October Updates

In October Alexa turned 11 months old! This was the first month since she was born that we didn't go to the Dr. so I didn't get an official weight on her this month. This month Alexa really enjoyed getting to eat what Mommy and Daddy ate and experimented a lot with table food. She didn't have any negative reactions to anything which was a relief. Alexa started pointing at things a lot more to get her wants/needs met versus crying. Alexa also learned how to clap this month. She was able to stand alone momentarily and took a couple of steps on her own a couple of times (when she didn't realize Mom and Dad weren't still holding on to her). She started making a lot more new sounds and we enjoy guessing what she is saying. Going on a stroll. If you look carefully, you can see downtown Lincoln in the distance.

Alexa with Grandma Dorn

Priceless Expressions!

Nebraska weather in October is a funny thing. One day you can go for a bike ride outside and then....

A few days later it snows!

Alexa loves playing peek-a-boo in the curtains!

Grandma & Grandpa Ladd

Smooches from Daddy

Drivin' along in my automobile

Trying to get Alexa to pose with a pumpkin

Playing with Uncle John with her lopsided bow

Happy Halloween!

Grandpa Tom's Birthday is on Halloween so this year we got together with him and Grandma the day before to celebrate & while Grandma Celia was teaching Alexa how to play the piano...

I suggested the boys carve pumpkins. I really like family traditions and this is one of them and to my surprise, Paul particpated! Go Daddy!

Didn't they do a good job? Grandpa Tom has a very scared look on his face.


And then for Alexa's First Halloween she was a.....

GIRAFFE!
And to be quite honest, she didn't particularly care for the costume, but she played along pretty well when it came time to get her picture taken.

And then we took her trick or treating to visit...

Grandma & Grandpa Ladd

& Grandma & Grandpa Dorn

I wonder what she will be next year...

September Updates

This month Alexa weighed 18 pounds, 5 1/2 ounces. She tried a lot of table food this month and enjoyed sneaking bites of Mommy's breakfast in the morning. This month Alexa started "dancing". Anytime we put on music with any kind of beat she would start rocking back and forth. It's our absolute favorite!! Alexa also finally decided it was OK to drink her bottle/sippy cup by herself - which took a long time to master. A highlight of this month is that Alexa learned to soothe herself to sleep in her crib which was huge! She did have to go back on her acid reflux medicine because she developed a persistent cough that just wouldn't go away. We had her tested for food allergies and everything came back negative so Mommy got to start eating dairy and soy again which was more exciting than she could even describe. This month Alexa went to the State Fair, Mahoney State Park, the Lincoln Zoo (again), and did lots of shopping and errand running with Mom. Alexa also started going to MOPPETS while Mommy goes to a MOPS group at the nearby church.

Lincoln Zoo with Uncle John


Learning to Fall Asleep in Crib
So I was told if you want your child to learn to fall asleep on their own, do not take them out of their crib at night, just let them cry it out. Well my daughter got the "cry" part down fine but not the "out" part. She would scream bloody murder, hold her breath, and act like the world was coming to an end. This didn't stop or even lessen for that matter. Well there's only so much of this a person can take so I decided I would crawl in the crib with her -hey at least I wasn't taking her out of her crib. I didn't know Paul was going to take a picture but I guess it makes for good laughs. Well guess what, it worked. She felt comforted and was able to fall asleep and after that she did great!!

Having Fun

Alexa and her friend Madysen

Nebraska State Fair

Alexa loves Petting Zoos!

We were listening to Newsboys - they are playing in the background

Mahoney State Park

You can see why I asked Paul to wear the harness -
I didn't think I wanted to climb up the tower wearing it

We made it!