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.

I’m kind of excited though, I managed to import all my posts from all my previous blogs, with the exception of one that I’m pretty sure doesn’t exist anywhere. My past (as painful as it was) is important to me, so it means a lot to have everything in one place, where I can review it if I feel the need, or to help my readers gain a little more insight about where I’ve come from.

At any rate, if you see this post in your feed reader, it means that you are subscribed to the Feedburner version and don’t have to change anything, hurray! If you saw a “Moved” notice it means you were subscribed directly to the Blogger feed, and as such, should update my entry to the Feedburner feed so you can follow me any time I move.

Things might look a little strange for a few days while I work on cleaning up a bit, but if you notice anything really strange, please let me know!

I remember last year being excited for 2009 and I find myself no less excited for 2010. I’ll spare you the mushy crap because I’ve said it a million times. I love my daughter, I love my husband, and I can’t wait for my new baby!

Peanut has finally flipped head down, and we’re all eagerly awaiting the Grand Entrance to the World. Hopefully after Kailyn’s birthday.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

It’s been pretty quiet lately, surprisingly. I’ve had some health issues. Peanut is perfectly fine, but taking a lot out of me, and the doctor keeps threatening to put me on bed rest if I don’t relax. So, I’ve been taking it easy.

Peanut is still breech. There’s still a few weeks until my due date, though theoretically it could pretty much be any time now. We’ve been trying to get the baby to flip, but no dice so far.

Scott finished painting the nursary and we have it mostly furnished and almost done, surprisingly enough. Kailyn has walked in there a few times and looked around, and decided that her bedroom is better. That was a relief to hear, I was worried that she would be jealous and want her room redone.

We’re having a combination baby shower/holiday party on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it, it’ll be fun. We’re going much less traditional with the baby shower since we expect lots of man-type folks to show up. Some of the ladies from my prenatal yoga class are coming; it’ll be interesting to see how they get on with my normal crew!

I have to say, it’s been a huge relief having new mom-type friends. I didn’t have that with Kailyn and it was rough. Support groups rock! I still don’t know what to do with a newborn, though.

PS: my belly is huge!

Ah, the wedding was perfect though! Kailyn was an angel, the catering didn’t explode, my cake was delicious, and it was great to have so many of my friends together all at the same time. And, of course, marrying the most amazing man I’ve ever met wasn’t bad either.

We had a blast on the honeymoon, too. My friend Anna and her husband and baby stayed at the house for us, and took care of Kailyn and Benji for us and we went San Diego and Los Angeles.

San Diego is beautiful! Coronado is adorable, I’d move there in a heartbeat ;) Los Angeles was fun to visit, for a few days. We had a good time. I don’t think I need to go back to LA, ever, though.

And now, we’re back home, and prepping for Peanut’s arrival in January. I feel like I’m so behind on everything, because I kept putting off planning cause of the wedding. It’ll work out though!

I went to the doctor for another routine checkup yesterday, and she said Peanut is doing fantastic, and that I’m doing fantastic, and everything looks normal. Scott and I have picked a name, too. Well, we’ve narrowed it down to two anyway. That’s pretty impressive I think.

I’m so happy I think I could pop!

What a strange journey it was to here. It’s amazing how much has happened in the past 6 years, since I left Boston. Tomorrow I turn the page, and start a new chapter. Tonight, an old chapter ends, one that I’m not sad to see go.

People have been asking me all week, “Hey Jules, are you nervous yet?” and every time the answer has been no. No, I’m not.

Perhaps other people get nervous because they wonder if they’re making the right choice. I don’t have to wonder; I know that I am.

Scott is an amazing man. He’s always there when somebody needs a shoulder, a friend, or anything else. He puts his whole heart and soul into everything he does. He’s kind, and patient, and loving. He’s got a small devilish streak and a gleam in his eye that keeps things fun. Of course he’s not perfect. I don’t want perfect though. Perfect is just a load of crap bound to come up sooner or later anyway.

Perhaps nerves from not being sure if they’re ready to give up the “single” life. Mine can go, please.

Being a single mother was the most stressful task I’ve ever, and likely ever will, take on. It was terrifying not having someone else to turn to when I was second guessing my methods- I had no idea what to do with a kid (heh. I still barely do!). I hated having to do all the discipline, and always be the bad guy, and still try to be the good guy; to not be too hard on Kailyn when I was the only person around to deal with it and my temper was getting the best of me. For Kailyn to not have a positive male influence in her life.. it killed me. And in the back of my mind was always “what if something happens to me? What happens to Kailyn?”. Scott will be legally adopting Kailyn and it’s a huge relief to me. She adores him, he adores her.. this is the kind of family I wanted. Peanut will only make it better.

Before Kailyn was a mess of drugs and booze and meaningless sex. There was aimless wandering, a sense of no home, no where to go, nobody that cared, or understood, and all that other teenage angst type crap. Never need any of that again. Happy to forget it. Nasty breakups, bad relationships, and all the other “joys” of single life, nope, won’t miss them, though I am thankful for them because they taught me things I needed to know.

Scott fills in the blanks in me. He balances my negatives. He doesn’t let my temper get to him when it gets the best of me. When he looks at me, there’s so much love in his eyes, more than I could have ever imagined was possible. I can think of nothing more that I want than to have him with me, always.

Why would I be nervous? Tomorrow, the best part of my life begins.

Here’s hoping I don’t trip, and that the caterers are all on time!

We went school supply shopping today (because I am the Queen of Last Minute [actually, to be honest, I hadn't realized school started this Monday until about 3 hours ago]) and I tried to explain this “real school” concept to her.

Kailyn is all kinds of into comparisons right now. When I told her about her future sibling and was trying to describe what having a baby in the house was going to mean, she understood it best when it was summed it up as “Remember when we got the puppy and Mommy had to spend all her time chasing him around and cleaning up after him, and you got less attention than you used to? It’s kind of like that, but longer”. So, I took a similar approach to kindergarten.

“It’s kind of like your daycare was, except Mommy will not be able to randomly keep you home some days, and you’ll have to sit still and learn things instead of playing all day.”

She decided she didn’t like that idea. Of course. We managed to survive supply shopping with our sanity intact but the idea of dragging an angry red-headed child through the mall for clothes didn’t sound appealing at all, so we’re home again for the time being.

I suspect she may have just been tired, because she fell asleep on the couch as soon as we walked in the door, but I really hope she grows more okay with the idea by Monday. We’ll try the clothes shopping later.

One battle at a time.