Happy Holidays

From our family to yours....Happy Holidays!

And before we head home for Christmas, here's a little preview of our "graceful" walker:

Naughty or Nice?

Alexis must have been a good girl this year....look what just arrived in the mail today!

We think our next door neighbors, the Basile's, may have been keeping an eye on Lexi upon Santa's orders...but we'll never know for certain.

You Cannot Be Serious

That was Alexis's reaction when her loving mother jammed, poked and prodded her into her 3-6 month snowsuit from last year to enjoy the first snowfall of the season.

If she's reading this post, her Nanny is saying "told ya so" and feeling very proud that she'll have a new one under her tree for Lexi in another few days. Either way, after Alexis had a few minutes to soak it all in, she warmed up to the winter wonderland. Next time, we'll take her for a ride on her Grandma Lu's sled!

And, it looks like we just might have a White Christmas this year!

Trimming the tree

Alexis has been much more gentle with the Christmas tree than we expected. She likes the lights, has tried to eat a few ornaments but, otherwise, has not been all that interested.

That is, until good friends stopped over with a tree just for her. Lots of lights - check, jingle bells attached - check, sock monkeys and animals as ornaments - check, artificial so it can be used year after year - check. Basically, it's the perfect little tree for Lexi. Thank you Bartlett family for thinking of us like always. (Though we're not sure if Alexis was happier to see her little girl tree or her buddy Chris).

Santa Baby

Alexis met Santa for the first time. She did much better than I anticipated.

We had "cautious interest" and the tiniest little grin while she was actually on his lap. Once her turn was up, we waited on the sidelines for our photos. That's when she decided she was actually a BIG fan. She pushed off the stroller and tried walking back for more. Unfortunately, other children had already claimed her spot on his lap.

She settled for pointing excitedly at him and calling him "dada". I guess in a way she is wise beyond her years to make that connection.

Baby Steps

Ya gotta start somewhere! Miss Alexis has been taking true baby steps for a few days now, but this is the first time we caught it on video. Go Lexi Go. 

Baker's helper

The Sesame Street gang would be so proud. Earlier this week, Alexis learned all about the letter G. Lexi's grandparents came up for a visit and to babysit. We decided all the ladies should bake ginger Christmas cookies to get into the holiday spirit and start a new tradition.   

I found the recipe, Nanny brought the expertise and Lexi handled the baking utensils. And even though we were in my kitchen, it was another gal who seemed to take charge. 

Big Birthday Wishes...

...go out to the first and most important boy in Alexis's life - her father! We love you and hope you have the happiest of days today.

With love,
Your girls

O Christmas Tree

On Sunday, we headed to Jones Family Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. I had grand plans of us actually chopping it down this year, but the chaotic scene there quickly changed my mind.

Alexis was in her glory watching all the families in action at the farm. Now, we just need to figure out how to Lexi-proof the tree for our mischievous monkey!!

Raise your hands if you've been nice this year....

How could Santa not come to my house....

and maybe the tooth fairy too!!

"no dad, you need to add more kindling"

Any guesses as to who's the brains of this operation?

I'll have my first taste when mommy isn't looking....

Happy Birthday Nanny

I can't wait to play with you on Tuesday.

Hope you are having a great birthday!

True Life: Lexi Rose

Alexis-

Your 12th month is whizzing by, so on Tuesday I took lots of pictures of you (even by my standards.) For this post, I'll let the camera do the talking.  It's a little snapshot of what makes our one year old monkey so cute and so curious. So behold...a day in the life of Lexi:

Your 12 month picture in your chair. My how you've grown.

You're a hugger, not a fighter

We spend lots of time TRYING to teach you how to clean up.

No success so far

Her new favorite snack - apple slices

(first shot with her front teeth showing)

Lexi loves to sit with her legs crossed like this - so proper she is

Note her new snack trap cup in one hand (our little Captain Hook often forgets her hand is stuck inside)

and her empty Tylenol bottle in the other.

She's decided it's her favorite teether and takes it most places these days

Shopping IS exercise

Little catnap on the drive home

She ends nearly every nap by throwing

Mr. Owl and Mr. Alligator overboard

(and she loves waving to anything and anyone right now)

On this day, I found her with her socks and pants off

She recently found the central vac outlets and loves snapping them open and closed

(along with all cabinets and drawers in the house)

Little monkey - she gravitates to the toilets

Lexi discovered all on her own how to set the alarm

On more than one occasion, we've woken up in a panic at midnight

only to realize it's just her alarm clock. We now ensure it's turned off every night before bed

Along with locking all cabinets, I need to move everything onto

higher shelves in the pantry. This pic shows why.

Alexis saves her biggest smiles for when daddy gets home from work

Burning off some calories

P.S. At your one year well visit, you weighed in at 22.5 pounds (70th percentile) and were 30 inches tall (80th percentile). You also seemed to like Dr. Homa. You spent so much time pulling at his stethoscope and trying to eat it that he had to take it off.  Being the go-with-the-flow-girl that you are, you just moved on to his tie.