Sunday, March 29, 2009

Time for an update!

It's been awhile! My port surgery went well, I was pretty sore for a few days but it was actually much easier recovery than I remembered. My mom was a huge help, she came up and stayed with us here for a few days, and then Maddie and I travelled to SC to stay with her and my dad for a week so I could have a little break from full time baby duty while I recovered. Mike missed us both, but luckily he had March Madness to distract him.

Maddie had her first cold while I was recovering- it was so pitiful! She didn't actually get that sick, she just had a really stuffy nose for about a week. She did have a little fever one night, but it went down quickly with some Tylenol. Even though it (thankfully) did not develop into anything serious, we did have to endure many days of saline drops and the nasal aspirator to keep her clear enough to eat- and that was not a fun task. Maddie is NOT a fan and doesn't hesitate to let you know. On what was probably the worst night, she ended up sleeping in her carseat in her crib to keep her head elevated so she could breathe. Hey, whatever works!

But that's over now, we're home and life is back to normal! Maddie took a little break from solids when she was sick (and immediately got constipated again) but now she's back on track. She is proving to be way too much like her mommy when it comes to veggies. So far the only vegetable she will consistently eat is a sweet potato. We will keep trying them and hopefully she will get used to them, but right now she tends to spit them in my face. She's a bit more adventurous with fruits (although she doesn't really like apples- what a weirdo!). Pears are by far her fave, although she won't hesitate to gobble down some blueberries or banana.

She also loves pretty much anything you put in her mesh feeder, so far I've tried ice, green apples, red apples, blueberries and black beans. For snacking, and practicing feeding herself, she loves puffs and Mum-mums. I let her feed herself some table foods if I think she won't choke on them, and so far she seems to like that- although WOW what a mess! Baths are becoming more and more frequent.

Maddie still isn't sitting up unsupported, but I think she's getting really close now. I haven't gotten a pic or video of it yet, I'll have to do that soon. I think she's going to be really late to walk too, b/c she still doesn't put any weight on her feet if you try to stand her up. But I've decided that it's fine with me- just means I'll be able to enjoy having a non-mobile baby a little bit longer than most people!

Here are some new videos I took recently:
Eating a pickle at Bruggers- eeewww (she liked it, I thought it was gross)!
Eating a slice of avocado- she loved it! And officially become a professional mess maker

When I was in SC, my mom and I had a dress making competition to see who could make Maddie the cutest dress. We went the easy route (good for me b/c I've never made any clothing before!) and bought t-shirts at Target. Then we just made the skirts and ironed on a cut out design. I think mom won the contest, but I'm very proud of my first dress too :). We both made them a little too short, so the search is on for matching bloomers I guess!

Mom's dress

My dress

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Videos galore!

Mike got me this for my birthday (well, birthday/Valentine's day, that's why I already have it!) and I've been going crazy making videos of Miss Mads. I'm going to include some links for the videos I've uploaded to You Tube (see end of post for links).

Maddie has gotten so much better in the last couple of weeks with her head/body control. She still isn't sitting up on her own, but she's getting close and she can sit up well enough for us to put her in shopping carts and high chairs when we go out.

She figured out how to make a "buh" sound in the last couple days, and she can't seem to get enough of it. It is SO cute! I can't believe my little tiny baby is on her way to talking. I have a feeling she's going to be quite the chatterbox :).

We had another snow (pretty, but I am SO ready for warm weather!) and Maddie was much happier about being outside in the cold this time. Here's my favorite pic of her in the snow this time, plus I'm including the picture of last time for contrast, lol! I also have to include the picture of her wearing this same hat the day after she was born- she has finally grown into it!




Mike and I took her to the doctor last Saturday b/c she was being very fussy, screaming when we put her in her crib (very unlike her), letting me rock her to sleep (also very unlike her) and pulling on her ear a lot, so we thought she might have an ear infection. Turns out she did not, but they weighed her and she was 14 lb 7 oz! That's only 2 weeks after her 6 month appointment when she weighed 13 lb 10 oz. Quite the gain in 2 weeks! Guess those solids are packing on the pounds.

Speaking of solids, feeding them to Maddie has been nothing short of hilarious. So far we've given her oatmeal (likes it), sweet potatoes (loves them- her favorite food), avocados (hates them), carrots (likes them), peas (doesn't like them), pears (loves them), apples (likes them) and green beans (hates them). We've got to work on those green veggies, it looks like she's got her mommy's taste buds right now.

I am having surgery to replace my portacath on Tuesday, so my mom will be coming up to Raleigh to help me take care of Maddie for the rest of that week (I don't think I'll be able to pick her up for a while b/c of soreness). Then Maddie and I will be headed back down to Greenville with mom for about a week and a half, so she can continue to help while I heal. Mike is already so sad about spending such a long time away from Mads (and me....but mostly Mads, lol!), but I think he will enjoy watching the ACC tourney in peace and he will be coming down to Greenville for my birthday weekend. And since we'll be in Greenville on the 22nd, we'll have free babysitters and can go out for my birthday! Then mom and I will be seeing Legally Blonde (SO EXCITED!) on the 24th before I head back up to Raleigh.

Guess that's enough info for one update! Enjoy the pics and videos and I'll be sure to update when Maddie has her 7 month appt next week with her gigantic height and weight!

Video links:
Maddie laughing/being silly this is my fave!

Watching Baby Einstein #1 she LOVES the puppets on these videos

Watching Baby Einstein #2 gets very excited when watching this

Trying to eat non-pureed apple FAIL

In the snow she loved the snowflakes hitting her face!

In her jumper this was after she had been in it for about 10 minutes, so she was starting to lean, lol