Happy...

Mattox's 1st trip to lake!

Sam's 1st trip in the boat!

Sarah terrorizing MC with a crawfish! ha!

All the kiddos being sprayed with the water hose!

Sam, Jack, Sarah, Mati Claire, and Jordan Ann! minus Mattox!

Happy Birthday to Matt! and Happy Memorial Day! and we had a good time at the lake this past weekend! Happy times! Luckily the weather cooperated most of the time so we still got to soak up the sun. We had a house full with friends and awesome food!

Give me 5 minutes

Some guys seriously don't have a clue what its like to stay at home with multiple children. This post be a bit TMI, but I'm apologizing for that. I'm also apologizing to Matt again for snapping this morning.

He got off work this morning and went grocery shopping (which I didn't ask him to do) and brought home donuts for breakfast - so you would think it would be the beginning of a pleasant morning. After pulling an all-nighter with Mattox (he woke up every 3 hours), I woke up around the same time Matt got home. Mattox's pajamas were wet, he was fussy since he hadn't burped, and had a very stinky diaper. I haven't brushed my teeth, hadn't gone to the bathroom, haven't had a shower in over 3 days (Wednesday was the last one I remember and I'm not positive about that), haven't had sleep, and I'm covered in spitup in numerous places. So I hand him over to Matt telling him it was his turn. What does Matt say??? "Give me 5 minutes"

WTH? Give YOU 5 minutes? How 'bout you give ME 5 minutes??? I can't go to the bathroom in peace, I can't find time to brush my teeth much less shower, I argue with a 3 year old for hours and hours, I can't figure out how I'm going to buy Matt's birthday present next week because I'm not sure if a double stroller will fit through department stores' aisles, I can't go grocery shopping because groceries won't fit in a buggy with 2 kids, I'm not sure how long I've been wearing the same pair of panties for crying out loud!!!! And to add to that, let me stop in the middle of all of it EVERY 3 hours to whip my boobs out and breastfeed a baby for 30 minutes and pray I don't leak when I do!!!

Breathe.

After that meltdown, Matt let me sleep for a few more hours. I feel better. I understand and appreciate that he works nights - and works period. I apologized for snapping off. I'm just not sure he understands what its like for me to sit in the bathrom potty training MC while breastfeeding a baby... or change a diaper with your eyes closed even though the lights are off ... or manage to cook dinner while simultaneously feeding a 3 year old, burping a newborn, load the dishwasher, all while being yelled at by my 3 year old...and doing it in the most positive of attitudes with a smile on my face for fear of not living up to the ideal wife.

Honey, our wedding anniversary is coming up in 2 weeks. Here's a hint: give me 5 minutes!

Catching Up

If only I could catch up on sleep...a girl can dream, right? Last night was probably the best night we've had so far: he slept from 10pm to 5am!! Wow. We have been so busy, so I'll try to catch up on here.

Baby Dedication Day/Mother's Day/2 mo. checkup

Mattox turned 2 months on Mother's Day last week. He also had his 2 month shots. Ugh! He handled them well. We thought he cried worse over laying him on the cold table to be measured! He weighs 12 lbs even and is 23 1/2 in long! Momma's got a big sweet boy! He was dedicated at Morrison Heights Baptist Church that Sunday. To be a part of the service, we read Voddie Baucham's book Family Driven Faith . It is an excellent read for re-inspiring your goals as a Christian family. I thought it was a tiny bit extreme on some points but I agreed with the changes that need to be made. We are in the process of implementing some of these changes in our home! Yay! Fate also jumped in the form of Mrs. Darlene. They asked me to help out with the 3 mo. stint of nursery duty this summer. As new parents, specifically a newborn, I have been procrastinating in this area (for lack of sleep mainly) but because of the commitment. And also because that many 3 year olds scare me. But God has stepped in to remind me that I shouldn't skip church because I'm lazy and tired. Here are a few pics of the Dedication service. Mattox did well until the very end - his diaper leaked all over Matt's shirt.

Probably smiling because it was all over! ;)

Trip to TN/Kerigan's Graduation/Kennedy's Birthday Party

Also Mattox's first road trip! He slept the entire way back so I can't complain. My niece turned 4 last weekend and my other niece graduated from Kindergarten! I can't believe she'll be in FIRST grade this fall! Kennedy's party was at the Knoxville Zoo. All I can say about that is May heat + first time pushing a new double stroller UPhill + 2 kids (neither of which are potty trained) + breastfeeding = alot of hard work! Mati Claire got to ride a camel which was interesting. Luckily Mom was with me to help me out!!! Happy Birthday Kennedy!

The birthday girl!

Kerigan, her friend Allie, and MC riding the camel

This And That

We are looking forward to Matt's birthday next weekend and celebrating Memorial Weekend with lots of friends at the lake! Can't wait to soak up the sun!

Here's a pic of Mattox rolling from front to back for the first time...I just happen to be holding the camera when he did it. He LOVES tummy time!!!

New Header

Thanks to Jeanelle for creating a new blog header. She makes my life so much easier.

Not much else has changed here. I can honestly say that I am enjoying Mattox more and more each day. He is becoming more pleasant to be around and is starting to "talk" to us. He is becoming such a sweetheart...or maybe just my sweetheart. I could kiss his cheeks off! I wish I could bottle that baby smell (excluding the diapers) - is that weird?

MC on the other hand could talk enough for all 4 of us. She just doesn't stop. I'm sad there's only like 3 days of MDO left. Thank heavens for "Chachel"! She is going to help entertain her this summer! Our summer mission: swimming lessons and potty training!!!!!!!!! Mattox's summer mission: learning to sleep all night (in his own crib)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha! I've got my work cut out for me.

Sweeter with Time

Not sure if Mattox is getting better or I'm just getting used to it...probably both. This is the face that we normally see (aka grumpy dwarf):

But lately we've been seeing more of this (aka happy):

It is so nice to see him smile...makes me feel like I'm doing something right. He's definitely finding my soft side - and the bond is definitely getting stronger. See if you can follow my train of thought here the other day: I was looking at his birth announcement the day they came in(while nursing him) - looking at how I gave this child 4 names -- they barely fit on the card --- he's doomed the rest of his life with trying to fit his full name on things ---- like his wedding invitation ---- if he ever gets married ------ boy, his fiance is going to hate me when it comes to that ------- his fiance??? ------- all of a sudden I felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck --------why does it bother me so bad that he might one day get married? ------ no girl will ever be good enough for him. Why don't I think of Mati Claire like this? Why does the son-in-law not scare me half as bad as the daughter-in-law? Mrs. Paula, I feel your pain. Hopefully I met the standard. ha!!

And the winner is...

My 3 year old! She wins by a landslide on who can drive me the craziest! Her tantrums have become unbelievable! We tried "time out in the corner" which seems to be working. I don't even time how long she's there...she has to stay until she stops crying. I can't take it. Today, my MIL gave her a pad of paper to play with (hmmm...maybe she inherited my love of paper). Anyway, for the ENTIRE way home (which takes a good 10 minutes) all I heard was "Momma I got paper...Momma I got paper...paper...Momma? Momma? Momma I got paper..." repeatedly!!!! I didn't know someone could repeat themselves that many times. And if you don't acknowledge her - it only gets worse. Seriously, God bless the 3 year old preschool teachers, daycare workers, kindergarten teachers, and all you other mommas out there!

Mattox has been so fussy and it seemed to be getting worse. After several nights of only getting an hour of sleep here and there, I talked to a friend on Facebook about breastfeeding (thought I had that figured out). She gave me the website about overproduction of milk supply. **sshhh...I hear choir bells*** Long story short - Mattox and I are tweaking a few things during feedings and things SEEM to be getting better. I never knew an oversupply of milk could be a problem!! But he slept better last night, was happier today, and has less gas and burps. We'll see if it keeps up! It might also explain why he weighs 11.4 pounds already!!!!

Love yall but I need to squeeze a night nap in while both kids are asleep!

Counting to 10

My sister was right. I spaced my kids' ages out perfectly. MC has hit the terrible 3's at the exact time I have a newborn. I'm not sure which is worse. Today, they both woke up screaming at the same time...and it has continued ALL day. Mattox has colic but I'm beginning to think he's just a very fussy baby (colic or not). He fights going to sleep. Seriously, he's 5 weeks old - why fight it? I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown. One won't stop whining and throwing fits, the other won't stop crying. At the moment, my stress outlet is blogging while ignoring the chaos. To make myself feel better - I am attempting to get back in shape. Really. I went back to the gym yesterday and even though I'm so sore today I can't walk, it makes me feel better. And today I soaked up the sun while MC played. Ahh, vitamin D is gooooood.

Here's a belated birthday wish to my sister! Heather, you are right! Happy Birthday! hahaha! she turned 35 this past weekend! sheesh. We've also had visits from both great-grandmothers this past week. Not sure if I mentioned this earlier, but Matt's grandfather died the night before Mattox was born. My MIL brought it to my attention that they missed each other by ~12 hours. Mattox was also born on my parents' 37th wedding anniversary! Just FYI.

I ordered birth announcements yesterday and I am SOOO excited. Jeanelle did a good job. Coming soon to a mailbox near you. I heart paper. Why is that? I know I'm not the only one with a stationary/office supply/paper fetish. Weird...but again, it makes me feel better!

Looking forward to more beautiful weather and going to the lake! Can't wait for the pool water to warm up! I need summer therapy.