Absolute Cuteness - Pictures

I LOVE her gummy smiles!!

Hopper was "helping" with the laundry. He was soooo excited to find this tiny little sock. So perfect for a tiny little weiner dog.

Mommy said to release it and like a good boy, he did just that. If only I had the time to teach him to put it in the basket. That could come in really handy when Lexi's older. =)

These bunny slippers are sooo cute but unfortunately she was only able to wear them a few times. Apparently she's going to have ape feet like her Aunt Ginger. LOL

Even when she's unhappy she's adorable. I will be doing a follow on post to this one that will have nothing but videos. There will be a video showing exactly why she is in such a state of distress.

A few days before I went back to work, we got to meet up with a few of the girls for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed it for many reasons but two big ones 1) I finally got to eat a warm meal and 2) I got a heads up as to what kind of mess was awaiting my return.

Lexi is finally beginning to enjoy the swing at two months. It's perfect to use when she's fighting sleep. She'll fuss for a few minutes at first then she's out like a light. It's heaven sent when your arms and back are about to give out.

These next two pictures make me laugh. She's got these crazy eyes. I've got a video I'll publish in the follow on post that shows why she has these crazy eyes. I was laughing sooooo hard.

She's still too small for her bouncer but it doesn't stop me from putting her in it with the support of a blanket. Of course I'm right there at all times so don't worry Grammy, she's not in any danger. She loves all of the toys on it. I can't wait for her to be able to reach them herself.

Playdate with John

A few days before I went back to work, Lexi had a playdate with John. They were born on the same day within just a few short hours of each other!! It's really quite funny because John's mom and I took the same Bradley course and we just knew that was going to be the case. Anyways, the playdate was more for the mommy's so we could swap stories and pointers. It was great talking to someone who is going through the exact same thing at the same time! Hopefully we'll get to do it again in the future when the kids are older and can interact.

New Year's

Our New Year's was VERY different this year. At midnight we were celebrating because we had just put Lexi to bed and she was actually staying asleep!! Later that day we went on a walk in the neighborhood. It was freezing but a really pretty day.

We got Lexi all bundled and since this was our first walk together I had to bring the camera to document it. =)

She was not so sure about being out and about despite the sunny weather.

Ever wonder where your christmas trees or paper products or lumber come from? Well take a look. It's kind of depressing but they will replant trees so they can grow just to be chopped again. Kind of like cattle.

And because it was such a nice day we got a great view of Mt. Ranier from the neighborhood. It's just soooo beautiful here!

Smiles

I get to enjoy this everyday!! My life is awesome! =)

Lexi's First Christmas

Grandma Lavallee and Uncle Jeff came to visit and spend Christmas with us this year. It was nice to have family but I admit, I'll be glad when it's just the three of us. We've only had 7 days together as a family since we've had visitors ever since she was born. Don't get me wrong, the help has been great but it's hard to get into a rythm.

Anyways...we had a very nice Christmas. Lexi got lots of presents and dinner was tasty and delicious even if I must say so myself.

Isn't she precious? I LOVED her in this cute little outfit!!

Hi!!

My name is Alexis, but you can call me Lexi. I am one month old today and mommy can hardly believe it. I was born with my eyes wide open and I rarely shut them even today which makes mommy yawn alot. She mentions this thing called sleep and says she needs it but I think she's crazy. Who wants to sleep when there's so much to see and do?!

I was standing at one week and it's one of my favorite things to do besides eat. Speaking of my favorite things, I REALLY love bath time and being in the car. Some of the things I'm not a big fan of are getting my diaper changed and being dressed, but I am getting more tolerant of these tasks as I am learning they are necessary.

Here are some pictures of all of my cuteness for you to enjoy. Mommy is also including a video of some of my awake time from last night since this is how I spend most of my day.

P.S. Mommy wants me to apologize for the fact that all of these pictures are loaded in a funny order but I'm sure you don't care as much as she does. =)

This is me in rare form doing that sleep thing mommy talks about. It usually only happens after I've worn myself out from all of my exploring.

This is my Papa Gatliff and I adore him. He says the funniest things. I'm so glad he came to spend some time with me or should I say to spoil me in holds that mommy is to weak to do for an extended period of time. I love you papa!

This is mommy feeding me a bottle. She was devastated to learn she couldn't breastfeed after doing it for 3 weeks but I'm a happier baby now that I'm getting all of my nutrients and mommy can focus and getting healthy again too.

I love spending time in my Boppy. It props me up just right so that I can see more things.

Me and my Grammy Gatliff cheesing for the camera. I love her sooo much and was so happy she got to experience my birth. Plus her being here helped mommy out alot since she had some difficulty recovering and getting that sleep stuff.

Isn't this the greatest picture? I'm sooo loved. Mommy refuses to give up on trying to get Grammy and Papa to move here even though she knows it's a battle she can't win.

Look at me!! I'm such a happy and good baby. I love this little pink Winnie the Pooh outfit and my pink headband.

This is my mommy and me commemorating my one month milestone. She got a new haircut and we all like it.

Watch out world! I'm going to be mobile in no time. I've already rolled over a few times and surprised even myself. This is me attempting that roll over thing again. Practice makes perfect.

As you know I have two brothers, Hopper and Chase. They do the strangest things like run up and down the hall catching this thing called a ball. I can't wait until I can run too. Mommy and daddy can't wait until I can throw the ball for them.

This is me in my usual state of awake. This was taken at 11pm last night. As you can tell, I love to look at the house and talk.

A Birth Story (Long)

Alexis Isabella Lavallee
November 20, 2010 @ 10:52a
7lb 15 oz
20.25 inches

Sooooo...as you are well aware, I was planning a birth center delivery with a midwife. Totally unmedicated and as non-hospital as possible. Unfortunately, this was not meant to be. =(

In the last few weeks of my pregnancy, I developed gestational hypertention which means I became allergic to the placenta and the only way to "cure" it is to deliver the baby. I was put on bed rest at week 39 in hopes that my BP would stay below 140/80 but it did not. They were performing tests on me every day whether it was a NST or blood test or urine test, you name it, they did it. My midwives officially dubbed me high risk 2 days before my due date and transferred me to an ob/gyn.

I saw a different doctor everyday from the date that my case was transferred. They were all really great but I felt misplaced. They all had different risk levels they were comfortable with and the doctor I saw on Friday, November 19th decided that it was no longer safe for me or baby to continue on. I believe my BP was 161/83 that morning. The real risk for gestational hypertention is seizure, placental abruption or stroke. They've seen people seiz at much lower BPs so I was immediately transferred to the hospital for an emergency induction. Do you see where this is going?

They gave me cytotec and in 4 hours I was still only dilated to 2cm. At that point, I believe my BP had spiked to 175/117 (somewhere around there) so they administered magnesium sulfate and gave me another dose cytotec. Let me tell you about mag sulf. It is the devil's drug and is probably used to torture prisoners of war. It is an evil medicine. It feels like someone has thrown gasoline on you and tossed a lit match. OUCH!!! Plus, once it was administered it means that I was confined to the bed and my only labor options were left side or right side. Do you know how hard it is to labor and those are your only two options?!?!

About two hours after the 2nd cytotec I coughed, my water broke and things really got rolling. Long story short, I went from 2cm to 8cm in 2 hours. My contractions were lasting between 2-3 minutes and were peaking 2-3 times. I was getting about a 15 second break between contractions. Finally at 8cm, after an extremely emotional and physical day, I screamed for the epidural. They administered it about 30 minutes later and my labor practically stopped. Oh, and my BP dipped so low they had to give me meds to speed it back up. How's that for ironic?

So, because the epi slowed my labor they gave me pitocin to speed it back up. I hated the way the epi made me feel so I demanded that they turn it off, which they did. A few hours later I was pushing and had her out in about 7 pushes or under 50 minutes.

She was born "sunny side up" which explained some of the intense pain. Of course most of that was brought on by all of the meds they had me on.

Needless to say, my labor and delivery was as far from my plan as possible. The only thing that would have made it worse was if I needed c-section. Thank goodness I did not. Our ultimate goal was a healthy mom and baby which we got so I can't complain. However, I am still having a tough time accepting the hand I was dealt and have been mourning the loss of what I felt was best for baby.

Lexi is healthy and beautiful and is more than I could have hoped for. Everyday is something new and we are figuring it out together.

35 Weeks and Counting

So I'm a little over 35 weeks along now and I realized the other day that I can count the number of remaining weeks on one hand! It was a little unsettling yet very exciting at the same time. As everyone already knows, this pregnancy hasn't been easy on me and I'm ready for her to be out but by having her out that means breastfeeding will start. Have I mentioned how overwhelming breastfeeding seems to me? I know we'll figure it out but I feel totally unprepared. I'm sure that's common for first time mothers. =)

I had an appointment yesterday with the midwife. While overall I'm still looking good, my blood pressure was up. Not high but definitely elevated for me. We decided to wait until the next appointment to see what my blood pressure is before doing any lab work. AND despite the fact that I'm now wearing those oh so sexy compression stockings, the swelling isn't getting any better. Luckily there is no pitting so that's good news. Because of these finding I talked with my boss today about making modifications to my work area so that I can get my feet elevated like the midwife has required. Fingers crossed that this helps.

The best news is that despite the fact that I've been sick this entire pregnancy, I'm still gaining weight even if it's not much. Despite my low weight gain, they are estimating Lexi will be around 8lbs!!!

Baby Shower

My parents came to visit over Labor Day weekend and I am lucky to have a friend kind enough to throw me a baby shower during that time just so my mom could attend. How wonderful is she?

Deb my FABULOUS hostess.


The decorations were adorable. There were little dress napkins and a washcloth bouquet. How cute?!?! Plus there were cupcakes, some pink lemonade and other yummy treats.


We played a couple of baby games. The first was the diaper game. There were several diapers that contained different types of chocolate candies. It was gross and hilarious. I'll spare you all of the pics but the one of my mom and dad. Her face says it all and she's no stranger to a dirty diaper. However I think what makes this pic so funny is her face in comparison to my dad's. =)


After the games, I was requested to take my seat in the new mommy chair. Bring on the presents!!!!!
I walked away with sooooo much loot. Lexi is already extremely spoiled. This is something we will have to work on.

Ginger's Visit

My sister came to visit for a week and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. She kept her phone on vibrate and only texted occasionally so we were actually able to have a conversation. It was GREAT!!

Unfortunately, Mark got sick and spent most of the days she was here in the bathroom, poor fella. I was like a single mother taking care of him and getting her ready for a wedding on Saturday. I guess it was practice for my days as a mom.

Here are a few pics of my sister and her date Abe at the wedding. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL? I think she was the prettiest girl there. =)

The boys love their Auntie Ginger. They were sad to see her go. After all she did play with them and love on them and let Chase pee on her. LOL

Ginger and Chase on the one occasion he didn't pee on her. =)

Hopper and his Ginger...he just loves to love.

We didn't get many pics of us until the last day. We went to Pike's Market and then ate lunch at the Hard Rock before coming back.

No I'm not wearing makeup and yes this does look odd. We took like 5 pictures and none of them turned out. Ginger was adamant that we get a picture of the two of us that showed off my baby bump. The problem was that when we were standing together my belly engulfed her and it looked like I had two heads. Thus I rotated and this was the result. LOL

Ginger snuck a pic of me using my belly table. Chase is in his usual position while I'm on the laptop looking utterly bored since we aren't playing ball. This is an extremely unflattering picture.

This has got to be the funniest picture taken to date. All credit is given to Ginger. She wanted to see Mark and I compare the size of our bellies. Mark wins...for now. I like to call this kissing bellies.