Ryklyn

My niece Jillian, great niece Ryklyn and her BF Andrea came down yesterday to work on Andrea's baby shower invites. While they were here we decided we would also make some flowers for headbands for Andrea's new little girl. As great as it was to see the girls I have to say Ryklyn stole the show. Poor little girl didn't want to nap in Alex' s crib so here is what happened.

Isn't she just precious?

Alex loved showing off for his cousin Ryklyn and playing with Mom's hat.

He wouldn't hold still so I could take a picture of him.

P.S. thanks for all the sweet comments about my hair. I am loving it short.

9 inches later...

So I needed a change badly and finally decided what I wanted. Last night my good friend Allison chopped off nine inches of my hair into a choppy A line bob. I also decided to go back to a blondie with strawberry highlights. I hate having pictures taken of myself so ignore my sad face, I truly am thrilled. I still think it's much cuter in person. Do you like?

8 Years Ago

It's been eight years ago today that I made a decision that would change my entire world. At my high of 260 lbs life in my world was far from glamorous. I felt the only good thing I had going for me was my boyfriend Jason who saw beyond the fat and accepted me. I missed out on so much due to my weight.

Eight years ago today I under gastric bypass and transformed into who I am today. Last night I as I sat watching Ruby on the style network I reflected back on the old me. I could relate so much to Ruby and her weight battle. Although I have come so far there are days I feel like the old me. Extra skin will always remain with me which makes clothes shopping very difficult especially during the summer. My body image will likely always haunt me yet when I see how far I have come I can't help but smile. I am so glad I made that decision eight years ago. Although very difficult it has definitely been worth it.

Before pictures

After

This is my Chinese wedding dress. I never imagined wearing something like this just a few years after my surgery. I felt so beautiful!

First Kiss

Her name was Hayden... strikingly cute with blond curls. She wore a dress and leggings. She was a stranger in a pizza parlor until their high chairs met and the rest was history.

Tuesday night we were out having pizza when we were seated next to a family with a little girl Alex's age. We chatted a back and forth as the kids played. Hayden and Alex loved sharing crayons. I turned my back to Alex for a minute and when I turned back there it was.. Alex's first kiss.

Lip to lip Alex and Hayden were kissing. Ahhh a camera I called to Hayden's mom, this is my son's first kiss I told her. We sat there laughing as Hayden's Daddy informed Alex he had his eyes on him. Alex reached out and puckered up for another kiss before I informed him that the only girl he should be kissing for now is me.

So I didn't get a picture and didn't even get their information for another kiss another day. I will however remember Alex's first kiss and will one day tell him how he was smitten by a curly blond haired babe in a pizza parlor.

He's a ladies man and he isn't even two yet. I'm in trouble!

9 Years Ago...

9 years ago today at 3 am I stood in the rain on my Mother's front porch in the rain watching a handsome man walking my way. Little did I know that my life would never be the same again. Yup it's been 9 years today since Jason and I first laid eyes on each other. I feel incredibly lucky.

Happy Anniversary Jas, I love ya!

Lucky me!

Jason and I a few years ago on a getaway, hopefully we will be able

to do this again very soon.

22 months

Alex is 22 months old today. Only 2 months to go and I will be a Mom to a 2 year old, CRAZY!! We had a pretty good weekend overall.

Friday I helped my friend Natalie with some wedding shower invites and our boys played. That night Jas, Alex and I had a family night at the new NYPD pizza place near our house. It was definitely new and having some growing pains but the staff was nice, the food good and we left with a free pizza and dessert so we will go back for sure, just going to give them a few weeks to get stuff in order.

Saturday Alex woke up acting a bit strange. Usually he is very chipper in the morning but he just seemed there. I was on the phone and next thing I heard Jason needed me NOW. Alex has thrown up in his hands. After lots of cuddling and refusing all food including his favorites we gave him some meds and a nap and he seemed to feel a little better. While he napped I did a little shopping, cleaning and went to lunch. Later that night we headed down to Highland to attend a friend's wedding. Emily looked absolutely stunning in her wedding gown. I couldn't be happier for her. You know how some people just deserve the best, she is one of them. I am so glad she has found love again.

Today has been such a beautiful spring day. Jason and I couldn't resist the weather so we packed up a picnic and headed to the park. Alex loved the swings, slide, doggies, running and chasing after the ball. Once we got home I decided to record him having a PB sandwich since he 22 months old today. Alex is still long and lean but is getting taller and outgrowing his 18 month clothes. He is constantly learning new things and loves to repeat new words daily. He knows so many now I have lost count.

Here are a few pictures and videos to enjoy. Hope you had a great weekend too.

"Cheese" this is the first time he has said cheese when I asked him to smile.

Gotta love the eyes




I loved this cheese pose. Of course by this time he wanted to see each

picture after I took it.

Silly boy!

Jason got an order on Friday while the Snells were at our house. I had to grab the camera to capture our little band.

PB sandwich and strawberries, yummy!

Family Night

Feeling a little icky today, I think I have another sinus infection. It's definitely a PJ day for sure. Alex is napping so I decided to go through some pictures I recently downloaded but haven't got around to blogging about.

Here are a few from 1/19/09 ya I know I'm behind. That night we decided to have a family night down at the farms at Thanksgiving Point. It was colder than we expected but Alex actually kept his mittens and hat on so we were happy. Alex enjoyed the animals but wasn't so sure about the pony ride this time around. Enjoy!

I love the behind shots of my boys. Something about Alex walking with his Daddy that always makes me happy.

Checking out the animals with Daddy.

Looking a tad bit cold but was interested in the cow.

Or not!!


Another pony ride, we seem to enjoy these more than Alex does.

Oh what a beautiful morning...

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beauitful day. Oh what a beautiful morning everything's going my way... OR NOT!

So it's 7:30 on Saturday and I'm awake to the sweet sounds of Alex playing in his crib. It's early for a Saturday especially after staying up late for my cupcake class. I don't mind though since my baby did sleep all night. I get out of bed and make my way down to check a few e-mails before getting Alex out of bed. I let Jason sleep in like I do almost every weekend.

I approach Alex's door with a hello, good morning bug. He is happy and playful. I notice his sheets are a little wet. I can't tell if it's droll or pee. No biggie he needs his sheets changed today anyway. I grab him from his crib and sweep him directly to the changing table to get him dressed for the day. As I unzip him jammies I see in horror at the same time I smell in horror a very full diaper laying in the pant leg of his jammies. Yup I said it wasn't on it was off and floating in his pant leg. I begin to freak out and call for Jason who is still asleep and obviously in a deep slumber because I yell forever before he replies. I guess Alex thought he was in trouble because he begin to sob. Finally Jason joins me in the nursery half asleep and unaware of what is about to hit him. We gathered the floating remains, diaper and such in hopes we won't be experiencing this again.

As I sit typing this Daddy and Alex are showering. What a morning! Note to Jason: if you are struggling with a diaper next time, give me a call. Don't just think ahh this will do, it might not. =)
Sorry no pictures of the even, as much as I would like to remember this memory I don't care to remember it that well nor do I think you do either.

Instead here are a few pictures of Alex I haven't shared. His new thing is balancing everything. Whether it's him balencing or his toys. He loves to build towers with his blocks and then balance his cars on them. What a boy!

Hope you have a great weekend! Jason and I are sneaking away for a few hours today while Alex hangs out with his Grandpa. Tomorrow is my 2nd cousin Oaklie's 1st birthday party. Should be a good weekend. Enjoy the pictures!

Bug Off

So I'm chatting on the phone today with my friend Jenn when Alex comes into the kitchen to hand me something. His latest thing is finding stuff to throw away. It's usually a piece of food, stamping supplies, lint whatever he seems to find it and either throws it away himself or gives it to me to throw away. Today was no different as I reached my hand out to retrieve what I assumed would be a paper scrap however I was wrong.

Alex handed me a LARGE 1-2 inch bug that I assume was a beetle still alive and kicking. Needless to say I freaked out dropping the bug to the ground and then I hurried and killed it. I can still hear the crunching sound now and the smell ahhh it was awful. Alex stood there with the strangest look on his face. He didn't get what the big deal was. Of course when I told Jason about it he wanted to know if I kept it. Ya right!! I can feel it crawling on me. I guess it's a sign that spring is on it's way.

This bug reminds me of although it's not exactly like it. I'm no bug expert. It's body was a more flat and square shaped.

Pictures that make me smile!

It's Monday.... it's been a rough week with some family drama. I am sad but am trying to see the silver lining in things. I have a class this week and of course as usual I am far from ready. I decided I need some Alex therapy this morning. Seeing pictures of my little boy always seem to put a smile on my face. These are a collection of pictures taken off of Jason's cell phone. Enjoy and Happy Monday! p.s. It's the Bachelor finale tonight so I have something to look forward to right?

Checking out the jeep while out Christmas shopping. Of course his Daddy had to take a picture.

Nap time with cousin Areiann. She has the magic touch of putting his to sleep, hence why you see more pictures of her asleep than awake.

Love his smile!

Basket goes on my head right? A hat perhaps?

Enjoying some whipped cream beaters, so much like his mother.

It was tempting to pick this up while out on our Costco run.

Alex looked so grown up sitting there all by himself.

Now that's a whisk if I have ever seen one. Jason and I are determined to get Alex to love cooking as much as we do. Perhaps this will help.

How did he know that the magnets would stick to my CrockPot? He did this all by himself and was super proud. Of course Jason called me to find out if I had taught him that. Nope he found his stool, took the magnets off the fridge and climbed up to stick the on my CrockPot. What a kid!

Playing on his landing under the table.

This looks like a good place to have a seat while I watch my movie. His buddy Nate's nap seems to be a favorite spot to hang out.