4 Weeks Old

I can't believe my littlest man is a month old!

Braden's latest stats:
Height: 20 1/2 inches (15%)
Weight: 8 punds (15%)
Head Circumference: 13 3/4 inches (5-10%)

He is still just a little guy, but he is getting some chubby cheeks! I have to keep reminding myself that he was born 2 1/2 weeks early! He is now starting to follow our voices and his fish that hang from his swing. We are still waking twice at night to eat around 2:00 and 5:00, but he quickly goes back to sleep and mommy is grateful for that! He loves his bath and cries when we take him out. But seriously, who wouldn't cry going from a nice warm lavender scented bath back to the real world?


Jackson is still head over heels for the little guy. I think my favorite Jackson quote is, "I just love that baby boy!" I agree! This morning Braden was nice enough to thank him by peeing on all three of us! I wish I had a picture of Jackson's face!


Couldn't you just eat those little toes?

Jackson's Room

I finally got around to painting Jackson's room. And when I say "I" - I really mean my parents. When they were here back in October they painted the baby's room, and I talked them into painting Jackson's room also. I finally got all the finishing touches in place, and I love it! It is one of my favorite rooms in the house.

The color is a warm kahki and the picture really does not do it justice.


I ordered his monogram from a seller on Etsy. After seeing how cute it turned out, I want to put vinyl letters all over my house.


It seems like every room in our house is not complete until it has a Walter Anderson print. I got the lamp at Pottery Barn Kids. However, I didn't like the color of the base, so I spray painted it red.


Across from his bed are these fun little transportation prints.


Above his book shelves is this shelf with his preschool class picture, one of his first drawings, and some other fun stuff.


Braden's room is almost finished, and it is another one of my favorite rooms!

Strolling Through Old Town

We finally ventured out of the house with Braden. It has been so cold that I have just left him at home with my mom for the last three weeks if we needed to go anywhere. It finally warmed up today, and the sun even joined us for awhile. Then the wind hit, and back inside we went!

We decided to take a walk through Old Town. Can't you just tell that Braden was very excited to try out his Snap and Go stroller . . . .


On the other hand, however, Jackson was thrilled to push the stroller. He felt like this was his duty as a big brother.


He took his job very seriously and did his best not to run in to anything.


He even tried not to go too fast (which went against every bone in his body) so he could dodge the sidewalk bumps and the snow.


All in all it was a fun afternoon out on the town. However, we are all ready for a little touch of Spring, so we can stroll without being all bundled up!

Snow Day

Yesterday afternoon it started to snow right around the time everyone was heading home from work. Mark's usual 30 minute commute took 2 hours, but he was a lucky one. It took one of my friend's 9 hours to get home - 9 hours?!?!? We only got about 4 inches of snow, but it sure did cause some major problems!


Of course Jackson couldn't wait to get out and play when he woke up to all that snow. He had to spend some time shoveling the sidewalk and driveway.


He wasn't too sure about making a snow angel. He just laid there, so we had to help move his arms and legs to actually make the angel.


I'm the king of the snow mountain!


After playing for a couple of hours we headed in to drink hot chocolate and watch a movie. It was the perfect end to an afternoon of fun!

2 Weeks Old

I can't believe Braden is already 2 weeks old! At times it seems like he has been a part of our family forever, and then at other times I still can't believe he is here.

Braden had his 2 week appointment last week and though he still has a touch of jaundice, he is doing great. The little guy now weighs 7 pounds (10%) and is 20 inches long (10%).

He also had some "firsts" over the past two weeks. He slept through most of his first bath until he decided he was starving and wanted to eat.


He spent some time in his swing. However, he didn't actually swing.


He loves his car seat, and it puts him right to sleep. I don't think he actually meant to but this is his first time holding his paci.


He is such a sleepy little guy! He has fallen into a 3 hour feeding schedule and is slowly starting to have more awake time. Jackson is still head over heels for his little brother and still can't get enough of him. I have a hunch that the feeling is mutual. As soon as Braden hears Jackson's voice he starts looking around for his big bother.

Braden Hall Johnson

The little guy decided to make his appearance 2 weeks early. I guess he was in a hurry to get here. I went to my doctor's appointment Tuesday morning at 8:45, and I was already 5 cm dilated. My doctor quickly walked me over to Labor and Delivery. At 1:30 I started to push, and three pushes later Baby Braden was here! He was 6 pounds 14 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. And the best part is his birthday is 1/11/11!


Jackson was so excited to meet his little brother. He keeps talking about his little ears, little toes, and little mouth. I think he might have even used the phrase "he is just stinkin' cute." He is always wanting to hold and kiss him. It simply melts my heart!



Needless to say we are still getting ready for the little guy, but we are so happy that he is here!

United States Botanic Garden

I'm really late in getting this post written, but I am 9 months pregnant. I have been using that excuse a lot lately. . . .

Back when Emmy and Poppy were here for Christmas we took them to see the Christmas trains and decorations at the Botanical Gardens down in DC. We know that Emmy has a green thumb and Poppy and Jackson love trains, so I think they were all happy to go!


Oh and of course mom and dad were happy also.


This year the trains choo chooed around famous structures throughout the world. We got to see Thomas at the Great Wall of China,


the Eiffel Tower ,

and the Taj Mahal.


Jackson was also happy that the little bug train was back.


I think he would have stood here all day waiting for the trains to come out of the tunnel.


I love this Christmas tradition, and hopefully the little guy will never grow out of his love for trains!