Happy 15 Months Maddyx!

Our little 'BIG' Man (as we like to call him) turned 15 months today.  He's been home almost two months now and he is doing so, so well.  Besides his minor (okay, major) addiction to food, he's adjusting amazingly.  For now I'm going to assume that his non-stop ability to eat anything and everything in sight is due to a growth spurt.  I have no clue if it really is, but if he's hungry I'm going to feed him.  I figure if I keep it healthy it can't be that bad.  Right?  He just eats SOOOO much.  More than me.  He never stops.  We've never seen anything like it.  After he's done eating a full meal he'll actually crawl around on the floors, checking around and under his seat, to see what extras might have fallen on the floor.  And then he eats them.  I'm over trying to stop him.  Between him and the dog, they clean my floors.  Awesome, I'll take all the help I can get.  I know, it all sounds very cute.  It was for the first week, but now, not so much.  Especially when I can't help but assume that all of this eating is contributing to the fifteen poopy, blow-out diapers a day that I change.  Alright, so maybe there's not fifteen, but it sure feels like it.  And they're bad.  So bad.  So, with Maddyx's constant need to eat I've had to develop a new schedule in order to keep him happy and to maintain my sanity.  Otherwise I end up with a very whiny baby following me around all. day. long.  Our schedule pretty much consists of eating a meal, playing, eating a snack, napping, wake up, eat a meal, play, eat a snack, take a nap.  Do that rotation one more time and there you have it, our day in a nutshell! 


OK, I can't ONLY talk about Maddyx's eating habits, although it IS consuming our lives.  I don't want to give the poor guy a complex.  I also have to talk about his hugs.  OMG he gives THE BEST HUGS EVER.  He actually reaches around your neck and holds on to the back of your neck/hair and nuzzles right in.  And then he makes this super cute noise.  They just make me melt.  I love his hugs so much.  I love him so much.  He's perfect and we are so lucky.

I couldn't resist catching the 'food monster' in action.  It started with the "Mama, look at me.  I'm hungry.  Can't you tell?" look, and then the meltdown.  And then he got his cheerios and he went into some sort of weird food world.

Here's that look I was telling you about ("Mama, look at me.  I'm hungry.  Can't you tell?")

 Unfortunately for him, and me, I didn't respond to "the look" - so then came the melt-down..

OK, so I gave in.  How about a bunch of cheerios?  Will that make you happy for a moment so I can finish cleaning up the kitchen?

 Ooops, dropped one.  Can't lose it. 

 Now he's moving into the somewhat weird, comatose state. 

 Alright, back in an upright position.  However, still slightly dazed.

 Mama, you want one?  No honey, thank you so much for sharing though.  Very sweet.

 Yaay, one more for me!!!!!

Now the rest of these pictures are from today.  This was after we had a nice dinner with Papa and Grandma.  If you consider nice Maddyx eating a ton of food, letting out a couple of really loud toots and grunting and becoming red-faced as he pood in the highchair at the restaurant. Then yes, it was nice.  At least it was good for some laughs.  That's for sure.  Anyway, I wanted to be sure to capture photos of him on his actual 15 month birthday and it was late in the evening, so this is as good as it was going to get! 

 He's done this pose before.  I think this might be his 'I'm a supermodel pose'?   Hmmmm...

Is it too soon?

So next week marks 2 months home (yaaay!) and I'm wondering.......Is it too soon for the hubby and I to have a date night?!?!  I've spoken to two different social workers that both say it's absolutely NOT too soon, and we should definitely have our night out.  This is great!  Right?  Hmmm.....but then I start thinking about what I've read in THE BOOK. You know, the adoption/attachment book that we all have. And I totally second guess myself, and my social workers, and think that (according to the book) maybe it is too soon, and therefore will cause regression and confusion for Maddyx. This is the last thing I want. Ugggh! Here's the stats.... he's totally social, does not have breakdowns when we leave the room, and is also clearly attached to us as his parents (he shows all of 'the signs').


So here's my question to all of you Mamas.  If he's completely comfortable and doesn't have any sort of freak out moment, is it OK to leave him (at our house) with the grandparents for a few hours????  How long did you all wait???  Please, leave your comments.  I welcome your insight!!

Seriously, this is the only date night I've had.  And it did not include my husband....or leaving my house....or wine.  lol.  Can you guess who it was with?  Here's a hint.....

Yep, Mama and Maddyx having salmon!

6 Weeks as a Family & Some Fun Fall Pics

So today marks 6 weeks that our family has been complete. We are having lots and lots of great days, and some not so great days in between. To be expected. Not easy, but I think I'm starting to get used to it. Maddyx has recently become a food MONSTER. And I don't mean monster in a cute, cookie monster sort of way. I mean A MONSTER. Like OMG, really?  Who are you, and what have you done with my son?!? Yes, that's what's going on here. Whenever he eats he turns in to this ravenous animal that has been hunting it's prey for weeks, and the prey just so happens to be some cheerios or a piece of string cheese.  Keep in mind he just had breakfast.  And a snack. And a bottle. I'm definitely not starving my child.  Actually quite the opposite.  I tell ya, his yelling, crying, and whining are just not making the eating experience very fun. Oh, and when the food runs out.....YOU. BETTER. WATCH. OUT.  That's when it gets really ugly. Sheesh!  I know this sounds cute, but it's really not.    He's also been plain old moody lately.  Could be because we just switched him to one nap a day (hallelujah for one LONG nap!!!), or because he's teething, or he's just going through the expected grieving of an adopted baby.  Regardless of what it may be, I'm getting used to it, getting used to be being A MOM, and it seems to be getting easier each and every week.

OK, enough of that.  Let's move on to the CUTE stuff!  My boys getting into the spirit of Halloween and Fall!!  And maybe one of me snuck in there too. 

AND, how could I forget our first child, Cooper!  He is just so darn handsome!  I could eat him up.  Forgive me.  I know, I know.   Sorry, he didn't transition from a child to a pet when Maddyx arrived.  He's still my first born.  I tried to get some cute ones of the two of them together, but it's really hard to get a dog and a 14 month old to cooperate. At the same time.  In the same picture.  Which is kind of important.

So Worth It.....

I tell ya, becoming an overnight mom at 30-something, to a 13 month old baby is a serious crash course in life.  And it's not for the faint of heart.  I could have never prepared myself for this experience.  And trust me, I'm a planner and a preparer.  Or just a control freak?  Nope, none of the preparation I did made a difference.  I had to chuckle the other night as I was creeping up the stairs (close to midnight) to go to bed, and I thought about HOW much my (our) lives have changed in the last month.  In so many ways.

One of my biggest challenges.  My house.  If you stop by without notice, I cannot guarantee what you will find laying around my house, or what condition it will be in.  ***THIS IS A WARNING***

For example, if you decide to use our guest bathroom, which is now where Maddyx does his baths, you just might find the diaper he was wearing the evening before that I took off before I put him into the bath tub.  I might have been trying to keep him from doing a face plant, when he was jumping over the tub head first into the water.  In the midst of this, I forgot to pick up, close the diaper and throw it away.  Sorry.  I'll get to it.  Eventually.

You just might find cheerios, dried up rice, cheese (no wait, no cheese. Cooper likes cheese so he eats that), cucumber, banana, or anything of this nature on my floors.  Even though I swept them twice already.  Maddyx eats three meals a day and I can't seem to bring myself to have the energy to sweep up after the third meal.  And Cooper only eats what he likes.  Maybe I should start planning Maddyx's meals accordingly?  Hmmm.  That's a thought.

You might find bottles, well, just about everywhere.  Uuuugh, the bottles.  They're never-ending.  I hate them.  And then when you need one at the early hour of 4am and you were too lazy to wash the dirty ones the night before.  Yea, that sucks.

If you decide to look for a dvd inside the cabinet of our tv console, you're likely to find a stash of diapers and wipes instead.  Sorry, but it's super convenient.

Toys.  Toys everywhere.  I also clean these up several times a day.  Why do I bother?  Because, it makes me feel better to have a grown-up living room that's free and clear of toys.  Even if it is just for 30 minutes while he naps.

Laundry.  Piles and piles of laundry.  Confined to my room of course.  So please, do not go in there!  For the record, there are two things that I hate to do around the house.  Dishes and laundry.  I had a hard enough time doing my own laundry before baby.  In a perfect 'dream' world, I would just buy a new outfit, wear it once, and never have to wash it.  Ever.  I know, ridiculous.  Don't judge.  (I'd also have freshly washed sheets on my bed every single night.  Isn't that the best?)  So now I find myself doing Maddyx's laundry constantly. Yes, I actually do it.  But guess what?  I haven't done my own laundry since we returned from Korea.  Really.  And I'm currently unemployed, so buying new outfits is not an option.

And then, at the end of the day, I look at this face and I know it's all worth it.  So worth it!

Yard Work - Black & White Edition

Ummm, this was just hilarious!  I was crying I was laughing so hard.  Deep down, good for your soul, belly laughs. (I admit, not going to be AS funny in the pictures, as you really had to be there, but you get the idea)  And then there were the people driving and walking by.  And the stares.  HILARIOUS!  This was my idea by the way, not my husbands.  Actually, he became a bit annoyed with me running around (laughing hysterically) and snapping pictures like crazy.  He's also not thrilled that I find this so humorous that I'm posting it on my blog.  He might have even told me to not to (sorry honey!).  Maddyx will really appreciate these photos someday!  I promise.  And this was great father son bonding time.  Right?

Off we go. First we will do some weed wacking and then we will mow the lawn.  Seriously, I can't imagine what our neighbors think of us.  Oh, and for the record, Maddyx loved this.  I know he looks really floppy and helpless, but he was so content.  I swear.

Versatile Blogger Award

First and foremost, a big thank you to Sue for awarding me with this really fun award!  Sue is over at all accounted four (such a great name) and in my opinion is the Super Mom of all Moms.  Don't believe me?  Just check out her pictures from their trip to Seoul where she is carrying her son Drew on her back, in her backpack carrier, up a hill and a flight of stairs that appear to go on forever super mom in action.  And made it seem like it was nothing.  And not to mention what an amazing job she's done transitioning Leo right into his new home and family.  They are a beautiful family and I love following their journey! 




About the versatile blogger award:
- You thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
- Share 7 things about yourself.
- Pass the award along to 7 other bloggers that you think are great!

Things about me:
1. I am one of the few home-grown, born and raised, San Diegans.  I've lived here 'almost' all of my life.  I'm not gonna lie, I did move a whole 100 miles north for a few years, but that didn't last, and now I'm back.  Have been for over 8 years.


2. I 'm super embarrassed (actually, not really) to admit that I am a total realty t.v. junky.  Actually, I'm completely addicted.  It's disgusting, but it's definitely one of my guilty pleasures!  I love all of them.  Are there any meds for this?  There should be.  And I need them.  Some of my favs are The Bachelor and Bachelorette and Big Brother.  And yes, I STILL watch the Bachelor.  Even though I know it NEVER works out.  Still love it.


3. I think I might love animals more than people (except for my son and husband.  of course ;-)  They are so great.  Everyone should have a pet.  Everyone should rescue an animal once in their life and feel the love that they have to offer.  It's the best.


4. I used to be a make-up artist and I'm also a licensed Esthetician.  Here's the kicker, I've never given a professional facial in my life.  I continue to renew my license because I get all of my hair and skin care products at cost.  Totally worth a year of school and state board testing.  Right?


5.  I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.  Really.  But I do know, it's never too late!  And heck, I'm only 30-something! =)  I'll figure it out.  Someday.  I hope.


6.  One of my favorite places in the world to be is Hawaii.  Maui.  I love sipping Mai tai's and watching the sunset from pretty much anywhere there.  I know, I live in San Diego, but it's different.  My husband and I got married in Wailea on Maui in 2005 and we'd love to make it our second home some day.  We can't wait to take Maddyx with us on our next trip!


7. I read my magazines from back to front.  Don't know why, but I always do it.  I should probably look into this.  What the heck does this mean???  Weird.

Now I get to pass this fun award on to seven other bloggers that I'd like to recognize.  Some of  my recipients have already received this award, but I just want to personally recognize them because they are my favs and I love them!

1. Michelle over at Waiting for Wesley.  She brought Wesley home about 4 weeks before we traveled to Korea to get Maddyx and she was such an enormous help and support system for me.  I hope we get to meet her and Wesley in person some day! 
2. Kelly over at John & Kelly + Max.  Kelly has already been awarded the versatile blogger award.  Maybe even two or three times (see, her blog really does rock!), but I'm still going recognize her as being one of my favorites!  I LOVE her blog, and have been following it for several months.  Not only do I love all of her great posts (and how great she is about posting often!) but I always enjoy all of her super cute and fun pictures of Max.  He's a doll.
3. Grace over at Chois-R-Us.  She has also received this award, but I really love all of the funny, honest, and real moments she blogs about during her wait to bring Chois boy home.  She's been waiting far too long (as a lot of us more recent families have had to) to bring her son home.  I cannot wait for the day that she has her beautiful son in her arms and the sound of his laughter is filling their home.  Soon.  So soon.
4. I just (as of last week) started following Life According to Leah.  And I'm hooked!  In about a week she is going to be on a plane to Ethiopia to get her son Khalil.  Her blog is honest, and I love that.  There's nothing more important than honesty when you're going through the adoption process.  I know sometimes I battle with how honest I should be, and then I remember how much I needed and still need to read about the reality of this journey.  Good, bad and ugly.  It all helps.  That said, I am so excited to follow her journey to Khalil!
5. Lucky Mama over at Chunsa Khidarim is soooo close to getting her travel call to go get her beautiful baby girl.  Yaaay!  She's almost at 7 months of waiting since receiving her referral.  It's time to bring that baby girl home! Cannot wait to follow along.
6. Truth be told, I have to say that this next blog may have been the very first blog I ever started "stalking." LOL. And for that, I must recognize Kelly at Life with Briar.  I started this journey in April of 2009 and shortly thereafter I started lurking in the adoption blog world.  I really enjoyed following Kelly and Briar.  And really loved (and still love) all of the amazing pictures Kelly takes of Briar.  For the record, she has one of the most beautiful little girls I have ever seen!  I can't believe how much she's grown since I started following her blog.
7. And last, but certainly not least, how could I not give this award back to the Super Mom Sue, over at all accounted four!  Even though she's already received this award, I still have to recognize her as one of my favorite bloggers and also send the love back her way!