Our Baby Blog

Week 12

2026-02-20T21:03:00.001-05:00

Overall Mood: Happy New Year!

Body Changes: My back was in so much pain, I could hardly lift my knees even close to a 90-degree angle. I went to see my wonderful chiropractor, who straightened me out and made my back feel much better. My insurance allows 12-visits per year; I have a feeling I will be using them all.

Emotions: Excited to go to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics trade show. It will be tons of walking! I am eager to tell my team at work!

Flavors: Still eating potatoes, but chillin' on the potato chips, even though those Ruffles are amazing. Fresh and frozen fruit are now on my grocery list, which means less canned fruit, (which is obv. good).

Appreciation: I'm thankful for another year with family & friends that I love. There will be a lot of big changes this year!!

Baby Steps: One week away from second trimester... one week away from going public with the news!!

Birth Plan

2026-02-20T21:02:00.001-05:00

Birth Plan f

Welcome to our special day. This is a celebration of life!

I would like to have a natural birth with minimal interventions and no pain medications, unless requested (and the potential side effects to both me and baby explained). Although I have no intentions of requesting a spinal epidural, it is worth noting that I have scoliosis, meaning the curvature of my spine may pose a difficulty for the insertion of the needle. In such case, I would like the attending Anesthesiologist to perform the procedure.

I prefer not to have an IV or constant fetal monitoring, unless the baby is in distress. I understand a HEP-lock will be required.

To manage the pain, I'd like to use techniques such as walking, using a birthing ball, water immersion, breathing techniques and any other recommended birthing techniques.

To set the mood, we would like to maintain a tranquil environment, with loving and supportive words. We will be playing music and possibly filming the birth.

I would like the Doctor to advise as to when pushing is appropriate.

If possible, we would like to use a mirror to watch the baby crown and Kyle would like to cut the umbilical cord after the pulsing has stopped.

After the baby is born, I would like the baby placed immediately on my chest and nursing to proceed ASAP, (within the first hour). Please do not give provide a bottle or pacifier to the baby, I plan to exclusively breast feed.

We would like him to be circumcised while at the hospital.

For recovery, we would like a private room for Mommy, Daddy and baby.

Thank you for joining us on our special day!
~Alyssa and Kyle

Our Love Story.

2026-02-20T21:00:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling warm & fuzzy... so it seems like a good time to reminisce about the "Kyle & Alyssa Love Story".

My roommate and dear friend, Kylee, met Kyle while she was working as an Event and Private Dining Coordinator at a fancy steakhouse near Kyle's office. They became fast friends and started to hang out, without me- so I was convinced they were secretly dating, but Kylee assured me they were just friends.

One warm summer evening, Kyle and Kylee went to a political fundraiser while I stayed home and played MENSA puzzles. My bedroom was in a huge, loft-like space in a fabulous condo - but I was saving energy with a low setting on the A/C, meaning my room was a touch warm, meaning I was wearing a short, white skirt and tank top, (nothing unusual).

When my drunken roommate arrived home, I came down the spiral stairs that lead to my room - only to see Kylee standing with her handsome friend, Kyle. I smiled and probably made some sarcastic comment on their obvious inebriation on a Thursday evening. Our best solution? Martinis. I quickly changed clothes and I remember being so happy that I was able to quickly pull together a super cute, casual outfit.

We went to our favorite local spot, Bodega, for drinks. We were sitting at a table and I remember thinking - why does it seem like Kyle is hitting on me? I thought him & Kylee were talking. I probably sent her a text message from across the table, only to be assured that they were just friends. Kyle and I determined that we both knew his best friend Topher, who I went to high school with... so we whipped out our cell phones and raced to call him. He won the phone call race, so I chatted briefly with Topher, referring to him as Chris and talking about the old days.

The rest of the night was fun, I remember Kyle telling me about how he grew up on a farm and asking him many silly city-girl questions, including "are there different types of grass?" during a talk about hay is made, because hay is just dried grass!

Needless to say, the next day at work was rough - but we went out on a date anyway. We were planning to go to an outdoor beer-festival-concert in Trement, (or something) - but it began to pour rain on our way there. So we diverted to a wine bar downtown, where we shared a cheese appetizer and spoke of our travels. I was impressed by his fun stories of trips to New Zeland, Costa Rica, South Korea and more. He trekked around the woods in another country with just a backpack! Then, we went to a piano bar that was jam-packed with bachelorette parties. We drank a bunch of those little test tubes shots, trying to make me relax - it was just too much estrogen and Woo-Woo-ing... a big change from my usual night of sipping top shelf vodka while engaging in sometimes-intelligent conversation, to the tune of mellow music. When we left, I remember wanting to go to a sports bar for cheap beer and testosterone, to counteract the piano bar, but I don't know where we went.

His parents were in town for the weekend and he invited me to have lunch with them. I said yes, meaning I met his parents on our second date. This was a big step for both of us - because how often do you introduce someone to your parents? We continued to move things along quickly; he met my Mum the following week. Two months later.... we were pregnant!

aw, research about how I would make the blog work.

2026-02-20T20:58:00.001-05:00

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Preschool for 2013-2014

2026-02-20T20:56:00.001-05:00

This year, K is in a 3 day program for 3 year olds, (us moms in our mini-vans call this 3-day/3s). Last year, he was in 2-day/2.5s. Next year, he will be in 3-day/4s because he didn't make the lottery for 4-day/4s. I considered putting him in the 3-day program anyhow because he really enjoys his days off school and I knew that next year will be the last year he has before he is in full-time school, as he will be starting kindergarten shortly after turning 5.

Why am i blogging about this? Well, its all been a very intense decision making process... when to start school, whether or not we should hold him back so he will be a newly turned 6-year old starting kindergarten (and 19 starting college), or send him according to schedule so that he is just 5 starting kindergarten and will be just 18 starting college. These days, more & more parents are holding back their summer-born kids so that they will be older & bigger when they start school.

Rainy Mondays

2026-02-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

Monday... the type of day where the moisture hangs in the air... the sidewalks never dry, the grass is almost frozen, the gray sky looms like a sad cloud over Eeyore's fuzzy ears.

NYC

2026-02-20T20:52:00.000-05:00

Thursday:
Red-Eye Thursday to La Guardia.
Breakfast at Stardust Diner in Manhattan, where the servers sing Broadway songs and dance around.

Pedicab tour of Central Park. What a fun ride through the park!

Lunch at Virgil's BBQ because we were sad not to be able to eat there while at Atlantis because the restaurant wasn't yet open. We enjoyed a smoked bbq platter with the yummiest pulled pork ever!

Shopping in Times Square. Shopped at MAC & the Disney Store... then saw the Naked Cowboy, Elmo and Grover.

Nap - back at hotel, Crowne Pointe, where we received awesome service!
Off to the TKTS booth in Times Square, where we scored awesome seats at half-price!

Dinner at Del Frisco's, located at Rockefeller Plaza. Started with a crab cake and truffled mac & cheese; then we shared a 16 oz. prime ribeye steak with port-foie gras butter, all of which was amazing.

Show: Zarkana at Radio City Hall. Seated at 3rd row orchestra section- center area, aisle seats.
Dessert at Blue Fin.

Friday:
Slept in on a rainy day!
Pizza at Ray's.
Taxi to Newark, (expensive option- don't do this).
Checked into Hotel.
Nap.
Skipped rehersal dinner.
Dinner at Fernandes Brazilian Steakhouse.

Saturday:
Car to Clark, NJ for hair & make-up!
Limo to the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Pictures in park.
Reception at Newark Club, with gorgeous views of the NYC skyline, decadent food stations for a fun cocktail hour, amazing service by the staff, yummy dinner and a fun night of dancing!

Sunday:
Slept in!
Walked across the street to Penn Station and took at $5 train to NYC, near Madison Square Garden.
Lazy lunch at Macy's Cellar Bar & Grill, because it was the closest restaurant & we were tired.
Taxi to airport....
Home to kisses from Kaden!

Labor!

2026-02-20T20:51:00.003-05:00

October 14, 2012:

Wednesday, 10pm: I have a major contraction, so begin timing and tracking my contractions. They continue another hour, coming every 10 minutes, lasting average of 60 seconds.

11pm: I call Katie, who is planning to come over & stay with Kaden, to let her know that we think I am in labor, but let's wait a little longer to ensure it continues. Contractions continue to arrive, lasting average 60 seconds but speeding up and coming every 5 minutes.

12pm: I call Katie to come over and call doctor to let them know I have been contracting every 5 minutes for 60 seconds for an hour.

12:45am: Katie and Clint arrive, contractions begin to intensify... we say farewells and leave for hospital!!

Changes.

2026-02-20T20:51:00.001-05:00

May 4, 2012

The funny thing about life is how often we have a chance to relearn things. This week, I am relearning the important lesson about accepting the dynamic quality of life, people & relationships. Despite all the pinky-promises, friendship bracelets and long conversations- sometimes you just have to accept the way that things are and let go.

My best friend since birth and pseudo-sister is getting married in 9 days and I am not invited to or included in the wedding.

I was easily able to accept not being invited because they chose to have an immediate family only wedding at an out-of-state venue. I struggled with the way she told me about their plans. Shortly after their engagement, I called to chit-chat about weddings and listen to her dreams... because instead of just coming out and telling me that she had already decided, she beat around the bush using words such as "we're thinking of having only immediate family" and "considering doing it soon" to describe what she was imagining for their celebration. This happened twice before she mentioned that they were going to look at the venue and chose a date to have their wedding. The wind was knocked out of me, but I tried my best to be happy for her and allow her to enjoy the planning. My efforts to get together to chat or look at wedding things or whatever were not accepted and I just let it go, figuring she is busy and enjoying this event with her mom and fiance.

The proverbial straw dropped while our mutual best friend came home. I was sad after they got together for dinner and went out for drinks without even considering to invite me. I was devastated when I found out that our mutual friend and her fiance were invited to the wedding, along with only the parents and siblings (and their respective families) of the bride/groom.

The line had to be drawn somewhere and I was the line.

Here I am rationalizing that this friend is a best friend of the bride and cousin of the groom, so that makes it ok. But really, I'm crushed that someone I had called my best friend and sister for all of these years drew the line at me. And I was on the outside.

So after all of the heartache and drama, I'm rethinking everything over the past 5 years and realizing that we really haven't been close and despite what I thought were good efforts to keep our friendship alive, it has been dead for a long time and I was too optimistic and hopeful to see the truth. I'm no longer rationalizing what she may have been thinking or speculating about her motivations. I'm seeing things without my proverbial pink veil and realizing that we haven't been best friends in a long time and that was a choice she made a long time ago when we stopped talking for a variety of reasons. Friends were split, (Team Jessica and Team Alyssa), silence was upheld. We eventually moved out of that phase but never addressed the issues and I think that she never actually let go of the mitigating factors. I just figured it was like the other times we had grown apart and then reconnected. But this time, we have just grown apart.

The Mom Club

2026-02-20T20:49:00.001-05:00

May 3rd, 2009

"What It's Like to be Pregnant"

My entire life, I've been intrigued by groups of people, ranging from cliques to clubs to organizations. Men on Harleys wave to each other as they pass, guys with Jeeps nod as they pass each other.... girls wear matching trinkets like friendship bracelets or sorority letters... religious organizations have their own set of rituals - each group

I've always kinda jammed to my own drummer and never really found a group of my own. I've had groups and cliques and all that - but my selective nature has ensured each was that was a well

Numbers.

2026-02-20T20:48:00.000-05:00

K loves reading the last four numbers off of every single license plate.

He continues to surprise me with his reading abilities. Today, I had a weather show on and he looked at the map of the entire state of Ohio, and said "Cleveland, that's where we live." When no one is paying attention, he will read entire sentences and if he does not know the word will often replace it with something very similar

First Grade.

2015-08-22T11:49:00.001-04:00

First few days of School went well; Kaden seems to like his new class. They write in daily journals which is great b/c I learned that he loves Minecraft (obviously) and kittens. 🐱

There's issues with the school bus 🚌 b/c they are doing 2 buses and it was a disaster, but I knew it would be a mess so I've been driving 🚙 him, which has been nice b/c kids have stayed to play on playground ⛪️🏃🏼👬 and I've been chatting with moms. 👭

We went out to eat on the last day of summer and enjoyed the dinner at Otani. I was so proud of the kiddos because they ate sushi! I didn't think they would want any b/c we were eating hibachi, so I got one yellowtail roll, (negi hamachi maki), so I'd have just a little sushi and they each ate 2 pieces!!

March 2015.

2015-03-14T07:11:00.000-04:00

We are ready to escape from winter hibernation! Kaden has had 8, yes 8, snow days. And coupled with the extended weekends so gracefully planned by his catholic school and holidays, we have not had a 5-day school week for all of 2015. So, it has been COLD! But it;s finally warming up and we are ready!

Kaden is enjoying kindergarten, he is excelling academically and recently was placed in an Accelerated Reader program that lets him check higher level books out at library time and take tests on the content to earn rewards. He's continually surprising me with his smarts and I am sure he will be smarter than me soon. eek! But he's still a sweet little kid and likes when we have special mom/Kaden dates and are "best buds".

He likes reading; we recently finished The Magic Tee House series and have been reading Pokemon books and others. He enjoys playing video games including all things Mario and iPhone apps- especially Hill Climb Racing. His fav shows to watch are Mario/Luigi episodes, Lego Movie, Despicable Me movies

Carson, sweet Carson, is 2.5 and loves sports and is lots of fun. He has ear-length long blondish hair. He loves the color orange, cars and balls. He enjoys golf, Paw Patrol and movies- oh how he loves movies! His favorites lately have been:

Monsters, Inc.
Polar Express
Monsters, Inc.
Pixar Short Stories
The Lego Movie
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Frozen
Cars 1 & Cars 2
Despicable Me 1 & 2

When Carson runs, he closes the fist on his right arm, bends his arm and pumps it back and forth as he runs. We call it his "running arm"- super cute. We count stair/steps as we go up/down, then *hop* off of the last one! Our living room is a step-down from our open-concept kitchen, and we always hop down, even when running!

(More to come, figured I will publish in the meantime!)

Snow days.

2015-01-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

It is so cold that school was canceled, again.

Little Carson just picked up a play telephone, puts it to his ear and says, "he-wo!" Then he laughs like the person is telling him something amusing. 😊

Last night, K was putting together a puzzle with a large clock with movable arms and told me (accurately) what time it was. I asked how he knew that, or if he learned at school- he said, "no, I just figured it out inside my head."

Stay warm!

Christmas 2014

2014-12-24T21:03:00.001-05:00

2014 Cousins at the Farm

2014-08-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

Wagon Trails.

2014-08-03T14:50:00.000-04:00

Thoughts.

2013-12-18T12:59:00.001-05:00

Random sidenote in life, K only likes pants that have a slide at the top, instead of a button to snap. Interesting.

Carson is talking much more and is less interested in the pacifier. Today, he took his nap with a different blanket today, instead of his lovey, and was cool!

So big.

2013-12-17T13:21:00.001-05:00

Apparently, the little guy is going out much more quickly than I expected. Carso wouldn't eat any Mac & cheese when he was in his highchair. He had already signed "all done" and refused to eat. I took him out, wiped him off and then K was done eating, too. Off to play they go... Until C does a secret 180, comes back to K's chair, climbs up and eats the rest of his big bro's lunch, using a regular spoon. He's now licking out the bowl.

November.

2013-11-20T13:12:00.001-05:00

I'm quite behind on my post but wanted to update today to share two really cute stories.

Today what we waited in line preschool for drop off, another mom approached my car and asked if her beautiful daughter could wait in our car because they had somewhere important to be. I of course said yes and she joked and she has done before about how much her daughter likes Kaydet. She says key for patent and things like that. Once she was in the car, the two kids proceeded to do incredibly cute things. Isabel told me about the turkeys at her grandparents house, saying that they were named soup, gobble and Kayden. She also said that she has to baby stuff animals and one is named Kayden. Kayden was showing off by reading everything in the car, including a coupon book and bottle of water. He read her the bottle of water and asked if she'd like he said she said yes so he used all his little muscles and open that bottle of water And proceeded to pass it to her for a sick. I was so touched at how darling the two words together. It was like watching a little miniature meeting ritual.

Carson is enjoying a special bath in my corner bathtub. There's bubbles in toys and he is enjoying having time to just for around in the tub. When he stands up, I politely asked him to sit and now that he's been in there for a while, I'm asking him if he wants to get out once he standing. I was so touched because he shook his head no when I asked him and then I said then you better sit down, and So he sat down. It was a full exchange/conversation and it was wonderful.

Family Vacation to Lake Chautauqua, 2013

2013-09-14T14:06:00.000-04:00

This year, we went to the Lake House in June, 2013.

Pictures to come!

Best buddy

2013-09-08T10:19:00.001-04:00

K was playing cars/trains and one train told the other one that they were best buddies, so I asked him who was his best buddy. He said, "Carson". 😇

Reading & talking

2013-09-05T09:10:00.001-04:00

Sometimes our older son really amazes me by reading completely new words. He can sound words out and it's really cool to hear. Today, we were looking at flavors of Jell-O and he sounded out the word cranberry which he had never read before. So proud!

Our baby is learning to say all kinds of new words, including mama, dada, pop-pop, "ca" (which means coffee, which he loves to make using our keurig), etc.

First steps

2013-08-31T18:56:00.001-04:00

Carson just took his first steps! He took 4 solid steps into his daddy's outstretched arms! 👣

Dad's House

2013-08-26T22:02:00.001-04:00