Together, we remember

Lu is never far from our thoughts (nor is my Nanny), and on Saturday we walked together as a family in their memory. Alexis was truly part of the team thanks to her very own "Spirit of Lu" onesie from Heidi Gregg. Later that night, we grilled at Tom's house before heading home to CT. 

Lu's littlest fan

The Hamiltons

Lexi grinning with Grandpa Mike

Main Street USA

Four years ago we moved to the wonderful town of Fairfield. Looking to learn a bit more about our new area, we ventured out to the annual Memorial Day parade. Let's just say there were puppies and babies everywhere, and having just left Manhattan, we began to break out in a sweat.

 

With a baby of our own now, there was no better place this Monday than the corner of Post Road and Unquowa, celebrating the holiday and the parade with friends, enjoying the summer weather and later hitting the beach. Alexis had a grand old time, and she was patriotic in her red, white and blue. 

Good times with great friends

And After...

Thanks so much Tom for sharing your green thumb! We'll keep you posted on whether the deer strike.

After all that hard work, it was time to celebrate the start to summer. First up, some cocktails at home followed by a great dinner at 55 Degrees. Lexi loved being out on the town with us and tried to join our conversation whenever she could. 

For anyone in Fairfield reading this, the dinner was fabulous from start to finish. Go soon if you haven't already. And, they added an outdoor patio section for the season!

Green Thumb

We kicked off Summer 2009 with a visit from Grandpa Tom. He decided to show off his skills in the garden by helping us get our flower beds in order. Vic was his trusty helper while Alexis and I played in the yard (her favorite new activity).

And, by playing in the yard I mean: lay out a blanket and toys on the grass, Alexis immediately rolls over onto the grass, pulls on the grass, gets it all over her hands and feet, puts hands and feet right into her mouth, mommy then cleans her off, cleans off the blanket, and the process repeats over and over. She is certainly keeping us on our toes!   

Before shots:

Pure Sweetness

Alexis was so excited to hear that we'd be visiting daddy at lunchtime yesterday. The pictures, and especially the video, are pure sweetness, don't you agree?! She put her shy face on once we arrived at the office full of men, however - something which Vic says he'll be happy about for the next 18 years or so.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, and see Lexi melt our hearts below:

An Apple A Day...

While a visit to the doctor's office is usually never much fun, we eagerly look forward to all of Lexi's well visits so we can see how she's measuring up. Yesterday was her 6 month appointment, and our growing baby girl weighed in at 16 pounds, 12 ounces (65%) and was 27.5 inches tall (95%). Tall and trim, woo hoo!

Dr. Homa was really thrilled with her developmental milestones and said she was doing everything he likes to see at this stage. She even had us laughing - as I was busily writing notes, Alexis decided to lick my sheet of paper. Blue ink was on her lips, her tongue, her mouth. Can't look away for an instant anymore.

The one not so fun moment was when we were instructed to initiate Bedtime Bootcamp - so last night we officially said goodbye to the middle of the night visits/feedings much to Lexi's dismay. It was a LONG night in the Hamilton household, but we're hoping that we'll all benefit from this in the end.  If you happen to be up anytime from 2 - 4 am this evening, chances are we'll be right there with you...

Friends and Family

Alexis had more interest staring at her mommy's 

friend Marci than her own buddies

Family wedding

Grandpa steals her from her many admirers 

during cocktail hour

Lexi and Gigi

Daddy may have been away at his brother's bachelor party, 

but he's never far from Lexi's heart

Six Month Sweetie

Six months, half a year - we really can't believe it! Alexis, on November 16th, our lives became so much more full as we welcomed you, our little Ladybug. 

Over the past six months we have learned and loved and smiled and worried. We jumped for joy at your first smile, your first giggle. We felt such pride when you rolled over for the first time. We practiced with you and encouraged you, and now you are sitting all by yourself. We thanked our lucky stars those first few weeks and months for your lamb swing and how it comforted you and then got a little teary when we packed it away since you're too big for it now.  We rushed out for preemie clothes since you were such a peanut when you arrived. Six months later, we've long since stored them away in your closet - you're wearing 9 month outfits these days. We grew with you as you learned to tolerate regular formula and now laugh at the faces you make when you taste peas (not so yummy) or sweet potatoes or pears or your beloved bananas. We raced to get the camera at 3 months when you sat up for the first time with the help of the Bumbo - which has now been replaced by your very own big girl highchair. 

We hurried through bath time when you were a newborn and got so sad in the water. Now, bath time is one of our favorite activities with you, and we look for "excuses" to break out the tub and rubber duckie. We held you tightly as you went to your first library class, now we kick and splash and dunk you during swim class. We've gone from Newborn diapers to Stage 3, we put you to sleep with a swaddler and sleep positioner and now watch with delight as you squirm and roll and twist and turn in your crib (except of course when you wake yourself up doing this in the middle of the night).

Alexis Rose, you have blessed us in ways we never knew possible and turned a longtime couple into a family overnight. Our snuggly, cuddly, sleepy, quiet newborn has blossomed into a curious, funny, adorable, happy, opinionated and alert baby. You roll, you sit, you scoot on the floor to get around the room. You squirm and grab and squeal and smile. You drool, you taste anything and everything you can get your increasingly chubby hands upon. You jump and gasp and blow razzberries and play.

And what do we do? We love you so very much.

My girl

Alexis and Vic surprised me on my first Mother's Day. Deciding that I don't send nearly enough emails/photos/texts, they picked out the latest tech gadget, the iPhone, to ensure that I never miss an important moment and always have a way to document it on The Land of Lexi. Woo hoo!

We enjoyed a great Spring day - going out for brunch and for a walk around the neighborhood. And, my run in the afternoon was so much more fun thanks to the ipod part of the phone.

Thank you both for making me feel so special and so loved, today and every day.

In Celebration of Moms

To the wonderful mothers in our life who have taught us, supported us, encouraged us and loved us, we wish you a very Happy Mother's Day. Nanny and Aunt Wendy have been such a tremendous help since we welcomed Alexis, and we know her Grandma Lu is smiling down from above with pride and joy. 

My baby shower - couldn't wait to join the "Mom's Club"

Nanny with Alexis

Practicing sitting with Aunt Wendy

Grandma Lu on our wedding day. 

We miss you so much.