The Week in Review

Wow! Braylon is one week old today...hard to believe! We have had an eventful first week and I wanted to share the best moments with everyone. We were released from the hospital on Sunday, 7/20/08. Aunt Amber and Uncle Chad stopped by Sunday evening and brought dinner. We were really grateful for their generosity and the meal was great! My mom stayed with us through Wednesday to help work out the initial new parent kinks. She was very helpful and we were glad she could stay for a few days. Braylon really enjoyed his time with Grammy too!
On Tuesday, we paid a visit to the doctor for Braylon's first check-up. In preparation, we gave Braylon a sponge bath. Things were going well until he decided to poop all over his daddy! He's quite the pooper! That stuff shot out of him without warning and covered daddy's shorts and the floor. I doubled over in laughter! Bryan found it pretty amusing too!
The doctor's visit went well. Braylon had gained and surpassed his initial birth weight, now weighing 8lbs 2 oz. Bryan's mom came on Wednesday to fulfill her grandmotherly duties of cuddling and snuggling with her new grandbaby. She will stay with us through Sunday. It's really nice to have the extra help during this first week as we're getting settled in as a new family of three. Our dogs have really taken to Braylon. They are constantly on guard and really watch over him like a big brother and sister. Charlie especially has been very curious and brotherly. He is always sitting right next to us during feedings and anxiously awaits our arrival after a short trip out of the house.
Our first week has been adventurous to say the least and we are definitely looking forward to the upcoming weeks as our little guy continues to grow and amaze us.

Happy Birthday!!

Our son, Braylon Arthur Ramsay arrived on July 18, 2008 at 10:55pm. He weighed 8 lbs 1 oz and is 20 inches long. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing well. Here are a few pictures of Braylon and his proud parents shortly after his arrival.

Braylon was alert and crying upon arrival. He has such a soft, sweet cry. Hope this lasts!

I get my first look at my beautiful baby boy! Such an overwhelming sense of joy!

Bryan was such a trooper. Labor was tough and I couldn't have held it together without his support. He is such a proud daddy!

Nesting!!

I have finally been granted the ability to nest! Since it looks like we'll be in our current home for a while, Bryan and I decided to set up the nursery in preparation for our new arrival, due in less than a week. We started with the assembly of the crib. It took a lot less time than I thought it would to put together. Bryan did a great job with my help of course! Actually, I'm not sure I was much help, but I sure tried! Bryan helped with the mattress and bedding and the crib was complete. The dresser was much easier to set up as it came fully assembled. I added the final touches and filled the drawers with Braylon's clothes, blankets, and other necessities. We had to make a Target run and purchased a few last minute items to complete the nursery, but it finally came together.

I am super excited to have the nursery complete. It has really helped me feel more prepared and very excited to welcome home our son. The fact that Braylon will be home soon is now a reality! Welcome to your room baby Braylon!

Ready, Set, So......

So, it seems that my body is getting ready for this little guy to come! I have been having minor contractions for a week and a half now and am growing more excited. Last week I was dilated to 1 cm, but 0% effaced. My OB did not check my cervix on Thursday, but definitely will next week. When we see her next week, we'll go ahead and schedule an induction for the week following by due date just so we have it on the books during this busy baby season. She may also strip my cervical membranes (I know, too much info) next week to get things going and hope he arrives before the scheduled induction. Everything is looking good with the baby. I am gaining weight as I should be (approximately 1-2 lbs a week the final 3-4 weeks) and my belly is measuring right on target for his gestational age. He's always very excited when we check his heartbeat, usually right around 150-160 beats per minute. Right now he is in the correct head down position, facing right. What a good baby! His movements are pretty consistent and predictable now. He seems to move the most first thing in the morning, just before lunch and dinner and as I'm getting ready for bed. He definitely lets me know when it's time to eat! And the hiccups are a normal part of our day!! My sleeping patterns are shifting as well as my body prepares me for sleepless nights. I typically wake up every 3-4 hours and am up for the day between 5:00 and 6:30am. We have just a few things to get ready around the house before the baby comes; otherwise, Bryan and I are ready and very excited for Braylon to make his debut!

Fourth of July

We spent the 4th of July at the Lake in Council Grove. We were able to enjoy the nice weather and company of our friends. Tom and Ruth Abbott were our gracious hosts once again and made the trip worthwhile. I was not able to go out on the fast boat, but did take a slow, quiet ride on the fishing boat. This year was definitely different from our trips in years past in that there were additions to our clan of lake goers. Our friends Jason and Kelly brought their two kiddos, Riley (4.5 mos) and Tristan (22 mos) and Katie Smith brought her new baby boy, Cooper (4 weeks). Our extended family is growing and makes our upcoming addition even more exciting! Next year will be great when we can bring our little guy; although it appears that Braylon will have some competition in Cooper when vying for Miss Riley's attention! The three of them will be part of the class of 2026 and we look forward to them growing up together.

We capped off the trip with a little fireworks show of our own. Bryan and Abbott set them off, while Tristan and Riley seemed to enjoy all the colors and sparks. To end the evening, we took in the multiple shows that lit up the skies across the entire lake. It was a great trip and we enjoyed the time with our friends and their families. Pictured here are Tristan, Riley, and Cooper.