Lots Of Pictures!

I am thoroughly enjoying my maternity leave! Being home with my children everyday has been wonderful; it does help that it is summer and there are lots of things to do! I am trying to take it day by day and just enjoy the time off. I am posting LOTS of pictures of what we've been up to ... Enjoy!

Mason going to town on his popsicle.

Nikki and her kids (Kaitlyn & Austin) joined

us for a day at the pool. We had a blast!

At the Zoo ... Mason said this was the

"scary place!"

Riding the train at the Zoo.

Keith took Mason to Family Day with his work.

They spent the day having some "father/son" time

at the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay!

Aunt Teri, Anthony, Mason, and I went on a

picnic and played at the playground.

Cousin Anthony & Mason

Mason LoVeS his little brother!

After a long day in the sun, we came home

to no air conditioning! It was HOT!

My cousin Allan's girlfriend's nephew, Zach

came to swim with Mason.

Braden fitting right in poolside.

The card table.

Ready for church.

Looking like a pro.

Moving cars with PaPa.

Mason was more interested in the train set

at Easton then playing in the fountains.

Braden's first trip to Easton.

He slept right through it!

Naptime!

Goodies In The Mail!

We received goodies in the mail the other day from my Aunt Sheila who lives in Philadelphia, PA. She sent something for everyone in the family, not just Braden, which was so thoughtful! Braden received some adorable outfits. Mason got Thomas the Tank Engine flash cards, which are awesome for learning letters and words! And Keith and I got a giftcard for Applebees. Maybe one of these evenings Keith and I can sneak away and have dinner for two! Thank You Aunt Sheila sooo much for the lovely gifts! We cannot wait to see you ... September?? Well, hopefully soon, Braden wants to meet you!

11 days old

Opening our gift!

Our First Week Home

I cannot believe that Braden is ONE week old already! It makes me sad ... it's already going too fast! The transition of having a new baby in the house has gone quite well. Braden is very easy going. He is a great eater and sleeper. He took to nursing like a pro. He goes about every 3 hours during the day between feedings and 3.5 - 4 hours at night. This allows me to really wake up only one time in the middle of the night! I have truely been blessed with Braden. I must admit, Mason was a good baby and is a sweet and easy going little boy. I was certain Braden would give me paybacks from the get go. So far he has proved me wrong ... let's hope it stays that way!

Mason is adjusting pretty well. He hugs and kisses Braden. He tells Braden he loves him and says that "Braden loves him", and that "Braden is cute." On the other hand he is acting out in different ways, such as talking back and telling me no. When daddy is around this happens less frequently then when it is just me, Mason, and the baby.

Here is a summary of our first week home in pictures.

Getting ready to go home!

He was not fond of his carseat!

1st day home.

1st night in his bed.

Pretty blue eyes.

Do all little boys go through the cheesy smile phase?

Sunday afternoon we spent some time outside.

Keith built Mason this table to play on, etc.

He set up his trains and Mason had a ball!

Riding bikes with Daddy!

Monday afternoon we put up Mason's pool!

He loved it!

Mason told us, "This is the best pool ever!"

Sorry Grandma and Grandpa Wilson, I'm sure

his mind will change by the weekend.

Hospital Photo Shoot

When the photographer came to take Braden's hospital pictures, we took a few shots of our own!

So precious.

In Daddy's arms.

Braden's Birth Story

Hello everyone! It's been a while since my last post, but we've been pretty busy since Braden's arrival! For those of you who haven't heard his story ... here is the story of Braden's "Birth -Day!"

I woke up last Saturday morning, July 25th, 2009 around 7:30am with severe "period like" cramping and my lower back ached. I had cramping/back aches the last couple weeks, but not this bad. Shortly after eating breakfast the contractions started. They were uncomfortable and sparatic; anywhere from 4-9 minutes apart. This pattern continued throughout the day. It was a rainy day and we just hung out watching movies with Mason, waiting to see if the contractions would get closer together. Around 3:30pm I told Keith we should probably think about eating an early dinner because I think we may end up at the hospital sometime this evening. By that point contractions were consistantly around 5-6 minutes apart and getting a little more painful. So what do the Hollingsworths do?? Order a pizza! We ordered the pizza a little after 4pm. By the time Keith got back with the pizza my contractions were 3 minutes apart and painful. I had called the "on call" doc, Dr. Sayat, to make him aware of what was going on and that we would be headed to the hospital shortly. We inhaled our pizza (me in between contractions) and then headed to my parent's house to drop off Mason.

This was interesting in itself because my mom was already watching Colton and my dad had knee surgery the day before! And now we were dropping off Mason, plus I wanted my mom at the hospital for the birth! The plan was for us to get to the hospital and evaluate my status. My mom was putting Colton to bed at 8pm and then depending on our phone call would come to the hospital, and Grandpa (again who just had knee surgery), would take care of Mason and put him to bed! If you know my dad, you are cracking up at this whold scenario!

So we finally get to the hospital around 6:30pm. When the nurse checks me I'm close to 7cm dilated and 90% effaced! Holy cow I was not expecting that! She asked me if I wanted an epidural then. She told me once they broke my water and as strong as my contractions were, things should move rather quickly. Around 7:35pm we were settled in our room and I was getting my epidural. The nurse checked me at 7:45pm and said, "Oh, I better go call the doctor." He needed a 15 minute heads up to get to the hospital and I was dilated to 9cm! It was all moving so fast! Which don't get me wrong ... was very nice! I started thinking however that my mom wasn't going to make it to the hospital in time. Dr. Sayat arrived and checked me at 8:10pm and I was still at 9cm and 95% effaced. They had me lay on my left side so that Braden's head would settle against the cervix wall and thin it out. At 8:35pm my mom arrived! Yay! After being checked again I had to switch and lay on my right side to do the same thing. My mom said that was God's doing so that she was able to make it to the hospital in time. Around 9:15pm I felt the pressure and asked for the nurse. I was ready to push! I started getting nervous! With only a couple pushes Braden was born at 9:36pm. He weighed 7lbs. 10oz. and was 20 inches long, with a full head of hair! It was truely amazing! I had a wonderful pregnancy, an awesome and quick birth experience (at the hospital at 6:30pm and gave birth at 9:30pm, can't beat that).

Sending my "Status Updates"

Braden Lee Hollingsworth

7lb. 10oz. ~ 20in. long

This picture looks like my hospital picture!

The newest love of my life!

Aunt Nikki came to see us!

Mason ... taking it all in.

My boys!

Thank You Keith for the newest addition

to our family! Braden is such a treasure.