Packing for Nashville

Tomorrow morning Brodie and I are going to Nashville. We will be flying. Eric is staying here to work. He is sad that he'll miss Brodie's first Easter but we'll take lots of pics for him. I am a nervous wreck . I am not a fan of flying and I am worried about flying with a baby. I don't want him to get sick, I don't want his ears to hurt, I don't want to be, "the girl on the plane with a crying baby". But I really want to go see my family. We are going to Tampa tonight to stay in a hotel because our flight leaves at 6:20 and we don't want to get Brodie up at 3am to get to the airport. I know we'll be fine.
Packing has been an all day event. I have 2 big suitcases and have no idea what is in them. I'll post pictures from our trip once we are there.
I'm saying a little prayer that Brodie sucks on his paci or drinks his bottle on take off and landing so his ears don't hurt!

First Portrait

On March 19 we took Brodie to Sears for his first photo shoot. He did great but boy is it an ordeal to get a baby ready for pictures and to get them to the picture studio happy and then to get them to smile once you are there. He looked so cute in his new Gap outfit. We got set up in our first pose after 15 minutes and wouldn't you know the camera wasn't working so we had to go in the next room. Brodie smiled and laughed and did great. I will post some pictures when I get them. He was worn out by the time we hit the car.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Despite us all wearing green here we didn't have much luck this St. Patrick's Day. It all started with the dog. Brodie, Tallulah, and I went on our daily walk about 12:00 and came home. I had Brodie on the floor doing tummy time and smelled something awful. Sure enough, Tallulah had thrown up 2 times on the floor. I cleaned it up and sat back down, thinking she must have eaten some mulch or rocks on our walk, which is not uncommon for her. After sitting down I still smelled the awful smell. I walked into the hall and she had used the bathrtoom everywhere. I know...Gross. I cleaned that up. I was so mad at her for eating stuff besides her dog food. Next, I am giving Brodie a bottle on the couch and Tallulah comes and sits beside us and I notice she is shivering really bad. I call her name and she looks at me and her eyes are swollen up like a balloon. I call the vet and say to bring her in. My neighbor, Jen comes to sit with Brodie while I rush Tallulah to the vet. By the time I get her there her lips are ballooning up. Poor baby! And I had been mad at her and she couldn't help it. After the doctor looked at her he said she had been bit by something and was having an allergic reaction. A few shots, some benedryl, and a hundred dollars later Tallulah is feeling like new. We love our dog and I freaked out when she looked at me all swollen.

When we get home I decide to dress Brodie in his "Lucky Charm" St. Patrick's Day shirt and take some pictures. He did not like this idea. He cried and was mad. Finally, though, I got a few pictures to capture his first St. Pattie's Day.

Eric got home around 7:00 and we decided after my long day at home and his long day at work we would go eat at the Irish pub down the street.

Whew..it was a tiring day but we made it. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Eating cereal

Brodie's reflux still seems to bad even after propping his mattress up and giving him Mylanta. After speaking with the doctor we started putting 1 and a half tablespoons of rice cereal in his bottle. It seems to be workign somewhat. He usually starts the restless sleep and jerking/whimpering again around 3:30 am every night. He doesn't spit up hardly at all anymore though. Oh, I hope the rice cereal does the trick, I don't want him to hurt.

2 Months Picture

I forgot to post Brodie's 2 months old picture. He is getting so big! He is laughing a lot and smiles all the time!

Crib Time

On March 11, Brodie slept in is crib all night for the first time. Of course I slept on a blanket on the floor next to the crib. I was so proud of him. Now if I could just sleep good in my room away from him! He loves his crib. He seems much more comfy in it his crib than the pack and play. He especially loves the mobile but seems scared when he wakes up and there it is hanging in his face, so we make sure and put him down away from it. Way to go, Brodie!

Prune Juice

If you ever have a constipated baby let me tell you that prune juice works!
On March 6 Brodie had his first drink of something other than milk. The doctor told us to give him prune juice the next time he was having trouble pooping. Well, this day he did and was hurting so I gave him an ounce of prune juice and an ounce of water. A half hour later...success! Also a ruined onesie and poop all over my shirt and legs! I had to give him a bath! I will take that though over a fussy baby with a hurting tummy. Prune juice is a God send!

Honey and Daddy Mack Visit

Eric's parents came to visit Brodie on Feb. 29 and stayed until March 3. Brodie calls them Honey and Daddy Mack.

On Friday I went to the County Teacher of the Year Awards and saw my good friend Jen win Teacher of the Year for our whole county...she won a Volvo, as well as lots of other prizes. Go Jen! While I was at the awards Brodie hung out with his grandparents and dad.

Saturday we went to the mall and got Brodie got a bathing suit, shorts, shirt, and the cutest loafer shoes at Baby Gap. We went home and made dinner at the house.

Sunday we went to "The Villages", a living community that has live music on the square every night with lots of shops and restaurants. Brodie slept through the live music but woke up in time to experience being at his very first restaurant. We went to "Bourbons" and were the only people there. A few others came in while we ate. Bourbons is a New Orleans eatery adn Brodie loved looking at the decorations there. He was so good. He had his bottle and looked around while we ate.

Monday, Eric an dI took Brodie for his shots, then came home to get Honey and Daddy Mack for lunch. We ate at Beef O' Bradys and Brodie slept the whole time. When we got home we said our goodbyes adn Honey and Daddy Mack headed to the airport. We had a great time with them.

2 Month Check-Up

Brodie had his 2 month well check On March 3, 2008. I had been dreading it because I did nto want to see him cry when they gave hom his shots. Eric took off work so he would be there with us.
First they weighed and measured Brodie. He weighed 12.9 pounds! In the 75% percentile. He was 24 inches long. He was laughed and smiling at the 2 nurses doing his measurments the whole time. They said, "your not going to like us soon". Oh, poor baby!
Next, Dr. Hawk came in and discussed feeding issues with us. We told her about Brodie's restless sleep (drawing up legs constantly, whimpering, spitting up). She said he must have reflux and to prop up his mattress and give him mylanta at night. She also switched his formula to Similac Sensitive for fussiness and gas. She said to give him prune juice for his tummy troubles. Eric and I were relieved to have some answers about that issue. Dr. Hawk also said Brodie would keep his blue eyes and that she could tell he would be very social.
Last were the shots. Each nurse gave Brodie 3 shots. He SCREAMED and cried. It broke my heart. He was inconsolable for about 5 minutes then calmed down. He went to sleep in the car.
Overall, I think he handled his shots like a champ. No fever, just sore legs. Glad that is over (until 4 month shots).

First Outing

No, I don't mean to the doctor, of course it was to shop because I had something to do with it. Brodie's first outing was to Dillards department store on February 22. It was a brand new building and was having a grand opening. We went early when not many people were there. Eric and I packed up his diaper bag and stroller and headed out for a fun day of shopping. After Dillards we went to Stienmart. Everyone kept saying how cute Brodie was and that he was a big baby. He was so good and loved looking at the bright lights and seeing all the people walking around. When we finally got home we realized he hadn't eaten in over 4 hours. He was having so much fun he forgot to get hungry. I attempted to take some pictures at Dillards.

No More Insert!

On February 11 I went to put Brodie in his swing and what did I need to do but take out the insert we had been using ao that he fit in it. We had also been using it in his car seat. Wow, he is growing so fast.

One Month Old

Brodie turned 1 month old on January 28, 2008. Here are some pictures I took on that day.

WooHoo-He is sleeping at night!

Finally...Brodie started sleeping 4-5 hours a night the week of January 20. Anyone with an infant knows this is a most triumphant time due due the exhausting ngihts that came before this.

Instead of getting up to eat every hour and a half to two hours, he slept 4-5 hours. I of course didn't sleep too well b/c I was too busy watching him to make sure he was breathing. Good Job, Brodie!

Matt and Jamie Visit

On January 19, our good friends from Nashville, Matt and Jamie came to visit Brodie. We were so glad they came and appreciate them hanging inside with us while Brodie was on "house arrest" due to flu threats. Jamie took the cutest picture of Brodie that looks like he is praying

We miss Matt and Jamie and had a great visit!

Jamie took this picture of Brodie. He looks like he is praying, so sweet.

"The Count"

When Mimi and Tig came to visit they gave Brodie his very first nickname, "The Count". This came from how Brodie holds his hands when he sleeps. He crossed them at his chest and sleeps like a vampire. It's pretty funny. I sure do love "The Count"! He still sleeps like this sometimes, but not as much anymore.

Mimi and Tig Visit

When Brodie was just 2 weeks old Eric had to go out of town to Dallas for a week. I was terrified to be home alone with a newborn so imagine my relief when my mom and dad said they would fly down and stay with me the whole time. I was so glad to have them with me. We were told by the doctor to keep Brodie at home for 2 months because it was flu season. My parents were great. They sat in my house for a whole week. We went nowhere and I know they were stir crazy by the end of the week, but they helped me out so much and I know they enjoyed spending time with thier new grandson.

Brodie had his days and nights mixed up at this time so my parents would watch him during the day if I had been up all night so that I could nap. They helped me bathe him and rock him and change him. Mom stayed up at night with me, too. They also fed me well that week. Outback, italian, Starbucks coffee and mint brownies. I enjoyed thier visit and so did little Brodie!

MiMi and Brodie

MiMi and Tig holding Brodie

Tig comforting little Brodie

Now that we are home

So now that we had our baby boy home what do we do? We fed him, changed him, watched him sleep, put on his 1 million new outfits and took pictures of him. We also put him in his boppy chair, boppy pillow, and swing. He loves them . At first he was too small for them and needed an insert. We didn't think to put the insert in the swing at first so he didn't really use it for about 5 weeks. Look how little he looks in it below. Here he is that first week in his chair, swing, and on his pillow: