And the last few days...

Wee Wigglers was a lot of fun. Alyssa is the second youngest in her class and everyone (even the baby younger than her) is walking. The teacher said that is OK and that she thinks Alyssa will be crawling before we know it being around all of these other kids. It was so cute though, there was this one baby, Faith, that kept coming over to Alyssa to hug her. Alyssa didn't know what to do though.

Last night we went to dinner for my step-mom's birthday and had cake over my step-brother's. It was nice because Alyssa and her cousin, Benjamin, got to play together. It is funny how they steal each other's toys and try to pull each other's hair. Benjamin is army crawling everywhere. Alyssa still just looks at him like "You really don't HAVE to move".

Benjamin has this toy called the Incrediblock. Alyssa loves it. I am hoping that someone (grandma) will get her this for her first birthday!!

Alyssa also got another tooth. We didn't even know about it because we were looking in the wrong places. She grew a fang. So now she has two bottom teeth and one upper fang. Weird!

Today a friend of mine went in to get induced. She was due to have her baby February 9th. She had been on bedrest for the past month due to high blood pressure. It was up, it was down, it was up, it was down. Her doc said that to be safe, inducing would be the best plan. She is in labor as I type right now. I am anxiously awaiting the phone call to hear the great news.

9 month checkup

Alyssa had her 9 month checkup on Friday, (and she is almost 10 months). She weighs 21 pounds and is 30 inches long. She is in the 97th percentile for height and 90th percentile for weight. Both my husband and my families are on the taller side, so I am not surprised!

The doctor gave the OK to let her eat pretty much anything that was soft enough for her to gum as long as it wasn't things such as honey, peanut butter, eggs, ect. I couldn't believe it. Not my little girl. She isn't ready for regular food. (Or is it me that isn't ready...ok, ok, it's me!!) I did give her some mashed tatoes yesterday and everytime she would make funny faces, but wanted more!

I did ask the doctor if it was normal for a baby to poop 4 times a day and she said that it was. I am so glad that is normal.

I signed Alyssa and myself up for a "Wee Wigglers" class. They offer it at a community center. I am so excited. I really wanted to get into Gymboree a while ago, but it was a little on the expensive side, so this was within budget and is supposed to be similar to Gymboree. I know Alyssa will probably care less, but I am excited! Our first class is Friday.

Misc Alyssa Ramblings

Alyssa was so tired and crabby this evening...who knew that two pieces of plastic with new toilet rings inside them would keep her occupied for almost a half an hour (don't worry the bags of plastic were NOT open!) She didn't even put them in her mouth, which is strange since everything else goes into her mouth. She flapped them up and down and it was fun -- strange!

We have been trying to teach Alyssa how to play peek-a-boo and blow kisses with her own hands. She loves to play these games, only when you are the one moving her hands. But, I shouldn't be surprised since she knows that she doesn't have to do it and if mommy wants to laugh and wants to see me laugh, she will do it for me. Damn kid is way too smart.

Gary will put the bottle all the way across the living room floor and Alyssa will roll all the way across the room to get it. But, she whines every second she doesn't have that bottle in her mouth. This must be so torturous for her.

I can't determine whether Alyssa's eyes want to be brown or if they want to be blue. They are a brownish color around the pupil and then a dark blue around that brown. So, please don't ask me what color her eyes are because I don't know.

And one last question to ponder....is it normal for a 9 month old baby to be pooping three or four times a day? Alyssa, this is getting ridiculous!!!

2004

The year in review

This was stolen. Thanks to Kether who got it from The Unproductive Reproductive who took it from Journey Woman.

What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? I became a mom for the first time in 2004.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't think I had any new year's resolutions last year, and if I did, then I probably didn't keep them.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, soon to be sister-in-law gave birth to my beautiful nephew Benjamin on May 4th. My dear friend, Dawn had a beautiful baby girl, Brianna on December 18th.

Did anyone close to you die? No, thanks goodness!!

What countries did you visit? Didn't go out of the country this past year.

What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? Hmmm, I can't think of anything that lacked.

What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Of course March 29th as that was the day that my beautiful, wonderful, perfect baby girl was placed into my arms and thus began my journey as a mother.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Becoming the mom I always hoped that I would be.

Did you suffer illness or injury? No. Only giving birth, which was not as bad as I had always imagined it would be. (And my epidural didn't work). I guess you really do forget labor.

What was the best thing you bought? Well, we bought Alyssa's bedroom set in the beginning of 2004. We also put some extra cabinets up in the utility room and kitchen. Much needed, and already running out of space.

Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband who has become a wonderful daddy. And my mom who has been there for me everyday.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My mother in law who didn't want to help at all for my baby shower. It was very upsetting.

Where did most of your money go? Alyssa -- and loving every cent of it spent!!

What did you get really, really, really excited about? The moment the doctor told me that our baby was a girl.

What song will always remind you of 2004? I love music and all types of music, but don't ask me what the names of them are or who sings them.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier!
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner
iii. richer or poorer? Income -- Poorer (only work PT now), but in love and family much richer!!

What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I would have done more watching what I eat (after Alyssa was born, of course).

What do you wish you'd done less of? Worrying!

How will you be spending New Year's? Well, since it is now over, I spent it with another couple and we played cards.

Did you fall in love in 2004? Yes, with our daughter, Alyssa and every day I love her more than the last. She is such an amazing blessing to our family.

How many one-night stands? Ummmm....don't think so....I am married!!!

What was your favorite TV program? I am a reality TV junkie. But on the non-reality side, CSI (original Vegas only) and Without a Trace seem to be the two that I make sure I watch every week!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I honestly don't have a reason to hate anyone.

What was the best book you read? Jemima J by Jane Green was an excellent book!!

What did you want and get? A healthy baby and to work part time so I can be home to raise her.

What did you want and not get? I got everything I wanted.

What was your favorite film of this year? I don't know, we buy movies like crazy and I can't believe that one doesn't stick out of the top of my head. I guess I will go with the Baby Einstein!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went to dinner with a bunch of friends, Gary and Alyssa. I turned 26.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Can't think of anything.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? I am now a mom who would rather have her child in fabulous clothes and I will keep those ratty jeans and T-Shirts.

What kept you sane? My husband, my mom and Alyssa.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I guess I never really thought about this one too much, so I really don't know.

What political issue stirred you the most? I am not very political.

Who did you miss? My family who lives in Atlanta Georgia. I can't wait to take a trip to see them so they can meet Alyssa.

Who was the best new person you met? "Meeting" the wonderful world of blogging and blogger friends. You guys are great!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004? That there isn't anything that is as satisfying as a great family. No amount of money or material things can replace the love shared by a family.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Oh my, back to the music......

Alright, I cannot think of anything and I will be here all night if I try....so the only thing that comes to mind is the song that Alyssa loves for me to sing to her:

"Twinkle, twinkle little star..."

You know that rest :)

She rolled over!!!

After over 9 months of being on this earth, Alyssa rolled over from her back to her stomach yesterday. This is such an accomplishment for us and I am so excited. She did it on three separate occasions and of course, each time she was reaching for something that she wanted. But it doesn't matter, my little girl rolled over! Yeah!

Now my questions are. We saw the physical therapist on Friday. Started doing our exercises on Saturday -- 3 times a day. And then on Tuesday night she rolled over.

I did one thing that the P/T didn't tell me to do. I thought of this on my own. Since the only thing Alyssa would fight for was her bottle, I would put it out of reach. All she would have to do is roll over and she would be able to get the bottle. I did this on 2 separate occasions and each time she threw a temper tantrum. Yes, my 9 month old would be laying on the ground kicking her legs against the floor and throwing her arms. It really reminded me of a temper tantrum that a 3 year old would do. Each time I would calmly talk to Alyssa telling her that the bottle wasn't very far and that she could do it. She could get to it. The first time it was a little closer than I thought and after she threw herself around screaming, she inched a little closer and nabbed it with her hand and I wasn't about to take it away. The second time I put it a little farther and she screamed for about 15 minutes. Horrible, I know. She would get on her side like she was going to roll over but then throw herself back. After that 15 minutes, I helped her roll over to show her that was all she had to do to get the bottle.

OK, so was it my "exercise" that helped her roll over, or was it the P/T's whose "exercises" consisted of more tummy time?

Who knows, but I am hoping that she continues rolling!

Assessment

Alyssa had her P/T assessment today. The Physical therapist talked with me about everything Alyssa is doing and everything she isn't doing. She basically said that Alyssa is a very smart girl. (Thank you, I already knew that). But she has no desire or motivation to want to do the developmental stages that she needs to be doing. She wants me to reverse time and really focus on tummy time again. She suggested a toy that lays on the floor with water and toys inside with the water. Alyssa might be fooled into staying on her stomach to play with this toy. (I think I know the outcome of this one, but we will try everything that the doc tells us to). She also suggested putting the boppy pillow under her and that may fool her into spending time on her tummy also. (Tried it before, but always willing to try it again). She wants me to make sure we reoccuringly put her back on her stomach. It is OK for her to get irritated, frustrated and mad, but it is not OK to let her cry and scream.

We will work hard at least 3 times a day on these exercises and will go back in two weeks to evaluate her progress. God, please let there be progress, P/T isn't cheap!

Spending all of our $$$

The last couple days we have spent a lot of money. But, we are so happy with our two (yes, only two) purchases we made over the last couple of days.

Purchase #1: A dining room table. When we walked in the furniture store and I saw the price tag on a table that I really liked and I said to Gary "no way are we spending that on this table". After looking at a few other tables, Gary pointed another one out he liked. The salesperson came to our aid and said that it was one of 3 tables on a great New Year's special. When I asked what other two tables were also on sale, he pointed out the table that I first saw. Gary and I knew it was meant to be. I love it. I am so excited. The table we have is over 15 years old that my mom gave to us when we moved in together. It was a great table, but it has definitely lived its life. Especially since we were down to only three chairs.

Purchase #2: An SUV. Yes, an SUV. We have carefully did our research on the different kinds and actually got an awesome deal on a 2002 Ford Explorer. I love it! And the best part is we are only paying $10.00 more a month for an SUV that we are going to buy. The last CAR we had we were leasing. I don't understand the math on that one, other than I think we got taken for a couple of idiots about 4 years ago. Not this time!! We will still keep the car until the lease is up which is in about a month.

Thank you, Christina, for your thoughts on a minivan. I know a lot of people tell me they love their vans and swear by them. We really got a great deal on this SUV that Gary and I both wanted and we couldn't pass it up. It still has a lot of storage room in the back to haul things. We may have to think about the minivan next time around, depending on how many kids we have by then.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Gary and I didn't do much of anything this New Year's Eve. We sat at home and our friends came over and played some cards. Gary and I didn't do to well while playing cards, but it was still a lot of fun! We made it to midnight and actually stayed up later--2:00 in the morning. You would think we were some kind of party animals. It really sucked this morning because we still had to get up with our little girl.

2004 was a great year. It will always be a year I remember because that was the year that Alyssa was born.

To start off our New Year, today, Gary and I went looking for a new car. Yeah, we knew that hardly any places were open today, but that is what makes it the best time. No one bugs you while you are looking! It would have been a pain anyway to test drive anything since we had Alyssa with us. We will do that in a week or so when one of our parents can watch Alyssa for a few hours. We are having a hard time deciding on what to get. We both want something that isn't going to cost us a lot more than what we are currently paying. And we both know that we won't get a 2005. (We definitely can't afford that). We would like to get an SUV. But, we have tossed the idea of a minivan around. Yes, a minivan! I know that I have said on a number of occasions that I would never buy a minivan, unless I had three or more kids -- or at least two, never just one! But, they are cheaper than SUVs and they are better on gas than SUVs. I just can't picture myself in one. I kept drifting my eyes back to an SUV. I always make everything so hard for myself. Does anyone have any opinions for me? This is a really hard decision for me. (Although, no one should be shocked, because I thought picking out a Halloween costume was a hard decision).

Anyway, that was how my day was spent. We went and visited with another friend of ours after the car hunt was over. Their son is 4 and he is such a character to watch and play with.

I hope that everyone had a great New Year's Day and has a very prosperous 2005!