Made it Home

We are all home now and settling in well. Brayden is eating and sleeping great! We had our first trip to the pediatrician today, and he said that he looks great and all is going well. He grew a bit in length (according to their measurements) however he lost a tiny bit of weight...about 2 ounces...but that is normal. Brayden loves putting his hands in his mouth and makes little snorting noises at times--its too funny!!! He has been more awake today, and has a strong grip when he holds onto our fingers. We are enjoying snuggling with him and just soaking in all his sweetness! Here are a few new pics...

Oh yes...and I forgot to mention---I had my first golden shower today---Thanks Brayden---its amazing how far pee can spray!!!!

Brayden's going home outfit...so the hat looks totally dorky...it was way to big!!!! But he still looks handsome

Ready to leave the hospital...geared up for the first car ride

After he ate...this is daddy's favorite bib

Getting measured at the doctor's office

These are some family pics from before we left the hospital...

It's a Boy!!!!!

We welcomed Brayden James into the world on Oct 14th at 4:13 pm. He weighs 7lbs1oz and is 20 inches long. He has blue eyes and blonde hair. Everyone keeps saying how much he looks like his daddy---and I agree! He is just adorable! His hands and feet are huge...the doctor this morning said it looks like he will be a runner...and of course Aaron was excited about that! Although, Brayden did not want to leave the comfort of his mommy's belly, once we got things rolling yesterday he progressed REALLY quickly! The doctors actually told me I pushed him out in record time---13 minutes! Our doctor was on her way...along with the rest of the medical staff...but they arrived after he had already made his way out---lets just say they were all shocked with how quickly that part went! Brayden is doing great...he is sleeping a lot and eating pretty well...and well I won the "award" this morning...I got the first DIRTY diaper! I am also doing great---feeling well. And, Aaron is doing well too! I cannot begin to explain how overjoyed we are....parenthood really is such an amazing thing....for 41 weeks Brayden was growing inside of me...and we were constantly wondering what he would look like and how he would act....and now we get to hold him in our arms and just take it all in. I cannot even explain in words how amazing the whole experience is. We would like to thank everyone for all of your kind words, thoughts and prayers and we will continue to keep everyone posted with Brayden updates! Here are a few pics from last night...

Getting ready for the induction...

Here is he is....

The proud parents...

Getting warmed up and checked out...he has great, strong lungs

The Grandparents...

Overdue--40 weeks plus!!!

Last night we went to Que Rico...where it all started! For those of you who are not familiar with the story of how we found out that we were pregnant...it involves this restaurant, which is one of our favorites. Here is a quick version of the story: We were going to Que Rico to celebrate our friends, Erin and Mike's engagement....and of course with great Mexican always comes LOTS of margaritas! But for some reason, I had a feeling that I should not partake in drinking tequila...I guess it was a motherly instinct. But due to carpooling and time restraints, I couldn't stop and get a pregnancy test, and by the time Aaron got home with one...I was out the door to go to Pilates. So, I threw the test in my purse, and told him that I would take it at the restaurant when we got there... So after my class, I met Aaron there and we headed in. Of course Erin and Mike already had the margaritas lined up...so as planned I went to the bathroom of Que Rico...took the test...and it was POSITIVE!!! I was shocked and excited---and couldn't believe that I had just took a pregnancy test in a public restroom of all places---and found out that we were having a baby!!! I walked out of the bathroom gleaming (of course the test was in my purse too--I know gross--I had just peed on it)...and shaking my head YES--but only Aaron could see! So, we kept quiet all through dinner (occasionally I did pretend to dig in my purse looking for chapstick to check the test a few more times, to be sure that I read it correctly) and Aaron definitely drank my share of margaritas through dinner!!!! Then after dinner, we came home took another---of course it was positive too---and we were thrilled!!!

We went to the doctor's today, and there is some progress being made...but if I do not go into labor myself, they will admit me Tuesday night and begin the inducing process. So while we are waiting here is what the men are doing....

And well for me...I am still in full nesting mode...I cleaned every last corner this morning, baked cookies, and am making lists... We are going to enjoy our last weekend but couldn't be more excited!!!! We will keep everyone posted!!!

Aaron's post...

Aaron has been taking MAC classes to learn how to do new things on the computer...and one thing he learned was how to make a slideshow. So while I was passed out on the couch (since I wake up at 4 am now due to insomnia) he made this slideshow...and wanted to post it to share with everyone! So enjoy! Tomorrow is our due date...however we have little progress...so I am hoping by next weekend the post will be we have a baby...not that we are still in waiting!

Home Stretch....

And they say that black is slimming....I don't know if I buy that!!!!!

We will be 39 weeks tomorrow! It is amazing how fast time has gone by...but now it seems to be going slower than ever!!! We had a doctor's appt. on Wed...and she said there was no sign that the baby would be making his/her way into the world anytime soon...however, doctors aren't always right (right???) and our baby may just surprise us!!! However, I am enjoying my last week(s) getting pampered!!! Everyone says to do it now...so I am taking the advice and going with it!!!! I am in full nesting mode---our house is extremely clean! (Aaron is really enjoying the extra cleaning...his comment was...didn't we just clean?!?!?!) This weekend, I got a surge of energy...so we went on another weekend trip--we headed to Woodstock and went to an apple orchard, farmers market, and just took in the sites of the cute little town! We did lots of walking (I hear that helps!!!). I am really enjoying all of our weekend trips---we have seen more of Illinois this year than I thought I ever would!!!!

We will keep everyone posted on our little one's arrival...It is so funny, anytime we call our friends or family...they say "Oh...I thought you were calling us to tell us the news"...trust me we will be thrilled to make those calls!!!

Here's a pic from our trip to Lake Geneva...we went there a while a go for a day trip!

Almost 38!

Almost 38 Weeks!!!! The baby weighs about 6½-7 pounds and is around 19 or 20 inches long. He or she is still extremely active...I still feel lots of kicks and punches! And we can still see the little butt moving from side to side. I am still going to the doctor weekly...and so far...there is no sign that this baby is ready to enter the world any time soon! We are getting more anxious, nervous and excited as each day passes...and the hospital bags are packed...so we are ready when the little one is!!!! We are due in 2 weeks...but as a good friend of mine stated (who just had a little one)...Baby Jefford will be evicted in 3 weeks, ready or not!

35 weeks...

Tuesday we went for our last ultrasound. We were nervous that the nurse might slip up and tell us the sex...so both Aaron and I reminded her, we want to be surprised! And she was careful to not let it out! Baby Jefford is looking great...and is in the correct position (head down). The estimated weight right now is 5lbs 6oz (however the ultrasound weight can be up to a pound off...so the baby could weigh a pound more or less). The baby measures around 20 inches. The heart rate has slowed down a bit...it is at 128 beats/minute. They say it's normal as the baby grows, that the heart rate slows down...before the baby's heart rate was always around 135-140. During, the ultrasound the baby had his/her hands covering his/her face for most of the time...I have a feeling the little one is going to like Peek-A-Boo! Everything seems to be going great with both mom and the little one! Every so often, I get some hard kicks...I wonder if he/she is going to be a soccer player?!?!?! The baby is still moving around...it is crazy, sometimes when we are hanging out...the baby will cause my whole abdomen to move! We can even feel the little butt move from one side to the other :) We have a mover and shaker!!! We are getting anxious...only about a month to go!

Here are the 2 "take-me home" outfits that we picked up last weekend...I wonder which will it be--pink or blue???? Baby clothes are just so adorable!!!