I finally figured out that he has thrush. Thrush as some know is basically a yeast infection in the mouth. So, since it was month end and my mom had Friday off, I sent her to the doctor with Brennan. One note: he gained 1 lb and 4 ounces in 2.5 weeks! The doctor prescribed some meds, but ignored Brennan's cough and congestion again if you ask me. So I come home Friday night to a bit of a cranky baby, you could definitely tell he was sick, poor guy. Well, with his congestion, came phlem and when that came up he would gag and then choke on spit up. So I put him in bed with me both Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday morning, he woke up and was talkative so I laid on my bed (with a blanket under him so he would't spit up on my sheets) and talked with him. All of a sudden, he started coughing and gagging and before I knew it, I had the exorcist in my bed! The blanket did no good... he shot over it to get to me. The boy does have good aim. He got my bed, and he got me. So much for keeping my sheets clean. Needless to say, it was a long weekend that went by way too fast. He finally returned back to his normal sleep pattern last night, hope it wasn't a fluke!

A lot going on these days... have a meeting with his dad this week and we have my company picnic on Saturday. That should be fun! I plan to take pictures, so I will try and post a few this weekend.

We propped Brennan up in the exosaucer tonight. He seems to like to stand up a lot, guess he doesn't want to miss anything. So we brought it in, and put a blanket behind him as he turned his seat around and around checking out all the toys at his disposal! Kept him entertained longer than I thought it would since he still doesn't really reach for toys yet. He is really strong and holds himself up pretty well! One thing, this kid drools like a dog going after the last bit of meat on a bone! My mom thinks he is teething. Its possible. I wish he would sleep through the night first.

The Chunky Monkey

I found a moment to blog, yeah me!! Brennan is really trying to wake up, but with the help of the pacifier, we are doing our best to keep him down. LOL Well, we started cereal this week. At the pediatricians office they handed me a flyer of information for the 2-4 month age range... it says if the baby is drinking 32-36 ounces in a 24 hour period, then you can start with rice cereal. Wow.. and since he is definitely eating about 36 ounces a day, I think it was time. He is a porker, I won't lie! At his doctors appointment, he weighed in at 13 pounds and 25 inches long. He is in the 75-90% in his weight and >95% for his length! Jeremy was always average, so this is new for me! I've got me a bruiser on my hands! Although, Jeremy is officially taller than I am now. His daddy better watch out, he is only 5'9ish, so Jeremy will be towering over him any day now! I've slowly noticed Brennan's clothes getting smaller and his face getting chunkier. And when he is ready to eat, watch out!

Tummy Time: What's with this?? They didn't have a "name" for it when Jeremy was a baby... you put them on their tummy and try and get their attention to look up at you. But "tummy time"? It sounds so clinical. Well Brennan likes to sleep on his tummy, but really doesn't like "tummy time". He would rather lay on his back and look at the toys towering over him. He does really well holding his head up stomach to stomach, but really has no patience for tummy time.

Huggies Pure and Natural~ I received some samples in the mail the other day... very cute diapers, they have Winnie the Pooh on them! Very cute! And they hold their own. Right now I have a case of Huggies diapers that I bought at Costco that I am trying to go through. I really don't care for them too much. It feels like I am putting some crunched up paper on my baby. While the Pure and Natural are supper soft and are made of Organic Cotton. If they sold these by the case, I would buy them. Brennan put a lot into the last diaper, I mean A LOT! And it held up without leaking and didn't stick to him. But for now, I am going back to Pampers as soon as these regular Huggies are gone.

I am really needing to start taking this weight off. I know, it took 9 months to get there, be patient. Patience is not a virtue that I hold very well. I still have between 10-15 pounds to take off out of 46, which isn't bad, but frustrating just the same. But I only have myself to blame, I haven't really done anything to get it off. Its time to force myself back into the gym at work. This week, its on.

A small milestone

Brennan is 2 months old today! Wow, how time flies. I'm amazed at how much babies grow in such a short period of time. They go from just laying in a ball to scooting around their crib. Where a couple of weeks ago he hardly noticed the little things that dangle on his bouncy, now he talks to them as if they might have something interesting to say back. Right now, he is utterly entranced with his little mobile that I put up on his crib the other day. Its so fun to watch him stare and try to initiate a conversation with these 4 little puppies! I mean he really gets going! I'm going to try and post a video with this post, its a little blurry but I think you will get the point. He goes to the doctor tomorrow for his 2 month check up and shots. I think I will cry before the first needle even enters his thigh!
What I have really enjoyed with these first 2 months, is seeing how Jeremy reacts to Brennan. He likes to pay attention to him when he thinks nobody is watching. The other day, I had Jeremy hold Brennan while I made a bottle and I caught Jeremy kissing Brennan's cheek... it was too cute!! Of course, Jeremy will deny it until he turns blue in the face!

Anyway, I hope that I can find time to blog more often, maybe make a weekly appointment... daily just sounds like an impossibility at this point LOL... but I will try! Until next time...

7 weeks of Brennan

So, its been a long while since I have blogged. Just didn't find a lot of time with the new baby LOL. I still don't have a lot of time, but am at work and thought I would blog to say "Hey, I'm going to blog later!" I have a lot to write, so be prepared for a good one. I need to set a time to just blog. Me and the computer, one on one.

So I will just tease you with this first picture of Brennan William on 3.11.09. That is his not-so-happy face of "where am i???" and "what is this bright light??" Anyway, more to come... lots more!

Getting Closer

So I am counting down the days and soon the hours. If I don't have him by Tuesday, she is scheduling me to be induced.... yeah!! Although, I am a little nervous about being induced. I have no clue what that entails, so this is unchartered waters for me! I have pictures of a knitting needle going up there and just breaking my water bag LOL. I am sure on Tuesday, she will give me the details. The ultrasound tech thinks he is about 8 lbs 4 oz, and boy does he have a HUGE foot! I am so glad I registered for socks that are 6-12 months since he won't even fit into the newborn ones! Jeremy didn't either, and he wears a size 12 mens shoe and still growing. So you can see where Brennan's feet are headed. I expect his legs to be a little long too, because I have feet sticking out my side, not just up in my ribs. We also have two less bodies in the house. My step-dad and the dog have gone back to Montana to be the mountain man and beast. LOL He is still giving me hell from there though, telling me to keep the baby in as long as possible, he is self-contained in there he says! LOL So I have also been doing some gift card shopping! Love those that sent gift cards! It makes it easy to go get the last minute things I need! And thanks to those who sent gifts too!! You put a lot of thought into the things you sent and I appreciate it so much!! Anyway, the feet are swelling again, so I need to lay down before running to Walmart.. yeah!

1st Update

So, its been a couple of weeks... but waiting for something to progress so I would have something to really talk about. Instead, I'm talking about lack of progression which is very frustrating. I don't remember having this problem with Jeremy, but that was 15 years ago and how well did I really pay attention at 19?? So I went in for my 36 week appointment last week, and she couldn't find my cervix. HUH? Well, as much as my stomach has dropped, I guess he hasn't dropped into the "right" place for her to feel how dilated I am or if I am thinning or not. She took me into another room where she has her small sonogram machine(I think its from the 80's). She wanted to make sure he was head down, he was and she was satisfied with that. So, I left that appointment a little disappointed that I had no new news and nothing was happening.

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and still, her petite, small hands couldn't reach my cervix. Nice. This time though, she seems a little more concerned and has them schedule me for an ultrasound to determine lil Brennan's weight and presentation. And no Keeley, its not animated nor is it powerpoint. For those who don't know, presentation in baby terms means is his head down and where he is supposed to be. Now me, I know he is head down! Hiccups in my pelvis and foot in my right ribs. But, the weight.... now that is what has me concerned!! Once he hits the 9 pound mark, they are knockin me out and slicin me open!
So anyway, my next appointment is March 4th at 11:30 cst and he had better be in position and not over 8 pounds otherwise he will have a very unhappy mother when he arrives!

Something New

Well, this will be a new experience. Everyone knows I like to talk.. well A LOT. So, how better to communicate with everyone scattered around the USA but to put it all in print. I know we all have Facebook and Myspace, but really, how much can you write on there?? I am sure I can write a bunch there too.. but do I really want people that I haven't seen or spoken to since High School to see EVERYTHING? Not really. This will be a learning experience.. as I want to learn how to post pictures and all that in these blogs. With the new addition to our little family unit coming within weeks, I will be posting the fun experiences here. Pictures will still be posted on Facebook and Myspace of course.. but the fun stuff will be here, the little things.

So far, I have 5 weeks until my due date.. which I'm really not liking right now. My mother laughs at me when I say I will be going early. She swears its just my mind and body hoping for an early release of my poor stomach. I've been dreaming lately of my little one.. and in my dreams he is so cute! Maybe that's why.. but I know why, because I was on time with my first.. so logically I should be early with my second right? Hmmm only time will tell. My right wrist is now hurting.. as most of you know, my left one has been hurting for sometime. The doctor says the swelling inside is causing carpel tunnel syndrome type symptoms. So now, I need a brace for the right one too.

Jeremy is settled. Didn't really take him long. He knew what he was in for when he asked to come live with me again. I do random backpack checks, we talk about school everyday when I get home. I'm hoping that his attitude about school and the importance of it have changed some since coming here. He seems to like his school.. I think he is starting to talk to other kids at school.

Well, I think i will let this be it for the first blog.. I am sure I will have more to blog about in the next couple of weeks as my time gets closer and doctor appointments are more frequent.