Growing Up

Brennan loves that he is growing up.  Every day he says, "I am getting bigger and taller!"  It's true, and both of our kids have been showing us just how big they've gotten this week.  Cora has figured out how to roll over, and she loves putting her new skills to the test.  It seems like every time I turn around she is on her stomach!

Brennan has made huge strides in recent months and weeks, and he is finally trying new foods more willingly.  Just this week he has eaten meatloaf (he calls it "beefloaf"), a meatball, pot roast, and baked chicken.  The real kicker is that he has decided he likes broccoli, and he asked me to cook him some for a snack this week!  I almost cried, I was so happy!   He has tried a few vegetables, but so far the only fruits and vegetables he really likes are apples and broccoli.  (Hey, that's two more than he was willing to eat six months ago!)

While we're on the subject of food, Cora has started rice cereal and seems to enjoy it.  After discovering (the hard way ) that Gerber rice cereal contains both soy and milk, we now use Beech-Nut and have a much happier baby.  Currently we're experimenting with the cereal once a day, mostly just trying to slow down her spit-up habits, but since Cora will be five months on Monday, we will start introducing other baby food into her diet sometime in the next several weeks.  Should be interesting...

Potty training has been going much better for Brennan, and yesterday was the first accident I can remember in a long time.  (I take a little responsibility because I had forgotten to ask him if he needed to go.)  I suppose it is now time to try to kick the nighttime water habits and work on overnight potty training.  (Ugh.)

Brennan is a fantastic big brother, and he enjoys keeping Cora company while she plays in her Excersaucer (her favorite thing in the world, next to my arms).  He is a terrific encourager, too.  He praises Cora for every little thing she does.  (One day, when she successfully made her toy play music, he said, "Cora!  You're doing it!  You're a hero!")  He likes to tickle her and make her giggle, bring her toys, and greet her every time she wakes up.  She is one lucky little girl, and I am one blessed mom.

And now I understand why every mom says, "They grow up too fast."  It is not just a cliche.