Pictures

I've downloaded some more pictures!

Do you think he might be a rapper some day??

Here's Alex all ready for the Ohio State vs. Michigan game.

Here are pictures of Alex's first trip to the park. He actually really liked the swings - we just didn't get any pictures of him where he looks like he's having fun!

Alex likes to play with his toys - so Jay decided to put him IN with his toys. He thought this was pretty cool.

One of the guys Jay works with, Jeff, graduated from Notre Dame. He got Alex this sweatshirt. You can sort of see Alex's teeth in this picture.

Random Thoughts

• Did you know that you get a lot more attention at Kroger when you have a baby? It used to be that I could go in, get my stuff and leave without anyone making eye contact with me. Now that I have a kid, everyone (ok - maybe not everyone) wants to stop and look at Alex. Of course everyone says he's the cutest thing ever. People make eye contact with me and smile. You know - I used to do the same thing - especially when we were TTC - I would look at ever kid I came across.
• Why do they design crib/crib sets in such a way that it's impossible to change the crib sheets without it being a big deal? Alex has not leaked at all since we brought him home, and he leaked after two of his naps yesterday. It took us FOREVER to get his crib sheets changed!
• How do single parents do it? I've been battling a bulged disk in my neck for the past year. It's been pretty well under control - until this weekend. I don't know what I did, but my neck started killing me Saturday afternoon. I've been a mess. I'm in pain ALL THE TIME! I can barely pick Alex up. I went to the chiropractor today, and it helped, but I'm hurting now again. I even took a muscle relaxer last night - I hate taking muscle relaxers because they make me weird. Jay has really helped out. He did a lot of the feeding this weekend, and gave Alex a bath last night. He even stayed home from work for a little bit this morning so I could get to the doctor. How do single parents do it???? Maybe I'm just a big baby. I made Jay promise me last night that he wouldn't die or leave me anytime soon.
• How can my time off be going so quickly?? Do you realize that if I would have given birth to Alex when he came home, I'd be back at work - my 6 weeks of leave is up! That is SO not enough time!!! I'm glad we are just dealing with it so I can be off for a little longer.
• I visit a couple blogs every day. One of my favorites is Michelle's Blog. She is starting a secret blog pal thing. I'm thinking about signing up. It would be fun. I've always liked secret pal type things.

Here's a picture of Jay and Alex at the baby shower that Jay's work had for us. There's another picture of the three of us, but I look horrible, and since this is my blog, I'm not going to post it!

(Ok - Blogger won't let me post - I'll try later)

I'm Not a Good Blogger

On occasion, I go out into blog land and read blogs of people who are also adopting. I've discovered something - I'm a terrible blogger!

These people write almost every day - they post cute pictures of their kids - they ask interesting questions - they have insightful or funny posts.

I don't do any of that. So, for those of you who do check my blog on occasion - I'm sorry I'm not more interesting!

Thanksgiving

What a Thanksgiving - we have a lot to give thanks for!!

Jay's mom and dad came to town Wednesday night. We then all went over to Kelly and Michelle's for thanksgiving dinner. We had a great time. Alex was wonderful - of course!

His two front teeth are really coming in now. He's also figured out how to get the Gerber puffs into his mouth by himself.

I think Grandma Linda and Butch enjoyed their grandson.

The weather here has just been wonderful lately, so Jay and I took Alex to the park this afternoon. We put him on the swings and then went for a walk. I think he had a good time.

We're Getting Teeth!

Ever since we went to get Alex, he has been chewing on everything. Well - yesterday it started to happen - Alex's two bottom front teeth are starting to poke through.

They aren't up much, but there is definintely two little white things there. It's pretty cute.

He's still a dream. He's just such a happy guy. He's really starting to play and interact. He also likes to stand up (with help, of course!) and he LOVES Jay. It's pretty sick. :)

National Championship, Baby!

GO BUCKS!!!

In case you haven't heard, Ohio State beat TTUN and is now 12-0, Outright Big Ten Champions, Troy Smith will win the Heisman, and we are going to the National Championship!!!

What a great day!!! Now we just have to wait and see what team we will play. It's been a good year.

I Apologize

I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted. My mom came and I kind of got side tracked.

The good news is that I finally downloaded all of Alex's pictures to my computer, so I have some new ones to post.

Here's a picture parade!!

Here's Alex on Election Day. As many of you know, Jay works in politics, and election day is always a very important day in our house. I thought the outfit was appropriate.




Jay and I met at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Jay was a part of the Ashbrook Center there which is a Conservative think-tank. Jay sent the folks there pictures of Alex when we brought him home, and they sent him a sweatshirt, hat and the Eagle. (the Ashland mascot is the Eagle) I LOVE this picture.




Here's Alex in his room sitting in his chair. If you notice in the background, the border is UP!! Mom and I did that on Monday. We had no idea what we were doing, but it's fairly straight and it's staying up!



Here's another picture of Alex playing in his room.



Since everyone that works in politics works for (or is associated with) a particular political party, I guess you can guess which one Jay works for by this next picture. The animal is thanks to Alex's Uncle Chris and Aunt Jaimie (my brother and sis-in-law). He LOVES it. It's bigger than he is!!



This picture is a perfect example of Alex's personality. He is just a hoot and loves to laugh. You can see his cars in this picture. My cousin Laura sent these to him this week, and he can't get enough of them. It makes Grandpa Jack very happy to see his grandson playing with cars!

I Was Childless Yesterday

Jay had the day off of work yesterday. (It was the observed day for Veteran's Day) He decided that he wanted to go to his tailor with his friend to get some pants taken in and talk to him about making a custom suit. Our tailor (and his wife) are originally from Guatemala. Jay wanted to take Alex in as we've been talking to them about our adoption.

So, Jay packed Alex up and took him! I had the whole house to myself for about 3 hours. I guess they went to the tailor, to visit our friend's office, to lunch and then to Kroger. I guess Alex did wonderful.

It was hard for me to not worry........Jay had never put him in the car before, never had to haul him around, never had to figure out how to put the carrier on the shopping cart. Now, my husband is a very smart man. He has his Master's degree - he graduated from college with honors - he reads really boring history and political books. Why did I not think he could handle a 6 month old???? :) He told me not to worry.

I guess they had a great time. I got to take a long shower and a nap. It was nice.

Post about Jay

Ok - I've heard that a couple of you who read the blog could care less about my kid. How is that possible? I have the cutest, bestest, most smartest kid in the world. :)

I understand that some of you come here hoping that I'll write about Jay. I'm not sure what you want to know - but I'll gladly write all kinds of stuff about him. He never reads the blog, so he will never know!!

I can tell you one thing - I think he's getting old. He's gone to bed early every night this week. He even went to bed before the Louisville vs Rutgers game was over!! I know it's not Ohio State - but gosh - we basically live in Louisville. Plus - the game had huge National Championship implications. He just got up and went to bed. Then, when Alex woke up at 6:00 - he just stayed in bed....until 7:30!!! When did I become married to an old man?

Jay and little man are going to his new tailor today. He's from Guatemala and will make custom suits. He's going to find out how much one would cost to get made. I think I'm going to stay home and actually take a shower longer than 5 minutes.

Dreams

I have always had weird dreams. I mean pay-lots-of-money-to-a-highly-trained-professional-to-analyze-the-craziness weird dreams. Jay just usually shakes his head at me and probably wonders what my problem is.

Last night was different.

I have been wondering the past couple of days if I really do love this little guy. I'm enamored by him - think he's just the best kid every - but wasn't sure if it really was love. I've been questioning myself and wondered when I would know for sure.

I do now.

Last night I had a NIGHTMARE!! I can't remember the last time I had such a horrible dream. You know, the kind that makes you wake up and sit straight up? I had a nightmare that Alex died. It was HORRIBLE. I won't go into all of the details as it will just get me upset again. It was a very weird dream....many things in it would never (could never) happen.

I woke up with a start and sat straight up in bed. I was gulping breath....like I just couldn't breathe right. I then got out of bed and checked to make sure that Alex was still breathing. I then crawled back in bed and started bawling. Jay woke up and wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I couldn't stop crying, and I was afraid to go back to sleep.

I still can't get it out of my head. As horrible as it was, I think it was God's way of convincing me that I DO love this little man. I wish He would have found a different way to let me know.

Jay Still Has a Job

Well - we just got back from watching election results. The State Senate will look exactly the same as it did this past year....so Jay still has a job. It's really nice to know, since I already decided to go part time in January!! :)

The sad news is that Anne Northup lost her House seat. Anne is an adoptive mom and has helped many families in Kentucky bring their children home. She was a real advocate in Washington for all children, but especially for those that are adopted. I was really sad to see that she lost her race. Maybe she will now get involved in the adoption community in some other way.

I'm just glad that I can now breathe for another 2 years.

Alex went to vote with us today. As soon as I download the pictures, I'll post them here. He looked really cute today in a patriotic outfit.

Two Big Days - and VOTE

Well - we survived. Alex did great at church on Sunday. He was happy to be in his carrier for most of the service, but he did decide to chat it up during the prayer. :)

He ate his food just fine during fellowship dinner. We then came home and he slept for 2 1/2 hours. Then it was off to the birthday party. There were SO many people there - it was crazy.

Alex did great there also. He just watched the "big" kids and did get down on the floor and played. We stayed until about 7:00. He didn't get his evening nap. It's amazing how I can get him off of his schedule, and he still does so well.

Monday, I took him into my work. Here was another day where he was WAY off in feeding and naps. He still did great. I think that Jay and I are in trouble when Alex gets older. He is just too good right now.

He also started waving bye-bye. He doesn't know what he's doing, but he's discovered that he can wave his fingers separately, so it's his new trick.

Also - Don't forget to vote today! If you don't vote - you can't complain.

Reaction

Well - I think Alex had a reaction to one of his vaccines. He was very cranky yesterday, had a slightly elevated temperature, and slept a lot.

He's sleeping right now, and we are going to church for the first time today. It's going to be a big day. We have church, fellowship dinner and then Sarah and Zach's birthday party this afternoon.

I think he's feeling better today so hopefully everything will go ok.

Jay had a good time at the Breeder's Cup, but we both still have to work! :)

Today's and the Doctor

We went to Alex's regular pediatrician today. She also said he's perfect. :)

We decided to pull titers to check for his immunity before we start redoing his immunizations. I wasn't sure about this, as it means needing to draw a lot of blood.

He did get a couple of shots today, and we sort of paid for it tonight. He was very cranky and went to bed early.

He also tried Squash today and loved it more than Sweat Potatoes and Green Beans!!

Jay is going to the Breeder's Cup tomorrow - he should have a good time, but it's going to be cold.