Fantastic Friday!

Ok here are some things that make this Friday fantastic!
1. Family- for inviting us to dinner, watching Brayden while we run an errand or two , and all the other things!
2. Kelly and Todd's baby GIRL that is on the way!
3. Halloween- I love Brayden's pumpkin costume. TOO cute. Even though Drew and I can't go out because we go to bed when the baby does, we love passing out candy.
4. My students- even though it is exhausting coming in here day after day- they always make me smile.
5. Baby Oragel- no explanation needed
6. My new red kitchen! So much better than the white! Thanks Drew!
7. My husband- That I have him to work as a team to tackle this teething/no sleep situation.

Dinner and Switcheroo

Well last night Megan came back over around 5, and Drew and I went to eat. We were only gone an hour, but it was nice to get to eat without worrying about B. I felt guilty for leaving him, but when we got back he had eaten and taken a short siesta on Megan, so I hadn't missed much! Plus it had been over a month since we had done anything just the two of us, so it was good! Thanks Aunt Megan!!
Well I have come to terms with the fact that since he is cutting all of his teeth right now (an exaggeration but at least three) that he isn't going to sleep soundly through the night. So we let him go to sleep in his crib until he fusses around 12 or 1. Then he usually takes the paci and goes back to sleep. Then he will fuss again around 3, and come to bed with us so that we don't have to keep getting up out of bed. One person stays in bed with him, and the other goes to the guest bedroom. Stinks, but gives us more room in the bed, and one person actually gets to sleep. We switch every night. We do what we need to do to survive working and baby.
He is growing so much. Grabbing both of his feet now, and chewing on those fingers because his mouth hurts. I seem to always worry about something.

One, Two, no THREE TEETH!!

Well- no more wondering why Brayden isn't sleeping. He started screaming tonight while eating, and we noticed two more teeth! One on the other side, and one on the top back! None in the front. It is so ironic. "He won't cut teeth until at least six months old," says the doctor. Heh. So he is getting Oragel, and Tylenol to help with pain....
We were supposed to go to small group tonight, but the fit occured right as we were supposed to leave, so we stayed in. Once the Oragel set in he did better. I picked him up from Krisi's today and he was laughing, I LOVE that laugh.
The kitchen is coming along- Drew is working hard. I just like getting color on the wall. We have had to do things gradually with the house, but it is looking nice.
I am getting a little frustrated with work- meetings ALL the time, and I just don't want to do it. As soon as the day is over- I feel like I should be able to leave and see my sweet pea. But unnecessary things are keeping me there...
P.S. I HATE cold weather. I could have summer all year long...actually the problem with fall is that it lasts for two days and then we get 39 degree winter weather.

The Weekend

So we had an eventful weekend! Friday we took a trip to Wal-mart and Brayden was big enough to sit in the front of the cart! We put the cart seat down and put blankets on his sides so he wouldn't slip and he rode away! We then went to eat dinner with my parents at the pizza place in Canewood. It was pretty good.
Saturday Gran, Gramps, and Aunt Audra came down from Ohio. We went to meet them at Mancino's for lunch, but Brayden definitely was ready for a nap, so I left early to take him home to lay him down. When he woke up he was much better! He played with them, and we went to Lowe's and Kohls that night. We are painting our kitchen red, and went and bought paint. He took a bath, and tried on his pumpkin costume for them. It is too cute!!
They stayed the night, and Sunday morning we woke up and had breakfast and they of course played with Brayden. They left right around his morning nap. He was so glad to see them!
We went to lunch with my family on Sunday, and he played in his Bounce Bounce Baby- and of course pooped while we were there. (There is something about him being near my dad that makes him poop!) Then we went to Trent's 5th birthday party. (Trent is Krisi, who keeps Brayden, son.) Then we came home and got ready for the day.
Some new things Brayden started doing this weekend:
1. riding in the front of the shopping cart.
2. giving kisses!! whether this was accidental or not when Aunt Jess gave him a kiss he turned and let her have it with an open mouth
3. recognizing people- he seems to be remembering who people are
4. still not sleeping :( up last night from 2-2:30 and 4-4:30

Fantastic Fridays!

So I am totally stealing Sarah's idea of Thankful Thursdays, but to not be a total copy cat I will make mine fantastic Friday's and reflect on the week then of the things that made the week fantastic! :)
1. Lynsie's exciting news about having a little girl! I couldn't be more excited for her and Robert. I can't wait to start getting them some things!
2. Brayden's laugh. He gets me every time with that chuckle of his.
3. Family. They way they always step up when I need a hand with Brayden. Whether if it's needing to run somewhere quick, or a change in plans, they are always willing to help out.
4. Drew's new job- he has to work some late nights, but he gets to take off early like tomorrow and spend the day with Brayden. He is also loving now doing something that he went to school for.
5. Fridays themselves- knowing that I don't have to go back to work for a few days is great!

Early Bed times

Last night we spent the night at the house. Ordered a pizza, went for a walk (I put the picture up of Brayden in his blue coat since it is getting cold.) Brayden had a bath, and went to bed around 8:45. Drew and I were in bed by 9:15! He did pretty well- woke up once at 1:30 but went back to sleep, and then several times around 4:30. It seems to be getting better.
I had a frustrating family moment last night. I told the math teacher at our school I would help out with math night on Thursday, and then Drew comes home and says he has a meeting on Thursday. Now, I know he has to have meetings, but it is frustrating because I told someone I could do this, and then I can't because someone has to take care of baby. Oh how things change.....

And the nights go on...

Well we had small group last night, and Brayden went with us. We took his Exersaucer and he showed everybody how much he loved it. There were two other babies there- Alex who was born in Jan., and Elizabeth who is ten days older. HE likes seeing the other babies.
He went to bed around 9:00, slept till twelve- ate 6 ounces- slept till 3ish?(not sure of the times anymore SO TIRED!)-and slept till 6:30.....not fun, but getting better maybe??
He has a runny nose and pitiful cough that is breaking our hearts as well.

Sleep Issues

Well we are going on two weeks of messed up sleep and it seems to be getting worse. Brayden is getting a tooth, but I don't know how to solve the problem. He is going to bed and then fussing every hour. I'm not sure how to solve this problem. Now we are having to take turns with nights- one of us take him in bed so that we don't have to keep getting up every hour. This stinks for us though, and I just wish I could figure out how to get him to sleep. I have been putting Oragel on his gums...still no luck...

Sunday and Mommy Thoughts

We had a very full Sunday. Brayden had another rough night waking often. We went to the early service at church- which he got squirmy through so I took him out. We then had to work the nursery- so he went with us. He was one of eight, and there was only one girl! He did well, but his naps got messed up between the car rides and the services. Once we got to my parent's for lunch he ate, and then took a two hour nap on me! He a new toy at Nana and Papaw's.. He loves his Exersaucer so much, that they got a similar toy. He got a Bounce Bounce Baby which he loves. It has toys around it, he sits up in it, and the bottom of it bounces with him. This way we don't have to tote the exersaucer there. Plus they can use it for all the grandkids to come! :)
Mommy thoughts- Drew went tonight to watch a baseball game with some friends. This has been hard for me lately. I want Drew to go and do things and hang out with other people, but sometimes I get resentful because I don't do the same. Not resentful towards him, but towards the situation. I want to go and hang out with friends or shop or etc, but I want to be here with Brayden. Especially working during the week- I want to be with him all of the time. I don't think there is much to do about this- but just was mulling it over in my brain.

Evan's Orchard

Today we went to Evan's Orchard with Brooke and Ella. It was a beautiful day- a little windy! We looked at the booths, bought some kettle corn and caramel apples, and took pictures of the babies with the pumpkins. They did really well. It was fun to see Drew chase Ella around a little while. I'm not so sure if he is ready for Brayden to walk yet or not! :) Brayden didn't make a peep the whole time, and fell asleep on the ride home! Ella was nice to him in the car, and kept sharing things with him.
Last night we ate dinner at my parents, and Brayden decided to have a poo. When we changed him- he had it all the way up his back and into his hair!! I think the bouncing in the Excersaucer caused the slidage. So he had a scrub in the kitchen sink!
I am enjoying the weekend and wishing I didn't have to go back to work on Monday!

Updates!

So Brayden is doing much better on his cereal now. He is still waking up through the night- but is definitely cutting a tooth! I went to the dentist today to get a filling, and found out I have to get a root canal! Yuck! So I am going to a specialist for that. I have had the WORST tooth problems lately. I was excited to get half a day today and spend it with Drew and Brayden.

Sleep Mystery solved!!

So....last night Drew noticed a tooth getting ready to pop through Brayden's mouth!! On the the bottom. So....this has been our sleep problem lately. Last night we put Baby Orajel on it, an dhe slept till 4 without fussing. Then he was up from 4-5. The situation is funny because the doctor told us last week it would be at least six months old.
He also had much better luck with his cereal last night! He ate almost half the bowl! So here is to the tooth popping through!!

Getting better??

Well the cereal went a little better. I think we got about five bites in. Drew fed him while I shook his crab rattle in his face. :) We may have to entertain him while he eats. I will post some pics later of his face while eating- it is funny!
Sleep wise- went to bed around 9- up at 2- changed his diaper- up again at 2:30- came to bed with me- kicked Daddy to the guest bed- and he stirred all night, but I held paci in while sleeping.
With Drew's new job it is nice having him home by 4:30 every day. We get to spend more time together as a family.

Last Night= No Sleep

The problem continues. He fell asleep around nine, started fussing around midnight. I changed his diaper, and he slept till three. Then from about three on he woke up every half hour just fussing. We would have to do in and put the paci in. I wish I knew what to do to help him sleep. I am starting to worry that he isn't getting good enough sleep now.... Last night was also "Daddy's night" to tend to baby, but that didn't seem to work out since he slept through most of it. :)
The first day back was ok. He didn't have a wonderful day at the sitter's. He pooped several times and ate funny. So I was really anxious thinking about all that. I wish I could be home to take care of him. Today he stays with my sister, and I hope he has a good day!

Mommy 911

Two things:
1. Brayden is NOT sleeping through the night. He is waking continually being whiny. We go in, put in the pacifier, and wait, but then he is whiny again in a few minutes. This lasts all night long. It is gettting tiring. We have tried feeding, but the doctor says we can't feed him every night because he will get used to this. Any ideas???
2. Brayden HATES the cereal. We have put fruit in it to help with the taste, but it didn't seem to help yesterday. Any ideas??

Brayden went back to the sitter today. I miss him.

4 Months old!

So now baby Brayden will be four months old tomorrow! I know I have slacked on the blogging, but if you are a mommy I think you understand the demands of the first few months. Especially if you are working!
I just had the week off for fall break, and loved spending every moment with him. He went to the doctor on Friday and weighed 16 pounds 11 ounces. He is 90% for weight, 50% for height, and 65% for head. He had three shots, and it was horrible! Thankfully Drew came to the appointment with me, and he was able to hold him down this time.
He has been cleared to start eating rice cereal now. We actually have him eating barley instead of rice to help with his constipation problems. So far we have tried for two days, and he has HATED the cereal. SO....we are going to have to try to figure something out here. :)
He has been sleeping through the night since about 8 weeks. But this last week he has been waking at around 4 a.m. Drew and I felt the woes of early infancy all over again. We fed him the first few nights, but last night we let him cry so he would learn to sleep through the night again. It was so hard! He cried for 30 minutes, and then fell back asleep till 9:30 a.m! So he clearly wasn't hungry but just wanted to wake up!
He is changing and growing so much. He was getting a little bored in his swing, so I went out yesterday and got him an Exersaucer from Wal-Mart (about half the price of Babies-R-Us) and he LOVES it! He squeels, and laughs and loves exploring all the new things on his toy! He also has started in his Jumperoo. he loves that as well! He isn't jumping yet, but spinning around in it. He can hold his head up, laugh out loud, play with a toy, grab for things, stomp his feet, roll over!! (this started this week.)
I will try to keep this updated more often. I go back to work this week, and am sad to leave him.....