Beans

The kid likes his beans! And seeing as how he ate a ton last night and slept till 5, I'm trying it for lunch and maybe he'll sleep for more then 45 minutes. Wish me luck! And sanity.

Three on Thursday: Scouts and Laughter

On Sunday we had a big Cub Scout event. Carson officially became a Wolf. Being new to the whole Cub Scouting experience this was all very new to me. Lucky for us we learned just 2 weeks out that we would get to decorate and plan the whole thing. Yay! So to say we were under a bit of stress would be the understatement of the year. I'm happy to report that it went off without a hitch...well except that the ceilings were too low for our flags but that was easily fixed. We had 92 people attend! And these 1st grade boys were more then delighted to officially become Wolves. We have been blessed with a great group of boys. Carson is signed up for 2 different Cub Scout camps this summer and he is beyond thrilled. Declan is desperate to be a Cub Scout. Poor kid needs to wait another year. I hope his enthusiasm doesn't waiver

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Not a Tiger anymore!

New Wolf neckerchief from his Den Leader.

So excited for his new book. 

Future Cub Scout #1

Future Cub Scout #2

Future Cub Scout #3 took this picture of us!

And a bit of Maddox laughter for you! Please excuse the green beans all over his face.

Maddox

He'll be 8 months old in 4 days. 

He crawls. 

He likes every food he's tried so far. 

He wakes up twice a night (sometimes more)

He loves a good power nap.

He's a corkscrew, always spinning and moving. 

He almost pulled himself to a standing position this week. 

He can get from his belly to a sitting position. 

He's a momma's boy.

He's skinny.

He's got the BEST eyes. 

He loves to smile. 

He's growing way. to. fast. 

Three on Thursday: Teeth and food

 Carson finally lost his other front tooth this week. When it popped out you could see the other one coming in already. The other side hasn't come in yet and neither have the bottom ones. He's been taking speech at school once a week and he complained the other day that he didn't have a cage anymore to keep his tongue in (it's a speech trick to "keep y our tongue in the cage"). I told him it would come back but he'd have to imagine one being there. What a toothless Ruth!

 I finally gave in and gave this kid some cereal. He actually loved it, dive bombed both the spoon and the cup. I've only done it twice but hopefully this eager beaver attitude continues. I think the other boys just spit it all back at me. He's just had plain cereal so far. This weekend if we try again I might add a vegetable, maybe Avacoado.....wonder how he'll like that? Contrary to popular belief it has not helped him sleep better. Sigh.

I think we may have a crawler soon. God help me I am not ready for this. Seriously, not ready.

Three on Thursday: Look whose getting big!

Guess who turned 5 months yesterday? It's weird because I keep thinking he's a newborn but then he starts rolling all over the place, laughing, grabbing everything he can get his little paws on, following Emily all over the house and falling asleep all by himself. This 5 months has gone by so fast, like they always do. I've started making some of my own baby food and freezing it for him. I don't really have any intention of starting anytime soon....that seems like such a chore! But when I do he'll have some avocado, sweet potatoes, carrots and whatever else I can find to make for him. I hope he likes it!

Bennett wanted in on Maddox's month pictures.Maddox was in a silly mood. 

Guess who made the step to the big boy bathtub this week. Carson has been booted to the shower. He likes it though so it was too tough to convince him. 

I made a cake the other day and everyone had something to lick when we were done.

Child of God

 Maddox was baptized a few weeks ago. He wore the same outfit that his daddy and brothers wore. Some fit in it better then others but all were adorable. Now the outfit is put away for our grand kids.

Carson 2005

Declan 2006

Bennett 2010 

And some pictures from the service,

May God Bless you Maddox.

Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:  Matthew 28:19

One Month

Maddox is already a month old.

 Technically he's 5 weeks but I'm in denial that he's growing so I'll stick with 1 month. To say that this last month has been crazy, busy and a blur would be a vast understatement. It's been a struggle to adjust and find our new routine, something that is always common with a new baby. However, this time around I feel like it's magnified and maybe that has to do with the fact that there are 3 other little boys running around my feet, demanding my attention, but maybe it doesn't, I guess I'll never know. We've been struggling with jaundice, a horrible infection, breastfeeding, gaining weight and sleepless nights.

 I've breastfed 3 children until they were one. Breastfeeding is such a natural enjoyable thing for me to do, but honestly, this time around, I've come close to quitting more times that I can count.  It's been an uphill battle and we've yet to reach the top. I've cried, pumped, met with a lactation consultant, pumped some more and sought advice from my wonderful girlfriends and nothing seems to make this any better. I can't seem to figure out why I have so much trouble this time around. Is it me? Is it Maddox? Am I not patient enough? Mother's guilt can be a horrible burden. I'm trying to be patient but right now that is being tested to the limit. What doesn't kill us can only make us stronger.

I'm also convinced at this stage of the game that Maddox will be 16 before he sleeps through the night. Good grief child, you need to sleep longer then 2 hours. Your killing your mommy! While it seems there is lots to complain about there is also lots to rejoice in. Like his little fingers and his little toes, his fuzzy hair and wandering eyes, his clean baby smell and his tiny little diapers, and mostly, the way he snuggles in his big brother's arms.

It's going fast and I'm desperate to enjoy this time and remember his tiny little body. So while I'm struggling with many parts of being a new mommy again, I'm also delighted in being a new mommy again. This ride called motherhood is bumpy but I'm holding on tight and trying to enjoy the ride. 

Transition

It's been 12 days of transition in our house and it's been a whirlwind that is for sure. When we came home from the hospital and my parents took off leaving the six of us in our house alone, I was scared. Actually, I wanted to go back to the hospital where nurses changed diapers and meals were prepared and cleaned up for us. All of a sudden we were thrust into reality.

There was four little boys who wanted attention, questions answered, games played, homework looked at, bathtime, bedtime and snuggles. Whoa! How did this happen? How did we become the parents of 4 little boys?


I'm not going to lie, it was overwhelming and still is. When four boys want your attention and your husband and you are trying to have a conversation it's loud and crazy and kind of makes you want to bang your head against a wall. Our house isn't that big so our play space is limited making for a very loud house.

 But we are managing, I am managing. The house is messier, the kids are dirtier, I'm not sure when I showered last but we are happy. Happy to be Big Brothers. Happy to have Maddox in our lives. Do you know how hard it is to remember his name or even call him the right name? It's pretty much impossible. He's more often then not referred to as "new baby" around here. And if it's not that it's one of his brother's name. I wonder how the Duggars do it? How do they keep their kids' names straight with 19 kids? Now that has to be impossible.

Carson has taken the lead on Big Brother status. He loves snuggling and holding Maddox. He's very concerned about where he will lay or be at any given time, whether he's hungry, needs a diaper or is crying. It's quite the experience to watch your oldest become such a responsible little boy. His concern for not only Maddox but his other brothers is inspiring. 

Bennett became an overnight big boy, who still refuses to talk. Someone should really potty train this kid because two in diapers is expensive, not to mention his diapers are kind of gross. I should really get on that but I can't seem to find time to shower or go to the bathroom in peace so I'll just hope it magically happens overnight. What? That's a crazy thought? Don't tell me that! He's made the transition into Big Brother hood pretty well and enjoys rocking Maddox (albeit at a fast pace), holding him and shoving his pacifier in his mouth regardless if Maddox wants it.

Declan is also enjoying his baby brother. He's very good at holding him until he get's too wiggly.He's turned into my little helper by helping with breakfast, lunch or dinner, retrieving miscellaneous things throughout the house and always doing so with a running commentary.

I'm recovering ok. Breastfeeding is always a challenge and this time has been no exception. It's painful, hard and difficult but we are soldering through. Maddox is eating every two hours On. The. Dot.  around the clock, if not sooner. Oye! He loves being swaddled and sleeping in our bed. He's got some crazy skill that allows him to pull his arms out of his jammies every night. Straight out the top, so bizarre!

We are adjusting to the sleepless night. Actually it's a good time to enjoy some peaceful, uninterrupted snuggles with our babe. It's a time to kiss his soft hands, smell his sweet head or play with his little toes. Since he's our last I feel such a strong pull to enjoy every last minute of these precious first few days. I don't want them to go fast but I know they will. I know I will vaguely remember these chaotic days at some point and I'll try desperately to remember that newborn smell. They should bottle that because it's delightful! It's been a hectic transition but we are getting through it and enjoying our all our babes!

Maddox's Birth

Hard to believe it's been a week since we welcomed our fourth child into the world. My pregnancy drug on and on but the time after giving birth always seem to zip on by. In so many ways it feels like we just left the hospital with Carson. Now he's in first grade and eating dinner at a friend's house tonight. How did this happen? Since Maddox is our last child I desperately want this time to go slow, especially these first few days, weeks and months. So we're in the process of soaking up everything that is a newborn. Enjoying his smell, his tiny legs, his midnight feedings and his newborn cry. Please make time go slow.

And please enjoy this photo bomb of his birth.

I look thrilled. Really, I was, but I was also nervous and anxious about my impending surgery. Plus it took 3 different people to get my IV started, it was not a fun process.

Trevor all suited up for the OR in his hazmat suit.

Finally all numb! I was quite nauseous this time around as my BP plummeted after they gave me the spinal. what a weird feeling that was, I really wanted to sleep and just close my eyes. Thanks to some other drugs the feeling quickly vanished.

It's a....

BOY!!

Maddox Renee was born at 9:33am.

Weighing 9lbs 10oz, 21 inches long with a 15 cm head.

Mommy's first look!

Finally got to hold the little bean. My hands had gone numb so I didn't hold him until I had most of the feeling back in them.

Love the smile at that man's face. So telling of the moment.

Maddox, meet your crazy brothers!

They were thrilled to finally meet him and hold him.

Daddy and all his boys.

Bennett giving kisses.

Lots of snuggling with mommy in the hospital.

and daddy too.

There has been lots of looking, hand sanitizing and watching Maddox since we got home.

Bennett took a day or so to warm up to him. He was a little unsure of him at first.

Then he tried to sit on his lap and cuddle with him.

And of course pick him up.

And hold him while making cheesy smiles. He also is a fan of jamming his pacifier in regardless if Maddox wants it or not. All in all the transition has gone smoothly.

Our hearts are full!