Photo Shoot Friday!

Here are a few photos from Lexi's recent photo shoot with Heather Barta! She did such an amazing job capturing my baby's personality perfectly! ENJOY!

Is she going to look like you mom?

Last night once again my child successfully made my heart melt. It was about 9:00pm and we had completed our bedtime rituals as usual. We brushed our teeth, got our PJ's on, and crawled into Lexi's bed for a story. The story last night was about an Angel that was watching over a accident prone little boy.

As the story came to an end, I got up and started to tuck my baby in. She looked at me with those big hazel eyes and the conversation that developed was one that I will never forget. It went something like this:

Lexi: I wish I could meet my angel

Me: Well Lexi you know that Jesus loves you very much and he has given you many people who love you both here on earth, and up in heaven. So even though we may not be able to see our angels, we know that they are with us all of the time because of all of the wonderful blessings in our lives

Lexi: Yea......(Looking up at her ceiling at this point)

Me: Good night baby, I love you.

Lexi: Hey mom, do you think my angel looks like you?

Me: (fighting to hold back tears, while finding something to tell her) I'm not sure baby, I bet she looks like whatever you imagine she looks like

Lexi: I think she looks like you.

Me: (tears streaming down my face) Good night

Lexi: Good night Mom.

At this point, I walked into my own bedroom, lay down in my bed, and thought about what my angel looked like. All I could picture was this little blond curly haired child with big hazel eyes and a smile that could make anyones heart melt.

I don't know that I have ever even though about it. But I know that the face in the picture above is defiantly one of the angels in my life. Who do you consider one of your angels?

Pictures Are Worth A Thousand Words

One of Lexi's favorite parks is Otsego Regional Park. Located about 3 miles from our apartment. We are at the park at least once a week, but usually more than that if time allows it. Enjoy the pictures.

Thanks for checking in! Have an awesome day everyone!

Lake Calhoun

I know I have really been slacking on updating my blog, but Lexi and I have been enjoying the summer to the fullest which seems to leave me little time to sit down and report all of our happenings! But no worries, I promise I will fill you all in shortly! As for today I thought I would share a few photos from our recent trip to Lake Calhoun.


Lexi and I decided that it was a great day to head out to the beach the other day. So we threw on our suits, packed our beach bag, and hopped into Big Red ( our 2001 grand am complete with all of the upgrades... stained seats, goldfish crumbs, melted crayons, and a collection of only the finest McDonald's happy meal toys) and headed down town to the Lake.

We strolled around the lake
took a break from swimming for an ice cream treat

and enjoyed a perfect day at the beach with each other!

She Floats!

We headed up north for the fourth of July this year. We had a blast enjoying all of the fun activities the cabin life has to offer. We also got to spend quality time with our entire family which seems to be getting harder as we all grow older. For the most part, we couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our extended weekend.

We went boating, fishing, Lexi went four-wheeling with grandpa Bob, we grilled, we watched movies, we went to the fireworks in town, and even managed to squeeze in a round of golf.

However there was one moment during our little weekend getaway when my heart nearly stopped beating and I almost dove off the back of the boat, Baywatch style fully clothed.

During the day on Monday before we left, we decided to head over to my grandparents cabin (which is about 15 minutes from Little Dinner, the cabin we stay at) to do some last minute water activities and catch a little more sun before we headed back to the hustle and bustle of everyday reality.

My sister Jenny and Lexi decided to go tubing. Everything started out great. We were going a steady 5 MPH, Lexi had a smile on her face, and I had my eyes glued to her like a hawk from my seat in the boat.

My dad made his routine loop around Island Lake, but things quickly (maybe not too quickly... we were only going 5 MPH) took a turn for the worse. One of the clasps connecting the rope to the boat somehow had broke free. I watched as the tube slowly took a nose dive and started taking on water.

Something inside me just snapped. I shot up from the front of the boat where I was seated and headed to the back. The tube had flipped on end and I could no longer see my baby. My heart sank. Even though I new Lexi's life jacket was securly fastend, I couldn't help but feel the need to be with her right then, at that exact moment to help her. As I was about to dive off the back of the boat, the tube fell and my baby re-appeared.

Everything turned out fine, we looped around and picked up the girls. We secured the rope, and the girls were out on the tube again.

Both my parents and Paul found great humor in my near baywatch dive experience. I'm glad I could bring a smile to everyones face before the weekend was over.

Needless to say, my baby is growing up, and She Floats!

.::Best Aunties Ever::.

Lexi has been blessed with two of the worlds best aunties, and I have two of the most beautiful sisters in the world. Thank you both for being such a big part of Lexi's life. We both love you very much. I don't know what I would do without you guys.

Fancy Nancy Feet

One of Lexi's absolute favorite things to wear are heels. For the most part, my heels. She would wear them everywhere if I let her. But, because I don't, when we are at home, the heels are on.

The other day while we were at Target Lexi happened to come across a pair of Fancy Nancy Heels in her size. Fancy Nancy is a fictional character in a book series that Lexi enjoys. She begged to have them. Threw a fit right in the shoe isle. I was both embarrassed and a little upset with my childs actions. I left the store...without the shoes.

Lexi pouted the whole way home. A few hours later it was bedtime and like always I went in and tucked her in. I could tell she was still sad about the lack of new shoes in our home. Just as I was about to exit her room she says to me in the sweetest voice, "Mom, I really need those shoes. I'll help pick up the house, and be a very good girl."

Needless to say, I ended up buying the darn plastic heels that will probably break within the next few weeks grrr. Oh-well, the look on her face when she actually got the shoes was totally worth it.

I have to admit though, they are pretty cute!

Temptations

As I got out of my car the other day, I noticed that a bird had pooped on the hood of my car. Not the really runny smeared bird poop, more pellet like. Just a nice little turd right in perfect reaching distance for a pair of five year old hands. I didn't do anything about it, nor did I think that my child would try to touch it...

When Lexi decided it was time to play outside, I grabbed my book, set up the lawn chair and began to read. I had forgotten all about the fecal matter on my car. Lexi was playing as usual. Often times talking to her babies and making noises of some sort. However, after a short period of time I noticed a silence. All mothers know the silence that I'm talking about. The silence that screams my child is up to no good.

The next thing I knew, there was my child walking over to me with her gaze fixated on her hands. Sure enough she was holding a nice piece of bird poop between her tiny little fingers.

Lexi: "Mom, this was on our car"

Me: "awwwww, Lexi... do you know what that is?"

Lexi: "well... I'm not sure but I really wanted to touch it"

Me: "Honey that's bird poop. Put it down and go wash your hands"

Lexi: "BIRD POOP? GROOSSSSS"

Me: "It's OK a bird pooped on me one time, you'll live I promise"

Lexi: "a bird pooped on you? where? let me see."

Me: "never mind honey, lets go wash your hands"

I then tried to tell Lexi that she should ask mommy before she touches something when she doesn't know what that something is. I said "Lexi what did we learn today?" She replied "well, I learned not to pick up the white things on our car cuz it's bird poop." Maybe not the exact lesson I had hoped she would learn, but I'll take it!

The Circle of Life

A few weeks ago Paul (my boyfriend) and I took Lexi to a local fair and happened to win a couple of goldfish. Looking back, I'm not sure why I thought it was such a good idea in the first place. I knew I would be the one changing the water, feeding them, and dare I even say it, eventually flushing the little golden guys...

Regardless, there we were at Wal-Mart purchasing the $11.00 starter kit, including a one gallon glass bowl, some rocks, some de-chlorinater, and a small sample pack of food as the new addition to the family waited patiently in the car in the zip-lock bag which had served as their temporary home for most of the day. I decided to let Lexi name them, seeing as these were her first pets ever. Without contemplation she instantly decided on Big Swimmy & Little Swimmy.

When we arrived home, we immediately got the new members of the family settled in. We decided that the open spot on the counter would serve as their home from now on. They looked so happy. Life was good.

Things were going great for a week straight... or so I thought. The following Sunday we arrived home sometime early evening and I was helping Lexi do something. Paul called me into the kitchen. I could tell something was wrong. The look on his face was half genuine concern, half smirk. I knew it couldn't be good. Our conversation went a little something like this...

Paul: "I think Big Swimmy Died"

Jackie: "Noooooo. No he's fine it's only been a week, I changed the water and fed them."

Paul: "No I tapped on the bowl and everything... he's dead"

Jackie: "let me see, and stop laughing."

I proceeded to walk over to the bowl, and this is what I found.

We broke the news to Lexi a few minutes later. She was heartbroken... for about five minutesFinally, after sharing a few fond memories, and shedding a few tears, we said our good byes.

Wish us luck that Little Swimmy lives a bit longer than Big Swimmy did. I don't want to have to explain the circle of life to my child again for a very, very long time.

You've got a friend in me

I often think about what the future holds for my child. I think about the world events that she will live through, the presidents she will see take office, the technology that she will see develop, but more importantly I think about the friendships that she will make along the way.

Lexi is at an age now where she often wants to include her peers in her daily activities. She looks for companionship in someone who shares the same interests as she does. She does not have any siblings so being able to play with someone closer in age is always a treat for her!

Lex recently went to see the new Toy Story movie at the theatre. She told me all about it. Andy went to college, the toys fell off the car on the side of the road, and ended up at Sunny Side Daycare where from the sounds of things was nothing like "home sweet home". Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang all experienced bullying in some way or another.

It fascinates me to see the interaction between two young children. And it's even better when I see my child interacting "appropriately". Lexi is a natural when it comes to introductions and pretty much all social interaction for that matter. But even so, I know that someday that is not going to be enough.

I worry about the day that she is going to come home on the verge of tears because someone said or did something mean that genuinely hurt her feelings. I know my heart will ache just as much as hers does, and I know that there will probably be nothing that I can say or do to completely take away her hurt. But I hope that even though I am her mother, and at times the "bad guy", I hope she knows that She will always have a friend in me. I will never betray her, talk behind her back, or gossip at her expense.

Lexi you always have a friend in me.

Let the Summer Begin!

What's the perfect way to spend a summer day?

We thought a day in the pool would be perfect!

So we headed over to Grandma Mona & Grandpa Bob's for a fun filled day

With the sun shining and our sunscreen applied (so that "our skin doesn't turn brown and we get bad owies") we had an awesome day enjoying the weather and all of the fun activities the great outdoors have to offer! I wish I could make memories like this with Lexi everyday!

Olympic Bound?

Ok, so maybe the concept of being an olympic athlete is a little far fetched for my five year old to fully comprehend. To be completley honest, I could really care less if she ever is the best in the world at anything. Of course I want my child to excel in whatever it is that life throws her way, but more importantly as we continue our journey through life together I hope to be able to instill three things in that young impressionable brain of hers.

#1 Always give 100% of your efforts

#2 Always be a "good sport"

#3 Always believe in yourself

In return I promise to do the following three things in my efforts to help her succeed in whatever it is that she wants to do.

#1 I promise to support and belive in you at all times

#2 I promise (to try) to never to be that mom on the sidelines screaming at the officials

#3 I promise that when you come home at night I will love you just as much as the night before, win or lose.

It's still to early to tell where Lexi's true passion lies. But I am excited to be at her side every step of the way.

Thank You Mr. Kemps?

When I grocerey shop, like most people, there are a few items that are usually on my list. I like to buy everything bagels (when they are in stock), I usually find myself purchasing goldfish crackers of some sort, and I usually grab a gallon of skim milk too! But the one item that is ALWAYS on my list is one galllon of CHOCOLATE milk.

Thats right, Lexi is in love with chocolate milk. That sugary kiddie cup of goodness is the first thing she asks for when she wakes up, and the last thing she asks for before she lays her head down at night. Heck she even asks for a sip or two in the middle of the night sometimes.

"Mom, I NEED some chocolate milky" as if the world would end if she does not inhale a glass immediatley.

Now, of course I wish she loved something that was healthier for her. I wish I could tell you that my child ALWAYS eats three of the healthiest meals a day, and never ever eats anything less than the healthiest food in town. But thats simply not the case.

I'm not perfect, sometimes I even give Lexi the second glass that she asks for because I'm exhausted at the end of the day, and I know that Mr. Kemps' creation is one way to always make my Lexi content!

I don't even know how or when this addiction got started... But I suppose it could be worse!

Bed Time Blues

When Lexi was born, I was still living at my parents house. Lexi and I shared a room until she was about twelve months. Not because there was not a spare room available, or because I didn't have a crib for her. It was because she was my baby and I wanted her no further than an arms reach away at all times!

At about 12 months my twin sized bed was getting a bit crowded. I was convinced I was going to get her to start sleeping in her crib. I remember being so confident that it was going to be a breeze getting my little love bug to sleep on her own, just a few steps down the hall from me. Boy was I wrong, to say the least. I remember laying her down in her crib, steping out into the hall, closing the door until there was just a crack big enough for me to peek in, sitting down and waiting for my child to fall asleep. I was so nieve. I remember listening to those shreeking cries coming from my child that any mother knows. The one that says, "Mommy pick me up, I'm NOT happy about this situation."

Now in my defense, I tried. I really did try, but out of respect for the rest of my family members, I knew that the sleepless nights had to come to an end. Back into the twin we went.

It wasn't until I moved out on my own, just over a year ago that lexi has had her very own room. It's not much, but it's hers. She slept with me for about six months and then I decided that I was ready to try again.

Things started slowly. We'd go through our bedtime routine, I'd put her in her bed (the same twin that we slept on for the first 3 years of her life) and twenty minutes later she'd be in bed with me for the remainder of the evening.

I'm proud to say that Lexi now sleeps in her own bed all night (most of the time). It wasn't an easy road, or a short one for that matter. But together we did it. I now egarly wait for her arrival into "our bed" every morning at the crack of dawn so that we can cuddle for just a bit before the duties of our daily activites get under way.

Just like any parent child relationship, I'm sure that Lexi and I will face many more situations similar to this one. I hope that I have showed her that even though I'm still learning the ropes of this parenting gig, I'll never ever give up. I would do anything for that little lady. Even if it does mean upseting her just a bit.

I love watching lexi reach new milestones. I love watching her become more independant. It makes the "mommy I still need you" moments that much more special to me!

Welcome to My Life With Lexi!

I decided to create this blog for a couple of reasons.

#1) I wanted to document some of what life has been like for me since the birth of my baby (Lexi). The good, the bad, and even the ugly sometimes! Lexi is at such a fun age right now, that I almost feel selfish keeping all of the funny things that she says and does on a daily basis to myself.

#2) With the busy life that Lexi and I lead, it's sometimes hard to keep in contact with friends and family. I thought this might be a good way for everyone to be able to "stop by" and see what's new at our house...well technically apartment, but I'll write about Lexi's love for the apartment later!

With that being said, thanks for visiting & Welcome To My Life With Lexi