19 Weeks

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of baby: about 5 1/2 inches and 7 ounces

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +5 pounds 

Maternity Clothes: Yes for the most part; however, the baby bump is getting higher and some of my non maternity jeans fit perfectly under the bump and are surprisingly more comfortable than my maternity jeans (I am certain my time is limited with this new found wardrobe)

Gender: We should find out tomorrow!! Praying the babe cooperates

Name: I have a girl name that I love and I think I may have picked a boy name.

Movement: YES!! The movements are still subtle and sweet feeling. I am soaking it up right now where the movements are not painful :)

Sleep: I still struggle to fall asleep and I am getting up a few times a night to go to the bathroom, but when I am asleep, I am sleeping ROCK hard!

What I miss: an occasional adult beverage

Cravings: fruit, carrots, cucumbers

Symptoms: No bleeding this week!! However, contractions have started. Anxious to talk to the doctor about it tomorrow.

Best moment this week: Excited to find out the gender of this growing babe and receive the reassurance that everything is looking beautifully!

Our growing Babe is now the size of a mango! It is interesting to learn that the nerves that connect the muscles to the baby's brain have grown into place, making any movement from our sweet babe is consciously directed!! It is amazing that this tiny little miracle is now moving with a purpose!!  The baby's ears stand out from the sides of his/her head and the buds for the permanent teeth appear this week. So much growing going on!!

Here are the boys holding our little mango!

My Cowboy

With all of the excitement of the tricycle rodeo and cowboy day at Maddox's school last week, Maddox has been fascinated with pretending to be a cowboy! This morning Brad took the Madd-man to school and had an enlightening conversation with our little boy genius/cowboy. The conversation went a little something like this:

Maddox: Dad, I am a cowboy right?

Brad: Sure

Maddox: cowboys are grown ups.

Brad: Well, there are....

Maddox: and if they are grown ups they don't have to take naps. Since I am a cowboy, I don't need naps anymore. I will let mom know!

Oh dear. Looks like I am going to have my work cut out for me today at nap time. Gotta love that little guys reasoning skills!!

Road to Recovery

We took Paxton back to the doctor on Saturday and again today for a follow up on his Staph infection and a wound check. I was pleased to hear that everything looks great and he is healing up perfectly. The wound still bothers him some and he requires a dose or two of pain medicine throughout the day; however, overall he seems to be doing great. The only downfall is all the medicine he is on right now really upsets his little tummy and is making him super cranky. I am trying to keep my patience with a super whiney and much more demanding little guy and I am praying this does not become a phase we have to figure out how to boot out the front door. (I am certain once he is off all these high dose meds he will be back to his normal self....fingers crossed!)

I am reminded once again how blessed we are to have healthy babies. I am very aware that this horrible infection could have gotten REALLY bad and even life threatening in just a matter of days. I am thankful that my current littlest man is doing much better and on the road to recovery.

Tricycle Rodeo

While I took Paxton to that dreaded Doctor's appointment today, Maddox had a tricycle rodeo at his school. They got to dress up in their best cowboy clothes, play with lasso's, have hot dogs and ride their tricycles at school. I was so sad I was not able to attend his super fun school event today, but my precious mom went and Maddox felt like the king of the rodeo with is Gigi there to support him!! (Thanks again mom for being there for him and for me!)

Poor Paxton

Oh my. I think I can chalk up this morning as a day I hope we never have to relive. Poor little Paxton had a small red bump on his belly, slightly under his belly button. I noticed it yesterday morning when I changed his diaper. He tends to get random red bumps on his abdomen and lower belly that always go away in a few days without any pain or drama. After his nap yesterday he woke up saying "owwie, owwie" and kept grabbing that spot on his belly. I looked at it and it was now more red and beginning to swell up some. My mom and I thought it looked like he got bit by something. We put some antibiotic cream on it and tried to keep his pants from rubbing it. Well as the evening progressed, the more uncomfortable Paxton got and I began to get a little concerned. I showed Brad when he got home from work and we decided to just watch it and make sure it didn't get worse. Well, this morning Paxton was very lethargic and you could just tell he did not feel good. The bump was more red and had a big knot behind it. I knew a visit to the doctor was in store for us. I am thankful I trusted my instincts and took him in first thing this morning. It turns out he has an abscess staph infection. Oh poor baby. They had to strap him down on a medical bed, inject him with about 8 shots to numb the area and they had to cut it open and get the junk out of there. Oh my goodness, just break my heart. I felt so helpless as my littlest boy looked at me, terrified, crying and obviously in pain and there was nothing I could do to make it any better or help him understand that they were helping him. Oh that was the longest 15 minutes of my life. I now have no hope for Paxton outgrowing his fear of doctors. Heck, I would be terrified of doctors if I just went through all of that today.
They sent us home with pain meds and an antibiotic. We will go back on Saturday for them to remove the packing they had to place in his belly and get the results from the culture they sent to the lab.
Please pray he continues to get better and this infection does not get worse! Oh poor poor Paxton, I am so sorry for the trauma today held for you!

18 Weeks

Wow, I cannot believe we are 18 weeks preggo with baby Voda #3. It is crazy to think that if this little one comes as early as Paxton did, we are half way there this week (we are certainly praying this one stays in to cook at least a week or two longer than Paxton. We were very fortunate that there were absolutely no complications with Paxton and his early arrival). 

At 18 weeks, the babe is the size of a sweet potato. It is crazy to think that this little one is now yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing as well as twisting, rolling punching and kicking. 

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: about 5 1/2 inches and 7 ounces

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +2 pounds (I have not weighed lately, so I am pretty sure this number has increased)

Maternity Clothes: Yes. My maternity pants are much more comfortable and maternity shirts just seem to cover my little baby bump better. I have discovered a few pairs of my non maternity jeans that sit low enough that I can wear them under my growing baby bump. 

Gender: We aren't sure yet. We should find out in a week!!  (February 29)

Name: will decide when we know the gender

Movement: YES!! This little one is getting more and more active and I am able to feel him/her move several times during the day. It still makes my heart flutter every time I feel those sweet little movements. 

Sleep: I have slept really well the last couple of nights. (I am sure I just jinxed myself on that one)

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Cravings: Fresh, COLD fruit. Carrots, cucumbers and ranch dressing

Symptoms: The bleeding made its appearance yet again, but nothing too alarming. My tummy has hurt the last few days, but nothing crazy. Just growing growing growing.

Best moment this week: Experiencing Brad feel this miracle baby kick for the first time.

Attempting to get a good picture with both boys holding the "babe" is proving to be harder and harder, Paxton's smile makes him look a little mean. Lol. I sure will miss the day when he doesn't smile like a maniac!! 

It might not look like it here, but Paxton and Maddox are both laughing!!!

Nice Shades

When I posted the picture of Maddox wearing Aunt Kim's sunglasses on their drive home from Oklahoma yesterday, it immediately reminded me of a picture we took of Maddox when he was about 18 months old on our trip home from Colorado (for the Malone family reunion).

I thought it was too cute and just had to post the pictures together!!

Maddox at 18 months old wearing Mommy's sunglasses

Maddox at 4 years old wearing Aunt Kim's sunglasses