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

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

Sweet potatoes for my sweet potato!

Maddie tried her first "real" food today- homemade organic sweet potatoes! Or technically, yams, b/c I couldn't find any organic sweet potatoes at the store. And I thought yams were the same thing. Google says they are not, but wholesomebabyfood.com says that they are the same thing in the US. So we're pretty sure she ate sweet potatoes.

Whatever they were- she loved them!

6 months old!

HOW IN THE WORLD CAN MY LITTLE BABY BE 6 MONTHS OLD ALREADY?!?!

6 month stats:
Height: 24.75 inches, 25th%
Weight: 13 lb 9.5 oz, 10th%
Head: 41.5 cm, 25th %

Mom and I took Maddie for her 6 month appt today! All in all, it went very well. The pedi is a little concerned about her gross motor skills (sitting up, rolling both ways, putting weight on feet, etc), but said that we'll give her until her 9 month appt to catch up before she'll want to do anything about it. If she's still struggling with these skills at 9 months, we'll probably be starting some physical therapy to work on her strength. She's meeting all of her language, behavioral/emotional and fine motor skills just fine.

We also got a referral to see a cranial something or other specialist in Chapel Hill to see if she needs to wear one of these beautiful helmets. B/c Maddie only liked to look to the left for the first few months of her life, the left side of her head is quite flat in the back. The pedi said it's not the worst she's seen, but it was bad enough that she thinks we should get a specialist's opinion about it. Mommy has heard that these helmets are quite pricey, so she's thinking we might just pray that Maddie gets her Daddy's thick hair to cover up that flat spot. But if we have to end up getting one, let's just hope they come in pink!

She did well with her shot and we got the green light to do solids! The pedi said she only needs to oatmeal for 1 week before she starts trying solids since we waited til 6 months. She wants Maddie to have no more than 2 solid meals a day until her 9 month appt though, b/c she already drinks the bare minimum of formula and she doesn't want her losing any more calories.

We did give her oatmeal yesterday on her half-birthday, and it was pretty funny! Here's a video for the die-hard Maddie fans (it's over 3 minutes long) and some pictures if you're short on time :). As you can probably tell from the pics, she was very sleepy! She probably only ate a half teaspoon of oatmeal, but she seemed to like it ok.

I'm sure I'll have more entertaining pics to come when we try sweet potatoes next week!

UNC vs. Maryland, part 1

Final score: UNC-108, MD-91

Sorry Maryland...

Don't mess with the Tarheels!

This is such a cute picture of Maddie that I'm going to ignore my giant nostril. Such are the sacrifices of a mother.

Tag, You're It!

I've been tagged by my hilarious friend Sonya, so here goes!

I am: looking forward to eating at Hibachi Express for dinner tonight. Double chicken special- $4.75, regularly $8.50!!! Man, I lead an exciting life.

I know: that I'm such a typical first time mom. I still ride in the backseat with Maddie, my parents are the only ones who have ever babysat her, I can't sleep at night if there is something soft in her crib, I am going to make all of her baby food. But you know what- I am a first time mom! So I will worry and be overly cautious as much as I want :P.

I won:a Goosebumps t-shirt from a bookstore when I was in middle school. It's kind of sad that I remember that, but I think it's seriously the only thing I've ever won. Now that I think about it, I really need to start playing the lottery. I'm totally due for a big win.

I have: the most perfect family! I have a great husband who is always willing to help me, no matter how tired he is, a perfect little daughter who cracks me up every day, and two sweet dogs who have patiently adjusted to not being the center of attention anymore. I couldn't ask for anything better!

I hate: vegetables. I really really hate them. I WANT to like them. People think you're weird when you won't eat a salad. But they really truly make me gag, and I just really hope that I can trick Mads into liking them before she notices that Mommy never eats them.

I miss: my parents. I hate living so far away from them, especially now that I have a baby. As soon as I win the aforementioned lottery, we are so moving in next door.

I feel: a little sleepy. We tried letting Maddie go to sleep last night when she wanted to- which was at 6:30. We were hoping it would help her sleep better, but it didn't. And then she wanted to wake up for the day at 5 am. Bleh.

I hear: rain and wind. Holy crap, a monsoon just started outside. I'm a little worried about our house being blown down! Ok not really. But it does make me wonder what people did during monsoons back in like the 1700s. I mean their houses had to be pretty crappy back then, right? Did they have to rebuild stuff after every major storm? That would be so annoying.

I smell: a delicious cupcake. B/c that is what I'm eating right now, a red velvet cupcake with almond buttercream frosting. Jealous, aren't you?

I crave: Hibachi Express! And who wouldn't, on double chicken special night?

I search: with Google. Isn't it funny that our kids won't remember a life without Google? Not funny haha....you know what I mean.

I love: my baby girl's smile! It is physically impossible not to smile back at her when she flashes that big gummy grin.

I care: a lot less about what other people think than I used to. I guess that's a good thing. I mean not to be rude, but there are a lot of idiots out there! Sheesh.

I always: chew my food with even amounts on both sides of my mouth. How's that for random?

I believe: that people shouldn't be so easily offended by strangers or people they don't know well. Who cares?

I sing: to Maddie all day long- girl LOVES when people sing to her. I'm pretty sure she's going to be the season 35 American Idol winner. I can tell from her screeching that she's going to be a fabulous soprano.

I write: things down in little notebooks all the time. I know that is probably very behind the times, but I enjoy my little notebooks and have no desire for a blackberry or similar electronic note keeping device.

I lose: Maddie's socks almost every day. Girl will not keep a sock on her foot.

I never: understand how someone can hate or judge a whole group of people. I realize that there's usually some truth behind negative stereotypes, but why not look for the exception rather than assuming the worst?

I listen: to Michael Buble and it makes me happy. That man has an amazing voice!

I am scared of: Maddie growing up and losing her innocence. Realizing that the world isn't perfect and knowing that she will be hurt, both physically and emotionally at some point in her life.

I need: SOME HIBACHI EXPRESS! Is it 7 yet?

I am happy: even when I'm grumpy and tired. Life is pretty great.

I'll tag my friend Christina. I love reading her blog about her sweet little girl who is a year older than Maddie. I'll refrain from putting a link here though unless she's ok with it!

But I'm a big girl!

Despite Maddie being a lot more tolerant of being held lately, she is still an independent little thing. She really likes to hold her own bottle- I mean gosh mom, I'm 5.5 months old, do you really think I need help feeding myself??

If she's awake when we are eating dinner, she sits in her highchair and mimics us chewing food. I think someone is ready to start solids! We are going to wait until at least 6 months though- Maddie has had lots of stomach issues so we want to make sure her little digestive system is ready for big girl food!

Disclaimer: This picture was taken for entertainment purposes only. Despite Maddie being ready to feed herself most of the time, Mommy is not ready for this quite yet. We still hold her and feed her 100% of the time!