They both had VERY long days...TGIF!!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Grandma Janice came to visit today. Mommy needed to get a nap due to a major headache she was fighting off. Seems Maddie and her mommy we having some miscommunication last night. She is a VERY vocal baby when she sleeps and this can trick mommy into thinking that our little angel is waking up so she get up and gets a bottle ready. So last night she tricked me at 1am. Then again at 3am. She actually did wake up at 5am and then woke up again at 7am. Don't get me wrong...I am thankful for her longer sleep patterns at night...but the "pump fakes" take me back to the level of tiredness I felt not that long ago. Thank you for coming over to get your baby "fix".
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Pretty in Pink
It's not always easy to walk in a woman's shoes...that's why it's very important to have as many special pairs as possible.
Back Sleeper In Training
Doctor says it is time for us to start using that beautiful crib. Since she has only really slept for long periods of time in her swing at night...we will just have to bite the bullet and try. I hope she will adapt to laying flat on her back and NOT swinging. So we are doing anything and everything we can to prepare her and ourselves for this step. We are lucky to have a GREAT baby monitor so it will be Mommy that has to break myself of the comfort of being able to just sit up and see her to make sure she is fine. I can only imagine that "peace of mind" for a new mom is like crack to an addict. We just can't get enough. We look forward to sleeping like normal people again.
2 Month Check Up
Madison was a trooper at her doctor's appointment today. I was SHOCKED at the size of the needles that are used. She got 3 shots: 2 in the left leg and 1 in the right leg. We now know FOR SURE what her "I'm in pain" cry sounds like...but it still didn't seem as bad as her PKU heel pokes. Still, it sucked for all of us. No major reactions to the shots...really just a little sore and tired.
Sad Face
Although we do all we can to avoid them...when the hiccups get a grip on the girl for longer than about 5-10 minutes...she gets annoyed...poor baby.
Pink Shoes
Grandma Betty and I have an obsession with shoes...she is helping me pass that on to Madison. Betty got her the CUTEST pair of pink lace mary jane style shoes. I will get even better pics of them soon.
Happy Girl
Maddie was super excited to be with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Betty. She gave them LOTS of smiles.
A Family Pic
Grandma Betty and Grandpa Jim came down from Tulsa yesterday so visit and get their "Baby" fix. They took us out for Thai before heading back that evening. We REALLY enjoyed their visit.
Star's Baby
As with ALL sisters...Anything one can do the other must do it and do it better...Here is Star - Nanny N Training! We can't keep her OFF of the baby when she is on the floor.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Cranky Baby
I think I have found out what our MAIN problem is with Madison...SHE IS WAY OVER TIRED!!!
Today I was AT LAST able to get not only a SUPER hot bath but a REALLY nice nap. I could have kept on sleeping but something told me that Justin wanted me up. I am not sure if it was just my brain telling me I had been away from my girl too long or the fact that the door to the bedroom was open when I knew I had closed it. Turns out I was right...while Justin claims he did NOT open the door (which is possible considering our dogs) he did comment that he made no effort to close it.
Turns out he had A LOT of Maddie & Daddy time. She had not slept for hours and hours. While from time to time she will nod off for maybe 10 minutes...she NEVER stays that way. So as with ALMOST everything I turned to the Internet. I know for a fact that I am overtired so it would only stand to reason that she is too. I started searching "overtired babies" and tried to figure out how she not only got this way but how to fix it. After reading several different articles I realized that she is showing TEXTBOOK signs of this condition. Everything from her body language, attitude and eating habits seem to be telling me all the things that she couldn't.
Now my friend had given me a handful of great books to read on the subject of babies and sleep. Problem is that my level of "reading comprehension" since she was born has dropped into negative numbers. Justin is in the same condition. Wonder if they make cliff notes for such a book. I find myself wishing I could just go to a classroom at the college and assign some English students each book I want to know about and make them do that for homework. Why in the world do they make these types of books the size of WAR & PEACE???? I wanna know what new parent has the "grey matter" to be able to read such a book...it is not like a person would read this kind of book unless it was needed...and when it is needed there is just NO WAY I have the level of concentration it would take to understand them.
We are doing our very best to "tag"team this problem but we are just wearing down fast. I would love to go ahead and get a jump on my reading for the next "difficult" time...teething. From what I am learning now I am gonna NEED to start reading and researching stuff NOW for any chance of success THEN!!!!
Perhaps this is a good time to attempt the transition from swing to bassinet...but what do I know. It feels like I will never sleep for longer than 3-4 hours the rest of my life...
Today I was AT LAST able to get not only a SUPER hot bath but a REALLY nice nap. I could have kept on sleeping but something told me that Justin wanted me up. I am not sure if it was just my brain telling me I had been away from my girl too long or the fact that the door to the bedroom was open when I knew I had closed it. Turns out I was right...while Justin claims he did NOT open the door (which is possible considering our dogs) he did comment that he made no effort to close it.
Turns out he had A LOT of Maddie & Daddy time. She had not slept for hours and hours. While from time to time she will nod off for maybe 10 minutes...she NEVER stays that way. So as with ALMOST everything I turned to the Internet. I know for a fact that I am overtired so it would only stand to reason that she is too. I started searching "overtired babies" and tried to figure out how she not only got this way but how to fix it. After reading several different articles I realized that she is showing TEXTBOOK signs of this condition. Everything from her body language, attitude and eating habits seem to be telling me all the things that she couldn't.
Now my friend had given me a handful of great books to read on the subject of babies and sleep. Problem is that my level of "reading comprehension" since she was born has dropped into negative numbers. Justin is in the same condition. Wonder if they make cliff notes for such a book. I find myself wishing I could just go to a classroom at the college and assign some English students each book I want to know about and make them do that for homework. Why in the world do they make these types of books the size of WAR & PEACE???? I wanna know what new parent has the "grey matter" to be able to read such a book...it is not like a person would read this kind of book unless it was needed...and when it is needed there is just NO WAY I have the level of concentration it would take to understand them.
We are doing our very best to "tag"team this problem but we are just wearing down fast. I would love to go ahead and get a jump on my reading for the next "difficult" time...teething. From what I am learning now I am gonna NEED to start reading and researching stuff NOW for any chance of success THEN!!!!
Perhaps this is a good time to attempt the transition from swing to bassinet...but what do I know. It feels like I will never sleep for longer than 3-4 hours the rest of my life...
WE ARE SOOOOOO TIRED!!!!
As a new and first time parent I have become painfully aware that even though they say "most" babies peak with their "CRANKY" crying phase at 6 wks mine seems to have saved her "BEST" stuff for week 7.
This week she seems to be "refining" her vocal skills. The nurses were right when they say that sometimes babies just CRY!!!! Madison was kind enough to demonstrate this for me at both Michael's and Target earlier this week...I would tell you what day but they all ran together. I do know that on Thursday I took Maddie for her first visit to the salon. I explained to her that mommy needed her "wig" done. I received a lot of support from family and friends when I talked to them about taking her because I was just positive that she might not be as charming as we all know she normally is. And frankly after melting down in public earlier in the week I was a bit worried. But it was a Thursday in the afternoon so I took comfort in the fact that it wasn't a Saturday. Thoses are the busy busy days and I figured if she was gonna be "THAT BABY" making everyone stare at her while she screamed and cried, at least there would be less peoople to annoy.
It has come to my attention that babies are like crack to most people...especially women. Well THANK GOD for that since she performed for her public. I allowed her to be passed from person to person as each individuals appointment allowed. Not that there were many people there and my stylist owns the salon. She was always in my sight and these people were heaven sent. The ladies would feed her, burp her, rock her or even just hold her. I took care of diaper duty and then it was back to the "stage" for her. Let's just sum it up by saying...My appt was at 2pm and we didn't leave until like 5pm. Now living in Dallas that means that we didn't get home until after 6pm. I lovingly let Justin know how it went by texting him this message: "FYI...just wanted you to know that your daughter wants you." I was lucky that he "got" the message and met us in the driveway when he heard the garage door open.
Come on people I can't be the only mother to tell her husband after a rough day with the kids to say "here, she wants you".
By the end of the day on Friday I WAS FRIED!!!!!! I thought maybe she would be kind of worn out too and we could sorta be a little more mellow that day...NO LUCK!!!! She seems to be understanding the difference between night and day. I TRIED EVERYTHING and it wasn't awful must still more than I felt up to. Then came the rain and thunder and our "brave" "little" Star starts having a PANIC ATTACK!!!!!!!!
I am sore. I am tired. I have had a headache for days. I need a shower. SO to my husband I say...Lock the doors and keep the lights low. Get some good rest because you are gonna need it. Oh and I will be in the bedroom watching TV if you need me. Love you. XOXO
As a new and first time parent I have become painfully aware that even though they say "most" babies peak with their "CRANKY" crying phase at 6 wks mine seems to have saved her "BEST" stuff for week 7.
This week she seems to be "refining" her vocal skills. The nurses were right when they say that sometimes babies just CRY!!!! Madison was kind enough to demonstrate this for me at both Michael's and Target earlier this week...I would tell you what day but they all ran together. I do know that on Thursday I took Maddie for her first visit to the salon. I explained to her that mommy needed her "wig" done. I received a lot of support from family and friends when I talked to them about taking her because I was just positive that she might not be as charming as we all know she normally is. And frankly after melting down in public earlier in the week I was a bit worried. But it was a Thursday in the afternoon so I took comfort in the fact that it wasn't a Saturday. Thoses are the busy busy days and I figured if she was gonna be "THAT BABY" making everyone stare at her while she screamed and cried, at least there would be less peoople to annoy.
It has come to my attention that babies are like crack to most people...especially women. Well THANK GOD for that since she performed for her public. I allowed her to be passed from person to person as each individuals appointment allowed. Not that there were many people there and my stylist owns the salon. She was always in my sight and these people were heaven sent. The ladies would feed her, burp her, rock her or even just hold her. I took care of diaper duty and then it was back to the "stage" for her. Let's just sum it up by saying...My appt was at 2pm and we didn't leave until like 5pm. Now living in Dallas that means that we didn't get home until after 6pm. I lovingly let Justin know how it went by texting him this message: "FYI...just wanted you to know that your daughter wants you." I was lucky that he "got" the message and met us in the driveway when he heard the garage door open.
Come on people I can't be the only mother to tell her husband after a rough day with the kids to say "here, she wants you".
By the end of the day on Friday I WAS FRIED!!!!!! I thought maybe she would be kind of worn out too and we could sorta be a little more mellow that day...NO LUCK!!!! She seems to be understanding the difference between night and day. I TRIED EVERYTHING and it wasn't awful must still more than I felt up to. Then came the rain and thunder and our "brave" "little" Star starts having a PANIC ATTACK!!!!!!!!
I am sore. I am tired. I have had a headache for days. I need a shower. SO to my husband I say...Lock the doors and keep the lights low. Get some good rest because you are gonna need it. Oh and I will be in the bedroom watching TV if you need me. Love you. XOXO
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Schedule
So, the only schedule that Maddie has set in this house is the one her parents are on. During the week I usually must be in bed by 10pm at the LATEST!!!!! Justin, my loving, husband takes the last feeding of the night which falls somewhere between 10:30pm and midnight. I take the first feeding during the night which is usually somewhere between 1am and 4am. If there is a second feeding before 5:30am then it falls to the person who is either less tired or in less pain. My back has gone out MORE than once and he has been working A LOT!
She is into her 7th week starting today. She is well over 9lbs by now. She has been SUPER CRANKY as of late. We went out to Target and Michael's today...we have better trips. She was NOT EXCITED about being out and it was hot out (even if only for a few seconds). I think we might have bought our LAST package of newborn size diapers today. I honestly believe that in a matter of only a few days she will need to move up to a size 1.
Justin and I are looking forward to a VERY low key weekend. It is only Wed. and I am feeling "Friday" tired. Perhaps it is all the crying, diapers, bottles, laundry, etc...
We are dreaming of a weekend where we can just close the doors and lock ourselves in. Only a weekend filled with NON-STOP RAIN could make it better.
She is into her 7th week starting today. She is well over 9lbs by now. She has been SUPER CRANKY as of late. We went out to Target and Michael's today...we have better trips. She was NOT EXCITED about being out and it was hot out (even if only for a few seconds). I think we might have bought our LAST package of newborn size diapers today. I honestly believe that in a matter of only a few days she will need to move up to a size 1.
Justin and I are looking forward to a VERY low key weekend. It is only Wed. and I am feeling "Friday" tired. Perhaps it is all the crying, diapers, bottles, laundry, etc...
We are dreaming of a weekend where we can just close the doors and lock ourselves in. Only a weekend filled with NON-STOP RAIN could make it better.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Happy Madison
Not only was it so great to see old friends but comfortable too. I wasn't the only one who felt comfortable...Maddie slept almost the entire visit. Let's face it...she's an angel.
Troy Salmon was kind enough to grace us with his smiling face. He was not forced to hold the baby or anybody else for that matter. He and I had met for lunch a few weeks ago to catch up and came up with this plan to get some of our friends together.The peeps that came to mind were the ones that for one reason or another would not be at work on a Friday. This list was narrowed to Karen Cole, Karen Anderson, Colleen, Troy and Me.
Colleen "O'Brien" Taylor came with her daughter, Abby. They look sooooo much alike. I do not think I will have that with Maddie...she is just a little female Justin. Colleen and Abby had also met my little Monkey one day when Troy and I showed up on her mother's doorstep. I was afraid that we may have been unwelcome but when Colleen said that "babies are like crack to Kathy" I felt much much better. But they couldn't have been more welcoming anyway. After all, they are still my Ma & Pa Kettle.
Last weekend Karen "Cole" Jackson invited some friends over to her house for a bit of a reunion...it was her first time to meet Madison. She LOVED her. She was so excited to be with Maddie that she feed her again and again. She changed her again and again. Karen kept telling me that I could just leave a bottle and go home. I feel certain that Karen would be MORE than happy to babysit ANYTIME!!!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Lately I have been trying to read up on baby sleep patterns and issues. One of the many books said that many babies benefit (and so do their parents) from learning to be able to sleep not only on a schedule (which will come as she gets older) and from sleeping in different environments. This was our first attempt at this. I happen to be laying on the floor in the living room to stretch my back out a little. Madison was in her Monkey bouncer - which she had grown tired of...so...I reached for the boppy and there you have it. She was out cold in NO TIME FLAT!!! She really likes to have her arms over her head for some reason. GO FIGURE...whatever works for her.
Nanny Lacey
So as you would expect Lacey LOVES Madison!!! We have had to teach her that if she wants to be close to Maddie when she is playing that she has to stay off her play mat. Lacey has gotten really good at either just standing back and watching in case she is needed or laying with just enough of her big doggie body on the mat to not get in trouble.
You may notice the happy face that our sweet Nanny has when around the baby. Also, you will see that in one photo you can see Madison's left arm and in the next you can't. Turns out that at this point Maddie's arms and Lacey's mouth are the same length. Now, those of you who know our sweetie Lacey she is not capable of harming that baby in ANY way. SO you see when Lacey wants to give Maddie, our lil wiggler, kisses sometimes its only possible for her to put the baby's whole arm in her mouth and just lick away. Madison doesn't mind AT ALL.
Meanwhile, Star is asleep over on the couch and just couldn't be bothered with any of it.
Rather Tired
Maddie was up to 8lbs 15oz when we visited the doctor on Friday. She is in her 6 week growth spurt. That means her sleep and feeding schedule is a little off. Which means that mommy's and daddy's schedules are OFF too. So, yes I have new pics and such but explaining the delay is as much time that she will allow at this point.
I was reading a friends blog and she mentioned how being home all day with a baby can be boring...REALLY boring. While I will NEVER she is wrong...her daughter is like 7 months old and mine is 6 weeks...
I look FORWARD to the point that she is at in the months to come. I can't wait for Madison to be able to sit up, play with her toys and be silly. Until then I am happy to be her ENTIRE world because she is mine. Although...I do wish Justin was home with us...mommy still needs to sleep and eat too. Just sayin...
I was reading a friends blog and she mentioned how being home all day with a baby can be boring...REALLY boring. While I will NEVER she is wrong...her daughter is like 7 months old and mine is 6 weeks...
I look FORWARD to the point that she is at in the months to come. I can't wait for Madison to be able to sit up, play with her toys and be silly. Until then I am happy to be her ENTIRE world because she is mine. Although...I do wish Justin was home with us...mommy still needs to sleep and eat too. Just sayin...
Monday, July 12, 2010
On Sunday night it was time for Madison to get a bath. Durning our last bath experience we discovered that (not only were the nurses right about babies pooping in the bath) she was growing so fast that she was getting to big for the tub the hospital sent home with us. So, thank goodness a friend bought us an infant/toddler bath tub. WE LOVE IT!!!!
She did great. She doesn't seem to mind her baths. Well that is as long as she doesn't get cold. We are very careful to keep her wrapped up in a swaddle (like the nurses taught us). SO here are several pictures that I took of her big girl bath experience. She was an angel - UNTIL she let us know she was DONE with the bath and pictures...
Let's face it, they can't ALL be gems.
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