Quick update

Quick update and a big thank you for the nice comments, e-mails, and even phone calls! I think my blog post from a day or so ago spooked Suzanne's dad, who is in Houston for the wedding of one of Suzanne's cousins.

Suzanne seems to be doing a little better today. We are all tired, but again, it wasn't like this was unexpected. We commented today that we felt like we were finally getting used to being tired! Su did go to the doctor this morning...but long story short...there's simply not much that can be done. She does have some allergies and that's about all there is to report.

The boys are doing well. Patrick is still eating regularly. He seems pretty gassy which keeps him up reguarly as well as us. It's pretty easy to sacrifice your time, though, when one of your children needs you!

Thanks for your prayers and keep praying for us all...but namely Su who now goes back at it alone as I head back to work, which all of a sudden seems like vacation!

Prayers for Su, please

First of all...please don't be alarmed by the title of the post. It's certainly nothing life threatening. Su had a rough day and is having a rough time with her health. In my previous posts, I think I have neglected to mention that she's had cough, cold, and congrestion since about a week before Patrick was born. So we're going on three weeks of this stuff. She's not taking medicine as the doctor's fear it might dry up her breast milk. So she's coughing and coughing and coughing and coughing and coughing. Obviously, this hurts her incision from her c-section. Today, she's coughing so hard, she's actually thrown up about three times. I feel so bad for her. So when I say she's "tough as nails," as I did it a previous post, now you see why. But I'd really like for everyone who prays to please include her in your list. We both need this to go away! It's frustrating for me to watch.

On to other things, the boys are still doing well. Jacob liked the picture I snapped of Patrick in his bassinet the other day so he decided he wanted one of his own in the Moses basket. I believe Jacob has spent more time in the Moses basket this week than he did when he was an infant! Below, you'll also see how Patrick is progressing. Amazingly enough, he has not gotten sick and we worry that he will so keep us all in your thoughts!

Hang in there, Su!

Best Buds

We are practicing for future family portraits and I think we have a long way to go. Jacob was very excited about holding his baby brother for the very first time though. Jacob loves to say hello to baby Patrick, stroke his hair and say "niiiiice." It's quite hilarious and needs to be captured on video. Note to self.

Nighty Night!

All the kiddies are asleep here this Sunday night. It's been quite an eventful first weekend but despite my initial weekend post, everyone has done well. Patrick is a good little baby. All he does is sleep, eat, and sleep some more! Jacob has been very good to his little brother.
The only time he gets a little hostile is when you take something away from him that he shouldn't have, primarily something that's plugged into an electrical outlet!

And what can I say about Suzanne. The lady is tough as nails and I am very appreciative of her. I know this week will be tough as I go back to work on Monday but she has done her motherly duty tirelessly thus far on little sleep. I am proud of her.

Heck, I'm proud of my whole little family of four!

Can We Check Back In To The Hospital?

I wonder if we could pay a small fee to go back? Would the nursery care for a two year old as well? I never thought 10:30 at night could be so quiet. All you parents of two have been warning us of the challenge and it hit home upon our arrival today! The highest stress point came at about 6PM. Patrick (who is CONSTANTLY hungry) needed to be fed. Jacob was hungry as well but didn't want anything we were giving him. Plus, he wanted to watch Barney and wanted to get in bed with mommy and Patrick. Jacob was crying, Patrick was crying, I thought Mommy was about to start crying and George threatened to run away from home (not really). At that moment, every adult took a deep breath, recovered and got through the night. One down...upteen million to go! I must admit God got us through today and we know He'll do it again and again. At the end of the day, we communicated to each other how lucky we are to have two healthy boys who we love and who love us.

As for those of you who've texted or called since about noon. Sorry...I PROMISE we'll get back to you, when things die down a bit. At this rate, I'm assuming a return call will be in the works around 2018.

For tonight, enjoy the final pics at the hospital and the first "family" pic at home. One of these days I'll even jump in one of the pictures.

Home Sweet Home!

The Bristers are all together this afternoon. We arrived home from the hospital at around noon. Everyone is sleeping except myself...but I got the good night's sleep so who am I to complain! I'll post some final pics from the hospital tonight. For now, here are the pictures of Patrick with his eyes open I promised last night!

Jacob Meets Patrick

Jacob got to meet his little brother this morning around 9AM. The second picture has easily become my favorite of all time.

Today was another productive day. Patrick continues to sleep well and eat well. Suzanne is feeling pretty good and we just hope that all will continue to get better and better.

Patrick got circumsized this morning (we originally thought it would be in the morning). However, check out day is still set for Friday. I am at home staying with Jacob and Su and Patrick are obviously still at the hospital. I look forward to this family of four can sleep under the same roof--I think!!!

Later tonight or tomorrow, I'll post some actual pictures where you can see Patrick's eyes!

Silent Night

All is quiet at the hospital tonight as Su is FINALLY sleeping as is Patrick, again in the nursery. This has given me some time to update some pictures. One of these days, I'm going to get a good shot of Patrick with his eyes open! For now, he's being a wonderful sleeper and eater. Big brother's trip to the hospital today was delayed...we're hoping to get him up here Thursday morning.

I'll check in again tomorrow. Everyone continues to do well and we thank you for your prayers!

Good morning!

Our first night with Patrick is over and it was quite an uneventful night. Poor Suzanne is still "wired up" and it was a real struggle for her to sleep at all. I got four or five hours on this piece of concrete they call a bed.

Most importantly, Patrick slept well. We kept him in the nursery most of the night, save when he came in to nurse.

He currently is sleeping between us and seems to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Suzanne has graduated to solid foods and is looking forward to a pancake breakfast this morning. I need to graduate to a diet, because I've had too many pancakes and the like these last few months!

I'll try to get some more pictures of the little man. Jacob did well with Nana. One note there; it was his first time to spend the night away from his parents. It does not sound like he missed us!

Today is his last today of school. I'll check in again later today. Thanks for all the kind notes and well wishes!

Tuesday Update...Patrick Meets Mommy

It's been a smooth and "normal" day here at the hospital. Patrick and mommy are currently cuddling together. Here are a couple of updated pics of a few of their first encounters.

It looks as though we'll be here until Friday. The Heberts tell us that Jacob is doing well and we are anxious for him to meet his little brother. That may not happen until tomorrow though.

Speaking of which...if you go back and look at the blog from when Jacob was first born, we see a lot of similarities! Patrick is a little "chunkier," though.

We'll keep you posted. I am loving taking pics and posting them! I could get used to this!

Meet Patrick James Brister

Patrick James Brister

Born 5-18-2010 at 10:08AM
7 pounds, 15 ounces
18 3/4 inches

Everyone is doing great! I'll update the blog with pics as often as I can!

Baby Name Contest Update and 20 Facts About Jacob

Thanks to everyone who has participated in the baby name guessing contest. It has been fun thus far. If you can't post here, please e-mail Suzanne or myself as we are enjoying these guesses, both real and serious. Here are the choices thus far

David Cummings (boy)-Devotie Brees Brister
Nicole Hebert (girl)-Ella Brister, Margaret Grace Brister, Mary Grace Brister, Madeline Grace Brister
Lindsey Richardson (boy)
Mack Richardson (boy)
Nicole Parnell (girl)
Ron Hebert (no prediction on the sex but some great names)
D'Ronco Brister, Early Ersters Brister for a boy. D'Ronique Brister for a girl.
Peggy Hebert (boy)-Patrick Samuel Brister
Jonathan Dunn (boy)-Conner Brister
Ethan Dunn (boy)-Comet Brister
Keira Dunn (boy)-Ethan Brister
Erin Dunn (girl)-Maguerite Brister
Jacob Brister (boy or girl)-Crackers Brister

Jacob has made this announcement twice which now leads us to....

...20 Facts About Jacob!!!
I figured we'd give him the spotlight once or twice more before he has to share it, plus it will be fun for Suzanne and I to look back at. These are all true facts.

1.) Jacob has never eaten three bites of a green vegetable, despite our best efforts to try.
2.) Jacob does not like pizza or spaghetti.
3.) Jacob loves to swing.
4.) Jacob loves to play outside with the garden hose (video proof in a previous post.
5.) Jacob's favorite TV program is Barney. A distant second is Elmo.
6.) Jacob can count to 20 but almost always skips the number "five."
7.) Jacob has a crush on a waitress at La Carreta Mexican restaurant. Those who've eaten there with us can attest to this!
8.) Jacob is very likely right handed.
9.) Jacob can spell his name although the first two letters confuse him.
10.) Jacob loves books! Some of his favorites are If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Wide Awake Jake, The Bible (not making this up!), and Frog and Toad. Recently, Jacob has enjoyed reading to himself before bed as opposed to having his father do it for him.


11.) Jacob waves to Jesus when we walk into church.
12.) Jacob is already talking to the baby, whether it be the baby swing, rocker, or mommy's belly.
13.) Jacob's favorite saying presently is "see ya later alligator."
14.) Jacob is getting shy in public, particularly around women.
15.) Jacob's last week of "school" is next week!
16.) Jacob's favorite foods include french fries, peaches, watermelon, strawberries with sugar, and ice cream!
17.) Jacob enjoys pointing out fans, flags, clocks, and the moon, no matter where we go.
18.) Jacob has had four haircuts and only cried once.
19.) Jacob is brushing his own teeth.
20.) Jacob has a wide array of musical interests. He enjoys dancing to hip hop and bluegrass and I recently caught him singing along to one of my Uncle Eugene's favorite vocalists ever. Enjoy Gege!!!

A Game and A Hose

Suzanne "stole" an idea from Reece's mother recently and suggested I try it on the blog. Baby #2 is one week from being born and we want to know what you think. Is it another boy or is it a girl? If you want to try to guess the boy name, go for it. I can assure you that there are no clues on the blog to help you along (remember the game I played with Jacob's name). Some of you already know the girl's name, if it's that...but for those who don't, guess anyway. Meantime, I present some of Jacob's latest activities. I'm telling you I'm very close to having him do the entire yard!

Happy Mother's Day Mommy

Suzanne made an interesting point last night that I don't think we men will ever fully understand. While in the middle of watching a movie, she asked me if I'd check the monitor to see if Jacob was OK. Not fully understanding why she would randomly get distracted, I asked why she wanted that done. "Because he's my son and I love him," she said. Well, there wasn't much I could do with that response and I indeed checked the monitor to see him sleeping, safe and sound!

As a man, I cannot imagine what any mother goes through just to provide their child or children one day of life. I can certainly understand the attachment mother would have to child, though, given the physical and mental demands of it all. I am attached to both and am very happy to have them in my life...so Happy Mother's Day, Suzanne!

And to my very own mother...I am so happy to have someone who loves me as much now as she did almost 33 years ago. I am privileged all the way around!

Lastly, a shout out to my mother-in-law, Miss Peggy, who is the greatest mother-in-law a guy could ask for.

Happy Mother's Day!

Springtime Socialites

Baby #2 is just two weeks away so we are trying to get some last minute "visiting" in before we become invalids for a month or two. Last weekend, we visited Reece Richardson, her new baby brother Porter and of course Mack and Lindsey. Suzanne and Mack went to school and Su has become friends with Lindsey, as they actually met in the hospital, both being there at the same time with Jacob and Reece. It is crazy to see how fast they are growing up. Mack cooked some BBQ Shrimp. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm! The highlight of the night was the raspberry eating contest Jacob and Reece had. Reece clearly won by a 2 to 1 margin. Of course, we bought Jacob raspberry after this, which he spits out. It's funny what little ones will eat when other little ones are eating it! More "social" pictures coming soon.

Relaxing Boy

I'm back to the real world! And as promised, some "fresh" pictures. In reality, I took these about two weeks ago but they are too funny not to post. This is Jacob's new play room at snack time. He's seemingly enjoying it, wouldn't you say so! Jacob is developing quite the personality (some good, some bad) and I hope we can capture some of it on camera before baby #2 arrives.