Brennan is ONE!!!

As most everyone knows, Brennan turned one on Friday! It was a wonderful, emotional time, and the good times keep coming. I had to leave for the Women's Retreat that day, but I got to spend the morning with my cutie, and he had a great birthday night with Daddy. They had pizza and a cupcake, although I think Brennan only ate a dozen bites of everything shown on that tray. Daddy sure made it look like they lived it up in his photos, though! This Friday we're having a birthday party at a nearby park, and Aunt Jenny will even be here to help celebrate! On Saturday morning Nana and Pop-Pop (my mom and grandfather) will arrive to spend the next several days with us, including Easter. It will be a wonderful time with so much family visiting.

Today we had Brennan's check-up, and he weighed in at 20 pounds, 4 ounces. This was a surprise since he weighed close to that a few months ago, but some recent illness made him lose over a pound. He is now eating to make up for lost time, and we're not worried that he will gain plenty of the weight he lost.

Brennan is still not walking, which is a shock to us all since he has been cruising for about five months!! The doctor says he believes it is because Brennan's ear infections affected his balance and made him less sure on his feet. He is convinced that it will happen any day now, and we're waiting with the camera ready!

March was a tough month for Brennan, and we're looking forward to a better spring. First he had the flu, then a double ear infection, then Rotavirus, and now he has an infected cold. He seems to be feeling significantly better than he was, and his ears looked okay today, so that's all good news. It's all so sad and frustrating, especially since I'm home with him and the only place he goes is to church. It's also frustrating that eleven months of nursing didn't ward off everything, but I guess some kids are going to just get sick no matter what you do. Anyway, I'm praying that the whole "in like a lion, out like a lamb" thing holds true for Brennan's health.

B's personality is really shining these days, and he is a lot of fun. He can be very independent when he wants to be (which is most of the time when he's not sick), but he is, at the same time, very social. He'll come over to tell me an extremely animated "story" and give me a hug, then he's off to explore again. It's a delightful combination. He has become what we like to call a "button bandit." He will push any buttons, anywhere, anytime. He loves to open and close the garage door, flip light switches, and push buttons on the telephone and remote controls. He also likes to turn the power on and off the sound system for the television and press all of the buttons on our radio alarm clock. He's really a busy bee!

Another favorite game right now is our modified version of hide and seek. Brennan loves to play chase, and we will hide behind something while he's chasing us (he usually knows we're there), then we'll jump out and yell, "BOO!" He laughs hysterically, sometimes rolling over onto his back He loves this game, and his laughter is contagious.

Preferences in books and toys are starting to really take hold, and B loves to read books with us that we can make interactive. Some of his favorites this week are "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," "Fuzzy, Fuzzy, Fuzzy" by Sandra Boynton, and "I Love You Through and Through." Of course, he does go through spurts like most kids, so these could totally change next week!

We're really into dancing and music, and Brennan loves to conduct to music and shake his little booty while swaying, clapping, and marching (one hand on the table, of course). He is so easily amused by himself, and it's great fun for us, as well. He also takes great delight in pushing his pop car across the kitchen floor, steering his high chair all over the kitchen, and shaking his head "no" when he's about to do something he knows he shouldn't.

I have loved every stage with my baby more than the one before. Could this possibly be true for the "terrible twos" as well??