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. :)

Hospital Photo

Check Brayden out at the Baptist Website:

http://www.palmettohealth.org/bodyIframe.cfm?id=252

My Something Beautiful

Chad gave me the "new life" willow tree figure when Brayden was born. I know I will cherish it forever!!!
My "something beautiful"-seeing Chad and Brayden looking at each other

One of my favorite children's books of all time is Something Beautiful. It is a story about a little girl who lives in poverty. Gangs run the streets she lives in and she is alone a lot while he mother works. She goes out into her community in search of something beautiful. Her search sends her looking for "things" and she realizes that what is beautiful is what is right in front of her. Her mother, her friends, her family. Like the little girl, I feel I have searched my life for something beautiful. At first I too searched for "things" and when I became old enough I realized it wasn't things that make life great. I knew I found my something beautiful when I met Chad. It was instant and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. And just when I think life cannot get any better, I have managed to find more beautiful things in my life.

One Week Old

When I got pregnant I was prepared for a lot of things. Back aches, morning sickness, labor fears, doctor's appointments, and lots of trips to the bathroom.

When Brayden finally got here I was prepared for sleepless nights, hormonal changes, trips to Babies R Us, and an adjustment at home.

What I wasn't prepared for were the feelings I have towards my precious little man. I knew love before him, but it is so much more than that when I look at him. I love Chad more than anything for giving me this precious angle, I love my family for their support through this new time, and I love this baby more than I ever imaged was possible. The whole world looks so different to me now! It's a feeling that cannot be explained. I thank God countless times throughout the day for the child he put in our lives. He is such a perfect baby and I couldn't ask for anything more. I sat and watched him today and in only one week he has managed to amaze me. He is lifting his head and looking around. I even think he is finding his hands! I find myself up at night, not because he is crying, but just because I have to look at him and make sure its real.

At his 1 week doctors appointment today he is back on the upward slope of weight gain. He is now 6 pounds 12 ounces. They hope by next Friday he will be back to his birth weight of 7 pounds 2 ounces. He is eating more now and definitely using the bathroom more!!! We run the washing machine quite a good bit now and are constantly fixing bottles! It makes for a hectic day to have to think about everything he needs but I am cherishing every minute. I listen to the new Darius R. song about how fast things past and I don't want to let any minute pass me by. Even late at night when I sit up holding him after a feeding, and my eyes can hardly stay open, I stop to think about how blessed I am. What an amazing future the Bridges family will have!

A week of first

First couch nap with daddy and Cali

First time in the swing

First doctor's appointment

First outing to doctor and Babies R Us

First walk with mommy!

Bringing Baby Home!

Dressing Brayden to come home

All checked out and ready to go
First time in the car seat

Everyone in blue!
Welcoming Brayden home
Mom and Travis put a bow on the mailbox for us

Mommy's first home feeding

Daddy's first home feeding

A glimpse into the future:

Daddy and Brayden watching sportscenter

Meeting the family

Meeting Mommy

Meeting Daddy

Meeting Grandma JayJay

Meeting Nana

Meeting Granddaddy Bridges

Meeting Granddaddy Bill

Meeting Great Grandma Millie

We were also fortunate enough to have Great Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Bridges visit us. Unfortunately for some reason we did not take pictures with my camera of them. So when we get some photos of them from their camera I will add them up. They drove all night from Louisianna to meet Brayden for an hour, then drove back. One day when he is old enough to understand, I know he will cherish that!

I should be sleeping...

Well...its 11:20 and I'm still awake. Brayden ate great for his 7:00 feeding and then at 8:00 started crying. When he cries it is just awful for me because I want to comfort his every need! I know he has to cry some and learn to soothe himself too, but it breaks my heart to hear him. I just love him more than I even knew was possible. He cried until his next feeding and now he finally went to sleep. Hopefully it will last until his next feeding and I can get some sleep in!

Then there was three...

Today is the day we get to bring our precious Brayden home! I have hardly slept because of the excitement I feel. When we get settled and have some down time (ha!) I will get some pictures and video's up! His take home outfit is laid out, pediatrician has given Brayden the okay, waiting on the doctor to okay me, then off we go!

Mom, dad, and Brayden are all doing great and ready to start their new adventure....together :)