Strong willed child

Both Aaron and I are very hard headed. I will admit it, but my husband won't : ) When we had children we did not realize just what personality/character traits we'd pass on. Well Miss Lexi Kendyl has just demonstrated she's a good mix of both of us.

We put her down, and it was business as usual~ she cried. It's funny the more tired she is, the more she cries. Sometimes she'll sit up in protest. Well today was no exception. She stopped and I thought she was asleep. I was right, but not exactly correct.

Aaron showed me the picture he had just taken, while I'm in the shower ~ but that's a whole other Oprah, and I saw this....

Our little princess out of protest had fallen asleep while sitting up. I didn't know exactly what to think, but I have a feeling we are headed for a few battles as she gets older.

Father's Day 6/21/09

Our Father's Day did not start out so good. At 12:15AM Jeffrey woke up with a low grade fever. He then proceeded to throw up, and go to bed. I thought we were officially in for it. I spent the night on the floor while he and Aaron slept on the bed.

I thought that we were in the clear, but then BOTH kids woke up at 6:15. We were able to hold them off till their normal time, with Lexi taking a cat nap. At this time we found that Jeffrey's fever had rose to 103.5 degrees. We gave him some medicine and hoped for the best. We were able to get through breakfast, and open presents. Jeffrey had a blast opening cards and gifts for his Daddy and Grandpa Russell. Even Frankie got in on the action.

We went over to my parents house and had Father's Day round 2. The kids helped my Dad open his presents and cards. Alexis joined in this time, and insisted on having a piece of paper in her hands at all times. Around 12 Jeffrey really started to get bad, cranky, and restless. His fever again rose to 103.5, and off the urgent care we went. Poor Aaron, in urgent care on Father's Day.

It turned out to be nothing, but a virus. The doctor tried to pin Lexi as the outbreak monkey, but she proved them wrong when her two teeth appeared early this week.

Kristina ended up coming home with us to watch Jeffrey on Monday and Tuesday while Aaron and I went to work. We enjoyed our time and our adventure... you'll see the results when you see us.

I told Aaron I'd make it up to him. I'll keep the kids one afternoon so he can do as he pleases.

Father's Day BBQ

Instead of all of us running around on Father's Day trying to hit grandpas, dads, etc. my Nino had the idea to have a BBQ the day before. It was great. We were all able to come, enjoy, and be thankful we had our Fathers/Grandfathers/Great-Grandfathers/Unlces, etc for yet another year in health and happiness. We had fun, and the kids had a blast. I heard the party continued till about 10 at night, but a good time was had by all.

You run, you slide...

“You run. You slide. Hit the mat and take a dive…”
That’s theme song I remember when I was growing up. It was the theme song to the Slip N’ Slide. Jeffrey got his from his Aunt Kellye and crew. I partly think she got it for Jeff AND Aaron. It’s pretty cool, it’s a dual racer one. Yesterday we had plans for Jeffrey to go to the pool, but plans changed. So, the Slip N’ Slide made its debut.

I chose to stay out of this little adventure. Partly because one of us had to able to call 911 should an accident occur, and partly because I had no intention of crushing my chest. Alexis was napping, and skipped out on the action.

I heard some laughing and giggling. Finally I heard “MOMMY! Come out here and see me!”

I did and captured them in action. Who says a 3 year old and full grown adult can't play on a toy designed for a child 5-12?!?!

Alexis 11 months

My Dear Alexis,
I cannot believe I am sitting here writing about your 11 month of life with us! My gosh ~ how time has flown.
As you get older, I have more vivid memories of your first days/months with us. I remember giving you your night feedings and watching the Olympics. (I gotta say I did not even know that some of those sports existed. In fact, you inspired Mommy and Bear to go to the Olympics. I picked Rowing or speed walking, but Daddy quickly dismissed that.) Just last night Daddy and I were talking about you when you were first born, and now… 11 months later, here we are.

Well let’s start with your stats. You went to Dr. Chang about 2 weeks ago and were 27lbs. 7 oz. We are a little unclear about your height, but we know you grew : > Dr. Chang was impressed by bubbly personality and your speech. You got only two little pricks ~ to check your iron and a TB test. You cried like it was the end of the world.

You have made some changes in this past month; here is a quick little breakdown

• You are a crawling machine ~ you crawl all over and quick. Like Lightning McQueen ~ you are SPEED
  
• You call everyone you see, and happy to recognize Dada. Me, your Mom, Jeffrey, Fozzy, possibly Ms. Vickie. I think I will be “Not the Dada” to you. But when no one else is around, you do say Mama.
  
• You have grown much attached to Jeffrey when you’re not fighting (see 4th bullet). His voice will make smile and you turn to find him first thing in the morning.


• You and Jeffrey have officially started to get into it. I don’t know why I’m blogging about it, but perhaps it’ll be a reminder of good I used to have it. You adore Jeffrey’s Cars, Thomas the Train stuff, anything he has you want, even his flip flops. You like to destroy his Thomas the Train tracks and he’s started to say, “ Uh-oh, here comes Lexzilla (Wexziwwa).”
  
• You and Fozzy have become good friends as well. He likes to lick you and you like it for a bit, then push him away. He goes to check on you first thing in the morning.
  
  Although your first birthday is one month away, I am planning away like a mad woman. Hope it turns out to your liking.
  
  Well Lexigirl, that’s all I have. We look forward to your kisses, giggles, and smiles.
  
  All my love,
  Mommy

Jeffrey's 1st Basketball Game

So yesterday Jeffrey had his first basketball game. We signed him up, with hopes that he would have fun and burn off some energy. I in turn became a Sports Mom.

Knowing that our families celebrate little milestones like these Aaron & I decided to have a family bbq. We thought that it would be no problem, but then we found out that the practice/game started at 830. Because we live far away, only my parents & sister & Bear were able to come up the day before.

I was not quite sure how this was going to go… I had read about other mom’s experiences with games/sports/ dance, but I had never seen 3-4 year olds play basketball. (By all technicalities, I STILL have yet to see 3-4 year olds play basketball) We got there and got Jeffrey’s uniform #30 ~ twice Aaron, 2<>

We had bought Jeff a little basketball because we did not think that they would play with a regulation size ball ~ mistake #1. They play with regulation size balls. These kids struggled to hold and shoot the ball. I watched these coaches and thanked God that Aaron was not coaching. I’ve taught preschool, and know the difficulties of trying to get kids to walk down the stairs, let alone have them participate in line drills. Jeffrey was hilarious. He did not like dribbling; he simply walked to the basked, bounced the ball and attempted to shoot.

Needless to say, it was crazy, but hilarious! At any given time, kids were on the wrong side of the court (Jeff), talking to other kids (Jeff), crying, and upset because they got the ball taken away. I mean after all, they have been taught you don’t take things away…We made it, and he had fun. Can’t wait for the next game!

The starting 5 (well, there were only 5)

First Jump Ball

Playing

Giving 5

Taking pictures

I use this phrase a lot just because it's true..."It was easier giving birth!" Keep in mind that although I went through some hard pregnancies, my births were very easy. I only went through what I thought was mini-labor with Alexis and walaah! C-sections with both.

Well yesterday my sister and I went to take them to take pictures. It was easier giving birth! Jeffrey was good. He hammed it up when necessary. Alexis... would not smile AT ALL. I love my little girl, I do. She'll smile and be her true self with the people she's comfortable with. But you would've thought I had the moodiest of babies. She is adorable and sweet, I promise. She just needs to warm up to you. Anyway, here are the results

My two little babies...

EHS 2009

I'm not sure if any of you know that the hs I work for has only been open since 2005. This experience has been full of a lot of firsts, and here was a major milestone. Our first graduating class. It was my first graduation as a staff member~ quite fun. Got random pics as you can see. Good-bye Lions, we'll miss you!

Fun at the park

While in HB, we went to the park. Auntie Sonia and the Girls met up with us. We had lots of fun and a lot of laughs.

Enjoying lunch

Jeff and his Aly

Michelle and Aly

Aunt Sonia, Kris and I

Alexis, Jeffrey kicking his Gampy (Mom) and Tia Kristi

Mesa View Reunion

In your lifetime you come in contact with my different people in your life. Some you will impact, others will have an impact on you. The people I will refer to are the latter.

These people may have known you in your most awkward of stages ~ fashionably and physically. You were your goofiest, testing your limits, coming into your own and yet, they still cared/loved you. No, they weren’t family, at least not then; they were your middle school teachers.

We at Mesa View were the lucky ones; we had the cream of the crop. Last Saturday we had our first and possibly only Mesa View Reunion. It was nice to see a few other alums and these wonderful teachers. As I was talking to people, it was then I truly realized the impact these teachers had on us.

I also realized that I never had a chance to thank them… Thank you…. For putting up with us, chasing us around, making school fun, following us through high school, taking time to be part of our lives ~graduations, marriages, children, personal triumphs/tragedies, guiding us … even in our adult lives, inspiring us ~ some to join your profession as colleagues, never laughing at our dreams, and most importantly for never giving up on us.

As a teacher/person I can only hope to aspire to your level of greatness…