Playtime

No not me! Jayden got to play naked you sickos. LOL jk jk

Jayden's 1st Apple Hill Trip (6mo old)

Today we went to Apple Hill for the 1st time with Jayden. It was so much fun. It was a special trip because it was Jayden's 1st trip, he's 6mo old and the last time we were there Dj and I got married a year ago this month.

My mom, Dad and Julianna got to join us for this special trip. We enjoyed a day of shopping, apple wine and cider tasting and enjoying the beautiful day. Here are some pics of our trip.

Pulling himself up & Standing!

This boy is not even 6mo old yet and he now pulls himself up on everything for the past 2 weeks. Especially in his crib when he should be sleeping!!






Even on the couch to look out the window, loves doing this for 20min at a time, especially when the cats walk by he smiles and makes razzberry drool noises. haha.

5 month old crawler

This boy is crawling already! He starting to scoot at 4mo, then getting up on all fours and rocking before mo 5. Now at 5 1/2 mo old he belly flop crawls but just today learned how to move his arms and is crawling! Let the games begin!



We LOVE to hear him talk with his "mamama, dadada, bababa, yayaya" He has been rolling over from back to belly since one month and belly to back since 4mo. You can NOT keep this boy on his back for 30sec, changing a diaper is challenging. Tonight I finally had to put him on the floor in between my legs and put my feet/legs over his arms/shoulder to hold him down just long enough to change him!! He can sit up with out support and loves to be sitting up. He barely wants to lean back to take a bottle, ugh. Heaven forbid he might miss something, hmmmm sounds just like his mama when she was a baby! Payback! LOL

Pulled himself up playing in the bucket!

He has been sleeping through the night since 3 mo old. 8pm- 7am average, give or take some off nights or teething!! Think a bottom tooth might sprout up very soon! Takes 6oz bottle about every 3hrs or so. Drinks from a sippy cup & has started on rice cereal and baby foods at 4mo 3wks. =)

He loves to chase after his kitties, Chloe loves up on him as for Zoey she doesn't come close enough for Jayden to yank on her fur or drool over her. LOL. He loves pulling himself up by reaching for your arms if your playing with him on the floor. LOVES to stand & screech in excitement. Finds his reflections in mirrors or oven door in the kitchen. Loves going for walks (mama's been slackin lately). Cries more often than not when you leave a room when he's in his swing. He's like "Hey! I'm over here!" Maybe in a few weeks he'll start to enjoy his brand new Jeep walker that Auntie Julianna bought him last week! He got his first "ride" and it matches Auntie Ju & Mommy's cars! =)



I try to attend a mommy's play group at East Portal park Friday mornings. Sometimes life gets too busy, Jayden's napping or mama's too tired to go. But last week we went and he of course acts like a little ham when we are there. Showing off crawling, sitting, talking...I've only been twice so of course I'm trying to just blend in not stand out! LOL. Jayden differs he was center of attention...oh my I can only imagine what this will look like when he's a little older.


Daddy & Jayden

Did I mention he is completely filling in 12 mo clothes already??!?! OMGeeee sheesh this boy needs to slow down! I am estimating this month (since no doc ck up) that's he's about 20lb and 28.5in?? We'll see how close I am with his 6 mo ck up. =)

Check out these teeth!

4 months

Well it's been awhile since I've posted an update! He's almost 5 months now, next Thursday.

A little about 4 mo old Jayden....

He was 18.5 lb & 27 in long at his check up, that's 90% & 85% percentiles! He's not pushing the charts like he was but he's still up there.

Oh my where do I even start. This boy is so much fun! He can hold his head up completely now, rolls over both ways, scoots across the floor, hold his upper body up with his arms straight out, gets his knees to his chest when on tummy (when he discovers how to both at the same time this boy is gonna take OFF). He plays with his feet, smiles when you smile, laughs like crazy. He enjoys going for long walks in the stroller, recently was able to sit in the shopping cart like a big boy (padded of course). GRABS everything in sight to put it in his mouth. Loves mommy and daddy's phones LOL. Grabs mommy's hair and laughs when it tickles him. Puts his feet up on everything (swing, play mat, play chair, strollers). Prefers to be in a sitting position or standing 80% of the time.

Two weeks ago I started him on rice cereal, he went crazy! Loves it. Getting better and better with being able to move the food to the back of his mouth with out pushing it out, although, he started off pretty well actually. I gave him some bananas the first week and he LOVED it! However, when I introduced some peas he FLIPPED out....gagged twice, jolted, spit it out the whole nine. It was hysterical. I posted the video on facebook. Since he only took 3 bites I opened some carrots, nope not a fan either. LOL. I'll introduce them again in a couple weeks. We'll try some squash or sweet potatoes next. I don't want him to develop a sweet palate for fruits only, gotta eat your veggies Jayden! =)

He's almost down to 3 bottles a day taking 6-8 oz at a time. Which is way less than he has been eating in the past (meaning daily total in ounces, he was pushing 32 oz a day, now 24ish)....3-5 bottles normal for him....

SLEEP OH HOW IVE MISSED YOU! Jayden must have known yesterday was my birthday because he didn't wake up once! Slept from 9-530! The past month almost he has finally been sleeping through the night completely!! =) I coudn't be happier!

Dj is AMAZING with him. Seriously, he wakes up in the early morning with him everyday. I usually take him if he wakes up for a feeding. Jayden ADORES him. His face lights up when he sees Daddy. Snuggles with him, goes to sleep for him when he rocks him. Take his glasses off, reaches to touch his face all the time, it's priceless to see them have such an incredible bond.

Jayden is so much fun, we couldn't be happier =)

Loving all the smiles!

Bedtime Books

Jayden & I started reading Baby Elmo is so Big and he loves it! He hits the pages with his hands like he's playin the drums it's so cute!

3 month Stats

16 1/2 lbs
24in long
Wearing 6-9 month clothes since 2 months of age!
This boy just keeps GROWING so fast!

He is such a sweetie pie, loves to smile and laugh all the time. He will tell you a story for minutes on end... he loves to suck on his hands (he gave himself a hickey!), play in his Winnie the Pooh playseat, grab & yank on his toys hanging from the rings on his playmat, he LOVES his toy cow that is clipped to his carseat, the Winnie the Pooh mobile over his crib (gets so excited and coo's) & his swing.

We are starting to introduce sleep training now that he is 3mo and it's going really well. The 1st 2 days were hard because I was hesitant in starting. I didn't want to do it too soon. But after reading my books, talking to other moms and checking baby center.com I was definitely confident that I was doing the right thing. Two options: No tears vs Cry it out. He's getting both. When it's time for sleep I cuddle him up with a paci and rock him to a drowsy state/sleep. Then I put him in his crib and he is either out or if he wakes up we begin cry out method. I try to insert a paci & pat his back and if it doesn't work I walk out of the room and start the clock. 5 min, check and console, 10 min, check and console. I've never reached longer than 15 min, he's out by then everytime. He's only had to do that 4x now...sometimes he doesn't even fight it and will go to sleep willingly. I'm focusing more on a routine and his sleep more than ever now. Bedtime routines also. I truly believe it gives children predictability and security knowing what comes next and making sure they are well rested. Of course I'm not going by the clock...he's still varing how long he sleeps. But 3 naps a day and not exceeding the 2hr wakeful window is key. He's happy I'm happy. Doing well at night too. Goes down between 7-8 now, sleeps for 5-8 hrs, eats, sleeps for 3-4hrs, eats, play, nap, and so on. Eating 4-6 oz (usually 4).
Formula is doing wonders and new medicine (no longer prevacid) Zegered, is working great for his acid reflux. He's a tummy sleeper...works like a charm (and helps with his tummy issues).

I can't believe it's been 3 mo. I look into his eyes and talk to him while he's talking away to me and it brings tears to my eyes how absolutely wonderful he is. I love him more than anything. I am LOVING being a mommy. Dj is such a great daddy and takes such great care of the both of us. We are two lucky people.

I love my family.

Jayden' 1st Road Trip!

We finally went to Mountain View to visit the Willings!
BBQ FUN, drinks & Mom and Dad got to relax! Jayden LOVED it!! Had so much fun as you can see....




Passed out!


Big Cousin Loren feeding her Lil Cuz Jayden =)


AH HA! Caught Ian! (He never lets me take his picture!)


Noah showing me all his tricks


We had a GREAT time hanging out with the Willings! Thank you guys! XOXO

Jayden was OUT on the drive home! =)

OH MY SLEEEEP

We fed Jayden a 6oz bottle for the 1st time last night and HE SLEPT EIGHT HOURS!!! WHAT?! OH MY GOSH I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! 7:15-3:15! YAY! Then he slept another 3hrs almost. Incredible. I'm so proud.
I woke up at 6:30 and Dj was here with his mom (I went back to bed for 2 more hrs). His Dad is having surgery this morning on this back/neck to correct a nerve that's inflamed? His hands go numb and is loosing his strength on his grip. Praying for him that everything goes well. His brother Daniel is on his way here.
I'm sitting here in my living room with Dj & his mom and Jayden is sleeping (they put him down as I got up). =)
I think today is going to be a GREAT day, praying all goes well!

2 month Stats

Jayden had his 2 month appt yesterday & he did great (even through the shots)!

He is 14lb 11oz AND (get this) 24in long!! That's 2 whole feet at only 2 months old! Isn't that unbelievable? I can't get over it. He's outgrowing 3 mo clothes because he's so long.

Speaking of "long", when is it considered "tall" vs "long"?? LOL I guess when they can stand on their own two feet? Then it's vertical vs horizonal. haha.

He is in the 90th & 95th percentile for height and weight. Geez he's growing fast! That's probably why he sleeps so much? A growth spurt?!

He's definitely a happy & healthy bouncing baby boy for sure!

Sweet Second Month

Things are definitely getting better! He is feeling better which makes me so HAPPY!

A few little milestones~
Day 2- he's holding his own pacifier
Day 4- He smiled at Daddy the day we came home from the hospital (ya it was probably gas but nonetheless) & he's holding his head up (and getting stronger and stronger)
Week 4- He laughed out loud!
1 month- He rolled over!! I couldn't believe it! And it wasn't a fluke he did it 3x in a row!


Things are becoming real FUN. I'm not walking like a zombie anymore LOL. By the 6th week Dj and I developed a routine with the night shift. He goes to sleep around 9pm and takes over at 4am so I can get some solid sleep until he goes to work. Oh how I looooove when 4am comes around! I turn off the closet light (that I use for a night light) and cuddle up in a dark room and no baby. Real SLEEP! He slept in our bed for a week while his prevacid kicked in (Dj slept in Jayden's room)....and then it was back to his crib!

At 6 or 7 weeks I started putting him down in his crib when he needed a nap & he started falling asleep on his own (with a paci)!! I kept thinking, I love this kid! 2 weeks later he still is going to sleep on his own. Mind you that the key is to put him down in a drowsy state so I make sure I look for the signs and keep an eye on the clock.

He spent the night at my mom's for the 1st time at 7 wks. I had a mini meltdown from being tired, it was a long week and on that Friday he was up all day! Wouldn't go down. We took him over to my mom's just so we could go get a bite to eat and my mom told me she would bring him over later we were to go home and crash. Turns out he slept really well on his tummy while my mom watched over him like a hawk. He only woke up 2x! It was at that point where we started putting him on his tummy (helps with acid reflux) and he is doing AMAZING. I check on him quite frequently, I know the whole debate with SIDS....yet it's really helping him....you don't need to lecture me that this is wrong...I know... I know...

At 8 weeks he is doing GREAT! He is finally sleeping 2-5hrs at a time! Eating well, sleeping well it's amazing how far we've come and what we have been through already! Where does the time go?! He's two months old already?! Well, here's the thing...do you count by weeks? Or by the date of each month? I counted the weeks this time but it's not the 19th yet. Eventually I know I will just go by the date, it will be easier of course.

But for now... he's officially two months old!

Arrival & The 1st month

The Arrival
Having Jayden wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be, because of the c-section and I was given pain meds after 5 hrs of contracting it wasn't as extreme as I had imagined. Although if I had to continue laboring at that point with no pain meds I would have definitely been in a great deal of pain (only being at 1.5cm & 80%). The contractions were becoming fierce and I was thankful to be going the c-section route. I was ok with that, knowing I didn't want to push an approx 10lb + baby out! Now he's here, laying on my chest with my mom and Dj standing next to me, I'm speechless. I'm permanently smiling from ear to ear. He's actually here!! He looks Asian, lol. Almond eyes, and his facial features were squished, we knew he had not a lot of room in my belly (through ultrasound monitoring). I spend the next 4 days in the hospital with this little guy and I am on cloud nine. Nothing seems real yet, it hasn't clicked that I'm a mommy!! Since we live a block from the hospital Dj came home at night to get some sleep and Jayden and I spent every moment side by side. He stayed in his little bassinet right next to my bed almost the whole time. I loved snuggling with him & bonding with skin to skin contact was the best feeling ever. The night before I was going to go home, it hit me how tired I was. With tears of agreement the nurses took him to the nursery just for a little while so I could get some rest. I never thought to have done this before, it never crossed my mind. So off he went, tears rolling down my cheeks not wanting him to go yet needing some shut eye for more than an hr or two. I wake up 5 hrs later, get out of bed as quickly as I could and walk down to the nursery to find my lil man. He's fast asleep, seeing him through the window I begin to cry. I want my baby! LOL. I couldn't stand being away from him. They brought him in my room 5 min later and we were together again. Waiting for daddy to wake up to come pick us up from the hospital. =) We were going home in Uncle Jerry's special Suburban. (My Uncle that passed away in 2006, I was given his Suburban & hold it dearly to me heart). We drove home in his warm embrace.

First Week
I think the 1st week I was on an adrenaline high. Nothing seemed to phase me. I was still in shock that he was actually here! When you think about it being pregnant is completely different than actually having a baby. You take a test and find out your pregnant! Oh so exciting right? Then you wait.....and wait.....9 whole months before he/she arrives. I remember thinking at about 7 months I can't wait to have him, yet dang he's gotta come out some how! HAHA. That was the part I was semi nervous about. Of course never having gone through labor before you can only imagine what it might feel like. Once I finally conquered getting through "labor" (only having to wait 7hrs for him to arrive c-sec) my 1st job as a new mommy was being paparazzi! Taking tons of pictures (as you can see on my face book page) I was completely obsessed with catching every moment, every outfit, and every one that met him with photo ops. I am breastfeeding through bottle at this point (with difficulties latching) & supplementing with formula. He wakes every 1-2hrs and is sleeping in our bed for the most part, we couldn't help but stare at him!





Second Week
My little "sister" Tess is here for a visit! We juggle who is sleeping where in what room. Dj & I are still taking turns with the night shifts at this point. We have a twin bed in Jayden's room so who ever is on duty can sleep in his room, and the other can sleep in our bed. Played musical beds that week. Jayden developed a clogged tear duct and is really congested in his nose. We make sure he is sleeping elevated with a pillow on his back, and am now doing saline drops in his nose and we got eye drops (had to take him to urgent care when he was 8 days old). I warned Tess that this visit is going to be really different with Jayden. She's used to it being just her and I having fun girl time, going to the mall, the movies, shopping, etc. It was definitely an interesting week with her being here. I had to "pull teeth" to get her to tell me how she was doing/feeling because she was so quiet. She's 14 and I have been her "older sister" since she was born (she now lives in WA since she was 4). We are very close and it was definitely a hard week for the both of us. I start feeling sick by the end of the week. =(
Visit with Great Great Aunt Helen

Auntie Tess and Jayden



Third Week
By now Jayden & I are both sick. My stomach hurts, I'm not eating and am absolutely exhausted. Last week was a little stressful. Jayden has 2 clogged dear ducts and is still really stuffy. It's hard for him to breathe and it's making me worried and sad seeing him like that. My mom, aunt and cousin are coming over in the afternoons through out the week to watch Jayden so I can take a nap. He's starting to become more and more gassy and you can just tell he is in pain with it all. I try bicycle legs, squeezing his legs to his chest (which worked a couple times....blphh blphhh). He is clearly uncomfortable and I'm a wreck. I'm loosing weight like crazy and the night shifts are getting harder and harder to cope with. I called his Dr and we switch his formula from Enfamil Gentlease (for fussiness & gas) to Similac Alimentum (hypoallergenic for colic babies). I'm so nervous switching (this will be the 4th type we've tried) in addition to giving him gripe water and mylicon drops and finding the right bottles. It takes 2 weeks to see if it's making a difference or not. I've lost 36lbs since his birth.



Showing off being head strong



Fourth Week
Hard to tell so soon but I think the new formula is working. Although now he is screaming when spitting up! Something is wrong and I'm holding him with his scrunched red screaming face trying to console him. My mom mentions acid reflux and it makes sense. He only screams when spitting up and you can hear it come back up, it probably burns! My poor baby! We call the Dr yet again and she immediately refers us to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. We we're able to get an appt within 2 days. He tell him what is happening and he says it could be one of two things. An allergic reaction to protein (which is why we switched formula that has the protein strand broken down further) or it is acid reflux (which he is already on prevacid once a day). He checks to make sure there is no blood in the stool & increases his dose to 2x a day. We leave feeling hopeful that the increase will help. At least we know that he is thriving! He's 13lb 3oz and 21 1/2 in long! Gaining weight isn't a problem!




After 2 weeks on the new formula & prevacid 2x a day he is definitely improving! He's not squirming in discomfort and no longer screaming when spitting up (although it does happen a few times). He's becoming much happier! And so am I! It breaks your heart when there is something wrong with your child and you try to figure out what it is and how to help. By now I've lost 41lbs and am starting to feel better....

The first month was by far the toughest!! Trying to get him comfortable to sleep longer than an hr or two, and with being colicy and having acid reflux it was definitely HARDCORE to deal. But we are on the road to better days!! YAY