Game Night!

The Cubs play tonight at 8:00pm and daddy is VERY excited to have a buddy to watch the game with! He got Brayden all ready to go (too bad the game never came on because of a game delay!). So we put out Brayden's Cubs onsie for tomorrow too!

Emily this pic is just for you!!!

Not again!!!

Look close....
Yes, that is our air conditioning thermostat. It is reading 79, when it should be reading 70!!! And it is 90 outside!!! If you haven't been following the blog, then here is a quick recap.

For the past 3 years we have had A/C issues! This year when the A/C went out I happened to be NINE MONTHS pregnant! No A/C and full term is not a good combination. So I called and had my hormonal breakdown with our air people and they replaced all that was wrong...free of charge. So...

It went out AGAIN today! I noticed it was getting warm, so I cut it to 70 and NOTHING happened. Then my poor baby boy started getting fussy and was really warm. So I stripped him, put on some shorts, and called the air people back. Needless to say...my mommy claws came out! I was not a happy mama, and you know what they say-If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Poor Chad! But my mommy complaining got me a technician 30 minutes later and within the hour my thermostat was on the way back down in numbers. Free of charge too! So now we are back to trying to find our A/C problem. For 3 years we have been dealing with this A/C! I've been after a whole new unit since the problems started...after all it is a new build. We have been dealing with it the 3 years we've been here because its just been us, but now we have our special boy to think about. So I dare the A/C people to mess with me! I WILL get what I need for my baby boy!

My Little Monkey!!!

Pictures just too cute not to post!!

Loving Life

I just have to say...I am loving life with Brayden in it! I feel like having Brayden started a whole new life for us! I feel like I have just been born myself. The whole world looks different in the most wonderful way. I stare at my precious baby boy all day long, and could all night if I wasn't so darn tired! Each day he just amazes me more and more. And I know I'm his mom so I am biased, but goodness gracious he is cute! God is so amazing...I can't wait to see what we are in store for with my sweet boy!

Brayden's Baptism

Daddy and I are from very different backgrounds when it comes to Brayden's baptism. I'm from a strong Methodist background which believes in infant baptism, where as daddy was baptised at a young adult age. They also differ in that one is a sprinkling and one is a submersion baptism. We decided together to do both for our baby boy. We decided it was our job to communicate to Brayden that when he is older, he can decide what he wants to do when it comes to church and baptism and we will support him no matter what.

Today we had Brayden baptised at my family Methodist Church. It was so special! The entire sermon revolved around Brayden and what God says about raising children. The pastor who has been a friend of my family for 7 years was able to be there to baptise him which made it all the more special. Brayden had a precious white outfit and socks with crosses embroidered on them, and we managed to make it through church with nothing on it! His great grandparents, grandparents, Aunt Britt, Godmother Amanda, cousins, and many more family were all able to be there. It was a great day!

This fall when our church does baby dedications, we will also take part in that. Then when Brayden is at an age to decide...he will make the decision when to have his submersion baptism or if that is what he wants to do. We just want our baby boy to know that there is a great God who gave him to us, and we long for him to have a great relationship with him.

Daddy!

As I've said only 100 million times!...one of my favorite things to do is watch Brayden and daddy spend time together. Our sweet boy cannot take his eyes off daddy. He just stares at him and smiles. I know they are going to have a great relationship as he grows up! He is already passing on his daddy wisdom such as: which songs to listen to, not to get "too big for his britches", and to make sure he always spits up on mommy! (Which unfortunately for me...he has listened to!)

I don't think so!

Brayden has been given some of the cutest hats, but he is not crazy about them as you can clearly see!!!

Finally's!

Now that Brayden is 8 weeks I finally:

• Can sleep while Chad does feedings
• Can sleep while Brayden does!
• Got the house clean!
• Feel comfortable carrying him without the fear of dropping him!
• Don't feel helpless and scared about meeting his needs
• Got over the fact that I will not have privacy for many many many years to come
• Can clean his bottles in a timely manner-yes it used to take forever!
• Can get the diaper bag, him, and myself ready to go out in less than 10 minutes!
• Know the names of everyone who works in the mall and at Target
• Know the cries he makes to know what he needs
• Know what he does and doesn't like to do
• Don't mind other's holding him
• Can change a poopy diaper without any problem with the smell
• Found the time for JUST Chad and I-usually Brayden's nap time
• Feel normal again!

I think the baby stole my brain!

Ever since Brayden's arrival, I have had a hard time thinking for both of us! I have actually been to Target twice in the last month and forgotten what I went for! When I am leaving to go somewhere, whether it is out of town or just to get gas...it is like preparing for vacation! So many things to remember:
diapers
bottles and nipples
wipes
change of clothes
blanket
changing pad
burp cloths
pacifier
cell phone
keys-and where I put them last!
cutting the A/C in the car on if its too hot out
By the time I have gotten my baby boy ready to go, I have forgotten the "to do" list in my head! I have had to start writing EVERYTHING down and keeping it in one central location. Wow!...and its summer...Lord help me when I have to go back to work!!!

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!