2 Years ago Today

2 Years ago today we welcomed our little miracle into this world. It is still a difficult day to reflect upon but the outcome continues to amaze us every day. I am truly thankful for modern medicine, my heavenly father and the incredible miracle he has given us to raise. She entered the world looking like this...weighing 2.2lbs and fighting with all her might and now today...

Celebrated her 2nd Birthday looking like this!!!! (full of personality) She has already had an incredible journey and we know she has a special mission here on earth. She has already touched our lives more than we can imagine. We love our Little Lexi!!!We wanted to do something special for Lexi and as you know from a previous post this kid is obsessed with the pool and now apparently shower ("pooo or wa wa"). We ventured to a local YMCA that actually had open swim hours today so Lexi could finally get some more time in the pool and of course Ky was all on board with this idea as well. We had a good time but the water was colder than we were hoping and Lexi began to Shiver and tell us she was "cooo" quicker than we were hoping but as you can see the girls found probably just as much excitement from their own individual warm showers that lasted for quite awhile. After about 10 min. I asked Ky if she was ready to turn it off and she replied, "No, not yet" and continued singing away and soaking up the warmth. These small little moments mean the world and we had a great time just being a family. Oh, how I wish they wouldn't grow up so fast!

SELECTION SUNDAY

This is a day in our home that often gets counted down till! Quote from Skylar, "6PM baby you know where I'll be!" The rest of the evening is followed by numerous phone calls, much reflextion and contemplation, several hours reviewing the teams past on the Internet and then the beginning of filling out the BRACKET. Anyone relate? However, our intelligent 4 year old has laid on the guilt and put things into perspective. Sky is often rushing home from church to catch the end of a game and Ky has learned how into sporting events Dad gets. Well, last week I was interested as well since Duke was playing and Kylee was apparently being ignored or not in the mood to play on her own. She then stated, "It's more important to take care of your kids than to watch a boring sports show!" Last night when all of this was going on again she reminded Dad about what she told him last week since we of course made a big deal out of it and now when Sky needs a perspective check I can have Ky do my dirty work...always sounds better coming from your kid than your wife. Don't get me wrong I love Sky's passion and excitement for sports especially March Madness! Things would be a little better if I could get him to cheer for DUKE with me but that is just never going to happen so those games will always just get a little heated in our home. Also, Ky does enjoy watching sports hear and there and often asks what color Dad is cheering for, she just isn't in for the 3 hour event. "Dad, you are always watching football!" :)

Will Sky figure out a way to get off work early Thursday and Friday...I'm sure we all know that answer is a YES! At this point I need to say, GO DUKE and bring on the MARCH MADNESS!

Lexi's current choice of ATTIRE!!!

We are over joyed at how well Lexi's speech is coming along. We have an excellent speech therapist that comes to the house every week and it is sure paying off. She is now saying about 20 words and definitely understanding the need to communicate. She tries so hard and we've always been impressed with how hard she works when the therapist is here. We just love listening to her and cheering her on. Anyway, one of her recent new words that she picked up on all by herself is pooo (pool) as she found her bathing suit on her closet floor, a few weeks ago, which didn't fully get put away from our Florida trip. Apparantly, this kid remembers how much fun the pool was as she now asks for it every day. I thought this would die down after a couple of days but we are going on 2 weeks of daily asking for the "pooo" or "wa wa". I am breaking her sweet little heart when I say, "We can't, it is too cold" or "Sorry, Lex I don't have a pool." She begins to cry or get pretty frustrated over the situation. We finally one night just put the swim suit on over her clothes after she continually had brought it to us over and over. We didn't know how she would take it but apparantly we pleased her little heart. She was so excited as she began to rub her belly and prance around. This has begun to repeat itself over and over. We now keep her swimsuits in a place she can find them as Kylee is sick of her unloading her bottom drawer and carrying all of her swimsuits all over the house. (Ky's are now hidden on the top shelf) So, anyone aware of a good indoor pool? or any ideas? Yes, we've done the bath and yes she loves it but she also has become obsessed with the shower. I don't think I've taken a shower without my girls now in over 2 weeks. However, her excitement when she realizes we are getting in makes it totally worth it...dancing on the bathroom floor, grin from cheek to cheek, saying wa wa wa wa! Oh, how I love these moments and wish they could last forever. There is a nice indoor pool not too far but they want 12 bucks a person!!! I just couldn't believe it. Well, I at least have a great idea for her birthday in a few weeks. Oh, and yes that is her silky wrapped around her next...she loves that thing to pieces. Hmm, I wonder why?

My Bed

We are alive and doing well I've just been too lazy to blog. My list of things to get done keeps getting longer as I veg. out every night. I can't help it...it's too tempting to lay back stuffing my face relaxing in front of the TV. HELP...I'm addicted to the TV and my BED! One of the best things on earth is crawling into bed at night, situating all 3 of my pillows (1 between knees) and sleeping through the night uninterrupted. There is one bet I think I could win and that is that I have the most comfy bed out there, especially during the winter with our cozy down comforter. I wish Sky agreed with me he feels it is too hot and always folds it back on top of me. (Oh, well more for me) He also always untucks the sheets at the bottom of the bed quoting that line from Seinfeld leaving me to retuck them in constantly, driving me nutts. Anyone else do the same thing? Anyway, this love for my bed dose pose a problem as I never want to get out of it in the morning. Luckily, Ky is just like me and loves morning cuddles in my bed. Lexi is beginning to get the hang of it but she just squirms around too much. I have become very wise and educated in the ways of having them play and hangout in my bedroom/bathroom while I get an extra 15 min. or even up to an hour of snuggling/dosing time in my bed. I do often pay for this later as I have a nice mess to clean up but it is totally worth it! I milk it the best I can on Tues. and Thurs. when there is no preschool. This brings me to my next BIG concern. What am I going to do next year when we have to be up and ready for the bus at 7:30. We are talking like a 6:45 wake up every morning. We recently found out Kylee will have all day kindergarten next year which has sent me into a nonstop panic mode (and it begins at the butt crack of dawn). So any of u out there that have already experienced this send your advice my way! Pretty sad that the tears have already begun and I still have 6 more months...I know pathetic. I just hate realizing that my little girl is growing up.

I've been filling my time lately with getting our home on the market and checking the internet EVERY night for new rental options in Charlottesville. I know the layout of the city pretty well now just from staring at the computer. I've become addicted with it and have to check every night just to see what new stuff has popped up. We did head down there a few weekends ago to get a feel for the area, school districts, the wards, etc. We are trying to get excited for our move. If anyone knows of someone looking for an amazing townhome near Hershey send them our way. We are pretty nervous about selling our place. More ramblings to come soon. Did anyone make it through this boring post?

Maybe we will end up there???

Ok, post number 2 because it is just too hard to not document our times away as a family. Florida was COLDER than normal but of course didn't stop us. Lexi discovered the hot tub very fast and it quickly became her favorite spot as she would venture back and forth between the pool and top step of the hot tub. (Tiring for me but the girl already has her own agenda and wants to be a big girl like her sister.) She continues to make us laugh and gets more beautiful everyday. We just can't get enough of her. She had a hard time with the sand at the beginning but finally warmed up to the fact that it was ok for her toes to be sandy. She was quite the social butterfly with surrounding guests and was just over joyed to be outside. She has been so pent up at home and watches Kylee leave all the time. Lexi just giggled with excitement every day and couldn't get enough of each experience. Some awesome friends joined us for the end of the trip but unfortunately Dave couldn't make it. Sky was terrific like always watching all the kids so Mel and I could enjoy some girl time. Part of this time was spent teaching them how to find sea glass and with all this training (as you can see) Kylee has become an expert. She now has her own container full at home and our display jar is overflowing. Sky could spend hours collecting this stuff and I feel proud to have introduced him to it. Oh, and the trip is never complete until they catch a lizard or two and this time even a gecko!

Kylee's world now focuses on friends! This kid can't have enough playdates and when she discovered her good friend Zanna (who has moved to NY) was going to spend 4 days in Florida with her she was on countdown mode anticipating her arrival. They had a blast together as you can see, enjoyed being goofy, swimming as much as possible, matching every outfit as best as they could even down to the underwear, and getting all fancy for one of our nights out. I never heard, "what are we doing next mom" the entire time they were there!

One Saturday was spent at the Palm Beach Science Center which was an awesome discovery. We spent over 4 hours there and Kylee still would have stayed longer. I was surprised at how many perfect entertaining and educational hands on things there were for her. She still talks about it and wants to go back. I love how eager these young minds are to learn. Is this not the classic picture? We were capturing our own shadows and must have done it over 30 times. One area was the grossology lab where we learned more about gas, boogers, burping, barfing...hmmm!?!?

Lastly, I love watching these girls together and am thankful they have each other. Kylee loves taking care of Lexi and is always watching out for her. Oh there are going to be some tough tough times with these two but thank goodness for those priceless moments as well! Florida just puts me in a good...who knows maybe we will end up there. Sky made some awesome connections!

Back Home from our 2nd Home

I think one of the best parts about being away from home is you don't have to think about all the projects or day to day tasks that you should be working on because you can't. You can relax without any guilt. Sky and I hung out in front of the TV or on the porch every night and just loved it. Now don't get me wrong you all know how much TV or vegging I do at home in the evenings but it is never guilt free. It is easy to say that we had an incredible time and could never get sick of the Florida scenery. We had a great time together as a family and as always Skylar managed to pull off getting home at a reasonable time every day. I have over a 100 pictures I could share and I do want to post a few but first we must show off one of Ky's HUGE accomplishments. We are so proud of how far she has come in the water. She has been so nervous to get her face wet even after watching all her cousins swim over the summer but here ya go guys and thank you Zanna for some of your encouragement! Also, Lexi has finally picked up on a few more words and discovered them in Florida. We tried to capture a few so listen carefully

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You better Believe it!

Yes, it's true....The Alsop's now own a MINI VAN!

Yes, it's true....we are heading to Florida AGAIN!

Yes, it's true....we are actually going to drive there as a family!

Ok, brother's, brother in-law, certain friends, etc. give me all the heck you want over the dreaded mini van purchase. They are just too practical to pass up and even Sky is raving about it. (wow, scary) My Jetta from college is on its last leg. It has been good to us but it is time to say good-bye. How times change. I'm now driving around a mini van with my two girls in the back seat just loving my automatic doors and enjoying watching them climb in on there own. We purchased a Toyota Sienna just a couple days ago and are loading it up and heading to Florida. You all know how terrible my girls are in the car and we are actually going to attempt a 17 hour drive together. All I need to do is just battle it out and will be welcomed by paradise as we get away from this absolutely freezing weather. Tomorrow it is onlygoing to be about 15 degrees but on Saturday I should experience 70 degrees. Ky, has been asking non-stop to go to Florida where it's warm and no coats are needed. We've trained her well or should I say spoiled her well. Skylar pulled off another rotation in Florida...man I love the perks of the PATHOLOGY Residency. Chat with you all in a few weeks if I make it through the drive. Don't worry I'm flying home with the girls.

Raise the Kiss!

It is only suiting that on New Year's Eve in Hershey they raise the KISS and then follow it with a fun firework show. I know I've said it over and over but I just love the little things they do in this town and am going to miss them when we leave. Well, it was freezing FREEZING cold new year's eve with the horrible PA wind on top of that and we almost wimped out. We had about 15 minutes to spare until 12 and I insisted on going. We made it to the square in time for the celebration thanks to our perfect illegal parking spot and my parents staying home with the girls! With more effort than you would think we finally pulled off a group shot. I first apparently asked a person who was hard of hearing or just didn't want to bail us out and then an older gentleman was willing but it wasn't till about 6 tries that he finally remembered the right button to push. I think he did a pretty good job and I guess the message is...cherish this picture! We were sure glad that Laura and Tay made it to Hershey for a few days as well. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

X-mas came and went

Sometimes I feel like there is so much preparation, planning, excitement, work and then snap the day is over. Thank goodness all that time leading up to Christmas is fun and well worth it. We finally just finished putting all the decorations away after Kylee gave many of them a kiss good-bye. When we told her it was time to take stuff down she replied, "oh dang, why does christmas have to be such a short holiday?" (ha ha) We had a great one and before I move on I have to go back and recap.

As I mentioned before Kylee was just so much fun this year as she got into everything! It was just a riot watching her sprinkle food out on the lawn for the reindeer, assuring her that Santa knew she was at Grandma's house, and watching her write her own letter to him with the cookies.

These were our darling girls christmas morning. As always Grandma (oops santa) did an amazing job arranging all the gifts. Kylee was very excited to have gotten a new chair and quickly passed the old pink one onto Lexi. You all know how much Kylee uses her chair and Lexi is the same way. They now each have one and they continue to get used daily.
We began with stockings on G'pa & G'ma's bed following our childhood tradition. Lexi was more concerned with any kind of food she could find in hers and once discovered gave up on searching for anything else. Here she is with her mouth full as she often is. Ky, was just amazed at how much could fit in there and just kept pulling out.
Both girls were spoiled rotten as always between all their grandparents and Santa but don't worry there was no complaining going on. Kylee's highlights were her Barbie's, her own Barbie laptop (way to go Mom), Magformers from Nana which Ky and G-pa had a blast with (very clever Linda) and her own copy of Pinkalicious. I could go on and on......
Lexi luckily made it through the day as she got pretty sick the day after but she is always a trooper. She couldn't get enough of her OWN TALKING baby doll and her horsey! (thank you) She actually still has a gift or two to still open which I guess we will keep on reserve.
We are SO glad my sister Laura and her husband Taylor made it out for Christmas. They of course added to the party! Ky, loves the energy Uncle Tay brings and has become Laura's little shadow. They had a great time baking together and talking about the little girl in Laura's tummy. Kylee's wish is to be a Mom already and took great care of Laura's belly. She was a little worried about me giving some of her baby clothes to her and wanted to make sure we were keeping some for her baby one day.
Nothing better than the holidays with family!

Ky has been obsessed with her Christmas jammie's and still wearing them every night. At this rate we may still be celebrating x-mas in the spring!

Oh, and x-mas morning is even more complete when you accomplishing getting an expression like this from parents who in my opinion are hard to shop for. We got um with a perfect family collage from our reunion this past summer.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Kylee wanted to send a little shout out to everybody. She performed several songs with her preschool and then re-performed a couple at home. We sure wish we could be with everyone for the holiday but for all of you that we won't see, especially Nana and Grandpa Ted here is a short little video for you. (turn your volume up)The girls are eager to travel to my parents house tomorrow and have their reindeer food ready to sprinkle all over the front yard!