Round of Applause

Brennan loves to clap! He'll usually clap upon request, although he sometimes becomes shy when he has an audience. He'll also clap when you sing "If You're Happy and You Know It"!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for this year!

Brennan had his first Thanksgiving dinner in Cincinnati with Grandpa and Grandma Mealy, Aunt Adrianna, Uncle Will, cousins Ava, Corinne, and Elise, and extended family. He enjoyed eating turkey, sweet potato, and rolls.

While in Cincinnati, we had fun visiting friends and family. Brennan also enjoyed Grandpa's famous sweet rolls (specially made without milk and eggs), a Mealy family tradition! Grandma and Daddy also gave him his second hair cut!

Mommy, Daddy, and Brennan at Thanksgiving Dinner

10 Months Old!

We've hit double digits--Brennan is 10 months old! His personality shines every day and he's so much fun to be around!

~Brennan is on the move! He's able to crawl very quickly, especially when he's on a mission to get to something. He is able to crawl over things, including Mommy and Daddy's legs and toys. At his Aunt Adrianna's house, he easily tackled going up the step between rooms.
~He loves to pull himself up to standing. He doesn't stand independently, but pulls himself up onto objects, including toys, his crib, legs, and walls. When returning to sitting/crawling, he's able to lower himself gracefully. He previously plopped onto his bottom, but he now lowers himself and uses his hand to brace himself down.
~When standing, he's able to cruise to other objects. He'll also walk behind toys or objects, such as a laundry basket, that move when he stands behind it.
~He initiates snuggling more regularly, including laying his head on your chest when sitting on your lap and laying his head on your shoulder when you hold him.
~Brennan loves eating food and is doing a great job at feeding himself. He's mastered the pincer grasp and can effectively pick up items of food and place them into his mouth. He can also independently use a sippy cup.
~He is able to sign "more" when eating. He usually needs verbal prompting to do it, but he's able to express his wants!
~When asked, he will clap. It's very cute and he is so proud of himself!
~His receptive language is developing! He probably knows more, but we've noticed that he understands: Daddy, Mommy, Brennan, more, clap, splash, book, eat, puffs, and "O's" (Cherrios).
~Brennan is almost a full-time belly sleeper. He usually lays completely flat, but I've also spotted him with his rear in the air, too.
~When pulled up on an object, he will "dance" and bounce up and down.
~He's had quite the week with illnesses--cold, runny nose/congestion, fever, ear infection, and reaction to dairy. Hopefully, he will return to 100% soon. For now, we'll continue to build his immune system!

No Dairy for This Dude

We're expanding Brennan's diet and received the go-ahead from the pediatrician to introduce yogurt. He ate about half of a container on Friday night, the same day he wasn't feeling well and he was diagnosed with an ear infection. While eating, he frequently rubbed his eyes-a common behavior for a tired Brennan. This morning, I gave him another container. While eating, he frequently rubbed his eyes. Initially, I thought he was just tired, but he began rubbing them more frequently than typical as he continued his breakfast. I also noticed his wrists were turning red. After eating the container, his eyes were swollen, he continued to rub his eyes, and his wrists were red with small white bumps. Fortunately, he didn't appear upset by his symptoms, other than itching his eyes. Luckily, the reactions disappeared without intervention in about 10 minutes. We called the pediatrician's office and were told to stay away from dairy for the next few months. The doctor was optimistic that his symptoms went away quickly on their own. We're hoping that his reaction is a sensitivity, not an allergy.

Ouch!

Brennan was diagnosed with his first, and hopefully only, ear infection today. Although his cold from last weekend lessened, his congestion and cough lingered. Last evening, we noticed that he did not appear to feel well. He had a somewhat difficult night, waking often and wanting to be held. He felt warm and had an elevated temperature overnight. This morning, he was in good spirits, although tired, and did not have a temperature. I warned the babysitter of the night's events and planned to call throughout the day to check in. Before I had a chance to call, she contacted me to let me know that his temperature was approximately 101 degrees. Adam and I immediately left work and made an appointment with the pediatrician. He noticed his ear infection and believes it was caused by his week-long cold and congestion. We received an antibiotic prescription, which he'll take for 10 days. We'll go back for a follow up to make sure everything is cleared up. Poor little guy!

He was weighed at the doctor's office (clothed): 23.1 lbs!

First Illness

Brennan experienced his first illness this weekend. Primary symptoms included congestion, runny nose, and a cough. Overall, he handled his cold well and didn't seem overly bothered by his inability to breath through his nose, occasional "nose candles" (as appropriately described by Grandma Mealy), sneezing, and coughing. We spent the weekend in Brecksville with Grandma Mealy and cousins Corinne and Elise. Despite being in an unfamiliar place, he slept remarkably well. We think he's on the mend, as he was returning to his normal smiley and laughing (and nose-candle-free) self this evening!