4.5 month update!

So very much has happened since my last update!

My sweet Maddox continues to sleep in his crib. There's not a ton of consistency, but usually at least 4 hours per night (but sometimes 7)! He still LOVES being swaddled and loves snuggles with Daddy after his nighttime bottle! 

We also got the all-clear to start cereal with Maddox. And it cracks me up because so far...he's not a fan. And of course also doesn't realize it's food, which is fun trying to spoon feed a baby while he's yelling because he wants his bottle! We started feeding him his cereal after his bottle to help with that. Feeding him the cereal before the bottle meant a baby who spits up a lot more than normal when he burps from the bottle. :( I really look forward to feeding him other foods once he gets the hang of spoon feeding and seeing what foods he likes! 

I ended up trying the coconut oil treatment for Maddox's cradle cap. It worked like a charm! Except that Maddox hated it and literally screamed at me the entire time I was coming it through. But now it is mostly gone!:)

Our pediatrician said Maddox is in the 2nd percentile for weight and height but 40th percentile in head circumference. :) Hence the slow growing. I did weigh him yesterday and he officially weighs 13 pounds! Our pediatrician also said he sees Maddox's two bottom teeth but that they aren't ready to push through just yet. Which is ok--I'll keep my pain-free baby for as long as possible!

And as you likely saw if you follow me on facebook, Maddox rolled over last week! He's still not a huge fan of tummy time and I really just have to get him in the right "mood" for tummy time, otherwise he ends up rubbing his face on whatever he's laying on and then screaming at me.

Maddox is also now learning to play and loves grabbing at things, especially things that light up!  He's so fun to play with and watch now!

Oh. I can admit I've saved the best update for last. This little boy can LAUGH! And he thinks his Daddy is the funniest guy ever. So far only Daddy makes him laugh, which is ok because then I can laugh and smile along too! Oh, watching those two makes my heart SO incredibly full and happy! 

I can't wait for my next update and hope for it to include topless jeep days and time in the pool. No? Well, maybe I'm overly ambitious about the weather :) But I'm sure my next update will include lots of other fun things!!

Until next time...

Xo Sarah 

Up in this crib...

I know, I said I wouldn't do this. But I did! Has it really been almost a month since I've blogged?! Oops! Time sure does fly when you get to spend all your extra time with the two cutest boys in the world! 

Lately we've been doing more tummy time in an attempt to help maddox get closer to rolling over. We've not really had success thus far. In fact, maddox hates tummy time! Usually if I put him flat, he will rub his nose around on the ground until he gets tired of it and then starts to tell about it. I've started putting him on top of the boppy to help with this and it does help a bit, although not all the time. I did manage to snap this gem with my phone during tummy time the other day. His faces just make me laugh all day. 

At the recommendation of our pediatrician (and completely against my desires, noted below), we moved maddox to the crib this weekend. I feared he would yell and scream and that it just wouldn't be good. On top of that, I feared I wouldn't hear him until he was screaming at night (which isn't fun). Finally, I worried about his reflux and being flat in the crib. Our pediatrician said we could angle his mattress like his rock and play was if we wanted. 

We started getting him ready for the crib on Monday. We moved his rock and play and humidifier into his room so he could get use to the temperature, smell, and sounds of his own room. He did great In his rock and play in his room! So, Friday night, his mattress was ready and angled and his humidifier was full and ready in his room. I fed and swaddled and put on the noise machine and put him down. And six hours later...without crying...he woke up to let me  know he was hungry. We watched the monitors like Hawks that night! He moved around a lot (A LOT) which amazes me since he is still swaddled! At one point we woke up and his head was at the foot of the bed. Because of this, we agreed to remove the blankets angling he mattress. Saturday night we went on with our bedtime routine and he slept only four hours. But Sunday night? EIGHT hours! 

Which brings me to my question. When do these start to level out? One night four hours, another six, and another eight? Why? 

So my guy is finally in his crib in his own room and I can't express the relief and freedom I feel! Just in time for the four month sleep regression. Did anyone else's baby go through this? I dread it! 

The reflux remains an issue with no major update. Womp womp. The worst part of reflux is that his car seat straps are totally gross because he spits up nearly every time he's in his car seat. Ick. 

This past Saturday maddox just started talking to us. It's my favorite thing to hear him "ooh" and "ahh" over nothing. I love having little "ooh" conversations together! 

And my favorite thing for Maddox's third month of life? His twilight turtle that my work friends got me! It's the perfect nightlight and it casts constellations on his walls and ceiling! It even goes to sleep after a certain amount of time and puts out three different colors! I love it! 

I promise I'll try to not let it be another month before I update!

Xoxo, S

Bedtime routine and my new favorite baby item!

Welcome loves!

As promised, today's blog post is dedicated to our nightly bedtime routine for Maddox.

I guess I should start by saying that we currently don't bathe him every night because he really doesn't get THAT dirty.  We typically bathe him on Sunday and Wednesday nights and have been for a while.  I've been tracking his sleep patterns and it honestly doesn't appear to effect his sleep either way!  I know a lot of parents use bathtime as a way to start off their bedtime routine, but so far we haven't found it necessary.  When did you start using bath time as your bedtime routine?

Typically Maddox eats on a two-hour schedule during the day right now.  He usually eats around 7-8ish and then we let him "nap" in the living room for a couple hours until he eats once more before we go to bed.

If he eats around 8, I make Andy get Maddox down to his diaper and wake him again around 9:30-10, which is the beginning of our routine.  Andy always feeds him the last time of the night and I pump while they're doing their thing.

After this part is over, I usually take Maddox in for a diaper change and then I rub him down with nighttime lotion.  I then try and burp him a second time and then swaddle him in a swaddle me sack.  I love those because they are SO easy and keeps the legs free for him in case he needs to move in the middle of the night (and they come in super cute designs).

Once he's swaddled, I typically turn him on his side while I'm holding him, with his tummy touching mine. This helps get out any bubbles and helps settle his tummy.  I carry him into the bedroom like this and then continue to hold him this way.

After he's in the bedroom, I rock him for a minute or two--five if he's fussy.  Also if he's fussy, I give him his pacifier and shush him and pat his butt until he's calm.  Lately though, he's been going down like a rockstar (knock on wood?!) and I don't have to do much patting or shush-ing.

I know lots of other people use singing or books for their bedtime routines.  When did you start using those?  I'm not opposed but I don't really know Maddox would appreciate or understand this as part of his routine.

And yes, he's still in our room in his rock and play.  And he is ROCKING it right now.  Last night he slept SEVEN.  HOURS.  IN A ROW!!!!  I could keep up with this.  Too bad teething is on the horizon soon right?

Finally: my new favorite baby item.  I've mentioned before how much I LOVE wearing Maddox and how well he does with it.  As much as I loved wearing him in the baby Bjorn, I worried often that it didn't bunch him together enough and was too cold.  I had been searching for a while for something different and follow several people on instagram who also love baby wearing (check out CoconutRobot on instagram) and was totally inspired!

And thus, my love for Sakura Bloom was born.  I knew even before christmas that I wanted one, but that price was NOT something I loved.  I found another site that made customized ring slings and was interested in those, but this particular site only took so many orders at a time and I missed out.  I ended up buying a ring sling from etsy that is grey, but it too is custom-made and hasn't come in yet.  And two days later, Sakura Bloom announced that they'd be having a flash sample sale!! Even though I'd already bought a sling from etsy, I couldn't resist.  So I logged on the day of the sale and got SUPER lucky (these slings sell SO SO SO quickly, like within minutes) and I happened to snag one before they sold out.  It's not grey like I had originally wanted, but it's a Sakura Bloom so I'm still happy!  I got notification last week that it was on its way and then today it arrived!  I couldn't wait to try it on, and I'm clearly not the only one who enjoyed it! :)

What are/were your favorite baby items at this stage?

PS-how is it possible I have a nearly three month old?!?!

Xoxoxo, S

SO MANY UPDATES!

I know, I know.  It's been too long.  Whoops!  It's hard remembering to blog, especially when I am on limited time home with my baby boy.  I'll do my best to be more punctual!  For my amends, I promise to include lots of pictures in this post. :)  To start off, here's a picture of the dude bundled up for the Christmas light/tractor parade in our town:

Christmas has come and gone and this sweet little man made out like a bandit!  Maddox got the cutest gifts ever.  Some of my favorites include a personalized blanket I ordered for him, a personalized puzzle of his name, blocks that have special sayings and info on them from when he was born, and his future jumper/exercauser!  He got even more gifts than Andy and I did, and his pile is still sitting at the Christmas tree waiting to be put away.  I guess he needs to start putting things away. ;)

 The dude is jacked about Christmas.

Lately Maddox has been sleeping pretty well.  I know I was interested before on moving him into the crib, but after much feedback from several of you via Facebook, I'm no longer in a hurry.  He is sleeping well in his rock and play and I see no need for all of us to miss out on sleep just because he is a certain age.  The fact of the matter is, Maddox has clearly expressed that he isn't really ready to sleep in his crib and I am totally okay with that.  Our doctor did confirm that Maddox has acid reflux and he is now on medication for this, which contributed to my decision not to move him to the crib just yet.  He does need to continue to be elevated after he eats and this includes bedtime, and the rock and play allows this.  He likes sleeping in there and pretty much goes right to sleep most nights after our routine.  Perhaps I'll post more about our bedtime routine and see if you think I'm leaving anything out.

Today Maddox had his two-month checkup and his first round of shots (besides his HBV as a newborn).  We took both a before and after picture which I've included below.  He was very happy after being weighed and measured and I even snapped the picture of him smiling!  Maddox was examined by the doctor who agrees that Maddox is very strong for his age and is very cute. :)  He then was given his first round of shots and HATED EVERY SECOND OF IT.  He was even mad afterward while getting dressed.  We immediately gave him tylenol afterward and then fed him a bottle.  After this, we strapped him into the carseat and he slept like a champ for 2.5 hours while we ran errands and drove home.  When he awoke again, he was a super angry little wild thing.  He ate and then was still angry.  I gave him his pacifier and held him on his side and he went quickly to sleep again.  He's now sleeping on my Aunt's lap as I type.

Before...

After being weighed/before shots...

After :(

My Aunt Brenda is here visiting again and (I must say) appears to be quite enamored with Maddox. I mean, he is pretty damn cute, right?

Maddox just completed a wonder week/leap and it really wasn't as bad as the first.  Tonight after his shots was actually much, much worse than his recent leap.  I can only hope he continues to be as easy this week as he has been! :)

Maddox has newly discovered his love of lights and has been completely preoccupied with all things lights over the past few weeks.  This week he discovered the TV and is totally obsessed with it--especially the Harry Potter marathon that has been on this weekend.  Can you blame him? :)

Finally, today I made several bottles before we left the house and took four with us-three in the collar pack and one in the side of the diaper bag out to warm up.  Sadly, the three in the bag got turned over and leaked out of the tops of the bottles/into the cooler bag.  Every.  Single.  Drop.  Nine ounces of wasted milk.  This mommy was very, very sad about the wasted milk. :(

Until next time...Xoxo

Christmas Traditions

Before we had Maddox, we had simple Christmas traditions.  We would go to Andy's parents' house on Christmas eve to celebrate, then come home and watch Christmas vacation and have cocktails and spinach dip.  We started this tradition a few years ago and there was more than one occasion that ended in me being slightly drunk on Christmas Eve... :) Andy and I have typically been irresponsible and can't seem to wait until Christmas day to open our presents, so we typically open them on Christmas eve with continued cocktails.Then on Christmas morning, there is usually a firetruck that delivers goodie bags to little ones that I always received when I was little and look forward to Maddox getting one next year!  Then we head over to my parents' house and open gifts at their house and have a late lunch with wine.  For fun, here's a throwback from a few years ago at our old house on Christmas Eve (the date is wrong--it was more like 2011)

This year, we have baby Maddox and I feel more traditional than normal!  I feel pressure to celebrate all of his "firsts" and want to try and make every moment with him special.  I've been working this week to try and compile the list of things I'd like to do for/with him this holiday season, and have included it below:
-Picture with Santa
-Pictures at the Magic Tree
-Christmas Eve box (see below)
-new ornament for the Christmas tree each year
-Picture with first snow that sticks
-Baking day with me
-Special cookie and milk plate and mug for Santa on Christmas eve
-Watching Rudolph (even though he won't know it this year)

The Christmas Eve box I've created this year includes a new Christmas book and a new set of pajamas because he's so little. In the future, I'd like to include some hot chocolate and popcorn for him to enjoy as we read said book or watch a Christmas movie together as a family.

What other ideas do you guys have?  Are there things that you do with your little ones that you think might be fun ideas for me to start with this sweet little face this year?

I leave you with a picture of this smiley, happy little man. :)

Xoxo, Sarah

To crib or not to crib...

Welcome, friends!

During the past two weeks we have been quite busy!  We had newborn pictures taken with Maddox, put up our Christmas tree, went shopping and got all of our presents wrapped! (along with so many other things...)

We managed a shopping trip while I wore Maddox in the baby carrier.  He absolutely loves the carrier and tends to just fall asleep as soon as I put him in there.  I actually really love having him in the carrier!  I love having him close to me, and I think he loves it too!  He lets me get so much done when he's in there!  I ended up putting up our Christmas tree this year while I was wearing him in the carrier.  I managed to put up the tree, move furniture, and clean the floors all while wearing him!  So glad he is now big enough that I can enjoy it!

We also think Maddox has some reflux issues.  Lately, he's been spitting up and often it's chunky (no bueno).  A lot of times after he burps or spits up, he cries for no reason and we have to hold him, rock him, or just pat him/try to burp him again.  It's really sad because most times we don't know what the problem is until after he's spit up again or burped again or gets himself calmed down.  I feel like I'm rambling here but...you get the idea.  His spit up issues are not fun.

Yesterday we attempted to put Maddox in his crib for his first nap.  He was already asleep when I put him down, but Andy reminded me I should try him in his crib.  I put him in there with his favorite sound app on and the door cracked.  He slept for around 20 minutes.  He then woke up and wanted to eat again and after that, it was game over.  I couldn't get him back down in the crib for longer than 8 minutes.  We decided last night we would try to just get Maddox sleeping in his bassinet, which is a flat sleeping situation.  Prior to last night, he'd been sleeping in his rock and play.  However, while trying to get him to sleep last night (and while Andy and I were drifting off to happy sleepy dream land), we both awoke to what sounded like Maddox spitting up and weird breathing sounds.  So...for now, I think the crib AND the bassinet are out.  I'd really rather him just sleep and be able to sleep without me having to stare at him all night to make sure he's breathing.

Speaking of, this little monster might be getting a cold.  His little breaths are sounding sorta ragged as I type tonight.  Isn't he about the age he's losing some of my antibodies and starting to form his own immune system (or lack thereof)?  I hope he's not getting sick.  Poor guy.

Today something amazing happened.  Maddox and I awoke after a long night of several feedings.  I fed him and got a washcloth ready to clean his booty for a diaper change. (We are still not using wipes to help heal his diaper rash, which is almost gone!)  I was talking to him in a happy little voice, and guess what happened?  This sweet little man smiled at me.  Not an asleep smile, not a smile that was from gas, but a full-on, "hey mommy" smile!  And then again while I was changing his diaper!  My heart melted and I of course started crying.  I love this sweet little munchkin so very much.

I'm sad to think that as of today I have only 30 days left with my baby boy before I have to go back to work.  I am only able to take ten weeks of maternity leave for financial reasons, but feel truly blessed that I was able to have more time than most women get to stay home with their little ones!

I leave you with a couple of our pictures done by the incredibly talented Jocelyn Bernard.  They are absolutely stunning and I'm so excited to share them!

Until next time...Xoxo

Four weeks of life!

Welcome, friends!

Our little wild thing is now four weeks old and growing every day!  He is gaining weight quickly and doing well!  I thought I'd use this post to share some happenings since his birth that I've kept quiet and just updates on life with this sweet little guy.

As most of you may know, when Maddox was born he had some breathing complications and had to be observed for an additional amount of time before he could come be in our room.  This was a major concern for us when we first brought him home, but our fears were eased when we later visited the doctor and he confirmed that it sounded like all of the fluid was out of his lungs and his breathing appeared normal.

Another thing that we learned is that I have hyperlactation/strong letdown/oversupply of breastmilk.  Because of this, Maddox would fuss during most of our nursing sessions and would often choke while nursing because the milk would come out so fast.  The only option to help cure this?  Pump before nursing.  I debated and felt that although I could potentially do this, it would create a lot more work and difficulty.  Have you heard a baby crying at 2am because he's hungry and doesn't want to wait another second before eating?  Exactly.  Pumping before nursing just didn't make sense to me.  Because of this, I've taken to pumping my milk and feeding it to him via bottle.  It has worked WONDERS for us and I am so happy that he can continue to reap the benefits of drinking breastmilk!

On the afternoon of Halloween, we received some concerning news from our doctor that we needed to repeat our newborn screening as Maddox tested in the borderline range for both Cystic Fibrosis and Hypothyroidism.  We were alarmed, scared, confused, anxious, and very, very sad about the possibility that our sweet little man could have either of these disorders.  It made for a very depressing Halloween!!  We took him that afternoon to have his screening re-done.  When we went to our pediatrician the following week for his two-week checkup, he confirmed what we had hoped and prayed for the entire week prior--clear test results and a healthy baby boy!

Maddox developed a diaper rash around the 2.5-3 week old mark.  I couldn't figure out why he was crying during every diaper change until Andy pointed out the rash.  It ended up getting worse and worse and is now quite blistered!  We went to the doctor for this one, too.  You might recall me asking for help for this on Facebook prior to our doctor appointment.  We tried Boudreaux's, Vaseline, A&D, powder, and Desitin.  The doctor recommended Mylanta/Maalox and Desitin mixed together.  I mixed this up and threw in some anti fungal cream and some neosporin for good measure.  It's healing slooooowwwwwly. :)

Feeding is going well!  Around 2 weeks old Maddox spoiled us and slept around 5 hours one night (it was the night of the time change).  Ever since then I've been hopeful....without result.  He typically goes 3 hours between feedings.  When I started pumping and feeding, this became a little difficult and time consuming at night, because I let Andy sleep at night (he's still working and I'm not--I felt it only fair!) and I got up to feed Maddox, change him, and pump.  It took over an hour each time he woke up.  This weekend I finally purchased a hands-free pumping bra and it has changed feeding time!  I am able to pump while feeding Maddox in the middle of the night and then change his diaper and back to bed!  It takes around 20 minutes, which is incredible as compared to the time I spent before we developed our routine!

Maddox has also stopped wanting to be swaddled.  Sometime last week he started fussing when I would try to swaddle him in his swaddle sack.  I had previously read somewhere that crying/fussing during swaddling was a sign that babies no longer want to be swaddled.  I put him in a sleep sack instead, which allows his arms to be free and his legs are still sort of contained in a sack.  Although he does move around more and it takes him a little longer to get to sleep, he isn't fussing any longer.  I'm open to ideas on how to get him down at night more quickly.  He tends to be restless at night when I first put him down and I have to hold in his pacifier for a long time before he goes to sleep.  Once he gets to sleep, he sleeps like a champ for 2-3 hours, but the getting him there isn't ideal.  Ideas??

I cannot believe that in three short days my little man will be one month old.  I keep looking back to the day I met him and first kissed his sweet little face with such joy.  I have truly enjoyed the past four weeks with him and cannot wait to watch him grow into a fun little monster!

PS, it's true.  Already Maddox loves pooping and farting as loud as possible.  It's a boy thing. :)