9 month checkup

I took Brennan this week for her 9 month checkup. She weighs 20 lbs 11 oz and was 29" long. I was amazed that she had only gained 1 lb 2 oz in the last 3 months. All the crawling and pulling up must be burning a lot of calories! They had to take some blood to check her iron and when they pricked her toe she didn't flinch. (Ethan left the room because he can't stand it when they prick her.) She did get a little mad when the nurse was squeezing her foot to get blood but she never cried. When the doctor came in she said her iron was perfect and so was everything else. She was happy to hear that Brennan was eating so many different foods. Brennan had to have one shot so while the nurse was giving her the shot I held her hands and played with her. She didn't cry at all! I was so shocked and Ethan was happy! She's such a brave little girl.

4th of July

We had a busy but fun weekend! We went to a pool party on Friday at our friends house, the Saucedo's. Brennan had a great time swimming! We tried out her new raft and she loved it, just kept kicking her legs. I forgot the memory card to my camera so I couldn't take any pictures. I was able to get some pictures later that day at home. Gammi bought Brennan a 4th of July onesie so we had a little photo shoot. On Saturday we were supposed to go to Stephen's aunts house but Stephen was burned from being in the sun on Friday and Ethan had a little of sunburn too so we decided to stay home.

A few months ago I found the cutest dress that I wanted Brennan to wear for the 4th. I put it on her and of course we had to have another photo shoot. I swear she loves the camera. Whenever she sees the light on the camera she starts to smile. Maybe we have a future fashion model???

That evening we went to the Mall of GA to watch fireworks. We got there around 6:30p and set up our "compound". The Lee's and Saucedo's met us there and shortly after we all ate dinner. I had made chicken salad for Stephen & I and Brennan kept eyeing my sandwich. So I gave her a little piece of chicken and of course she ate it up and was looking for more. Around 9:30p the fireworks started and Brennan hardly took her eyes off of them, she was mesmerized.

Food, Food, Food

Brennan is starting to eat more table food. One night I made green beans so I gave her a couple of bites and she ate them up. I've given her crackers, macaroni & cheese, bananas and peaches also. Today I gave her black eyed peas and she loved them. She couldn't put them in her mouth fast enough. By the end of lunch they were all over her face, hands and under her chin. I'm so looking forward to giving her other foods to try.

Brennan update

I'm not sure where the time has gone but I can't believe it's almost been a month since I last posted. I hope I can remember everything Brennan has done, said, accomplished etc. She now has 4 teeth; 3 on the bottom and one on the top. The teething process is not being kind to her, she seems to be in pain a lot. I just don't remember Ethan having this hard of a time. I feel for her and I try to do what I can to make her comfortable. My friend, Michelle, gave us some Hyland's Teething Tablets and they seem to work pretty well. I have also given her ibuprofen a couple of nights so she could sleep. She doesn't like for you to look in her mouth so I really haven't been able to get pictures of the teeth but when I get her to smile really big you can see a few of them.

Last weekend the kids & I went to TN to visit my parents. It was my first trip alone with two kids and it went unbelievably well! They both were great on the way up, we only stopped once! When we got there we were greeted by my dad's dog, Dusty. Brennan has never seen him (actually she hasn't seen too many dogs) and she was so excited when I got her out of the car. I leaned down so she could get a better look and Dusty licked her hand. She squealed and started laughing. All weekend she would get excited to see him. One day we were outside and she was in the baby pool. Dusty came around and laid down near the pool, Brennan leaned over and held her hand out to touch him but she wasn't close enough. I thought it was so cute so I got up to take a picture and this is the shot:
Oops













I felt bad about that so I made it up to her.









On Friday (June 12th) she said her 2nd word and it wasn't Dada. It was Papa, my dad was really excited but he also felt bad that she had not said Dada yet. So for the rest of the weekend he tried to teach her to say Dada but she still won't say it. It really is cute whenever she says Papa because she always whispers it. I also think she is trying to say bye-bye although Ethan thinks she is saying bubba.

She's crawling so much better now and is getting into everything, I can barely keep up with her! Then on Saturday (June 13th) she pulled up for the first time all by herself. She loved pulling up on my parents coffee table and getting into their magazines, remotes and anything else she could find. Once we got home she pulled up on the fireplace and then figured out that she could climb up on it too. One day she climbed up and then fell off backwards. She hit the back of her head and cried for a few minutes then the moment she got down she was climbing back on it. So I went and got the big gate out to keep her away from it for a while.

Yesterday we went to my grandparents house and as soon as Brennan was down she started exploring. They have an entertainment center and Brennan immediately crawled over to it. I had to move some things from the bottom shelf and then she got in and sat down. I remembered that in September 2005 Ethan climbed into the same shelf. Here's one of Ethan & one of Brennan.

































Here are a couple more pictures we took today.

She must have been exhausted

Today I put Brennan down for her nap and as usual she cried for a couple of minutes. This has become a common occurrence and of course it breaks my heart but I also know that she cries hoping I'll get her out. A few minutes later I turned on the monitor and she was playing in her crib, happy as can be! Then about 15 minutes later I looked at the monitor again and I saw her in the corner of the crib but not moving. So I went to check on her and saw that she was sleeping sitting up! All of that playing must have exhausted her!! I was laughing and ran to get Stephen & Ethan so they could see. Then of course I had to get the camera to take pictures. :)

She's crawling

Brennan has figured out how to crawl! We are in trouble!! She's been pulling herself around with her arms (and legs dragging behind) and getting up on her hands & knees for a couple of weeks now. But on Wednesday she actually crawled. She's trying more and more every day so I'm sure it won't be long before she's all over the house, I won't be able to keep up with her.

I took a couple of pictures of her today. She's wearing a dress that Memaw (Stephen's paternal grandmother) made for her. She looked so cute in it and Memaw was excited to see Brennan wearing it (we went to visit Memaw & Papaw today). She also got to play with her cousin Kaylee today. When it was time for lunch we put Kaylee & Brennan right next to each other. Lately when Brennan gets in her high chair she has the tendency to scream really loud. I think it is because she's ready for me to give her food. The first time she did it today Kaylee jumped and then looked at Brennan and gave her the furrowed eyebrow look. It was hilarious! Then every time Brennan would scream she would get the same look from Kaylee. We need to get Kaylee to teach Brennan how to use her inside voice. :)

I noticed in the pictures I took today that Brennan's nose is an orange color so I googled it, seems that it is from too much beta carotine. She does love carrots, sweet potatoes and squash. I guess I need to get her to eat more green veggies for the next couple of days!!

Lake Blackshear '09

A couple of weeks ago we went to Stephen's business partners lake house on Lake Blackshear in Cordele, GA. We have been for the past few years and always have a great time. This was Brennan's first trip there and she did really well. She stayed on her schedule which was nice and adjusted well to sleeping in her pack-n-play for four days. The lake was a little to cold for her plus I didn't have a life jacket in her size so she didn't get in. But there was a baby pool there that she played in. She had a great time splashing around! Plus, I had a great time dressing her in her swimsuits!!