2 Mo. Check-Up

Madoc's 2 month check-up went very well. She has sky-rocketed to 95th percentile in weight and length (compared to Chase falling from the 27th percentile to the 9th percentile, poor dear!). She can actually wear 4-6 month clothing right now...

And, in an effort to get more than 3 hours of sleep per night, beginning last week, I started giving her 2 oz of formula before bedtime, after nursing. And it has made a difference. Instead of being up every other hour, I am now up every 3 hours. Thank goodness. But for some reason I just can't shake my sleepy head.

And of course, she received many jabs today, poor thing. She is sleeping right now - as is Chase, who was utterly exhausted after watching her little sister endure the shots.

Madoc Update

With her 2-month appointment scheduled for next week, there will be more, formal updates next week. From what I can tell, the nursing is working - she's into 6 month clothing at 2 months.

Updates

I've been laying low since my inlaws left Denver. Mostly trying to figure out how to begin Spring cleaning. And how to get "all those things done." Like getting Madoc's passport photo taken.

Speaking of passports, I was looking at old posts (the other day) from when Chase was two months old. At that point, we had been to 5 countries - no wonder nursing didn't work out so well. Chase was so flexible, so easy to travel with, we just couldn't help ourselves.

Madoc is already showing signs of being a little less flexible. If she isn't in bed by 7:30/8 pm, she gets really fussy and seemingly inconsolable. I can get her to sleep by carrying her in the sling, but she will sleep from 8:30-12 midnight if I do it right. But that means I have to go to sleep at 8:30 too, or I miss prime sleepin' time. She also gets fussy after about 3 a.m., I've noticed, and doesn't sleep well until about 6 a.m. And somewhere between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Chase usually comes in and takes up what little space is left in the bed. So sleep is, well, not easy to come by.

Speaking of Chase, she continues to love and adore her sister. Every morning she tells her how beautiful she is. She tries to play with her at every opportunity. She is super sweet.

Awesome Web Site

http://www.kidscantravel.com

Yei Yei & Nee Nee Visit

Facebook

It's like a secret society. A place where people go, but don't talk about. It's weird how many people are on it - and how frequently they're on it. Strange how I have only been a member for a week and already have 81 friends. Seriously.

I'm one of those people who like to keep in touch, so this is too much fun!

School Secured!

So it's official ... Chase will be going to our first choice preschool in the Fall. We are SO lucky she got in - there were 89 kids that didn't! It's just two days per week (just a couple hours on Wednesday and Friday afternoons) - but she's in!

Facebook

Well, I finally broke down and joined Facebook. I've been trying not to. And I have to admit, it's pretty cool. It's amazing how many of my friends are on it. From all over the world. It's crazy.

The Girls

Madoc Weight Gain

Still gaining 1.5 oz/day. She's up to 11 lbs! Whoa!

We now know she's not on me all the time for food; she's on me to calm the reflux. Same reason she's still waking every hour and a half at night. I hear it just takes time for that to pass.

At least we've got the feeding part down.

Keen Sense Of Smell

Today Chase told me Madoc smelled like cheese. She was actually referring to the smell of the A&D ointment. Funny how she likened that smell to cheese. I guess that's what happens when one has a mom who loves Stinking Bishop (and other fabulous soft, smelly cheeses).

Salon Here I Come

I'm heading to the salon this weekend.
I asked Chase what color I should dye my hair and she said "blue."

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Went to my 6 week appointment today - I lost 30 lbs. Granted, the baby weighed 7 lbs. But you gotta LOVE IT.

Baby Riddle

So I figured out that if I hold little M in the proper position (on her side with legs outstretched at a 45 degree angle) for about 15 minutes after a feed that she will sleep more soundly (as her tummy has had time to digest a little). I also found out she likes to be outstretched as sitting positions (car seat, swing) trigger her reflux.

I'm pretty sure she doesn't like spicy food and Almonds seem to make her quite irritable.

Break Glass In Case Of Emergency

I broke down and asked Hubs to buy some formula yesterday. Not to use immediately. But to have in the house *just in case* - whatever that means. But I have to say I feel better and calmer with it in the house. I am also more motivated to pump because I don't want to break the seal.

Last night, Hubs fed little M with a bottle (not formula, don't worry mom), and she went to sleep at 10, but this time awoke at 2 a.m., 4 a.m., and 6 a.m. Hmmm. We're going to try it again tonight to see if we can stretch time...

Madoc's Meds

The prescription stuff seems to be helping, when combined with gripe water and infant gas drops. Or is it the fact I cut out dairy and other offending foods? Poor little M! Even with all this, I still can't put her down without her putting up a major fuss. She is a highly sensitive creature. But thinking back, I didn't actually put Chase down for about a year...

Madoc's Sleep Sked (6 weeks old)

Asleep at 10:30. Awake at 12, 2, 4, 6. Chase awakes at 6:30 a.m. A baby should come with a warning label that reads, "do not to operate heavy machinery."

Keen Observation

"Madoc's nose gets bigger every day" - Chase

Sleep - And Lack Thereof

I must admit I had forgotten how wrecked I am with no sleep.

I tell myself (hourly) it will get better. And it is.

I'm not up *every hour* anymore. Now it's just every other hour. And Hubs has been kind enough to walk Chase back to her bedroom and cuddle with her in the wee hours of the morning so that I can attempt to get just a couple more hours of sleep (if I can get little M back to sleep).

A friend suggested putting M in her car seat to sleep (to keep her upright and aid in digestion/reflux), and it sort of works. Although it sort of doesn't. She seems to sleep much longer when she is cuddled up to me. Of course I worry about co-sleeping, and try to keep putting her back in her car seat, but when she wakes for the fourth time I usually give up and say a little prayer before falling asleep cuddling up to her.

Actually - And Other Big Girl Updates

Chase used the word "actually" for the first time today. I don't remember exactly what we were talking about, but she used it like she's been saying it her entire life.

The other thing I noticed is she is now able to use the water colors without mixing the colors together. Amazing. She carefully washes her brush after she's done with each color.

And I don't think I've mentioned how fascinated she is with words. I hear, "What does this say?" all the time. She also *writes* letters and notes all the time.

And finally, she is SO proactive in sharing. I am amazed. She shares everything. She sets aside animal crackers for Hubs. She shares her dinner. Her breakfast. Her snack. Her toys. Maybe that's what kids do that have been uprooted so many times - because they don't have a chance to have ownership over anything.