Grapefest

Today we headed down to a local festival because we heard they had a pretty good kid's section. We went with our neighbor and her two kids as well. We walked around for a little while and ended up at the kid's zone. It had a petting zoo, large sand box, jump houses and a lots of carousel. I think the kids had a lot of fun and Madelyn keeps talking about all the animals she saw!

Walking around the kids zone with Daddy.

Petting Zoo!

Hugging a goat!!

Bounce house

Mesmorized by the carousel

Walking back to the car. They are so cute!

Comfortable?

Although this doesn't look very comfortable, I am guessing it was. He slept like this for a long while :)

Little Chef

Madelyn wanted to help Derek cook dinner the other day. He let her get things together in the pan before actually cooking it! She loved being a big helper :)

My Nannie and Regular Papa

My Grandma and Dad came over today to spend some time with Madelyn and Mason. Madelyn calls them "My Nannie" and "Regular Papa". Not sure why she needs to be possessive with Nannie. She calls my Dad "Regular Papa" because her name for my stepdad is "Papa D" and when I was telling her that Papa was going to come see her she kept getting him confused with Papa D so I would correct her and tell her it was Regular Papa coming not Papa D. The name stuck and that is what she calls him now!

Best I could get of all of them...Madelyn is in a non-picture taking phase!!

2 Week Stats

Today we went back to the pedi for Mason's 2 week well baby check (a little late at 18 days). Here are his 2 week stats:

Weight: 10 pounds 4 ounces (90%)

Length: 21 3/4 inches (80%)

Head: 14 3/4 (50%)

Dr. Curry was very impressed with Mason's weight. He said that the goal of breastfed babies it for them to be 1 pound over their birth weight by 2 weeks but a lot of them don't make that. The fact that Mason is 1 pound 1 ounce over his birth weight means that he is definitely getting enough to eat. I brought up that fact that during the day Mason wants to eat all the time. There are times when he wants to eat only an hour after the last feeding. Dr. Curry suggested we start moving Mason towards a schedule and away from feeding on demand. He said to try and stretch his eating times to every 2 hours (letting him fuss in between if he needs to) and when he is comfortable with that, stretch it to 2 1/2 hours between. Dr. Curry also said that we were very lucky to have a newborn that is only waking up once a night, so let's hope Mason keeps that up!

Overall it was a very good appointment and we go back at 2 months for his first round of shots :(.

Are you ready for some football?

We are way excited for football season here in the Bird house!

Keeping Busy!!

The busier Madelyn stays, the less melt-downs and acting out we have. This is hard right now when Mason is not quite on a set schedule and I am still getting over the birth. She loves to play in the backyard so when times get tough, we go outside...These pictures were taken a few days ago but I had yet to post them!

2 Weeks Old

I cannot believe that it has only been two weeks since we brought this sweet baby boy into the world. He fits right into our family and is such a joy!! We fall more in love everyday. We go to our 2 week appointment next week so I will have his 'stats' then but I think he is around 10 pounds already! At 2 weeks Mason:

• HATES having his diaper and clothes changed.
• Loves his swing - this is where he spends most of his sleep time during the day.
• Still sleeps away most of the day but is having more and more awake time.
• Goes to bed around 10 and does not wake up until between 3-4 AM. He eats and goes right back to sleep until around 6:30.
• Loves his Miracle Blanket for night sleeping.
• Is not a big fan of the pacifier. Will take it sometimes during his awake time but could really care less for it!
• Wants to eat every 2 hours during the day (unless he is napping) and is feeding really well.

Sweet Baby Boy

Mason LOVES to lay/sleep on Daddy! It might be his favorite place...

All by myself!!

Today was the first day that I was alone with both kiddos. I have to be honest, I was really, really nervous about this - I can handle 22 2nd graders day in and day out but was scared of taking care of my own 2 kids :)! I was not sure if it was something that I could handle. Madelyn seems to act out at during the times I cannot react as quick (like when I am feeding or changing Mason). She will continue to go to school 2 days a week until I go back to work. This will be nice for her to continue to play with her friends but also nice to have days for just me and Mason!Both Mason and Madelyn woke up a little bit earlier than normal but the morning went pretty smoothly. We had a few time-outs and one meltdown but nothing major.

We decided to head to a new park for a little while. I put Mason in the sling (for the first time and he LOVES it - he slept the entire time) and stayed in the shade while Madelyn ran around. Back at home, it was time for lunch and nap. After a hectic time getting Madelyn down for a nap (with both of them crying at one time), they both slept for a little while.

We had a really good afternoon with only one time out for not cleaning up her toys when I asked her to (a good nap goes a long way with her mood). We played with magnetic ABC's, went on a wagon ride and colored until Daddy came home. Today went much better than I expected! I know that we will have good and bad days but at I feel much more comfortable having two at home now!

Mason had a good day too that included sleeping, eating and MANY diaper changes :)

News Flash!

At 10 days old, Mason only woke up once last night...I am probably going to jinx it by posting this but I wanted to document. He ate at 9:45 last night, went down at 10:00, woke at 3:00 to eat then I had to wake him up at 6:30 to eat again before we took Madelyn to school! The 2 nights before that he had been going down around 10:00 and not waking until 3:00 to eat as well but after that, he was up every hour or so. I am hoping that he keeps this up! I should also note that this was the first night that I used the Miracle Blanket with Mason. Whatever it was, I feel much more rested!

Parts

Madelyn likes to point out all of Mason's 'parts'. She especially likes to make sure we know that he has 2 eyes, 2 ears and a mouth. Here she is showing Gigi all of Mason's parts!

Sweet baby boy with his Gigi!

Life as a family of four!

Life with a (feisty and very active) toddler and a newborn is challenging, rewarding, fun and hard! Madelyn has been quite a little handful since we came home. She is testing her boundaries and pushing limits. She is a sweet little girl but very active and is acting out against not getting all the attention anymore. Every day is a little bit better but we are still working on finding a middle ground that will work day in and day out. She needs to stay busy and I cannot do all the things we used to do just yet. It does not help that she has refused to nap for three days straight! If anyone has any tips or suggestions on dealing with two little ones my ears are open.

Mason is doing very well. He is a pretty laid back and easy baby. He is still sleeping most of the day but wants to eat ALL THE TIME. He will act like he is hungry less than an hour after a feeding! This is one big, growing boy. His nights are pretty good as well. Two night in a row now he has gone to bed around 10 and slept close to 5 hours before waking up to eat! I hope he continues to be such an easy little boy!

Madelyn is becoming much more interested in Mason. When he cries she will be sure to let us know and enjoys pointing out all his features. She has been pretty gentle with him so far. She is also understanding more that she will have to wait for some things when I am feeding or changing Mason. These are usually the times she will act out but I think that she is starting to understand a little bit more.

Yesterday Madelyn wanted to read a book to Mason. Even though he was asleep, she pulled her bean bag from her room and 'read' him a couple of books. (yes she is still in her pj's - we spent most of the morning that way!)

Touchdown!

Mason is ready for watching football with his Daddy this season! Go bears!

Mason's Fan Club

We have had several visitors at the hospital and at home that I have just now gotten around to posting...I only have a few done now but will add more as I get them done. :)

Natalie and Mason

Gigi and Mason

1 Week Old/Due Date

Today is not only my original due date but also Mason's 1 week birthday! We are really enjoying our new family of 4. It is a challenge at times to juggle a newborn and a very active toddler but that makes it all the more fun! Mason is eating very well (wants to eat all the time) and sleeps most of the day still. His nights are getting better and better. Most of the time he will eat every 2-3 hours and sleep in between. I have discovered that he likes to sleep propped up on his side a little bit and this has helped night time sleeping a lot!!

Dora Bike

Daddy recently got Madelyn a new bike with Dora on it. She loves it! We go outside every evening and ride it up and down the sidewalk. Her feet don't quite reach the pedals yet but she still loves to push herself along!

1st Doctor's Visit

At 5 days old, Mason had his first pedi appointment. Our regular doctor, Dr. Curry, was on vacation when Mason was born and did not see him in the hospital. Since his biliruben level were also a little elevated when we left the hospital, we had to make an appointment for 48 hours after discharge. Mason's weight when we left the hospital had dropped from his birth weight of 9 pounds 3 ounces to 8 pounds 5 ounces so I was curious to see what he weighed today. This little boy loves to eat and his weight was back up to 9 pounds 1 ounces! Dr. Curry also did not even feel it was necessary to recheck his biliruben levels since he looks good and was gaining weight. He gave Mason a clean bill of health and we do not have to go back until his 2 week check-up!

It's All in the Numbers

Madelyn and Mason are exactly 2 years, 2 months and 2 days apart.

Madelyn was born in 06 (June) of 07 (2007).

Mason was born in 08 (August) of 09 (2009).

Madelyn was born on 6-26.

Mason was born on 8-28.

Derek likes to see patterns in numbers...there are quite a few with our kiddos!

I think they look a lot alike...what do you think?

Mason at a few days old.

Madelyn at a few days old.

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