Arms Up

When Maddox was born, my hubby and I were intrigued by Your Baby Can Read program. We were not as intrigued by the price of the full program, almost $400 for everything. I had met some mom's who had 1 1/2 year olds actually reading words and they would demonstrate to prove it. Since we are on a budget, my incredible husband began to look for the program on EBAY. One day, he found a complete program unopened and of course we went for it and he was a master at winning the bid. $145 later- it was being shipped to our door. Maddox was 4 months old when he started the program and it became a part of his daily routine- right after playtime in the morning and before his nap. I have the first video memorized "Hi, my name is Aleka. We are going to spell some words". And yes, HI was the first word on the video.

Another phrase that is repeated in the first DVD is "ARMS UP, Can you put your arms up"? We always say that to Maddox, just playing around. Even my parents and my brother kinda make fun of us always saying and showing the words "Arms Up" and demonstrating the action for Maddox.

Today we were completely surprised when Maddox showed us this....



Needless to say, the program is working. I can't explain the feeling I had when my little man showed us what he is learning. If you have ever wondered about the program or considered purchasing it, I highly recommend.

My little boy is half a year old!

It seems like yesterday all he did was sleep and now all he wants to do is play.Today he is 6 months old. Where has time gone.

Maddox loves...
Mommy and Daddy
Soho (our new dog... he has taken to her- he likes Manny too but Soho is different for him)
Baby Einstein
Apples or Green Peas (made by Mommy)
Any kind of drink with a straw in it
Watermelon
Snuggling with Mommy every morning
Swimming with Daddy

He is our sweet sweet boy. I adore watching him grow up. Just wish it would slow down a bit.

Exhausted!

I came home from a really busy day at work, and it was time to make dinner. Shaun wanted to cut the grass, so I put Maddox in the kitchen floor to hang out with me in his BUMBO. He loves to be in the Bumbo and it keeps him active and happy during busy moments. I was cooking away and saying to myself, "I am EXHAUSTED". I turned around and saw this...





Clearly, I was not the only Strickland exhausted a 7 pm last night. My sweet boy crashed out right in the middle of the kitchen.

I'll Keep Um'!

Nerf shootin, Transformer lovin, loud cryin, attention needin, hungry feedin... I wouldn't take anything in this world for these boys. I am IN LOVE!

My favorite things Part 3- BEING A MOMMY

Today, I celebrated my very first Mother's Day, so what a perfect day to tell you that BEING A MOMMY is definitely on my favorites list. I never dreamed in a million years that I would be blessed with such a beautiful little boy. Maddox brightens up even the shadiest days and never fails to make me smile.

Today, we spent time with my Mom and then spent the afternoon taking pictures at the SOUTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDENS. What a beautiful day to take the camera out and play with my sweet sweet boy!

Here are a few to share!







Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms!

Future Moms! You don't always need what you think you do!

About 9 months ago, I began the search for all the baby items that I HAD to have. My mother-in-law and I jumped in the car and made our way to BABIES R US to get Baby Strickland registered for everything he and I would need. From the moment that I walked in, I was overwhelmed. Strollers, bottles, diapers, cribs and car seats galore, all neatly in place in the store to ensure an easy find.

Now grant it, I know I have only been a Mommy for 3 months, so I don't pretend to know everything. However, some things that I HAD to have in the end I really didn't need at all. Other things, I chose by how great it looked (I mean I wanted to be a sassy mom with my perfect stroller) rather than whether or not it was truly the easiest and best item to have.

So, with so many of my friends having little ones these days, and all you other ladies who may be expecting and on the search for all your wants and needs- here is my advice...

1. Eddie Bauer Travel System $279.00

While this Eddie Bauer travel seems great, it really ended up being a pain in my rear end. We chose this system because of it's ease in folding up. It seemed light at the time and the infant car seat seemed perfect for Maddox for a while.
I was wrong-
-Car seat is so hard to fasten once baby was in it. And seemed to get heavier with a baby in it duh!
-Stroller was huge! Not to mention more complicated to fold and put in car once you had a crying baby in your arms

What we ended up purchasing to make out lives easier:
Combi Stroller $99.00
This stroller is only 13 lbs and folds up and can be carried on my shoulder. To top it off, it will carry the weight of Maddox for a long long time. Sure it does not have a million and half bells and whistles but it is AMAZING.
The Combi Stroller


Check out how tight it folds

Note: You can also order accessories for this stroller ie. infant car seat etc.

This car seat rocks: Evenflo Symphony $125.00
=Simple, and easy to get baby in and out of
-Adjust from 5 lbs up to 100 lbs


2. Graco Sweet Soothing Swing $169.00
-Great swing, cozy, cute
-Music, IPOD compatible
-Various speeds and swings multiple directions


While this was great for us, Unfortunately, we lost it in our house fire. We didn't realize how much easier a swing could be until we got a temporary replacement with this one:
Bright Start Travel Swing $59.00
-We love that it folds right up and can travel with us anywhere we go.
-Plays soothing music just like the Graco
-7 speeds and visual toys for baby to see and play


3. Medela breast pump $275.00
-Many people told me to wait and not buy one til I knew for sure if breast feeding would be successful. I didn't listen.
-I should have rented a hospital grade pump until I was 100% confident that I would use it a lot.
Take my advice... wait to purchase!


4. Bottles and Pacifiers
-You think you will know what kind of bottles and pacifiers that your baby will like but mark my words, 9 times out of 10 you will be wrong.
Funny, we went through 4 different type bottles before we found the right kind for Maddox. He was very picky.

We ended up with these and he loves them:
MAM Anti Colic Bottles 3/$12.99



These things Maddox and I can't live without!!!!
1. Baby Bjorn $75.00 or in my case a hand me down that I am most thankful for!


2. Angel Care Monitor $169.00
-Detects movement, temp of room and breathing
-PEACE OF MIND!

ps. there is no reason to have a monitor that is video... unless you sleep with your eyes open.

3.Nap Nanny $129.00
-Helps with fussiness, gas, colic, acid reflux and stuffiness
-Maddox slept all night for the first time in THIS!


4.Fisher Price Soothe and Glow Seahorse $14.99
-Calms Maddox in worst of times
-Puts him right to sleep
-Makes him smile!
-We named him GILLY
-We have 2 of them (just in case we lose one)


Hope this helps!

Loving our NAP NANNY

Maddox has been a little fussy and has had a lot of stuffiness in his nose. It was recommended to us to purchase the new craze in baby seating... Nap Nanny.

So, we researched and purchased our (what seemed to be overpriced) soft and colorful Nap Nanny and let me say, it was the best thing we could have ever got for our sweet little bundle of joy. Not only is it fashionably cute, but it has been a life saver!

You may ask... what is a nap nanny?

Nap Nanny elevates baby 30 degrees, which is recommended by doctors* for babies with:
* reflux
* colic
* colds or stuffiness
* gas
* ear infections

I can't imagine not having the Nap Nanny in our home for Maddox. It comes in a few designs like these...





OR... simple solid colors as well.

Hugs,
Chas

Maddox week 4

Maddox week 3

My growing boy!

Maddox week 2

My boys. I snapped this picture and fell in love with both of them all over again.


At two weeks old, Maddox is so much more alert. He is growing up too fast!

Update

Sorry I have not been posting much, but it has been tough getting used to having a little one to take care of. Needless to say, we are exhausted. I am healing well from my C-section and taking it as easy as I can. Breastfeeding has been frustrating to say the least. A lot of the frustration is because little Maddox just is not strong enough yet to latch on. We also had to cup feed while in the hospital because they thing his jaundice was caused by my breast milk.

He cup feeds really well and it is amazing to see how even the youngest child can actually drink from a cup if given a chance.

Here is a video clip.

We are HOME

Maddox and Manhattan have finally met. We were discharged from the hospital 1 week after Maddox was born. It has been a long 7 days. I am so glad to be home with my boys.

We want to come home!

Maddox and I will be staying at ANMED longer than we really want to. The Dr. wants to keep Maddox for observation because of his jaundice. His bilirubin levels are too high and they think that if he stays that it will be easier and better for us in the end. We will keep you posted on everything. Please be in prayer so we can be home as a family.

Hugs,
Chas

Baby Strickland is born!

Hi All!
Maddox Caden Strickland arrived into this world at 12:13 pm on 1/28/2009. He weighed 6.5 and was 19 3/4 in length. He has tons of jet black hair which attributed to the many months of indigestion for Chas :)

The delivery was a tricky one, having to have an emergency C Section after 24 hours of labor. Maddox's heart rate was too low during pushing to proceed naturally. But in the end, we have a beautiful baby boy!

Mommy and Baby are recovering well, and Daddy is on cloud 9.

Thank you all for your prayers over the past few months.

PS. The nurses in the nursery all fight over him because he is so handsome. They say he is the most beautiful baby on the floor. We agree!

Hugs,
Chas

I am ready to POP!!!!

It is hard to believe that I will soon be a mom. Dr. Hearn told me today that we will need to induce labor early due to my increasing blood pressure and swelling. I have been on bed rest for what seems like forever, and am so ready to have Maddox here with us. Tomorrow, I check into the hospital and will bring this baby boy into the world.

This is the only picture I have of me pregnant. I love this picture that Shaun took. It was actually taken in Maddox's room.

Maddox's Nursery finally complete

After months of creativity, Shaun and I put the finishing touches on Maddox's nursery. It is not the usual baby's room, but we love it and can't imagine anything else for him.

I started out with wall paintings that were filled with vibrant colors that would draw the eye in. I found two paintings at Homegoods and knew right then and there that that would be the inspiration for his room. I purchased the paintings for $49.00 each and went home all smiles:). Once I got home I began to research the paintings and found Natasha Wescoat online. We don't think we have an original... as her originals go for about $1200.00 a pop.

Hugs,
Chas

PS. I love catching my husband in the baby's room at night. I think he loves it just as much as I do! Or... it could be that he wants to play with Maddox's toys.