We vacationed at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells this past weekend with Kristin’s sister Marcie and her husband Josh. Despite Braden being too young to care where we go, we thought no one at the resort would mind an infant baby, seeing how the Kalahari is so family-friendly and oriented.

As previously mentioned, Braden developed a small cold, but we decided he would be okay to take this trip. (It should be noted that Kristin caught Braden’s cold.)

We got a two-bedroom suite that was connected by a shared living room and kitchen. We took Braden everywhere–to dinner at Del-Bar, to shopping at Tanger Outlets and of course to the indoor and outdoor waterparks at the Kalahari.

Braden had a nice nap at the indoor waterpark, probably because it was so hot and humid inside. Outside, we dipped his feet in the water, but he cried (see photo). We should mention that we bought him a Hawaiian shirt and a swimsuit (Braden loved the shirt when he first saw it, smiling and grabbing it right away).

We look forward to returning in a few years when Braden is old enough to enjoy his surroundings more.

Journal vacation

We posted the rest of the photos from the month of April. Check them out in the new photos page (“Photos 2”).

Also, we added a picture of Brian and Braden at the UW softball game. Scroll down this page to see it.

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Braden developed a small cough earlier this week (it’s sorta cute). On Friday it got worse, so we went to see the pediatrician. Turns out he has a small cold. Hopefully it peaks today and that he’ll start to get better. He has been coughing at night while he sleeps, though it doesn’t wake him up.

Braden would probably cough less often if he could just blow his nose, but since he can’t, the drainage into his mouth causes him to cough. Otherwise, he’s in good spirits.

Journal, Pictures pediatrician, sick

Kristin’s younger cousin Katie and her husband Scott had their first baby on Monday. Welcome to the family, Elise!

Now with three babies amongst Kristin and her cousins, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be interesting as we all sit at the kiddies’ table.

Journal congrats

Happy Mother’s Day to Kristin!

We took Brian’s mom to the Madison Club for brunch on Sunday (yes, Braden came and behaved, though there were other babies there), and then we grilled out at Kristin’s parents’ house at night.

Of course Braden got his mom a gift: a tanzanite pendant. Brian is now curious as to what his son will get him.

Journal holidays

Last week Braden ventured out quite a bit.

• On Sunday he went to Schwoegler’s bowling alley for Brian’s bowling banquet
• On Tuesday he went to Brian’s meeting at Vilas Hall on campus
• On Thursday he went to Brian’s volleyball game at Willy St. Pub & Grill
• On Friday he went to the zoo with Kristin and her sister Marcie during the day and to the UW softball game with Brian at night
• On Saturday he went to the Farmers’ market with Brian and Kristin and again to the UW softball game

Obviously we are getting braver and braver to take him out!

Journal going out

Despite the monsoon-like conditions, we decided to still participate in the CrazyLegs walk on Saturday. Fortunately, we had just purchased a jogger for Braden; it’s enclosed, so he was protected from the rain.

So while mommy and daddy (and our friends Holly and Lindsey) got drenched, Braden slept and stayed dry the entire race. We think we finished third or fourth amongst “walkers with accessories.”

We had to check the jogger outside with all the other joggers/strollers before entering Camp Randall Stadium. Brian then carried Braden in the Baby Bjorn and covered him with Brian’s jacket. Braden slept off and on; he was startled awake by some crazy woman next to us in the stands who felt it necessary to scream at the top of her lungs every five seconds.

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After CrazyLegs we went to our friend Amy’s birthday/house-warming party. Two other babies came. It was funny to see a baby that was born Feb. 28 (23 days after Braden) be half of his size. We are NOT being biased, but he was definitely the cutest baby there.

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Braden must have been pooped-out from such a busy day, because that night HE SLEPT THE ENTIRE NIGHT. Seriously. We even woke up several times at night just to check on him.

Journal other babies, sleep

Kristin returned to work yesterday. It was difficult not only because she hadn’t been at work since late January, but also because she was away from the baby for the longest time yet (eight hours). Still, she said it was like nothing changed as she was extremely busy, which she said was good because it kept her mind off of being away from Braden.

For those who are wondering, we are very fortunate to have our moms take care of Braden while we’re at work. Kristin developed a schedule of who’s watching Braden when.

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Braden now can sleep at least six hours straight on a consistent basis. Last night, for example, he slept from 8:45 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. He then woke up again at 5:30 a.m., but then fell asleep on his own (that rarely happens).

Journal sleep, work

We took Braden to Farmers’ Market yesterday. Brian carried him in the Baby Bjorn carrier in front of his body. Braden fell asleep right away.

We did the baby carrier because we hate those couples who bring their babies in strollers and either 1) Block the entire sidewalk, 2) Bump into you because they’re not paying attention, or 3) Both.

A funny thing: We got some scones for breakfast, and most of Brian’s crumbs fell on Braden. It was pretty cute.

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We uploaded some new photos from late March and early April. More smile pics!

Journal, Pictures

Wow, it’s been two months already!  We took Braden for his check-up and to get his shots. Here are his stats:

Weight: 15 lbs. 2 oz (95th percentile)
Length: 24.5 in. (86th percentile)
Head size: 41.2 cm (67th percentile)

Braden is a big boy! The pediatrician said not to worry; he will eventually “average out.”

Besides taking a vaccination orally, Braden also received three shots (two to one thigh, one to the other). We had never heard him cry like that  before. He did get over it surprisingly quickly, and that night he slept six straight hours (a record). The next day, though, he hardly napped and didn’t have much of an appetite.

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We also moved Braden to his crib in his  bedroom, so he’s no longer in the playpen in our room. That’s because he has outgrown the playpen. Speaking of outgrowing, he’s also too big for his 0-3 month-clothes already, despite being two-months old (should be obvious based on his weight!).

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About a week ago, Braden learned to suck his hands. He has also just learned how to rub his forehead, where it gets itchy. We have since begun using some hydrocortisone to relieve the itchiness.

Journal nursery, pediatrician, sleep

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Brian was in Calgary Sunday through Thursday for work. Brian’s mom came on Monday, Kristin’s sister and her husband came on Tuesday and Kristin’s parents came on Wednesday to help out. (THANKS!)

Brian will be traveling again, this time to Las Vegas Sunday through Wednesday for work. He usually doesn’t travel this much–it just happens to be taking place around the same time.

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Big congratulations to our friends, Nathan and Ruth Howard, for the birth of their daughter, Belen, on Monday, March 30. Brian has already made the joke the Braden and Belen could date some day.

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Braden has now cracked the four-hour mark for continuous sleep, accomplishing this on Wednesday night and nearly duplicating it on Thursday. This is extremely exciting for us.

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We’ll have Episode 7 of “Brian and Kristin Plus One” soon!

Journal congrats, sleep, work