The Brenay Family

Monday, April 30, 2012

Grace's Newborn Photo Shoot

Had a great newborn photo shoot with Melissa Jackson. At 6 days old, Grace had her first somewhat fussy day that day. But after 2 feedings, a diaper blowout that went all over the floor and Grace fighting going to sleep we managed to get some great pcitures! I love them!

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Grace Ila Brenay

On Friday March 2, 2012 at 9:14 a.m. our little Brenay family grew from 4 to 5! We welcomed Grace Ila Brenay into the world with more love than I ever could have imagined! Grace weighed 7.7 lbs and was 19 1/4" long. She has a full head of dark hair and she weighed the most out of the 3 kids.
Friday morning Jon and I needed to check into the hospital at 7 a.m. Jeni came over to put Emma and Derrick on the bus and we were off. Emma was so excited and was often making up songs about March 2nd being the best day ever! It was Dr. Suess's birthday, her friend's birthday, a field trip at school to see a Cinderella play and of course Grace's birthday. Emma has been counting down for quite sometime now! Derrick is excited but in a much more subdued way. He did tell me the day before Grace was born, "Mom, I think I'll like Grace". I think so too! So with Jeni sending the kids off we went to the hospital for my scheduled c-section. It was all very surreal to me and I couldn't grasp the concept that soon I would be holding my baby. After a visit with the nurses and doctors we headed back to the operating room. It was finally time. I was dreading the spinal. Even though I've had it done twice before it always scares me. But the nurse anesthetist was amazing and got in right in with no trouble. Finally, Jon could join me and we would soon see our Grace. Dr. Bullaro began the c-section at 9:07 and by 9:14 our baby was out crying! I caught a quick glimpse of her over the curtain and loved hearing her cry indicating strong healthy lungs. Jon went to be with her and cut the cord and to report back to me about our new princess...she was perfect! Jon left with the nurses and baby to the recovery room. I couldn't wait to get to her. It wasn't long and I was wheeled in to hold my baby for the first time. Nothing could ever describe the feeling of holding your baby for the first time. It is a priceless experience. I couldn't believe she was finally there in my arms. It was time for her first feeding and she has proved to be a wonderful eater just like her sister. The nurses told us we already had a visitor waiting. It was grandpa Brenay. He couldn't wait. He has been the first to see all of our kids. We were only missing Louise. And she was dearly missed on this day. Jon left the recovery room to go let his dad know we would be a little while. He quickly ran back when he heard a code blue announced over the hospital speaker. But thank goodness it wasn't us.
We went back to our room we would be staying in and grandpa came to meet his new granddaughter. Grace had many visitors her first day. Grandma and Grandpa Clark, Jeni and Kayle, Ron and Sarah, Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer and some of mom's friends. But of course the most important visitors were Emma and Derrick. Jon went and picked them up from school early and they got to the hospital about 3. I loved seeing their faces when they saw their new tiny sister for the first time. Even Derrick showed some emotion. They held her and couldn't have been happier. Derrick did eventually lose interest and wanted to play at the park you could see from my window. He also wanted to play video games. But he's a 5 year old boy. I know he loves his sister.
Daddy has another princess that instantly had his heart. Jon is such a great husband and father and I am so blessed to share my life with him.
Welcome to our family Grace. We love you so much and are excited you are finally here. You were meant to be a part of this family...it just took us awhile to realize it!

The night before Grace was born

Grace with Dr. Bullaro

Our Gracie girl

Our first family photo

Happy mama

Proud papa

Emma left a note for Grace

What a great helper this big sister is going to be

Derrick does love his sister

Excited big brother and sister

Grandma and Grandpa Clark

Grandma Trafzer

Grandpa Trafzer

Aunt Sarah

Uncle Ronnie

Grandpa Brenay

The kids resorting to video games after being at the hospital all night

Waiting to be discharged and finally go home!

Ready to go

Flowers from Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer and Wendy

Home Sweet Home

Thursday, March 01, 2012

A Visit From an Old Friend

Last week Jon called me pretty excited that his friend and mission companion from Sweden would be in town and wanted to spend the day with us on Sunday. I only met Antti Syvanen a few years ago. But I know he and Jon have a special friendship. Jon left early Sunday morning to pick him up from his hotel and then he went to church with us and came back to the house for a bit to eat lunch and visit. The kids thought he was really funny and kept asking him to say things in Swedish. They also loved when he played some fun songs on the piano. On the way to take him back to his hotel we took a couple detours. One was to the base of the Superstition Mountains so he could see come cactus. He'd never seen one before and was fascinated by them. The things we take for granted being native to Arizona! :) We also stopped at the Temple Visitors Center. And of course we had to show him the cactus gardens there. I know it really meant a lot to Jon to have a day with him. It's not often you get to see a friend who lives half way around the world. I'm glad they both had the opportunity, even if it was only a day!

Derrick's 6th Birthday Party

With the baby coming on March 2nd I was trying to figure out the best way to let Derrick have a birthday party. He's never had a friend party and I really wanted him to be able to have one this year. I thought about just leaving Jon in charge, but then decided why not just do it a month early. I started getting grand ideas of a way cute Superhero party. But then reality set in and I realized I would not be up to anything big a week before the baby was born. So we decided he could invite some friends to go to Freestone park to ride the rides and play. Derrick was so excited. He invited Ryker, Brigham, Finely and Addi. We picked up all the kids kids and headed off to the park. It was a really warm day for February. I felt bad that some of the kids looked like they were sick by the end of the 2 hours and 3 of them fell asleep in the car on the way home. We were also sad that the train broke down so the kids couldn't ride it. But they seemed to have fun riding the rides, feeding the ducks goldfish crackers and playing at the park. Instead of messing with a cake I made rice crispy treats with M&M's. Derrick didn't even like them so that was a flop! Oh well! You will see Derrick by Finley in almost every picture. He tells me she is his "girlfriend" and he wants to marry her. :) She's a doll! He loved all his presents and I'm glad we were able to have a party for him. Happy early birthday to our Bubba!