New things in Alexa's world

There are 3 new and exciting things in Alexa's world that I want to share! In the last week, she has been reaching out and touching our faces. It's so cute! She also likes to JUMP! It's adorable! Finally, she has been reaching out to my cup, so I let her try taking a sip!

Here is darling Alexa with her Daddy! Click HERE to watch a short video of her jumping on Daddy's lap and touching his face (view of Alexa's back). Click HERE to watch another short video of the cutest baby in the world and Daddy (view of Alexa's smiling face)!

And here is Alexa practicing drinking out of a CUP! All she does is hold it and stick her tongue out. I think she's teething and the cold feels good against her gums. So cute!

Baby Showers Rock!

Well, now that I have a baby I think they rock! Today it started snowing real hard so I took the Metro downtown while Daddy and Alexa hung out. Why? Because I had a baby shower to go to! My friend Shazia's baby shower!

I have no pictures to share. Because this blog is all about Alexa, not me! But in honor of the baby shower topic, I made some lists that might be helpful to the soon-to-be moms out there -- you know who you are!

Here goes...

5 Big-Ticket Baby Items that have been worth EVERY PENNY!

1. Medela Freestyle Pump

2. Video Monitor

3. Baby carrier (Moby; Belle; Baby Hawk; Ergo)

4. Good diaper bag

5. Snap & Go Stroller frame

5 Small-Ticket Baby Things that you should NOT OVERLOOK!

1. Pack of plain white cloth diapers for burp cloths

2. Dr. Brown bottle brush & bottle drying rack (I love the Skip Hop one!)

3. Nursing Cover

4. Mirror for car seat

5. Plastic bags for dirty diapers

5 Baby Things that have MADE MY LIFE EASIER...

1. Miracle Blanket

2. Infantino Twist & Fold Activity Gym

3. Mobile with music

4. Infant bouncer

5. Mini diaper changer (I like the Skip Hop one!)

5 of my personal favorite things!

1. Bravado nursing tank tops

2. Baby Book to record firsts (I have one from Ruby Love, but I love the Pearhead one too!)

3. Monthly stickers to record growth

4. Baby Legs!

2. Sock Ons!

5 Baby Toys that have been a HUGE HIT in our house!

1. Links

2. Oball

3. Princess Sophie Play & Grow doll with crinkle skirt

4. The Winkel

5. Sophie the Giraffe

Happy shopping & registering!

Alexa knows her name!

Today was a great day! We got up early and went to work-out with Stroller Striders. Then we met our friend s Kelly and baby Cobb for lunch. After lunch, we painted more pottery!

In the afternoon, Alexa played on her mat again! And check it out... She knows her name! Click HERE to watch a 30-second video!

Click HERE for a 45-second video of Alexa trying to crawl... And, click HERE if you want to watch a long video (2:30) of Alexa playing, rolling and just having a ball on her mat.

Finally, here is Alexa playing with her elephant toy that has flashing lights. She loves it! Thank you cousin Amanda for such a cool toy!

Alexa wears polka dots to yoga

Today we said goodbye to Grandma E and got ready for our second Itsy Bitsy yoga class in Rockville. The class is offered through the county recreation department, so it's pretty cheap. There are about eight moms and babies and we sit in a semi-circle with mats.

We put the babies in poses that help them stretch and digest, like pushing their knees in toward their tummy. We also swing them through our legs and put them on our legs to give them a bouncy ride. It's hard to explain without showing you!

Alexa loves it. But then, we do all these same things at home too, so the class really seems unnecessary. Still, it's nice to get out of the house and see other babies and mom friends!

Here is Alexa on her blanket watching her friend Brandon crawl across the room! She was studying him intently, trying to figure out how he does this crawling thing. I think she figured out how to get up on her knees from watching him at a previous mom's group get-together. So cute!

Back at home, Alexa played on her activity mat while contemplating this new crawling thing.

A visit from Grandma E!

Grandma E took the train down for the day so she could hang out with baby Alexa! We had a nice afternoon playing with Alexa on her activity mat.

Check out this adorable pink ruffle outfit from Alexa's other grandma. It fits and she looks so cute in it! Thanks, Grandma R!

Grandma R got to see Alexa roll over for the first time when she was here for the holidays. She helped teach Alexa how it's done. Now, Alexa is rolling both ways!

So Alexa showed Grandma E how she rolls over! She also showed Grandma E how she gets up on her knees! And how she does the "down dog" yoga pose!

Click HERE to watch a 25-second video of her getting onto her knees and rolling onto her back!

Click HERE to watch a 70-second video of her rolling back onto her tummy and continuing to practice her crawl. She's getting better and better!

Here is Alexa showing Grandma E how strong her arms are. She can push up to straight arms!

She also showed Grandma E how she sits up!

And how much she loves her Bumbo chair!

And how much she loves her exersaucer!

But most of all, Alexa loves her grandmas!

Later, we all gave her a bath and she stuck her foot out like she was reclining at a spa. Ha!

Then Grandma E read Alexa the personalized Fairy-Tale storybook that she got her for Hanukkah!

After the story, Grandma E gave Alexa a bottle. And Daddy put her down to sleep! What a nice day. Thanks for visiting us, Grandma E!

Alexa's elusive laugh!

Alexa first laughed out loud on New Year's day. Since then, she does it but it's hard to catch. It cracks us up when she gets going. Below, finally, are a couple really short videos of her laugh!

Click HERE and HERE to hear Alexa laugh and laugh!

Look what we got in the mail today!

A card from the White House! No kidding! I sent one of Alexa's birth announcements to the White House Greetings Office about a month ago. And we got a nice note from President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama!

In case you can't read it, this is what it says:

"Congratulations on the birth of your new baby. As parents, we know the profound joy you must feel as you welcome a child into your family. We are delighted for you, and we wish you all the best on this wonderful occasion."

What a wonderful keepsake for Alexa!

Alexa is trying to crawl!

Today was a wonderful day! I started off by taking Alexa to the mall for Stroller Striders. I ate so much over the weekend (caramel popcorn!) that I had to work out! Then Daddy and I took Alexa downtown for lunch and a walk along the Capitol Crescent trail.

Here is adorable Alexa in her stroller with Daddy!

She loves that giraffe!

Thanks Aunt Kelly & Uncle Ben for the cute "Tree Huger" onesie!

When we got home that night, we put Alexa on her mat and she started something new... Getting up on her knees!

First she rolled. Now she's trying to crawl! She's not going anywhere yet, but it's not for lack of trying. Once Alexa rolls onto her tummy, she pushes up to her knees. She even pushes back on her legs like a "down dog" yoga pose! Oh, and she's also rolling from her tummy to her back now. Oh, the progress!

Click HERE to watch a 40-second video of Alexa "swimming" on her tummy, pushing up on her arms and then pushing up on her knees!

Click HERE to watch a 40-second video of Alexa pushing up on her knees, then rolling onto her back and playing with her ball!

Click HERE to watch a 60-second video of Alexa rolling back onto her tummy and then using her knees to scoot forward!

Alexa's first view of the Atlantic Ocean & first trip to the Ocean City Boardwalk!

Sunday was cloudy but not too cold out, so we headed to the Ocean City Boardwalk for a nice stroll. Alexa got her first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean! She smelled the salty air and looked around at the boardwalk. And then she fell asleep! We can't wait to bring her back this summer so she can enjoy the sand, surf and sun.

Alexa meets more family!

We had a wonderful time in Ocean City this weekend visiting Grandpa, Mema and a whole host of aunts, uncles and big cousins! Alexa warmed up to the crowd quickly and had a blast meeting everyone. She can't wait to go back and play with her cousins again!