Christmas

Hey, everyone!  Yes, I know it is October and we haven't even got past Halloween yet, but Christmas has been on my mind for a few days now.  Now is the time that I start thinking about what to get everyone and what I am going to cook and so on.  This year it is making me a little sad because I am torn.  For the past two years Dustin and I have packed up and went down to Gadsden and was able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with our families.  This year I am not so sure that is going to happen.  As our little family has grown it is coming the time where we want to be able to wake up on Christmas morning in our home and watch Dexter as he sees for the first time all of the gifts that "Santa" has brought him.  I remember when I was little on Christmas morning my sister and I would always wake up super early, because we were just so excited that Santa had brought us some presents.  We would creep into the living room to take a peek and when we would see all the gifts around the tree it would make us so excited.  It was the happiest feeling.  Then, we would go in our parents room and wake them up so that they could come see all the gifts that "Santa" has brought us.  I want that so badly for Dexter.  I know that he could do that anywhere we stay, but I want that special moment to be in our home.  Is that too selfish of me?  It's these times when I am having to make these hard decisions that I HATE living so far away.  Christmas is not too far away and it will be here before we know it.  There is so many things that I want to get Dexter that I don't even know where to begin. Of course, he won't get EVERYTHING, but a few things won't hurt.  :)  Y'all wish us good thoughts as we try to decide whether this year is the year we start our little family tradition of Santa on Christmas or just wait till next year when he actually knows what is happening.  I'm torn, because of the distance.

Has anyone else started thinking about Christmas? What are some of the things that your little ones will be getting?  I'm thinking the Crayola 3 in 1 Easel for Dexter along with puzzles and a few other things.  He loves the Easel that Kelly has.

Felicia A. Inman
 

Going back to school

As those of you who know me I have a paralegal degree and I am a stay at home mommy!  I had the best job I could have hoped for in the career I chose, but after Dexter was born my husband and I decided that it would be best if I stayed at home with our son.  During this process we have been contemplating what the future would hold.  Would I either A.  go back to work once all of our children were in school or B. go back to school to get my bachelors in something that would have a higher pay grade.  After much thought we have decided that I would go back and get my Bachelors in Education and I would teach some type of Science.  More than likely Biology. This is definitely not set in stone just yet, because I am still exploring the choices and praying about what it is that I am supposed to do!  I love Science, but is it the path I am supposed to be on?  I keep asking myself what it is that I am supposed to be doing and I just don't know the answer.  This is what I do know!  I am really good with people!  I do well talking to others and I hope that my communication skills will be able to help others in whatever field I choose. Which is more than likely Education.  I start this summer with my first class!  I am debating between taking a math course or some Biology.  I guess it will depend if I can get my Biology from Gadsden State to transfer.  For some reason it did not transfer and I have got to find out why.  I would hate to have to re-take it.  Less money out of our pockets!  Wish me luck people and if you have any advice please feel free to offer!

Random thoughts that I wanted to blog about while pregnant that I never got around to.

As I was going through my e-mail and clearing everything out I came across a few e-mails that I had mailed to myself about things that I wanted to share with everyone on my blog while I was pregnant.  Needless to say I never got around to blogging them.  As I look back on the thoughts I find them kind of funny!   So, as they all say better late than never, right? Enjoy.

This is from my e-mail dated January 12, 2012:

My whole survival of eating depended on one simple thing, anything I could dip in ketchup!!! So, for roughly 2-3 months I ate chicken fingers and French fries.  Once I would find something I could eat I would eat it for a week straight until the thought of it would make me want to vomit.  One week I ate kfc FRIED chicken (my normal is grilled), mashed potatoes and corn on the cob and the next I would eat taco bell nachos.  That was off and on for a while.  Let us not forget that as soon as I would get home from work I would eat whatever I had picked up on the way home and then I would go straight to bed.

A few other things going on in my body was the fact that I was scared.  I was scared for financial reasons, emotional reasons, getting stretch marks scared & all the things that I really shouldn’t be worrying over in the first place.  I kept thinking about all the things that would need to be done and what I needed to do to get them done.

Dexter

Dexter at 4 months old



I probably should have started posts like this back when Dexter was first born, but to be honest with everyone I just haven't had the time or felt like doing anything like this. 

Dexter is 4 months old and will be 5 months here in just six (6) short days! He has changed so much in the past 4 months!

                                                       See how his looks have changed.

At his 4 month check up he weighed 15 lbs. and 9 oz.  and was 26 3/4 in. long.  He is now growing out of his 3-6 months clothing and can fit 6-9 months stuff perfectly.  He is a big boy!!   

After his 4 month check up he started eating rice cereal and after about a week of that we started with sweet peas!  The boy loves to eat and he eats very well!  He did not once gag or choke on his food and I hope that it stays that way!  So far we have had sweet peas, green beans, and rice cereal.  Tonight he will try some squash for the first time!   

Dexter smiles and laughs with us now and has been doing so for a while.. i just haven't posted about it!  His smile can turn my worst days around!  One look at it and everything inside of me melts away and I forget about everything!  He has started to get a sense of humor! I can be staring at the tv while he is laying next to me on the couch and he will start whynning and as soon as I look at him he will giggle.  So, I look at the tv and he goes to whynning again and I look back at him and he starts giggling!  I love this little game that we play.  I could do it all day!  Unfotunately, he gets bored with it before I do!! 

                           This is actually in mid giggle while playing that game while we were out eating.

Everyday is something new with him and I am looking forward to the rest of my life with this little guy. 

Enjoy,

Felicia Inman



They love to squeeze my heart

Let me tell you a few things that squeezes my heart!

I love having my own little family what some would call HOME.  I love picking Dexter up from the day care and seeing his eyes follow me everywhere once he knows I am there!  I love it when he tries his best to make a sound and all that comes out is a little squeak and a cooee here and there.  I love watching him smile and watching him do it with his whole face.  Dexter is almost 2 months old now.  Every day he grows a little bigger and he looses a little more of his hair.  Although, the underneath tiny hairs are popping up all over his head!  Dustin had said one night that he was going to grow more hair before he lost it! haha.  Dexter is becoming more and more active as the days go by.  I love having watching all these nieces and nephews grow!  They are so stink'n cute.  I could just gobble them all up!  Watching everyone of these babies grow just brings joy to my soul.  I am so thankful for everything that I have and for my family and friends.  Without everyone I would be lost.  Thank you for squeezing my heart just a little bit each day!

I love each and everyone of you.  Especially, my sweet husband and son!  Without you I am nothing!  

Love, 

Felicia

I want to take a minute to remember someone who was very dear and close to me. My sister, Marie. I miss her still just as bad today as the day she passed away.  I wish so badly she was here to see all these wonderful new babies.  She would have been a wonderful Aunt to them.  She was a great sister and one of my best friends at the time.  I am sure we would have been just as close if she was still here today.  She will forever be in my heart!  They say things happen for a reason, but I am still searching for the reason.  The only thing I can think of is it has brought me so much closer to my other wonderful sister, Denise.  We are tight.. haha.. 

I love you two and together you squeeze my heart!

A few things I'm loving today

1.  My husband, Dustin, and our son, Dexter!

                                                                  Aren't they precious

2. The Moby wrap!  If you have a baby this is a must have or at least for me it is.  They carry so well and Dustin and I can take walks and he just sleeps.  It does not hurt my back to carry him around in it either.  It is comfy!  Dexter isn't used to the stroller just yet because he is still too small but with the Moby wrap doing things like taking walks or going to outdoor events will now be possible. :)

3.  I am loving my new phone, LG Spectrum!! (Anniversary present from my wonderful husband)

4. I love the Willow tree figurines!

 The two that I have are:

This one is called home!
What the creature of this piece has to say about it.
"I wanted to capture the time in your life when there’s a lot of excitement, happiness, yet a big unknown. This piece connects the concepts of Home and Family — you are creating your own family — your own home. There’s been a shift in your life cycle. It’s about establishing roots in a way that centers and grounds you as a couple. It can be scary, but also has you in awe. Together, you’re creating a sense of place — building something — permanence and belonging. To each other and to the someone else that you haven’t met yet, but that you already love. I wanted the title to have a hidden layer of discovery ... I like the twist of taking a noun and using it as an adjective to explain a feeling one might have, but can’t always verbally express."

This one is called Our Gift and the creature of this piece has this to say about it.
"I remember when we brought our first-born home, and walked into our house. I had an overwhelming sense of fulfillment -- it seemed like our whole house was warm and full of light. When you bring a new baby home, all of a sudden you understand the excitement of being a family – this, now, is your family. It’s the start of something wonderful and new, and that, in and of itself, is a joyful gift."

I can't wait to fill my house with many many more. :)  I want them all!!! hehe..

5.  I am loving that Monday will be the last final Dustin has to take for this semester.  Maybe he will get to spend some more time with us here at home. Only one more class to go for him in the Summer and he will have his Masters Degree!! I'm so proud and excited for him!

6.  I am loving that when I stepped on the scale I automatically dropped 26 pounds after giving birth to my son!! Can't wait to hit the gym again and maybe loose this little flub that is left over!  

7.  I am loving that this week I can start letting my son sleep all night long if he desires!  The boy sleeps so much and for the past 4 weeks we have literally been having to wake him up for his feedings in the middle of the night or during the day.  We have truly been blessed and lucky with our first child.  He sleeps and doesn't  cry that much.  He is pretty easy going.  He is  a HEALTHY little boy and I can't thank god enough for blessing us with this little man!!

Just a few things that I am loving :)

Enjoy!

Dexter Inman

I'm a little behind on this post!!!

Our little man has finally arrived!!!!

Born: March 27, 2012 at 5:45 p.m.

Weight:  7lbs. 6oz.

Height: 21in.

Check out this cutie

Let me try to tell you my son's birth story.  Monday, March 26, 2012 was my once again doctor's appointment to check my fluid levels on the baby being that they have been low.  Well, I get there and my fluid level dropped even lower to a 5 so after some debate and fetal stress monitors and all that lovely stuff my doctor decides that it is time for Dexter to come out and meet all of us!! He instructs me to be at the hospital at 10:00 p.m. that night to be induced!! After arriving there that night they get me back there and the nurse calls in someone to start my IV.  Well, the first try didn't work so she turns my arm and does the back of my arm in a place that I have never had it done before and just tries and tries and tries to thread that needle in.  Let me just say I was in tears and not very happy!!!  Well, that needle didn't go in either so she got another nurse in there and started on my other arm to try to get one in.  By this point I am crying because I was so nervous and I couldn't understand why they were having trouble getting my IV in which I've never had any problems in the past!! Thank the good lord above that the other nurse knew what she was doing and got that sucker in! It may have hurt but it worked!! I was almost at my breaking point!  So after that everything is good and they start the pitocin( or however you spell that)  and I try to get some sleep! Let me tell you those birthing beds are so not comfortable!!!! The next morning they crank my drip up and when I start to feel more and more pain I ask for the epidural!  Those things are amazing and I highly recommend getting one even if it can give you a spinal headache which we will go into later.  So, the anesthesiologist comes in to do my epidural and in the middle of doing it he kept saying something about missing the middle and getting it a little more to the left.. The whole time I am think WHAT!!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU MISSED!!! THAT IS MY SPINE YOU ARE PLAYING AROUND WITH BACK THERE!! lol... And then yet again he says something about a little bit of fluid coming out and so I may develop a spinal headache!.  Then again I am thinking GREAT Just what I wanted a spinal headache!! Anyways everything else went great with the epidural and it done it's job!  HOORRAAAYYY!!!!! Okay I realize this is starting to drag on so long story short at 5:00 or 5:15 I start pushing and out comes this baby at 5:45 p.m.!!! He is just precious and everything I have ever dreamed of.

Life with this little man here has been great!!! He is not a real fussy baby, cross my fingers and knock on wood!! haha. He sleeps all the time and I actually have to wake him up for the feedings.:)  He sure does love to eat!!!  He eats 4 oz. at a time and breast feeds too!! Sometimes he still acts hungry!!  Breastfeeding is tough and I can honestly say I DO NOT enjoy it! It hurts so bad sometimes and I was literally cringing at the thought of breastfeeding him sometimes! I think he has latch problems.  I should probably go talk to a lactation consultant.  Its been tough from the beginning because I had a spinal headache and it was hard to sit up, but I still did it and then my milk wasn't coming in good and the baby lost too much weight so the doctor had me to supplement which worked great in helping him to gain back the weight and keep it on.  Since I started supplementing it is really hard to keep solely breastfeeding because he just isn't satisfied with only breastmilk.  That is okay! I am still breastfeeding him and supplementing!  I know there is mothers out there that breastfeed solely and have no problem with it and that is great but I am apparently not one of them:(!! I am glad that he got all the colostrum and is still getting breast milk.  No I am not a failure at it because I still try my best with it but its not for me and I will not breastfeed for too much longer.  I want to at least get 1 or 2 months out of it:)!! Anyways off of that rampage.  Dexter was a whopping 8 lbs at his last appointment which was his 2 week checkup:)  His eyes are starting to change a little, but we can't tell just yet what color they will be.  I am hoping for Green like his daddy's!!  Dexter is sleeping in his crib now:)  In the mornings when daddy leaves for work is usually his morning feeding time and after that he lays with mommy and I just love it!!! We tried putting him in the play pen to sleep when he was first born but he would have nothing to do with it.  So for the first 2 1/2 weeks he slept with us.  I know I know I said I wouldn't do it but the boy just would not sleep without me. hahah.  At first he would have nothing to do with the sleep wrap thing either.  He liked to be able to move his arms, but this week he has let me put him in it 4 times:)!! Although, he has to be so asleep that he doesn't realize he is being put in it.  He sure does sleep better in it:)!!  I could use a baby sitter for one day to let me get this house up to par. The down side to living 2 hours away.

Now for some pictures of our little man!!!  can you believe we still don't have any photos of us as a family:(!!! Makes me sad!! We have pictures with him separately but not together.  I will be getting some soon!! I wanted to make some right after but with my spinal headache it just didn't happen!!  Anyways back to the pictures of Dexter....

ENJOY!!