Happy Birthday Dexter!

It's a little crazy for me right now that I am sitting down and typing this because I just cannot believe that my baby is two. For me, two is like the cut off for babydom. He is now a full blown toddler. Also, I feel like two is the year that they toddlers become kids. Babble becomes language and walking becomes sprinting. Dexter is still the baby of the family so I'm a little scared that those baby moments with him are over. So I'm going to reminisce for a moment and share with you just how Dexter arrived into this world. 

It all started after baby decided not to arrive before or on his due date. My doctor, Dr. Fait, scheduled me for another appointment 5 days later. I was ready. My hips were killing me, I was having trouble maneuvering around any task, my stretch marks were getting stretch marks and I was having teaser contractions constantly.  I was DEFINITELY ready.

At my appointment the doctor gave me a few options. It was pretty much we induce you today or  tomorrow. My answer was today. As I said it though, I became really nervous. I went home and called Dave to tell him he had to come home from work and take me to the hospital so they could start me on the Pitocin. My mom came with and after they hooked me up we sat and played cards until the contractions got stronger. (Those cards got me through the last month of pregnancy.) 

As soon as they became stronger I had the Anesthesiologist give me an Epidural. As I lay in wait, I imagined what he would look like, if he would have any hair, the smell of his newborn head. 

With Pilot I couldn't feel anything after I had the epidural, I was completely 100% numb from the belly down, but this anesthesiologist seemed to have done it right and I knew when I had to push. About 8 hours after I started on the pitocin and right when my besties arrived I paged the nurse. I felt it and I knew it was time. Once the nurse checked me she sent my friends out of the room. Dave, my mom and Dave's mom stayed. She said "It's time to push." And my body started shaking vigorously again. It was the same with Pilot but I thought I would be calmer with Dexter. I was not. I was so scared that I shook like a leaf. Once my doctor came into the room, and got ready I pulled my legs back and 3 big pushes later, he was here. It was crazy fast. 

Dexter Audio Miller was an 6 pound 10 ounce healthy baby boy. Born on this day in 2009, a half an hour away from being born on 09/09/09. He was nothing like I had imagined. I think I imagined another Pilot. But he wasn't at all. He was Dexter. 

Dexter, my Dexterino, my second king. I never thought I could love someone as much as I loved Pilot but I was wrong. My heart swelled to a million times when I saw your brown eyes for the first time. You look so much like your dad but you are so much like me. A gentle and sweet boy who has stolen my heart. You are the Cheetoh to my puff and you will ALWAYS be my baby. 

I love you Dexter, Happy Birthday.

Dexter: smile!

I wanted to share with you, some of my most favorites snapshots of my leettle Dexterino.

Enjoy!

Dexter's week: Day 1

Dexter's week: Day 2

Amanda

things that Dexter loves and Tune Tuesdays for him.

For the second day of Dexter's awesome week is dedicated to the things Dexter just can't live without. His still too young to have favorite tv shows and the kid will shove just about anything in his mouth so there are only a few things that Dexter just can't go his whole day without having or seeing. But before we get into that press play in the upper right hand corner and listen to Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift. It just about makes me cry every time and since Dexter is my baby this is my song to him.

So, first and certainly foremost is out of Dexter's favorite things are these three: Nouney, Silky and Judy.

Nouney- his pacifier. Pilot wasn't a paci baby so I know we should have taken it away by now but I'm super nervous about it. After his second birthday we are really going to make a game plan to end the nouney phase.

Along with nouney comes Silky- You can't have one without the other. When Dexter was about 7 months old, my mom wanted to give him something comfy to snuggle with at night. She got a silk pillowcase from the bathroom and put him to bed with it. They have been inseparable since and luckily enough, Silky has never been severely lost and we do manage to sneak it away every once in a while to give it a much need wash.

Judy- the poor tortured kitty cat that found her way into Dexter's grasp. We got Judy a few months back. A friend of Dave's had rescued her from a drainage ditch along with her brother and we offered to give her a permanent home. She really is a sassy cat but she has met her match with Dexter and they do not cut each other any slack. But Dexter adores Judy and although she may not admit it, she loves him too. (I caught her sleeping next to him during nap time yesterday :)

Dexter flips at the sight of any vehicles.  He loves them. Every size, shape, color, boat, plane, excavator, you name it. His squeal of delight every time an ambulance passes makes me laugh every time. A very noteworthy favorite.

And last but not least, Dexter loves to be outside. I mean what kid doesn't, right? But I literally have to chase him down and then carry him, kicking and screaming, into the house. He's a caged animal when we are inside. 

 I hoped you enjoyed learning more about our Flex. More tomorrow!! 

Hope you enjoyed the song too.

See what's in Dexter's box.

Amanda

What's in Dexter's Box?

To kick off Dexter's week I am going to show you what I have saved for Dexter as he grows up. Some people write letters, some make videos and some people put together baby books so that they can show their  child things that were important to remember while they were growing up, I keep a box. I don't stuff every little drawing or tissue they sneezed in into it. Just simple things from celebrations of their life. My plan is to continue putting stuff into it until they are 18 and then giving it to them in a chest for their 18th birthday. That way, when my boys become men they can occasionally take out their box and remember how special they are. 

These are the things that I kept from Dexter's baby shower. Yes I had a second shower for my second boy but in my opinion every baby should be celebrated, not just the first born. I kept a balloon, all of the cards from the guests (so he can see who was there), a slip from a scramble word game we played, a gift bag and some little trinket decoration. Also tucked in there is a calender/ planner that I got from my doctor's office on my first visit that I wrote everything down in, from my weight to how i was feeling to all the baby names that i liked. (I think he will like to see that)

Then I have the stuff from when he was born. I kept a hat and t-shirt from the hospital (those little wrap tees are my favorite and my boys wore them at home too until they couldn't fit anymore). I also included his discharge papers and footprints, a bubblegum cigar, a congratulations card from my doctor and a little ceramic bootie with his name, b-day weight etc. painted on. (another gift from the doc.)

Last I kept some things from his first birthday. We had a goldfish party. Goldfish were handed out as party favors in little bowls (we still have three, it's their first birthday!) and baggies of goldfish crackers and bubbles were also given to the children. We had a lot of fun, I just wish I kept more from it. I did keep, an origami fish  which was hanging from the ceiling along with stones from the fishbowls, a paper goldfish bowl banner, a fabric picture bunting, and of course his cards and candle.

Also not pictured was an first Easter bib and a CD with all of the pics from his birthday.

I'm trying to make a promise to myself and the boys to keep more for their boxes. 

Soon to go into Dex's box will be his favorite nouney (more on that later) and his second birthday stuff!! 

I cannot believe my little booger is going to be two. And I can't wait to share more with you about him.

See Pilot's Box here.

Dexter's week

Dexter's birthday is coming fast (8th) and so tomorrow I am going to kick off his week on my blog. He's such an awesome kid so i can't wait to share with you all of Dexter's favorite things!!