Return to Work

Well, I finished my first week of work.  I have mixed emotions about being back.  Of course, I would much rather be able to be a stay at home mom and spend my time with Brax.  However, it has been nice being able to have adult conversations during the week.  Part-time work would probably be ideal.

It has been a little easier coming back since Wade will be off of work until school gets out in June.  I am sure Brax is loving his daddy time along with Wade although he is pretty tired as am I.  Then, I will be able to spend the summer with Brax so we won't have to start daycare until August.  I am sure that will be hard at first.

Brax has had his first outside of the family babysitter since I have been back to work.  Wade has class every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon so Brax has had a sitter for about four hours each of those days.   He will for the next two weeks until school is over for Wade.  Our sitter grew up in the same small town I did and was in my brother's class so I am glad we know her.  Brax has seemed to do okay with her this week.  She was nice enough to know to send us pictures and updates especially being first time parents.

Walking and Running

When it is nice out and not too windy, I always try to get Brax out for some fresh air.  Sometimes, we go for runs in the jogging stroller, and other times, we go for walks with the baby carrier.  I am glad he doesn't seem to mind the jogging stroller so I have an option to exercise with him.  I have to get these last 10 pounds off somehow!  I can't wait for summer when we will be able to be outside every day.

The Turtle

When I wrote the title of this post, it makes me think of the character from the tv show "Sex and the City."  Oh, I so miss that show and wish they would bring it back!  I used to watch the entire show every summer followed by the movies.

Here is that character.          

This is all besides my point.  When Braxton pouts, he pushes his lips together and the bottom lip sometimes gets pushed out.  When he does this, I think he looks like a turtle.  His bald head probably helps this out, too.  Gymboree has the cutest turtle line.  I can't justify buying anymore 3-6 month summer outfits which he probably will be too small to wear this summer anyway, but I couldn't resist buying a turtle shirt.  I figure he can always wear a long sleeve shirt under all the t-shirts in the fall.  I do have a few 0-3 month summer one piece turtle outfits which I will have to add when it's actually warm enough to wear them.  These April snowstorms are no fun!  We are ready for summer.  Anyway, here's my little turtle:

Turtle outfit #1:

Here he is with his turtle toy I got at the school shower:

Our Family

Here's our happy family when Brax was 1.5 months old!

Grandpa Stan and Grandma

Grandpa Stan and Grandma decided to come visit us one more time before I went back to work.  We are glad they are retired and have the freedom to come visit when they want as long as the weather doesn't require Dad to be in the fields.  We went to church on Sunday and had Brax's two month doctor appointment and shots on Monday.  Otherwise, we mostly just hung out at home especially with the snow.  My dad did babysit some while Mom and I went shopping.  She had to stock up on the frozen Swedish pancakes at Ikea.  Also, they babysat while I had three cavities filled.  I still have two more to be done in May.  Pregnancy is not kind to your teeth!  Thank you for coming to visit again!  We love you!

After we went to church

Brax's grandma shirt

Grandpa and Brax in their matching Nebraska stocking hats

All Smiles :)

We took some pictures for Brax's baptismal invitation.  He is usually pretty smiley in the mornings after he eats.  I love it when we can make him smile and can't wait until we can make him laugh.

Four Generations

We drove halfway to Ogallala, Nebraska to meet Wade's mom, sister, aunt, and grandma.  Grammy and Jill were so excited to finally meet and hold Brax.  We hung out at Valentino's.

Four Generations

Looking at Nana

Sleeping with Aunt Jill

 Meeting GG

Two Months

Brax turned two months old on Saturday!

Notes from month two:

You weigh 9 pounds and measure 22 inches long.  You are in the 2nd percentile for weight and 10th percentile for height and 30th percentile for head.  You are a little baby still, but growing well.

You like to lay on your play mat and look at yourself in the mirror along with the animals.  You can hit the rings that hang under the animals with your hands.  You also will grab onto my shirt and hair.

You don't seem to mind baths once you feel the warm water.  It will be nice to not use the sling when you get a little sturdier.  I think you will like being immersed in the water.

You still have the hole in your heart.  We are planning on doing your surgery in June.  I am not looking forward to that day.  It will be so hard to see you with all the tubes and lines.  It makes me almost cry just thinking about it.  I am glad you will be too young to remember anything.

You met Grandpa Lyle.  He flew out to see you for a week.

You met Grammy and Aunt Jill and Great Aunt Jerri.  We rented a car and drove halfway to meet them in Ogallala at Valentino's along with Nana.

Grandpa Stan and Grandma came to visit you again.

You do well when we go out to eat.  We leave after I feed you so you usually sleep the entire time.

We read to you every day.  We play with your toys and sing songs every day.  My favorite book that I read to you is Mama Loves You by Caroline Stutson.

You go to sleep around 11:00 every night and get up around 3:00 and 6:00 to eat before waking up around 9:00.  You stay up and nap around 4:00 or 5:00 for a few hours.  Then, you are up until bedtime. Sometimes, you moan in your sleep which wakes me up.  Sometimes, I hold you when you wake up at 6 for a few hours while you sleep.

You have stopped scratching your face.

You had your two month shots.   You cried for a few minutes and then fell asleep.

You get whiny when you are really tired and need to go to sleep.

You have been breastfeeding well still and will take a bottle when I am gone.

You have been smiling more and more each day.

You follow objects with your eyes and look at faces.

We dressed you up for St. Patrick's Day and Easter and took pictures.

You blow bubbles with your spit sometimes.

You put your lips together when you pout.  I think it makes you look like a turtle.

We have gone on three runs with the jogging stroller.  You just hang out or fall asleep.  I am glad you like to run with me.  We still go on walks with the baby carrier, too.

Music

Every day I listen to music and sing to Brax.  Sometimes, we just listen to nursery rhymes while other times we listen to regular music either on a tv station or on my phone via youtube.  This is one of my favorite songs I like to sing to Brax.  I especially like singing it to him because of the following lyrics:

I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet

Grandparents

We are so thankful that Brax has such loving and caring grandparents!  They have all been out to meet Brax, and we look forward to the relationships he will develop with each of them.

Meeting Grandma right after he was born.  Then, meeting Grandpa Stan and Grandma the next day on Valentine's Day.

Grandma came back to visit when Brax was a week old.  She babysat on Friday night so Wade and I could go out to dinner.  His first babysitter!

Nana came to visit when Brax was two weeks old.  We went on a few walks and hung out at home.

Grandpa Lyle came to visit when Brax was a month old.  He helped Wade babysit while I ran some errands and went shopping.

A Milestone

It's been a milestone week.  Brax started hitting the rings on his play mat with his hands.  Such a big accomplishment for the little guy!  Nice job, buddy.  We love you!  Oh, and today, we were listening to the 80's television channel.  Gotta get him to like my music at a young age!  :)

Reading

I try and make sure to read to Brax every day.  Most of the time he will sit and listen.  Sometimes, he looks at the pictures.  My favorite book I read to him is Mama Loves You by Caroline Stutson.

Here are the words:

I am yours,
You are mine.
Mama loves you,
Porcupine.

Come a-buzzing,
Straight to me.
Mama loves you,
Honeybee.

Flit to mama;
Fly sky-high.
Mama loves you,
Butterfly.

Let it snow;
We don't care.
Mama loves you,
Polar bear.

My heart is singing!
Have you heard?
Mama loves you,
Hummingbird.

Who's that nibbling
In my house?
Mama loves you,
Little mouse.

Give me kisses!
Give me hugs!
Mama loves you,
Little bugs.

In our thicket,
Snuggle near.
Mama loves you,
Little deer.

Look who's running!
Pitter-pat!
Mama loves you,
Kitty cat.

You're my star,
My moon, my sun.
Mama loves you,
Little one.

I love you so much Brax.  This book says it all.  You are my everything!