Bradyen's Actual Age

Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Bradleigh Nicolynn Dowdney

Lilypie First Birthday tickers">

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Adventures in Baby Food

For the past month we have been giving Brayden rice cereal in the evenings, getting him use to the texture and spoon. The last week or so he has been eating everything in the bowl, and a few times I had to make a little extra. So this week we desiganted to start introducing solids. I knew that I wanted to make my own organic, baby food so yesterday I went and bought sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and bannans. This morning I baked my Sweet Potatoes, pureed, and then froze a portion. Brayden loved his Sweet potatoes for lunch so I was super excited. I'll keep him on just the sweet potatoes for another 4 days and then we'll go to bannans. Our little boy is getting so big! We are so proud of him.

Friday, May 14, 2010

1st Blow Out

No, I didn't say Blow Up...BLOW OUT! As in...blowing out from the bottom region! We have heard from many of our dear friends their funny "Blow Out" stories. In fact, some of our good friends from OKC, Jim & Amy, and a pretty good blow out with their cute little sone, Garret, on their way back home from a weekend visit with us. As of this morning, we didn't have any fun "Blow Out" stories to share. In fact, for most of the time since Brayden has been here, we have just been praying for normal, regular POOPS! That was until this morning.

Today I have been running like crazy trying to get ready for my very last WyldLife Club of the semester. When David came home for lunch, I was passing Brayden off to run out the door and try to pick up a few things while David was here to watch little man. When I picked him up...I smelled it! THen I saw it...out the sides and up his back. Yep, we needed a water hose! Then when I took him upstairs to change him it got all over his clothes, changing table, shoes..it was a mess! I just laughed becuase everyone warned me that it would happen when I was in a hurry or in a public place.

So....Brayden Blow Outs 1...Mama 0! For now! Just wanted to share! :0 Now I'm off to spend my last club with my junior high kids. I just love them to peices!

kd

Monday, May 10, 2010

Breathing

Spring….I feel as if the last few weeks I have been learning how to breathe. It seems that when we first brought Brayden home I spent many moments holding my breath! Holding my breath during the many doctor appointments, therapy sessions, and Balance Due letters from the Adoption Agency. Yes, our lives have dramatically changed and I have been literally holding my breath for the last 4 months. The Lord has been teaching me, especially over the last 4 weeks, to let go….laugh…..love….and breath. We have continued to see divine intervention…to the point that if I blogged about it everyday people might think we are crazy.
We have continued to receive excellent reports regarding Brayden’s development. He is much like any other 4 month old (his actual age is 7 months, but we track him from when his due date was. They refer to that as his Corrected age = 4 months.) He has mastered the art of rolling over both ways and last week he discovered his toes. Last month we heard his first out loud belly-laugh and there have been many to follow. He did AMAZING with the initial sleep training! He will soothe himself to sleep when placed in his crib for a nap or bedtime and usually wakes us babbling instead of crying now. However, we have heard that this will all change around 9 months and we will have to have sleep training….ROUND 2! He is growing like a weed….really. He has already outgrown three sizes of clothes; Preemie, Newborn, & 0-3 Months. Last night David and I even had to pack up some of his 3 Mo & 3-6 Mo sizes. He is a good eater. Right now, he is taking 6-7 oz every 4 hours and we have started him on rice cereal with his dinner. It’s kind of funny…because some nights he just gobbles his rice dinner up and other nights…..well, it mostly ends up everywhere else BUT in his tummy. It’s fun watching him learn and everyday I am so thankful for the daily miracles The Father allows us to touch, feel, kiss, & hug.
When we first brought Brayden home, we were anticipating that I would be able to continue doing some contract work for my previous owner. However, that door shut due to Fanny Mae’s inability to….well let’s just say due their inability! However, we have realized that too just may have been God’s providence. This has allowed me to solely concentrate on Brayden & David. As you can imagine, we had A LOT to do after bringing Brayden home. Most couples are allowed 9 months to nest, make room for a nursery, and gather the necessities. Well, we only got 3 months…and most of that time was spent at the hospital with Brayden because he was already here. So since December, we have finished his nursery and built a deck onto the back of the house. I will be sure to get nursery pictures up soon.
That’s mostly what has been happening with us. This month will be crazy busy trying to get Cameron ready for Graduation. We have had a really great semester with him, and I have to say, I am surprised that the thought of him leaving is a little bittersweet. I fear he has taught us way more than we have him. When I think of everything his life has been filled with and yet what a love for the Lord he truly does have, I admire him greatly. He will be graduating from Creekview in June, then to a few summer camps before heading into the ARMY.
Thanks for reading…..it's nice to get to a point that you don't have to hold your breath. When you realize that The Creator is holding your every moment, really it's pointless. We will get some new pictures up soon. We love you all….please leave us a comment or email us. Our family and friends have been such an encouragement to us. We love you…Kel