Sweet Sleep

Matthew has been sleeping much better since he started his reflux medication. He still needs to be "parented" to sleep most of the time. Here he is looking teeny tiny on our king size bed after his daddy cuddled him to sleep.

Burping this boy is somewhat of an acrobatics routine. Occasionally the standard over the shoulder pat the back works. More often we have to rock him from lying o sitting, rub his back, massage his belly, bicycle his legs, or put him over our knee. He really enjoyed this position last night and fell right to sleep. Too bad he had to wake up to get his diaper changed.

Two Too Cute Fellas

Now that Matthew is getting bigger (sniff sniff) he fits in some super cute little man clothes. (All of which were either gifts or hand-me-downs yippee!). How cute does he look in baby cords and fancy shoes??

Both of my guys look spectacular in green. I'll bet Matthew looks great in orange since that's my other favorite color on Joshua.

Daddy wanted to get in on the babywearing too. I'm telling you, this is a great way to keep the baby happy and be able to get other things done.

Matthew has responded very well to the acid reflux medication. He has been sleeping better and been content while awake and not screaming the whole time. Hooray! This morning I am going to leave him for the first time. Joshua is well stocked with pumped bottles and I'll even leave the Moby. :) My friend Heather and I are going for a mani/pedi. I should probably attempt to fix my hair and maybe even get out of my pj's. I'm going to look pretty silly with fancy nails in the state I'm in.

I got my hands back!

Yesterday Joshua came home with a wonderful present for me - a Moby Wrap. I have been eyeballing these since before Matthew was born but couldn't justify spending $40 on a piece of fabric. Lately I have been doing lots of reading on fussy babies and attachment parenting and decided that a wrap was a must. It is the best creation since sliced bread! Matthew is happy being held and I have use of both hands. Ahhhh. Life is good.

One Month Stats

Today was our one month checkup with Matty's doctor. Aside from the nappy rash, face an neck rash and possible reflux, he is doing great! We got a prescription to control stomach acid in case reflux is causing him to hurt an we are trying yet another cream to try to heal his diaper rash. He weighed in at 10 pounds 1 ounce (52nd percentile) and measures 21 3/4 inches (53rd percentile). The doctor has ruled out a dairy allergy and thinks Matthew is just colicky. I'm not so sure, so I will continue with my dairy, soy, wheat, nut, fish, shellfish, and caffeine free diet. Hooray for rice!

Matthew and Six only left Joshua's feet for me to cuddle with. It's hard to share with them sometimes!

How am I supposed to get anything done

with this darling little boy attached to me? Matthew has decided that he will not sleep unless he is in my arms. Anywhere else and he will just cry. I love that I can calm him just by holding him, but come on little one! I have other things to do, like shower and brush my teeth once in a while! Today I attempted to do some grocery shopping with Matt. Yikes! He screamed almost the whole time! But I was able to purchase some gas relief drops, so maybe there s an end in sight to the wailing. I gotta go ... he just woke up and realized I had put him down. Ahh the life of a mommy. :)

Has it been a whole month already?

Today Matthew is one month old. I can hardly believe it! We tried to get a nice family shot, but this was the best we could do. I love the way Matt looks at his Daddy.

He has grown so much this month but still fits in newborn clothes. The 0-3 month outfits are just a bit big still. We have a doctor appointment on Wednesday so I'll report on his stats then.

He is much more alert during his awake times, which are longer and more frequent. He loves to look around outside. What an adorable profile!

We still have not solved this rash mystery, although things are looking a bit better. The rash on his face is not as bright red and not entirely covering his skin. The diarrhea has let up even though the diaper rash remains. He still fusses after eating and when he has to dirty a diaper. Remember the days when crying three times was abnormal? Oh how I miss those days. Now he cries pretty much whenever he's awake. And even in his sleep. He prefers to sleep in my arms, and for now, if that's what it takes to comfort him, so be it. Today after his bath his hair began to show what I think is its true personality. The back would not straighten out or lay flat for anything. I do believe we have a curly haired boy in the making. (Sorry Mom, I know this was something you hoped to avoid passing on to him.)

Happy one month birthday Matty! I love you!

Enough already!

Matty's rash is still bothering him (and therefore my ability to do anything other than comfort him). The doctor suggested a dairy and soy free diet, but I have decided to take matters into my own hands and go on a total elimination diet. This will be extremely difficult, but if it helps my boy, I'm game. (Plus it would be helpful in losing some weight since I cannot yet exercise.) Now I just need to find someone to take me to the grocery store ...

Still Rashy

My sweet baby boy just hasn't been himself with this icky rash. He also has some diarrhea and it makes him rather fussy. Thanks for all the suggestions -we have tried quite a few but still no luck clearing things up. I'm going to check in with the doctor tomorrow and see what he says should be our next steps. I am about ready to go on an elimination diet so we can find out what is irritating little Matty.

Yes, it really works! Although he liked it much better at the doctor's office where they covered it in sugar water.

Today we had lots of diaper free time. I used the blow dryer on his tush and he loved it! He assumed this pose for quite a while after each blow dry. And of course he soiled the pee pee-tepee every time.

Aahhhh. Nothing beats a snuggle with Daddy before heading to bed.

Nasty Nappy Rash

On Monday I was letting Matty "air dry" after a change and I noticed blood dripping out of his bum! Boy can that freak a new mommy out! So we called the pediatrician and made an appointment. He doesn't think it's a yeast infection after all, just a really nasty rash. He gave us some prescription cream (which cost $50 by the way ... it better work!!) and suggested I avoid dairy for a week. He didn't seem convinced, but thought it could possibly be an allergic reaction to milk. Hmmm. Poor little guy. He is just not himself. Today he would not fall asleep unless I was holding him. He needs some extra TLC to get this rash cleared up. I feel so bad every time he needs a diaper change. Any mommies out there have experience with this? I could use some reassurance and advice.

Who are you?

Joshua decided it was time for a change, and not a small one. He took his trimmer outside and came back in with a buzzed head. Perfect for summer! Then, the real change came. He went back outside and shaved off all of his facial hair! He had to do the finishing touches in the bathroom of course, but now he looks so different! I woke him up to change Matty's diaper in the middle of the night and almost jumped out of my skin wondering who that strange man was in my bed! Personally, I think he should grow the beard back. He has such thick and fast growing facial hair that he gets the 5:00 shadow right after he shaves. Then he feels like sandpaper. Keep the buzz but bring back the beard!

Fourth of July Fun

We started off the day with a bath (amazing how quickly those triple chins can start to smell like spoiled milk.) Daddy gives much better baths than Mommy. I have resigned myself to sponge baths for fear of Matty slipping out of my hands in the bath tub. He didn't seem to mind the wash down at all. He is such a content little boy!













The day was not as sunny as we would have liked, but nonetheless we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma's beach for BBQ and family fun. Neither Matt nor I were feeling the best (that yeast infection has spread to his mouth so feeding time is painful for him and I am still trying to recover from Matt's birthday) so we spent most of the afternoon inside. Joshua got to sit out on the lawn and enjoy the fireworks across the bay with a glass of Sangria in hand.

Don't we all look patriotic?

Diaper Drama

Yesterday was supposed to be our first pick up and delivery of diapers. They told me to put the dirties out the night before because they may come very early. The bag of dirty diapers sat out in the sun all day yesterday and no service arrived. Argg! I left a message with the company in the hopes that they would make a special trip to Gig Harbor today since it was their mistake, not mine and we are now having to use icky disposable dipes. I hate those things! Matthew wets through them half the time and they leave weird chemically goo balls on his skin. Yuck!
Here is my sweet little man in his new sleeping pose. He does NOT like to have his arms tucked in any more. He usually has one against his chest and one straight over his head. He also does NOT like to bend his legs (except for diaper changing time to provide Mom and Dad with a challenge). What a cutie! At yesterday's appointment he weighed in at 8 pounds 2.9 ounces. He is eating and growing like a champ!

There's a fungus among us!

Once again, the picture has nothing to do with the post, it just captures some Daddy and Matty fun.
Today we went back to see the lactation consultant and the timing couldn't have been better. Matthew has a yeast infection, which I would have mistaken for a plain old diaper rash. He has not been himself today. He cried three times! Normally, he is very content and only cries when it's really necessary. Today he screamed at every diaper change and was not happy to sit in his seat. I held him and he calmed himself and fell to sleep. I want Joshua to get home so he can take over diaper changes. It's too hard for me knowing that it hurts my little guy! Our nurse told us which cream to use and even recommended probiotics for me. I am praying that it will clear up quickly and not need to be treated any further. How did he get this you ask? Apparently having antibiotics during delivery as well as having diabetes put us at a high risk. Will the fun never end??

It's Official

I officially have a job for next year! I will be teaching first grade 65%. That means I will work every day from 7:30-12:00 and another teacher will come in for the afternoons. This is truly a blessing since we do need the extra income but I couldn't possibly part with my boy full time. Joshua will be able to stay home with him some days and work late. Other days he gets to go be spoiled by his grandma. So now I can relax and enjoy the next month and a half with my little guy and not have to go job hunting.
This picture obviously has nothing to do with this post, but doesn't Matt look cute in his diaper? It was taken a few days ago and his cord has since fallen off, but I didn't want to deny you the viewing pleasure.

All American Boy

Jackie had a much better picture of Matt in Daddy's choice of outfit. The shirt and hat say "All American Boy". I wonder if he'll fit the hat and glasses by the 4th of July ...

First Outings

Matthew has been such a delightful baby and sleeping in longer chunks (wahoo!), so we were able to venture out of the house the last two days. Yesterday we went for a walk around the neighborhood enjoying the wonderful weather. After about 40 minutes we were both exhausted and came home for a nice nap.

Then we went to Grandpa and Grandma's house to enjoy an evening BBQ and time on the beach. Matt slept hard despite all the hugs and kisses fro his fans. We have not quite mastered feeding yet, so attempting to fee him with a cape over me was rather difficult. But we managed.

Today we went to Point Defiance Zoo so Aunt Jackie could enjoy a little bit of the beauty of the northwest. I got to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Joshua is a terrible driver! After a very warm day outside, we headed out to dinner. Matt ate and then crashed out for he duration of the meal. What a sweet boy! Now we are home again and I think we both need a nap (after my little milk man eats again of course.)

Daddy picked out his outfit for today and he couldn't be more proud of his precious little guy.

Baby Boy Joy

As all of you parents know, I am in a daze from lack of sleep, major pain, and falling in love with Mr. Matthew. I awoke from a nap yesterday and didn't see Matt in his crib. Daddy had him in the office and was hard at work on the computer.

My wonderful sister arrived yesterday to help with housework and such and of course to love on her newest nephew. She has been such a huge help already running errands, driving me to appointments, and attempting to organize our crazy home. We love you Aunt Jackie!

I know every mother says that her baby is the cutest baby in the whole world (and of course they are all right), but now it's my turn. My baby is the cutest little boy on the planet! He is truly a gift from the Lord and I get teary just thinking how special it is that God chose me to be his mother. What an honor!

Matthew's cousin Caleb who is 6 months old sent some of his now too small clothes. Doesn't he look adorable in those bright colors? He is so precious! Funny side note, Matt's Uncle Gary is enjoying the fact that the three boys are all in the "Matthew Graham" club. Gary Matthew Graham, Caleb Matthew Graham, and Matthew Graham Hardwick. We didn't do that on purpose, we just really liked the name, but it is pretty neat that he has that connection with his relatives. All three Matthew Grahams are awesome boys!