Tuesday, December 29, 2009

12 weeks

Braylen has his 2nd cold, I thought it was worse than it is, which is great, but he's stuffy and has a little cough. I was worried it was more respiratory, but things are sounding fine. The booger sucker and nasal drops are my best friend and Braylen's worst enemy this week. I've been putting Braylen in his bumbo seat (pictured below) lately to work on his head control, which is getting a little better. He usually tolerates it for a few minutes and then gets restless.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas

We spent Christmas with my parents this year. The drive to Jacksonville was less than wonderful due to icy conditions here in IA, but once we arrived, it was great to be "home" around my family. We went to Christmas Eve mass at 6pm and it was surprisingly not very crowded, which was nice considering Braylen wanted to let all know he was there. We went to Mandi and Andriy's house for soup and sandwiches and it was delicious! Christmas morning we meandered downstairs and Braylen was wisked away to the Christmas tree by Nana to show him what Santa brought him. He was obviously very excited. We opened gifts, got ready for the day and ate a fabulous lunch at mom and dad's. After that we traveled to my aunt and uncle's house for grab bag and, of course, more food. It was great to see everyone and Braylen was a little crabby because of lack of sleep, but he trucked on until about 8pm. I went to change his diaper and try to calm his fussiness, when he decided to scream bloody murder and choke himself with his sobs. I never thought I would say that Braylen's first tantrum was on Christmas day, I hope this doesn't turn into a yearly ritual!! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and got everything you wished for, I know we did!!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Welcome baby Nora

Congratulations Abby and Andy, Eleanor Lynn Urban, Nora, is finally here. Nora was born on Tuesday morning and is so little and adorable. I'm so excited for them and the most excited for Abby to be relieved of her pregnancy!! She is beautiful and I can't wait until her and Braylen start dating!! Cheers to the happy family!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

11 weeks

Another week has passed. We're preparing for Christmas and another trip to Jacksonville. Braylen is super excited for the holidays!! He was watching me do laundry when I took his 11 week pictures, they're my favorite yet. He's cooing and cahhing at everything and especially at Jeremy and I when we talk to him and play with him. He loves his mirror and play mat and when he's fussy I lay him down and he's happy as can be. When he's on his playmat he's so close to rolling over, he rolls onto his side to get closer to his mirror, it's only a matter of time...
Of course I treasure all of the time we have together, but now that I'm back to work I love the time even more. He's such an entertainer.
Here's a video of him attempting to roll http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zHRPeHG8HQ

Sunday, December 20, 2009

First Christmas

We had Braylen's first Christmas on Sunday with Rita's sisters and brothers. It was nice to introduce Braylen to this side of the family and to see what he's in for in the years to come!! Braylen opened his first gift, thanks grandma and grandpa for the Christmas book and dog sleeper, as you can tell he's thrilled!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Baby laughs are best...

Last night Jeremy and I were laying in bed just starting to doze off when we heard this peculiar noise. We both opened our eyes and looked at each other and I asked him, "Was that Braylen laughing?" Braylen was put to bed about an hour earlier and was sleeping. He must have had a fabulous dream because this was no ordinary laugh, this was a full fledged belly laugh that I have never heard out of him before. It was just one laugh, although I must admit I was awake for a while after hoping to hear more, but it was enough to make me laugh and smile until I fell asleep, and I'm sure I smiled all throughout the night. I must admit there is nothing better than hearing your baby laugh or seeing them smile. Who would have thought parenthood would be so wonderful?!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

10 weeks

Back to work full time and enjoying my evenings at home with the Brayman! Jeremy's has a hard time from 5-6pm after he picks Braylen up from daycare calming down his fussiness waiting for me to get home. I think when Braylen gets home he instantly thinks he needs to eat, baby's have such crazy instincts! To pass the time Braylen has decided to suck his fist. He doesn't like to discriminate any fingers so he sucks them all, and quite vigorously too I might add.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Visiting Santa

I really wanted to have Braylen get his photo taken with Santa, but didn't want to wait in the lines at the mall or be exposed to quite that many germs!! We found out that Santa was going to be at the Eagle's Club, a small bar/restaurant in the small town of Asbury, right outside of Dubuque on Sunday morning. We've eaten breakfast there before and it was delicious and get some free photos of Braylen and Santa. Breakfast was not disappointing and Braylen told Santa what he wanted for Christmas, more milk!!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

First day back to work

Well, the dreaded time has finally arrived. I held off as long as I could, but I new it was inevitable. Fortunately my first day back was a Saturday, which means a quiet office and no day care for Braylen. It was not as hard as I thought it would be and it sounds like the boys had some fun while mom was away. Here are some pictures of Braylen's bath with dad!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

9 weeks

Braylen had his first appt to the dr since his 2 week check up. We went in knowing he would get a few vaccinations and they would check his weight and height. We guessed his weight and I guessed about 11lbs 5oz and Jeremy said 12lbs, I think. He weighed in at 11lbs 6oz and is about 24in long, that puts him at 50% in weight and 80% in height??!! The nurse said their height won't be accurate until they're a little older. Well, he's growing, healthy, pretty happy (although the shots didn't make him very happy) and a continues to make me/us love him more every day, which I didn't think was possible!!!



Monday, December 7, 2009

Back to Nana and Papa's

Well, my hell has officially begun, shot gun hunting season. Braylen and I talked about what we could do while we were abandoned by Jeremy for the long weekend and we decided a trip to visit nana and papa would be best! I woke up on Friday morning panicked because Braylen didn't wake me up... I checked on him and was surprised to find him breathing and perfectly fine, HE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! WOW, I was astonished! Anyway, we took the trip to Jacksonville, just Braylen and myself, and made it safe and sound. When we got to nana and papa's we relaxed and hung out. We got to decorating on Saturday and had a great time hanging out and reminiscing over old Christmas decorations. Shari and Zach came around on Sunday to get some one on one time with Braylen. Being at my parents with Braylen is like a vacation for me, I don't have to change all of the diapers and have both of my hands free most of the time!! I kinda think they like it too!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

8 weeks old

Braylen is smiling more than ever now. He's doing so well through the night only usually waking up around 3/4am and then again around 7/8am. He's so happy in the mornings, he talks and coos and smiles all morning long. He's also been talking to himself and laughing at himself in the mirror, he loves and can be entertained for hours on the floor in front of his mirror!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npwnU4KCzDs