Author Archives: Brandon Kraft

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Paternal Leave

I’m beginning my second (and final) week of paid paternal leave. I know how incredibly lucky I am to work for an organization that gives paid paternal leave, in addition to the normal sick/vacation time. Yes, I work for the Church, but after only one week with Olivia, I think this is an example that should be extended to the broader corporate world.

I’ve still been, somewhat, checking e-mail and interfacing with the workplace to put out fires and check on random things; however, being able to focus exclusively on Vanessa and Olivia in this time of drastic change within our family has been a true blessing. I could not imagine having such a random sleep schedule and still clocking 8+ hours at work each day.

Olivia is learning how to sleep without being held. At this point, we have to lay her down, cuddle with her while lying down, then pull away once she’s comfortable. A few nights ago, she would wake up as soon as we moved, no matter how long we waited. I don’t know if this is the right way to walk her along the path of slumber independence, but I’m optimistic with the progress.

Also, we switched to cloth diapers yesterday. Our original intention was to use cloth all the way, but with the first week and trying to figure out everything else, we were more than happy to use the diapers given to us as gifts throughout the past few months, plus the store in town that we’ve been purchasing supplies from had not carried a few things (i.e. covers) that we were wanting to use. I went down yesterday and picked up an inferior model, but it’ll work until the next shipment arrives.

We don’t really have any hardcore reasons for cloth diapers. The financial savings (overall) will be nice. The idea of limiting Olivia’s exposure to plastics is nice, but not a dealbraker. We live the environmental impact of not adding too much to the landfill, etc. We’ll still have disposables on hand–mainly for some excusions out of the home and if she’s visiting grandparents, etc.

As always, more later.

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Welcome Olivia!

The newest member of La Casa de Kraft was born! Olivia Rose was born on August 30th at 3:15 p.m. She’s quite healthy tipping the scales at 8 lbs 4 oz.

Both her and Vanessa are doing great. After a short stay in the hospital, both came home on Tuesday, September 1st. We haven’t seen much sleep since then, but I am happy to report that she (Olivia, that is) is currently sleeping for the first time for more than a few minutes without someone holding her. This is a good sign for future sleep.

I’ll post good pictures soon after I get all of the cameras into the same room as the computer, but a few cell-phone pictures are on my Facebook profile.

The full reality of having this child has not yet hit me; this is an amazing blessing with which to be entrusted. More later, mom and Olivia are waking up.

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The First Sunday of our First Advent

Today, we began our first Advent as a married couple. Recently, we bought an Advent wreath from a clay artist who has a booth at the Austin Famer’s Market and purchased small votive candles and glass from a local Catholic shop in Austin.

With the Thanksgiving weekend, I had already opted to take today off from work, so I was only at the 11:30 am Mass, that Vanessa and I usually attend. After Mass, we had stumbled upon tickets to the UT Men’s Basketball game versus Rice; we’re not planning on that to be part of our Advent tradition.

After the game, we went home. Using the form of Blessing of the Advent Wreath found in the Book of Blessings, we blessed our wreath. After a quick errand, we returned to the Advent Wreath and prayed Evening Prayer.

Our desire is to pray Evening Prayer together each night during, at least, Advent. I’d like to see the practice continue year-round, but we’ll see if it is fruitful for us.

We hope this time of preparation for Christmas is a prayerful one and full of blessings.