Happy Birthday Maddox: 2 Years Old!

Maddox and Kinley's Well Visit

Maddox and Kinley had their well visit on August 19, 2010 (which is also Maddox's birthday!) It was Maddox's 2 year checkup and Kinley's 2 month checkup (although she was actually 10 weeks old at the time of her checkup).

Maddox weighed 27 lbs and is 34 inches tall. Kinley weighed 10 lbs 6 oz and is 22 inches long. Dr. H doesn't hear Maddox's heart murmur any longer, either - which is great news! Both checked out healthy and growing. Dr. H also mentioned how many words Maddox knows and says so clearly for being only 2. I was a proud mommy. It is a little funny to me that Maddox talked enough in the short time he was with Dr. H for him to notice how big of a vocabulary Maddox has indeed. If he only knew the entire extent of it!

Kinley is holding her head up great. She smiles all the time! She is a very sweet girl. She is only eating 24 oz of milk per day right now; so Dr. H didn't think we needed to start her on cereal yet. Maybe in another 4-5 weeks she will be ready to start some cereal and baby food. We'll see. I'm in no hurry for her to grow up!

Maddox was so brave when he got his finger stuck (they had to draw blood) - he got a sucker at the doctor's office. I also let him open an early birthday gift.

Kinley - 2 Months

We don't have Kinley's 2 month appointment until August 19th. Dr. H is out of town this week, and I figured since the 10th is so close to Maddox's 2 year checkup, we could just do them both at the same time! So, I don't have the official weight and length, but I did weigh her the other day, and she is just over 10 lbs. We should be moving to Stage 1 diapers when we run out of the current pack of newborn diapers we have.

Kinley is staying awake for longer periods of time during the day. Smiling all the time, especially at Mommy.

She eats about every 3-4 hours during the day, and is sleeping through the night now, which is amazing timing since I just went back to work this week. Normally, the last feeding of the night is around 10:00PM, and then she'll sleep until between 6:30-7:00AM. Such a good baby!!

Kinley is a pacifier baby. She loves her paci, and it's amazing how quickly she is soothed by being wrapped up tightly in a blanket and given her paci! She LOVES to be warm and is happiest when she is laying on her belly on Mommy's chest all snuggled up in a blanket.

She is still wearing most of her newborn clothes, but I have been dressing her in some 0-3 month clothes lately and they fit! There is only one kind of sock that really fits her feet - she has skinny feet!!

She seems to recognize voices. If Mommy or Daddy walk into the room talking, she'll turn her head or eyes toward our voices.

People tell us everywhere we go what a beautiful baby girl you. I must admit - we agree whole heartedly!!

Maddox's First Time at Sunday School

Maddox's first time to go to an actual Sunday School class was this past Sunday, July 11th. Papaw stayed with him in the class, to keep him comfortable. We figured that way he'd actually sit through the class and realize how much fun it is!! They sang songs, at snacks, and made a project (baby Moses in a basket). Maddox walked around afterward carrying his project saying, "baby Moses". It was cute. I saved the project for his scrap book. My dad said he realy enjoyed the songs and thinks it will be a future hit! He's getting so big.

Maddox Novella

I thought with all the focus on the new addition to our family, I'd take some time to give a Maddox update. He changes so much every day!!

Since Kinley has been born, he has just turned into this super grown-up little boy, and I ask myself frequently, "where did my baby boy go?"

Let's see. I'll start from the top. We just recently shaved his head! It's his new summer do. He is so hot-natured and loves to play outside (sweating like crazy); so I knew he'd enjoy the cool haircut, and it'll be at a nice length by the time the weather gets cool.

He is also talking so big now. He makes sentences and seems to learn many new words every day. He will say things that surprise me all the time! Today, his little cousin fell down, and he came to me very concerned, "Mommy, Brennan fall down!" I said, "Oh no! Is he okay?" He walked over to Brennan and with the same sweet, concerned face, asked "Brennan, you okay?" It was unbelievable. First, the concern for Brennan, but also at how big he was talking!!

How is he adjusting to the new baby sister? I think he is doing very well. He goes between being very sweet (giving lots of kisses and hugs), to very protective (not wanting strangers to hold her), to jealous (wanting to be in Mommy's lap and Kinley out of sight). He is starting to get used to her, I think. He is having more sweet and protective moments than jealous ones. I hope that positive behavior continues!!

Potty training. We are working on it. Maddox tells me he wants to go potty quite often. He normally will only pee in the toilet. He won't poo for some reason. Although AFTER he goes in his diaper, he will tell us he needs to go potty. Little stinker! It's a work in progress.

We are still co-sleeping, which is terrible! We started a very bad habit pretty early, and I'm paying for it now. My goal is to have him sleeping in his own room and own bed by time I go back to work (6-8 more weeks). I'll keep you posted!

Time out. We have instituted "time out" for Maddox. He is at the troublesome two's (I've decided he's not TERRIBLE, he's just a little more challening than normal - so we're calling it the TROUBLESOME twos). Maddox does not like to have to sit still or be alone - So you can imagine how effective sitting alone in time out can be for him! I think it's working nicely. He has had a bad habit for screaming (very loudly) and throwing a big fit when he is told no or doesn't get what he wants immediately. That is now grounds for timeout. He also can be aggressive in those situations (hitting, attempting to bite, pinch, etc.) which is not tolerated and grounds for timeout. Timeout is usually between 1-2 minutes right now (it's upsetting enough for him after 30 seconds). He has to sit in a chair in a secluded area until we get him down. He knows the drill now. I remind him why he is in timeout when I put him in the chair and when he gets down. I think it's going to be effective...although, spankings may still be in order here and there. Spare the rod..spoil the child, right? (My least favorite thing in the whole world!)

Favorites. Playing outside (slides, swings, 4 wheelers, Papaw's pond, etc.), TV (Yo Gabba Gabba, Barney, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Tigger & Pooh), Papaw (breakfast, feeding Abby, feeding the fish in the pond, helping in the yard, working with tools, riding the 4 wheeler or the riding lawn mower, going for a ride in the truck, ice cream at McDonalds, laying in his elbow at sleep times, etc.), singing (Little Bunny Fu Fu, Mr. Nicker Knocker, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc.), DRUMS, bike, tonka truck, balls (baseball is the favorite, but he likes socker, football, basketball, golf and tennis too). Basically - he's ALL BOY!! He does like books, but he gets distracted easily. We read for about 2 minutes, and he's ready to go throw a ball. Hmm...

Food. Yogurt, fruit, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, sweet potatoes, apple sauce, pizza, chicken.

He's so much fun. I love watching him grow and learn. We're very anxious to see what's to come!!

Kinley - 1 Month

Kinley,

At your last checkup (almost 3 weeks old), you weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and you were 21 inches long! I imagine you are somewhere between 7 1/2 - 8 pounds now.

You have become really alert in the past week, and we love it when you look at us with your big eyes! You make some of the cutest and funniest noises.

You eat about every 3 hours. Sometimes you'll go 4 hours during the night, if Mommy is lucky! You always fall asleep when I am feeding you. I try undressing you and tickling your feet to keep you awake.

You love to stretch, and when you do, you arch your back like you're trying to do a back bend.

You LOVE when your daddy holds you. You can tell you adore him already and he adores you.

You hate to be cold. You also do not like baths right now, which is probably related. I have tried lately putting a heater in the bathroom for a few minutes before bath time, which has seemed to help.

You have already been out to eat several times (that I can remember)...to IHOP, On the Border, Guido's, Olive Garden, Pho's Vietnam II, McAlisters, Chick-fil-a, Thai Bistro, Hunan's... you're a pro.

I never thought I could love somebody so much as I love my children. You and Maddox are such a blessing, and I thank God every day that He is allowing me to be your mommy. You are growing and changing so much every day, and I am looking forward to watching you learn and experience new things.

Lots of love,
Mommy

Kinley Update - 5 Days Old: Jaundice

Kinley went to see Dr. Larkin on Monday for her newborn checkup. He ordered some tests on her bilirubin levels just to be sure (her skin didn't really look yellow, but the whites of her eyes were a tad yellow). Dr. L said that any levels over 14 should be tested. The results came back Monday afternoon, and she was at 18! So, Methodist brought out a BiliBlanket light to keep on her and I was given strict instructions to feed often (every 2 hours). We did that all day yesterday and today. The nurse came this morning to take more blood (heel prick that breaks my heart every time!) and the levels were down to 16. I'm thinking one more day, and we'll be able to take her off the lights and get back to life as normal!!

Otherwise, her checkup went very well. She was 6 lb 2 oz (birth weight was 6 lb 9 oz). We have a 2 week checkup next Thursday, and Dr. L is hoping she'll be back up to her birth weight by then. Cross your fingers!! She eats very well; so I'm thinking it won't be a problem.

A picture of our little glow worm.

Welcome Kinley Elizabeth

Kinley Elizabeth Mayall was born on June 3, 2010 at 12:21 PM, weighing 6 lbs, 9 oz and 19 inches long! The delivery was so fast! I pushed for about 20-25 minutes and that was it! She was ready to come see us!

Kinley Elizabeth Mayall

Maddox was very curious about his new sister.

He wanted to sit on my lap and hold Kinley.

Our new little family!

Maddox giving his little sister a kiss. He adores her. The nurses took Kinley to the nursery for an assessment, and Maddox would ask where she went several times! It's "his" baby! :)

So glad our little girl is finally here! We are so blessed.

Memorial Day 2010

It's been a nice, relaxing day in Olive Branch. So glad Papaw and Daddy were able to hang out and not have to work (at least all day). Don and I bought Maddox a little pool that has a slide and a giraffe that sprays water. He LOVED it!! He was so adoreable, I had to take some video of him playing.

Maddox playing with the giraffe that sprays water.

He was panicking because he was all wet! Ha! He hates to be messy. It's hilarious!

Trying out the slide. He loved it!In other news... we find out tomorrow if my doctor is going to induce me this Thursday. I am really hoping she decides to schedule the induction because I am so ready to have this baby! It's so difficult to move and walk and sleep. I think I'll take the newborn schedule over this misery! :) We're excited she'll be here anytime!

A couple of videos:

Kinley Update: Going on 36 weeks!

I had a checkup today and was put on bed rest because of my blood pressure. Not the best news, but I know it is for the best. The exciting part is that I'll likely be induced around June 3rd. Kinley is head down, weighs about 5 lbs. 13 oz (pretty close to the size Maddox was) and I am dilated 2 cm and 50% effaced.

I have to go to the doctor twice a week; so she can monitor my blood pressure closely. I had to do a lot of lab work today too. I'm sure everything is fine and the bed rest is just a precaution. Thankfully, I convinced her to allow me to try to work from home. So, I won't be bored out of my mind! :)

I'll keep you posted. Kinley will be here before we know it!