Pulling All The Way Up!!!

When I put Alex down tonight for bed, she sat up. Immediately, she grabbed the crib slats and pulled up. I was stunned, yet smiling and so proud. Alex just giggled in a way that she was so excited I got to see her do it. I wonder if she has been doing this in her bed and I am just now seeing it. She was precious. So, of course, I ran and got the camera. Then, I kept sitting her back down to see it again and again. :)


Pulling Up and Cruising

Pulling Up for Daddy

"Look Mommy, No Hands"

For Mimi

"Mimi, I look forward to you coming next Wednesday. Also, thank you for my high chair. I love it and am practicing my pincer grasp with cheerios and puffs on it. Daddy calls it 'hand-eye coordination skills,' but I call it 'independently eating yummy grub.'"
I was actually trying to video her latest cute smile. She was doing it here, but of course stopped when I got the camera. Last week, she started grinning big, closing her eyes, and tilting her head back. She does it several times a day. It is so cute!

Memorial Day Cookout

We hosted a Memorial Day Cookout in which we had a great turnout with great food. I managed to only get a couple of pics at the beginning of a few kids playing. Alex loved hanging out with the older kids. She tries so hard to get in the middle of them, but she is just not fast enough when reaching for the toys. However, the "older" girls are sweet and offer her toys, too.

New Tricks

Notice Alex's advanced moves here. She goes from crawling to a partial hand stand to sitting up. She's been practicing.
Gurgling (sp?) has become her favorite thing to do when she gets the sippy cup. I am so amazed at what she learns on her own.

Neighborhood Pool

We joined the neighborhood pool this year for Alex. It opened on Saturday so we tried it out. The water was freezing as it had rained earlier that day. However, Alex didn't even flinch in the water. She loved it! And yes, she was doted on by all there since she was the youngest munchkin. She just smiled at them all...so sweet. :)

Found Sitting Up Again...

When I first lay Alex down for a nap or bedtime, she practices her new moves over and over. These pics were actually at the end of one of her naps.

9 years ago...

a few pounds and a baby ago, this was us. We got married so long ago, none of our pics are digital. So, we made our own. Notice the camera flash on Chris' pants. ha! Happy 9th Anniversary!

Last Day of MDO

Well, today was Alex's last day of Mother's Day Out until the Fall. She went just a few hours each Thursday. She really enjoyed watching the other babies and playing. Alex was the youngest baby in there so she was always learning new things watching the older ones. Her latest is the weird growl sound. She might have learned it from one of her sound making toys, but it is kind of scary sounding. I'll try to video her doing it and post it. Laura and Shana (left to rt in pic) were great with her at MDO. Thanks ladies!

Go David Cook!!!

YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My #1 pick for American Idol won tonight. I am so excited as I have voted for him the whole season. David C. has an incredible voice, originality, talent and humility. This is the first season of Idol that I have watched. I really enjoyed it and liked several of the contestants. Even though David C. was my fav, I didn't think he would win as David A. had such a large teenager following. However, David C. pulled it out! Good Choice America! (this deserved a blog entry as it has been fun to keep up with and Idol talk has come up in many conversations)

Another First

I went to check on Alex during her "nap" and she was sitting up. That is a first...for her to get into a sitting position on her own!

Standing Up

Alex loves to stand no matter what she is holding on to or doing. She can even take a few steps when holding on to your fingers or the coffee table and couch. Check out her shoulder and bicep muscles. This girl is strong! She's been lifting weights at the gym with mommy. j/k... :)

Pulling Up

Alex loves trying to pull up on stuff.

First Mother's Day

Chris was very creative and thoughtful for my first Mother's Day. He knows I love to paint so he surprised me on Saturday with a trip to Firefly to paint a plate with Alex's footprints on them. We'll post the final piece once it has been fired and ready (in about 2 weeks). We had such a good time! What a special first Mother's Day! Thanks again, Chris and Alex. I love you! One of the workers letting Alex flirt with an 11 month old while we painted the background on the plate.
Alex had fun while a worker painted her feet.
Alex not so sure about them sticking her foot to the plate.
Here goes foot number two.
"I'm going to crinkle my toes so they can't stick this foot on there."
"Well, tickling my foot made me straighten my toes."

Shower for Elizabeth

Layla, Stacie and I hosted a "Sip N See" shower for Elizabeth. It was a sweet time to come by and sip punch (with yummies) and see Daniel, her second precious child. We had a good time. The hostesses with Elizabeth (L to R: Layla, Elizabeth, me, Stacie)
My sweet medical student, Meghan, babysat Alex for me during the shower.
Alex and Reagan sporting their green bows together (unplanned again).

G.I. Jane

Alex has been scooting forward and not just backwards lately. I can already tell she is going to be into everything very soon as she loves to explore. Look out!