Happy Memorial Day!

 On Sunday we went to Mamaw and Popo's house to have a cookout and watch the older kids swim. (We will try it when it gets much warmer) Braxten was a "sly little guy" with his cute side grin. Zoe and Cooper swam like fish with Nate while Colin took a nap. Braxten slept outside in a swing since he would have nothing to do with napping inside. I think he is worried about missing out on fun! We have all decided that Colin and Braxten are going to be great friends and get into trouble together as they grow up! Zoe was a diva with her sunglasses so I had to add a picture of her showing them off! Another cookout on Monday with Missi and Pop, as he loved sitting by the fountain listening to the water! Even though Braxten has a cold he was a trooper as we had a long weekend of visiting family and friends! We are thankful that he is getting great sleep at night!

Look at my summer hat!

Zoe and Cooper were little fish! Zoe jumped off the diving board and swam the entire length of the pool!

Zoe with her super cool sunglasses!

Family sunglasses picture haha! Everyone got new sunglasses so we are showing them off as a family!

Little buddies!!! Too cute!

2 Months old

Braxten is 2 months old!!

Weighs 12 pounds 3 ounces
Height 22.75 inches

• Smiling constantly and cooing!
• Yawns with a sweet noise every time he exhales
• Tracks people with his eyes and recognizes faces (I think)
• Sleeps like a champ! Nap training has been working and night time is still going well.
• Loves looking at the elephants we have on the wall over his changing table
• Still takes baths in the sink instead of the tub
• Loves being outside and going for walks
• Has his first cold with a cough :(

 We are enjoying each an every day with Braxten! He became very tired and cranky after his 2 month shots but that gave us a great excuse to hold and love him all day. His smile is contagious and because he is such a happy boy we are all smiling constantly! What a blessing!

Sometimes you just need your Daddy

Last night we tried formula for Braxten's last feeding before bed to see if it would help him sleep longer and so that I could pump and have a larger supply frozen for when I return to work. He was able to sleep an hour longer from 8:30 to 5:15 which was nice but then he didn't want to go back to sleep. I tried until 6:15 (nursing time included) to rock him while his eyes were wide open, showing no intention of falling back to sleep. I finally put him in his crib. He was content for 5 minutes and then started to scream. After a little while I woke Ralph up and asked him to see if he could calm him down and get him back to sleep. As soon as he picked Braxten up there was a silence on the monitor, 10 minutes later Ralph came back to bed and Braxten was sound asleep. Sometimes he just wants his Daddy. I love the bond between them, what a lucky girl I am!

Nap Time!!!

Yesterday was a great nap day!!! Braxten went down easily for both naps and I had to wake him up when it was time for him to eat both times!!! It was wonderful! I was exhausted too so the nap that I was able to take made the day a little less productive but I felt a lot better when I woke up. Thanks B! As for going to bed, he cried a bit longer on and off than normal but once he fell into a deeper sleep he slept his normal amount! He still gets up at about 4:30 and 8:30. Today he went back to sleep again until 11:20 when I woke him up to eat! Hoping this pattern continues!!

I am 8 Weeks Old

Yesterday I turned 8 weeks old!!! I had a very busy weekend including Friday hanging out with Dad while Mom went out with friends, Saturday I got to spend time with Missi and Pop while Mom and Dad went to a wedding and Sunday I went to Crossfit Competition and once again got lots of attention from pretty women telling me I am cute. I smiled at them - works every time!

Daddy's off to work

Braxten getting in a little extra time with Daddy before he heads off to work. They are both very serious as the look at each other with an identical facial expression. Brax is going to have a hard time getting away with anything with a police officer as a father, just ask Ralph! Good night Daddy, Be safe!                                         

 

7.5 week old schedule

We seem to have a new daily routine panning out...

• 5:00am wake up to nurse - back to bed
• 8-8:30 wake up to nurse - go downstairs and rest in the Mama Roo until 10:30
• 11am nurse
• 11:30 - 12:15 play
• 12:15-12:30ish rock him for a few minutes and put him down for a nap
• 12:30 - 2pm nap time (this nap has been more successful than the second one)
• 2pm nurse
• 2:30 - 3:15 play
• 3:15 - 3:30 rock him for a few minutes
• 3:30 - 5pm nap time (this one does not go over as well as the first one but we are working on it)
• 5pm nurse
• 5:30 - 7:40 play time, he likes to go outside and look around or just smile while his parents act like nuts to see it
• 7:40pm Bath time, he still loves the sink bath!
• 8:00pm nurse, prayers, song and bed time (all of this done in a dark room with white noise on)

Last night Braxten went 9 hours between nursings! 8pm he nursed and woke up at 5am!!! It was great! Not sure if the longer naps are helping but they sure aren't hurting, thank goodness!

...But Cute Little Boy

Our long time friend Sarah Timmer took pictures of Braxten a few weeks ago and here they are to share with you! She did an amazing job! He looks so peaceful and cooperative but if you were there you would know that was not the case. Sarah was so great that she got a few of them when he was blinking that makes him look like he was asleep! That's talent and we are thankful for not only that but for her patience and obvious love for capturing the perfect moment to remember! 

Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Tough Day...

So today we decided to do some nap training. Braxten only naps for about 30-45 minutes when, per Baby Wise, he should be sleeping 1.5-2 hours!!! No wonder why I feel like I get nothing done :) After reassurance from Sara Eckel, I put him in his crib and let him cry (he was crying in my arms for 45 minutes before putting him down so he may as well cry away from my ear). He didn't love it but he slept on and off until the next time to nurse. We went through the normal routine of eat and wake, then it was time to nap again. This time he fell asleep in my arms as I rocked him and went down for his nap. He cried for 5 minutes but has now been sleeping for 45 without a wimper!!! I pray it's this easy to train him but I doubt it. Thank you Aunt Sarah for the advice and support!!!

My First Mother's Day!

My first Mother's Day was awesome! Braxten (and Ralph) wrote me a very sweet card and gave me some flowers for the front of the house! It was perfect. We had Missi, Mamaw, Popo, Colleen, Nate, Zoe, Cooper, Colin and Branden over for a cookout. Everyone had a great time - we love spending time with family! I will always remember and cherish my first Mother's Day!

Super Baby!

Braxten went to a birthday party for one of my long time friend's little boy, Leyton. The theme was super hero and costumes were encouraged. We luckily were given the cutest superman outfit at a baby shower and although it was a little big, it was perfect! It included the onesie, socks, a bib and a cape! He was a big hit at the party! 

NFL draft days

Starting on Thursday, the NFL drafted their next superstars for their upcoming season and future. Braxten wore an Ohio State outfit just in case one of the teams decided to take a chance on him, not this year. Daddy loved having the split screen on the Reds game and NFL draft while holding his little buddy. It was a great couple of days.

Bath time at 6.5 weeks

Bath time is one of his favorite times of the day, he sits in the flower cushion in the kitchen sink and we spray him with water from the faucet! The flower is a wonderful thing, we don't have to bend over and break our backs for a few more weeks. I love it because he fits so perfectly and without too much room to stretch, all of his little rolls are showcased - and I love baby chub rolls!

First day at work

Braxten had his first day at work today as he visited Pop! Pop carried him around the office, Braxten loved it (as long as we kept moving). He dressed up in his tie in case of job opportunities haha. He almost interviewed for an HR position, was told he could help in sales and in the factory! Little boy is on his way to a career at 6 weeks. He was quite the ladies man as he cried coming into the office, many ladies came to see him and let him know just how cute he is. Momma loved it! By the end of the day he was exhausted as we all are after a long day at work.