Happy Wednesday Smiling Boy!

Back to School Cook out...Maddie Starts Kindergarten

My sister had a Back to School Cook Out this past Saturday night. We decided to have a little party to get some couples together so the kids could play but also so that the adults could hang out. Most importantly we celebrated that my sweet little Maddie starts Kindergarten today. It is so hard to believe. Madeleine is so special to me. We have such a special aunt and niece bond that I am so thankful for. She is one of the true lights of my life. My heart is so happy for her for her big day today. My heart is also breaking a little for my sister who I know is just beside herself today with nervousness. Maddie has grown up so quick and she is really turning into such a little lady. I cant wait to hear how her big day went today. Here are some pics from Saturday. It was the first time that we got pictures of all the cousins together. Those girls love their little man!

Our Big Girl is all smiles!

CousinsUh Oh...Kissing Cousins!

I LOVE THIS ONE!

Aunt Nat getting all the little mans Sugars!

Im Ready to Party!

"I got a feeling...."

"That tonights gonna be a good good night!" The popular words of the new black eyed peas song have been sung at our house right before bed time for the past few nights. Regardless of if that is the trick that is working or if my little guy is just growing up and sleeping longer stretches on his own we are loving the extra hour he has added to each stretch of sleep the past few nights.

Sweet Dreams little man!

7 Weeks today!

I never thought I would say so often WOW the time really flies by but the past 7 weeks have been the fastest 7 weeks of my life. At times it has seemed to drag on but truly it has just flown by. Today I thought about something my Dad says all the time...Time Flies when your having fun! It has been hard work, it has been trying at times, it has been scary at times but more than anything it has been a whole lot of FUN. That is why the time has gone so fast. I made a promise to myself today to really try and enjoy every moment, to try and take each moment I have with Maddox in and to HAVE FUN! Greg and I think we have somewhat turned a corner with Maddox this week. His sleeping has drastically improved, his belly has been hurting a little less, he has been substantially less fussy and most rewardingly (I know that's not a word but I want it to be so I'm using it) he looks in our eyes and smiles so many times during the day. Obviously there are still challenges everyday but with each small step he makes in the forward direction means the future continues to look brighter and brighter and whole lot more FUN! We love all 7 weeks of you Maddox!

Girls Night for Me = Boys night at the Nurses

I got together with my neighbor girlfriends last night for a little girls night in. We had a fabulous time. We drank wine chatted and laughed a lot. We promised to make a point to try and do it at least once a month. It was a nice treat for me. In the meantime that meant boys night in at the Nurse house. Before I left Greg told me that he had to go get Maddox ready for boys night. I said OK whatever that means. A few minutes later I found out what that meant. He brought Maddox out in shoes and a hat. It was the cutest sight to see. They had a great night. It is so fun for me to watch Maddox love his Daddy and so amazing to watch Greg love his little protege.

A few of Maddoxs best shots this week!

Maddox is always so content with his Uncle Dwaine

Funny Face Time!

I love the innocence in his precious eyes! He really looks like his Dad in this pic!

The Banfields come to Texas

Gregs cousin Lincoln and his wife Jessica traveled to Texas this past weekend with their 2.1 kiddos (Jessica is expecting in early 2010...congrats) for a family vacation. We got to spend so much time with them and of course they got to meet the newest addition to the family. We cooked out at our house two night and then on Saturday we spent the day at Kris & Dwaines and then went to the Ranger game...sans baby! It was the first time both Greg and I have been away from the Baby together for any length of time. It was such a fun day but we certainly missed our little monster....I only called and texted to check on him a million times.

Here is the Banfields at the Ranger game.

Mason , Alex & Maddox

I love how Mason is checking Maddox out in this picture. He really loved meeting his new baby cousin. Alex has grown up so much since we saw him last and both Greg and I were so impressed at what a little adult he is turning into.

She brought Iced Tea to Boot!

We have been so blessed to be showered with so much love and support during the past six weeks as we transition into our new lives as parents. We have received the most generous gifts, flowers, cards and more food than we could eat! It is so overwhelming to sit back and think about all the amazing people we have in our lives. I had to dedicate a quick post to a special friend of mine. Ashley and I have been friends for ten years now...hard to believe. We were sorority sisters and more importantly than that we have developed a friendship that is so important to me. Ashley and I also worked together for quite a few years. When we were working together at the Courtyard in Lubbock Ashley would come in every afternoon and make me iced tea and lots of lemons (she even squeezed them in my tea for me b/c I hate doing that). She always did it because she knew that was my favorite afternoon treat. So you have to imagine how fitting and special it was that when she and Carlos came to meet Maddox last weekend she brought a pitcher of iced tea and a bag of cut up lemons (Don't worry I didn't ask her to squeeze them in my tea). This may seem so simple and unimportant but it is a true example of the kind of friend that Ashley is. I don't know anyone who thinks of others more than herself and I don't know anyone who will do all the little things to make someones day like my dear friend Ashley. Ashley has been there for me during some rough patches and we have shared some really great laughs and memories together. She is a true friend and one who I know will be in my life for such a long time. Thanks Ashley for reminding me so often the true meaning of friendship....and for the iced tea (with lemons). Cork sisters for life!

Ashley and Carlos meet Maddox!

4 Jewell Generations & Maddox Meets his Great Grandparents

Im a little behind on my updates so here we go... Two weekends we had a special visit from My Meme and Papa (my dads parents). They traveled into town especially to meet there first great grandson. It was so special to me that they got to meet him. We spent lots of time together over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon we all went to Mom and Dads for a cook out. It was great fun and we took some family pictures that I will truly treasure for a lifetime.

This is four generations of Jewell

Back - Natalie, Dad, Amy, Me

Front - Papa holding Lizzie, Madeliene holding Maddox, Meme holding emma

Mem and Papa with all the grand and great grand kids.

The Whole Jewell, Gass & Nurse clan!

I know Maddox will truly apprecaite this picture when he is much older. Priceless!

Life sure is sweet!

Has a shark on anyones Bottom ever looked so cute?

Im all smiles today!

One Month Check Up

Born at 6lbs.7ounces...down to 5lbs.11ounces @ his 4 day Pediatrician visit...and guess who weighed in at 9lbs.9ounces today at his one month check up! We are so excited and unsurprised by the large weight gain given the amount that he eats everyday. My little monster has also managed to grow 2 whole inches in a month...he's up to 21 1/2 inches. He was in the 50th percentile on both weight and height...I however don't give the whole %tile thing a ton of thought because what matters is that we have a healthy little Man who is growing and who is happy & loved! Yeah its great to know where he stands from a health perspective but I'm not going to start critiquing him on how he stacks up compared to others his age at one month old...in fact I'm never gonna do that but there will be plenty of people who will do that later on in life...why start now! Bottom Line...we got a great report today. He had to get a shot and that was the hardest part for me...even though I giggled a little and then got a tear in my eye. He made the most pathetic face Ive ever seen and looked at me while I was holding him down for the nurse like "how could you possibly be doing this to me". Talk about rip your heart out! He only squealed for a minute and then he was fine. Greg said its because he had a talk with him before the appointment and told him to be a tough guy and take it like a real Nurse Man. Life is good & we are blessed!


Last night was bath night and I could not pass up this picture...Mommy's little monster so snuggled.

Here I am Mom & Dad, I'm ready for my big weigh in at the Dr. today!

Of course We both had to take our picture with the little guy on his big day at the Dr.

Daddy & his little guy! Have I mentioned lately that I am so grateful to have a husband who is so involved...I love these two Men so much!

A Visit from Van & Lindsey

What a treat...a visit from our friends Van & Lindsey on Monday evening. They came to meet Maddox and brought him a sweet gift. We have not seen them in a while with all that we have had going on and it was so great to see them. They held and played with Maddox and argued over which one of them was going to be a baby hog and hold the baby too long ;)...they did a great job of sharing! Truly a treat to see them...Maddox hopes they come and visit soon!

Van really has a way with the little ones...Maddox loved Van holding him.

My Little Monster Turns One Month Old!

Time sure passes quickly. In some ways I feel like the last month has lasted an eternity (mostly at 5 in the morning when I have been up most of the night with a fussy baby) but mostly the last month has flown by. I cant believe how quickly the time has past. Of course you cant wait till they sleep through the night and you cant wait until they are a little less gassy and fussy but there are so many moments in the middle of the night and in the early mornings where I have bonded with my boy in such sweet ways. I cherish our mornings together. We nap together every morning when Greg leaves for work and I cant imagine a morning without this time with Maddox...it is the best part of my day. His little cry sounds like a little monster growling sometimes and that has turned into my nickname for the little man...Mommy's little monster. Maddox has changed so much. Most obviously, he went to the pediatrician last week and had gained 3 lbs since birth all in 3 1/2 short weeks...Dr. Murphy was quite taken back by the weight gain...quite remarkable! We are anxious to see how much more he has gained this week when we go for his one month apt. There are so many other ways that we notice him progressing every day...he is staying awake longer during the day, sleeping a little more at night (most nights ;) ), playing a little longer by himself, smiling, making eye contact and what he does best is make Mommy & Daddy fall more and more in love with him everyday. The past month has brought so many more emotions than I knew I had in me. I never knew I could love like I now know I can, I never wanted so deeply for someones tummy not to hurt at 3 in the morning, I have never cried like I have in the past month, I have never functioned on less sleep in my life. It is certainly not easy but I know now that its not supposed to be. In fact it is the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life...but its still the BEST thing I have ever done in my life! I look forward to so many more months to celebrate my little mans life to come!

Mommys two favorite guys napping on a Sunday afternoon...life is good!

I'm all geared up to go on a walk in my stroller for the first time on my one month birthday!

I love my playard!

I have been doing LOTS of eating during the past month!

Looks like he is having sweet dreams!

I got Really fussy while we were on a walk so Daddy carried me in my favorite position!

Maddoxs' Special Visitors

Maddox had a special visit this weekend from my dear friend KK and her sweet baby girl Lucy who turned 2 on Saturday. KK has been an amazing support to me in my new mommy hood she has been such an ear to listen and has offered great advice and suggestions that have been life savers in many cases. KK & I have shared some great life experiences together. We lived together for 5 years in college and have remained the best of friends. As you can imagine I as more than excited for her and Lucy to come and meet my little man. It was such a special visit! When KK and Lucy were leaving (me with a tear in my eye of course) she turned and looked at me and said...can you believe we have babies...yes Mrs. McKenzie...we have come quite a long ways since Iola Street! Big Congrats to the McKenzie's who are expecting baby #2 in February 2010!

Lucy loved looking at Maddox and said Baby Baby!

Maddox did a lot of sleeping while they were here!

Lucy has changed so much since last time I saw her! She is a beautiful little girl!