Pumpkin Time

Reading in Bed

Granny's Party

Great Granny's birthday bash was this past weekend. The trip was long, but well worth it for the family time and the big event. It was nice for Lexi to be around cousins. She got to play with them and they were great for me because they helped entertain her.

When we got to the party, Lexi was quite a handful. She didn't want to pose for pictures and cried for me to hold her. After I got her some finger foods (veggies & crackers) and saw her gobble them down like a starving child, I realized that it was my fault. I didn't give her a snack after her nap. She also dove into her dinner while entertaining the people sitting around us. She just loves attention. With food in her belly, she was happy and very loud. I had to stand at the back of the hall during the program. She kept pointing at Granny and Granddad and shrieking out their names. She also kept saying, "Emily (the MC) talking!" I took her outside for some discipline and to have a little talk with her, but that only made coming back worse. She wanted to be outside because being quiet is just too difficult for her. Of course, the few times that we went to the front (to be introduced & read a poem), she was fine. This girl clearly likes to be the center of attention, but it was Granny’s day.

Next time I go anywhere important, I am dragging Steve along (even if he has a conference) so we can switch off and have hands to take more pictures. I will also bring her coloring book, because it is one of the few activities that she enjoys enough to be fairly quiet. By the way, I blame this talking gene on that side of the family. Steve, George & Granny all love to talk. I am not saying that my family is quiet. They are NOT. It is just that I was a shy enough kid that I didn't like all the attention.

Happy To You, Granny!

Great Granny Lou


Great Grandma Law

For the past few days, Lexi has been carrying around a test print of Granny Lou's party program. On the front of the program there is a picture of Granny that she points to and sings/says, "Happy to You, Granny!" She has also been sifting through old pictures and can pick out Granny almost every time. I figure that this is the best preparation for our trip to the BIG Party in Virginia.

Last week, I realized that both of Lexi's living Great Grandmothers have a birthday this month. Not only that both of them are our fathers' mothers. That is about where the similarities end though. We all know it is Granny Lou's 90th birthday. As for my grandmother, she has always claimed to be 29. I am guessing that she is near 80. Granny Lou is also very involved in the community and her family. My Grandma is a bit of a hermit and quite anti-social. I guess that can happen when you are a rancher in the mountains of Idaho (I haven't seen her in 10 years). Anyway, this is the birthday month for Lexi's Great Grandmas. --Happy To You!

Bath Toys

Toddler Bed is Really a Slide

Lately, I have been feeling really lazy about blogging. I have realized though that Lexi's blog doesn't need a lot of mumbo jumbo when pictures and videos will do. In this first video, I think she is trying to tell me that she wants to go to the park. When we bought her bed, we had no idea the fun she would have on it. I also think she is going to be sad when we actually put it together.



In this video, she actually opens up a little and talks on camera.

Snack Time

Special Moment on a Special Day

Today, Aunt Paige (aka Nanny McPaige) turns the BIG 20! Talk about ancient... Since she is far far away and we don't get to celebrate with her in style, we decided a nice tribute would have to do.

It started off innocent enough. I went to get Lexi out of her bed this morning. As usual, she had to point at EVERYTHING several times while I told her the words for them even though she knows them. Finally, I was able to scoop her out of her crib. When I changed her diaper, I noticed that it was fairly dry. I knew she would be going soon, so we headed over to the bathroom to sit on the potty. She sat on it and said "pod-tee" over and over again. Then, she stood up to point at it. She started tinkling on the floor. I quickly sat her down again and most of it ended up in the potty. Of course, there was LOTS of praising on my part. I am just hoping that she finally caught of glimmer of what the pod-tee is for.

There you have it. A momentous moment in the life of Lexi and she saved it for her favorite aunt/nanny's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT PAIGE! We hope you pod-tee (oops...Party) it up!

Water Bug

With her two favorite friends, Avery & Camden

My little Lexi is getting so tan & blonde. What can I say? We have been enjoying lots of different water activities and using Bull Frog sun block (the stuff that makes me come back whiter than ever). We have been going to the kiddie water park, the beach club, and the splash park.

Birthday Party

Lexi attended her first Texas birthday party. It was for four year old Joshua (my friend's son). Lexi was the youngest non-baby there, by about 8 months. You only get to see photos of Lexi though.

Transitions

This morning, Lexi insisted on sitting on the potty. Being one that certainly does not want to discourage that, I let her and then we rushed off to Toys R Us to buy a kiddie one. I've heard that the worst times to potty train are around a move or when you are expecting a new baby, so I had decided to hold off and go slow. I am sure that her interest has to do with her new little 4 year old friend. There is nothing like a positive influence. Although, I will still be thrilled if she has been potty trained by her second birthday.

18 Month Dr Appt (late)

Lexi was supposed to see the doctor at 18 months, which was days before we left Miami. I figured that Steve and Paige could take her, but things were so hectic the appointment fell through the cracks. Finding a pediatrician and getting Lexi's shots were on my priority list when we got here. Fortunately, one of my friends recommended hers. I took Lexi on Friday (& Paige tagged along).

I had almost forgotten what a normal doctor experience in America is like (yes this is definitely one of those things that is DIFFERENT in Miami). The ladies at the front desk were very nice (NEVER happens in Miami). They actually had a waiting room for sick kids and one for well kids that even had toys in them (what a concept). Lexi was called very quickly (shocking). She weighs 25.5 lbs and is 33" tall. That part was normal, but they actually told me how she compares to others her age!!! I haven't heard that once since she was born. A few times, I looked it up on the computer. She is in the 90% for her height, 90% for her head circumference, and 50% for her weight. Basically, she is tall & thin, but healthy. On top of that, the doctor actually asked me if she had reached different mile stones like does she sleep through the night, climb stairs, eat with a spoon, have a vocabulary of more than 100 words, etc. I was completely unprepared for those questions since I hadn’t been asked before. Of course, the answer was yes on all of them.

The best part about the doctor’s visit was that the nurses here actually know how to give shots. In Miami, they literally stabbed the needle in and then slowly pushed out the medicine while Lexi screamed her head off. Then, the nurse would lift up the next needle high enough for Lexi to see it was going to happen again. It wasn't the same nurse either. She was given shots by three or four different nurses. I always felt I could do it better. Fortunately, that is not the case here. Both of the shots were done before we knew it. Lexi only cried a little. Instead of pouting, she pointed out her “booboos” and blew kisses to them the whole way home.

Now, I am glad she missed her appointment in Miami. Having normal doctor experiences is just one more reason that we are glad we moved.

Time with Aunt Paige

Paige will be heading back to California soon. Her trip has been about keeping Lexi entertained on the long drive here, spending time with us, and hanging out with some of her friends here in Houston. It has been fun, but don't cry. She'll be back in December.

Nap Time?

I must admit that I have mixed feelings on nap time. Some days, it is heaven sent and I can get a million things done in that short period of time (when I have things at home that need to be done). Other days, I have to stop the errands that I am running and try to get home so Lexi can get the rest she needs. Those are the days that I wonder if I can figure out a way to get over this phase even though she is a bit young. Is there a way to schedule nap time to be every other day & twice as long? I could work with that.

I guess now is not the time to complain. Next year, when I have two of them probably on different sleep schedules...I'll be hating it.

Kiddie Pool

Since we moved to Texas, Lexi has become a better sleeper & eater. She is either much more comfortable or I am wearing her out...

Just Hanging Out

Stop Off in Tallahassee

Our first day ended when we arrived at Aunt Sue's house in Tallahassee. Lexi had fun playing with her second cousin, Regan. Here they are on the front porch.

Leaving Miami

Saying Goodbye to Granddad & Thanking Him for Helping Us Pack the Truck.




Last Weekend in South Beach

SOBE Playground

This is our last weekend trip to the best playground on Miami Beach. We were actually headed to the pool, but there was a bit of lightening a little earlier so it was closed. We played at the park and then headed to the beach for a quick dip in the beautiful water.

A Little Brother

It is official, Lexi is going to have a little (actually rather large) brother. For all of you that hoped it would be a boy to defend himself against a rather rambunctious sister, you can put your fears to rest. I still think she'll have the upper hand for a few years. I know I did.

Little Nook

Lexi has been such a big helper while we pack. She took a moment to hide in her newly discovered nook.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July from the "All American Girl" (her nickname at daycare).

The Lexi Purse

Lexi is a purse girl. In fact, since the beginning of last December, she has been draping my purse (and any bag she can get her hands on) over her shoulder and walking around like she is queen. I am always trying to find ways to ditch my purse, but she just loves it. A few weeks ago a package came from the Crazy Bow Lady, I opened it up and saw this cute little pink bag with Lexi's name on it. I knew it would be an instant hit.

Girls Night Out

While Steve is away (in Houston), the girls will play. Lexi and I went to a friend’s house for dinner last night. We headed there right after work/daycare. My friend is recently divorced and has the cutest little 3.5 year old son, Bennie. He is a chatter box who didn’t want Lexi to touch his stuff. Other than that, he played well with her.

My friend cooked chicken fingers for the kids and pasta for us. We had so much fun talking and watching the kids run around that we hardly noticed the time. Poor Lexi was exhausted when we finally got home at 9:30pm. She barely stayed awake while I put her pajamas on. I have to admit that she is quite a trooper/party animal.

Daddy's Day

This weekend, we tried to take our normal walks in between down pours. On Saturday, we got caught in one about two blocks from our apartment. On Sunday, we stayed dry, but had another fun issue to deal with. Moments after these photos were taken, Miss Lexi threw the worst/longest tantrum to date. First, she ran towards a group playing with a volleyball and then after a guy jogging and kicking a soccer ball. Being the cruel parents that we are, we didn’t let her get close enough to grab their toys. She screamed, whaled, flailed her body, threw everything she could get her hands on and did just about everything you can imagine for around 15 minutes (an eternity). My strategy is to just let her get it out of her system. Steve didn’t exactly like the noise and people staring at us like we were beating our child. All I could say was there is a reason they call it the terrible twos & Happy Father’s Day.

Rainy Weekend

It is a rainy weekend here in the "Sunshine State," so we are organizing and taking it easy.

At the Kiddie Pool