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, December 17, 2010

Peek-a-boo . . . Where’s the nine-month-old!

IMG_6395
On Monday, Dec. 13th, we celebrated nine months of MIss Alexa Hope. She is currently 16 lbs 2 oz (8%), 27” long (29%), and her head is 16 1/2” in circumference (4%). Indeed, she is our sweet “little” girl. Although she is very petite – especially by the Kennedy/Scoggins standard – the doc is pleased with her growth and she is well within the normal range for a nine-month-old.
Every month, she continues to get more and more fun. Her little personality is definitely blooming. She is a very busy bee and loves to crawl anywhere and pull up on anything. Sometimes, I think she is too curious for her own good but I think she has her Daddy’s inquisitive mind and she loves to discover.
The greatest breakthrough this month (at least for Mommy) is that Alexa is now sleeping through the night and taking naps all by herself!! Mommy will never forget that moment on Tuesday, Nov. 16th (that was a really rough night). Alexa now naps about 3 hrs a day and sleeps anywhere from 10 1/2 – 12 hrs at night. We just think Alexa realized how amazing sleep really is . . . and she gets to play with her four pacifiers as well – so it’s a good gig. It’s been SO wonderful for the Kennedy family!! Thank you for your many prayers concerning this matter. The Lord answered.
Other fun 9-mos-old “Alexa” facts - --She loves Christmas music (just like her Mommy). When we play it, she smiles & will gravitate to wherever the sound is coming from and sway back and forth.
--She has loved playing with her Fisher Price nativity set. She is especially endeared to the donkey and camel.
--She has a blast rocking forward and backward while holding onto a table, her high chair or Mommy or Daddy.
--She continues to increase her “blabber” vocabulary with new, interesting sounds.
--She will reach out and point to anything she wants to hold or touch.
--She loves watching the washer/dryer in action.
--She enjoys playing peek-a-boo and being chased down the hallway.
--She is often found crawling under the kitchen table or chairs.
--We just got a 20x20 canvas of her and she gets so excited to see her face. She literally goes crazy.
--Just opening the front door makes her kick with delight – the girl loves “the wilderness” (that means “the outdoors” for those of you who don’t know me very well).
--She’s graduated to Stage 2 foods but still refuses oatmeal/rice cereal.
--If she can hit it, take it apart, pull it over, pull it out – it’s fair game.

Alexa in action . . .

IMG_6362All snuggled up for a walk outdoors.

IMG_6354Alexa in her star pajamas (they were originally Rylen’s). She is covered by the coordinating star blanket that Rylen still loves.

IMG_6346 All excited to be with Mimi & Pop.

IMG_6312 The family’s all ready for the big OU vs. OSU bedlam game.

IMG_6287 Let’s Go Sooners! (Ironically, it’s the title of her current favorite book).

IMG_6254 Checking out a Thanksgiving Day card from Ama & Opa.

IMG_6256 Tasting the Thanksgiving Day card from Ama & Opa.

IMG_6358 Mesmerized by the lights on the Christmas wreath we put outside above our garage.

IMG_6374Alexa thought she might make a good package.

IMG_6402  Alexa is fascinated by her reflection. Notice how she crawled under the highchair.

IMG_6271This time, she decided to crawl over the bar and got stuck. 

IMG_6404 Just thought this was a sweet profile pic – goodness, to have posture like that!?

The many expressions of Alexa Hope . . .
IMG_6390
IMG_6392
IMG_6388
IMG_6389
IMG_6391

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A Day at the Park

It’s hard to believe less than a week ago, I was still taking Alexa to the park and on stroller rides without a jacket. It’s been an usually warm fall and we’re so thankful. The weekend of my birthday, we took Alexa to First Baptist Church’s new playground for a bit of frolicking. It was a gorgeous day and Alexa seemed to enjoy playing like “the big kids.”
IMG_6197
The 1st time Alexa has experienced the thrill of swinging. She loved going high. She looks like she fits into the swing pretty well from this perspective but take a look from the side.
IMG_6202
My mom thought it was mean of us to put Alexa in the swing but she didn’t seem to mind almost slipping through the holes.

IMG_6204
Swing me again, Daddy!

IMG_6207  
Going down the slide!

IMG_6210 
Peek-a-boo . . . I see you!

IMG_6212
Look . . . I got Mommy’s nose!

IMG_6215
Playing peek-a-boo with Alexa through a little hole.

IMG_6216
Hmmmm . . . now that’s interesting!

IMG_6220  
I see a pretty girl in the mirror!

IMG_6217
Hard to believe Alexa’s hand will be that size someday.

IMG_6194
The playground is so much fun :)

IMG_6192 
I can’t wait to go to “the big kids” side when I grow up.

IMG_6223
Alexa found the leaves fascinating.
IMG_6230
Despite all the exciting things Alexa could do at the playground, she ended up crawling to her diaper bag and playing with it. We’re grateful it provides her with hours of excitement.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Operation Christmas Child

Even though Alexa is only eight-months-old, our desire is she learn from the very beginning that Christmas is not about her . . . it’s about the birth of our Savior and sharing His gift to those around us – especially those who aren’t as blessed as we are. And so, the first thing we could do to establish this mindset was participate in Operation Christmas Child (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/). I’ve always wanted to contribute to OCC but never got my act together for the Nov. 22nd deadline. Well – with the help of my precious lil’ girl – we did it!!
It was so much fun shopping for and stuffing the boxes for a little boy and girl. Alexa was great help – especially in the quality control department (she tested – or should I say tasted – every toy). I can’t wait until she’s older and can really have a say in what we put into these boxes and pray for the children we give them to. I look forward to posting more pics of the new traditions we hope to incorporate into Alexa’s life, even now, so she can anticipate this season and experience the same joy we have in giving. Knowing that it’s all done on behalf of the perfect gift sent to us from the Father – Jesus Christ.
IMG_6176Alexa helped Mommy get out the Ziploc bags for stuffing candy. Yes . . . she almost emptied the entire box!
IMG_6179
Alexa opening a bag for Mommy to stuff with candy.
IMG_6183 Now she’s stuffing the box with a yo-yo.
IMG_6181 She loved shaking the jewelry.
IMG_6184 She can’t decide if the Nerf ball should stay in or out.
IMG_6187  Here’s the boy’s shoebox.
IMG_6189Here’s the girl’s shoebox.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Introducing OU’s Director of Strategic Technology . . .

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3
IMG_6338 
On Wednesday, Dec. 1st, Chris started his new position at OU as the Director of Strategic Technology for Recruitment Services. I thought it’d be fun to capture a “1st day of work” pic much like I will when Alexa heads out the door for her 1st day of school. I do believe he was just about as excited as a child heading to kindergarten for the 1st time. Doesn’t he look snazzy!?
It’s been an exciting journey to see God work all things together for His glory and Chris’ good concerning his career path. If you haven’t heard the story of how the Lord created this position for Chris – we’d love to tell you. It’s just another opportunity to testify of the Lord’s continued and undeserved goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

One scripture that came to mind when this opportunity was presented to Chris was Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I truly believe the Lord poured out blessings of favor upon Chris because his desire is to seek and follow Christ wholeheartedly – whether it’s in our home, in ministry, in graduate school, or at work. He’s not one to keep up with pretense. He simply does his work unto the Lord and finds contentment in serving Him. For Chris, it’s never been about titles, money, or climbing a corporate ladder. It’s about living out God’s will each and every day – trusting and obeying. I know . . . I’ve watched him walk with Jesus for over five years. And, I also believe his employers at OU saw the same thing.
I’m so thrilled for Chris because this job affords him the opportunity to go to a job that he loves and serve in ways he is specifically gifted. Isn’t God good to give His children blessings that far exceed their expectations!? I look forward to seeing how God will use Chris in this new and challenging position . . . it’s going to be an adventure Chris will eagerly embrace.

”Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” Psalm 128:1-2