Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Putting Maddox to sleep on his own...DAY 4!
I've read the books, looked on the Internet, even talked to other moms. Nothing has prepared me for what we were in for these past few nights. Maddox is finally sleeping in his own bed. This may seem like such a small hurdle, and yes...if we had started him earlier sleeping in his own bed this would have never happened but the nights where we would all be cuddled up in our full size bed would be so comfortably warm. That is until we found a finger up our noses at 5am, or he would be completely turned around facing the edge of the bed, we would be in these puzzle like positions in the morning just trying to fit somewhere in the bed. It just wasn't working but more than that he couldn't put himself to sleep without one of us holding him and to no surprise this came to lead to many nights where we would be off to sleep at his bed time 8pm and miss out on catching up on dishes and laundry. We made it through and loved the time with Maddox but the time was here as soon as summer rolled around. We had more time to spend with Maddox and to really get him on a firm routine. Ha! The idea of a routine is funny to people who have so much going on they are just trying to fit everyting in to a day...but we HAD to create a sense of routine in our family for Maddox but most of all we needed it for ourselves. The first night we actually did great. I thought I was going to run in there, this theory was supported on a previous attempt which had failed miserabley, but I just listened. A half hour passed and the crying turned in to these cute little sobs and Maddox was off in his dreams. He proceeded to wake up at 11pm crying putting him back to sleep, then at 2am, then 5am, then of course his normal time at around 7am. What a night that was...just hoping that he was just crying it out. What if he is sick?? It could be his teeth! I could just run in there for a second...but we stayed strong and stuck it out. The second night Maddox fell asleep in 10 mintues...not to bad and he only woke up at 2pm...and it's hard for me to tell you how long. I was half way in between sleep and being awake. Knowing that this was part of the process. The third night fell...yes the third night was the hardest...not for him but for me. I just missed sleeping with him. The bed felt different, there were no legs over me, no finger in my nose and ear, no baby cuddles....I have to admit and I don't know how I SHOULD feel about this although I knew how I WAS feeling. I missed my little Maddox at night...I hate to hear him cry and love when I know that he is safe. I'm doing the right thing I kept telling myself that third night when 2am rolled around and Maddox struck again. This time with screams that made my brain go in to automatic flight mode....go to Maddox and make sure he's okay. Logic was yelling back that I had to let him fight through this. He'll thank you one day....he's better off learning to put himself to sleep in his own bed. It's the first step of many towards independence. I leaned over and shook Randy..."Do you hear that??", I asked nervously. "Do you think he's okay?" "Yeah he's fine. Leave him in the bed.", Randy's sleepy voice mumbled next to me. Well courage I had but by the 3rd day I was exausted and my reseilence to my son's crying was wearing thin. Tonight is the 4th day....I am sure Maddox was worn out by spending the Day with Tee and Tyler and going to the Summer Solstice with Grandma La and I. We brought him back, changed his diaper and gave him some milk and within 10 minutes we have a sleeping baby in his own crib....for now.
First Day of Summer with Tee & Tyler
Maddox enjoyed a wonderful day with Grandma Tee and his cousin Tyler! It was a beautiful first day of summer and he got to enjoy it with family! Here are some pictures of them outside playing and out to dinner.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Hiking in Chimney Rock
We had a blast in Chimney Rock...4 hours of hiking with Mom & Wes. Maddox loved every minute of it! He got to play in the waterfall half-way on the hike and just look around on the hiking backpack and he just sat there looking around, sometimes we would get the occassional "OHHHH" from him. They filmed the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" there. It was really breathtaking and challenging having a baby on your back during the hike. We went last Saturday when Randy was out with his Dad and 2 step brothers Mark & Todd to a Atlanta Braves baseball game! He came home with no voice...that has to show what a great time they had together.
White River Rafting on the Nolichucky River!!!
We are so lucky to have opporutnities such as these in Maddox's first year. Randy's mom "Tee" watched Maddox overnight on the 25th of May so we could drive up to the Nolichucky River in Tennessee and go White Water Rafting....that was the plan at least. We are driving all through these winding back roads of the mountains....our stomachs growling which seemed to progressively grow louder with each turn of the road that reveled no restaurant in sight for the next hour or so. We left after work and were still on the road by 9pm....but then luck was on our side....a small town....one Hardies....with eyes bigger than our stomachs we ordered meals big enough for a family of four. Two burgers for the each of us, 3 french fries, we were almost at our hotel and our stomachs were ready to dig in. Unfortunatly for us that grease didn't seem to agree with out stomachs too much and we ended up spending some time in the bathroom that night but as the morning light started to come in to our rooms we were ready to go. Our anticipation had gotten the best of us and although we had to meet the bus at 9am we were up getting our coffee at 7am....taking turns getting coffee, talking about how excited we were, and just watching the clock until it was time to go.
After what seemed like an eternity of waiting we got in our car and drove over to the bus pick up site. There were a group of what seemed like young college kids all huddled around and some women that were in their late thirties. It looked like a good group, we tried to blend in and not seem like we were these excited newcommers to rafting so we lathered our lotion on and like experienced rafters we climed on the bus. About 20 minutes our guide was giving us a whole book of what to do in case you end up in the water, saftey tips, etc. Not a big deal to us...we listened and enjoyed the beautiful scenery around the mountains. We arrived to a dirt lot right next to the river with a comotion of many other river rafting company buses and people scattering all around. We decided to take a funyak which is a one person raft sort of like a kyack. It was strange...many people decided not to take that choice and stayed on the raft...but we were told it was going to be the best way to see the river and really fun too!
In the water we started out really well...following our guide and trying to make it over the rocks and rapids by ourselves. I don't know who was the first person to go in the water, Randy or I...but out of our group of 6 funyaks we were the ones most in the water! By the halfway point where we stopped and got our lunches Randy and I were exausted but felt so refreshed. We were in the middle of a canyon with trees all around us...beautiful fresh air....and a feeling of accomplishment. We felt this feeling for a while before the realization of the fact we had to finish our rafting trip. We got our gear back on...and went back in the water. After a big battle with the river Randy decided to switch with one person in a raft who really was wanting to jump in a funyak and he finished the river out on there. The weather started to change and the last stretch of the river ended with a light rain that was progressively getting wetter. By the time we arrived at the buses the sky decided to downpour and we were running to take cover and change our clothes in to some dry ones along with the rest of our group who were all scattering every which way to get some kind of cover. The group back in the bus were all talking about the great time we had, it was like we shared some kind of bond together. We had made it through the river as a group and shared this wonderful adventure together.
We got back in our car...It was a challenge, we had done something we had never done before and made it through. I was so proud of the both of us and know that over the summer we will be planning more trips like this. It makes me want to challenge myself and my family to new adventures, see the world, and live life to the fullest.
Maddox's 1st Birthday
Maddox is ONE...he's walking....talking...signing...giving kisses....the big ONE! I can't believe it...it was just yesterday he was in my belly kicking me in my ribs. Now he's so real and such a great part of our family. Randy and I are both so in love with our son...he brings such a happy feeling in our lives. Everytime he gives us kisses, to the books he reads, to the way he loves to point at nature, to just the new words he is learning and signing. He is something so special...
Many of you might not know how many parties Maddox had...but of course Randy and I were reaching heavily for the coffee by the time the weekend was through. He had one on Saturday, Sunday, and of course on his actual Birthday June 5th at Chuck E'Cheese! Although his mom and dad were on the verge of getting a coffee IV put in Maddox was enjoying every minute of his party...seeing all the familar faces, enjoying the ballons, and really learning from the joyful environment around him. We tried to show him the things in the time capsule...we really did. He loves the taste of coins we found out and seems to think pictures look better crumpled up than in the original state. (ha-ha) The Time Capsule has been retired to our basement (with a few more future additions we are waiting for) but after that....it will be taped, padlocked, and placed in a frozen cryogenic state for the next 25 years....
I remember the day we had him and knowing that it was something so new in our lives and wondering how we can go from just being us to now being three. Even more so being responsible for another human being in every aspect. We would be a mom and dad...it's not just us any more. It was awkward at first there is no doubt about it...all the changing diapers, breastfeeding, baby crying in the middle of the night took some getting used to. We are developing that bond everyday, a relationship, a sence of security and safety where Maddox feels it's okay to learn and make mistakes and grow. The funny thing is Randy and I have grown as well...in ourselves and in our relationship. We really have a stronger bond now because we both have the same vision for our lives, our son, and our family. Why didn't any of you tell me sooner how amazing this feeling is to have your own child?? I guess I wouldn't have been ready any other time but now! :) Things always work out the way they are supposed to.
We really are one lucky family. We all have such great people to learn from, talk to, and really love. It's so obvious from something like this that we have something so special in our family and I am grateful that Maddox has all of YOU to grow up with! I hope you enjoy the pictures of his party! Thanks to all the special people that came to the party! You guys are WONDERFUL!! For those of you who couldn't make it because we have family as far as California we are glad you could ALL still be a part of the celebration and know when Maddox opens the time Capsule you will all be a part of his memories!
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MADDOX!!
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