Holiday Excitement!

Scott and I realize we just had the last quiet holiday. Soon Brayden will be babbling and tearing through presents. This Christmas was great. When he was awake (all 10 minutes) he was the center of attention and got to ‘open’ presents and have millions of pictures taken. Then, once asleep, we could put him in his crib and enjoy opening our presents. I doubt next year Brayden will settle for joining us for 10 minute increments and then being cast off to a side room.


To document that our son does wake up from time to time we shot way too many pictures for his first Christmas.

Family Picture 

All set for Christmas!

                                                          

One day we will lie and tell him all these presents were his. In reality they are the family gifts.

Before opening presents everyone had to look at Brayden. He was actually awake!

Island Man and Great Grandma fought over who got to hold him. I guess Island Man won this battle!

Grandma told everyone to go eat and stole time with her grandchild.

This is why everyone stares at him, he's so dashing!

It was time to open gifts! Brayden was really excited about the one from his second cousin Rye!

He is learning to read thanks to two new books!

He thinks he's pretty tough after playing with a fierce lion from Aunt Lauren

After a wonderful day with family, Brayden needed some Dad time

He's at a point that we can dress him up and he can't do anything about it!

After a long day Santa was ready for a good nap!

Day of Firsts and Good News

Today we have great news and many firsts! Many people were praying for the doctors visits that we had today. We met with Brayden's pediatrician for his two week check up, went to have blood drawn, and then we met with his kidney doctor. We knew today was an important day. Scott and I are thrilled to share the great news that Brayden is doing much better than any doctor could have imagined. Thank you God! Without boring you here are the basics. Brayden had some blood work done to check his kidney functions. 12 days ago his creatnine level was 1.07, which isn't great considering 'normal' levels are 0.2-0.4 for newborns. Today the kidney doctor said he was aiming for 0.8 for Brayden. When the reports came back his levels are 0.48, almost normal for a newborn! We still have many appointments and surgeries, however Brayden is doing really well with the kidney that works! Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for healing and wisdom for the doctors!

Now for the firsts for today!

* We had four different appointments today. (A physical for Dad, three for Brayden.) All appointments went well.

* Brayden pooped on a doctor

* First bath!!! Brayden now has a human belly button!!!

 

* Ries had her first bath with Brayden

 

*The monkey towel was used!

* I got in my regular jeans, note I didn't say they fit!

No picture for this one!

* We got out the door before 11am, it was brutal (someone likes to sleep!)

* Brayden tipped the scale at 8 pounds! What a beefy baby!

Here are a few other pictures from the weekend!

A beautiful diaper cake and stylish outfit was sent from Jonathan

Aunt Lauren is now in town!

Thinking about all 15 days of life

Big Day

Since we don't have much in terms of decorating for Christmas, we decided that Brayden would enjoy learning how to decorate a Christmas tree. (This year we decorated our house in baby things, not holiday things.) Before heading off to Island Man and Grandma's house, Brayden had his first sponge bath. He really liked the big dog towel that he got to use!

After getting all fresh and clean we took off in search of a tree to decorate!

After sleeping through the tree decorating Island Man and Grandma couldn't seem to be prouder of their first grandson!

Brayden's First Coffee

After our doctor's visit today, we took Brayden to Syndey's for a coffee. He slept through the whole thing, guess he needed more caffeine!

First Weekend With Brayden

All three of us have made it to the weekend! Today was the first day that we only had one doctor appointment and thus far we have had two a day. We have learned a few things. First, Brayden is a very sweet baby that can be poked, pushed, and pricked without crying. He has been such a great trooper. Second, his functioning kidney is working at 25% capacity and he will have to have a surgery in a few months to undo the blockage in this left kidney. At this point we are going to the doctor to have his blood levels checked to monitor how the kidney is functioning - if things continue to improve he will not have to have a short-term procedure, which is to add a stint to open up the blocked area. All these doctor appointments have been helpful even though plentiful. We have been blessed with great doctors who we trust. Please pray for continued progress of his functioning kidney and wisdom for the doctors.

Now some pictures!

Brayden loves being with Island Man (Grandpa)

 

Great Grandma has visited and brought us meals! Thank you!!

 

Meg made our day by visiting us and brought us a gift that made birth worth it!

Many women love being with Brayden!

Alicia gave us the outfit he wore home from the hospital!

Kelsey was great with Brayden!

Kingston (to arrive January 11th) came with his mom Anna to visit us

When we got home beautiful flowers were sent from the Longs and the Ryans!

Brayden is one cute baby that we can't get enough pictures of!

Free babysitting while we go the the Goose Hollow Inn

Made it Home!

We were released from the hospital late this afternoon and after a few minor snags (a dead/frozen battery being one of them) we made it back home safe and sound! We're now getting settled in back here and quickly slipping into the sleeping, feeding, burping, pooping routine. After almost 33 years you'd think I'd be a little more well developed, but I guess I'm slipping back to a simple state... :-)

Things on the kidney front are good but not great. Dr Lashley has taken a look at all of the tests (ultrasound, radiology, blood work) and felt as if it was safe for us to leave but we need to go back on Friday for some additional monitoring. They have a good baseline for how things are working and will watch things closely for a while to see if they are getting better or worse.

Our condo building was having a holiday party in the lobby tonight so we took Brayden out to show him off - everybody seemed to like our newest resident.

Brayden all bundled up and ready for his first car ride!

Day One in the Books

What a fun 24 hours! We've spent tons of time with our little guy (who is as happy as can be thus far) both in the room and off at various appointments to check on his kidneys - I got to go with him for his ultrasounds and to radiology. The doctors have been pretty happy with what they are seeing thus far and while we're still waiting on a few more tests, it's looking like the three of us will be able to go home during the day on Wednesday.

Allie and I are looking forward to getting a better night sleep tonight and then heading off to face the real world tomorrow!

Happy Camper:



Happy Family:

Brayden has joined us

After a rather lengthy process (18+ hours) Brayden Scott Roth was safely delivered at 6:16 PM Pacific on Monday, December 7th. He was 7lb 7oz and 20 inches long. Allie did an amazing job during the whole process and overall we could not have been more happy with how things went! All of our out-of-town family was kept closely in the loop and we had three very anxious local visitors waiting to see their new Grandson and Great Grandson.

Allie and Brayden:



Scott and Brayden:



Grandma and Brayden:

The House is Officially Ready

In addition to moral support, my main job has been assembling various things so that the baby can take over our house! Well, I'm happy to announce that with a pack'n'play, a bouncy chair, a swing, and the baby's room full of stuff we're now 100% ready to go! We've even got the monitor in place, the jogging stroller modified with an infant car seat adapter, and a new Nikon camera and Flip video for hours of fun...

Here are some of the early shots from the new camera:

The baby's corner of our living room:





And the baby's room:

No Baby Yet

We are ready to meet this little one! His is low and ready to go!

We did host a party still to celebrate fall.

I thought this might be my last photo pregnant, I was worng. :(

For Thanksgiving we headed to my (Allie) parent's house. We were going to Eagle Crest for Thanksgiving, however the Dr said we need to remain in town for this little man.

Here is a current family picture.

Okay, maybe one without the cat!