The world gets bigger...and so does the bumps and "nos"

Yep, we're still here! On the move and touring the house. While we've child proofed most of the house (yes, Gramma and Pops, we installed the gate at the stairs) the dog dishes don't have a better spot, and for some reason is soooo interesting! Alexiss is learning what "no" means when there's things around that the Momma forgot to put away, it seems like all I'm doing is moving thing out of her way or picking things up that she decides she doesn't need anymore.

Days are filled with touring the house and eating times between nap times. Alexiss, while not a picky eater, doesn't always feel like eating what's given to her, so eating usually ends up with me finding a few more things on the fly to give to her. From the time she started eating solids, she was holding her own spoon, but lately she's working on mastering actually using the spoon for food. Bath times have also increased since after a meal it's the easiest way to get her clean again.


Alexiss has a new nickname! Prunella! Thanks to Uncle Don and my inner need to keep Alexiss regular, prunes have become a staple food for at least one or two meals/snacks a day.

At her 9 month (which was actually at 10 months) doctors check up she weighed 21.13 lbs and measured 29 1/4 inches long. She's outgrowing her carry car seat so I shopped around and settled on a new big-girl car seat, it's still sitting in the house but she's loving climbing up and sitting in it. I keep wondering if she'll like it as much in the truck, since she won't be able to peep over the top to talk to me. Well, it'll only be a few months before she's allowed to be forward facing. I'm starting to understand when people say "they grow so fast", it really didn't feel like it was fast when she was a newborn, but since she's hit 9 months... she's really taken off.

There's so many new things, it's hard to list them all and remember little milestones, I really should pop in more and leave shorter updates to keep track. She wasn't very interested in walking until last week, I was trying to coax her having her face away from me, and I don't think she knew what to do, but last week I let her face and follow me... then the fun began. In only a week she's already more stable and enjoying it, so much that sometimes she'll crawl up to me and grab both of my hands to give me the hint that it's time to go a-wanderin.

Her coordination is improving greatly as well. She has now learned how to use both hands together to get something done, and has fun "putting away" her little piggy and cow into the soft barn, I say putting away in quotes because they don't stay put away for long, usually she doesn't even let go of them before pulling them out again.

Her rambles are usually one constant mumble for the day, but yesterday she started momomomom and dadadada, switching back and forth. She can also "ruff" and tries to "meow" and her mooo is more like mmmmmm, but she's working on it. It's still hard to distinguish when she's babbling or meaning to say something but I swear I've heard kitty in there too and a few more things.

Just like dear old Dad!

What a Tuesday we had! First it was Wheatland County knocking on the door to let us know that neighbors pipes are freezing and they are doing what they can. This is the second time this has happened so we know the drill. They took a meter reading and will not charge us for water. If we leave our taps running we should be okay..well...except for my head from the constant sound of the tub being run. When we're a bit more out of the woods I'll start running a tap instead, much quieter that way. Our neighbors are hooked up to our water through our outside tap and a hose.

Through all the knocking, the running around and calling another neighbor at work, Alexiss managed to fumble through second lunch and gulp down a minimal meal.

Then off to the doctors, nothing major, but I've noticed Alexiss's ear has been irritating her a bit and I wanted to make sure to catch it before it turned into something worse than an irritation. Turns out she's got hairy ears and there's a build-up of wax. Nothing major. The doctor suggested putting a few drops of Canola oil in her ear and massaging it to loosen things up a bit. She's not minding it but Mark is, he's not on board with the whole suggestion. She's a whooping 8.04 kg, that's 17.7 lbs!

Alexiss has started to turn onto her back from her tummy, it's only been a few times and the first was a big "whoops...OH!" kind of learning experience for her.

Now I understand!

Now I understand:

• why "In a minute" drove my mom mental
• just how heartfelt Mom's "Thanks" were when when I helped at home
  
• the reality of a "Mom's club". No one else can truly grasp mommy-hood and all that it entails better than other moms
• taking time on your birthday to celebrate and use a birthday as a reason to take a break. We Moms deserve it tenfold!
• banking all in one place
• being flexible with time out and about. It's never certain how much time we've got before things get scary...we could get nothing done or a few extras
• when used wisely TV is a good thing to help with downtime
• why you do dishes ..... now not later
  
• why you tidy up as you go
• why money doesn't matter the most in life (well, I always knew this one, but this helps me appreciate it). Alexiss needs attention, protection and love more than the latest and greatest toys..plus where would we put it all!
• even though it kills me to say it..... men and women are created differently
• turning bathroom time into private time
• turning bathroom time into family together time
• 11:00 PM IS a good time for housework
• everything is machine washable, and if it's not, it will be
• Bailey's and coffee
  

Even with a storm brewing outside we're all cozy and ready for a relaxing weekend inside! Our mortgage renewed with a positive path presented to us to reign in finances so we'll be able to help Alexiss with school or some type of kick off to her career.


It's a wonderful birthday weekend, perogies are in the freezer, groceries are done, Alexiss is having a good day and the house is already tidy. Being a mom has changed things, absolutely. This year I'm finding my birthday isn't just a day, it's turned into me knowing I deserve a bit of a break. And although what hasn't changed is me not liking the hoop-la that goes with it, it is nice to have a day to play the "It's my birthday" card. hehehehe. Typically we just agree, "K, $50 for online buying, go buy yourself something". Mark surprised me with some gifts that were on my wishlist! This beautiful new wall mounted mask is going to go on the wall beside the sliding back doors.

Mark has a new favorite chocolate bar, sometimes Mark and I treat ourselves to a Lindt chocolate bar when we grocery shop. This week he made a point of heading to the chocolate bar section and I knew our sharing days of a chocolate bar are over. He's all territorial with his "Lindt Excellence Chili Bar" and wasn't interested in sharing at all!

We had a doctor's appt this week, Alexiss's 3 month check up. It went so well that the next one we need to go in for is at her six month mark. She is now 23 3/4 inches long and weighs 13.145 lbs. The doctor wasn't as interested as I'd hoped she'd be with my glucose tests and how things are connected, her answer was typical and expected... but I was only disappointed and my feeling of defeat only lasted a night. Now I'm going to try a different route and find an Endocrinologist who doesn't need a referral.

Okay! Picture time! The adorable pink knit hoodie and pants are from Uncle Gerry and Aunt Jacqueline and the John Deere Argyle long sleeve onsie is part of a outfit from none other than the Glanvilles (Lorne and Bonnie).

Brave Little Alexiss!

Mark is tickled and wanted to share that Alexiss now tries to hold her own bottle sometimes during her feedings. She's not strong enough to do it all herself but I sure appreciate the help and initiative!

Our brave little girl had her first immunization shots yesterday. She's my daughter for sure, doing the exact opposite of what's expected! She's been sleeping since without a hint of a fever. She has been a little fussy during her waking moments and I'm giving her lots of love and cuddling. No complaints from her about soreness where they put the needle in.

She was so great on the truck ride into Strathmore but got fussy during the nekkid "measure baby" portion of the visit. She's a whooping 12 lbs 14 oz, she's gained a total of 6 lbs since being born, almost doubling her weight! Then the poor girl wasn't allowed to dress so I swaddled her in a blanket and kept her warm. She was really fussy at this point and all the nurse wanted to do was "chat" while Alexiss and I just wanted to get on with the show so to speak. Of course Alexiss settled and quieted right before the needles, the nurse seemed oblivious to her moods or at least disregarded them and didn't adapt and go with the flow. I sped her along and jumped in to interrupt her ramble and excessive concerns with postpartum depression to get back to the real reason we were there.

What is usually a negative experience has a silver lining, as they always do. I've always felt through the hardships we grow the most and come to paths we wouldn't get to through being "happy" all the time. Through this we've seemed to bond more; me through respecting her independence being an individual coupled with admiration for her blossoming personality and the way she's faced her first real negative life experience (aside from her abrupt "I'm not ready" entry into the world) and I feel from her that she's gained trust in me by being able to count and lean on me to comfort her and not taking it as something I "did" to her.

So here I sit, cuddling a sleepy Alexiss. It breaks my heart a little knowing she's not feeling well and she's really not being herself, but I'm so proud of her being brave yesterday during the shots and now while not feeling well.

Sleep is Bliss

The other night sleep was for sissies but last night I admit to love being a sissy. Following The Happiest Baby on the Block should be renamed The Best Sleeping Baby on the Block, Alexiss slept a staggering 9 hours last night! Yes, a straight 9 hours! To top off a great night of sleep she woke up not crying for food this morning and instead chose to stare at a wall for a bit.. that's my girl! Mom had taught me this skill well and I'm glad to see it running strong in the family. Nothing like waking to a blank wall for a spell to start a day out right!

We braved the Alberta winter and roads today to head into Strathmore for her 2 month check up. So I bundled her up in a fuzzy snow suit a few sizes too big for her, it looked so cozy though. I wonder why they don't make suits like that for adults, I don't care how many people would laugh at me, she looked so at home I was jealous. I'll have to remind myself next time to wear gloves, poor little thing had to deal with my cold hands as I undressed her and moved her to the scale. Let me tell you, she liked it not one bit! She's a staggering 10.95 pounds and is now 21.5 inches long. No wonder why she's not the tight little package she used to be!

Have you read Hop on Pop by Dr. Suess? Tonight was Muster on Mamma night. It started with the knitting, which Links takes as a hint to come and sit for a spell, add Alexiss and.. voila.. a great big cuddlefest! Multitasking at it's best. The movement as I knit actually lulls Alexiss! My left arm is getting mighty strong with all this jiggling and holding.



Another big day tomorrow. I'm so excited! Mark arranged for a neighbor to watch Alexiss while we go into town on a hot date! I think he just wants to get me out of the house and knows I won't do it without him egging me to do something. We chose to go and see the Einstein exhibit at the Telus World of Science. There's a Darwin exhibit too, but I can't see me tearing away from Einstein. I hope Alexiss and I can both behave ourselves and play nice with others. I don't know if Grace knows what she's in for tomorrow.

Well, this mamma is going while the getting is good, bed time for me! Night all!

Happy Birthday Gramma!

In honor of Gramma's Birthday, I'm posting a picture taken when Alexiss was born and my Mom came to visit.



It's hard being so far away, she's growing so quick! This past Thursday and Friday she was eating a LOT, so I decided to use the Wii to weigh her this weekend and she surprised us by weighing in at 9.5 lbs! No wonder why she was hungry! So, I've recalculated how much she should be eating and we're feeding our growing girl! The good news is that she's started to monitor herself and now doesn't seem to be gorging and overfilling herself. It makes it a lot easier to trust her when she tells me she's still hungry.

She's changing so much! The new cry is actually a cry to go back to sleep, so I bundle her up and rock her until she settles. I swear her real hair is coming in, you see, she's been bald for about two weeks or more with a fringe of hair along her neck... like an old man's mullet, lol, but now her crown is filling in with dark hair.

Today our music was Cat Stevens



..okay, this only took me two hours. lol Time to get her settled enough so "I can start dinner for once.

6 Weeks

A month of breastfeeding and fighting for proper latching and me not confident I was able to care for myself enough to give enough quality milk made switching to formula a hard and good decision. At 6 weeks she's eating approximately an oz and hour! Her cheeks are getting sooo chubby!

At her last Drs Appt on Oct 21, she weighed in at 8.1 pounds and had grown a full inch!

Alexiss had a really bad week, crying well over 12 hours two days in a row. Last appt we had at the doctors they mentioned that it sounds by her behavior that she could be suffering from acid reflux and if it got worse they could give her a prescription for Zantac. Well, on Friday I broke down and called them back to ask for a prescription. I've only been giving it to her since Friday and already she's a different baby! She played on her mat three times yesterday, usually she's too tired or cranky and would only play once every few days. She smiled more yesterday and was interactive with Mark and I. These are all things that she's done minimally in the past, crying takes a lot out of a girl, she was either awake and fussy most of the time or catching up on sleep because the reason for the crying was keeping her up.

Because of the acid reflux, she doesn't like to lie flat in her crib and we didn't have anything suitable to safely put her into, so she slept on my chest for a few nights, it was the only way she would sleep. We'd had a swing given to us, but it positioned her awkwardly. This weekend I went to WalMart and bought a swing/cradle combination that has a mobile, sounds and a seat that allows her to be rocked in two positions. Yesterday it was a success and she loved sitting in it and staring at the mobile, last night was an even bigger success when she slept in it and didn't cry and insist on being upright on my chest all night.

Introducing our little Starr

Alexiss Starr Faeth Anderson was born on Sept 21st at 7:59 PM. Four induction attempts over 5 days, 3 IVs, 2 epidurals, 3 attempts to see Resident Evil on hospital breaks, countless supportive doctors and nurses routing for us, one bout of jaundice, one week stay at the hospital and a C-section. Through it all she was strong and comfortable enough to give the doctor a run for his money. Her heart rate stayed strong and our faith stayed strong through the long ordeal and in the end we met eye to eye and beautiful face to face. She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz, 51 cm long.

The name Alexiss means to bring change with drastic outcomes, she overcomes adversary and is a confident woman with great storytelling ability. Starr is my grandmother's middle name, in her 90s this is her first (and maybe only) great grandchild. Faeth was added at the hospital, having faith became our mantra for our long hospital stay, we bought a plaque that read "worry ends where faith begins" and we kept saying "we have to have faith". The odd spelling is me putting a faery spin on it.