Progress

Dan and I both had visions and dreams of a prefect baby who would be born being on our schedule, didn't fuss much, and slept easily. Ok, more so my vision than Dans. Dan just wanted him on a schedule. So we were both in for a rude awakening.
When we brought Brady home from the hospital, our lives revolved around him. Which is to be expected of course. We lived in two blocks of time. "Time to feed Brady" and "Waiting to feed Brady". Each nursing session lasted 45min to an hour. He was nursing every 2 to 2.5 hours, which didn't leave much time in between to accomplish much more than stuffing some food down and attempting to catch a quick nap.
The first month was rough on me and therefore rough on Dan too. Around 2 weeks of age, we noticed that Brady was crying an awful lot. And not just whiny cries, painful, inconsolable cries that lasted for hours. When he was awake he was crying and wanting to constantly be held. The crying was stressful. The added stress and anxiety of being a new mom, feeling like I couldn't help him, feeling like we drew the short straw and got the cranky, clingy baby, wondering if this was our 'punishment' for getting pregnant so quickly, questioning if we should have became parents left me completely physically and emotionally drained. I'm sure Dan lived in a constant wondering of what type of wife would he find when he got home from work...Tearful or Pissed and the World. Once we starting to get in tune with his body, we noticed that he would seem to spit up, then cry.....leading us to the acid reflux. Which was diagnosed when Brady was 5 weeks old.
After a week on his medication we began noticing a change. He wasn't crying as often and seemed like he was starting to be a bit happier all around. We could actually lay him down! He became very interested in his activity gym. And started to make those cute infant coo's and ahhs.
Currently at 9 weeks he is smiling at us, coo's and ahh's in contentment, enjoys his activity gym and his new bouncy seat enough that he has actually fallen alseep on his own while laying in them. He is beginning to find a schedule or rhythm to his day. Some days he goes to sleep at 8pm. Other days not until 10:30 or 11, but those days seem to be getting further and further apart. And two nights ago, he rewarded us with 6 hours of sleep! It also helps that I am learning to be flexible with my plans for each day and not putting as much pressure on myself. And, more importantly learning to listen and follow my mama heart.

Happy Valentine's Day

Grandma Householder and Uncle Kyle sent Brady a Valentine's package. He really enjoyed opening it up and checking out his surprises.






And this is what Brady gave us!! A big cheesy monkey smile!! I do believe I am in love : )

He smiled for me on Tuesday and for Dan today. Unfortunately Dan wasn't as quick with the camera : )

Brady Stats: 2 Months

Brady had his "2 month" well baby check last Friday. I say 2 months in quotes because he was only 7 weeks, and not offically two months for another week, but any who. Brady is quite the growing boy.

Weight-12lbs 3oz. 75 percentile
Length-22 3/4in 50 percentile
Head- 15 1/2 in 50 percentile


He is following us with his eyes more and more. He is also able to bring his hands to his mouth. Not just sucking on them when they happen upon his mouth. And although we haven't seen a big cheesy monkey smile, we are getting some pretty cute grins and smirks.

Brady and his Great Grandma Pell

Favorite of the Moment

Here is my favorite picture. For right now. Until I manage to snap that big toothless grin that melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.