Happy 4th Birthday, Brennan!

Happy 4th Birthday, Brennan!!

Our sweet Brennan is 4 years old!  Brennan was very excited about his birthday this year.  He started a countdown to his birthday very shortly after his countdown to Christmas was over!

Brennan is growing up quickly and we love the young man he is becoming!  He is caring, hilarious, intelligent, curious and fun-loving!

Current interests and favorites:  

~Puzzles!  Brennan loves puzzles!  He can complete them quickly and easily memorizes where each piece goes.  He has a few 100 piece puzzles, but seems to prefer ones with ~48 pieces

~Cars!  Brennan could probably play with cars all day.  His favorites are figurines of Disney Pixar Cars and Planes (a.k.a. "Cars with eyes").  He narrates conversations, sets up races complete with spectators, and runs races throughout the house.

~Art!  Brennan enjoys painting, coloring and stickers.

~Books!  He loves to listen to stories and look at books.  He has a large stack of books by his bed.  At times, "quiet time" turns into 2 hours of looking at books in his room.

Brennan had quite the week-long birthday celebration!  He spent his actual birthday at the babysitter's house and took cupcakes to share with his friends.  He also had a birthday celebration at school.  They have monthly birthday parties and, being the only January birthday in his class, it was his special day!  Mother Nature sent us a nasty snow and ice storm on the day of his birthday party at home, which kept many guests at home due to safety concerns.  We continued on with his party as planned with the guests that could attend and had a great time.

A few days after his birthday, Brennan had his 4 year well check.  He's in great health!  Our only concern was his occasional toe-walking.  He is able to stand and walk flat-footed without issue and can extend his foot easily, so the pediatrician wasn't concerned.  We'll continue to remind him to walk on his "whole foot" and hope his occasional habit ends.

Current stats:

Height: 43 inches (95th percentile)

Weight: 42 lbs (90th percentile)

Party of Five!!

We're having another baby!

We're thrilled to share the news that we're having another baby!  Baby Swartz #3, nicknamed "Buckeye," is due to arrive on July 2.  We're currently at approximately 15.5 weeks, and are relieved to be in the second trimester.  We were a bit surprised to learn about Buckeye, but are thrilled to be adding to our family!

Since discovering that we were pregnant, we've had several doctor's appointments.  My first appointment was the standard 8 week appointment with the OB nurse.  Due to our previous miscarriages, they also did an ultrasound.  What a relief to see a healthy baby with a strong heartbeat! Headcount: 1.  Prior to this appointment, I began taking my cocktail of medications, including a prenatal vitamin, baby aspirin, Folgard, and Progesterone (during the first trimester only).  Overall, I was feeling well.  Fatigue and occasionally feeling "blah" were my main complaints.

I had another appointment with the OB at 10 weeks.  At this appointment, they took some cultures and listened for a heartbeat with the doppler.  It took the doctor several minutes to find the heartbeat, making Mommy very nervous.  The doctor explained that I was measuring on target and that heartbeats can be difficult to find at this appointment.  After some manipulation due to a "tilted uterus" and more searching, the doctor asked the nurse to check the ultrasound schedule.  While the nurse was out of the room, the  doctor found Buckeye's sweet heartbeat.  Nice and strong and in the 160s/170s.  Phew! 

My next appointment was at 14 weeks.  The doctor found Buckeye's heartbeat quickly and noted that s/he was moving a lot.  Heart rate was in the 150s. "Blah" feelings have subsided and I have more energy than earlier.  It's not uncommon for Mommy to pop a few Tums after dinner due to heartburn.

We told the boys about their future sibling around 12 weeks.  Brennan giggled and had a huge smile when we told him he is going to be an "extra special big brother."  He waivers between predicting if the baby is a boy or girl.  He also makes occasional, random comments about the baby.  For instance, very shortly after waking up one day he commented, "Next  Christmas, there will be another baby here to open presents!" 

We've announced our pregnancy to family, friends, and coworkers.  It's comical, as most immediately comment that Buckeye will be a girl or that we want a girl.  Honestly, we're thrilled to be having another child--son or daughter!

We're so excited about Buckeye's upcoming arrival and having another child join our family! 

Upcoming appointments:
Check up: January 31
Check up and BIG ultrasound: February 28

Tubes for Brennan

Brennan had tubes put in his ears just before Christmas.  He recently had a double ear infection that did not clear up completely with different antibiotics.  Because of this, we were referred to an ENT.  We previously saw this ENT when Brennan was about 1, but were advised to see how he did throughout the rest of the winter rather then pursue tubes then.  During this appointment, the doctor noted that there was fluid in both of his ears and he didn't do very well on his hearing testing.  He was scheduled for bilateral tubes shortly after.

Overall, Brennan did very well.  He left with the nurse easily and the procedure was completed quickly.  The doctor explained that everything went "perfectly" and he was able to remove the fluid.  Brennan had a bit of a rough time coming out of anesthesia, which I wasn't expecting.  He didn't know what he wanted and didn't want what he asked for.  I was assured by the nurses that this behavior is very typical.  Prior to leaving the surgical center, Brennan had to eat or drink.  He had a small sip of apple juice shortly after surgery and wasn't interested in the snack crackers they originally provided.  After some convincing, he decided he wanted chocolate ice cream and quickly perked up after starting to eat it.  We were on our way home about an hour after he got out of surgery.  He was back to himself, playing and running around, as soon as we got home.  Brennan and Mommy had a special lunch date later that day to reward him for doing so well!

In other Brennan news--he's growing up before our eyes!  He has a wonderful personality and a contagious laugh.  He started attending Wee Care Preschool in Fremont three days a week this school year and loves it!  His teacher reports that he's doing very well and making a lot of new friends.   

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was full of fun and activities!

Our celebration began on Christmas Eve with Grandpa and Grandma Swartz, Grammy, Bob, and Uncle Matt.  The boys enjoyed opening their presents and playing with their new toys. 

We spent Christmas Day at home.  Since we didn't have plans to go anywhere, we declared Christmas Day to be a "Jammie Day."  The boys enjoyed opening their presents and we spent the day playing with new toys!

A few days after Christmas, we traveled to Cincinnati for a Mealy Christmas.  Gavin was baptized in a beautiful ceremony at Sharonville United Methodist Church, where Mommy and Daddy were married.  For our Christmas gifts, Grandpa and Grandma Mealy treated everyone with two days and one night at Great Wolf Lodge. It was a blast!  Brennan enjoyed the slides, especially the family slide, the wave pool, and the lazy river.  Gavin enjoyed splashing in the fountains, the wave pool, and "jumping" in and out of the water.  We had a great time visiting everyone!

We had a great Christmas...but what would Christmas be without a few illnesses?  Brennan got his ear tubes on the 23rd.  Both boys had very runny noses, starting on Christmas Eve.  Gavin woke up with a fever on Christmas Day and an ear infection was confirmed on the 27th.  He also cut his top two canine teeth.  After a few days of on again, off again fevers, we took him back to the doctor.  The pediatrician said his ears looked great and said he was probably getting over a virus.  Later that day, he broke out in rash on his trunk, so we decided it was likely roseola.  Fortunately, within a few days, everyone back to good health!