bottles! bottles! bottles!

We are so excited to spread the news that Braeden has been doing very well with taking a bottle now. As most of you know, it's been an interesting road for us from the very beginning with feeding issues (for those of you who don't know, here it is short and sweet: Braeden only took breast milk in a bottle but then finally figured out how to nurse; then, he refused a bottle and just wanted to nurse; mommy and daddy were persistent and now he GLADLY nurses and takes a bottle.) It took a lot of determination because Braeden tends to be quite stubborn (a trait he gets from both mommy and daddy) but we are so glad that we stuck with it. It's made life a lot easier and gives daddy the opportunity to help with feeding. And so, to commemorate this momentous occasion, here are a few pics!


Interesting method but whatever gets the job done!


Just reclining with dad. "This is no big deal."

Braeden's First Haircut

Several weeks ago we discovered that Braeden was well on his way to having his own baby mullet which petrified mommy and daddy to the core. And so, we decided to take matters into our own hands...literally. We gave Braeden his first haircut one night after bath time. Although we were extremely nervous at the time, it really wasn't as difficult as we thought it would be. However, we doubt that this will be something that continues into Braeden's teenage years as we're sure his reputation will matter to him then!

Here are mommy and Braeden posing for the haircut.


Braeden (not so sure of his new haircut)


Braeden (now resolved to his "new do")

Fa-la-la-la-la

The choir is coming! THE CHOIR IS COMING! Yes, several members of our adult choir (The Voices of Praise) stopped by for a visit with Braeden and Heidi. Joy ensued. He was cuddled and held and passed and actually, held up remarkably well. Thank goodness they make these things durable!

4th of July

This year's Independence Day Adventure took us to Melanie and Darwin's for a fun-filled cookout (let me just say if you've never had beer-can chicken, your life is by no means complete). There was swimming, there was eating (a lot of that), there was merry-making, and there was crying. But life with a baby is often like that. The night ended with a BIG BANG--literally. Not only were there fireworks in the sky, there were fireworks in Braeden's diaper! Shortly after that, we had a complete meltdown and proceeded to make our way home. Ah well...it was worth a try. Special thanks to Hudson for crying tears of joy all over our son.

Ryan & Ashley's Visit plus a little "pomp and circumstance"

When Braeden was almost 3 weeks old, Ryan (Heidi's bro) and Ashley (Ryan's soon-to-be bride) came over from Lee to see their new nephew. Here are a few pics of the sweet meeting. Oh and I can't forget to mention little Chanel who also wanted to meet her new "nephew", too!
































Then, during the first weekend in May, Braeden went on his first road trip to see his Uncle Ryan graduate from Lee. (Mommy feels sooooo old!) It was Braeden's first time meeting his Mimi and Granddad Miller, Grandma and PopPop Pearsall, Ashley's mom, and some of mommy and daddy's college friends. He did amazingly on the trip and was a big hit with everyone! As a surprise to Uncle Ryan, Braeden sported an airbrush t-shirt that read: "Congrats, Uncle Ryan!" Of course, we took pictures.

Several "Firsts"

Here are several pictures of Braeden's firsts including:
1st sponge bath, bath in cool new bath tub, 1st doctor visit, road trip/time seeing Granddad &
Mimi, 1st walk,
and 1st time at church.

On to Virginia

After our visit with Matt's family, we headed down to be with my family in Winchester, VA. (Just a quick story...for those of you who don't know, my mom and dad were actually visiting us the week before Braeden was born and had to leave for work-related reasons on the day I was induced! I know, so sad!) This was actually their second time to see Braeden since they were able to visit with him briefly at my brother's graduation in May. Just like our visit to PA, it was very surreal to see my mom and dad hold my little baby boy. Mom, Dad, Grandma, PopPop, and Aunt Avie- thank you for taking great care of us during our visit! Much love!