Jaxy Chunk-Chunks

I realize that I documented Maddox's first months more regularly than I have Jaxon's.  So this post will be completely devoted to our little guy, Jaxy.  First, we have given him several nicknames including but not limited to: Jackie, Jax, Jaxy, Chunk-chunks, Stink-stinks, Chunkas, Grumpy Baby, Baby, and probably a ton more that I can't think of right now.  Jaxy is the epitome of a mama's boy.  He cannot take his eyes off of me and stares at me pretty much the whole day.  He always wants me to be holding him and usually he also wants me to be nursing him.  Obviously, I don't hold him all day long so he spends a lot of time whining and crying.  It's not a full-on cry but it's a very annoying, grunting, whining cry.  Jaxy has no desire to crawl because in his mind, he shouldn't even be on the floor.  He also has no desire to eat solids probably because he thinks I should be nursing him all day.  He definitely knows what he wants and when he doesn't get it, he lets everyone know with his temper.  If I take something away from him that he wants to play with, he instantly screams and cries until I give it back.  He has started to play with toys and it's really cute.  His idea of playing with a toy consists of grabbing it and putting it in his mouth then shaking it, then putting it in his mouth again.  He has reached the grabbing stage and has already gotten food, poop, and soap on his hands.  Although Jaxy can be particular and demanding, he is the biggest sweetheart I have ever met and just melts our hearts with his smile.  He is very social and whenever people come over or I'm in a group talking holding him, he stares and smiles during the conversation like he knows what's going on.  He is very ticklish under his neck and I can always make him laugh by kissing him there.  And his laugh is contagious.  Jaxy has very sensitive skin and has had severe cradle cap since birth.  It started out at dandruff, then progressed to oily scaly flakes, and then moved down to a red bumpy rash over his sideburns.  He also has had diaper rash a lot.  Jaxon has a huge head and big ears that stick out and humongous cheeks.  But when you put it all together, he is the cutest!  He is a fantastic sleeper and does so well at nights.  He can sleep through Maddox screaming and Allan turning on lights and shutting doors.  As long as he is right next to me, he stays asleep.  He still nurses a lot in the night but I'm sure part of it is being in a new place.  Jaxon loves his feet and always reaches for them when he first lays down.  He also loves listening to me sing.  He will just stare at me and smile whenever I am singing.  As a mother, having a second baby with a toddler was a very difficult transition.  I often feel guilty for not spending as much "quality" time with Jaxon as I did with Maddox.  I probably have not held Jaxon as much as I held Maddox either.  We have moved two times in Jaxon's short little life, the most recent move was across the country.  I have felt frustrated with the fact that I can't hold Jaxon all day and also, that because I don't, we all get to listen to a baby crying.  It has worn on me some days and I feel bad about that.  I don't know why he is that way because as my brother-in-law put it, I "don't hold him all the time and he still cries, so he must have been born that way." I think that Jaxon isn't needy but is my own personal reminder to slow down and focus on what's important.  I will never get this time back.  Jaxon is only a baby now and he is completely obsessed and in love with me.  It won't be like that for very much longer.  So for now, I try to enjoy and appreciate how much he needs me and only me.  I love my chunky baby and I am so grateful for his perfect personality.

Thanksgiving in San Diego

We had an amazing time in San Diego and were blessed with perfect beach weather. Maddox was his typical self and was constantly exploring new places and trying to escape. Allan and I wised up though and bought child-proof door knob covers. However, that did not save us from a couple of "only Maddox" moments. Several times during the long weekend, Maddox was able to sneak out into the garage and climb up onto Grandpa's motorcycle. Maddox also managed to lock himself in a bedroom that had no key. Late one night, as Allan and I were heading to bed, we realized that the door was locked and Maddox was laying asleep right by it on the inside. So my dad came to the rescue. He first attempted to drill into the door knob but after a lot of time and no results, finally my dad kicked down the door in heroic style. During my dad's drilling, our whole family was in the hall gathered around him and of course, voicing our opinions and arguing about how we should handle the situation. I was so glad to have such patient parents who were only concerned with Maddox's welfare. We spent almost every day at the beach. My mom and dad brought a kite one day and Maddox fell in love. The wind was not cooperated but my dad was so sweet and carried the kite behind Maddox as he walked up and down the beach. Allan spent a lot of time in the water and showed off his surfing skills. We also welcomed home Camilla from her mission. She looked great and was back to her old self in no time.

Jaxon's baby blessing

"Our dear Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the holy Melchizedek 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 life on this earth is Jaxon Ray Draper.  Jaxon, at this time we pronounce a blessing upon your head that it may guide you throughout your life. We bless you with a determination and desire to obtain knowledge throughout your life; both secular and spiritual knowledge.  We bless you that you may look to true sources of knowledge; that you may find God in your life.  We bless you with a desire to obtain a testimony of the Gospel and to follow the perfect example of Jesus Christ.  We bless you that you may be humble; that you may serve others, and that you will learn at an early age that the true wealth in this life is obtained by serving others. I bless you that you may be able to overcome temptation; that you may overcome your challenges and your trials, and that through those challenges and trials you will become stronger and you will learn from them.  I bless you with health; that you may be able to accomplish all the things that your Heavenly Father desires of you.  I bless you that you may continue in paths of righteousness and learn from great examples who have gone before you.  I bless you with all these things and all other things that your Heavenly Father has in store for you at this time, and do so in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

Pronounced 11/9/14 by Allan

Maddox's first haircut

Halloween

Jaxon's Blessing Announcement

Maddox is learning to listen

Maddox... where do I begin?  Maddox is still one very crazy kid.  He has so much energy and I do not.  Up until about 3 months ago, I have to admit that I really believed that I could consider myself patient.  Every time I heard stories about moms who lose it on their kids or have break downs, I would think, "wow, I must be one of the lucky ones."  Well, these past two months have taught me that no, I am not patient and no, I am not one of the lucky ones.  Ha ha.  I have lost it on Maddox and I have had a break down.  But two and a half months later, I am proud to say I am happy and adjusted.  Maddox is such a good boy and every day I realize just how lucky I am to be his mom.  He is learning to listen and has been doing a really good job.  He is such a big helper and loves Jaxy so much.  I am so grateful that he is so affectionate and has never shown an ounce of violence toward other kids.  He is loving and still gives me hugs and kisses all the time.  He still wants to snuggle with me and wants me to hold him.  He is always wanting to kiss Jaxy and get him to smile.  Maddox is the best big brother ever.  Now Maddox does have some weaknesses...A couple weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to go to Toddler Time at the library which is where 20+ toddlers sit on the floor of a room sitting right next to their moms and listen to a boring lady read a book with very small pictures in the front of the room.  So Maddox and I get into the room and I have Jaxon in my carrier and we sit down on the rug.  Well Maddox sat down on the rug for 2 seconds.  Then he got up and started running around, climbing on the cupboards, trying to use the sink, opening the door and running out, and screaming when I tried to make him sit down.  After 5 minutes, we were done.  We didn't even get through one book.  As I was walking out of the library, I told myself that this is just who Maddox is.  He is not a toddler that sits quietly and listens to adults read books.  He is not a calm toddler.  He is a crazy, energetic, loud little boy and I'm ok with that.  I can't change him and I don't want to.  But I can try to improve him and that's what we have been working on.  We have been working on his listening skills and him holding my hand and not running away.  Maddox has made great improvement in those areas in the last couple of months and has not run away from me in a while.  When he starts to sprint away, I yell, "Maddox! Stop and listen!" And usually after one or two times of yelling that, he listens and stops or comes back.  Maddox has been practicing telling me when he needs a new diaper.  He still isn't interested in using the toilet but I didn't figure that out until he peed in the corner of the entryway the other day.  He came to me without a diaper on and told me he went "caca" which to him means pee and poop interchangeably.  But I got nervous and told him to show me where and took me to the corner by the front door.  Luckily, it was on the tile but needless to say, I told him not to take off his diaper anymore.  Maddox has a new fascination with Disney princess books.  I got a whole bunch of books from a yard sale a while ago but just got them out recently because Maddox is now old enough to read books with paper pages.  His favorite book is The Little Mermaid and his second favorite book is Sleeping Beauty.  We read a verse out of the Book of Mormon every night and then one of his princess books.  And he sleeps holding both books and one of his cars.  He is so adorable.  Maddox is still my baby and I love that he is still so affectionate.  I am so incredibly in love with him!