And he's off!

Caden started taking crawling steps a week ago....but now hes going full force. At only 6 months and 1 week old.

*sigh*

6 months

The boy turned 6 months old on August 4th and I can hardly believe it. He is already sitting up on his own, going from any position on the floor his little heart desires to sitting up. He can get to any object he wants, and as of yesterday took a few crawling steps...on video!

On his 6 month birthday he enjoyed his first jar of chicken and rice and loved it. The next night, not so much so we are back to just veggies and fruits for a little while longer. He also got a cupcake with a '0' candle and we sung Happy Birthday to him. He then got to dig into his cupcake, and he did just that. MESS everywhere!

The reasoning for this half birthday celebration is because when Kayla turned 6 months old we did the same thing. We did her half birthday celebration because 4 weeks later she would be saying goodbye to Dada headed off to Afghanistan and he would miss ALL of her firsts from 7 months old to 14 months old. That was A LOT of firsts folks. First teeth,crawling, standing, walking, words, foods..all of it.

Dada is NOT leaving this time, but I thought we would make it a tradition. After all, 6 months is a big milestone. This is already HALF way to being ONE YEAR OLD. And I thought it was hard with Kayla reaching all these milestones. Much harder with Caden knowing he is our last and final baby...until Grandchildren.

All of a sudden...

with out any training, Kayla is using the potty. We are not 100% accident free, but pretty close. 4 days ago she just had enough and wanted to go on the potty so I made this potty chart for her. She was getting at first a candy and present for every potty trip, but I soon realized we cant do that or she would have 10-15 presents per day. HAHA! So the potty chart lets her get a sticker for each potty trip and after 10 stickers she gets a present. So far so good! This is the chart on the evening I made it, 4 days ago. Now she is started on the 4th row of stickers.


We are hitting milestones faster than I can keep track of them.

Kayla figured out how to pedal her bike on her own.


Caden has TWO teeth! This picture is from 5 days ago so they are actually through a lot more than this now.

Caden is sitting up like a big boy. Not 100%, he still falls over after about a minute, but hes getting it...FAST.


I have FINALLY hit 139 pounds on the scale after 5 weeks of not losing anything. That was more than frustrating and I have come to the realization that it will take much longer to lose this last 10 pounds. But thats ok, because I am much happier maintaining 139 rather than 159. This officially makes me at a 20 pound loss!


Nick is TDY to Montana, AGAIN. I hate when he goes....even if it is just for 9 days. I no reason to shower, make a really nice dinner or even get out of my pjs. Except for the babies' sake...I do shower in the AM and then again after my run. HA!

And for some random recent favorite shots:

Monthly Birthdays + W3D4

On May 30th, Kayla turned a whopping 22 months old. How in the world can 22 months pass by like this? She brightens my day like no one else can in a way that no one else can. I cant imagine a day without her. I cant imagine going hours with out her. How does Nick do it? How does he walk out that door 5 days a week and not see her all day long? I cant believe she is almost 2 years old. Before I know she will be 22 years old and I will have to learn to live life without her in it every single day. How do parents do this? Please tell me the secret, because within a blink of an eye..it's going to happen.
2 years ago this week, I was headed to Pennsylvania to await the birth of this little girl that I had no idea I would love so much. My mother in law and I would sit out on the deck and dream and imagine and wonder and discuss what we thought she would look like. We were pretty darn close...but I could N-E-V-E-R have dreamed she would be this perfect and this beautiful. I never thought a baby could have been made this perfect JUST for us. Her giggles, her laughs, her squeals, her cries, her tears, her big brown eyes, her eyelashes, her hair, her curls, her nose, her lips, her giant hands and feet, and tan skin, her long legs and arms, her giant heart, her personality, her cleverness, her determination, her ingenuity, her willingness and her ability to learn...just PERFECTION. Made only for us.

Happy 22 month Birthday little munchkin. Stop growing up so fast.



Tomorrow, June 4th, Caden will be 4 months old. How is THIS possible?

Wasn't it just weeks ago we stressed about his adoption? Wasn't it just weeks ago that I had to hold onto hope by a piece of thread and pray that it wouldn't break, that we wouldn't lose him. I had this tremendously painfully gut and heart feeling that he was made for us and I was trying so hard to convey this to the world while I had to plea and fight and beg the universe to make this work out. 2 months before we even found out about birth mother's pregnancy with him, I called my mother in law in tears wondering why on earth I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed more babies. I even blogged about it. I wanted it to go away and I couldn't understand it. Little did I know....our lives were about to change in a massive way. FOREVER. He was born. And that feeling was GONE. I could finally breathe and live with a light heart knowing and feeling for the first time in my entire life that this family was complete.
This little life that birth mother had created was not without reason. Everyone took the news of this pregnancy as a burden, even us before she asked us to adopt him. He was no doubt without reason. Not only did he complete this family in more ways than one, but he gave our birth mother the reality check she needed to get her life on track, get her GED, and go to college.

I couldn't imagine life without this little boy. While his personality is still waiting to erupt, it wont be long. I cannot wait for the day I hear his true real baby giggle. I cant wait to see the person he starts to become.

How lucky can one married couple get? Just how fortunate? It was all written in the stars long before we were even aware. We got pregnant twice and miscarried 2 babies. These 2 babies kept us going. They gave us just enough hope to lead us through the rocky path that ended with our 2 babies, Kayla and Caden.

To all my blog readers, my friends who are still waiting...your happy ending is written in the stars too. Dont give up.

If it's not a happy ending, then it's not the end.

Happy 4 month Birthday Caden. Dont grow up as fast as your sister is.



Today is Week 3 Day 4 in my running program. As of this morning I am down a pound already this week and its only Thursday. This brings me down 9 pounds weighing in at 150 this morning. I dont see a huge difference yet, but it will come. I still cant even believe I let myself gain that much weight. I'd say that the happiest I have been was weighing in at 130, so I guess 20 more pounds to go. I know I can do it. Just wish it didnt take this much time!

According to my running log I have gone a total of 8.9 miles this week so far. Today I did my work out twice, first thing in the morning and then again during the babies nap time with an extra 3 minute fast pace walk. I plan on doing 2 workouts tomorrow if I am able and then taking Saturday off. This training for a 5K thing...is addicting. So, I will TRY to take Saturday off. We are planning a day at the water park so that should be a lot of workout in itself!

Almost a week

So, its been almost a week since I have blogged. Hubby pointed that out to me last night and said he didn't like it. Funny..he lives with me 24/7 yet he likes to read my blog.

*I am on Week 3 Day 1 of my running program. And I'm seeing a difference. Week 1 was walk 6 minutes, run 1 minute and repeat 3 times. By the 3rd time I was struggling to finish. Maybe even finished a few seconds short. Week 2 was walk 5 minutes and run 2 minutes, repeat 3 times. The first couple of times I couldn't even do the 3rd repeat. By the end of the week it was easy peasy. This morning was the start of week 3 day 1 and I looked up my program and saw for w3d1- walk 3 minutes, run 3 minutes, repeat 4 times and my first thought was..I cant do that.

But I did it. Easily. Minus my legs hurting. I can breathe fine and have the energy but my legs are so sore. So...we will see how this week goes. The program says to do this 4 days a week, but I have been doing 5-6 days a week.

And now, with my handy dandy treadmill in Caden's room...its even easier to hop on and run with the AC in the house. Compared to outside where you feel like you cant breathe because its so darn hot and humid out. Yay for the rainy season coming up.

*Its hard to say how much weight I have lost. The very first weigh in could have been a mistake. I thought I saw it say 149 but the next morning I read 156. I don't know if I made a mistake or I gained 7 pounds overnight due to a new monthly cycle starting just a week later. I feel like I lost weight. Clothes are fitting better and I'm able to wear a few shirts that I haven't been able to wear in a while. So I think its safe to say I made a mistake on that first weigh in and I have lost 7 pounds.

*Caden has finished sweet potatoes, and applesauce and now we are working on squash and bananas which both he likes so far. He is such a pork chop. Eating half a jar of baby food twice a day mixed with a scoop of cereal. And hes not even 4 months old yet.

*Both Kayla and Caden are now in size 4 diapers.

*We are getting our family pictures taken today! Our first family pictures since before Caden was born. The first family pictures since Kayla was 6 months old...so its very much over due.

Random Updates

** Kayla is still teething terribly. Today is day 4 of this. She still has a light fever, but mostly is just in pain. Still only 1 of the 4 canine teeth are through. The other 3 are just big white bubbles that look like they are going to burst a tooth the size of a shark. She has 3 fever blisters now all on the inside bottom lip. She is just miserable.

** Still haven't got any tylenol or motrin at any stores here on island but I did score an unopened bottle of children's ibuprofen. Kayla's motrin bottle is now gone, so we will start this, this evening. Hopefully before that runs out she will be all better, or we come across some more meds somehow.

** Caden is up to 16 pounds and hes not even 4 months old until June 4th. He is only 5 lbs less than Kayla now. He is quickly growing out of almost all of his pajamas. I scored some clothes this morning that a lady is selling for $1 a piece that I will get to pick up on Monday!

** He is reaching for his feet and anything within his reach. He has finished one week of rice cereal mixed with sweet potatoes, so onto the next: applesauce. He is becoming a pro in his Jumperoo. We are still waiting for him to release his laugh, he is so close!

** I am down 5 pounds. Still cant run worth anything, but Im taking long heavy walks and also doing the walk 6 mins/ run 1 min thing, repeat 3 times. The scale this morning said 151.

** Find a great Key Lime Pie recipe here: http://michellespathofrecipes.blogspot.com/

Ladies and Gentleman...We have..

A TOOTH!

Caden has a tooth. Yes. A tooth. He is only 3.5 months old! I thought I saw something yesterday so I asked a friend to check it out and I wasnt crazy...she saw it too.

This morning, I know I def see a tooth. Its white and starting to poke through it his gums already.

How is this possible?!

Lost

Happenings in the Alessi household have gotten lost in the shuffle since my friend's tragic news. I thank each and everyone one of you who either read my blog and left a comment, or just thought of my friend and her family. Im still in the state of disbelief of all of this. Its like the things you see in horror movies and on the news to people you expect it from. Its like a bad dream that I can not wake her up out of.
There have been a lot death things going on. The 2nd anniversary of Aunt Deb's death, the 1st anniversary of my Pappy's death and my Great Grandma wrote me a card saying she forgot to tell me when I talked to her, that my Great Aunt Sofie passed away in March. This was a shock. I mean, she was in her 80's but still very unexpected. And then the even more unexpected loss of one of my only and best friend's parents.

Anyways, back to the Alessi household. Let's see. What's been going on here?

*May 3rd was our last final post placement visit for Caden's adoption! Finalization is still set for June 9th at 9 am. Because of the time difference and 8,000 miles between us and Jacksonville, FL we have to do a tele-conference on the phone at 11 PM June 9th our time at the on base legal office. It's going to stink dragging both babies out of bed at that time. Im NOT looking forward it, but dont get me wrong...it's oh so well worth it.

*Our big furry Pooh Bear turned 9 (NINE?!) years old on May 5th. Feels like there was never a life before him, only with him. He is still a big pest-y kitten at heart.


*May 4th Caden hit 3 months old. He is smiling a lot, fussing a lot (he is such a gassy baby) sleeping a lot, chewing on his hands a lot. He has certainly discovered chewing his hands. He has also discovered his voice! Yesterday May 8th he let out his very first giggle. Just to show how different blood siblings can be...Kayla didn't do any of this until 4 months old. However, I am predicting he will be behind on all the other things like sitting, standing, crawling. We shall see!

*Caden has slept from 7pm to 7am 2 days in a row with only one feeding at 3:30 am. This makes for a happy Mom.

*Kayla has a new fascination with being naked. Naked to her is wearing a diaper only, so most days we are hanging around at home, she's naked.



*Caden upgraded to a size 3 diaper. Kayla upgraded to a size 4 diaper, but only because she has gained some serious height. The 3's were too short for her and the 4's are too big in the waist. I need to seriously start potty training her. I just havent had the desire to commit to that yet.



*I (we) made my (our) first fondant cake. Pics and blog post about this to come later.

*Kayla is now 21 months old and I have her birthday theme set as Butterflies!

*Today is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, birth moms, moms to be,moms who are still waiting, and moms who have angels because you are moms too.
If you would have told me last year, or even the year before, or even 3 years ago that by Mother's Day 2010 I would have TWO babies...I would have laughed at you.

6 weeks old

Cant believe Caden is 6 weeks old already. Hard to believe. He is huge. Eats like a champ. He skipped clothes in size 0-3 almost all together and he is now wearing size 3 months.

Mom is a zombie. Up all night feeding him and then up early with Kayla. But over all, as happy as can be with TWO babies when there once was a time she thought not even one could be possible.

2 weekends ago we started moving into our new house and Dad treated the family to dinner at the beach...where Caden was able to touch the sand for the first time.

Around the same age, Kayla also touched the sand for the first time at the very same beach.

Life is grand

I have never felt more complete in my life. This baby boy was so meant to be with us. The 4 of us were all made for each other. Dada, Mama, Kayla and Caden. Its so perfect. Once there was a time we thought we would never become parents, and here we are with TWO babies in diapers. Its amazing. It leaves me speechless. For 5 years I cried wondering if this would ever happen. I wondered who the little souls were that I needed in my life. I would say to Nick, why cant a teenager just drop off her babies at our front door? Not knowing (or maybe I did) what was really in store for us.

Our Birth Mom is doing good. I have talked to her twice now since Caden's birth and so far she is staying on the right path. A week after Kayla's birth she was already down the wrong path with alcohol, but so far so good a week after Caden's birth. I really hope she can keep on the right road. She deserves better in life as well as these children deserving a good Birth Mom. We can really see a change in her and I hope it stays that way.

Im still trying to juggle and figure out life with 2 babies. We are still in PA. We must wait for the paperwork that allows me to get Caden's passport. Having 2 babies sure is different. Trying to juggle time equally between the two so neither one feels left out, especially Kayla since all her life its been just mommy and me. I dont have much time or desire for showering. LOL! Dinner is different. Trying to feed Kayla a decent meal, keep a bottle in Caden's mouth and feeding myself.


Today Caden is one week old. Hardly can even believe it's been a whole week. I hope he doesnt grow up as fast as Kayla did. I dont know what happened to my toddler. She is more like a 3 year old....who is getting her molars in and it's making her sick. A whole other story there...ugh.

Having a little boy sure is different from having a little girl. I have been peed on three times, plus he peed all over himself once in the hospital. When he is awake he wants to be held. When Kayla was this little she would sit in a bouncy chair for as long as you let her.

I honestly dont know how I can become more lucky than I already am....of course winning a multimillion dollar lottery would be nice, but really....Im married to a great man who serves our country with pride, I have a daughter, a son, and get to see and live all over the world. What more can I ask for?

And we have....

A BABY BOY!

Caden John Alessi
(Pictures soon, they arent uploaded yet)

Born 4 Feb 2010
8 pounds 9 ounces
20.5 inches tall

PERFECTLY happy and healthy.

Big sister is as happy as can be.

As are we.

We are in our hotel here in FL, the FOUR of us. We cant get into PA yet because of a snow storm. Over 18 inches of snow is falling at my in law's house and Kayla is missing it all.

CLOSE!

We are close to being able to post details. Just know we are all happy and healthy (besides me having a cold) and still waiting! BUT, ANY day now!
We appreciate all the support more than you know.

NAME!

Ok, so we have a name....and its a secret. ♥

PLEASE VOTE!

The name we had picked has gone out the window. Boy names seem to be more difficult for us.

So please vote. The poll will be open for a week, until Dec 28th. You can vote for the name you think is best on the upper right of my blog.

Please vote.

A special Christmas Package

Yesterday Kayla got a very special Christmas package. I am so thankful she has a Birth Father that loves her the way she deserves to be loved. I'm hoping this will help her with that fact that she is adopted easier on her in the future. She is one lucky girl. And I am an even luckier Mama.

Other news, we think we have a name for baby brother. Im going to sleep on it a few nights and make sure we are sure. But Im pretty sure we are sure. Its the ONLY name we both said we really like. And funny thing is, my sister thought of it! For school her and her boyfriend had to take care of a baby doll for 4 days and it's the name they gave their baby doll! hehe!

Ok, onto the good stuff. Pictures....