Behind

I'm behind right now I feel like. Behind in life, but not even really if I think about it. Some days I guess I'm just allowed to feel like that right? I'm behind in (and maybe making a list will help):

• Five for Five Fridays...like two weeks worth. I've been letting the little things slide, therefore making more work for myself in the end.
  
• Putting laundry away. There's two full baskets. At least it's folded.
  
• Filling my freezer - it's quite empty actually. For me anyways. I feel the need to make more baby food, more casseroles, more sauces, more chili, and maybe some baking. I prefer it being full so that on lazy days (like today) I can pull something out for dinner and a snack, feel satisfied and like I haven't worked.
  
• Blogging. There's much I'd like to blog about. I'm just too lazy. If only this computer could read my thoughts - I often find myself thinking about things to blog.
  
• Vacuuming. Since my hair has been cut and straight I find that all the hair I thought I wasn't losing from not being pregnant (too many double negatives?) is actually being lost and every time I use a straightener it all ends up on the ground. On the plus side perhaps my bathroom floor is softer to step on.
  
• Scrapbooking - I really have ideas looming, and things I want to get done, but I don't have time, truth be told.
  

I am not behind in schoolwork so that is a bonus, I suppose. It would probably explain why I feel so behind in other things. Oh well, what's important is Alexys anyways, and I'm fully enjoying my days with her. She's growing up so fast!

kortney elise xoxo

PS: You should be excited for the fabulous photos we got done by our wedding photographer - we got over 300 photos of the three of us, but mostly Alexys - she's SO photogenic and totally a model! LOVE IT!!!

Sharing

Jordon brought home a laptop from work that I could use; he can only bring it home when he's on call, but it's better than sharing the home computer. We're definitely in the market for a laptop but we want to pay off all our bills and credit cards first. There's a long list of things we need and want, but I think the laptop is number one, after bills. We both like being on the computer at night, and therefore we need two computers and/or connections in the house. I will also need my own computer once I start working from home anyways. It's also helpful now to have my own computer to finish school at a faster rate.

Right now we're also sharing a wireless connection with the dear medical clinic across the way – it's slower than molasses, but it'll have to do until Jord sets ours up.

It's been a while since I've posted, I've missed a bunch of Fridays, and there's probably a lot to post about. That being said, I'm exhausted and probably shouldn't even be on the computer. I should be sleeping. I spent the day down in Bellingham looking for (and succeeding at) finding bridesmaid dresses for Jackie's wedding. They're super cute and (surprisingly) we all decided on the same dress, and it was even one that Jackie picked out in the first place. It is surprising, because Jackie has a unique style – one that suits her to a tee and she pulls of well…but most of the time I look like a dork that tries to hard if I try and pull of her style. You'll have to wait for pictures (in October) to see the dress, and then you can give me your opinion!

Tomorrow we're going for our family pictures with the photographer who did our wedding, and I'm super excited. We get a lot of pictures, all on disk, and are free to develop as we see fit. Alexys has four or five outfits to wear and Jord and I can clean up when we have to too. I can't wait for the finished product!

Other important things to note of late:s

• Alexys' sleeping through the night days were brief. She did it for about two weeks before we hit the "four month" stage – the one where (apparently) baby's change a lot again. She must be going through a growth spurt, because she actually does need to eat at night. I can tell – she's getting a more than full feeding during the night, whereas when she was sleeping through, if she woke up it was just a little snack. I don't really mind the getting up – I figure this stage only lasts so long right? Might as well enjoy it.
  
• I'm doing really well with my schooling – even the people at Canscribe were amazed. I got my one month phone call to checkup on how I was doing and they were impressed how much progress I've made. I'm about two months and one week ahead of schedule! I'm presently on the Pharmacology unit and surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. Maybe I should have been a pharmacist?
  
• Alexys had her four month shots and she is a big baby. We already knew that. I can't remember if I shared this or not, but she's in the 90^th percentile for weight at 15lbs. 2oz. and the 85^th percentile for height at 25 inches. However, she's perfectly proportionate and in the "average" range of a six month old. I actually had someone ask me if she was ten months old today. She's wearing six to nine month clothes (some of the six to twelve month stuff, too), and I'm going to have to order "onesie extenders" off the internet at this rate. Apparently her growth will peak pretty quick though.
  
• Lots of my friends have had their babies this week! Congratulations to Kirsten on her second little boy – Blake William. Congratulations to Paige on their first child, a girl – Lauren Cassidy. Congratulations to some other moms, too – I don't know if they read my blog, but to Rachel on Eva Juliet, Kristin on Selah, Alyssa on Kyler and …well, I know there's another two for now but I can't remember at this moment. I know a LOT of preggo ladies right now, and it's hard to keep track of all these bursting bellies!!!
  
• In the States today, at LEAST ten people commented on Alexys' pigtails. Weird right? I don't think they put their hair in pigtails there or something, because I never get that many comments in Canada. Maybe a few, but it seems a LOT of people noticed down there.
  
• I'm sure there's more but I'm real tired.
  

Good night.
kortney elise xoxo

Pictures are worth 1000 words...

kortney elise xoxo

PS...

PS: I'm not really complaining about being a mom. I love it and don't want to do anything else!

PPS: Who's blog http://pomenka.blogspot.com/ is this? People keep arriving from the link you have on your website of mine, but I don't know who it is, it's private and I'm not invited. Anyone?

The Worst Part about Being a Mom...

Is there really a worst part of being a Mom? Not really, but there is one part I dislike.

Routine.


Routine is a baby's best friend according to most things everything I've read about raising a child. Routine is what a child thrives on, and what they need in their day to day life. Now, don't get me wrong, I agree with this 100 percent and can see how fabulous routine is for Alexys in her day to day life. However, me, as an individual, hates routine. Not completely, but partially. I don't know if you remember (actually, I just looked through some old blogs and can't seem to find one writing about this, though I'm sure I must have at some point...), but I quit my job at Delta Controls because I hated routine. It was a 9-5 type job, and I absolutely thought I'd like having a grown-up job. Nope, wrong-o. I hated the consistency of doing the same thing every day, waking up at the same time, etc. That's why I went back to McDonalds – there was the security of consistency, in terms of my job had the same basic routine, but there was the flexibility of waking up some days at 7am, and others at 1pm. And I liked that.

Being a Mom however, especially to a 4 month old, doesn't have that flexibility. And though I'm okay with it, I still choose to complain about it. Only in the blogging sense though. I'll use this "complaint" to lead into our average day now (it's morphed over the last little while!):

9am: Wakeup. Alexys doesn't cry about this anymore generally – she just yells until I come and get her.
9:15am: Breakfast (nurse), and then Alexys' plays on her playmat, while I check my email, drink my coffee (my lifeline or I can't keep going!) and do a bit of schoolwork.
10am: Bathtime for Alexys.
10:30am: Alexys has a nap – she goes down awake, and falls asleep pretty quick. I shower while she naps, get ready and usually start the dishwasher, make the bed, start laundry, eat breakfast, make baby food (if I need to), start dinner, etc.
11:30am: She's up usually...though sometimes she'll nap longer.
12pm: Lunchtime! She has two veggies or fruits (I know, some of you will disagree with "early" solids, but that's your opinion, and I have mine), and then nurses.
Until 2pm: We do "something"...I guess this is the flexibility I desire. Either she goes in her Jolly Jumper, her swing, sometimes I'll let her watch TV if I have school to do (desire to do...), go to the mall, a walk...it changes.
2pm: I put her down for a nap, whether she likes it or not...usually it's the latter.
3pm: Up and nurses.
Until 4:30pm: Same as the "until 2pm" part. It changes.
4:30pm: Nap.
6pm: Wake up and dinner, which is Oats cereal (we ditched the Rice), and a veggie, and then nurses.
7:30pm: Bedtime routine, which includes sponge bath, lotion massage, PJs, brushing of the hair and a story...oh, and nurse...but not to sleep...she goes to bed awake.
8:15-8:30pm: Bedtime.

And that's it. Generally Alexys just gets up once a night now, and it's ever so brief – usually about 1:30 or 2, and I flip her onto her stomach (again with the your opinion versus mine [she starts on her back]), pat her bum for a minute, and she's asleep again. And then she sleeps till 8:30 or 9, and it all begins again. She's a great kid, and thrives on routine. And as much as I complain, I like it this way. We worked hard to get a routine, just like we've worked hard at going back to sleep at night without crying it out (I couldn't do it!). And it's all coming together...for now. I know the schedule will change again, and that's okay with me, but for now this is working! It's strange not really having a "weekend"...it doesn't matter to Alexys that it's Saturday or Sunday. And I thought that I'd mind more not being able to sleep in, but I've found as long as I have my coffee I'm good to go!

Oh, and my mini-moose really is a mini-moose!!! She had her four month shots yesterday (which she did fabulous at!), and got weighed/measured.
She is 15lbs. 2oz. and 25inches...which is the combined 50^th percentile for a SIX month old! For four months she's in the 90^th percentile combined. Oh well, she's not THAT big, and she is proportionate, I just find it funny that she's going to be bigger than her Mamma when she's like 2 years old J


Here's hoping her growing slows a little so all her summer clothes fit!

kortney elise xoxo

Frugality 101.3 - Enter a Draw, Win a Prize

I know it's Friday, so hopefully a Five in Five will happen today...however, it's also Alexys' 4 month shots today, and I have the type of child who is going to scream and be royally angry that someone is stabbing a needle in her leg. Remind me to tell you the story of the cookie if I forget. Ha.

On another note, I'm sharing a link to a website wherein YOU could win a grand prize - this is mostly exciting for mom's or mom's to be...it's a website with natural stuff, etc. If you comment on their post you get one entry, and if you blog about it you get two more. You also win entries for buying things. So here's my second and third entry:

http://mdcmoms.blogspot.com/2009/04/spring-fling-give-away-part-2-april-15.html

Click away, and enjoy. Maybe you'll win and that, my friends, is another great way of being frugal.

kortney elise xoxo

Frugality 101.2 - Free Coupon For YOU

Here's a start to your frugal collection of coupons - sign up for the Kashi coupon for a free box of granola bars. Who cares if they ARE gross ;) [they're letting you try a box for free so you don't think they taste like cardboard...I still think they do, but free is free!]

http://www.kashi.ca/Contest/Register.aspx

kortney elise xoxo

Frugality 101 – Kortney Style

I was talking to a friend the other day about the recession and what not, and explaining how we hadn't really felt the effects of it (thankfully Jordon's job is stable, [and on the brink of promotion we hope], and my mat leave is firm, with both a job if I want when it's over, and schooling in process). I said that if anything we'd been blessed by the recession, because everything (save for gas) seems to be cheaper. Sales are better at the grocery store, and it seems things have come down in cost. However, I still see lots of people struggling. Anyways, back to the conversation with a friend...who reads my blog...about the recession. She said I have a unique way of approaching frugality, and thought I should share. So here it goes.

1. Use Your Connections.
   
   That's right...anyone you "know" somewhere, use it to your advantage. Don't feel guilty for using people – as long as you expect that from other people in return. I can only think of one example at the moment, but I know there's more. I promise I'll post them as I think of them. My main example is my brother's girlfriend, Tia – she works at Starbucks and gets a free pound of coffee every week. She doesn't drink coffee, and so whenever I need some I send her a text message, and magically she brings it home for me. She also gets 30 percent off, so if I needed something in the coffee realm, she could get it for me. I drink at least two cups of coffee a day, and making them at home, with free coffee, makes life a lot easier. I save a LOT of money not going through the Sbux DT anymore!
   
2. Make Your Own...
   Anything! Whatever you need or want, make it. For example, I've started making my own baby food for Alexys. I've weighed out time and cost, and making some of my own baby food is cheaper than buying it. BUT it's not all better. I make and freeze carrots, sweet potatoes and peas (but she doesn't like peas...not yet or perhaps not homemade ones) so far...she eats jarred green beans though, because the trouble of peeling all those beans is far too time consuming. Making homemade apple sauce has also proven to be difficult, so I'll just buy it. I'm also going to attempt to make my own dishwasher detergent from an online recipe – I'll let you know how that turns out.
   
3. Re-Use.
   Whatever you are going to throw away, or recycle or get rid of...reuse for something different. I know that there are more examples than this, but what comes to mind first is the yogurt containers and baby food containers – I reuse them for various things. I use the yogurt containers usually to freeze casseroles, etc. I find that they are the perfect size for a meal for Jord and I if I just take out one, so that's nice. I use the baby food containers to freeze some portions of baby food so they're easy to grab and go if I need to be out somewhere. I usually freeze baby food into ice cube trays and then put them into bags, but it's nice to have containers to grab, and then be able to throw out if I'm somewhere.
   
4. CraigsList It or Facebook It!
   Both free to use, versus Ebay which costs. This is a great way to make money, even if it is time consuming. I don't just get rid of anything anymore, I try and put it on these sites first. On Facebook you can join your areas Buy and Sell group – just post a picture of whatever you're selling, and someone is sure to comment/buy/inquire. I have three garbage bags full of clothes (mine and/or Alexys') to put up. The money you make, put it away for whatever you're saving for. It's extra money, so just pretend you never had it in the first place.
   
5. Survey Sites
   I probably make about $20 a month doing surveys. I have joined four different survey sites – some of them I even receive at home to fill out, but most are online. They're quick and easy, and you don't have to do them if you don't have time. It takes a while to build up points and/or money, but eventually it's worth it. Email me or comment with your email if you want the sites. I get bonus points for referrals!
   
6. Coupon Sites
   I have found coupon sites to download coupons off of. There's lots online, and again, email me and I'll send you what I have. Also, ALWAYS sign up for mailing lists at stores – Safeway, Blue Notes, AE...I got a free pair of underwear from AE the other day, just for being on their mailing list. I hate junk though, so I have two email addresses – one I sign up for mailing lists, etc. with – and one I use for everyday, etc. That way my one account is FULL of junk mail and I only check it when I have time. If I don't get around to it, oh well. I use this one for surveys too.
   
7. Don't Always Buy the Cheapest, IF...
   If you get something free, or points or that kinda thing. I do this with airmiles – I know we have to fly to Alberta to visit the inlaws, as well as I have (want/choose to) travel for synchro...those both require flights. Sometimes I buy the more expensive version, or something I don't necessarily need at the moment, to get the airmiles. For example, I bought a lot of toilet paper the other day, because I got 100 free airmiles. That's a lot of airmiles. Like 1/9^th of a flight to Alberta. Much cheaper than buying the flight itself. Done deal.
   
8. Go Green
   Sometimes this is actually cheaper! I find that buying some products that are labelled "green" in the store are just more expensive, and probably not really green...I don't buy those, unless they're the ones on sale. However, green things I do around the house that make for savings: wash most of my clothes in cold, unplug things not in use...not just turn them off (ie: if they're plugged in, they're adding to your power bill), and not flushing the toilet in the night – I pee about 8 times at night so flushing it is a waste of water. I don't know if those things actually save money on my bills, but they do save electricity or something and my power bill is low, so A + B = C...or something like that.
   
9. Go to the USA
   I actually need to do this more. And this obviously on works if you live in the Lower Mainland, or somewhere equivalently close to the US border. However, the amount of coupons they have is ridiculous. They are also SO cheap down there for stuff like cheese, butter, etc. Oh, and in the States, you can actually get money BACK if your coupon is for more than what you spend. You can also use multiple coupons for the same product. Those things don't apply here most of the time. Gas is also WAY cheaper down there (like think ¼ the price!), and so it does turn out to be worth the drive. I have passport applications in hand, and going to apply for Nexus too, and start shopping there on a regular basis. Even with a bad dollar, it's still worth it. Plus I like the food down there. The fast food $1 menus!!!
   
10. Shop on the Outside
    When you go to the grocery store, only shop on the outside. Don't go down the aisles if you can. I'd say 95 percent of things you *need* are on the outside of the store...anything in the middle, down the aisles, is processed and not good for you, and therefore generally expensive. There are exceptions, but this is mostly true. If you avoid the aisles, you'll spend less money. Milk, bread, veggies, etc. are on the outside. OH. I won't make this separate but if you shop at speciality stores (ie: Kin's Farm Market) generally things like veggies or meat or bread are cheaper.
    

I know that there are SO many other ways I could save money on a day to day basis, but that's not me. I don't like to buy things used; I don't even like to go to second-hand stores. I don't shop around and try and find the cheapest deal at whichever store, nor do I scour flyers on a daily basis, or even before I go to the grocery store. I don't buy things off CraigsList or Facebook, not even if I know they're new and even have tags. I have cable, and don't intend on cancelling it. I use IM from my phone when I want, even if it costs money. There are some things I choose to do, even though I know they cost money. However, I realize that if push came to shove, I would and could increase my frugality. For now, the ten things above help save me money on a day to day basis. And that's good enough for me.

kortney elise xoxo

PS: I also need to share that a great way to approach frugality is through your parents. Having one grandchild helps – I am forever grateful to my parents who DO help us out a lot, and have bought so much for Alexys that it really helps with the financial side of things!

Five in Five Fridays

Woo, look at me go!!! I'm an accomplishing queen this week, that's for sure. I seriously did so much. Here's the list of accomplishments this week:

1. Organize my fridge - the outside of it. It looks so cluttered it bothers me.

Before:

After:

Much better, don't you think? I think so.

2. Put Alexys' books on her bookshelf (I just have to get my dad to bring over the shelf...perhaps he'll do that tomorrow in the sunshine [crosses fingers]).
You only get one picture, since the before would just be an empty shelf...BUT my Dad brought it over with Antonio the other night, and now it's set up so sweetly in her girly, little room. I love it!!!

3. Clean out the hideous junk drawer. I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.

Before

After:

And I did it!!! I mean it's not perfect, since it is a junk drawer and all, but nevertheless – it's done!!!

4. Bring all the tubs downstairs that are sitting in my room...the ones for storage.

Before:

Okay...I'm not technically done this one yet – but I have to wait for Jord to be home so I can drag them downstairs, and he can watch Alexys. Clearly I can't do both at the same time J Tonight, it will be done – they're sitting next to the door, ready to go!

5. Craigslist/Ebay the items I have to sell...

I can't really take pictures (well, actually...I do have pictures of the things I'm selling), but here's a couple links – just junk mostly. I did sell our old microwave today for $20 – so that's a start!

Dishes
Book
Book
Book
Book

There is more stuff to post, but it's a start.

My Five for this week are:

1. This one depends on my Dad and Antonio again, but put all the books on my shelf in our bedroom – currently they're sitting in a pile on the floor, and it is driving me crazy. It's kinda the last little corner of our house being complete. Or at least kinda complete.

2. Find a home for the dozens of hangers sitting on my floor. We went through our closet and now I have like 40 hangers on the floor with nowhere to go.

3. Put pictures in some of my frames – the ones of Alexys anyways. The big frames on my wall are reserved for the family pictures we're getting done on the 26^th. I have little frames that have places for each month of Alexys that I want to be filled...after all she IS four months tomorrow, and they're all still blank!

4. Wipe out the fridge. It's not gross, but it's bothering me.

5. Clean out the paper tub under the computer desk.

What are your five?
kortney elise xoxo

Easter!

Just thought I'd share Alexys' first picture with the Easter bunny...she's too cute! She's turning into such a little dolly, such a ham!!! My mom bought her a shirt yesterday that describes her to a tee..."Little Princess with a Big Attitude." Yep, that's my kid alright. She's growing up so fast - I knew this would happen, because every warned me, but really...I didn't fully believe it would happen quite this fast. Things that are happening with Alexys lately:

• She's 4 months old on Saturday!
• I signed her up with a talent agency to do commercials and/or movie auditions. Here's hoping she'll get a few when she's little, so we can put the money in her college fund (and, FYI, I'd never force her to do this, but she's so outgoing and smiley, we thought we'd try while she's little!).
• She loves to eat, and has had lots of food - rice cereal, oat cereal, a dash of applesauce and a dash of peaches (but only in cereal for fruit so far), carrots and sweet potatoes. We'll be trying peas later on this week - all homemade, of course!
• She's slept through the night a couple times, but not consistently. We're working on it. I know she doesn't *need* to eat during the night now, so I'll pat her bum or tummy for a while to try and get her to fall back asleep. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. I find the days she goes out for a walk, and gets fresh air, she sleeps better. Here's hoping summer comes soon (and who thought I would *ever* say that!).
• She's about 1/2 an inch from being out of her bucket seat - Jord and I are buying a new carseat in the next week or two! I can't believe she's so tall!
• She still won't take a bottle, but will have a few sips out of a sippy cup, and even a regular cup. We've tried everything, and will continue to try a bottle daily, but it seems that I'll just transition her fully to a sippy cup in an another month. One less thing to wean her off of in the end...as I know that soother will be hard enough for her to lose!
• She is teething like a MAD woman - screaming, drooling, etc. I see the buds, and think she'll have teeth within a month. I know the first ones take longer and especially since she's a girl, but they're a 'coming!
• She is tall, strong and a little heffer...she likes to play in her Exersaucer now, loves the jolly jumper, and is already trying to call. What a monkey!!

Off to shower, while Alexys naps.
kortney elise xoxo

Good one, kid!

Just a quick post to share that Alexys slept through the night last night...and not by fluke, like it has been in the past. It was deliberate - she still woke up a couple times during the night, but I didn't take her out of her bed - I left her there, put her soother in and patted her bum a bit. She fell back asleep - twice!! When she woke at 6am I fed her - since cutting out both feedings in one night seemed a little harsh. But anyways that means she slept from 8:15 till 6! Pretty darn good, little girl.

kortney elise xoxo

PS: Here's hoping tonight is the same...we're working on sleeping through the night without crying it out - and slowly but surely I think we'll make progress!

I thrive...

I thrive on my alone time. Well, maybe not thrive...but I really, truly need alone time once in a while. Sometimes there's so much inside that if I'm with people some of it is bound to come out, and I say things I know I'll regret. Or something like that.

Today was one of those days. It was a good day, and a successful day. Alexys was a good girl (after a rough night of teething and screaming) all morning, napped well, ate well. We went for a walk and met Cadence and Mackenzie - I went for a walk with their mommies, Amber and Ashley. Mackenzie is only 8 days older than Alexys, but man is she ever tall!!! Cadence is so tiny, at just two weeks old, and it's hard to believe Alexys was a newborn like that just 3.5 months ago! They really do grow so fast. After our morning walk, I dropped Alexys off at my mom's and I got to skate! I'll be skating Tuesdays and Thursdays now, and I know I'll enjoy this time. I need it, and want it. And no, Alexys didn't take a bottle - we time it right. I guess there's no real going out for me until she's weaned...and I guess I'll have to be okay with that. We still try a bottle every single day, and cross my fingers everytime, but no luck so far.

After skating, I just didn't have the energy to drive home. I'm tired and a little grumpy, and just sort of wanted to be left alone. Ya know that feeling? There's nothing wrong per say - I just wanted my alone time. And I didn't want to stay up until 12am to get it. So I decided to spend the night at my parents. I've been doing school work for a good two hours now, and got a lot done. I finished the section I'm working on (sensory organs)...and just have the final test to finish. I want to do that on my desktop, and not my Dad's laptop - I make more mistakes typing on a laptop and with transcription silly typos are definitely frowned upon. Alexys went down around 8:15 or so, and she's sleeping in the playpen at my parents. I took the laptop downstairs with me, and am enjoying my time alone. My beautiful, baby girl is near to me and I can enjoy some time on the internet. A little more schoolwork, a little bit of blogging, and some general reading.

I guess this is my "weekend". I didn't have to get the coffee pot ready for morning, I didn't do the dishes, or cleanup after dinner. I didn't do any of that. It's my day off. We'll go home in the morning and do what we need to, as per usual. I just think we all need a night off sometimes. If I'm at home I've trained myself to just get everything done at night - I can turn on the magic side now and won't let myself go to bed or even work on schoolwork until dinner is cleaned up, lunches are made, etc. Tonight is my night off.

Good night...and sorry for the babbling.
kortney elise xoxo

Addicted

I'm addicted to blogging. I should be showering whilst Alexys is sleeping, but here I am blogging again. I don't really have much to blog about in particular – there wasn't a specific reason I logged on. There isn't a story to write, so perhaps instead I will tell you about a theory I have.

I'm positive Alexys was a very overdue baby. The doctor said she was overdue. I think she was overdue. I was overdue as a baby – all things that make me think she was supposed to be a November baby. I believe her "due date" was actually near or before November 21^st. Now, I'm not one to necessarily believe in horoscopes and that kinda thing, but I do feel that there is some truth to the Zodiac in terms of personality development. I believe that God uses the moon and stars in HIS power to align things. I believe that people are grouped into different personality types according to the zodiac, and though there are always exceptions, people who are born around the same time, tend to have the same personality. If Alexys had been born around or before November 21^st (which would make her about 3 weeks overdue), she would have been a "Scorpio" (I really hate the names, they sound too...I don't know. Something about them I don't like.). Anyways. Scorpios have trouble deciding between love and power – they're demanding, strong, winners, etc. Very powerful, strong-willed people. That's not Alexys, although she does have a very demanding side (but then she's 4 months old...don't they all?). Instead, Alexys is a Sagittarius, like her Daddy. Sagittarius' are very expressive, exuberant and adventurous – they get what they want and are still big-hearted. I think these are very positive traits to have, and I think it's Alexys to a tee.

Anyways – I don't believe all of this is necessarily always true. Just something I find interesting. I think that Alexys was overdue for a reason. If she had been "on time" then she would have been smaller, much smaller, and not as strong. Her personality would have been different I think.

I think that babies should be adjusted for age if they're overdue. They do this for preemies so that parents can mark milestones more accordingly. It would make sense to do this for overdue babies, too – after all, they (or at least mine anyways) tend to hit milestones sooner. Alexys was most definitely trying to crawl this morning. I'll post a video to this blog when I have time. But she was raising her bum in the air and pushing her legs. She knew what to do...if only that belly wasn't so big to weigh her down. If her age was adjusted, this would put her at almost five months, instead of almost four. I think crawling would be more appropriate at this age, but we'll see. She's nearly out of her bucket seat, because she's so tall, she gobbles up cereal and veggies like they're going out of style, and so much more. She's definitely older than she is – I like to say 3 months going on three years!

Anyways, we've got a busy day ahead...off to see the Easter bunny for pictures, and then going to meet Cadence for the first time.

kortney elise xoxo

Nothing Mellow

I really should be showering while Alexys is napping, seeing as though we're going out as soon as she wakes up, but you know how it goes. Sometimes blogging comes first. And, seeing as though I took the day off from school yesterday, I really should be doing that more so than blogging...but again, sometimes blogging comes first. And sometimes you need a break from school right? Everyone else in the world gets a weekend, why shouldn't I?

Last night I had a "night out" from Alexys...Jordon stayed home with her and I enjoyed a night with my skating ladies. Even though I didn't skate this year, they still made me feel like a part of the team and so whenever I could hang around them, I did. I'm mucho looking forward to getting on the ice on Thursday with them (I go back Tuesday, but synchro starts Thursday). Anyways, last night was the wrap up party for the year, and so we had a "friendly" competition (I say friendly because my team won...and obviously there were some people who didn't believe we should have won. But we did. Hands down. Hmph!). We participated in a photo-ish scavenger hunt across Langley. We were team yellow and we even had shirts made. It was fabulous. Like I said, my team won, and a good time was had by all.

I left Alexys with Jordon. She still won't take a bottle, but was held over with some cereal (which she now eats daily...and loves!), so that Daddy could watch her. I fed her before I left at 4, and then came back after the scavenger part was over, fed Alexys, put her to bed, and went back for the evening! And I stayed out till 1am!! Phew! I'm a tired Mamma today, but nothing coffee couldn't fix! It also made me feel like it's okay I'll be skating twice a week next week - like it'll be okay to leave Alexys for a couple hours here and there...even if the babysitter has to feed Alexys her milk off a spoon. Oh, high maintenance children ;) Wonder where she gets it... ;)

Anyways, enjoy the pictures.
kortney elise xoxo

Five in Five Friday

Well, I miserably failed at my five this week - but some of it wasn't my fault. And okay, it wasn't a huge failure - I only did 3/5 of my "five" this week. I also know that it's Saturday when I'm posting this (does it show as Friday or Saturday...we'll find out soon enough).

Anyways, my five last week were:
1. Clean out the washing machine:

Before:After:

2. Put away scrapbooking stuff:
(This was sketchy...it's off the table, but I don't have my bookshelf [where it goes] from my parents' yet, so I just put it in my closet)

Before:

After:

3. Clean out the junk drawer...didn't happen. I *really* just didn't want to. Blech.

Before:

4. Put Alexys' books away on her bookshelf. Didn't happen...BUT my Dad will bring it this week - it's not his fault it decided to snow in April this week (he needs the truck). No picture, as such.

5. The stinky shoe closet...I even took some extra time to vacuum while I vacuumed (I know, I'm getting pretty regular at this...scary!):

Before:

After:

So this week my five are as follows:
1. Clean out the hideous junk drawer. I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.
2. Organize my fridge - the outside of it. It looks so cluttered it bothers me.
3. Put Alexys' books on her bookshelf (I just have to get my dad to bring over the shelf...perhaps he'll do that tomorrow in the sunshine [crosses fingers]).
4. Bring all the tubs downstairs that are sitting in my room...the ones for storage. This will probably actually take 15 minutes, since there are three of them, but I'll be dedicated and finish it. They'll full of baby clothes, my old clothes, etc...I'm going to have a garage sale and sell them - my mom is convinced I'll be able to make money with them.
5. Craigslist/Ebay the items I have to sell - their pictures are already taken...I just have to repost them.

What are your five?
kortney elise xoxo

PS: Everytime I log on to that fly lady's website (or whatever it is), my browser crashes...it's a sign. Weird.

See my pretty handband and blonde curls that my mama gelled? Awwww!!!

Yep, I finally took a bottle, and I even did it myself. Wahoo - we switched away from the funny looking, expensive one...now we have to get her take a whole meal plain from a bottle, instead of half and half!!!

Who me?

I am so madly in love with this little girl, and I just wanted you to know that.
I told you my blogging would decrease once school starts - many started posts, never finished...I'll post them one day. For now these pictures will have to hold you over.

kortney elise xoxo