6 WEEKS...

Hard to believe it, but Brandon Elijah is now 6 weeks old. In some ways I am amazed that it's already been 6 weeks, in other ways it feels like he's always been here. He melts my heart every time I look at him (even at 4am in the morning :0).

Brandon is a wonderful baby. He is really starting to talk and smile (especially first thing in the morning). His eyes will follow you and you can tell that he's really focusing in on you. He's starting to eat more and if the water and room are warm, he's starting to really like his bath. His features are starting to change and he's getting better at holding his head...neck control is starting to kick in! :o)

Happy 6 weeks baby boy!

YIA YIA AND POPO....

My parents came into town for Christmas. I had asked them to wait to visit until Christmas as Bailey would be out of school and the four of us (Tom, Bailey, Brandon and myself) would have a few weeks getting adjusted. It was hard for Yia Yia and Popo to wait to meet our little guy so they were excited to see both the grand babies when they finally got here.

Bailey loves her Yia Yia and Popo. She wanted to spend every moment with them which made the flu bug extra tough (dad ended up getting sick on Tuesday). Even with the sickness, she's enjoyed her time with them. While I don't know that we'll ever move back to Wa state...we have talked about moving closer. I'm hopeful that we'll be closer to the west coast in the next couple of years.

We got a chance to go to Life University to view the lights and take part of the festivities. Boo really liked the bunnies in the petting zoo. She became a pro at picking them up :o) We had tried to see the lights at Callaway Gardens last week unfortunately, it was storming so hard that they actually closed down the exhibit :o( Life University is a great, close and cheap alternative though!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Merry Christmas! Christmas at our home as been...interesting. Unfortunately, the flu hit the household. Bailey got sick Thursday night and mom and I followed late Christmas Eve (Saturday night). It has not been pretty. Bailey is much better as am I; mom is getting there. Right now we are praying over Brandon as we know that if a newborn gets the flu, that it can be very dangerous.

Bailey was a very patient trooper and waited until this morning to open her presents. She was very excited and even helped with opening the gifts for Brandon.

Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas to all of you...pray your holiday was blessed.









Christmas Eve....

SISTER AND BABY BROTHER....

Some great bonding time! Boo loves to hold her baby brother, give him his bink, talk to him and call him buddy....they're on their way to becoming great friends :)

ONE MONTH OLD...

Today our beautiful boy is one month old. Time is going by much too quickly! Brandon is changing daily. He weighs 8lb 11oz (birth weight was 7lb 8oz) and is still 20.5 inches. He now smiles and "talks" and I can definitely tell one cry from another...although he does not cry much but he will scream (yes, I said scream) if you're not quick enough with the food or if he's cold. This special guy loves his food and hates being cold! Kind-of takes after his mommy in that respect :)

Lucky for us, this little man loves to sleep. With the second one, they have to figure out survival around loud noises (I laugh now when I think about how quiet I tried to keep the house when Bailey took a nap...then again she did not nap so I'm guessing I might do the same thing if Brandon followed in her footsteps). The muscle in his neck is still enlarged, but it has not gotten any worse; we praise God for this and continue to trust Him with both our children's health. Bailey continues to be a great big sister, she was made for the role :)

Happy birthday miracle man....we all love you!

SANTA AND FRIENDS....

Yesterday we went for a visit with Santa. This is the first year where Bailey has warmed up to the jolly old man and Brandon slept through the entire visit (which was probably a good thing because, truth be told, I was afraid that St. Nick was going to drop the baby!). The visit went well and after we stopped off for a play date with Evan and Quinn. The girls had a great time playing as always. Quinnie was quite cute; she was very upset when we left and I took baby Brandon with us. She wanted to keep him for herself. I guess Brandon may have an "older woman" as his first girlfriend :)

MY TWO MIRACLES...

I took this "self portrait" last week. I am so incredibly blessed with these two miracles...

BIRTHDAY FUN AND STRETCHING OUT...

Yesterday Bailey went to a birthday party for a friend at school. They went to this place in Marietta called Champion Kids. There were bouncy houses, gymnastic equipment, trampolines, a foam pit and a zip line. Her favorite friend from school (Reese) was there; they had a great time! Unfortunately, my photos are not that great but....you'll get an idea of the fun :)

The last picture at the bottom is of our little man when we got home. He turned 3 weeks yesterday and at about 10 days (old) or so, he figured out that he could stretch his arms out above his head. I remember when Boo use to do this...I think it's the cutest thing! It's as if they finally realize that they're no longer in the womb and they now have room to stretch :) In the picture, Brandon has a funny face because my camera gives a "warning" that the flash is going to go off and he was trying to sleep so this warning frustrated him a bit. Oh...and note the spiked hair! We figured out that if you're very careful, you can give him a little mini Mohawk. It cracks me up! I keep telling Tom that we need to buy him a little baby leather jacket :)

SOME PLACE YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR...

...but never want to be. This is where we spent the afternoon at yesterday:



Yesterday morning, I found a mass in Brandon's neck. I took him to his pediatrician who was unsure of what it was, so we were sent to Children's Hospital for an ultrasound. The afternoon at Children's yesterday was emotional to say the least. Before going to imaging, we had to check him in as a patient (they put a wristband on him and everything). I sat there at the admin desk crying. The young girl helping me was very sweet; she asked if I was okay and all I could say was... "I don't want to be here".

You walk into the hospital and it's bright and cheery; the people are all very friendly which should put you at ease but...then you look around and see some really sick children and you remember why you're there. You're there because your child might be sick...really sick and all you want to do is crawl up in a hole and then to grab your child and run. You're instantly reminded of how your life can change in just a moment...the simple moment of cleaning my son's neck could have changed our lives forever but...

I SERVE A GREAT GOD!!! A God that showed me mercy yesterday. The mass on Brandon's neck was found to be muscular. There's a medical term for it (which I did not write down) but, essentially he has a pulled or irritated muscle that will either correct itself or he (may) have to physical therapy. For now, the pediatrician is having us watch the area and she'll only be concerned if the mass gets larger. We are trusting God that it will go away on it's own and that this visit to Children's will be our first and our last.

Our little man did wonderful for the exam. He slept through the entire process, both for the tech to scan him and then the radiologist herself to have a look. The only movement he made was to stretch when we moved him from side to side and then (at the end) he opened his eyes and looked at me with this peaceful look as if tell me, "Don't forget my middle name Mom: Elijah. I am a friend of God's and...He's got my back".

Today I am a mother who is once again humbled by the Lord we serve. We are also a couple who are so thankful for the family and friends who prayed with us through out the day. That moment did change our lives yesterday, but we are so thankful to be able to say that...it was changed for the better.


After the exam and ready to go home...

PJ'S AND FUNNY DREAMS...

Today Bailey's school had a fun activity, the kids all wore their pj's to school and they had a special "movie day". Boo thought it was fun that she didn't have to get dressed...that and the fact that they got to watch a "movie" (it was actually 3 small cartoons, the older ones with Rudolph and gang).

The pictures of Brandon I took a couple of days ago. He was asleep and dreaming....we're pretty sure he was dreaming of food as you could see the smile start before he really started to crack up :) It was so cute!

SO SWEET...

I know it may not seem/look like it but really.... he does open his beautiful eyes :)


8am this morning....

12:30pm this afternoon....

PSALM 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well"

COULDN'T YOU....

...just eat them up??!

I'm telling you, I could/can! It's amazing how much love you can feel for your children and, if the only thing you do all day, is to stare at them...as a mother you are completely satisfied. For me, there's nothing greater.

We are so blessed!






These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon...

KEEPING THEM COMING...

For family and friends who do not leave near us...I'm going to try and post a couple extra times a week for the next few months. I know that a baby's face can change so fast; I don't want you to miss one change!

These pictures were taken yesterday in our living room. Yes, he is naked and yes...he did go potty on the sheet. Oh well, the price you pay for sweet photos :)








This is Brandon's, "I'm hungry so wrap it up" face :)