All About Alexa at 12 Months!!

I can't believe that one year ago, I was checking into the hospital and getting ready for my induction to start first thing on Sept. 9th. I was so nervous... Would it hurt? Would I be able to do it? Would our baby be OK? Would she really be a she? I was not at all prepared for the moment I heard her cry and realized that the "bean" in my belly was the most amazing, wonderful, beautiful little baby in the world.

Although it was certainly love at first sight, getting to know our little girl over this past year has got us head over heels for her. The way she smiles all the time, claps her hands, tries to feed you her crackers before pulling them back, toddles around the room, grabs onto your leg, jumps in to your arms... She is absolutely the most amazing creature ever!

All About our Adorable Alexa at 12 Months!

• Big news first -- She's walking! Alexa took her first steps about a week into her 11th month. She still crawls from time to time, but she is definitely walking more than crawling now!
• As you all know, she can waive goodbye and clap! And her NEWEST trick... She can blow kisses goodbye too!
• She pushes her walker around and puts things into the bucket in front!
• She can roll her ball... AND throw it too! Little throw. We're working on it.
• Still enjoys playing Peek-a-boo with us and Hide and Seek!
• Loves pushing buttons that make music or sounds when pressed.
• Has a new best friend... Her dog puppet, who she calls "dog" and is starting to take with her everywhere.
• Says "Uh" when she drops something... As in, "Uh-oh!" She just doesn't have the "oh" part yet!
• LOVES animals! Still likes dogs the best, but gets excited when she sees any animal. She really liked the elephants at the zoo!
• Is getting more teeth! One top tooth has broken through and another is on its way. Plus, her molars are also coming in...
• Weighs around 20 pounds, so she wears most 6-12 month outfits, 9-12 is good, the 12-months stuff is mostly too big but she's growing into them!

Finally, check out how Alexa has grown!

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More pacifier fun... And Happy Birthday Jason!

After my last post regarding Alexa's sleep habits, I heard a funny story from Grandma E about Alexa's cousin Jason and his pacifier obsession as a baby. Apparently, cousin Jason loved ONLY his BLUE pacifiers! And, he used to sleep with them one in each hand and a third in his mouth. Look familiar? Now we know where Alexa's pacifier habit comes from!

And speaking of Alexa's cousin Jason... Guess who's birthday it is today? Alexa has a special message for her cousin Jason! Also, it looks like she wants cousin Jason to play ball with her!

Alexa enjoys lunch at a new restaurant!

We discovered a new Mediterranean bistro in our neighborhood. Alexa loved it! Well, she loved the ice cream we got for desert and shared with her. She also charmed the owner and all the wait staff. Because she's such a cutie pie!

Alexa helps Mommy make Challah

Well, it was more like Mommy chases Alexa around while also trying to make challah! Ha! Anyway, this afternoon we met up with my mother's circle class at Sixth & I Temple to learn how to make challah for the high holidays (that's why it's round). It's actually quite easy! I'll have to let you know how it turns out... The big question is, should I put chocolate chips or craisins in it? Or make it plain?

Also, of course, check out Alexa in her adorable Ralph Lauren polo with monogramed initials! The shirt was a fabulous gift from Daddy's friend Jamie. Look how cute!

Alexa's first trip to Home Depot!

We're running out of firsts! Speaking of, we have a lot of work to do getting ready for Alexa's 1st Birthday Party. So we headed to Home Depot to pick up a few things. Then on to buy a folding table and chairs, frames, food, party hats... Oh boy! And, of course, check out adorable Alexa in another cute shorts outfit. This one is size 12-months, so we were excited that she could wear it before summer ended. It's another great hand-me-down from cousin Amanda!

Barnes & Noble play area and a slide!

This was Day #2 of Alexa staying home with Daddy! He took Alexa on some errands (allergist,  dry cleaning) and then headed to the kid section of Barnes & Noble. We haven't been there since Alexa was a baby. But now that she is walking, it's a great carpeted area for her to practice her moves. They have a giant train set for kids to play with! On a hot day like today (90 degrees!) it's perfect! I met up with Daddy and Alexa after work at the play ground and took Alexa down the slide! She loved it!

Daddy play date at the Zoo!

Day care is closed today and tomorrow for annual teacher training. So lucky Daddy is staying home with Alexa! Since everyone who goes to our day care is in the same boat, Daddy made plans with his co-worker and daughter, Avery (from one of last weekend's birthday parties) to visit the Zoo! A Daddy play date!

Daddy said that Alexa LOVED watching the animals. She got very excited when she saw the elephants, in particular, and made sounds like she does when she sees dogs. Avery had fun watching Alexa and kept saying, "Baby Alexa like elephants!" It sounded so cute. And the lucky guys were able to view the elephants in their NEW habitat, which wasn't supposed to open to the public until Friday. Apparently they got an unadvertised sneak peek! What perfect timing!

Alexa loves her Daddy!

Alexa was so excited to see her Daddy today! We went walking down the street and as soon as she saw him, she lit up and started laughing and reaching for him. Sooooo cute! Also, notice that Alexa is finally sporting a pair of shorts! Since she can walk, we no longer need to worry about protecting her knees as much. Isn't she cute? And look at her little hair clip. She's a tiny little toddler!

Alexa meets baby Anne!

Alexa and Anne are worlds apart right now... Almost one year old, Alexa is working on her first steps. Just over four months, yet born a preemie, Anne is working on holding her head up and sitting on her own. But someday these two will be good friends! They will, after all, be in the same grade at school. And they both have super cool mommas! For now, they just stared at each other, and my goodness was it cute to watch! Alexa clapped her hands and reached out to Anne, who stared back at her and smiled! I didn't catch her beautiful smile in my photos, but she smiled! Alexa can't wait to see Anne again... And play with her someday too!

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Is Alexa ready for her own trike? Or car?

Here she is at several recent parties checking out other kids' ride-on toys and a trike... What fun! Looks like she might enjoy one of her own! The only question is... Which one?

The horse is actually kind of vintage, apparently I had one when I was a kid! There is also the Playskool Step Start Walk'n Ride. And the creme de la creme... The SmartTrike! The only downside of the SmartTrike is that the wheels are plastic. Other similar options are the Kettler Trike, which has rubber wheels (eh, expensive!) and the Radio Flyer Trike, which our neighbors have. There is also the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, the Push Buggy and the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon... Oh boy, the choices!

Birthday Party #4 (Julia & Sara turn 3!)

This is actually Alexa's second time going to Julia and Sara's birthday party. It's just that last year, I was days away from my due date of Sept. 2 and Alexa was still in my tummy! This time, my bubbly baby got to enjoy the party on the outside, which meant crunching on yummy pita chips, checking out this cool ride-on toy, playing dress-up and checking out a slinky! As favors, kids were each given a bucket to decorate with puffy stickers. Mommy helped Alexa put her name on her purple bucket. What a great party!

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Birthday Party #3 (Catherine turns 1!)

Alexa was excited to go to Catherine's birthday party today! As you might recall, Catherine is Alexa's first friend! Alexa met Catherine at her first doctor's visit when she was only five days old! Also, her first play date was with Catherine when she was about two weeks old. Catherine is 11 days older than Alexa and a strong walker! She gave Alexa a few tips... They were adorable to watch!

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After some yummy cupcakes, the girls took a dip in Catherine's baby pool! They LOVED splashing and getting wet. They were giggling and squealing in delight. Don't take my word for it, here's a video!



Some more adorable pictures of our bathing beauties. Also at the party, Alexa got to meet baby Ellie, who is 3 months old and the daughter of two other co-workers, Kim and Ken. She was adorable in her bee outfit. A little too small to go in the kiddie pool, but she watched the big girls!

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Birthday Party #2 (Avery turns 1!)

After the first Avery birthday party, Alexa was ready for another Avery party! This Avery was also born on 9/9/09, about an hour and a half after Alexa. I know Avery's mom, Blythe, from my mom's group. Our babies have known each other since they were about two months old! Also at the party was baby Ella, who was born in September a couple weeks after the A's. We all had a great time!

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Check out Avery eating her cake... She wasn't sure what to make of the frosting at first. But once she tried it, she dug in! We can't wait for Alexa to try her first cake!

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Birthday Party #1 (Avery turns 2!)

This weekend, Alexa was quite the party girl. She was invited to FOUR birthday parties! What a popular baby. Alexa took a nap, then got dolled up in her pink party dress for her first event: Avery's 2nd Birthday Party! Alexa knows Avery from day care. Her party included cookie decorating! Alexa was more interested in watching the bigger kids than decorating, so Mommy helped out. Daddy helped eat the cookies. Below, Avery is on the far left. All the dads work together.

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