Maddox at 10 Weeks

I am behind again.... as Maddox turns 12 weeks today!!!  Can't believe it!  This is what I am figuring out: the reasons there are less pictures of #3 are that you are so busy enjoying this baby, especially when you know it's your last, that you forget to jump up and grab the camera; you really are so busy just trying to get through the day that you forget to jump up and grab the camera; you really do take a lot of pictures but never can find the time to upload and print them!  I love this little guy SO much!  He started smiling really early on, I guess at about 8 weeks, but I rarely catch it in a picture.  He is a CHUNKY MONKEY... eats VERY often during the day, but thankfully, is only waking up about once at night, usually around 3 or 4am.  And he's so pleasant when he does wake up, just eats and back to sleep.  We did have a few rough weeks with excessive spitting up and fussiness, and finally gave in and put him on reflux medicine.  That has made a HUGE difference.   He had a really bad breakout of what I guess was baby acne shortly before these pics were taken (you can barely see it on his forehead in some of the close-ups, but I kind of cleaned them up)....it got really bad after these were taken.  I still don't know for sure if it was baby acne or a heat rash because he does get hot so easily, but it finally cleared up right before easter.   Channing and Jaxson are still doing so great with him, and although Jaxson has his moments where he seems a little jealous (makes me so sad!) and wants to be burped, held, fed, etc.... he has adjusted really well.

Maddox at 8 Weeks... Just Chillin'

At 8 weeks Maddox is as perfect as ever.  He does have terrible baby acne that doesn't seem to bother him at all but covers his face completely, and you can kind of see it in the pictures.  There has been a big jump from 6 weeks to 8 weeks in terms of how alert he is and how much he is sleeping.  He still naps often during the day, but is really getting interested in what is going on around him.  And as you can see, there is a lot going on around him!  

Maddox at 6 and 7 weeks, Channing First T-Ball Game, Funny things Jax Does!

 first---  Maddox is now 7 weeks, but I am a week behind, so here are some 6 and 7 week pics.   It is AMAZING how time changes a newborn.... he is so much more alert already, watching me, crying when I walk away from him....  he is now on medicine for reflux, which has helped, but he is still spitting up ALOT, but he seems comfortable for the most part, so I will just keep doing laundry!!  But at least a few times a day he seems really uncomfortable, like something just isn't right in his belly.  I know for the most part it is normal, and in fact the past 2 days with him have been Awesome!  He has started smiling (seems early- I think Channing was 2 before she smiled--- just kidding.  That's an exaggeration!)  I am still in such awe of him... so in love with his every move.  He sleeps for about 5 hours the first stretch every night (yay!!), then only for about 2 more after that, which equates to about - 5 or 6 hours of sleep for me, and I can live with that although it's starting to take a toll some days.

Channing started T-ball---- so much fun!  She is so good!  What an arm she has,  and she's so fast and determined.  I wasn't really like that in any sport except track, so it makes me so proud.  Of course Paxton always worked so hard, so maybe she has more of him.

Jaxson is trying to play with the 3 and 4 year old little brothers that are at practice.  He is a little awkward.... eating grass (yes... he's never done that before until the first practice when we are meeting everyone), throwing softballs straight up in the air and having them land on his head, and of course throwing spare balls that are laying around in the dumpster.  You really never know what a 2 year old will do.  But the things he says CRACK me up, and he's so darn cute with that shaggy blonde hair and those smiley blue eyes, I melt every time!

At 6 Weeks With Sissy

7 Weeks- so alert!  

Love the Knee Dimples!  

Silly Day at Pre-K

Brothers hanging out at the game

It was hot that day!!  

My Sister's Visit

I can't say how happy I am that we are within a short drive of almost every family member now.  I feel myself getting so much closer with my sister already, and that is something we have both needed.  She came to visit about a week ago and the kids all had so much fun.  Chloe, Caden, and Molly hadn't seen Maddox, so they were pretty smitten with him.  Channing and Jaxson both LOVE my sister, and really, she is a little more laid back and playful than I am.  I could take a lesson, as I am up trying to squeeze housework into every spare second.  Anyway, it was a great day and I am looking forward to getting together again soon.

caden was so excited.  LOVE this picture! 

poor jax.... always hanging with all the girls!  

they loved holding Maddox

he's got the old man hairstyle going on now

Little Maddox is 1 Month Old!!

Time flies... even when you are exhausted!  Our precious little angel man is already over a month old, and of course we all adore him more everyday!  I am including some "official" pictures I took of him on his "b-day", and also just some snapshots that I love.  I like his inquisitive, confused little looks, especially when he's confused as to why we are plopping him in water, taking him out and rubbing him down with lotion, and he is just looking at us like "why???"  (when he's not screaming).  And I love his perfect little sleeping face.  Overall, he is pleasant all day, although lately he is becoming a little grumpy in the PM and not wanting to go to sleep until 11 or later.  We try to wrap him up and put him to bed and he grows VERY ANGRY and yells at us VERY loudly!  Then he yells, grunts, kicks, pulls, pushes, and nurses for about the next 30 minutes until he has finally worn himself, and us, out.  then he will sleep for about 4 hours, and believe me, that is not feeling like a very long time.  But I wake up and see his little face and it is all good.  Channing and Jaxson have been at M&M's for the past few days, and I am so ready to see them both tonight!

got a grin!  

love the way it looks like he is crying

LOVED his feel in this pic!  

bath time

"what are you going to do to me next??"

"now you're taking pictures??"

"okay.... now I am clean and warm!"

sleeping in the early morning

"Gonanas" and "Gomingos"

Before I forget these cute things, had to blog about Jaxson and his "g" words. For the past few months he puts a "go" in front of 1/2 his words, and it is so cute!  Started with eating "go-nanas" for breakfast, having "go-nilla" yogurt for a snack, and yesterday we all (me, Laura, Channing, Jaxson and Maddox) went to see Gnomio and Juliet and jaxson called the flamigo a "gomingo".  Cracks me up!

Maddox at 2 and 3 weeks

As I look through my blog, I am realizing that my thoughts and emotions change so much from one day to the next.  Well, these days, one hour to the next.  I am giddy in love with everyone one minute, and the next I sort of wonder if I can make it through 3 more hours until bedtime.  The one thing that is constant, even through the frustration, is my love for my family and kids, and the realization that each day with them is a gift.  Maddox doesn't sleep quite as well as he did the first week, and getting up is harder every time.  But he is so easy going and adorable... I just stare at him in awe.  Channing and Jaxson are either playing amazingly well together, or fighting like crazy, driving me crazy in the process.  But they make laugh everyday.  Jaxson is in the habit of constantly saying "WELL.... my mom said I could" if Paxton tells him no, and vice versa.  He is sneaking out of bed in the wee hours of the morning, rummaging through the house, climbing on countertops, waking up Channing.... then they are both in our room by 6:30am.... have to say, not loving that!  Channing has made lots of friends at pre-k, and her teacher brags about how good she is doing every time I see her.  I love to hang out with her alone if I ever get the chance.... she's easy and fun, and although we bump heads now and then, she's such an awesome daughter and big sister.  Here are some pics of Maddox at 2 weeks and 3 weeks.  I decided to spare him and myself of full blown photo shoots, but have a feeling another one is coming soon :)

2 Weeks

3 Weeks