Traxel Time: 2015

December 28, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015

Click HERE to see the

2015 Traxel Family Yearbook

December 7, 2015

Lily is 18 Months Old!

Big Events:

9/7 - 15 Months Old on Labor Day
9/15 - Announced her Big Sister status
9/19 - Mount Vernon for the Stanbrough wedding
10/3 - Center Grove Orchard with Amanda
10/4 - Cousin Ben's birthday party in Grimes
10/10 - Flu shot and then riding the train for Papa's birthday
10/30 - Downtown trick or treating
11/21 - 18 mo and Family Pictures in the snow with Val Marlene Photography
11/25-27 - Thanksgiving with the Goodmans
12/7 - 18 Months old

Size (Percentile): as of 12/10

Height - 31.75" (48%)
Weight - 21# 6.5oz (33%)
Head Circumference - 18.9" (90%)

Typical Daily Schedule:
Wake up around 8:30, breakfast (milk and cheerios) with snuggles on the couch, play time, lunch at 11, nap from noon-3/3:30, snack (water bottle and granola bar/animal crackers), play time and/or errands, dinner and bedtime routine (bath, pjs, brush teeth, books and bed) starting at 7, usually asleep by 8.

Things I Love:

Reading books
Anything she can "drive" - and they all say "weee!"
Talking
Giving hugs and kisses
Her flannel blankies
Pointing out all the "babies" - aka people or pictures of people, no matter their age.

My New Milestones:

Tooth #6 and working on the first molar
Takes herself to bath/nap time
Brings us specific things when asked
Puts away all the shoes (and will take them off your feet to do it)
Words: Amen, up, yeah/yesch (think Sean Connery), nigh-night, bye-bye, baby, Nana, car, truck, please, thank you and love you, duck, cat, lots of animal noises.
Signs: please, more and help
Points to her belly button, feet/toes, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, teeth, and hair
Getting much better with spoon and fork - but hands are still way easier and faster.

Highlights of the "Month":

Wears all 12 month clothes now and still in size 3 diapers (4's for overnight).
Very particular about how to sit on laps - will move your legs depending on if she wants to sit on them or between them.
When it's wet in the bath, her hair is between her shoulder blades... dry it doesn't touch her shoulders. Holy curly!
Waited for Dad by the back door for most of September when it's almost time for him to get home from work. Now she runs to meet him with a hug as he comes in.
Throws her head back to laugh maniacally if she finds something funny. Saying her own name was ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS.
Folds hands to pray before meals and bed... and will interrupt the prayer to say "aaa-meh" if she's impatient to get her food.
Aunt Amanda came over for daytime trick or treating. Lily was a monkey (we said "peas" instead of trick or treat) and if you asked her what monkeys say, she said "ROAR"... Pax was a lion and had been practicing.
Couldn't have asked for a more helpful toddler for family pictures - such a cheeser!
Slowly transitioning to regular bedding - the crib now contains both her blankie and a regular quilt. Pillow soon to come (just have to remember to wash the case).
Molars are mean. We're about a month into waiting for this one and sleep is now non-existent from the pain.
Big sister training! Loves giving kisses to Little Brother in Mom's growing belly.

November 9, 2015

Boy or Girl: Old Wives Tales for Baby #2

With our ultrasound coming up on Thursday, I figured I would bust out and update this post from when I was pregnant with Lily. Her result was 11:9 girl - so 55% right. Hopefully Baby#2 will cooperate enough that we get to know if Lily will have a little sister or brother! It will be interesting to see which of these will be right twice - the * means it was right with Lily.

Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate*

If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl.

If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.

Prediction outcome: Girl (160 bpm)

Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly*

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.

Prediction outcome: A little early to tell, but leaning toward boy

Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test

Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #4: Acne*

If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #5: Cravings*

People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant,

you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit,

and orange juice, you are having a little girl.

Prediction outcome: Neither, but salty more than normal. Boy

Old Wives Tale #6: Legs*

If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.

Prediction outcome: No change, Girl

Old Wives Tale #7: Moodiness

If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #8: Chinese Gender Chart*

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #9: Mom’s Beauty*

Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, a little boy it is.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #10: Dream of Sex of Baby*

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl.

If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #11: Clumsy vs. Graceful

If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #12: Side You Most Rest On

If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy.

If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #13: Dad’s Weight Gain

If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl.

If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #14: Breast Test*

If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast,

she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #15: What Do You Think?

71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #16: Morning Sickness

If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #17: Protein

When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.

Prediction outcome: Girl

Old Wives Tale #18: Feet*

Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant?

If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #19: Headaches*

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Old Wives Tale #20: Baby Names

It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl,

you will have that particularly baby.

Prediction outcome: Boy

Final Score?

Boy: 11 and Girl: 9
It's a Boy!

The list is taken from this link.

September 15, 2015

Oh My Goodness!

Traxel Time is getting a new edition! Baby #2 is due 4/2/16

September 13, 2015

Lily is 15 Months Old!

Big Events:

6/7 - Turned One!
6/12-6/14 - Stayed with Nana and Papa while Mom and Dad went to Galena
6/29-7/3 - Trip to Oklahoma to visit Great-Great Grandma. Dad in Canada
7/10-7/12 - Heritage Days in Mount Vernon
7/20-7/22 - Baby B stayed with us while his foster family had a new baby
7/25 - Celebrated cousin Madeline's 1st birthday
8/2 - Celebrated Pax's 1st birthday
8/3-8/8 - Stayed at Nana's while Daddy was in NC for work.
8/18 - Got my 5th tooth
8/20-8/23 - Stayed with Grammy and Grampy while M&D went to KC.
8/22 - Started walking
9/7 - 15 Months Old on Labor Day

Size (Percentile): home approximates

Height - 29.5"
Weight - 19.9 lbs
Head Circumference - 18.5"

Typical Daily Schedule:
Wake up around 8:30, breakfast of milk and cereal, play time, lunch, nap from 11:30-2:30, snack (water bottle and crackers), play time (usually a walk when Dad gets home), dinner and bedtime routine (bath, pjs, books and bed) starting at 6:30, usually asleep by 8.

Things I Love:

Reading my books
Walking all over
Putting the animals into the toy ark
Baby dolls and stuffed animals
Meat, potatoes, fruit, YOGURT (see picture below)

My New Milestones:

Transitioned to whole milk from formula
Drinking from a straw - love my Camelbak!
Got my 5th tooth
Walking!
Wave, blow kisses, "answer the phone" and "Oh my goodness"
Starting to help pick up toys by giving them to M&D to put in the baskets.

Highlights of the Month:

I almost fit in most of my 12 month clothes now and I'm still in size 3 diapers.
I bring my books to Mom or Dad and sit on their lap until they read to me. When I read them by myself I repeat "buh" over and over as I "read".
My hair got long enough for a fountain pony on top and now pigtails. I end up with little buns because it is SO curly.
I make funny faces at Mom and Dad, crinkling up my nose.
My "friends" are starting to become real friends. Pax and I are really excited to see each other in the morning and I got to play at the 4th of July parade with Logan, Ryder, Finley and Hunter! So much fun!
When Mom goes to put me down for nap, I give her a big hug, snuggle on her shoulder, give her kiss and then lean into the crib to tell her to lay me down to sleep.
We traveled a lot this summer. I still won't sleep in the car, so that was exciting, but I'm still a pretty good sport. On the way to and from Oklahoma (8 hours each way) I only slept about an hour total!
I met my Great-Great Grandma in July! She was almost 98 years old! After her birthday in August, she sent me her balloons so I could play with them.
I also spent a lot of time in the Ergo with Mom this summer because Mom and Dad love to go on walks after work.
I loved the pool in OK but hate it at home, so mom thinks it's probably because of how cold the water is here.
Mom and Dad left me with my grandparents for two weekend trips this summer - with Nana and Papa when they went to Galena and with Grammy and Grampy when they went to Kansas City. I finally learned how to walk while Mom and Dad were in KC, so I walked to Mom for the first time on her birthday.
I got my first real injury in July when I took a header off the love seat and hit my face on the TV stand. I looked like Scarface, but after a short cry it was worse for Mommy than for me.
I need to moved up to the toddler room at D6 since I started walking. I've been in that room for a long time so Mom was a little nervous, but I did great with Jessamy and the Beckers.
Mom and Dad have really enjoyed playing with me now that I'm more of a toddler than an infant - I get to play with them instead of just look at them like they're weird.