Allison has no problem making a fool of herself here just to get Bren to laugh. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Good!

Brendan with his cousins Drew, Alex, Brett and Nick Ryan. Say "squeeze!"

Bren is wearing the boxing robe that Grampa bought him in Vegas. It says "Champ" on it. This is the closest this little guy is getting to Vegas. Mom and Dad need some space to call their own...

Brendan at 8 months:

• On hands and knees rocking back and forth - then collapses and laughs
• Smiling and laughing often
• Also staring strangely at his parents despite their shameless efforts to get him to smile
• No teeth but man, teething is tough - sweet relief soon?
• Chewing on everything...drooling too!
• Wakes up smiling every morning. Mike and Allison listen to him playing in the morning before we go get him - heavenly sounds.
• Loves to hear us sing - his favorite toy is the nursery rhyme singing toy of which he never seems to tire, but Mike and Allison suffer through the songs repeating in our brains throughout the night.
• Bangs on everything he can and laughs when you bang on something too.

Favorite Friends:

• Little black puppy (Daddy bought it for him when he was a few weeks old)
• Baby brown bear (The "daddy" bear remains in the crib. They are from Grammie before Bren was born)
• Changing Bear - always a favorite

Favorite Books:

• Violet's House (from Aunt Carole, Uncle Zach, Anna and Jake)
• Peek-A-Boo Book (from Grammie's friend)
• Good Morning Book (with lots of things to pat)

Favorite Foods: So far he loves everything he's tried: peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, avocado, bananas, applesauce, pears, peaches, rice, oatmeal, chicken, corn, squash, turkey, strawberries, carrots. To be continued!