The Final Cut!

Well, it took us a little while, but Brett and I were finally able to select the pics we loved best from Kaiser's newborn photo session. We purchased a DVD so that we can print off as many as we want. Hooray! I've put the shots into a slide show for your viewing pleasure. :)

As much as I adore these pictures of my baby, I am even more excited to see the ones that Amanda will take of our family when we go home in a few weeks. She is one talented girl! 

Week in Review

Okay, so naming this post "Week in Review" would make you think that we've had a lot going on this past week, but that's not exactly the case. Snow has kept Mommy and Kaiser trapped indoors, with the exception of a trip to the dentist on Wednesday. (Daddy was off work, so he drove.) After my appointment, Brett dropped us off so that he could run to the Apple store. Meanwile, a blizzard (well, maybe not a blizzard...but close!) hit the area, and by the time Brett was headed home, conditions were pretty bad. While trying to drive up the hill to our house, he slid and did a 180! Poor guy had to park the car at the bottom and walk up the incredibly steep incline. (He was not the only one!) Fortunately, he was able to get the car home later that day, instead of Thursday morning before work. Oh, how we love you, Winter!

Other than that excitement, things have been quiet at the Braly casa. Our little man celebrated 6 weeks yesterday! Here's the best pic I could get: 

Fist bump!

Here was our first attempt. :)

I promise you, he's not sleep deprived!

Kaiser looks a little perturbed at having to pose for this week's shot.

Of course, I also have to post some of my favorite pictures from this uneventful week:

I love, love, love this little kimono sleeper. He looks so boxy in it. :)

Superman!

Kaiser's not too crazy about is peppermint-flavored antacid.

We've decided that tummy time is a lot better with a friend!

Where's your halo, Little Angel? 

So, a few weeks ago I said that Kaiser hates to be swaddled. Apparently it does the trick from time to time, though!

Getting to be such a chunk. 

We're ready to start seeing more of these!

Being a couch potato with Mommy. 

Making faces with Daddy. 

Changing table time is not so bad now!

Our Son's a Sucker!

So, we've been trying to get Kaiser to take a pacifier for a couple of weeks now. We had put it off for the same reason that we delayed introducing him to a bottle; we were told that it was best for him to establish his ability to nurse during the first four weeks. I had mixed feelings about pacifiers to begin with. On the one hand, I want Kaiser to have someting to soothe him, but on the other, I was worried about it becoming a crutch and a difficult habit to break (same with thumb-sucking). But there have been several instances recently when Kaiser has been so fussy, and really the only thing that calms him is sucking (when it is not time to eat yet). We've tried to guide him to his thumb, but he just ends up getting frustrated when he can't get that coordinated. When we would try to put the paci in is mouth, it was like it was just too big or something, and he would spit it out. The only thing that worked was sticking the side of my tumb in is mouth, and even that was hit or miss.

Yesterday evening Kaiser woke up early from a nap, and the kiddo was inconsolable. I had tried everyting to soothe his poor little body. I glanced at the table, spotted the paci, and thought, "What the heck?" After lots of bouncing, whispering words of encouragement, and continuously guiding the pacifier back toward is mouth when his tongue pushed it out, Kaiser finally caught on! The true test was when I tried to gently pull the pacifier out of is mouth, and he held onto it! I placed him back in his crib--eyes open (which is huge!)--and our baby boy stayed there, quietly, for twenty minutes. Here is how I found him when I came in to wake him up for his next feeding:

When I went to pull out his new friend so that he could eat, Kaiser refused to let go! I set him down on the couch, and he sat there contentedly staring at the TV for a few minutes before I finally put my foot down and made him nurse. I'm so mean. :)

Now, I know that a baby sucking on a pacifier is not a big deal to most people, but if this continues, we'll count it as a little victory. Anything that helps Kaiser stay soothed at this point is good; we'll take all the help we can get!

Pops in Pittsburgh!

This morning Kaiser and I said goodbye to Pops (my daddy, Mike) after a week of fun! The weather was kind of crummy for the first part of his visit, but we were still able to get out a bit. We strolled through Ross Park Mall, shopped one day in Cranberry, and took Kaiser to see the doctor. We also ate out--A LOT! We scarfed down some hot cakes at the Dor-Stop (now our favorite breakfast joint in Pittsburgh), paid the Cheesecake Factory a visit, grabbed burritos at Moe's and sandwices at W.G. Grinder's, enjoyed kafta, hummus, and falafel at Aladdin's Eatery, and finised the streak off with delicious Mexican food at Azul! (Brett and I are officially on a diet now.) When we weren't out and about, we hung out a lot at home and watched some great (but depressing!) movies. Pops had a great time loving, holding, and getting to know Grandson #3. Kaiser can't wait to stay with him when we go back to Oklahoma in 5 weeks! We love you, Pops!

Pops with Kaiser on his 5-Week Birthday.

Kaiser and Mommy at the Cheesecake Factory.

Kaiser's first stroller ride in the mall!

It's time for bed, but Kaiser doesn't seem to know that!

My men and their margaritas at Azul. (Yes, Pops is drinking a margarita! I think I heard im say, "What happens in Pittsburgh stays in Pittsburgh." Hmm...)

Apparently loud Mexican music doesn't phase our tired little boy.

We had Pops take a family pic when we got home from dinner.

Love my daddy and my son!

I think he likes him!

One last pic before we head to the airport. Miss you already!

Bottle Breakthrough!

Today was a big day for Kaiser and Mommy! This afternoon we attempted our first bottle feeding. I got the go-ahead from Kathy, our nurse practitioner/lactation consultant at our appointment yesterday. She said that since it had been four weeks and he was a well-established nurser, we could go ahead and start giving him bottled breastmilk as needed. I was nervous that Kaiser wouldn't take it, though; we have tried without any success to get him to take a pacifier. He just spits it back out. Also, a friend of mine told me last night that I should have started giving him one bottle per week earlier, and now that he was so old he might turn his nose up at it.

Fortunately, my fears were quickly put to rest when the little man devoured his entire meal! Apparently if there's food coming from a nipple, he's good to go. I can't tell you how relieved/excited I am about this major milestone. I know that Brett is going to love being able to feed his son when he is home in the evenings. And, on a more selfish note, I don't have to worry about nursing in public! I can just prepare a bottle and go. (Our attempts thus far at nursing in mothers' rooms and bathroom lounges have been less than wonderful--a more accurate word would be traumatic!) We also don't have to worry about planning our outings so that we are in the perfect feeding place at the perfect time. And don't get me started about how great it will be to feed him a bottle when we fly home to Oklahoma in six weeks! Whew!

I still intend to primarily breastfeed Kaiser, it feels so awesome to have the option of that beautiful bottle! Here are a few shots of this momentous day for Mommy and Baby:

Diggin' in

Kaiser's arms were crossed over his chest while he ate. It was too cute!

"My tummy is so FULL!"

Someone's satisfied!

What's Up, Doc?

Today we went to the doctor's office for Kaiser's one month check-up. First things first: We stripped him down to his diaper and placed him on the scale. Any guess as to what our boy weighed in at? 9 pounds 11 ounces! He gained just over 2 pounds in 3 weeks! Kathy, our nurse practitioner, said that babies typically gain 1/2 ounce-1 ounce a day, and Kaiser has consistently been gaining 1 1/2 ounces a day for the past month. Apparently the kid can pack it on! He is also 21 1/4 inches long, which is a growth of 2 1/4 inches since birth. He jumped from the 25th to the 50th percentile in weight and height! Go Kaiser! So much for our teeny tiny baby boy. Mommy and Daddy are so glad that he is growing healthy and strong!

While Kathy watched Kaiser eat, I explained about his excessive spitting up/crying during feedings lately. She seems to think that he might have some heartburn, so she prescribed an antacid for him to take twice a day. It probably won't decrease the volume of his spit up (I need to work on our nursing positions, etc. for that), but should help any pain he's experiencing from the reflux. Kathy commented on how alert Kaiser was and how big and bright his eyes were. She said that he would probably start smiling within the next week or so, which makes me so excited! I can't wait for him to be able to interact with us more and really show us that he is happy! 

Unfortunately, our next trip to the doctor in 3 weeks means Kaiser's first shots. I asked Kathy if there was anything we (well, actually, I) could do to prepare physically, emotionally, or mentally. She just laughed and said we'd get through it. I know that will be a hard one for both of us!

Kaiser looking thoughtful before his doctor's appointment this morning.

In other news, today marks the beginning of Kaiser's sixth week of life! Here's his official pic:

Hello Mr. Belly!

I also got a shot of him with a gift we just received from one of my oldest and dearest friends, Laura. We grew up in Houston together. Laura sent him the cutest nap time set. This plush pillow and monogrammed blanket will get a lot of use by our sweet boy! Isn't it just adorable? 

Thanks Aunt Laura Bear! We love you!

The Big ONE...

...MONTH, that is! On Sunday, January 18, Kaiser turned 1 month old. Mommy had grand plans of taking him to church for the first time to show him off, but additional snow, uncleared roads, and a Daddy on call put those plans on hold pretty early Sunday morning. I wasn't brave (or stupid) enough to get out by myself in the mess.


Here are some pics I took of Kaiser in one of my favorite outfits of his. I bought it for him intending to dress him in it for his hospital photo, but it is just now fitting him well!


I wasn't sure what to do now that we're hitting week and month birthdays. I think I'll continue to take his week-by-week shots in his diaper on his glider, and take the month shots in a cute outfit on the couch. We'll see how well Mommy can keep up with the plan!

Our big boy!

Precious.

He's so chill.

Spit happens, so his top had to go!

"Not sure how comfortable I am with this anymore..."

And he's spent!

Some Minor Changes...

Well, I finally realized that the name of our blog was a little inappropriate, seeing as we're no longer "Preggo in Pittsburgh". Dang! So I've made the change to "Bralys in the Burgh". Not sure I like that name quite as well, but whatcha gonna do? If I come up with anything more catchy, I'll just change it again. 

Also, I thought while I was at it I'd give a new background a shot. Found this one and thought it was appropriate, seeing as lots of Kaiser's things are baby blue and orange. Again, this might change in the future, too. Why not spice things up a bit and keep it interesting? :)

The Massage Experiment

A couple of days ago, I read on a friend's blog that after each of her baby's baths she gives her a massage with lotion or oil before putting her pjs on. I remember reading about infant massage during my pregnancy, but until this point haven't tried it out with Kaiser. Thinking that it could be a wonderful, relaxing mommy-baby bonding activity, I decided to treat our little man to his first massage yesterday after his bath. I don't know that Kaiser would describe it as a "treat", however. He was not all about laying on his back and having lotion rubbed on his tummy, arms, and legs. I turned on the space heater and went really slowly, reassuring him the whole time that Mommy was taking good care of him, but I don't think he bought it. So, I turned him onto his belly, and we had a little more luck with that. He made his sweet little noises that I love so much while I rubbed lotion on his shoulders, back, and bum. Look how cute this kid is!


After a while, though, he'd had enough of this "massage" thing:

I had to grab the camera quickly for this shot. Kaiser tries really hard to suck his thumb when he's worked up, but has only been successful on a couple of different occasions. Unfortunately, this was not one of them.

Surprisingly, he was very calm while I put his diaper on! (The pee pee teepee serves as a nice censor, no?)

Here are a couple of pics I took of us once Kaiser was all clean and dressed:

I even caught the little toot smiling! Maybe he liked the massage more than he let on...