I get it now!

I got this as a forward and can honestly say that I get it now. I never knew how much you could love something until I had a child. Now I know how much my parents really love me. :)

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my t houghts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

Shopping Buddy!

A lot of "firsts" have been happening a lot here in the Birkenfeld household! We finally decided to get our bubble child out and let him experience the real world. We are getting that immune system built! Within the last week, Braxton has gone to church, small group, out to eat, shopping, and the list goes on! We have had grandparents, aunts, uncles, great grandparents all visiting during this spring break and have had a lot of fun.

Braxton did really well at church for the first time...until the music stopped. He was not at all interested in listening to the sermon, so Braxton and I joined about 8 other moms and babies in the "cry room." It's a room with a TV and rocking chairs for parents and children to go when their baby is crying and still be able to listen and see the sermon.

Braxton's first restaurant trip was to PF Changs. He just slept the entire time! Since then he has been out to eat about 4 more times! We've decided that loud restaurants are the best because he likes the noise. Plus other people can't hear him cry.

The greatest news is that Braxton loves to shop! He went shopping 3 straight days with my Mom and me. He did really well as long as we didn't push the limit. The first day we went shopping in downtown Grapevine, which is really neat! He did great until Mom mentioned going to Kohl's. The child screamed his lungs out and did so until we got him home! Needless to say, the Kohl's trip was put on hold until the next day. :)

My spring break is coming to a close and reality is about to really set in. I did go back to work for 2 days before spring break, but it wasn't too bad because I knew spring break was just around the corner. Those 2 days were not easy. Braxton did just fine, Blake did just fine, it was momma that did not. I teared up just about every time I heard, "Glad you're back! How's that baby!?" Maybe Monday I'll do better? Doubt it!

Well, I better go cheer on those aggies! They are about to beat #1 UConn! I'm smelling an upset! No wait! That's just Braxton's diaper. There has been some rumbling in his pants the whole time I've been typing this post. He is one loud pooper! Thanks and gig 'em!

2 Months!

Wow how time flies when you are having fun! I can't believe that we are parents of a 2 month old baby! Before we know it, we will be sending him off to college! We just got back from Braxton's 2 month well check up and everything looked great. Braxton is weighing in at a whoppin' 10lbs. 10oz. and is 22 inches long! He is still in the lower range for weight and length, but the doctor is not concerned in the least bit. That is to be expected since he was 2 weeks early. Plus, his parents just aren't big people! The doc said he looked good and healthy. Even though he didn't say it, I'm pretty sure he thought he was the cutest baby he has ever seen. Braxton also got his first round of vaccinations, and he did really well! He only cried a little bit, but his face was just so sad. The look of shock on that child's face when the nurse stuck him in the leg was just pitiful!

In other news, I am headed back to work this Thursday. I am absolutely dreading it. I start to cry every time I think about having to leave Braxton. I'm sure I will be a basket case on Thursday and Friday. Luckily next week is spring break! This way I will just ease myself into it. However, I do have a good schedule and hopefully a good set of kids. My school does trimesters, so it will be a whole new set of kids that I've never met when I return. I have last period conference which starts at 2:40, so I can get home early to Brax, Blake, and Chelsy.

Blake plans on taking care of Braxton during the day while I'm at school. We may be in over our heads with this, but we are hoping to tough it out for these two months until it's summer. Braxton is usually good during the day so hopefully Blake will be able to get some work done. I'll just have to hurry home each day so that Blake can work some during the evenings. Our Moms plan on coming some too to help out. If anybody else wants a little mini vacation to babysit Braxton during the week, then let us know! How could you not want to play with a little face like this!? :) Please pray for us while this is a big transition.
Braxton has been sleeping really well lately. We have been trying to get him to sleep on his back in his crib, which he really hates. Last night we did what all parents usually have to do...we just let him cry himself to sleep. It took about 45 minutes, but he finally gave in and slept for 5 hours! I have been just getting up about one time in the middle of the night and then again around 7-7:30. Hopefully he will keep this up so that I'm not too exhausted when I go back to work. Praise the Lord that Braxton is nothing like what his Mommy and Daddy were as babies! Look at how innocent he looks when he sleeps!
Big Sister Chelsy still thinks she is a little momma. This has been a problem at daycare. She has been picking out a dog each week, such as Bisby the labradoodle, and attacking it each week. The women also say that she won't play and walks around acting depressed. I think I have finally figured out her problem. Chelsy knows that Braxton, Blake, and I are all at home together without her! So we have decided to take a little break from daycare for a while. Plus we were told we had to! Hee Hee! Hopefully me going back to work will help her reestablish our old routine, and it will take care of the problem. Maybe.

We have updated the smugmug website so check it out. Here are some pics from it for your enjoyment! Love and peace to all!

How do you like the placement of the towel?

Jeans and sneakers!
Every baby has to have a hiney pic!

Happy Baby Video

We have uploaded a bunch of videos and pictures on our smugmug website. http://birkenfeld.smugmug.com/ Here is a video from this morning of Braxton smiling and giggling. :)

Smiley Baby!

Braxton smiled for the first time on Monday, February 23rd! Daddy was the lucky one to witness it. Ever since then, he has been a smiling boy, especially in the mornings. One morning Blake brought Braxton to me in bed, and Braxton just looked up at me and grinned like he was so happy to see his momma! I'm pretty sure time stood still at that exact moment. I didn't even care at that moment how sleepy I was. :) We've been trying to get pictures and videos of him smiling. Here are just a few. You can see more on our picture webpage.


Braxton has become so much more alert and aware. He is so much fun. He just coos and goos a lot. He really loves to watch his mobile and listen to music, especially when I hold him and dance. We have several videos of that. I'll let you know when we get the videos on our webpage. We also started doing a mommy/baby yoga workout on DVD. Today he thought it was fun. He has to be in a good mood though to do that.

Big Sister is still having some problems at daycare. She did not do well again this week. She likes to pick out one dog at daycare and bully that dog all day. She had to do timeout in puppy prison for a while. We know that this behavior has to do with the baby because she has never done this until now, but we don't know why. She does really well at home. I think she has become too protective. Does anybody have any ideas as to why she is behaving this way at daycare and how to fix it? Is it phase, so will it pass when she adjusts? We are trying to do really well at keeping everything the same at home. Chelsy is very involved with the baby. Here's some pics to prove it!
We have taken a ton more pictures and updated them to our picture website, so go check it out! Here are just a few! Love and peace to all!

Happy 1st Valentine's Day!

It was Braxton's first Valentine's Day and our first Valentine's Day as parents, and it was a good one! My parents (Nana and Pops) came into town for the weekend to babysit Braxton so that Blake and I could go on a real date. Of course, we were all showered with gifts...especially Braxton. My parents brought him several things plus all of the cards and gifts he received in the mail from family. Thanks to all! His Nana also bought him a precious boyish Valentine's Day outfit that he had to wear.
Blake and I got to escape for the evening. We enjoyed dinner at Johnny Carino's, frozen yogurt for dessert, and the movie "He's Just Not That Into You." (I found out that my cousin Bevin and her boyfriend went on the exact same date. Weird huh?) It was nice to spend time with just each other and much needed, but it was also nice to come home to our baby boy. Some of the best advice that we got before Braxton was born was to remember who we were before we were a family of 3. Nana and Pops enjoyed the evening too! They kept telling us to enjoy and not rush home too fast! I'm pretty sure Braxton was never put down the whole time we were gone. :)

This year I realized that Valentine's Day isn't just a holiday for couples but also a holiday for families. I was very surprised to see all of the families that went out to eat and to the movies. I also was proud to say that I had two Valentine's this year! Here is a picture of my two boys with their Valentine.We have adjusted to our new life pretty well, but we will be readjusting again when I go back to work on March 12th. Ick! I am not looking forward to that day. I'm sure it will be a day of many tears, and they won't be coming from Braxton. :( I went to the doctor today for my six week check up and everything looks good. Braxton doesn't go back to the doctor unitl his 2 month check up, but we know he is growing like a weed! His newborn outfits barely fit him anymore!!!

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't mention our other child Chelsy girl!? She is still doing well, but some new issues have come up. First of all, she got her name written on the board at daycare last week! (This is to let the workers that come in later that day who they might need to watch.) There was a new dog there that day that Chelsy just didn't really like very much. No reason, but maybe that new dog didn't smell right, or maybe Chelsy thought it was too pretty and she didn't like the competition (Chelsy knows that she is the prettiest dog at daycare.), or the fact that it was still a puppy could've been it too. Well, Chelsy felt the need to put that new dog in its place and let her know who was boss. There was no biting (thank goodness!) but just a verbal attack. Enough though to get her name on the board! I called the next day and had a parent-teacher conference to find out what exactly happened and apologized. It all sounds funny, but Blake and I are a little bit concerned. We hate for her to keep up this behavior and not be allowed to go to daycare anymore. Pray that it all turns out okay. She still does well at home, if you don't count the big hole that she dug in our backyard. :)All is well in the Birkenfeld household! Stay tuned for more updates. I think Braxton's first smile will be happening soon. I can feel it coming!

Braxton 1 Month!

Braxton Edward Birkenfeld is officially one month old!
One month ago, we were told that my amniotic fluid levels were way too low and that we would be having a baby that day, instead of in 4 days like we originally thought. One month ago, we (actually Blake because I was already packed) frantically (and excitedly) ran around to finish packing before heading to the hospital, while the grandparents frantically (and excitedly) figured out how to get to the hospital before Braxton's arrival. One month ago exactly (it's 1:30 p.m. as I type this), I was sitting in a hospital bed being monitored as I waited for my doctor to finish his appointments for the day so that he could deliver Braxton. One month ago at 5:06 p.m., our lives were forever changed when the most beautiful baby entered this world! That day, along with my wedding day, was the most wonderful day of my life, and I would go back and do both days over and over again. We had planned on having a baby on the 12th, but God's plans were for the 8th, and that was so evident because everything just fell into place perfectly.

Let's fast forward one month....

Braxton has made many milestones and his personality is really starting to show. He...
loves to stare at the light.
can already hold his head up really well.
has a very strong grip and can pull mommy's hair.
loves to be held.
loves bath time.
loves to eat.
is really good at spitting up all over himself and whoever is holding him.
will stop crying immediately when you take him outside.
loves to go on walks in the stroller.
has a really long tongue and loves to stick it out.
makes velociraptor noises.
loves his pacifier but is not good at keeping it in his mouth. (This makes him very mad!)
hates to have his diaper changed.
stretches everytime you pick him up.
does what I call the "Naked Man Dance" when you take off his clothes.
is very spoiled and knows it!

Blake and I decided to hold a photoshoot today. We had a lot of fun and may have gotten a little carried away with all of the pictures. We have posted those pictures, along with a few others, and some videos to our smugmug picture webpage. http://birkenfeld.smugmug.com/ (password is aggie) Here are a few for your viewing pleasure!

Can you pick out Braxton in this picture?

I told you I was good at holding up my head!

I think he looks just like me (his mommy) in this picture! Mom and Dad, you need to find a picture of me at this age to compare.
Braxton is already full of questions at such a young age. (Insert Jared's impersonation of Braxton's nerd voice.)
Braxton loves his big sister and his big sister loves him!
Okay, never mind!

Happy one month birthday Braxton! We love you and look forward to many many more!