Taking Steps

A few days ago Brandon started occassionally taking 3-4 steps without holding onto anything. He did it several times tonight. He kept walking to my dad.

Happy Halloween

Brandon had a great time trick or treating this afternoon. He was all smiles the whole time and loved getting treats to put into his pumpkin. We went to our neighbors' houses and then we went to Stu's parents' house and a few of their neighbors who Stu has known his whole life. We also went to a few of our friend's houses on the way back to our house. Brandon kept the head to his monkey costume on the whole time. I wasn't sure if he would since everytime he had the costume on prior to today he would throw it off. My parents and brother came trick or treating with us and then hung out and ate dinner at our house with us and watched some of the World Series game. It was a nice Halloween.

Swine Flu Shot and Halloween Parade

Stu brought Brandon to get his swine flu shot this morning. Brandon did really well with the shot and didn't even realize he had it since he was so busy looking at everything on the nurse's desk that gave him the shot. He has to go back in 21-28 days for the second shot. I am just hoping he has enough in him to stay healthy until he gets the second shot. There are some kids that have the swine flu in the school where I teach and I know a few people who have had the swine flu. It is scary how it is affecting so many people.

This afternoon Stu brought Brandon to the Halloween parade at my school. He was dressed in his monkey costume but would not leave the head to the costume on. I thought he might cry when he saw me but he was so into watching everyone in their costumes walking by that he hardly noticed me.

Playing and Reading

Brandon was up early this morning so he played for awhile before we had to leave for the babysitter. His favorite thing to do is hold onto the gate door when it is open and walk back and forth between rooms that the gate is in. He also enjoyed reading his books. Over the past few weeks he started pulling his books off his bookshelf and wanting us to read them to him. He definitely has his favorites. One of his favorites is "I Love You Through and Through". He just smiles when he hears it.

Brandon's new favorite way to get around our entire house is by holding onto things and walking. He will hold onto the wall from one end of the house to the other. A few times today he let go and stood for a few seconds and took one step in between things to hold onto.

This week he has decided to only take one nap instead of his usual two but he is napping for 2 1/2 hours which is nice. It makes a long afternoon but he has been really good about staying up until he goes to sleep between 7:15 and 7:30.

A Visit From Brandon's Cousin, Aunt, and Uncle

Brandon's Aunt Debbie, Uncle Rich, and cousins, Zack and Ben, came to visit today. They were in New York for a family function so they stopped to see us on their way home. We had brunch with them and grandma and grandpa Newman at our house and then they stayed to watch the Steelers game with us. Brandon had a lot of fun playing with everyone and was all smiles.

Brandon took 4 steps by himself tonight. He pulled up on Stu when I was in the kitchen getting his bottle ready and when I came into the living room I put my arms out for him to come to me and he took 4 steps. We then stood him up several more times and he took anywhere from 2-4 steps a few more times. Maybe walking without holding onto anything is in the near future since he proved he can do it.

Jen's 1st Birthday Party

Brandon and I went to Jen's 1st birthday party this afternoon. I went to middle school and high school with Jen's mom, Heather, and thanks to facebook we have reconnected. She lives a few towns over from us and we have been trying to get together with them for awhile since Jen's birthday is only a few weeks after Brandon was due. I was happy that we finally got to meet her today. Brandon had a good time at the party. There was another one year old, Jen, and two four year olds at the party. Brandon enjoyed playing with Jen's stacking cup toy and in the ball pit. He also ate a slice of pizza and shared a cupcake with me.

Brandon is feeling so much better and his appetite is finally back. I can't believe how much he has been eating the last few days. I guess he is making up for a week of almost no eating. He is still on his antibiotic and most of the time takes it easily. I think it is messing with his stomach because he has pooped five or six times today which is not like him.

Ear Infection

Brandon had his follow up appointment with the pediatrician today from last Wednesday. The good news is Brandon's lungs sound clear now so we don't need to continue the nebulizer treatments. The bad news is he has an ear infection in his left ear. This is the first ear infection he has ever had. The pediatrician was amazed that he has never been on an antibiotic before. We gave Brandon his first dose of amoxycillin last night and he liked it. I think it is the bubble gum flavored medicine that we had growing up when we got sick. The pediatrician also said to give Brandon tylenol before bed for the next three nights to help with the pain while sleeping.

The pediatrician also brought up the H1N1 vaccine. Three pediatricians from the group have now told us that they want him to have it. They won't be getting it at the office so we will have to bring him to someplace where it is offered.