Rolling Over

Not even 6 weeks old and Alexis has rolled over from tummy to back a handful of times. I don't remember when the boys rolled over for the first time, so I don't know if it is early or not. I just wish I could keep Alexis my baby for a long time. This stage of their life is just too short and goes by way too fast.

Christmas

We had a very nice quiet Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we had our traditional surf and turf dinner and we let the kids open 1 gift. The boys put out cookies for Santa and then nestled into their beds. Of course, the boys were up very early Christmas morning and were anxious to go down and see what Santa had left. They were excited to see that Santa brought the family a Wii this year. They also received some Legos, Imaginext airplanes, Hot Wheels race tracks, Lincoln Logs, puzzles, and too many other things. We spent the day putting together puzzles, building the Legos, racing cars, watching movies, building with Lincoln Logs, and playing Mario Cart and Wii sports. Alexis had a nice 1st Christmas. Santa brought her a high chair and she also received a few toys and some clothes. I think we would all agree that Alexis was our greatest gift this year. She is truly a blessing from God. We are so very thankful to have her as a part of our family.

1 month old

I can't believe that Alexis is a month old already. Where does the time go?:( We are so blessed. She is such a good baby. She has been a great sleeper from the very beginning. I don't know how I got so lucky this time. Her brothers adore her as do Tim and I. At her 2 week visit, she was up to 8lbs 6.5oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. I can only imagine how big she will be at her 2 month visit.

Spencer's 3rd Birthday

It's hard to believe that Spencer is 3 already. I remember when Spencer was born like it was yesterday. Mason was the 3 year old and new big brother and now Spencer is the 3 year old and new big brother.
Toy Story was a big hit in this household this year. Both boys wanted to have Toy Story birthdays. It was a low key birthday, but I did take him to Choo Choo Johnny's for lunch and then Daddy came home early for dinner, gifts, and cake.

1st Snow

On December 4th, we had our first real snow fall of the season. We probably had almost 4 inches. The boys had a great time playing outside. Mason enjoyed making snow angels, sledding down the driveway, and throwing snowballs. While Spencer enjoyed shoveling. His always enjoyed helping:) Alexis just stayed cozy and warm indoors and watched from the window with Mommy (although, I did get out to snap some pictures, of course:)

Mini Photo Shoots

Some pictures from a couple of mini photo shoots I did of Alexis and the boys:)

Trimming the Tree

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we started getting our Christmas decorations out. We managed to the tree up and at least partially decorated. It took me almost a week to finish getting everything up.

Cradle

Our family friend, Dave, makes beautiful cradles. He made one for my great-nephew, Daniel, my niece, Fiona, and then surprised us with one for Alexis. My sister, Barb, came up the day Alexis was born and brought the cradle. It is so beautiful. What a treasure. Thank you, Dave. As you see by the smile on Alexis' face, she love it, too:)

BIG Brothers/little sister

Giving Thanks

We are so very thankful for the sweet addition to our family. We are thankful for our family. Thankful that Tim's parents could be here to help and welcome home our beautiful little girl. Thankful that Tim's sister could spend Thanksgiving with us this year. Thankful for my family and all of their prayers, love and support. We couldn't be more blessed. May we remember to give thanks and praise God for all of the wonderful blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

Alexis Morgan's Birth Story

Alexis Morgan 11/19/10 2:22pm
7lbs 11oz 19in

Let's back track some. When I first found out I was pregnant, I had figured my due date was November 5th (my nephew, Tyson's birthday). But in mid-June, I had my first of 3 ultrasounds which showed baby to be measuring small and giving me a new due date of November 26th. I had 2 more ultrasounds to get all of the right measurements and to see how she was growing. My doctor and I decided that with my new date being the day after Thanksgiving, we would schedule me to be induced on the 19th (my oldest brother, Mark's and my cousin, Martha's birthdays). I went in for my weekly appointment on October29th and found out that I was already dilated to 3cm. I came home and became a cleaning machine. I wanted to be sure everything was in order in case baby decided to make an early appearance. Tim and I packed our bags and tried to get a good night sleep. By Saturday morning, I didn't feel great and couldn't sleep. I had contractions a lot that day. They continued into Sunday, HALLOWEEN. The contractions were about 5 to 7 minutes apart all afternoon. I was determined to take the boys trick-or-treating. I managed to go with Tim to take the boys trick-or-treating to at least a few houses. By the time everyone was back home my contractions had gotten closer and Tim and I made the decision to go to the hospital to get checked out. I was still at 3cm but my contractions were consistently 3 to4 minutes apart. The nurse would have guessed that I would have progressed some in the time I was there, but I didn't so I was sent home.

Went back to the doctor on November 3rd and I was now 4cm dilated. My doctor was sure I would have this baby early. But no another week passed and I was at the doctor again on November 12th. Again, I was dilated to 4cm and still uncomfortable. I called Tim's parents to see if they would come in a day early (on the 16th), so that they could stay with the boys while I went to my last doctor's appointment. I made it to my last appointment on November 17th. This time I was still 4cm but I was also about 70% effaced. All was a go for my 8am induction on the Friday, November 19th.

Tim and I got up early to get ready for the hospital. I had had contractions all night and knew for sure that once induction started baby would be here quickly. My biggest fear the last weeks of this pregnancy was that my water would break and I wouldn't have time to make it to the hospital. Both boys inductions went quickly, especially once my water broke. So Tim's parents get here and the then the hospital called. Oh no, not again. You see, when Spencer was due, my induction got cancelled for the 19th of December because there was no room. I was pushed to the 21st. I couldn't believe this was happening again. I explained to the nurse that I thought I was already in labor and she said then I should come get checked out. Tim and I decided we would wait some because we didn't want to be sent home. The nurse called back about 3o minutes later to make sure we were coming in to get checked. So we packed the car and we were on our way. I was kept in a room to be monitored until about 11:30 when they finally had a labor and delivery room available for me. My nurse, Michelle, started some fluids. After 30 minutes, I received my epidural and then Dr. Harris broke my water. Pitocin was administered and then less than an hour later I was completely dilated. With 2 contractions, Alexis was born (only an hour and 7 minutes after induction fully started).


A couple of unique things with Alexis. She is A+ and I'm O+. Also, she had a complete knot in her cord. Fortunately, neither caused any complications:) Alexis is such a blessing and we are so very happy that she is here:)

Halloween Fun

The boys had fun carving Jack this year. They both even got daring enough to stick their hands in to pull out some of the pumpkin's guts. Mason's face was priceless. Definitely not his thing. Glad that baby has held off so I could enjoy this day with them. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy tomorrow with them too:)



I wasn't sure if I would get to take the boys trick-or-treating or not. I had had contractions all afternoon. Finally 4 o'clock came around and we got the boys ready in their costumes. Spencer went as Buzz LightYear and Mason as Superman (althuogh, I think Mason wishes he would have chosen Buzz too). Tim and I took the boys to a few houses on our street and then I headed home to pass out our candy. I was continuing to have contractions the whole time and they were getting closer together. We had A LOT of trick-or-treaters and managed to get rid of all of the candy in our bowl. The boys continued on trick-or-treating with Mason's buddy from kindergarten and Tim and then came home with A LOT of candy. I took the boys back out so they could go see Sara and Elsie. When we got home, we made the decision to go to the hospital to get checked out. Sara kept the boys. To be continued.......

Pumpkin Patch

What a beautiful fall Sunday morning! One of our traditions every year is to go to the pumpkin patch. For the past 5 years, we have gone to Keller's. It's just a few minutes from the house and we love what they have to offer. We enjoyed the whole morning there this year. We made a trip to the patch to pick out the perfect pumpkins, played on the cool playground sets, checked out the horses, feed the animals, rode the ponies, went through the corn maze, and went on the wagon ride. We had sooooooo much fun! This will continue to be a family tradition because it is something we all love to do.

RIP Shelby

Tim will disagree and say that Shelby came first (before me), but really I did. I remember the day Tim brought her home from the pet store (where he worked part-time while in college). She was such a pretty puppy. She looked like a wolf pup. I remember how she used to hide under the kitchen table, how she used to "chicken leg" Jordan (his roommate's dog), how she used to eat ants, and would growl at me (she was very protective of Tim). I remember my niece and nephews visiting me at ISU. They loved playing with Shelby. She would smoother them with kisses. I remember when my niece, Kiara, was a baby. She adored Shelby, it was the whole reason she wanted to come visit:) I have pictures of her laying on Shelby, using her like a pillow. She was a very loved dog. Even though, she would get up on Nana's white chair and leave her black fur as evidence behind, Nana LOVED her. But, Tim loved Shelby more than anyone could love a dog.

For the past couple of months, Shelby's age definitely was showing. She struggled to sit down, get up and down stairs, get up from laying down, and controlling her bodily functions. The time came that we had to make the decision to have her put down. It has been a very very emotional afternoon. We will all miss her tremendously.

MASON GOLDEN BIRTHDAY

Toy Story 3 came out this year and the boys and I went to see it. Needless to say, it was a BIG hit. They both LOVED the movie. Mason asked for everything Toy Story for his birthday. He got a lot of fun stuff. He got a big Buzz that talks, Toy Story Legos (from Nana and Grandpa, Lee and Elsie, and Mommy and Daddy), Toy Story chain reaction sets, and Toy Story movies 1 and 2 (from Grandma and Grandpa).



The Sunday after Mason's birthday, he invited his best buddies over to play/celebrate with him. Taylor and Mason are best buddies from their preschool days at Apple Tree and Jordan is Mason's best buddy from kindergarten this year. Pretty ironic, but Taylor and Jordan knew each other from baseball this past spring. It worked out perfectly and the three boys got along great. I am so very happy that Mason has found such nice boys (and I have found such nice moms) to be friends with.

Fiona turns 1/Downtown Indy w/long time friends

This past weekend, we went over to Indiana to celebrate my niece's 1st birthday. It was so fun celebrating with her and seeing family.



We ended up staying downtown Indy with our good friends from Cincinnati. It was soooo much fun seeing the Abbott family after so long. The kids are growing up too fast. (I'll post some the pictures from our visit in a bit, so come back).