Catch up

Wow...it has really been an entire month since I updated the blog!  Time sure has flown by...and with the holidays I can't find a spare minute to do anything! 

We have been super busy...lots of happenings going on...we are in the midst of selling one of our frozen yogurt shops and bringing new partners aboard on our other location! 

Thanksgiving was such a wonderful time, full of super yummy food thanks to Nana!  Everything was simply delicious! 

The kiddos are growing like crazy.  Peyton is 4 1/2 and he tells everyone:)  He has his flu vaccine today and was not happy at all about that!  He is doing wonderful in school these days.  He LOVES it and that makes me feel at ease about it.  He is anxiously anticipating Christmas.  Buddy the elf came back the day after Thanksgiving and has been up to all kinds of fun things since being back.  Peyton loves waking up and coming to find him every morning.  He loves Santa Claus this year.  He actually went to sit on his lap at the mall...we were shocked.  But it did happen! 

Maddox on the other hand...hates Santa!  Simply put, I no more detached him from my  hip to sit him down and screaming he did!!!  So it looks as if we will get no santa pictures with him this year.  He is walking everywhere. He really took off Thanksgiving day.  Just decided it was time and off he went.  He is still his adorable little self that will eat almost anything you put in front of him.  He is waving bye-bye now and loves to blow kisses.  Each night he will blow us a kiss when we tell him it is bedtime!  Too cute:)  Still only saying mama, dada and grunting for everything else...Kind of how he tells us what he wants.

Kevin is in the Bahamams for the week and we are headed to NC to visit.  Peyton is super excited to visit his Noni and Popi!  Hopefully we can get some pictures up soon!  Quick recap of our life at the moment!!

Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween...A WEEK LATE!!!

MDR birthday celebration in VA

The Hungry Caterpillar Bash in VA!!

Can't believe this little guy is 13 months old!!!

MDR is 1...his birthday pics from NC

Only a month late...but a few pics from  his birthday celebration in NC!!  As you can see, he thoroughly enjoyed his Mickey Mouse Cake!!

4th tooth

MDR's fourth tooth has popped through this week!  The top right one came through Tuesday October 30.  He had been such a pill the past couple of days so we knew it was only a matter of time!  He is back to being his normally happy self.  Still trying to master walking.

We have a walker!!!

I can hardly believe that I am typing that....Maddox has started taking more and more steps each day! It all really started last Friday evening when we were visiting Mimi!  He was down on the ground and we stuck our hands out and he took about two steps!  Each day he progresses a bit more.  He does really well and then seems to get tickled with himself.

I can hardly believe my tiny baby boy is well on his way to being a toddler!

a few more milestones

So Maddox has been growing up way too fast lately...

Last Thursday October 11was the last time Maddox nursed!  With Peyton, he nursed at least once a day until he was 15 months old.  I must say I never imagined we would ever make it to the one year mark, but we did.  He had only been nursing once a day for quite a while so I was expecting it not to last too much longer!  Another chapter has closed~

Also, as of today, his top left tooth has finally poked through!  THANK GOODNESS!!!  He woke up yesterday with a fever of 102 and was extremely fussy and cranky and clingy!  I immediately thought it was teeth so I just let it run its course and gave him plenty of motrin.  Today he was eating an finally let me feel and there it was!!

Now off to decide what to be for halloween!!!

Oops!!!

So yesterday I totally forgot a few important things about Maddox.

He has his two bottom teeth and I think his top left isn't too far behind.
He loves to cruise on the furniture but still a bit apprehensive to let go and do it solo!  He stands perfectly and will "try" to walk.  It really is falling with style:)
He says mama and dada all the time.  He knows who Peyton is but not yet said his name.
He loves playing with any type of ball!
He is sleeping through the night and has been for a while.  He goes to bed between 8:30 & 9 and gets up between 7-8.
He normally cat naps in the morning and takes an afternoon nap between 2 and 3 which normally lasts about 2-3 hours.

I think that may be it... Probably not but for now!

MDR is 1!!!!

My precious little bundle of joy turned one on Sunday,  I can hardly believe that I just typed that!  It truly seems like yesterday we were in the midst of a horrible nightmare.  Seriously the longest two weeks of my life when Maddox was in the NICU.  Between him being there and Peyton and Kevin driving back and forth to Virginia...somedays I just look back and think how much we actually went through!  

Maddox had a fabulous birthday weekend!  We started the celebration in Winston Salem on Friday night where we had NC BBQ and A Mickey Mouse cake!  Maddox really got into that one!  He was covered in icing and he loved very minute of it!  The next day we headed to the fair and walked around and had turkey legs, ice cream and of course chocolate covered frozen bananas!  DELICIOUS!!!!  

Sunday was his actual birthday and we drove back to VA and went to the Elmo show.  We were exhausted but the boys had a blast!!!

One more celebration and that was last night for the family in VA!!!  We had chicken bbq( I am noticing a trend here) and of course cake and ice cream!  The theme this go round was the very hungry caterpillar.  The cake was too cute!  Pics to come later!

As for Maddox...he is doing great.  We had a check up on  Tuesday and he is doing great!
Weight: 15lbs 13oz (7%)
Height: 28 inches (3%)
He would seriously eat all day!  His most favorite foods are yogurt, bread, fruit of any kind...the list could go on and on.  He is a great eater.  
He is still wearing cloth diapers but when we do use disposable he wears a 3.
Clothes we are in 6-12 months
He has a head full of hair and looks just like his brother!  

What a sweet baby boy we have!  Seriously can't remember our lives before the little guy.

Back from Vaca...

I always love getting away, even if it is only for a few days!  We went to Myrtle Beach last Tuesday with my parents and had a nice relaxing time.  The weather was great but the pool water was CHILLY!!!  It didn't stop Peyton though!  He loved every second of it.

He has commented many times about how much he misses Myrtle Beach which is funny since we live in a mini Myrtle Beach!!  We enjoyed some fun times, great food and a nice break!  The boys did wonderful and Peyton has fallen in love with Miniature Golf (Putt-Putt).

While we were there, Maddox got his second tooth.  Bottom left (or maybe right)!  SO he has two teeth and I am betting the top two are very close behind!  He has been a pill ever since we came home:)  We also have a brand new nephew....Fisher Max Hutchinson was born the Sunday!!  What a cutie he is!  Peyton has asked me several times every day, can we go see Meggie's baby or can we go see Fisher Max!  It is soo cute!!!

Quick update...Maddox will be turning 1 next Sunday!  I am simply shocked that my baby boy is almost 1!!!  We are headed to NC next week to have a reunion with our NICU nurses and then going to the FAIR!!! Which we missed last year:)  Then back to VA for another birthday for the little guy!  Hopefully I can find 5 mins to update after all our parties!

Comparison

Somedays I can totally see it..but other not so much!!

Peyton at 11 months 

Maddox at 11 months

Guess What...

This little guy (Maddox) got his first tooth FINALLY!!!  We have thought he was teething since he was 4 months old.  Boy were we ever wrong.  I think we were a wee bit nervous he didn't have teeth.  Last night we were sitting in the floor before bed and I thought I saw a pearly white in there and sure enough!!  It is the bottom left tooth!  So excited he has started to get teeth.

MDR...11 months old

Our sweet little Maddox turned 11 months old today.  I often find myself thinking back 11 months ago and how it felt like an eternity that we were in the NICU in Winston Salem.  Now, we are in the midst of planning a first birthday party!

So anyways back to Maddox...he is doing great these days.  Our schedule goes a bit like this
7 am  wake up- usually he is pretty fussy at this point, but we manage!  Normally we are downstairs by 730 or 8 at the latest!
730 -8 breakfast which usually consist of YoBaby yogurt and cereal mixed together.  He loves to eat.
Then it is play time until about 9 or 10.  Once the fussiness begins, the we know it is nap time.  The morning nap will normally last about 1 hour.
More play time after nap and this is when we head out and do what needs to be done.
Back home by 2 usually at the latest.
Lunch time happens now and he will eat whatever you give him.  Lately he has been loving Mac n cheese.  But he loves bananas, applesauce, anything!
Kevin keeps saying he doesn't remember Peyton being such a good eater, but I think he was and then they get picky!
2:30-3 afternoon nap....he nurses at this nap.  Usually will sleep until around 5 or 5:30.
5 ish wake up and daddy is home so he snacks on goldfish or something at this point
630 dinner time and we try to give him some type of protein and veggie.
730 bath time
8:00 ready to nurse again before bed
830 we try to have Maddox in bed by this time, but he can make it until 930ish but he gets cranky!!!
He is sleeping thru the night thankfully!  It took him 2 nights to get it done, but now he seems to be doing great.

His stats as far as we know...he is weighing in at 15 lbs as of last week.
We are still doing clothe diapers but when we use disposable he is in a size 3.
Clothes he is wearing 6-9 months but can totally fit 12 months.
He is saying what seems to be mamma and dadda.
He was waving at one time but has since stopped.
He had his first sip, haha, huge gulp of chocolate milk yesterday!  I think we will try white milk this weekend.
He adores his brother!!!!

So there it is...an 11 month post on my sweet baby!

The Day before PreK 4

So tomorrow Peyton starts his second year at Norfolk Christian!  He will be in PreK 4!  I am not sure how it happened that we are entering into our second school year...where has the time gone?

We went yesterday and met his teacher, Mrs. Herritt.  Peyton was a bit apprehensive going to school again yesterday and was very nervous.  We walked into his new classroom and very greeted by a friend who was in his class last year.  We immediately realized that over half of the class is from his PreK 3 class last year.  It was nice to see that.

Peyton never left my side as we spoke with his teacher and tried to hype up the big day.  He did start to explore a bit as we got ready to leave, but it made my mommy heart a bit nervous about how our day tomorrow will go.  We are only doing 3 half days but I am just so anxious to get the first day behind us.

Last year as I dropped him off I left my sunglasses on so no one could see the water works that were about to start.  This year I am not sure it is going to be much different.  He has told me that I a, going to miss him and then he tells me how excited he is...we shall see tomorrow.  

I am praying things go smoothly for both of us...

MDR...10 Months old

MDR turned 10 months on Tuesday...2 shorts months and we will be celebrating that sweet little bundles 1st birthday!!!

Maddox has been doing great lately!  Our schedule is starting to really sink in it seems lately!

7 am we wake up and he comes into bed and nurses (that has just started this week)
8 am head downstairs where he is anxiously anticipating his yogurt/cereal
830-930 or 10 plays with his brother or holds on to my pant leg!!
10ish he is ready for a nap...he still nurses at this point...sometimes i have to rock him to sleep other times he quickly drifts away!
normally sleeps about an hour...this is usually when we go do our errands for the day so we are on the go from 11is-1ish
1 lunch time when he will eat some type of fruit puree, veggies, whatever we have!
2-230ish nurses again for afternoon nap
4:30-5ish wakes up from afternoon nap and usually wants a bit of a snack.  We have introduced him to goldfish and he likes to suck the salt off of them!
6-630 ish dinner time!!  He is still eating the pureed food out of the pouches right now...I really thought I was going to be a good mom and make all his food...oops...no way who has time!!
7ish-730ish is bath time every other night.  He loves to play in the bath with his big brother!!
8 time to get ready for bed...diapered, lotioned, pjs and one more time to nurse with mommy!
We try to be in bed by 8:30...

Just this week, I decided I was done nursing the middle of the night feedings.  So last week we did it one night...the first night was about 2 hours of crying...LONG NIGHT!!!  The next night maybe an hour!  Now, last night he woke up at 4, I walked in rocked him for about 5 minutes and back to sleep he went until 7!  I was in heaven!!  So nice that he is only waking up once now!  Let's hope it continues!!!

He is pulling up on everything and anything!  He has learned to crawl up the stairs so our barstool is serving as a gate!  He learned to wave as well and has gotten pretty good at it!

He still has no teeth!!  I am beginning to wonder if they are ever coming in...haha!  One day...

Peanut M & M's and an almost 10 month old

Yes seriously, Maddox will be 10 months old tomorrow!  Crazy how time flies!

Over the weekend we were having peanut M and M's and someone is quicker than his daddy thought.  Kevin was holding a bowl of them in one hand and Maddox in the other.  He thought he had only grabbed 2, but come to find out, he swiped more.

I came downstairs and noticed red on Maddox's shirt.  I quickly asked what it was and Kevin said he must have thrown up...really red throw up what in the world.  I noticed that he was chewing on something so I stuck my finger in his mouth and sure enough found a peanut!  Seriously...the little man had indulged in his first ever M and M and it was a peanut one!!!

Needless to say we have now determined he doesn't have a peanut allergy!

A little Getaway

Last weekend Kevin surprised us with a weekend getaway!  He needed a break from our typical weekend so he decided to take us on an adventure!  We woke up Saturday morning and off we went to Busch Gardens.  We did hit a bit of traffic so we were delayed a bit getting there.  I think everyone else in Hampton Roads was going as well!!  It was very busy, but we headed straight to the Sesame Street area where Peyton decided he was going to ride a ride.  We were a bit shocked, but he and his daddy rode and Peyton had so much fun!

Maddox on the other hand was extremely fussy because he as soooo hot!!!  We no more put him in the stroller and he was dripping sweat!  After the ride, Kevin took both boys to the water area where they splashed around for a few and then we decided we better find something to drink because everyone was HOT!!

Maddox fell asleep in the stroller and we walked around for a bit and decided we were ready to head to our BIG adventure!!

The Great Wold Lodge...we had never been so we had no idea what to expect!  Peyton had been talking about it non stop since he found out we were going and it didn't stop until we got there.  As we were driving up he asked many times "Where is the Big Bad Wolf?"  I tried to explain to him that there was no big bad wolf but he had it in his head that there was.

We pulled up to the lodge and were quite impressed with the outside.  You honestly feel like you are out in the middle of nowhere!  We went in and checked in and waited for over an hour for our room!  It was quite hectic in the beginning, but once we got into our room we were pleasantly surprised!  OUr room was all the way in the top back corner and overlooked the outdoor pool!  We couldn't have asked for a better room!  It was quiet and a great view....we quickly changed and headed to the water park!

Peyton was so excited about swimming he couldn't hardly stand it!  We swam until about 6:30 and decided since neither one had a nap we should go change and head to dinner!  It was so nice to be able to not have to drag them back into the car all weekend!  We just ate right at the hotel and then Peyton had to have ice cream, of course!!

We all went to bed fairly quickly and Maddox did well, considering we were out of our normal!

We got up Sunday and ate breakfast and headed to the waterpark before checkout time.  Kevin decided he was going to check out the big slides...and much to our surprise Peyton decided to join him the second time.  He said it was fun but really fast!  We enjoyed a couple of hours there Sunday morning in the kiddie pool...they had 3 tiny slides and I am guessing Peyton went down them 100 times!!  He loved it!

We decided to go check out of our room and head to the arcade before heading home.  Peyton loved playing skeeball and a few other, but we did learn that he LOVES to bowl!  He did so twice while we were there!

It was so nice to get away, even if for only a night!  Peyton had a blast and so did we.  We are already trying to figure out when our next adventure will be!!

9 month pictures...

I can't even believe how big this little bit is!!!  Hard to believe we will be planning a 1st Birthday party in the near future!!

9 month stats

We took Maddox for his 9 month check up today and what a growing baby we have these days!!

He is weighing in at 15 lbs 3 oz and 26 3/4 inches long!  The doctor pointed out that he was still on the small side, but I think he looks like a lot of other kiddos that we see!

So Peyton was very anxious about going to the doctor today in fear of shots for his brother!  What a sweet brother to be that concerned!  Good news is there were no shots today!  He did get his toe pricked just so they could check his iron levels.  Hoping that comes back fine.

He started "cruising" yesterday.  We were hanging out and he decided to pull himself up on our coffee table and proceed to walk around it a bit!  I couldn't believe it.  He will hardly sit, but yet he is ready to walk!  He has his agenda I suppose!

In Peyton news, he started swim lessons yesterday.  His instructors name is Nate and at first Peyton was very apprehensive about it.  We walked in and Peyton was about to get in the pool and the waterworks came.  I walked inside to fill out a few forms and before I knew it our 30 minutes were up.  I walked out to see Peyton jumping to Mr. Nate with no lifejacket at all!  I hope he will become more comfortable with the water as we go!!  He says is ready to go back on Friday.  Hope he is more at ease with it this go round!

MDR is 9 months old

Maddox somehow turned 9 months old.  That means in less than 3 short little months he will be 1!!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD?????

He tries to stand up every second that he can.  If there is something to grab onto then he is there doing his best to pull himself up.  He still doesn't like to sit up... every time we try to sit him down he quickly pushes himself to the standing position.

Still has no teeth!!! I am completely shocked by this.  Peyton got his first one by 7 months...i know they all have their own schedule but seriously...I have been prepared for a tooth to pop through since he was 4 months old!

He has been so crabby lately...and all we do is blame it on teeth!  I hope that is what it is...but who knows!

He has become so vocal lately and just this weekend has blabbed mama, dada, baba, gaga...numerous times....We are working hard on those!!

He is eating 3 meals a day now...breakfast is normally yogurt, lunch normally a veggie/fruit blend and dinner is normally a protein and a fruit/veggie blend.  He seems to really enjoy his food.  He does still nurse between meals and before nap and bedtime.

We have been trying to get his night time sleep under control so hopefully we can get a full nights sleep sometime soon!!

MDR is wearing mostly 6-12 months clothes....doesn't seem too far off on that.  Last time he weighed he was 14.1 lbs.  We go next Tuesday for our 9 month checkup so we will get officials then!!

He loves the pool just like his brother, but seems to only like it about 1 hour at a time...and likes to be held!!!

So we are just chugging along and can't even remember life without the little monkey!!!

God has a new pet

Last Sunday, June 17, Chloe passed away.  It was so fast and so sudden that I think everyone is still shocked.  She was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with a mass in her lungs and ever since then she has gone down hill and fast!!!  We arrived to NC on Thursday late night and she greeted us at the door as usual.  She just seemed to pant a whole lot more than normal.  She was sleeping a whole lot too.  We were able to spend her last couple of days with her and I am so very thankful for that.  My parents took amazing care of her and are just heartbroken that she is gone.

We left their house on Sunday around 1 pm and I held her and told her we would see her on Friday when my parents were coming to visit.  At one point over the weekend I held her tight and told her that she didn't have to fight anymore that she should rest...I guess she needed to hear that because my parents called my around 6 pm on Sunday evening and told me that she had gone down hill so fast and so quickly that by the time they arrived at the emergency vet they couldn't get her blood pressure.  They quickly took them to a room where Chloe passed away in my mom's arms.  If I could not have been there for her, I am so thankful that they were.

Peyton is trying to understand and so Thursday evening we were laying in bed and he was so excited because Noni and Popi were coming to visit and then he said and Chloe.  I quickly reminded him that she went to heaven on Sunday.  On Friday morning one of the first things he said to me was "Mommy, God has a pet."  I responded with "who?"  and he said Chloe.  SO thankful that he is such a sweet tender hearted boy!!!

4 year stats

Even though we are a month late, today I took Peyton in for his 4 year checkup!

I have always heard that the 4 year appointment is horrible and I will have to agree.  All day Peyton has been concerned about having shots.  I have tried to tell him that he will have to have a shot but he kept telling me he wasn't going to.

Well...our time finally came and Peyton had to have a hearing test, a vision test, 4 shots and of course all of the normal routine things.

He is weighing in at 37.11lbs and 41inches tall.  He is in the 65% for both.  He passed his hearing and vision test with no problems.  The doctor told me he was perfect...then she had to tell him about the shots...from that point on it was screaming and tears.  I had to squeeze him so he couldn't move his arms...bless his sweet little heart.  All he kept telling me was that "they hurt so bad."  As we were leaving he asked me if I could buckle him in the car.  So sweet and innocent at this age.  I am so glad that they only have to go yearly at this point!!!

Chloe

Yesterday was a hard day for me...Kevin and I got Chloe when we were juniors in college.  She was born on June 1 1999.  She was our baby for so long....

The past couple of months she has had a cough that sounds like she is trying to get something up, we all just thought that it was allergies...well, the cough has persisted so my parents took her to the vet and they decided that she needed lab work and an ultrasound to see what was going on.  Well yesterday was the ultrasound and she now has a mass in her little tiny body.  

She is 13 years old and at this point we are not sure how long she has.  I am so heartbroken.  We have all agreed that it isn't worth putting her through chemo and radiation when she has had such an amazing life. We are headed to NC next weekend to celebrate my sister and my grandmothers birthday...and unfortunately I may be saying goodbye to my first little baby....

MDR 8 months old

This little booger has seriously been growing up right before our eyes!!!  8 months ago today he decided it was time to make his entrance into this world!  

He is such a happy baby, as long as his mommy is around!  He is definitely a mommas boy!  He does love his brother as well though!  Peyton can make him giggle with the slightest jump!  It is so much fun watching them interact and knowing they will be life long buddies!

MDR is still nursing about 6-7 times a day.  He is starting to eat yogurt for breakfast and seems to really enjoy that.  He is loving dinner time most nights, but occasionally will just want a couple of bites and then milk.  He is going to bed at 8 and usually waking up one to two times per night.  This week he has been going back to bed until 8 in the morning and that is pure bliss for me.  

He usually takes a catnap in the morning and then an afternoon nap which can range from 2-3 hours most days.  

He is on the move for sure and just this week has started to pull his knees up underneath him.  He has mastered the army crawl and can be anywhere in the house within minutes.  

We are still working on sitting up....just today he sat all by himself for probably a minute.  Baby Steps around here :)

Still no teeth and no words...we do in fact all drill him with "say mama, say dada, say Peyton"...He will get it one day.

He really is such an amazing little guy...but I can't believe he is getting so big so fast!!!

Happy 4th Birthday to my Big Boy!!!

I seriously cannot believe that Peyton is 4 on May 15!  It seems like his short little life has flown by right in front of my eyes!  I feel like we were just at the hospital and preparing to welcome a new baby boy into this world!

Peyton has matured so much over the past year.  And what a big year we have had!

Since turning 3 so many things have changed.

The biggest one is that he is now a big brother and an awesome big brother at that.  He loves his brother and wants to hold him all the time.  He helps me throughout the day with diapers, toys, making sure that Maddox isn't rolling off the bed!

He began PreK3 in August and was a very shy, extremely nervous boy the first months.  I was ready to pull him out, but then came November and he decided he was ready to go back (after our NC adventure).
Ever since, he has loved school!  He has even asked to go multiple days....

He has become such a big helper around the house.  He always wants to wash dishes, or throw away trash and replace the trash bags!  I can't believe I have this little man who is willing to help with anything and everything!

We go for a his 4 year check up in June so it will be interesting to see how much he weighs and how tall he is!

He still takes a nap on most days and those naps range from 2-3 hours!  Hope this will continue!

I would venture to say that his favorite food would be pizza or plain pasta.  And he is definitely my child in the sweets department!  :)

He loves to sing and dance and is a whiz on the ipad and iphone!  I think he will be into electronics just like his daddy!

We are looking forward to a fun filled summer around here enjoying my newly turned 4 year old!!!

I am hoping to post some pictures of his party!  He had a blast with all of his buddies~!!

7 months old

Where oh where has 7 months gone??? My baby is growing so quickly each and every day!

At 7 months  Maddox is starting to enjoy food.  He has had sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, green beans, green peas, avocado and banana.  By far his favorite is bananas.  He ate an entire one last night for dinner.

He still has no teeth, but constantly gnaws on his hands and whatever else he can grab.

He is starting to get closer to crawling, and is becoming great at "scooching."

He has had a nasty cough for about 2 weeks that we are on a nebulizer for...hoping it goes away sooner than later!

He is weighing in at 13 lbs 5 oz

He is absolutely in love with Peyton still.  The child loves his brother!   Speaking of his brother...he will be 4 on TUESDAY!!!  How in the world is my first born turning 4???

We have a schoocher...

It is official...Maddox has started to schooch...is that even a word???  As of Wednesday, he started to try to get his knees underneath him and began to edge his way ever so slightly around.  As of today, he has gotten pretty good at it.  I see a crawler in our near future.

As for his cough...I think it is back to the doctor. The breathing treatments are not doing a fabulous job!

Busy, Busy...

We have been crazy busy around here...

It all started with our trip to NC to visit Noni and Popi for my birthday...how in the world am I 33???  Crazy how that happens!  We had a nice quiet evening at home where my wonderful husband got a delicious cake!  Peyton loved the idea that it was a birthday so we could blow out candles!

We headed back to VA on Sunday afternoon in the pouring rain I may add!!

We were then expecting a regular week, when all of a sudden Kevin calls and says "We may be headed to Chicago tomorrow!"  Seriously...so off I went crazy trying to get laundry done and our bags packed for a few days in the Windy City!

We left Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Chicago....went to our hotel and ordered room service.  It was a very tiring day!  Maddox did horrible in the hotel...he didn't want to sleep at all!  So the sleep while we were there was not so good!

Wednesday was cold and rainy!!!  So, while Kevin was at the Kitchen and Bath Show, I took the boys to the Shedd Aquarium.  It was a great way to spend a rainy day...along with the other 5000 kiddos!!  CRAZY!!!  Peyton was not a huge fan, but we played there for a good three hours or so...

After meeting back up with Kev, we went into the city and walked around for a bit in the breezy, chilly air!  It was a lot of fun sightseeing!  That evening we headed to the Navy Pier and stayed there until bedtime.

Thursday we woke up to a beautiful day...only it was about 50 as the HIGH!!!  Way to cold for us, but off we went...we took taxis everywhere due to weather.  The kids and I hung out at the pier where Peyton's favorite thing to do was ride a choo choo train they had.  We wasted the day waiting on Kev to get back from the show and once back we went to the hotel to rest before dinner!

Friday we came back home and we were ready for some warmer weather!!! Thank goodness it was about 70 here...

As for what else is going on...Maddox has know had sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, and green beans.  He has loved the sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans.  He is a really good eater it seems...not a fan of the rice cereal, but who would be!

In other Maddox news...he is now on breathing treatments.  He came down with a horrible cough while we were in Chicago, so Monday I took him to the doctor where they diagnosed him with having bronchophilia....or something like that!  They gave him a breathing treatment in the office and sent us home with a nebulizer and a device to give it to him in.  He cries everytime we have to do it.  Poor baby...hoping he is over this soon!

He is weighing in at 13.5 lbs and will be 7 months old in 5 days!!!!

Now we are getting ready for the next big party...how is my baby going to be 4 in less than 2 weeks????

6 month checkup

We had our month checkup yesterday with Dr Karp and things went great!

Maddox is weighing in at 13lbs 4 oz (3rd %) and is 25 inches long (9th %)...he has come a long way since we left the hospital back in October!

We also started rice cereal last night and that went very well. He was "helping" Kevin shovel it in faster! I hope he is a good eater...we will start sweet potatoes on Thursday night! If he is anything like his momma then he will love that!!!

6 months old

How in the world did that happen...MDR is 6 months old~~~

He is starting to show his personality for sure. He is such a sweet baby most of the time, unless he is hungry or tired.

He is wearing size 2 diapers

He is wearing 3-6 month clothes

Over Easter weekend, he had a tiny bite of sweet potatoes and at his cousine Cole's birthday party he had a bite of frozen yogurt. This child will try to put anything and everything that we are eating or drinking in his mouth!! He goes for his 6 month check up on Monday so I am sure we will get the green light to start food!!!

He is smitten with his brother...his eyes light up as soon as he sees him!

He definitely loves his mommy...if I am in the room he has his eyes on me...even more so if he is tired or hungry!

He is rolling over pretty regularly now...and trying to sit up without tumbling over.

His schedule remains about the same. Nurses every three hours during the day...cat naps in the morning and usually a decent afternoon nap! Bedtime is 8 and he knows that!!!

He gets two formula bottles a day, one before nap and a larger one before bed.

For the most part he will sleep from 8 until 2 or 230. Nurses and will go back to sleep until around 6 and sometimes will go until 7 or 730!!!

What a joy this little guy is...it is hard to remember life without him!!!

We have movement!!!

Last weekend we were hanging around and noticed Maddox was "trying" to roll over. It seems like he has been trying for quite a while, with no success. The pediatrician has told me several times that he may not hit his milestones as quickly as Peyton or other babies!

So, we have just been waiting around waiting for him to do his thing....I mean we have thought for almost 2 months that child is getting a tooth...and guess what...still no tooth.

Finally last night, April 2, Kevin and Peyton had him in the playroom while I was getting dinner ready and all of a sudden I hear...He did it!! And neither one of us saw him. Kevin was on the computer and I was in the other room! SO then all night we were trying to get him to do and he did one more time with Kevin, but I still haven't seen him.

Hard to believe my little baby is going to 6 months old on Saturday!!!

MDR 5 months old

My oh my...5 months old already!!! I can hardly believe it.

Maddox is doing pretty good. I feel like we have been through a whole different world with him compared to Peyton. Not in a bad way...just different!

He is still wearing size 1 diapers...soon to be 2 I believe.

He is in 0-3 months clothes with an occasional 3-6 month thrown in the mix. I also see this changing quickly...as one of the outfits he had on today looks like highwaters!!

We are trying to rollover...still no success with that!

Possible teething, but still no teeth...this child is a drool machine and has had an upset belly for a week!!

The first thing everyone says is "Wow...he looks just like Peyton!" and then "look at those beautiful blue eyes!"

His schedule is basically the same...normally gets up between 630 and 7. ..back down for a nap about an hour later, which we are usually on the go so it is a quick one.

Eating every three hours and I have started giving a bottle at the 2 o'clock feeding and also the nighttime feeding.

On a good night, MDR is in the bed around 8. Dad gives him a bottle of breast milk and formula for a total of 7 ounces. He will normally sleep until 230ish. I go get a bottle of formula (4 oz) and he nurses first then takes some of the bottle. This will usually get him to the 7 am...which makes me happy! The past couple of nights he has been extremely fussy and not a happy guy. Which makes for tired mommy and daddy!

Pain at the pump!

Peyton likes to help with everything that we do...including pumping gas. Normally he just wants to use the window washer and wash the car but today he had other plans.

I had to stop and pump gas on the way home today like any other day. Peyton asked to help and I said yes. He got the window washer and proceeded to clean my car (in the rain) as I pumped gas. Away he went making sure it was clean...he heard the pump click off and ran over and asked to help. I didn't see a problem considering he has done this multiple times before...Lets just say that after today he will not be helping anymore!!!

He was standing right in front of me and all of a sudden the gas "exploded" right in front of us. It scared me silly!!! I grabbed him and fortunately it just got on our clothes and not in our face...praise the Lord!!!

I made him ride home in just his undies and socks...but my car smells like gas and now our clothes continue to smell like it!!! Gross!!! Trying to find a remedy to get the smell out!!!

I guess that was my wake up call as to not let him near the pump ever again... or until he can drive!!!

5 years ago today

Happy Valentine's Day from the Riley's...

We are having a pretty low key day around here. Peyton had his party at school yesterday and he loved getting his cards and candy. As for Valentine's Day, yes it is a day of love, but this day marks something else for Kevin and I. I can remember the day very clearly...and I think I will for the rest of my life.

We had a meeting with Dr. Robin at the New Hope Center...we had been there quite a few times before trying for a baby and nothing had worked so it was time to sit down with "THE DOCTOR!"

I remember meeting Kevin there and being so nervous about what she was going to tell us. We sat in her office and she came in and told us the news..."The chances of you guys conceiving on your on are slim to none!" Really not what you want to hear. She then proceeded to tell us our best chance of ever having a baby would be to go through IVF.

I think Kevin and I were numb the rest of the day. In complete shock that our dreams of having children would only be possible with serious medical intervention.

So, needless to say that was one of the most difficult Valentine's Days we have had. I remember fighting with Kevin that night and wondering where we would be a year later...Now, 5 years later here we are with 2 very healthy, loving boys and we couldn't be happier!!!

Maddox Dylan...4 months old

Maddox is somehow already 4 months old. I know I say it every single time, but where has my tiny little baby gone??

He had his 4 month appointment today and Dr. Karp says he looks great.

He weighs 11 lbs 3.5 oz and is 23 inches long. He is in the 3rd % for everything, but corrected age he would be in the 10th % which is where Peyton always was.

He is wearing 0-3 month clothes all the time...he can still fit in his newborn clothes, but they are a bit too short!

He is wearing a size 1 diaper

He is doing pretty well overall...he normally will wake up between 7 and 8 eat and then go back to sleep either in the carseat or the swing and if I am lucky his bed!!! Normally he will nap about 1-2 hours. He then wakes up and eats again and play for a good amount of time before catching a quick cat nap...about 30-45 minutes. He then will eat again between 1 and 2 and will be up about an hour. Usually he will nap about 2-3 hours this time. Which is great considering that is when Peyton sleeps. Up again anywhere from 5-6 and eats again. Sometimes he will try to doze back off for a few, but more times than not he will be awake until bedtime which is around 8. At bedtime, Kevin will take him up and rock him and give him a bottle....usually about 7 ounces. After bottle, Kev will rock him for a few and then he goes to his crib and falls asleep. He normally will sleep until somewhere between 3-4 am, i go in to feed him and I am trying to get him back in his crib after that feeding. Usually he does great with it, but other times he is not happy!!!

Overall he is a pretty good baby....kind of fussy, but for the most part always smiling and talking and laughing ~~~

A sweet laugh...

Memory for me...

Maddox laughed out loud today for the first time...

What a sweet sound!!!

Just to Remember..

I just wanted to write this down so I can remember...pretty boring!!

Maddox went to bed last night at 7:45...he knows when it is bedtime for sure! He woke up at 4...I have been bringing him into bed to nurse him and normally he will fall back asleep. Last night, he was very fussy in bed, so I took him back to his room where I rocked him for a while. After that I decided to lay him in his bed...he was kind of in and out, so I did.

I heard him peep one time right after I put him down, but then he slept until 8!!! I was glorious!!!!

He is smiling and cooing and talking all the time now!!! Such a sweet age!

Happy Birthday Popi!

This weekend we went to North Carolina for a very special birthday!

Our Popi (My Daddy) turned 60 years old on January 11, so we missed his actual birthday, but went to celebrate this weekend. This was the first time that we have made the drive back to NC since Maddox was born.

I was nervous about taking a 3 month old on a 5 hour car ride, but he did great! We left at 3 and he and Peyton slept a majority of the way...Maddox woke up with about 30 minutes left in our trip because he was hungry. Oh the things we do with a newborn. I hovered over his car seat and fed him...quite a challenge if I do say so myself!

We met for dinner and headed to Noni and Popi's house and Maddox didn't miss a beat! We were a bit nervous about the nighttime routine since he had been asleep for almost 5 hours! But he took his bottle and off he went and slept until 4:30 so we were very happy about that.

Saturday we did absolutely nothing! Peyton wanted to play pool and shoot hoops...so we were able to play pool, but it was a bit chilly to play outside!

After playing all day, we got ready and Kev, Maddox and I went back to the hospital where we had been 14 weeks ago!!! Talk about a crazy, emotional walk into the hospital. We made our way to the NICU floor and got to visit with one of our nurses, Candace, and our most favorite NNP, David. It was very strange being there with a perfectly healthy 3 month old, who just 14 weeks prior was on all kinds of oxygen, stopped breathing, etc.

David came out and quickly grabbed Maddox and it was as though Maddox recognized him. He was talking away to David. We could not believe it...do they actually remember that voice that he heard for the first two weeks of his life??? It was so wonderful to go and visit...we are already planning our next visit back!

After the hospital, we met up with the family and had a fabulous dinner at the Chophouse! Yummy!!! Maddox was very fussy, but it didn't matter....we had our own private area which was so nice since we had 4 kiddos...We got to celebrate my wonderful Daddy and a terrific Popi!

Sunday was our wonderful drive back to VA!!! No fun, but the boys did great again! They both slept almost the entire way home...they get worn out while visiting. So it is back to the real world and on to our next big adventure!!!

MDR...3 months old

Maddox turned 3 months on Saturday...as I said before I can't believe how fast it has gone by!

As or Maddox, he is a pretty "tough" baby. I am sure I was the same with Peyton, but it just seems that Maddox is a very fussy baby. He likes to be held and loved on all the time, which isn't a bad thing except for that fact that I have a hard time getting things done!!

He is doing great at night. Kevin has the nightly routine and he is taking about 6 ounces, a combo of breast milk and formula. He normally goes to bed between 8 and 9 and will sleep until 3 or 4. The other night he slept until 6 and I thought I was in heaven!!!! He wakes up and eats and will go back down...not very soundly, but will sleep until around 7:30 or 8!

Naps...totally different story! This child fights me ALL DAY LONG!!! I usually can get him to take a nap, you just never know where it will be....the swing, the couch, the carseat! Who knows...at this point, as long as he is sleeping I am happy!!!

He is wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. He has grown so much the past month! I can hardly believe how big he is. I will be anxious to see how much he weighs at our 4 month checkup!

TIme is Flying...

In so many ways I feel like time is quickly passing us by since Maddox has been home. He will be 3 months old on Saturday and that simply blows my mind!! He is definitely a handful!

We have been so busy with the holidays, selling a business and spending time with family that there has been no time to sit down and update life! Christmas was amazing this year for Peyton. He loved every aspect of it. He was not 100% sure about Santa at first, but once Santa came to Nana's house on Christmas Eve, he knew exactly what to do! He was very apprehensive at first, but warmed up once his Pop Pop eased him into the whole situation! It was wonderful...and of course Maddox had so idea what was going on, so he just slept through the evening!! :) They both got wonderful Christmas gifts, of which Peyton's favorite thing was his Blue Jeep...and his scooter that he rides all day long in the house I will add! His Noni and Popi are getting him a basketball hoop...not sure who is more excited, Peyton or his Dad!!

As for school, Peyton continues to love it more every single day and I am beyond happy about that. I was remembering the days when I would come to my car and cry for 30 minutes because he was so upset! Now, he walks in and puts his things away and off he goes!!!

Maddox has become a great "cooer" over the past week or so! Just today, he made what we thought was a laugh. It is so hard to tell these things! He is definitely a smiler at this point...especially when he is naked!

Next weekend we are headed to NC to celebrate one of the best Dad's in the world!! I can't believe my daddy will be 60 on 1-11-12!!! Our first road trip back to NC since Maddox was born!!