SNOW!

Dan & Alexa in our backyard.

Alexa & Me - don't you love my new North Face? It was a Christmas gift from Dan :)

Pretty Alexa-sized pine trees.

Close-up of me and the darling in her huge snow outfit.

This picture would have been perfect had the stupid snowflake not taken out Alexa's face.

Sitting in the snow.

Even Chloe had some snow time!

Well, the much anticipated snow finally arrived. I say "much anticipated" in regards to Dan. He has just been waiting and waiting for it to snow enough to take Alexa outside to get a few pictures. For all of you worriers, it took me longer to get her layered in all of the clothes and snow suit then we were actually outside.
So yesterday and today Alexa was awake for about 4-5 hours during the day! Then she took a nice 2.5-3 hour nap. She seems to be starting to put herself on a schedule of sorts. I love that - it'll give us time together to read, play, and go places (like to the library), but then I will also have some time to do stuff around the house. As I'm starting to get the hang of this "mom" thing, I'm really beginning to enjoy it. I'm so thankful that I am going to be able to stay home with her (and any other future kiddos)! Just so y'all know I'm hoping that one of these days I'll convince Dan to write a post so you can hear his thoughts on this whole parenting thing too.
We have begun to make plans for our first big road trip with Alexa... we are going to NC in February for our niece's baptism. The trip is first going to take us to the Charlotte area to see my aunt, uncle, cousin and her family. I'm really excited to see all of them because it has been soooo long! Then, we are going to head to Greensboro where we will stay with Maureen and Dan, and then drive to Durham to visit with Andy and Cathy. It should be a fun trip! I also received good news tonight... my countdown to Perry is still on (9 days), but my count to see my parents has been reduced to 2.5 days! As long as the weather isn't awful, Mom and Dad are going to come down on Saturday :) I cannot even begin to describe how this brightened my day! So a fun-filled weekend of seeing them and celebrating Dan's 29th birthday is looming... yea!!!

Story [half] Hour

As planned, Alexa and I went to the library for Babytime this morning. We had so much fun! Alexa was wide awake and in great spirits. We sang songs, listened to a couple of stories, and did some finger rhymes :) The children's favorite part was when the librarian came around blowing bubbles. They were all so mesmerized, it was cute. I was shocked by how many people were there. There were about 15-20 children, including Alexa, and then of course the adults. Alexa was the youngest child in the room - she was the only one who couldn't sit on her own. Everyone kept saying how pretty, precious, etc. she was, and all of the other children (mostly around 1 yr old) were saying, "baby, baby, baby," and pointing at her. After story hour we picked out a few books and came home. I remember going to the library as a little girl, and I am so excited to be taking my baby girl to the library now! This is definitely going to be a part of our weekly schedule!! And who knows, maybe I will eventually make friends with a mom or two :)

Mommy v. Baby Monet

I know that I've posted about Alexa's recent fascination with the television. So here is a video clip of her watching the Baby Monet DVD. She can't decide what is more entertaining me (with the camera) or the movie... so cute!

Sleep-filled Nights!

Sleeping in her crib for the first time on Thursday night.

Waking up on Friday morning :)

Lunch at Las Margaritas.

The new fleece sleepsack we got so she wouldn't be cold in her crib.

My long-time friend, Tiffanie, with me and Alexa.

Hanging out at home.

Playing with the barbell rattle.

Blogging and/or Facebooking :)-

So much has gone on since my last posting! On Thursday, Dan and I decided it was time for Alexa to make the transition from her bassinet to the crib. So after feeding her around 9:15 pm, we spent some quiet time with Alexa then put her to bed just after 10:00 pm. She didn't wake up until 3:45 am! After eating, she went back to bed until 8:00 am. It was the closest thing to a normal night's sleep we've had in a long time! Lucky for us each night has gotten better... Friday night she went to bed at 10 pm, woke to eat at 5 am, and then went back to bed until 9:30 am. On Saturday night, Alexa went to bed at 9:30 pm, woke at 5 am to eat, and then went back to bed until 10 am. And as I type right now (9:50 pm) she just fell asleep, and all I hear on the monitor is the Womb Bear. I never in a million years would have thought it would be this easy ***knock on wood*** I've said it numerous times, Dan and I are so lucky to have Alexa. She has been a true joy and such an easy-going little girl. It seems like everyday she is becoming a more interactive person. She is staying awake longer, making eye contact, smiling, and producing tears! I'm excited because this week Alexa and I are going to start attending story (half) hour at the library right around the corner! I think we are going to go to the Tuesday 11 am session. Our library has a cute children's section and story hour area. I'll try to get some pictures while we're there to share with you all.
The past few days have also been filled with some outings and a visit from some friends. Alexa and I had lunch with Dan and a few of his coworkers on Friday at Las Margaritas. Afterwards, her and I went to Babies R Us for a few things, including her new fleece sleepsack. We had a trip to Walmart on Saturday, and ended our day with a visit with Tiffanie and Ben. Today we had lunch at House of Japan (mmmm, yummy!) and shopped at The Andersons. Now, while Alexa is sleeping peacefully, we are watching the first part of the two-part 24 season premiere!!! I'm pleased thus far... I mean how could I not be? Two hours of Jack & Tony :)
For those of you who have been concerned with my "state of mind," I am doing better. I still hate living away from my family, but I know that this is not permanent. I know that when the time is right, we will find a way to move closer to them. So until that time, I have to be patient and look forward to the every other weekend (for the most part) visits to Perry. Only 12 days until I see them again...
Well, that's all for now. Hope y'all are enjoying the winter weather. Will write more in a few days. Ciao.

Couch Potato

This morning I decided that I really needed to get some stuff done around the house, and it is nearly impossible to do anything when Alexa constantly wants to be held. So I did what any good mother wouldn't do... I plopped my 2 month old in front of the television. Santa brought Alexa a Baby Einstein DVD for Christmas, and as you can tell from the top two photos above, she was totally into it. I have never seen a baby so entranced by images on a TV screen. She really loved it... I loved the 30 minutes of housework it allowed me to get done! Not too surprising that the child loves TV though, I think it's in her blood :)- Speaking of television: Just a little reminder for all of you... season premiere of 24 this Sunday and Monday. Mmmm Jack Bauer and Tony Almeida :) Haha.
I also had Alexa spend some time in her swing today. That occupied her for awhile so that I was able to plan my PSR lesson. For those of you who don't know, I teach religion class on Wednesday to fifth graders. The kids are really sweet, and I really enjoy it! What else? Anyone have any suggestions for how to transition Alexa from her bassinet (in our room) to her crib (in her nursery)? Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be much appreciated!
My mood has obviously improved since my last posting, which is good. I doesn't mean I'm happy with our geographical status, but I'm dealing with it. Of course, it helps that I have a countdown until we are in Perry again - 15 days....

Papa's Birthday (& the OSU game)

Alexa watching soap operas with Noni.

Look at how much she loves her Papa!

Big beautiful eyes!

My dad with a few of his birthday gifts - Jimmy Johnson apparel.

Alexa with the birthday boy.

My mom, Alexa, me and Danielle.

Alexa with her grandparents.

Our little family :)

Our Buckeye!!!

Me & Alexa sporting our Buckeye clothes.

Before we left Perry on Sunday, we were able to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was nice to be able to celebrate a birthday with my family since I've missed so many being in Columbus. We plan on going back to Perry for another visit the weekend before my mom's birthday. So we'll be able to celebrate with her too :) The drive back to Columbus was a sad one for me. Every time we leave my parents (or they leave us) it gets harder and harder to be apart from them. I just don't want them to miss out on Alexa's life (and the lives of any other children we have). I hope and pray that circumstances will change so that one day we will be close by...
Moving on to other sad topics, the Buckeye loss. We watched the game at Sean and Stephanie's condo. As you can see above, Alexa looked like a true fan in her Buckeye dress (that fits way better now than it did for her hospital pics).
Sorry for the sad/depressing post. Will write more later when my spirits are a bit higher...

In Perrydise

With my second cousin, Megan.

Hanging out on the couch with Papa.

With my second cousin, Alyssa.

Alexa loves being in the water!

With my second cousin, Kayla.

With my cousin, Judy (the girls' above mom).

With my cousin-in-law, Jeff (the girls' dad).

Rocking with Noni.

Such a cutie in the bouncer.

Watching TV with Daddy.

Danielle and Dan "eating" the gingerbread house they decorated last week.

The gingerbread house makers.

Napping with Mommy.

We've been in Perry since New Year's Day. On Thursday, we just hung around the house, and my cousin's two girls, Megan and Alyssa, came over to stay the night. On Friday, Alexa was able to meet my cousin, Judy, her husband, Jeff, and their other daughter, Kayla. It was really great to visit with the Gramm's because it had been over two years since we last saw them! Catch Phrase is the new game our family is obsessed with, so Friday night we played with my parents, Paul and Kelly. Next time you see Dan, ask him to show you how he described 'knuckle head.' Too funny! Today was a busy day ~ Alexa went shopping with me and Noni, and then hung out at home with Daddy, Papa and Jaja while I went to see Twilight with the girls (Mom, Danielle, Kelly, and some of Mom's friends). The movie was sooooo good!
An update on Alexa... she went to see Dr. Jacob last Monday. It was time for her 2 month old shots :( It was so incredibly hard to see my baby in pain! Dr. Jacob is happy with her growth ~ she weighed in at exactly 10 pounds and is 22.5 inches long. Her growth signifies that our breastfeeding is successful :) Alexa is still a very wonderful baby! I sometimes wonder how I was so blessed with a great pregnancy and now a great baby. She has started to make eye contact, and she will even follow you with her eyes when you move. From the time she was born, Alexa has been obsessed with her tongue, but lately she is now increasing her mouth fettish by becoming a "bubble factory." It is so cute. My favorite thing is how she is starting to smile in response to faces you make at her. My other favorite is she is starting to have a long rest period at night (usually from 11 pm - 5 am)! Alexa is just too precious for words! Who knew parenthood would be so amazing :)