A Whole New World

Today we brought out the Exersaucer for Brayden. The Dr told us on Friday that we could start putting him in it, so out from the depths of the attic it came. So far, Brayden seems to enjoy himself in it. And even through he isn't quite big enough to turn himself around yet, it is still fun to play in something totally new!

Brayden is still a little sick (stuffy nose, etc) hince the somewhat drunk look in the 2nd photo.

Date night

Tonight, Matt and I went on our first official date since Brayden was born. Our good friend Tasha kept Brayden for us. We are so lucky to have so many good friends and family in the area that we can trust Brayden with.

We went to Bogarts and had a nice, quiet dinner. It was great to get out by ourselves for a little while and although I missed my little man, it was nice not to ahve to worry about getting a sling/highchair for the carseat or if Brayden was going to start crying.

Thanks Tasha for letting us have a great date night!

4 Month Check-up

Brayden turned 4 months old today! I can't belive how fast the time has flown by! He is growing up so fast. He is starting to enjoy sitting in the Bumbo (Thanks Marissa for letting us borrow it!) and is SO close to rolling over. I think any day will be the day.

Brayden went today for his 4 month check-up. We weighed in at 12 pounds even (10th percentile) and was 24.5" long (30th percentile). The Dr. gave him a clean bill of health (minus the yucky cold) and suggested that we start trying to give him cereal in about 1 month. Brayden also got 2 shots and an oral vaccine. He did great and only cried for about 30 seconds after the shots! What a brave little boy!!




Brayden now has a fever of 101º. It is a little higher than I like, but the fever is most likely from the shots and not from the cold. Pray that the fever goes down quickly and that Brayden feels better soon.

We are so blessed to have a healthy, happy baby!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all our family and friends! We love you all!

We spent the day as a family running errand and playing. Mommy and Brayden made brownies for Daddy's Valentine's present. Brayden was in the Bjorn and watched everything that I did. Daddy and Brayden gave Mommy a gift card to Skin Sense for a massage. Mommy also got a MUCH needed haircut!

Wolfpack Club Member

Brayden is officially a member of the Junior Wolfpack Club. He received his Membership card, T-shirt, duffel bag, and car sticker in the mail on Friday. He is member # 0! I guess he was the first one to join in 2009!

Brayden's Baptism

After talking a good bit about it, Matt & I decided to have Brayden baptized as a baby. We also decided to have him baptized at the church we got married at in Albemarle. We both really like the pastor at the church and I love the Lutheran traditions involved in a baptism. To go with all of the tradition, Brayden wore my Christening gown and my mom added a few blue flowers and a small blue ribbon to make it look a bit more "boyish".

We invited a lot of family and a few close friends to celebrate with us and then had lunch together afterwards. Brayden did excellently the entire time! The baptism was towards the end of the service and Brayden had fallen asleep during the sermon. I just knew that he would start screaming when Pastor John put the cold water on his head, but no, he just woke up and looked around.

Still passed out just before being handed off to Pastor John. Look at those little feet hanging out!
(The little girl in the photos was the acolyte for this Sunday. She is actually my 2nd cousin, but our families are not close, but I still thought that it was neat that she was up there with us).

Getting 3 handfuls of cold water on his head


In the Lutheran church, they mark the child/person with the sign of the cross with oil and say "You are marked with the sign of Christ forever"


Then the pastor lights a candle and says "Let your light shine before men, that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven". We kept the candle & will light it each year on the anniversary of Brayden's baptism as a reminder to him.

Then he let Pastor John walk him up and down the aisle. After the service, Matt, Brayden, & I stood at the back of the church so that everyone could meet Brayden. He just smiled and laughed at everyone!



In his gown and with the white rose we had in church in memory of Taylor.


Cousin Sid - who is about 3 weeks shy of being 1 year older than Brayden!

Play Date

Last Thursday, Brayden and I went to visit Stacy and her daughter Megan. Megan is about 11 months old now and was so sweet playing with Brayden. She shared her toys and let Brayden sit in her Bumbo and lay on her play mat. Stacy and I had a great time chatting and she gave me lots of advice for the next few months!

Playing on Megan's play mat! It is way cooler than ours.


Megan showing Brayden how to sit in the Bumbo.

Update: First Day of Daycare/Back to Work

Today was Brayden's first day at daycare and my first day back at work. I have been blessed to be able to stay home with him for 15 weeks and am able to go back to work 1/2 days (in the office at least) this first week back.

I have been dreading this day since before Brayden was even born. The closer today got, the more I upset I got about it. I LOVE being at home with him. He is so much fun to play with! I think my biggest concern about going back to work is that Brayden has NOT been taking a bottle well at all. I told his teachers this last week when we went to visit. They said it would be fine, and I know it will be. If he is hungry enough, he will eat.

After a rough start to the morning (not sleeping much last night, over-flowing the coffee pot, burning my hand on the over-flowed coffee), Matt and I went to drop Brayden off. It was SO hard to hand him over. I know he is in good hands at one of the best daycares in Wake county. I cried a little bit, but made it through better than I had expected.

I called about 9:30 to check on him and could hear him screaming over the phone. His teacher said that she was having a bit of trouble getting him to take a bottle (which I had fully expected), but that they would keep trying. When I went to pick Brayden up about 1:15, I walked in the front door and could heard him screaming again. Of course they were trying to give him a bottle. However, when I went into the room, his main teacher said that she had Brayden to take 4oz from a bottle earlier in the morning!!! I was SO proud of my little boy! At least he took one bottle! Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. She also said that other than the bottle struggle, that he was happy and well-behaved and that he had taken 2 good little naps. I am so glad that he did well his first day at daycare!

I on the other hand, couldn't wait to leave to pick him up! Someone (I still don't know who so if it was you, please fess up so that I can properly Thank You) sent me a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers! The note attached said "Thank you for having me. I love you Mommy! Brayden". I thought Matt had sent them, but he say not. I tend to believe him. I will take a picture of Brayden with the flowers he sent and post that as well.


Hopefully tomorrow goes at least as well as today did :)