Play Time

Just thought we would put a short video of Landon playing on here. He is giggling all of the time now and loves his play time. He is so much fun, God has truely blessed us. Enjoy!!

I'm 3 months old!

I'm three months old today. Three months ago today, my mommy started having contractions at 5:30 in the morning. I didn't like them very much. She got up, took a shower, ate some breakfast and watched the morning highlights on ESPN. Around 7:30 the contractions that were making us both VERY uncomfortable made Mommy think that the time might have come. So she very quietly woke Daddy up and told him that he should probably get ready. Mommy called Dr. Bruneau and told her that the contractions were very strong and 8 minutes apart. Dr. Bruneau said to get to the hospital. So we took a little drive to Baptist East and Mommy and Daddy were on the phone the whole time. Lots of people were waiting for me to arrive.

We got to the hospital about 9 am and they hooked me up to a bunch of monitors. Nothing serious, they just wanted to make sure that me and Mommy were ok. Mommy told daddy to call Aunt Vicki and Aunt Teresa and see if they could come to the hospital. Mommy's parents were on vacation and Daddy's parents were far away. She said she needed someone else to be there with her and Daddy. So Aunt Vicki came (she's been through this before) and helped mommy through some contractions. Daddy had to get up and out of his seat almost every minute. I was coming. By the time mommy was 6 centimeters dialated (whatever that means) she couldn't take it anymore. Those stupid contractions were too painful because they broke her water. I was no longer swimming. I knew something was up. So another doctor came in, one that I didn't know and he put something in Mommy's back. She relaxed A LOT more after he left. But I kept getting pushed lower and lower.

Dr. Bruneau was called in at about 4:30pm, not even 12 hours later because the nurse noticed a little problem. My head was stuck. You know us Braisted boys, we have big heads. Mommy's pelvis was too little but she really wanted to have me naturally. So Dr. Bruneau let her take three big pushes to see if I would come through. But as hard as she pushed, my big 'ol head only got more cone-shaped. So that meant mommy needed surgery. She was a little scared and a little disappointed but she only wanted me to be safe. So Daddy put on his space suit and we headed to the OR.

It wasn't long after that that I saw a light, I felt some hands and pretty soon I was cold. "Put me back," I said. I missed my little bedroom. I let out a cry so that Mommy knew I was ok and then I just opened my eyes and looked around. So many faces and voices I didn't recognize. But they seemed nice and they were keeping me warm, I liked that. I have to admit, it was kind of nice to get all that goopy stuff off of me that I've been sitting in for 9 months. It didn't make me look very attractive.

All of a sudden, with all of these unfamiliar voices around, I heard one that I recognized. He talked to me a lot, especially in the mornings when Mommy and him woke up. I don't know what he looked like though, will I still know it's him? And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. He had this big, black thing in his hand that kept flashing light in my eyes. But then he put it down and the nice lady handed me to him. He smiled. He said hello. Ahhh...a voice that I know. I knew he was my Daddy. He walked a little ways and then he brought me around the blanket that was being held up. And I hear, "Hey baby Boy. Mommy loves you." Mommy? I hear you mommy, where are you? Then Daddy put me on her chest. The heartbeat that I had heard for 9 months sounded so different from the outside, but it is oh so familiar. I saw her face. It was a little blurry because of that aweful stuff they put in my eyes but I could smell her and I could hear her fine. That was my Mommy. I guess as long as she was around, I didn't mind leaving my little bedroom.

Our little Dominican

Just had to post this picture. Mike, Landon and I were on the porch watching a storm roll in and he just looked so content to be in the DR with us. Love it.

Wanna Roll?

Well I guess they don't stay little forever. Our boy has started to roll over now. During tummy time yesterday he decided he would rather be on his back so he squirmed around until he made it over. Mom was able to catch the third roll on tape so we have included that video. I guess pretty soon he will be crawling over to us! What a joy little ones are!

Say Cheese!

Just couldn't help but post these pictures as our little Landon has learned how to smile at mommy and daddy and anyone who talks to him. We thought he was cute before but his smile completely brightens the room.

Landon's Dedication

Today Landon was dedicated at Mike's home church, Emmanuel Wesleyan Church. He did really well and looked EXTREMELY cute in the little outfit Grandma Debbie got him. He made it through almost the whole service but right when Grandpa took him to present him to the church and through the ENTIRE prayer, Landon decided to let his presence known. Enjoy the video and pictures!!!!


Landon's cute little outfit

Great-Grandpa Braisted and Landon

Four Generations

Our little family :)

Quick Trip to Maine

Ah, Maine, the way life should be! My family has gone to Maine every year since I was born. Last summer was the first summer I wasn't able to go to Maine because we live in the DR now, so because we were home this summer to have Landon, we took the opportunity to go.

We flew to Maine with Landon and he did absolutely AMAZING! He mostly just slept the whole way there, including the layover in Chicago.

Once in Maine, we did absolutely NOTHING except relax and recooperate. We had extra hands to help take care of Landon so Mike and I were able to sleep in several mornings! Man, did that feel great! Mike, Landon and I even got into some floaties and went floating in the lake for an hour or so. Landon must really like water because almost instantly, he fell asleep.

The pics are of the lake that our cabin sits on. Landon sleeping underneath an umbrella on the dock. And my niece Payton and nephew Seth holding Landon.

Family trip to Gatlinburg

Although it has been so hard to be away from the Dominican, it has been great to see family that we haven't see for a long time. This past few days, our family went to Gatlinburg for the annual Basham family vacation. It was 4 great days of sun, relaxation and mini golf. Mike and I had so many hands to help that we barely had to take care of Landon the whole time we were there. I have to admit it was nice sometimes to not feel the responsibility completely on our shoulders to keep our little one occupied, but a few minutes away from Landon and I was already missing him.

We were able to go miniature golfing several times on an all vacation pass. I even beat Mike a couple times. We also spent some time at the pool and browsing on the Gatlinburg strip. But one of my favorite places we got to go was the Ripley's Believe It or Not Aquarium. Mike's parents treated us to a no-baby date to the aquarium which was totally awesome. There were so many things to see and above all, it was SHARK WEEK! My absolute favorite!!! Not only that, but on TV it was also the Discovery Channel's Shark Week as well, so whenever I needed a break from the sun, I was inside the roundettes learning something new about my favorite underwater monster!

Mike really enjoyed some quality time with his parents and with his brother Josh. The boys also had the opportunity to play a game of "cut-throat" mini-golf which was a great time for them to let loose and have a little fun without us girls around. Tim was missing in action because of a gig in Orlando in front of 38,000 teens. We missed him but what a great opportunity!!!

Below are several pics of our trip...hope you enjoy!!!!



Landon and Daddy in their swim gear



Our sleeping baby...



Landon and Mommy catching some rays (don't worry, he has SPF 60 on!)



Mike and I at the Gatlinburg Ripley's Aquarium



Sawfish



The infamous sand tiger shark



Mike the stud astronaut!



Kathy, Brittney and I in front of the jellies



Mike and I at blacklight golf



Brittney and I at indoor golf



Brit and I at Chimney Top



All tired out...

First Family Picture

Just wanted to share our first family photo with you guys! Our baby boy is already a month old today! We can't even believe how fast the time has gone. Before we know it we'll be sending him off to college....Enjoy!

Sleepy Boy

Just had to post this picture of Lando (as my sister Ashley and her boyfriend like to call him). He has started to show his little personality and it is most evident when he sleeps. He's always gotta have a hand or an arm across his face to sleep away! How ridiculously cute!!!