This girl melts my heart!

Christmas Day Maddie started "talking" and it absolutely melts my heart!! I love her!!!!

Maddie's first Christmas!

Maddie had a great first Christmas. She got WAY to many gifts and lots and lots of kisses. She was kinda (ok very) upset all day so we really didn't get to many pictures. I am not sure why she was so upset, maybe there were just to many people around? maybe she didnt feel good? We still dont know.

Our first family Christmas picture!!

Our Christmas tree

Maddie and Mimi. I took this with my new camera lense!!!

Maddie and her new toy!

She was opening up a gift... What was it???

SHOES!!! Every girl needs pink glittery shoes. (they are WAY to big.. lol) and holiday BARBIE!!!

Even tho Maddie was upset we had a great Christmas! She was the best present James and I could ever ask for!

Christmas...

We are still trying to "recover" from Christmas and there will be a much longer post about it later but here is a picture while you are waiting...

Maddie and the jolly old man

(Mom and Maddie before we left)

Mom and I took Maddie to see Santa. I was very nervous because Maddie starts crying very easy. We were standing in line and I told Maddie that Santa wont hurt her, he just wanted to get his picture taken with her. Guess what?? She did GOOD!! She didn't look at the camera, but she didn't cry. What more can you ask of a 9 week old?



The Santa picture turned out good but our day after that was crazy. Let me just explain:
As soon as we walked away from Santa my mom was holding Maddie and she puked all over my mom. I quickly grabbed the burp rag because I did not want throw up on her Christmas dress. Luckily, this smart mom remembered to bring 2 extra pairs of clothes ( this is import later). My mom and I went in the VERY clean bathrooms of Bass Pro Shop and changed my screaming daughters outfit. She wouldn't stop screaming so I made her a bottle. So in the middle of Bass Pro Shops bathroom we are trying to feed Maddie but for some reason she keeps trying to bite the nipple and not suck on it. (This is a reoccurring thing...I dont know why she does this??She has never had real food before). Finally after 1 outfit and 1/2 a bottle later we proceed to try and calm my still screaming daughter down by walking around the mall for a grand total of 5 minutes (we couldn't find what we were looking for so we left). We put her in the car (still screaming) and headed to another store. She finally fell asleep in the basket of the new store, but I stopped pushing the buggy to look at something and she started to cry (oh so loud) again. So, as I was paying we gave her the other 1/2 of her bottle and she stopped. I took her out of the cart to put her in the car and because there was no movement she started crying again. Finally we get the car loaded up (she is crying) we start to drive to Hobby Lobby and she stops crying (You see she only stops crying if we are moving). We get to hobby lobby and finally she is asleep UNTIL we stop the car to go inside.......... OH YES! We put her in the stroller to shop and she stops crying because their is movement. My mom and I decided to take our time and shop while she is sleeping..so we did. We leave Hobby Lobby and Maddie is still asleep (yay). By this time its lunch time tho so we decided we wanted some Mexican and Maddie is asleep so we can go get something right?? WRONG!! This is where it gets bad. Maddie is asleep until we stop to get out (this always seems to happen). She is a happy girl until we sit down and order then the screaming starts. Mom and I take turns holding her and notice her 2nd outfit is wet (from pee). So, I decide to take her out to my car and change her real quick. I lay Maddie down on the seat to change her and she is flapping around all crazy and rams her head into the carseat (where it is buckled in) and she starts screaming bloody murder. So, now Im freaked out she is bleeding and we are going to have to go to the ER. I quickly change her diaper (and outfit this is now the 3rd outfit for the day) and pick her up to look at he head and its barely red but I still feel bad (no blood). I take her back into the restaurant to show my mom and mom says its ok. Maddie is still crying and screaming (poor baby). So, I make her another bottle to try and calm her down and once again she will only chew on the nipple not suck on it!!!!!!! Needless to say we had to hurry and scarf down out lunch to leave so people stop starring at us. We did go to Wal-Mart after that and she slept for about 5 minutes. Then it was time to go home. That was out CRAZY Santa day. Hopefully next year wont be so traumatic!

Sleep training 101

I have been asked by many ladies to share how I sleep trained her so here it goes. I am sure this is super confusing... SORRY!!!!


***Like I said before go get this book!!! The baby sleep solution by Suzy Guiordano.*** (CLICK THE LINK)

The basics of sleep training and I'm really paraphrasing:
( I only read the bottle feeding part. I skipped the breast feeding part :)

• You start sleeping training at 8 weeks old. You can start earlier and I tried, but Maddie was just to young.
• There are 3 requirments that the baby must meet before you start(p.54):
  

1. Weight: Baby must weigh at least 9 pounds
2. Food: Baby must eat 24 ounces in 24 hours
3. Age: Baby must be at least 4 weeks

• There is an order in which you train:

1. Feeding during the day: Every 4 hours four times a day for 12 hours. (This was the hardest part for us. It took about 2 weeks to get this down)
2. Feeding during the night: Gradually eliminate all night feedings.(After you have finished step 1 you can start step 2.) Your baby will naturally get up at set times during the night. (Maddie was getting up at 1 and 5). You will gradually start to eliminate night feedings by doing this:
   Eliminate your 1nd feeding first (So the 1:00 feeding). At 1:00 when she woke up I would usually feed her 4oz. Every 4th day feed 1/2 oz less. (example: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurday 4 oz.....Then Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 3 1/2 oz.....Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurday, Friday 3 oz... until you are at 0 oz at 1:00). The hard part is you can NOT let them go backwards only forwards. So, if Maddie woke up at 11:10 and wanted to eat I had to try and hold her off until 1:00. Give her a paci, sing whatevever I needed to do. If she happened to sleep longer say 1:30 then 1:30 would be her new wake up time and I couldnt let her eat until 1:30. NO REGRESSION is the key to this training. I never had to finish this pattern. Maddie stopped waking up at 1:00 on her own.
   Next you eliminate the 3rd feeding in the same way you did the other one(The 5am feeding). I am not going to try and eliminate this feeding. When I go back to work this is when I will be waking her up.
3. Sleeping during the night: Sleeping or resting quietly for 12 hours: After all the feeding are eliminated you want to eventually have your baby sleeping or resting for 12 hours in their crib. I did not do this part because of my work schedule.
4. Sleeping durnig the day: Sleeping or resting quietly in their crib for one hour in the morning and about 2 hours in the afternoon (this is where we are now in our training).

Other useful tips:
- We put Maddie in swaddle blanket at night. She is an "arm flapper" as I call it. She flaps her arms and it wakes her up. She doesn't like this swaddle blanket. When we lay her down she fights is for a few minutes but then falls asleep.
-Feed in a dark setting. No TV, lights or distractions. The book says do not even make eye contact. Feed them and put them right back in bed. The book says do not change them unless its poop (that's really up to you but it does wake Maddie up if you change her).
- If you are bottle feeding: Have the bottles ready to go.
- If you hear them wake do not wake to long to feed. Its ok if they are fussing. You do no want to them go into the SCREAMING mode.

Hope I didn't confuse you to much!!


(p.s Dont forge to click on the advertisement below my post....CLICK IT..JUST DO IT!! :)

2 months

I haven't had time to write Maddie's two month blog so here it is:

Weight: 11 pounds 7 oz (68%)

Height; 23 1/2 (88%)
Head : 15 1/4 (51%)

Maddie is going to be a tall girl like her mommie.

-This month has defiantly been a struggle. The doctors diagnosed Maddie with eczema. Her "real" doctor (not the doctor we saw time) seems to think she is so fussy because she itches all the time. They also think she may be allergic to milk. We have been putting medicated cream on her and giving her soy formula. Her rash is looking better but she is still fussy. So, we are not sure which is making her rash better the cream of the soy??? For now we will keep doing both.

- As of December 18th ( 9 weeks 3 days) Maddie started sleeping through the night. I have been sleep training her from this book, "The baby sleep solution" by Suzy Giordano. I will do a post about sleep training tomorrow. This book is worth $13.00!!!!

-Maddie is sleeping through the day but fighting sleep during the day.

- She is finally starting to like the swing!!!! Now she doesn't like the bouncy chair or boppy.

-Maddie has to be moving (bouncing, or swinging) or she starts to fuss.

-The past couple of days she wants to be held 24/7.

- She is starting to not like her paci (they used to be best friends).

-Still loves music and lights!

-Eats like a champ. 5-6 oz every 3.5 to 4 hours. (Her "real" doctor said we can feed her up to 8 oz if she wants it..CRAZY!!)

-Wears 3-6 month pj's. This girl has some long legs

-Size 1 almost size 2 diapers

-0-3 month onesies

-Has had some BIG diaper explosions lately.

- LOVES her mommy and daddy and is smiling up a storm. She is trying to laugh but just hasn't figured it out yet.

-Sat in her bumpo chair for the first time and loved it, just doesn't have the head control yet to sit in it without mommies help.

(Her 2 month picture.. I forgot the paper..)

Sleep Training..

I didn't want to post this thinking I may jinx myself but......... Last night Maddie slept from 8pm-5am (had a bottle and went back to bed from 5am-8am). 8-5 is about the normal time should will be sleeping when I go back to work.. So I say last night was her first night to sleep through the night!!!!!!!!!!!

So, Sleep training is WORKING!!!! It hasn't been easy. You have to be persistent. There has been MANY times where I just wanted to feed her so I could go back to sleep but I didn't and its paying off!!!!

Lets just hope tonight is even better!! :)

Random things...

-I finally finished Christmas shopping!! Its hard with a little princess. I don't feel like I get to look. I am always scared she is going to start screaming...but I finished!
- ALL the presents are wrapped. Yes, I am OCD about my wrapping paper. It all has to be the same paper. I'll have to post the tree later...Its a sea if red.
-I have gotten some really good deals on Amazon. They have a moms club and you get free shipping for 3 months!!!! So, I have gotten some good deals on diapers and wipes. Try it...Membership is free.
- I have ads on my blog now. They are not there to annoy you. This mom needs extra money......being on maternity leave is hard!!!! So, do me a favor click on one of those ads! Thanks :)
-I started sleep training Maddie...and its working!!!She is only getting up once a night. Hopefully by the time I go back to work she will be sleeping through the night!
-Christmas is next week!! I cant wait for Maddie to experience Christmas. Next year will be a blast!!
-I got my FREE cards from Shutterfly and they are SOOOOOOOOOOO cute. I cant wait to send them out!!!!!!!! If I dont have your address leave it in the comment section. You will want to get this card!! :)
-I think I love Starbucks more then ever now. I dream about getting my weekly coffee. (I got it yesterday and I'm already thinking about next week!!) I guess its because I really need it now??

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Gloves.. Public Service Announcment!

Hi my name is Kellie and my daughter is 2 months old and still wears gloves. No she is not to old. Her nails are very long and I trim them almost daily, but she still seems to gouge her face off. She does know she has hands and has started reaching for things. No she does not wear them all day, only at night. She is precious even with gloves. Thanks

You know your a mom when...

You know your a mom when...

- Your new accessory is spit up...and it doesn't bother you!
- Your "purse" is now the diaper bag and you no long carry anything you used to but your wallet, keys, phone oh and your might useful coupon book!!!
-You now wear "mom" jeans because your stomach will never look the same.
- You have 3 inches of roots showing because you don't want to leave your little princess for long enough to go get your high highlighted.
-The first thing you do in the morning is go make a cup of coffee.
- You stay in your pj's all day ( and so does your daughter)
-You will call anyone just to talk to an adult! :) (Like call Enfamil to get coupons lol )
- My favorite nap time activity is figuring out who has the cheapest formula and diapers. I love this!!!
- Your "client" is this little one:

(This is an old picture..but I love it!!)

I love being home with my Maddie. I am dreading going back to work!!!

Photography

I love photography but I'm just not sure how to work my camera.

This bad boy:

I want to be able to take amazing pictures. I feel like I have great ideas but I just dont have the skills yet.

Yesterday I started reading photography tutorials. Let me just tell you its SO hard. You have to think about 52 different things and try to pose a 2month old (and try to get her to smile ..I mean not cry!!) Yes, not an easy task.

Here are some I took today. Maddie 2 months old!!!



I have an easy subject to take pictures of I must say. Its not hard to make her look good. Lucky me!!!

For now...I'm going to keep learning.

Shutterfly.. Perfect for any gift!!

Have you ever been to Shutterfly?? It is an awesome place to create photo books, Holiday cards, photo gifts, and even home decor.

Look how neat these are:
Pictures with no FRAMES.. I LOVE IT!!!! I need to go order one of these bad boys. :)

I used Shutterfly for our wedding. I made James and awesome photo book for his wedding present. We will have it forever. We can show it to Maddie and our future kiddos. He was super surprised when he got it. This would be awesome to do yearly for kiddos. You could see how much they have grown!! How neat.

They have tons of stuff if you are a last minute shopper. Like Custom WALL CALENDARS. I made one for James last year. I wanted him to have something at work with all of our wedding pictures on it. It turned out perfect!!!!! (The quality of their products is GREAT!!)

We are thinking about having a New Years party and I really want to use this invitation.. isnt it cute??? They have TONS of New Years Invitations. Go here to view them.
Everyone knows I LOVE sending out pictures. How about this pretty to say Happy New Years? Cant you just see Maddie on it now?? Oh I can! :)

Want to win (earn) 50 free photo cards??? Go here. Its super fun and easy, but hurry offer ends tonight!!!

I'm in love....again!!!

Maddie smiled a few times last night (4 or 5) but today she hasn't stopped smiling. This makes me heart melt. I love her so much! This is why I am a mom.

Maddie is a new baby...

Today Maddie turned into a new baby.

• Her cry has changed. It sounds like an infant cry not a newborn cry.
  
• She SMILED at me today 5 times. It wasn't just gas!!!
• She is happy in the mornings and loves the Christmas lights. (She will sit and look at them for 30 minutes.. HEY thats a long time for this girl..)
  
• She loves music gets real happy when she hears it!!
• This girl slept 9 hours last night!!!
  

I hope this means Mr. Colic is going bye bye!!!

I will remember this day forever!!!

36 more days...

36 more days until I have to leave this cute little lady and go back to work!

That day may be one of the hardest days of my life. I will need to remember to bring my make up to work because I am sure there are going to be lots of tears.

I love my job. I love my class . I do miss the ladies I work with...and in five years Maddie gets to go to school with me....

But for now I am going to enjoy this little girl..colic and all. She is mine. She is healthy. She IS a miracle!

Grea Day..and my new favorite thing!

Today was such a great day...

I did a bunch of lovin' on my little girl


-Maddie stayed with Nana while I went Christmas shopping and got a pedicure. My pedicure was bittersweet beacuse my pink zebra toes I had done for her birth were all chipped so I had to get the polish taken off.
- James, Maddie, Nana and Popsicles ( James parents) we went to Chewy's and it was SOOOO yummy and we went out for ice cream.

Oh yes...
My new favorite thing is a swaddle blanket...Madison doesnt really like it but...We have been putting her in it at night and she has been sleeping so good!!! (8 hours!!) So.. YAY for a swaddle blanket!

7 weeks...baby toes and all!!

This little cutie is 7 weeks old today!!!

What Maddie's been up to:

• Well we have some a hard times the past 2 weeks. The doctor says little missy has colic. I am still not sure that is what it is. I think something else is wrong. I will figure this out at her 2 month appt. next week!!! I am determined.
  
• She has discovered her hands. She cant quite figure out how to use them but she know they are there. When she is crying she tries very hard to suck on her thumb, its so cute to watch.
• Madison had defiantly started to notice her surroundings. She will look around (in between crying spells).
• She loves music.
• The past three night she has been sleeping 5 hours or longer before waking!!!
  
• Depends on the brand but she usually wear 0-3 clothes
• Size 1 diapers
• Loves the car and the stroller but still hates the swing.
• I found out yesterday one way to calm her down in by putting her in the stroller and strolling her around the house.

It's been a hard few weeks but I wouldn't trade this for anything!!

All I want for Christmas is...........

...........this pretty girl. That's all I need!

Sorry Ive been mia.. We've had some hard colicy days. But I wouldn't trade them!

My hubby..

God Bless that man. He let me sleep 2 nights ago and I feel like a new woman.(He let me sleep and he wakes up at 3:45am to go to work!!!-Yes he is that awesome) Who knew getting 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep would feel so good?

So today's post is all about my WONDERFUL hubby because I couldn't of gone through labor (with NO drugs) or been a nice (sane) mommy and wife without him!!!! He is THE BEST!!!

These are just some reasons why I love him so:

• He is GREAT! He treats me and Maddie so good we are so lucky to have him.


• He's so good looking!


• He would do anything to make me happy!


• He is a hard worker.


• He is the best daddy to our pretty Princess.
  
• He's my partner in crime. (I love doing everything with him!)


• He loves my cooking even when it sucks!
  
• He always makes me feel so pretty (even after having the baby he told me how pretty and skinny I was... awww I love him!)


• He helps me with chores!!!!!!


• He always comes home and kisses me and the baby and loves on us like he hasn't seen us in days (I LOVE IT!!!)


• He changes poopy diapers and doesn't even complain! :)

I love you James. I cant wait to grow old with you!

I'm so lucky...

I read this wonderful blog today, and Katie put me in my place!

The past 3 days have been HARD very hard. Madison has either been screaming or screaming louder. It hurts me to even talk about this. I cant figure out what is going on. Is she growing? Is she hurt? Is she sick? What is it?

Well last night she screamed from 2:00-4:30. Yes, and this mom was frustrated (ok very frustrated). I already mentioned I am not a very nice person when I have no sleep. Well, this morning at 4:00 am I was so upset. Madison was screaming and I was crying. I cant figure out what is wrong with her. I fed her every hour! She ate 6 ounces in 2 hours! I dont want my daughter to explode. So at 4:00 when she was screaming I fed her again. What else do I do? Gripe water only works for a few minutes.

This morning I called the doctor. I needed some advice! They told me they think she is just a "good eater". So, now instead of 4 oz. I am feeding her 5 oz. Hopefully I will have a much happier daughter today. Hopefully she will go longer then 2 hours. 5 oz every 2 hours she will explode!!!!!

(ok..so back to Katies blog putting me in my place)
I prayed and prayed for Madison for over 1o months. After many failed months of trying to conceive and a scheduled trip to the fertility clinic I found out I was pregnant. I did have a hard pregnancy and labor but I was so excited. Excited to have a little Princess to spoil and love. I guess, It's hard adjusting to the sleepless nights. I have many friends who are still having a hard time trying to conceive. So, I need to remember Madison is a blessing. She is here to make me stronger. She is mine. The one I prayed for. The one I LOVE!

Like Katie said.. I have earned many mom badges...Some which include:
- Taking blood thinner shots daily throughout my pregnancy and now. I have 10 more shots!!
-Giving birth naturally with NO drugs!
-Getting up nightly to my princess screaming and walking the halls of our house trying to calm and sooth her, patting her back, rubbing her belly, singing, and rocking her.
- Cooking dinner while trying to feed her.
-Trying to breast feed for 10 days with no milk and a crying baby :)

So I am strong.. I can do this!

So I am now in my place. Madison I love you. I would do anything for you! You are my everything. Tonight when I wake up to feed her I will say "Thank you Lord for my Princess!!"

I will leave you with pictures of my Princess in her first 0-3 month onesie!

Sleeping..

When I was pregnant I slept 12-13 hours a night. I was THAT pregnant lady. Now that Madison is here I sleep 2 hours at a time...I am not such a nice person with no sleep. (I'm sorry James.) Iv'e done a lot better then I thought. Coffee is my best friend.

I want to document her sleeping hours so I remember

Week 1 Sleep for an hour and a half at a time and eat 2 oz. (While trying to breast feed. I was breast feeding, giving her to James to bottle feed, then pumping. Talk about NO sleep :)
Week 2 Sleep for an hour and a half at a time and eat 2-3 oz. (Still TRYING to breast feed)
Week 3 Sleep for 2 hours at a time and eat 3-4 oz.
Week 4 Sleep for 2-1/2 hours at a time and eat 4 oz.

This week Madison has been sleeping 3 hours a night and yesterday she slept (during the day) for 4 1/2 hours. I have been trying to get her to stay up during the day but its impossible. Hopefully she is over her growth spurt and will start sleeping more! My goal: By 6 weeks have her sleeping 4 hours a night and start sleep training.


(Before you read this or think I'm crazy..hear me out.. I know Maddie is young.. But I am a mommy who is ready to work with her little one to get her to sleep....)
I know some baby books are not good but I am going to try this one!!! This book is called,"The baby sleep solution". It guarantees to have your baby sleeping 12 hours by 12 weeks!!! I am GOING to get her to sleep through the night!! I'm going to give it a try. Everything I have tried so far has worked. :)

In other news:
Madison peed all the way through her diaper, night gown, and blanket last night. I got her out of her crib to feed her and she even soaked me. So, I decided it was time for size 1 diapers! She is such a big girl now.... almost 11 pounds!!!!

I have a confession

I am addicted....


















to coupons

Yes, to coupons. I guess it isnt a bad thing to be addicted to. My husband thinks I am a major nerd.( I dont know why I am saving us MONEY!!!!) Since I am home and Madison still sleeps most of the day away (thats another post) I sit on the computer and find coupons. As soon as I wake up a check the most awesome blog every for the "deals of the day". (Seriously if you have not been to this blog-GO!..EVERYDAY..Its the best!). This woman..(whom ever she may be) has already saved me SO much money on formula, diapers, and a few Christmas gifts. She find the best deals of the day (on the internet or coupon wise) and posts them.

I refuse to buy formula or diapers now without a coupon!!!

Last night we went to Target to buy formula (it was on sale- today's the last day) and I had two $4 coupons! I got two massive tubs of formula for CHEAP!!!!

So I admit... I am addicted to coupons...
((That reminds me.. If anyone has any coupons for Emfimil or diapers send them over :)

My baby is a month old..

Where has time gone?

I love Madison so much even at 2am! This is what she is up to:

• Eating 4 ounces ever 2-3 hours


• We changed her formula from Similic to Enfamil (for potty issues) and she is doing great!


• In Newborn size diapers
  
• Newborn size onsies (Target brand are still way to big)


• She weighs a little over 8 pounds (I think)


• Likes to be left alone when she is going to bed (doesn't like to be rocked)


• Doesnt really like the swing


• When she is in her bed by herself she LOVES her music maker


• Loves the paci (I try not to give it to her but she screams)


• Wakes up every 2 hours at night to eat 4 oz! Yes, we have a BIG girl!!!


• LOVES to play with G.G, Mimi and Nana


• Starting to notice Bella


• Plays under her play mat but gets very upset that she can not touch the toys hanging down.


• Hold her head up for a few seconds at 90 degrees


• Started to push up a little when on her tummy

3 weeks

I cant believe Maddie is 3 weeks old today!!

• She can already hold head up pretty good
• She is eating 3 oz
• Sleeping for 2 hours at night
• When she gets mad her face turns bright red!!
• She loves her daddy
• She loves to eat!!!

She is such a sweet girl!!!

I love you Maddie!!

17 days old.. Halloween

It's SUPER hard to find a 17 day old a Halloween costume! So, Mrs. Madison is going to be a diva and help us pass out candy. Next year she will have lots more fun!!!!

Happy Halloween baby girl..

2 weeks old!!!

Maddie is growing so fast! She gained 1 pound in a week!!!!! Here are her stats at 15 days old:

Weight: 7 pounds 14.6 ounces (34%)

Height: 20 1/2 inches (56%)

Head: 14 (37%)

and I'm so in love... even at 10, 12, 2, 4 and 6 am!!!! She is still getting up every 2 hours and eating 3 ounces.

10 days old

I'm in love....again