What a big boy...

Brase is having many new adventures. Today we attended Mass and grabbed a bite to eat at a restaurant. I must say... my son was wonderful! Not a peep was muttered during our family outing. He is such a good baby and he travels very well. We've had many firsts over the last 4 weeks. This little guy is no stranger to the car seat, noisy places and people grabbing at him. Everyone wants to hold him! Our goal is to have a well socialized baby. At this point, we are off to a great start.

Going on safari...

Lions, Tigers and Bears!!!!

New Adventures.... a day at the office

I, Brandon, made a surprise visit to my office. All work came to complete stop! Everyone wanted a turn holding Brase. I think I may have found a few new babysitters.

My Little Ducky...

Birth Announcement

Beating like a drum!

FYI... This is a video clip of the fetal monitor during labor.
This is truly a post for Brase's electronic life book.

In the beginning...

These are a few photos of of Liza and us. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other in the months prior to our son's birth. Jose and I considered this time together to be very special. Liza is and will always be part of our family.

The Bell Tolls 1:00 AM...

Marathon Man...

This is not rocket science or the hardest thing I have ever done. These are the longest days and nights of my entire life!

Bear with me...

The last few days have been not stop with our little guy. He has been fussy and gassy. Jose and I have decided to stock our shelves with lots of Mylicon and Gripe Water. This feeding frenzy is getting better but at times I am afraid the neighbors think we are killing cats. His cries are glass shattering! I feel for Brase as his tummy causes him lots of discomfort.

The Family Bed...

Two chihuahuas, one Papi', one Daddy and one Baby Boy! What the hell happened to my beautifully appointed room? No more face masks and ear plugs for me. I have given up the good fight and brought Brase into our bed. The 3:00 am feeding is just easier that way. I hope he moves back to his room before he is 10 years old!

Before...

After...

Sleeping in my lap...

ZZZZZZZZZZZ...

Play time...

Rub a dub dub!

Brase lost his umbilical cord on January 11th.

These are photos from his first official bath.

Mazel Tov!

What does a little Catholic boy need? A Menorah!

We ask our dear friends to get Brase something very Jewish. We wanted them to give him a gift of cultural and religious understanding. They choose this beautiful Menorah and it looks fantastic in his nursery. Maralyn and Jacob, thank you! We look forward to lighting the candles with you for many Chanukkahs to come.

Doctor Visit #2

Weight: 7 lbs. 5.5 oz.
Height: 19 inches

Outfit of the day...

Outfit of the day...

My little moon child...

PJ's are on and Brase's eyes are wide open. He sleeps all day but as soon as bedtime rolls around his eyes pop open. He is truly a moon child due to the fact he was born under a Blue Moon. He just wants to party all night long!

Outfit of the day...

Outfit of the day...

Outfit of the day...

New Adventures...

Brase's first good read with his Papi'!

Making new friends...

Picture of the day...

...for the better!

This was the happiest day of our lives. This was the day we took our baby home from the hospital. This part of our journey was over. We got about 20 blocks from our home and tears rolled down my face. My entire body relaxed as I realized our baby was finally coming home.

I hated every minute of the wait but waiting was important. The 14 months of disappointments made us stronger. It made the end result that much more meaningful. We set out to be parents but learned so many life lessons along the way. We don't look at the world as we did before this journey began. This experience has changed us... for the better!

Picture of the day...

Today is Brase's 6th day of life!

All dressed up...

This was the outfit we dressed Brase in when we brought him home from the hospital. It was a preemie size and still swallowed him. He has lots of clothes to grow into!

His first "Birthday Cake"

Dancing in the rain...

This is Karla... aka Karlan Brase's Mimi. If it was not for Karla we would never have finished our adoption journey. She was truly the wind beneath our wings. She was our voice of reason and a never ending shoulder to cry on. I have such tears of joy as I look at this photo. Karla is like a sister to me and now she will be a Grandmother to my child. We have seen each other through many good and bad times. Our adoption journey was very hard and Karla was always by our side. Thank you, Karla. Thank you for keeping the faith and dancing with us in the rain.

Our First Family Photo (after delivery)

I have posted this photo with Liza's permission. We have a full open adoption. Our goal is to stay in touch with Liza and include her in the events that shape Brase's life. She is the only Mommy Brase will ever have. Liza is a very special woman and we will be forever thankful to her.

On the day he was born...

Brase's Birthday:
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Dear Diary...

Entry #1 Friday, November 13, 2009 We met our Birthmother Friday, November 13, 2009. It was a short quick meeting at our adoption agency's office. The Agency's Director facilitated the meeting which took all of 20 minutes. We signed contracts and handled the formalities at hand. Afterwords, we drove Liza (our Birthmother) home.

Entry #2 Saturday, November 21, 2009 It was a date! We took Liza and Myles (her boyfriend) to dinner. We had a wonderful 3 hour meal at a local Italian restaurant. They were charming, graceful and funny. We felt at ease and comfortable with each other. Our discussion focused around music, special interests, favorite things, and future goals. We discussed our desire to have ongoing contact with them and our child's other siblings. It was a wonderful evening to remember.

Entry #3 Thursday, November 26, 2009 Happy Thanksgiving!!
We spoke to Liza over the Thanksgiving holiday. We made plans to get together in about a week. We'll see a movie or do something festive. Liza also invited us to her next doctor appoint on December 8th. Things are going well and we're due in 38 days!


Entry #4 Monday, November 30, 2009 Spoke with Liza via phone. She got back from her Thanksgiving get away and is getting settled back into her apartment. Made a date to get together this Saturday. She wants to get highlights in her hair. We also discussed going to a movie. Everything is going well. Today she is 35 weeks pregnant.

Entry #5 Saturday, December 5, 2009 Liza and I enjoyed the luxuries of a spa day while Jose' and Myles watched football. We ended the day with a meal at a local Vietnamese restaurant. All went well and we all enjoy our time together.

Entry #6 Tuesday, December 8, 2009 I attended Liza's doctor visit. She was officially 36 weeks and 1 day pregnant. We were surprised that she had dilated 3 centimeters. She is beginning to feel discomfort as the baby is in position. This baby will certainly deliver before the January 4th due date! We have another doctor appointment next Tuesday, if she does not deliver sooner. After the appointment, I took Liza to register at the hospital. We also did a little shopping and got a bite to eat. We had a lot of time to talk and bond with one another.

Entry #7 Sunday, December 13, 2009 Today, Jose and I spent some quality time with Liza. Since it is near Christmas, we found an outdoor holiday market complete with ice skaters, hot chocolate and vendor booths. We has a great day together and finished the evening off with a spicy Mexican meal.

Entry #8 Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I went with Liza to her weekly doctor's appointment. She is officially 37 weeks and 1 day pregnant. That is still 20 day from her delivery date. The doctor assured us that she will never make it to January 4th. He thinks we are going to have a Christmas baby. Oh my goodness... that is next week!

Entry #9 Saturday, December 19, 2009 Liza and I enjoyed another day of beauty. Her hair was colored and cut at a great little mini spa/salon. We both got manicures and pedicures. It was a wonderful day of bonding.

Jose and I also took Liza and Myles out for Mexican food. After dinner we surprised them with a Christmas tree, stockings and a some old fashion holiday cheer. They are both so sweet and appreciative. We truly hope they continue to stay close with us after the baby arrives.

Entry #10 Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Jose and I attended another doctors appoint. Ms. L is officially 38 weeks and 1 day pregnant. She is dilated to 4 centimeters and is having "mild" contractions. The doctor sent her home and scheduled her delivery on December 29th. The doctor stated, "I am scheduling her delivery but I will probably see her sooner." I think we are going to have a Christmas baby. Our social worker thinks we should name him Jesus. After the appointment we drove Liza and Myles to her Mother's home for Christmas. We also got to meet her Mom. Great day!

Entry #11 Friday, December 25, 2009 - Christmas Day Jose and I picked up Liza and Myles from her Mother's house. We spent the day together and enjoyed a home cooked meal at our house. We had a joyous time and special Christmas with our new family.

Entry # 12 Tuesday, December 29,2009 Liza's doctor is out of the country. She had a stress test and baby is doing well. Lots of movement in the womb! The nurse sent us home. So... no baby today. We tried to jump start things with a spicy meal after words and a walk around the Galleria. We will see what happens.

Entry#13 Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 12:15 AM We just got a call from Liza. Looks like this is it! We are off to the hospital. We are praying for a safe delivery.

Entry #14 Wednesday, December 30,2009 - 9:51 AM Our little boy, Karlan Brase, has arrived. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 18 in. long. Liza had a easy deliver and quick birth. Brase made it into the world with just one push!

Foot Note: We had daily contact with Liza in person and via phone. Jose and I feel fortunate to have found a wonderful birthmother. We cherish our relationship with her and Myles.