my little 3-month-old

Braxxton is now 3 months old and is what people say "filling out." He loves to eat (about every 2 hours!) and smile. He is a very happy baby who smiles and giggles a lot. He has become quite the little cat napper, taking several short naps throughout the day but sleeps long stretches at night (usually 7+ hours at a time). He very rarely cries, just when he gets too tired or decides he wanted to eat 10 minutes ago. His favorite thing is "airplane rides," which can usually get him to giggle. He also loves books and talking to us.  He is still in size 1 diapers, but mostly wears cloth, and now almost all 3-6 month clothes, although I still try to squeeze him into some 0-3 month stuff cuz I just can't put it away yet. :)

Braxxton's Baptism

This past Sunday we had Braxxton baptised. Being a parent has put a whole new perspective on the amount of love God has for his children. My heart could just about explode with the amount of love I have for Braxxton. He melts my heart and in everything I do, I only want the best for him. And then to think that God loves every one of us even more than that. It's pretty hard unimaginable, really. I love this song before but now I can't even hear it without getting a little teary-eyed.

"Find Your Wings" - Mark Harris
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold 
The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do
But most of all I want to know you're walking in the truth
And if I never told you I want you to know
That as I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you root and help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days
And may conviction keep your strong, guide you on your way
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet
Oh but more than memories

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off but I'll cheer as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings

Braxxton is 2 months old!

I love to eat, sleep and smile. On a typical night I sleep 5-7 hours at a time (although last night I slept 9!!!) and take several naps throughout the day. I hardly every cry, just grunt when I want something. Lately I have been eating every 2-3 hours except during the night. I love to read books, play with my play gym, be sung to and drool. I wear size 1 diapers (with some cloth mixed in) and 0-3 month clothes (although some are getting a little snug). I am very laid back and a pretty amazing baby.

At my 2 month appointment I weighed 13 lbs. 13 oz. and 24 1/4 inches long, both in the 90th percentile. I had to get 2 shots and really screamed for the first time. :(

11 years

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

I'm sure we can all remember where we were 11 years ago on September 11th. I was a freshman at USF and had just gotten to class when they said it was canceled. I went back to my dorm and of course went back to bed. My roommate woke me up and for the rest of the day we watched the reports on TV. I knew it was a big deal, but it wasn't until years later that I really understood exactly the impact of that day. Now I am completely fascinated by it all. For the past couple of years on September 11, I watch pretty much every single documentary that is on. Josh calls me a nerd, but I can't get enough of it. My heart breaks for all the people involved, but the stories of people risking their lives to save other people, mostly strangers, makes me proud to live in this country.

It's baaaack!

The pumpkin spice latte, that is. I am completely in love with fall: pumpkin anything, the cooler weather, jeans and sweatshirts, Pumpkinland, football, and of course the pumpkin spice latte. I'd have one every day if I could. I love that fall means Thanksgiving & Christmas are coming soon and can't wait to make fun holiday memories with Braxxton.

Brax will be 2 months this weekend and is changing so much! Last night he slept for 7 hours straight, woke up to eat and then slept for 3 more hours. Yessss! He also decided he likes to suck his wrist when he's tired, enough to leave a little mark. :)
Hopefully I'll get on here next week to update with 2 month pictures and his stats from the doctor... Considering I just typed this whole post with one hand, we'll see, :)

Here are some recent pics...

"We friends"

love this boy!

1 month

If you want to understand the meaning of the phrase "time flies" have a baby. My baby is 1 month old already! It has been the best month ever, but I would like time to slow down a little. We are loving every minute with this little boy.

You love to sleep and eat and are starting to smile when people talk to you. You usually get up once or twice during the night to eat. Your dad and I call you "gruntasaurus" because you like to grunt. A lot. You wear size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. You are a very content and laid back baby and we love you more than words.

The day my life forever changed...

Monday, July 9th...

I woke up at 2:30 am to have my water break. I wasn't having any contractions so I wasn't sure if that was really "it" but I woke up Josh and we decided to go to the hospital. Luckily we did because everything went pretty quickly from there. I had 3 contractions on our way to the hospital and they were already only 5-6 minutes apart. I took a minute to completely panic, realizing this is really happening. After getting all checked in, my contractions quickly escalated. Within an hour, they were only 50 seconds apart. Our nurse was amazing. We actually wrote a letter to the hospital because she was that good. I look back at labor and actually can say it wasn't the worst thing ever and it was definitely better than I imagined it to be in my head. I believe that was in big part because of Josh and our nurse. By 7:00 I was ready to push. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours but he wasn't making much progress. Our doctor came in and determined his head was sideways so I had 2 options: a c-section or forceps. I lost it. After Josh, our nurse and doctor calmed me down, I decided to go with the forceps. I'm so thankful I did because after 2 minutes (I actually thought it was like 15 minutes) our baby boy was born. He was healthy and beautiful. Nothing else mattered at that point.

the best moment ever

Braxxton Joshua 

8 lbs. 10 oz.  21 1/2 inches

We could not be more in love.

nothing better than cuddling with this boy

let's go home!

I could do this allll day.

I love his scrunchy little smile.