Slideshow Image 0 Slideshow Image 1 Slideshow Image 2 Slideshow Image 3 Slideshow Image 4 Slideshow Image 5 Slideshow Image 6 Slideshow Image 7 Slideshow Image 8 Slideshow Image 9 Slideshow Image 10 Slideshow Image 11 Slideshow Image 12 Slideshow Image 13 Slideshow Image 14

Friday, October 29, 2010

A Visit to Mimi & Pop’s

This past week, we spent some extended time in Dallas visiting Mimi & Pop while Chris recruited National Merit Scholars in the Dallas metro. We had some special time together (and Mommy got to go shopping & paint a step stool too – hooray)!! Alexa loved exploring in Mimi & Pop’s house. She liked standing in front of the TV & fireplace, feeling the kitchen tile, laughing at her reflection in the mirror, climbing the stairs, listening to the “golden oldies,” and playing peek-a-boo with Pop & the butterfly. We are always thankful for family time and all the spoiling. Mommy can’t believe she didn’t take more pics.
IMG_6012Alexa’s trying out the “frog” high chair for the 1st time. It’s the same high chair my sis and I sat in growing up. The “frog” has supported many babies while they eat.
IMG_6011Alexa had to sit on a neck pillow as a booster seat. She’s playing with Mimi while she patiently waits for some pureed delight.
IMG_6018 Alexa got to spend a lot of quality time with her Pop while Mommy ran errands & Mimi worked. They would play and play and play until Alexa would just konk out. She loved all the playtime with her Pop-Pop – especially when he’d get her with the butterfly! We’ve never heard her laugh like that.

IMG_6021 Our sweet little angel.

IMG_6023 Mimi taught Alexa a new trick – tearing apart Kleenex. What a fun new activity!!

IMG_6024 Surveying the damage while the culprit crawls away :) Kleenex bits were all over her pajamas too! I wonder what will happen when she discovers toilet paper.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A day in the life . . .

I thought you might enjoy a look at what a typical day looks like with our very active seven-month-old.
 IMG_5969The morning usually starts with a diaper change. There are ALWAYS several diapers to change in a day. Here, Alexa shows off a VERY impressive diaper. As pictured, we try to maximize the use of every one.

IMG_5993 After her morning feeding and reading a book or two, Alexa crawls to her “toy box” and begins making her first selections. She can pull up all by herself and dig in.

IMG_5995 It looks like it will be shapes.

IMG_5964
Another favorite toy are stacking cups. Alexa loves to hit them together, stack them, and knock them over – again and again and again. 

IMG_5962 Here she is anticipating the crashing sound as she knocks them over. Notice the purple cup mid-air.

IMG_5996 Alexa keeps going back to the toy box to discover another colorful toy. Her attention span is about a minute or two per activity . . . unless it’s a book :)

IMG_5999When she’s tired of playing, she chews on the toys. YUM!

IMG_5959 Once Alexa looses interest in her toys, it’s off to exploring the rest of the house. She is just getting used to crawling on the stained cement. She wasn’t so sure about putting her knees down on it at first but she loved seeing her reflection.

IMG_5974 Her new trick is pulling back the rug. Oh there are all sorts of goodies underneath!

IMG_5976 Just looking for dust bunnies Mommy!

IMG_5978  She even attempts to lift the rug in our dining room. It’s heavy!!

IMG_5979 Mommy gets Alexa with her toes. She LOVES feet!!
IMG_5982
After a nap, Alexa usually plays with her lion while Mommy gets ready in the bathroom.

IMG_5988 Here’s a better shot to show you how well she stands and drools :)
IMG_5985Sometimes, Alexa makes it into the bathroom. It’s definitely motivation to keep the floor cleaned.

IMG_5991 After another nap if the weather’s lovely, we’ll go outside. Maybe we’ll go to a park or . . .

IMG_5881 we’ll go for a walk.

IMG_5874 And sometimes, Alexa literally “sits up” in her bouncy chair to watch an educational DVD. Here she’s enjoying Baby Einstein’s “Beethoven’s Symphony.”

IMG_6000 After a long, hard day of playing & exploring, the living room floor looks like this! Whew . . . what a day!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Who is seven-months-old . . .?

IMG_5910    
Alexa Hope :) These truly are the sweetest days. I just came in from putting our little sweet pea to bed. She was trying so hard to stay awake but she finally caved and nestled her head next to me while I rocked her. These are the moments I cherish – just watching her sleep peacefully in my arms while I sing and pray over her. I am so grateful for her life and the joy she has brought to ours.
It’s so hard to believe Alexa has passed the half a year mark and is even a month beyond (Mommy missed an update). I know it’s cliché but time really has flown by! Without further ado, here’s a list of the latest landmarks in Alexa’s life. There have been quite a few the last two months . . . She’s been a busy girl.
Stats at her 6 months check up . . .
Weight: 13 lbs 14 oz (11%) 
Length:  25 1/2” (39%)
Head Cir: 16” (6%)

Alexa’s latest “skeels” . . .
--Crawling
--Pulling up & standing
--Eating AND enjoying solid foods (including pears, prunes, sweet potatoes & squash)
--Sitting in her highchair
--Jabbering (including “Dada” and other nondescript phrases)
--Sitting up unassisted
--No teeth (and the nursing Mommy is so thankful) :) 

Lil’ bits of Alexa’s personality . . .
--Flapping her arms & legs in excitement when someone holds her (She looks like she’s running in the air)
--Sleeping with three pacifiers. She loves to play with her paci’s until she goes to sleep and she generally wakes up with a different one in her mouth.
--Throwing the paci’s out of her crib. She likes to keep Mommy & Daddy guessing where they are hiding.
--Jabbering when she looks at a book by herself – like she is reading.
--She loves to knock over towers, open & close books, go for walks, untie shoelaces, rip up paper, bang toys together & play with her shapes.
--Blowing bubbles – anytime, anywhere
--Crying at the sight of the doorstop. We don’t know why but she is afraid of it and the sound it makes.
--Her first bouts of separation anxiety :(

Yep . . . our little girl is officially mobile. We have lowered her crib to the lowest setting and the coffee table is surrounded by sofa pillows. The outlets are covered with safety caps and the floor is vacuumed often. It’s been exciting to watch Alexa figure out how to crawl & pull up. She figured both out shortly after our CO trip right around 6 1/2 months. She has had two hard bonks crawling with some accompanying bruises (Mommy cried harder than Alexa). But all in all, it has been incident free.

IMG_5902This how Alexa greets us after her naps and in the morning (normally with tears), but this was a happy day.

IMG_5934 Alexa geared and ready to get Mommy!

IMG_5949Alexa loves her new toy which allows her to pull up and stand.

IMG_5953 Another view of our little monkey. She loves sticking out her tongue.

IMG_5907 Eating is fun – hooray for puree!! Such a happy girl :)

IMG_5905
Just enjoying my high chair toys until Mommy gets me some grub.

IMG_5930 I LOVE untying shoelaces!! Man, Mommy sure has a big foot!

IMG_5940 Sitting up to enjoy a tasty flashlight.
IMG_5943 Bye for now . . . I’ve got more growing to do! Love you!!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fall means three things . . .

IMG_5868 
It’s been a BEAUTIFUL fall here in OK and we’re truly enjoying it. The weather has been delightful and the Sooners have been winning. Indeed, the commencement of autumn means three things:

- Daddy’s 31st birthday (Sept. 21st)
- Sooner football – BOOMER SOONER!!
- Hues of gold & orange paint the landscape.

Here’s a glimpse of all three :)
IMG_5880
Alexa shows of her Sooner spirit in high style. Notice she’s trying to say “We’re #1!”
IMG_5893
Like grandfather, like granddaughter. Alexa is showing Pop who controls the remote at this house.
IMG_5859
Chris celebrated his big “31” by taking a test in grad school – poor guy! He passed with flying colors (hooray) and enjoyed some well deserved cookie cake when he got home. Unfortunately, Alexa couldn’t stay up to celebrate with Daddy. Isn’t Daddy handsome!?
IMG_5866
Alexa enjoyed going to Orr Family Farms for Cole Green’s 6th birthday. She participated in her 1st pumpkin patch, petting zoo & hay ride. She also loved the wood chips.
IMG_5862
One of Alexa’s new expressions is crinkling her nose. We must be passing the petting zoo on our train ride. :)
IMG_5923
Here’s our cute little maple showing off it’s color.
IMG_5919
Surprisingly, our vinca are still going strong. Alexa loves the bright petals.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Alexa meets Great Grandma Rachel

IMG_5843 Great Grandma Rachel with her 1st great-granddaughter, Alexa Hope, and grandson, Christopher.
At the beginning of September, Mommy, Daddy & Alexa headed to the mountains of southwestern Colorado to visit a very special lady, Great Grandma Rachel. It was Rachel’s first time to meet Alexa in-person, and I’m pretty sure Alexa didn’t disappoint. Mommy made the week eventful by getting sick upon the arrival. However, Alexa stole the show and Grandma Rachel managed to spoil us all rotten. Chris and I even managed to celebrate our 5th “proposal-versary” (He proposed to me in Buck Meadow just outside of Rachel’s log home on September 10th five years ago). It was a very special time and we’re so thankful we had the chance to spend some unhurried time with Grandma Rachel in the beauty and serenity that is Colorado. In typical blog fashion– here are the pics!
IMG_5846 Alexa’s a bit distressed by the magnitude of her hairbow.
IMG_5786 Grandma Rachel & Alexa enjoying some time in Montrose. She loves keys – especially keys to a Jeep!
Alexa’s first outing to Ouray . . .
IMG_5801 Enjoying a beautiful day of eating, shopping & walking in Ouray – just wait until she’s old enough for the hot springs!!
IMG_5803 Alexa’s “stylin” in her new umbrella stroller. It made traveling much easier.
IMG_5800 It wouldn’t be a trip to Ouray without eating at the Bon Ton. Alexa will get to try the amazing food next year. We just needed proof she was there :)
IMG_5808 We got the giggles – must be the altitude.
Special times with Daddy . . .
IMG_5828 Since Daddy’s often busy with work and grad school – Alexa got some extra special time with her Daddy. She loved every minute of it! Good thing Daddy has hair :)
IMG_5831 Enjoying the view off Grandma’s front deck. That’s national forest to the right.
IMG_5769  A wake-up cuddle in the warm Colorado sun.
IMG_5780Alexa enjoyed the scenery so much on one of our walks that she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
IMG_5779It wouldn’t be a trip to CO without some quality reading time.
Enjoying the view . . .
IMG_5838 Trying out the Baby Bjorn on the walk to Grandma’s. We’re standing on the bridge at the canal with the majestic San Juan Mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful sunset.
IMG_5835 The Eyrie – the sign that means we’re getting close to the log home! Just a few more huffs and puffs and we’ll be there!
IMG_5766 We were a bit late in capturing this full rainbow over the ridge. It was actually a full double rainbow and it was brilliant. What a beautiful promise from the Lord!
IMG_5818 Alexa wasn’t sure what to think of the fountain.
And we ate . . .
IMG_5776 Enjoying breakfast on the deck – tasty breakfast burritos!! It’s worth it to go to Colorado just so you can eat some of Rachel’s delicious home cooking. It doesn’t get any better than this!! The view is just a bonus ;)
IMG_5773 Alexa posing in her booster seat. A glass full of Grandma Rachel’s spoons kept her preoccupied at mealtimes indoors. Look at that Olathe sweet corn . . . yum!!
Hanging with Tom . . .
IMG_5812Alexa got to meet a very special new friend, Tom. He looks after Rachel and Rachel looks after him. He’s one of the family :) We truly enjoyed our evenings with him when he came to visit.
IMG_5815  Tom teaching Alexa to play the piano with her toes – now that’s a skill!
More attempts at crawling . . .
IMG_5789
IMG_5791
IMG_5792
IMG_5794
IMG_5797
Okay – so I don’t think she moved through that entire series of photos but isn’t she cute!
Homeward bound . . .
IMG_5847Grabbing a catnap at the Denver International Airport.
IMG_5850  Our little baby doll :)