Eskimo Kisses

I wanted to post this picture one more time, so I could link up with Jhen Stark! Before Brennan was born, we worried about how Ringo would act with the baby. Everyone told us the dog would be great and he truly is. Brennan absolutely loves the dog too, which makes it even better. I never had pets growing up and even though they are A LOT of work, I'm glad Brennan will grow up loving animals.

Could they be any cuter?!?

Bye Bye Booby

If you don't want to read about breastfeeding, you might as well stop reading now.

We are about one month from Brennan turning one! (Whoa!) As of the first of the year, he was nursing four times each day. His meal times are approximately 7, 11, 3, and 6. At three of those meals, he also eats solids. He has always been a fast nurser, but lately he has become very distracted. If he nurses for five minutes per side I consider it long, so I have decided it is time to start weaning him. I think Brennan could do it cold turkey but I'm not up for that, so we are dropping one feeding per week. I also pump every night to have breast milk I can mix with his cereal, so there are technically five "feedings" throughout the day. Pumping at night has given me a good supply of frozen breast milk I can use as I start dropping feedings.

I thought I'd go ahead and blog about our weaning adventures so a.) I can remember what I did and how it went and b.) others might get some ideas that may work for them.

I got the majority of my ideas from here. I was going to do one big weaning post when we were all done, but I think it will be a little long-winded, so I'm going to do it weekly. So lots of reading about boobies coming up!

Week One - Stopped pumping at night
Jan. 1 - First night of not pumping (Hallelujah!)
Jan. 2 - Woke up with no discomfort at all (very surprising); nursed Brennan at his four regular times throughout the day.
Jan. 3 - Woke up with quite a bit of discomfort, but it passed after the morning feeding; nursed B four times during the day.
Jan. 4 - Woke up with a little discomfort, but it passed after the morning feeding; nursed B four times during the day.
Jan. 5 - Woke up with no discomfort; nursed B four times during the day.
Jan. 6 - Woke up with no discomfort; nursed B four times during the day.
Jan. 7 - Woke up with no discomfort; nursed B four times during the day.

Yesterday was our first day to drop one of his feedings during the day. I'll write all about that at the end of the week. I dropped his 11am feeding first since he gets solids with that meal. My plan is to drop the 3pm feeding after that, followed by the nighttime feeding, and finally the morning feeding.

Wish us luck!

SNOW!

It started snowing last night just before we went to bed and we woke up to a couple inches of the white stuff this morning. Brennan has never "played" in the snow before and we figured today would be a good day.

Here's Brennan this morning eating breakfast.

Dada took some pictures of the backyard this morning.

Then after Brennan woke up from his (three hour) nap, we played inside for a little bit and then bundled up and headed out. We don't have snow clothes for Brennan in his size, so he is wearing a 24 month snow suit and size 7 boots! Ha! All he was going to do was sit in the snow anyways, so we figured it would get the job done.

Friday's Fab Five

The first Fab Five of 2011 - Woot! Woot!

1. Check out B's new kicks. His friend, Aiden, wore a pair to church on Sunday and I knew B needed a pair too.

2. Check out this loot! I got my Luv Bath and Body Works card in the mail the other day. You take the card to the store on one Thursday of each month and get a free gift. I went yesterday fully expecting to get some little dinky free gift and instead scored three free things! Pretty sweet deal! Unfortunately the enrollment period for getting a card is over now.

3. Brennan is signing! Yes signing - not singing. I have been working on sign language with him since he was way too little to understand it, but now he can sign "all done" and "please". I am so proud of him!

4. I've been working on Brennan's birthday party! I'm trying to make as much as I can myself, so I don't spend too much money on something he isn't even going to remember! I think it's going to be a doggone good time!

5. Kyle is building Brennan a toy box! I'll save pictures for when the whole thing is complete, but it is coming together very quickly! I am excited to see the finished product!

And here are some pics of my boy.

Brightens My Day

His smile is seriously wonderful and I can't get enough of it!

Top 10 of '10

I know very little about photography, but once Brennan was born, I knew I wanted to capture as much as I could. He is an extremely photogenic baby, so even with my lack of photography skills, I have managed to capture some pretty good (and funny) pictures of him. I can't believe I am even linking up my pictures with some of these amazing photographers, but here goes nothing. Go ahead and link up too and post the top 10 photos you've taken of your kiddo(s) this past year.

Here's my top 10 (in chronological order):

1. Burping is such hard work -

As I mentioned, I am in no way a professional photographer, but back on February 16th as I was trying to burp Brennan after a feeding, I knew this was a great photo op. I called for Kyle to get the camera and he caught this awesome picture. B's hair was so dark back then!

2. Rock-a-bye-baby -

I still love this picture too. This was one of the first times Brennan had been swimming. He loved the water from very early on and was very content to be put into Adah's float. He was just floating around when all of a sudden his eyelids started to get heavy. I knew he was going to fall asleep, so Amanda got out of the pool and took some pictures once he was out.

3. My new tricks -

This photo was taken in July while on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN with my family. I like this picture because I captured Brennan's two newest tricks at the time: blowing raspberries and playing with his feet.

4. Cheering on his team -

Those eyes! I love them so much! This was taken at our church's first Upward soccer game.

5. Sharp-Dressed Baby -

While cleaning out Brennan's closest and putting away clothes that were too small, I decided to play dress up with him. This suit was already a little small, but he had never worn it and I really wanted a picture of him in it. It took several shots to get this smile, but once I got it, I knew it was perfect.

6. Mr. Monkey -

Like the previous two photos, this one was also taken in September. It must have been a very photogenic month for Brennan. I love this hat we bought him at the Big E New England Fair. It always gets him tons of compliments when we go out.

7. Sweet kisses -

There are very few pictures of me that I like. Maybe I like this one because it doesn't show my whole face. This was taken by Kyle during a visit to the pumpkin patch. I think B looks sad in the picture, but it has always been one of Kyle's favorites.

8. Ho ho ho -

I better include this picture. This was our Christmas card photo and boy have I set the bar high for future cards. I cannot begin to tell you how many people have told us how much they loved our card. What's not to love with that huge smile?!

9. Splish-splash! -

I had to include a bath shot. I love his expression here.

10. Handsome fella -

I wish I could've gotten a smile, but I love this picture nonetheless. I just wish Kyle hadn't been working so he could've been at church with us. Everyone loved Brennan all dressed up in his jacket and tie.

Friday's Fab Five - Year End Edition

It's almost the end of 2010

Looking back, counting blessings, oh where to begin?

It's been a big year you could certainly say

Especially a certain February day!

Since 2011 is oh so near

Let's do a top five of this past year!

And it would only be right if it was done in a rhyme

Happy New Year - hope you have a FAB time!

5. I read the whole Bible, yes the darn thing

It took some time, but joy it did bring.

4. We took a summer trip home to Kentucky

And saw lots of family and felt really lucky.

3. The Navy brought people back and took them away

And then brought new friends who might be here to stay!

2. I got to stay at home with my son

It's a lot of work, but has been so much fun!

1. A baby was born on Feb. 11

Certainly a gift from our Savior in Heaven!