Finally... Alexa's 22 Month Photos!

We tried taking these photos earlier, but Alexa declared NO PHOTO! Then it was too hot to take photos. We tried again and luckily I got these great shots in the first few seconds! Afterward, I showed the photos on the computer to Alexa and she was so excited. She wanted to look at them over and over. Our little model!

All About Alexa at 22 Months:

• Alexa's comprehension is astounding! She understands pretty much everything we say now and repeats a lot of it back. It makes for some interesting conversations! 
• She also seems to understand the concept of "Baby Brother" better now. She'll pat my tummy and say "Baby Brother." And if I tell her that something is for Baby Brother, like a blue elephant or outfit, she seems to understand that it's not for her. 
• Alexa can identify most animals by name and imitate their sounds. We're now working on colors and numbers. She pretends to count by saying number-sounding words in a cadence like she was counting. It's so funny! She can get most colors (red, yellow, blue, purple) but only about 50% of the time.
• Since we drive the same way home, Alexa notices landmarks and asks about things she's seen before, like "baby deer" or "ducks," then when we get closer to where they are, she says "coming up!" And once we turn the corner onto our street, she proclaims "Back in the neighborhood!"
• Her favorite games right now are "play blocks" and "play cards"! She also is loving her new T-ball set and Melissa & Doug color fish puzzle. Many times, she'll push her baby carriage around the house and put every toy she has into it until it's completely loaded down! She also loves all of her purses and bags, which, thanks to Grandma E, she calls "pocket books."
• After being afraid of the pool and beach at the start of the summer, Alexa now loves the pool and loves the beach! She will often ask to go to the pool and/or beach and get excited when we are on our way. In her swim class, she is learning to kick, blow bubbles, climb out of the pool and jump on the count of three. 
• Favorite food of the summer is WATERMELON! She also loves ice cream. Who doesn't?
• Alexa has some good friends who she will ask about, like Tessa, Tai-Tai, Avery, Nick and Brandon! At daycare, she and Nick hold hands while walking down the hall. She and Tessa will run down the hall giggling together, then cry when Tessa has to go to a different classroom.
• Alexa's hair is so long now that she can wear a ponytail! See photo above. She also can wear pigtails!
• When she wakes up, she'll stand in her crib and call for MOMMY or DADDY!
• She is still wearing some 12-month and 18-month items but everything we are buying her now is 24-month or 2T. And apparently her feet have been on a growth spurt... She's now a 6.5! 

Finally, here is a look at Alexa over the last year: