Half a Year!

I know I always say this, but I can't believe how fast time flies and how fast little ones grow! Brayden is officially 6 months old, half a year!

 Just standing up :)

 See my tooth?

This little man steals our hearts daily and is often used to remind us of how great our God is.  It is amazing to watch him experience life, to stand in awe of something as simple as a tree blowing in the wind...God's little reminders of His beauty and awesomeness seen through the eyes of a 6 month old.

Brayden got his first tooth about 2 weeks ago and is currently getting his second one.  Teething is no fun!  Poor kiddo.  Thank the Lord for frozen bananas, washcloths, teething tablets, and this little raspberry.

He loves hearing himself talk and scream and is pretty sure mommy and daddy love to hear it too.  He has so much to say, it is so darn adorable to listen to him as he tries so hard to chat with us.  And the screaming is cute too...for now ;).

Tummy time has become more enjoyable as the days go by and he is just starting to move himself from side to side as he reaches for toys.  He finally figured the art of rolling from back to tummy (it is hard work when you are a big boy!). He wants to move SO badly, soon my sweet little boy, soon.

He has enjoyed every solid we have tried, but his favorites are white sweet potatoes, carrots, pears and HE LOVES bananas; I'm not surprised, anything sweet...lets hope he doesn't have mommy's sweet tooth!  And straws, he is obsessed with straws.  Anytime we are drinking out of one or if there is one in the room, he spots it and reaches for it, and asks for it (in his baby way of course).  He hasn't quite figured out how to drink from it, thank goodness, but they must be soothing to his little gums; that or he just wants to be like mommy and daddy.

Keith and I went away for our anniversary and brought our little man with us! Brayden went on his first plane flight, and vacation, and had a blast!  He did great on the plane and loved all the little places in the San Francisco area we visited, especially Muir Woods (trees are a favorite of his).

He still loves books, music/singing, and his little jumper.  But his favorite toy, that always puts a smile on his face, is his little doggy.  It is SO cute to watch him with his "friend".

A lot of his toys have buttons to push and things to spin to turn on sounds/lights, and he loves pushing/spinning them.  He has a little aquarium in his crib and we often hear him turning it on and off, sometimes in the middle of the night ;).

I used to watch this little guy when he was a little bigger than Brayden for a couple years, and he gets to come play with us every once in a while! Brayden loves his little friend Austin, and Austin adores Brayden-don't be fooled by their seriousness ;).

He still loves being held, and lets us know too!  We cherish our sweet moments with him in our arms because we know they won't last for long.

What a blessed half of a year we have had with our sweetness.  Mommy and Daddy have learned to depend on the Lord more than ever, and have been sweetly reminded of His precious grace every day through your little life Brayden.  We are so thankful for you and the time we have had with you thus far, we pray we get many more half birthdays, and real birthdays with you little peanut.  We love you to the moon, and back!

Just for fun...look how much he has grown in 6 months!

5 Months Young!

Our little peanut isn't so little anymore! Can someone please press the PAUSE button!

It seems like Brayden is growing and changing every single day! He is learning new things, talking up a storm, and reminds us quite often, sometimes in the middle of the night, that he misses us!

He is officially sitting up (well he has been for a couple weeks now) and loves it, although standing seems to still be his favorite.  He loves to sit up next to us while we lay on the floor so he is more at eye level with us, after all, it is no fun to sit up and not see mommy and daddy's face right in front of you! It is pretty darn adorable to see him sitting up, but it makes him look SO big! He is growing up too fast!

Tummy time is getting more and more fun for this kiddo, he so badly wants to move though and will kick his little legs and wiggles from left to right.  One day, but for now, mommy likes that he isn't moving around quite yet!

He is still a cuddle bug and I love it! He gives the best hugs and kisses!

He likes loves to be with mommy and daddy all the time, which makes saying goodnight for bedtime or see you soon for nap time tough on this kiddo.  I'm certain he thinks he is missing out on something super exciting.

Oh and his feet...he loves his feet! Who thought feet could be so entertaining?!

He has gotten much better at sleeping, but he is still learning.  Sleeping is tough for a 5 month old, especially when it means you're all alone and don't get to play or eat or be with your mommy and daddy when you want to.  When he does sleep, he loves it, and wakes up so happy when he gets the right amount.  If only we could get him to understand that sleep is his friend...one day, let's hope it is in the near future.  But in all fairness, he really is doing much better, sleeeping 10-12 hours every night, and eating only once in the early morning, and many nights not even waking up before that!  And his naps are starting to get better too! Yay Brayden, keep up the good work kiddo!

He loves music.  He plays his little piano (so adorable) and loves watching mommy play it too.  He especially loves kid's worship songs with motions, his favorite is "I May Never March in the Infantry".

We read a story before each nap time, and a Bible story before bed time...he really does like books, and can turn the pages...but they look very appetizing most of the time and up in his mouth before the story is finished ;).

He is starting to laugh more which is so much fun!  His laugh is to die for.  Only mommy and daddy have had the privilege of earning these laughs though.  Peek-a-boo, tickles, funny faces, and mommy's laugh are just some of the things that just might get a giggle.

He is SO serious when he is out in public or when someone comes to visit (at least for a while until he warms up to them).  He just watches people and observes their every move, taking in everything that is going on around him.  Such an observer.

We just started solid food with this little man, and boy does he LOVE it.  We did not plan on starting this early, but for about a month now he has been very interested in our food, trying to grab our spoons, and since he can sit up on his own, we thought it was about time to add a little fruits and veggies to his diet.  So far he has tried apples, bananas, and sweet potatoes...all a success!  He opens his mouth like a little bird, leaning forward and impatiently grabs the spoon if he isn't being fed fast enough (haha).  He says "mmm" sometimes, too funny!  

Brayden is such a joy to have in our lives, and we really feel more and more blessed everyday with him around.  We pray that the Gospel seeds will be watered early on his life, and he will bloom into a Godly young man at a young age.

We love you big boy, with our whole hearts!!

Perspective

Being a mother has taught me a lot about perspective; it is as if I have received a new set of eyes.  It is so easy to lose sight of TRUTH when circumstances are not favorable, or maybe just not quite the way they used to be, or the way you might assume they should be. 

I'll be honest, before Brayden was born, I had many assumptions about what being a mother required, and how a baby would function.  When he came, and many of those assumptions were not correct, there were many tears, frustrations, and a feeling of inadequacy and disappointment.  I felt silly for thinking that I knew "everything" about being a mom, and felt bad about the expectations I had placed on my sweet infant.  The truth was, God was working to sanctify and refine me; and he began teaching me MANY lessons, giving me perspective.

I began coming in contact with quite a few families (none of whom I knew personally), who were battling trials with their children, FAR GREATER than sleep deprivation or a colicky baby: Cancer, still birth, SIDS, a heart transplant.  My heart began to break for these mothers, and fathers, and my heart began to gain new insight into my own reality.  Although my lot in life may not be as simple as I expected, or as I had seen in the "Smith" family...it was blessed, beyond comprehension and very undeserved.  I began to grasp a new perspective: Any sickness, sleepless night, tough day, etc. is God's affliction for MY profit, because He loves ME and wants to make ME a partaker of His holiness (Hebrews 12:10).  And EVERY day of health, restful night, blessed day, etc. is an undeserved blessing for MY profit, from the hand of God, because He loves ME.

I am certain that God will continue to work in me, His character/holiness, and refine my perspective on a daily basis.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is a good frame of reference for this perspective: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all! So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!"

20 Weeks

I thought I'd only post once a month about Brayden, but he is just growing so fast and learning so much every single day I figured I needed to post a little more frequently so I don't forget how much he is changing!

This little man is SO MUCH FUN! I love this age.  Every day is a new adventure filled with excitement for all of us as we anticipate what "new" skill Brayden might show off.  And even though he is still little, I look at him and wonder what happened to my baby?!

As you can see (above), Brayden LOVES his activity jumper.  Although his feet don't quite touch the ground, and he can't turn everywhich way, or reach all the toys (its for kids a little bit older than him), he enjoys it.  He tries so hard to grab everything, and gets a little frustrated when it doesn't come as easy as he would prefer ;), but he is a hard worker and doesn't give up!

 This little guy is the happiest little baby I have ever seen.  He smiles at mommy, and daddy, ALL the time.  I can't get enough of those smiles, they melt our heart.  And every time we leave the room and come back in he gets super excited to see us and kicks his little legs and waves his little arms.  We are his favorites, his best friends, and we cherish every moment with this precious little babe.  As I have mentioned before, he is OH SO CUDDLY, and for that I am so grateful!  It may have something to do with the fact that for the first 3 months I held him for almost every single nap (totally goes against most baby books and a lot of "advice" I got) he took, but I am so thankful I did because I wouldn't trade his cuddles and love for anything!  Keith made such a good point about the fact that we are trying to win our little one's hearts, so that we might win them to Christ one day, and part of that is showing them Christ's love which is sacrificial and selfless, and that starts at infancy!

 EVERYTHING goes in this kid's mouth!  He is at that stage I suppose.  From toys, to mommy's hair, to cell phone's, if he can get his hands on it, it is going in his mouth!

 He has just recently started figuring out that when we put things in our mouth we are eating, and is super interested in that...some rice cereal or starter solids are in his near future (I'm trying to hold off as long as I can), he is definitely ready! Until then he enjoys grabbing our spoons and straws (his favorite thing to put in his mouth), and trying to get them in his own mouth!

 Brayden loves music.  Every night during our bedtime routine we sing worship songs, and some kids worship songs and he just soaks it up!  And throughout the day mommy and Brayden have music time which brings a huge smile to his face.

 Tummy time has become more tolerable for this little guy as of late.  He kicks his legs so hard and moves his arms from right to left and moves a little in those directions, and tries so hard to move forward..."If only I could get those toys".

 At around 3 months, Brayden was able to sit up for about a couple seconds on his own before he would topple over.  Since then he has been able to sit up for longer periods, maybe 10 or so seconds before he falls to the right or left.  I don't think he is quite aware of the fact that he is sitting up alone, but I'm certain soon enough he will be doing it for more and more time.  It is pretty cute to watch him sit up, he looks like such a big boy!

This boy LOVES to talk.  He spends much of his play time talking to himself or mommy or daddy (he doesn't talk too much when others are around...he is to curious as to who they are) and he puts himself to sleep most naps talking to himself.  It is pretty adorable, we LOVE it. 

Here's to you my sweet boy, happy 20 weeks of life (outside the womb)...mommy and daddy love you, you have our hearts forever!

4 Months

Time is flying! Our little man is officially 4 months old, and we couldn't love him more!

Brayden is SO aware of everything, he is constantly watching us.  He gets really excited when he sees one of us, so excited that he kicks and moves his legs and arms.  It is adorable, and we get pretty excited when we see him too!  In the morning when we go to get him, he is BEYOND excited to see us, and that smile is the best present in the world!

He is pretty observant, which makes getting him to smile for for the camera a challenge at times.  It is as if he is trying to soak in everything he sees and figure it all out.  What's a camera? Who is that strange face? What is this place?

He has the most precious laugh, which comes out only when he's tickled, although he has just started laughing at mommy too!  Hopefully daddy will get some of those giggles soon! I think because he is so observant, he can be so serious at times.  We can't wait until those sweet laughs become a regular occurrence.

He has started talking even more, but now with all different sounds.  He makes the "m" sound quite often, so I think mama might come soon (maybe I'm just hoping that ;)).  He blows bubbles and mimics us when we do too...it is pretty funny.

He still loves to stand, and would walk if he could I'm sure.  He is sitting up, with help, but can do it on his own for a few seconds.  He hasn't quite figured out the art of "balance". 

He tries SO hard at everything he does.  It is so precious.  And his hands...they have got to be his favorite things in the world at the moment.  They are CONSTANTLY in his mouth.  And if not his hands, then whatever he can get his hands on (mommy's hair, toys, books, etc.).  

He is sleeping better most nights, but still gets up once to eat.  He has mastered the art of the "45 minute cat nap" which we are working on extending.  It's as if he thinks he is missing out on something mommy or daddy is doing, and just wants to be with us.  He never is too excited to go down for a nap, he would much rather be playing with mommy and daddy, that is unless mommy is holding him for a nap, then he will sleep much longer!

He LOVES to cuddle which melts my heart.  Whenever he wakes up from a nap, or from the night, he just likes to be held and snuggle for a bit.  And there are moments throughout the day where he just likes to rest his little head on my shoulder and let me squeeze him tight.  If only I could freeze time. 

He is getting bigger and longer by the day.  He has the chunkiest little legs and the chubbiest little cheeks which get hundreds of kisses everyday!  He is just the cutest thing in the world, and we couldn't be more grateful to the Lord for him.  Mommy and Daddy are so so in love with this little baby!

3 Months

How is our little baby already 3 months?! The past month with him has only gotten better.  He is growing so quickly, and learning a ton. He is so much fun!

He weighed in at 16lbs 12oz this month! And is 25 3/4 inches long! He is still in the 90th percentile for both his height/weight--Healthy kiddo!

Brayden is quite the communicator.  He LOVES to talk to mommy and daddy about everything.  There is so much emotion in his voice and in his face when he talks I can't help but laugh sometimes.  He definitely has a personality, and is very dramatic (just like mommy was).  He tries so hard to let us know what is going on in that brain of his, and we try oh so hard to understand.

He has started laughing, well only a few times for mommy.  He tries so hard to laugh, so I am sure that his giggles will start coming any day now.

He loves peek-a-boo, books, us singing to him, and silly faces/voices.  I think he could stare at our faces all day long.  He follows us whenever we leave the room and is quick to let us know he misses us when we aren't in sight.  After all, it's no fun to be alone!

He is SO aware of EVERYTHING around him.  He is engaged with his environment and learning so much each and every day.

Tummy time has never been his favorite, and now that he can roll from his tummy to his back, getting him to stay on his tummy is a challenge.  But when he does hangout on his tummy, we are so impressed by his strength.  He's got some strong arms and legs.  And speaking of legs, he can bear a ton of weight on his legs for long periods of time...in fact, he prefers standing when we hold him most of the time.

He has been sleeping SO much better! He still wakes up to eat once in the night, but is taking much longer naps during the day and is sleeping longer stretches at night.  He's learning, and we are thankful for that.

He truly is such a gift from the Lord, and we are so excited for all God has in store for His little life.  We pray he truly will be GREAT in God's kingdom and do great things for the glory of our Lord!

2 Months!

I can't believe Brayden is 2 months old today.  It seems like we were just bringing him home from the hospital yesterday...time sure does fly.  Although he is still little, he has grown SO much these past two months.  In fact, he has already doubled his birth weight!! He is a healthy boy :), we are so thankful.  

He has started to smile so much and I love it. I can't get enough of those smiles. I can sense he is communicating with me, like he knows I am his Mommy and that makes him happy. Oh how I love him!  He saves some of his biggest smiles for his daddy which is just so precious to watch.  

He also has become quite the talker, it is so funny.  If only I could read his mind.

I still can't get over how aware he is of everything (people and things).  That makes for tough nap times, but I am certain that he just doesn't want to miss a thing...I can't blame him, there is so much to see! 

He still loves being held, and no matter where we are, he can always fall asleep in my arms.  That never gets old. 

He got to go to church for the first time a few weeks ago and is doing such a great job!

His strength is incredible, I think he might be walking very early.  I have never seen a kid so young be able to put so much weight on his legs. And he moves like crazy, it is so hard to get a picture of him being still! 

 He laughs in his sleep which is one of the most precious things I have ever seen...we can't wait for him to laugh in response to tickles and silly faces and love!  

He loves being read to.  We have started reading him Bible stories and he often smiles at the pictures.  So cute!

He still isn't sleeping through the night but he is getting so much better, and we are thankful.  I am truly trying to cherish those middle of the night feeds because before I know it, he won't want to be held and cuddled.  

We just can't get enough of him.  We feel so blessed! And are so excited to continue watching him grow and develop.  Our prayer continues that he would be GREAT in the kingdom of our Lord!