Hayden is FOUR months old!

Wow! Time really flies by!! Hayden is already four months old! (well, 4 1/2 now... sorry for the late blogging!) Hayden has been one busy little boy lately! The day before he turned four months old he went to the doctor for his 4 month check up and shots. At his 4 month check up he weighed 17.4lbs and was 25 inches long! Then we went on our first vacation with Hayden to Amelia Island, Florida! Month four has been a sweet one... we have noticed so many things with Hayden! Here is what all he has been up to....

lots of tummy time

giggles like crazy

still sleeping through the night

started real food (avocado is his favorite so far)

follows Izzy's every move

hates bath time (unless he can suck on the washcloth)

knows mommy and daddy's voices and faces

flirts then becomes shy

talks up a storm

loves watching TV with daddy in the morning

jumps in his jumperoo

I love my sweet baby boy so much. He is growing so fast! Month 5 will be here before we know it!

Kisses from Izzy

He decided he'd rather eat the paper

Four months!







Hayden is three months old!!

My sweet little angel was born THREE MONTHS ago!!! I cannot believe how fast time flies!! He is getting so big! Here are a few of the things Hayden has been doing or started doing over the past month::

Found his hands/fingers

Talks and coos when played with (mainly says 'Oh, oh, ohhhh')

Blowing raspberries

Eating around 30-40 ounces a day

Fights sleep sooooo bad!!

Sleeping through the night (sometimes 12 hours!)

Great neck support

Loves going for a walk around the neighborhood

Smiles at himself in the mirror

Has rolled over a few times

Likes to shake his rattle

Loves being sung to ('Hello, Hayden',

'The Wheels on the Bus', 'This Little Piggy',

and 'Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee')

Observes Izzy and smiles when he sees her

Is more aware of his surroundings

Loves to be tickled and kissed

Every time I see my sweet boy I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I have NEVER loved something SO much! Hayden Blair is everything to me and I would do anything for him. It is so hard to believe that he is already three months old. Because he is eating soooo much and has already been eating a few tablespoons of rice in his night time bottle, I am planning on trying to spoon feed him rice and introduce his first sippy cup to him this month! So stay tuned for a blog with how all that is going.. and of course pictures!! ; )

Here are a few of his three month old pictures::



A little blurry... but, a big smile for mommy!!

Three months old

 

The next Gerber baby!!



And the teething begins!!

 

He found his hands and it was over!!



Two months!!

It is so hard to believe that Hayden is already two months old!!! Everyone told me it would go by fast, but good grief.... it has flown by! Haydens second month of his little life has been so sweet! Currently we are working on our schedule and routine. So far things have been going very well and Hayden has been sleeping in his crib for about 7 hours, eats, then sleeps in his crib for another 2 to 3 hours. Here are a few of the things he enjoys and has been doing:

smiling at mommy and daddy

sucking on his fingers

holding his head up longer

following toys

watching the ceiling fan

enjoys being read to

eating a lot more than the first month

enjoys going on a walk

going to daycare at the ymca

playing in his playmat

listening to music and people talking to him

loves tummy time with mommy

***

Hadyen also loves when mommy sings the following:

somewhere over the rainbow - wizard of oz

blackbird - the beatles

american honey - lady antebellum

the bathtime blues - an original by mommy

Hayden has also rolled over for the first time and even tried to giggle a little bit when I was playing with him! Being a parent has been full of so much excitement and so many surprises. Hayden is such a sweet little angel and is such a joy in our lives. We truly do not know what we did before Hayden arrived!  We are looking forward to what month three brings!!



Two months old



A few of my faves...

I know I have only been a mom for a little over 6 weeks now, but here are a few of my favorite things so far:

#1 - The miracle blanket

I was one of those mom's who said "my son HATES being swaddled!" There was no way I was going to try the miracle blanket! Then my good friend, Cori, convinced me into just trying it.... well I am SO glad I did, because it truly is a miracle blanket!!! This blanket is very intimidating, but it works! Hayden would not sleep in his crib, or flat on his back for that matter, until we started using the miracle blanket! We have only used it for one week so I don't want to jinx anything, but he now sleeps about 6 hours, feeds, then sleeps another 3-4 hours! It has been wonderful!! I am recommending this blanket to all of my pregger friends! Thanks Cori for the great advice! I don't know what we would do without the miracle blanket!!

#2 - The Wubbanub

This funny sounding thing is a pacifier with a little stuffed animal attached to the end of it. Hayden loves his binky... but if it's not a wubbanub it ends up on the floor or flying across the room. He has a giraffe and a yellow cat and loves them both! The wubbanub does not go flying across the room, it gives baby something to grasp, and its so stinkin cute! ; )

#3 - Dr. Browns bottles

These bottles are the BEST! You can see the biggest difference in air bubbles with these bottles! They are a little pricey, but you can find them at consignment sales for about $1 a piece! We won't be using any bottles but Dr. Browns!

#4 - Sleep Sheep On-The-Go

This is a small sound machine that looks like a little plush sheep. It can attach to the car seat, stroller, crib, etc. and is small enough to fit in the diaper bag! Hayden hates riding in the car, but will sleep the whole way home if his sleep sheep is on!

#5 - Pampers

These are the best diapers! They are more expensive, but they have a yellow line that turns green when the diaper is wet or dirty! We tried using diapers without the line and it was hard to tell if he was wet. The lines make changing diapers so easy!

Little bears newborn pictures

Here are just a few of Hayden's newborn pictures. All of these pictures were taken by Kristin Huff with Captured by KLea... she did a great job and we can't wait to get these hung up in our house! Enjoy!!

Hayden is one month old!

My sweet baby boy is one month old today! Even though it has only been one month.. it has flown by so fast! It seems like it was just yesterday when we were telling our families that we were expecting! Having Hayden in our lives has been the most exciting and rewarding thing to ever happen to either one of us. We have been loving every moment with him.

We have already been put to the test by dealing with his pyloric stenosis. Thank goodness the surgeons took great care of him and he is doing well now. He is already eating about 3 ounces per feeding and keeping it all down! We are SO relieved! We have also been enjoying all of the great 'classic' moments that come with having a baby like:

diaper blowouts

peeing everywhere

bath time

walks in the stroller

keeping him quiet by taking a car ride

all of the adorable coos

singing our favorite songs to him

holding his head up

trying to push off with his feet

snuggling

taking pictures of the same thing over and over

small poots... and big poots, too!



In just one month Hayden seems to have grown so much. Our world already revolves completely around him and we could not be happier. We cannot wait to see what month two has in store for us!

One month

Helloooooo VOMIT!!!

It all started on Thursday night March 3, 2011. After feeding Hayden his normal 2 oz bottle, I burped him then held him in my arms while he slept. Just a few minutes later, he projectile vomitted all over me, as well as, himself. At first I just thought maybe he hadn't burped enough, so when he burped it all just came up. Nope... later that night Paul fed him and the same thing happened. Only this time his vomit went several feet from the middle of our couch to the far end of the couch!

To make a long story short... ever since that night Hayden began vomitting after every feeding. Sometimes his vomit was projectile and sometimes it was just a small palmfull of vomit. But, 95% of the time we were holding up a towel to catch the puddle of vomit coming out of my poor baby. And to make things worse, he was very constipated and was only having one or two bowel movements every other day.

When we first called our pediatrician he thought he may just be vomitting because he was straining so hard to have bowel movement. We tried putting dark karo syrup in his bottle, but that didn't really do much. When the vomitting got worse and more frequent, we called the pedi again. We had to take Hayden to the doctor just to check his weight and make sure everything was ok. Dr. Hudson decided that he might have bad acid reflux, which was causing all the vomitting. He suggested keeping him propped up, putting a little bit of rice cereal in his formula, and putting him on an antacid.

After trying all of the doctors suggestions, things still didn't get any better.. they got worse.

We took Hayden over to my mom's house, just to visit, on Friday afternoon. When my mom offered to give him his bottle we were both a little hesitant, but thought it would be ok. Well we were wrong! He projectile vomitted at least 6 feet.... three times!!!! I definitely knew something was wrong.

On Saturday March 12, 2011 we took Hayden in to see Dr. Hudson. When they checked his weight we found out that Hayden had lost half a pound in five days. Dr. Hudson told us that it might be pyloric stenosis and sent us straight over to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to have an ultrasound. Well, the ultrasound turned out to be positive and our three week old baby boy had to have surgery the next morning.

We are currently still at the hospital. Surgery went well and we are having to wait at least six hours to feed Hayden. We are very anxious to get things back to normal! All of the doctors tell us that he will be a whole new baby!! Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and concerns! Hayden is doing well! Praise the LORD!!

Hayden has finally arrived!

Our sweet baby boy, Hayden, was born at 8:29am on Thursday, February 17th, 2011 at Baptist Hospital. He weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 19.5 inches long. We may be bias, but he is the most adorable and beautiful baby boy in the world and words cannot express how happy we are to be his parents.

Now.... here's how this all went down!

I had been trying everything to get Hayden to arrive! Walking, bouncing on a yoga ball, eating spicy foods, and a few other things. ; ) I even had Dr. Storck strip my membranes to try and get my little man out! Then on Wednesday, February 16th Paul and I went walking in our neighborhood at night. I was having a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but it was nothing that I hadn't felt already. After our walk, we watched TV and ate dinner.... during all this I bounced on my yoga ball the whole time - nothing. Then we went on another walk and I began having a few more Braxton Hicks contractions, but as soon as we got back home and I sat down on the couch - still nothing! Paul and I both assumed that nothing was going to happen that night... so we went to bed.

At exactly midnight, I woke up with a horrible menstrual cramp that lasted about 30 seconds. I didn't really think anything of it (except for that it hurt worse than normal) because I had been having cramps for a few months. Fifteen minutes later I had the same horrible cramp and felt like I needed to go to the bathroom. When I went to the bathroom I continued having these cramps and they kept getting worse. They were getting extremely painful and seemed like they were getting closer together. I finally decided that I might be having REAL contractions and needed to wake Paul up. After I yelled, no screamed, his name about 8 times I finally woke up Paul at about 12:30. I told him I thought I was having contractions and we needed to go to the hospital. By this time, my contractions were about 6-7 minutes apart and I felt like I was dying! The first thing Paul said was 'OK.. I'm getting in the shower!' I wanted to KILL him.. but, he got a quick shower and shaved before I could even get off the toilet! *warning - this is nasty.. haha* When I did get off the toilet I discovered that I had had my 'bloody show' and knew this was the real deal. I yelled at Paul telling him we had to leave right now! He responded with 'What?? I can't hear you!' Then I used some foul language and repeated myself again. It was go time!

My contractions were now about 5 minutes apart and we decided to call my mom and have her meet us at the hospital. On the way to Baptist, Paul was driving about 110 mph and I was calling my doctor to tell her I was in labor and on my way to the hospital. Contractions were about 4 minutes apart on the ride to the hospital. When we arrived at Baptist, they were 2 minutes apart!! Checking in seemed to take forever! And, triage seemed to take even longer!! When I was wheeled to my labor and delivery room I was in the worse pain I had ever been in in my life. My contractions were so strong and I was having back labor that lasted about 10-15 seconds right after each contraction. I was dilated to 4 at this point. I was squeezing Paul's fingers so hard I thought I might break them because of how much pain I was in!

When they came in with the epidural I was SO relieved! I was dilated to 6cm at this point. I always thought the epidural would be awful... but, it was not bad at all! And as soon as I got it, I felt a small amount of pain from one contraction, then I didn't feel anything! After I got the epidural I felt great! I began talking non-stop! Everyone was telling me to shut up and get some sleep, but I couldn't! Dr. Storck had to come in and break my water at 8cm, then around 8:00am the nurse told me it was almost time for me to start pushing. I began pushing around 8:10- 8:15 and started feeling some stinging. The nurse sat me up and gave me a small dose of my epidural then Dr. Storck walked in and I knew it was time! I will never forget giving birth to my son. It was the best and most memorable time of my life. I was actually kind of sad when it was all over because I felt like it went by so fast! When we first saw our son and heard his cry we began crying and couldn't take our eyes off him. Paul and I were so happy to have Hayden here in our arms!

Every moment since Hayden's arrival has been a blessing from God. I cannot wait to see what our future has in store with our little man. We are so happy to be Hayden's parents and will love him to the moon and back!

 

Hayden Blair Bryant
2-17-11



38 weeks and counting!!!

Just a little update on Baby Hay Hay...

I am about 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant. We went to the doctor yesterday morning to find out how our little man is doing. I am still dilated at two cm and everything else looks the same. Dr. Storck (yes, that really is our doctors name, haha) says that his heartbeat sounds great and everything looks the way it should. The big day could be any time now!



Watermelon or baby???


We only have 11 more days left. HALLELUJAH! We are getting very anxious and excited to meet our sweet baby boy! The walking continues!!!

Lately...

Well, I am still preggo! Officially full term!! 37 weeks and 2 days to be exact! : ) We are anxiously awaiting baby Haydens arrival. Lately I have been walking, walking, and walking! And apparently it is working because I am now dilated to two cm! Other than walking, Paul says that if I'm not sleeping, I am either eating or peeing! He is definitely right about that... I have enjoyed the long naps and delicious food. I mean, I only have about 2 1/2 weeks left to enjoy the silence and outrageous calories, right?!?

Mango and coconut at Pinkberry. DELISH!

Mom and I went to my favorite fried chicken place - McDougals! YUMO!

My first time at Five Guys Burgers and Fries... verrrrry good!

Even though the long naps and food have been enjoyable, I am very ready for Hayden to make his debut. I have loved being preggo, but I can't do anything without having to pee and my poor little feet and hands have been swelling some. But, no complaints - because it's all for my little man! 



Can you tell what side he likes to be on?!?

 

Poor little piggies! : (


I would also like to give a huge THANK YOU to all of our wonderful friends and family that have been with us this entire pregnancy and helped us celebrate it! You all are wonderful!!

Baby Update

We are approaching week #36...Hayden will be making his debut in about 4 1/2 weeks! That is, if I make it that long! We had a doctors appointment this morning and got to hear his sweet little heartbeat and found out that he is finally head down! We also found out that I am already dialated 1cm!! We can't believe that it is almost time for him to be here. I feel like these next few weeks are going to fly by. We have the nursery all ready and our bags are packed... so all we have to do is play the waiting game!

 Autograph to Hayden from Coach John Calipari



Who's counting calories?!?!

Being pregnant calls for eating great food... and LOTS of it! Paul and I are both huge food lovers... but, normally we are pretty healthy eaters and really look at labels, etc. Paul even has a nickname of "food nazi".

I always said that when I got pregnant I would continue working out and eating the way I was.... HA, well that didn't happen! I have continued working out.... just not as much (or as intense) as I was pre-pregnancy. Before I got pregnant I was working out everyday.. sometimes twice a day! I was doing lots of cardio, weight's, yoga, zumba, and kickboxing. Since I have been pregnant, I have cut back big time on the amount of working out I was doing simply because of exhaustion and not being able to do certain activities. However, I am still getting some physical excercise like walking, zumba, prenatal yoga, light weight lifting, and swimming. I cannot wait to get back in the gym after Hayden gets here!!

As far as eating goes.. (except for my first trimester) I have continued eating pretty healthy.. just enjoying foods I wouldn't normally eat and eating a much bigger portion than I normally would! I have only had a few aversions; I cannot stand garlic!!! I don't want to see it, smell it, touch it, and definitely don't want to taste it! I have also had aversions to raw carrots and hummus. I haven't had any strange cravings though. Some of the things I have craved since I became pregnant are bisquits & gravy, green apples, vanilla milkshakes, and green peas!

During my pregnancy Paul and I have enjoyed being able to eat some things that we wouldn't normally eat! My Nana made some homemade sourdough bread (two loaves) for me. It is my absolute favorite bread and is already almost gone!!! Then, this morning Paul and I went to our favorite doughnut place Thank God Donut. Ooooooh it was Heaven!! I have really enjoyed being able to eat "whatever I want to", but I really can't wait to start working out again! So, YMCA better watch out, because I'm coming!! ; )

 Nana's Homemade Sourdough Bread

 Thank God Donut... mmmmm...

Bear Claw from Thank God Donut

Baby Hayden's Nursery!!

FINALLY.. the moment you've all been waiting for--- Hayden's nursery is finished!! We are SO in love with his nursery! The beautiful bedding and curtains were all handmade by his Mimi (Cindy) and his gorgeous quilt was handmade by his Uncle Mim (Will)! There are a few more simple touches we want to put in the nursery, like picture frames and his shadow box.. but, it is pretty much finished for the most part! We put so much love into decorating his nursery and cannot wait to see him in it!!!

 His shadow box will be going on the wall next to the glider.

It will be filled with multiple UK items.

 I am going to make picture frames for his hand and foot print

that will go on the shelves.

LOVE this wreath that Amy made me for my shower!

All of Hayden's shoes! Do you see his little Jordan's?!?

My awesome baby bag!! Packed and ready to go!

 Beautiful quilt Will made Hayden!