Goodbye, Tucson! Hello, more presents!

We got up very early today for our flight home. Alexa was sad to say goodbye to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben! We all had such a great time in Tucson. We can't wait to visit again!

Once on the airplane, Alexa played with Daddy and enjoyed snacks. Finally, she took a nap! It was her best flight yet. Thankfully, there were so many other babies on our flight (10 others, including a 2-year-old behind us and twins across the aisle) that no one could really tell whose baby was crying!

We got home around 5 p.m. and Alexa immediately picked out a gift to unwrap. Thanks, Grandpa, for the First Aid kit! And that's it.. She went to bed. We stayed up until midnight, but just barely! Happy New Year, everyone!

Alexa checks out Bobo's and Saguaro Park!

We heard it on good authority that the No. 1 place for breakfast in Tucson is a little dive diner called Bobo's, so off we went! And, oh yes, the rumors are true. This place is delicious! The pancakes are the best, they are huge and yummy beyond belief!

After a very big brunch, we loaded into the car and drove out to the Saguaro National Monument, which is basically a huge wide open desert expanse spotted with thousands of saguaro cactus. Alexa napped while we drove. Finally, she woke up and we braved the cold to check them out!

Back home, Alexa was very happy to see her friends Lorenzo and Moon Doggie. She pet them, let them lick her face and tried to put her hat on them. Ha! How far she's come since her first days with them. I bet she'll miss then when we leave tomorrow!

Tortillas and Puppies!

We took Alexa to Mosaic Cafe today for some homemade tortillas! Actually, Mommy was craving the tortillas... We went there two years ago and LOVED the warm homemade tortillas! Yummy! These were actually Alexa's FIRST tortillas! She had fun trying to eat them! It was chilly out, so after lunch we headed to the Mall to see... puppies! Alexa loved all the dogs!

Speaking of dogs... Alexa's relations with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben's two little dogs has been a work in progress. At first, she was curious about Lorenzo and Moon Doggie, but as soon as they came toward her, she ran the other way or hid behind us! But after a few days, her curiosity won out. Check out the photo below right of her petting Moon Doggie! Yay! Breakthrough!

Alexa loved the Tucson Zoo!

Today was so much fun! Sunny. Beautiful. Wonderful day at the Tucson Zoo! We got an early start, hit a drive-through Starbucks (love it) and arrived at the Zoo in time to make the 10 a.m. giraffe feeding! Alexa was a little unsure of these giant creatures with long tongues, but she eventually gave them a carrot stick! (Carrot sticks, by the way, cost $1 each. Holy expensive! At least it's for a good cause, all proceeds go to benefit zoo conservation projects.)

Next up, Alexa enjoyed checking out these bald-butt monkeys. There were a ton of kids in this play room, coloring and listening to a story. Alexa wasn't interested in anything else but the monkeys! (Update: These strange-looking creatures are called lion-tailed macaques and they are endangered.)

Next up - another monkey! Or is it a gorilla? (Update: It's a mandrill, which is actually a large monkey.)

She also enjoyed checking out this ugly-looking creature. We're not really sure what it is... (Update: It's a capybara, the world's largest rodent. Basically, a very large guinea pig.)

And here she is peering into the water looking for otters! There's one, wait, there's TWO!

Next up - A llama! And anteater!

She also saw a black panther! Zebra! Ostrich! Bear! Tiger! Warty Pig! Oh, my!

Oh, and of course, Alexa saw elephants!

After all the fun at the zoo, we took Alexa on a train ride in the park next door. What a great day! Alexa loved hanging out with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben. Thanks for taking us to the zoo!

Alexa hits the Wild Wild West!

After a fun day at the zoo, Alexa took a nap before our next adventure. We took her to Trail Dust Town for dinner at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse! What fun!

One of the attractions in Trail Dust Town was a carousel! Alexa enjoyed her first ride on a carousel, but she was a little unsure what to think of it. There's a carousel at a park back home, so once the weather gets better we'll have to check it out!

Finally, we headed to the restaurant for dinner! Alexa discovered a new favorite food - chicken fingers! Check out her adorable Wild West outfit and pig tails. Our little cowgirl!

The Christmas lights of Tucson!

There is a neighborhood in Tucson that is known for nearly every house putting up over-the-top Christmas lights. You can either drive through the neighborhood or walk. With the wonderful weather, we decided to walk! There were so many amazing houses. Our favorites were the gingerbread house and a light how that one house put on. Amazing! (Oh, check out whose names are on the Naughty List!)

And, of course, no day would be complete with out some more fun with Tommy Toot! Alexa loves her toy. Here she is decked out in her Christmas lights outfit. Cute and warm!

Off to the Tucson Farmer's Market!

But first, Alexa got another present from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben! This, I must say, was a real innovative idea... It's a baby blow toy, a whistle called "Tommy Toot" that toots when you suck or blow into it. How neat! At first, Alexa didn't know what it was. But once she figured it out, she ran around tooting and smiling at herself. So cute!

And now, here's a video of Alexa and Tommy Toot!



So, Tommy Toot in hand, we packed up Alexa and off we went to the Tucson Farmer's Market! We took a nice long walk as she napped. Then we had muffins and coffee while she continued to nap! Finally, when Alexa woke up, we got some goodies for her to snack on for lunch. Yum!

After lunch, Alexa ran around the farmer's market chasing her shadow! She studied it for a while, then figured out that she could play with it. And then the fun began! It's so fun to watch her...

Then, on our way to the car, Alexa decided that she didn't want to ride IN her stroller, she wanted to PUSH her stroller. Check it out... She's helping Daddy and Aunt Kelly push. What a great little helper!

Christmas in Tucson again!

This is Alexa's 2nd Christmas in Tucson. Sort of. Last time we were here, Alexa was just a ball of cells! And we didn't even know that she was preparing to join our family. Look how big she is now! It was a tad easier traveling with her last time, especially since she's now so squirmy! Luckily, she slept for the last hour of our 4-hour flight. She wore her Christmas PJs from Grandma and was soooo cute!

After a nap, Alexa helped Aunt Kelly open presents she got for Lorenzo and Moondoggie!

And after another nap, Aunt Kelly helped Alexa open a present the dogs (and Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben) got for her! Yay, some cool wooden stacking blocks!

Christmas Eve at Papa's in Ocean City

Alexa had a great time playing with all of her aunties, uncles and cousins at tonight's Christmas Eve party! It was so much fun to watch her interact with everyone. She was excited to see her big cousins and ran all over the place, from person to person. She even sat down and had a snack with the "big girls." Finally, all the kids got to open presents and Alexa joined in on the unwrapping fun. Thanks to everyone for the great gifts!

Fun in Wanda's art studio (video)

So many drawers to open. So many toys to pick up. So many things to bang. Recipe for fun! Alexa enjoyed running a bit wild today with a toy doll and pair of cymbals, all found in Wanda's studio. Yay!

Wanna see for yourself? This first video of is of Alexa's new dance! And, no, the video is not set on fast motion. She's doing that herself! It's like a jig. Flashdance!



This second video is a bit rambling and not really about anything, just Alexa clanging on her cymbols, walking around, and, finally, figuring out that she can push Daddy over. Awww. That's easy, Daddy is indeed a push over for Alexa!



Finally, after all that fun, she sat on Daddy. Because, he's the closest thing to a rocking horse!

And then she played dress up! My crazy little girl, is this a hint that you want to go to Hawaii?

Alexa opens her Christmas gift from Aunt Jen!

Actually, it's from Aunt Jen and Uncle Dani. And it's no surprise what it is... A DOG! But this dog is special, it can bark and flip over! Alexa's first reaction was to run and hide. Eventually, however, she got used to it. Whenever she picks up her dog, she hugs him real tight!

Alexa makes mommy and daddy a GIFT!

Awwwwww, check out this cute art project that Alexa made for us at daycare today! She brought it home all wrapped up. Of course, Daddy doesn't like to wait to open up anything, so we tore off the paper immediately. How cute! A decorated photo of Alexa wearing PIGTAILS for the first time! I put them in this morning but didn't have time to take any photos. Daddy said that all of Alexa's daycare teachers were going ga-ga over the pigtails and everyone kept saying how cute she was! I totally agree!

Playing with Alexa!

Here are a ton of pictures taken while my parents were in town earlier this month... We had so much fun playing with Alexa every morning. I put together collages of my favorites. Here she is playing with a favorite birthday activity cube from cousins Amanda and Sammy and shaking some bells from Grandma E!

Here she is playing with more favorite toys... Her piano, a Hanukkah gift from Grandma E and Pop! Her Melissa & Doug stacking/nesting blocks, a birthday gift from Ms Marcie! And her ride-on horse, a gift from Grandma Lil! How nice it is to be so loved.

Speaking of those Melissa & Doug blocks... In addition to stacking the blocks (as shown above), check out what Alexa likes to do after I stack them up. Knock them down! Caught in action!

Finally, after all that play, Alexa was HUNGRY! So hungry, that she licked her bowl!

Alexa shows off her new hat and jacket!

After Mia's yesterday, we stopped by my favorite consignment store... And Alexa got a cute hot pink jacket from GAP! I really wanted a cute winter jacket. But I didn't want to pay $50. Got this one for $17! Score! Also got this hat and matching mittens from Buy Buy Baby for $8, using a 20% off coupon. And, love this new pink fleece from REI, an early Christmas gift from Grandma!

Anyway, today is Sunday=Football, so we headed to a nearby mall where Daddy could watch the games at Dave & Busters and Alexa and I could go shopping. Fun! Everyone's happy! Wait until you see the cute hooded sweater that we got at Bloomingdales... And a beautiful ruffled skirt we found at GAP!

Alexa eats PIZZA and MEATBALLS at Mia's!

We had lunch at one of our favorite pizza places today, and got a good deal too! I got $30 worth of food at Mia's for $15 on LivingSocial.com. Our bill was $32, so it cost us only $2 and tip. Way cool! Alexa, meanwhile, enjoyed eating pizza and meatballs! She made a MESS but had a good time. So did we!

Alexa opens a Christmas gift!

Alexa must have gotten used to opening one gift a day during Hanukkah, because she has started wandering over to the Christmas tree and picking out a gift to open. Today, she tore through a package of GUM from Grandpa! Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy will be enjoying this gift, not Alexa. Still, she had a good time ripping the paper. Also, check out her adorable Christmas outfit for the daycare party!

Update! Daddy took this photo at the daycare party, where parents were invited to view the gingerbread houses that the kids made. I had to work, so he went down to check it out. Um, yummy!

First BIG snowfall! This one stuck!

Alexa looked outside today and saw lots of WHITE! We had our first big snowfall of the year... Daddy went out and shoveled the driveway and sidewalk. It was only a few inches. Alexa got to wear her big winter coat! Yay for snow!

All about Alexa at 15 months!

We took Alexa to the doctor for her 15-month appointment today! She was soooo good. She got several shots and was a real trooper. She also ran around the examining room, totally impressing her doctor. Plus, when I told the doctor that she could say "dog" and "ball," she immediately proved that she could and started saying "dog? dog? dog?" She also waived her hands when I said TOUCHDOWN!

All About Alexa at 15 Months:

• Weighs 21 lbs, 13 oz and measures 29.5" long
• Shrugs her shoulders when she doesn't know something or when you say "I don't know?"
• Hides objects of interest (like a silver locket) behind her back!
• Thanks too Grandpa, now knows the word MINE (pronounced "meh") and uses it too!
• She also now says "aw-duh" (all done, while shaking both hands in the air to indicate being all done with her meal)
• If you are keeping track, she is now up to 16 words! Other new words include "doll," "woof" (as in what a dog says), "ba-boll" (bottle), "ack-er" (cracker), "baa baa" (as in what a sheep says), "Pop" (used for her grandpas), and "bat" (bath)
• Understands simple commands, like "play your PIANO" or "CLAP your hands" or "do you want to go in your STROLLER?"
• Has 2 more teeth! Her top right molar is totally through and the top left molar is halfway through. Her gums on the bottom are swollen where two additional molars are about to pop... Total teeth count is 6!
• With all those teeth, it's no wonder that she now loves chomping on apples!
• Tried potato latkes for the 1st time -- and liked them, especially dipping them in applesauce!
• Also tried cakeballs for the 1st time -- and liked them too!
• Gets onto her rocking giraffe on her own and rides with her hands up in the air
• Dances! Oh yeah. Put on the music and her arms go up in the air as she stamps her little feet!
• Continues to sing, even hums sometimes. It's very cute!
• And a new thing she loves to do... Stick out her tongue!
• Helped decorate the Christmas tree for the first time -- her favorite ornament was a felt dog

Alexa rocks, sings and plays the piano (video)!

Alexa was having a blast on her rocker... She was even riding with no hands! Crazy!

And on this video, Alexa was having so much fun that she started SINGING! Then, AFTER she finishes rocking, Daddy suggests that she play the piano, and she UNDERSTANDS him and heads for her piano! What a smart little girl! Then, keep watching and you'll catch her showing off her favorite word, "Dog!"

Alexa claps for her rocker (video)!

This video is from a week ago... Alexa was having so much fun on her rocker that she started clapping her hands! It was too cute! She absolutely loves this thing. She climbs on all the time and pushes the buttons to play music. What fun!

Football Sunday!

Go Steelers! Go Steelers! Alexa and Daddy played with her football while watching football and teaching her how to say "fut-bowel"!

Parties! More parties!

We had a busy day of parties today. First, holiday brunch at Aunt Elizabeth's house! We brought cookies. And enjoyed all the yummy food! Alexa enjoyed eating a muffin, one of her favorite foods. She also had fun seeing the other children there, including her daycare buddy Zico!

Next stop was Jen's house for Nate's 1st Birthday Party! Nate was born a preemie, so when Alexa first went to visit him, he was tiny! He's grown up a lot since then. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of Alexa with the birthday boy. He's in one of the shots below. Alexa had fun playing with her friend Kaitlyn. She also loved the slide and a nylon crawler tube. And she loved Nate's ride-along train that has BALLS you can put under the seat and they shoot out! The only thing she did not like was meeting Elmo. Oh well!

Shopping: From Petsmart to the Mall

I stayed home from work today to play with Alexa and Grandma. And guess what happened? It snowed! Our first snowfall! Luckily, the snow did not stick on the ground. But Alexa had a good time watching it fall from the window. She also loved putting on (and taking off) her new hat from Grandma E! Plus, doesn't she look adorable in this pink tulle skirt from Grandma Lil? So cute!

After the snow stopped, we went shopping! First, we went to Michaels to look for materials to make mitten clips. And guess what was right next door? Petsmart! Remembering how Grandma E had taken Alexa to pet stores, I jumped at the chance. What a great idea! As another mom put it: Pet stores are like FREE aquariums and zoos! Alexa got to see bunny rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, fish and birds. But her favorite part was looking at all the books about DOGS!

After Petsmart and a quick trip to REI to look for mittens and fleece jackets for Alexa, we headed to the MALL. It wasn't as bad as we had feared. Grandma and I enjoyed some free single-cups of coffee while Alexa munched on a soft pretzel. Then we headed to Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, where Alexa had a good time "shopping"!