Braden's first Christmas


What a wonderful Christmas! We feel so blessed to share this holiday season with our family.

first photo shoot

My dear friend Brannan was so generous and took a couple pictures of Braden at 12 days old. She also designed his birth announcement for us, which we love.







First week home

Braden came into this world sucking on his little toes. Braden was in the pike position for quite awhile before being born. An ultrasound was obtained when he was 2 days old to evaluate his hips. It was determined he had congenital hip dysplasia (or developmental dislocation of the hips). We were saddened by this news but we also knew Braden was healthy and perfect in every other way and this was just a small bump we needed to overcome. He was seen by an orthopedic doctor, Dr. Hrasky, who made us feel so much better regarding his diagnosis. Dr. Hrasky placed Braden in a pavlik harness to stabilize his hips. He explained to us that Braden would need to wear this harness for 24hrs a day for a minimum of 12 weeks until his hips were in the correct position. He would need to see Dr. Hrasky every 2 weeks while Braden needed the harness.

Braden in his pavlik harness. It took us a couple of days to adjust to caring for Braden in the harness. Just changing his diaper was a skill that needed mastering. Braden didn't seem to mind wearing the harness. The only time he was allowed out of the harness was for bath time.

Braden's first bath at home









Happy Birthday Braden Michael Grindel December 3, 2009 4:13pm

Today was the most amazing and wonderful day in our lives. Braden Michael Grindel became apart of our family... finally. Today started just like any other day. I woke up and went to work. I was having a very relaxing day at work until around 11:30..... then my water broke!! Yeah that was an interesting experience. My heart was racing and all I could think about was..... I can't believe today is THE DAY!! We have waited and anticipated this moment for so long now. I called Ben and told him to grab our bag and meet my mom and I at the hospital. I think apart of him thought I was joking at first. At the hospital it was determined by ultrasound that Braden was breech, which we didn't know. Since my water already broke I needed a c-section. A little scared of surgery, but my heart told me this is what was best for Braden and that is all that mattered. The c-section went great and at 4:13 pm we became parents to the most precious boy on earth!











37 weeks- Thanksgiving

So as of today our little one is 37 weeks 6 days or 265 days old. I now have been pregnant for 9 1/4 months and 95% complete with the pregnancy. But, who is counting right? Now it is just a waiting game with me having no control over when our little one will arrive. I guess we know who is the boss already!

Every day seems to be going by in slow motion. I am amazed how functional I can be with such little sleep. I got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep the other night and was the happiest person in the world. Normally I sleep for about an hour at a time before I make a trip to the bathroom and need to change positions in bed. My feet are very sore by the end of the day. I am grateful that Ben gives very good foot massages. I have 2 fingers on my right hand that are numb and tingly all the time. I've gotten used to it by now and hope it resolves once all the swelling goes away. I wake up everyday wondering if today is the day that I will need that bag I packed weeks ago for the hospital.

Thanksgiving was great. I ended up getting cancelled from work and was able to celebrate with Ben. It was a nice relaxing day. I had my mom, grandpa, and uncle over on Friday for a ham dinner. Although very tiring, I was thankful we were all able to get together. I love this time of year. It's the only time I can get away with eating pumpkin pie for breakfast. It's just an added bonus being pregnant this time of year because nobody is about to judge me on the amount of food I am eating.

The next doctor's appointment is on monday so more updates then.

36 weeks




I had a friend take some pregnancy pictures of me and Ben this past week. I think they turned out amazing!!! What a great everlasting gift she gave us. I will have to think of something creative to do with the pictures.

Now that "the day" is becoming closer, every little thing makes me wonder if today is the day. So one night after my midnight snack of some Tums, I got up and went to the bathroom as usual. Once getting back in bed, I believe I felt a small contraction. Then the adrenaline rushed through my body like lightening. I found myself watching the clock and waiting for another one. Is this it? After an hour of not having another one, I realized I was now just loosing out on precious sleep. Unfortunately, going back to sleep didn't happen until many hours later. I now just have to be as patient as possible until our little one is ready to meet us. But that doesn't mean that I am not going to try and help speed up the process. I have been walking the dogs on a nightly basis and not holding back with activity at work, my motto is....... bring it on!!!

There were no changes with the doctor's visit this week. Although completely irrational, I was secretly hoping he would tell Ben and I to go home, grab our bags, and head to the hospital. No such luck. Next appointment is on Nov 30th. So once again, I am secretly hoping that I don't make it to the next appointment, and instead am a new mommy!! Only time will tell us.

35 weeks

The PICU gang

The fabulous hostesses
The Jen's

I work with the most amazing people. You can't beat the PICU gang, we are one of a kind. They were kind enough to throw me a shower. It was fabulous..... I am truly grateful to have each and everyone of them in my life. I can't wait for all of them to finally meet our little one...... (that is of course after respiratory season is over!)

This week I also attempted to install the car seat into my car. Did you notice the word "attempted"? I really didn't think it would be that difficult, but it's definitely harder than it looks. I know it just takes time and practice. I think that goes with everything we will be experiencing with a baby right?

I also started weekly doctor's appointments. I can't say enough nice things about my doctor. He just makes Ben and I so comfortable, and blessed to have him as our doctor. I am 1 cm dilated! He says he thinks our little one might come just a little earlier than expected. I personally think that he tells all his patients this just to get them to survive the last month. We will see if there is an progress with my next visit, keep your fingers crossed!!!

34 weeks



The baby and I went to our first Cardinal's football game this week. We went with some friends and had a blast! I had another doctor's appointment this week. He is pretty sure the head is down and said everything is going well. He would like me to stop working and take it easy, but I am stubborn and want to take the full 12 weeks off once the baby has arrived. Hopefully I will get my way. I now have to go see the doctor weekly until delivery. I can't believe being pregnant is almost over. I remember in the beginning, I thought it would take forever to get here. Now that it is here, I want more time to prepare. Crazy what your mind puts you through. I find myself spending a lot of time in the baby's room. I either am organizing everything for the hundredth time or just sitting in the rocking chair imaging holding our little one. I am just in complete "awe" as I think about how much our lives are going to be enriched with our little one in just only a few short weeks.


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eager to meet our little one in December