Thursday, April 30, 2009

Walk like a man

My little man is walking and since I have been bad about updating (and it happened so fast!) here is a little summary of the progression!

My little stinker is getting smart!


and you know what that means....trouble!

Unfortunately, Alex went AWOL out of his crib last week. Little stinker!! I don't even want to picture what that looked like! but he met me at his door!
Fortunately, he is made of rubber! All is good. and we now have no bumper to aid in his escape! and have lowered the crib ALL the way!

Unfortunately, Alex knows how to take off lids now and spilled Gatoraide powder all over himself and the floor. (I knew something like this was going to happen sooner or later!)
Fortunately, it is not made with milk and he seemed to like the taste on his little fingers.

Live and learn, right!? Parenting lessons continue!! :)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Come one Come all....to the library!

So we finally went to the library this morning for "lapsit storytime". My friends from playgroup have been going for forever and have been telling me to go but we just never got our bootys up and there! Alex is lasting longer in the morning so I figured it would be fun to try out today! Boy, was I surprised! It was GREAT! It was a big group and several were boys about Alex's age! Honestly, I was worried about keeping Alex quiet and still but they sing songs with motions mainly- so no worries! just fun! but Alex was a little weirded out I think. It was funny. He kept whining at the end of the songs- yes, it was a little embarassing but at least they are all moms and understand. :) and he warmed up and loved play time at the end! They have lots of great little toys on cushioned play mats and its clean and just a great set up!
I suggest that you check out your local library to see if they have this in your area! Its free fun! and a great way to meet other moms! and the babies ranged from little little ones to about 15 months. I should have been taking Alex a long time ago! But beware, this librarian (Cedar Park Library) is really great but I have heard that the Round Rock one is not as good. Its too bad. Hope this helps some moms and moms-to-be out there!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

11 Months

Wow! is it time for a monthly update already!?! Where does the time go!? Only one more month till the big 1!
Right now Alex is loving some life! Since his ears cleared up he has been so much happier! He loves to play chase (although he doesn't really know what to do when I catch him or when he catches me), play peek-a-boo around corners (he waits with a big grin and then laughs so hard when he or you pops around), read books (really just flips the pages, but there is nothing sweeter), throw balls and chase them, WALK around! he is doing really good with this one! I can't believe how fast he has progressed! He loves to just walk around the house, under the table, and try to squeeze into places WAY to small. He keeps me busy thats fo-sho! (video soon!)
He loves to clap too! Just figured out how to open both hands and loves the sound!
He loves to be naked- and gets crazy silly when he is! Its too funny!!
He is not "talking" nesseccarily but he is good at this whining thing he does-scrunches his nose and sticks out his chin, oh yeah. He wants to talk! I am going to really step up the signing this month to see if anything will catch on.
He is eating a ton now too (well, for Alex its a ton). Still loves the baby food mainly (and is eating more and more at one sitting) but will eat strawberries, grapes, chicken nugget, green beans, refried beans, avacado, sweet potato fries, banana cookies, nibbles (baby rice cakes), and of course cheerios- he might just turn into a cheerio! They have become my best friend though- the only way to go shopping with him or keep him quite and sitting still. We are working on adding new foods all the time but it is hard with the no-milk requirement. EVERYTHING has milk in it!
We are struggling with nap schedule right now. I think he is transitioning from the 2 naps a day to one, but he is not very good at it! We will figure it out, but right now every day is a different schedule.

I think that Alex really hates these photo shoots. He whines a lot. ha! This time we had to have a heart-to-heart with him and Mr. Bear to get through it. I still think I will make him take a picture with the bear until he turns 21.
poor guy.

You should see us trying to make him smile...he is thinking "what. a bunch. of crazies!"

Alex, you are still my sweet little baby boy. Your smile brightens my day and your little hugs warm my heart. Happy 11 months!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Play in SA

Alex and I went to San Antonio this week to visit friends. It was a great trip! Alex did well in the car, first off! And we got to see my friend Paige who is pregnant and due in July! I helped her register and we had a great lunch at my fav, Las Palapas! I actually got to focus on the good conversation because my mom watched Alex for me! So nice!! and then we also went over to Carlas house to play with Isabella. The kids are at an age where we knew they would have fun playing. Well, kinda. :) They both need some practice being "gentle" but they are a good match for each other! I know Alex had so much fun! and I love getting to catch up with an old friend! I only wish we could do it every week!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Happy Happy Easter!

(I know, I know! I have been a bad blogger lately! forgive me! I will catch you up, promise!)

We had a great weekend! On Friday, the Woods came for a visit and my parents came too! They haven't seen Alex in forever! I was so busy with visiting and chasing Alex that I didn't take any pics! Bad, I know! :( We went to the new Mighty Fine Burgers by Ikea and had so much fun! They have a really good playground right there so the little ones were having a blast! and we could actually sit and chat after dinner! Wow, what a concept! It was such a special treat to see my family!

The rest of the weekend was pretty low key, but much needed! We did some family shopping and got Alex some stuff for the playroom- a new rug and tent from IKEA. Travis just had to get him the tent and Alex LOVES it! We also got Alex some new "walking" shoes! Crazy mom has been squishing his feet in size 3 shoes when he is really a 4 and a half! Poor guy!

Easter was great! Just the 3 of us! We went to church in the morning and in the afternoon we went to the park and got snow cones! A special treat for me since I can't have ice cream (too much milk for Alex). It was raining in the morning so these are the only pictures I got of him dressed up. We were running late too (like always) so they are nothing fancy. His Easter basket was pretty lame. I can admit that because I didn't really do one. I got him a new Wiggles DVD and a Easter bunny rubber duck. Good thing Alex is easy to please and he seemed happy with it!

The grass is cool. Forget the other stuff.Hm, ok, let's see here.

Tastes good.
good for standing too!
Here is a picture of all the kids at playgroup this week. Kristen prepared an egg hunt for them. Alex was very confused and not that into it. He was hungry and didn't like the grass on his knees. He did like the treats that miss kristen so kindly put in the eggs. She color coded the eggs so that Alex would have his milk-free snacks- so sweet and a great idea!

Monday I took Alex back to the doctor to get his ears checked one last time . We are calling it an Easter Miracle! He got two thumbs up! Totally clear ears!! Wahooo!! I can't believe it! I am so glad we didn't rush to tubes- Amen, sistah!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Change of Plans

After some thinking, sleeping on it, and talking with my pediatrician this morning, we have decided to cancel the ear surgery. I just don't want to rush it and my pediatrician agreed. I feel so good about this decision and have a peace about it. It may be in our future down the road, but I just don't think its necessary yet. If I am going to put him under anesthesia, it better be necessary! you know! Thank you so much for all the support during this time!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What a week!

It all started with Bunco on Wednesday night. It was pajama night- so fun! and check out Cameron's...yes, she is the one in the lingerie apron! Awesome! Well, Jenny was suppose to come sub for us but she ended up calling on her way there saying she was having contractions! She turned around and went home to actually go into full labor that night! So funny because my sister and I were actually trying to convince her to come to bunco! So silly!!

Anyway, Congratulations Burkharts!! Rebekah May Burkhart is here! (More of their story and pics on their blog) No more waiting! And she is beautiful! I was so excited to go visit them in the hospital on Thursday! and everyone was doing so well! running on excitement for sure! Can't wait to get back over there!!

We went to the doctor on Friday morning for an ear check. It did not go so well. The ears were still not cleared up. So, Alex got an antibiotic shot to help get through the weekend. And we scheduled an appointment with the ENT for today. The visit was rough just purely because that is already difficult but the waiting seemed extra long and then you have to wait after the shot for 20 minutes to see if he reacts. Are you kidding me?! And the shot is painful for baby- slow and painful. Nice.

Then we packed up that day and headed for The Woodlands. Alex did okay in the car- I was actually quite proud. He only slept 45 minutes, but hey, we'll take it! I was actually glad that he woke up too bc we wanted to take pictures in the bluebonnets in Brenham. It was perfect timing! And the field we found was gorgeous!


We took pictures Sat. morning (ie. previuos post). Were worn out that afternoon and everyone took a nap! That night we went to one of our favorite spots- Lupe Tortillas....mmmmm! The best! Even Alex was a fan!

Sunday night the boys went to the Rockets game. They had awesome seats and had a great time! The girls stayed home, ate pizza, stuffed invites for Leah's wedding (so fun!), and discussed other wedding details (while playing with the most handsome lil guy). I can't believe she's getting married in almost a month!


We came home yesterday and Alex did pretty well considering he was awake the whole time. It is just such a long trip, we were all so glad to be home!


This morning I took Alex to the ENT doc. Good news and bad news. The good news is that his infection has actually cleared up. Thanks for all the prayers!! :) Bad news is that there is still a lot of fluid and most likely it will flare up again. So, as expected, we are scheduling for ear tube surgery next Tuesday. I know it will be the best thing for him. I have been sitting on this for the past week, getting used to the idea, so I am dealing ok with it. I just hear too many moms that said it was so great for their babies.

So that's the update! Whew! We are ready for some down time this Easter weekend!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Chubby Cheek Photo Shoot

This weekend we went to The Woodlands and had my friend from college who has started a photography business take pictures of Alex. They are kind of his 1 year old pictures (a month early). She put a sneak peak (just a few different shots) on her blog- www.chubbycheekphotography.com/blog/
We have to wait 2 weeks for the rest and I can hardly wait! She takes AMAZING and fun pictures and our shoot was no exception! Thanks Shalonda!!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Prayers Needed

Soo, we had bad news when we went back to the doctor on Tuesday morning. Alex's ears have still not cleared up. It was still really bad. So, we are on to a new medication even though the doctor was not hopefull. We go back tomorrow morning to check for progress. If its still bad we will have to go to a Ear Nose and Throat doctor....which probably means tubes. I am so dreading this. The thought alone makes me want to cry, even though I know it will fine and make him better. So, we need your prayers please...prayers that his ears will clear up. Or prayers that we just figure out how to help him get better. Prayers for his pain that I know he is in till we do help him. Thank you!