In the Blink of an Eye

It's hard to believe it, but our little guy turned two months today! I feel like those two months have passed in a blink. Brennan is so much fun. His personality is starting to come to life. He loves to show his beautiful smile to everyone, and is ready to start laughing at any time now. Tummy time has become more enjoyable for him. He likes to lay across the Boppy and talk to Bert and Ernie. He seems very proud to be able to raise his head so high and steady. A few of his firsts this month include: staying with Nonna while we had date night, celebrating Valentine's, celebrating Mommy's birthday, a trip to school to meet Mommy's class, sleeping all night in his crib, a professional portrait sitting, trip to Gam's, a play date, a birthday party, exploring the backyard on a nice day, and having to be taken out of church (which seems to have become a habit). Some of the things he enjoys are: laying in mommy's arms, standing up in mommy's lap, getting into mommy and daddy's bed in the morning for cuddle time, bath time, reading books, tummy time, trips in his car seat, strolls around the neighborhood, sitting in his highchair, only his Mommy's arms when he's so sleepy, and watching the big kids play where ever we are. He weighs 13 pounds, and is wearing 3 to 6 months clothes.

Our life has continued to change and evolve with Brennan's two months. The top ten:
10. sleeping more than three hours at a time---we are up to five hours some nights
9. being sad to put away the moses basket I've waited so long to have, and then could only use for two months
8. marking the spring consignment sales on my calendar
7. getting up early to go to consignment sales, but not actually getting there early because things just don't always work that way
6. cooking dinner while making up silly songs to entertain B-man
5. feeling baffled by the sizing of baby clothes...how does a two month old already wear 6 month sleepers?
4. spending more time in the hall at church than in church, and wondering who else will be hanging out in the hall too
3. feeling like I fit in with the other mums around
2. exercising to a walking video because it can be done with my arms full of a cuddly little boy
1. that precious smiling face

Nonna's Night

Last night Mike and I had our first date night since Brennan was born. On the way Mike gave me a funny card, The New Baby's Owners Manual. It had a note for a spa day of my choice in it. We started with dinner at Bonefish. The Bang Bang shrimp appetizer had been calling our names all week. After dinner we stopped by The Chocolate Crocodile for dessert. Mike was super excited to have a chocolate covered twinkie. I loved the chocolate covered smores. It was great to be out on the town, and feel like an independent adult again. Of course my mind, and some of our conversations, went to Brennan from time to time. He has recently become pretty attached to his mommy, so I wasn't sure how his evening with Nonna might go. Apparently he was quite the gentleman. He talked to her awhile, then fell asleep, and woke up just before we got home. Lucky for us, because she's now eager to stay again.

Mission Accomplished

The kitchen project is finally finished! It took a day longer than I expected, but that's not too bad all things considered.It took a coat of dark primer and three coats of paint to cover. I also decided to paint a built in cabinet that was white and didn't show up very well. I have to admit I had an exhausted mommy melt down somewhere in the middle as well. There's nothing a good cry can't fix. You know, sometimes those big girl panties just don't fit! All in all I'm very happy with the results. It's amazing how color can change the whole feel of a room.

Watch Out House Here I Come!

I have finally gotten my creative energy back! I think Brennan may be an architect or engineer when he grows up, because he sure borrowed my creativity while I was pregnant. I usually love creative projects, and they normally come quite easily to me. While I was pregnant I had no good ideas, and the ones I had were always a little off. Not good timing for buying a fixer upper or decorating a nursery! As a result I have not been happy with the paint colors I've chosen, or much else, for this house.

The last few weeks I've started to feel a change. My mind is constantly coming up with ideas for the house. We are getting ready to tackle one of our bigger projects, from a long list of big projects. We are trying to decide between turning the basement into a large family room and play room or updating the outside facade. I have a plethora of ideas for both, maybe too many! Doing the basement means: a large living and entertaining space, a safe place for kids to play, new stairs, new carpet, new furniture, and one floor of the house basically done. The outside facade would mean: new windows and lower energy bills, replacing wood features with vinyl (some of which have rotted), painting what can't be changed to vinyl, and new paint colors of our choice. All of which would give us peace of mind in knowing the outside is well maintained and looks like we would like it to. We could also get a tax credit for the windows this year. There are pros to both ideas, and both will get done eventually, but deciding which to do first has become a dilemma. A good dilemma none the less, and an exciting one since we get to see progress.

For now, I decided to tackle repainting our kitchen tonight. We painted the cabinets white and walls a light blue last summer. I'm okay with the cabinets, but haven't been happy with the walls from day one. I've planned to paint it an apple green, the same as our last house's kitchen that I loved. This kitchen is small though, and just doesn't seem like an apple green kitchen. Today I decided I would like it to be Bittersweet. Bittersweet is an orange/red color that I bought for our bedroom. Our bedroom turned into a large project with the discovery of a leak in one wall, so the paint hasn't been used. I've known that I would like the kitchen this color, but wasn't ready to commit to it. Tonight I committed! By this time tomorrow it should be complete. We are so excited to see the results!

Maybe I will fall in love with this house yet!

Our First Month

It's hard to believe, but we have been a family of three for one month today. Nothing has brought more love, more joy, or more change to our lives at once. Brennan is a wonderful little guy! He has started to sleep 4-5 hours at night. He has a pretty laid back personality, but isn't shy about speaking up if he needs something. When he was born he looked just like my baby pictures, but as he grows he looks more and more like his daddy. He has become very alert, and loves to hold his head up and look around. His favorite activities are eating, swinging, bouncing, eating, talking to his toys and us, listening to stories, eating,and sleeping.. .and did I mention eating. He is growing so fast! He is wearing 0-3month clothes and some of those are getting short. A few of the highlights of his month have been: many great visits from friends and family, a couple of dinners out, shopping with mom, his first church service, and meeting a few of his future friends.
I'm amazed at how fast my way of thinking has changed. A cool water feature no longer seems like a good idea in the backyard. The downstairs family room has moved to the top of the house project list. A whole day at home, or even a whole weekend, is now what I crave more than being out. Unfortunately, time now flies faster than ever. My goal for the next month is to enjoy every month, even more than I have already.

The First Top Ten

Being a mom is amazing! There are many reasons I love it, most of which I would have never imagined before. I know that some of the tasks that fill my days now are only temporary, but memorable still. I've decided to capture the changes in a monthly top ten.

10. Knowing what the world is like at 3 a.m. every morning.
9. Eating breakfast not when I'm hungry, but when I have two free hands to hold a cereal bowl.
8. Shaving my legs on the days Brennan looks like he'll be content in his bouncer for a few extra minutes, rather than when they really need it.
7. Knowing where the camera is at all times.
6. Challenging myself to see how much I can accomplish in the three minutes the microwave takes to sanitize bottles.
5. Still getting to take hot, relaxing baths some nights while Mike and Brennan have story time.
4. Lunch out on a "school" day with my guys.
3. Visits from friends, family, and neighbors.
2. Feeling like I have a whole new wardrobe without spending a dime, just packing away the maternity clothes.
1. Having a small one to cuddle with whose favorite spot is laying on my chest with his head against my neck as close as possible.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new decade, and for us a whole new life! Brennan Abbott Swafford arrived on December 28, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and was 21 in. long.  I was induced the night before. This became necessary because my blood pressure continued to be high. I didn't have one of those "quick, no pain, I'd do this again anytime" deliveries, and no I haven't forgotten a second of it yet, but it was definitely worth it. He is amazing! I feel so blessed to have such a perfect little being to love and care for, and so thankful to get to be a mommy. 

I have great admiration for the nurses at Huntsville Hospital. The ones who cared for us were amazing. The L and D nurse I had stayed past her shift because she really wanted to be there when Brennan arrived, unfortunately she had to leave before the big moment. The night shift nurse was so on top of everything. She answered questions before I even knew to ask them. We have also had wonderful care from our friends and family. I haven't cooked a meal yet. Mike has been amazing also. He changed almost every diaper at the hospital, and has pitched in to do anything and everything around the house. 

So far I think we are adjusting well. I'm getting a decent amount of sleep, so I don't feel exhausted. We have been out quite a bit for doctor's appointments, errands, and family dinners. Brennan seems to enjoy and adjust to it all. I've been surprised how much I think about school and my class. I'm right where I want to be at home, but I do think of what they are doing at different times during the day. They sent us sweet cards for Brennan today. I will be glad when we have a little more of a daily routine. I am also hoping that Buster is able to adjust a little better to sharing life with his new family member. He has been a handful so far. Wells seems to love Brennan. He got up with me for the first few nights, and still shows up anytime Brennan is crying. 

A new baby is a great way to start a new year! Happy 2010!