Paxton is 1 month

Here is our little guy . . .
(I know, deer in the headlights look. Not so flattering. They just can't help it at this age. And when he's awake, he is ALERT!)
Well, I am a few days behind on this post. We were out of town this past weekend and things have just been really busy. So now I am trying to catch up on some things, like the blog.

What can I tell you about Paxton at 1 month? He has been a joyful addition to our family. He has been with us now a little over 2 weeks. I hope that he now knows that I am his momma forever and ever. I think he might know that he has me wrapped around his pinkie finger. So far, he loves to be held. Prefers it actually. My mom says that he has nails in his bed. He has slept in our bed probably more than his bassinet. And that's just not my style, normally. To each his own bed. That's my theory and my preference. But wanting to bond, having some tummy issues and getting a cold last week, I have just given in. He fusses and fusses in his bassinet, unless he is on his tummy (which we won't do at night). And then I take him out of the bassinet, snuggle up with him in the crook of my arm and he lets out a big sigh and drifts off to sleep. That's what the fuss was about. He just wanted to cuddle! So we are enjoying our cuddly boy.

Today we will start Paxton on his 5th formula. It will be only his 3rd since he has been in our home. And we're going soy. He's having some tummy issues, as I mentioned, and I really hope this formula does the trick. I hate to continue switching things up on him. But my mom tells me that I was on 7 different formulas before they found a match for me. So I guess, all in all, it's not a huge deal. Paxton has definitely rolled with the punches around here and gone with the flow. The day he came home to us we changed: his bottle type, pacifier type and formula. Bam bam bam! He didn't hesitate with any of it. He has been a trooper!

Holden is loving him. Being sweet, gentle and careful around his baby brother. It's fun to watch. He is learning from us how we handle a tiny, little baby. I am getting a better grasp each day on this mommy of 2 thing. There are times that are challenging and they both have needs. And they both think they are immediate needs. And then there are times like now . . . when they're both sleeping. :) But we are getting the hang of things. And honestly, I am beyond thrilled that I can call these 3 boys my family! Such a blessing!

loving on this boy!
And a little updated family picture because we needed to get one to our agency this week.

Yes, all of these pictures are from today! It's not very often that my hair and makeup get done these days. So if pictures need to be taken, it kind of happens all at once. Speaking of pictures, we did get newborn pictures/family pictures done last Friday. A wonderful photographer that is adopted herself. We had lots to talk about! And I will have to tell you more about her in another post. Some of you adoptive families in the city need to know about the photographers involved in Celebrate Adoption. It equals cheap/free pictures. Anyways, another post, I promise.

Weekend in Texas

We spent this past weekend house hunting. My parents kept the boys all day Saturday and most of the day Monday while Jeremy and I looked for a house for our growing family. It sure is alot harder this time . . . really wanting the house to accommodate a family of 4+ rather than just a comfortable place for the 2 of us. Not to mention, we have to consider school districts and other factors that we really didn't put much thought into when buying our first house. Anyways, it was absolutely exhausting and honestly we didn't have much luck. We will probably head back in a couple of weeks and go at it again. It was hard because we were circling the big city and there are SO MANY suburbs. We really didn't even know which direction we wanted to be. I think we're beginning to get that decision narrowed down and we hopefully we will find a house soon. Our current house has moved into contract (after less than 2 weeks on the market!!), so we might all be homeless come the first of November. ;)
Anyways, here are a few pictures from a great weekend at my parents house. They loved having the boys at their house, though I know it kept them busy. While feeding the little one every 3 hours and chasing the other one for 2 hours at a time . . . it's just busy. But they said they enjoyed it. I don't think Paxton was hardly put down this weekend. They enjoyed some cuddle time with him.
The first night at about 10pm, Holden woke up screaming. I think he was overly exhausted from our drive and maybe had a bad dream. Anyways, it was very unusual for him. I took the opportunity to cuddle with him. Poppa J took the opportunity as well. I love those moments! With Holden they are not so common anymore.I just loved this picture. Jeremy had said something funny to my dad. And as you will see, Holden spent alot of time in Poppa J and Nana's laps this weekend.Nana reading a book to her boys.Nana gave Holden a sink bath after playing outside on the tire swing. He LOVES bath time! We had a few visitors of those that wanted to meet our Paxton. Aunt Phi Phi came over on Saturday while we were away looking at houses. She brought the boys gifts and got to meet Paxton for the first time. This is my dad's only sibling and she also adopted my cousin 30 years ago, so it's a special connection. Some of our very best friends, Josh and Amanda drove out to my parents house on Sunday afternoon. Jeremy had never met their little Camryn. And she is an absolute doll! Here is their little family with Paxton. It was so good to see them and we are so excited to be near them again, very soon. Josh and Paxton share a birthday. We missed Josh's 30th celebration this year. I promised that we would be there for his 31st (since we knew we were moving closer). And now with the way things have unfolded, I have also promised Josh his own smash cake at Paxton's birthday party. Who knew!We also were able to stop at my sisters house, so Paxton could meet cousins Carson and Cameron and then Uncle Dan and Aunt Amy. It was a quick stop and I took no pictures. But the sister did send a few. Look at these 4 boy cousins! There just missing there 2 + 1 on the way girly girl cousins.It was really a great weekend. Though we didn't accomplish what we set out for, we got to see some family and friends and make some introductions with Paxton. And we did actually make some progress and some decisions for this house hunt. Better luck next time.

my boys.

People have been asking how Holden has done with this new adjustment. He has really done great! Better than I ever expected. He tries to help, by handing us the bottle, the paci and checking on him when he cries. He is so patient when I have to tend to Pax. He has always been pretty independent so he has handled these changes like a champ. And I see each day that he is falling in love with his little brother. The first few days he had no interest. But now he gets close to him, leans in, pats his head. And it's pretty sweet to watch. Here are few pictures of my boys (soon-to-be best friends)!

Some rest for the weary . . .

With a precious newborn in the house, I have been a little weary. We haven't found a gentle formula for Paxton's sensitive tummy and so he has had a tough time lately. We went to the doctor today and she switched his formula and we hope this is his cure. Oh how I am going to miss our pediatrician SO MUCH!! I mentioned before that Paxton hasn't wanted to sleep alone. In fact, he has wanted to be held ALOT. The doctor said it's probably a painful tummy (she listened to it rumbling around) and he just wants to be comforted. Can't argue with that! Comforting and holding, we can do! But last night I had Jeremy put together the swing. Paxton slept for 2.5 hours in that swing so content and quiet. I think we will try it again tonight. Believe it or not, 2.5 hours has been a record here lately.
Here he is chilled out in the swing. Holden didn't ever absolutely love it. I have a feeling we will get much use out of it with Pax. Not sure if you can tell, but he is kind of holding in his paci. So protective of that thing! :)

Something new for baby Pax

So we have a name for his wall. For Holden, we did cute little letters above his crib. Which I still love and they will go with him to his next room. But for Paxton, we are using the same complete nursery. Same furniture. Same bedding. Basically, the same room. It will just be in a different house. :) I'm not complaining. This was always my intention. My mom put way too much time and effort into it to be done with it after 2 years (or 18 months - whatever). I had her make something that I thought was neutral so I could use it with more than 1 child. Anyways, I wanted something new and different for Paxton's new room in our future new house (that we will be hunting for this weekend). As the little brother he has tons of hand me downs. Which is fantastic! But everyone needs something new, right?! Holden's friend, Lyndon, has a cute little hand-painted sign in his room with his name on it. So his momma, Daysha, connected me with Brittany that makes these cute signs. Brittany went over the different options with me and then she got to work. Jeremy went by today to pick up the sign and pay for it. And guess what? It was free. Sweet Daysha bought it for little Pax as a gift. And I LOVE IT! It's something new and different for his hand-me-down room. And I can't say it enough - I love it! See for yourself . . .
Thank you Daysha for this wonderful gift. You are too good to us!

Who looks good in green?

I find this guy pretty darn cute. And I can't keep my lips of those tiny, round cheeks.

All by myself . . .

Yesterday was the test to see if I could do this thing all by myself. The day went well and we even had some friends over to play. But if you could have seen me that morning, I wasn't singing that same tune. Holden is extremely active and BUSY. He is in to absolutely everything. We haven't locked up cabinets and drawers because we knew we would be moving soon and so it seemed like a waste of time. But we have said several times in the last month, "next house we're putting locks on everything". We just can't seem to keep him out of the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and whatever else he can find to rummage through. He can make a mess real quick. See for yourself . . . .

Monday's mess!

By the way, I keep all medicines way out of reach of little ones. But I had some Children's Imodium AD tucked away in his room and Holden found it. He was running around the house shaking it up and somehow it came open. It went everywhere and Holden was slipping and sliding in it. My life is now busy enough without an extra mess on the floors and an extra morning bath for Holden. But so it goes, I suppose. One day later and it's already funny. I knew it would be with time, that's why I paused to take a picture. I made Holden sit in the mess while I ran his bathwater. And sweet Paxton just chilled in his bouncy seat the entire time. So how is that for day 1?