"Flower" by Alexa Leilani

Another daycare art project by our darling Alexa. She is so talented, right? I know, I know, SO TALENTED! Our own little Picasso Baby. Now the question... Do I frame it? ;-)

"Footprints" by Alexa Leilani

Created on April 12. What a cute project! Of course, Alexa is a pro at footprints already. So it's no surprise that she did such a good job. In fact, I have to tell you that her footprints are much better than any of the footprints made by the other babies.

Hers are so authentic yet have an artistic touch that makes them very organic and extremely relevant. You might notice how the footprint on the bottom left is saturated in paint while the footprint on the top right is lighter in color. I believe she has hidden a secret message in this layout and color depiction that could reveal a key to immortality! If nothing else, it certainly shows an extremely elevated level of awareness on her part, not to mention an out of this world I.Q.!

My little doll!

Alexa loves playing with ALL of her toys, in her toy bin! What a cutie pie. She's my favorite toy! My little doll!

Welcome Annika and Anne!

Alexa is very excited for the arrival of two new girlfriends! Baby Annika Suzanne was born Sunday morning at 2:40 a.m., arriving early and weighing 5 pounds and 11 ounces. Then, baby Anne Elizabeth was born Monday night at 9:33 p.m., also early, weighing in at 3 pounds and 1 ounce. It's amazing to think that Alexa (7 pounds, 12 ounces) was a giant compared to them!

To the left is baby Annika, the daughter of our former downstairs neighbors Elizabeth and Kyle. What a cutie pie! Great name. We can't wait to meet her. Alexa has already offered to show her the ropes.

And below is my dear friend Libby with her husband and little baby Anne! It's amazing that after giving birth, Libby looks so good. What a glow. Alexa "met" baby Anne when she was still in Libby's tummy. She can't wait to meet her in person! But she really can't wait until baby Anne is big enough to play! We are sending all our love and best wishes that baby Anne will grow enough to go home from the hospital soon!

Yankees at the White House!

What fun. The Yankees were honored at the White House for their World Series win and both Daddy and I got to be there. I thought about trying to sneak Alexa in, but party crashing isn't her style. Besides, she's too young to really remember much. Once she is older, I'll have to see about trying to get her in to see the Yankees! Obviously I fully expect the Yankees to keep winning...

Daddy's coming home today! (video)

In honor of Daddy coming home today, Alexa put on a pretty new dress! See how cute she is? We also put the legs on her music table (not pictured) but she liked the box better...

Click HERE to see her having fun copying Mommy.

After dropping Grandma E off at the Metro, Alexa and I took a little walk and went to the park. I drank some coffee and she enjoyed the swing! Then we went to pick up Daddy at the airport! When we got home, we went for a walk around the 'hood!

Another great day with Grandma E!

Alexa woke up happy, and she was even happier when she got to practice pulling herself up! Look at that smile. What a cutie pie!

She continued the smiles as she downed her breakfast. Yum! She LOVES her teething biscuit, by the way. It's her new favorite thing.

Finally, we headed to Alexa's swim class! Alexa was still not sure what to make of all the water. But this is a great way to get used to it. That way, she'll be right at home in the pool when we visit Grandpa Tom and Grandma Lil!

After swim class, Grandma E and Alexa had a girls night while Mommy went to a baby shower and wedding reception. It was nice to get away, but I missed my Alexa!

Wonderful day with Grandma E!

Daddy is in Vegas, so Grandma E came down for a girls weekend! We met up with some of the women and babies from my mom's group for brunch -- and had cupcakes with Blythe and Avery!

Then, because it was such a nice day, Grandma E and I took a LONG walk while Alexa took a LONG nap! When she woke up, she was in a very happy and smiley mood. So we walked to a park and she had a ball in the swing!

When we got home, Alexa ate SO MUCH FOOD! She downed a 4 oz jar of winter squash followed by a 4 oz jar of Pears and some applesauce, which she gulped down while gumming a teething biscuit. Finally, she played in her bath before going to bed. Whew!

I took these photos on my Blackberry during the day and e-mailed them to Daddy so he could see what we were up to. He wrote back that he missed us!

I couldn't help it...

Check out this adorable polka dot onesie with a ruffle butt and matching jumpsuit. Can't you just see Alexa in this looking sooo adorable? Plus, the shoes... How can I hold back when I look at an outfit and see her face smiling back at me? Hmmm?

Wow... Forget diaper cakes, check this out!

It's a diaper SUSHI! How cute is this? A friend of mine made this and posted a photo. OMG, I love it! So creative!

Alexa is pulling up - on everything! (video)

Alexa started pulling up on her toy bin a few weeks ago... Here she is on Friday, April 2, pulling up to pick out toys. She was wobbly at first... But the more she practiced, the more stable she got!

Here she is a week later, on Saturday, April 10.

She crawls up to the bin and up she goes!

Click HERE to watch a video.

THEN... Last night... She did it. Pulled up in her crib! Oh dear. Luckily, we got her to sleep and it wasn't a huge disruption. Hoping it doesn't become one!

And so, it's not surprising that we got this nose from her daycare teacher today: "Today, Alexa pulled herself up to a standing position a lot and played with her chain links."

Daddy & Daughter Day! (video)

Awww... Look how cute Alexa is! Here she is playing with her Daddy in the morning as Mommy headed to work.

Daddy took Alexa out to lunch! And she sat in the high chair.

On the way home, Daddy took Alexa to a park to swing!

Click HERE to watch a video. So cute!

Our good little eater!

Alexa has really taken to food. At first, she didn't eat much and a lot of it came back out! It seems like over the past month, she's really started to get it. And to have favorites!

She has now finished the veggie started pack (carrots, sweet potatoes & peas) and fruit starter pack (pears, apple & banana). We just started her on Apple-Butternut Squash, and she loves it! Here she is after downing an entire 4 oz jar of it! Then she had some oatmeal... and peas...

Later on, Daddy fed her dinner and she ate a 4 oz jar of Sweet Potatoes, followed by ANOTHER 4 oz jar of Pears! Wow! In addition, we are experimenting with some finger foods. She tried some banana fruit puffs, which she's still not sure about. And, she had her first teething biscuit! See below. She LOVED it! (Note expression below right when I tried to take it away! Ha!)

Photos above taken at a mom's group brunch! Here are all of us moms with our babies and husbands at the brunch. It was great to see everyone!

Gear Note: Waterproof bibs that can be wiped clean, and that have a pocket at the bottom to catch things are the best for feeding. I really like the DexBaby bib that Alexa is wearing in the top photo. I also like these JJ Cole bibs and these Bumpkins bibs.

Alexa's first swim class!

Wow, only one swim class and Alexa was already doing laps around the pool! Well, sort of. But first, she got dolled up in her adorable swim suit! And her green cover-up. What a cutie pie!

When we arrived at the pool, Alexa was a little nervous. She looked around at all the big kids and was a worried. What's going on? Why am I wearing this weird outfit and what is that big thing (pool) that looks like my bath tub?

We got into the pool and Alexa was still not sure what was going on. She was the youngest baby in the class, but that didn't matter to her! She loved it! Alexa's friend Brandon and his daddy are also in the class. Brandon is two months older, but Alexa tried hard to keep up!

We started out in the shallow part of the pool so the babies could walk around (with our help, of course). Then, we walked them to the deeper water so they could practice kicking. We helped them "jump" off a ledge and float on their back by laying them on our arms. Finally, they got to play with toys! Alexa loves to play with her duckie in her bath, so she went straight for the duckie in the pool!

What a great class. We have another one next weekend! Grandma E will be here, so maybe she'll swim with Alexa or take more pictures!

Your daily dose of cuteness!

This photo was extracted from the video... I keep staring at her eyes. So beautiful. So full of wonder and mystery. Has there ever been a cuter baby? I mean, seriously!

Fun in daycare!

I was on the Hill today around noon for work, so I stopped in to say hi to Alexa! She was all smiles when she saw me. Here are a couple pictures I snapped of her playing with balls in the "pool" in daycare. Note the other baby, who was totally mugging for the camera! Ha!

Alexa's 7-Month Photos! (video)

Alexa is sooo squirmy! Plus, she decided to EAT the number on her onesie. So, um, this month's photo session was a bit challenging! I mean... Just look at her! I know, so cute.

Click HERE to watch a behind-the-scenes video of Alexa's photo shoot!

Here are the photos from her shoot!

And, here is my favorite photo...

Some fun facts about Alexa at 7 months...

• Sits up on her own and sits without support, although she'd rather crawl
• Drags herself across the room (commando crawl) and is pretty darn fast!
• Pulls to standing!
• Picks up small objects with her thumb and pointer finger
• Loves toys that play music and books or dolls that crinkle
• Still puts EVERYTHING in her mouth!
• Grabs at everything, including my hair and necklaces and attempts to put them in her mouth (see above)
• Loves to mug for the camera. Or put the camera in her mouth. (see above)
• Likes to grab her feet and put her toes in her mouth (again, see above!)
• Can pick up her pacifier and put it in her mouth. Or pick up two pacifiers and repeatedly put one and then the other in her mouth!
• Goes to sleep between 7:30-8 p.m. and wakes up between 5-6 a.m.
• Sleeps on her tummy with her hands tucked under her chest and her butt in the air
• Has tried solids, in this order: rice cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, oatmeal, pears, apples, bananas. She likes all but peas & oatmeal!
• Wears a size 2 diaper (Pampers)
• Still wears 3-6 month clothes but is starting to also wear 6-9 month outfits
• Reaches her arms up for someone to pick her up. Awwwww!
• Says "dadadadada" and "nananananana" although we are not sure what she means
• Still has NO teeth!
• Knows her name and turns toward you when you say it
• Has been rolling both ways since 4 months old
• Smiles when anyone talks or sings to her or says she's beautiful!
• Laughs out loud if you kiss (zerbert) her tummy!
• Loves to bounce, bounce, bounce in her jumper
• Loves to swing at the park
• LOVES looking in the mirror and will almost always smile when she sees herself
• Does NOT like having her nose wiped
• Sleeps in the car when Daddy drives her to daycare every morning
• Holds her own bottle!
• Drinks out of a regular cup (sort of) but still hasn't figured out how a sippy cup works

Alexa gained 1/2 pound!

In the last month... Alexa has gained nearly a half-pound! She now weighs 15 pounds and 4 ounces. We went to the doctor today so Alexa could get her second H1N1 shot. Here is Alexa playing with her doll and having fun with the mirror while we waited for the doctor! Below is an updated chart of her growth. Still small, but growing!

WEIGHT

Birth: 7 lbs, 12 oz

1 month: 9 lbs, 7 oz

2 months: 11 lbs, 5 oz

3 months: 12 lbs, 3 oz

4 months: 13 lbs, 10 oz

5 months: 14 lbs, 6 oz

6 months: 14 lbs, 13 oz

7 months: 15 lbs, 4 oz

Who's cute? Who's cute? I am! I am!

Ohmigosh, just look at how cute I am! Yes, I am!

Summer sandals for Alexa!

Today was warmer than yesterday! Yay! But when it's warm out, what to wear on her feet? I mean, socks seem kind of weird in the middle of summer. Well, look at these shoes we got from Uncle Richard. Very cute, and, more importantly, they match!

To celebrate the nice weather, Alexa and Mommy went on a walk. And, of course, we stopped at a park to swing a little! Alexa was kicking her feet together and laughing!

A beautiful Spring day!

Today was beautiful and sunny, but a little chilly. So Alexa got to wear this cute outfit from Grandma Lil! How cute? How cute? So cute!

Wait... Why sit, when I can STAND?!

Alexa rode in her stroller as we walked into town for a nice lunch. We sat outside while she napped. When she woke up, she was all smiles!

Back at home, Alexa relaxed in the back yard. Wonder why she isn't smiling? Well... Turns out she was making a BIG HUGE diaper!

So, um, time for an outfit change... Bye, bye, everyone!

Alexa is 7 months young! (video)

What a great day! We met some mom friends and their babies for brunch, then painted pottery with our friend Blythe and her baby Avery, who was also born on Sept. 9. To celebrate our girls' 7-month birthday, we decided to hit Georgetown Cupcakes! Alexa and Avery look like they want their own cupcakes... Patience, girls! Patience!

When we got home, Alexa played on her chair.

Click HERE and HERE to watch videos!

Alexa also played with her music table before Daddy came and told her that she had just received a 7-month birthday present from Grandma E! After playing with the really cool wrapping paper, she finally opened the gift. Two pairs of LUCKY pants and a tank top!

With warm weather...

... Comes the chance to wear cute summer clothes! Here is a peek of the adorable outfits from Huggy Bunny, Zutano, Baby Gap and Baby Nay that you will soon see Alexa sporting around town... Maybe this weekend!

Thank you, Aunt Jen!

Look what we got in the mail today! An unexpected package with this adorable crochet hat! Thank you, Aunt Jen, for such a pretty Easter present. Alexa loves it!

A beautiful Easter picnic!

Another beautiful day! So, again, we loaded Alexa up into her stroller. Instead of taking a long walk, we decided to take it easy. So we walked to a nearby Italian store to buy sandwiches and drinks, then had a picnic at our neighborhood park!

Alexa is adorable in her Tea Collection outfit! I had purchased it on clearance last Fall before she was born. Good thing she still fits 3-6 month clothes because it fits her perfectly!

After Mommy and Daddy ate lunch, Alexa got to swing!

She also rode on Daddy's shoulders!

By the way, about the quilt that we are sitting on: I picked that up at Bed, Bath & Beyond today for only $19.99!! I had planned to get this blanket from One Step Ahead ($39.99) but this one is just as nice and half the price! Of course, this one from Go Baby is very pretty too... But way too small! Update: You can also get this blanket from Buy Buy Baby. Sweet!

When we got home... An impatient Alexa let me take ONE photo in her Easter bib before she started yelling: "Pears! Give me some Pears!" Her new favorite food...