Happy Birthday Benji

That's right, Benji turned the big 14 today! He has been a big part of our lives since June of 1997 when we visited the Santa Maria, CA animal shelter and we met this little dog named Jazz. He was a year and a half old at the time, and the people at the shelter said that he didn't take well to people. He then jumped into Jon's arms and gave him a big kiss. We knew then that he was our dog. He was renamed Benji and he has been spoiled rotten ever since.

Here are some pics of Benji opening his presents. The first is an action shot, and that is why it is a blur!

Benji has taken being second fiddle in stride. He enjoys naps and walks when mommy has help with baby. We have seen no sign of his cancer returning, and frankly he acts like a puppy in the evenings when we are trying to wind down. We are very blessed to have Benji as our doggy. He keeps his distance from his new little sister, but I think they are both still trying to figure each other out. Happy Birthday Benji! Thanks for being such a great dog!

Just had to share

Lexi had her first shots on Friday. I was a very nervous mommy. Jon was in a time crunch. They gave her the stuff she has to drink and then three shots in the thighs. She screamed, as was expected. This is her a few minutes after the shots smiling at the baby in the mirror. She didn't have a fever at all, and she didn't have any welts at the point of the shots. Our little girl is so strong! -Jenni

Oh...my...goodness

Lexi is officially 2 months old! We can't believe it. I know this is just the beginning of countless milestones that we won't be able to believe, but 2 months is a big one. I can't believe how much her personality has blossomed. We are lucky to have Lexi as our little girl. The latest milestone- she no longer fits in the sleeper we brought her home in. She is also becoming a pro at smiling, even at mommy and daddy:

We just had a wonderful visit from Jon's parents from Ohio. We didn't do much besides spend time together and take lots of pictures, but I think that was the best thing we could have done. Lexi ate up all the attention from her grandparents. She really became a pro at smiling when she saw them. They said she grew up a little right in front of them. Alyce did a lot of cooking, cleaning, and cookie baking, and I can say she is missed already. She gave me time to spend with Lexi, time to catch up on some things I've wanted to get done, and both she and Cloyce were happy to take on the role of holding a baby girl when that was needed. Jon and his dad installed a light in the laundry room, which has made a huge difference in my ability to see my laundry! It has also illuminated how dusty my laundry room is, so I will be taking care of that soon. I do wish that part of the family was closer. I am going to sign up for email alerts to air fare sales so we can get to Ohio, maybe this year. It is hard for Jon and I to be away from that part of the family, but we are still able to be as close as you can be through love despite distance. Skype helps that too!

I am still very tired all of the time. I look tired in my eyes. I don't know if I will ever get used to getting up a few times a night to feed Lexi. I love that time with her though. It is beautiful to bond with her as I feed her and give her nourishment and love. Breastfeeding is truly one of the most soulful things I've ever experienced.

Lexi was baptized on Sunday. It was important to me to have God's promise of baptism bestowed on her. Jon and I both grew up as Christians, and we can't imagine life without faith.
Here is a pic of her in her cute little dress with her Godmother Jenny.


I am still not completely in the swing of things related to mommyhood. I love every second I spend with Lexi, but I think the way things got started two months ago continues to be hard on me. We had to bring Lexi back to the hospital the day after we were discharged because she wasn't eating. I felt like it was a failure on my part, and I still don't talk about it because I haven't come to terms with it. A day on IV fluids and me working with a lactation consultant, and Lexi went home over a pound heavier than when she arrived. It's difficult for me to be away from Lexi, even for a few minutes, and I think it is because of those events. I am working hard to get over it, but with my anxiety issues, it will take some time.

I am very happy that the weather is BEAUTIFUL, and I would be very happy if spring has sprung early. I'm sure that winter will take at least one last swipe at us, but for now, I will take the sun and almost no coat needed weather.
And some more pics of the beautiful girl.


-Jenni

Did she really grow that much?

My little deer:



After Lexi's bath today I used the scientific method of weighing myself on the scale with her in my arms and then weighing myself without her. The difference was a whopping 10.5 pounds. I'm sure that's not an exact measurement, but if it is anywhere close, this little girl is growing fast. She has outgrown one of her first sleepers, and it is a little sad for a mommy who wants to hold her little girl in her arms forever.

I have also given up eating everything that I actually enjoy eating: caffeine, chocolate, dairy, vegetables- in an effort to see if any of those items are giving her digestive problems. After being up most of last night, I don't believe those items have caused any problems, so please anticipate that tomorrow morning I will be lost in coffee and chocolate chip cookies and brownies! Of course, I'm still off the dairy since that still doesn't agree with me. I don't know what else could be causing her issues. It's not every day, that is why I think it is something in my diet. Oh well, as long as she is eating and growing, I imagine she is doing ok!


-Jenni

Happy New Year's Resolution!

I am overwhelmed with the number of possible New Year's resolutions that I could make at this time of proposed new beginnings. A few possibilities-
-Finish things I start. An example: don't just buy the sewing machine and the fabric and set them next to each other, sew.
-Get up and become presentable every day. A baby is no excuse. My grandma never worked, yet she always had her 'face on' and was dressed up and ready to go.
-Pray every day. Maybe some things wouldn't bother me so much if I gave them to God.
-Cook. Being pregnant took away my energy and my desire to cook. Being a mommy has taken much of my energy, but I really need to get back into cooking cause we gotta eat. Every day. -Eat healthier. See above.
-Exercise. I am close to my pre-pregnancy weight, but my muscle tone is gone, and Lexi is getting heavier every day.

So as Jon and I spend the weekend watching football and relaxing with our baby girl and our doggy, I will ponder which of the items or combination of items would be the best to swear to in the new year. That said- the simple fact that the only person holding me to my resolution is me makes actual adherance very unlikely. I do, however, resolve to try. -Jenni