Other Things in Life

I know all I really wright about is Lexi, but she's basically the center of my world right now! But let's talk about what else is going on...

I've had two sinus infections in the last two months. Sucks ass! I blame all of the snotty nose kids who run around the playground and my not being vigilant enough with the hand sanitizer. I'm currently on day 11 of my second round of sickness and it doesn't want to leave. I always seem to get sick right around this week every year. It's always right before, during, or right after ALF. ALF was actually a week early this year and good thing too or else I would have been miserable! 

Sept 27-29 was ALF (Clarion U's homecoming festival) and KJ, Lexi, and I had a good time this year. It was kind of cut short because we didn't have anyone to watch Tucker and Colby. MIL was letting them out for us, but that really doesn't cut it with them. Aussies need attention and exercise, and we didn't want to end up with a hole chewed through our wall. But other than that, we had a good time at the craft fair. There's always so many cute things to see. I got some cute winter hats for Lexi, and also a new purple tutu. The parade was fun. It was Lexi's first and she slept though it! Haha ALF was definitely different with a LO. Instead of drinking the night away like we did in college, KJ went for some drinks with our friends while I put Lexi to bed in our hotel room. It was actually a really nice night. She went down without much trouble, I had a bottle of my favorite wine, watched "Say Yes to the Dress", and was asleep by 9:30.

The week of Sept 23-27 we had new siding put on our house. Well, the bulk of it was done that week. The construction guys are still actually finishing up some little things here are there. Our house was in desperate need of being resided and we finally saved up enough money to get it done. This project was a big reason why I continued to work for as long as I did. We needed the extra money in order to save up enough. But, after a week and a half straight of men pounding on the house all day long, it's finally done and it looks great! We no longer have the crappiest looking house on the block! Yay! We are also getting a new front door put in, but it had to be special ordered, so it's not in yet. We have an older house and so none of the doors or windows (or anything else!) are "standard" size. That should be in next week, though.

Before...


And After!!


 Sept 22 was mine and KJ's 6 year wedding anniversary. MIL watched Lexi for us and we celebrated by spending a day in Pittsburgh. An Ikea trip was in order, of course. I got a nice new display case for my ALF glasses as my anniversary present, and we picked up some Christmas gifts for Lexi. We went to lunch at Steak and Shake and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummm!! We had a really nice time just the two of us. It's hardly ever just the two of us any more and it was really nice to reconnect. We needed that.

 Sept 21 I ran a 10k in Clarion and did really well. I crushed my old time and had a new personal best of 47:02. 6th female finisher. Really, really proud of myself!! Three years ago when I ran this particular race (the 5k) for the first time, I made it my goal to do the 10k one year. It feels really good to have met that goal and get a PB in the process!

Sept 15 was mine and KJ's 10 year dating anniversary. I can't believe it's been 10 years! We met my freshman year at Clarion, I was 18 and KJ was 21. We actually met my first day at school when I moved in. I still remember the first time I saw him, and no joke, I said to myself, " I wonder if I'll marry him?" I completely believe that when you find your sole mate, you just "know". We officially started dating three weeks later and have been together ever since. A week into dating I made my mind up that, yes, I would marry him. He didn't actually ask me until three years later, but I knew it all along! :)

Anyways, I ran the Sharon PD 5k that morning and did really well. 22:14 which is a new PB! I was also the 2nd female finisher. I got a nice plack... it'll got nicely right next to my dear rack... haha! Yeah, it's just a little "woodsy" for my taste. I hung it in our "rustic room". That afternoon, the three of us went to a weeding of our good friends. It was beautiful, but it was right in the middle of when Lexi usually naps. She was fussy the hole time. I didn't even get to see the ceremony because I had to take her outside. It was an outdoor reception, but it was very crowded. We tried to make the stroller work and it was just a great big mess. I really wish I could have enjoyed it more, but it was just not a good time for us. We left early and chilled out at home for the rest of the day.

I was having really good hair one night, so here's a good old bathroom selfie :)

Lots of Love,
KJsbabe

TTC Wannabe

I feel like I'm the only one who isn't pregnant or at least TTC. I want to be TTC so badly :( I'm ready to get pg again. I'm ready to get back on the journey to completing our family. The good, the bad, I want it. I'm ready for it. I know our journey might include more losses. I pray it doesn't, but I know it's a real possibility. I'm not naive enough to think that because I had one successful pregnancy that means I can't loose any more babies. But, my doctor and I know a lot more now than during my first two pg, so there defiantly is hope.

What's standing in my way? Breastfeeding. "Natures's birth control" can suck it.  I haven't had a real period for over two years. September 30, 2011 is my LMP. Yes, I had pp bleeding after I had Lexi, but other than that, nothing. I hate that my body doesn't want to cooperate. I hate that I'm one of the "lucky few" that the pp period won't come until we've weaned. Because the thing is, I don't want to wean completely. I love the BFing relationship that Lexi and I have. Sure we had some issues at the beginning. It took her forever for to learn how to latch and we both leaned on the nipple shield too much. It took 20-30 minuets just to get her to latch sometimes! We both worked so hard to get it right and then at 4 weeks old we were home free. We had a great rhythm. Then 3 months hit and I woke up with a clogged duct one morning. By that evening I had mastitis. It was awful. KJ was no help what so ever. I was literally and figuratively a single mom. I was taking care of a 3 month old while feeling like I was dealing with the flu, all by myself. But we some how made it though. I continued to pump at work. It was a relief and huge stress all at the same time. Relieve that I got a break from my awful job, but stress that I never was able to pump enough during the day. I absolutely did not want to resort to supplementing with formula, so I would pump around the clock. Pump when I got home from work, while feeding Lexi. Pump before I went to bed. Pump first thing in the morning, while feeding Lexi. I lived on lactation cookies. It was such a relieve, in soooo many ways when I finally was able to quit my job. I can't even describe how good it felt. It was like I could breath again. No more pumping. No more stressing. No more awful customers. I am so not cut out to be a working mom and I am so, so grateful that KJ's job allowed me to be able to stay home. Thank you Lord! 

Lord, you really do know best and your timing is perfect. If I had been able to keep my first baby there's no way we would have been able to afford me staying home with him. Same with my second baby. Literally at that time, KJ and I were both making together what he now makes by himself. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I don't know why I lost two babies. I don't know why it took so long and so much. I don't know why I was blessed with such a wonderful, sweet little girl. And I don't know why it's not the right time to TTC right now. But. I do know that the Lord's timing is perfect. I do know that He will bless me with a second baby when He sees fit. I cannot see the future. I don't know what is in store for me and my family. But. I do know that The Lord will answer my prayers. Wether yes, no, or not right now. My Lord answers prayers. 

"I prayed for this child, and The Lord has granted me what I asked of him."

I'm trying my best to be patient...

Lots of Love,

KJsbabe

15 Months!

My little Lexi is 15 months today! She had a couple big milestones this month. First, she can climb all the way up to the top of the jungle gym at the park and then go down the side... Completely by herself! No help what so ever! She is such a big girl! I was really nervous to let her climb on her own, but then I kept seeing all of these other toddlers her size that couldn't be much older climbing, and I thought maybe she was big enough to do that, too. I don't want to be a helicopter mom and I know I need to let her do things on her own, even when it makes me nervous. When she climbs she gets this cheesy grin on her face and then when he makes it to the bottom of the slide she claps for herself.

The other really cool thing Lexi can do now is pick things out of her books. If I ask her to point to the puppy, she knows exactly what I'm talking about and points to it! She can pick out all kinds of things, animals, characters, objects (like household items and toys), shapes, numbers, letters, and colors. She still isn't saying much, but she understands soooo much! Books are still an obsession. Her favorite books this month are I Spy Little Numbers, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella, The Library with Elmo, Big Bird's Nest, and Green Eggs and Ham. She also has this set of First Look and Find books: When I Grow up with Dora the Explorer, Ni Hao Kai-Lan (confession: I have no idea how to say this girl's name, so half the time I call her Kiki and the other half I call her "the little girl"), What's Going to Work? Teamwork with The Wonder Pets, and The Backyardigans. Lexi Loves those!

Lexi started saying her first word this month... "No!" Oh boy! Now when I ask her a question, instead of giving the "I don't know" sign, she shakes her head and says "no"... "Lexi, do you want your sippy?" "No". "Lexi, could you back away from the TV, please?" (She loves to stand with her nose pressed against the glass) "No". "Lexi, do you want to give daddy a hug?" "No". She will nod her head yes sometimes, but it's mostly no. Other than that, she's still not saying any words. She kind of said "yeah" yesterday, but I think it might have been a fluke.

I talked to the pedi about Lexi lack of words at her app. She said they really don't start getting concerned until 18 months. She said as long as there's evidence that she can hear, she can obey simple commands, and she's babbling that she's still in the "normal" range. So, Lexi has three months to start talking or else she'll get sent for a hearing and speech evaluation. I really hope she starts talking on her own soon. Developmentally she's never been "ahead" in her milestones and I'm fine with that. She's always hit them within the "normal" range, though, and it makes me worried that we're quickly approaching "behind" territory. I know every kid develops at their own pace, but that's much easier to keep in mind when it's not your kid who's behind.

 

Other notable things this month: Lexi is up to seven teeth now. Four on the top, three on the bottom. She also likes to dance and bounce. We have one of those small fold out foam couches for her and she loves to "jump" on it. She hasn't gotten to the point of her feet actually leaving the ground, but she's trying! 

 

Lexi's 15 month stats:

47 1/4 cm head

30 1/2 in long

23lbs

Lots of Love,

KJsbabe

Sleep Progress

Well, it took all summer, but I finally have a child who naps. Thank god!!! Lexi has gone from, screaming when I tried to lay her down in her crib and only napping while being held, to napping a full 2 hours in her crib by herself. It's amazing!! I honestly don't know how we got here, so don't ask! I just kept trying with the solo napping and one day she just did it. I think it was a combination of her getting older, she has a solid daily routine, and just consistent trying.

The first time Lexi napped more than an hour I didn't know what to do with myself! I kind of just sat on the couch, looked around, and said, "This is weird! Why isn't she screaming yet??" I kept checking the monitor and even peaked into her room to make sure she was still breathing...

So yeah, never thought I'd say this but... I have a kid who naps!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!!

Lots of Love,

KJsbabe

14 Months

 

 Lexi is 14 months old today and is getting to be such a big girl! She's still not saying any words, but her understanding of what we say has just exploded! I'll tell her, "Let's go upstairs and change your diaper." She walks over to the stairs and starts to climb up. Then once upstairs she sits down in our diaper changing spot! She totally understands what I'm saying and it's so cool! Also, when I tell her to say hi or by to someone, she waves. Her new thing is whenever I ask her a question like, "Lexi, where did I put my keys?" She puts her hands and arms up like "I don't know!" It's the cutest thing! She does lots of babbling and everything is still "da!". She'll point to something and say "da!" if she wants it or wants to know what it is. She's also a great helper. She helps when we pick up toys. She has discovered the kitchen cabinets and knows where her snacks are kept. She'll go in the pantry, grab her box of crackers, and bring it over to me. I'll get her one out, hand it to her, and then tell her to put the box back, please... And she does it! Smart, smart girl! 

 

 

Lexi loves, loves books. She's constantly bringing me books to read to her. It's mostly the same ones over and over again, too. "Dear Zoo", "Caterpillar's Springtime Day", "I Love My Family", "Five Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars", "My First Counting Book" (Little Golden books), and "The Poky Little Puppy" are some of her current favorites. Another Lexi obsession are bracelets, purses, and really anything she can put on her arm (right arm only, never her left). She also loves to carry around her Ikea step stool so she can climb up on things and has a seat wherever she goes. Best $3 I've spent! We've also been going to the playground after our daily run and she knows where everything is and has her favorite rides. 

Some of Lexi's motor skill milestones this month have been stacking and building with blocks, pressing buttons (on her toys, my phone, the tv, her stuffed animals), and putting her sippy cup in the cup holder. She's also gotten more teeth! I forget if I said before, but she got her two middle top teeth on her birthday. Then about two weeks later she got her top right lateral incisor. And the middle of this month she got her bottom left lateral incisor. So, a total of 6 teeth so far. I keep waiting for the the other two incisors to come in. I was expecting them to come in in pairs, but I guess not.

My sweet little Lexi is getting bigger by the day! I swear some morning I go into her room and am like, "you defiantly got bigger over night!"

Lots of Love,

KJsbabe

Summer Running

Since becoming a SAHM I've gotten to do a lot more running this summer and I love it! Lexi and I go to the park every morning. I run and she naps in the stroller, and everyone is happy. :) I've been doing 5k's throughout the summer and have even ventured into a couple 10ks. My first two ever! Very proud!

Here's a summery of my summer racing:

May 15 - "Run Like an Animal"      27:06
May 19 - "Mission of Love"            26:11 First in my age group
June 8 -   "Friends of Buhl Park"     25:19 Third in my age group
June 22 - "Summer Fest Sweat"      24:59 First over all woman! Only the second time I've ever won a race!
July 13 - "Run for Your Heart"        51:10 My first 10k! Third in my age group
July 14 - "Hermitage Arts Fest"       25:05 First in my age group
Aug 18 - Hamot Mayor's Cup"        51:02 My Second 10k! Second in my age group
Aug 24 - "Race at Piston's Place"    25:04 First in my age group and ran with Lexi in the stroller


Next up, I'm doing a 5k this weekend. Then in September I have both a 5k and another 10k. There's one 5K I have my eye on so far for Oct. I'm still not hitting the 5k time that I'd like to be at, but I guess I'm more concerned with mileage at this point. I've been doing between 6 and 7.5 miles each day (depending on how many times Lexi got up during the night haha!). My goal is to do a half marathon at some point, but I know it won't be this summer. The Pittsburgh half is in May every year. So, while I would love to be pregnant again with #2 by that point next year, if not I'll be training for a half. I know I can do the mileage. Back when I ran XC in HS we'd do 10 miles in practice, so really at that point, what's another 3? I just need to get myself back up, both physically and mentally, to doing that kind of mileage. And I know it's a few years down the road, but after (and I hope am blessed with) kid #2 I'd like to do a full marathon. But, that's a long term goal. Right now I'm really enjoying dabbling in the 10k's.


Lots of Love,
 KJsbabe

One Year Photo Shoot

Our one good friends from collage started her own photography business last year about this time and she has taken so many beautiful pictures of Lexi and our family. I love, love her work! If you are in the Pittsburgh area, please check her out because she's amazing!! Carry Harris Photography

Here are some of our beautiful pictures from Lexi's one year photo shoot!




















Lots of Love,
KJsbabe