Family

We are so very blessed to have such an amazing family.  Last weekend my sister Danielle flew in from New York for four days to help out and my brother Trevor drove in from San Antonio for the weekend.  They helped with the wash, putting together items for the baby's room, grocery shopping, running errands, installing ceiling fans, helping take care of Monkey....  They were AMAZING. 

 Trevor is assembling a bouncer for Alexis

l

 Allen is busy putting together her stroller

 

 Now onto the highchair. 

Yes she won't need it for awhile but wanted to get as much done now as we can

 Danielle went to three grocery stores and pretty much bought them out of everything.

 She made us over 14 different dishes to freeze. Each dish has multiple servings and should last us for a long time. It was impressive to watch her work. She had multiple recipes going at once and didn't really stop for any breaks.  At one point she had some left over tomatoes and other veggies so she decided to make us a homemade pasta sauce.  It smelled amazing and I can't wait to try it. 

 Allen and Trevor got into the action

 Danielle in action

 I had to sit on the couch and observe. 

It was really hard but I was good and focused on letting my back heal. 

 

It was such a frenzy at the end we had to move Danielle's flight home to later in the day so we could get it all done.  She finished cooking at 4pm, packed her bags, made some snacks for the plane and we were on the road to the airport at 4:15pm.   

 

A few funny things that happened over the weekend....

 

They only sell liquor at a liquor store in TX.  I have not been able to find one near us so when Danielle was here we went to one in Houston. We needed to stock up on some Kahlua and Southern Comfort ---for Allen--assume you will know I am not drinking.  They charge you 5% more if you use a credit card.  So I sat in the car while Danielle went in to buy the items with all the cash in my wallet.  I felt like a teenager waiting while she used her fake ID to buy liquor (Mom and Dad I know you are reading this and I am just guessing this is how it would feel:)) She said she got some weird looks as she purchased all Kahlua and Southern Comfort from their shelves. At one point she asked if they had any larger bottles...I assume they think she has a really bad drinking problem.

 

When Danielle was out shopping she purchased a laundry sorter for my closet.  It was something I needed but had not had a chance to buy.  Trevor tried to assemble it but it was missing the screws.  So when we needed a few additional items from the store he volunteered to pick up the items and exchange the sorter.  He came back and started to assemble the new sorter.  It was also missing parts...really???  So now when my mom gets here we will return it and buy something completely different. 

 

Danielle started cooking at 6am on Sunday to try and get everything done before her flight.  She said she heard Monkey getting sick on an area rug. So she wiped it up and put some Resolve on the area to clean it. She resumed cooking.  She glanced to see where Monkey was...she was sniffing around the Resolve and about to eat it. So she got her away from it.  Monkey then went into a different room and started to look like she had to go to the bathroom (she is in a diaper but we take it off when she needs the  litter box) so Danielle picked her up, ran her to the utility room and took off her diaper. She told me later..."looking after her is a full-time job"  Yes it is..seems like good practice for having a baby.

 

It was so great to see my sister and brother and we are forever indebted to them for all of their help. There is no way we could do everything needed without them.  Only a few more days and my mom will be here...so excited.



You must find the humor in life to keep going

Yesterday was an interesting day...I thought I would document it so I can laugh about it later:)  It started with a chiropractor appointment.  I hurt my back last week and each day it is getting worst.  As of yesterday morning I could barely walk.  My SI joint on the left side of my back is inflamed and is pinching a nerve in my back...causing pain when I walk, bend, lift etc. The only thing that feels better is sitting.  Anyone who knows me knows this is SO hard for me to do:)  So how did I hurt my back?  Well for one I didn't listen to Allen or my mom...they kept telling me to take it easy and not do so much.  But I felt good and thought I can get all the things done around the house I need to and will be fine.  I also went back to water aerobics at the Y near the house and the instructor had us in the shallow end the entire time--I know better than to jump around in the shallow end of the pool but was just so excited to be back working out.  To get better I need to do some stretching, ice and stay off my feet as much as possible. 

After getting home from the chiropractor I iced my back and was planning to be good all day. Stay off my feet, don't lift, don't clean anything--do nothing.  I hired a cleaning company and they arrived around 12:30pm.  I took Monkey and we went out to the back balcony to enjoy the beautiful weather.  It is in the 70's, sunny with a slight breeze.  Here is Monkey sitting on a chair next to me.

 

After the maids left all I wanted to do was lay down in bed and watch some T.V.  Monkey is very sick. She has kidney failure and they found a mass in her bladder. The mass causes her to leak urine. When it is just the two of us we sit outside a lot--it doesn't matter if she leaks we can hose off the patio.  So I decide I am going to bring her into the bedroom to sit on some puppy pads and will attempt to put on her diaper.  I get everything ready in the bedroom. After the maids left I had turned on the alarm to the house. Forgetting I did this I went out to the patio to bring Monkey to the bedroom--I set off the alarm. The alarm control panel is downstairs. So I hobbled (picture an old lady with a walker) downstairs and turned off the alarm. Then I hear my phone ring, it is probably the alarm company and my phone is upstairs.  I miss the call.  I figure I turned it off they will see things are fine. I return to get Monkey from the patio.  I bring her into the room and put her on a puppy pad and towel.  I try to put on her diaper --Allen makes it look so easy. She wanted no part of it.  She walked off the towels onto the bed and leaked on my sheets.  Ugh.  Then I look outside and there are two cop cars in front of the house. Is this my life really????  So I once again hobble downstairs. By the time I get to the front door they are in the back of the house. So I hobble to the backdoor--miss them and they are going back to the front door.  I finally meet them at the front, apologize for them coming out and tell them I am ok.  I slowly climb the stairs to the bedroom thinking how is this taking it easy.  So I get to the room and try one last time with the diaper. She will have no part of it, she jumps off the bed and goes under the bed. So I start crying...now there will be urine under the bed and Allen will need to clean it when he gets home.  One more thing he needs to do to take care of us.  I will say the baby book is right...I do cry easily.  I decided I need to ice my back and not worry about it.  I just wanted Monkey to be comfortable and be with me but she doesn't understand.  So Allen gets home...puts on the diaper in less than a minute...she does look cute in it:

 

We made sure she looks fashionable...she has one in pink and the other is purple

 

He checks under the bed and everything is fine.  I cry again, he gives me a hug and tells me thing will be ok.  He is right.  My sister will be here today for four days to help out.  My brother will be here this weekend. And my mom is moving here next week. 

 

Overall we are very blessed and things will get better. As long as we can laugh at ourselves and the situation we will survive.  (Remind me of this when it is 2am and Alexis won't stop crying) :)



35 Week Ultrasound

Allen and I have been excited for the 35 week ultrasound since our 20 week ultrasound in July.  Everyone kept telling us she will look exactly the same when she is born as she does in her 35 week ultrasound.  Alexis has been an active baby---yet seems to play games with us. She will move around a lot and as soon as Allen puts his hand on my stomach she hides.  If we wait a bit and Allen talks to her she will usually start up again.  It is pretty funny. Well she was no different in her ultrasound. She was facing towards my back....so we could not see her face. We were able to see all her organs and verify she is doing great. The ultrasound doctor tried to get her to move but she wanted to stay put.  The good news is she is doing great and appears to be healthy.  The other good news yet scary news is she already weighs over 6lbs.  She is currently at 60% of her birth weight. So if you are doing the math...at full term she will weigh over 10lbs.  I am a bit nervous.  So we have no pictures from the ultrasound and will need to wait until she is born to see her pretty face.  Can't wait!

Wine Making Part 2

So our wine is finally ready for us to bottle.  It was a four step process and took Allen and I about an hour to bottle 29 bottles.  It was a fun experience.  I imaging if we were both drinking wine it would be even more fun...and may take longer than an hour:)

Step One is to put the bottle on the filling machine (I am sure there is some technical term)

 

The wine on the left is funneled into the bottles.

Thankfully it is preset so you just push a button and it fills it.

 



Sometimes the bottles need a little extra wine...so here I am adding to the bottle

Step two is corking the bottles.  Allen was responsible for this step. You had to put the cork partially in and wait a few seconds...this was the perfect time for him to have a drink of his wine and then resume his corking responsibilities. 

 



Step three was labeling the bottle.  Here are pictures of both of us adding our labels.  We provided the picture and words...they made them look pretty. 

 

 

 

 Doesn't all the wine look so good....or is it because I haven't had a drink in awhile:)

 

 Step four was adding the top seal to the bottle. 

 



 Here we are with the final product. Why a selfie?  Well even though the wine people were super nice...we are introverts and prefer not to talk to others:)

 

 Here is our final product.  If you are in town visiting we have plenty to share and would love to have a glass with you.

 

 Close up of our label.  We took this earlier this year...I mean everyone should have a picture in front of the Las Vegas sign.  A guy dressed as Elvis let us use his guitar and glasses and took our picture.  He was so much fun. 

 

A Year of Change pretty much sums up this year for us....selling two places, buying a new house, moving to TX, starting a new job, leaving a job, having a baby....

 

Pregnancy Pictures

I wanted to make sure we captured pictures of Allen and I while I was pregnant.  Our friend Michelle took these pictures for us (and provided the props). Thank you to Michelle & her assistant Dan for taking the time to take and edit these pictures for us.  We really appreciate it.

 I thought Alexis would like this one:)

 Having some fun. The sign says "Can't wait to meet you.  November 2014 Love Alexis"

California Baby Celebration Party

Three of my friends...Michelle, Bev and Leslie and my sister Danielle threw Allen and I a baby celebration party in California  It was such a fun and memorable event.  I wanted to celebrate with our friends and family however I am really not into baby showers.  The silly baby games...who wants to look at chocolate in a diaper and guess the candy bar??  And why should everyone else not enjoy a cocktail?  They did such a wonderful job incorporating all of my requests.  The party was co-ed, served alcohol and we had three fun "activities" (instead of games).  The three activities were to decorate a onesie (they provided markers and stencils for those who need a little help being creative), writing down advice--funny or real on an index card and guessing how many marshmallow were in a large baby bottle.  The only downside to the evening was CA was having a heat wave. So it was a bit warm outside until the sun went down.  We are so thankful to all of our friends and family who attended...many drove from out of town and out of state to attend. 

Here are some great pictures from the event (in random order)

 One of the activities was decorating a onesie.  Allen and I had to pick the best one.  It was fun to see how creative people are and how much they enjoyed the activity.  At the table from left to right...Diane, Nancy, Maryann, Jack, David & Alice.

 All of the onesies hanging up...they were so cute

 Jessica, Allen and Dan put the last minute touches on our design

 Opening gifts...only things we could fit in our suitcase. Everything else was sent to our home in Texas.  We received so many generous items.

 Here I am staying cool inside until the sun went down.

 Trevor and Allen

 

  Nancy, Danielle, Linda and Shelly

 Maryann & Alice

 Dave and Kerry

 David & Alice having fun (another activity was to guess how many marshmallows were in this bottle)

 Dan & Michelle

 Danielle & Diane working on their design

 Allen & Jessica reviewing all of the onesies to pick our winner. Notice my tan...not working and taking water aerobics at the pool every morning is the best:)

 Leslie and Ken relaxing

 Mark and Bev

 

Some details about the event so we don't forget when we tell Alexis about it.  The event was held at Michelle and Dan's house. We had yummy Mexican for dinner...thank you to everyone who helped cook. Thank you to Michelle for hosting, helping set-up/clean up, take pictures, organize the guest list, providing dinner and wine and I am sure many other things I am forgetting.  Thank you to Bev for providing the vegetarian option for dinner and helping clean up and keep things organized. 

 

Danielle provided cute but not too cute decorations. She also provided and organized the onesie activity.  Thank you for keeping me fed during the evening:)

 

Leslie made the super cute invitations, dessert, gifts for the activity winners and parting gifts for the guests. She put peanuts in a bag and added this saying...she made up:

 

 

Handmade invitation

 

 I am sure I am missing so many things these four wonderful women did to make the event so special. Thank you for being amazing and taking such great care of us.