Bath time, Belly button, and our "Boootiful" baby boy

Braden LOVES his baths!  I have noticed that the last couple of times I have washed his hair, it looks sort of "curly" when it is wet (I know, hard to tell in the picture) . . . so I am wondering if he will have curly hair?? (Mine was always straight, but sometime during college I realized that if I let it air dry, it is actually sort of curly) . . . hmm.

Check out the belly button!  On Tuesday he lost the remains of his umbilical cord - yay (finally!). . . also look at that little tummy - starting to fill out!

Tonight (yes it is only 10/30) is Kalona's trick or treat night . . . we won't be going trick or treating, but our little ghost can look cute when we hand out candy! (I couldn't pass up this onesie!  I figured it can become PJs after Halloween.)

I can't believe that 4 weeks ago at this time we were just about to meet our little guy for the first time  . . .  every time another week goes by I can't help but think back to Braden's birthday and get a little sad that time is passing so fast! ( I know I keep saying that, but it is so true . . . and I am the sappy nostalgic type!)

3 weeks and 2 days old

Hello again!  Somehow another week has flown by, and our little guy is already 3 weeks old! He is still doing great, and is as precious as ever . . . although on Thursday night we had our first real taste of a somewhat "sleepless night" with a newborn - we were up with an unhappy baby for 3 hours in the middle of the night.  (We know we are lucky that we are just now experiencing this!)  I think I (Jill) may have been part of the problem - during the day we met Aunt Allie and cousin Em for lunch and then did some shopping . . . since Braden was sleeping so peacefully, I did not wake him for feedings.  Then Allie and Beth babysat for the evening (yes, first babysitters!) while Billy and I went to a movie.  I think that the combination of being out and about all afternoon and skipping feedings, then eating too much at once and having someone else take care of him for the evening made for one confused baby.  Since then I have been much more conscious of trying to keep feedings/naps on a schedule, and our nights are back to normal. (Whew!)

Sometime in the past week or so, I Braden has really changed looks . . . his face is much fuller and he is getting a little double chin (he loves his feedings!), but from the side/profile he looks more like "himself"/like he always has. 

Most of the time our kiddo continues to be pretty easy going  . . .

10/22 - wakin' up from napping in the pack and play

10/24 - snoozin' in the bouncy seat

10/26 - playing in the new "gym" I got from the shower last weekend

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is Billy's birthday - 29 - so next year will be a big one!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

You're a great Dad because . . . you get up in the middle of the night with Braden so Mom can sleep, you are a great diaper changer, you love to cuddle with Braden (often calling to Jill - come look, he is SO CUTE! as Braden makes funny faces), you make bottles like a pro, you pray for Braden, you love to introduce people to your little boy, you make funny faces right back at Braden, and you would do anything for him.  We love you!!

Here's a pic of Braden from today - hanging out with Mom after a bottle.  He's making the funniest faces lately (of course I did NOT get a funny one on camera), and has recently found his fingers (which end up in his mouth already!) and loves to wave his hands and kick his feet (which is nothing new - he did that in Mom's tummy all the time!).

It's been a while since we posted . . .here's some of what we've been up to:

On Wednesday we visited my class at Kalona Elementary - they were so excited to meet Braden.

Braden also met KE staff, as well as another new KE staff baby, Bowen.  Bowen was born 9/11 and was visiting school too . . . ever try to photograph two newborns?  This is one of our better attempts! :)

Yesterday the Grandmas, Lynette and Jane, threw us a baby shower with Billy's and my aunts/cousins/grandma.  It was lots of fun and I think we are going to need to add on to our house to make room for all of Braden's loot!  He's definitely all decked out, and has more clothes than Billy and I combined.  I can't wait for him to be able to wear all his new duds (except for that will mean he is getting bigger, and I just love this newborn stage).

Here's cousin Madi holding Braden.

Thanks Aub!  A little blankie to carry around like cousin Aubree did with hers (we missed you!! . .  and Chloe and Ellie - see you at Thanksgiving).

Cousin Elyse was a great helper with the gifts - and loved the frosting on the yummy cupcakes!

Thanks everyone, for showering us with wonderful things for Braden!  We had a great time seeing you all again!

On Friday we went back to the pediatrician for a weight check - our little trooper is now weighing in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces!  (On Monday he weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces!) . .  we did start feeding him a little more at each feeding after our appt. on Monday, and apparently it is making a difference. :) He is still measuring 21 inches long.

In other news, Braden has slept 5+ hours the past couple of nights - yay!!  The first time he skipped the 2ish feeding (sleeping from 12ish to 5), and today (way to go buddy), he skipped the 5ish feeding and slept from 2:30ish till 8! We're hoping this trend will continue. :)  He sleeps a lot during the day too (especially if we are out and about in his carseat/stroller), but is having some fun awake times more frequently.

Braden continues to be our very laid back, easy going little guy (I hope I don't jinx that by posting it!).  He's done a great job at church, shopping, doctor's appointments, and in restaurants (usually just sleeping in his seat). He doesn't get fussy when his "schedule" gets a little off, and doesn't mind switching between breast and bottle feeding (as long as he gets food!).  Newbie parents like us couldn't have asked for a better baby! :)

Now that the little guy is sleeping again, I need to frost Billy's birthday cake before he gets home from work! Somehow these days at home keep slipping by so quickly . . . :(

12 days old

It is amazing how quickly time is flying by these days . . . Braden is now 12 days old, and we can't imagine life without him (other than the fact that we were a little more well rested)!  I sometimes have a hard time with how quickly he is changing - Braden already looks different than he did last week.  One friend who visited us in the hospital heard his sweet little newborn baby cry, and commented that one day you'll notice that his cry no longer sounds like a newborn (which then made me cry!) - so I video taped him crying (Billy was a little confused by this!) so that I'll be able to remember this stage of his life. Last week I found myself in tears a lot (hormones again!!), but wasn't always sure why - I am so in love with our little guy, but find myself so sad that he is already changing and growing so much.  I am trying to just soak up every moment!  

On Monday he had his first pediatrician appt, and did great.  He weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces (I think the lowest he dropped to was 7 pds, 7 oz.), and measured 21 inches.  We'll go back on Friday for a weight check, then in 2 months for a check up and shots.  After his appt, we did some shopping (I wanted to take advantage of the fact that aunt Allison was with us and a great help!) . . . I think we wore Braden out, as he slept in his stroller most of the time, allowing us to hit all the stores we wanted to.  

Tuesday Allison spent the day with us at home, getting in some cuddle time with Braden (which allowed me to do some chores), and helping me take pictures that we could use for Braden's birth announcement . . . below are some of the pics we took - love that sweet face!

Today we're snuggled up at home listening to the rain.  Later this afternoon I am taking Braden to meet my class at school - it will be fun to see the kids! 

Firsts

Here's some pictures to update you on what we've been up to - lots of "firsts" for Braden!

(I wanted the pictures to be inserted after the text that follows them, but when I try to insert pics, they always are inserted at the beginning and I have trouble moving them - any tips from more experienced bloggers??)

Anyway - here are the pics:

Going home! Leaving our room in peds on Thursday around 5:00. . . 

Going home outfit

Arriving at home!

First time in the swing - he liked it!

First time Great Grandma Boese got to hold him

First bath at home - again, he liked it!

Check out that smile - yes, he really does smile!

First stroller ride - what a gorgeous fall day! We walked to 

Grandpa and Grandma Miller's house.

First trip to church (Parkview, which meets at West High right now)

See - told you he smiles!

This picture is to chronicle Braden's growth . . .  the outfit is 12 month size - each month we will take a picture of Braden wearing it until it actually fits. :)  This is Braden at 1 week (well, 8 days) - I sort of forgot we were going to do this.

We've been home for 3 days now, and it has been so much fun introducing Braden to our world. We are learning a lot as we go, and Braden is doing great - he even lets us get some sleep.  A typical night so far has been to feed him around 9 or 10, then 11/12, then 3/4 then up at 6/7.  So we are able to get a few hours sleep at a time - especially when Billy and I  take turns.  

On Saturday Billy did the 7:00 feeding and got up with Braden for the morning and let me sleep in till 11 (what bliss!!) . . . my incision continues to heal, but is sometimes painful and I am now off one of my pain meds (so sad to take that last one!). Overall though, I am feeling great, just need to remember to take it easy sometimes.  My type A personality keeps shining through - so sometimes I think I try to do too much in a day - laundry, keeping the house in order/things put away (now that we have TONS of baby stuff everywhere, this is harder to accomplish), other general housework (who did this all of the time when I was working??), etc. etc.

Today we took Braden to church - he did great - we were a little nervous about how he would do, but he pretty much slept through the whole service, but woke up long enough to drink a bottle.  Billy fed him, then was patting his back to burp him, and in the middle of church our little guy let out a huge burp!  The man sitting in front of us turned around to look at Billy, then laughed when he realized that the burp had come from a tiny baby.  Everyone around us got the giggles.  Other than that, the outing was uneventful.  We went to Sunday school out to lunch, and made a quick stop at Menards, and Braden slept through it all.

Tomorrow we'll go to Braden's first pediatrician's appt. - I am anxious to see how much he weighs now.  My sister is taking a couple days off to help me with Braden (thanks Allie!).  We've been blessed to have lots of friends and family members help us out with things this past week - thanks to my dad and Aunt Amy for mowing our lawn, many of you for bringing us yummy meals, and my mom for helping us unpack/get things organized and put away on our first night home.  We love you all and are thankful for the support you've shown our little family.

Homeward Bound

Today's the day!  We are just waiting for the last round of antibiotics, then we are out of here! I was afraid the day would drag on, but it actually flew by.  I had a quick appt. with my OB doc this afternoon to check out my incision (healing well), and also met with a lactation consultant. 

This picture (above) was "posed" by a photographer who was in peds wing today taking pictures for the University Foundation (he took his own pics, I just snapped one with my camera too).  They are doing a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital.  Apparently he was told that he HAD to come photograph the baby in room 2323 (that's us!) because he is so adorable.  (We definitely agree!) I'm not sure what the pictures will be used for (pamphlets, posters, or something like that), but I signed a consent form that they could publish them if they contact us and let us know.

I'm not sure how regularly we'll be able to update once we get home (I have a feeling we'll be a little busy), but we will try! :)  I have found blogging to be fun and a good way to remember all the details of these first days - so am hopeful that we will continue to blog regularly.

Thanks so much for the prayers and well wishes this past week - it means so much to us! We can't wait to introduce you to Braden in person!

Jill & Bill

One more day . . .

 . . . until we get to go home!  Yay!  Braden's labs came back looking good (no more infection), so they just want to do a couple more cycles of his antibiotic and we are free to go.  It sounds like we'll leave tomorrow (Thursday) in the late afternoon/early evening.  

Today a breast feeding specialist helped me with feedings (which is hard to do when you have no milk), but was helpful and full of tips.  Tonight Billy gets to hold down the fort with Braden while I make a quick trip to Kalona for an appointment;  I thought about rescheduling it, but realized that I need a break and some time away (I have now been in the hospital for a week) - and I am going to pick  up a few things we need before heading home.

So, we are excitedly anticipating going home soon! I can hardly believe that we are almost there!

Trading Spaces

We ended up having to move out of our room in the mother/baby unit

to a room in the peds unit.  I am officially no longer a patient, but until Braden's labs are clear, he will need to stay.   I must say, it is wonderful that the hospital lets mom and dads stay with their child, and we are grateful to have a room in which we can stay with Braden.   

BUT, I did not think it would be as hard as it was to leave our room in M/B unit.  The nurses there were SO  kind and helpful and went out of their way to be of assistance to us . . . when we found out that there was just going to be "no room in the  inn" (lots of new babies being born!), we packed up and left our comfy room.  When we arrived at peds, we settled into our new digs (a perfectly fine room, except it had no rocking chair for feedings, and the bed is a pull out vinyl couch) . .  and I burst into tears (can we say hormones??). I just wanted to be back in our familiar room with the caring nurses that I have grown to love.    Poor Billy (now dealing with a distraught wife) was great and talked to the nurses, (who are also very kind here) and they switched the regular chair with a rocking chair/recliner like I was used to in our old room.  

 Here are some pics I had taken earlier of our room (not because I knew I'd miss it so much, but because I loved it there and that is where we spent our first precious days with Braden):

Ok, so enough about rooms.  The important thing is that Braden continues to do well, and we are still in a great place receiving great care for him.  The only concern we have right now is that he needs to poop (is that too much to tell on a blog?) . . . I still have not produced enough milk to breastfeed, so he has been supplementing with formula.  We feed him using a syringe while he sucks on one of my/whoever is feeding him's fingers.  This is supposed to cause less "nipple confusion" and also teach him that he has to suck hard to get food (you don't give him formula from the syringe unless he is sucking).  It is not uncommon for formula fed babies to go longer without pooping, but we think maybe he is constipated from the formula.  So he is now eating breastmilk from the breastmilk bank (did you know they have those??) and we are hoping that will help.  

Here's some pictures of our little guy from today:

Braden has found his fingers - and loves to have his hands up by his face.  He did this all the time during ultra sounds too - we had a hard time getting good profile ultra sound pics because he always had his hands waving around his face. (On a side note, isn't this onesie cute?!   At the University they have tons of baby clothes that they dress babies in so you don't have to bring/use your own . . .  so it was always a surprise to see what new outfits he would be dressed in when he came back from getting meds, or what new clothes they would bring to our room for him to use for the day.)

He sleeps like his daddy - both arms up above his head. :)

Tonight we had some visitors which helped cheer me up after the move, and now he's sleeping soundly.  Thanks for your continued prayers - we are getting excited about going home in the next couple of days! (By Friday for sure, but I have heard a few rumblings about maybe going home on Thursday!)

Precious Pictures

I think I have uploaded pictures from my camera more times this week than I have all year! (My poor pics usually remain on the memory card for weeks until I remember to do something with them.)  We keep snapping pictures so that we can remember all the fun "firsts" we are experiencing this week . . . many precious people in our lives are meeting Braden for the first time, we've given him his first bath, he "watched" his first football game with Daddy, and more!

Meeting Grandpa Jim

Snuggling with Daddy . . .

and with Mommy

Meeting Alison (future babysitter) - it seems like just yesterday I was the one in the hospital meeting Miss Alison as a tiny newborn - time flies!

Today was pretty peaceful . . . I found out that I will be released from the hospital on Tuesday in the late afternoon, but that Braden will remain a patient until he has had enough of the antibiotics to be infection-free (probably Friday).  I will still get to stay here with him (yay!), so that makes it easier.  The doctors think he is doing great, and have also given me a thumbs up on being infection free and now having a more normal heart rate. My incision continues to heal and feels better each day;  I am sort of grateful for the extra days to recover in the hospital - it is nice to be taken care of, with none of the responsibilities of being at home and doing daily tasks/chores.  But we will be ready to go home and settle into our familiar environment.

Thanks again for all the e-mails, comments, visits, and prayers.  We are so blessed to have wonderful friends and family to care for us. 

Sleepy Sunday

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ed! 

This picture is of Grandpa meeting Braden for the first time - I'd say he's smitten!

Cheering on the Hawkeyes on Saturday (guess we didn't cheer hard enough, but Braden sure looked cute decked out in his Iowa gear to "watch" his first game). :)

Baby Braden continues to do well; we just look at him and smile. He has dropped from his birth weight of 8lb. 6 oz. to 7 lb. 13 0z. (at last night's weigh in), but is eating like a trooper today.  He is like his daddy - loves to eat and gets fussy if we are late to feed him. :) 

He is awake a little more, but still naps a lot - so we are napping a lot too today.  It has been a relaxing morning, and we are looking forward to seeing family members and others who are visiting this afternoon.  

Enjoy the beautiful day!  

PS - I got my IV out today - so am no longer tethered to an IV pole- yippee!  I also feel less pain from the incision each day, and am "getting around" almost like a "normal" person. :) I know I need to keep resting and definitely am staying on my pain meds, but it is so nice not to feel like a patient anymore. 

Saturday Update

Hi again!  It has been fun to read comments on the blog and e-mails from our loving friends and family - we appreciate your love, support and prayers.

I (Jill) continue to feel much better - yay!  I got to shower today, and am up and around and feeling much more like myself.  Whew.  Billy is back, and couldn't wait to have Braden in his arms again, so it was great for me to get in some snuggle time earlier this morning.  In just a few minutes we are going to give Braden his first bath.

The pediatrician came in to update us on the status of the infection that both Braden and I had when he was born . . .we've both been on antibiotics for treatment.  Tests today show that he is still testing positive for it, so will need to remain on antibiotics for the infection until Friday.  This means that he will need to stay in the hospital until treatment is over.  I will be discharged on Monday or Tuesday, but it sounds like I can stay in the hospital with him (even in this same room) as long as there is space available.  I just will no longer receive nursing care or meals - but am grateful that I can stay with him.  

Braden just got his first bath - it made him mad - and is now curled up with Billy on the recliner.  Billy is hoping to be able to watch the Iowa game  on  TV soon (we'll need to break out the Iowa onesie!) and cheer on the Hawks with his son!

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Billy, Jill, & Braden

PS - some of you have asked about visiting - YES, you're welcome to visit. Now that I am feeling better, we are excited for you to meet Braden :)  We are at the University on the 3rd floor Mother/Baby unit.