11 Months!

Dear Brynn,

You are on the fast track to toddler-hood. Even your clothes from Baby Gap distinguish 12+month as toddler and it makes me a little sad! You have become increasingly vocal and are learning to mimic the words we say. You are the best at "woof woof" :)You are also becoming increasingly fasting at crawling and at using your walker (if you've never seen it just imagine an old person walker but in bright colors and appropriately sized). You still like to take things out of baskets and another mama promised me you'd soon put things back. You still love to take baths and will happily play for as long as we let you in your little spa. You continue to eat anything and everything you're offered and now that you have your first molar I imagine chewing will become much easier! You love to spend time outside at the park or for stroller rides. The fresh aid does wonders for you and you usually take good naps. You've had a few bumps while learning to stand but nothing a quick hug or nursing session couldn't fix.

We can't believe your first birthday is just around the corner. Dear readers, please consider this to be your pre-birthday invitation. Our {new} house, June 15th, afternoon. Invite to follow.

Love Mama and Dada

10 months!

Dear Brynn,

Every month is our new favorite. So much happened this month I hope I remember it all! You've officially become a fast little mover. We can't take our eyes off you for one second because you will be off in the other direction. Mom went to a baby proofing brunch and it was very helpful to know all that should be done. We're going to wait until we move into our new house to install things like cabinet locks so in the meantime we are just going to be very watchful. You learned to dance this month! I know the nanny plays music most of the day so you are used to listening to lots of different sounds. I found a indie kids station on Pandora that both you and I like to listen to...win win. You'll dance by grooving back and forth and your face will just light up. You also learned to hug!!! There is nothing in world that is better than when your little arms hold onto us so tight. Hugs are almost guaranteed when we get home from work. You also are drinking out of a sippy cup like a champ. At your 9 month appt I learned you should be essentially weaned off the bottle by 12 months so we thought we better get on the sippy cup learning curve but it didn't take you long at all. I think you actually prefer the cup over the bottle. You are most entertained by taking things out of baskets. You've also learned to throw toys/food...this activity goes hand in hand with the baskets. We can't wait for you to learn how to put the toys back :)

Love Mommy and Daddy

9 months!

Brynn you are the best. We can't imagine our life without you and your little giggle. While there are certainly days that we hate having to leave you for work the smile you give us when we come home makes it worth it!

 This month you've become increasingly mobile and busy. Napping is much lower on your priority list compared to all the things you can do! You still like to go to bed between 815-9 (closer to 9 since daylight savings). You are such a good little eater and have yet to refuse anything we've offered! I think blueberries are your current favorite with broccoli a close second. You are learning lots of new sounds but we're still waiting on "ma-ma". Magnus is your best friend :) You think he is so soft and he is very nice to let you pet him, we draw the line when you try to examine his nose and teeth! We lowered your crib and you are very good and pulling yourself up on the bars I imagine that is quite the workout for a little one!
Momma can't wait for the weather to warm up! Last year it was unseasonable warm at 60 degrees but it makes all the lingering ice and snow that much harder to bear. I can't wait to try out jogging stroller for uses other than getting over large snow banks.

Your doctor appointment is at the end of the month and we'll see how much you've grown. I think you've definitely slowed down on weight as your pediatrician guessed you would but you still seem long as your pants quickly turn into capris.

8 Months!

That's right you read that correct, 8 months, crazy. You had a big month Brynn. You are now mobile. I feel really bad for the parents of babies that start to crawl at 6 months, you gave a a few extra months of peace and we thank you for that! You had a rough week of limited napping and then you started to move. Its mostly a belly crawl right now and mostly backwards. You move the fasted towards Magnus and his toys. You also pulled yourself up on your knees in your crib so it's time to lower the mattress. Magnus has started to show more and more interest in you especially after you've eaten as he likes to help clean up anything we've missed. You are a really great eater and your little pincher grasp to pick up those little puffs is really good! You don't even let me spoon feed you and prefer to be given the spoon so you can feed yourself.
You've also really learned how to yell. I'm not sure where you learned it..maybe some baby conference call you were on...but it's loud...and it's really fake. You'll scream and then flip right over to a smile when you see we are coming.

You have really started to vocalize lots of different noises. No mama yet but I'm waiting patiently :) In the car we'll hear this tiny little voice jabber away and it's the sweetest little noise. You have also picked up on two signs, up and milk. It was just the other day you were a little fussy so I signed milk (you squeeze your hand like milking a cow) and you reacted to me. I didn't quite believe it so I did it again and you had the same reaction and sure enough you were hungry. We also work on all-done, more, mommy and dadddy.  I guess it could be anytime now that you'll sign back.
You have the best belly laugh, it is so fun to laugh along with you. It amazes us how much you've learned in 8 short months.

7 months!

Dear Brynn you are 7 months old today! Your personality continues to blossom and you are just overall a joy to be around. This was a big month as you said your first word "dada" and are up to 4 teeth. You handle teething really well and usually just a bit fussier than normal. We actually didn't know your first top tooth popped through until we heard you grind you teeth together, luckily that is not a habit you continued. You do like to put your bottom and top teeth together and blow air through them which is really cute.

You are 17.5 lbs (64th percentile) and 27.75 inches (93rd percentile). Long and lean. It's common for nursing babies to lean out after 6 months and your doctor predicts you'll be in the 50% or a little below at your 9 month check up so we'll see if she's right!
Knock on wood but you have yet to get sick! We think we can credit you staying at home with your nanny to that!
You are really doing well with the baby led weaning. You love to eat and if you see us eating you look at us like "where's mine?". In addition to the precious list of foods you've added oatmeal (just regular Quaker) and applesauce. We're going to do some more sweet potatoes and maybe some squash this week.

You love to stand and can actually stand unassisted while holding on to your play table (with us right behind you of course). Except for the few times you don't care to roll over. You like to lunge for things which your pediatrician said is a good precursor to crawling.
You love love love Magnus our dog. You watch him and grab him whenever he gets to close. When we ask "Where's Magnus?" you look around the room to find him. He also likes you and continues to try to get an elusive lick of your face..you must taste good :) We're lucky that he is so gentle around you.
It's been so cold recently we've pretty much just stayed inside but mom looks forward to some long stroller walks this spring. You rode sitting up in the cart for the first time at Trader Joe's. You loved looking around from your new perch!

6 months!

 Brynn- You are such a joy. If I could pause time this is the month I'd pick. You have such a little personality yet remain mostly immobile ;) It's easy to get you to smile and when you laugh it melts our heart. You had a very busy month with your first Thanksgiving and plane ride to Florida. Six months really caught me off guard..time is just flying by. We won't have stats on your for a few more weeks as your doctor was pretty booked up this month. You learn things so quickly now, one day you're barely sitting up and now you're a pro. You got your first tooth (bottom right) over our trip to Florida, you were a little more fussy than usually and had some pretty impressive diapers but overall it wasn't too bad. You are a very strong little girl and like to lunge back and forth which I assume will lead to crawling. We have big plans to start some solids and celebrate your first Christmas as well as your second trip to Florida for New Year's.

Brynn: 5 months!

Brynn you are growing into such a fun little girl! You are very curious to your surrounding and like to be busy! I imagine this is only a taste of what is to come in terms of "busyness"! :) Everything goes into the mouth and you are beyond curious when we eat. You like to try and grab whatever is on the plate and put in your mouth but you have to wait one more short month! You continue to yell/sing at quite a loud pitch which we still find endearing. The best noise by far is your baby belly laugh. Your dad and I work very hard to make you laugh because there is no better sound to our ears! There is nothing like a happy baby to make you smile and remember what really matters in life. You continue to be very strong and enjoy time in your bouncer. Everyone likes to tell us that you'll walk early because you like to stand so much. You have really started to notice Magnus and if he gets too close you like to take a handful of fur or try to put his leg in your mouth (along with everything else!). 

We won't see the doctor until your 6 month appointment but you are obviously growing. You are thriving at home while mom goes to work and even though she misses you so much we've found a good balance of work/family life. 

This next month will bring your first plane ride (wish us luck!) and your first Thanksgiving. 

Brynn: 4 Months!

Once again...growing up too fast but getting cuter everyday. Luckily babies become more fun as they grow :)
Brynn you were a joy this past month and despite your mommy having to go back to work you continue to thrive. You got some fun new toys this month including a jumper and a play table. At first I didn't think you'd be read for the table until you could stand but as it turns out if you take two legs off it turns into a fun thing to kick. And boy do you love to kick it! It's probably the toy that you'll play independently the longest (and anything longer than 10 minutes is a win!). It might be a little noisy annoucing all the colors and shapes in Spanish but you really like it and your mom has already learned the entire alphabet in spanish :) It's fun to watch you in the jumper as your movements have become much more coordinated in the last month. You can move between the stations and actively play with the buttons.

You are so so close to rolling over from back to belly. You'll teeter on your side as you try to look behind you but then roll back to your back at the last moment. I know it's going to happen anytime. You have less interest in rolling from belly to back which is suppose to happen first. You usually happily do your tummy time holding your head up high and then you decide you've had enough by crying into the blanket below you. We know you'll roll when your ready and to be perfectly honest we know the sooner you roll the sooner you become mobile and it's fine with us if you delay that a little longer!
You continue to babble and "yell" loudly. You like to yell the most in the morning.. It's like your saying "hello world! I am so happy!!!"
When I come home all I want to do is hold, nurse, and snuggle you. Not much else gets done! Dad wants to do the same and so we trade off :) because the nursing time is all mine!
You now recognize the dog and like to watch where he goes. We've let you "pet" him which means grabbing a fist full of fur. He doesn't mind... yet. He seems genuinely concerned about you and enjoys trying to get as close as possible in an attempt to give you a lick which is not allowed. Both your dad and I think we lucked out in the dog department.
You also know when you are being set down and we are leaving the room and when you are not happy about it you let us know. You also know when it's time time to get out of your car seat and you help by arching up.. which only makes it more difficult to get you out but I think it's cute.
You sleep well and we still enjoy having you close next to our bed. I feel like it extends the hours in the day that get to be with you.
Your 4 month check up went well! You are right on track and the immunizations a didn't faze you much (mom didn't watch again...) You cried/screamed for a minute but settled down to nurse and had a good rest of the night. You came in at 68.6% for weight (14lbs 6oz) and in the exact science of baby measuring 90% for height (25.5 inches long). Long and not that lean :) The next two months sound like a whirlwind of milestones and then solids at 6 moths. We plan on taking the baby led weaning approach which based on how much you like to grab objects and put them straight to your mouth already I think you'll really enjoy it! Now we just need to find room for a high chair :)
I think your favorite toy is this Taggies dolly. You love to stuff her in your mouth and reach for her during tummy time.

You have many nicknames including, Brynny, Brynn Brynn, and Monkey. I actually think you are starting to recognize your name despite dad's concern that you might respond to monkey :)

Brynn: 3 Months!

This month has been so much fun! Brynn is learning so much and it's crazy to think she's only been here three short months. She can now grab toys and put them into her mouth and bat at them with purpose :) Not only does this help her entertain herself, it's really fun to watch. She especially likes her baby paper and helping to turn pages on books. She's also learned to laugh and I'm sure that she'll be giggling all the time very soon :) She's also learned that she can be really loud not only when she's mad (she's known that for a long time) but she can squeal when she's happy. I have yet to catch it on video but I'll try to post it when I do! We won't have official weight/height stats until her 4 month appointment but she's definitely growing. We did weigh her at her great-grandparents and according to the scale and Brynn fully clothed she was 13.5lbs so I imagine it's closer to 13lbs. Her daddy and I predict we'll have a blond haired baby eventually as much lighter hair is growing in under her baby brown hair. Of course she's growing up too fast which will be a reoccurring theme for the rest of her childhood!

Brynn: 2 months!

Where has the time gone??!?? My baby is now 2 months old and no longer a newborn. She's as smiling interactive infant who's making progress on all the baby milestones. On her 2 month "birthday" we had our second visit to the pediatrician. She weighed in at 11lbs 6oz (66%) and 23 inches long(77%). She had her first set of vaccines and did really well. After a quick nursing session and a "dad swing" (swinging in her carseat) the tears were gone and we were on our way to our first Twins game!

 Our monthly photo shoot

The picture above where is looks like Kyle is swinging Brynn at lightning speed is the "dad swing" and it's really not that fast :)

Brynn: One Month

A belated post for my one month old! The first 4 weeks flew by compared to my last 4 weeks of pregnancy. The first four weeks were a whirlwind of first and visitors and spending time learning about you. You are champion nurser and made the cutest "squeaks" while you ate every once in a while. You are a good sleeper and usually give mom a 4 hour stretch each night. You initially slept in your bunny bouncer on the vibrate mode but we transitioned back to the co-sleeper and you've done well. You even slept 6 hours straight at the cabin (after being up most of the night the night before!).