The best call we ever got!

Today marks one year since we got the call that changed our lives forever! I will never forget what we were doing that night, what we ate, what we did, and how the call went. I remember all the questions, and excitement after we got the call, and all the calls we made. What a wonderful night that was.
Now one year later I have the most wonderful 10 month old little boy that I could have ever dreamed of. He is the light of our lives, and has brought our home so much joy. Today I pray for his birth mom, and brother and sister. I think about all that they must have gone through in the last year, and the bond that will hold us together forever. I am forever thankful!

Our First Flu!

I got a call last weekend from my boss, asking how Alex and I were feeling. We were fine, but it turned out that the 2 year old that I nanny had come down with the flu. This was on Friday night so we all thought it would be fine for Alex and I to come to work on Monday. When we got there first thing in the morning everyone came running to tell me that the 4 year old had now gotten the flu, and was up all night getting sick. I was pretty worried, but thought we might skate by because her dad (who was also not feeling well) was going to stay home and the two of them just slept all day. We made it two days, and then it hit. Joe got up around midnight to let the dogs out, when he heard Alex stirring in his bed. He went in to check on him and found that he was wet. While he was changing him (thinking it was spit up) I woke up and went in to see what was going on. I turned the lamp on and found puke everywhere. Once we got him and his bed all cleaning up, I sat down to rock him, and that was the first time he threw up on me. Once we got cleaned up again I put him back in his bed, and I slept on the couch, because I was worried I wouldn't hear him from the monitor because I had not hear him the first time. He ended up getting sick two more times in the night, but by morning he seemed as happy as could be. Being a first time mom I was not really sure how to start the day so I gave him his normal 6 ounce bottle and as soon as he finished the whole the he gave it right back to me! At that point I called the doctor to see what I should be doing instead. That day Alex and I had a laid back day at home and he was doing well. We went back to work on Thursday, and other than a BIG blow out right after we got there we had a good day. That night at midnight it struck again, only this time it was my turn. I kept tossing and turning in bed, I would get up and race to the bathroom only to sit there freezing, so I ended up bring the trash can to bed with me, and it was a good thing I did! From midnight until 5am I was getting sick about every 20 minutes. It was the worst night of my life. On top of that there was no way my husband could take the day off so I had to figure out how I was going to be this sick, and take care of Alex. Luckily, about an hour into our morning my bosses offered to come get Alex for the day. Normally I would have said no. I'm a freak about who watches him, and him riding in the car with other people. He has only ever been watched by 3 different people, and never been in a car with anyone else, but there was nothing I could do. So I let him go and I spent the whole day in bed.
They dropped Alex back off about an hour before Joe got home. Joe got home just in time because Alex had another blow out just as Joe was pulling in. He is still having really bad diapers, but we are working on getting that under control. I spent all of Friday, and most of Saturday in bed, but I am up and feeling better now. Alex has been a trooper during his first flu, but I have not handled mine as well. I have not had the flu since I was a little girl, thank goodness, and I hope to not ever have it again! *fingers crossed*

10 months old (10/15)

Dear Alex,

Today you are 10 months old, and what a wonderful 10 months it has been with you.

You loved to be chased. We play a game at night where we leave the dogs food and water out and we let you try to get it. As you crawl to it we yell out "get Ally, get Ally" as one of us chases you. You crawl as fast as you can, but it's not very fast because you always stop and look behind you to make sure we are still chasing you. It is so cute and it really cracks us up.

Daddy likes to fly you around the room like an airplane, and you hate it when the ride is over. He swoops you down just as you pass over me and you give me the biggest smile.

"Mom, and mama" are your new favorite words and I am eating that up! You say them all the time, and I always answer to them, to be sure you know that you are saying my name.

You have taken 3 steps on your own, but are still very nervous about walking on your own. You walk really well when we hold your hands, even when we only hold 1 hand. When you are standing to the couch, you love to let go and land in our laps. A few times you have let go even when no one is there to catch you, but you don't mind, you just get up and keep going.

You are starting to eat more of our foods. Daddy is much more laid back than mom is when it comes to letting you have new things. Last weekend he gave you a bunch of his ice cream. He also shares pretty much anything with you. I am not sure you should even be eating pickles, but you LOVE them. Daddy thought it would be funny to give you a little taste when we were out to dinner, and you screamed when he took it away. He says your just like me!Fall is our favorite time of year, so we have been spending a lot of time outside, and going to cider mills, pumpkin patches, and farmers markets. You seem to be enjoying all the fresh vegetables too!

Four Years Ago

October 7th, 2006

Four years ago I married my best friend! I have had eight wonderful years with the man of my dreams, but I have to say this year has topped them all! Seeing Joe as not just my husband, but as a father has made me look at him in a whole new way! He is such a wonderful father, and an outstanding husband! I am blessed!

I Love this picture because Father Joe married us,

and almost 4 years later baptized Alex! So special!

Here we are last weekend at Joe's cousins wedding. Congrats Matt and Karly!

Who doesn't love a fall wedding?

Front Four

Alex has four teeth! He got the first one in August. Exactly 1 month later he got his second. The top two showed up back to back. We did not have to wait a month on those ones! I saw the right one on Thursday, and on Friday I could see the left one. He is doing pretty good. Just a little crabby, and his cheeks are pretty red. I can't wait until they come in all the way! Those front four are so cute.

Other news is that he is trying out standing alone. He has been letting go of the couch, or table (whatever he is holding on to) and balancing on his own. He did it today and he giggled the whole time. He was also looking around to see what to do next. I tried to get him to take the one step to get to me, but he was not ready for that. I ended up moving closer so he could hold my hands while walking to me. Joe thinks he will be walking soon. I'm not sure. He does very good slowing lowering himself when he does stand alone, so that is good. We will see when he wants to!