Feeties II

I was looking through my pictures the other day, and I came upon this shot that I had previously overlooked. I ended up loving it! The first shot I posted was more the look I was going for, which is why I think I overlooked this one the first time.

Last night was rough! My doctor told me that I should go ahead and let him cry through the 4 am feeding and let him learn to self soothe. We gave it a try and totally bombed. Max cried for two hours! I felt so bad for my little man! The best though, was when I picked him up and he immediately stopped crying and just relaxed and looked at me. It gets me every time. Obviously we're not quite ready to go all night without eating. Needless to say, we are going to be very sleepy today!

ZZZZZZZZ....

Last night went great! We put Max down around 10 and he didn't make a sound until 4:30! It was really nice. I checked on him about 7 times before I went to bed at 11, but then Danny and I prayed about it and I felt so much better. I had no trouble sleeping at all. Then
Max slept again from 5:30 to 8! Fabulous. Thanks everyone for the tips and encouragement! It was so nice to know that other moms felt the same way I did.

Night Night

Max is asleep in his crib. AHHH! I'm nervous but not freaking out yet. I'm sure I will be checking on him every hour! Wish me luck.

I am so sad the weekend is over! But it was very relaxing and felt extra long since we had so much fun all day Friday with Brittany and Joe. On Saturday we all went to Sean's baseball game after the morning session of conference. Sean did great and we had so much fun sitting in the sun and eating game food (i.e. hot dogs, hambergers, soda).

The whole time we were there, all I could think about was how excited I am for Max to play sports! I really love going to games and I know I will be one of those crazy little league moms who cheers extra loud and screams at the coach when my kid sits the bench too long. =) But seriously, I hope that I can teach Max to work really hard, be dedicated and have a great attitude. I have found that if you can do that, it can take you a lot farther than the athletes who have lots of raw talent. I am already planning the sports I want him to play! I really hope he plays soccer in the fall and baseball in the spring. Of course he'll ski in the winter since we'll be living in Utah! Danny wants him to start golf as soon as he can hold his head up well. It will be so fun to see my boys play golf together. Danny also wants him to play hockey. Yea right! I don't want to spend all our time in Canada! Plus I wan't Max to keep as many teeth as possible.

One of the reasons I am so convinced Max is going to be such a hot shot athlete is because Max rolled over again on Friday night! He did it the first time when he was just under six weeks- March 12th, just two days after his due date! I was sure he wouldn't do it again until around three months (which I think is about average age for rolling over). But surprise! He was laying on his back on the couch Friday night and all the sudden I looked and he was on his tummy. I couldn't believe it! The first time he went from his tummy to his back on the floor.

It is especially unual for Max to roll over at such a young age because he was premature. Most developmental milestones occur later for preemies. Max is amazing, what can I say?

Saturday night I was planning to put Max in his crib for the first time over night. I felt like it was a good time because I want him to get used to his crib so we can start working towards sleeping through the night a little bit better. We spent forever looking for his baby monitor, and just when we got everything ready, I freaked out! Out of nowhere I started crying because I realized that once he starts sleeping in his room, he won't sleep right next to my bed anymore and he won't be my teeny baby anymore! I was soooo sad! As much as I look forward to sleeping all night again, I know I will really miss the time we spend snuggling on the couch at 4 am and being able to look over and watch him sleep. He always looks so beautiful all snuggled up in his little blue moses basket. I'll even miss listening to him snort when he starts waking up! It's also really comforting to be able to check on him so much. I'm afraid I'm a little SIDS paranoid. Am I the only one who goes crazy over sleeping apart from my baby? I need some advice fellow moms.

I took these pictures after a 3 am feeding. I was struck by how sweet he is while he is sleeping and I want to always remember these early morning moments together! It was worth the lost sleep time to stay up and take them.

"IIIIIIII wanna soak up the suuuuuun..."

Today was a blast! Brittany, Max and I met Chrissy at Pacific Whey (yes I did go there two days in a row!) for breakfast- delish as always. Then we went to Chrissy's and saw Naomi's adorable nursery! Max is so excited to meet her! Later that afternoon, we decided to go to the pool because it was such a gorgeous day and because we are all in need of a tan. Max decided that the sun was in his eyes and so he asked to borrow my sun glasses. It was very relaxing. Joe came and met up with us later in the evening and he learned how to blog! Danny wasn't interested and just ate rice crispy treats instead. Note: the recipe calls for only three tablespoons of butter as opposed to one cube. Word to the wise.

i heart pacific whey cafe!

Danny took me and Max out to breakfast this morning at Pacific Whey Cafe in Ladera Ranch. It was soooo good! It is my new favorite place for breakfast and pasteries. Danny had the breakfast quesadillla and I had french toast. We shared the carrot cream cheeese muffin (yes we are pigs!). They always have the freshest fruit too. I also would like to reccomend the creme brule bread pudding for dessert, it's to DIE for!

baby bjorning it

I love my baby bjorn! Max was a little cranky after he ate this afternoon and was NOT happy about sleeping in his crib. So while I was cleaning up, Max sat in the bjorn and fell asleep. It can be such a life saver to be able to get things accomplished while holding your baby.

Sweet Feet

Max is so sick of being my model! I am always making him pose for me- I think I want to be a photographer in my next life. I love this shot of his feet, I only wish I had taken one when he was brand new so I could show how tiny his little tootsies were compared to our rings. Oh well, still cute!

Consider Us Immunized

Yesterday was the day I was dreading- Max's 8 week check-up. I was having a really hard time deciding weather or not I would immunize him right away because there is so much conflicting information out there regarding the possible link between immunization and autism. Anyone in the medical field will tell you the two are unrelated, while any chiropractor or homeopath will tell you there is a direct relationship. I was so scared, especially since I have an autistic brother and there my be a genetic predisposition for my children (hopefully not). I was absolutely sick over it (and still sortof am), but me and Max had a little prayer about it in the doctor's office and I felt much better about allowing him to be immunized.

My doctor, Jan Johnson, was really awesome. I would highly recommend her- if anyone is looking for a pediatrician (Rachelle, Chrissy), she is with Seaview Pediatrics and came highly recommended by my OBGYN and the NICU doctors. We had a long talk about all of my concerns, and she let me make my own decision and didn't pressure me at all. So the nurse gave Max some cherry tylenol drops, which Max llloooovvvees, and then gave him four shots really fast (two in each leg). You can see one of his little band-aids in the picture. She was so nice and told me exactly what she was going to do and told me where to stand and that I should probably look away. I told her not to be alarmed if I cried more than Max, which I did. He did great! He let out one big scream and turned bright red, but as soon as I picked him up he stopped crying.

Later in the day he was pretty fussy, and despite about 12 normal temperature readings, I was convinced that he felt hot and had a fever. I was bawling and I told Danny to come home from San Diego because "Max is really sick." I also called my friend and Max's doctor, who reassured me that my thermometer is probably pretty accurate and that babies can sometimes be fussy after they get shots because of soreness at the injection site. Later I realized that he was really gassy, which was probably the real cause of his cranky disposition. Thankfully Danny was able to tell over the phone that I was over reacting and didn't come all the way home. Max was his normal self for the rest of the afternoon. It's amazing how easy it is for us new moms to freak out over nothing. I guess when you love someone so much it's easy to feel like the world is coming to an end if they're not okay. Especially if you feel like it's your fault! I am sure this will not be the last time I go crazy with worry for my baby!

Rough Night

My poor baby! It started Monday night at Kelly and Rachelle's new apartment. I went to change Max's diaper and I realized he pooped up his back! We decided to take him home and get him cleaned up, but when we got home, it was 100 times worse- even with the new diaper! The poor kid was such a mess. We wiped him down and I was picking him up to put him in the bath when he peed allllll over me. When we put him in the bath, we saw that he had clawed his cheek with his fingernail and it was bleeding! I felt so bad! I swear I do cut his nails. Here is a picture of Max in the tub with his battle wound and looking guilty.

Max's First Baseball Game/ Who wears short shorts?

Tonight we got Max all bundled up and went to watch "Uncle Joe" at his baseball game. Max, Danny, Brittany, Chrissy and I sat on the bleachers and cheered Joe on. We especially liked how great Joe looked in his shorts! The team didn't win the game, but we had a great time and went out for pizza afterward- which is really what counts right (I mean the pizza)?

Regarding Sleep

I am proud to announce that Baby Max has slept through the night the last three nights in a row! Pure Bliss. =) Also, his crib FINALLY arrived. Thanks to my mom for the crib and also for making his cute polka dot sheets! I love it and I love her. So does Max for that matter. We can't wait untill we have a house (even if it's in Utah- haha) and we can decorate his room. Right now, his crib is right next to the guest bed! We will really miss Orange County though!

three cougs, one lone Aggie

So, here I am at 1 am, wide awake. Screaming baby? Oh no. Too much diet coke I'm afraid. So I thought I'd take a sec to say congratulations tomy smarty-pants brother Jordan, who just got accepted to BYU! I normally would be appaled at the fact that my baby brother is joining my mom and dad by becoming a Cougar (Cougs and Aggies don't really see eye to eye), but I am just thrilled that he will be living in the same state as me! For those of you who don't know already- we are moving to Utah next month. I am so proud of Jordan and I know he will do great at BYU. And I know he will be a good sport when USU Basketball kicks the crap out of BYU.

Penguin Jammies!

Max seems to be having an especially hard time keeping clean in the last 24 hours. He is a puking machine, and he has really enjoyed peeing on his dad. I think he has literally gone through about 5 outfits today (good thing he has so many cute ones, like this one from Aunt Missy) and we're about to give him his third bath I think! He looked so cute in his penguin jammies and he kept them puke free for about 5 hours, so I thought I would post this cute picture of him.

Announcing Max's Announcement

Sooo- here is the birth announcement I have been working on in photoshop. I really wish I knew how to do more! Anyway, I wanted to put it out there before I make the final changes and have them all printed. Any suggestions?

baby love, my baby love...

Brittany took this cute picture of me and Max and I love the lighting. Anyway, it just made me think about how much I love Max and how amazing it is to be a mom. The whole time I was pregnant, I was so nervous about being a mom- especially to a little boy. Now I can't believe I was ever unsure about any of that- Max amazes me every day and I love him more than anything! On one hand, I can't wait to see all the new things he will do and the ways he will grow and change. On the other, I want him to stay just the way he is now forever! I love how sweet and tiny he is, I can stare at him forever and he is absolutely mesmerizing. He is really getting the hang of nursing and I am so glad I decided to stick it out. All you moms to be- it's hard but so worth it. Being a mom is the greatest thing in the world and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I love it!

Our First Family Photos

My mom was in town and she took some great pictures of our little fam at the beach.

Max with the photographer!

funny baby...

I love this picture! We were burping Max and he was making the funniest faces. My mother in law Sandy and I were laughing so hard. He was such a sleepy baby but is waking up a lot more now- he is always entertaining us.

The Moses basket- best invention ever. This is what Max is sleeping in since his crib is still in transit. Shipping was supposed to take 1-2 weeks- however, 4 weeks later we are still waiting. I'm a little upset. Max has been sleeping pretty well at night (about 4 hours at a time) and during the day too! We cart him around the apartment all day in his little bed and he never knows the difference!

HOME AT LAST!

Wow! After 22 days in the NICU, Max finally came home with us. We have had him home for a week now and it has been hard work but so much fun. Sorry we haven't blogged about it sooner, we've been pretty busy. We have loved having the chance to really get to know him better and bond with him without monitors and tubes. We love him more and more every minute! Mom and Max like to burp together...

Max and Daddy love taking naps together- so cute!

Just when he was getting comfortable with bottle feeding, mean old mom is making Max start nursing. He isn't always very excited about that idea, and in fact, he often screams ( I mean REALLY screams) and kicks his legs at the beginning. Usually he relaxes after a few minutes and succumbs to the fact that he is going to have to work a little harder for his food from now on. It's pretty funny.

Here's Aunt Brittney feeding him his vitamins- notice the milk in the bottle is green!

My friend Jen gave us a really cute little chair that vibrates and plays music and he loves it! Stick him in that chair and give him a binkie and puts him to sleep every time (Thanks Jen!). We also went on a walk today for the first time with his new stroller and he had a great time. We have also discovered that he loves his car seat (Thanks Sarah and David!) and he will sleep forever as long as we're driving.

Max sleeping in his chair.