Happy Birthday, Alyssa!!

Today is Alyssa's birthday! Almost exactly one year ago today, my daughter was born and changed my life in so many ways.

It has been the absolute best year of my life. Who knew that one little person can put so much life and energy into you, and exhaust the heck out of you at the same time.

She has been such a blessing to Gary and myself. I can't even begin to put into words the amazing feeling that I get each day.

At age one Alyssa is crawling. She is really trying to pull herself up on things. She tries to crawl as fast as she can to the front door and laughs so loud when we "run" and catch her.

She is still saying DaDa all day long. She absolutely adores her father. On Easter, she wouldn't let anyone else hold her except for her daddy (not even me, sniff, sniff). Whenever he comes home I see a smile from ear to ear. And of course, she still kicks her legs and wiggles her arms as if she was going to take flight.

We have finally, gasp, experienced with some regular food and she LOVES it. But, I never really doubted that she would have any problems with food. (Have you seen her parents...LOL).

I wouldn't change one thing this past year. And I think God is tricking me into having more kids, because this one is perfect!

Happy Birthday, my sweet Alyssa.

Alyssa Marie - Born March 29, 2004 at 12:37 am

8 pounds 2 ounces - 21 inches long

I am very proud of myself!

Look what I stayed up late tonight doing...



And...I have to work in the morning. But, I couldn't stop working on this until it was complete!

Family News

My sister called me today while I was at work. She told me that she took a HPT and it came out positive! So, I will be an aunt...again!

I am very excited for my sister. I am excited that Alyssa and her cousin will be close in age. My step-brother and his fiance live about 45 minutes away, so Alyssa doesn't get to see her other cousin too much.

I have started to worry already for her. This is one of my younger sisters and she was pregnant once before (about three years ago -- by a different man -- which nobody liked). Anyway, her pregnancy had to end due to an ectopic pregnancy. So, I worry now. Please, if you are the praying type, pray for her and lets hope to get through these first few weeks without being ectopic.

She and her boyfriend seem very excited. I am happy that she is with someone who she does plan on spending the rest of her life with. I don't want her to rush to get married (although, it would be nice for them to be married, we all know they will sooner or later -- hopefully sooner).

I do feel she has a bit of growing up to do. But I think she is great with Alyssa. Alyssa just adores her aunt, so I have no doubt that she will be a good mom. Even though my sister and I are pretty close now, I feel this will bring us so much closer.

Alyssa & The Easter Bunny

Last week Alyssa got to meet the Easter Bunny. I can't believe how well she did considering she HATED Santa Clause. I am glad the picture turned out good, since I had to pay $15.00 for it.

Alyssa's first boo-boo

For some reason I can't figure out the Hello program tonight. I hope this comes out OK.



My poor little girl has her first boo-boo. She was trying to pull herself up on the coffee table to get the phone and the remote (because the millions of toys laying everywhere are not as fun to play with). I was sitting right there and letting her to see how far she would be able to get up. She doesn't normally pull herself up on anything. Well, she lost her balance and the corner of the coffee table met the two places around her eye.

Oh yeah, she didn't want to cuddle then either. I tried to hug and kiss her to comfort her and she pushed me away. She has a tough attitude and I know that is going to really kick my ass and try my patience in about 10 years (if not sooner).

SHE CRAWLED!

Yeah for Alyssa! She crawled this afternoon!!

We were at the physical therapy appt today describing all of Alyssa's progress and when we went to show her how she will reach for a toy as far as she can go and then fall on her belly, she crawled! We couldn't believe it.

And the best news of all is that she probably won't need to go back to PT. The physical therapist said once she started crawling, she would not have to attend PT any longer. She wants me to have a follow up phone call in a month to make sure that she is on the right track to walking, and pulling herself up, but Alyssa probably won't need to go back. YEAH!

We knew that Alyssa would take her own time with these milestones. She really is so strong, but stubborn and does things in her own time!

Hmmm...

Now I know that noone probably cares about this or really wants to read about it, but I think my boobs have gotten bigger. None of my bras seem to fit the way they used to. I don't understand, I have had the same size boobs for years. I am almost 27 and NOT pregnant. Why would this happen? Now I am pissed because none of my bras seem to fit comfortably.

Changes In Our Schedule

Within the last few weeks, we needed to make some changes in Alyssa's schedule.

Now, we didn't have a "regular" schedule everyday. It was hard because two days of the week, I have to wake Alyssa up to get her ready to go to grandma's for the day.

On those days that I woke her up at about 6:15ish, she would usually take 3 naps. Yep, 3 naps (even at 11 months old)! And then she would stay awake until 9 or 10 at night.

The other days where she woke up on her own, it would be at about 8:30. I was in heaven because that is major sleeping in from what I was used to before Alyssa was born (while working everyday).

Gary and I decided that she needed to have a more regular bedtime. 10 was too late, especially if we have to wake her up the next day. We want to get her on a regular schedule. Who knew it would be so hard. She can only have 2 naps (at most) each day. No sleeping past 6:00 in the evening, and bedtime by 8:30 the lastest (but we really can't make it that long anymore). We actually have to try to keep her awake and she is sooo crabby by 7:00 at night.

And now, her wake up time is 7:00. Ugghhh. I just got used to sleeping until 8:30. And I usually stay up pretty late because I knew I would be able to sleep until 8:30. I must make some changes in my schedule too.

We will all adjust to this new schedule and I will just need to go to bed a little earlier.

I know this isn't very interesting, but I don't have anything else in mind to blog about.

A Birthday Theme

We are quickly approaching Alyssa's first birthday at the end of the month. I can't believe how this year has really gone by so fast. It has been the most incredible year of my life. It definitely has been the most rewarding.

So, since Gary's family and mine are pretty big we needed to rent a hall for her first birthday party. We just got all of the Christmas toys organized and we are going to add a ton more. We are insane. We just felt that some people may feel left out if we didn't invite them and then all of the sudden the guest list was at 75. (Insane, I know).

We went shopping for the invitations yesterday. I thought I was going to do something very simple. I thought we don't need a theme. Maybe some 1st birthday balloons. Nothing outrageous and definitely not a theme. She won't even remember...

But then I saw it and I couldn't pass it up. Care Bears. The pink one. The pink Care Bear that says Happy 1st birthday. It was too adorable to pass up and after buying the invitations, the thank you cards, a couple table cloths and a banner....

Yeah, I know, I still need to feed the people who come to the party. Thank god for mom! She will be my lifesavor here.

You can all tell me how crazy I am and how she will never remember this birthday. But, I will and there will be pictures. Lots and lots of pictures for her to see when she is older. She will appreciate it then, right?!?

Scrapbooking Project

I am thinking about starting a scrapbook. I have been thinking about how neat it would be to have a page or two documenting each month of Alyssa's life up to her 1st birthday.

I can't stop thinking about how neat it would look when it is all done and that is something we will have forever and it would be really cool.

One problem... I am anal. It is going to probably take me a year to finish the album. But, I think it will be fun (frustrating, but fun) and I should give it a try. I think I may go to the scrapbooking store tomorrow!

Boy, am I glad I talked myself into this project! Now you can hear me whine about it for the next 6 months!