California Dreamin'

I'm sorry, but I don't have any pictures to post! And I think about all of you just stopped reading! There hasn't been too much to report in the last week or so. Brayden is still as cute as ever, and he is just growing and growing! I promise I will post some pics in the next entry!

Dan has the camera right now because he is in California for our dear friend Denny's wedding. Brayden and I were also going to make the trip. We packed our bags and headed off the the airport with the intention of getting on the plane. But then we ended up missing our flight due to a combination of running a little late, forgotten ID/wallets, and morning rush hour. Dan and I took it as a sign that perhaps traveling with a five week-old across the country was not the best idea. Luckily, Dan was able to schedule a flight for the next day and get a refund for my ticket. He will just have to eat enough cake for all of us! : )

Brayden is six weeks old today, and everyone says this is a bit of a turning point. I certainly hope so because he has been extra fussy in the last few days. Sleep, especially at night, has been hard to come by (or basically non-existent). Let's hope tonight he sleeps, well, like a baby!

Little Socialite

The weekends are a fun time for Dan and I. We get to spent a lot of time together with Brayden. One of our favorite things to do with him is to go for walks. We recently purchased the bassinet for the stroller, and Brayden took to it in his usual fashion--by sleeping! It is much better to walk him in the bassinet (in my opinion) than the car seat because he is not strapped in and therefore can sleep undisturbed. It also happened to be a big football weekend (PSU, the Eagles), and we put Brayden in his football outfit. His PSU clothes are still too big for him!

 

 

Brayden also hit a big milestone today--it is his one month birthday!! Happy birthday, Brayden! As of yesterday, he weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz and was 21 inches long! That's up from 6 lbs, 10 oz and 19.75 inches at birth! Our little man is growing fast!

Brayden and I celebrated by going to our first baby yoga class. Brayden was very well behaved and even took a nap mid-class. Of course, he woke up right as we were beginning relaxation. Typical Rowan. Always needs to be the center of attention!

The class was really great, though, and Brayden was the youngest baby there! We learned poses to calm him and help with his gassy times. It was a lot of fun for both of us!

Around Town

While I was pregnant, I took a prenatal yoga class. I kept in touch with many of the other ladies in the class, and last week, we organized a get together for all of the moms who had their babies in the past few months. There were lots of moms and babies there, and I think Brayden was overwhelmed by the amount of people and babies! But he was great during the few hours we were there. It was really nice to be with other moms who are going through (or have been through) the same things that I am currently experiencing. I've realized that there is a lot of trial and error to parenting and that it is quite challenging most of the time!

One of the most challenging parts of my day is getting dressed and showered. I was beginning to feel like "that mom" who is dirty, disheveled, and has spit-up on her shirt. I decided that, no matter what, I was going to get showered, decently dressed, and put make-up on. Here is one the nicest pics I have to date with Brayden. We are at playgroup! 

Mom and Brayden at playgroup. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brayden and I have also been talking walks almost every day. It has been fairly warm and sunny recently, so Nonni (or Nonna) Rowan decided Brayden needed a sun hat. It might be a little big for him right now, but by next summer, it will be perfect!

Finally, I have to post a pic of Brayden in his motorcycle outfit. This was courtesy of Sue and Pat Thompson. Both Pat and my Dad have motorcycles and frequently ride together. This pic is for both of you!

Kind of hard to see, but Brayden is in his motorcycle outfit!

Labor Day Fun

Over Labor Day weekend, Brayden made his first trip to New London, New Hampshire and Pleasant Lake. It took him a while to get adjusted to the cottage. The first night, he was too cold. The next day, he was too hot! We just couldn't find a right temperature for him (or should I say Mr. Goldilocks!). But we did manage to make it out for walks and to the lake! Dan also found some time in between Dave Demers' many projects : ) to squeeze in a swim. 

Brayden was a little fussy, but he enjoyed sitting lake side in the Adirondack chair!

 

Splish Splash!

A few weeks ago, my Mom (she thinks she would like to be called "Nonni" or "Nonna" came to visit. During this time, Brayden's umbilical cord stump finally fell off, so Dan and I were able to give him his first "real" bath. We had been giving him sponge baths, but somehow, I didn't feel he was getting clean enough from these baths! So we pulled out the Puj Tub, cleaned out the sink and gave Brayden his first bath! 

In the Puj Tub.

I'm not sure what he made of it. In some ways, it must have been similar to the womb because, well, it's wet and warm. On the other hand, he obviously wasn't totally immersed . . . overall, I think it went okay. He didn't cry, poop, or pee during the whole thing, so I call that a success! Here are some pictures. 

Getting his hair washed!

Getting dry after the bath.