Bringing Home Baby

Before we show you what Braden's up to now, we have to catch you up on what's happened in his first 4 1/2 months of life.





But we can't really describe the first moments after Braden was born, because- well... we don't remember it.

Don't get me wrong, I can still remember all the details of my labor. Whoever started the rumor that as soon as you hold your baby, you forget all pain, is a big fat liar. I will never forget labor and delivery as long as I live, and I doubt Bill will either.

We just can't remember what the first few weeks at home with him were like. I remember feeling like I had been drugged- I felt really out of it, like I just couldn't comprehend what was going on around me. Bill remembers it as if he were in a time warp- it went by so fast and was such a blur. I think it must be because we were both operating on a very tiny, itty-bitty, miniscule amount of sleep.

I remember feeling completely inadequate as a "parent" and extremely unprepared for this newborn baby that was suddenly at home with us. But when I look back on pictures of the time, I realize we must have been doing a pretty good job. And I don't ever remember Braden being anything but a happy, content baby. (With the normal amounts of crying, pooping, demanding to be fed, and sleeplessness, of course.)

So since we can't describe it in words, check out Braden's slideshow birth album. The password to view it is bill&nicole. Be sure to hit the link that says "View Fullscreen" and be warned: it's a tear-jerker!