Random Pictures

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The girls still swarm to Brady whenever they can - we really thought the newness and excitement of his presence would wear off with them - but it certainly has not!! They just love their baby brother so much...

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I had been feeding Brady and the girls wanted me to take their picture and, of course, I obliged! The top picture is Bella with Brady and the other is Brooklyn with Brady.

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There's a Bear on my Bum!

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What is it about baby clothes and things on the bum?!? In this post - the picture is of Bella from September 2005 (she was just over a month old)! When I dressed Brady in this outfit this past weekend - I, of course, had to take a picture of his bum! Cute, huh?

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Somebody found their toes....

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Brady found his toes and he just cannot get enough of them! He is constantly playing with them when he is laying down or sitting in his high chair! I just love his little toes!!!
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Brady's First Newspaper Appearance

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Brady's daycare had their "Easter party" and their picture was in the newspaper. Brady is in the bouncey seat in front!

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First Taste of Solids

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On Tuesday, April 7th I tried Brady with some Rice Cereal! He did ok with the whole process of eating but certainly did not care much for the taste of the rice cereal! So...Brannon found some cereal nipples and we've been adding it to two of his bottles during the day. I tried him with the cereal again Wednesday night and he was even less interested in it. Thursday I picked up some Stage 1 applesauce, bananas and pears and he's been loving the apples since. I'm keeping him just on one food for about a week or so before introducing anything new. We'll probably stick to just the apples for another few days.

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I feel like we are starting him on solids sooo early - but I feel like my supply isn't keeping up with him and I'd rather supplement with a little rice cereal in his bottles and a jar of food at night rather than put him on formula!

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Here are a few pictures of his first taste of solid foods!
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Like I said, he was not at all impressed with the Rice Cereal - but he really seems to like his apples - opening his mouth when the spoon nears his mouth and smiling at me while I feed him!

Brady's 4-month Well-Visit

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We took Brady to the Pediatrician for his 4-month well visit on Thursday, April 16th! Here are his stats:
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Weight: 12 lbs 13 oz --25th percentile

(11 lbs 1 oz at 2 months - gain of 1 lb 11 oz)

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Length: 25 1/2 inches -- 75th percentile

(23 inches at 2 months - growth of 2 1/2 inches)

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Head: 16 1/2 inches -- 50th percentile

(15 1/4 inches at 2 months - growth of 3/4 inches)

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He dropped from the 50th percentile for weight at 2 months to the 25th percentile at 4 months. Our pediatrician wasn't alarmed by this, but apparently babies don't start this drop until around 9 months when they are getting more active. We knew that my supply was decreasing as I have not been pumping the quantity that he eats while at daycare. Luckily, I have had a supply in the freezer from his first couple of months, so there has been no problem with him getting what he's wanted. I really enjoy breastfeeding and want to do so for the first year, at a minimum. So the fact that I'm already having a hard time keeping up with his needs is very sad for me. The pediatrician recommended we start him on cereal (which we did about a week ago) and that we increase his food intake (he started apples about a week ago as well). So now - he is getting a minimum of 3 jars of food a day and during the week at daycare - he gets cereal in two of his bottles. He will still nurse exclusively when with me (in the mornings, at night and on the weekends) - as opposed to receiving bottles. We're going to try this and see if he backs off the number of bottles he is taking - if he still continues to want/need the 4 bottles while at daycare (which is what he's done for the past 3 weeks) - then we will supplement that additional bottle with formula. Honestly - we are not that concerned about it - because he is gaining weight and he is just the happiest little guy. He really doesn't cry that often - just when he is ready for his bottle/nursing. My opinion is that if he were not getting enough to eat - then he wouldn't be as happy and content as he is. We're trying the new routine and hopefully all will be well at his 6-month well-visit.

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He is doing great at daycare. He is not at the same place that the girls are, as they did not have any space for him. The lady that he stays with goes on and on about how good he is....When I drop him off in the mornings and "MiMi Carolyn" takes him - he just smiles at her. It is very reassuring that he seems so happy where he is!

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Milestone-wise - he is doing GREAT! He loves to stand up (assisted, of course). He can sit up with support. We've noticed in the past week or so that when in his carseat - he is already trying to pull himself up...He laughs and smiles and talks to us ALL the time!! He is just such an easy baby. He sleeps well - not all night every night - but on a typical night he is only up maybe once. And as an added bonus - I can just lay him in his bed and he will entertain himself and then just fall asleep!!! I know there has to be more to say - but instead - I will just leave you with this picture from this past weekend.

Brady's First Easter

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You didn't think we'd leave out our little guy?!?!?
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As I mentioned in another post - Brady had a basket (well, bucket) all his own! He got a blue puppy dog, a Winnie the Pooh book with teether corners, and a little cell phone type toy with a little mirror on it. He was not too impressed - but he's starting to take interest in toys, so...

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Brady is 4 months!

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Happy 4-month birthday, Brady!

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At 4 months you have mastered rolling over from your back to your stomach and from your stomach to your back. You love to suck on your fingers - typically your index finger and your middle finger! You have the sweetest smile and you use it to your advantage, already! Your sisters are still very enthralled with you and you rarely get a moment's peace when they are around! You've started to daycare and are doing great! You just smile when I give you to MiMi Carolyn in the morning! I'm sure there is more to say - we just love you to pieces!!

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Brady goes to the pediatrician next Thursday for his 4-month well-visit. I will update the scrap page then with his stats and post about the visit then.

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Brady

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Hanging out in his crib (it's safe from those crazy sisters - for the most part at least)!

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Yummy fingers

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Trying to swing - Brooklyn felt that he needed babies to play with ...He doesn't look so pleased in this picture.
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Well - maybe I'll keep just one of them...

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He's a good sport and a very laid back little guy!! He puts up with all the girls' antics and love (and let me tell you they have a LOT of love for this little guy)!!!!
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Pop and Brady

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And a little while later....

Bella Playing with Brady

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Bella loves to play with Brady (as does Brooklyn)...We thought the "newness" of the baby would wear off - but it still has not! The poor boy does not get a moment's peace when the girls are around!!! But don't let him fool you - he LOVES it!!! He is always smiling and cooing and laughing with them when they are entertaining him!

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Brady and his fingers

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Brady is a "finger sucker"!! There have been a few times that I have laid him in his crib and I'd come back to find him sound asleep with his fingers in his mouth. There are also times when you can literally "hear" him sucking away on his fist and/or his fingers!

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Sleeping Smiles

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It isn't the best picture because he was swinging and the motion made it blurry - but I love it when he starts grinning while he sleeps!

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A Visit from Mi-Mi

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Mi-Mi came into town for a quick visit - she came down Saturday morning and went back Sunday morning!

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We headed to the outlets in Foley when she arrived. We stopped at Mellow Mushroom for pizza before hitting the shops!!

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Here is the best group photo I could get of the kids and Mi-Mi!
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Brooklyn and Mi-Mi
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Brooklyn and Mi-Mi coloring together..

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Missing!

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I seem to have lost my babies and they've been replaced with:
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A 3-month old baby boy who is already wearing some 6-9 month clothes!! No longer considered a "newborn" but now is an "infant"!
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A 2-year old little girl - not a baby, not even a toddler - a little girl! A mischievous little girl, at that!

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A 3-year old who is writing and spelling her name and who will start kindergarten in one short "school" year!

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Brady is 3-months!!!

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Click here to read Brady's THREE MONTH post!

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Digital Scrapbooking

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I have not kept baby books for any of the kids - one reason is the blog - I try to keep it updated with all that we are doing and all the information about the kids that would go into a baby book. BUT...I decided I would try my hand at digital scrapbooking! My goal would be to have at least one page per month per year for the kids - we could print these out and then they'd have a record (or I could just leave it on the computer and they'd still have the record - which is what will likely happen!).

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I started with Brady because I can get his up to date pretty quickly since I only have 3 months to "catch up" on!

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Here is my "scrapbook page" announcing his arrival with all his stats!

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Be sure to check Brady's page for other scrapbook pages and updated posts...
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