Pirate Baby

This happened out of the blue. Luckily I had my phone near me...unfortunately, it's cell phone quality so you'll really need to turn the volume up. Here's my dad teaching Sean to say "arg" and "yo ho ho"

Maddy is pulling up!

It hasn't even been 2 weeks since Maddy crawled for the first time. She still hasn't even mastered it yet. This morning she pulled up on the couch for the first time!! She's growing up way too fast. *wipe away a tear* ...oh, and Sean wanted in the picture too.

It must have wore her out though. She did it and then fell asleep...about 45 minutes ago.

Maddy's crawling

It wasn't much but Maddy crawled for the first time today! Just 6 days after starting to rock on her hands and knees.

Sean's 2 year check up

My poor son will never be forward facing. lmao 31in 19lbs 8oz Oh well, he's healthy and that's all that matters. He had 2 shots...Madison had 2 also. Both did pretty good but Sean immediately asked to nurse. lol He also had is iron and lead levels tested again...they were also fine. No more doctor visits until Maddy has to go in January.

Madison's 6 month check up

She did soooo well. She smiled, cooed and giggled at the nurses and doctor. She showed off and sat up for a little bit by herself and then barely whimpered when she got her shot...even smiled at the nurse just seconds afterwards. She's 16 lbs 9.5 oz and 28 in. I'm glad we got her Radian80 b/c she will out grow her infant carseat in an inch. lol

Chunky Monkey

I took my chunky monkey...I mean Maddy...to get her 5 months shots (yea I know, she's 5 1/2 months). She did really well, barely cried. She's 16 lbs 6.5 oz!!! ...yep, definitely mama's chunky monkey. lol

Maddy starts solids!

Maddy has been showing alot of signs that she's ready for solids so we did. We started with banana and she seems to love it! She very eagerly opens her mouth when the spoon comes near her. Last night she ate about 2 tsp. She probably would have ate more but I don't want her filling up on solids...she did nurse right before too.

And I just had to add another picture of my chunky monkey

Maddy's 2 month check up

Maddy is 2 months old now...I can't believe it. I really like this age though. She loves to smile and coo at me. Just the other day she found her hands. If she could just keep her hand still she'd be a thumb sucker. She had her 2 month check up today. She's 11 lbs 6 oz and 24 in long...that's only about 6-7 lbs lighter and 4.5 in smaller than Sean!! I swear, once she learns to walk people are going to think I have twins. We are doing Dr Sears' vaccine schedule so she got the DTaP and Rotavirus vaccine today...only 1 shot b/c Rotavirus is an oral one. She didn't even cry!!

Sean's test results are in!

The last of Sean's test results came in today. Everything came out normal! It's a huge relief!! We're going back to the doctor in about a month for another weight check and the doctor wants us to go to a dietitian to make sure Sean's getting enough calories. I wasn't told to, but I'm going to go ahead and start keeping a log of what Sean eats and drinks...and how much he nurses.

I also wanted to share a few cute Sean moments. Last night he pointed at me and said "my mama" and then just a little while ago he pointed at Maddy and said "that my baby". *swoon*

Sean's 18 month check up

Sean had his 18 month check up this afternoon. He is now 17 lbs 13.5 oz. That's only about a pound since his 15 month check up...not as much as the doctor would like to see. He also only grew half an inch...he's now at 29.5 inches. I have to take him to the local children's hospital to have lab work done..will go either tomorrow or Friday. They want to check his thyroid, kidneys, pituitary gland, hormone levels and if he has a wheat allergy. All could effect his growth. The poor guy also has Croup.

The main reason for the tests is b/c in 3 months he's gained less that a pound and half an inch...he's not even following the growth curve (much less on it!) anymore

Madison's Birth story

Ever since the day Maddy was born I have be reliving in my mind her birthday. It was such a positive experience…I’m a bit sad that’s it’s all over and done with. I never want to forget the details from that morning so I’ve written my birth story…

I was awoken on Wednesday, April 1st a little before 3:00am with a contraction. Didn't think too much of it b/c I had been getting them off and on all night. Went to the bathroom and discovered my bloody show. At that point, Sean woke up to nurse. It caused a contraction that hurt like hell and then they kept coming. I started timing them and they were coming every 4-5 minutes so at 3:30 I called my midwife, Blair. She said to time them for another half an hour and to call her back. Then I called my doula, Amara to let her know it was time…Amara was actually my second doula. My original doula, Heather, was at the end of her pregnancy and was put on bed rest. I also called my mom. She came to get Sean and took him to Aleacia’s. By 4:00 the contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and much stronger. I called Blair back and said we'd be there soon. We (mom, dad, Richard and I) got to the midwifery center about 4:30ish. I had to spend a little while with the belts on. That was the worst part. I was also checked and I was already 7cm and 100% effaced. Then Blair asked if I wanted in the tub. I don't think I've ever gotten undressed so quickly. lol The tub was AWESOME! It cut the pain by at least half. It’s amazing how I just turned into myself and knew exactly what to do. At about 5:20, Richard’s mom, Connie, arrived. I then hit a phase where I couldn’t help but give a little push at the peak of every contraction. And then the contractions and every bit of pain disappeared for a few minutes. It was very odd but it felt great. When the contractions came back, they didn't really hurt but I couldn't help but push. The urge was so strong…no one would have been able to stop me. And pushing felt wonderful then. Blair then said she wanted to check me to make sure my cervix was completely gone…it was. At about 7:00 my water broke. I had actually reached down to see if I could feel the head. I felt the bag bulging out and it popped in my hand…a very strange feeling. Madison was born at 7:08...6 lbs 11oz 20in...just a little bigger than Sean was. I love how she looked when she was born. She did not cry, she just gazed up at me...pure bliss!! I did tear but just slightly. I didn't even need stitches. It's amazing how every bit of pain went away as soon as she was born. I feel amazing...nothing like I did with Sean (had an epi). While cradling Maddy in my arms, I climbed out of the tub to the bed to deliver the placenta. Richard and I laid in the bed with Maddy on my chest. She knew what she was supposed to do and was latched on and nursing in less than 20 minutes after being born. Maddy’s birth was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. Yes, it hurt but I’d do it again in a heart beat. I’m actually looking forward to the labor and birth of my next child.

Here's a video I made for Maddy...I was so blessed to have such a wonderful birth experience.

My other birth stories:

Sean's Birth Story

Emily's Birth Story

Maddy's 2 week check up

Maddy had her 2 week checkup. She looks great. She's now 6 lbs 14 oz....was 6 lbs 11 oz at birth and 6 lbs 3.5 oz last Friday. That's about 10 oz in a week!! Yay for booby milk!! lol Monday she had started to look jaundice. The corner of her eyes had even begun to turn yellow. So, I started making sure she nursed about every 2 hours and was getting in the sun everyday. The doctor said that today she barely looked jaundice.

36 week check up

I had my 36 week checkup with my midwife today. Normally I don't make a blog b/c there's really nothing to say. Everything still looks great but I found out today that I'm already starting to dilate. I'm at 1 cm, 50% effaced and M is at -1, -2 station...for those that don't know what that means..0 station the head is engaged and at +4 station the head is crowning. My midwife seems to agree...looks like we'll be having a March baby. Not much longer!!

Madison's 3D Ultrasound

Maddy was very cooperative. We got a 20 minute DVD and a CD with about 40 images...I picked a few to share with yall. We got to see her blink her eyes, stick her tongue out, lick her cord and smile. They were also able to tell that she has hair. So here's a few pictures:

Conformation that she's a she:

Mouth open:

Raspberries?

Sucking in her bottom lip:

An ear:

And just for fun...we did this with S at the same place...

3D ultrasound & newborn

Sean's 15 month check up

Sean had his 15 month checkup this afternoon. We don't know how much he's grown in height because they messed up when they measured him at his 12 month checkup. If that measurement was correct, he shrunk about 1/4 of an inch...and by him recently having to go up in pant sizes because of length, we know that isn't true. lol He is now 16 lbs 15.5 oz...pretty much 17 lbs. He gained 11 oz between 12 and 15 months which is more than he did between 9 and 12 months (7 oz) so he's doing good. The doctor said he looks great and he was impressed that S knows 3 signs now. He got 2 shots today but it doesn't really seem to be phasing him...thankfully! We go back in 3 months.

Sean and the kitty

Sean loves our cat. He finally understands to be gentle and not hit the kitty...well most of the time! lol Just recently he's started copying her. The cat meows and Peanut squeals back...his squeal sounds alot like a meow. I love seeing them sit next to each other, Sean petting the kitty and the kitty licking his head. Just today she licked the bottom of his foot. He thought it was the most hilarious thing!