6 Months

Well, Brady is now 6 months old. I'm still horrible at keeping this updated, but I AM working on it! Anyway, he went to the dr on his 6 month birthday. He weighed in a 17 lbs 8 oz (which is exactly what I had guessed) and 27 and 3/4" long! He's still in the 50% for weight but he jumped up to 90% for height! He's a long boy!

A few weeks ago, Brady started sitting up on his own. I still sit near him or put the Boppy around him because he doesn't have complete control yet, but he is very capable of sitting all by himself for more than a couple of minutes at a time. He's actually gotten to the point where he doesn't like laying on the floor any more because he knows he can sit up. He also finally rolled all the way over from back to stomach. He's been so close for months, but was just too lazy to take his fingers out of his mouth and actually do it!

I can't believe how much he's grown so fast. It really does seem like just yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. Every day is just such a blessing. He's such a sweet little boy. His daddy and I love him so much! We can't imagine our lives without him.

I will try to update a little more often, but I can't make any promises.

Love to all!
Heather

2 Months - 5 Months

Well, I decided I'm just going to skip ahead... there's no use trying to go back in time. Hah! Anyway, Brady turned 5 months old on Monday. Let's see if I can catch you up quickly. He started laughing middle of November, so he was almost exactly 2 months old. I remember it was the Wednesday of the week before Thanksgiving because I was going over to my mom's to keep her company after her colonoscopy. He was laying on his changing table because I was getting him dressed and I tickled him and he giggled. It was the cutest thing I've ever heard. He rolled over for the first time a few weeks ago. He's only done it once since then. I think it scares him. =) He has got the SWEETEST personality and I just love him to death. He is so happy (for the most part)! I just can't believe how fast he's growing. It's definitely bittersweet.

I started a part-time job today... I'm keeping a 1 yr old girl two days a week so that we can go on vacation this summer. Once I get that paid for, I'm going to put it towards paying off credit cards. Brady didn't quite know what to make of the situation. They both wanted me to hold them, and well, that's just not possible. I keep her again tomorrow, so we will see how that works. My mom is supposed to come over (if she's feeling better) after noon, so that will be a big help with Brady at least.

I'm going to attach some pics, but I don't have his 5 month picture uploaded yet. I'll do a post for Valentine's Day once I get those pics uploaded too.

Love to all,

Heather

October 16, 2008 - 1 Month

Well, Brady turned 1 month old today! I took him to get his pictures done at Target. They turned out GREAT and I will attach a few of my favorites.
Since I'm just now writing this and he's already 5 months old, I don't have a whole lot to write. I'm trying to think back and see if there is anything I can think of that he's doing now. I know he's smiling already. He's such a sweet little boy! We are already getting into a routine. He's definitely a morning baby...

Brady James Cotton

Well, I know I'm a little late getting all of this updated, but better late than never right?!

So, I will start with the birth story. I was induced on my due date because I was not progressing. My cervix wasn't doing anything, so I went into the hospital Monday night (September 15th) to have Cervadil put in to "ripen" my cervix. They put two doses in throughout the night. They started Pitocin at 5:30 Tuesday morning. At 8:30, my doctor came in and I was dialated to a 3. She broke my water and Oh boy, did my contracions get 100x more intense! I think I made it to about 10 am without an epidural. I don't remember every single detail, but I do remember that my Epi didn't work on the right side of my back so I was still in excruciating pain. I was fully effaced, and dialated to 10cm by 1:30, but my doctor had a scheduled c-section so she made me wait to start pushing... UNTIL 3:00!!!! So, I start pushing and pushing and pushing... the little stinker was face up so it was rough getting him out. But, at 4:47 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16th, we welcomed sweet Brady James Cotton into the world! I will try attaching some pics, but I've never done this before, so I don't know how it will work.

It's almost time!

Well, first of all, sorry I didn't update last week. After going to the doctor last Tuesday, there just wasn't much to update. I hadn't changed any since the week before. So, I went back yesterday and... I'm about a fingertip dialated (which I think might mean about 1 cm) and 50% effaced. That's better than nothing, that's for sure! Then, when she was finished, she asks me if I'm interested in being induced. Well, a lot of you may know that I have been very against being induced, but since my brother is coming in town on the 17th I had recently decided that if my due date got near, I would talk to her about it. So, I told her to ask me next week. Then she explains that it can take a couple weeks, so she's having one of the nurses check the schedule and see if they can find me a date. Most likely it will be the 15th at the earliest, but we shall see. I'm really hoping it doesn't come down to that and that I can still go into labor on my own, but at least I know I have the option if I want it. So, keep praying that maybe he will decide he's NOT comfortable any more and would like to come out and meet his very eager and anxious parents! We are both so excited and simply cannot wait to meet him. I keep looking in his Pack N Play that's in our bedroom and imagining his cute little body sleeping in there. I guess it's time to completely pack all of our bags and put them in my car just in case. They are both ready enough, but I suppose it would prove a little bit more convenient if they were already in my car in case I do go into labor while I'm at work.

Anyway, that's the latest news with the baby. I will try to update if anything changes.

Love ya'll,
Heather

3 Weeks 6 Days to go!

Well, it's definitely getting down to the wire now. I had another doctor appointment yesterday. It went well. She didn't check my cervix so I can't tell you anything about that, but his heartbeat is still good so that's all that matters. I am starting to get so impatient! And, actually, kinda starting to get a little miserable. I think I have dropped, because I can feel so much more pressure now and it hurts! I just have to keep reminding myself that my body is preparing itself for my little man to make his magnificent entrance into this world. I have been thinking a lot, and bearing a child is the biggest miracle I could have possibly imagined. I was telling someone the other day (can't remember who) that any woman who has carried a child or any man who has witnessed his wife, girlfriend, whatever, give birth and still doesn't believe in God is just a complete moron. I mean, how can you NOT believe in our amazing Lord when you hold that perfect little child in your arms for the first time?! Anyway, off my soap box now. I am starting to get really anxious about getting everything set up. Crissy and Assaad are coming over tomorrow so Crissy can help me try to get some of the nursery organized and put together and Dusty said he would start putting stuff together for me this weekend while I'm at Women of Faith. I am going to start packing my bag and the baby's bag soon... maybe Friday... and then it will just become a waiting game on when he wants to be here. =) I am so excited!

Well, that's all for now. I will post again next week!

Heather

The Final Stretch

Well... I now have just over 4 weeks left in this pregnancy and it's finally hitting me that I'm about to bring a new life into this world. Dusty and I couldn't be more excited! We are going tomorrow to get the rest of the "big items" we still need like the car seat, travel system and bouncer. Then it's down to just making the house baby ready and getting everything put together, set up, and cleaned up. I'm starting to realize that the little man could make his entrance any time now, and it's so exciting! I am a little overwhelmed at everything I'm feeling right now, but it's all good things. This is just the most amazing experience of my life and I can't believe I am about to be a mother. My dream is finally coming true! Dusty is going to make a great dad, and I can't wait to see him interact with his son. It's going to be awesome!

I guess that's all for now... I will try to start posting at least once a week so you all can see what is going on in our new little family.

Love ya'll!
Heather