BIG NEWS! And ANOTHER great beach day!

We woke up to another great beach day! And a new little baby in our lives! After our wonderful night out with Grandma E and Judy, we got home to find out that my sister was about to give birth to Alexa's little cousin. Needless to say, we didn't get much sleep that night as we waited up to hear word of her birth! We finally heard that tiny little Athea Vivian was born at 9:28 p.m., weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 16 inches long. She was 5 1/2 weeks early, but cute as a button!

As Athea was enjoying her second day on the "outside," we headed to brunch at our favorite place! Alexa didn't want to sit in the high chair (a new thing) so she sat (sort of) in the booth with us!

And then we headed out for more beach fun... Alexa made more drip castles, this time on her own! It was amazing to see what she remembered learning from Seth. She also played with Daddy, Grandma E and Judy! What a great day.

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!

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!

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!

Alexa's Photo Shoot, Part II

Are you ready to be blown away by cuteness? Get ready, because Alexa really is that cute... Adorable! Her family isn't bad either. We had so much fun taking these pictures. It was a little chilly out, but it warmed up quickly, especially in the sun. We started out taking some photos of our new walker practicing her stride...

We twirled her, kissed her, swung her... She was in such a good mood and had a ball with everything. What a little diva! Love her serious face too!

As I mentioned earlier, so many people were out walking their dogs that Alexa had a ball pointing and calling for them. She was so full of smiles. Her excitement was cracking us up. What fun!

Click photos to enlarge!

Have you seen a happier baby? Have you?

Daddy and I had to run a couple of errands, so my sisters offered to babysit Alexa. I guess we didn't need to worry about whether or not she would be OK... Looks like she was doing just fine without us! In fact, it looks to me like she was having a BLAST without us. Hey! I should add that Aunt Kelly also made a bottle for Alexa and put her down for a nice 1:45 nap. Yeah!

Click to enlarge!

Alexa's 1st Birthday Party!!

After the morning photo shoot, Alexa went down for a nap and we broke out the balloons and started decorating and setting up for her party! Luckily, she slept for two hours, because we needed that time to transform our house into party central! Thanks to everyone's help, it was a cinch. How on earth can we throw a party without our party crew help next time? Here is the house, ready for a party!

And what a party it was! It went by so quickly, but it was so amazing to see all of our friends. Some old friends that we've known for a long time. Some new friends who we met recently when we moved to Bethesda. Alexa certainly enjoyed herself! She was a diva and loved being the center of attention!

Finally... The cake! Yum! Alexa was all smiles but not very interested in digging in. You'll see why soon. Stay tuned for photos from this morning's cake smash! In the meantime, check out how cute she is... She was loving the attention! What a great party!

Click on photos to enlarge!

Not even 20 pounds yet! Our little peanut!

Alexa was all smiles this morning playing with her toys... She especially liked her new wooden frog!

After breakfast, we took Alexa to visit the doctor for her 12 Month check-up. Turns out she's still under 20 pounds! She weighed in at 19 pounds and 13 ounces, measuring 28.5 inches long. So she's still in the 25th percentile. Our little peanut! She also got some shots. Ouch!

When we got home from the doctor's office, Alexa took a long nap and then played with Aunt Jen in the yard! She had a good time throwing her ball. Yay for throwing!

And then... Surprise! Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ben showed up! Wow! They flew in for the weekend! We all enjoyed a nice dinner together, and I finally baked the challah I made! It came out great!

Alexa loves her aunties!

Alexa has had a great time these past two weeks hanging out with her aunts, uncles and grandparents! Here she is playing on her activity mat with Aunt Jen!

And enjoying (look how focused she is!) her bottle with Aunt Kelly!

Alexa's first Christmas!

After a nice breakfast and a nap for Alexa, we got ready for Alexa to open her presents! Not surprisingly, she had the MOST gifts under the tree!

Mommy and Daddy with Alexa on Christmas morning.

Alexa's first present...

A Bumbo chair from Mommy & Daddy!

Alexa's second present...

A stocking from Aunt Kelly -- with Alexa's name on it!

Another present -- Pink bunny booties from Aunt Jen and Tio Dani!

Look at all these presents!

What's next?

Aunt Kelly helps Alexa open a gift... A pink hat and princess footie!

Yes, Alexa, girls can wear blue too!

Oooh, check out this hair bow!

It came in a cute pink suitcase with other hair bows, a polka dot bird bib, burp cloth and blankie! Thanks Aunt Chimmy!

Yum, bibs are good for eating!

Wait, I'm not supposed to EAT the bib?

I'll just find something else to eat! Like... this rattle!

Look at all these things I can eat!

Click HERE for a video of Alexa's first Christmas!

But the best part of Christmas is seeing my family, like Aunt Jen!

What a great first Christmas!

Earlier in the day, while Alexa was napping... The adults opened gifts!

Here is Daddy opening his gift from Alexa!

And here is Daddy and Grandpa with footprint mugs that Alexa made for them!

And here I am opening the best gift ever...

A adult sized footie! Of course I had to try it on...

It came with a matching footie for Alexa! Holy cozy!

Later in the day...

We enjoyed Christmas dinner!

And took more pictures. Here is Alexa with Mommy and Aunt Jen!

And her is your final Christmas picture... Alexa with her stocking!