Halloween fun - waaay late :P

Alex was a trooper for her first Halloween.  We decided since she's only 10 months old, that taking her trick or treating would involve me lugging around a very squirmy baby that has no interest in candy...yet.  The kid hasn't had so much as a cookie yet, and I'm ok with that.  We had a few people ask us if they could give her candy.  I politely said no, as she only has 2 teeth fully in and is still a baby, well kind of.

When picking out her costume, of course Mark and I went back and forth.  It was quite funny, but we both knew in the end she's end up being some cute bug or furry animal.  Mark wanted her to be a ninja :).  When she's older that will probably be cute.  I didn't want the fully body costume for her, since she'd most likely try to take it off the entire time, and I also didn't want to spend a lot of money since let's face it, I thought she was only going to wear it for 5 min.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Once Upon a Child.  I have no idea why I don't shop there more.  Seriously.  We got her costume for $6.  It was warm enough to be outside, but no so constricting that she could still crawl around and be happy.

Happy little lady bug

 I was actually super surpised but she sat outside with me and a hour and a half handing out candy.  Impressive!  She was fascinated by people's costumes and when she wasn't trying to eat candy wrappers she was waving buh-bye (something she's just starting to do) and helping me hand out candy.  I had so much fun handing out candy with her, and between kids, she crawled on the lawn or played with leaves, oh leaves.

I love this picture so much :)

Next year will be interesting when she's older and walking and talking, I'm not sure how much trick or treating you do with an almost 2 year old.  Probably as much as she can handle :).  At least we can go to a few houses and she can help me pass out more candy.  She's now a seasoned pro!

Fall is here

I LOVE fall,  LOVE LOVE LOVE.  It's my favorite time of year because of the smells, activities, and of course food.  I'm excited experiencing Alex's first fall with her.
 
Going Apple picking and picking out pumpkins is a part of fall that I love.  It's weird to think last year when we did these things I was 7-8 months preggo and now I have a sassy, happy, tornado of a 9 month old.  It's fun experiencing these things with Alex even if she is a little too young to do these activities.  They're mainly for mama and papa with Alex along for the ride, but it's all about making memories :).

What I've learned about my child is that leaves are NOT her friend.  People get on my case and say, let her get dirty, it's good for her, who cares, etc.  I honestly don't have a problem letting Alex get dirty.  Ok, I do a little, but I still let her because I know it's good for to get dirty.  My issue isn't with her playing with leaves and getting dirty, my problem is that every time she eats leaves, she gets pieces stuck in her throat and mouth and ALWAYS throws up.  It never fails.  Hopefully when she's a little older she can play in the leaves and not try to swallow them and projectile vomit everywhere, that would be nice.

Another funny thing about our child is she is her mom when it comes to her internal temperature.  I have no idea why, but I've always run warm.  I rarely get cold hands, I'm usually in a t-shirt when everyone else has a sweater on, I will NOT wear socks until absolutely necessary, and I sleep with the window open in the winter. I'm probably part Eskimo.  Alex seems to be the same way.  We keep out house warmer for her, but when she has multiple layers on she sweats.  At night she only needs light cotton pajamas and cotton sleep sack.  If I try putting her in fleece or something warmer, I get a sweaty baby with flushed cheeks.  It's actually really nice not bundling her up at the slightest breeze.  We'll see how she does in the winter.

Basically I am loving everything about fall.  We're busy and it seems always on the move, but I'm enjoying every new experience with Alex, with the exception of teething.  I REALLY dislike teething and everything that comes with it.  But I digress.  Now it's time to find her Halloween costume, but that's an ongoing debate between her father and I.  We'll see who wins out, I have a feeling I know the outcome :)

Technology Overload?

I wonder sometimes if we are so obsessed with technology that it's taking the "human" part of interaction away, and I wonder how it's going to be for Alex when she gets older.  I realize the irony of this statement as I'm blogging online and posting it on Facebook, believe me, it doesn't escape me.  The differences from my childhood to now in terms of what's available is insane, and I think 20 years from now will it be even more advanced?

Oooh a big TV!

Growing up we didn't have cell phones, blackberrys, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Playstations, Wii, and the list goes on and on.  The most technology we had as kids was our old school Nintendo.  Most of the time however was spend either in extra curricular activites/sports, or playing outside.  We didn't need texts or GPS or anything, my mom had to stick her head out the door and call us in.  Granted we lived in a culs-de-sac, so we were never far.  In the summer we'd be out until 11-12 at night playing kick the can, or capture the flag with the neighborhood kids.  It was a simpler life before Twitter, Smart Phones, and yes even Facebook.

The bottom of the chair is fascinating

It's just such a different culture.  At practice I have a cell phone box.  Yes, I make all the girls put their phone/blackberrys/whatever in the box and they're not allowed to text, tweet, facebook or use them at all during dance.  If there is an emergency, my phone is the only one on.  The best way for me to communicate with my girls is Facebook, so I have a separate page for the dance team.  The nice thing is only dance team members and parents are allowed to view it, but the fact that I have a page dedicated to the team to communicate, that in itself is telling.

Sticks are fun too!

Are we destined to lose that human connection?  When Alex is a teenager will she have the ability to communicate well with people in person?  Or will it be an endless stream of posts, tweets and texts?  Although technology is wonderful and I for one am happy for most of the things it grants me, where do we draw the line as parents?  What we know now, will most likely change in the next 10-15 years as she becomes a teenager and a young adult.

Trying to play with Rambo, like usual

It's hard to educate yourself about everything out there especially now with the internet.  You don't just need to have the birds and bees talk with your kids, now you need to include sexting and cyber bulling and a myriad of other things we didn't have to deal with.  I know we had video games when we were younger, but how violent can you get playing Mario Brothers and Bubble Bobble?  I personally think it's finding that right balance of education, communication, and allowing technology.  I don't want our kid to be that weird child that has never heard of an iPod and teased for being ignorant, but that's a road we'll cross in a few years.  I know it won't happen for a while, but it just got me thinking.

Mean Girls

This is kind of a letter to Alex when she's grown and in high school or middle school, maybe these words will come in handy and maybe not.

Don't you wish that sometimes they can stay this way forever :)

Alex, when you grow up I want you to do your best not to be a mean girl.  Being exclusive and thinking you are better than people will not get you far in life.  People may fear you, but they will not respect you nor love you.  If you happened to be blessed with beauty and brains you should use them wisely.  If not, you will work hard to achieve what you need to with the help of your family and friends.  You are perfect to your father and I, but that doesn't mean you don't need to work and can get by on what is on the outside.

Alex with her Aunt Heather and Cousins, playing some tunes

Girls can be mean.  I mean really really mean.  Yes, boys can be too, but in a much different way.  Girls have a way to manipulate and hurt with a look, a word, or just by their presence.  I don't know how or why, but girls are able to be cruel to each other in a way I don't think boys have or are even aware of.  Looks will only get you so far in this world and those that flaunt theirs will quickly learn that beyond the scope of high school, the type of person you are means so much more.  I would rather you have 2 good friends and be a good person, than have 20 and have no clue what kind of person you are.  As cliche as it sounds, good friends will like you for you, and you don't need to change who you are to fit in.  Same with boys.  Those who have any sense will love you for who you are, and never change yourself to fit with a boy, you should fit like two pieces of a puzzle, you can't force it.

Her future husband should watch out for this look!

Your battle will not be fought with fists or physical strength.  Yours will be a mental challenge and one of character.  I hope your father and I raise you with the good values and compassion that your grandparents taught us.  I hope we instill in you the ability to support the weak and undervalued and give you the sense of morality.  There are times when all of us fail and mistakes are made.  That is fine and we will love you all the same.  I just hope that there is kindness if you, and so much can be achieved with a smile and kind word.  I don't want you to be naive and think everyone will think the same.  There are those who will take advantage of that kindness but those are the cases you will need to learn for yourself.  Even as adults we suffer from these problems, and they don't go away, you just learn how to handle it better.

Alex's first friend, Rambo

 You don't have to like everybody and chances are there will be a few that you don't.  We will try to teach you how to rise above it, although there are times when we struggle with this too.  I hope that we don't give you a sense of entitlement and you earn what you are given, work for what you want, and lend a helping hand along the way.  If I ever find out you are cruel or go out of your way to make life difficult for someone else, I will bring down the hammer in the worst way!  I love you and I know a lot of who you are will be set in a foundation by your papa and I.  I hope we don't fail you, and you learn that just being nice will get you far.  Love, your Mama.

Such a happy precious girl!

The Childcare Merry-go-round

It's hard enough finding people you trust to watch the most precious commodity on the planet, your kids.  Once you do, you want to hang on to dear life and not let them go.  If you have someone that watches your child and you love them, let them know!!

I think this is a fantastic face

The good and bad part of this job is that it's part time.  There are not many people that are willing to only watch a kid for 3 hours in the afternoon 4 days a week.  Not to mention we have a limited budget to pay them since I get paid squat as a coach!  Mark and I both agree that I don't need to make money on my job, I do it because I love it.  However, we obviously don't want to be paying for me to work, which is ridiculous.  All I want is to break even on childcare and I will be happy.

Sadly that is much easier said than done.  Childcare is expensive and I understand it should be as people are caring for the most important thing in your world, your child.  Having said that, it is very frustrating finding someone qualified that will watch a child on a very limited salary.  I mean, what sane person only works from 2:30 - 5:30 in the afternoons?  Here is where I raise my hand and sigh.  Most daycare's don't do hourly, and I don't work enough or get paid enough to put her in part time daycare.  In our situation it leaves mainly college students, which is fine, but schedules change, activities come up, and let's face it, they can be a bit flighty at times.

I do wonder a lot if it's worth it, and I tell myself, it is, but some days it takes more convincing than others.  I love what I do, and would not being doing it if I didn't.  I am one of those extremely blessed people to be able to have a supportive husband who allows me to follow my passion and supports me, now that we have the means to do so. Does passion out trump your child?  Never.  Do I want to continue doing what I'm doing. Yes.  I just want to make sure Alex is taken care of first and foremost, and those watching her are reliable and trustworthy!  I think we've found that in our new person, but we will see.

Peek a boo!

Mover and Shaker

The thing that I think is the funniest thing about Alex is her ability to get into anything and everything and her sheer determination to do so.  Hmmmm, I wonder where she got that from?  It is interesting how the stubborn gene that was present in her papa and I have manifested itself in this adorable little 17 lb bundle of cuteness.

The first thing we did when there was an inkling she was starting to think about crawling was to go and get all those wonderful baby proofing tools.  So far we've only had to do outlet covers and drawer/cupboard stoppers.  Mark put them all in time to see Alex cruising and exploring the world.

Loves trying to get into things

 The second new obstacle to figure out what the dog food.  Poor puppy has been the center of our world for 7 years and then BAM! This little thing comes and usurps his place as top dog.  Not only does he get less attention, now he has her going after his food and water.  Rambo is a strange little dog and won't eat unless people are present in the room.  Basically putting his food in the kitchen out of site is not an option.  We decided that we had a little corner behind our couch and loveseat, with an end table in between that worked as sort of a buffer that Alex couldn't get into......for a while.

Very persistently going after the puppy's food

 Leave it to our kiddo to figure out that puzzle in oh, two days.  At least it slows her down enough to make it work for now.  When doing the dishes Mark left the room for a min, until he realized it was quiet, which when you have our child is never a good thing.  He goes into the living room only to find Alex next to the dog dish, with a piece of dog food in her hand, clapping.  Not to mention two pieces of "tested" dog food next to her :).  Oh our funny child.

I know there are many more challenges to come with her new found mobility and creative ways to get stuck, but all I can do is laugh and try to outsmart our 8 month old until she figures out a way to overcome the obstacles we put before her.  The funny thing is she has yet to test the stairs.  Not that I'm complaining, but part of it may be out of sight out of mind.

Teething

I know I know!  I have complained about teething to the nth degree.  However, this is a really tough stage for both Alex and us, and although we're surviving, this is going to be a loooooong process.  It's amazing what the human body is capable of, but I have to admit that this is one of life's mini cruel jokes.

Alex had a diaper rash due to teething, so we were having some semi-naked baby time :)

 The thought of really sharp teeth coming up through the gums is painful! The poor gums are swollen and it just looks like it hurts.  However, she is now the owner of 2 little toofers and it's so darn adorable.  I thought there may have been a 3rd one but it has yet to be seen.  It's hard to get a look most days because trying to look in her mouth is a series of pinning her down and trying to get her mouth open while she tries desperatley to get away as quickly as possible.  She's a squimy little machine.  When you finally get her mouth open she has taken to sticking out her tongue and spitting, hurray, so all you get is spit and tongue and not one good look at the gums or teeth.  Not to mention the fun diaper rash that came with teething.  Luckily hers wasn't bad, but naked baby time did happen.

Playing with bowls and papa is fun

 With the bad comes the good.  Alex is now starting little finger foods and that is so much fun.  It only took a day or 2 for her to figure out chewing and using her new found sharp tools in her mouth.  Between puffs and yogurt melts she is figuring them out fast.  She's such a smart little cookie.  Watching that little pincer grasp and watching her shove a puff that is coming out of her mouth with the back of her hand is so cute.  We're still working on those fine motor skills, but she's doing really well for just starting.  With this new found freedom of eating come A LOT more baths.  She really loves bath time so it's no big deal to her, but more often than not we find a hidden puff or some kind of baby food in her hair, ear, where ever.

Hurray for getting clean

I am enjoying the new steps she's taking with eating even if there has been a small sacrifice in sleeping.  It is funny how teething affects each child differently.  Apparently it doesn't phase some kids at all.  I'd love to meet those kids, and let them teach Alex their secret.  Mostly I feel bad for her, but with the ever reliable combination of ibuprofen and tylenol we are making it work.  As most things in life you take the hits and keep getting up.  A good lesson for a baby who is a crawler and stander!

Big smiles :)