Just a few pictures

Alexandria loves to pose...

Did you know they make tiny press-on nails? She loved them!

FINALLY

I've finally completed my degree!!!! I graduated Friday morning (at 9!!!!!!!) with my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Child and Family Sciences. It's such a relief being finished.

My mom and Alise have more pictures...obviously I couldn't take pictures (haha)

The night before graduation, a good friend (Nick) customized my cap and gown. I had no idea where I was going to be sitting, so this was a good way for my family and friends to spot me out. Also, being that I'm 8 months pregnant, my gown looked like a tent on me. I figured it needed a little "cuteness."

My cap was easy to spot out

Saturday, my family threw me a party. It was so nice. The weather was beautiful and the food was delicious...thanks Papaw! And thank you to all of you that helped celebrate this milestone in my life...now we're just waiting on Clayson to come!!!

A day at the zoo

Today was Alexandria's first trip to the zoo. It was so much fun for the three of us! She enjoyed looking at each animal and had a song for almost all of them. She sang a song about the elephants for a while after we walked away from them. Any animal that had a big one and a small one she called "mommy" and "Alexandria." (It wasn't always a cute thing though.)

There was one small section of the zoo where people could go in and pet certain animals. Alexandria loved the goats (but she kept saying they were big puppies). She asked James why they had ouchies on their heads (their horns). Once she realized that they didn't mind being touched he kept touching their ears and laughing.

Alexandria is not quite as tall as a giraffe (haha) but she's growing. I couldn't believe that a baby giraffe is 6ft tall when it is born. As we approached the giraffes, we asked her if she wanted to feed them. She got a little afraid, so we continued on. A few minutes later she wanted to go back to the giraffes and feed them. But once we paid the fee and she got close, she again became afraid. But look at the tongue...I would have been afraid to hold my hand up to it's mouth also.

After a long day at the zoo, it was time for a bath. I love this picture. It should be the next Edge commercial. She has never played with shaving cream before...and boy did she have fun.

A thought for mothers

My cousin sent me this in an e-mail and I thought it would be nice to share with other mothers. I really like it...especially since I'm going to have a BA and be a full time mommy...I can't wait!

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
Said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
Same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
Efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
Looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
And already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are
More of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
Completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
Testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom." Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".

It's been crazy!!!

Well hello everyone!!! I'm finally back. It's been so crazy this last month.

We've moved and are still settling in. We're just trying to decide where to hang a few pictures and are waiting for Clayson's bedding to arrive. It's kind of making me a bit nervous that it's not in, but it was back-ordered. Other than those few details we're finally in!!!

Our Easter was fun. Alexandria had a blast looking for eggs. This was actually her first Easter egg hunt. 2 years ago she was too little and last year we were in a Hotel.

Easter Sunday

My baby shower was a lot of fun. Alise and I ruined one of the games last minute, so my mom's friend Priscilla came to the rescue. It ended up being the best game at the party. After bringing everything home, I washed and hung all Clayson's clothes. He definately won't be naked. I'm so excited for him to arrive!

Alise, Mom, Joey, (Fonzie), Alexandria & I at my baby shower

The big sister taking a rest from opening gifts. If you notice she doesn't have pants on it's because she took the lid off her cup and spilled then sat in it to try to hide it.

This last Sunday night after we went to Church, we went to the hospital because I had been having very consistent contractions. We were at the hospital a little over 3 hours. They gave me 2 shots (the first one didn't work) to stop my labor. Today I had an appointment with my Doctor and everything is fine. I've only gained 9 pounds...but I feel huge! My belly has dropped a little so I have more room up in my rib cage. I can't believe how fast my pregnancy has flown by!

This was at Alise & Josh's a few weeks ago.

Tonight James, Alexandria and I went to a Big Sister/Brother class at the hospital. Alexandria brought one of her dolls (Janelle) and learned how to put a diaper on. She also learned how to wipe the umbilical cord with an alcohol swab and how to swaddle a baby. We got a tour of the birthing center and recovery area. I'm not real sure how much of it she will remember, but we figured it would help.

Tomorrow is my last day of instruction and I have finals next week and graduate next Friday. I am almost finished!!! It's so exciting to know that I'm almost finished.

Alexandria is now in school only two days a week. I'm going to keep her in even after I have Clayson. I think it's great for her socially and educationally. Since she's been attending she's really became more structured. She actually has a bed time now. She's such a good "big girl." She tells me when she's tired and wants "jammas" on. I love tucking her in at night. Being a mom is wonderful!!!

my beautiful princess suprised that Daddy was taking a picture

Well I hope to be updating again soon...and next time it won't be as long...

Packing

Packing has been much more than I anticipated! Everytime I think I'm almost finished, there's something else that needs to be packed. Everything but the necessities are packed up. Alexandria is not quite understanding. I'm going to let her help unpack her stuff when we move...which will hopefully be next week.

Alise has been helping me the last three days...and I really don't know what I'd have done without her. We've packed up so many boxes...I can't park in the garage anymore. Thank you sooooo much Alise. You're awesome!

Busy...Busy...Busy

our weekend...

Friday night we went to a Fresno Falcons Hockey game with some friends. Alexandria loves watching hockey! She also loves to eat the pizza there. Between 2nd and 3rd period they have what is called "chuck-a-puck." It's where people get to throw pucks on the ice and whose ever puck gets the closest to the bulls-eye wins something. After everyone has thrown their pucks they let volunteer kids pick up all the pucks. James took Alexandria down to help. She had a blast!

Sturday we were so busy! We took Alexandria to her ENT appointment and that was a joke. I thought we were going there to get answers...but I was mistaken. We drove about 25 minutes to get to the Doctor's office and waited in the waiting room for 30 minutes. All he did was look at her ears and tell us to call and make an appointment in his other office to get a test ran on her ears. It was ridiculous!

After leaving the Doctor's office, we headed to Woodlake (if you're not from around here it's nothing big...) My grandpa is starting up a new development there and it was their grand opening. From there we headed to Mason's party. Alexandria had so much fun playing games and hitting the pinata.

Saturday night we went to dinner to meet my mom's boyfriend. We didn't really get to talk with him much, there was a lot of us there. But dinner was good!

Yesterday we had Church outside because our church is being renovated. It was a georgeous day! After service there was a BBQ and Alexandria wanted to eat a hot dog (probably her favorite food besides cereal). She made me laugh watching her. She took the hot dog out of the bun, ate the entire thing getting ketchup all over her face, then ate the bun. She only ate the part of the bun that had ketchup on it. Then she looked up at me and asked for another hot dog. She only ate the hot dog with the second.

After church, we went to my mom's house to hang out by the pool. We took Guiseppe with us and of course he fell in. He was "doggy paddling" but could never have gotten out if he wasn't pulled out. He can't even stand on the top step without being under the water. Alexandria was ready to get into the pool until she felt how cold it was. So we just stuck our feet in. I laid in a lounge chair for a while and Alexandria laid in hers. She doesn't quite understand that the whole purpose of laying out is to get sun. She laid back in her chair and covered herself up with her towel as if it were a bed. I can't wait for the pool to warm up. She's going to be so much fun again this summer.

upcoiming week...

This week is Spring Break for me. Since we're moving next week I'm using my time off of school to pack up our house. I've waited until last minute (are you suprised) to do it all (aside from about 4 boxes). Luckily Alise is going to help me. I guess I'd better get packing and quit rambling. :)