Alexia went in for her 6 month check up last month and passed with flying colors. She’s growing normally, responds normally, and is a very happy baby. We’re starting to try to feed her solid foods, but so far she’s not particularly interested, and is still primarily on the boob for her food. We’re trying baby-led weaning… breastfeeding her works perfectly for me, and if that’s what she wants, then that’s what she’ll get, for at least a while longer.

We’ve tried peas, carrots, and apples so far. The only one she didn’t spit out immediately was the apple. This morning, she had a little tiny bit of oatmeal and didn’t seem too horribly opposed to it, but demanded milk shortly after. It’s a process… no need to rush it.

Kailyn went through kindergarten with flying colors, I’m very proud of her. She got bored of summer vacation very quickly, so I’ve got her in a day camp kind of thing that she calls School still. She’s a strange kid. She’s back to reconsidering getting her ears pierced, in spite of the needles involved. It’s so cute, watching her try to weigh the pros and cons. I’m impressed at how capable she is of making informed decisions.. she might be better at it than me!

Scott has started working 10 hours a week, and it’s been really good for him. He’s a little bit of a workaholic, and staying home full time for so long was starting to get to him. He’s not ready to go back full time, though. He likes being home with his girls :)

As for me, I’m doing great! I’ve made some good mom-friends, and settled into a mostly domesticated life much better than I would have thought I could have. Life is good!

This last month has been incredible, though. It’s all new experiences for me, because Kailyn didn’t live with me when she was a newborn. I really missed out. Alexia makes the most adorable little noises. Baby sneezes are ridiculously adorable. I love the way she burrows her face in my neck when I’m trying to get her to go to sleep and waves her arms around if I sing to her.

Over the weekend, I felt a little bit of “Grandparent Anxiety”. I wonder if my daughters are missing out in some way. You see, neither of them really have any Grandparents in their lives. My father passed away when I was 11 years old. My mother is simply a terrible person and never wanted anything to do with me. She kicked me out on my 18th birthday and I haven’t spoken to her since. Kailyn’s biological father, Gavin never knew anything about his mother, and his father keeps in contact with me on occasion, but is not involved in Kailyn’s life at all beyond the occasional monetary contribution. Scott’s father just passed away last year, and his mother responded to that very poorly and left the state. We’re not sure she’s ever going to come back here. We sent her a birth announcement for Alexia and haven’t heard anything back from here.

I guess with the levels of instability that are surrounding these people, my kids might be better off, but it just seems like if you don’t grow up with Grandma’s cookies, and Grandpa’s old time stories, you’re missing some huge childhood experience. I don’t know how I can give that to them. So I stressed about it all weekend. I feel a bit less anxious about it today, and I made cookies early this morning for Kailyn’s class, just in case. Maybe Mom cookies are just as good.

I was in labor for roughly 9 hours, which was loads better than the 21 it took Kailyn to come out and face the world. I’m recovering fabulously, with the exception of being exhausted because baby hasn’t slept well. Also, she really likes the boob and always wants to eat. But, I think I’ve got swaddling down, and she’s sound asleep right now, looking mightly peaceful. I considered a nap, but I know the second I lay down, she’ll wake up.

Kailyn is adjusting well, so far. She’s only been woken up by a crying baby once so far, so she’s not tired and cranky, which I was worried about. She hasn’t asked if we can return the baby like she did about the dog when we first got him, so I think it’s going to be alright!

Scott is doing remarkable with the baby, and is very good about doing his fair share of taking care of her, hurray!

It’s a happy family, here.

And, for those that like to know why people pick their baby names.. Scott’s best friend Adam is Peanut’s godfather. His middle name is Alexandar (I know, poor guy, right? Adam Alexandar, sigh), so we took that and adapted it. Jade doesn’t have a significant meaning behind it, we just liked it. Kailyn’s middle name is Samantha, directly after her godmother, who is my best friend ever.

That’s all for now. I might be sparse for a little bit. I think it’s understandable.

Kailyn turned 6 last week. 6! My baby, she’s getting so big! She dressed herself for her party and didn’t put anything on backwards. She did give me the honor of doing her hair though, and insisted on wearing this little tiara that she has. Princess Kailyn, indeed.

The party was not a disaster, for once, and I didn’t have to bring a professional cleaning crew in, hurray! This year I kept the kids outside… I’m learning. We had a BBQ and the kids ran around and the dog stayed inside, where it was quiet. Kailyn had a blast, and loved her birthday cake. I think I was spoiled by wedding cakes and couldn’t properly enjoy it. Oh well.

Scott got sick after the party, so I spent the last few days taking care of him. He’s back on his feet now and back to taking care of me, the very pregnant wife. I like this arrangement. However, I am ready for Peanut to be born now. Any time now, baby.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, she asked me if she could get her ears pierced. I was not prepared to answer that question. I hadn’t had her ears pierced when she was a baby, and figured I’d just let her do it when she was old enough to want them and ask. Silly me, I expected that to be closer to when she was 10, not 5 and a half.

I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised though. I mean, Mommy has lots of holes in her ears (and other visible places), and all her friends do, etc.

However, being as I was caught off guard, my response was “… if you still want them next week, ask again, k?”

So every couple of days it was “Mommy, has it been a week yet?” “Not yet love.”

After her week was finally up and she still wanted them and remembered to ask again (I don’t know why I thought she might forget!), I told her she could, but she had to go ask Adam (a friend of Scott and I, does piercings for a living, is Kailyn’s BFF, she adores him) nicely if he would do it for her. So she did, and he said of course, and we went into the shop a couple days ago.

We got there, and Adam plops her onto a big cushy chair. He’s getting stuff prepped and showing her everything and explaining what it’s for.. then he gets to the needle and Kailyn goes,

“Wait a minute. Nobody said anything about needles!”

I tried really hard not to roll my eyes at her and said that it wasn’t that bad, and of course there were needles involved, it’s a hole and how did she think it was going to get there? She sullenly replied with “you didn’t tell me!”

So I pulled out my pocket dictionary (it’s this new game we’re playing, where Mommy uses real logic and Immovable Forces like definitions to prove her point haha) and read her the definition of “Pierce”.

Her response to that was, “Ewwww. Nevermind, let’s go home.”

We’re not moving the wedding; it’s still in September. I’ll just have to be more flexible with my dress ideas (since I’ll have something of a belly by then) and we’ll have to play the honeymoon by ear. The doctor says that the way things are progressing now, I should be fine to travel in September, but it’s still a little ways away so we’ll see.

Scott is really excited. I’m really excited; we talked about having kids so it’s not a “woah omg kid!” kind of thing like with Kailyn, though I must admit, I would have preferred to be pregnant this time NEXT year… I’m selfish and want him to myself a little longer. Oh well. Kailyn is taking it well… so far. We’ll see what happens as my stomach gets bigger, and after Peanut is born.

Here’s an ultrasound from a few weeks ago; this is why I call it Peanut.

So far it’s been a fairly easy pregnancy. I had some pretty bad “morning” (more like all-day!) sickness in the beginning, but that calmed down a lot. Now it’s occasional queasiness but I’m not puking all the time anymore, and the car doesn’t make me sick, which is awesome. I’m still tired all the time, but I chalk a lot of that up to having to chase Kailyn around.

So, that’s what’s new with me :) How’s everybody else?

I live in Arizona. I didn’t have to change my clock today. HAHA!!

Love,
Jules

Ah, whatever. I know I neglect the internet and my blogs, but I really miss having them. Yep. I do. So, here I am again.

What’s new in the world of Jules? I got a golden retriever puppy; his name is Benji. Kailyn adores him. He has this really bad habit of peeing in shoes though. He hasn’t peed on the carpet in over a week, but he’s peed in 4 shoes. Scott is about to kill him. He’s pretty well behaved other than that though. And he is adorable, of course.

Other than that, nothing new to report. What’s new with you?

So, I met this totally rad boy, right? Right. His name is Scott.
He’s a friend of Adam’s. He’s nice and tall and muscle-y in a good way
and had gorgeous hazel eyes. He has a little more of a surfer look than
I usually go for but damn he’s hot :D And he’d awesome. He’s really
good with Kailyn and she just adores him. He’s a drummer too, so we do
some music stuff together which is always fun.

So mostly, I’ve been hanging out with him. And we hang out with Adam
and Crystal and everybody else. The weather is still ridiculous here so
we have a bunch of pool parties and BBQ’s and crap. I think I can get
used to this place.

I hope everybody is having a good 4th! Eat lots, party hard, drink
beer, and blow shit up. The 4th seems to be a time of new starts for
me… I tend to be in new places around this time of year. 3 years ago I
didn’t know a damn person in New Mexico, the year before that I didn’t
know anybody back home anymore because I cut everyone out of my life
and was about to leave… now, here I am in Arizona. I know a few people
though. As long as I have stuff to ignite, life is good.

I’m having a pool party and potluck. I brought Kailyn inside for a
nap and figured I’d update real quick. Crystal is here with Angela, who
is Kailyn’s new friend. Crystal brought some of her friends, and I
invited this guy I met at the grocery store, his name is Adam. He’s
kind of cute but not boyfriend material but yeah, he’s my new buddy.

So yeah, he’s making some meat for the carnivores out there and I
made a pasta salad for myself. We’re having fun. There’s lots of beer.
We have fireworks. Good times will be had. I’m gonna get back to it
now.