Lexie's Life Schedule- 25 Months

8:00-8:15- Wake up

8:15- Breakfast.  Her favorite is a frozen waffle with butter.  Sometimes (rarely) we get out of the routine with a hard boiled egg and some fruit.

Monday morning we have a play date with Sophia (16 months old) She lives across the street. After that we go to the Chiropractor for a weekly adjustment, then we go to the gym.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and every other Friday we head to the gym after breakfast and then onto a play date or to do errands.
Thursday is school from 9-11:45
The 2nd and 4th Friday of the month we have MOPS.  Alexis has her own kids program, while I hang out with other moms.  We usually meet up with Daddy for lunch at Panara or Chipotle afterward. 
Saturday is never the same anymore.  Josh and I usually get a workout in.  It's fun to have one spontaneous day.
Sunday is church from 9:30-11:15.  Once a month Josh and I teach in the toddler room.  The rest of this day we try not to do any work or plan anything.  We just hang out at home.

12:15- Home for lunch

12:45- Watch a show usually Super Why

1:15- Read books and then nap time

4:00/4:30- Wake up

4:30- Play or do a learning "project" with Mommy

5:00- Independent play in the kitchen or living room while Mommy prepares dinner.

5:30- Daddy's home!!!

5:45- Dinner

6:15- Play, Play, Play or another outing- the park or frozen yogurt :)
Tuesday is swim from 6-6:30
Wednesday is small group from 6:30-8:15 or so

7:30- Bath Time

8:00- Read books, turn on the fan, lay on the floor, say Bible verses, pray, get in the bed, turn off the light, sing lots and lots of songs, go to sleep.  Alexis is very attached to this bedtime routine.  She notices if she is being rushed or if there is one minor change.


What a life she has!  In a couple of months this busy toddler's schedule will be turned upside down with the arrival of  her brother Cameron Grant.  I'm trying to get her in school one more day a week. It will be a huge adjustment for this family to learn how to stay at home again.

Alexis is learning colors, letters in her name, coloring in the lines, how to count to 20, and how to sit still for a long book.
We are also working with her on sharing, saying "yes" instead of "yeah", general manners, how to introduce yourself, and how to obey- which is always the first time you're asked anything else is not obedience!

That last one is the biggest challenge. 
This is the way I've been teaching it 90 % of the time: 
1. State what I want- (Please go put your shoes in your room)
2. Alexis does something else
3.  I say "you did not put your shoes in your room,  Mommy will help you practice."  I take her and the shoes to her room... then say "this is how you obey!"
4.   Take the shoes back to the original spot.
5. Give her a chance to succeed at obeying.
6. Lots of praise if she does it.  Time out if she does not.

It's exhausting, but it works...for now.

26 Weeks Pregnant

how far along: 26 Weeks

how big is baby:We don't know.  The external measurements show 21 weeks, same as my appointment four weeks ago. 

weight gained so far: 22lbs

Belly Button in or out:  In

stretch marks: Nope

sleep:I'm restless at night.  We need a king size bed for the next 3 months.

best moment of the week: They all involve Alexis!  She brought a truck and a yellow block over to my belly and said "won't chu play with me baby broder?"

food cravings: Mostly anything I don't have to prepare

looking forward to: Seeing the baby on an ultrasound next week.

Not looking forward to:  Pitocin.  I hate that drug.  

Top Ten Favorite Baby Tools

Listed in no particular order...here are some of my favorite things:


Diaper Genie- Keeps the bad smells away.

Baby Bjorn- Josh and I used this everywhere!  Anytime we were out and at home too.

Infant Travel Bed-  We traveled so much when Alexis was a baby and this came in handy.  I used it in the airport and at restaurants. It doubled as a small play area.

Coffee- For the caffeine.  I drank 16 oz a day while pregnant and an unlimited amount while nursing...It never made a difference in Lexie's behavior.  For that I am thankful.

Pacifier- When babies are little they need to suck.  I wasn't thrilled about being the sole source of sucking.  My babes will always have this available!!!!

High Quality Nursing Bra- Most of mine came from Target, BUT I had one high quality Medela nursing bra that made all the difference in how I felt.  Worth every penny.

Video Camera- To capture all the "moments"

Break Away Sheets- These are useful in case of a major spit up, throw up, or diaper leaking episode.  They snap on the railing of the crib and act as a barrier between the baby and the crib sheet.  Our crib sheet has never been washed due to this lifesaver.

SwaddleMe Baby Wraps- We got a couple as a baby gift and I thought they were the silliest things I'd ever heard of until I tried them.  The baby stays nicely wrapped up.

Nurse Carol- A visiting nurse provided through the local health department. I wouldn't even consider having a baby without a Nurse Carol.  She came once a week when Alexis was a newborn to check growth and help with anything else that was going on.  I'm looking forward to seeing her again soon!

29th Birthday Fun

First I should begin with a couple of 23 week pregnant shots.  For those who don't want to think about it, that's 6 months :)

 Now for the Birthday fun.... 
A week out, I knew the general idea of the surprise, but didn't know any details.  Saturday at 10 am it began.  Josh gave me five envelopes with Google map directions to a specific address and directions on the back.  I was given strict instructions to not read the directions until I got to the address. Everything I needed for the event was either pre-paid or included with the directions.

A stop at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

 

Directions to the #2 location- The nail salon.  Josh and Alexis pre-paid this one earlier that morning. Alexis got all excited because she thought she was getting her nails painted- What 2 year old expects these things!??!?!  O, yeah, I created that...oops.

 

Resulted in a manicure- 1st time ever with a real color on my fingernails

And a pedicure- My poor feet are always swollen these days :(

Stop #3 was next and by this point I was beginning to really get into it.  At first, I admit, there was a little resistance on my part.  I have a slight control problem that, I felt should not have been confronted on my 29th birthday, or the day after.  That's the honest truth.  Judge away- I deserve it.  Anyway... #3:

One of my very favorite Omaha restaurants

A peaceful lunch.

Because of a slight mix up between #3 and #4 I had to call Josh and get it straightened out.  I knew all through lunch that my next stop was Barnes and Noble to pick up a pre-paid item.  This one really caught me off guard.

Here's what I found. 

This book was written by one of Josh's history teachers at Montreat College and  published in 2009.  It had come up in conversation one day when we were discussing EMP's (Electromagnetic Pulses- a weapon which could be used to attack America).  The book tells a story of how a small American town is affected by an EMP.  I wanted to read it because of the personal connection to the school and location. 

Here's how the author describes Montreat College " A small college, six hundred kids, most of them from small towns across the Carolinas and a few from Atlanta or Florida.  Some of the kids were freaked out by the relative isolation, but most of them grudgingly admitted they loved it, a beautiful campus, a safe place, an old logging trail across the edge of the campus leading straight on up to Mount Mitchell, good white water nearby for kayaking, and plenty of woods to disappear into for partying for some of them, to get around the fairly strict campus rules."

His descriptions of Black Mountain and Asheville are perfect.  They make me miss home.  You all should read the book!

 Stop #5 was home to take a nap, BUT, I could not resist my favorite cookie shop on the way home.   I stopped there to pick up a peanut butter cookie for myself and a couple of M&M ones for Alexis, one of her favorite babysitters, and Josh.


After a short nap Josh and I went to my other favorite Omaha restaurants- Roja.  We made a trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart to pick up a mattress for Lexie's new room, picked up a movie at the local Redbox, and headed home.

What a fun day!!!!

22 Down 18 to go

how far along: 22 Weeks

how big is baby: size of a Papaya

weight gained so far: 17 lbs- YIKES!!!

Belly Button in or out:  In

stretch marks: Nope

sleep: Now that we're home from our never ending east coast trip I am sleeping on schedule.  Night time and one nap a day.  There's no place like home!

best moment of the week: Alexis laid down to measure her belly at the latest appointment.  She's such a cutie!

food cravings: I am hungry all the time- for anything.

looking forward to: I can't believe I'm saying this: Cooler weather.  What has happened to me?

Not looking forward to:Eating more protein.  The nurse practitioner took one quick look at my diet log and determined that I need more lean protein.  She followed that with- "but, if you have to eat bacon and sausage every morning, do it" 
She's right.  Those types of conversations make me feel satisfied that I switched from an OBGYN to a midwife.   

A trip to Houston, TX

Kristen tries to put Alexis to bed

Day One- The Houston Zoo

How cute

Watching Kristen keep up with Alexis was hilarious.  Two strong wills collide. 

Alexis LOVED Kristen

Playing in the big girl room.

Face painting at the children's museum.  How fun.

She wanted to do it by herself!

Still working

The kittens

Kristen is so grown up! 

Washing hands was her favorite activity.

Tickle, Tickle, Tickle, Kitty!!  Lexie still remembers this game and plays it by herself in the backseat.

Children's Museum-The second day

My little artist

 

We had a great time visiting Houston.  When we got off the plane Kristen was sitting separate from her parents and I had to take a second look to make sure that was her!  She is so grown up.  When we arrived Kristen had some welcome projects waiting on us.  Here are two of my favorites:

I'm so glad we had the opportunity to visit.  Kristen was a huge part of my life for two years.  She taught me most of what I know about young children and helped shaped the mother I am to Alexis.  How fun it was to see who she's growing up to be.  Thanks for the fun trip!

We're Having a Boy!

Outside the hospital

how far along: 18 Weeks

how big is baby: the size of a sweet potato

weight gained so far: 12 Lbs

Belly Button in or out:  In

stretch marks: Nope

sleep: I've been getting up too early!

best moment of the week: The ultrasound for sure.  It lasted about thirty minutes.  My favorite part was seeing his little hand open and close.  The 3-D pictures were pretty neat and turned out perfect this time.  The placenta is looking healthy so far- good news!

looking forward to:Getting the 18 hour drive to North Carolina behind us.

Here are some pictures from the afternoon.  We wanted to find out as a family outside of the Dr. office.  Those 4 1/2 hours were full of anticipation for all of us!

The splash pad was a nice distraction

Alexis and I took the gender picture to the HyVee bakery, had them wrap up the correct color cookie, and hide it in the bag. 

You little SNEEK!!!!!

Almost ready

She loves to open "presents"

Excitement. 

THE most disgusting cookie I've ever eaten

Josh double checks

It's true!