Three Months/13 Weeks!

   

(Someone didn't want his picture taken!)

I cannot believe it has been 3 months.  It seems like forever ago and only yesterday that he was born.  Maddex and I are starting to get into a groove.  We are really getting to know each other.  I am getting better at anticipating what he needs and we may be falling into a little bit of a daytime routine.  He has been taking a 10 am and 12:30 pm nap now for a few days.  He is down to one GINORMOUS poop a day at 10:30 (that wakes him from his 10 o'clock nap).  He plays and eats when he is awake and doesn't cry as much as he used to.  

Everyday it seems like he learns something new.  Over the weekend he started reaching for and actually grabbing toys.  He then proceeds to shove them into his mouth and gags on them!   And yesterday on his three month birthday he started blowing raspberries.  

Kiel and I have also noticed that he repeats some of our sounds now. It seems advanced, but we both swear he mimics syllables and vowel sounds.  He loves talking and gets a kick out of it when we copy what he "says."

It is so fun to see him smile and hear him laugh all day. It is especially nice when he opens his eyes for the first time over night during our 5 am feeding/diaper change.  It is like he is seeing us for the first time.  The smile and the coo that go along with it are the best things in the world!  

Since my last post, Maddex has started sleeping better again.  He has slept from 8 until 2 or 3 for the past few nights. Thank goodness!  Just getting 2 extra hours of sleep during that time make a HUGE difference!

Maddex also seemed to have had a little cold or allergies.  I'm not sure which.  It started on Saturday night and when he woke up on Sunday he was "struggling" to breathe.  Not really struggling, but he couldn't figure out how to breathe out of his mouth.  I guess babies don't know how to do this right away.  He had trouble sleeping that morning and was annoyed during his feeding.  I gave him Little Noses (I actually bought this for myself during my pregnancy) and they worked perfectly.  The drops cleared up his nasal passage so I didn't have to use the dreaded bulb syringe!   He needed the drops again on Monday and today he woke up with a relatively clear nose!  He didn't have a fever at all during this time so I wasn't too worried about it. I didn't even call my mom to ask for her opinion!  She is probably learning about his "cold" for the first time reading this!  

I printed 500 (Yes 500) photos dating from our gender reveal party all the way through to Maddex's 10th week!  Snapfish had a deal - 99 prints for 99 cents.  It was a good enough deal, but they charged $7 for shipping!  Oh well.  Lauren says they do that offer 4-5 times a year.  That's perfect for me since it will force me to upload, print, and organize photos of my baby boy's life.  I just have to remember to take the photos off our cameras.  I still have photos from his birth on our camera that I didn't even know where there until we went to the Red Sox game a few weeks ago.  Maddex's first "real" photo is on that camera since Kiel brought that into the operating room with us.  I never even looked at the picture until Maddex was 2 months old!  I'll upload those pictures soon.  Especially since I want to post our Fenway pictures!  

And let me just add that Maddex LOVES shopping!  He is such a curious little boy and gets  a kick out of watching people and seeing bright colors.  He loves being in the front carrier just looking around.  He also has gotten much better in the car.  I have gotten better at making sure he is fed, changed, and burped before even getting in the car. So if he cries I know there can't possibly be anything wrong.  This helps since I no longer become tense and stressed and I think he can sense it.  So now if he cries he only does so for about a minute or two then falls asleep or talks to himself in the mirror.   A new behavior that I noticed yesterday when we were driving to the park and then again today when we were going to KMart...He sings!  He does this little humming/cooing that is very melodic.  It may be because I changed CDs in the car.  We were listening to Michael Jackson Lullabies and now we are just listening to nursery rhymes.  The Michael Jackson CD does not have words so maybe that is why he just started the singing.  It is very cool.  I swear we have the smartest baby ever!  

- The Weekly List -

13 Weeks Old/2 Months Old
Total weight gain/loss:
Mom: I'm about 14 pounds under my prepregnancy weight.  None of my jeans fit me!  I thought I would have to buy new clothes since I would be bigger than I was before not smaller!  What a nice surprise and present from my baby boy!

Maddex: He is around 15 pounds and seems to be growing more length-wise now.  I can't wait to get the official report when we head to the pediatrician at the beginning of November. 

Sleep: He still wakes up 2 times a night. Last week he was waking up 4 or 5 times.  I was miserable!  But the last few nights it has only been 2 times.  Thank heavens!    

Best moment this week: Waking up in the morning with my handsome baby boy.  He is so precious when he wakes up.  It is like he is getting the best present in the world when he sees me and Kiel.  I hope that never goes away!

Miss Anything? Just the middle of the night wake ups.  It is much more manageable when he only gets up two times. 


Looking forward to: Auntie Corey's wedding on Friday. It will be a blast!   

Likes:
Mom: 

-Everything about this child. 

-Spending all day everyday with him.  It doesn't get old!

-That we are kind of falling into a routine

-That he almost enjoys the car now.

-Shopping and going out with the boy. 

Maddex: 
-Spending time outside

-People watching

-Looking at himself in the mirror

-Watching Mommy's hair shake

-Watching Mommy when she sticks out her tongue (he is copying me again now too)

-Blowing raspberries

-Rice cereal

-Diaper changes

-A & D ointment

-Kicking in the bath tub

-Chewing on my fingers

-Sleeping on Mommy's chest

-When Mommy does my belly exercises.

-Being Super Baby!  (I'll have to have Kiel take a picture of me doing super baby with him.)  It is our alternative to doing tummy time several times a day.  We do the official tummy time once (usually) then we play Super Baby several times a day. 

Dislikes:
Mom: 
-When he stiffens up when I get him dressed.  He hates putting his arms through the holes!

-That he only poops on HUGE poop a day now.  I would much rather change a few smaller ones.  These huge ones are hard to deal with!  And they STINK!

Maddex: 
-Getting out of the tub. 

-Getting dressed

-Sleeping the whole night in my Co-sleeper.  Mommy is much squishier!

-Being in my crib.  (My parents are going to switch mattresses with us since he actually slept in their crib for a half hour last weekend!) 

Firsts

Mom: 

-I can't think of any!

Maddex:

-Slept in Mem and Papou's crib for 30 minutes.  He even woke up when I put him down and he put himself back to sleep.

-Grabbing toys and putting them into his mouth. 

-Really sucking his thumb

-Tried oatmeal

-Went to the park (he slept the whole time on Auntie Erin while I played with Nater.  It was a nice change for both of us-I got time with a toddler and she got time with a baby)

-Play date-He got to meet Little Miss Gianna.  She was interested in him but he was totally oblivious to her.  Maybe he was just playing hard-to-get!

Twelve Weeks Old

So it looks like there won't be an official 12 week post.  This week has been quite busy for me and Maddex.  We have had yoga, I got my hair done, I had a doctor's appointment (at which Maddex saw my first outburst, but that is a story for another day), we visited his daycare, had a lunch date with Holly, a visit from Nana and Papi, went shopping for Aunie Corey's wedding, a visit with Anna, Eric, Graham, Lauren, and Dana, went grocery shopping, and I think that may be all.  Whenever we are out he has been great, except after being at Mommy's doctor for over an hour (now can you see why I may have had an outburst?)

He has not been sleeping all that well either.  I really think he may be teething.  So lack of sleep (for me), a fussy teething baby, and a busy schedule has been taking a toll on me emotionally.  This morning (Friday morning, when I originally started writing this) I felt like a failure of a mom since I have a 12 week old who is not on a schedule and sometimes wakes up every 2 hours at night to eat.  Super Nanny would not go for that!  I know he needs a schedule during the day to help with a night time routine, but I just can't make one work!  He sleep when he wants.  I have been trying to put him in his crib and he cries.  I have a hard time listening to him cry so after 2 minutes I go and get him.  Then he falls right to sleep in my arms. I know I have created a monster, but I just don't know what else to do!  A little part of me thought that maybe I should have him start daycare now.  I know Kim will be able to get him on a schedule.  She won't mind hearing his cries.  She will get him to sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time during the day.  Won't she?

Just so you know, we have stopped the rice cereal due to the whole arsenic scare.  He has tried oatmeal. He doesn't seem to like the oatmeal as much as the rice.  And what they say online is true, cereal does not help him sleep through the night. Or maybe it is just my kid.  Maybe he is the only nearly three month old who barely sleeps for 4 hours straight and even at that it is mostly like 2-3 hours at a time at night.   Is it just our kid?  It surely feels that way!

He will be 3 months tomorrow!  I'll definitely post a picture of that as well as create a post with the pictures from week 12.  I don't have an official boppy/sock monkey/chalk board wall photo in a white onesie, but I'll post something from week 12 on the Year of Maddex page so I at least have something from that week.   Hopefully, I'll be able to get back on my weekly posting schedule this week.  Although this is the week of my sister's wedding and I have A LOT going on!!

Week Eleven Photos

Passed out on our way to Newport

Hanging in the swing

He was our male stripper for the weekend

Look at those blue eyes!

A picture of him sleeping on his baby monitor.  I LOVE having a video monitor!

Passed out on the way home from Newport

Hanging out with Daddy

Before tasting cereal

Not so sure about the cereal thing

Give me more!

Yum!

What is this stuff?

Give me more!

I love the way his hair swirls so I just had to take a picture of it!

Eleven Weeks

We had another busy week and I am beginning to realize that Maddex would much rather be out looking at people than just staying home with me! He absolutely loves people watching.  As long as he in his stroller and there are people or other interesting things to look at, he is in heaven.  He isn't too keen on just walking around the neighborhood. That is entirely too boring for my inquisitive little boy!

Last Thursday we were able to go on our first overnight away as a family.  We headed down to the Newport area where I rented a house for my sister's bachelorette party.  The owner could only meet on Thursday night or Saturday morning (the rental was from Friday) so we got a free night.   It was nice to put Maddex to bed and relax in a hot tub with my hubby looking at the stars and the boats on the ocean.  It was a very nice and unexpected getaway!  

On Friday morning Kiel headed out and the ladies began to trickle in for a weekend of celebrating my sister's "last night" as a single lady.  We had a great time and Maddex did a good job being a big boy for the weekend.  He loved being outside swinging in the adult swing with Mommy listening to the birdies and watching the boats.  The warm sea air was wonderful to breathe in!

Today I tried feeding him rice cereal since he is just so hungry.  He seemed to like the flavor since every time I brought the spoon to his mouth he opened it (at least until he got full), but he hasn't quite figured out how to move food from the front of his mouth to the back of it.  Lots of the food ended up on his bib.  

- The Weekly List -

11 Weeks Old
Total weight gain/loss:
Mom: Still 11 pounds under my weight and a pair of jeans I bought a few weeks before I got pregnant are now too big!  I am hoping to open my box labeled "Amanda's skinny clothes" soon!

Maddex: He is about 14 pounds.  He seems to be growing in length now and slowing down on the poundage. 

Sleep: He still wakes up 2 times a night.   

Best moment this week: Having a quiet moment with Maddex and Kiel when we were away.  It was very special.  We are so lucky to have each other!

Miss Anything? I still miss not being able to sleep a full night.  But I have to remember this waking up in the middle of the night is short lived.  Soon enough he will be sleeping through the night and eventually I will struggle to wake him up! 


Looking forward to: Finding time to go apple and pumpkin picking as a family.   

Likes:
Mom: 

-Everything about this child. 
-Spending all day everyday with him.  It doesn't get old!

Maddex: 
-Spending time outside

-People watching
-Looking at himself
-Watching Mommy's hair shake
-Watching Mommy when she sticks out her tongue

Dislikes:
Mom: 
-When he screams in the car!

Maddex: 
-Being in my car seat
-Staying in one place for too long. I look to change what I am looking at!

Firsts

Mom: 

-Overnight away from home with my boy

Maddex:

-Spent then night in a rental

-Seeing the ocean

-Bachelorette party
-Cereal

Week 10 photos

Pretty Blue Eyes

Tough Guys watching football

Watching the spiders in his bouncy chair

Taking a walk without the car seat attachment.  He enjoys being able to look around!

Sleeping on mommy

It was Grandparents Day!

Chilling on the deck with a popped collar!

Not so sure about this boat ride thing!

Our first trip on a boat

Sending Mommy smiles while she was at the doctor!

A shirtless stud!

Look at that big boy!

Snugging with the blankie

Ready for his first Sox game!

How awesome are those sox?

Love those eyes!

Happy boy at Fenway!

Not so sure about everyone in the bleachers!

Hanging with Daddy, Papou, and Uncle Chris at the Sox game

10 Weeks Old

This post was drafted and ready to post a week ago, but things got in the way and I just couldn't find the time to get my photos from my camera to my computer.  EEEK!  How will I ever be able to get everything done when I am back at work??


Every day Little Boy is getting better and better.  Last week I even thawed out old breast milk from before I changed my diet and it didn't seem to bother him at all.  Slowly I am adding milk products into my diet.  I had butter on an English muffin at breakfast the other day, a chocolate chip cookie, and a s'more.  He seems to be tolerating the food much better than before.  I'm not ready to add cheese or yogurt yet, but I'll try it soon.

I have been trying to get him to nap in a stationary position-opposed to the swing and I have not been successful yet.  I really want to get him napping in his crib, but he is such a light sleeper during the day that he does not like being still.  Even in the swing he only naps for 45 minutes at best.  However, if I let him sleep on me I can get about 3 hours out of him.  That happened twice this week!   Unfortunately, I can't get anything done when that happens.

This week Mommy and Daddy actually took him out to dinner on our own.  He woke up as soon as we placed him in the booth so I held him for the whole dinner.  He fussed a little, but did't cry!

He had some cool first this week as well.  First on Sunday he went on his first boat ride.  Everyone said he would fall right to sleep.  Not so much, he was awake and fussy almost the whole ride.  Either way, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed being out on the water.

He also got to go to his first Red Sox game.  The car ride in wasn't so fun!  He did well on the highway, but as soon as we got into the city and had to deal with traffic, he screamed.  But he was awesome at dinner and great at the game.  Every now and then someone would scream and startle him, but for the most part he was great.  We left during the 7th inning stretch with the game tied 3-3 and listened to the end on the radio.  Jacoby Ellsbury hit a walk off single to win the game on his birthday!  The Red Sox beat the Yankees and finally won a game.  Maddex is certainly a good luck charm!  His last other first was Mommy and Me yoga.  We both loved it.  I love that I can incorporate playtime with my exercising and I have actually done so a few times since the class.  I also learned some moves to help Maddex with his gas and boy was he ripping them in class!   I love it and can't wait to go back next week!

- The Weekly List -

10 Weeks Old
Total weight gain/loss:
Mom: I am now pretty consistently 10 pounds under and today I was 11 pounds under. I fit into my prepregnancy jeans better than I did before I got pregnant!  Breastfeeding is the best diet ever!

Maddex: He is still about 13 1/2 pounds nearing 14.  He is finally slowing down a little bit.  He is a monster! A very healthy monster, thankfully!

Sleep: He has been waking up a little more at night again, but luckily he still falls right back to sleep.  At the 5 am wake up he wants to be held to sleep.  I can sleep with him in my arms pretty well, but I think I created a monster!  We really want to transition him into his crib beginning in October, but I hate that he is still waking up like 3 times a night.  I am really considering giving him cereal.  Any thoughts on this?  The doctor said to wait until 4 months, but he is so hungry and only wakes up to fill his belly. He doesn't even open his eyes during these night feedings.  

Best moment this week: Seeing a happier baby come out of his shell.  He is really starting to show his personality.  Taking him to his first Red Sox game was also wonderful!

Miss Anything? I full night of sleep, just going out with my cell phone and keys.  He requires so much stuff!


Looking forward to: Bringing him to his Auntie Corey's bachelorette party this weekend.  

Likes:
Mom: 

-Seeing my baby smile and laugh.
-Hearing his talking voice
-When he stops crying/whimpering when he sees me coming to get him.  
-That I still have about 3 more months home with him.  He is so much fun! 
-When he talks to his toys or himself in the mirror. 

-Having quiet cuddly time with him and Daddy.  

Maddex: 
-Being squeezed close to Mommy

-Bath time

-Kicking in the bath

-His play mats
-Standing up on our laps
-Sticking my tongue out
-Wearing only a diaper

-When Daddy holds me high like Super Baby

-Blankets on my cheek

-Monkey (his favorite toy right now)

Dislikes:
Mom: 
-When he cries in public.

-That he only sleeps for about 20 minutes at a time during the day. 

Maddex: 
-Getting dressed
-Getting out of the tub. 

-Sleeping somewhere that doesn't rock or vibrate. 

Firsts

Mom: 

-Brought Maddex into Boston all by myself! 
-Went to a Red Sox game as a family
-Took my son to our first Mommy and Me Yoga class

Maddex:

-Red Sox Game

-Met Mommy's students

-Yoga class (and, boy, did I let out some gas for all the ladies there!)