One Week Home!

Ok, Yes! I have meant to post earlier than now, but I think it's fitting that my first post home is on our week anniversary of being home together as a family! So, what can I say? We are parents!! We have a 13 month old son, our house looks like a bomb went off in it, I am tired in a way that I didn't think was even possible, our lives have 100% completely changed and I could not be happier!!!! Randy just got Brayden down for the night, and now it's "our" time to just hang out, check email, watch a television show, and when I go to bed at night, I can't wait to wake up and see him again! I am just so, so, in love with him!

So, everyone's wondering, How's he doing? Honestly, he's doing unbelievably fantastic! He has adjusted so quickly and is just the happiest little boy most of the time! Yes he gets whiny and cries here and there, especially when he's tired and wants mommy to hold him and rock him, but I also know how lucky we are that he has attached to us so well! (especially to mommy!!!) He really does have such a great little personality on him and he's funny!! He's full of smiles, giggles and he has the best, best belly laugh ever! (especially when your playing and you give him raspberries or tickle his tummy!) Before bedtime he just LOVES to cuddle with mom and just the other day, began giving me "kisses". Every day he tends to get more comfortable here and more independent and we've already seen such huge strides in him!The first few days, I literally had to carry him around with me, and couldn't leave his sight without him screaming! Now, he will play with his toys and if I leave the room,  he just thinks it's a game and will crawl or wall/walk towards me to find me, giggling and babbling away. Yes, there are still times when he only wants mama and will cry even when he's with daddy till I take him, but I'm just so glad that he's bonding!!! He's all boy though, let me tell you! He LOVES to climb, and he loves to MOVE!! Just started dancing for us the other night too! It's hysterical and I have to get it on video soon!!!

So other positives, he sleeps through the night without problem. He averages anywhere between 11-12 hours STRAIGHT a night! He has since we've gotten him! Last night he went down about 8:15 pm and woke up at 8:30 am!!! I couldn't believe when I woke up at 7:40 am and he was still sound asleep snoring away in his crib! Ha! He really hasn't taken morning naps much (yesterday he slept about an hour since we were in the car doing errands!) but NEEDS an afternoon nap. He's a late napper though, usually somewhere between 3 - 4 pm and sleeps anywhere from 1-2 hours. We haven't had any problems with him eating either. He eats everything and LOVES to eat!! Especially mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and applesauce!! :) We are still mostly doing baby food but in the last few days he has fed himself some finger foods! (pieces of cheese, banana, Gerber puffs & Gerber little crunchies!!(Oh my god he LOVES these!)  He is also still taking formula as well, and luckily he absolutely loves it! He literally sucks it down!!! We are SO happy since he's still so tiny for his age and we really want him to get the nutrients and all the good stuff he was missing! Overall, feedings have been a breeze!!!

Okay now the few challenges. 1st) Brayden WILL NOT take a nap in his pack-n-play OR crib during daylight hours. He literally can be asleep in my or Randy's arms and the second you try to put him in, He stands right up and screams and screams and cries and shakes. It's really sad, because he actually seems scared and is truly distressed. However, at night, he goes right in his crib no problem and as I mentioned, sleeps without problem through the night! I can't help thinking that he's thinking of the baby home where he spent hours upon end in a crib during the day. I truly think he may still be afraid that we're going to leave him in there. So, we usually let him nap on the couch in the living room or on one of us as we lie on the couch! He falls asleep in his car seat and his stroller when we are out walking no problem either! Not sure how/when he'll get over that, but it's a battle I'm not willing to have with him just yet. I sort of get it! The only other challenge, which many have had as well, is bath time. It's SO, SO much better than it was in the beginning but he still cries for most of it. He doesn't shake anymore or try to kick his way out, and he's definitely intrigued by the bubbles and his bath toys, but he does STAND with one arm around me and cries as we wash/clean him. Although he always stops the crying for a few seconds when I rinse his head with water. He loves it you can tell, but then he starts crying again.  I do have faith that with patience and some creativity, bath time will get to be fun for him!!!

Wow! This post is getting super long so I need to wrap it up!! :) So in conclusion, everything has been going really well and we couldn't be more happy!! It's so strange he's been home 7 days and it already feels like all we went through to get him was a million years ago. None of it seems that bad now. Not the ministry, or court, or the WAITING, or the 12 hours of flying with a baby!! Ha!! Aww.. it was so worth it! I just stare at this beautiful, adorable, amazing boy and can't believe how LUCKY we are that he is ours!!! Another update to come soon!!