5 Months In

Okay, seriously y'all... Look at that baby! 

I'm throwing it back a little to touch on a topic that came to mind when Madison was 5 months old. 

5 months is when Madison could finally sit up! She was cute before, but now she is even more cute! At this point, we are pros at taking her out in public! 

It's times like these when you start to think to yourself... "This isn't bad, I could do another!" This my friends is the stage where I can see how second babies are made!

You get sweet cuddles, smiles, jibber jabber, you see them developmentally flourish! 

You forget about the sleepless nights or nights you were standing up, but come to think of it, you may have actually been sleeping standing up! You forget about the INSANE amount of reflux and spit up!  I mean, look, they are eating their toes! How adorable! 

They develop these beautiful personalities and love to take "selfies" with you. And man, she is a professional selfie taker! They are sleeping in their crib for 4-6 hours at a time, taking regular naps! It really does make you forget! Forget the times when you had to change diapers what felt like every hour, those first few weeks when you were scared to go anywhere or do anything in public for fear that she would get hungry, have a blowout, or cry uncontrollably!  You forget the naps on the couch when as soon as you fell asleep the dogs would bark and wake the sleeping angel in the baby swing. 

You take one look at that adorable face and forget everything! Or remember some things and think "oh but it was only for like two months."  I can see how it is easy to think a second baby would be okay! 

While we weren't ready then, and aren't now, some day we will have a second little baby Goss to dote on, and I'm sure when that one reaches a certain age this phenomenon will happen again! 

God Bless!

Laundry Helper!

My most favorite task EVER, other than emptying the dishwasher, is laundry!!!!! 

I hope you enjoyed that sarcasm!

I read a blog the other day about taking time to raise our kids. It focused on living in the now, letting kids stop and smell the roses instead of hurriedly shuffling from one activity to the other. Instead of cleaning the house, sit and watch your kids play, etc. I naturally do this (mostly because I thoroughly enjoy delaying house cleaning). My favorite part of the day is sitting down on the floor with my coffee in the morning and watching Madison play.  Putting her puzzle together and putting her blocks in a bucket just for her to empty them again! It's fun to watch her figure things out. 

I have recently discovered that a new favorite thing is doing laundry with Madsion!

In any other setting, I would be irritated that my nicely folded clothes are getting messed up, but I enjoy watching her figure out how to unfold them and playing peekaboo with daddy's shirts! Her other fun thing she likes to do is play with daddy's socks and wave them around!

We have even expanded the fun! A few days ago I got lazy and decided to just fold the clothes as I pull them out of the dryer as opposed to putting them in the basket and taking them to the living room to fold. Madison discovered how fun it was to pull all the clothes out of the dryer one article at a time! She is such a good helper already! 

Side note: apparently we only do laundry when she wears her Aqua flamingo shirt! These pictures were from two separate weeks! Lols!

Partners in Crime!

Now I know what you're thinking 1. This is a snapchat picture (but it's cute!) 2. This entry will be about how much trouble Madison and I get into! 

Madison and I can be partners in crime. Especially when it comes to shopping! But no, this is about become better partners in life and relationships!

Before having Madison, I thought Aaron and I were partners. We worked on things together, planned together, shared in each other's interests. I mean, that was what a marriage was about right?! 

After Madison was born, I discovered that I had no idea what being a partner truly was. You know they say that maternal instincts kick right in and you all of a sudden know what to do when your child is born? Well, I'm not sure this happens in all relationships, but it was like instantly Aaron adapted this new role as a provider, caregiver and lover on a whole new level. It was instantaneous how he was jumping right in to help with Madison, making sure I didn't need anything, knowing when I needed to rest and being 100% on board and involved in raising our sweet girl! 

To this day, I think the sweetest thing Aaron has ever said to me was in the first 6 weeks of having our little bundle of joy. 

"Honey, I want to take her for one night each week and let you sleep the night through." 

It was better than having sex.

I say over and over and over again that I have a true appreciation for single parents. There have been a few nights where we both spent the night pacing Madison's floor and sometimes both of us paced the floor together at the same time. Whether we were there to show support or try to problem solve together why she was screaming. I will never forget the night we both slept in Madison's room for her first cold. We took turns sleeping in the recliner with her propped up while the other one slept on the floor. 

There have been times in the night during those newborn days (you all know those nights I'm talking about) where she would just cry, not go to sleep, not stay asleep or just plain eat me out of the house where I just plain felt like crying too (sometimes I did!) Aaron instantly picked up on when I was frustrated and even if it was 2am, he'd get up with her to give me a break. 

I am so appreciative that Aaron is supportive of my decision to breast feed! He has been so wonderful making sure I have time to breast feed/pump. Even on difficult days, he helps to problem solve them with me!

Together we coordinate work schedules so that Madison can stay home. We tag team making dinners and running errands. We are the ultimate team.

I have learned that being a partner is more than doing/planning fun things together and making life plans, but it is really working in those trenches together and making sacrifices for one another. I wouldn't want anyone else by my side! 

Umbrella Market

There is a little market that opens up down town Greenville on Wednesdays during the summer called the Umbrella Market. Last year we went for the first time in July (towards the end of the season). I was pregnant with Madison and it was something to do to get out of the house! It is super cute and fun going through all the booths! There are all kinds of booths. Booths with food, booths with handmade jewelry, sweets, bows, clothes, etc! 

This past Wednesday was the opening of the season and we took Madison! How surreal it was that the last time I went to the umbrella market was when she was in my belly and now here she is 9 months old and enjoying the sights and sounds with us! What amazing fun! It just reminds me of how much you have to live in the moment because time flies by so quickly! Next year she will be a year and a half and begging for a bite of my cupcake! Oh boy!

Taking It Back

May 20, 2015

Taking it back... Way back! Haha! 

So there was a long stretch of days where it was super hot outside. A few weeks ago, we did some landscaping in the back yard. I didn't want my newly planted creation to immediately wither away and die, so I pulled the hose over and began watering the plants. I had Madison on my hip and every once in a while she would stick her hand in the stream coming from the nozzle and giggle. I stuck her foot in it and she giggled again. After multiple limbs getting wet, I was getting pretty soaked too! Madison's pool had taken a hit and deflated, so that water activity was out. Hmmm what can we play with?!  It hit me then! Sprinklers....

It was an old school idea. Who actually plays in the sprinkler anymore?! I hooked up our sprinkler and turned the hose on low. I changed Madison into her bathing suit and set her next to it.

She seemed kind of unsure about it at first, but then stuck that hand right into the water! After that it was over! She was getting all into it! She was getting pretty darn wet and not caring one bit! I lifted her up and dangled her feet in the water and swayed her from side to side! The giggles coming from this chick were contagious! I couldn't stop laughing from her laughs! 

What a fun way to cool off and play! I can't wait until we do this again! 

Teeth and Sleep

I will say this over and over again, once you THINK you have things figured out, everything changes. Flipped the axis, stirred the pot, etc. One would think I would stop being surprised when this happens. 

For MONTHS, Madison has been on a night time routine that has worked for us like a charm! Totally predictable! Well... Someone has finally started to sprout her top teeth! A few months ago, we swore she was cutting her top teeth, but they never showed. Now, we know one is coming for sure and I can only guess the other will be here soon. The past few days, she has changed how she wants us to put her to sleep. For the past few months we have been shamelessly rocking her to sleep each night. I will go ahead and state, I do NOT regret this one bit. The time I spent cuddling with this precious girl will always be my favorite! That being said, if she were to go back to needing to be rocked to sleep, I'd do it!  A few days ago she started insisting that she be walked around her room to fall asleep. Like the puppet that I am, I did it! It became more complicated when every time I'd lay her down once she was asleep, she'd wake up and start fussing to be held again. My twig arms and aching back could only take so much of holding and walking my growing girl around!  One night, I did it. I let her fuss. I left her room completely exasperated. I had no idea at this point she was teething, so I was frustrated that I couldn't figure out what was wrong. This whole "walking around the room" thing was new, so I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong in her eyes. My back was screaming and my arms were aching so bad! I had to leave to cool down a bit. 

This is always a trying time for me. I'm so frustrated that I know I need to leave or walk away from the situation a moment, but I feel so incredibly guilty and sad that I left her upset in her crib. Sure crying never hurt a baby, but it still yanks my heart right out of my chest. This is why we never did any version of the cry it out method.  I cannot sit there and listen to my angel cry and wonder where her mommy went and why did she leave. I just cannot do it. I want her to know she is so loved and that I will always be there for her! I read in my Happiest Baby Guide to Sleep by Dr. Karp that there is a less stressful method of going in there to calm them down, but each time taking a a little longer to go in their room.  This lets them know you are there and can comfort them when they need it but also that mommy and daddy aren't going to be puppets.

I didn't turn the monitor on because I knew my weak soul would give in. I just sat on the couch and tried to think of something to watch that would distract me from going in her room for a couple of minutes. To my surprise, she settled down very quickly and by time Aaron had come home from work, she was already starting to fall asleep. The past few nights we have done this and she seems to have taken to it. It's not full proof yet and by time it is, she will do something else, but it amazes me how things such as growth spurts and teeth can change habits that we think are set. This whole put herself to sleep thing, I think, will be better in the long run, but it sure has been taxing mentally on her daddy and me!

Naps are a completely different story. We have tried the "soothe yourself to sleep" thing during nap time and I think because it is so bright in her room, we end up walking as long as we can around her room to get her to sleep. No one is perfect, but one thing I do know and I hope Miss Madison knows is that Mommy and Daddy love her so much and try their hardest to make her feel that love and be one happy baby! Now hurry up teeth and get here! 

Pleasant Surprises!

I feel the need to brag... My husband may be cooler than all the others. I know he is the sweetest! Madison and I came home from our walk to find the kitchen completely cleaned and the first part of the laundry done!

I am a complete OCD freak when it comes to my house. I literally feel better physically when my house is clean or I get a cleaning task accomplished. I may need to be on medication for that, I'm really not sure lol. 

So to come home after a super long (and exhausting) walk and see clear counter tops and clean dishes, it makes my heart sing! I am so proud and full of love for this man! He is always getting it right lately and he is spoiling me haha! Man, he is truly the love of my life!

Mommy and Madison Adventures!

Everyone that knows me knows, I am an extreme introvert. I am not a social butterfly and feel like I am socially awkward at times! Madison has a wonderful personality and I feel like either she will have a mix of Aaron and I's personality or be total full on Aaron.  Aaron is someone who could run for office and be amazing at it. He talks to everyone and knows everyone and it's one of the qualities I love about him! 

Lately, I have been feeling like it would be a total injustice to hold Madison back because of my shyness. So I've taken steps (literally). We've gone to open gym at EC Cats and let me tell ya, she loves it! She only crawls at this point, but even if she didn't, I'd probably still take her because she LOVES watching the other kids play. I mean, she could watch them all day and smile or giggle as they run by!  She loves the mats and the big mirrors there too! Towards the end she finally warms up enough to crawl across the gym or climb a padded wedge! I love letting her experience things and it gives us an opportunity to get out of the house and do something she loves!

We have also started recently walking with a group of moms on the Greenway. I was very nervous about this because you kinda have to talk while walking because it is even more awkward to stay silent haha! I will tell you that from the beginning, these ladies have made me feel like I have known them for a while! They are a diverse group of ladies and it is comforting to know how accepting they are and how well we all get along! 

The first time I walked with these ladies, I was totally unprepared in every single way. I thought this was a leisurely walk to entertain our kiddos and chat. I thought it was going to be around the park andaube be like 30 minutes. I thought for sure I wasn't going to get sweaty! I was wrong on every front lol. I arrive and put Madison in her stroller. I didn't bring the diaper bag, but instead left it in the car. I forgot to bring her hat that fits, so I had a spare one in the car that was slightly bigger and put that on her. It stayed on about half of the time. Her other hat, the one that fits and I thank Grammy every day for gifting it, seems like it was made for her head, we put it on and she doesn't even try to pull it off or bother her. It's like she is one with the hat. This hat on the other hand is a menace. It's big enough that it obstructs her view sometimes and it's loose, so she tries to constantly pull it off. I also didn't put sunscreen on her or me thinking surely we'd only be out here for 30 minutes! Thankfully the Greenway is shaded for the most part! I also wore a stylish shirt, shorts and Croc sandals. What was I thinking..... I only managed to get two small blisters that healed the next day. 

We walked 5 miles and a total of two hours.

Granted, I enjoyed every minute of it, but boy... It wasn't what I was expecting lol. The next time I came full on prepared and it was a great walk! I absolutely am having a blast and I know Madison is too! Being outdoors, having great conversation, letting Madison enjoy the sights and sounds, and getting a good workout too are so worth coming out of my shell a little for! I am so thankful for other Moms who are willing to meet new people! 

I know there will be many more opportunities to get out and about with my sweet girl, especially when she is able to walk and run. I never expected to enjoy this part of parenting so much and am excited for all the new adventures that we take together and as a family! 

Spring Chicks!

If I haven't said it before, I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to switch to weekend nights! The amount of time I get to spend with this sweet girl is amazing! 

That being said, we do spend a lot of time together and I am super excited about the weather we have been having so we can do outside activities! We started out doing walks around the neighborhood. Side note, I am really proud of Aaron and I walking around the neighborhood so often! We purchased some FitBits and we love walking to accomplish our goals! 

After a while, walks became kind of monotonous. We still go on walks everyday, but it has really challenged me to do other things outside with Madison. Let's face it, there are so many sensory things to do!

We have had our share of playing on the blankets and experiencing the grass on our toes, looking at flowers, and listening to birds chirping!

We purchased a pushing toy for outside a while back and I'm excited that she gets to use it now! There have been a couple days where it was very warm out and we needed some shade time!

What a monkey....

One evening, I was put on call and after I took Madison for a walk, I decided to prune some of my plants. It was such a nice evening, I was not ready to go back inside! So I brought out some bubbles and we sat in the yard and she giggled at bubbles landing in the grass! She was able to pop a few!

And of course, we ate some grass...

We have truly loved our outdoor time so far! I'm excited for what this summer will bring! Pools, beaches, gardens, oh my! 

A Bed is a Bed, Right?!

This little girl loves crawling into doggie beds haha. 

Standing Tall

Standing Tall

So my eight and a half month old droplet of joy has now started to stand on her own without holding anything. A week or so ago, she did it twice, and now she does it on a regular basis. It amazes me how she is just learning all these new things! Like where did she learn to do that?! She is just moving along! Literally! 

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you Madison!