Madison's first cookout

Madison had her first 'Brock Cookout' on Memorial Day. She got to meet Seth, Erin and Toomey (who bought her the adorable bonnet she wore to the cookout). She also got a chance to meet her future boyfriend Joey (inlaws Kristin and Aaron):


The cookout was short and sweet and much different than any other Brock event. There wasn't even Jagermeister on the property! The last thing I can imagine doing at this point is drinking and then trying to tend to crying baby! Not to say that I won't arrange a 'girls' trip to margarittaville soon... but the cocktail craving has not yet returned.

Jason and I continue to talk about the life transformation of having a baby. When people said it before, we didn't really pay much attention because maybe it was tough for 'them', but everyone is different, right? I don't think we ever even imagine how having a newborn around changes your life and your schedule. Going to starbucks has an entirely different meaning than it did a month ago. We could actually plan an entire day focused around getting into the car, driving to Starbucks, going through the DRIVE THRU and returning home safely. It's amazing how few things are actually worth the effort that it takes to do at this point!

Grandma Wells (or Nanna as she would like to be called) is going to babysit Madison on Saturday afternoon or early evening so dad and I can go on a date. It will be a strange feeling to be alone together again! We might actually have a chance to talk (that isn't in a whisper because baby is sleeping or in a scream to try to hear each other over baby crying). Thank god for grandparents!

Hot Summer Days...

So, when you buy a house built in 1910, they oftentimes don't come equipped with central air....Imagine that! So, we have to do things the old fashion way-- wear as little clothes as possible-- plug in all the fans-- and crank up the window air conditioners! Madison seemed to enjoy her first 'sweaty day'. We went for a long walk around the neighborhood (which usually puts her to sleep-- the bumpier the better!)--- and then it was time for a little TV in front of the fan--- with just her diaper on! These are the kind of pictures dad and I will be able to use as blackmail someday--- especially when the idea of dating and boyfriends comes up (which won't happen until she's 30 I'm sure)!

Catching some zzzzzz's

It's amazing how days are defined with a newborn. Eat- sleep- cry- eat- sleep- go to the bathroom- eat- sleep-- and repeat. I feel myself reverting back to newborn status at times. I have finally given in to Madison's schedule and have abandoned any hope of accomplishing anything during these days. It has actually made life a little easier to have absolutely no expectations of getting anything done. Then when I do find an opportunity to shower or go to the bathroom-- it's like a mini celebration of getting something done! Otherwise, I too have built my days around eating, sleeping, going the bathroom... I'm actually beginning to celebrate my own burps and farts too!

It's been a little tough with dad having to get up and go to work these days. 2am feedings are no longer enjoyable for him. It's also a little tough because the time he gets to spend with Madi is limited. He comes home at 4:30ish and has only a few hours to spend with her before we're all ready for bed... and lately it has been some of her fussiest times. He doesn't get to see her day that's full of cute faces and reactions and naps and snuggly time.... only how she choses to spend the last few hours of her day. If only we could both have 6 weeks of maternity leave!

Madison has actually been a really good sleeper. I have nothing to compare it to.... but it seems to me that she's doing pretty well. For the most part she wakes up long enough to interact a little, get her diaper changed, eat, burp, and then she falls to sleep again. She usually sleeps 3-4 hours at a time... and has even thrown in a few 5-6 hour blocks here and there. At night, we all go to bed around 10 and then she'll usually stay out until 2ish... only to wake up/ eat and back to sleep until it's time for dad to get up and go to work... she usually sleeps in her carseat in between jason and I... but I've taken her out a few times to snuggle sleep by me just on the bed... which I know can be dangerous, but I actually find that I don't really deep sleep when she's like that... it's more like a zone out time for me... with constant checks at how she is doing... with lingering thoughts of how adorable she is, especially when she's sleeping...

Madison's First Doctor's Visit!

Our first venture out was on Monday, May 21. We took Madison in for her first appointment with Dr.Sinopoli. They checked her temperature, weight, reflexes, height, etc... and everything looks great! She weighed in at a healthy 10 pounds! The doctor said to keep up the feedings and that a good healthy baby like her needs to eat a lot... we're feeding her similac soy forumla (with a little pumped milk here and there). Breast feeding was a nightmare so we transitioned to pumping... which was even more of a nightmare with my fatigue and wooziness from the bloodloss... so we went to formula... and I'm now pumping just a little here and there because I feel much better (my blood levels are already up to 9 and 30!!).

Anyway, Madison was a rock star at the doctor's office. She was calm, quiet, and half asleep. I'm sure it will be that way every time!

Baby Brock is here!!

At 3:37pm on Saturday, May 12th, Madison Anne Brock arrived! The family was anxiously awaiting her arrival... after a long (33 hours + labor and delivery). The family got to see dad give Madison her first bath after the nurses were through making guesses as to how much our little bundle of cheeks weighed! 9 pounds 13 ounces.... no wonder my belly was so giant!!



It was a few hours after the delivery before I actually got to snuggle with Madison. My body did quite do what it was supposed to right after the c-section, I had some extra bleeding which kept me in the recovery room until almost 10pm. So Grandpa Andrules and Grandma Wells stayed with Madison until dad and I could take over. Jason and I were so thankful to have them there to hold and rock Madison for her first few hours of life in the real world.