Braelyn one month old!

Well life has definitely changed around here for James and I. We are enjoying all of the new and exciting experiences of first time parents, even the messy ones! Braelyn of course sleeps a lot at this stage but she has started having longer and more awake time recently that she enjoys looking around and taking in the world around her. We have really been busy this month, enjoying our summer and incorporating the little one in our favorite summer activities.

At one week old we took our first day trip to Cascade for a family reunion for my my mother-in-laws side of the family. It was about a 2 hour car ride and Braelyn did really well.She got passed around a lot but slept through almost all of the commotion.

My parents arrived on sat the 21st of July. They drove straight through from Arizona and made it here safely in 14.5 hours. My mom was only able to stay one week, but my dad is staying permanently and is getting situated here so that they can make the move here to be closer to us permanently.



While my mom was here James and I were able to get out of the house for almost 3 hours and catch a concert at the fair with a few other couples. We had a nice time, but I couldn't help but worry that the baby would wake up and be hungry so we didn't push our luck. Of course she slept the entire time!

This weekend we took our first family camping trip. We have a very nice home away from home with our camper so it really was nice. It was nice for me while she took her 2-3 hour naps to sit and relax because I had nothing else I could do...at home I can always find LOTS to do while she is sleeping. Most of the time it's house work but I did have some time recently to make some cute baby shower gifts for cousin Harper.(we can't wait to meet her!) It was nice for me to get into my craft room for a while.

Overall, we are all adapting to being a family of 3 very well. She is usually only waking me up once at night for a feeding and then again early in the morning which will be OK when I go back to work. I really do think using the techniques from the Happiest Baby On the Block is working and hopefully before too long we will have her sleeping through the night!

Things Braelyn likes:
Taking morning walks
Doing housework with mom in the Ergo baby carrier (don't know how I'd get stuff done some days with out it)
Cuddling on mine or James' chest
Taking a bath
The swing and the bouncier
Being swaddled up tight

Things Braelyn doesn't like:
Being strapped into her car seat
A pacifier
Roxy (our boxer) sniffing in her face

Playing in my crib while mommy puts laundry away.

My First camping trip, hanging out in mom's chair.

Newborn Photos 8 days old.

Newborn Photos of Braelyn Jo 8 days old.

Braelyn's Birthday

Thrusday July 12th I had an appointment at the OB to see if anything was going on, I wasn't suprised to hear I was dialated to a 2 and really nothing had changed from a week prior, so we were all suprised how fast it all happened. Friday morning I woke up and took Sadie for a walk around the elementary school in our neighborhood, I wasn't having any significant feeling or contractions but thought it would be a good idea to start walking to see if anything would start happening. I came home from walking and James and I ran a bunch of errands around town. I talked James into going for another walk with the dogs Friday night about 7 and still wasn't having any real significant contractions.
I had heard a few times to sit on an exercise ball to help get the babies head down and into place so while watching TV I sat on my exercise ball and although I was getting a bunch of funny looks from James I bounced around on that for a few hours while watcing TV. We went to bed around 11:30 and I started having contractions between 5-7 min apart regularly. I really didn't think much of it and honestly thought they would stop and I could go to sleep. Boy was I wrong! They continued to get stronger and closer together so about 1:30 I had the urge to take a shower. James couldn't quite figure out what was going on and kept checking on me. I stayed up for a little while longer and tracked my contractions before deciding I should try to lay down again. To my suprise about 30 min later my water broke! I haven't ever seen my husband run around our house so fast, he had the car packed and all the last min packing done and I hadn't even got my clothes changed!
We headed to the hospital which is about 25 min away and they confirmed that my water had broke, but I was still only dilated to a 3. I was having very strong contractions at this point and requested my epidural ASAP! They nurses were all wonderful and got things started quickly so I could have the epidural. By 5:00 am I got the epidural and was dialated to an 8 and everything became much more plesant for me and James. The nurses let me rest for about 2 hours and about 8:00 I began to push. For me, the entire process was kind of a blur but at 9:29 am we welcomed our little girl Braelyn Jo Hollis into the world.
She was 7lbs 19 inches and perfect in every way!

7-8-12

How far along? 38 weeks 7 days
Total weight gain: I don't know for sure without asking at my Dr.'s appt, but I think I am at a total of about 28 lbs and I haven't changed for a few weeks now.
Stretch marks? Nope, hoping that is a good sign
Sleep: I am definitely used to interrupted sleep by now.
Best moment of the week? Had a wonderful 4th of July, missed not having my parents here this year but they are patiently waiting for baby to arrive to make the trip. I had a 5 day weekend which I really needed. I think I'll be able to get through another week or two of work until Braelyn decides to make her arrival.
Food cravings: No new cravings really. James and I picked apricots an cherries this weekend and I picked our first zucchini from the garden so I am really enjoying all the fresh produce! Made lots of baby food this weekend. So far I've got peas, zucchini, cherries, apricots and beats made and frozen for baby!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, but yogurt gives me the WORST heartburn I have ever had. I can eat the spiciest food and not get it but bananas and yogurt have been horrible this week.
Have you started to show yet: James' grandma said yesterday I was "looking pretty pregnant" I sure hope so since the due date is 8 days away.
Labor Signs: I am definitely having a few contractions, but they are still nowhere near consistent.
Symptoms: Nothing really new, same symptoms just more intense.
Belly Button in or out? Flat, I still don't think it will be an outie no matter how long I go.
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, still feel the emotions come on like waves though.
Looking forward to: Holding our baby girl, will be strange not feeling her in my tummy anymore but I'm ready to hold her!

7-1-2012

How far along? 37 weeks 7 days
Total weight gain: Haven't gained any weight the past two weeks, kinda just holding steady till she gets here I hope.
Stretch marks? Still nothing yet...
Sleep: Not so well this week with James gone all week.
Best moment of the week? James came home from New Orleans! So glad Braelyn didn't decide to make her entrance while he was gone. I didn't think she would but I was a little nervous.
Food cravings: Does going to Fred Meyer at 10:50 pm because they close at 11 to get  a watermelon suprise anyone at this point?
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing makes me sick, but everything takes my breath away now, even trying to talk "fast" which I normally do I find I am short of breath. I laughed when my mother-in-law called to check on me and she asked why I was out of breath and I said, "I'm just sweeping" Haha!
Have you started to show yet: OK I know I am not HUGE like some women get, but to me I feel huge! It's hard to get off the couch, roll out of bed...
Labor Signs: A few more Braxton Hicks contractions this week, a little more noticible too, but so irregular I haven't even started keeping track.
Symptoms: Nothing really new this week, definitely tired after a busy day at work, looking forward to the holiday this week and a nice long weekend!
Belly Button in or out? No changes there, don't think I'll have an outie?!?!
Wedding rings on or off? Off and put away for safe keeping, there is no point in even trying to wear them anymore.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Haha, definitely some up's and down's that are very noticible. I think James has started to do some "nesting". He kinda went on a cleaning binge today...and I just let him!
Looking forward to: The 4th of July, Hopefully it's not too hot that I can't enjoy the Dunlap's annual party outside! I can't believe it's July today. I don't know why people say your last few months go by slow... I don't know where the time has gone.

A few last projects!

A few of the last nursery projects. I finally made the changing pad cover for the nursery, I know I'll need more than one, but I at least have one made for now. It is a really quick project really, just fabric and some elastic! James also hung the pictures I found a Hobby Lobby!

I've had this car seat canopy made for quite a while now, it was actually one of the first projects I made I was just waiting until we go the car seat to measure where to put the straps on. So finally that project is done and ready to GO!

And lastly, the vinyl tree I have been planning and designing for months is DONE! It really did turn out great, and I even got James to help me put it on the wall. This project took a long time because I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I had to design the tree myself before cutting it out with my Silhouette Cameo machine (for your non crafty type it's a digital die cutting machine that is AMAZING) Then cut out all the flowers and owls too. It was a fun project and can just be peeled off if we get tired of it!

6-24-2012

How far along? 36 weeks 7 days
Total weight gain: Not gonna even keep track at this point.
Stretch marks? Nothing yet...
Sleep: This week I've been waking up and not been able to go back to sleep..ANNOYING! ( I know get used to it)
Best moment of the week? Drug hubby on a date night with friends to dinner and the what to expect when your expecting movie! I know it will be a while before we will be able to that again. OH and at the Dr. this week they checked to see how she is positioned and her head is down and headed in the right direction!
Food cravings: This week I bought watermelon (of course) pineapple, grapes and blueberries, YEAH for summer.
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope, I can eat whatever I want, but EVERYTHING gives me heartburn so I have to chase everything with a tums.
Have you started to show yet: Lets just say I'm ready to be able to wear my "real" clothes again!
Labor Signs: Nope and it better stay that way this week, James is gone so this baby better stay put.
Symptoms: Sore feet and hands, heartburn, a few minor braxton hicks contractions....
Belly Button in or out? Flat and holding steady. It will be weird to have my belly button back.
Wedding rings on or off? Sadly....off for the duration of this adventure.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Whats not to be happy about!!
Looking forward to: Meeting our little girl!! I can't wait to see what she looks like.