Braden's Baptism

Chad stood up with us.

PaPa holding his boy.

Nana made it to see Braden be Baptized.

Susan (Keith's sister), Roberta (Keith's mom),

and Keith.

My other sister-in-law, Liane.

Mmm ... goodies from Jane!

Olivia & Mason playing in his room.

Church wore Braden out!

Opening gifts.

Braden wearing his Baptism onesie

that Aunt Tee Tee & Uncle Tony got him.

Today was Braden's Baptism! It was kind of emotional for me. My little guy was in the hospital just days ago fighting a nasty illness and we were struggling to keep his fever down. God was certainly watching over Braden. He is starting to act more like himself with his cooing, and we even got some smiles out of him today!

First Trip To The ER

As alot of you know, we had to take our 7 week old baby, Braden to Children's ER on Wednesday. When he woke up that morning he felt warm. He refused to eat and was very fussy. He slept most of the morning and would whimper while he slept. The first temperature I took was 101.4, later morning it was 101.7. He was still refusing to eat and when awake would just cry. I called the pediatrician and we got in that afternoon. Once at the pediatrician I explained what how he was acting throughout the morning. The nurse took his temperature and it was 102.6! His body was red all over and so hot. The doctor came in and examined him. She informed me since he is so young and wasn't showing any additional signs of sickness, ie: runny nose, cough, etc., he needed to go to Chidren's Hospital ER! I think I was in shock at that moment. I started shaking and was fighting back tears. This is serious. I left in a hurry and called Keith and my Mom. By this time I was crying. What is wrong with my baby? Why is he running such a high fever!?

Keith was on his way out the door to go to work as I pulled in. We quickly devised a plan. Keith was going to go into work until further notice. Since I'm on maternity leave, he's the only one working right now! My mom was watching Colton and was now going to keep Mason. So my dad went with me to the ER. I didn't want to go by myself, I was a wreck.

In the ER they did a full work up. Braden had his blood drawn, urine specimin, a chest xray, and a spinal. After all the tests were performed he was admitted. Okay ... I wasn't expecting to go from the pediatrician to the ER, and I certainly wasn't expecting Braden to be admitted! I thought he'd be treated and it just may end up being a late night. WRONG!

The doctors initially thought it is either some sort of virus or a bacterial infection. Menengitis was ruled out early which was a relief. Antibiotics were started as a precaution in case it was bacterial. As the labs started coming back they were negative. Though this was good news, it was frustrating because we still didn't have a definitive answer. Meanwhile my baby is spiking a fever of 103.8! At that point he received a dose of Tylenol and was sponged down with cool rags. It was very scary. He is so little, this is dangerous. All we could do was sit and wait on test results while watching our poor child suffer.

By this morning all tests were negative and Braden's fever had declined throughout the night. The doctor determined it was a virus. He said since Braden was beginning to eat well again and his temperature was declining (still around 100-101) we could go home. He and I would be more comfortable at home and I am just to give him Tylenol round the clock to keep his fever down and keep him comfortable. That was good news.

A virus in a little one is still scary because it could turn into something more. Also his immune system isn't completely developed at this age so he is suceptible to other illnesses out there. For now he is doing better. His temperature is currently 101. He is sleeping better since we came home though. I just hope my sweet pea gets better soon!

I must say Thank You to the Doctors and Staff of Children's Hospital for doing such a thorough job. They went above and beyond and were all very kindhearted.

Family Pictures!

Last Saturday we had family photos taken at Franklin Park. Clair, my cousin Aaron's girlfriend took our pictures. She studied photography at CCAD and is now a photographer for GAP. I must say it's nice to have a photographer in the family! You can check out some of her work at http://www.clairfarris.com/. Thanks again Clair for spending part of your afternoon with us!

All Smiles

Braden has been smiling alot lately and his smile is infectious! He has also been cooing and making lots of "baby noises." I love to just watch him! I am also HAPPY to report he is sleeping through the night at 7 weeks old, just like his older brother did. From birth he only woke up once in the middle of the night so it really hasn't been bad at all. The other great thing is, he started sleeping through on his own. We haven't had to "train" him by letting him cry it out. He is such a wonderful little guy ... so easy. Let's hope that continues as he gets older! He is so laid back and just goes with the flow, and little by little is teaching me to do the same.

OSU vs. USC

Ahhh! OSU vs. USC, perhaps the biggest game of the season with Michigan coming in a close second. The mood is somber in Columbus Ohio today, following the comeback of USC last night to overcome our Buckeyes. Our Buckeyes played well in front of a National audience and hats off to our defense! We just ran out of time last night. Today I think the fans can hold their heads high, as it was a great game last night.

We "tailgated" again at our house and had a great time! I think I'm becoming a picture fanatic, I'm always taking pictures! I think my family is getting tired of it!? Here were the festivities:

Mom getting drinks for the kids.

Again with the blurry pictures, it's
driving me nuts! It tends to happen more
when others are shooting with my camera
and don't know its quirks.

Braden was an excellent fan last night.
He hung out, ate, then went right to bed.
Even with all the noise he slept right through it! And I am very happy
to say he slept through the night last night. Two nights in a row, woohoo!

Chad hanging out before he went up to campus.

Uncle Tony and Mason playing.

Colt in his Penn State jammies!

Classic Aaron with a thumbs up.

He and Clair stopped by on their way to another

party. Good to see you guys again this week!

And the card game...

Keith & I taking pictures!

Love you babe! Another successful tailgate

under our belt.

1st Day of Pre-School

Yesterday was Mason's first day of Pre-School! He woke up in a very good mood and was ready to go! Keith and I took him and got him settled in his classroom. He hugged us goodbye and it didn't even phase him. I guess this is better than him hanging on my leg crying for me not to leave! I surprised myself and DIDN'T CRY! I did tear up when he was walking up the steps with his backpack on. Then when I picked him up ... the class was walking from the school across the parking lot back to the parish where their classroom is and I started tearing up then ... seeing him in "school mode." The teacher said he had fun and was very good ... sigh of relief! He told me he played trains, they read a monkey book and that their snack was goldfish and water. I'm happy to report he's ready to go back tomorrow!

Ready to go!

Trying to get a picture of us before we left!
And Mason of course with his goofy faces.

He found the trains!

This is how Braden spent his time while
Big Brother was away ... taking a QUIET nap!

Home from school waiting on Mommy

to fix lunch.

Later that evening my friends AnnMarie & Karen came over to visit and drop off my Birthday gift. Thanks girls for coming over after a long day at the office! And THANK YOU to them and Vanessa for my gift! It will be put to good use!

Mason has a new girlfriend ... and her name is AnnMarie!
He had fun taking MULTIPLE pictures with her.

And they made silly faces too!

Karen loving on Braden.

More love from AnnMarie!

Braden was zonked after the girls left, he ate, and his

brother went to bed!