Mr. Personality

Maddy got sick about a week ago and today is the first day he is feeling better and back to his normal happy self. He had Roseola. It was very stressful for me because he had a fever for about five days straight and he didn’t seem to be improving. That was really his only major symptom other than a decreased appetite which in itself was stressful. I took him to the doctor mostly to make sure it wasn’t an ear infection. The doctor said it was most likely a virus and to wait it out. Finally, a couple days ago he got a weird rash on his back and neck. After talking to Missy, I googled "fever rash" and discovered Roseola. It was such a relief finally figuring out what he had. During the past week and as I listened to Maddy fussing and crying throughout the day and night, I realized how much I love and missed his personality that I often take for granted. I thought that I would make a list:

•I love how he makes a “kah” sound over and over again when I let him play with something new.

•I love how he sits on the floor and spins himself around in circles when he is playing with a fun toy.

•I love how he wants to give me kisses right after he hurts himself.

•I love how he looks over at me and smiles right before he is about to do something naughty.

•I love how he loves books and can sit for hours turning the pages.

•I love how ticklish he is on his feet and thighs and tummy and neck.

•I love how he is so curious and gets stuck in all kinds of weird places and positions.

•I love how he crawls inhumanly fast when he is going for something he isn’t supposed to play with.

•I love how he looks out the window of the patio door and watches the birds and bangs on the door wanting to go outside.

•I love how he bangs on the door after Daddy leaves.

•I love how he smothers his face into his blankie before his naps and before bedtime.

•I love how he reaches for me in the middle of the night and rolls closer to me so we are always touching.

The list goes on and obviously a lot of these things are only endearing to me because I am his mother. But I realize how special he is and how lucky I am to be able to know him in a way that no one else ever will. I love Maddox with all my heart and I am so grateful to be his mommy.

Our little bookworm

Maddy is almost 10 months old and still growing. He has displayed a love for books recently and when he isn't crawling or walking along furniture, his favorite thing to do is sit and turn the pages of his books. It is so special to see him sit quietly and take a book in his hands and turn the pages. I can't believe how smart he is and how fast he learns. It's amazing. Maddy has also been trying to stand on his own. He has been letting go of the couch and the chairs and standing for several seconds before he falls on his bum. Maddox is getting a very big appetite and eating a variety of foods. He likes toast or a waffle for breakfast and of course he still loves cheese, yogurt and fruit. But he also eats whatever we are having for dinner so lasagna, enchiladas, quesadillas, pasta, meatballs, etc. So I am hoping he is not a picky eater and continues to like everything we give him. I have noticed that Maddox now understands what "no" means. Not to say that he listens but he definitely knows that when I say "no" he is supposed to stop whatever he is doing. Unfortunately, he also thinks it is funny when Mom has to go get him and take him away from whatever he is doing. Once taken away he then gets mad and being as persistent as he is, goes back to whatever it was he was doing. This cycle takes up a large part of our day. But I don't mind because I know he is exploring and learning and eventually, he will listen when Mom says "no"... hopefully. Maddox has been saying "mama" a lot especially when he is fussy but it is very endearing to hear him cry for me. Maddox loves swimming and playing with Cuni and Cuni has learned that he is not allowed to run away from Maddox so he just lays there while Maddox pulls at his hair and hits him. But I am teaching Maddox "soft" or "suave" so he is doing a little better with Cuni. Maddox also loves to go for walks and ride in his stroller. Maddox is a very happy little boy and very affectionate. He has a thing for girls with dark long hair. He will go to anyone that has long black hair and is very affectionate with them. It's really funny. Although he has become a little shy and when a stranger talks to him or looks at him he puts his head down and looks away. He is also very scared of the missionaries for some reason. Every time they have come over for dinner, he starts crying and gets really scared when they first walk in. I have a feeling he is going to be shy. Allan and I were both shy as children so it wouldn't surprise me. Maddox gets cuter by the day. He eyes are still bright blue and he is getting a little bit more hair which is still medium brown. Allan and I just can't get enough of him. We love our little boy so much!

A Temper & Tantrums

Maddox is only 9 and a half months and he has already displayed a very persistent personality.  When he wants something that he can't have, he does not give up.  Maddox loves to play with and chew on cords; all kinds of cords, computer cords, TV cords, internet cords, phone charger cords, etc.  No matter how we try to hide them or how high we place them, he keeps after them.  Maddox has also discovered Cuni's food and water.  Once he realizes that he can't have the thing he wants, he throws a tantrum.  He screams and cries and throws his head back.  I was so shocked the first time he did it but now I am used to it and I just try to protect his head from hitting the hardwood floor.  But last night was quite an episode.  We went to the church to watch Allan play basketball and Maddy fell in love with the court.  All he wanted to do was crawl on the basketball court and he wanted to crawl toward all the guys playing basketball.  It was like he wanted to play with them.  Obviously, he couldn't crawl onto the court while they were playing so I would grab him and hold him back.  He was furious!  Maddox screamed and cried and threw his head back.  Once he calmed down, he would try to crawl back onto the court.  This cycle lasted the whole time we were there until finally I took him home.  In between games, I would let him crawl on the court and he was so happy!  It was really cute.  It seems he is already taking a liking to sports.  Maddox has gotten a little better about eating.  I figured out that he likes baby food plain without cereal mixed in so I have been feeding him that.  Maddox had his 9 month check up and all is well.  No ear infections, his umbilical hernia has healed and he is big, strong and healthy.  Maddy also got to go on our girls' trip to Vegas.  He had a lot of fun.  My mom, all my sisters and I went to Vegas for a couple of days.  We went shopping and swimming and ate out.  It was so much fun and Maddy was a good sport.  He got a little restless on the ride home but overall, he was great.  Maddy is so affectionate and loving.  It is so nice that he loves my mom and sisters and will give them hugs and let them all hold him.  Anyway, Maddox is doing great in spite of his temper tantrums.  His two top teeth are growing in so he has been a little fussy but he is still such a happy baby.  I always have to keep my eye on him so he definitely keeps me on my toes.  He is a very busy and curious little boy!

9 months old already!

Maddox had his first Easter and his first visit from the Easter bunny. He loved the eggs! Maddox turns 9 months old in 3 days. I can't believe it. He is crawling really well now and pulling himself up onto chairs, couches and beds. I can tell he is very anxious to walk. He definitely prefers to be on his feet standing. I am realizing how "un-baby-proofed" our house is now that he is so mobile. Maddox is also becoming a finicky eater. I can't seem to figure out what he likes or doesn't like and when he is or isn't hungry. He still has a big appetite when it comes to nursing but he refuses his cereal and baby food. I'm assuming he is asserting his independence because he only seems to eat table food that I let him feed himself. So lately, I have been giving him cheese, little bits of meat, veggies, fruit, grilled cheese, waffles, etc. Stuff that he can pick up and put into his mouth all by himself. The problem is he takes a really long time to eat and sometimes just plays. My concern is that he isn't getting enough to eat so sometimes, I put the food in his mouth just to help him out a little but he gets really offended. Needless to say, I spend a lot of my day "feeding" Maddox. I am debating as to whether or not I should start feeding him three meals instead of two. Maddox is not showing any signs of starvation and is still a very large little boy. He is extremely solid though and almost muscular. His legs are really firm but massive. Maddox is wearing 18 month old size clothing already and some of the clothes are a little snug. He is also wearing size 4 diapers. The other day, my friends mentioned on Facebook how her 2 or 3 year old daughter wears size 4 diapers. Maddox is also a very good snuggler. He loves giving hugs and kisses and still loves sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. But he is getting better at not eating as much at night. I am optimistic that eventually he will outgrow nursing at night. Maddox got to spend some time with his Grandma and Grandpa Morrill. They came to visit a couple of weeks ago. Maddox was very sweet and affectionate with them as he always is. It's very nice to have such an affectionate and loving little boy. His hugs and kisses mean the world to me! Maddox's first top tooth just poked through yesterday. I can't believe he is going to have top teeth. He is growing up way too fast. Time has flown by and we sure have had fun! We love Maddox so much!

8 Month Photo Session

8 months old

Maddox has been kind of crawling. He gets around very easily but is not yet officially crawling. He uses his arms a lot and likes to stand more than anything. He is trying to pull himself up onto furniture and likes to get up on all fours but instead of his knees he gets up on his feet. It's really funny because I can tell he really wants to walk. Last week, Maddox had a really rough day and I could tell he was in pain. I took him to the doctor the next day and the poor thing had two ear infections and a ruptured ear drum. I felt so bad for him. He is doing much better. The medicine that he has to take is a stronger antibiotic than the last one and apparently, it does not have a very good taste. The first couple times, he gagged himself and threw it all up so now I have to wrestle him to hold him down, plug his nose and blow in his face until he swallows. It is quite the ordeal. He doesn't cry but he will try to wiggle away from me and refuse to open his mouth and then spit it out back into my face. Anyway, Maddox is eating better and loves table food. He likes string cheese and chicken and pretty much anything I'm eating. Maddox has also become a very affectionate and snuggly little guy. He loves giving hugs especially when he is tired. Allan and I went through the temple with Camilla several weeks ago and Aaron watched Maddy outside. He hadn't taken a nap and was super tired and when we came out of the temple, he snuggled Camilla and laid his head on her shoulder. It was so cute! Then he did the same thing to the RS president a couple Sundays ago when I had to say the closing prayer. He loves girls with dark hair! Maddox has also been sleeping with us still. He is so fun to snuggle and I finally got Allan to admit that he likes sleeping next to Maddy so at least we are all on the same page. He is doing better at not eating so much in the night and I think within a couple months he will hopefully be sleeping through the night. I know that Maddox just has a strong need to be touched and feel someone close to him and that's why he loves sleeping with us. Maddox and I have been swimming a lot because it is getting really hot. He loves the water! He plays in his little floaty or on the top step and plays and plays until he is too tired to play anymore. He loves playing with his blocks and his piano and his books but most of all he loves playing with anything that he is not supposed to play with. He has incredibly fast hands and grabs everything he can. He is also developing a temper and when I take something away from him he gets mad and does his angry cry. Maddox is pretty tough though. As he has become more mobile he has bumped his head a couple times. He usually just stops and turns around to look at me and gives me a sad face and then I tell him he's ok and he just goes right back to playing. Sometimes, I will give him a hug though. Maddox is getting so big and has been outgrowing a lot of him clothes. He is wearing all 12 month and 18 month clothes now. Well, of course I could go on and on about how much I love Maddox but I think it's clear... he is my everything. I am still obsessed with him and love him more and more every day. I love him more than I thought was possible. He is such an angel!

Stranger Danger & Separation Anxiety

Maddox has been doing really well. He is off of his antibiotic for his ear infection and has now moved on to teething including drooling and a runny nose. I think his top two teeth are coming in. He isn't quite crawling yet or at least not in the right direction. He gets up on all fours and then crawls backwards which of course frustrates him since he is moving in the opposite direction. It's actually really cute watching him make his way around the room going backwards. I'm sure eventually he will get the hang of it and like his doctor said, "bigger babies crawl a little later." He also has developed into quite a picky eater. He will only eat fruit and sweet foods. He hates vegetables and meats and refuses to eat them. I have even tried sweet potatoes, I've tried mixing vegetables with fruit but he can tell. He must have a very sensitive pallet. If a non-sweet food goes into his mouth, he makes a really funny face and shakes his head. Then he gags himself until he has completely spit out the food. He's very dramatic about it. So, I will keep trying to introduce new foods until he gets used to the texture and taste. I really don't want him to be picky. Maddox has been doing a little better at night. He still likes to nurse a lot at night but I don't mind. He is such a sweetheart. Maddy has recently become scared of strangers. An elderly female Walmart employee decided to get all up in his face while we were grocery shopping and Maddy did not like it. He started crying and I could tell he was nervous and scared. And the same thing happened when we went to dinner at the Spencers', a couple from our ward. Sister Spencer made him a little nervous and he started crying. I know it's normal so I just make sure that he sees me and I hold him when there are strangers around. Maddy also has become very aware of whether or not I am in the room. On some days, he gets very attached to me and just wants me to hold him. If I walk away, he cries and gets his feelings hurt. After a full day of this, it gets very frustrating but I just remind myself that he is an innocent little baby and needs extra security. Afterall, I have spent almost every second with him since he was born. I love how close I feel to him and I love that I get to be with him all day. I feel so blessed that I have such a great husband that works so hard so that I can be a stay-at-home mom. I love my family!