3Months and July 4th

Madelyn turned 3 months old on June 31st(30th actually, there is not 31 days in June)!  Crazy how time flies!  I went back and forth on when to consider her 3 months old....when she was 12 weeks, or on the 31st of the month??  That is a tough one, bc she was actually 12 weeks old on the 23rd, so a week earlier.  AND not every month has 31 days??  Anyway, the stupid things you think about with a baby.  I decided I was losing count of the weeks so I would work with the end of the month, makes it much easier to remember :)

3 MONTHS!

 

• sleeps at least 7-8 hrs straight, wakes up eats and back to sleep for 4-5
•  naps in her crib and not always in her swing anymore
• holds her blocks and rings
• smiles BIG when she sees Mommy and Daddy - although, still tough to capture on camera!
• can entertain herself under her play gym for at least 15-20mins, great at grasping and swatting her toys and even kicking the ball at the end with her feet
• still loves her swaddle
• is sooo much better at Tummy Time
• Has rolled over from tummy to back (2 days in a row!!) (maybe would have done it sooner if mommy was better with tummy time, but we like it now, so we are doing it more)
•  puts everything in her mouth - especially her hands/fingers/fist
• starting to drool all the time now, although Doc said not to expect a tooth anytime soon
• still not a real big talker but does every now and then.  Her favorite is a big open mouth smile, that I am just waiting to turn to a laugh!!
• Still has a blocked tear duct in her right eye :(
• Weighs 11lbs 2oz

She is really such a Good Baby!  She is soo Happy!  We have now had 2 babysitters and both have said the same thing.  You know, you can think it, but its nice for it to be confirmed by others too. :)

JULY 4th!!!
Whew!  We had a BIG July 4th weekend!  Aunt Coco, Aunt Minnie, and Papa came to meet Madelyn.  Coco, Thomas, Marley Rose, and Stella were also in town!  We had a full house and a full itinerary for the weekend!

Friday Night 10 of us went downtown to Amen Street for dinner!  Mrs. Mary came through at the last minute for us and kept Madelyn for the night.  The night continued with Gin Joint and dancing at Suede!  So much fun!

Sat we relaxed by the pool, and Madelyn did great!  She hung out the whole almost 2 hrs.  It was overcast and we got a table in the shade.  She even took a nice snooze in the shade with her fan blowing on her.

Sat night we grilled out at our house and had everyone over here. 
Madelyn got to hang out with Marley Rose and Stella!  They were both soo sweet to Madelyn.  MR walked in the house and immediately came upstairs to find Madelyn.  Look how cute Stella bean is with her little hand on Madelyn's leg!  Sweet Friends!

We decked out in our Red, White, and Blue and then walked up to DI Grille for a block party with Plain Jane.  Madelyn slept the whole time.  :)

Sunday was a big day!  Madelyn stayed home with our friend Collins who was so sweet to babysit for us, so Mommy and Daddy could have a day at the beach.  I can't wait until it's not so hot and we can take her out there with us!  Again, we had a big group, spread out our stuff, brought the corn hole boards and a cooler with lunch and some cold beverages and made a day of it.
And a Great time was had by all!!  We came home to relieve the babysitter and Daddy took over, and Mommy continued the evening on the boat with her friends!  We had a great late afternoon boat ride to close out the day.  Thank you Collins, Daddy, and Taska!!  What a fun day!

By the time the actual 4th rolled around on Monday, we were pooped!  All our company left and we spent the 4th just relaxing as a family.  It was great!  We walked out front to catch some fireworks in the neighborhood right before Madelyn's bedtime, but decided not to venture to the big ones.  Maybe next year!  :)

Hope you all had a happy 4th of July!!

My Favorite Moments!

So I might be a rare breed but I have loved the newborn stage!  They are just so tiny and they just stare at you with those big Navy blue eyes!  It might be bc I am someone that functions well on little sleep.  When I was working full-time I averaged 6 hours a night.  And any given night could have been really 5-8.  So that being said waking in the night didn't bother me much.  It was also nice bc my little Peanut went back to sleep pretty easy after feeding so it wasn't an all night affair or a struggle.
So anyway....On to my favorite moments.....

1.  5am feeding!!  I know, I'm crazy again.....BUT, that is the time when I really think all is right in the world.  When my Nugget is done eating she leans back on the boppy, legs limp, arms stretched up by her head and falls right back to sleep in my arms.  She looks so satisfied and peaceful!  Jeff is asleep next to us, the house is dark and quiet and I just look at her and smile!  :)  That moment makes this Momma really happy.  And....that moment didn't last long enough.....She is now sleeping through the night, and we don't have 5am wake ups anymore.  Again, I know some of you might think I'm crazy, but my Angel sleeps 10pm-10am.  So waking at 5am wasn't bad bc we would go back to sleep until almost 10.  Now, we are doing 10-9, well, 10pm starts our feeding so really sleeping closer to 11pm-9am!  Momma can handle this!  Hopefully, I'm not jinxing us!

Similar to this look....although this was not 5am

2.  Morning Smiles!  So when she gets up for the day....9-10am, I go in her room, raise the shades and then peek over in her crib.  The moment she sees me coming to get her, I get the biggest smile!  I slowly un-swaddle her and she stretches out and just smiles and giggles!  I LOVE it!!  Another favorite moment, this Momma treasures.  I'm going to try to catch it on video some time, but this little Booger just focuses on the camera anytime it's around and stops doing what ever she was doing.

All Swaddled sleeping Soundly

3.  Bath Time!  Well.....bc nothing is cuter than a little naked tushy and this baby girl is all smiles!  She can be tired and cranky and we can put her in the bath and all is calm in her world.(most of the time ;) )

4.  Nap time!  :)  What Momma doesn't love when their baby is napping soundly? :) We struggle with these some.....not so much going down for our naps, as that is pretty seemless, but staying down and putting ourself back to sleep after only 40-1hr is the problem.  Mommy is working on that!
BUT....when I do go pick her up.....She gives the biggest smiles and shyly turns her little face into my arm with a big open mouth smile!  It is seriously the cutest thing EVER!

I have many favorite moments, but these are some that almost bring tears to my eyes sometimes.  This Boogy is growing so fast it makes me sad!  Someone told me to put her on her tummy more, that she would crawl sooner.....Is it bad, that I don't want her too???  :)  Not bc she'd be mobile, but bc that means she's not my tiny infant anymore.  Also, I thought this was cute....someone's comment when talking about her 3 children walking...."My first baby, I encouraged to walk to me; my 2nd, I pushed down; my 3rd, I held down!"
They really grow too fast!

(sorry for the poor pic quality....I tend to take more with my phone bc it's 

handy, but def doesn't take the best pics)

I'm enjoying and embracing all these sweet times with this baby girl!!

Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my sweet Husband and my Daddy!  I am one lucky girl to have both these men in my life!
To Jeff:  Happy Father's Day to You!  Are are an amazing father to our little girl.  It has been so fun to watch you gain confidence from day 1.  When you doubted your self, I never doubted you!  You are so good with her and it makes me smile to see you with her in your arms.  We are very lucky girls and I thank you for the amazing life you have given us!  I think we have made a Beautiful life together....and one Precious little Girl!  I love you and appreciate you more than you know, and I hope I show it enough.  I Love You!

To My Daddy:
Thank you for always believing in me, supporting me, loving me for my faults, teaching me right from wrong, playing softball with me, always letting jump just one more time from your strong shoulders, being patient with me, and for the life you have given your whole family.  You have always put all of us before yourself and are the most selfless man I know.  Love you, Daddy!

To My Daddy: From Madelyn
I fell in love with you the first time you held me in your big strong arms

It was love at first sight and I adore you!  I look forward to every day when you come home from work.

I love that you take me on walks

That you play with me with my play gym and tummy time

That you tickle me and make me smile

I love that you make me laugh during bath time (look at that Buddha belly!)

That you let me sleep on your strong shoulders while cuddled in your loving arms

That you take me out to eat with you and let look around

That you give me bottles when mommy needs a break from me ;)

That you give me sweet kisses, and always kiss me good night when Mommy is walking me to bed

I Love you Daddy!!  Thank you for all you do for me!  You'll always be the first man I ever loved, Daddy!

And to our father that is with our Heavenly father.......
I never knew you....but if Jeff is any example as to the kind of father and man you were......You were pretty Great in my book!!  :)  I hope you are looking down at what a wonderful father he is and what a beautiful grand-daughter you have!!  And give my Granddaddy and Grandpa a Hug too, this father's day!

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there!

Today's Truth....

Have you ever had one of those days you just aren't "ON"!?  Well, that's today!  Poo!
You see....my sweet Peanut that has been sleeping through the night for a month now, has decided the past 2 nights...not to!
2am Sat night wake up!
4:30 am last night wake up!
This wouldn't be soo bad as she does go on back to sleep pretty easy....BUT, she takes FOREVER to eat!!  Like an hour!!  So yes, mommy was up at 4:30 am, and not back to sleep until almost 6am.  That was AFTER she fought bedtime last night until 12:30am!  POOP!
Jeff and I say we were bragging too much on how good she was doing that she had to throw us for a loop.  Well, timing isn't soo good, bc I'm a single mommy this week bc J is in Denver. 
I take pride in being her mommy, and being able to stay home with her.  So I work hard at engaging with her, talking to her, singing, never having the tv on, working on our motor skills, and playing with her when she is awake.  Today....I don't feel like it.  :(  I'm having a just lay next to me day..... it makes me kind of sad, But hopefully the week gets better.
So, here's to hoping for a long nap from Booger today.

 She does look pretty cute today though!! :)

On to more Positive times!! 
This weekend was great.  We had professional pictures done Friday night....Can NOT wait to SEE them!!
Here's a little sneak peak...... :)

I got a "Me" day on Sat!!!  YAY!  J took the baby all day so I could get some errands run and not have to worry about her feeding schedule or taking her along.  My goals were to find some things for her room, a trip to Total Wine(they look at you funny when you take a 2month old in there..HA!), get the oil changed, and Costco.  I was gone from 9:30-3!!  loved it!  I got everything done!  I will upload pics of her nursery soon.
And regarding daddy/daughter time.....he did GREAT!!!  I could not be more proud of the father he has become....(disclaimer...I'm going to get a little sappy and brag a bit here)  I left him with bottles ready to go and left.  I didn't get a single call and came home to a husband cleaning the kitchen and her napping. :)))  See, I can be a little bit of a control freak.(shocking I know, ha ;) ) I like things the way I like them, and am always in control of the situation.  I learned quickly that in order for hubby to gain his confidence with Peanut.....I had to let go, and let him.  Leaving him to just do it, really has given him so much more confidence with her and he has learned her cues/cries and what her needs are.  It would be easy for me to just "tell" him, as I'm with her every day.  But his time with her has allowed him to learn on his own.  I am so happy/proud!!  He didn't shower until 9pm that day(bc he didn't have time)....hehe, I secretly liked this as he got a glimpse of my everyday and why sometimes I haven't had a shower yet when he gets home, and hand him the baby and go running to shower.... :)

She has started to like the bjorn for about 5-10min, and has been drooling more and wanting to suck on her fingers all the time!

AND......my sweet Peanut that was napping peacefully in her swing when I started this post....is now in my arms!  yes, I realize I'm enabling her.....but she's asleep, and today....I need that!  ;)
I can't be down long when I see this sweet face!!! :)  Oh, and Ellen's on dancing around and that made me smile.  :)

Hope you are having a great day!!

2 month Doc Appt

Today we had our 2 Month Doctor's Appt.
Madelyn stats...
technically 9.5 weeks old
9lbs 12oz - 20th percentile
22in long - 30th percentile
She also had her 2 month shots. :( 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine. OUCH! I made Jeff go with us to this check-up. I was a complete wimp and started crying before they ever gave her the shots, and daddy held her hand.
She has started to notice her hands! Its so funny, she is just noticing her right hand. She holds it up in the air and stares at it. It's like...."oh, is that mine?"
So funny
She LOVES her bath now and kicks around in it smiling
Daddy started really playing with her bunny lovey with her and she LOVED Bunny! He even came to bath time with us, and she just watched him.
She did get a fever with her shots and it really scared me but a little tylenol and luke warm bath
and a good nights sleep and she's feeling better today.

Last Night before Tylenol! She was soo pitiful! :( Getting some Mommy love!

This past weekend we went to the "Duck Race". It was here on the Island. The rotary club puts it on. They dropped 30,000 rubber ducks from the bridge and they race to the dock. First one to cross the finish line is the 15K winner!! First 30 ducks won prizes, and 1 random duck was the lucky 1Million dollar winner!! Needless to say......we didn't win. But had a great day that Sat! :)

Hanging with Daddy!

On her 2 month Birthday!

2 Month Birthday!!

Out to eat with Mommy, Daddy, Todd, Lucy, and Reynolds! I let Mommy put that headband on my head!! :)

Happy Tuesday!!

June 1st!

Madelyn Smiles caught on Video!! Since I'm not good catching them on camera!
This was Thur when she was 8 weeks old!!
I Got a 2+ hr nap today! YAY!










PS - What did I do to make the picture so big at the top? I think I've been gone soo long I need a blogger refresher....who wants to teach me? Morgan? ;) Jana?