Vodka, anyone??

I am desperately trying to keep up with this blog-but it seems keeping up with my Boo is a bigger job. (Like always!)

I was a TAD apprehensive with the "happy" baby video on my last blog. Don't get me wrong-that is a HAPPY baby, but my how fast things change in baby land. I have never been more ready for a day with Cody in my life. I needed all the help I could get this week.

Pax and I fought some not so fun times this week. I felt like, well, ASS. I was hot, then cold, then hot, then cold...yadda yadda yadda. I have a feeling it might be this "revolutionary" new birth control I so desperately wanted to try.

And Paxi...had a bit of a poo problem. We haven't battled a constipation problem in AWHILE. Like since week 3 of life. I had quickly forgotten how important a daily poop or two is for a baby. I first tried the water trick...to no avail because she just spit it all up. I was getting a little anxious for her, looking at me with those sad puppy dog eyes. "Help me mommy."

So, I had to call the ped. And lucky for little Pax, it was her first time to try seriously diluted apple juice. Blech. What do you know, she loved it!! And will now probably wonder why we have been depriving her these pleasures all this time.

Let's just say the apple juice did the trick. And then some. I found myself jumping up and down cheering every time she grunted and started her massive tooting. Today there was not so much cheering, but more "AGAIN??" =) Ahh...the joys of motherhood. A whole post about poop.

Here's the little trooper today. Still not quite "regulated", but feeling better. And trying to figure out who is in the backseat with her with mirrored eyes.

My ONLY saving grace this week, and I mean the only, was my lovely friend Kristine. I met Kristine on a trip to Vegas about 3 years ago. We met through some mutual friends and actually have only been in the same room together perhaps twice. But let me show you why Kristine is SUCH an amazing person and my hallelujah this week. Behold: Box #3 of AMAZING baby clothes.

When I found out Pax was a girl, Kristine contacted me and told me that her baby Bella (born one year before P) had outgrown lots of her clothes and could she send me some. I had no idea the quantity or QUALITY of clothing she would be sending me, but now the sight of a box from Midland, TX makes me jump up and down and squeal like a kid at Christmas. Kristine and her family have given us the opportunity to spend money in other places than just on Pax clothes. We are forever in debt to them for the 3 boxes they have sent us and find it hard to explain our gratitude.

I look forward to sitting around this weekend with my husband and just taking it easy. I promise to attempt to be a better blogger next week, but then again, there is no telling what interesting problems we can get into. This is the first time in years that Cody & I haven't treked up to the Hill for opening weekend and I have to say, I'm a little happy. WOO PIG. I'll cheer from the couch this game.

Happy Labor Day weekend!!

Lazy Weekend ~ Happy Baby

Pax, Cody & I all had a relatively peaceful little weekend. I did my usual mommy duties : cleaning Paxi's bottles, playing, & washing Paxi clothes. Daddy did...well daddy things: fishing & swinging the golf clubs. And Pax? Well, Pax is always a very busy bee...doing her baby things. She requested we have a photo shoot one morning, so of course we did!

She photographs so well. Me...well, you try not sleeping a whole night for around 8 weeks and see how you look. Paxi loves me no matter what, so my beauty takes the backseat. Sometimes.

We also took a picture for our friend Cadence, whom we have never met, but are looking forward to meeting one day very soon. Cady loves cupcakes. Paxi has this bib. I was a little more excited about finding it than Boo was, but whatever.

Play gym time (yes Bambi, she still adores this thing...thank you, thank you, thank you!) on Saturday proved to us once again that she finds something new everyday. This particular day she discovered the mirror...and the baby trapped inside it. I think she liked it at first...

But then, I think that baby made her mad. She got a tad bossy and demanded the baby in the mirror come out! We exited the play gym before a meltdown occurred. She's back to loving the baby again. And apparently they talk baby for awhile each day.

This picture just makes me laugh. One because she looks semi-tardish and also because she looks like a potato.

And this one only has one word to explain it: daddy.

Back to the weekend or the end of it rather. But for me, everyday is a weekend. = )

This is my Lambie this morning at 7 a.m. after sleeping the whole night. She is such a good baby and do you know anyone who wakes up this happy on Monday morning? Didn't think so.

And finally...is my baby growing a mullet?

Say cheese

This post is just going to be some old & new pictures of Paxi.

Not that there aren't enough pics of this child all over the Internet, i.e. Facebook & Myspace, but some of our friends and family do not have accounts on either. So...here are some of my favorite pictures.

This one I lovingly call Boo Baby-and where she inevitably got one of her nicknames.


First night at home. She was so tiny.


First time in her swing.


I miss the mitten days. And baggy clothes!

It was LOVE at first sight.

My little living doll.

Our first holiday and "real" family picture together. Ah, memories.

I told you swaddling saved our lives!

Daddy is crazy over his little lady.

She even looks cute during a meltdown.




We can't decide WHO she looks like more?!


That tongue...always on something.


Happy baby.


OK-that's all for now. They'll be more to come-guaranteed! This could be the most photographed baby in history!!

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

Movie Star

So...I'm finally getting some videos up of the little Lambie baby. I have been trying for some time now, but my video camera was apparently made by rocket scientists and requires that you be a genius to remove the videos. It's a good thing that's the case with me. ; )

Pax is "talking" quite a bit these days and mimicking things that we do or noises we make. I always miss the best moments, and the second I get out the camera she does one of two things: screams like she is on fire or completely goes blank. Here's an example; I call this catatonic baby.

(Please disregard my voice. I blame the camera.)

I got smart and decided to hide the camera where she couldn't see it, to see if I could get some noise or reactions out of her. She's unreal. Here is what happened:

I hope she gets over her obsession with the camera. Either that or she will look back at these videos one day and think we drugged her. Sneaky little thing.

I am working on getting up the videos of her when she was tiny and new. Some from the hospital and her first days at home. Those are the best, but I haven't quite figured out how to format them. Ugh, technology.

Here's just a couple more-not that great, just cute!

I was terribly worried about Pax last night after having the shots. I just knew that she was going to have an all night scream fest. She surprised us all. All I can say, is God bless my momma. While we were at their house, Pax had a meltdown. And I don't mean she got "fussy", she screamed like I have NEVER heard before since she's been born. Loud. It was horrible. So of course, I broke down and my momma had to save us both. She calmed her down enough so that we could get her home, feed her, and put her to bed. I wasn't even going to attempt a bath. I braced myself for an all-nighter, but the little angel slept the entire night. She even took her Tylenol in her sleep. I was so relieved. She doesn't seem sore or have any other side effects. So, thank you mom...you saved us both and I love you so very much.

Chunky Monkey

So today was just horrible. Definitely the worst day I have had as a parent thus far. Paxtin had to go to the doctor today for her first round of shots-2 month shots. I tried to prepare myself and Pax, explaining to her that it was going to hurt to get the shots and that she would be sore and grumpy. However, when the time came for the big moment, I was asked to hold down my sweet angel while a very large, NOT gentle nurse jabbed 4 needles into her plump little legs. I cried. I felt so helpless and for the first time since she was born, felt like I couldn't do anything to make her feel better. It was awful. Here is her picture after she got home:She was screaming, so I couldn't get a "good" picture, but her battle scars are clearly visible. I am dreading going back for the 4 month ones. Daddy did a good job of making her feel better...and God bless Tylenol.

One interesting thing we learned about Paxi today-she's a chunky monkey!! She weighed in at 12 lbs and is now 23 in. long. According to the chart, Pax is in the 95th percentile for her weight. This means she weighs more than 95% of all the 2 month old babies in the U.S. Her height puts her into the 75 - 90th percentile for her age. Cody thinks she's going to be a lurch.

The weather lately has been surprisingly cool for Arkansas in August. So much so that Pax got to wear her first pair of baby jeans. I am a tad obsessed with them, but I'm not to crazy about all the snaps required to keep them on. Aren't they cute?

I have been working here and there in Pax's nursery. Thinking of new things to do and basically finishing up what I couldn't get done before I had her. I always knew I would put a saying or quote somewhere on her walls, but didn't know what I wanted it to say or where I wanted it to be. Plus, I have very little creative abilities. Then I stumbled into Uppercase Living. My friend Sara sells the products and gives demos. I was so impressed and thought it was JUST what I had been looking for. Here is what I decided to put up in Pax's nursery:

I'm so pleased with how it turned out. It was relatively easy to put up...it's just a big sticker, but lining it up was a little tricky. I definitely recommend this product though- if you can locate a seller in your area-it's well worth the money.

Here are some other additions I made in the room. I think it's finally how I want it!

Catching up

I started taking 'birthday' pictures of Pax when she turned 1 month old sitting in a chair with a sign displaying the date. I got the idea from my friend Courtney and couldn't be more happy that I started doing it. It is such an amazing way to see just how much they grow from month to month and how fast! Here is her 2 month picture:
And just to make me REALLY sad, here is her 1 month photo:

Last weekend, Cody, Pax & I loaded up and headed up to Branson to stay the weekend with Cody's mom and step dad who live there. We were so excited for all of the family to see Pax and knew that they would be amazed at how much she had grown. Most of all, we were thrilled that Pax's great grandma Zona finally got to meet her. She had waited 2 long months to see Pax and I still don't know how she made it that long. Here they are meeting for the first time:


While we were staying in Branson, a monumental occasion occurred. Paxtin slept the whole night...TWICE. To those of you who aren't mommas, this probably amounts to a hill of beans, but trust me, it was the most proud I have been since she was born! She has been sleeping a solid 8-9 hours every night ever since. My little Boo is growing up and it makes me sad, but I will NOT miss those 3 am feedings! I do have to credit much of our sleeping succcess to an amazing book, The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp. I not only learned ways to make Paxi feel safe and secure in her new environment, but I also discovered how to get a baby to sleep for longer periods at a time. SWADDLING saved our life.

Cody & I were able to have a nice date night to celebrate our 3rd anniversary while we were there. We hit up an amazing sushi place called Wasabi and enjoyed some adult conversation!

Before we left for our trip, Pax started 2 new things. Holding her head up while on her belly (for longer than 2 seconds) and laughing out loud. There is nothing better in the world than to see her look at me and grin the biggest, gummiest smile every time she sees me. That will never get old.

Tomorrow I have to take my little Lambie in for her 2 month checkup. She will have to get her shots and I am completely distraught over the whole situation. I will probably cry more than she does. I will post pics of the battle scars after we both recover. Say a little prayer for us both.

And finally, I thought I would throw these in just for Cody. This little girl has him wrapped around her finger and it just melts my heart every time I see them together. They are my two MOST favorite people in the world and I know they are going to enjoy years and years of amazing fun times together.

This was night one of sleeping all night.

They are intensely watching Michael Phelps swim for his medals!

Getting started

My name is Kelsey and I am a 20-something stay-at-home mommy to my first beautiful baby girl. My husband Cody & I have been married 3 years now and currently live in my childhood town in Arkansas. In August of '07, we decided it was time to make our dream of starting a family together a reality. I found out I was pregnant October 1st of that year and Paxtin Grace joined our little duo via c-section on June 10th, 2008. To say we have been blessed with the perfect baby would be an understatement. She's truly a miracle and we are so lucky she chose us to be her parents.

I have decided to start this little blog as a way to keep in touch with all of our family & friends scattered here and there who don't get to share in Paxtin's daily activities. While our lives aren't exactly thrilling, I know you will enjoy watching Pax grow and reach all of her many milestones.