I'm not so sure about this cold weather madness...

The Academy Award goes to...

Brennan Michel Carter!!

Brennan has a great pout that has him wrapped around our fingers...it's the cutest, saddest face we've ever seen and is typically followed by a smile once we dote on him.

We all scream together!

Thanksgiving 2010

We joined Colleen, Gavin, and Lulu Dunne for their annual Thanksgiving...once again a lot of good food, full bellies, and great company. We even got snow this year which made for a picturesque Thanksgiving...this year's party was made even better with the addition of 2 beautiful babies--Lulu and Brennan. Unfortunately, with all the happenings, we didn't get any photos of the 2 babies...next time.

Our family photo the next morning after the big feast.

Brennan borrowed Lulu's cute turkey outfit...he's our lil turkey!

According to Papa, it's never too early...

to introduce cookies!

Precious moments...

Skyping Cousins

Brennan and Landon skyping each other...the first of many to come.
There's just 21 days between them...we're looking forward to the years
ahead where they can grow up together. 

Officially an Irish Citizen!

Papa is telling Brennan about his Irish citizenship.

Really?! I'm Irish AND American?? How cool is that?!

Hmm, I wonder what this means for me?

Hey everyone, look at my Irish passport!

How do ya like my mug shot? I gotta have this photo for the next 3 years on my
Irish passport and for 5 years on my American passport. 

This is pretty cool! 

Gramma and Granpa are here!

Brennan is now 8 weeks old, smiling a lot, sleeping longer, tolerating his baths more, tracking objects really well via sight and sound, and continues to show tremendous head/neck strength as well as his legs...he pushes himself up when we hold him on our lap with his feet down. If he has it his way, he'll be walking before he crawls...perhaps kicking a soccer ball or running across a football field is in his near future?

 Gramma and Granpa Feder and Aunt Tami have been loving on Brennan 24/7...we're so glad that Aunt Tami was able to visit for a week and that Gramma and Granpa are still here to love on and spoil Brennan. As a sister, it was amazing to be able to watch my younger sister as an Aunt...to watch how comfortable and natural she is with Brennan.

Gramma and Granpa have been enjoying their stay so far...we've been all over town via foot, bus, and train in the rain, sun, and wind. Brennan is a trooper of a traveller so far and I've become accustomed to breast feeding him anywhere (even on a public bus ride!). 

Brian and I enjoyed our first date night thanks to Gramma and Granpa...we went to a concert at the new Grand Canal Theatre to see Rodrigo y Gabriella. We had a fantastic time...yes, we checked our cell phone numerous times and jumped whenever a message came through only to have it be from someone else. Brennan was in good hands and was fast asleep in Gramma's arms when we returned...we might have to sneak in another date night or two before they leave. 

Brennan's 6-week Checkup

Brennan and I had our 6-week check up today...for Brennan, they weighed, measured his length and head circumference, checked for specific reflexes, checked his hips, listened to his heart, and went over his vaccination schedule. For me, a check to make sure I don't have postpartum depression and getting rest (what's that?!?!?), checked my blood pressure, and had a look at the birthing area to make sure healing went well and is complete.

Brennan is GROWING and GROWING! 2 weeks ago he weighed in at 8lbs, 11oz., today he's a whopping 9lbs, 8oz...the late nights and continuous feeds are paying off! He measures at 22.24 inches (he was 20.5 inches at birth) and head circumference is 36.5 centimeters (normal size).

He continues to delight us daily with new facial expressions; lately the ultimate emotionally gratifying milestone is his ability to flash his smile...what a charmer he is!  At this stage, they call this a 'social smile' as he's developing the ability to socialize...we can already tell with all his expressions he'll be a social butterfly and comedian.

Happy Halloween!

Brennan enjoyed his first Halloween...we made the most of his bat costume by wearing it for the weekend. We ventured out and about in town via the Moby wrap and stroller...unfortunately, like many Halloweens I remember, in which the costume is inevitably covered up...his costume was covered up by blankets to keep warm.

Time for a bat nap! 

Being a bat is fun! 

Welcome Luella "Lulu" Marie!!

We're excited to welcome Lulu into this world...she arrived October 28th at 7lbs, 6oz. Lulu's momma, Colleen, and I actually knew of each other during our college days at The University of Iowa and became reacquainted through a mutual friend when Brian & I moved here. Colleen married a true Irishman, Gavin, and has lived here for 5 years now...we are excited to be entering the parenthood journey with them. Personally, Brennan & I are looking forward to hanging out with them during our maternity leave. 

Brennan can't wait to hang out with Lulu and show her the ropes...

Hey, I don't think I like Lulu stealing my thunder?!

Look at me, I'm over here!

Well, I think Lulu and I could be good pals.

Lulu, look over there!

Chubby Cheekers!

Brennan went for his weigh-in yesterday; he weighs a hefty 8lbs, 11oz!!!

1 Month Old

We're finding it hard to believe that Brennan is a month old already; seems like yesterday that we first brought him home. We are so in love with our lil guy...everyday he surprises us with something new-a new expression, new developmental milestone, a new sound.

At this point, mama and papa are pros at distinguishing a gas sound to the sound of actual poo coming out, Brennan can get through many diaper changes without crying (he's not a fan), mama and papa can tell when he is about to pee when his diaper is off and hopefully save ourselves (and Brennan) from getting wet, bath time is getting better (he's not very sure about the whole naked thing; we think it's more about being cold than being naked), we can swaddle him and settle him easily, Brennan is tracking things very well with his eyes and ears, he is also starting to imitate facial expressions, breastfeeding is going well, and sleep is a thing of the past...however, Brennan is starting to have longer periods of sleep during the night. At times we're up to 3 hour stretches!

October 26th is his next weigh in; fingers crossed he's packing on the pounds!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Carter!

We were lucky enough to be able celebrate Grandpa Carter's birthday on October 14th while he was here; Brennan enjoyed the festivities, can you tell?

Irish Family

Brian has numerous cousins in Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland; we've been able to get to know several of them and have enjoyed our trips up North away from Dublin to visit family and receive such warm, loving Irish hospitality (which means lots of food, tea/coffee, and drinks all around). There have been several babies born into the family within the last 2 years; Brennan is the youngest of them all.

From left to right: Brennan at 3 wks, Desmond ("Dessie") at 8 months, Annabelle at almost 2 years.

We took a trip up North with Grandma and Grandpa Carter to visit and introduce Brennan to his Irish family; he was loved on by everyone. This trip marked Brennan's first road trip and overnight weekend away...he did remarkably well as did I (I was a bit worried how we would do away from the comfort of our own place during such a delicate newborn time). It was a weekend of laughter, sharing of stories (the Irish are notorious for their story-telling), and good ol' family time.

Cousin Paul

Cousin Margo

Cousin Nicola

From left to right: Eamon, Claire-Marie, Shay (the dog), Brennan & I, and Cathy.
They came to visit us 2 days after we arrived home. We saw them
again on our recent trip up North.