Nov. 2nd at 8:10 pm Alexis Kate will be 14 months. Here's what she's up to these days, from her point of view:
6:30 am- I wake up, MaMa! comes to my room and lets me squirm in her bed til she's ready to face the world, or until I start saying "waf-ful, waf-ful" over and over.
6:32 am- I eat my waf-fuls then throw the rest on the floor. MaMa gets frustrated and tells me to "Get Down!"
7am- Breakfast has been over for a while, MaMa is busy drinking her pot of coffee while I walk around looking for my "Da-DE" (he is at work)
9am- We get in the car to go somewhere. I love to go places. Usually we go to the gym, the library, preschool, MOPS, a playdate, or grocery shopping. While we are wherever we are I demand the attention of those around me. I say "Hi" and don't stop until they acknowledge that I am talking! If they ignore me I scream "Hi" at them until my MaMa says they are being rude, but I still have to use my inside voice. THEN, people will look at us.
11am- My MaMa is really excited that it's naptime. She sings to me and then prays while I say "amen, amen, amen, amen" in the cutest little voice.
11:05am- I go in the crib and scream.
11:10am- I'm asleep
1pm- I wake up and eat.
1:30pm- Sometimes we go to other playdates, otherwise we stay at home and read books, build blocks, climb of the furniture, and tear the pantry apart.
3pm- I love the mail-man. He is really nice and sometimes brings us packages. I get really excited to see the little mail truck. I go to the gate and say "mail, mail, mail" over and over.
3:30pm-My MaMa makes me take another nap, cause she's tired.
5pm- I wake up and help MaMa cook dinner.
5:30pm- My Da-DEE!! is home! I wait at the gate and scream his name excitedly until he reaches the top of the stairs. Then I collapse into his arms.
5:45pm- We eat dinner together. MaMa and Da-Dee talk about boring stuff while I throw my food on the floor. MaMa gets frustrated, says I JUST CLEANED THE FLOOR!, then Da-Dee saves the day...I play until dinner is over.
6:15- Da-Dee and I play while MaMa gets a break.
7pm- Bathtime!
7:15pm- I get my jammas on, sing some songs, read some books, say "amen" and go to sleep.
Josh and Jenn
Est. July 21, 2007
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Baking Bread
I feel like I've mastered something incredible! Making bread is messy, but easy and way way better than store bought. Here's the recipe I follow:
http://breadbaking.about.com/od/yeastbreads/r/1loafbread.htm
http://breadbaking.about.com/od/yeastbreads/r/1loafbread.htm
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Alexis Kate's Baby Shower
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Ten
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| Almost 9 Months |
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| Our Townhouse |
Our trip half way across the USA began by sitting in an hours worth of traffic. And when I say traffic- I don't mean the kind where there are lots and lots of cars traveling 15 mph, I mean the kind where you do not move. Some of you know what I mean. That made it really, really easy to leave Atlanta! Our first stop was Nashville, TN where we spent the night and saw the sights.
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| I was sooooo tired! |
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| Will enjoyed the hotel beds. |
After St. Louis we traveled on to the final destination- Omaha, NE
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| Alexis, Me, and Will- our first picture with CORN! |
August 1st, Cheyenne (aka Shiney) boarded her plane back to Atlanta. That's when it hit me that I was totally alone and very pregnant in a place where I knew no one! The very next day I solved that problem by booking an unexpected flight to visit Josh for the weekend. I called up a "potential friend" who's contact info I got from a friend in Atlanta and set a lunch date. Later that week I received a facebook message from someone in Marion, NC with another "potential friend's" info.
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| August 8, 2010 |
Even with all of that, I was not even close to being busy enough. It was really frustrating to have a house to put together, but no stamina to get in there and get it done. Many days I would start to do something and then end up on the couch for the rest of the afternoon to nap.
I was lonely. I looked so forward to the childbirth classes where at least I would see people. I signed up for a knitting class at the local library for the sole purpose of seeing people.
One of the activities to keep me busy was a maternity photo shoot, which ended up being really fun!
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| 9 1/2 Months |
I had a couple of coffee dates with my other new friend Kari. Kari introduced me to MOPS, she was our one and only visitor at the hospital, and she set up meals for two weeks after Alexis was born!
On August 11th, I went back to my mid wife and to our surprise I measured a month smaller than I had measured at the end of July. She measured again and again to make sure, and then sent me up to have an ultrasound to check Lexie's growth. According to the measurements Alexis weighed 5 lbs 6 oz. A perfectly healthy weight, but it was concerning that I had slipped backward in size. The midwife sent me home with strict instructions to eat a 2400 calorie diet rich in protein and come back in a week. Those of you who really know me, know that I hated everything about those instructions. But, I did it.
The next week, I was back in the office for a 37 week ultrasound. Despite all that eating and a 2 lb weight gain for myself, Alexis had only gained 4 ounces. At this point babies should be gaining 8 ounces a week. Yikes! This is when I felt we had a serious problem. I kept asking "why would I gain the weight, but not the baby?"
From this point on I was at the hospital twice a week. Once a week I would have an ultrasound and twice a week I would be hooked up to a baby heart rate/movement monitor.
Week 38, Alexis had gained 3 ounces. Week 39, just 3 more ounces. She had slipped below the 10 percentile and the mid wife with the advice of a doctor determined that I would be induced. We planned the induction for the day after Josh would arrive.
I waited two more very, very long days for Josh to arrive. On Wednesday, September 1st at 1:30am he finally flew in!
To Be Continued...
Monday, October 10, 2011
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Nine
WHAT?!?!? Part Nine??? This is getting ridiculous. I'm attempting to wrap the whole thing up in three more parts. Here we go....with just the highlights:
It was easier than I thought to keep busy. The weeks were full of work and the weekends I managed to stay occupied with fun activities. Baby showers, graduations, climbing through the windows of my locked house, taking care of our crazy dog, and trips to see Josh.
Six weeks into training we found out we'd soon call Omaha home. It's funny looking back.
We had considered the worst places and the best places, but not really the in-between. I got the call from Josh late one afternoon while I was still at work. I hate surprises, especially ones I know are coming. He told me the news and I was speechless.
I'm serious...I couldn't think of one thing to say, so I cried silently. I really, really wanted to be strong and take the news well-for Josh's sake, but I just couldn't pull it together at this moment. Josh was trying to get me to say something. Finally, he gave up and asked if he should call someone to check on me. That broke the silence. I laughed. And then I kept saying Omaha and cows over and over again.
At almost 26 weeks I ran my last run in Washington, DC. I felt like a failure, but I knew those early contractions I had been experiencing for the last month weren't a good sign. I vowed to walk three miles a day instead.
The time was passing quickly-a little quicker than I had hoped, actually.
There was a day coming that I was dreading. July 2nd- the day I would say goodbye to my first favorite little girl, Kristen. In the past two years I had fallen in love with that girl. One day, maybe, I will write about those two years. I dreaded the day more than I should have. It wasn't so bad.
I stayed in Atlanta until the end of July and I was able to see Kristen and her family quite a bit until the day I left. Lexie's beautiful bedroom set was passed down from Kristen as well as a lot of other baby related items and even some " big girl" clothes. Anyway, I visited them one last time before I left, and that was the sad day.
The week after my job ended my mom and I took a trip to Omaha to look for a house.
I visited my mid-wife for my 7 month check up and a quick get-to-know you session. I picked a mid-wife because in case Josh wasn't able to be with me for the delivery, I wanted to have someone there from beginning to end of the birth.
Four days of searching we found our lovely four bedroom three bathroom split level mid western ugly base-boarded house. I was thrilled with the size, price, and the neighborhood.
Sometime during the trip I got a call from our Realtor with a surprise that one of the potential buyers wanted to rent our town house instead. Lots and lots of phone calls later it was determined that this was a great option. An unexpected answer to our desperate prayers.
Back in Atlanta, I worked harder than I have ever worked at a job. I probably felt that way because I was on the phone, at a computer, or meeting with people for a good eight-ten hours a day trying to coordinate everything. The movers, utilities, handyman, and our new property manager. Luckily I didn't have to move or pack a thing.
The day the movers came I sat my huge pregnant self in the comfy chair and watched them. Occasionally, I would leave to get something to eat or get my nails done.
Finally, two days later, our stuff was packed in a big tractor trailer and ready to go! I picked up my good friend, Cheyenne, and we began our trip half-way across the US.
It was easier than I thought to keep busy. The weeks were full of work and the weekends I managed to stay occupied with fun activities. Baby showers, graduations, climbing through the windows of my locked house, taking care of our crazy dog, and trips to see Josh.
Six weeks into training we found out we'd soon call Omaha home. It's funny looking back.
We had considered the worst places and the best places, but not really the in-between. I got the call from Josh late one afternoon while I was still at work. I hate surprises, especially ones I know are coming. He told me the news and I was speechless.
I'm serious...I couldn't think of one thing to say, so I cried silently. I really, really wanted to be strong and take the news well-for Josh's sake, but I just couldn't pull it together at this moment. Josh was trying to get me to say something. Finally, he gave up and asked if he should call someone to check on me. That broke the silence. I laughed. And then I kept saying Omaha and cows over and over again.
At almost 26 weeks I ran my last run in Washington, DC. I felt like a failure, but I knew those early contractions I had been experiencing for the last month weren't a good sign. I vowed to walk three miles a day instead.
The time was passing quickly-a little quicker than I had hoped, actually.
There was a day coming that I was dreading. July 2nd- the day I would say goodbye to my first favorite little girl, Kristen. In the past two years I had fallen in love with that girl. One day, maybe, I will write about those two years. I dreaded the day more than I should have. It wasn't so bad.
I stayed in Atlanta until the end of July and I was able to see Kristen and her family quite a bit until the day I left. Lexie's beautiful bedroom set was passed down from Kristen as well as a lot of other baby related items and even some " big girl" clothes. Anyway, I visited them one last time before I left, and that was the sad day.
The week after my job ended my mom and I took a trip to Omaha to look for a house.
I visited my mid-wife for my 7 month check up and a quick get-to-know you session. I picked a mid-wife because in case Josh wasn't able to be with me for the delivery, I wanted to have someone there from beginning to end of the birth.
Four days of searching we found our lovely four bedroom three bathroom split level mid western ugly base-boarded house. I was thrilled with the size, price, and the neighborhood.
Sometime during the trip I got a call from our Realtor with a surprise that one of the potential buyers wanted to rent our town house instead. Lots and lots of phone calls later it was determined that this was a great option. An unexpected answer to our desperate prayers.
Back in Atlanta, I worked harder than I have ever worked at a job. I probably felt that way because I was on the phone, at a computer, or meeting with people for a good eight-ten hours a day trying to coordinate everything. The movers, utilities, handyman, and our new property manager. Luckily I didn't have to move or pack a thing.
The day the movers came I sat my huge pregnant self in the comfy chair and watched them. Occasionally, I would leave to get something to eat or get my nails done.
Finally, two days later, our stuff was packed in a big tractor trailer and ready to go! I picked up my good friend, Cheyenne, and we began our trip half-way across the US.
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Booby Trap
Also know as my pantry. I go in there to get something and things come flying out at me. I want to get this thing permanently organized once and for all without having to spend money. Any advice?
P.S. Because I have absolutely no self control, chips and oreo's rarely make an appearance in this house. My mother and mother-in-law went shopping and that's what happened. I just felt the need to explain that. Thanks for reading!
P.S. Because I have absolutely no self control, chips and oreo's rarely make an appearance in this house. My mother and mother-in-law went shopping and that's what happened. I just felt the need to explain that. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Pudding Painting
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| Step 1- Take the clothes off! |
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| Step 2- Prepare the materials. Food color pudding and paper taped to the floor |
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| Before Picture |
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| Dig in! I had to show her what to do |
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| YUM! |
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| Getting the hang of it. |
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| Distracted |
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| Getting back on task |
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| After Picture |
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Eight
What I'm about to say is going to sound really dramatic...
The best part of each day alone was first thing in the morning when I woke up and knew I was alive.
We lived in Sandy Springs, GA between a really dangerous neighborhood and a very wealthy neighborhood. The SUV had been broken into a year prior, so naturally, one of my biggest fears was someone breaking in the house.
Our ultra-sensitive security system gave me some relief, although, once I knew someone was in the house I had just two options. One was to shoot them with a very long gun I knew nothing about. The other was to jump out the bedroom window. I didn't like either one.
This is what I thought about before bed each night. Many nights I prayed myself to sleep. I was so happy to see the morning light on Sunday April 11th. I had survived my first night of many alone!!
The next couple of weeks were busy as I had planned. I was juggling work (I just add that for dramatic effect. I looked forward to nearly every day of work), getting the dog out of the house for all the house viewings, and surprise! Another repair on the SUV.
This repair would be yet another costly one to the tune of $2600.00. Yes I typed that correctly. A new transmission. We were planning to use some of the sale of the motorcycle to pay for it, but another surprise. The buyer shows up to test drive the bike with cash in hand and it won't start! And Josh is not there. No Sale. Frustration!
So the repair comes out of our used-to-be plentiful savings account. And I begin to see how God is working now. Money is important to me and he is taking away part of the financial security we had built. Teaching me to trust in Him.
Knowing there would be no way for Josh to attend anymore doctor appointments, I invited my Mom and Mother in Law to the big one. This previous post will give you the details of the 20 week appointment
http://mrsrizzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/one-year-ago-today.html
To Be Continued...
The best part of each day alone was first thing in the morning when I woke up and knew I was alive.
We lived in Sandy Springs, GA between a really dangerous neighborhood and a very wealthy neighborhood. The SUV had been broken into a year prior, so naturally, one of my biggest fears was someone breaking in the house.
Our ultra-sensitive security system gave me some relief, although, once I knew someone was in the house I had just two options. One was to shoot them with a very long gun I knew nothing about. The other was to jump out the bedroom window. I didn't like either one.
This is what I thought about before bed each night. Many nights I prayed myself to sleep. I was so happy to see the morning light on Sunday April 11th. I had survived my first night of many alone!!
The next couple of weeks were busy as I had planned. I was juggling work (I just add that for dramatic effect. I looked forward to nearly every day of work), getting the dog out of the house for all the house viewings, and surprise! Another repair on the SUV.
This repair would be yet another costly one to the tune of $2600.00. Yes I typed that correctly. A new transmission. We were planning to use some of the sale of the motorcycle to pay for it, but another surprise. The buyer shows up to test drive the bike with cash in hand and it won't start! And Josh is not there. No Sale. Frustration!
So the repair comes out of our used-to-be plentiful savings account. And I begin to see how God is working now. Money is important to me and he is taking away part of the financial security we had built. Teaching me to trust in Him.
Knowing there would be no way for Josh to attend anymore doctor appointments, I invited my Mom and Mother in Law to the big one. This previous post will give you the details of the 20 week appointment
http://mrsrizzer.blogspot.com/2011/04/one-year-ago-today.html
To Be Continued...
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Seven
At almost 18 weeks pregnant I got in the car with Josh ready to drive eight hours to Wilmington, NC for Kate (my sister) and Jason's wedding. Thankfully, that gave us plenty of uninterrupted to plan our last week together and process through what was happening.
The house and motorcycle needed to be sold and Josh's Honda needed a LOT of work before the 12 hour journey to VA. Those were the most immediate issues.
Then there was the thought that we'd be apart for five months. I would tell myself- "It's only five months" and then think- I better keep myself really busy!
We participated in a busy, fun wedding weekend. On Easter Sunday we began our journey back to Altanta for our last week together there.
I blocked that week out of my memory. Looking back at the calendar I see that it was Kristen's spring break but other than that it's blank and I do not remember what was happening!
On April 10th, 2010 at 6:30 am Josh packed up the 1995 Honda civic and pulled out while Will (our dog) and I watched and waved good bye. We would see each other in a month. In that moment I remember saying to myself- "I will not cry, I will not melt-down...not this early on" I made a promise to myself that I was going to make at least half way and then if I needed to flip, I could.
That day I had no time to pity myself. I made breakfast and read my daily devotion. It was all about Christ satisfying my deepest needs. Good timing. Feeling lonely already, I needed that reminder.
In that empty-feeling house I got myself ready for the weekly prenatal massage (pretty sure that will never happen again!) After the massage I ran, grocery shopped, decorated for the baby shower, got myself showerd again, and greeted the guests. All that before 1pm...told you I was feeling better!!
I hosted the shower. The shower ended. The people left.
Alone again. Not, really.
To Be Continued...
The house and motorcycle needed to be sold and Josh's Honda needed a LOT of work before the 12 hour journey to VA. Those were the most immediate issues.
Then there was the thought that we'd be apart for five months. I would tell myself- "It's only five months" and then think- I better keep myself really busy!
We participated in a busy, fun wedding weekend. On Easter Sunday we began our journey back to Altanta for our last week together there.
I blocked that week out of my memory. Looking back at the calendar I see that it was Kristen's spring break but other than that it's blank and I do not remember what was happening!
On April 10th, 2010 at 6:30 am Josh packed up the 1995 Honda civic and pulled out while Will (our dog) and I watched and waved good bye. We would see each other in a month. In that moment I remember saying to myself- "I will not cry, I will not melt-down...not this early on" I made a promise to myself that I was going to make at least half way and then if I needed to flip, I could.
That day I had no time to pity myself. I made breakfast and read my daily devotion. It was all about Christ satisfying my deepest needs. Good timing. Feeling lonely already, I needed that reminder.
In that empty-feeling house I got myself ready for the weekly prenatal massage (pretty sure that will never happen again!) After the massage I ran, grocery shopped, decorated for the baby shower, got myself showerd again, and greeted the guests. All that before 1pm...told you I was feeling better!!
I hosted the shower. The shower ended. The people left.
Alone again. Not, really.
To Be Continued...
Monday, September 12, 2011
Lexie Signing Update
I love, love, love Sign Language!!! We've been busy teaching Alexis American Sign Language for the past 12 months.
According to the book we have an average 12 month old speaks 2-3 words, while a signing 12 month old knows 25 signs and speaks 16 words. Alexis is flip-flopped she speaks 23 words and signs 18.
Here's what she knows:
fish, baby, milk, mommy, daddy, more, eat, dog, done, up, change diaper, book, bathtime, bird, cat, please, ball, duck, water, hi, bye, no, and bubble.
Some signs are more helpful than others. I'm hoping and praying all this signing will bypass the terrible three temper tantrums. Trust me they are terrible (the tantrums). I have experience on that one!
We're currently working on:
Help, Thank you , Play, Drink, Sleep, Down, Shoes, and Socks.
This book promises by 18 months Alexis will know 79 sings and 105 spoken words with some sentence development. That amazes me.
The book we follow is Baby Signing 123 by Nancy Cadjan. It teaches the real American Sign Language.
According to the book we have an average 12 month old speaks 2-3 words, while a signing 12 month old knows 25 signs and speaks 16 words. Alexis is flip-flopped she speaks 23 words and signs 18.
Here's what she knows:
fish, baby, milk, mommy, daddy, more, eat, dog, done, up, change diaper, book, bathtime, bird, cat, please, ball, duck, water, hi, bye, no, and bubble.
Some signs are more helpful than others. I'm hoping and praying all this signing will bypass the terrible three temper tantrums. Trust me they are terrible (the tantrums). I have experience on that one!
We're currently working on:
Help, Thank you , Play, Drink, Sleep, Down, Shoes, and Socks.
This book promises by 18 months Alexis will know 79 sings and 105 spoken words with some sentence development. That amazes me.
The book we follow is Baby Signing 123 by Nancy Cadjan. It teaches the real American Sign Language.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Six
The weather was warming up and I felt as good as a pregnant girl could feel.
I began to schedule all the things I should have been keeping up with while I was in hibernation...hair, nail, and waxing appointments, weekly massages, vaccine and bath appointments for William, a meeting with our accountant, ordering invites for a baby shower, purchasing late b-day gifts...and the list goes on. I have to take a minute to tell you how simple our life now seems in comparison to that list!
I felt great. Accomplishing all these things made me feel even better. There was the nagging thought that it's now March, the baby is due in September, and we still don't know what the heck our lives will look like.
I had my moments of freaking out. I would call Josh and tell him things he already knew. (You have to go through FIVE months of training. You DON'T even have a training date! We're having a BABY in September) I would beg him for things that were out of his control. And then I'd go back to what God tells us about difficult situations:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It's true that when I took all of this to God his peace would fill me and then we'd repeat the entire process. Crazy, I know. We probably repeated this 10-15 times throughout, but I learned a lot, and isn't it about the journey anyway?
The glorious day of relief came sometime in late March around my 16th week.
Cheyenne and I were supervising an Easter Egg Hunt themed playdate out on the back porch. I got the call from Josh checking to see if April 11th was a good day for him to begin training. YES, Yes! You're KIDDING?!?!? You're not? Yes!!!!!! I was excited to know a little of what was to come. Five months of training beginning at April 11th meant a return date of August 31st. I thought-"O, MY, GOSH. God are you serious?!?!? You're bringing Josh back just in time!"
Then I began to process through the fact that he would be gone through the end of the pregnancy and I would be left with a huge responsibility of selling our first house, moving us, and whatever else came up.
Thankfully, my two pre-marriage/post-college years had prepared me to handle life without a man. Please don't get me wrong- I love Josh and most defiantly prefer to have his guidance, help, and humor. All I'm saying is- I felt prepared and confidence can take a person pretty far.
To Be Continued....
I began to schedule all the things I should have been keeping up with while I was in hibernation...hair, nail, and waxing appointments, weekly massages, vaccine and bath appointments for William, a meeting with our accountant, ordering invites for a baby shower, purchasing late b-day gifts...and the list goes on. I have to take a minute to tell you how simple our life now seems in comparison to that list!
I felt great. Accomplishing all these things made me feel even better. There was the nagging thought that it's now March, the baby is due in September, and we still don't know what the heck our lives will look like.
I had my moments of freaking out. I would call Josh and tell him things he already knew. (You have to go through FIVE months of training. You DON'T even have a training date! We're having a BABY in September) I would beg him for things that were out of his control. And then I'd go back to what God tells us about difficult situations:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It's true that when I took all of this to God his peace would fill me and then we'd repeat the entire process. Crazy, I know. We probably repeated this 10-15 times throughout, but I learned a lot, and isn't it about the journey anyway?
The glorious day of relief came sometime in late March around my 16th week.
Cheyenne and I were supervising an Easter Egg Hunt themed playdate out on the back porch. I got the call from Josh checking to see if April 11th was a good day for him to begin training. YES, Yes! You're KIDDING?!?!? You're not? Yes!!!!!! I was excited to know a little of what was to come. Five months of training beginning at April 11th meant a return date of August 31st. I thought-"O, MY, GOSH. God are you serious?!?!? You're bringing Josh back just in time!"
Then I began to process through the fact that he would be gone through the end of the pregnancy and I would be left with a huge responsibility of selling our first house, moving us, and whatever else came up.
Thankfully, my two pre-marriage/post-college years had prepared me to handle life without a man. Please don't get me wrong- I love Josh and most defiantly prefer to have his guidance, help, and humor. All I'm saying is- I felt prepared and confidence can take a person pretty far.
To Be Continued....
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Five
Exhaustion.
I wonder if there's a better word to describe the first trimester?
I was feeling it big time. Good thing my job was nanny (stay at home mom in training) to Kristen, a spunky four year old.
I spent most of those early pregnant days on the couch. Playdates were my friend. So was the cold weather that forced us to stay inside, watch Disney movies, and play the Wii. I have never loved a couch so much. I have never felt more tired in my life. My exercise hobby was quickly being replaced with sleep.
Our bathroom was so dirty that Josh cleaned it.
If you know my husband, then you understand why that one sentence gets it's own paragraph...Anyway- The days were dragging on and on. At 10 weeks Josh and I went to a lovely marriage conference in Helen, GA. Josh took notes and said it was great. I didn't learn anything. I slept.
11 weeks in I returned the beautiful tiny size 4 dress I was planning to wear to Kate's (my sister) wedding. In it's place I bought a much larger and different style dress. With the new dress I also had to wear that really uncomfortable body-sucking in material that hides all the fat.
The 12 week appointment arrived. Josh was still with us (we still didn't know when he was leaving) so he met me there. At this appointment the doctor (with the help of his high tech lying machine) guessed the sex of the baby. He guessed a boy and he was 90% sure. Had it been the other way around I would have never believed it. I believed him. I'm just going to be honest with you. I was crushed, I wanted a girl. Really bad.
At the end of the appointment the doctor asked how I'd been feeling. After thinking about it, I answered "You know, I have been feeling more like myself these last couple of days" The doctor assured me that I would begin feeling more energetic and told me to have fun with the second trimester.
Hope- a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, is what I was filled with.
To Be Continued...
I wonder if there's a better word to describe the first trimester?
I was feeling it big time. Good thing my job was nanny (stay at home mom in training) to Kristen, a spunky four year old.
I spent most of those early pregnant days on the couch. Playdates were my friend. So was the cold weather that forced us to stay inside, watch Disney movies, and play the Wii. I have never loved a couch so much. I have never felt more tired in my life. My exercise hobby was quickly being replaced with sleep.
Our bathroom was so dirty that Josh cleaned it.
If you know my husband, then you understand why that one sentence gets it's own paragraph...Anyway- The days were dragging on and on. At 10 weeks Josh and I went to a lovely marriage conference in Helen, GA. Josh took notes and said it was great. I didn't learn anything. I slept.
11 weeks in I returned the beautiful tiny size 4 dress I was planning to wear to Kate's (my sister) wedding. In it's place I bought a much larger and different style dress. With the new dress I also had to wear that really uncomfortable body-sucking in material that hides all the fat.
The 12 week appointment arrived. Josh was still with us (we still didn't know when he was leaving) so he met me there. At this appointment the doctor (with the help of his high tech lying machine) guessed the sex of the baby. He guessed a boy and he was 90% sure. Had it been the other way around I would have never believed it. I believed him. I'm just going to be honest with you. I was crushed, I wanted a girl. Really bad.
At the end of the appointment the doctor asked how I'd been feeling. After thinking about it, I answered "You know, I have been feeling more like myself these last couple of days" The doctor assured me that I would begin feeling more energetic and told me to have fun with the second trimester.
Hope- a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, is what I was filled with.
To Be Continued...
Monday, August 22, 2011
Alexis Kate's Story- Part Four
The first appointment was mid January to officially confirm the pregnancy. We met with the Doctor in her office for a sort of "getting to know you" before the exam. At the end the doctor asked if we had any questions.
I pulled out my long list.
She kept saying the info is in this book, but I didn't care. I wanted to hear the answers from her.
She patiently answered all of them. This made me confident that she could be my doctor, because I ask a lot of questions.
My very favorite answer was "everything in moderation"
Good! That meant I could continue my caffeine habit.
Once our question and answer/getting to know you session was over we were led down the hall to the examination room. I stripped down and got on the table.
This bothers some people, but I'm fine with it.
The doctor began the ultrasound. She looked very carefully for quite a while, working on the measurements and such, but could not find a heartbeat.
That was scary. It was her serious concentration that worried me. She played it off very well, but in the back of my mind I thought-this may not be good.
I was surprised at how it affected me think that our baby may not be alive.
We were told that it could be too early to find a heartbeat. They tried to tell me that I was only five weeks along. I knew better- I was seven. There's no way I caught a pregnancy I wasn't expecting at three weeks! But no one at the office believed me. I scheduled the next appointment and went on with life in an extreme state of exhaustion.
Two weeks later we nervously returned to the examination room. I was examined by a more experienced doctor who was able to find Lexie's heartbeat. What a relief it was to hear! He did his measurements and I was now 8.2 weeks pregnant.
That's what I thought.
To Be Continued...
I pulled out my long list.
She kept saying the info is in this book, but I didn't care. I wanted to hear the answers from her.
She patiently answered all of them. This made me confident that she could be my doctor, because I ask a lot of questions.
My very favorite answer was "everything in moderation"
Good! That meant I could continue my caffeine habit.
Once our question and answer/getting to know you session was over we were led down the hall to the examination room. I stripped down and got on the table.
This bothers some people, but I'm fine with it.
The doctor began the ultrasound. She looked very carefully for quite a while, working on the measurements and such, but could not find a heartbeat.
That was scary. It was her serious concentration that worried me. She played it off very well, but in the back of my mind I thought-this may not be good.
I was surprised at how it affected me think that our baby may not be alive.
We were told that it could be too early to find a heartbeat. They tried to tell me that I was only five weeks along. I knew better- I was seven. There's no way I caught a pregnancy I wasn't expecting at three weeks! But no one at the office believed me. I scheduled the next appointment and went on with life in an extreme state of exhaustion.
Two weeks later we nervously returned to the examination room. I was examined by a more experienced doctor who was able to find Lexie's heartbeat. What a relief it was to hear! He did his measurements and I was now 8.2 weeks pregnant.
That's what I thought.
To Be Continued...
Alexis Kate's Birth Story- Part Three
Despite my list of disappointments I knew that if God allowed the pregnancy, then he would come through on meeting all of our needs. And he did, but I'll get to that later.
For the first time in our married life we were in a position to totally trust God with the future. We had no control how the next year was going to play out. So many times I would think- "Why were we so irresponsible?"
I didn't want to leave Atlanta before. Now, I REALLY didn't want to leave. I wanted to know where we were moving and when.
I learned a lot about trust. A lot. The next couple of months I read the verses in Matthew 6 over and over. In case you're wondering here's what is says:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
It's easy to say don't worry, but a totally different story to "do" don't worry.
For the first time in our married life we were in a position to totally trust God with the future. We had no control how the next year was going to play out. So many times I would think- "Why were we so irresponsible?"
I didn't want to leave Atlanta before. Now, I REALLY didn't want to leave. I wanted to know where we were moving and when.
I learned a lot about trust. A lot. The next couple of months I read the verses in Matthew 6 over and over. In case you're wondering here's what is says:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
It's easy to say don't worry, but a totally different story to "do" don't worry.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Alexis Kate's Birth Story- Part Two
So I was pregnant.
Here's what went through my mind for the entire next day:
I am pregnant
There is a growing thing inside me
Weird (it really is abstract when there is no belly)
I feel fat
This was NOT supposed to happen until 2012
We don't have 30K in savings
We don't have the student loan paid off
We didn't take a trip to Ireland
We aren't making double mortgage payments
I haven't reached my half marathon time goal
We don't know when Josh is leaving for training
We don't know when we are moving
We don't know where we're moving
I don't have a real dining room table
Do we tell people?
Many people wait three months before telling their friends and family. Although we were in shock, we were still excited and thought if something tragic happened we'd want people there to support us. With our quick decision making (that sometimes gets us in trouble) we decided to tell.
Josh was going through an extensive interview process for his career change, which required the cooperation of our families. We told each of the Grandparents by calling them and then asking them to check their email for an important form they needed to fill out. This was the attachment in the email:
They all screamed with delight. Looking back, I'm really surprised they didn't think we were playing a joke.
Here's what went through my mind for the entire next day:
I am pregnant
There is a growing thing inside me
Weird (it really is abstract when there is no belly)
I feel fat
This was NOT supposed to happen until 2012
We don't have 30K in savings
We don't have the student loan paid off
We didn't take a trip to Ireland
We aren't making double mortgage payments
I haven't reached my half marathon time goal
We don't know when Josh is leaving for training
We don't know when we are moving
We don't know where we're moving
I don't have a real dining room table
Do we tell people?
Many people wait three months before telling their friends and family. Although we were in shock, we were still excited and thought if something tragic happened we'd want people there to support us. With our quick decision making (that sometimes gets us in trouble) we decided to tell.
Josh was going through an extensive interview process for his career change, which required the cooperation of our families. We told each of the Grandparents by calling them and then asking them to check their email for an important form they needed to fill out. This was the attachment in the email:
They all screamed with delight. Looking back, I'm really surprised they didn't think we were playing a joke.
Alexis Kate's Birth Story- Part One
It all began in mid 2008 when we decided it was time for me to go off the pill because of the horrible side effects. I wanted to feel like myself again, and boy did it feel good to be off those hormones!
We began the natural family planning method which worked for over a year. It is up to 90% effective and at the time we figured we could live with a bit of a risk. The problem with NFP is it involves a lot of record keeping and well, it's risky to take time off.
Which is what we did one night after a fun Christmas party.
And that's how Alexis came to be.
I had signs that I was pregnant in late December. It wasn't until January 5th, 2010 that I took the pregnancy test. I drove out of the town that I was working in to be sure that I didn't run into anyone I knew, got the test, went to my house, and took it.
I watched as the horizontal line quickly appeared. That was a relief, but then I watched a very very faint vertical line appear. Strange. In my sure state of denial I thought to myself- "I'm not pregnant! The lines aren't the same color!" And off I went on this regular Tuesday (much more tired than usual).
Kickboxing was from 7-8pm.
6:30pm I left work, sat in Atlanta traffic, met my friend Cheyenne at the class, and began.
7:40pm- I can hardly make it through the rest of the class AND I have to pee for the 400th time. Weird.
8:30 pm-I'm at home eating dinner with Josh. (Gosh, I miss that schedule!)
We're talking about our day. I describe what I had done that morning. Then I say "I'm just going to go upstairs and take another test so you can see what you think."
Josh followed me up and took a look at the test thinking the very same thing I thought. Those lines aren't the same color! The only thing that kept me from throwing the test away was the nagging feeling that I had NEVER seen a vertical line even a faint one.
So I did what I do in stressful situations- I became demanding. I made us leave the bathroom and declared that in exactly five minutes we were going back in to look at the test with fresh eyes. We would then decide.
Those were some long minutes.
Five minutes later we entered the bathroom to look at the test. The vertical line had darkened to match the horizontal line. I faced Josh and in all seriousness cried a lot of tears and kept screaming "I'm going to get fat!"
Can you tell I don't like unexpected change?
Josh was happy, but I'm not sure how I knew that, because I was way too focused on me.
To Be Continued...
We began the natural family planning method which worked for over a year. It is up to 90% effective and at the time we figured we could live with a bit of a risk. The problem with NFP is it involves a lot of record keeping and well, it's risky to take time off.
Which is what we did one night after a fun Christmas party.
And that's how Alexis came to be.
I had signs that I was pregnant in late December. It wasn't until January 5th, 2010 that I took the pregnancy test. I drove out of the town that I was working in to be sure that I didn't run into anyone I knew, got the test, went to my house, and took it.
I watched as the horizontal line quickly appeared. That was a relief, but then I watched a very very faint vertical line appear. Strange. In my sure state of denial I thought to myself- "I'm not pregnant! The lines aren't the same color!" And off I went on this regular Tuesday (much more tired than usual).
Kickboxing was from 7-8pm.
6:30pm I left work, sat in Atlanta traffic, met my friend Cheyenne at the class, and began.
7:40pm- I can hardly make it through the rest of the class AND I have to pee for the 400th time. Weird.
8:30 pm-I'm at home eating dinner with Josh. (Gosh, I miss that schedule!)
We're talking about our day. I describe what I had done that morning. Then I say "I'm just going to go upstairs and take another test so you can see what you think."
Josh followed me up and took a look at the test thinking the very same thing I thought. Those lines aren't the same color! The only thing that kept me from throwing the test away was the nagging feeling that I had NEVER seen a vertical line even a faint one.
So I did what I do in stressful situations- I became demanding. I made us leave the bathroom and declared that in exactly five minutes we were going back in to look at the test with fresh eyes. We would then decide.
Those were some long minutes.
Five minutes later we entered the bathroom to look at the test. The vertical line had darkened to match the horizontal line. I faced Josh and in all seriousness cried a lot of tears and kept screaming "I'm going to get fat!"
Can you tell I don't like unexpected change?
Josh was happy, but I'm not sure how I knew that, because I was way too focused on me.
To Be Continued...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Date night- Always Sushi!
It's so fun to be downtown, especially when you snatch a great parking spot.
I had my second taste of sake. I want to like it, but it is just down right disgusting!!!!! I'm giving up on trying to like sake and I will focus my taste buds on something more productive like brussel sprouts. eww.
Monday, August 15, 2011
New Hair
I have a friend who's doing a hair challenge.
She inspired me to do something different when I got out of the shower this morning.
11:30 still counts for morning, right?
It was way easier than my usual blow dry for 20 minutes and then straighten.
This was just four easy steps:
1. Towel dry
2. Scrunch
3. Apply hair scrunch spray
4. Scrunch and keep scrunching until the hair is dry (which was a really long time because my hair is thick)
It looked fine until I stepped outside, then it became three times the size. Yikes! I don't know about this one. What do you think? Advise on the frizz please!!
Two views for you:
She inspired me to do something different when I got out of the shower this morning.
11:30 still counts for morning, right?
It was way easier than my usual blow dry for 20 minutes and then straighten.
This was just four easy steps:
1. Towel dry
2. Scrunch
3. Apply hair scrunch spray
4. Scrunch and keep scrunching until the hair is dry (which was a really long time because my hair is thick)
It looked fine until I stepped outside, then it became three times the size. Yikes! I don't know about this one. What do you think? Advise on the frizz please!!
Two views for you:
Our Mall Playdate
 |
| She takes off and doesn't look back! |
 |
 |
| Something has their attention! |
 |
| In the boat-impossible to get them all to look |
 |
| Working on the walking skills |
Friday, August 12, 2011
Patio Set
To celebrate our four year anniversary we purchased a patio set at Nebraska Furniture Mart. NFM is a neat place. I was impressed by how organized they are! Josh set part of the set up. The table is going back today if Alexis cooperates with the car seat. (She HATES sitting backward and screams the entire trip.)
I will leave you with this cute picture from the week:
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Couponing Deals!
I took a couponing break for a while, but I'm back to it this week. The deals were just too good to pass up!
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| Walgreens $11.74 |
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| Target $20.88 |
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| 1st Trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart for a patio set!! |
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Etsy Purchase
Lexie's Birthday outfit came from www.etsy.com. It's a site for people to buy and sell homemade items. I could look for hours!
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