Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Week 1

We've only taken about a billion pictures (I was determined that Brecken wouldn't be neglected with 3rd child syndrome with an obvious lack of pictures.....at least for now- ha!).  So this will mostly be a picture blog entry.  

Things are so great with Brecken right now.  She's being a good eater and sleeper....that's what it's all about!  She has put herself on a great schedule (with help from us).  We've always followed the "BabyWise" schedule, and we've always had very happy babies.  The idea of BabyWise is "feed, wake, sleep".  There is always some awake time after each feeding, with the idea that they learn to put themselves to sleep, not rely on a feeding to soothe them.  The exception to the rule is in the middle of the night....no wake time then! :)

Brecken goes between 2.5 to 3 hours in between feedings during the day.  At night, she falls asleep around 7:30-8, and then we do a "late night" feeding around 9 or so (depending on timing--every day is slightly different).  She basically sleeps through this feeding (and last night I couldn't even get her to nurse the second side because she was so clonked out).  She'll normally sleep 8-9 hours straight, nurse again around 5-6 (again sleeping through this one), and sleep for 3 more hours.  Then she's on her daytime routine.  All three of our kids have done this routine.  Jerry's cousin introduced us to BabyWise, and while I don't follow it "by the book" (there are some pretty extreme suggestions on certain topics), we do subscribe to the "feed, wake, sleep" theory--and it's worked so well for us.  The baby knows what to expect, and we do too.  


Ok, now for pictures!  Miss Brecken has her Dadoo's feet and toes!  Long skinny toes that curl up--we call these hammer toes in our family.  Jerry keeps apologizing to her..... :)
 One of the kids' favorite things......to get to snuggle Brecken in bed


 She is the best big sister.....always wanting to hold her and calm her down :)
 First washcloth bath.....success, right?! HA!

 Kisses from sissy should make it better

 Treyson brushed her crazy hair after her first bath

 Warm sun = naptime

 First visit to see Dr. Ball



 Pictures with the sign that the grandmas got for Brecken




 Story time!





 If Brecken's under the play gym.....Treyson's under the play gym :)


 With the cradle cross at church when it was put out in her name
 This is how we roll......having Anniston next to Brecken--best. idea. ever!  If she fusses just one bit, Anniston starts in with her "sh, sh, shhhing" and will give her the paci if needed.  Sweet girl!
 Treyson and Brecken bonding while watching Tinker Bell movie :)
 This baby girl looks just like her Dadoo!
The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind, but we have so enjoyed having Brecken in our lives.  She is such a doll baby, and I cannot imagine my life without her!  Precious baby girl!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Going home

We spent two nights in the hospital with Miss Brecken for insurance reasons.  We were so excited to get to go home on Friday though....we sure missed our two big kids (and our bed!!)

We got up, got dressed, then played the waiting game for the pediatrician to come give us the "all clear" to leave with Brecken.  They were concerned about her bilirubin levels (jaundice).....but she had gotten better Friday morning.  She still has a tinge of the "oompa loompa" coloring....but I feel like it improves daily.  So many people say, "Oh what pretty coloring she has"! HA!  I just smile and say thank you, but know deep down she's just flushing all of the jaundice out and she'll end up pale like her Momma I'm sure!






 Loading her in for the first time!
 Nurse says she looks great!  Let's roll!

 This moment was SO emotional for me.  I still tear up thinking about it to this moment.  It was in this very moment that I felt so complete with my family.  Jerry had to stop and make sure I was ok.  I told him I was just overwhelmed with gratefulness for the family I had, and I truly felt complete.
 Oh, those chunky cheeks....love that I get to kiss on them all day long until August!!
 The grandparents had a stork in the front yard for Brecken.  Anniston and Treyson both had one from them, and Brecken's was just as precious and appreciated!

Welcome home, Brecken Lynn!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Hospital pics part II

We finally decided after having some special time as a new family of 5 to let the grandparents in....





 She was beyond excited to hold her baby sister!



 Such a proud big brother!



 Day 2....

 Dr. Sarver.....love her!
 We decided to get Brecken dressed in her Razorback outfit once the kids came up to the hospital after school.  They both wore this outfit as newborns too!




 Sweet baby girl with a bruise on her right eye.....we were told that was from me pushing her out so quickly (ie: 3.5 contractions)
 MaMa and her 8th grandbaby!