Our Adventures Together : May 2013

8 Weeks ago my life completely changed.......

The change was drastic, scary, overwhelming, life altering and surreal and I have been amazed by this change every day since. 8 weeks ago I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy, Brady Charles Hiroshi Wolsey.

First shot of the new Mr Wolsey

Brady was born right on time on his official due date, March 24 2013. Such a smart and efficient little man (like his momma). Labour was hard and painful but so worth it. When I first saw him I was a) in shock he was a boy b) happy labour was finally over (it took a total of 17 hours and I didn't get an epidural... so I felt every last long, excruciatingly painful contraction.... and you don't get anything in the end for going without it) and c) overwhelmed by how beautiful and perfect this little man that I was growing in my belly for the last 9 months was. He was amazing, words can't describe that day and moment and I will never be able to forget it. His dad was amazing as well. Not gonna lie I had gone into this day thinking Brian wouldn't be able to handle the whole situation (I didn't know if I could honestly) but he stuck by my side, helped me focus and watched the entire thing. Seeing him hold our little man and give him kisses for the first time is a feeling like no other. My two men bonding for the first time, priceless. Brady was little (thankfully!) He weighed 6'15 lbs and was 20.75 inches long. Much smaller then the 10 pound baby I had night terrors over delivering. He looked just like Brian, to a tee. If I hadn't delivered him myself I don't know if I would have believed anyone if they said he was mine, but he was and I loved (still do, I promise) every little bit of him.

Twins!

Brady and Daddy. Love at first sight.

First time holding my little man in my arms. I will never forget this moment.

Grandma and Brady.

The first few days were rough, Brady was born with his little cord wrapped around his neck and for a combination of reasons he spent his first 4 days in the NICU. It was scary, sad and gut wrenching to see him in there attached to heart monitor, oxygen monitor and with an IV but after it was all over I was so thankful to the amazing nurses who helped us out and took care of him for those first few days. After he figured out how to nurse and was eating enough food, keeping his body temperature up and his heart rate was stabilised we got to take him home on March 28. That was the best (scariest) day of my life. It felt like he had been in the NICU for so long at that point with so many rules and others handling him that I felt like we were stealing him and would be pulled over at any moment for child abduction on the way home. But we weren't (or they haven't caught us yet, either way).

Brady in his islet on day one in the NICU. It was so sad, we couldn't hold him that night at all.

Snuggles with auntie Kendra!

Hanging out on Mommy's lap after eating.

My bed after being taken out of the islet.

Passed out in my Mommy's arms.

One happy momma on the day Brady was released. We were waiting for daddy to come get us.

First time in my car seat ready to go home!!!

Those first few days seemed like an eternity where as the last 8 weeks have flown by. It took a few weeks and a lot of helpers for us to get settled and figure things out. Brady has now mastered the art of nursing, pooping and sleeping (when he isn't fighting it). And I'm slowly figuring out what he needs and wants from minute to minute. Half of my days are spent just watching him and soaking in his gloriousness (seriously, this kid thinks I'm nuts!) but I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't know how its possible but he gets cuter every day and I fall more and more in love with this little man in my life. Brady was 2 months old last Friday and is now smiling and starting conversations with anyone or anything that will listen. He is holding his head up like a champ and even rolled onto his side yesterday (lord help me.... I'm not excited for the roll onto the tummy). He loves bath time and his mommy (not gonna lie, I love that he does) and is even warming up more to daddy. We have gone through 2 growth spurts that almost had me committed to the psych ward because I had no idea at the time why he was crying or how to help him... we figured it out though... hes still alive! Brady weighed in last Friday at 11`2 lbs and was 22.75 inches long. He amazes me ever day by mastering new skills and enchanting me with his beautiful smile and personalty. I`m so happy hes the little peanut I was growing and nurturing all of those months and that I get to be his mom!