Impossible!

I can't believe you can possibly be ten months old already Brennan! When you were born, time kicked into overdrive in our lives I think. You are looking like such a big boy these days, and wanting to act like one too. Yet somethings are still exactly the same as the day you were born. You still love to go to sleep with your hands by your face. Ears are a fascination for you right now, so your hands are usually on them. You also still love to kick. You have this way of kicking both legs at once. You do it when your sitting in the bathtub, in your car seat, in your stroller, on the floor, and I know that's exactly how you kicked in my belly a year ago. Jumping has continued to thrill you. We will hold you on the bed or in a chair, and you bounce yourself up and down. The cutest is when you stand at the superyard and jump up and down. That's how you greet us most days.

You are cruising everywhere, and will stand by yourself for several seconds at a time. You love to crawl as fast as you can to "get away" from us when we are about to pick you up. You have six chompers now, two more on top. Recently, you have started asserting your independence. You will have little fits if you don't get to do what you want. These mostly happen with Mommy so far. If we could understand all you have to say, we would all be a lot smarter by now. You talk constantly, and seem so serious about your proclamations. One of my favorite things you are doing now is giving us love. You will crawl up and snuggle on my shoulder. When I pick you up, you often pat my back and smile.

This has been a fun month. It started with UNA's Homecoming. Nonna received an Alumni award, so she was in the Homecoming parade. You and Maeleigh dressed in matching outfits, and we all went to see her. Afterward, we attended a picnic lunch, visited with some of Nonna's friends, tailgated, and watched the UNA football game. You loved it all! That weekend started my fall break. We took time that week to go to Tate Farms pumpkin patch, paint and prepare a playroom for you, go to the children's museum with Connor, and spend a lot of relaxing time together. Mommy and Daddy celebrated their anniversary on the 11th. Daddy was out of town for part of a week, so you and Mommy had a crazy week on our own (with lots of help from Nonna). We added both Alabama and Auburn jerseys to your wardrobe this month. They are both pretty cute. You have learned to signal TOUCHDOWN. You throw your hands straight up and smile real big. During the games on Saturdays, you get so excited and move as fast as you can all over the place. There has been a lot to be excited about for our teams this year. Alabama started the year #1, after being National Champs last season. Now Auburn has moved to #1 for the first time ever, and is still undefeated this season. We had Christmas pictures made this month. Tonya Melton and Bailey Eaves made them on a farm in Cullman. You were all smiles! I can't wait to see them. Halloween is a few days away, and your costume is all set.

I have started to plan your 1st birthday party. That will be such a busy time of the year, and I want to make sure that day is all about you. The party will be on your birthday the 28th. I've debated whether to do a snowman theme (my original idea since you were born), or a fire truck theme because we are going to have the party at the fire station community room by Nonna and Papa's house. I know this one's more about my preferences really, and by next year you'll have a preference yourself. We made our first trip to Toys R Us recently to get gift ideas for the upcoming holidays. I think you were in awe. You just sat back and stared at everything. You definitely like toys with wheels, that play music and make noise, are balls, or that you can easily hold in your hands. You also love books. We looked for ideas in those categories, and found lots. As you might guess, Daddy is most excited about the toys right now. He can't wait!

Your days have stayed pretty consistent. You take one good nap most days. You are still not a fan of sleeping alone, but we continue to work on it. You're enjoying stage three foods now, and really like the spaghetti and lasagna. You've also tried more table foods such as shredded cheese, baked potato, and black-eyed peas. I think you weigh around 24 lbs., and wear size 12-18 months clothes. Today we made the leap that officially makes you a big boy in my mind. Daddy picked up your final big boy car seat. You already use them in Daddy and Nonna's cars, but now you'll have one in my car also. That means your amazing Chicco infant seat will go away. We have all loved that seat. I think you'll miss your great naps in it, and I will miss the long naps like Sunday when you slept in it for almost three hours. It must be a very comfortable ride. Now we will be on to more toddler transitions I'm sure. You bring so much excitement to our lives little guy! We love you beyond words!

Oh What A Wonderful Week!

Fall Break! It's one of the great things about working in Madison County. A whole week off, at a great time of the year, when it is always needed. We have had a fabulous week!


It kicked off with Homecoming at UNA. We went to an alumni awards banquet on Friday night, then Saturday was filled with a parade, picnic, tailgating, and the football game. Mom received an award at the banquet, was in the parade, and then had a lot of friends around for it all. We all really enjoyed the gorgeous weekend on campus.



On Monday, our family went to Tate Farms pumpkin patch. I had never been there before, and was amazed at how nice it was. We really went for the pictures this year, and to start a family tradition. I had no idea it would be so much fun for us all. The weather was cool and beautiful. I can't wait to take Brennan each year.



Tuesday was a work day for Mike and I. We painted Brennan's new playroom. I think it has become our favorite room in the house. It feels so wonderful to walk down the stairs and see a finished room ahead. It is a grey/blue with a whimsical brown tree and huge chalkboard wall. I found cute sports knobs for the cabinets (on sale at Hobby Lobby, even more fun) and a big play rug with roads and buildings. It's a little sparse right now, but ready for all those Christmas and birthday gifts in a couple of months. Of course, the first time I took Brennan down to play I sat him in the middle of the floor and he headed for the door. I think he thought the cart of paint supplies in the next room looked real interesting.

On Wednesday, Brennan and I left Mike to do yard work while we shopped. I know shopping normally sounds like fun and a treat. It was a treat to have time to shop, but I was in desperate need for basic fall clothes and really had to find some things. It turned out well. I'm probably a little older than Old Navy's target buyer, but I love there basics.

Thursday was a day to rest a little and catch up around the house. Friday morning Brennan and I met my friend Kacie and her son Connor at Earlyworks. It was my first trip there as a mom, and Brennan's first play experience. We had a great time. Biscuit's Backyard was perfect for their ages, and they also loved the building section. I loved having a little time to catch up on grown up time.

Friday night Mike and I celebrated our anniversary. It is actually Monday, but Friday fit our schedule a little better this year. We had our first Melting Pot experience, and it was the first of many I hope. It was wonderful! I especially loved the chocolate fondue. I want to go back just for dessert. He had called ahead and gotten a back corner booth for two, a card, and a rose. So romantic! I was really surprised by that part.


Now we are enjoying a relaxing weekend of football and rest. War Eagle! But I have to say B looks pretty cute in his new Alabama jersey. No worries, he'll get cleaned up tonight in his orange and blue. I hope I can store up some of this stress free, rested feeling to carry me through those crazy weeks to come.

Nine Months...A Little Late

Happy Belated Nine Months Brennan! We've been having so much fun that I just haven't stopped to blog. It has been a busy month for us all. We are continuing to get used to spending our week days apart, and making the most of our time together. When we are together, you love to play and crawl all over the place. You pull up on anything that will stay still and cruise all around. You have become very vocal lately. You love to say ma ma, and now can discriminate when to say it. You also say da da at times, and your favorite for the month has been ot oh (however that is spelled). That expression is used for everything. You also like to just yell. You will yell until you are red in the face, and then make a oo oo oo sound over and over. It reminds me of a lion.

You're now the age Maeleigh was when you were born.She seemed so big then, and I can't believe you're already at that stage. You weigh almost 22 lbs. now and are 28 1/2 inches long. Four pearly whites are shining every time you flash your beautiful smile. You are wearing mostly 12 month pants and 18 month shirts. We've bought a few pairs of shoes recently, and I think a size 5 fits best at this point. You are eating stage 3 foods, and recently discovered you love the lasagna. You still love your bottle, and don't care for your crib. You have made it a few entire nights in your bed, but it still isn't a consistent thing. You are happy most of the time, but a few things are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud: the dogs, daddy, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and mommy's tickles. This month you've decided that the changing table isn't so great anymore. You sometimes scream when we start toward it, try to roll all around and get off, and have a little temper tantrum when we make you stay still enough for a diaper. You love to be held and carried around. When you spot something to get down for though, you just drop your legs and turn into a limp noodle. That's always a great move to use when mommy's hands are full of you and a laundry basket.

A few firsts this month have included: a Falkville football game, UNA football game, Daddy's birthday, Uncle Pick's birthday, Depot Days, watching Auburn and Alabama football, Harvest PTO meeting, and a flu shot. You are looking so much like a big boy now. Every once in a while I'll see an expression from you that I have a feeling is a preview of your toddler years. If so, life will only continue to be filled with joy from you.