Let's Try this Again 7/31/10

We tried to take Brayden swimming while we were in San Diego and it didn't go so well. We were thinking that the water and the weather may not have been warm enough for him. He is used to Arizona after all! So since it has been in the 100's for a while here in Yuma, we decided to try the pool here. He did SO well and really likes it now. Now we just need to get him a floatie and a hat that fits. The sun out here is pretty powerful and it scares me to have him out in it for too long. I am just a protective mama bear and don't want our bug to get burned.

All done and headed home

Grandma and Auntie Sarah Visit July 28th-July 31st

Happy Birthday mommy! From Daddy

My mom and sister were able to make a trip out here to see us, it worked out that it was right in time for my birthday! We had a lot of fun and I know they were both happy to see him. My mom hadn't seen him since the day he was born! We just spent a few days together and not doing too much. It was nice to take it easy and relax. It was also nice to have people here during the day, it gets lonely all by my lonesone sometimes. Their vist flew by WAY too quickly and we can't wait for them to come back out!

Brayden and Grandma

Auntie Sarah Brayden and I

Auntie Sarah, Grandma, Brayden and Mama

Daddy, Grandma, Brayden and Mama

Swimming At Grandpa's

The same weekend that we got his newborn pictures done, we got to spend a little time at my dad's. It was fairly warm and Zack was going swimming, so we decided to see if Brayden liked it too! I think the water was a little cool for him, he wasn't too happy.

Newborn Pictures at Balboa Park- July 17th 2010

While I was pregnant, I really wanted maternity pictures done. I was having a hard time finding anyone. I was browsing Craigslist one day and came accross a post about pictures for military wives. I emailed the photographer and made arrangements. We met her in San Diego and had a great shoot! We loved the pictures and decided that we would have her do Brayden's newborn pictures too. Her name is Kristi Moreno and she is the sweetest woman ever. She does great pictures and we couldn't be happier. Her website is http://www.kristimariephotos.com/ and I know she has a facebook too, but I am blanking on it. I know you can look her up by her name or kristi marie photography.

These are just some of the amazing pictures that she took for us!!

Funny Story

Zack and I are both first time parents and even though I have been around babies for so long, I am still learning things. We have learned to work together on a lot of things. Zack is so helpful and he never complains. He changes diapers like a champ, but one day he wasn't quick enough.

It was a particularly rough night. Brayden hadn't slept much and we were up pretty early. Zack had gone to PT early in the morning and came home and made me pancakes. Brayden was hanging out in his swing and daddy decided to love on him before he went to work. He also decided to change his diaper. He got the changing pad out and set it on the table, why I do not know! He was going about his business and when he lifted Brayden's legs the little booger pooped EVERYWHERE! It got on Zack, who had JUST gotten dressed for work, the couch and the floor. Great mustard colored, breastfed baby poop on all light colored items. I couldn't help but laugh! He was always making fun of me for getting pee everywhere, I guess this was pay back time.

Our sweet little stinker

One Month Old/Trip to Phoenix

One Month Old!

Brayden turned a month old on July 10th! We went to Phoenix for the weekend with some friends.  He did well on the drive out there. We stayed at Luke Air Force base and just hung out for a bit. We went to dinner at a restaurant that our friend had seen on the food network. It was pretty good! We also did a little shopping at BRU since we don't have one in Yuma. We also went to the exchange on base and were pretty jealous at how big it was compared to ours. It's funny how ever since I found out I was pregnant, I graitate right to the baby stuff. I would rather get stuff for Brayden than for myself!

Hanging out in the room

We had a fun weekend, but like always they go too fast and we were headed back to Yuma in no time.
Brayden had his one month appointment on July 12th. We love his pediatrician, he always has good things to say about our little man. He was 9 pounds 4 ounces and 23 inches long! He has grown a lot since he was born, looks like we are doing everything right!

Waiting for Dr. Crawford

So tired from his doctors visit

Baby's First Real Bath- 6/22/10

Brayden's stump fell off while I was still in the hospital, so when we got home it was time for his first real bath. I was so excited to see how he would like it. Zack and I worked together pretty well. Brayden wasn't a fan, but after a few minutes he was okay. It took him a bit but now he LOVES bath time.

Brayden's First Family BBQ in San Diego

For the past few years, my dad has been doing a family BBQ once a year at his house. This was the first year it was going to be at his and Teresa's new house in Escondido. I have always like this party we have. Dad cooks carne and we all just hang out and talk. I was nervous we wouldn't make it because of my surgery and vac. I wanted everyone to meet Brayden.
We headed out to San Diego on Friday, Brayden's first trip to San Diego. It wasn't so bad, although we did have to stop in Mission Valley so I could feed him. We got to my dad's and unloaded. Teresa's mom and step dad were in town and I hadn't seen them in quite some time. We all had dinner and just talked. I was exhausted as was Brayden and we got settled in our room at my dad's house.
Saturday was the BBQ. We got up and got ready and just hung out with Auntie Sarah until everyone started showing up. I loved showing our little bug off! We had so much fun and it was great seeing everyone.

Mama goes back to the hospital

Wednesday night (June16th) we noticed Brayden was peeing blood. We had a friend come over and look at him and she said it could be because he wasn't getting any milk for so many days. We had just fixed the bfing problem so we agreed that's what it was. We were still kind of concerned and so we were going to head to the ER. I decided to change and I checked my incision to make sure I didn't need to change the pad over it before we left. I was in for a shock!
My incision was oozing and had a funny smell, this had just developed within a few hours! I was so scared and called Zack in and we called our nurse friend again. She said I had an infection! Great, what else can happen. We called triage and they said I needed to see my doctor in the morning.
Thursday morning I called the office and told them what was going on and I had an appointment within minutes. The office I go to has a stupid rule of no one under 12 so I had to go alone. I was so scared! A nurse came in and checked it out and was going to try to clean me up with peroxide and give me antibiotics. When  she went to get the doctor who did my section, I knew things were bad. She took one look and said I needed 24 to 48 hours of IV antibiotics. She then ripped open my incision which hurt more than my contractions with no pain meds! I was crying wishing I had Zack with me. She told me I was being readmitted to the hopital for a second surgery and antibiotics. I called Zack to come back for me while she wrote up orders. The nurse talked to me and told me what would happen and I couldn't stop crying. I was so scared and sad. I didn't want to be away from my baby let alone go into surgery again. Two surgeries within a week of each other.

We headed straight to the hospital where I found out I could not breast feed Brayden for 24 hours after surgery. I was dead set on breastfeeding as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I loved the time I got with Brayden and knowing it was me only who could make him grow. I was not against formula but if I can feed him, I wanted to. They told me I would have to pump and dump to keep my supply while Brayden got a bottle of formula. He hadn't had a bottle and I was so scared he wouldn't come back to me. I fed him one last time before I went to surgery and started crying.

I didn't know what kind of infection I had and what would happen to me. My baby was only a week old! I gave them both a kiss and told them I loved them. I went into surgery and Zack took Brayden home.
I made it through surgery and was so happy to see my boys waiting for me in my room when I got there.
We spent the next 4.5 days in the hospital with me getting IV antibiotics! NO FUN! I was so ready to go home. They gave me this thing called a wound vac. The doctor left my incision open, to help prevent another infection. The vac was in place of doing a wet to dry dressing change every day. This dressing only had to be changed three times a week, but I had to walk around with a purse looking thing and a tube hanging out of my pants. At least my infection was gone and I was going home!

6/20/10- Spending his first fathers day in the hospital

The three of us were SO happy to be home again.