I Spoke Too Soon...

In my last post (Madison's 3 month update) I mentioned how well Madison has been sleeping at night. Well she must have known I said that because she has completely changed. Last night she was up 3 times starting at 12:30! I am not sure what is causing this change in her sleep pattern but I am not too happy about it. I am hoping that she is just going through a growth spurt and her normal sleep hours will return quickly.

It wouldn't be so bad if Brayden didn't wake up at 5:45 in the freaking morning! The boy is killing me! I used to be able to bring him into my bed and he would fall back asleep for a little bit but that doesn't work anymore. He is ready to go play. The good thing is, I get a lot of one-on-one time with him in the morning since Madison is still sleeping. I am thankful that we get that time together although I am usually very sleepy!

And to make my sleepy mornings even worse, I can't have any caffeine! Madison is sensitive to it so I haven't had any in over a month. I used to have at least a cup of coffee each morning to get me going and I have been cut off. It's so hard to wake up without it but I am finding that drinking a hot, caffeine-free tea helps a little. I mostly just like that it is warm which is wonderful on these chilly mornings.

On a side note, we took away Brayden's pacifiers about a month ago. I am not sure if I already mentioned this but he is doing so great!! He still asks for them from time to time but overall, he doesn't seem to miss them very much. I am so thankful that it was a smooth transition and I am crossing my fingers that potty training goes just as well when the time comes.

The funny thing is, even with the lack of sleep, the tantrums thrown, the crying and no caffeine, I wouldn't have my life any other way. Brayden is constantly making me laugh and I am so blessed that I have two beautiful, healthy children. I cannot ask for anything else! I love being able to spend my days with them and see Madison grow and learn and Brayden be so creative with his imagination. It truly is amazing.

Madison: 3 Months!

I know I said this last month but I can't believe she is only 3 months old. It seriously feels like she has been apart of our lives for SO much longer.

Madison is getting a little better with being on her own in the playmat or bouncer. I can usually get about 10 minutes before she starts getting upset (shorter if she is tired). She still really doesn't like the carseat and cries for most of the time she spends in the car. Total stinker!! She is getting a little better with the stroller and I actually got to go on a run a couple weeks ago. Today she only lasted about 5 minutes so I transferred her to the Ergo and we walked instead.

One thing she always likes is bath time! She will gladly sit in her tub and let the warm water roll over her soft skin. She doesn't even cry when I take her out and put lotion on her. Such a good little girl!





































She is still proving to be pretty high maintenance though. She doesn't take a bottle or a pacifier so I have to be with her at all times. I gave my parents the wonderful job of trying the bottle with Madison for the first time while hubby and I went out for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. I got a text saying the bottle wasn't going over very well and it was time to end our date and head home. So until she takes a bottle, it will be short dates for us!

Although pretty high maintenance, Madison is doing some pretty cute things! She is totally smiling all the time (except for when she is crying of course) and she most definitely holds up her head and pushes up her upper body during tummy time. And.....SHE ROLLS OVER!! Yep, my little tiny baby girl can already roll over from her stomach to her back. She has been doing this for about 2 weeks and she isn't exactly a fan of her new skill. She doesn't really like being on her back (except for when she is on the play mat) so she bursts into screams and cries when she rolls herself over. She is also talking up a storm, especially after she eats. It's so fun to hear all her little noises! And this just in...she giggles! I caught it on video last night....so. dang. cute.

Now I have mentioned the ways she has been more difficult than Brayden was as a baby but there is one crucial way she is much easier!! Sleeping. This little lady sleeps like a champ. She usually goes down for the night around 9:00 and doesn't wake up to eat until 5:00 AM! Then she is right back to sleep until about 8:30 AM. Brayden was definitely waking up at least 2 times during the night at 3 months and I am pretty sure it was more like 3 times.



Another thing she most definitely loves (besides being held) is he brother! She is always watching what he is doing and when she hears his voice, she tries to see where he is. It is amazing to see how attached she is to him. I can't wait to see how their relationship grows!

Lately: Halloween

This is my final post in the "lately" series to catch you all up on what has been going on around here. 

I really thought our Halloween would be great this year. Brayden picked out his own costume at Target...a cow...and we had been talking about it for a good week. He was excited. 

Or so I thought. 

It came time to put on his costume and he wasn't having any of it. I got his legs in and then the tantrum started. He wanted it off. NOW. He kept saying "I just don't like it!" and I couldn't help but laugh and take pictures.

So we gave up trying to convince his that his costume was awesome. Instead, we baked some cookies.

Obviously, that was a much better decision than wearing his costume.

Surprisingly, he was really excited to pass out candy to all the trick-or-treaters that came to the door. I thought he might be a little afraid of all the costumes but he loved it.

Hubby was working so I am kind of glad that Brayden didn't really want to dress up or go trick-or-treating. I didn't want hubs to miss out on that. Hopefully next year hubby will be off work and Brayden will want to dress up. 

It was a great Halloween this year anyways. It was so fun to see Brayden pass out the candy and he would tell every person that came to the door "Happy Halloween!!" Adorable.

Lately: Boys Hunting Trip

Brayden is lucky enough to have TWO men in his life that love to hunt and will no doubt, take him on hundreds of hunting trips during his life. A few weekends ago, Brayden got to experience his first hunting trip with hubby and my dad. They got the truck loaded up around 3:30 in the morning and then got Brayden in the truck around 4 and headed to the flats to hunt quail. I guess Brayden did pretty good sleeping in the truck until about 6. They stopped and got some breakfast and continued on their way. After arriving at the flats around 8, they unloaded the truck and set up camp. Brayden helped collect sticks for the fire, watched as the boys all shot their guns, and ran around camp like a crazy person.

He was obviously not allowed to touch any guns and the boys were all on strict orders to keep all guns away from Brayden for the whole trip. Although they didn't end up getting any birds (because there weren't any birds there), they did enjoy some hiking and a campfire. ! Brayden actually slept really well in the tent with my dad and hubs and then they headed home the next morning.

Brayden had a blast with the boys and he loved being out in the wilderness. I can definitely say that they will be taking many more trips and we actually plan on going camping as a family in the spring. 

Here are the photos the boys took while hunting (they did such a great job capturing the trip!)

Playing in the truck while the boys set up camp.

My two boys...by far my favorite picture!

Collecting fire sticks just like Daddy.

Sitting around the fire.

It was COLD in the morning...all bundled up with his 

DVD player, pacis and "friends" Buzz and Jessie.

So beautiful!

I am so glad that Brayden gets to experience this stuff. I loved going hunting with my dad when I was young. I have such great memories of bird hunting and camping out with my family. I just hope that on day Brayden cherishes these moments as much as I do!

Madison: 2 Months!

Little Miss Madison is growing like a weed! We went to the doctor today for her 2 month wellness check and it went great. She weighs 11 pounds 3 ounces and is 22.5 inches long (between 50th-75th percentile for both). Right on track!

Madison is starting to show so much more personality now. I LOVE it! She smiles all the time and has started making cooing sounds. So dang cute! 

She is still pretty difficult but I have high hopes that it will get better. She still doesn't like the bouncer or the swing or the car seat. She will usually play on her mat for a few minutes but that's about it. Madison just cries in the car seat...unless she is sleeping. Just today Brayden told Madison to stop crying! Haha I guess he finally got sick of it. 

Sleeping...the only time she is quiet in her car seat.

We are exclusively breast feeding and she is doing great. She eats about every 2-3 hours and we haven't tried a bottle yet. I have a feeling she won't take a bottle considering she HATES pacifiers (literally gags and pushes them out with her tongue) but I think we will be trying a bottle soon. I would like to have the option of being away from her for more than 2 hours.

Everything else is going pretty good around here. She sleeps for a good 7 hour stretch at night before waking up to eat. Then she goes right back down after eating for at least 2-3 more hours. It is amazing!! Now only if Brayden would stop waking up at 6:30, I might get to sleep in one day. Madison actually loves her baths...just smiles and coos the whole time. The lotion is a whole other thing...she cries until I have her dressed and warm. Poor thing! 

We can't wait for even more of her personality to start showing! I love when they start having an interest in toys and books...so much fun. I think Brayden will have even more fun with her then too. Although he is pretty obsessed with her now and thinks she is HILARIOUS, I can't wait to see them start to actually play together. So many great things to come!

She loves being held obviously!

Lately: Pumpkin Patch

So I have been pretty absent from the blogging world mostly because the charger for my computer died and I haven't been able to use my computer. I bought a charger yesterday so I am hoping to be back to blogging more regularly. I am not making any promises since life with a newborn and a two-year old is crazy but I am going to try.

So here we go with my first of three "lately" posts. While my sister and her fiance were in town in the middle of October, we went to the OC Zoo and then to the pumpkin patch they have there. It was so fun to have my sister in town (as always) but especially for us all to go do something fun with Brayden. We usually just sit around relaxing since she is so busy at work but we were determined to do something active this time. It was great!

This was the best family photo we could get...total fail!

We didn't buy any pumpkins because honestly, there were so many people there and the lines were all crazy-long! Brayden was over it, and ready for a snack, so waiting in a long line just wasn't going to happen. We had a great time and I was so happy that my sister was able to be there (and Mike too!). 

Stay tuned for my next "Lately" post which will include a "hunting" trip with just the boys!

Sleeping.

The title of this post should really indicate the LACK of sleeping that has been going on.

Since transitioning Brayden into his toddler bed, he has been pretty good. Until now.

The last 3 days, Brayden has basically refused to nap. He gets into bed and immediately starts whining and crying that he doesn't want to take a nap. I explain to him that he has to nap, like he does EVERY day, and that we would go do something fun when he woke up. Well, that usually works on those days where he is struggling a little bit but that is definitely not working any more!

I leave the room and shut the door and Brayden starts with the full-blown crying tantrum. He gets out of his bed and goes to his door. He cries at the door and calls out for me and then knocks on his door (it's still closed). I have tried everything...putting him back in his bed, reading him a story, scratching his back, just sitting in his glider while he fake sleeps, etc. Nothing would make him actually go to sleep.

This was our attempt at napping on the couch...clearly unsuccessful!

Finally yesterday after 30 minutes of crying, he decided to just play with the toys in his room. I wouldn't let him leave his room in hopes that he would eventually get tired and get into bed to sleep. After another hour or so of playing with his toys, he opened the door and was talking to me from his doorway. I was eating my lunch and he asked me if I was done with my food...I told him no and then I didn't hear from him for a while. I got out of the chair to check on him and this is what I saw...

He fell asleep in the hallway...on the hardwood floor...with no blanket. He is crazy! I knew he was tired and this just showed me that he does still need a nap. He slept like that for over an hour!

Today I decided to put him down later than usual (12:30) thinking that maybe he just isn't ready for a nap at that time anymore. Today I put him in bed around 1:45 after reading two books to calm down, and he was asleep by 2. He did still call out for me and he threw all his pacis and blanket out of his bed. I went in just once to give him his things back and then that was it. He actually fell asleep on his own...in a bed. Woo hoo!! 

I am hoping that with the new schedule of going down later, he will continue taking good naps. 

Madison at 1 Month!

Madison is already 1 month old!! At the same time it feels like this month has just flow AND taken forever! There have been many ups and downs already but I can't imagine our family without her.

Here are some things to know about this little girl of mine:

-She doesn't take a pacifier...literally spits it right out and gags. Crazy girl!

-She has just started taking real naps. Generally she would only nap if she was on my chest but I have put her in her crib on her belly (GASP!!) and she has slept great during her naps the last two days. I check on her constantly and she is able to turn her head so I don't worry too much about it. I still put her on her back at night so don't freak out!

-She doesn't like to be put down...like ever! She cries unless she is being held. I have gotten about 5 minutes at the most of her being awake and playing on her mat or being in her bouncer. She really likes to be held!

-She smiles after she is done eating. It's basically the cutest thing I have ever seen!

-She sleeps pretty good at night and goes about 3 hours between feedings.

-At night, she will only eat on one side and then she is too sleepy to eat on the other side. I have tried everything...cold wipe, tickling her legs and face and chest, changing her diaper after the first side. Nothing...she just wants to go back to sleep.

-She pretty much hates the car. Cries for our first 10 minutes of the ride and then gives up and goes to sleep. The last couple of days she has been better so maybe she is getting used to it!

-The doc heard clicking in her hip at her first doctor appointment after birth so we had to go back for another check-up. He still heard the clicking so we had to take her for a sonogram on her hip. The results just came back today and her hips look normal! YAY!! We were worried for a little but we are very happy about the good news!

This little girl is definitely different than her brother as a newborn! I really can't wait until she starts showing her personality. It has been a rough first month but I think we are adjusting and hopefully things get a little easier soon.

Wordless Wednesday!

As you may have read earlier this week, Brayden can now climb out of his crib! I caught video of him doing it yesterday after his nap! (Please ignore my annoying voice in the background!)

We will be putting up a toddler rail for him this weekend and we are crossing our fingers that he still sleeps in his bed.

Transitions

Brayden has been so great with the transition of bringing home a new baby! I am seriously so impressed with him. It amazes me how great he has been with Madison. He is so concerned when she is crying, offers her pacis, shows her his toys, and laughs hysterically when she sneezes. It is adorable!

Of course we have had a few rough days where Brayden is very whiney and doesn't want anything but Mommy but I just make sure to give him some special attention, make it outside to the park to play and then everything seems okay. This has been a much easier transition than I was anticipating!!

We are now making another transition...into a TODDLER BED!!

Yep, Brayden finally figured out how to climb out of his crib. This of course happened on the one morning I wasn't at home to witness it! Hubby was dead asleep in our room when he hears "Daddy, have you seen Mommy?" Hubs looks up and there is Brayden, standing in the doorway! Hubs asked him how he got out of his bed and he proudly stated that he climbed out and then again asked "Daddy, have you seen Mommy?" as if climbing out of his crib was totally normal!

So today we are headed out to purchase a toddler bed rail (since his crib didn't come with one) and we will hopefully be making another smooth transition.

He went into our bedroom, put on Daddy's sandals and walked into the living room to show us! He was so proud of himself!

He was talking to Madison on the monitor telling her is was okay because she was crying!! He is so dang sweet with her!

Morning cartoons on Mommy and Daddy's bed!

Birth Story!!

I am finally back on the blogging scene! It's been a long 4 weeks without blogging but it was much needed. And...I am back today with Madison's birth story. So let's get to it!

Hubby was working graveyard shift so it was just me and Brayden at home. I got him in bed and then was just relaxing on the couching watching reruns of Friends when I had the itch to clean the kitchen (at 10:15 pm!). I got up and cleaned the whole thing. Did the dishes, scrubbed the counters, scrubbed the stove, etc. It was definitely my last burst of energy.

At 3:15 am I woke up to pain in my back. This wasn't unusual since I had back pain my whole pregnancy, especially when trying to sleep. I ignored the pain and went back to sleep.

4:15- Woke up to even more pain and decided to pay attention. I turned on my light and the tv. I immediately noticed that it wasn't just back pain anymore. It felt like contractions. I got out my phone to start timing them. The first two contractions were about 10 minutes apart. The next contraction came just 7 minutes after that and then down to 6 minutes and then to 5.5 minutes.

4:32- Called my mom (and started crying of course) to tell her that I was definitely having contractions and it was time to go to the hospital. I started getting the rest of my hospital bag packed. I had a list of last-minute things to pack taped up on my door. Things like my pillow, my phone and charger, etc.

4:45- My mom was on her way over and called my sister (who lives in San Francisco) to tell her to get on a plane. My sister immediately got up and started checking flights. There was a 7 am flight or a 10 am flight. I told her to take the 7:00 flight!

5:20- Since my hubby was working, I tried calling his cell phone to let him know that he needed to meet me at the hospital. He didn't answer. I called again. No answer. I finally decided to look up the number to the jail where he works and I called the front desk. I told the clerk that I was in labor and she needed to tell my husband to call me. I got a call from him just a few minutes later and told him it was time.

5:47- I had finally finished packing up all my last minute things (while breathing through contractions) and we left for the hospital. Luckily, the hospital is about 3 minutes away from my house so it didn't take us long. We arrived at the hospital and got checked in. I got the last labor room they had available!! They were so busy that night!

I got hooked up to the monitors and get checked...I am dilated 3 cm but having contractions every 5-6 minutes. (My doctor had told me to go to the hospital when I was having them between 5-7 minutes apart since she thought my labor would be fast and she didn't want me to miss getting an epidural.)

I wasn't very good at keeping track of the time so it all blends together a little bit at this point.

My sister made it to the hospital at 9:25!

They called my doctor to let her know I was in active labor. When they checked me again, I was dilated about 6 and they called to get my epidural going. Once I got my epidural, my doctor broke my water and things progressed quickly. I started feeling pressure pretty soon after I got the epidural but didn't feel the need to push yet so I didn't say anything. After a while, the pressure was more intense so I told the nurse about it. She checked me and sure enough, I was fully dilated and ready to push.

They got the room set up and let my doctor know (who was in a meeting of course!) and my nurse had me push a couple of times. My doctor made it in and it was serious go-time!! After pushing for just 6 minutes, we had a healthy baby girl!

9:58 am- Madison was born!! It was such a fast delivery and I am so very thankful for that! She was immediately put on my chest and then whisked away to get weighed and measured. Healthy baby weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long.

Later that afternoon, we got transferred into a regular room and when Brayden woke up from his nap, my dad brought him to the hospital to meet Madison.

The next day, we went home at about 1:00 in the afternoon! It was whirlwind of a couple of days and it has been crazy ever since!