Back in Bethesda... We took Alexa to a park!

This park is near our house, so we can walk there. It was a little chilly out, but we took a few minutes for Alexa to run around and play. Her favorite thing is the SLIDE! Look at her! She had a ball!

First outdoor swim class & a walk to the park!

Today was HOT! Thankfully we had Alexa's first swim class at the outdoor Bethesda pool so we started the day off with a cool off. Alexa fussed a little when we first went in the water, but as she got used to the cold water, she relaxed and enjoyed it. Our little water baby!

We are taking the class with four other babies from my mom's group. Here we are with Avery & Brandon! Not pictured is Ella. We can't wait until next Saturday!

After a long nap following swim class, Alexa and I took a walk to a nearby park. Alexa played on the grass, played with my water bottle and loved being pushed in the swing!

Alexa loves her new carrier!

We finally broke down and got an Ergo! This is a well-known baby carrier that is actually made in my home state of Hawaii and is ideal for carrying babies over 15 pounds. It has a backpacker's waist belt and padded shoulder straps that are suited for carrying older/bigger babies and children.

What's great about this carrier is that you can use it on both your front and your back. The Baby Bjorn can only be used on the front and is more suited for smaller babies. The other thing that is great about the Ergo is that it has a wide seat for babies, which is better for their spine. We took it for a spin on one of our evening walks. Alexa loved it!

Of course, I did not pay full price! I found this carrier on clearance at an online Web site. Yay deals!

One more cute picture from today... Here is adorable Alexa enjoying some swing time!

Busy day, lots of photos! (video)

We woke up on Saturday to a happy baby ready to play! Mommy and Daddy had fun laughing with our little doll. And how cute is this outfit? Answer: So cute!

After our pretty baby got tired of playing with us, we turned to several new toys, courtesy of family and friends: A drum that lights up when you touch it, a cell phone (what every girl needs!) and, of course, a baby doll!

Finally, when all toys failed, it was time to eat lunch! Alexa looks mighty tiny in this high chair, but she ate like a giant! She even tried sucking on a bagel, which she appeared to enjoy. Click HERE to watch our little darling having her lunch. (In case you are wondering, she is eating prunes & oatmeal from Earth's Best.)

After Alexa ate lunch, it was time for Mommy & Daddy to eat lunch too! So off we went to the Ritz Diner... Alexa's first time at the Ritz! She sat in a high chair like a big girl and played with her toys. Yay!

For desert, we met up with Daddy's friend Brian and his baby Jason for some ice cream! We even let the babies in on the fun: They got to try some plain frozen yogurt. After making a face, Alexa seemed to enjoy it and soon could not eat it fast enough! I think that means it's time to introduce yogurt to her meals!

And finally, after ice cream, we proceeded to the park for a nice walk and swing time. Grandma E met us at the park. Do you think we took enough pictures of our darling little cutie pie?

A beautiful day with Alexa, who is CRAWLING and KISSING and just generally SO CUTE! (video)

We walked to downtown Bethesda today with a neighbor friend to check out the Celebrate Mama festival, what fun! We got a bunch of free stuff, like organic puffs and travel hand sanitizer and some magnets. We also checked out a new self-serve frozen yogurt place. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed some fro-yo while Alexa got some applesauce!

We stopped at a park on the way home so Alexa could swing. Look at her go! She was laughing and smiling and having a ball! Smiley Alexa!

So you're wondering about the CRAWLING and KISSING? Turns out, Alexa has started crawling with her knees! The ladies at daycare said she's been doing it for a while, but she still gets places faster with her commando crawl. Click HERE to see for yourself!

Now, about that kissing. She's started planting some big wet ones on me! And check it out... She's even kissing herself! Click HERE to see the funniest thing ever. Thanks Grandma Lil for the mirror... She, um, LOVES it!

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!

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!

Alexa's swings and rides the see-saw!

I was home from work yesterday and today as part of my phased-in return to full-time work. It was sooooo nice to spend the days with Alexa! I missed my baby!

This morning, we went to Stroller Strides at the mall where we met up with Coleen & baby Drew, Blythe & baby Avery, and Amy & baby Landeric. We enjoyed a great workout, followed by some coffee and mommy chit-chat.

Then Alexa and I drove out to Virginia to meet up with Kristin & baby Kaitlyn for lunch and a walk to the park! Check out Alexa's first ride on the see-saw with Kaitlyn!

And... Alexa's first swing set ride! She loved it!

After our fun at the park, Alexa and Kaitlyn relaxed at Kaitlyn's grandma's house. The girls are finally starting to "notice" each other. It's so cute! Look at them looking at each other!

What a great couple of days. And the good news is: We now have the weekend to enjoy as well!

Hanging out with Grandma E!

We had a nice visit with Grandma E this week! She took the train down on Tuesday afternoon and stayed until Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, we took a nice morning walk and got some coffee. Then we drove to downtown Bethesda and we adults enjoyed a nice lunch while Alexa slept! She was still sleeping when we left the restaurant so we took a nice walk on the Capitol Crescent Trail!

Alexa woke up hungry, so we headed to Barnes & Noble to nurse in (where else) the food section! Haha. After she finished eating, we read Alexa some books!

And then... She fell asleep again! So we went to Lululemon to so some shopping before heading home to enjoy soup for dinner! Yum! Alexa enjoyed her swing while we ate. What a great day!

Click HERE to watch a short video of Alexa in her swing!

More Alexa ... On Video!

This morning, Alexa hung out with Daddy... How cute are they?!?!

This afternoon, we had planned to go walking on the Capitol Crescent Trail... We got all dressed up and fed, and then it started raining. Doh! So we put Alexa in her swing! As soon as we turned it on, she passed out. It was instantaneous!

Click HERE to watch a video of her in her swing!

And then we watched a movie... "Away We Go." It was cute.

Finally...

Click HERE to watch another 30-second movie of Alexa today, eating her hands!

Look familiar? It's what she loved doing in utero! (Click HERE to watch her sucking her hands on an ultrasound at 30 weeks!)