1 month

bradley had his 1 month check up on tuesday. he weighs 9 lbs. 13 oz. and has grown to 21 1/4 inches. we have him on prevacid for reflux which seems to have helped some. we are still trying to figure out what is upsetting his stomach. we believe hyper-lactation (which has improved) is causing most of his gas issues but its more than that and we need to figure out the upset tummy issue. we are trying no dairy in my diet and strangely, no beef. today was my first attempt at no dairy...we'll see. this is the part about breast feeding i hate. how can a baby be lactose intolerant when milk is how they get nurishment...doesn't make sense to me. double wammy, milk with milk in it. plus, i hate having to alter my diet. it's way to challenging to keep track of what you eat and when. im lucky if i get to sit and eat and don't have the luxury of planning meals in advance. no time for that. frustrating! he still likes to eat every 2-3 hrs during the day and will go 3-4 at night. i love the 4 hrs at night! that means 2-3 hrs of sleep for me. also, since nick is home i have been able to catch some extra sleep in the morning or take an afternoon nap while the boys nap...which is so nice and much needed. there are nights, like last, when b stays awake between feedings. last night was 11:30-2:30. not fun. we try putting him down awake in his chair but he quickly realizes he is alone and not being held and lets us know real quick that that's not ok. he is much more high maintenance than bryant in that regard...prefers to be held. im hanging in there, but soooooo ready for a full nights sleep and no more fussiness.

Santa came early

Santa and I are tight, so I sent him a special message...Because we wouldn't be at our house for Christmas I asked Santa to make a special trip and come early to bring Bryant and Bradley their toys...and he delivered...



Bryant got a Tricycle and helmet





and a chair to sit, stand, lay on to watch TV and movies...



Bradley got music and lights stack rings to which Bryant LOVES and has been playing with...



Bryant made something special for us at school that I must share with everyone. I just love that we will always have this to remember our baby...

3 weeks

Bradley at 3 weeks




Bryant at 3 weeks





They look alot different in pictures...but when I hold Bradley I see Bryant. I wonder why? I guess it's my perminant state of de ja vu.

8 lbs. 6 oz. today

Bradley's face looks like a little heart! Can you see it?



I like to eat-eat-eat...I gained 1 lb. in 12 days which is so AWESOME!

Bradley had his follow up Dr. visit today. He really doesn't like going to the Dr...who does, really. He doesn't like being messed with and they mess with you at the Dr. He was not happy. It also doesn't help that the appointment ran right into feeding time. I was so happy to confirm that he is gaining weight. So far, feeding is successful. I am taking it one day at a time. Bradley is eating every 2-2.5 hours which is really difficult, but as hard as it is, especially at night when I want to quit...it's days like today when I can see my efforts are paying off.

A face picture

Too bad he already looks different...at least to me.



What you need to know about Bradley...He absolutely hates getting his diaper changed! Screams so loud...it wakes Bryant up and scares Dixie to the point of leaving the room. He likes being held...snuggles best with his Da-da...



He sleeps well during the day, but is more restless at night. We think he has reflux and he really, really struggles with gas. He goes back to the Dr. on Tuesday so I'm anxious to see how much weight he has gained. I can tell he has filled out a little in his face...definitely has my chin.

Nick is off work until 1/9 so I am looking forward to this time we will have together as a family. We agree that Bryant has grown so much and is becoming such a little man...

Bryant is doing very well with having Bradley around. He doesn't understand "feeding" time, but that will come with time and as he gets used to it as part of the daily routine.

Silly Bryant and his hat...



Making shapes with his play-dough...

Confirmed...

It IS so much harder to remember to take pictures of the second child. You just don't have time to take them and you can never find the camera. Anyway, here are a few...

I love Buh-Buh...



Michelle, Aunt Pea, came over to meet Bradley and play with Bryant.



Me and my boys...



Surprise, surprise...I love this moment!



Bradley relaxing with his Da-Da...



Bryant playing with Buh-Buh's seat...



Story-time with Ga-Ga before bed-time...



Today, Miss Kasi and Henry came over to meet Bradley, eat lunch with us and play with Bryant...





I got a picture of Kasi with Bradley but for some reason portrait images are being turned landscape on blogger....anyone know how to fix this?

Welcome Bradley

Nick and I left for the hospital at 5:40 Friday morning. What a weird feeling to know that in a few hours the baby I had been carrying for 37 weeks was going to be born. We were very excited and ready to go!



Ready...






Get set...


Go...




Pit stop...Bradley chillin' in the NICU transition nursery



Bradley was born at 8:30 a.m. via C-Section. He weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and is 19.5 inches long. He was having trouble breathing so he was sent to the NICU transition nursery for observation. After 8 hours of observation he was able to be with us!!!

Reunited and it feels so good...


We had to make things interesting and have a baby the day after Thanksgiving...oh, yeah and let's not forget the Iron Bowl. The game was on, but I didn't see a lick of it. Good thing it's on the DVR. Just kidding, I really could care less.



Iron Bowl 2011
What a fan! Sound asleep...



We spent 3 nights in the hospital and we were able to come home Monday.




We arrived home around 2:00. So far the transition home has been good. I'm trying to recover and heal so having help has been the the greatest thing. My mom is here and she is my angel.

No pictures from Monday. Oh well.

Wide awake on a Tuesday afternoon.



Big brother love before bedtime...

Bradley

bradley was born friday morning at 8:30 and was taken to the transition section of the nicu for observation due to his breathing. his lungs are normal however he had some extra fluid in them which was causing him to breath funny. very similar situation to what we experienced with bryant. bradley was in the transition nursery area until around 5:30. at one point the dr. was going to admit him but he started doing better with his breath sounds and the dr sent him to us! we couldnt believe it. they provided him with a feeding tube while in nicu but since coming to our room he is nursing and taking a bottle. he has been examined by a pediatrician and he is doing very well. yay for little b!

i have had it a little bit of a rough recovery, but the drs and nurses are taking very good care of me. all signs are pointing to a hospital exit on monday.

thank you everyone for keeping us in your prayers. we will continue to need them as we transition to a family of 4.

Bradley Lawrence Gardner

Bradley was born at 8:30 this morning weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and is 19.5 inches in Length. He is being monitored carefully in the transition section of the NICU because he does have some fluid on his lungs. We will provide an update when we can.

C-Day

We went to the Dr. this morning for my non-stress test and last Dr. visit with Dr. McDaniel before we meet Bradley on Friday. Unfortunately, Dr. McDaniel will not be performing my C-Section, but I that is ok. He gave me one more chance to change my mind and deliver with him tomorrow, but the Forsyth location is just too far.

We are to arrive at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. and the c-section is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. with Dr. Scott, Dr. Michael Scott to be exact (Nick thought that was funny since we watch The Office).

Just an update about my appointment today...my blood work from Monday showed that my liver enzymes were normal and my bile salt levels had decreased so that means the medication I am taking is helping. Bradley looked good too and I even had some contractions while hooked up to the monitor.

All I need to do now is sit and relax.

Nick and I are excited about Bradley's arrival. We are ready to have our family of 5 (yes, that includes Dixie).

Where is the best place to watch the Iron Bowl in Atlanta?

Answer: Northside Hospital

That's right folks, Bradley will be here on Friday!!!

My Dr. called me this morning and said he thought we needed to deliver this week. Our conversation did not consist of anything that I am not already aware of...so please know this is not an emergency situation. He asked if I wanted to deliver on Thursday since he would be on call. I honestly considered it. How cool would it be to have two Holiday babies, Halloween and Thanksgiving. BUT, we would be at a different Northside location (Forsyth) and logistically, it didn't make sense. So, Friday it is. We just don't know what time and who is doing the C-Section. I will post an update when all is confirmed. We should know tomorrow.

I am still scheduled to see Dr. McDaniel on Wednesday for a non-stress test. Then Friday our sweet, honey baked turkey will be delivered!

I had blood work today and an ultrasound. The blood work should be back on Wed, but who knows given the holiday. Bradley was asleep during the ultrasound, but we were able to wake him. He responded well today, which means he continues to thrive.

I will be 37 weeks and 1 day pregnant on Friday, even though 37 weeks is considered full term there are risks to delivering. His lungs could be a bit premature and he would need support with that which means he would need to be taken to NICU. So, our prayers are for a safe delivery and also for the Dr.s to make the best decisions when it comes to Bradley's health.

Pregnancy Update

I received a call this morning from my Dr. nurse as he wanted to see me ASAP to discuss my condition and treatment since I have not seen him at all since diagnosed. So, I went this morning at 11:30. Luckily, Nick was able to meet me at the Dr. office to assist with B and also to listen and ask whatever questions he had.

So, it looks like Dr. McDaniel is leaning toward moving my c-section up to 37 weeks; anytime between 11/24-12/1, but probably Monday 11/28 or Tuesday 11/29 . The deciding factor (if/when to do the c-section) will be the results of the blood work I will have drawn this coming Monday.

He informed me that the blood work I had done this Monday showed a negative change in my liver function which is why he would perform the c-section early. He said he was not going to do an amnio to determine if Bradley's lungs were developed as 37 weeks is considered full term, and we do not want to risk anything with Bradley by him performing the amnio. At this point it is better for Bradley to be alive outside of the womb than inside of the womb at risk of anything that would cause harm.

Today's appointment

My computer sounds like it's about to take off...Goodness gracious!

Today's appointment went well. I had an ultrasound to make sure Bradley was doing good in the womb. I guess he got tired of laying on his right side and decided to switch to his left. She didn't get a good look at his face. It was kinda squished since he is getting ready to make his approach. His cord blood flow was good and heartbeat. She measured his head, tummy, femur bone, etc. and he measured bigger than from my last ultrasound so he is continuing to grow; he's approx 6-6.8 lbs. The tech said he could reach 8 lbs. if I went full term, but since I am not planning on that happening I'm still holding at 7 lbs 8 oz. She looked at my gall bladder and said there were no stones, so that's good. I didn't anticipate there would be, but at least she took the time to look. I saw a Dr. that I have never seen before. He was awkward. I hate that Dr.s are so awkward. I try to be light, bubbly, but I don't think they particularly care or notice. Oh well! He did check my cervix and it has thinned some but that's all so far. No update on my blood work so I assume that is a good thing. They would have definitely called if there was a negative change.

Next weeks appointments are Monday and Wednesday. Monday I will have an ultrasound and Wednesday a non-stress test. Continue to pray for a healthy baby and momma.

Yahoo! Bryant is 2!

Finally, I made it to Bryant's class today with a yummy treat to celebrate his birthday. He was sick a few weeks back and we didn't get to celebrate as planned, but today was the day. He was so happy when I got there and excited for the treat I made. Cake balls! They didn't turn out like the picture in the magazine, but they tasted great. Sweet, sweet! Bryant ate 2 and a cupcake as we shared the celebration with Taylor, a little girl in his class that turns 2 next week.

Pregnancy Update

I heard from the Dr's office today. My blood work came back and confirmed that I have Cholestasis of Pregnancy, Jaundice of Pregnancy. I had to go to the Dr. today for a non-stress test and blood work.

A non-stress test is a simple, non-invasive test which involved attaching a belt to my abdomen to measure Bradley's heart rate and another belt to measure contractions. They monitored me for about 20 minutes and Bradley did great!!! His heart rate stayed within a normal range and he was very active.

As of right now they are not saying they need to move my induction date forward. As long as my liver function remains at an acceptable range they will not deliver early. However if there are changes in any of the blood levels they are looking at that would indicate harm to me or Bradley they will induce early.

No matter what I will be monitored on a weekly bases even after Bradley is born. In most cases this condition goes away after delivery, but if not, I would potentially need to have surgery to remove my gall bladder.

We saw a midwife today and we were able to get some of our questions answered. My treatment for right now is:

I will be going to the Dr every week, 2 times per week for monitoring. One visit for a non stress test and the other for an ultrasound. They will also continue to retest my blood to monitor everything they monitor for this condition. I will be taking a special medicine twice daily which will help regulate my liver and gall bladder function.

Bryant's 2 Year Pictures

We had Bryant's 2 year pictures taken before his birthday party a couple of weeks ago. He did surprisingly well. I was so scared we didn't have any good ones because he just refused to look at the camera and smile. Page (photographer) worked her magic and I am very happy with his pictures.

Family, I am ready to print! So, if you would like for me to have any printed for you I just need to know what picture(s) you would like and in what size(s) -- no charge.

Bryant 1


Bryant 2


Bryant 3


Bryant 4


Bryant 5


Bryant 6


Bryant 7


Bryant 8


I even got "my heart" pictures! I was so happy!