Brady Birth Story

On Thursday, May 17th, we had our weekly Dr. appointment.  I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant at this appointment.  I was already effaced to a 4 and had been 75% effaced for the last three weeks.  We talked with our Dr. at this appointment about how you were measuring a week ahead, the progress my body was already making, and about how easy induction would be if I decided I was ready to have you.  So, your daddy and I (especially me) decided that we were ready to have you!  We scheduled your induction for Monday, May 21st, which was exactly a week before your due date.  On Sunday, May 20th, we met Mawmaw and Pawpaw at Cracker Barrel to drop off Owen.  We were scheduled to start induction at 5:30am, so we got up extremely early and got to the hospital at 5:20.  It took a while for checking in after we had to wait behind other patients checking in.  We got up to our room a little after 6, and they started an IV.  I was hooked up to the monitors and noticed I had 2 contractions on my own and pitocin hadn't even been started yet.  So Brady, I think you would have been born on your own that week anyways.  Pitocin was started, then my water was broken a little after 7, then we just waited, napped, daddy paced, watched tv, talked on the phone, and waited some more.  I started feeling a little uncomfortable so I decided to get the epidural around 9.  After this, we waited some more.  You were finally ready to be born at 1:23pm.  You weighed 8 pounds and 15 ounces, a whole 2 1/2 pounds bigger than your older brother was.  You were 20.5 inches long and your head was 14 1/4 inches around.  They told me most newborn heads measure about 13 inches. 

You had a lot of visitors come to see you and everyone commented about how laid back you already were.  You picked up eating pretty easily, although you wanted to sleep a lot too and I had to wake you up for several feedings to make sure you were getting enough.  I can't believe how much you look like your daddy, and a lot of your newborn pictures look like Owen.  You can definitely tell you are brothers.  We already love you so much our sweet little Brady and it is amazing how quickly you have become a part of this family. 

Baby Brady is coming!

Brady,

This is the last weekend that you will be in my belly!!!  You are measuring a week ahead, I am huge and uncomfortable, I am making a lot of progress (I'll spare you the details), and all in all you are big enough and ready to be born.  So, your birthday has been scheduled for Monday, May 21st.  We can't wait to meet you!!!!  This is our last weekend as a family of three and we can't wait to become a family of four.  We have been talking to Owen about your arrival, but I don't think he will fully grasp that you are coming until you are actually here little one.  We can't wait to see what you look like, what your personality is like, and to watch you and Owen bond as brothers.  We already love you and are so excited for you to join our family. 

Love,

Daddy, Mommy, and Owen

Owen is 2!

Owen,

You are 2 years old!!!!  Where does the time go my sweet little boy?  We cannot believe how much you have grown! You are really getting tall and are pretty much in 2T clothes now and size 6 (almost 7) shoes. 

You love to run, kick and throw a ball, form sentences, wrestle "body slam" daddy, laugh, read books, play with cars, go to the park and the library, "ride" your bike (you can't reach the pedals yet), play outside, go on walks with mommy in your wagon or your push bike, watch "Mickey Mouse" and "Elmo" and snuggle!  You are very active and on the go, but you still take a good nap.

You usually go to bed at 7 and wake up between 6:45-7.  You take a nap at 11 or 12 and will sleep from 2-3 hours.  You have always been a good sleeper little buddy and we are very grateful for that!  You got a big boy bed in February and you are sleeping great in it! 

You had your 2nd birthday party Saturday March 3rd at Fun City Pizza.  Your cousins Jada, Jaxon, Ben, Jack, and Emma were there as well as Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Mimi, Grand dad, Aunt Jeralyn, Aunt Janna, Uncle Justin, and of course Mommy and Daddy.  You had so much playing the games (especially throwing the balls at the ski ball tables), eating pizza and cake, riding the rides, and playing on the slide.  You love your presents you got too!  You got your own toy laptop, toy cellphone, a lot of clothes, shoes, pajamas, puzzles, legos, bowls and spoons, sippy cups, bubble lawn mower, books, alphabet letters for the bathtub, and a giftcard!  You see my little man, you are very loved!!! 

Your little life has gone through so many changes these last 2 months.  We moved to a new state and a new house, you are going to be a big brother, daddy got a new job, and you are getting your molars in.  You have always adjusted well to change and are a just go with the flow kind of kid. 

We went to Uncle Brian's house by Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving and you spent time with mommy's side of the family, then we went to Aunt Janna's house the weekend before Christmas to spend time with mommy's side of the family, and we went to Little Rock for Christmas and you spent time with daddy's side of the family.  You had so much fun seeing everyone and are such a good traveler.  You also loved all of your Christmas presents!

We love you so much and can't wait to continue watching you grow!  You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives and we cannot even remember what life was like without you.  We can't believe that in just 2 1/2 months you will be a big brother!  You will do so great in this new role and we know you will be our little helper. 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Baby Boy #2

Baby boy #2,

In August, we found out we were pregnant with you little one!  We had only been trying for two months (sorry if TMI) and were thrilled to find out we would be giving Owen a sibling.  All of your ultrasounds have been wonderful.  We have heard your strong heartbeat, seen you moving around, and got to see your little features.  Your pregnancy is unique because you have already lived in Oklahoma and now Arkansas while in mommy's tummy!  You will be born a Razorback!  We were told before we moved from Oklahoma that our dr. was pretty sure you were a girl.  BUT...when we moved to Arkansas and had our 20 week ultrasound, your third leg was revealed.  We couldn't be more thrilled that you are a boy!!!!  We are so excited for all of the wrestling, cars, playing outside, and sports that we will get to enjoy with your brother and you.  Our prayer is that you both grow up to be each other's best friends and grow up to be men of God!  We cannot wait to see what your personality is like and if you look like your mommy, daddy, brother, or yourself!  I love feeling you kick and punch in my belly and recently your daddy has been feeling you too!  Your due date is May 28th, although we know you will come whenever you are ready.  We can't wait to meet you little guy!  We are really close to having your name picked out and want it to have a strong meaning like your brother's does.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, and Owen

Owen 18 months!

Sweet Owen,

You are 18 months old!  Where does the time go?  Your daddy and I were commenting today how you look like such a big boy now.  You have gotten so tall and have quite the personality.

You will eat anything my dear. You are such a good eater and have never been picky.  Your favorites are anything with spaghetti sauce or cheese. 

You are now walking everywhere and are so close to running.   You are getting faster and faster everyday.  We love watching you when you play, because you will squat down to play with your toys.

Your favorite activities are hide and seek (I usually do all the hiding though), peek a boo, singing songs, playing outside, going to the park, anything with music, balls, cars (you've recently started making noises like "vroom vroom" while playing), playing in any water, playing in sand, going on walks, "talking" on the phone, being tickled, reading books with mommy or daddy or to yourself, playing in your room by yourself, and any organizational toy.  We have begun working on colors and letters and you are loving this.  You aren't quite getting it yet,  but I know you will. 

You don't watch a lot of tv, but maybe one show a day.  The only shows you like right now are "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" or "Yo Gabba Gabba." 

You LOVE to talk and although we can't understand you when you really get going sometimes, you are so adorable.  You know where your belly button, nose, mouth, and toes are.   You say car, ball, mommy, daddy, Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Mimi, dog, belly, milk, more, juice, book, and many many more things.  You are very smart and you learn things very quickly. 

You love to give kisses and hugs, high five, knuckles, put clothes in the dryer, turn on and off lights, close doors, throw things away, pick up your toys, and snuggle.  You are our little helper and we love how you love to help. 

Some funny things you have begun doing are barking like a dog when you hear one, telling yourself no no if you know you are doing something you aren't supposed to, walking all over the house talking on the phone, climbing on and off the couch a hundred times in a row, closing the door in our face and saying bye bye as loud as you can, dancing when you hear music anywhere, and laughing when you hear us laughing even if you don't know whats funny.

You are getting your molars in and you are not happy about it.  You have always been a slow teether and we will get through this my little one. 

You are so sweet, loving, fun, hilarious, and a delight to be around.  We get compliments all the time about how well behaved you are and about your red hair and blue eyes.  We love you so much and can't wait to continue to watch you grow baby boy.

Love,

Momma and Dadda