Play Time!

This week Braden turned one month old! We decided to get the activity mat out to see how he liked it. He was very interested for about five minutes and then decided he had enough. But, we put him on it several times a day and he loves it in short amounts of time!

I think he was trying to laugh. Of course, Rocco was supervising!

Braden Update

Braden is almost one month old! I can't believe it. The past month has flown by. We went to the pediatrician last week and he was 7 pounds 14 ounces, so he has gained 1 pound and 2 ounces since birth.

The first few weeks around here were really rough... if he wasn't eating or sleeping he was screaming and there wasn't anything that we could do about it. He seemed really uncomfortable while he was nursing, so we went to the pediatrician to talk about it. He thought that two things were going on: (1) he could have some acid reflux going on and (2) he could have a milk protein allergy. I had suspected the protein allergy and had cut all dairy out of my diet already, which had not helped anything. So, we tried a hypoallergenic formula and that seemed to do the trick. We have a much happier baby now and he does not appear to be in pain when eating. So I guess we will be bottle feeding from now on which is a little sad, but definitely OK if it helps Braden feel better.

It was rough for awhile because I could not get out of the house since he just screamed. All the time. But now I have been able to run some errands and get out so I feel a bit more human :) We might even try to venture out to church this Sunday!

Here are some things that he is doing now:

1. Not really napping during the day, but that's nothing new.

2. Sleeping very well at night. We usually get a 3.5 to 4 hours stretch at first, then he wakes up to eat, and then sleeps another 2.5 to 3 hours.

3. He usually eats about 3 ounces every 2 to 3 hours.

4. Is starting to focus on objects that catch his attention, and he will just stare at them and "zone out".

5. Still HATES to be put down. He wants to be held constantly, so thankfully he likes the Moby wrap!

And of course, here are some new photos!

He really likes the Moby wrap!

I love these little tie onesies that my cousin's wife made! Maybe he will wear it to church if we are ever able to make it there...

Picture Update

Welcome Baby Hall!

Baby Hall made his debut one week ago today! And yes, I did say his debut - that was not a typo! We thought we had a little girl on the way and were very surprised when the doctor said "It's a Boy! Didn't you say you were having a girl?"

Welcome Braden Nicholas Hall! Born Tuesday June 14, 2011 at 9:00am. He weighed six pounds 12 ounces and was 20/5 inches long.

We were obviously completely shocked that our little baby was a boy! The gender did not make a bit of difference to us and we are just completely thrilled that we have a very healthy baby. It did take a little while for the shock to wear off. Even now I look at him and think about how I can't believe that we have a boy :)

My recovery has gone very well and I'm feeling almost back to normal.

We are noticing changes in Braden every day. He has been sleeping well the past two nights and will sleep anywhere from 2 to 3 hours at at time, so we feel that we are getting enough sleep at night and aren't complete zombies :)

He is a very good eater and would probably eat all day long if we let him! We went to the pediatrician for a weight check yesterday and he was back up to 6 pounds 11 ounces (he was 6 pounds 5 ounces when we left the hospital). The nurse said that a lot of babies aren't back up to their birth weight until their 2 week check up, so I think we are ahead of schedule!

Today is the first day that he has been awake more during the day and not eating during that time! Until now, it has been sleep, wake up and eat, and then go back to sleep.

Ready to get this show on the road...

It's a boy!
Meeting mommy for the first time!
A very proud daddy.
Our first family photo!
Dr. Mernitz who brought me into the world.
Meeting Grandpa Davis
Meeting Grandma Davis
Meeting Grandma Hall
And Grandpa Hall
And Aunt Barb
And cousin Lexi
And cousin Clayton
And Uncle Brian

Ready to go home!
Meeting Uncle Nate
And Aunt Angie


Meeting the cats...
And Rocco






And finally meeting Uncle Matt!

One More Week!

June 14 is the day! That's right - less than one week from today. We are excited :) But frantically trying to wrap things up at work. For Kevin, it is not as big of an issue since he will only be out about two weeks. For me, trying to wrap up anything that could come up before August 22 is more of a challenge...

37 Weeks