Family fun

Alexis is a big carousel fan...which means that we're now big carousel fans :) Over the past few days, she rode one at the local zoo with Daddy and at the mall with her cousins and Aunt Wendy.

In between all this time with the ponies, she also had a sleepover with her BFF - "babysitter Nanny" who spent the night so Vic and I could hit the town with friends to celebrate my birthday (31 years today folks)! While getting tinkled on just after Lexi's bath tonight was not my favorite present, the beautiful little culprit at the scene of the crime sure was, followed closely by her very thoughtful father.

Sunday Matinee

Sunday afternoons around here are Giants football days. They also seem to be when we whip out the Flip to tape Alexis's new tricks. These videos may not be Oscar-worthy, but she's our very favorite star. 

P.S. She also learned how to wave "hi" over the weekend. Sometimes it's delayed, sometimes her hand is facing backwards, but it's awfully cute no matter what. I first noticed it at the grocery store - she was waving to the jars of baby food. The way to Lexi's heart certainly seems to be through her tummy.

A walk in the park

With such wonderful fall (yet kinda feels like summer) weather lately, we've been on the go the past few weekends enjoying the great outdoors with Alexis. One recent trip was to Longshore - a fun spot in Westport with golf, tennis, sailing and great views of the Sound. Of course we had to stop at the playground too! 

P.S. Check out her tongue in just about every picture

In Celebration

Alexis, one year ago today there was a wonderful party - a party all for you, to celebrate you. It was a beautiful fall day, and excitement was in the air. Not a detail was overlooked by our family and friends, and their love and kindness made such a special time in our lives even more special. We ate, we (they) drank, we mingled and chatted, we opened presents and took photos and mostly wondered all about you and who you would be! 

Just thought you might want to know how loved you were - even before you joined us. 

These adorable baby feet cookies were made with love by Heidi Gregg - 

one of your Grandma Lu's best friends (who also baked cookies for my bridal shower). 

Aunt Terry baked delicious cupcakes. 

I used the "cravings" excuse to enjoy more than a few of them!

Crave helped bring the green and brown theme to life. 

Remember, we waited until your big arrival 

to find out if we'd be welcoming a daughter or son!

As always, your Nanny and Aunt Wendy have the best taste

Not too long ago you fit into those onesies!

Every guest brought their own baby picture - 

they were all hung from a clothesline

So, do you look more like Mommy or Daddy?

Just two months to go!

The hostesses - along with Jane (another of Grandma Lu's friends) 

who opened her home to us

The last of the guests to linger

Mirror mirror on the wall

Alexis's fastest mode of transportation is still the military crawl, but over the past week, she's been up on all fours a lot. We think maybe because it gives her a better view for things like this...

And she's off...

She seems to like what she sees :)

Happy 10 Months, Alexis!

Happy 10 Months ladybug!

This month, we've been on the go - we went to the beach, both here and Cape Cod, we giggled in gym class and and popped into play dates, we hosted and had fun with your friends and our friends.  We visited the zoo (2 actually), we spent time at the playground, we made a trip to Manhattan, we welcomed family to town, and we bid summer goodbye.

Yes, we've been on the go. And so, little ladybug, have you! Your army crawl gets faster by the day -  you zip from room to room in the blink of an eye. You have also started to crawl on all fours in the last week. You pull up on furniture, toys, our legs, the bathtub, doors - pretty much anything you can find. You've begun cruising too - along the fireplace, coffee table, kitchen table, window sill, again - pretty much everything. When the mood strikes, you practice your walking holding tightly to our hands. And, on Monday, you stood alone for the very first time at The Little Gym (standing up on the mat in the middle of class while teething on some jingle bells)! It seems that you are taking on a new challenge every day, and you've gotten some bruises and scrapes to show for it. We simply love to watch you master each new skill and witness that "ah ha" moment when it all clicks for you. 

While you still take a few minutes to get your bearings in new settings, you remain very social and vocal once you've taken it all in. You babble, you squeal, you shout out in excitement, you groan, and I've even caught you humming to yourself when we're out for a walk or driving around town. You love trying to "talk" to us, and you seem to enjoy music - bopping up and down when a song begins playing. You LOVE to eat and never turn down a meal.  Yogurt and melon are your favorites - especially when they are being shared by daddy. You get such a kick out of  looking in the mirror, especially the big one in our bedroom. You smile and grin and clench your fists and pat your reflection excitedly, standing up to get a closer look. You seem to know when you see yourself - in the mirror and in photos - as an excited squeal always follows. 

This tenth month has been filled with so many sweet, happy moments and big milestones. That's not to say that we haven't had some trying times either though. With each new act of independence, we usually have to scoop you up and kiss away the bump or bruise - it never seems to get any easier and likely never will. And, as you begin to understand the world around you and how things in it work, you also know what you want and when you want it, and at times, you will moan and groan until you get it. We've introduced the word "no" and it seems to be said more and more each day.  

With every day that passes, you are becoming less our baby girl and more our toddler. What new skill lies just around the corner? What challenge will you take on with excitement and determination? We can hardly wait to find out. May you always know how much we love you, how proud we are of you and how we're right beside you - every step of the way. Happy 10 Months, Alexis Rose!  

Peacocks and tigers and bears - oh my

One day last week we woke up to a pretty, crisp, fall day. The kind of day that means the big kids are back to school, Giants football has returned, our drives around town are becoming a lot more colorful and lots of exciting moments and milestones are just around the corner for our family.

We simply had to get out and enjoy the new season, so we jumped in the car and headed straight to the zoo. Granted it's a small, suburban zoo, but it was something new and different all the same. Lexi was mildly interested in the animals. I think she preferred the tigers if I had to guess. But what she really LOVED was the carousel. In fact, we rode it about four times. We were even treated to a free ride when the attendant took note of what a fan our girl was. 

It was spontaneous and special. Just mommy-and-me time - just because. We'll have to do more of that - and we will!

Proof that Alexis did actually see some animals. 

The 500 pound tiger is resting in the left corner.

Ride #1

"I simply MUST get back on that horse"

Right after this shot was taken, Alexis grabbed the reigns. 

Kate and Ashley - you must be so proud! 

Still, she'll only get a pony if Uncle John steps up to bat

 

Some last summer shots

Our favorite season is just around the corner, but before we welcome fall, here are some last summer shots of our leading lady and some of her friends. 

Love this shot. 

Who knew an air conditioning vent could be so entertaining?

You can't imagine the effort it took to get this photo 

without the girls falling off the couch first

Pulling up and cruising are her favorite new tricks - 

she's teaching Tessa how here

We'll miss Sasco Beach once the cool weather sets in 

Thanks Terry for the adorable swimsuit - 

hope it still fits next summer!

Beach Bum

And now, the water shots:

Because everyone loves an outdoor shower 

At last, a photo that shows off Alexis's two teeth!