Party of Three

Alexi's due date was one year ago today. This year on 11.19 we officially sold our house and closed on our 2nd home. We move tomorrow. Lexi will not remember this house in Sachse, but we've had some great memories here. I remember bringing her home from the hospital and showing her each room. Lexi has slept in her pack 'n play all over this house, in the living room, master bedroom, the "elephant room," the "yellow room," and even in our closet (the quietest room of them all)! She has thoroughly enjoyed climbing up the stairs, playing with the doggie door, crawling all over, looking out the windows, and kissing her reflection in the dishwasher and oven. Lexi helped turned Crestridge Lane into a home. We are looking forward to many more wonderful family memories on Woodstream Lane. Goodbye Sachse, Texas...it was fun.

 Lexi may not have mastered holding her own bottle or adjusting to the sippy cup very well, but when the doctor asks me tomorrow at her one year check-up things she has learned thus far I will be able to mention: Words she can say are hi, bye, momma, dada, uh-oh, and other babbles... She can point out dogs, birds, babies, horse, cat, strawberries, duck, all of her stuffed animals by name, yellow, car, guitar, spider, pumpkin, diaper, window, lights, fan, Nemo, flower, Andie, frog, and I might be forgetting a few... She also knows how to follow simple directions like, no, go upstairs, share, feet first, be careful, and watch your head. She can also communicate by signing no, waving, all done, milk, and sing. It is amazing to watch her learn! Hugs and kisses to all!

Today's the day. November 11, 2008 at 7:04 PM Alexi Preston was born. As I stated in my last post, my expectations were high about giving birth and having Lexi in my arms for the first time. My expectations were not only exceeded, but I experienced an "out of this world" feeling. It's funny, because a year later I still feel it. The labor and delivery room was filled with so much joy and love one year ago. After 12 hours of labor I did not feel one bit of pain. I waited for about 8 seconds to hear the most precious cry ever. Alexi, my daughter, was healthy, pink, and blessed. I will never forget Jason standing in between my bed and Lexi's incubator . He is the sweetest father and the most loving husband. He didn't want to leave me, but he wanted to be close to his 7 pound newborn daughter. We made eye contact, each with tears in our eyes and I told him it was okay for him to be next to Lexi. He stood next to Lexi and I could see the pride in his eye...

Last year on this night I did not sleep a wink. Not one minute. Not one second. My mind was racing. I wasn't scared of labor or even really thinking about it much. My mind was racing about seeing my sweet baby for the first time. I had already fallen in love with her in my belly so my expectations were high about the love I would feel once she arrived. I wondered what she would look like, what her cry would sound like, if she would feel an attachment to me, if I would be a good mom to her, if I would be able to balance being a good mother and a good wife. I prayed she would be healthy, that we wouldn't have complications during labor, and that our families would feel so much joy and love and become even closer. One year ago Jason, my mom and I went to eat at Perry's. I was still conservative with what I ate so my blood sugar wouldn't harm Lexi. I have never taken care of myself better than when I was pregnant. I would do anything for our little girl. Anythin...

One week until Alexi's birthday. Last night at about 11 pm I was reminiscing about this time last year: Kelly: "What were we doing this time last year, Honey?" Jason: "Cleaning." Yep, sometimes Jason is known for being the man of few words. He summed it up perfectly. Although, I do also remember my hands never leaving my belly and talking about what it would be like to hold Lexi. Tears again...

Lexi's three favorite words... Be sure to pause the music on the right hand side in order to hear her.

Lexi dressed as a cute witch yesterday for her first Halloween. She didn't like the hat too much, but she did leave it on for a split second and that's all I needed to snap a quick photo. Donna and Frankie came over to help give out candy to the neighborhood kiddos. Today, Jason and I took Lexi to the Arboretum for the first time. It is such a beautiful place. We plan on going back more often. Lexi was pretty chilled today while we took pictures and she even left the ears on! She looked so cute again today.