Brandon's 1 month checkup

9 lb 5 oz
22 inches long

I'll have to admit, I am glad he's not a 10-pounder just yet. He has so many cute 0-3 month clothes that we've been given!

Big sis had a harder time waiting patiently for the doc to see her brother than anyone else. I think the 3's are going to be harder than the 2's.

Bear's lil' Buddy is 4 weeks old!

Big sis, before the shower last saturday:

This morning, holding baby brother:
This afternoon:



Doing the unofficial, stand on scale with and without baby weigh-in, I'm guessing he's around 10 lbs. His 1 month check up is later this week. He's healthy, seems to be adjusting to formula ok overall, and has more "awake" time during the day. He is still my cuddly boy, I hope that doesn't change for a long time. We have started calling Bear "Sissy" around the house, and she in turn calls Brandon "Sissy", and then laughs. We call him "Buddy" or "Little Man". Of course, we use their names. Lately, the almost 3 year old has been hearing her first name and middle name together more frequently; and sometimes the last name is added on when she is ignoring us. (It doesn't usually seem to help, though.)

double baby shower

Steph & Anna hosted a shower at Dianne's for Jodi and me yesterday. Hannah and Caroline were able to spend quality time together, 7-month old Kimberly was quite the cuddle bug, and everyone took turns holding baby Brandon. The shower was very special, it was so nice to all be together, since we are spread out.

mini milestones

or, rather, observations:

*Brandon's cord finally fell off this week.
*His eyelashes are getting longer... they are blondish/light brown.
*His light brown hair (with some blonde mixed in the very top) is growing long enough so that if it gets scrunched, the whole 1/8th of an inch of it sticks out. So cute!
*He is beginning to have longer "awake" periods, and is easily captivated by things like ceiling fans and the flashing lights on his swing and bouncy seat.
*He turns toward voices he recognizes. He also seemed to like my Daniel Doss Band cd that I played yesterday.
*He "smiles". I think it's just gas so far, but it's cute.
*He copies mouth gestures and really studies faces.

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Hannah loves the new line-up on PBS, especially Super Why and Word World. She dances and sings along to the theme songs, and interacts with the characters more than on any other show. It's so cute! And since the shows are pretty educational, I do not feel as guilty about too much TV time during our adjustment. :)

my buddy and me this week

big sis likes to be close to her little buddy

"word up, yo!"

sharing brother with Catey (someone's learned how to do fake smiles, as you can tell)

him: are you sure she's capable of doing this, mom?
her: sure, no problem

1st daytime stroll in our groovy joovy stroller. Hannah likes her big-kid bench seat.

3 weeks

Brandon is still our cuddly, sweet little boy. He also loves his swing, which gives me an occasional break (and having him strapped in gives me peace of mind in the event that well-meaning big sis might try to pick him up).

For the past few days, whenever she has helped me change Brandon's diaper (given me wipes and/or brought me a diaper), Hannah has exclaimed, "His diaper's stinky! It makes me sick!"

After too many 1-2 hour nursing sessions which resulted in him being hungry 10 minutes later, I have switched to pumping and giving him his milk in a bottle and will be transitioning to formula soon. When only 1 or 2 out of 8 or 10 feedings per day results in a still hungry baby, it's time to consider other options. It's a little like playing, "spin the bottle."

Hannah has asked for lanolin lotion, and on more than one occasion asked if she could feed her brother as she lifts up her shirt. A little mommy. :-) (No, we don't let her try.)

First Portraits

Click HERE to see the portraits taken by Uncle G. & Aunt S. while they visited!

Two weeks in review

at the hospital:

goopy eyed


happy birthday, little man! we did it!

waiting with big sis: ready to go home!

1 week:

big sis looks a bit possessive here...

2 weeks:

big sis picked out this sleeper before her brother was born

grrr...

meeting the fam...part 2

(ok, this one's not biological family, but she was there when mommy and daddy met and put up with us in the mushy early dating phase... that counts for something, right?)

Brandon meets his family... part 1

Mommy was able to hold him immediately after birth.

Daddy's job was a bit harder this time,
but he made it through the delivery just fine.

Aunt Becca tells someone about her new nephew.

Big sis, Hannah, loves sitting with Mommy and her baby brother.

the life and times of a big sister

mommy instinct




keeping herself entertained




"hi, bright eyes"

I'm a BIG SISTER!

Cute Quips

Upon waking up this morning, I told Hannah today was Mommy's birthday.
"We need cake and we need a party!"

Upon waking up from her nap, Hannah hugged my belly with both hands and exclaimed, "Brandon, you need to come out today!"

As Joel put my cake onto a plate that was passed down from Grandma Helen, because even a guy knows you can't put candles in a birthday cake while still in a plastic container from the store, I told Hannah my age and asked her if that sounded very old.
"No," she responded. "Mommy is so cute. Great Gramma is very old!" (The cake was very yummy, by the way.)

the baby in mommy's belly....

our exercise balls....

i love her expression in this one!

slightly more cooperation

the past few times i've asked bear when her brother will come out, and listed the next few days up to sunday, she always replies, "sunday." but that could be because it's the last choice she was given.