Tubes

Since February Maddox has had 6 ear infections, and he has just felt awful.  Everytime we went to the doctor he would get a rocephin shot and antibiotics which neither helped.  The ear infections would cause Maddox to wake up some nights every hour screaming at the top of his lungs.  When he was a few months old, his pedi, Dr. Bodron, said he was a major wax producer.   Sometimes his ears were so full of wax that the doctor could not even see in his ear.

I started noticing that Maddox would pull on his right ear constantly.  I thought this meant his right ear was hurting.  Right?  After the sixth ear infection, I asked Dr. Ricks (new pedi since Dr. Bodron retired) to refer us to an ENT.  I just couldn't stand seeing Maddox sick all the time.  It seems that he has had a runny nose and cough since May, and he cannot get rid of it.

We saw Dr. Barham a month ago, and he said both of Maddox's ears had fluid on them and he needed tubes ASAP.  We scheduled the surgery for last Wednesday, but he couldn't have it then because he developed a viral infection the beginning of last week.  Dang daycare!

Maddox had his tubes put in yesterday, and he did great!  We had to be there at 6 a.m., and he couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight.   I thought this would be so hard because Maddox always takes a bottle around 2 a.m., but he woke up at 2:45, and we put him in the bed with us and he slept until our alarm went off.  No fussing at all!

We got to the surgical center at 6 a.m., and they took Maddox back around 7:45 a.m.  They gave him tylenol right after we got there so he took a 30 minute nap while we were waiting and played the rest of the time.  I thought he looked so cute in his gown so I snapped a few pics!

The procedure took literally 10 minutes, and he was in a recovery room.  The nurse told me that he would be groggy when he comes out and to just love on him and hug on him.  I had his bottle waiting for him because I knew he would be hungry.  When Maddox came in the room, he grabbed the bottle from my hands and laid on the bed.  I got no loving at all!  After his bottle he was ready to laugh, play and scream!  He was going ninety to nothing ALL.DAY.LONG.

Dr. Barham said Maddox's left ear was his bad ear, and that he had puss pockets in it.  Poor baby!  He also had a lot of fluid on his right ear.  I thought since he was pulling on his right ear all the time that it was his problem ear, but I was wrong.

Maddox slept all night last night for the second time since February!  PTL!  I felt like a new woman this morning after getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep!  

When we picked him up from school, he was all smiles.  They said he had a really good day so I hope and pray Maddox will not have any more problems with his ears.  I love having my happy baby back!

Happy Birthday, Maddox!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, MADDOX! 

I wrote you a letter when you were a week old that I hope to have posted within the next few days. 

This past year has flown by and makes me really sad.   Yes, I am down in the dumps at work today.  I didn't think I would be this sad, but I am.  The hubby bringing me a sweet tea from Mickey D's helped out a lot!

Maddox, you are the greatest blessing to your daddy and me.  We love you little buddy! 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

Maddox will be one tomorrow!!!  Yikes!!!  Where did my baby boy go?

Beach 2011

 First off, I am so glad it's the weekend, and on top of that--- a three day weekend!  I couldn't be more excited to have an extra day to spend with Maddox.  I am WAY behind on blogging, so I will be catching up in the next or so.

We are in the process of building a house, and it will be finished the end of this month or beginning of August.  I cannot wait to move in our new home and really feel like grown ups!  While Wade was in law school in Baton Rouge, we rented a townhouse for three years.  When we moved back to our hometown, we stayed with my in-laws which was a good hour from our jobs.  We drove back and forth for 9 months, but we finally moved on Mother's Day to our current duplex.  I am so ready to decorate Maddox's room, and to actually have a place to call our own! 

Back to the reason for this post, we left for Perdido Key, FL on Father's Day, and we had a blast!  It was our first vacation with Maddox.  I was so excited to see if Maddox would like the beach.  Sadly, it took him two days to get used to the sand.  He would scream everytime we put down.  He hated the ocean also, which I didn't mind at all because swimming with sharks is not my thing!  He loved the pool and cried everytime we got out.  I look forward to going to the beach every summer with Maddox and creating lots of great memories!

 

Yogurt

 Happy Tuesday everyone!  Hope ya'll are having a good week so far! 

Last night I decided to give Maddox yogurt for the first time, and he loved it!  I bought the strawberry-banana even though they say to wait until at least a year old to try strawberries because of the allergy issue, but he is 11 months, so I figured that was close enough.  Maddox made a big mess...all over himself, the floor, myself and all in my hair!  Then, off to the bathtub he went! 

My big boy!

Much easier using my hand than a spoon! Yum!!!

Looks like a cup...

It must be a cup! 

Love the look on his face!

We are so blessed to have this monkey in our lives! :)

 

Out with the Old, In with the New!

 I feel as if I have been in a rut lately.  Not just blogging, but life in general.  I know it sounds like I am complaining, but I just feel I need to vent, and it's my blog, so I can do that! 

I am extremely blessed to have such a loving husband and wonderful son along with great friends and family.  It seems like I am pulled in every direction on a daily basis, and I NEVER do anything for myself.  Well, this weekend was it for me.  I got a new haircut (much shorter I might ad), new clothes and new nail polish!  Go me!  I will post a pic of the new 'do later.

Since I am in a blogging rut, and that my life most consists of cleaning cheese puffs off my almost ONE year old and filling his sippy cups with apple juice, it is only fitting to change the name of my blog that best fits my life.  So, Cheese Puffs and Sippy Cups it is!  

Since we moved into our temporary home while our home is being built, I feel as if I can finally slow down and blog some again, which I am very excited about! 

Enough with this post.  Now on to type bubba's TEN MONTH post!  Ah.....let the party planning begin!

9 MONTHS

Wowzer!  Maddox, you are 9 months old (well, a month ago...you will be 10 months old in 5 days!!!).  I am almost in tears as I am typing this!  What have you been up to this past month? 

First of all, you have 3 teeth!  Yay!  You cut three teeth within a 3 week span.  You cut your first tooth on March 30, and they have been coming in like crazy since!  You have two on the bottom and one on top.  It is not your top front tooth, but a side tooth.  Weird, I know!  For a while there, we were concerned that it was your front tooth, and that you would have a HUGE gap, but you are now about to cut your front tooth.  What a huge relief!  ;)

You have been pulling up and crawling since a few days after you turned 8 months old.  It is just a matter of time before you start walking, and then the real fun begins!  Haha!  Since you started crawling, you are into everything, and we cannot keep up with you.  You are one fast little boy!  You love playing with newspapers, pots and pans, measuring spoons and spatulas.  In fact, you LOVE spatulas! 

You went to the doctor on April 1, and it was determined you had an oral yeast infection which was caused by the month-long dosage of antibiotics you were on for your ear infections.  It was awful!  You did not want your bottle or even baby food.  You were treated for that, and now you are 100% better.  It is wonderful to see you playing and laughing again!   You weighed 20 lbs. 8 oz and 28" long.  You only gained an ounce in a month, but that is because you started crawling.  You are one healthy little boy!

You are really attached to me, which I love!  I love that you always want your momma, but sometimes it is frustrating when I need to do laundry or cook.  You don't like being in your highchair or with anyone.  You want me!  I think someone is a momma's boy!  ;)

You sleep with us every night now.  I always said I would never start that, but after your second ear infection, you will not sleep in your bed any longer.  You love to cuddle with your daddy in the bed, and it is so sweet.  No matter where you start off in the bed, you always end up next to him.  I think we will be getting a king size bed pretty soon!  This queen is not working anymore! ;)

On a sad note, we are moving in a week or so, and you have to start daycare! :(   Your Meme (my mom) has been watching you since I started back working, and I think she will handle this new daycare situation worse than you.  Haha!  She loves her some Maddox!

Happy 9 months, my sweet angel!  We love you to the moon and back!

8 MONTHS

 I cannot believe I keep forgetting to publish Maddox's monthly posts!  I type them ahead of time with the intention of going back to edit them, but I always forget!  I guess better late than ever, even though he will be 10 months old!

My dear sweet Maddox, you turned 8 months on March 21!  You are such a sweetheart!  Within the past month you have realized who your mommy and daddy are, and it melts my heart!  You started crawling a few weeks ago, and we cannot keep up with you!  You are into everything.  I cannot believe you are old enough to crawl. 

I started back to work on March 7 after staying at home with you for 7 1/2 months.  I will forever cherish those months being at home but with you, and it broke my heart to go back to work.  I know it is best for our family that I work, but Maddox, I sure miss cuddling with you during the mornings and at naptime! 

I celebrated my first birthday as a mommy this month, and it was the best birthday I've ever had!  I never imagined I would celebrate my 26th birthday as a mom!  I am so blessed to have you as my son!  You went to your first wedding (reception) this month in honor of Joey and Lexi, and from what I hear, you were a perfect angel!  Your daddy took me out to eat for my birthday, so you went with Nana to the reception.

You have been really fussy lately, I think it is due to teething.  Still no teeth yet.  You had two ear infections the past month, and you have just felt awful.  You were on antibiotics for almost a month, and I think you are starting to feel better other than teething.

Happy 8 months my love!  We love you little buddy! 

Your 8 month pictures are on your daddy's computer at work, so I will post more when I can.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

 First off, let me say that if you are not a chocolate lover, do not try this recipe!  It is loaded with chocolate- devil's food cake mix, chocolate pudding and yep, you guessed it, chocolate chips!  This is the most moist chocolate cake I have ever tasted.  There is nothing I hate more than a dry chocolate cake. 

You can also make many variations of this cake.  For instance, lemon cake mix with lemon pudding but omit the chocolate chips and yellow cake mix with vanilla pudding plus the chocolate chips.  You are only limited by your imagination.  I will definitely make this cake again. 

I have seen many versions of this recipe all over the internet, but my favorite is from Kelly's Recipes, and it is perfection!  Your tummy will be thanking me! :)

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

 

1 pkg. dark chocolate cake mix

1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix

1 16 oz sour cream

3 eggs

1/3 c. vegetable oil

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preaheat oven to 350*. Grease a bundt pan. Mix together ingredients and pour in pan. Bake for one hour and then cool. Top with powdered sugar!

Happy 7 Months!

 Maddox, you are 7 Months Old!  I cannot believe that in five SHORT months we will be celebrating your FIRST birthday!  Crazy, I know!  I love you at this age even though I say that every month! ;) To see you learn and experience new things just makes my heart sing. 

So, what have you been up to?

• You have been sitting up for a month now, and that is all you want to do.
• BIG NEWS- you are almost crawling!!!!  You get on all fours and rock.  Even though this makes me a little sad, I am looking forward to this next stage. 
• You can now roll from tummy to back and back to tummy.  When you nap during the day, you have started rolling over to your tummy in the crib.  I think you sleep better this way.  You haven't done this during the night yet.
• You wear a size 4 diaper
• At your appiontment last month, you weighed 18 lbs. 1 oz. and 27 1/2" long.  You are such a healthy little boy!
• You wear 6-9 month shirts/onesies and 9 month pants.  You have really long legs.  You did not get them from me! 
• You wear a size 3 shoe
• You do not like your play mat anymore, and I think the swing is next.
• You love your jumper and activity station.  I seriously think you can jump and watch your Baby Einstein videos all day!
• You love every baby food we've tried except for corn casserole, green beans and green peas.  You take 5 six ounce bottles a day.  You have bananas or applesauce for breakfast, fruit for lunch and a veggie for supper. 
• You still love bath time.  You still cry when we get you out.
• You say "mama" and "dada" and "nana" all the time!  I know for a fact you've said "mamaaaaaaaa"!
• You adore your daddy!  He can walk into the house after work, and your face lights up!  It is so sweet, and it makes your daddy's day to see the big smile on your face!
• You still nap after playtime when you finish your bottle.  You will not nap in the swing anymore.  You must be in your crib wrapped in your minky blanket.
• On Valentine's Day you got sick, and we took you to the doctor.  This has been the first and only time you've been sick.  You had/still have bronchiolitis and an ear infection for which we are giving you eardrops, cough syrup and antibiotics for.  You also got a shot of Rocephin which helped.  We knew you were sick because you wanted someone to hold you ALL.DAY.LONG.  You are so not the little cuddler. :(

Happy 6 Months...a little late!

Maddox, you are 6 Months Old!  Well, you were on the day I wrote this (one month ago), but I forgot to publish it!  Oops...I am such a bad mommy, I know!  Actually, you will be 7 months old on Monday, so at least I am posting it before then!  

Where to begin?  You have changed so much over the past month.  This is such a fun age!  You started sitting up on January 5, and that is all you want to do.  You do not play on your play mat anymore, nor do you like me changing your diaper.  You strain so hard to pick your head and body up when I lay you on your back.   

You still drink five 6 oz. bottles a day with oatmeal for breakfast, fruit for lunch and a fruit/veggie for supper.  You love to eat!  I think you have your mama's appetite! 

You still love bathtime, and you cry when we take you out.

You wear 3-6 months clothes and 6 months pants, but those seem to be getting too short.  You have really long legs.  You definitely do not get that from me! :)  You also wear a size 3 diaper and size 4 at night.

I am not sure how much you weigh, but we go to the doctor in a few days, so I am sure you have gained a few pounds since your last visit.  I know you are one chunky monkey, and I just love your rolls! :)

You love Mickey Mouse!  If we turn it on and you are not looking at the tv

, you will keep wiggling until you finally spot the TV because you love the theme song!  Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog...  Gah, I cannot tell you how many times a day mommy and daddy sing that song.  We wish we can get it out of our heads, but that is just about all we watch on tv!

You are one drooling machine!  I wish you would cut a tooth because some days you just want to naw my finger off!  Everything goes in your mouth even your cute little feet!

You love to sit in the floor and play with your toys while watching Baby Einstein.  I think you could do this all day.  One of your favorite things is your Raz-Berry teether.  You LOVE this thing!

You are not napping as much as you used do, mainly due to the teething issue again.  You will doze off and then wake up crying until I put Orajel on your gums, and then off to sleep again you go.  You have starting going to bed around 9 or 9:30 and up at 4:00 for a bottle, with a few times waking up wanting your paci.  I am starting to feel like I have a newborn again! 

We celebrated our first Christmas as a family of three, and it was everything I imagined it would be!  We had so much fun watching you "open" presents!  Well, actually just playing with the tissue paper! 

Maddox, you are such a joy in our lives, and we cannot imagine the past 6 months without you!  We love you so much, little buddy!