Back in mid-August we wrote that Braden reached 11 hours of continous sleep. Well, it took about a month, but he finally reached that milestone again, having slept from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. today.

We have mixed feelings about Braden going to bed so early (from his previous bed time of 8 p.m.). When we’re at home, it gives us more time to get things done or relax. When we’re out, though, we have to get home by 6:15 p.m. or so to make sure he gets in his routine (and he starts getting fussy then).

We can’t have Braden sleeping much past 6 a.m., either, because Kristin needs to feed him before she goes to work.

At least we’re sleeping!!!

Journal sleep

Kristin had a pharmacy convention at the Kalahari Resort in Lake Delton Thursday-Saturday (Aug. 27-29). Brian and Braden tagged along and spent most of the days together while Kristin was gone.

On Friday, Brian took Braden to Tanger Outlet, where Braden pooped. This gave Brian his first opportunity to try a Koala changing station (it worked well). In the afternoon, Brian took Braden to both the outdoor and indoor waterparks at the Kalahari. This time, Braden did not cry like he did when we went during Memorial Day weekend.

That night, we had dinner at Del-Bar (in May Braden was fussy the whole time). We were put in a section with two other babies, and Braden was the best behaved we’ve ever seen at a restaurant (also his first time using the high chair).

Saturday unfortunately was chilly (temps in the 50s). We had moved over to the Great Wolf Lodge, where Brian took Braden to the indoor waterpark. Braden seemed to generally tolerate his surroundings, and we can’t wait to return when he’s older and really appreciates it.

Please make sure to check out the photos. We’ll post the accompanying videos soon.

Journal, Pictures vacation

Last Wednesday, Braden started shrieking in the morning. It’s high-pitched, and he’ll continue it for quite some time, but it doesn’t signal anger, hunger or tiredness. We just think he’s simply trying to talk.

He unfortunately did it all throughout Kristin’s birthday lunch at Restaurant Muramoto, and he has been shrieking every day since. Braden has now increased the challenge of taking him places, especially restaurants.

***

We hate to mention this, but here goes: Ever since we added one meal of solid food each day, Braden’s poop has solidified a bit. Brian swears he’s now done changing poopy diapers.

***

Lastly, Braden’s two lower teeth are coming in nicely and are really starting to show. Now if he could just grow some hair …

Journal diapers, new skills, teething

Braden has proven that he is part Kristin: he has begun scrunching his nose, especially when he smiles. This is a Plummer trait going up three generations, and it has now reached a fourth. We’ll try to get a picture to show you.

***

Braden reached 11 hours of continuous sleep the other day! We think feeding him solids has helped. He has now slept five straight nights without interruption. Brian said he’s actually groggier now in the mornings because he’s not used to the sleep.

***

We are taking Braden to West Towne Mall for professional portraits on Saturday. We’ll share those pictures when we get them.

Journal photos, sleep, smiles

Braden turned six months old this past Monday–wow, does time fly. The day before his birthday (Sunday), we started him on solid foods. Most of it ended up on his face, as he wasn’t sure how to eat something other than milk. Braden has gotten progressively better at eating throughout the week. We’ll show some video of him eating soon.

To recap the last six months of his development, Braden has learned to:

• Smile and laugh
• Roll over
• Sit
• Grab objects (and put them in his mouth)
• Fall asleep on his own
• Eat
• Not be afraid of taking a bath

Plus, his bottom two teeth are coming in. We can’t wait to see what the next six months bring us (hopefully more sleep).

***

Check out the photos from July. Included are photos from Concerts on the Square, the Madison Mallards and the Dane County Fair.

Journal, Pictures birthday, new skills

As previously mentioned, we took Braden to Kristin’s family’s cabin up north near Summit Lake (about an hour north of Wausau) last week. We took Braden to the beach (he ate some sand), to the lake (he didn’t swim much) and on the boat (the lifejacket seemed to annoy him). With all the family there, we had plenty of babysitters.

Unfortunately, Braden slept poorly, especially Wednesday night. That made for some groggy mornings for us.

Check out the photo album called “Maywood.”

***

Did we mention that Braden is teething? He has two lower teeth coming in. Now when he bites you, it hurts!

Braden does NOT like it when you try to look for his teeth–in fact, he will swat your hand away (very cute). You can only see them when he cries.

***

We are trying a new system for putting Braden to sleep. Instead of rocking him, we are just letting him cry himself to sleep (Kristin’s book, which she follows religiously, suggests this method). We let him cry for five minutes, then console him, then 10 min and one minute, then 15 and one, then 20 and one and so on. He actually fell asleep after the 15-minute mark last night.

Journal sleep, teething, vacation

We’re staying at Kristin’s family’s cabin this week. Kristin–who has the entire week off–and Braden left today with Kristin’s parents. Brian will join them on Wednesday.

The cabin is located on Clear Lake just west of Summit Lake (about an hour+ north of Wausau). Brian is looking forward to fishing (and some day fishing with Braden).

We’ll have plenty of photos when we get back.

Journal vacation

Last Saturday we went to Fontana (on the west end of Lake Geneva) for a mini-vacation. We stayed at a resort called the Abbey, which had an indoor and outdoor pool, several restaurants, tennis courts, a marina and a full-service spa.

Brian’s intent was for Kristin to get a spa treatment after 10 brutal night shifts in a row at work. So while Kristin did that, Brian and Braden went to the indoor pool, where Braden floated on a raft (in 4 in. of water).

The next day, the three of us all got in the pool together (Braden wore a swimming diaper). It’s funny, Braden kicks his legs so much on a day-to-day basis, but in the pool, he didn’t move them at all.

We’ll have pictures and videos of our trip posted soon. One thing you won’t want to miss is Braden laughing–it’s so cute!

Journal new skills, vacation

Happy Father’s Day to Brian!

The social committee at our condo organized a Father’s Day breakfast, and Brian took Braden there in the morning. There, he was the center of attention (in fact, the Lee boys were the only two males there at one point).

Kristin took Brian and Braden to Fleming’s for lunch. There were two other babies seated near us.

After buying his mom a nice gift, Braden got his dad a nice one as well: two-tone gold cufflinks. What a son!

***

Braden had his four-month check-up today, which meant he got three shots again (poor guy).

He now weighs 19 lbs. 11 oz., moving him up to the 97th percentile (up from 95th)! His length of 26.5 in. moves him into the 86th percentile (up from 85th).

***

Braden can now put his feet (one at a time) in his mouth. It’s really cute to see!

(Just like his dad, always putting his foot in his mouth.)

Journal holidays, new skills, pediatrician

Braden will be four months old tomorrow (June 3). How time flies!

***

His sleep, unfortunately, has regressed lately. Before, he would sleep from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Now, he wakes up at 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. We’re not sure why this is. Maybe he’s teething?

***

Brian will be in Washington, D.C., for a conference Wed-Sat. Kristin will be staying overnight at her parents’ new house Thursday night.

***

Braden’s hand-eye coordination is getting really good. He can easily grab objects in front of him and put them in his mouth. He is really close to learning to hold the bottle and feeding himself.

***

Braden rolled over the other day! We’re not 100 percent convinced he did it intentionally, but he did it nonetheless.

Journal new skills, sleep