Eating, yelling, and Christmas!

Baby Brady is growing quickly. He is eating up food like a champ; he's had peas, green beans, carrots, apple sauce, peaches, and bananas! I haven't graduated to making food myself; there isn't enough time for that right now. Everyone says it is SO easy, but the Gerber packs work wonders for us. Brady weighs just over 20 lbs! He is rolling and pivoting, but hasn't figured out the forward part. He is such a character, giggling and cooing (sometimes yelling). Erik and I are working on the "mama" and "dada" but he doesn't get it. :)

Christmas was great. Brady didn't get it--not even the ripping open gifts part. He did like the bows though! He was doing well sleeping - through the night a couple nights - until the past couple of nights. He is drooling heavily, so we are thinking his teeth may be bothering him. So my sleep is precious, so I better get going. Here are a few recent pictures!!

6 Months Old!

Brady had his 6 month check up the other day. He is a tad over 18 lbs and 27.73 in. long!! He is such a big happy baby. He is doing better taking cereal off the spoon, but we eventually give in and put it in a bottle because he starts shaking his head back and forth. Dr. Lee said to keep working with him and the spoon. He has a bit of eczema, so we've had to change his soap, be mindful of him wearing fleece, use special cream for breakout areas, and use lots of aquafor. His skin is doing MUCH better, so that makes me feel better. I was beginning to go crazy trying to figure out why his face was red and bumpy!!

I made the mistake of asking Dr. Lee about integrating formula because I want to be done breastfeeding; she recommended I continue through flu season. Of course that was a FABULOUS guilt trip, so we'll keep at it. Erik has given him a bottle of formula a day as well as breast milk. He said he gulped it down without any hesitation!

We're rolling!

Mr. Brady is quite the little roller these days. It is funny how he transitioned from the bouncy seat, to the bumbo and exersaucer, and now wants to either be on the floor rolling around or up in his high chair. He hasn't really started crawling; he's more fascinated that he can roll and roll and roll. We also had another big milestone this week - we are introduced rice cereal. We have attempted the past 4 days to have him eat a bit off a spoon. The first two days he got more on his face than in his mouth, but the last two days he clenches his gums and won't even budge! He turns away and wants nothing to do with it. Each night, however, I put it in the bottle and he drinks away. He hasn't had an issue with me giving the bottle to him either, so that is comforting.

Speaking of bottles and leche, I think am ready to transition him to formula. I'm ready to sleep more than a couple hours at a time and feel that he just isn't getting enough leche at night. I would love to still breastfeed at times (and I could continue pumping at work) but maybe do formula before bed and any other time I'm not around. I don't know. I just feel it's time. I think the idea of formula is calming to me in that it enables me a little more 'me' time. I wouldn't have to worry about pumping to get enough milk if I want to go out.

Here are a couple cute pics from carving pumpkins and Halloween:

Halloween

We had a great Halloween. Erik and Cameron helped my sister and her husband move. Brady, Grammy, and I arrived to serve them lunch and help where we could. Brady dressed up; the dogs thought he was very cute! I swear Brady knows when I sit down to read my email or do this. He's up...so I better go. More later.

Brady is getting so strong!

Brady is growing so quickly - it's amazing! He is sitting up assisted, holding his weight when you help him stand, and has rolled over! He was on his back on the floor as I gather a bag for grammy's and the next thing I know he is on his belly. I made a big deal about it and he smiled; it melted me!

He's struggling with a cold. Erik and Cam have been sick and I think it has caught up to me too.

Well I thought it was 'JILL' time but my little man woke himself up...what a week with a sick one! More later.

4 months old!

Well baby Brady is growing and doing well! We had his 4 month appointment today. He weighs 16 lbs 10 oz and is 26.5 in. long. Both are in the 90/95th percentile. I was surprised he didn't weigh more - he is mighty heavy. I'm still breastfeeding; pumping is going well. I tend to get more during the beginning of my work week than my Thursday and Friday, but we are managing. The Dr. said maybe between 5-6 mo. old we can introduce rice cereal mixed with breast milk to help hold him over during the day while I'm at work. Here are some pictures from our trip to the dunes a couple weeks back (Brady adores Cameron!) and a few others:

On our way to a wedding. Brady was very well behaved!

Don't mind the sideways video - clearly I can't record with my phone upright...I'll work on that. But this is cute!! Brady is beginning to giggle. It is about the cutest thing! That and he is putting everything his mouth. He is not quite coordinated to grasp things yet, but he'll push things towards his mouth and tries to eat them. I'd give him another few weeks until he gets that he can grab ahold of things. He is also holding his head up and able to stand and hold his weight for a short period of time. Brady has his 4 month appointment in a few weeks so we'll see how big the little guy is! He is getting SO long!

Our happy Brady

Life seems hectic, Erik and I don't see much of each other, but we have a very happy Brady. He is doing great. Sleeping is going well. We are getting on a bit of a routine - down by 8 or 9, he wakes once (on a good night) and then he's up at 630 or 7 to eat before I go to work. He has a bit of a cold - I just got over one- so he is a bit more needy and up once more during the night, but I'm hoping that is over soon.

He is 3 months and a week and just upgraded to size 3 diapers!! Two weeks ago at the doctor's office he was 15 lbs! Aside from being heavy to carry around, and quickly out-growing clothes, I can't complain!

We are going down to the sand dunes soon to ride quads and camp in our NEW toy hauler. We are super excited and it will be interesting to see how he does. He is a great car buddy! (A friend of mine has a baby 3 months older than Brady and can't stand the car...so know I'm grateful, Kimberly!!)

We've been putting Brady in his Bumbo chair a few minutes at a time--his neck is not 100% yet, so he gets tired. But he's mighty cute!

Leavenworth, WA

We made our first trip with baby Brady. We went to Leavenworth for 2 nights. Erik and I decided it was either going to be brilliant or a train wreck. Brady did amazingly well. We stopped at North Bend for lunch coming and going, fed him there, and he slept the rest of the trips. He was amazing during our meals, slept rather well, and was a good little traveling buddy. Cam didn't get as much sleep as he probably would have liked, but he was super helpful as always. We hit Snoqualmie Falls on the way home; Cameron had never been, and I figured since we were so close we should do it. Erik and I have both been there before, but it is still amazing to see again. Brady slept through it...not like he would be able to see anyway. :)

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Baby Brady

Not so happy modeling his alligator robe

Hanging out with Grammy at his second M's game!

Looking more and more like a little man every day!

Happy boy!

Seems like every time I try to upload pictures and post them Brady know it and cries. So here are a few pictures from this week. He is doing very well and gave me 6 hours straight sleep last night!! Yey! Then two more, then Erik took him downstairs and I got two more!! 10 total - that's crazy! Not sure if I said he's in his crib these days, but he is. He didn't have any issues adjusting, so that was awesome!

2 Month Dr. Appointment

Brady went to the doctor yesterday. He is a whopping 13.3 lbs. (90th percentile) and 25 in. (95th percentile) long! She was pleased with his growth and impressed with how good he was with shots. I was worried about Erik giving him too much milk at feedings but she said he could have even a half an ounce to an ounce more than what he's been getting. Although he is getting really heavy and growing out of diapers quickly, I would not want it any other way! He is healthy and happy!

First Day of Work

Well we all survived my first day back. The pumping went well, Brady and Daddy did great, and now we'll get ready to do it again tomorrow. :) Erik works 12 hours tonight and then gets our lovely boy. Hopefully Brady will go easy on him and let him get some rest before I come home. He sleeps pretty much until noonish, so that will be good for Erik. Time for a bath, but here are few cute pictures from the past few days. They are from my cell phone so they aren't THAT great...but still mighty cute I must say!

Going back to work :(

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm excited to get out of the house and do what I enjoy, but I'm having a hard time thinking about being away from Brady for so long. He's been with me for the last 11 months if you think about it and now I'm supposed to go 8 hours a day!?!?! Luckily I've worked my schedule so that I have shortened work weeks for the next two months. I've taken most Thursdays off (I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off) to spend time with Erik, Cam, and Brady. So this first week I only work Sat-Mon and get 3 days off. My boss has me in Intake - I'm not as tied down if I were in a control post or in a pod with the kids. Intake is my favorite, and it should allow me to pump more easily. So we'll see. I think my biggest fear is not getting enough breastmilk from pumping. Brady doesn't skip a meal - if you know what I mean!! He's getting SO big. We are in 3-6 month clothes already (just barely 2 months old!). He's got the cutest chubby legs! Here are a few cute pictures:

Hanging out with Daddy

Tummy time with Brother!

Reading with Grammy

Getting sleepy!

Happy Brady

Brady is getting quite the personality. He is starting to smile intentionally; it's very rewarding. I was singing to him this morning and was able to snap this picture with my cell phone. Sorry it's not the best, but I think it's super cute!

We also gave in and gave Brady a binky. I was worried about him continuing to breastfeed, but Brady was very well established (clearly - he's a little chunky!) and is taking the binky on occassion. He'll mostly take it when we are out and he gets fussy, so that's fine with me.

I go back to work on the 4th. I'm anxious to do something I enjoy, but worried about him and pumping. He takes the bottle just fine from Erik, but I just hope the pumping will supply enough!

A growing boy!

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Well I thought I should put more pictures up. Of course, Brady is getting fussy. But here are a few from the week. It was Erik's Birthday, so Brady was excited to celebrate. :) We also gave Brady a bottle today with breastmilk to make sure he'll take to it ok since I go back to work in a few weeks...very sad! He gulped it down! But we are well, and I'm grateful to have had 2 months off with him.

Pics from the week

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Sleep...or lack thereof...

Well Erik went back to work Tuesday night. Thinking all would be ok, I was nervous, hormonal, but ready to handle it. Brady had other plans. We were up screaming, restless, wanting milk every second until 230am! Up again at 430, down at 530, and then up again at 730. Luckily Erik took him for a couple hours so I could sleep but then Brady called and it was 'leche time.' Erik and I decided I should just expect 3 and a half hours and then if I get more, great. So that was my plan for last night. Well the little man had the same darn schedule. Erik was great this morning and I got a bit more sleep. I worry about him working with litle sleep, but he reassures me he is good.

But I took a shower and brushed my teeth both today and yesterday, so I consider it a successful day! I'll work on more pictures, but to be honest, sleep is critical and that's what I do any chance I get!

Yey, I figured it out! Thanks Kimberly!! Here are some pics of Brady's first bath last night!!

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Thought I should put some pictures up. Still haven't gotten around to the whole slideshow thing...so this will have to do. :) Sleeping with Grammy
Hanging out in his swing; snoozing :)

Brady in his bouncer

A proud Grammy!Resting with a gushy Brady; he's SO snugly after he eats!

Everything else is going pretty well. A coworker of mine said I'd feel somewhat like a Dairy Queen, and I must say that's completely true. It seems like he can never eat enough! But then a friend reminded me that the more he eats, the more the weight comes off. So eat up Brady!! I'm starting to feel a bit more like a real person. I'm still sore and have to watch twisting and getting out of chairs. I'm still not allowed to lift anything more than Brady, so that is a bit frustrating. I have become very dependent upon Erik, and that's hard for me. Erik is GREAT and has me rest, makes me meals, and will take Brady during the night if he is restless. I'm just ready to be on my own again. :) The Dr. said I could drive; however, I can't lift the car seat and Brady, so I'm not thinking I'll be going very far. :)

2nd Doctor's Appointment

Brady had his 2nd doctor's visit today. He is doing well and measuring big! Big surprise!! He weighs 9lbs 3oz (so he's up an ounce from his birth weight) and is in the 75th percentile! He measured 22 1/4 inches long - the 90th percentile. So we are very pleased.

Brady did extremely well sleeping last night - we got 3-4 hours between feedings!! Erik and I were very happy! Hopefully we are getting on a routine. During the day he feeds every 2 or so hours and then we try for every 3-4 at night. I'm still sore in my lower abdomen, so getting up out of chairs and bed are still a bit difficult, especially if I'm holding Brady. I've noticed too that when I'm up a lot, like today going to his appointment, I become somewhat nauseous. I see my doctor again Monday, so we'll check into it. It may just be my pain meds and all my guts falling back into place.

A little sore...

Last night was a little rough. Dr. Lo removed my staples yesterday and my incision was extremely sore yesterday and last night. Dr. Lo said she had to go about an inch farther on each side than she normally does because "his ass just wouldn't come out!" So I tell myself that most other c-sections probably wouldn't hurt that badly but my darn incision is pretty long. Erik is off now to refill my pain meds. He has made sure I stay on top of them so up until yesterday my pain was manageable. Brady did not want to sleep or keep quiet last night around 11-12 either, so Erik did all he could to calm him while I slept. We'll try to keep him awake in the early evening tonight to see if that will allow us to sleep. After that episode, he did sleep for a good 2-3 hours each time inbetween feedings. Breastfeeding is going great. He's big though so I'm not sure how much longer the 'football' hold will work, but I can't hold him in front yet because the weight of him on my belly hurts. Not much else is new. I want visitors, but I know I'm still healing and need my rest. So don't get your feelings hurt that I haven't called to say come over! Getting up and down is still quite a challenge - as well as finding clothes that are comfortable and presentable! :)

Here is a picture of Brady in his crib yesterday (he sleeps in a bassinet in our room right now) . We set him in there to check it out...I know, no stuffed animals when he sleeps!

First Doctor's Visit

Brady had his first doctor's appointment today. He was 9lbs, so he's doing well! No jaundice issues and the hip displasia that is common in breech babies looks good as well. I also saw the doctor and got my staples out! My guts are still a little sore--it kinda feels like everything is falling back into place. The incision site is pretty numb. It's right at my pant line, so I still haven't figured out what to wear aside from loose pj pants. I need to figure out how to post a slideshow, but until then, here are a few more pics! Brady is hungry, so I better go!

We're Home!

What a week! We are now home and adjusting rather well. I thought I'd post while in the hospital; however, the c-section, breastfeeding, and lack of sleep took priority. I'm recovering pretty well. I'm sore, have staples, but am somewhat mobile. Erik is AMAZING and has been there with me the whole time! So Brady entered the world at 5:12pm weighing 9lbs 2oz. There was some confussion about 9-2 or 9-3, but hospital finally decided on 9-2. He was 20.6 in. long with a healthy set of lungs. The doctor had to make a bigger cut than normal because she couldn't get him to come out (he was butt first). Brady is a GREAT baby. He really doesn't fuss much aside from the ocassional gas or hunger spell that we don't catch. My milk came in today, so we are on a roll with that. I'm a little sore, but working on the latch. On a sad note, we had to put Kadie down today. She had been with Cam for the two days and just wasn't improving; she got to the point of not being able to walk much at all. Although this was hard for all of us, we know that she wasn't happy anymore. She wasn't 'our' Kadie from a month ago. But we've got a new little man to tend to now and will have our hands full.