Growing Too Fast

Maddox is getting so big and it is happening way too fast. He weighs almost 18 pounds and is developing in so many ways. He knows how to grab things now and is constantly grabbing my hair, his toys, his blankets, my clothes, and anything else he feels or sees. He is also very ticklish. It is the cutest thing ever! Whenever I get him dressed or undressed or even change his diaper he squirms and laughs from being touched which of course is my cue to take advantage and tickle him. He laughs so much! I love it! Maddy is still very vocal and started to make more noises that sound more like words. Now for the not so cute stuff...Maddox is a little spoiled by his mom and has become a little bit of a fussy baby. He loves to be held and sometimes gets really mad when he is set down or when I don't feed him right away or if I'm not right by his side when he wakes up. However, I am trying to change all of this and this week am in the process of training him to sleep in his own bed, get on a schedule, and space out his feedings. He has had a hard time falling asleep on his own and in his own bed. But today is the second day that he has napped in his own bed and fallen asleep on his own. I am so proud of him. He definitely fights it and cries but I'm sure eventually he will get used to it. He is a very hungry baby and still eats every 3 hours even during the night. I have been trying to space out his feedings to 4 hours but sometimes I feel too bad when he cries from being hungry. Maddy laughs so much and is overall a very happy baby. He laughs at me whenever I talk to him and a lot of times while he's supposed to be eating, he will look up at me and start laughing. He seems to think I am very funny. Maddy also can now stand up in his saucer without standing on a box. He is getting so tall! He loves his saucer and he loves the toys on his bouncer. He also likes watching cartoons on Daddy's Ipad and Mommy's phone. We have all been sick the last week with bad colds. I felt so bad for Maddox! He was so congested and hated when I would "unplug" his nose. We are so glad he is feeling better and even when he was sick, he was still such a good baby. We are so blessed to have Maddox in our lives and I pray every night that I get to spend one more day with my baby angel. Every moment with him is so much fun!

Maddox's Baby Blessing- October 14th, 2012

"Our dear Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Melchezidic Priesthood which we hold, we take this infant in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. The name by which he shall be known on the records of the church and throughout his time on this earth is Maddox Diaz Draper. At this time Maddox we give you a blessing that may be a pattern for your life on this earth. We bless you that you may be strong spiritually, emotionally and physically. We bless you that you may be an example to those who will surely follow you. We bless you that you may seek and follow good examples in your own life—that you will listen to your parents and be patient with them. We bless you that you will work hard in whatever it is you seek to do in your life. We bless you that you will walk uprightly before the Lord, keep his commandments, and always strive to prepare to serve a mission and be married in the Lord’s temple. We bless you with these things and every other blessing that the Lord sees fit to bestow upon you and we do this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Pronouncing the blessing: Allan Draper Also in the circle: Ryan Nelson, Brent Draper, Kevin Draper, Derrick Draper, Doyle Morrill, and Bishop Allan Heaps of the Caldwell 15th ward. Holding the recorder: Ethan Draper

Daddy's Boy

3 months

Maddox will be 3 months old in just a couple of days. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. He is getting so big and chubby and more beautiful everyday. Maddy loves going for rides in the car and in the stroller. He gets so excited when I put him in his car seat and gets mad if the car stops. Maddy is incredibly strong. He spends a lot of time in his saucer where he can stand up and he loves to stand when Mommy and Daddy are holding him. He rolled over for the first time today and it seemed so easy for him. I think he probably could have rolled over weeks ago. He also has been very interested in his hands and grabbed for his pacifier as I dangled it over him today. Maddy does not sleep through the night but does go for a 4 to 5 hour stretch. He still flails his arms violently when playing and sleeping. He also is very vocal still. He has very loud burps, sneezes and bowel movements. My favorite part of the last couple of weeks is how much he laughs now. Maddy is so happy and laughs easily. I also discovered that he is ticklish. If I catch him laughing and I tickle him, he loves it and laughs even harder. Maddox also has been interested in the TV. While I get things done around the house, I'll put on Dora la Exploradora or Go Diego Go for him and it seems to keep him entertained. He still loves his baths and getting his diaper changed. Every morning, when we first wake up, I change his diaper and he stretches out with his arms above his head and looks for me. When he finds me, he gives me a huge smile. He is definitely a morning baby!