Rainy Day Nap

We took Brayden out for lunch and a ride today, but then the day got gray and nasty. So...we came home and had our first family nap together! It was so much fun! As a matter of fact...Brayden and daddy are still asleep! :)

Aunt Britt

This week, my sister came into town for a job interview. This was the first opportunity for her to hold Brayden. When Brayden was born he was so small and fragile, she didn't feel comfortable holding him. I can't blame her...I was nervous myself! But now that he is a little bigger, she enjoyed spending some time holding him.

Constant Changes

It seems that every day, Brayden grows up a little more. He is starting to coo and smile more which is fun. He likes to sit propped up on things so he can look around, and he can lift his head for longer periods of time. During tummy time, he pretty easily moves his head side to side now. He has started to discover his hands and grabs on to things around him (mostly my hair!). It's amazing what 7 weeks has brought. As much as I want him to stay a baby, each week is bringing more and more joy to us!

Brayden propped up on the chair

Officially Summertime!

My summer vacation for the year started early when our baby boy arrived. But now daddy is home from work for the summer too! We have really enjoyed having him home the past few days! We have taken family outings to the mall and Target, taken walks, sat in the garage more, taken naps with the baby, gone out to eat, and just enjoyed each other. It's so nice having him home to help with the baby load of things to do. Diaper changes, feedings, clothing changes, loading up the car, washing clothes, cleaning...etc.

Now that it is offically summer for us both, we have been trying to find things to do with Brayden. If any mommies have any ideas, please let us know! We know we want to get zoo passes, but not sure what else we can do. Whatever we end up doing with our little one...we know it's going to be a GREAT summer!

Peek a Boo Mommy!

Back to the doctor

This week we went back to the pediatrician to evaluate Brayden's formula issues. The doctor concluded that he DOES have a milk protein allergy and must stay on nutramigen. Like I said before, I would pay anything for my baby, but I can't help but complain about how expensive this formula is! However, Brayden's tummy is much better and he is consuming more during feedings now. He also started to sleep a little longer which is GREAT!!!!!!! We go back at his 2 month mark for shots (mommy can't stand that!) and check on him again. At 6 months he will be evaluated to see if he can go back on a soy formula, but no promises were made. So in the meantime...if anyone gets any Enfamil coupons...send them this way!!

Going to school...

I enjoyed taking Bradyen up to work (after the kids left for the day) to meet all of my teacher friends. He loved being passed around and held and smiled at all the pretty girls holding him. We had a good time and they loved playing with Brayden!

7 Weeks!

Today Brayden turns 7 weeks old!!! I can't believe it! Almost 2 months. He is weighing 10 pounds 10 ounces (a big healthy boy!) and he is about 24 inches (by Chad's measurements!). I want my baby boy to stay like this forever, but each week brings new exciting things. This week he is cooing a lot more and smiling a lot more. He is also more aware of things around him and likes to look around. He still likes bath time and his play mat, and when he is on his tummy he turns his head pretty easily now. When we hold him over our shoulder he likes to push up and hold his head up. He doesn't stay up long, but its fun to see him do it!

First pair of shoes!

Check out Brayden's first pair of shoes!

Next generation!

These pictures were made special for the Bridges' family. The outfit that Brayden is wearing is Chad's! We have pictures of him wearing this outfit when he was 6 weeks old, so we took pictures of Brayden wearing it at 6 weeks too! They look so much alike. We can't wait to get them framed together.

Kisses!!!

One of our favorite things to do with Brayden is give him lots of kisses! While Chad was holding Brayden the other day, he kept kissing Chad on the cheek. I tried my best to get him in action. He is so precious!

Prayers for the week...

This week the Bridges' family would like to ask for your prayers. We are specifically praying for:

1. Brayden's pediatrician appointment-we hope we can get him feeling better and stable on a formula. Listening to him cry and not know what to do is killing mommy!

2. Chad's last week of school-the last week of school is always crazy and there are a million things to do. We can't wait for him to be home though :)

3. Cali-I'm are afraid our sweet girl is having a hard time adjusting! She seems so sad, its awful! I think when Brayden can react to her with smiles and coos she will feel better about his arrival!

4. My next follow up at the doctor-I went for my 6 week check after having Brayden and they found a cyst. I've got to go back in July to be re-checked. He is pretty confident it will be gone (as most pop or shrink), but if its not then I'll be in an ultrasound just for a check to make sure all is well. No big deal...but a pain to have to keep going back to the doctor!

My Sweet Boys!

Daddy and Brayden having fun together!

Mommy's Instinct

I have been having some trouble with feeding Brayden the last 2 weeks. It has been so bad that I can say it has been a nightmare. Listening to my precious boy scream because he is hungry but not able to eat, and not know what to do is AWFUL! I kept calling the nurse advice line at the doctor and they would say "baby's cry honey" or "try ___ formula". After the 3rd formula change and still trouble with bowels and eating I decided to take him in-even though the nurses said it wasn't necessary. I knew in my heart something wasn't right. He has not been a fussy baby or even cry other than when hungry, since I brought him home! Then all of a sudden he couldn't stop!

I felt such relief when our pediatrician complemented me on "following my instincts as a mom." Brayden definitely has something bothering him and we are in the process of trying to figure it out. It could be a milk allergy, it could be reflux. We just don't know yet. He has had his 4th formula change but seems to be taking to it great! The only down side is that it cost 100.00 a week! I can honestly say though...there is no price I wouldn't pay for Brayden to be well.

In the meantime I've had to listen to Brayden scream though bottles and cry when he is put down because it burns him inside to be on his back. It is a mother's nightmare! I want so badly to feel the pain for him, but I can't so I just cry right along with him. Then I call my mom and she is about to cry because she's at work and can't be with me! We have all been a mess. It seems that the last 24 hours have gone great on the new formula though, so I feel an answer to prayers is near. Now if we can just get God to lower the price of Nutramigen!

Thank you to those of you who have called to check on Brayden! He is doing better and we go back to the doctor next week!

6 weeks!

I can hardly believe Brayden is 6 weeks already! What an amazing 6 weeks it has been. He is starting to eat more, sleep more (Thank you Lord!), be alert more during the day, and smile (YEAH!). Tomorrow we are going to have his pictures taken professionally. I'm hoping I can keep my spending to a minimum. However, if I like it, I'm buying it! I don't want to look back and regret not having bought pictures of him as a baby. Brayden is weighing in at 10 pounds, 4 ounces and slowly getting longer!

Say cheese...

It is FINALLY starting to happen! For two days now we have been able to get Brayden to smile!!! I cannot tell you how excited this makes mommy. He isn't doing it too much yet, but it shouldn't be too long now! He doesn't hold it long enough to let me take a picture because he hates my flash. However, the minute I get one I'll put it up!

Carry me!

Brayden is starting to like the Baby Bjorn! (Or maybe mommy is!) We have started taking walks with it instead of using the stroller at night. He likes to be able to look around. I can't wait until he can hold his head up and sit where he can see out!

Family Time

They look just alike don't they!

Brayden and I are counting down the days until daddy can be home with us for good. But for the time being, when Chad gets home we do two major things as a family.

First...Bath time

Every night Chad and I get together to give Brayden a bath. He helps support his head while I wash him, and then he bundles him up in his hooded towels until I clean up. Then we both dress him (yes it takes us both) and lotion him and get him ready for the night! And I have to brag, this routine seems to work because after his bath, Brayden has his longest sleeping time.

Second...Garage time

Since it has been so hot for walks, we all get together in chairs in the garage. We take drinks and cut on the fan and enjoy the shade. Brayden sits in his bouncer or in Chad's lap and looks out in the yard. And the great thing about it is that Cali can join us too! She's been such a sweet dog through this. I even think it has helped calm her down a bit!

Where did Brayden go???

Now that Brayden is getting bigger (10 pounds 4 ounces...ahhhh!), we are having to put bibs on him during feeding. When he spits up now, there is a lot more to it! We have some precious bibs, but at the current time they are swallowing him whole! It's too precious!

Holding on to my baby

One of the main things I read about in parenting books and magazines has been about holding your baby. I can't tell you how many time it has said NOT to do it unless you are feeding because you can "damage" your baby. I have spent many hours the first weeks of Brayden's life crying over this battle. Let me tell you...I am OVER it! I'm going to hold my sweet baby boy as much as I want to. I think about those who have lost children and what they would give back to hold them. I don't want to regret not enjoying the days I CAN hold Brayden. Does he do fine when I don't hold him??...YES! I don't want to have the kind of child attached to his mother's hip, but at the same time I also want the kind of child who knows his mother will always be there for him when he needs her. So forget the books and magazines...I am going to hold my beautiful baby boy!!!

Mommy Tears

Brayden has had lots of trouble at night. During the day, he will go 4 hours (sometime more) without eating and sleep really well. Then at night he is up every 2-2 and a half hours. It is exhausting! We are trying to get him up after feedings and then put him down in his crib. We are having to let him cry so he can learn to self soothe and know we won't pick him up every time he cries. I have to admit...it is killing me to put him down and listen to him cry until he falls asleep! I can hardly stand it! I put him down and crack the door to hopefully drown out some sound...then I go sit on the couch and cry right along with him! Chad has to hold me so I'll stop crying and not run to Brayden's side. My head knows in the long run it will be best for me not to pick him up every time he cries, but my mommy heart is just killing me!

The Formula Battle

After Brayden turned 4 weeks old, I started noticing problems when he was eating. He would cry while taking his bottle, but act like he was starving. He strained for hours before anything would happen, and my precious angel who never cried...started bawling! It was awful. He would only go an hour or hour and a half at night before waking up with gas and straining. So after calling the pediatrician we switched his formula from Enfamil to Gentlease.

On the Gentlease formula he started having major bathroom issues and projectile spitting up almost every time we burped him. He was having such severe gas we had to start using gas drops after every feeding. So after calling the pediatrician AGAIN, he was switched to soy formula. They are thinking he has some sort of milk allergy or problem with lactose. So now we will see how that works. He has only been on it for two days, so hopefully he will take to it and be okay!

Swing time

Just some cute pictures of Brayden swinging!

The Sound of Music

Watching Brayden's personality start to come out has really been rewarding. One thing I can say about him for sure is that he is calmed by music. I can put him in his crib and cut his mobile on and he will lay awake listening for at least an hour. (This allows mommy to get a shower and ready for the day!) When he is fussy, Chad can cut the radio on and hold him and he calms down. It's amazing to watch him switch so quick once music is cut on!

Just like dad...

I always pick on Chad because he CONSTANTLY chews on his fingers. Well...like they say. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Brayden cannot keep his hands (mostly his thumb) out of his mouth! I have to admit...it's kind of cute :)

Brayden sucking his thumb

Growing up

One of the exciting things that has happened this week is that Brayden turned his head while on his tummy! He did it for the first time when he was one month old (last Sunday). Since then he has done it daily during his tummy time! It makes mommy very happy to see that neck building up muscle!

A Day Out

Mommy and Brayden at the park

Eating daddy's finger...time to go!

Chad and I have been trying our best to teach our little Brayden the difference between night and day! During the day we try to stay on the go so he is in the light and around noise and moving. We are now regulars at Target, Babies R Us, and the mall. Other than that, there isn't many places to just go stroll around. Yesterday, after our daily trip to the mall, we took Brayden to Irmo park! It wasn't too hot because storms have been passing through, so we thought it was a perfect time to take him. We had such a good time! We walked around, got on the swings, and enjoyed the beautiful day. We plan on going back for a picnic sometime soon. I can't wait!

Between the feedings...

Dinner at Grandma's
Boppy Time!

I wish he would keep his eyes open for just one picture!! They are blue!

Napping with Daddy

Sometimes it seems like all we do is warm up bottles and feed Brayden. We have been trying to get him out and do different things with him during the day. Some of Brayden's favorite things to do are: spending time at grandma's, laying on his boppy, and nap time with daddy!

First Mother's Day!

Celebrating Mother's Day has always been important to me since my mother and I are so close. This year's Mother's Day with Brayden was extra special! I held him all day (I'm tired of reading not to hold your baby too much), and just thought about how blessed I was to have him in my life.

Chad took me out to eat to celebrate the day and bought me a sweet sweet card which I put into Brayden's baby book. We watched a movie together and spent the afternoon with my mom. Chad grilled the best steaks for dinner and we just enjoyed being together. I love my family!

Mid day, I did have to leave and go to the doctor...boooo! I have 2 ear infections which have gotten out of hand because I refused to take Brayden to the doctor with me. (Didn't want him to pick anything up) The night got really bad and I could hardly lay on my pillow, so I knew it was time. It was just unfortunate that it had to be on Mother's Day. The doctors office was not busy thankfully, so I was in and out and had my medicine within an hour.

Overall it was a great first Mother's Day, and I look forward to the many more to come with the special new man in my life!

Dropping the pounds

Weight before baby: 106

Weight gain during pregnancy: 27 pounds

Weight less than 1 month after baby: PRICELESS-108

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Better Late than Never!

Today Chad and I FINALLY ordered Brayden's birth announcements. They are scheduled to be in by the end of the week, so be on the lookout next weekend or early next week!! If you want to be included on the mailing list and you think I don't have you on it already then please put your address in the comments or email me!

Yeah for bath time!

After only a few nights, Brayden has stopped fussing in the bath tub! It is a time I wanted him to enjoy so bad! (I think mom enjoys it more than he does!) I think it was just overwhelming to him at first, but now we have the hang of it. Doesn't he look precious in his tub!!

Play Time!

One of the fun times in our day is Brayden's wake time in the afternoons. We read books, listen to the radio, take walks, ride in the car, and my personal favorite...play on our tiny love mat! Brayden cannot really enjoy everything the mat can do, but he does enjoy listening to the music and looking at himself in the mirror! He has layed on his tiny love mat for almost an hour at each play time just looking at himself and the hanging animals! It's too precious!

3 Weeks

I cannot believe I have had Brayden in my life for three whole weeks! We are almost off house arrest and I cannot wait to take him out and show him off! So far in his life, I have been able to get to know his cries (which he doesn't do a lot thank goodness!). He cries only when he's hungry or messy! How lucky am I?!? Although it is not time for him to have his official first smile, I watch him grin while he is sleeping. It makes me so anxious to see him actually smile! Also in these 3 weeks I have learned that Brayden enjoys riding in the car, sitting on the back porch (we are still working on opening our eyes outside), swinging in his swing, and music! He does not like having his feet touched or being cold! Brayden can lift his head and turn it side to side which is fun to watch. It's making burping him a little difficult though! I have enjoyed having him in my life and I can't wait to see what week 4 brings!

Due Date!

After Brayden's bath tonight, Chad and I were sitting around talking about how amazed we were that Brayden is finally here with us! Then we realized that today was his ACTUAL due date! Brayden came to us two and a half weeks early (thank goodness for me!) and wasn't actually due until today. I'm amazed that he has already been here two weeks, and am thankful for the time home with him. Each time I look at him, I am blown away by how precious and wonderful he is! I'm so blessed to have two of the most wonderful, sweet men in my life!

Brayden is still having a hard time fitting in newborn clothes, that's why this outfit is swallowing him! Too big for premie clothes, too little for newborn!

Take Two!

Our first bath time with Brayden was not a huge success. Tonight however, I was excited to see less tears from him! We thought he may be getting too cold in the bath, so we tried some new things and they seemed to work. He looks so precious wrapped up in his hooded towels, and seems so content after a bath! I hope it is a time he can learn to enjoy! It's a great night time routine for all of us and something we have looked forward to the past few days. It's fun designating a time for all 3 of us to be together. Hopefully Brayden will like bath time even more tomorrow!!!

Date Night!

Tonight Chad and I had our first date night post-baby! We went to dinner, had to stop by Babies R Us, and then went to the mall to walk around and just be together. I had a really tough time at dinner, and I'm so thankful that Chad is so understanding about my emotions right now! Once we got moving I did better and was able to enjoy just being with my wonderful husband. I know it is really tough to leave Brayden, but its best for my marriage and for my son. It's good for him to be around others and for Chad and I to just get out. That is SO easier said than done however! I promised Chad I would be better next time, maybe less tears then!! Until our next date night...

Precious

It seems that mommy is totally taken by precious Brayden. All I do...even when he is sleeping...is stare at him! I love to watch his expressions and moves. He is just like his daddy! One of my favorite things to watch is him moving his hands around his face when he sleeps. Chad does this too, and when I can catch him I'll get a picture of him sleeping to compare!

Brayden's First Bath

Since Brayden's cord fell off this week and his surgery has healed, last night was officially time to start baths! I have been waiting for this since he got home and hope it becomes a fun time for Brayden! I have to admit...I'm not too sure he liked it. It was his first though, so we will try again tonight. After his bath we put some baby lotion on him, combed his head full of hair, and dressed him for bed. Then he slept for 4 hours straight!!! This was great for mommy to catch up on some sleep!!

It's off!

This week Brayden's cord fell off!! Yeah...that means it's time for daddy to start changing some diapers!

2 Weeks!!!

I am blown away that my baby boy is already 2 weeks old! My original due date was May 3rd and we haven't even hit that yet! Although the nights are long and the days have drastically changed, I am enjoying every minute of my precious little one. He is the best baby! Hardly ever cries and just wants to be held! I don't know what I did so right in my life for God to bless me with this perfect child, but I am so grateful for him! I was so scared to bring him home because he was so tiny and fragile, and now I don't want him to grow!

At our one week pediatrician appointment, Brayden weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces, and they wanted him back to his birth weight by today (7 pounds 2 ounces). He weighed in at 7 pounds and 3 ounces! He was slightly jaundice the first appointment and that has cleared up totally. His cord has fallen off and his "boy surgery" has healed nicely! We have a perfectly healthy baby boy and we don't go back to see the doctor until 2 months old. In the meantime, hospital bills are coming in and we are making lots of trips to the store for diapers and formula!

House Arrest

Well, due to the "swine flu" which has been found in Newberry (not far from home), Brayden and I have been put on house arrest by the pediatrician! We are to just wait and see if anything comes of the virus in the next two weeks, but until then we are stuck inside. It's not worth the risk of him picking something up. It can be boring sitting inside all day, so some of the things we like to do are:
sitting on the back porch
watching 7th heaven marathons!
reading books
playing on the play mat
playing in the bouncer
and naps of course!!!
We have taken a few walks too, but its been so hot during the last few days we decided not to take him strolling. Soccer season for Chad is ending and after Monday he will be here every day with us. I know Brayden can't wait! He loves to be held by his daddy! I am enjoying my time at home with my little man and I don't know how I will ever go back to work and leave him! At least we have alllllll summer long before that happens though. :)