Brennan-4 months

Age: 4 months

Weight: 11 lbs. 14 oz. (3rd percentile)

Length: 25" (50th percentile)

Head: 41 cm (50th percentile)

Brennan's favorite things: Brennan still loves to be held. Nothing makes him as happy as being in our arms. Sometimes it's draining, but I know I'll miss this when he's a toddler, pushing me away and wanting to run and explore on his own.
Brennan loves to use his hands to touch. He loves to caress my neck, hair, and face. We just put his Exersaucer together and he's enjoying reaching for the different objects

Our favorite things: We adore Brennan's voice. He has been so vocal. He puckers up his lips and "whooos" like an owl repeatedly.
We adore watching Brennan hit his milestones. He recently rolled from stomach to back for the first time. Ryan and I were both there for it. We couldn't believe our eyes, but then he did it two more times.

Outtakes:

Brennan-3 months

Age: 3 months

Brennan's favorite things: Brennan loves to have his diaper changed! (I know it's weird) It's not actually the new diaper that he loves, it's the act of changing into it. He loves laying on the changing table and when we talk to him and tickle his belly!
Brennan loves when Ryan comes home from work! No matter what kind of day Brennan had, he is all smiles the moment he sees Ryan!

Our favorite things: We adore when Brennan nestles into us when we hold him! As his muscles get stronger, he's able to snuggle his head into our chests and hold tight onto our shirts.
We adore how Brennan's eye contact has increased. Now he gazes right into our eyes! He also follows us around the room with his eyes. It's so sweet to think that he's taking it all in now.

Outtakes:

Brennan-2 months

Age: 2 months

Weight: 10 lbs 13 oz (15th percentile)

Length: 23" (35th percentile)

Head: 40 cm (85th percentile)

Brennan's favorite things: Brennan loves to be held. If he's upset, it's usually enough for one of us to just pick him up to soothe him. What a welcomed development ;)
Brennan loves to take baths! The minute his body touches the water, he is instantly relaxed. He'll just chill for 5 minutes, then he starts to get really excited and likes to splash with his arms and legs.

Our favorite things: Ah man, we have so many, how do we decide?!? We ADORE Brennan's smiles! Every day he smiles more and more. At this rate, he'll have a permanent smile on his face by 3 months. He is the happiest in the morning, after his first feeding. It is my all time favorite moments with him.
We adore the noises Brennan is making. Our favorite is after he sneezes, he lets out a loud sigh. We get so excited when we hear his first sneeze, because the anticipation for that sweet sigh is the best! He is also trying to communicate with us. He'll carry on back and forth, like he really has input in the conversation.

Outtakes:

Brennan-1 month

Age: 1 month

Weight: 8lbs 13oz

Length: 22"

Head: 38cm

Brennan's favorite things: Brennan loves his pacifier. We hoped to not have to use one, but we HAVE to use one! I don't know what we'd do without it.
Brennan loves to be swaddled. Our favorite swaddle blankets are the Aden+Anais brand. Seriously, most used baby item (well maybe a close second to burp cloths.)
Brennan loves his swing. If we swaddle him, give him his pacifier, and put him in his swing, it's the trifecta of Brennan's happiness. He is 100% content.

Our favorite things: We adore when Brennan throws his arms into the air when he realizes he's in this big world. It's the most precious thing we've ever seen. It will be something I'll remember for the rest of my life!
We adore when Brennan wakes up in the morning. Seeing him slowly wake up, stretching, and moaning, it just melts our hearts!

Outtakes:

Brennan-Newborn

Introducing Brennan Adam Rahl
Born July 22nd, 2013 at 3:41PM

Age: Newborn

Weight: 7lbs. 3oz

Length: 21"

Head: 35cm

38 WEEKS

Weeks: 38

Waist size: +7.5"

Weight gain: 24 lbs.

Symptoms: My right hip is still bothering me a lot. I truly feel so much better than I expected to at full term, though!

Cravings: Strawberry Kiwi Arctic Rush from Dairy Queen, it's so refreshing!

Aversions: It's been a bit of a struggle to eat healthy this week. I just want carbs and sugar.

Sleep: I can't complain!

Wedding ring on: Still on

Best moment this week: This was my last weekend off before my due date. Ryan and I finished up some last minute errands and went out for breakfast. It was a wonderful weekend!

Progression update: I'm still 2cm dilated, but 75% effaced as of July 12th. I don't think I'll get a check done on the 19th. I'm just going to impatiently wait for it to happen.

37 WEEKS

Weeks: 37

Waist size: +7" This baby boy is really dropping low. Every time I see my midwife she mentions how low he is compared to the previous week.

Weight gain: 23 lbs.

Symptoms: My hips are bothering me all of the time. It's still not painful, just a little annoying to have them aching all the time. I've been less motivated to do things the last couple days, as well. Before I'd be productive and clean and water my plants, now it seems like such a chore. I was able to work shorter shifts this weekend, and that made all the difference. My body has been feeling pretty darn good, with the exception of my hips. I usually have a lot of back pain, but I think it's because I would work 9-10 hour days on my feet.

Cravings: Ice cream! I made a trip to the grocery store this week and ended up with 3 different flavors of ice cream and two different boxes of ice bars in my cart! 

Aversions: I am still over salads. 

Sleep: I've been sleeping so-so lately. It's not bad enough that I'm sleepy throughout the day, but I'm averaging 4-6 hours of sleep a night.

Wedding ring on: Those fingers are staying slim! 

Best moment this week: Ryan and I had a lot of quality time together this week. Tuesday was our 2 year anniversary and it was wonderful! I was able to leave work early and we had a great dinner outside overlooking a lake. It was perfect! I just feel so fortunate that Ryan will be the father to my son, I know he'll be an absolutely amazing dad!
Progression update: At my July 5th appointment, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.

Here are some pictures I've been meaning to post:

A group shot from the baby shower

Glider in the nursery

(I'll post some more pictures of the nursery, once we receive the bedding.)