7 months!

Dear Lexi,

As much as I try to stop the time, it just keeps ticking. I'll embrace it instead and soak up every second with you! You are at SUCH a fun age! My favorite so far...lots of giggles, mouth-wide-open smiles, squeals, and babbling. You say mamamamamama, babababababa, and may even be saying dadadada (not as clear, sorry babe! ; ))

Right now, you are loving solids. The only thing you have really gagged over is avocados though you did eat them when mixed with a little bit of fruit. Bananas give your tummy issues so we are avoiding those for the moment. You eat two 'meals' a day in addition to EBF.

Your favorite toy is (before Christmas, since you turned 7 months on the 23) your Baby Einstein handheld musical box. You smile when we hand it to you and turn it on...so sweet! You still love paper and try to grab our phones any chance you get. You also love your Saranoni blanket...soft on one side, silky on the other.

You took two long trips between 6 and 7 months...one to visit your great grandparents in Texas, and the other to take a mini vacation in Branson with Aunt Nicole & Uncle Andrew. You had a blast at both! This has been a busy month for you in preparation for Christmas, but you have been a trooper through it all! You love the Christmas tree, especially your light-up ornament from Kirby and Vanna. You even have your own Christmas tree filled with pink ornaments thanks to Aunt Nicole! We have caught you trying to 'sneak' presents several times. When we lay you somewhere and walk away for a second, you are nowhere near where we left you. You are rolling everywhere, and itching to crawl! It won't be long. Your first Christmas was so magical, post to come...until then, a few pics. You'll notice in posts to come that you've gained a new 'signature face.' You smile, but with your bottom lip tucked under the top. It's adorable!

We love you so much Lexi!

Cute Christmas pictures taken by Aunt Nicole & Uncle Andrew to come in next post!

Christmas Traditions

I have never looked more forward to Christmas than I do this year. Getting to witness and be a part of a true miracle of Christ is what Christmas is all about, and this year, I have Lexi to thank for that. Lexi will good-gosh-almight, already?! how?! only be 7 months old on Christmas, but we wanted to start traditions with her now. Keith and I are big believers that even when kids are young, if they don't remember it, that's okay. We will. Traditions we are starting with Lexi this year include:

• A picture with Santa three different ones, 

• Picking out a Christmas ornament (or two, or three, I have a slight obsession with ornaments)   I also plan on making ornaments with Lexi. I have several ideas that I used to use in my classroom. This year, we will make a messy one. I think she'll enjoy it...as long as she doesn't try to eat the mixture!  

               One of this year's ornaments looks like this:

•  Lexi will also be sporting new Christmas pajamas that she will open on Christmas Eve.

• The past two years, Keith and I have made it a tradition to go to a town about 3 hours away from us during Christmas time for shopping and a fun little getaway. In 2009, we ran a 5k that went through the amusement park there at night while the park was lit. SO. MUCH. FUN. Last year, we couldn't do the 5k because I was pregnant and still getting 'evening sickness,' but we did visit that same park to watch their Christmas show.  This year, we have a new addition to our little getaway. Hoping she loves this trip as much as she has loved the others she has been on! We eat at a Mexican restaurant there with the BEST guacamole! We are going this weekend with my sister and her hubby, and I can't wait. They better be ready for some mexican! :)

• Last year, my sister and I planned a trip to the Christmas train in a town owned by a church about 30 min. away. My little cousin was here from New York, and we knew he would love it. He was so funny that night! He asked Santa if a specific friend was on the naughty list. Haha! It was cute, and still one of our favorite stories. We took Lexi this year, and we were worried she was going to be cranky because we were out WAY past her bedtime. She was an angel, and even fell asleep on my sister's shoulder. She never does that!!! We plan to continue the train each year as long as we can get tickets. They sell out fast!

• Elf on the Shelf--

This tradition will be started as soon as Lexi is old enough to understand it (hoping for some fun from it next year). We shall see.

I love love love traditions, and can't wait to continue to add more as Lexi grows older. OH! And Santa will also be getting milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. You are never too old/young to leave cookies for the jolly man in red!

I'm linking up with AP from I love you more than carrots!

Sick Day

Recently, Lexi was running a fever. It was so very sad to see my baby sick, and I have never wished a fever on myself until that morning. I texted my sister and husband frantically in tears asking what to do. This is what our sick day looked like:

Needless to say, my humble sister knows what she is doing. She is the best kid's doc around! Lexi's fever broke after her monster nap, and she was happy as could be. Good thing, since we were scheduled to begin our road trip to visit Keith's grandparents that night (more on that later).

This past weekend I was sick with a fever, and rather than wish for my bed and soak up the rest, I prayed and prayed that I would feel better. It's scary stuff when you are a mom and you are sick. You feel guilty because you know your family needs you. Thank you God for a quick recovery, and for my amazing husband who didn't skip a beat playing with our daughter. She had a blast.She probably likes sick days for mommy...(just a little).

6 months

My sweet baby,

I cannot believe you are half a year old!!! Our baby is 6 months old! Crazy! You are SO much fun right now. You giggle a LOT, and smile all the time. You are still a very curious baby. You like to know what is going on around you everywhere you go, especially church. You enjoy growling, also in church. ; ) We tote you around everywhere we go, and you just go with the flow.

Your current stats from your 6-month appointment: weight- 13, 10--10th percentile, height: 28 1/2, off the charts! Still in mostly 3-6 clothes though.

You eat avocados, bananas, brown rice cereal, and sweet potatoes. You have loved everything so far, although just today (a little over a week past your 6 month birthday), you started turning your nose up at avocados. We are going to try some new veggies/fruits soon that I know you will enjoy. Your sleep is still pretty good, but when we get off schedule, it does sometime throw you off a bit. You are a content baby. You love to stand, jump, play with your yellow cup, and laugh (especially at your Nana). You still love Sophie the giraffe, Pooh, and Bella Butterfly. If there is paper around, you are after it! I think you like school supplies just like your mommy!

You take baths in a big tub now, and absolutely love it! You kick and smile and even laugh when splashed with water.

If you hear your daddy's voice while you are eating, you stop and look around to find him. He cannot leave a room without saying hi to you, otherwise you will not go back to eating. It is TOO cute and sweet! You are sitting up now, but do still have to be watched...sometimes you get too relaxed and tumble to your side. You are so strong, and hold your whole chest up with your arms extended along with your legs raised. It's pretty funny.

You are sleeping in your crib now, and love it! It is also one of your favorite places to play peek-a-boo during the day! We are looking forward to the holidays with you. There is nothing quite like the holidays with a precious baby to spoil. It is so captivating to watch you explore all the beautiful things this season has to offer. You love to 'talk', and really emphasize the mmmmm sound right now. I'm convinced you are gearing up to say 'mama.' Haha...if only I could convince everyone else that that is what you are doing! I have loved EVERY second of this half year with you, and know there are only more sweet & precious moments to come! Thank you for the happiness you bring to your daddy and my lives! We love you to the moon and back again!

A picture I took while trying on clothes for your 6 month pics

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Cowboys!

Recently, we flew to Dallas for my hubby's Christmas present...to watch the Dallas cowboys at their new stadium! Before you even ask, yes...we took Lexi along. She did great! The noise was like a white noise for her and put her to sleep for a good nap. When she was awake, she was happy as could be touring the stadium with me in the ergo, and watching her favorite players.

We got so many weird looks and reactions from the hotel lady at the front desk and our bus driver about us bringing her...so much so that I got really stressed the night before about it. Keith reassured me that if she didn't do well, we would leave. No big deal. I need to remember that many people
Would choose to go without kids and that is perfectly fine... Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I just wish others would see that there is also nothing wrong with choosing to do things like attend an NFL game either kids. Why can't sporting events be family oriented like they used to be? We actually saw several kids and babies. We sat next to really nice people too. Would it have been easier without kids? Maybe. Is it something we would so again? Absolutely! This is us now, and we wouldn't change a thing.

Happy Halloween! Post 1

Well, fall is officially here! I know, it's been here for a while now, but when you live in the midwest you don't feel 'fall-y' (yes, I did just make up my own word) until it starts to look overcast outside with 50-60 degree temperatures.

We had a great weekend this past weekend. We took Lexi to her very first Halloween adventure---HallowZOOeen. We She LOVED it! Haha she was still kind of young for it, but we wanted her to get the most out of her very first Halloween. She had two costumes this year. Why? Who can resist adorable little babies in costumes? At HallowZOOeen she was a soft, fuzzy, pink bunny. On Halloween, she was a baby owl. My sister-in-law made the owl costume. Lexi gave us some interesting 'looks' when we dressed her in both of the costumes, but she quickly forgave us! I don't have all of my pics uploaded yet, but here's a sneak peek...

We also visited the pumpkin patch with my wonderful sister and brother-in-law. They took some pretty cute pics of Lexi, those will be in another post along with the rest of the Halloween pics.

Happy Halloween!!

Cute Little Pumpkin.

Happy Fall!!!

Catching Up...5 months!

Happy 5 months Baby Lexi!! Can't believe it on one hand, and on the other, not sure what we did before you were here! You are becoming SO much fun! Not sure how much you weigh right now since you don't go back to the doctor until next month, but you are wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes with the occasional 0-3 outfit that I can't let go of still fits. You giggle nearly every day, but it varies on what you think is funny. You still love to stand, and get irritated when your legs are too tired and give out on you. You still love to be outside and go on walks.

You are loving your new toy, Sophie the giraffe. You also enjoy playing with your pacifier strap, red ball, Bella Butterfly, and eating reading books. You aren't quite sure of strangers right now, but you are fine as long as you can see us still. You are scared of the sound of the blender.

Tummy time doesn't last very long anymore because you usually roll over to your back soon after being placed on your tummy. You have started to scoot off of your play mat....let the fun begin! ;) When you are tired, you play with your hair, tug at your ear, and rub your eyes. You only take your binky when you are sleepy. Here are pictures from weeks 19-21.

and...can't forget the monthly onesie photo...

Love this little girl SO much!!!

Picture Dump/17 & 18 weeks

I'll probably have a few of these soon because I have not blogged in so long, and Lexi is actually 20 weeks now, but I'm behind, so here goes...

Classic Lexi face right now...

Pretty sure she was pooped from taking pictures. Poor thing!

THANK YOU HUBBY!

As a new mom, my whole world has completely changed! I'm sure there are people out there who know what I mean. You get it. You can't picture your life without your little one in it. Really, WHAT did I do before? I am a new person. I love, laugh, smile until my cheeks go numb, squeal, sing, and talk in a high pitched voice. Umm...yes. Be glad you don't live at my house, unless you are 4 months old, then it is all cookies and cake for you! :) This post is dedicated to my husband. There are so many things this guy needs to be thanked for nowadays.

Thank you hubby being my partner in crime in raising this precious baby girl.

THANK YOU FOR...
Allowing me to be cautious obsessive in making the decisions we do on where we go, what we do, what she'll wear, yada yada yada...

Calming me when I freak out about if she's sick, hurt, mad, sad, angry, tired, you get the gist...

Loving me and telling me that I'm beautiful even when my hair is pulled back into a wet ponytail every day.

Telling me that it is okay and perfectly normal for me to be over protective of our daughter. You always remind me that it is just because I love her SO much.

Not busting a gut laughing while I sing all  each day to our baby.

Being just as easily entertained as I am while sitting back and watching our little girl.

Last, but not least, thank you for loving our daughter the way you do. Lexi is so lucky to have you as her dad.

4 Months!!

Dear Lexi,

You are four months old! I can't believe it! You are SO much fun right now. You started giggling a few days ago. It has got to be the cutest thing I have ever heard! You are still pretty interested in your hands and feet these days. You have your hands in your mouth so often that people wonder if you are teething. I can't feel a tooth yet, but who knows...could be sooner than later.

You are still a little string bean, weighing in at a whopping 11 lbs, 12.5 ounces. That is only in the 10th percentile. You measure 25 3/4 inches, and that is in the 90th percentile. Your doctor is pleased with your growth because you are staying right on your curve...long and lean. You are wearing 3-6 month clothes, but can still fit into some 0-3 months.

You reach and grasp at toys within your reach. They seem to always make it to your mouth these days. You smile when placed on your tummy, and you LOVE to stand with support.

You sleep for 6-7 hour stretches at night. You always wake up happy in the morning. It's one of my favorite times with you. Your eyes are still a bright blue, and your hair is a dark blonde with bits of light brown. You have started to show some interest in Gus. You even reached out and grabbed his fur the other day. He seems to have realized recently that there is indeed a baby in the house!

We recently lost our other dog, Howl, but we are so thankful for our time with him. You are certainly helping during the grieving process for us.

You love your play time with Daddy when he is home from work. He doesn't get a whole lot of time with you on days he works, so he makes sure when he does see you, it is quality time. We are both pretty smitten over you. We love taking you on evening runs or walks, and you enjoy it too. God knew what he was doing when he sent you to us. You fit in perfectly! :) We are excited to start traditions with you during the upcoming holidays.

We have several exciting things planned coming up, and can't wait for you to tag along with us!

 P.S. I like to document your growth through monthly pictures with these onesies, but I also take weekly pictures...which your daddy was shocked when he saw that I still take one every week! Oh well...

A Man and His Dog

Today has been a really difficult day. We had to put down our Basenji, Howl. He has been very ill and quit eating during this past month. He's had some other symptoms recently, but I won't go into those. My poor husband is having a very tough month as it is, and this just added to it. Lexi sure adds a lot of light around our house right now when it is needed most. She giggled for the first time last night! SO cute!!

"Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don't even know we have." - Thom Jones

Howl was the craziest dog I have ever met. Keith and Howl had a special bond. He really wasn't a fan of other dogs. Keith always joked it was because he was picked on as a puppy. You will be missed Howl.

•  We will miss having to shut the bathroom door each time we leave because you LOVE toilet paper.
• We will miss placing any food anywhere near where you can stretch your paws on the kitchen counter after coming in the room to an empty bag of calizone.
• We will miss using your tail as a 'plug' on the way home from college every weekend.
• We will miss coming home to you destroying an article of our clothing by pulling it into the cage with you, even if it was my underwear.
• We will miss clapping our hands as fast as we could and watching you run in circles on the wood floor like Bambi on ice.
• We will miss you creating, or rather maintaining, the indention in our couch from laying in your favorite spot each day.
• We will miss having to call you to come back inside while you run towards us as proud as can be after rolling in cow manure.
• We will miss pulling into our driveway and watching you pace in circles because we were home.
• We will miss how you liked to stand in the car, regardless of how wobbly you were.
• We will miss looking back at pictures and noticing how you always end up in them. You were always nearby. I think you had separation anxiety disorder.
• We will miss you during Christmas time. You hated Christmas. You always tried to eat the paper off the presents or destroy the Christmas decorations.
• We will miss Lexi getting to chase you around once she is mobile trying to pull your curly tail. I'm sure you guys would have been good buds.

Just an example of how Howl is in the background of a lot of our pics. This is one of my preggo pics, and I had no idea Howl was in it. Precious to look at now...

You were a good dog Howl. Thank you for the tears, laughs, and creativity you brought to our lives. You would have been 12 years old on Halloween, as old as Keith and my relationship. It's been an entertaining 12 years. Rest peacefully...

1st Trip to the Zoo!

A few weeks ago, we took Lexi to the zoo for the first time. We were hoping it was going to be a cool day, but we were wrong. The temperature in the car actually showed that it was only around 85 degrees, (which is like a cold front with the record breaking three-digit temps we have had ALL summer) but it felt MUCH warmer than that. Lexi seemed to have a good time and go with the flow the whole time, but her cheeks started to get a little pink. Being the paranoid calm and collected mom that I am, I suggested we do the buildings last so we would have a cool place to go. Overall, we had a great day and look forward to many more zoo trips in our future!

14, 15, 16 weeks!

I'm behind so this is a picture dump...

I can't help but look at these pictures and think, where did my tiny little baby go? I'm convincing myself that the pictures make her look bigger than she is (really, they do...). At the same time, every single day is new. Each day is filled with pure joy, laughter, smiles, and milestones. I am loving every stage of this baby's life.

Lexi's first trip out of state!

Growing up, my mom traveled with us, and by us, I mean four kids. Yes, four. In an airport. On an airplane. She did this several times, and I have so many good memories of this time visiting family in New York. 


Lexi recently had her first trip on an airplane. It made me completely understand my parents' love for us more than I ever had. They wanted nothing more than to be able to enjoy life with us by their sides. This is exactly what Keith and I want for Lexi. We took her along for Keith's medical boards to Philadelphia. 


We are OBSESSED with this baby. Poor thing. She is going to be so sick of us by the time she is 30...wait, did I just say 30? 


Yup. You heard me right. 30. Don't worry though Lexi, that means at least 30 adventures for you to tag along with us on! ; )


Back to Philadelphia, she did awesome!! She handled each flight like a champ. People commented on how quiet she was, and of course, how cute she is. Of course, we agreed...how could we not? 

My little cousin Sean & Aunt Susan drove down from NY to see us!

While Keith took boards, we ventured over to America's first zoo in Philadelphia! What a great zoo! The animals are very active, and the zoo is HUGE!

Can't wait to take this baby on many more trips!