L.A. Baby

Uncle Jacob took us for a tour of the "new" downtown LA, here I am looking ultra goofy-cool...

Mom, Dad and I drove down together and mom and I are staying for a little over a week with Grandpa Dennis and Grammy Sandee.

Roadtrip...

Here Brennan is on our drive down to LA.  He did great, slept most of the time and we stopped a few times to change and feed him--a successful trip with our little traveler.

Uncle Paul Visits

Here Brennan is with his great-uncle Paul

Auntie CS visits...

My dear friend Catherine came for a visit today.  She hasn't seen him since he was in the NICU and it was wonderful to just be together and visit.  

Beating the heat...

Summer has arrived!  It has been downright HOT these last few days, and today much of the day was spent in front of the fan and only in a diaper.

Uncle Jacob Visits

Here they are spending a little time together.  I spent lots of time with Jacob when he was a baby and toddler--4-6 weeks each summer as a full-time babysitter/nanny--so you can imagine how this warms my heart...

An outing to Tartine to "celebrate" Grandma Sandee's birthday without her!  YUM!!

What a cutie...

I don't know why our little guy just cracks me up every time he yawns...

I just think it is about the cutest thing ever!

He is in a growth spurt and is nursing constantly and not sleeping much during the day, but he does love to snuggle.  It is a good thing I have all the time in the world for our little guy...  And that we find him endlessly entertaining, even when he melts down.

One Month

Dear Little Brennan,

You are one month old today, and what a month it has been.  Your Daddy and I have been so touch by your presence in our lives.  We knew you were going to change our lives, but could not have begun to imagine all the ways you already have...  You are so sweet, and you have such a nice disposition.  Even when you are so upset and we are wringing our hands wondering what might be wrong, you cut us some slack and make us laugh.  You make the cutest little noises-- when you sleep you sigh and purr, when you are preparing to nurse you make this snorting noise that lets us know how excited you are to be eating, and then the smacking and gulping let's us know that you are enjoying your meal!  You look at us with your big eyes and we just melt--you look so curious and amazed by the world and people around you.

The first week of your life was quite an adventure.  You were born 37 hours after labor was induced, and it was a challenge for both of us.  I knew that I would be okay, but we were so worried about you.  We knew you were in the best hands possible in the NICU, and it was so hard being in our recovery room those first few nights and then to come home from the hospital without you.  Once you were cleared to come home, we have not looked back.

You slept a lot those first few days, and the only time you were really impatient with us was when you weren't getting enough to eat.  After your first (long and loud) night at home with us we wised up quickly and gave you some formula to supplement nursing.  We are in a good groove now, and you have already had a couple of growth spurts.

In the beginning you crossed your eyes when you were trying to focus on something you wanted to see.  You are now focusing your eyes, and tracking voices and things that are put in front of you.  You are holding up your head and looking around.  I look at pictures from those first few days home, and you seem like you have already grown so much.  

This has been such a sweet time, and  your Dad and I are both so surprised at what an easy little guy you are so far--we are sleeping and thriving as a family.  Thank you for what has already been an amazing experience.  I know that it will continue to change, and I feel so very lucky to be your Mommy. 

Here you are with the delicious banana cake that Uncle Ben and Auntie Jeanette brought for us.  This cake was very special to me--for the last 7 years I have brought cakes or cupcakes to the hospital when I have visited all the babies that have been born to my friends--their BIRTHday cake.  Because you were in the ICU, we had to curtail many visits from all those family and friends who wanted to meet you.  So, sweet boy, a month later you (and I!!) got a BIRTHday cake.

We love you very much sweet boy, and thank you for picking us!

Your Mama and Daddy

Dress Shopping

Brennan and his Grandmother Carolyn accompanied me to order the dress for his Uncle Adam's wedding in September...  

Hi Dad!

Dear Daddy,

I hope you had a good day.  I miss you lots and lots.  Our day was really good--we went to Golden Gate Park with Grandmother Carolyn and Auntie Judy and walked around the botanical gardens. 

Good night, I love you...

Your little B

Stroller...

My first outing in the stroller lasted about 2.5 blocks--not a happy camper...

Visitors...

Uncle Ben and Auntie Jeanette came to visit me today, and snuggle with me.  They loved hearing about my arrival, and my mom loved sharing the story with them.  My mom was there when their oldest son, Andrew, was born.  Andrew just graduated from kindergarten on Friday--what a big boy!

Houdini

The only way we can help the little guy sleep more than a 30 minute catnap is to swaddle him up nice and tight...  Or else he smacks himself in the head and wakes up, the startled and confused look on his face when this happens is just priceless.  We mostly use a Swaddle Me Sleeper for night-time, but if he conks out during the day I have started using this swaddling blanket, as getting him into the sleeper wakes him up...  No matter which we use, and how tight we bundle him, he always seems to get one of his little hands up and out...

Love that finger...

The little guy LOVES sucking on his Daddy's (very clean!!) finger, and always makes sure he has got a good grip on it with his own hand.  Not quite sure what to make of having this captured on film...

Tita Teresa

Brennan's Auntie (Tita) Teresa is the paparazzi that is always photographing him (and us) for which we are so very grateful!  Here they are enjoying a little bottle of supplementary formula, and a little snuggle time...

First Real Bath

Here we are, having our first real bath:

What a little sweetie he is...