Little Catcher

Maddux on the way to baseball practice with daddy.

My Boys

Maddux:

We can't believe it, but Maddux is 12 weeks old today. Were does the time go? Before we know it he will be walking, yeah. Maddux is doing great. He is now 12 lbs. which is double his birth weight of 6 lbs which means he is gaining about 1/2 lb a week so he is right on track (as Carlos says he is by the book Maddux like his mother), but he is still a little guy. He is in the 25% and 30% for weight and height respectively. This is no suprise to us looking at his parents my guess is that he won't be that tall, but there is still some hope. He has been spoiling us rotten with 6-8 hour sleep streches at night and fun interaction during the day. He now grabs things, like his rattle, and shakes it along with spontaneous smiles and coos which we love. Carlos is afraid to have more kids for fear that the next one can't possibly be as perfect as Maddux.

Carlos:

Carlos is an amazing father (which should come to no suprise to anyone). He always has diaper duty, even in the middle of the night, unless he is at work or the diaper is so bad he might throw up. He always helps me try to get a crying Maddux to sleep any time of night even though he wakes up at 5 am for work. He watches Maddux when I teach for 4 hours Tuesday and Thursday nights which happens to be his fussy time, but Carlos makes it through. He also gives him the bottle when I am gone which is a struggle, but Carlos is patient. He worries a lot when Maddux cries, but I am to the point where I can tell him to not worry it is only gas or hunger. Carlos still can't believe Maddux is real and that we are so blessed to have him. I think it will settle in soon.

Tau:

Tau is becoming a very well behaved dog. Who would have known that by having a baby around he would shape up? He now knows where his bed is and doesn't even try to sleep in our room and when we walk he always walks on the right side of the stroller without daring to pull away. He has only licked Maddux's face once, he mainly smells him and then looses interest. Once Maddux begins crawling, I think Tau will have a new best friend.

Here are some pics of my boys:

5 Week Maddux Update

After 5 weeks, Maddux is doing great! Since a lot of people kept asking Paige and I the same question, we decided to finally answer it. I won't tell you, but you will find out from the video.
Enjoy!


Little Mad 2.3.09

For the second straight year, I am shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research. You can see my website and donate to a good cause by clicking on the link below.
Thank you!
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.php?ParticipantKey=2009-59079#

Maddux Update

Almost two weeks old, Maddux seems to be doing just fine. He is eating well and is getting really good at going through diapers. I still have to get used to covering him when removing his diaper because twice now he has shot streams onto Daddy and himself (not very fun to be a part of, but fun to watch I bet!) He is starting to get in a routine with eating and sleeping which is making it really nice on Paige and I.
It seems like Maddux is developing an interest in sports because he will not sit still or go to sleep when a game is on TV. Instead he likes to passionately cry during crucial parts of a game and let the officials know what a great job they are doing. He is becoming quite a Cubs, Bears, and Nevada fan although he doesn't mind rooting for the Vikings when they are not playing the Bears.

Maddux James Hernandez

Born December 26th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

Origin of the name:
Maddux- Named after two time Chicago Cubs pitcher and future Hall of Famer who retired this year.
James- Named after my dad.
Hernandez- You guys can figure that one out.

Well this post was originally going to be my week 38 doctor update, but Maddux decided he would grace us with his presence 12 days early. So here is the story of how Maddux came into our lives. See the slide show below for pictures of the little guy from minute 1 up until day 4.

Carlos and I spent Christmas dinner at my mom's house along with Matt, Carlos' family and the Rabes which was of course wonderful. We decided to take bets on when I would go into labor by picking the date and the sex as a tie breaker. Nobody picked December 26th so my mom decided to buy that square so that we wouldn't have any empties. After dinner, we had a great time playing the game Loaded Questions. The reason I mention this game is because everyone claims that all the laughing I did caused me to go into labor, because my contractions began at 11 pm that night. We decided to go in to the hospital when my contractions were 5 minutes apart so we got into the hospital at about 6 am on December 26th. On the way to the hospital I called my mom to let her know she was going to win the bet (if Maddux waited 12 more hours Matt would have won so you can image what his first words to me were). Once at the hospital I was informed I was still only dilated 3 cm. "What? I was 3 cm a week ago and I have been having contractions for 7 hours!" So I was told to walk the halls for an hour or so to see where I am at because they can not admit me until I am at 4 cm. So I painfully do so and an hour later I am at 5 cm (thank goodness). Yeah, here I go into the labor and delivery room about 8 am. I decide to get an epidural to ease the pain, so by the time I got the epidural it was about 10 am. I had what is called a one-sided epidural due to the curve in my spine only one side of my body was numb, but I thought well I guess half the pain is better than all of the pain. They decided to check me and at about 11 am they were shocked to see I was 10 cm and ready to push, but you can't push until the epidural has worn off a little. "So you are telling me I got 1/2 an epidural and it was only in for 1 hour?" Again, at least it took some pain from me. So by the time the epidural wore off it was 11:45 and time to push. Maddux must have really wanted out because it took only 10 pushes (most first time labors take about an hour of pushing) and out he came at 12:06 pm, a baby boy. Carlos and I were so blessed to have all of our family and my two best friends Whitney and Eden there for the birth. Eden (the amazing photographer) took some great photos so click her link The Thome Family off to the side to see her pictures. This experience has truly been a miracle and I can see why people have so many children. Carlos and I are so thankful to have such supportive family and friends, so thanks to you all.

Stats:
Weight: 6 lbs 1/2 oz
Height: 19 in
Head Circumference: 12.75 in
Birth Score: 9.9 (they told a concerned Carlos that no baby gets a 10)

Ok, I know this is really what you wanted to see. Enjoy the slide show of the beginning of our new life with the most perfect baby boy.

Week 37 and Belly Shots

Yeah, we have made it to week 37 which means the bun in the oven is officially cooked. If the baby is done developing at 37 weeks, why does pregnancy go 40 weeks? I guess if I was warm and happy in goo I wouldn't want to come out into the freezing, crazy world either. I am still feeling great and staying active and Carlos is still great and supportive, although I am sure he panics every time I call him at work. Anyway here is the week 37 update and belly pics (from week 36, don't forget to vote):

Doctor Stats
Week 37:

Total weight gain: 25 lbs.

Dilated 3 cm (baby doesn't come out until 10 cm). This doesn't mean much, according to doc, we could go into labor tonight or not for a couple weeks so he said to make sure our bag is packed (clearly he doesn't know me or he would know that bag was packed a week ago). He is pretty sure though that this baby will be here in December, but who knows, we are just trying to be patient. Belly pictures courtesy of Eden Thome, a great friend with an amazing photography talent and 2 beautiful sons of her own.

Pregnancy

I can't believe I am going to say this, but at 36 weeks, this is my favorite stage of pregnancy. Here are the following reasons why I should NOT be saying this. My lungs, which are usually in great shape, have contributed to me sounding like a fat, old man going up the stairs when I am trying to do a basic function like stand up and teach my classes. My stomach is nothing like it used to be, I get so sad to see the extra 3 enchiladas on my plate not get eaten because now only 2 fit in my small stomach. My bladder is determined to force me to go to the bathroom every hour or so, which is annoying since I teach hour and 15 minute classes. My colon, according to the doctor, is the reason I am having a slight pain behind my left ribs and of course all the gas (eewww). But why is all of this happening? Because I have a fully developed baby in my stomach, of course my organs can't breathe!! Which brings me to why this is my favorite stage of pregnancy......I have a fully developed little life that I am entirely responsible for in my stomach. At this point I can feel all the movements and even arms as they move across my belly. Our doctor has us counting how long it takes for the baby to reach 10 movements (rule of thumb: if it takes more than 2 hours call hospital), our baby is always between 5 and 10 minutes. This, according to the doc, is a very good sign: lots of activity=good brain development. But it doesn't bother me that this baby is moving all the time and is never sleeping, because as long as it is moving I know it is in there. I have also noticed that everybody loves a pregnant woman. Up at campus and around town I am always getting looks at the belly then big smiles at me or Carlos which makes me feel really good and proud. Lastly, the anticipation at this stage is so exciting. When will the baby come? Is it a boy or girl (vote to the right of the screen, belly pictures coming to help make your decision)? What will it look like? etc...In conclusion, I couldn't be any happier about this pregnancy and can't wait to see the little one.

Doctor stats
Week 36:

Total weight gain: 23 lbs.
Baby's head is down:)

Keep posted for belly pictures.