4 Months Old!

Maddy is one big four-month-old. We went to his four month check-up and he is 17 lbs 3 oz which is 87th percentile and he is 27" which is 97th percentile. They gave him his shots and this time he cried very hard. It was the saddest thing ever. I just wanted to take his pain away. It was the worst feeling knowing that my baby was in pain and I wasn't and there was nothing I could do. But he is such a good baby that he only cried for about two minutes and then stopped. Maddy slept for most of the day afterward. His umbilical hernia is healing and the doctor said it is very small now. I asked the doctor about a little mark on his tummy and it turns out he has a third nipple. It's very small and not noticeable. It just looks like a dimple. Overall, Maddy is a very healthy baby. He has been rolling over and moving around on the floor just by kicking his feet. He is wearing 12 month old pants and 6 to 9 month old shirts. He still eats every three to four hours and some nights are rough. Instead of spacing out his feedings I just decided that if he is hungry and a big eater then so be it. I know that some babies just eat a lot and I don't mind feeding him. Maddy also has been putting everything in sight in his mouth. And if nothing is reachable, he puts his hands in his mouth. I have been giving him little tastes of food like banana and frozen yogurt. At first, he seems confused but then he seems to be interested. He also loves blowing bubbles and making sounds while he has my hand in his mouth. It is so cute! Maddy is still very ticklish and laughs all the time. He has been doing much better at sleeping in his own bed. He takes naps in his bed and sleeps most of the night in his own bed. However, I'm still waiting for that magical night when he doesn't wake up to eat every four hours. Anyway, I love my little baby so much even though he is not so little anymore. It is so sad how fast he is growing up. It is amazing and makes me want to cry just because I want all of this to last forever. But it is also exciting to see him progress and to be able to do new things with him. I love my baby Maddy!

Halloween

Maddy was a cow for Halloween and Allan and I were farmers. We only got to wear our costumes once because we missed our ward Halloween party. We were sick the Sunday before so we didn't hear the announcement that it was on Friday night. We ended up going to Tasha's ward party and dressed up for that. On Halloween night, I just put Maddy in a cute little Halloween outfit. Obviously, Maddy didn't understand Halloween or why he was dressed as a cow but it was still really fun. And of course, I thought Maddy looked so adorable and so cute as a cow.

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!

Our Big Boy

Maddie has been smiling a lot more and almost laughing. He has been a lot more aware of his surroundings. He has been getting distracted during his feedings and likes to look around and see what everyone is doing. He is getting really big and has thick thighs and a cute little belly. He loves getting his diaper changed and loves baths. He also loves riding in the car and cries if the car stops. Maddie is a very restless sleeper and flails his arms and kicks his legs through most of the night. He has been doing a little better sleeping in his own bed but sleeps a lot better in Mommy's arms. He loves being held and loves his swing. He and I spend all day together and have so much fun. I love hanging out with my baby!