Where’d the time go? June 25, 2009

I’m a little frustrated b/c I wrote a huge long post but when I added pictures somehow I managed to delete everything, so, I am going to recap quickly with bullet points since Lexi needs to eat soon.

–I wrote a post about Lexi’s 2 month birthday but never got around to posting pics…basically at 2 months she weighed 13 lbs 2 oz (95%) and was 23 inches long (75%). She is a chunk and is growing out of all her clothes.

–Lexi is smiling and laughing and Brandon loves when she smiles at him.

–We had cousin camp last week…sorry I didn’t get to see anyone, but we had 2 more kids and one less adult than last year and it was exhausting. Please don’t be mad!

–I posted a photo book at joeandibrandonandlexi.shutterfly.com. I think I know how to do this now so I will post new pics.

–I have started writing the Beauty Buzz segment for nwamotherlode.com so check it out.

Lexi’s crying so my time is up, but I think I hit all the major points..,Check you later! 

Chillin’ by the pool!

Mommy and Lexi (in her new swimsuit)

It’s hard to catch her smiling!

Brandon and his BFF Caleb

Carsyn and Lexi

Happy Father’s Day!

Lexi got all dressed up for Brunch…she hated that skirt!

My Roller Derby B-day June 2, 2009

I went to Dallas last weekend to celebrate my 30th birthday (better late than never) with my family and friends down there.  Out of all the birthdays I’ve had, this one I had to celebrate twice! Thankfully my fun and creative sisters came up with a great theme that took the sting out of the big 3-0. We had a seventies themed costume party at a skating rink!  It was so much fun and hilarious watching everyone try to skate like we did when we were kids. and being suprised by the people that took to it right away (I’m starting to think Joe has been sneaking out and practicing). Unfortunately, I was too busy catching up with everyone and falling on my rear to take pictures myself, so I don’t have any to post but you can see the pics Stephanie took on my Shutterfly share sight http://joeandibrandonandlexi.shutterfly.com/. Sorry there are so many, but I don’t know how to edit them before putting them up.  Anyway, thanks to everyone that made it out and I missed those of you that didn’t!

Dumb Idea May 19, 2009

I decided to teach Brandon how to do a somersault tonight…after a failed attempt at explaining it to him I figured a demonstration was needed. I am here to say there is an age limit on somersaults! I’m not sure when I passed the point of being able to propel my body head first across the floor, but I assume it was a long time ago, because I have seriously hurt myself. Now every time Brandon does a somersault (or his version anyway, since I quickly gave up on teaching him) he lays on the floor for a minute saying “Ow, ow” because, clearly, that is the way it is supposed to be done. So, for those of you I will be seeing this weekend, if you catch me rubbing my neck or oddly only looking to the left, you will know why and you have my permission to laugh at me behind my back…I would, if I could turn my head that way.

I’m so tired! May 6, 2009

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have not had the brain power or energy to say much. Having a newborn is hard enough, but we have also decided to work on Brandon’s potty training and that is emotionally exhausting around here.  We are having very little luck but I don’t want to give in again.  Talking about it at all makes my blood pressure rise, so I am moving on.

Lexi is 6 weeks old now and doing well.  She has already shown her personaltiy and is going to be very stubborn. We can tell by the way she hates being posed for pictures and gets really mad when she doesn’t get her way, for example, she gets her pacifier instead of being fed or we put her in the bouncy seat instead of holding her.  You have to be there I guess, but it is really obvious by the looks on her face that she is ticked!  Unfortuntely, she has weak willed parents and usually ends up getting her way.  I think I need to review Baby Wise, because she has been sleeping on me several times a day/night and pretty much demand feeding. 

On the joyful side, she did intentionally smile at me the other day when I tickled her and she seems to be really interested in Brandon, who has warmed up to Lexi and likes to “wiggle” her tummy.  That’s about all on Lexi news…those of you with babies know that there is not much going on with a newborn unless you want to hear more complaining about lack of sleep or a detailed poop schedule, so on to the good stuff, the pictures!

Even Superheroes get tired!

Toby was welcoming Lexi into the family with a game of fetch.

Lexi at 1 month old

One month “birthday”

Just too sweet!

Happy Easter! April 12, 2009

Lexi celbrated her first Easter today and she seemed really excited…she even opened her eyes for a couple of minutes!  She, of course, had an Easter basket and the Easter Bunny brought her an adorable stuffed bunny and 2 eggs that Brandon quickly claimed as his because “Lexi’s too little.” Brandon had a Star Wars themed Easter and recieved 2 Star Wars coloring books (which he has already finished in his hyper-efficient coloring mode) and a Star Wars t-shirt that lights up and the Clone Wars DVD that he watched most of the afternoon while I tried to sleep. 

On a different note, Lexi had her 2 week checkup on Tuesday and has already gained 12 oz from her birth weight.  I knew she felt heavier but was still suprised.  The doctor didn’t seem concerned and the good news is I got the okay to let her slepp at night for as long as she wants without having to wake her up for feedings.  Last night she ate at midnight and then didn’t wake up until 5 am.  If you have had a newborn, you realize how awesome that is.  Unfortuntely, I had to get some stuff ready for this morning so I didn’t actually get to go to bed until about 1:30, but it gives me hope for tonight.  I’m turning in, while I can…I have 2 hours until she will probably want to eat again and I need to take advantage of that!

P.S. It occurs to me that some of this doesn’t make much since and is kind of rambley…I blame sleep deprivation!

Watching Star Wars together…Lexi loved it!

Brandon giving Lexi an Easter kiss…after he hit her with her bunny.

Lexi checking out her Easter basket.

Lexi’s first Easter dress.

It was raining so we had our Easter Egg hunt inside with friends.

This is the first picture we have really gotten with the 2 of them together…Brandon still won’t hold her.

The Nursery March 28, 2009

We finally got the nursery completed once we picked a name.  Here are some pics for those that are interested.

Gigi made all the bedding.

The computer is still in Lexi’s room for now.

I made the memo boards.

Lexi in her bed for the first time…she liked it after a minute.

Brandon wanted to see Lexi in her bed.

Nana came to see Lexi but had the flu this week, so we had to be extra careful.

Proud Papa

Brandon is prepared to protect Baby Sister!

We put her name up asap! I thought this was funny.

Here’s the story… March 28, 2009

Alright, I am going to give a little play-by-play because it is very cathartic (and fun) to share your birthing story. 

Monday, March 23: We spent the day getting ready for Lexi, running errands and taking some pregnant pictures.  My feet swelled up so bad that I couldn’t bend my ankles and it was really depressing. I’m so glad that part is over!

Tuesday, March 24th

2 am: I woke up and could not go back to sleep because I felt like I was having contractions and had to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes.  I was so mad because I wanted just one more solid nights sleep before the baby came and I didn’t get to sleep again for months.

5 am: I finally gave up and got up to get ready to go to the hospital.

6:15 am: Joe and I got to the hospital and checked in (15 minutes late, which made me crazy). My mom stayed with Brandon so she could take him to school. We decided that he didn’t need to be there the whole day and I didn’t want him to miss speech. 

7 am: The nurses gave me my IV and patosin (I am not even attempting to spell that right) and called the anesthesiologist for my epidural.

7:15 am: The anesthesiologist (my hero) came in and we filled him in on the problems I had when I had Brandon. If you haven’t heard the story, then you probably haven’t met me, but just in case here is the RD version. In the 30 minutes it took to get my epidural I progressed from a 3 to a 10, so I was having full contractions.  Joe had to put me in a head lock, literally, to hold me still and the doctor was yelling at us. He had to redo the needle 3 times and when he was done, he said it was the hardest one he has ever done. So, I was more nervous about getting my epidural this time than I was the actual delivery.  This time, the doctor was an older, experienced man and he was wonderful! He was real soothing and seemed to think it was really weird that the other guy would have had any problems.  He got the needle in on the first try with no discomfort and then stayed and chatted to make sure the medicine kicked in. He said it was one of the easiest epidurals he had ever done!

7:45 am: Life is good!  The patosin really started working and my contractions started but I didn’t feel a thing. My doctor came in and said that they would probably break my water around lunch time.

8:15 am: The nurse checked my progress and was surprised that I had already progressed almost to a 4 so she went and got the doctor,

8:20 am: My doc decided to go ahead and break my water and found out that I had already progressed another centimeter since the nurse had checked.  They both told me to try and take a nap while I waited to get to a 10, which I knew was going to happen too fast for me to get any sleep.

9:00 am: My mom got there after dropping off Brandon and we started getting really excited.

9:33 am: My sisters and Dad arrived from Dallas.  They left at 4 am to make sure that they made it in time.  I was feeling a little nauseated from the meds so I had to lay on my side with a washcloth on my head while we visited.  Everyone was really excited and kept pacing back and forth which made me feel so much worse, so we had a strict sit-still-or-else rule if you were in my line of site.

10:40 am: I felt a little cramp that I thought was weird so I called the nurse.  She checked me and was very suprised that I was already to a 10 and told me  not to push!  She started setting up for the doctor to come in.

11:00 am: The doctor came in and had me start pushing.

11:05 am: Lexi made her debut after only 5 pushes total.  She was much bigger than we had expected, 8 lbs 3 oz, a full pound bigger than Brandon was. Everyone wondered where she was hiding, because I never got very big…I said that’s why I have been so uncomfortable! She has a full head of dark hair and was solid fat rolls!  It all happened so fast it took me a minute for it all to sink in.  I told Joe it was a slap in Mother Nature’s face not to have more kids, because it was so easy for me…the doctor and nurse just laughed and said if we had a 3rd Joe would need to learn how to deliver at home!

When Brandon came in to meet Lexi he was very excited but did not want to get on the bed with me and didn’t want to hold or touch her, which was probably best since he had just come from school.  On Thursday he took a brag book to school with pictures of Lexi and showed his teachers and his friends.  So far, he has been really good with her.  He likes to help Gigi and Mommy get things for Lexi and if she cries he comes running into the room to see “What happened?” He still doesn’t touch or hold her, but he likes to look at her.  We were trying to wake Lexi up to eat yesterday and Brandon said, “Wake up Lexi, it’s time to eat. Mmm-mm.” It was really cute.  We aren’t sure if Brandon is confused or just pretending, but with Gigi he insists that there are 2 babies, Baby Sister and Lexi. He said Baby Sister is in Mommy’s tummy and Lexi is here.  When my mom said Baby Sister came out of Mommy’s tummy Brandon thought about it and decided that Baby Sister was in the car.  He refused to give Lexi her hat earlier because it was Baby Sister’s hat. We aren’t sure what to do about this, but hopefully it will click with enough time.

Lexi with G. and Gigi

Brandon showing Lexi his new Transformer.

The whole family…Brandon was refusing to pose at this point.

Lexi with Cici and Sissy.

Lexi Len March 27, 2009

She is finally here and even more exciting, we finally picked a name! The debate was long and out of control and continued until she was 26 hours old. We decided on Alexis Len and call her Lexi.  We had a lot of names that we liked, but we found ourselves using Alexis as a middle name in all of them just incase we decided to call her Lexi, so finally we decided that there must be a reason we keep going back to that. 

Anyway, I am pretty tired right now and it is time for Lexi to eat, so I am just doing a quick post tonight, but I plan on telling the whole story in my next post with video of the birth…HAHA, just kidding! I’ll tell the story, but no video…as far as I’m concerened I like to think that angels delivered her while I was napping! Here are a couple of pictures of our beautiful baby girl!

The perfect swaddle!

She looks so sweet here…she sleeps allll the time!

We couldn’t resist the flower!

Right before we went home…she has a ton of dark hair.

Another Doctor Appointment… March 16, 2009

…but this time I do have some news.  If I do not go into labor before then, I will be induced next Tuesday morning.  I assume it will be the same as last time, so I will have the baby mid-afternoon, except this time I want my epidural as early as possible.  My curiosity of what a contraction really feels like was definitely satisfied last time, not to mention, Joe is pretty much insisting that I not wait this time after having to put me in a headlock last time to get the needle in.  So, I am relieved to have a plan, even if I go into labor sooner, so I don’t feel like it is going to go on forever.

I was thinking about how different women are when they invision the delivery process.  For example, I know Ashley did not want to be induced and, unfortunately, Owen felt otherwise.  I, on the other hand, can think of nothing better than to go in on a planned date.  My doctor asked if I wanted to go into labor on my own or be induced and she barely finished the sentence before I answered.   

I have also decided that the dicomfort of the last four weeks of pregnancy is God’s way of making a woman willing to go through anything just so it will be over!  This last week my maternity pants have stopped fitting, I have slept about 4 hours a night (total, not consecutive thanks to frequent bathroom visits), and my feet have swollen to 3 times their size.   Luckily the weather is warming up, so I can wear dresses instead of pants and flip flops, since my shoes no longer fit.  My doc said to cut out salty foods and in my mind I thought “So, that leaves ice cream?” 

I will leave you with a couple of cute Brandon stories…right now, he has his cars lined up and is playing drive-thru, which is a testiment to my parenting.  He pulls one up and says “Thank you” and then “Your welcome” and then drives that car to the side and does the next one.  I’m not sure if is bad that he is this familiar with the process, but I figure at least he’s being polite.  I would be really embarrassed if he was being rude to the pretend drive-thru people. 

After we left the doctor, I told Brandon that we were going to get to meet baby sister soon and he was happy that she was going to come play with him. Then right after we got home, the doorbell rang and Brandon got really excited and starting yelling, “Baby Sister’s here!” It was really funny.  I told him I wished that’s how she got here, but that we still had to wait.

Nothing new to report March 10, 2009

I went to the doctor today, and I am still the same as last week.  She said I could stay this way for a couple of weeks, which is aggravating, or I could go into labor any minute.  I am recieving many requests from the fam about having the baby at convenient times, so I will do what I can.  I have been trying to walk alot but we are about to get another cold front with rain and possibly snow, so I doubt I will be leaving the house much the next couple of days.  Anyway, that’s all I got and, as always, I will keep you posted!