Brand new baby.
One month old.
Two months old.
3 months old.

My little man is now 3 months old. I'd just like to know where in the world the time has gone? I feel like he just came home for the first time, so small in the carseat that we had to fill in the space around him with blankets.

At 3 months he is:
*smiling a lot
*starting to let out little laughs
*trying to move his mouth like we do to talk
*likes to sit up and watch daddy play video games
*watches Mr. Pibb with an eagle eye
*sleeps at least 4 hours a night and sometimes even surprises us with 7 1/2 hours.
*is being babysat by his Great-Grandma Dorothy 2 times a week while mommy takes college classes...and absolutely loves it!
*is wearing 0-3 month, 3 month and some 3-6 month clothing...no more newborn stuff
*weighed in at 14 pounds 2 ounces on Friday 8/22/o8.
*is making more and more different sounds each day.
*loves to stare at colors...the mural on his wall, his toys, people's clothing
*has been working on getting his thumb in his mouth and ends up with his whole fist in there instead and drool dripping down his hands and face.

I can't get over how fast this is going already...before you know it I'll be dropping him off for his first day of school...YIKES!

Happy Birthday Layney Ann!!!

One year ago today I was leaving Mille Lacs to visit my newborn niece Alayna in the hospital. We got to celebrate with her yesterday! Isn't she a cutie?!? Love this little girl and can't wait to celebrate another Birthday with her next year.

The Tank...

Weighed in at 14 pounds 2 ounces today. Man I love this chunky monkey!

Favs of Lanesboro Trip

Favorites from Lanesboro:
First pic=My mom snuggling with Brendan
Second pic=My niece Laney and cousin's daughter Emma getting to know each other.
Third pic=Brendan holding hands with Natalya...they were born 1 day apart...B May 27th; N May 28th!
Fourth pic=A serious game of Bocce Ball
Fifth pic=Brendan hanging with my Dad

Favs of Lake Vermilion Trip

Here are my favorite pictures from our trip to Lake Vermilion:
First pic=my Father-in-law Jim casting for Muskies.
Second pic=the first smile picture captured.
Third pic=My niece Audriana blowing bubbles.
Fourth pic=A full family picture.
Fifth pic=Brendan talking with his Great Grandma Dorothy.

A Galaxy Far Far Away

Yesterday we decided to finally make a trip down to St. Paul, MN and go to see the Star Wars exhibit. We had a blast! Brendan was a very, very good baby there and we so mesmerized by everything he saw. Check out the picture where he's looking up at the fish mobile. It was adorable! We even took in a Omnimax film about special effects with B. I think it was blowing his mind to see a "t.v." screen so huge. I did have to leave with him a couple of times cause he got a little fussy, but it was well worth that effort! Oh and we got B his Halloween costume...he's going to be a mini Darth Vader!!! To say I'm excited for Halloween is an understatement.

After our time at the Science Museum, we ate dinner at the wonderfully delicious Cossettas. It's the most wonderful Italian restaurant I think I've ever eaten at. They even have a store with the greatest things in it...we always try their chocolate bars. This time we went all out and got a $6.00 one...it was heavenly! The last picture in this post is of Brendan smiling while he was sleeping...what a cutie, huh???

We are nearing the 3rd month of Brendan's life...where has the time gone??? I can't believe the summer is over. I thought it was going to be a long summer, but here we are at the end of it. Oh well, bring on Fall...I love Fall!

A week of highs and lows

It has been a week of highs and lows...one I never in million years thought that I would have.

With the death of my brother's best friend Brian, we have had many questions unanswered. Why...never will be answered. There were no signs, he left no letter. The funeral was today and I still haven't quite recovered from all the crying I did. It was unbelieveable...and seeing my brother consoling his friends around him, trying to be the strong one for them and when he broke down and finally let the tears out was so difficult. I kept on thinking "We should not be doing this today". Needless to say the healing process is starting...but I still cannot help to think that this world is less full without Brian in it.

On Tuesday, we took "The Tank" (aka Brendan :)) to his first ever Twins game and had his Grandpa Bill and Grandma Ginny join us. He loved it! My mom and I walked around the whole concourse and he enjoyed looking at all the lights while riding in the baby carrier. He did great at the game and we had a great time watching him.

Tomorrow we head down to Rochester, MN to go to Oronoco's Gold Rush days Antique Show. Good times every year and I hope we find some fun stuff to decorate our house with.

Well, until I get a chance to post again...just remember that life is short, so keep your friends and family close.

Peace and Love to all!

Horrible news...

This is going to be such a downer post, but I just have to get this out. We got some unfortunate news today; my brother's best friend (more like brother really to us all) hung himself and is no longer apart of this world. We are all just in a state of shock. This was one of the funniest, sweetest kids ever and he will definately be greatly missed. I don't have a lot of details yet, but any prayers would be greatly appreciated. Hug your loved ones close!

Introducing the Tank!

So, this is Brendan as he is today...all 12 pounds probably 5-10 ounces, maybe even closer to 13 pounds. He's a tank...but oh so cute! He's basically on a schedule of eating every 2 but not more than 3 hours during the day. Luckily at night he sleeps 5-6 hours at a time before getting up to eat.

I am in complete love with this little guy!

Oh time...you're evil!

So I've been on to blog a couple of different times, but I never got them finished. Sheesh! Life has been super crazy, full and wonderful. My baby is 9 weeks old and getting so big. Amazing I tell ya. He's starting to coo, look at things around him more and just plain old getting bigger and bigger everyday. He's also super smiley...when his tummy's full. Last Friday, he weighed in at 12 pounds 3 ounces. He moved up another size in diapers and none of his newborn clothes fit anymore. It's 0-3 months baby!

We were very fortunate to have been able to spend some time with both Grant's and my families over the last couple of weeks. It started out July 19th with a week long stay at a remote cabin on Lake Vermillion with Grant's family. We found out that my SIL, Anna and her husband Arturo are expecting their second child the end of February! Please keep your fingers crossed that it is a boy...Brendan needs another male family member...he's surrounded by little girls!!! Then, my other SIL, Jenni and her BF Chris got engaged up at Vermillion. The will get married sometime next year! Needless to say we had a fabulous trip and can't wait to go again next year.

We arrived home on the Saturday the 26th and then on Sunday, Grant's Aunt Nancy and his cousins held a baby shower for Brendan and I. It was so wonderful seeing a lot of Grant's relatives there and Brendan got a ton of great gifts!

The following weekend we headed down to Lanesboro, MN (just south of Rochester) to hang out with my family (My immediate family and then my Aunt Katherine and Uncle Jeff's family). This is an annual trip and we added 3 new babies to the mix since last year! It was wonderful to see everyone and most importantly get Brendan and my cousin Brandon's new daughter Natalya together. They were born 1 day apart (Brendan on the 27th of May and Natalya on the 28th!) They were so cute together!!!

I will hopefully get a chance to post pictures later, but at least I've got this update here.