Deck The Halls

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Saturday, October 2, 2010

One of my good friends, Sara, shared this song with me today. Her little James Michael is one week and a day older then our James Bradford. She texted me earlier today and said that Cory and I needed to listen to this song and that we would cry. Her timing was perfect - as I was driving down the interstate trying to get James Bradford to take a nap. (side not - driving on the interstate almost 2 hours is a great nap aid!) So I went home and listened to the song. And it was so sweet - and I just kept thinking he's not going to be this little long! Little James Bradford is going to grow up fast on me. He has already changed so much!

Anyways, the song is: Anything Like Me, by Brad Paisley

These are the lyrics:

I remember sayin' I don't care either way
Just as long as he or she is healthy I'm ok
Then the doctor pointed to the corner of the screen
And said "Ya see that thing right there well ya know what that means"

And I started wondering who he was going to be
And I thought heaven help us if hes anything like me
He'll probably climb a tree to tall and ride hes bike to fast
End up every summer wearin something in a cast
Hes gonna throw a ball and break some glass in a window down the street
Hes gonna get in trouble oh hes gonna get in fights
Im gonna lose my temper and some sleep
It safe to say that im gonna get my pay back if hes anything like me

I can see him right now knees all skinned up
With a magnifying glass tryin to melt the Tonka truck
Wont he be a sight with his football helmet on
That'll be his first love til his first love comes along
He'll get his heart broke by the time hes in his teens
And heaven help him if hes anything like me

He'll probably stay out to late and drive his car to fast
Get a speeding ticket he'll pay for mowing grass
Hes gonna get caught skippin class and be ground for a week
Hes gonna get in trouble we're gonna get in fights
Im gonna lose my temper and some sleep
Its safe to say that im gonna get my pay back if hes anything like me

Hes gonna love me and hate me along the way
Years are gonna fly by I already dread the day
Hes gonna hug hes momma hes gonna shake my hand
Hes gonna act like he cant wait to leave
But as he drives out he'll cry hes eyes out
If hes anything like me,
There's worse folks to be like,
Aw he'll be alright if hes anything like me

I love it! Thank you for sharing the song with us Sara!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Uncle David turns 28!

Last night James Bradford attended his first Birthday party! David aka Uncle David turns 28 today. So we celebrated with a family birthday party. Unfortunately Davis & Isaac were a little under the weather so the party didn't start until after they were quarantined for room time before bed time.

James Bradford got all dressed up for the occasion, but the whole evening he was doing this:

So we didn't get pictures of him all dressed up. But we all had a great, fun evening.

Happy Birthday David! We Love You!!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Super Grandma!

Over the past couple weeks I have been extremely thankful for all the love and support that has been poured out on since the arrival of James Bradford.

All the emails, cards, meals and help has been greatly appreciated. THANK YOU, THANK YOU! ( I apologize for slow response to emails and being behind on Thank you notes)

We are loving being a family of 3 and we are so blessed to have James Bradford. Parenthood is hard though! So all the support and love has helped me so much. And I can't say Thank You enough!

A huge shout out and thank you to my mom aka Super Grandma! Ever since we got home, my mom has been a huge help and on call 24/7. She runs over as soon as she gets my phone call - whether it be 9:30pm or 4am (or whatever time I call). I sure am glad that she and my dad live so close (how close?! - in our same neighborhood, not even a 1/2 mile away!) She stays and takes care of James Bradford, so Cory and I can sleep and just wakes me up for feeding times. She cleans, does laundry, runs errands, provides doggy day care and has taken incredible care of us. She has been so patient and loving even when I am overtired and and frustrated.

Thank you Mom for all your help, your unconditional love and support for us & James Bradford. We love you Grandma!!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Week of Firsts

(From James Bradford's perspective)

Wow! Tuesday, I turned 1 week old!! Over the past week I have already done so much! I can't believe how fast a week goes by. A week in mommy's tummy always seemed to last so long. Not much to do in mommy's tummy though - other then to kick and sleep - so time went by slowly, but now there is so much to do!!

First of all, over the past week I have met so many people that love me so much. Everyone wants to hold me! I love all my family and new friends. Thanks for all the love you have shared with me, mommy and daddy. I love all the hugs, kisses, and the yummy food you have given me. I am so spoiled! Have you ever seen one of these?!

I always over heard Mommy & Daddy talking about my big sister Sabrina. But I didn't know she would have 4 legs, be hairy, and like to lick a lot. This is me meeting her for the first time. I love her, and she loves me!

My Mommy and Daddy really want me to like the water. I had my first at my house. Grandma assisted mommy. I wasn't to sure if I liked it so much, but I loved the cuddle time in my towel after. I think I will learn to like the water more especially when I can splish splash in the bath with my bath toys. And I can't wait to swim in the lake I have heard so much about!!

I watched my first Bama Football game with my daddy. Oh it was so fun! And I even wore one of my special game day outfits. (Thanks Mrs. Brooke, Mr. John and Will!) I sat in my swing and just enjoyed watching the game with my daddy. I can't wait to watch lots more!! Daddy is still trying to teach me the fight song - might be awhile though. Although that was a good game to learn the song - I wonder how many times they sang it?! - I can't count that high yet!

Can you believe it?! - I have already had my first baby sitter! One of mommy's friends got married on Saturday night. She, Daddy, Grandma and Gramps all went to the wedding. So my sweet and loving new friend Mrs. Cooper came to stay with me while they were gone for a couple of hours. I had so much fun cuddling with her and being loved on. And I got to swing in my swing. She was so much fun. And I felt so safe.

Here is a picture of Mrs. C and I. Thanks so much Mrs. C for taking such good care of me!

Here are a couple of pictures from Miss Lisa & Mr. Chris's wedding. Mommy and Daddy had a great time.

Tuesday I turned one week old. Grandma's sweet friend, Mrs. Davis brought us dinner. It was so yummy. And it was so fun, because it was like a party! Mommy's family was there - Grandma, Gramps, Aunt Ellen, Aunt Laura, Uncle David, and my cousins Davis and Isaac. (We missed you Uncle Dan!) I even sat in my high chair for the first time at the table with everyone. What a fun night! I can't wait till I am a big boy and can run around with my cousins - they have such fun toys and they are so cool - they came over in their pajamas! I shared my books with them though.

Yesterday I went to the pediatrician. I was excited about going out for an outing. Mommy and Daddy were excited to see how much I weighed. I don't know what the big deal is with weight - but they seemed happy. Today I weighed 6lbs 9.5 ounces. That's .5 ounces more then I weighed at birth. And when I left the hospital I weighed 6lbs 4 ounces. I think all that means is that I am eating well. That was an ok part of my check up, but I didn't realize they were going to hurt me and make me and my mommy sad. They pricked my foot and took blood - ouch! Mommy had never heard me cry like that. Mommy and Daddy had lots of questions for Dr. Wilson. She was so nice and gentle. And oops - when Dr. Wilson was checking me out, I accidentally teeteed on her. I'm sorry!! - She said she was used to it. Mommy said I was good boy so I was rewarded - no, I didn't get a cookie, but I got extra special love from my mommy and daddy.

Did you know Mommy loves to take pictures?! I had my first photo shoot with her. She is so silly she put me in a basket.

Well I've got to take a nap. Its been a long day. Goodbye for now! Love, James Bradford

Monday, September 20, 2010

James Bradford's Birth Story

Monday September 13, 2010

I walked into work and everyone was so surprised to see me. Everyone thought for sure that James Bradford was going to make his arrival that weekend. But sure enough - 8:30am Monday morning rolled around and I was back into the daily grind at work.

Quitting time rolled around and I was headed home. Cory and I had no plans that evening - we ate dinner at home, and I ran out to run some errands. I was in need of blue ribbon for our mailbox bow - the last minute thought of thing I needed before James Bradford's arrival. So Sabrina and I took a car ride out to Joann Fabrics. No sign of baby (yet!), but needed to make sure that bow was complete and ready for the mailbox.

I headed to bed around 9:30pm. At about 10:30pm - I woke up needing to go to the bathroom. After using the bathroom there was a gush. I immediately yelled down to Cory and had him come upstairs and told him I think my water broke. I had him look at it - he was like "I don't know!" So I immediately went downstairs and googled it. There is so much information on the internet! After everything I read, I still wasn't 100% sure, it was broken. I wasn't having any pain at all. Just in case, I finished packing the last minute things we needed and cleaned up the house. I started having cramps aka contractions. They weren't painful though. Cory and I began timing them and they were consistently between 3 and 4 minutes. So I called the Dr. on call. She said to head to the hospital. We took our time, I took a shower while Cory packed the car. We jumped in the car, called my mom and headed to the hospital

Tuesday September 14, 2010

We arrived at the hospital around 1am. After being admitted, they examined me. They were unable to tell if my water had broken, and I was still only 60% effaced and 2 cm dilated (same as it was at my last appointment) I felt so dumb - false labor! I thought for sure they were sending us home. The nursing staff decided to keep me until the Dr. arrived between 6:30 and 7am. She told us to get some rest and we would just see what happened in the morning.

As the night progressed my contractions got stronger, closer and painful. I got some pain medication. They checked me again at 3am - no change. UGH!, I couldn't believe it!

At 5am they checked me again. 5 cm dilated and in excruciating pain. They went ahead and called in the Dr. on call. (Did you know you can't have an epidural, until the Dr. is at the hospital?! - I learned this) I felt like I turned into a totally different person waiting on that Dr. to arrive!!

Finally the Dr. arrived (not sure, and didn't care what time it was!) I finally got the epidural at 8.5cm dilated!! Wow - relief! To all you that gave birth without an epidural (Ellen did it twice!), I admire you! They finally confirmed that my water had broken earlier in the night. (Good! - Now I didn't feel so dumb!)

I was so happy to see my Dr. walk in. I wanted her so badly to deliver my baby. I have known her for years and she goes to church with us.

Around 7:15 we were told it was about time to start pushing and that James Bradford would be here soon. James Bradford was not a fan of the contractions, and his heart rate would drop each time I pushed. They decided they needed to use a vacuum suction. My heart was racing hearing that. A million things racing through my mind - I just kept praying for God to keep him safe and let the rest of the delivery go smoothly.

James Bradford's first picture with our sweet Doctor, Dr. Cecilia Stradtman.

8:20 am - A perfect baby boy was born. - 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long. They immediately handed him to me, and let me have 30 minutes of kangaroo / skin to skin time with him before they cleaned him up and checked him all out.