Bumbo!

Here he is in his new seat chewing on a rattle that both my brother Adam and I played with when we were wee ones...

My Weekend...

So, my Gran is visiting and she brought me some "good luck" Denver Broncos PJs from my great aunt Sharon and uncle Wendell...  Here we are watching the game, and the PJs??  Not so much good luck...

My mom put out an APB to the neighborhood parents for something to entertain me and allow me to be more upright, as I am no longer so content to just kick back in my seat.  One of the neighborhood moms responded and when my Dad went to pick up the Exer-Saucer the previous kids who had played with it were in their front yard bidding a VERY tearful good-bye to the saucer.  My Dad said he felt like the Grinch...

Have I mentioned how interested I am in everything that is going on around me??  Also, I like to make sure everything is getting done in an acceptable manner--laundry, cable installation, cooking--I must watch it ALL very closely and intently.  Here I am, making sure my Mom is working the camera correctly while my Gran helps give me a bath...

Here I am with Daddy and Gran getting ready to tuck in for the night...

Half Moon Bay

Gran Carolyn is in town for a visit and we headed down to Half Moon Bay for the afternoon...

We were hoping to get a pumpkin at one of the many pumpkin patches, but the little one fell asleep...  Ended up sitting outside at The Ritz and having a little snack and drink--very civilized!

The Weekend...

My great-aunt Lori came to San Francisco and my mom and I met her over in North Beach for a coffee, I'm not drinking coffee yet, so I just watched...

Here I am wrapped up in my alligator towel from "Grandma Liv," Andrew and Jack's grandma:

Did I mention that I LOVE to put things in my mouth, just about anything and here is my most recent conquest, Puddles (again, help with a name would be great!!) a big floppy stuffed dog (wearing a Broncos' neckerchief) from my great aunt and uncle, Sharon and Wendell...

Here are my dad and I watching football highlights on Sunday night, I can't be sure but it sure does look like he is mocking me!

A Love Story...

Once upon a time, there was a very lovely and creative guy who was perceived by many to be a little loud and a lot quirky...  His name was Mr. Whoozit.  You see, Mr. Whoozit's career of entertaining children, (actually one at the moment, by the name of Brennan--shocker!) is a rather physical and frankly, exhausting gig.  Mr. Whoozit spent his free time alone in a basket of toys with other off-shift animals, blankets and books, and occasionally in the bottom of the diaper bag.  Mr. Whoozit was lonely and was looking for a like minded (ie. curious, funny and a little bit wacky) partner with whom he could spend a little down time...  Meet the eligible bachelor...

Well a few weeks back, while enjoying the Chihuly glass show at the DeYoung, Brennan's mom found a new addition (happy 4 month birthday present!!) to the toy box...  This creature has bells, rattles, and bendable legs, a lovely disposition and a wonky sense of humor.  Loved by Brennan, a welcome member of the entertainment entourage... 

Well, they have hit it off, and are now spending most days together, getting yanked, chewed on and slapped about by one joyful baby boy...  Here is the happy couple...  

This is where you come in, she doesn't have a name and we are just out of creative juice around this house.  Please leave your suggestion in the comments, and the lucky winner will get a prize!!  Please help, I believe she is getting a little resentful of being referred to as "crazy Mr. Whoozit's girlfriend."

I went to visit a dear friend today and her one month old baby (hi KP and Luciano!) and I already can't remember when B was so little and new.  I have the pictures, but I can't access the memory of the tiny, wobbly headed, mewing newby... So sweet and amazing...

I have been bemoaning the fact that I don't have many pictures with Brennan.  Yes, I have shied away from the camera depending on the state of my hair (brushed!!) and clothing (dressed!), but enough!  Behold a self-portrait, a decent hair day and I am in real clothes...

Out for a walk and running a few errands...

Cutie Pie!!

I was just playing around with the "baby" setting on our digital camera...  As you can see, the little guy is all about his hands in his mouth and drooling.  His left eye still tears quite a bit due to a blocked tear duct that should work its way open.

Mmmmm...  two fingers--very tasty...

Broncos and Bath Time...

Go Broncos!!  We all enjoyed watching Justin's beloved Broncos eek out a victory on Sunday--Brennan is quite taken with the game (or else the flashing of the TV itself!!)

Being tutored in the nuances of the game...

A post game rubdown (or bath) take your pick!

Month Four

Dearest little B,

What a month this has been...  

We flew to Denver to see your grandmother and great aunt and uncle, and to introduce you to other friends and family.  You were great on the plane and could not get enough of the people watching (if you were 20 years older you would get arrested for stalking people with your stare!!) You had a very busy social schedule in Denver (and Boulder) and you were such a little champ--you had a smile for everyone and wide eyes taking it all in.  You are such a little sweetheart that everyone threatens to try to keep you!!  It warms my heart every time, because I know that that is the highest form of flattery--they like you, they really like you!  Not every baby makes it so easy to be liked, loved-yes, but not always liked.  

We took you up to White Sulphur Springs for the annual summer picnic for the Hoffman Institute, and you continue to be a great little traveller in the car as well.  Your occasional tears in the car, when we cannot always calm you or comfort you to quiet, almost always lead you to fall asleep.  This happened a few times in a row and it lead us to two conclusions--one, you were not getting enough sleep, and two, it was okay for us to let you cry.  We transferred this to our home sleeping situation and last week we started putting you down for bed and for naps while you were still awake (drowsy)...  You have fussed or cried a few times, but about 85% of the time you just look at me, close your eyes and go to sleep.  You are now sleeping 5-8 hours at night and are taking 3 naps during the day--DUHHH!!  Why didn't we do this sooner!!??  You are a much happier and more even-keeled little boy.

This last weekend your Uncle Adam married Marianne, and it was a pretty busy few days.  Nonna stayed with us for the first part of the week and baked the wedding cake while she was here.  We had a chance to do some fun stuff too.  Two days of wedding and rehearsals in the East Bay turned your (new!!) nap schedule upside down and it was such a reminder of how far we have come in just a few short weeks.  

Our friend Kristina came out to visit from Atlanta, and we spent some time with her at our house for dinner and at the Ferry Building for the Farmer's Market--she is planning to move back to San Fran and we couldn't be happier!!

Your Uncle Jacob has been in San Francisco for most of the summer, and has actually been working in the grocery store on the ground floor of our building doing some special projects for them.  More days than not he popped up during his lunch or after his shift--it was really nice for both of us, and I think your uncle enjoyed you very much.  We took him to the airport earlier this week to send him off to grad school in Chicago.  Jacob hasn't spent much time around babies, and the last time I spent so much time with a baby was when he was a little guy!  Very full circle...

You had your 4 month appointment today--you are 24.5 inches long (+3 since birth) and weigh 15 pounds 1 ounce (+6 pounds 12 ounces).  Dr. Julia commented that your verbalizing was ahead of most babies your age--heh, not so surprising.  You constantly have your hand in your mouth, and as your dad says "rabid dogs slobber less" than you do right now.  :-)  I am enjoying you so much these days, and every day seems to be a little bit more normal.  Your new sleeping schedule allows me to plan our days a little more, and I look forward to having some structure (so unlike me before you came into my life).  This structure allows us to have some chunks of time to go places and do things.  Before your napping started I really felt like I was constantly playing defense--wondering when the moment might be right to do something, and how long that moment might last.  I so wanted you to always be happy and I fiercely protected those moments.  This is much better.  There is an ease that has set in.

We have a bedtime routine now--bath, read some books, eat, snuggle and then to bed--like a real kid!  You are becoming more of a person to me each day, and I love and cherish your little being.  I also appreciate so much the person who I am becoming because of your presence in my life.  

I love you, Little One.

Little Monkey...

This is one of my favorite little onesies of his... and he is growing out of it!! Whhaaaa...

He actually kind of looks like the little monkey!  With Gr'a'nt Siobhan...

Uncle Jacob!!!

The little guy knows that something is going on...  For the past 6-8 weeks, my brother Jacob has been in town and we have seen him more days than not.  Many days, his visit has been the break both little B and I needed.  This afternoon Jacob and I went for a "last" walk around the Mission with Brennan.  We had a farewell dinner of pasta with sauce, garlic bread and salad before we took Jacob to the airport to catch his red-eye to Chicago to start grad school.  

Come visit Jacob and send him your well-wishes at: Hey Jacob    

(Shhhhh... it's a secret, I will be sending him the link in the next few days)

Grandpa comes to town...

Our family is in town this weekend for my brother's wedding.  Here are my dad and Brennan at the rehearsal dinner, adoring each other.

Devouring his books...

This kiddo loves his books--I read him 8 books in one sitting today.  He was looking at the pictures and very engaged.  He especially like a yellow duck in a book made for the bathtub that was a hand-me-down--made him laugh.

Beautiful day...

to go to the farmer's market at the Ferry Building with Nonna and Kristina.

Ahhh, September in San Francisco...