Brayden continues to eat well about every two hours during the day and sometimes he stretches to every three hours at night. He lets the world know when he is ready to eat and doesn't give much advance warning. We are learning to watch the clock and be prepared! We were definitely surprised by the full head of dark hair when he arrived. The jury is still out regarding if Brayden looks more like mom or dad. He is definitely gaining weight in his fingers, toes, cheeks and mouth. He has a very defined lip line around his mouth. His mouth was so tiny when he was first born! Eye color is yet to be determined. His eyes appear slate grey right now and he has his mom's extra long eyelashes. His neck muscles are getting stronger everyday. The nurses couldn't believe how strong he was during his initial exam still in the delivery room. He lifts his head and turns it from side to side. He loves to stretch, wiggle, raise his arms, fold his hands and cross his hand over his chest like saying the Pledge of Allegiance. All these movements make it extrememly difficult to burp him. Burping is his least favorite activity!
What amazes Tim and I the most is how much his movements and expressions are just like those observed during our ultrasounds throughout pregnancy, especially the 3D ultrasound on July 1st. We know these movements should resemble the ultrasounds as it is same little boy but it is still truly remarkable!
With Tim working part-time a couple weeks ago, we ventured on our first outings as a family beyond our quick trips to the pediatrician's office. First outing was to Oak Park Mall to purchase more newborn size sleepers. Tim had warned me that Blakes don't usually wear newborn size clothes so I was only prepared with a couple outfits for Brayden to sleep in at night. We found two adorable newborn size sleepers on clearance, so even if he can only wear them for a few more weeks, it is better than washing his other ones everyday and hoping for no major messes during the night! Brayden didn't make a sound at the mall, so we decided to press our luck and stop for happy hour at Sonic on the way home. Once again, he didn't even stir, so a successful first outing! Later in the week we drove 2.5 miles down the street from our house to Hereford House in Shawnee for happy hour. We figured with happy hour prices it would be okay if we had to ditch our meals due to a crying Brayden. It was probably the quickest and most quiet meal out Tim and I have had in years. We both just stared at Brayden watching for any signal that a meltdown was about to occur. We were in and out of the restaurant in 20 minutes! In the end, I don't think Brayden even knew we left the house!
We are also enjoying visits from family and friends. We tell Brayden he should feel very blessed to have so many people who love him. He has even had visits from friends as far away as Bozeman, Montana and Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Here are some photos from the past two weeks as well as my favorite pictures from those precious moments in the hospital following his arrival:
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| Hello Mommy! Brayden at six minutes old |
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| Baby Makes Three First "family of three" photo |
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| Brayden's 1st Birthday Cake Our friend Carroll brought Tim and Brayden a birthday cake to the hopsital. Carroll is a NICU nurse at St. Luke's and was working the day Brayden was born. She came to visit us while we were in labor to make sure everything was going okay. It was such a blessing to know Carroll was working that day as she would have taken care of Brayden had he needed any special care during or following delivery. God was definitely watching out for us! |
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| First Outing Dressed for our big adventure to the mall and Sonic |
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| Ready for Take-Off Brayden doesn't cry in his car seat. He holds the straps real tight like riding a roller coaster at an amusement park. |
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| Future Babysitter Cousin Mayci has been mother's helper to her three younger brothers for years. She will make an excellent babysitter. Mayci wanted to know how much it would cost her to buy Brayden. She also inquired about taking Brayden home in exchange for all three brothers. Tim decided that was not a fair trade! |
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| Cousins Mayci and Cheri |
