Milestone Week 3

We had our 3 week checkup last Thursday and to everyone's surprise, Brandon gained almost 2lbs since our last visit. He's now weighing a portly 8lb 7ounces! The doctor is convinced Beth is producing half and half at this point and Brandon doesn't seem to mind one bit. On another positive note we finally received the Newborn Screening results we had been praying for. As some of you may or may not know, Beth and I found out around 20 weeks into her pregnancy that we are both carriers of a different mutation for Cystic Fibrosis. Based on Mendelian Genetics, Brandon had a 1 in 4 chance of getting both of our mutations and developing this difficult disease. You can't imagine how many times I weighed the difference between 75% and 25%. However, after waiting for over 2 weeks we were finally able to exhale. His tests came back Negative!!! Now we get to worry about all the other things that being new parents brings. Giddy Up.

In other news, Brandon ate from a bottle for the first time and is now sleeping in his own spacious room with a private bathroom. Both milestones are adding a lot of flexibility to the Kimball family....but now I can technically wake up in the middle of the night to feed him (which sucks). However, having Brandon in his own room has been a blessing. Seriously, this guy makes some serious noise when he sleeps and unfortunately each noise made mommy and daddy freak out and check to make sure he was OK. Now we rely on this nifty video monitor that uses night vision to check on him. How did our parents raise us without all these vital tools? You mean to tell me you guys didn't have an iPod touch with an application to keep track of feedings, diaper changes, sleep and even burps? Wow!

Thanks to Grandma Lita (Elaine), Beth and I were able to have our first "date night." The obvious choice was Sushi, since we've been unable to have it for almost a year, so we went to our favorite little place in San Marcos and had a wonderful meal. What did we talk about during our first date night? Brandon. Weird how life has already changed for the better. This weekend we have our annual 4th of July party at my parents house, so I'm sure the pictures will be updated again soon. Also, I have created a new photo album for July. Enjoy!

First Father's Day

Father's day took on a whole new meaning this past weekend. Usually it's spent playing golf with my pops, but this year I spent it changing diapers and spit-up. Someday I'll have a chance to golf with Brandon, but for now this is pretty sweet. My parents had us over for a nice Prime Rib dinner and Brandon got to meet his new aunt's.

Brandon has been busy meeting a variety of our close friends and family these past couple weeks, but he and Beth still find time to lay around on the couch and recover.

We've added a lot of new pictures to the Brandon Kimball June 2009 folder, so be sure to check them out....soon I'll have to figure out how to make a July 2009 folder. We have our 2 week checkup at the end of this week and we're anxious to see the progress he's made. I think he's cracked the 8 lb barrier. Boy can eat!

Brandon & Tyler Finally Meet!

Yesterday we had the Hellman's visit for the first time since Brandon was born and they brought along their handsome boy Tyler. Tyler was born on April 7th and seeing the difference between a 1 week old vs. a 9 week old was amazing. Brandon has some serious catching up to do!

We had a great day of catching up and taking pictures of the two boys in various positions. I'm stoked that Brandon will have such a big friend to protect him while he grows up. The day went by way too fast but its just the beginning of a very long journey together. We can't wait to watch each of them grow into little people.

As you can see, Mom and Brandon are bonding just fine!

Week 1

Brandon is now 4 days old and slowly getting used to being raised by us. We've had exciting days and ridiculously long nights since we got discharged from the hospital, but each time he looks at us we realize how lucky we are. Most of the family has come by to meet him and they have even cooked us dinner! It's amazing to think about where we were just 1 week ago compared to now.

While Beth was still pregnant we were told by friends how amazing it is to bring a child into this world, and each time we'd nod our heads but we never really understood what they meant. We understand completely now!! Watching Brandon being born has changed our lives. We are bonding well with him and Beth is finally starting to feel better. We have our 5 day checkup tomorrow and Brandon has 1 more medical procedure to endure....poor little guy has no idea. We can't wait to introduce you all to Brandon.

Brandon Scott Kimball Is Finally Here!!!

Well, after 41 weeks of marinating in Beth's womb, Brandon Scott Kimball finally decided to join us. He was born on Saturday June 6th, at 6:33pm. He weighed in at an even 7lbs and was 18.5 inches long. Beth earned the status of "worlds strongest wife" after 21 hours of labor WITHOUT an epidural!! I will never win an argument ever again....

Brandon has been feeding very well and is quickly learning his father's skill of "Faxing." Today we were given the green light to head home after spending 2 nights at Tri City Medical Center. We're getting used to life without sleep, but every time Brandon looks at us we realize it's all worth it. Thank you to all our friends and family who supported us during these last 10 months. Let the new journey begin!!