Our Newest Arrival

I love this picture cuz his bum looks so huge :)

Brayden Paul Harding joined our family on December 22nd at 2:35 AM. He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. Perfect little angel. I went into the hospital, thinking my contractions were nothing since I had been having them for awhile, weeks in fact with no change. I was out shopping with Heidi when she finally convinced me that we needed to go and just see if they were doing anything. When we got there, the nurse checked me and said I was at abouta 3. What?! I was a 4 at my last appointment the week before. I know it changes with every person but really? A 3? I was a little upset seeing as how I had been having the contractions for a few hours and they hurt like crazy. Well, my blood pressure was high enough this time to make me stay. They admitted me and about 45 minutes after the first time I was checked, the new nurse checked me and said I was a 5. Yes! They were doing something. She asked if I wanted my epidural and I said yes! I was done feeling these contractions and ready to have this baby!

Anyway, the anesthesiologist came and had to do the epidural twice because apparently he missed the first time. That hurt like crazy too but once it started working, I didn't mind. Brian showed up about 20 minutes after I had the epidural so he got to see a happy me. Well, about 2 hours later, the nurse checked me again and I was at a 7. When she checked me, it caused my water to break. About 2 minutes later, I started having contractions that I could feel and it wasn't fun at all. So I called the nurse back in and pushed the booster button to get some more medicine. Well, it didn't help so she called the anesthesiologist back in and he gave me about 4 booster shots before they started to work. By that point, I was completely numb but not feeling any pain so I was happy again. So at about 2 AM, the nurse checked me and I was fully dilated and ready to push. Only problem was, I couldn't feel anything so when I pushed, I couldn't tell if I was pushing right or not. They turned off my epidural and I was able to feel a little more and at 2:35 AM, Brayden was born.

He came out with the cord wrapped around his body twice. He didn't cry, just looked around and grunted a little here and there. His oxygen levels were a little low and he was struggling to get air so they put him on oxygen for about 10 minutes and everything was great after that. He honestly didn't cry for about 12 hours. It was insane, seeing as how Ethan came out screaming and didn't stop for 5 months. We only had to stay a little over 24 hours because I begged to go home before Christmas. It was so easy and great this time around. Ethan's birth wasn't so hard but the recovery was a lot more difficult with him. I was up and going the day we got home. I felt and still do feel great and am just loving my little boys to death!

Brayden is growing like a weed. We took him in for his 2 week appointment yesterday and he weighs 8 lbs 4 oz and was 21 1/2 inches-60% for his weight and 95% for his height. He also got circumcised, which is so super sad. But he's doing really well today and still the happiest baby in the world.

Ethan is doing really well with Brayden. The first week he ignored him and when he'd hear him cry or grunt, he'd call him Maddi, Heidi's little girl. But the last few days, he's been really cute with him. Actually calling him Brayden and when he's sad, he'll go rub his head and say "Its ok Brayden. You're ok." It's the sweetest thing. I love seeing them together. I just love my boys!!

Christmas was pretty uneventful. We stayed home mostly. Brayden had to get his bilirubin checked that morning and Ethan got an x-ray done for swallowing a penny but other than that, it was a pretty chill Christmas. We had dinner at my mom's then came home and watched Prison Break.

I know, Ethan looks silly but he wouldn't smile for me. But he really does love his brother.

Look at those cheeks and double chin. Love this face!

Seriously the happiest baby in the world. He smiles all the time.

One of his first baths. He's not a fan still but hopefully will be when we can give him a real bath.