More Thanksgiving Pics...

Thanks to sis, Robin, and Grandaddy for the pics!

Grandmother with Amber and Alex. Chris' cousins, Amy and Kelly are in the background.
Grandmother taking the cousins for a walk after T'giving lunch. One cool thing about Thanksgiving is that my mom and sister's family come to Chris' parents house for T'giving lunch and to visit. It is great for us all to be together. Chris' Aunt Tammy's family comes too along with his sister's family and his grandad. Big group and growing with all the lil munchkins. Chris' grandad and my brother in law, Steven, are in the background.
Alex and Amber hanging out in the leaves and playing with their matching baby strollers from Grandmother.
Amber and Alex playing with hot wheels and an old car station that used to be mine and Robin's. They really liked playing with it especially when Chris played too.
Alex and Amber watching Dora. This was Alex's first time to actually sit and watch most of it.
Sweet cuz hugs

Alex loves to bounce on me. I used to let her bounce on my belly until recently as Baby Rock 2 probably doesn't appreciate that. She also loves to ride on my back. So funny as she doesn't hold on well so it is a lot of work for me, but she laughs the whole time.
Alex giving sweet kisses. We often tell her that is "very loving." I should add here that Alex has refrained from biting lately and resorts to kissing me instead. Every once in a while, she slips in a bite and gets sent to her crib for one minute. That seems to work as she screams her guts out and hates to be separated from Mommy. She follows our "talk" afterwards with kisses.
Grandaddy reading to Alex and Hunter

Thanksgiving

Several of you have asked for a blog update. Well, we are having some camera issues. Our camera blurs many of the pics we take so most of my pics from T'giving didn't turn out. I am waiting for my sister to send me some to post. Chris' dad sent 2 of the below. Unfortunately, I have no pics to post of Alex with Grandmother, Mimi or Grandaddy right now. :(

Also, I am so behind in posting that I have more pics than I can post of other stuff. So, I will just post a few now and if I ever get the energy to fight our slow, quickly overheating computer, I'll post the others. Hence, we have computer issues, too.

Thanksgiving... We traveled to MS to visit family. It was a short, but sweet visit in which we ate way too much. Just when you think you're full, it's time for dessert and you can't pass up dessert on T'giving. So, I have been working out every day since I got back and am feeling better. I took off working out while in MS - mistake! I learned my lesson and hope to eat less at Christmas in MS. :)

Alex did better on this trip than any other as far as riding in the car. We contribute it to her facing forward now and that we let her watch her Signing Time videos some. However, when she got tired of reading books, talking, napping, playing with dolls and toys, and watching videos, she just chewed her toes. ha!
The grandkids posing for a Christmas pic for Mimi's Christmas card
Hunter, Alex, Aunt Cathy, and Anna Cate
Chris reading to Alex and cousin Amber before bedtime
Alex being cute... I realized I don't have many naked shots of Alex to bribe her when she's 16 so I'm on the watch now. :)

New Babies and Playing

I just can't keep up with posting as so much happens in a day/week. I finally got ultrasound pics of Baby Rock 2 last Thursday (excuse the quality of this one). He/She measured at 11 weeks 4 days last Thursday and the due date read at June 8. He/She was wiggling so much and we could see legs, arms, hands and feet....so cute. We find out the sex at my next appt on January 8. :)

Difference in pregnancies so far:
1. I have been more tired this pregnancy. I contribute it to chasing, picking up, and being attentive to a toddler all day along while keeping my same activity/exercise level, cleaning, cooking, errands plus breastfeeding. My energy is coming back slowly, but I have been sleeping a ton to keep up with the demands (going to bed b/w 8-9 and napping most days).
2. I have craved more foods this time. (Last time I only craved pickles for a couple of weeks in the beginning and I was not interested in sweets.) This time, I have craved olives, cheese, breads, sweets, etc... The cravings may slow down now that weaning is in progress.

Update on weaning:
Day 5 - a few more tears and tugging on shirt, but it stopped soon after some cuddling and brecky was served. Had to tell her "mommy doesn't have any more milk for you there."
Day 6 - she was playing in bed when I went to get her. I played with her some and then she saw her sippy cup on dresser and asked for it, not me at all!
Day 7 - same as Day 5
Day 8 (today)- Chris got her out of bed and he had a sippy cup with him. She did fine and happily came in the kitchen with him for Saturday pancakes. :)

As far as my milk production, it has stopped and the milk finally started to recede. Day 3 and 4 were the most painful as they were engorged, but every day since has gotten better. My doc recommended a tight sports bra and ice packs. I've been wearing a tight sports bra almost 24/7. I tried some people's recommendations about using cabbage leaves for a little bit one day and one night. I don't know if it really does anything except a cold pack feeling initially. Chris said it was an old wives tale and didn't do anything. ??? I don't know how long before I have no milk at all, but I am feeling much better!

Another new baby is Reese Abigail Ramsey who was born yesterday, Nov. 21, at 7:33 pm measuring at 7 lbs 2 oz and 18.5 inches long. Reese is so precious, hardly makes a peep, and has a head full of black hair. Alex was enthralled by the baby, but was just as much or more interested in playing with Reagan, Reese's big sister.

Layla and Jason right before she started pushing... she looked way too good at 10cm. I was in no condition to pose for a pic at that point with Alex. Granted, I had no meds.
Visiting Baby Reese today as we just missed her last night.

Reagan being motherly and wanting to feed Alex her drink. She does this just about every time they are together.

Alex hugging Reagan as they rock.

When we went to visit Layla yesterday at the hospital, it was almost time to push. So, Reagan and her Aunt DD went to the cafeteria to eat with us. The girls had so much fun playing together! a bit too much fun in the hall when we went back as they were asked to clear the hall. yikes...

Major Milestones

Weaning is in process. I can't believe it. It happened unintentionally on last Saturday when I went to get Alex out of bed and she was playing so I kept giving her stuffed animals while still in her bed. She played and laughed for a while. Then I offered to let her hold one while I changed her diaper (usually, she screams if I change her before breastfeeding in the morning which means I often breastfed her with a stinky diaper). She seemed excited to hold Raggedy Ann. Then, I offered her to carry the dirty diaper in a bag to the garage to throw away and she gladly accepted like a big girl. Then, she forgot about breastfeeding and a sippy cup and breakfast followed with ease. This happened for 3 days straight with no tears, just playing and distractions. These distractions worked unlike the last time when I tried getting her out of her crib first, then distracting. I learned the distracting had to take place while still in the bed. However, this morning (4th morning) didn't go so well. She was already upset because I made her wait a bit before getting her out of bed as she woke early. By the time I got in there, she did not want anything to do with her stuffed animals or playing. Her typical pulling on my shirt and whining occurred. I kept trying to distract her, but nothing worked. She even threw her sippy cup. However, I did not let her breastfeed as I am very sore from not breastfeeding and did not want to start this filling up/drying up process all over again (I'm in the painful filling up part). No turning back now. She probably cried/threw down for 5 minutes and wimpered off and on a little after, but finally stopped when I gave her breakfast. I guess she couldn't forget in 3 days about breastfeeding since mommy walked in looking like Dolly Parton. I pray the tears and desire for breastfeeding ends soon for Alex as well as relief for my breasts and that I don't get mastitis! If any of you experienced weaners have any tips for relief during this time, please tell me!!!

Another major milestone that has occurred is that Alex has transitioned from 2 naps a day to one. I was surprised she was ready this early, but she started just playing in her bed during the ave nap. So, after a week of that, I decided to go to one nap a day in the afternoon. She has been doing it a week now and sleeps about 2-3 hrs in the ave (shorter if a poo wakes her). I have actually enjoyed this new schedule as we have more flexibility for activities and errands in the morning now.

So many changes so quickly... Alex is growing up too fast!

14 Months Old

About to go strolling in the cold and rain... I covered her in waterproof stuff; she loved it.
Doing her chores...ha!

She loves copying me as she saw me cleaning under her high chair recently. She is getting up here, but she was actually on her knees "scrubbing."

Alex watching the squirrels while coloring.

Alex is such a big girl. I love watching her learn, discover, talk, do sign language, laugh, run, dance, play, etc... She is so much fun. Her favorite activities are anything outside: swinging, sliding, climbing, collecting leaves and acorns, playing with balls, rocks, etc... Alex still loves to read books. She brings me books all day long to read plus we have reading time a couple times a day also. We've started going to storytime at the library once a week which she loves as a lady reads, sings songs and dances with the kids, and has a craft for them at the end. As much as Alex loves to explore, she still loves to hug, kiss, be held and "ride the hip." She's going through a bit of separation anxiety and does not like to be out of mommy's presence. Alex's favorite (and only) tv show is Signing Times which I have about 10 episodes recorded. She watches about 30 min/day. She amazes me how much she absorbs (from us and the show) as she will randomly sign correct things to me or say words in the right context. The show has been great to supplement in helping enhance her vocabulary and understanding about life. So cool!

Alex is very active for a little girl. Her energized spirit has caused a few tantrums because of not getting what she wants (this has gotten better). She even started biting me recently. I think her routine being off last weekend contributed to that. However, it has shown us that we are entering a new phase of parenting for sure. Praying for wisdom!!!

Biting devo... Alex bit me 6 times on Saturday for no apparent reason except maybe wanting attention. Each time she bit me, I was doing something for her: preparing our meal, giving her food, or holding her to love on her. She hurt my feelings because I was trying to love her in the midst of her bites. Some of her bites were through laughs while others were clearly because she was upset. As I pondered these incidents, I started thinking of how many times God has loved me and taken care of me and I responded by "biting" Him. My disobedience to Him must sting the same way. He knows what is best for me even if I can't see it immediately. He knows why I have to wait for things or never get them. He takes care of me, provides, protects, loves and gives me everything I need. My heart was saddened to think how much I hurt my Father when he loves me so much. I was reminded of His grace and love again and was brought to repentance and more awareness of my "bites."

At 14 mos, Alex is still breastfeeding first thing in the morning. I've tried weaning with no success as I'm not ready to go cold turkey and let her just scream as I withhold breastmilk. However, I've decided I may have to do that if she has not weaned by about half way through this pregnancy. I'm praying she weans herself. This is ironic as I forced her to continue breastfeeding at about 9 months old when she seemed disinterested. Now, she is hooked. If anyone has any weaning tips besides going cold turkey and me leaving her for the weekend, I welcome them. I have tried distracting her, offering a sippy cup (which was thrown while tugging on my shirt and screaming), changing rooms, letting Chris get her out of bed, etc. All of this has been met with screeching resistance.

Hiking Pinnacle Mountain

We took Alex on her first hike yesterday. She loved seeing and hearing the birds, touching the trees, leaves, rocks, meeting new people along the way and most of all petting the dogs we saw going up and down the mountain. Since Chris and I carried Alex (and we were short on time), we only went half way up, then back down. Next time, we plan to borrow or buy a backpack seat for her as she got heavy. Great family outing on a beautiful sunny cool day!

Alex thought our water tasted better than hers of course... or maybe she just wanted to drink out of our bottle grown up style. :)

Weekend Festivities

I am proud to announce that part of the weekend festivities included our niece, Anna Cate, going home from the hospital yesterday after spending 12 weeks in the NICU. She is doing well at about 5lbs 4oz and 17 inches long. According to the medical staff, everything that should have gone wrong with her being born at 26 weeks did not. What a blessing! Thank you for your prayers!

Cathy, Craig, Hunter and Anna Cate

Anna Cate in her premie cat halloween costume

Trunk or Treat: Halloween Night

Alex and Reagan

Alex enjoyed carrying her bag even though it just held her sippy cup. She thought she was hot stuff as everyone else was carrying something. :)
Mommy and Alex about to jump in the jumper
Alex loved jumping!!!


Pumpkin Patch
Hayride Fun
Petting Zoo
Peek A Boo
Alex and Reagan
Alex found her pumpkin

Alex loved the hay on the hayride as well as sitting higher looking out.
Our lil scarecrow