Chunky Monkey

Our chunky monkey, aka JoJo, is 3 months old but we both feel like she's been here for longer she's such an integral part of the family.  At her check-up the other day she weighed 14 pounds 3 ounces and was 25 inches long.  I can't believe how big she is already!  For the most part she was very pleasant at the doctor's office.  She even gave the doctor a smile as she pressed on her herniated belly button to feel for the size of the defect.  However, the minute the doctor flipped JoJo onto her belly all hell broke loose.  JoJo was so desperate to escape the clutches of her perceived enemy that she was doing a commando crawl across the examination bed.  Of course this didn't help her in any way but the rest of us got a good laugh at her expense.  JoJo has also started reaching for toys and using her little fists to bat at them which is fun to watch.

Alex definitely loves her little sister though she can be jealous of her at times.  For the most part though Alex makes sure JoJo gets kisses all of the time and has even started to play with her a little more...though this mostly involves lying down next to her or sitting next to her since JoJo is still kind of just a little blob of a person.  It will be an exciting day when the two girls can play together.  JoJo is also very interested in Alex and watches most everything she does with great curiosity.  About a month ago I noticed JoJo noticing Alex for the first time which was so cute.  She just looked up at her smiling as if to say "Hey!  I recognize you!"

That's it for now.  I just wanted to give a little update on Miss Josephine.  She's blossoming into the happiest baby who is even letting us sleep, God bless her.

Must. Have. Caffeine/Alcohol

Little JoJo was baptized a week ago.  It was all a rather uneventful event though Jo cried almost the whole time and Alex took advantage of no parental supervision to walk up and down the center aisle sizing up her fellow parishioners.  Imagine a little blonde baby casually strolling the aisle and peering into each pew as if she's trying to determine whether this would be the pew for her to hang out in.  Imagine me, trying so hard not to laugh I'm crying, and wondering why one of the three sets of grandparents doesn't grab her.  Either way, we're lucky to attend such a wonderful church that nobody seemed bothered by her curiosity.  Of course, Marcus and I both question how much longer Alex will be able to get away with such shenanigans before people start to label her as out of control and us as poor parents.  I'm hoping for a few more years because as of this very moment there isn't much Alex will listen to unless it involves food and even then you may not get the desired response.

She's in the middle of the "terrible twos" though they started months ago.  I hate to admit it but she's absolutely frustrating on a day to day basis.  I'll be the first to admit Alex is me in a miniature version.  She has my personality and my quick temper.  Put the two of us together and add a bad mood on either of our parts and there is surely trouble at hand.  Our relationship is nothing short of bipolar.  Our good days are marvelously good but our bad days are by far the worst day of our lives.  I love her to death but Lord help me...there are days that I question why the f*** we decided to have children.

Marcus informed me the other day that he's given up alcohol and caffeine for the New Year.  My jaw dropped.  "But, how could you possibly do that?" I questioned.  He didn't really have a good answer for why he decided to do it but I can tell you this: Without the promise of a cup (or five) of coffee in the morning and a glass (or ten) of wine at the end of the day I wouldn't have much reason to live as the situation currently stands.  I don't believe the women who claim being a stay at home mom is the best "job" they've ever had.  I call bullsh*t on that one because I can tell you, the best job I ever had was the one I just gave up and it didn't involve fighting with a two year old (and losing) or changing diapers 100 times a day.  I'm sure I'll grow accustomed to this new found way of life but until then I'll continue my caffeine and ever increasing alcohol addiction thankyouverymuch.