The Alexandra Files...

(Alexandra's First Year)

Pics from Mama & Barry's Visit   5/12-19/2006

Grandpa&GrandmaCheckingMeOut Grandma&Me Me&Grandpa ChillinwGrandma CrashedOutOnGrandpa LittleCutie GrandpaGrandmaMe OutByThePool GettinSomeSun GrandmaMeGrandpa

Mon 5/22/2006

She just went through (I'm hoping she is through) a little growth spurt where she wanted to nurse ALL the time. The lactation consultant said that they normally go through a growth spurt around 2 weeks but a book I read puts it at 10 days. Anyway, I was getting a bit worn out because I could hardly put her down. One time she nursed for an hour & a half straight. BUT fortunately she let me nurse her some in the hammock & in bed where we both could fall asleep. But I couldn't do anything else around the house. She's acting a little more "normal" today but she is still VERY demanding. haha When she gets ready to eat, it's full out crying...no warning. haha

Tonight I was cracking up...Michael had fallen asleep on the sofa. Jessica was crying for me to feed her some "good" food, but I needed to go change Alexandra first. I brought Alexandra in the bedroom to change her. She had a really messy diaper & as soon as I got her all cleaned up, but before I could put on the new diaper, she peed and it got her clothes soaked. Then Jess had followed us in there and was meowing some more. I put on a new diaper & new onesie and Alexandra was screaming bloody murder like I was killing her. lol She calmed down a bit and I put her down on the sofa near Michael to run feed Jess and then she started crying again when I was in the kitchen. Then I hear "April!" from Michael...he was about to get killed! haha

Actually, it wasn't really bad. Just funny. Michael is taking off this whole week, so we're going to bring her up to both our workplaces and show her off. ;-) She has her 2 week checkup at the pediatrician and both of us have our 2 week checkup with the midwife Tuesday.

Tues 5/23/2006

Well, last night was the first night where Alexandra cried & cried and we couldn't figure out what was wrong. She wanted to keep nursing for almost two hours straight so we knew she couldn't still be hungry, but she wouldn't calm down. We both rocked her, tried to comfort her, put her in the vibrating bassinet, etc. Finally we figured out that she must have an upset stomach/colic and gave her some gas relief medicine. That did the trick, thank God!

Waiting4DocToday we had our two week appointments at the midwives' office and with the pediatrician. She has gained 14oz. since birth, already up to 8#s!
GettingMeasuredVideo DaddysGirl LittleMonkey LittleMonkeyVideo

Showing Alexandra off

MsDarcelle&me 1stRideInDaddysTruck GeauxTigers JillBurnett@NetIP Barrons FatherMark&me MsDenise&me

I'm a Big Sister!

ImABigSister

Jessica is gradually getting used to being a big sister. When we first brought Alexandra home, Michael picked up Jess to see her. Jess growled & hissed. The first week she would creep around trying to get a look or smell Alexandra...of course, acting like she just happened to be there & wasn't doing anything. One night I woke up to find Jess sleeping at the foot of the bed. Since then she has slept in the bed one more time, but it's taking her quite awhile to get back to "normal" (She used to sleep every night on a pillow next to my head.). Now she is completely used to Alexandra's cries, although she sometimes looks at us like "See how noisy she is? Are y'all sure you don't want to give her back & get back to ME being the baby?!" ;-) It is actually helping her to be less "scared" around people that visit . The other day our friends asked "Is that a real cat?" because Jess was sleeping on the window sill and didn't move (She would run away into the bedroom when they previously visited.).
SoftBabyClothesNeed...CatHair! Curious GettingCloser LookWhoSleptInTheBed BigSisOnGuard BigSisOnGuard2 SeeImJustAsCuteAsHer SeeImJustAsCuteAsHer2 MyBigSisterJess WhatsThatVideo ICanDoTummyTimeToo

Sanchez Visit   5/26-29/2006

MawMawPawPawMe MawMaw&PawPawCheckingMeOut MawMaw&PawPawCheckingMeOut2 AsleepOnMawMaw GoochyGoochyGo HeyPawPawVideo Hmm_CheckingOutPawPaw MawMaw&me PawPaw&me ProudFamily MawMawMePawPaw

"Aunt" Catherine's Visit   6/2-4/2006

Catherine, one of my best friends & roommate from college came to visit Alexandra. She is going to be her Godmother. We met with the priests at St. Anthony's to go over anything necessary. Father Bruce & Father Mark were cutting up, being crazy, offering us Bailey's Irish Creme, etc. Catherine said that if there were priests like that when she was younger, she might still go to Catholic church! haha
Me&MyGodmother AsleepOnAuntCatherine WhatchaGotMeWearinAuntCatherine Me&AuntCatherine AsleepOnAuntCatherine2

Yeah, I'm from Texas

BigOlBeltBuckle Paw Paw Richard & Maw Maw Mary Ann sent me some cowgirl duds so I would match my Daddy's big "Flash" belt buckle.

Hold Me...Constantly!

As cute as she is, she makes it hard to get anything else done. And she still hasn't learned any "speeds" other than quiet & all out wailing. She can go from "0 to 60" in record time! haha But even though we know this is our life for now, we're still trying to get some relief by testing out some baby carriers to see if we can have our hands free some of the time. Our friends Dawn & Billy bought us the colorful Maya Wrap sling, we got the front carrier one, and we just got a new pouch sling this week. All of them work some of the time, but little Alexandra's favorite position is looking back over our shoulder, so we've gotta figure out something for that. haha I have managed to go walking twice with her in the slings. She seems content when I am constantly in motion and falls asleep. She just gets a little hot (since it's 98 degrees here in Texas). ;-)
FrontCarrier FoldingClothes BackFromAWalk SnugAsABug PouchSling

Mon 6/12/2006   1 Month Checkup

Today Alexandra had her 1 Month Checkup @ the Pediatrician. In 2+ weeks, she put on another 1# 6oz...up to 9#6oz. I guess the breastfeeding is working. ;-) We asked the doctor about the front carrier in particular because the instructions recommend not putting the baby facing forward until they have "neck control." She said that at one month, Alexandra looks like she can hold her head up equivalent to a three- or four-month-old but that she may not be able to maintain it for long stretches of time. So she advised that we keep her facing inward in the carrier until she is a bit older.
Scale TakingTemp ALotChubbier

My Mommie Loves Me

MyMama&Me HeyMama EskimoKiss Nose2Nose Mommie&Me

So Does My Daddy

ForReal FatherDaughterBonding Me&DaddyVideo BoxerVideo FathersDayPresent DaddyBabyStaring MichaelAlexandra

July 4th Weekend

Alexandra got to meet BUNCHES of extended family over the July 4th weekend as we had a family gathering at our house. We coordinated her Christening the same weekend so she had about 30 people on hand to witness her baptism. :-)
Carseat Carseat2 Wassup MMMA&PPR Hammock L-S-U AuntJenn 1stCousins 2ndCousins Cousins Pillow Baptism Christening FatherBruce Cake MawMawRita&me KassieAuntAnnette&me BarneySucks Tailgating Pinwheel WatchingTheFireworks July4thFamily

Sat 7/8/2006

What a bad mother am I! I started trying to sing some children's songs to Alexandra today, but after a line or two, I couldn't remember the words to any that I tried! I finally sang Margaritaville to her...she likes the part where "Some people say that there's a woommann to blame..." ;-) Michael said "She doesn't know the difference. You could have been saying 'My humps, my humps, my lovely lady lumps.'" Uh, I draw the line there. haha

Given my lack of nursery rhyme memory, I thought I'd call in a professional. Sydney Grace Scott sang "Froggy Went a Courtin" (sp?) via cell/speaker phone. Thank you Sydney!

Sun 7/9/2006

Well, I guess Michael is in the bad father category too. I told him this morning how I couldn't even remember what all five piggies did to do "This little piggy..." on Alexandra's toes. I said "This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home." and that was all I could remember. Michael said "Oh, it continues 'This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And THIS little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home.'" So I got him to do it on Alexandra's toes. He started out "Wait, how does it start?" lol

I had to read in church this morning, so Alexandra thought she needed to make some noise too. She cried while I was reading, we had to bounce her around in the church foyer, and then she finally went to sleep. I guess no one minded as lots came up afterwards to say what a "doll" she is, how cute, etc. ;-)

Mon 7/10/2006   2 Month Checkup

Today Alexandra got the first three of her vaccination shots. Man, it was sad to watch as she cried so differently than other cries...makes me want to rethink the whole immunization thing (not just because of her crying though). I took a video but I'll refrain from uploading. She was up in weight -- the doctor's office noted 11 lbs. 8 oz. on the sheet they give us, but the scale said "11.8" lbs. so I'll have to ask them how their scale works next time. It's surprising to me how many times people don't understand that 11.8 is not equivalent to 11 lbs 8 oz, but anyway, me & my math pet peeves. ;-)
11.8 InTheZebraRoomAgain IHaveAQuestion

Trip to Louisiana 7/25-30/2006

GreatMawMawBeverly&Me Me&GreatPawPawAG Me&MyGreatNannyMary AsleepOnParentKevin YoureGonnaLetChandlerHoldMe TheChificis MommieMe&2ndCousinSydney GreatAuntWendy GreatUnkie CokeMachineVideo

Just got back from a few days in South Louisiana. This was Alexandra's first trip to the "old country", the land of her forefathers. ;-) She liked it okay, but it was waayyy hotter than Northeast Texas -- something akin to a steambath. She got to meet lots of family & friends and everyone was so excited to see her! Her Daddy really missed her as it was his first time away from her. She gave him a huge smile when he greeted her on her return to Longview, though.

Tues 8/1/2006

Today is the first day that Alexandra actually reached for a toy -- one of the hanging toys on her infant/toddler rocker bar.

SwingSuckingShe has been drooling a lot more in the last two weeks and started to put her hand in her mouth all the time and especially her thumb. The pediatrician (& others) told us that it was okay to give her a pacifier now that she was established in breastfeeding and that it would be easier to take away a pacifier than her thumb. haha So just as I was about to give into the idea of giving her a pacifier last night, the local La Leche League leader called. During our call, I told her about the pacifier debate, and she said that if at all possible avoid using the pacifier. She emailed me some links about the detriments of pacifier use (as well as finger sucking) and told me that it could be possible that Alexandra is just teething early and some of the things to do for that. Today I'm breaking out the teething toys from her drawer of shower gifts.

I smile to myself about all the gifts from everyone. They are really appreciated, and at each new stage, we get to unwrap something new and activity/age appropriate. It's almost time to switch out her clothes from newborn to 3-6 month size. Man! ;-)

Fri 8/4/2006

Today Alexandra hit one of the buttons on her Baby Einstein activity center to make it play a song! I showed her a couple times by pushing her fist on one of the buttons, and then she did it by herself! She's a GENIUS I tell ya! ;-)

Wed 8/9/2006

Today Alexandra is 3-months old. She decided to celebrate the occasion by explosively shitting on me...so messy that I had to change clothes & we had to bathe her!

I took her to Wal-mart as they had a picture package deal for $6.88. She smiled, laughed, & contently sat through our friend Stephanie's sons' picture taking, but when it was her turn, the pouty lip came out, and she started to cry. I think the Wal-mart lady actually scared her, trying to shove toys & squeaky ducks in her face to make her smile & then snatch them away really fast. Alexandra's not used to all that. haha

Fri 8/11/2006

This week Alexandra started "eating" her toys. And today was the first time she rolled over from her back to her front!

Sat 8/12/2006

Last night we had a pool party with people from work. The joke had been that something was "in the water at Network IP" as Alexandra was the sixth baby born in seven months. Our friends Susan & Ashley missed the party because they had to be admitted to the hospital Thursday night & gave birth to the seventh NetIP baby, Seth, yesterday. Instead of only a bunch of drunk adults in the pool, this time there were kids galore. We knew that the face of our parties has changed when the highlight quote of the night was "I went pooh pooh & pee pee!" and everybody cheered!

Fri 9/1/2006

SSDD...well, not exactly. Alexandra has been eating a lot less during the day. I'm seeing that she binges out during the night when she is sleeping next to me, but during the day she is curious and wants to try to watch TV, look around, etc. We've noticed that she hasn't gone #2 (haha) since Tuesday also. Well, she made up for it today! I had her in a front wrap so she could sit with me as I typed and paid bills. So while she's all wrapped up with me, I hear an "explosion" and there is stuff dripping out of her diaper, all over my jeans & LSU shirt, on my toes as soon as I stood up (had on flip-flops), and all over the floor. Early bath time for her! LOL


{Well, as you can see there is a big gap here. I got behind on updating the site. Then my hard drive crashed December 1, and I lost almost everything. :-( If anyone has any videos or pictures that I emailed you in 2006, PLEASE email them to me!}



Sometime in November

Jumping is fun!! Especially for my parents. ;-)
JumperooVideo Jumperoo2Video

Fri 12/1/2006

We snapped off some Christmas pics at home since we had to get dressed up for a Christmas party this weekend. Alexandra also tasted her second food after bananas - avocado. This second video reminds me of the movie "Dumb & Dumber" where Jim Carrey asks "Want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?" haha
Christmas2006 DaddyBabyChristmas2006 Preppy SecondFoodAvocadoVideo SoundVideo

Wed 12/6/2006   Trip to Caldwell Zoo in Tyler

Lions and Elephants and Giraffes, oh my!
Giraffe Elephants Lions Lions2 Deer

Thu 12/7/2006

Can you say "Little Sleeping Gangsta?"
LilGangsta

Fri 12/8/2006

You can almost choke on carrots too. :-(
EatingCarrotsVideo

Fri 12/15/2006

Playing with a flashlight and playing peekaboo!
Flashlight Flashlight2 Flashlight3 LilCutie Peekaboo PeekabooVideo

Tue 12/19/2006

Argh, I'm a MONSTER and I eat SHOES!!
Shoes Shoes2 Shoes3

Wed 12/20/2006

Jumpin's STILL fun!
JumpinsFunVideo

Christmas 2006

ChristmasAtRaes LookinAtUnkie AuntCatherine&me Wrights Wow4Me Me&GreatUnkie GreatUnkieAuntiePeyton&Me Tigger AllBundledUp Me&Willis Wassup4Christmas CooperClan2006 Cooper2ndCousinsMinus1 CooperChristmas2006 SantaPeyton&Me OpeningPresents Me&Jeanine About2GoWalking LandryChristmas FunnyElf Elf

New Year's Eve

My mom is always taking pictures of me in my new outfits!
SnowBunny SnowBunny2 SnowBunny3

Our mean parents made us go to sleep & miss all the New Year's Eve activities! Aiden & I could have smoked 'em in this game! ;-)
WeCanFigureThisOut

2006 Miscellaneous

CrashedOut LittleSleeper LittleSleeper2 Vogue DreamingVideo LikeFatherLikeDaughter SuckinMyThumbVideo ImRunninVideo YawningVideo LegUpVideo ARealBabyVideo GetOuttaHere BabyInABasket SayNo2TheKKK SeeICanDoLikeLandon QuakerGirl JumpinJackFlash Yule Doh YeahImCute CrashedOutOnMama CrashedOutOnMama2 HatDay UdCry2IfUDidntHaveAnLSUHat BlowOut&ProudOfIt SistersStaringAtSomething

Thu 1/4/2007

Having fun ;-)
GonnaGetUVideo

Sun 1/14/2007

Got a bruise on my head the other day...Daddy walked out of the room for a second & I crawled off the bed. ;-/
Bruise

Sat 1/20/2007

First time eating rice cereal.

Mon 1/22/2007

Hanging out with Daddy & Big Sis
DaddyMe&MyBigSis DaddyMe&MyBigSis2 ImNotACatButICanBatVideo AirHockeyKindaVideo

Fri 1/26/2007

Alexandra is starting to wave now! I think Michael has been teaching her in the mornings. ;-) For the last several days, she has also been making the "B" sound in words like "Ba ba". Today we ran a bunch of errands like getting her birth certificate, lunch w/ people at work, and going by the car insurance place. She smiled at everyone and flirted with the girls at State Farm. Everyone says that she's the "happiest baby they've ever seen!" ;-)

Sat 1/27/2007

We were SO excited today! We have been signing "milk" to her for a month now. Today when Michael was holding her, she signed it back to me...two different times!
MilkThenHeyVideo

Mon 1/29/2007

Today we are in Dallas at Alexandra's Aunt Catherine's cool loft. Catherine is Alexandra's "Fairy" Godmother! ;-) She definitely fits the part.
LeopardPillow StrungOut MouthfulVideo TickledByMyFairyGodmotherVideo

Tue 1/30/2007

Today Alexandra & I went up to work at NetworkIP for over 3 hours. She played on her blankets on the floor for awhile, nursed a couple of times (I was happy to have Stephan's empty office.), wanted me to hold her while I typed, and took a nap on the floor. It worked out pretty well. We even had lunch w/ coworkers.

Her new "pilot caps" and mittens came in the mail today, so we tested them out with a 3-mile stroller walk. It was colder than I thought..Brr!
NewCap RedPilotCap TrustTheGordonsFisherman

Thu 2/1/2007

Alexandra rolled from crawling on her front to her side and then propped herself up into a sitting position! She has been able to "fall down" from sitting, of course, but this was the first time she has gone the opposite way! I also saw her getting up on her knees trying to balance. She's pretty fast at "comando" crawling, so we better watch out! haha

Sat 2/3/2007

Alexandra has been waving a lot lately and continues to say "Hey!" (her first word a long time ago) ;-) Today she ate chicken for the first time. And it looks like her two top front teeth are about to break through…this will give her four as her two bottom front teeth are already out. She's crying a bit today when she tries to bite down on some of her teething toys, so Michael put a little Baby Orajel on her top gums. Now she keeps opening her mouth like "This feels weird."
Hey LickinLips WavingVideo HeyVideo

Mon 2/5/2007

Crawler Extraordinaire Alexandra went for the cat food dish and opened her first drawer today...well, actually, she opened the same one slightly the other day, but this time, she sat up close to it, opened it more, peered in, & grabbed something! ;-) Time for me to relocate the vitamins, scissors, etc. in that drawer or get locks. ;-)

And then while feeding her this morning, she conquered turning the sippy cup up to get water. She's such a fast study! ;-)
SippyCupVideo

Tue 2/6/2007   La Leche League Meeting

There was another little boy at the La Leche League meeting this morning. He was 6-months-old and weighed more than Alexandra (9-months-old) but that's been the norm for all the little boy babies we know who are 3 months younger. I think most of them are in the 95 - 100 percentile, though, and Alexandra is in the 50 - 75 percentile for girls. But anyway, they started playing okay together, but then... 8-O I couldn't believe this little thief! (Notice how she tries to distract the attention away from what she just did & make us look at the duck at the end. ;-))
PlayingAtLLL PlayingAtLLL2 PlayingAtLLL3 ThiefVideo

Wed 2/7/2007

Playing around on the floor
OrganicPink OrganicPink2 OrganicPink3 OrganicPinkBW OrganicPinkHey OrganicPink4

Thu 2/8/2007

This morning I turned into a human jungle gym. Alexandra didn't want to stay in her Pack 'N Play and crawled around, under, and over me as I tried to do Pilates. ;-/

Playing around with Daddy & Jess..
DaddyJess&Me WhereUGoinVideo SnoozingSisters

Fri 2/9/2007

She can now officially be called "rambunctious!" ;-) Yesterday she got into a house plant and ate a pinch of dirt. This morning she got into another, and unknown to me, ate part of a leaf...only to be discovered when she regurgitated it (yes, just like the cat). There was a problem at work this morning that I had to address, so as I was on the phone & computer with coworkers, instead of playing on the floor, she insisted on being held. I put her on the sofa next to me, but that didn't suffice. She insisted on climbing on top of me while I was trying to type. And she's fast...as soon as I would put her to the side of me & start to type, she was all over me! LOL Right now she is happily playing on the floor, but she is pulling up the rug and studying the underside and investigating every speck of anything (any fuzz, dust, etc.) on the floor!

Sat 2/10/2007

Some videos for your enjoyment ;-)
BellyBlowinVideo LittleEVideo RapperVideo

Sun 2/11/2007

Trying to pull up on the sofa while her daddy is sleeping. ;-)
Trying2PullUpVideo

Mon 2/12/2007

Is this a puppy tearing up the mail or Alexandra?
PuppyVideo

Tue 2/13/2007   9 Month Checkup

Alexandra is now 28 inches in height, her head is 17.25 inches around, and she weighs 19 pounds (although the scale kept going from 19 to 18.8).
Proud2BGettingBig Waiting4Doc2 LookingJustLikeMamaAtSameAge MonkeyRoomVideo Waiting4Doc2Video StillWaiting4Doc2Video

Wed 2/14/2007

Tearing up the paper
TearingUpPaperVideo

Grandma's Visit   2/15-18/2007

Testing out her new baby bed and playing with Grandma, among other things
LetMeOuttaHere OhThisIsExciting TruckBugShieldOrnament ActuallyTakingANapInBabyBed INeedAManicure Ready4ARun ChubbyPilot DressingUndressing GrandmaIsFunny GrandmaIsTicklingMeVideo ImStillRunninVideo

Wed 2/21/2007

Miss "Morning Person" wanted to stay up to 11pm last night...and up at 5am today. Man, she is wearing me out! ;-)

Thu 2/22/2007

Alexandra has graduated from "comando" crawling to crawling on all fours. She has so much more body control and has been so excited and energetic about it! Maybe that's why she hasn't wanted to go to sleep...having too much fun! :-)
CrawlingVideo NoMoreCommandoCrawlingVideo

Reading already...;-)
Reading Reading2 Reading3 Reading4 Reading5

I WILL pull up on this bean bag!
BeanBag BeanBag2 BeanBag3 BeanBag4 BeanBag5

Fri 2/23/2007

Well, Alexandra slept through her first business meeting today (Don't you all wish you could actually go to sleep in some of those? ;-)) By a strange happenstance, we have a baby bed in our upstairs conference room, so she was able to take a nap through the meeting and sleep even longer while I did some work. Her mother works for a great company! ;-)
AsleepInNetIPMeeting JoshNetIPMeeting LanceTravisNetIPMeeting

Sat 2/24/2007

Musical Baby . . . and a little "chugger" ;-)
PianistVideo DanceCrawlerVideo ChugALugVideo

Sun 2/25/2007

Michael Jordan is back! Alexandra used to always stick out her tongue but stopped for some months. It's baacckkk! haha
Tongue Tongue2 Tongue3

Mon 2/26/2007

First day eating peaches.

Some videos...
ProudStanderVideo PlayingWithMyBigSisVideo RaidingTheFrigVideo

Tue 2/27/2007

Feels like Alexandra's top two teeth are coming out, but it's proving hard to see them...for someone who wants to put everything in her mouth, she sure doesn't want us to see what's in there! haha

Wed 2/28/2007

Funny thing..I keep wanting Alexandra to entertain herself so I can get some things done. But as soon as she is entertaining herself well w/ a cool toy, etc., I think "Look how smart!" and run to get the camera! haha

Is this talking?
ThisIsTalkingRightVideo

Sat 3/3/2007

The last two days Alexandra has been saying "Ma Ma" at other times besides when she is crying!! haha I'm so happy that she can now acknowledge me (by title) when she's happy! ;-)

Some videos from the last two days (none with her saying "Ma Ma" though...)
PapertowelVampireVideo SesameStreetVideo

Sun 3/4/2007

Well, Alexandra's mom has no excuse for not working out as Alexandra seems to be the perfect workout partner. She will happily survey all the foliage or fall asleep in the stroller for an hour long walk. Even jogging just rocks her as she peacefully continues her nap. I (her mom) have been working out with "Mommy Baby Body Builders" DVD which incorporates the baby into the workout. Alexandra especially enjoys the bicep curls where SHE is the weight and gets rolled up & down. ;-)
Stroller Stroller2

Today was also her first day eating turkey. She ate a whole slice and chewed it too!

Mon 3/5/2007

Alexandra the Duck...
AlexandraTheDuck AlexandraTheDuck2 AlexandraTheDuck3 AlexandraTheDuck6 AlexandraTheDuck4 AlexandraTheDuck5 TouchdownVideo

Tues 3/6/2007

Calling someone?
CallingSomeoneVideo

Wed 3/7/2007

Some videos from today...
AnExcellentCrawlerVideo HeadBanginVideo

Thu 3/8/2007

Looks like the top two teeth are both out!

A video from today...
FroggerVideo

Fri 3/9/2007

New food today...squash (in a jar)! ;-)

Sun 3/11/2007

Michael said today "She's getting so tall. She's even grown a neck!" ;-)

Pics of me & my Mommy...and uh, I think that hat is too funny! ;-)
Mommy&Me MommyinHat&Me MommyinHat&Me2

Mon 3/12/2007

Bedtime Player ;-)
InYourFace BedtimePlayerVideo

Wed 3/14/2007

Alexandra ate her first piece of mushroom today...not because I fed it to her but because I accidentally dropped it on the floor while cooking an omelet. I thought "children underfoot" was just an expression. They really are underfoot! I'm having to watch out so I won't trip. As soon as Alexandra crawled out of the kitchen, Jessica started swerving around my ankles wanting food.

Fri 3/16/2007

First day eating pears!
PearsVideo

Today we went to the District Clerk's office & submitted all of Alexandra's paperwork to get her passport. Soon she'll be ready to be an INTERNATIONAL traveler! ;-) The little traveler has already been to four states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, & Alabama)...guess that's why her Grandpa calls her the Roadrunner! ;-)

Mon 3/19/2007

Having fun with Grandma...
HavingFunWithGrandma BoingVideo

Tue 3/20/2007

First Bath in sink without baby tub

Thu 3/22/2007

We are in Dallas today..Michael is in training for four weeks. So we have come to visit him...like the Beverly Hillbillies...my mother, myself, Alexandra, & even Jessica (with all the medical/physical things going on with her, she is coming everywhere we go...well, at least everywhere we go overnight). In the hotel today, Alexandra was petting Jess and Michael taught her to say "cat!" She says it really well with good diction on the "T". ;-) So that makes her repetoire: MaMa, DaDa, Hey, and Cat ;-)
Dallas DallasHotel DallasHotel2 DallasArboretum DallasArboretum2 DallasArboretum3 DallasArboretum4 DallasArboretum5 DallasArboretum6 DallasArboretum7 DallasArboretum8 DallasArboretum9 FastBunny DallasArboretum10 DallasArboretum11 DallasArboretum12 DallasArboretum13 DallasArboretum14 DallasArboretum15 KennedyRoute GrassyKnoll GrassyKnoll2 JFKMemorial JFKMemorial2 MyFairyGodmother&Me

Fri 3/23/2007

First time eating green beans

Yes, I can say "CAT!" ;-)
CATVideo Cat2Video

Sat 3/24/2007

First day to eat prunes
Prunes

I just think this picture is funny...
FunnyFace

We took family portraits at Sears today and took some pictures in the front yard afterwards.
BeforeWeLeft Frontyard Frontyard2 Frontyard3 FrontyardDaddy&Me FrontyardDaddy&Me2 FrontyardDaddy&Me3 FrontyardMommy&Me FrontyardMommy&Me2 FrontyardMommy&Me3 FrontyardMommy&Me4 FrontyardMommy&Me5 FrontyardGrandma&Me FrontyardGrandma&Me2 PorchAsleepOnGrandma PorchAsleepOnGrandma2

My first recital! Boy what a busy day!
FirstRecitalVideo

Sun 3/25/2007

More pictures in the frontyard...
MoreInFrontyard5 MoreInFrontyard MoreInFrontyard2 MoreInFrontyard3 MoreInFrontyard4 MoreInFrontyard6 MoreInFrontyard7 MoreInFrontyard8 MoreInFrontyard9 MoreInFrontyard10

Thu 3/29/2007

I woke up this morning to a baby sticking out her tongue...not the way she normally sticks it out but way down her chin. I guess she discovered her tongue. She kept sticking it out and moving it around. Then when I started copying her, she wanted to pinch my tongue then pinch her own. And boy did she concentrate when I rolled my tongue. She really tried to copy that, but she can't do it quite yet.
TongueVideo

The other day she figured out how to open my cell phone (flip phone), so today she opened it, and before I knew it, it was ringing. She had called a friend of mine! I could chalk that one up to it being the last number dialed which she also called again later, but when I looked down to see her in step three of sending a text message, that one was well...(as the Cooper family says) she's nigh genius! haha

Fri 3/30/2007

Feeding the cat?
Toast2JessVideo

Sat 3/31/2007

Alexandra is getting brave and starting to let go after pulling up on something to standing. The other day, she let go and then looked surprised as she fell back on her butt. Her face was like "Oh, I forgot that I can't stand on my own!"

Dancing to some rap music with her dad...
Dancin2RapVideo

Mon 4/2/2007

1st time eating "chicken & chicken gravy" jar baby food...didn't like it very much

Mirror/tongue time!
YeahThatsMyTongue WhosThatCutieInTheMirror TongueActionVideo TongueAction2Video

This hat reminds me of Bear Bryant ;-)
BearBryant Excited BearBryantHatVideo

Wed 4/4/2007

We've been in Dallas for the last few days while Michael is still in training for work. Alexandra has had some fun playing in the hotel room and making a new friend in the mirror. We went swimming in the hotel heated pool (though Alexandra didn't care for that very much).
CokeGuzzlerVideo TickleTimeVideo MyTwinInTheMirror MyTwinInTheMirror2 MyTwinInTheMirror3 MyTwinInTheMirror4 GoingSwimmingAtTheHotel

Fri 4/6/2007

Sushi with the Kevin Sanchez Family!
WhatsOnTheMenu Sushi Fire KotoOfJapan Alexandra&Abby Alexandra&Abby2 Alexandra&Abby3 UncleKevin&Me UncleKevin&Me2 Me&AuntDawn Me&AuntDawn2 AbbyMommy&Me

Sat 4/7/2007

This morning Catherine, some of the Nelson cousins, and I ran in the Crescent City Classic in New Orleans with 20,000 other folks. Michael, Alexandra, and some of the Nelson clan met us at the finish. Brrr!! We enjoyed BBQ back at Hillary Street, and Alexandra got to hang out with her true 3rd Cousin Charlie! She also got to swing for the very first time!
CCC CCCGroup CCCGroup2 BackWarmAtTheNelsons LearningFromCharlie DoUEatThisDrumstick MyVeryFirstSwingRide

Tonight we went to an anniversary party for Sandy & Jesse. Alexandra got to hang out (and it looks like fight!) with her 2nd cousins! haha
DressedUpWithDaddy AbbyKelley&Me Me&Peyton Me&Peyton2 Me&Peyton3 Me&Peyton4 Me&Peyton5 Me&Peyton6 SydneyPeytonMe

Then it was over to the Sanchezs' to spend the night and spend some time with her 1st cousin!
AlexandraMelissa AlexandraMelissaMeghan

Easter Sunday 4/8/2007

Easter morning it was off to church, then to Washington, Louisiana for Easter at the Sylvesters'. We spent that night in the RV with the grandparents.
EasterBasketFromMeghan AlexandraMeghan EasterMorning ShhEasterMorning EasterAtTheSylvesters MamaMeGrandmaGrandpa EasterMama&Me GreatAuntBrenda&Me CousinRachael HorseVideo GrandmaInRV BabyGotBackVideo

Tuesday 4/10/2007

Man, I have to watch out for this little girl...she's getting into everything now. I looked down and she had her dad's McGyver (Swiss Army) knife, his can of Copenhagen, and some Listerine breathstrips in her hand!
Copenhagen

First time eating mashed potatoes

Friday 4/13/2007

Yea! Spending time with Da-Da! ;-)
Yea OpeningTheMail

Saturday 4/14/2007

Alexandra has been watching a little too much "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" ;-)
GeneSimmonsVideo

Tuesday 4/17/2007

Things Alexandra did today:
Got into the liquor cabinet
Fell down after trying to stand up on her own
Talked a lot of baby talk with her dad...good thing they understand each other!
BabyTalkVideo

Wednesday 4/18/2007

Alexandra did a bit of showing off today for Aunt Darcelle...
ShowingOff4AuntDarcelleVideo

Thursday 4/19/2007

Today Alexandra finger-fed herself almost an entire meal...turkey, avocados, & bananas. She was so proud of herself and kept smiling and doing "Touchdown!" ;-)
SelfFeederVideo

Friday 4/20/2007

First thing this morning after changing Alexandra's diaper was to strap on the mei tei baby carrier and put her on my back. Our friends Dawn & Billy let us borrow several different designs of baby carriers, and I am having a fun time trying them all out. I was able to cook breakfast, type on the computer, etc. with her happily on my back. I DEFINITELY got a lot more done a lot faster without her underfoot or off getting into things! ;-)

Another morning feeding herself. She's really liking this "old time" highchair that was passed down from her cousin Orin, 20 years her senior. It allows her to sit up high right against the table.

Saturday 4/21/2007

Childproofing...
ChildproofVideo

Tuesday 4/24/2007

First teethcleaning...
FirstTeethBrushingVideo

Clean teeth make me smarter ;-)
FigurinOutMath

Thursday 4/26/2007

This "feeding yourself" thing is really coming in handy as I can get some things done while she is eating.
SelfFeeder WhatRULookingAt

Sunday 4/29/2007

1st time eating "Butternut squash & corn" baby food

Monday 4/30/2007

Uh, not sure what Alexandra was doing...
NotQuiteSureWhatVideo

Thursday 5/3/2007

1st greasy fries! (Jucy's)

Alexandra & Jess both want some food!
Beggin4Food

Saturday 5/5/2007   Network Family Picnic

Had a good time with coworkers at our company picnic. Actually it was a picnic for all the "Network" family of companies in our building.
Off2ThePicnic MrsSusanHoldingMe Me&MrAshley AidenTrying2GetMe

Monday 5/7/2007

Here we are dressed up for Jessica's BDay (actually I'm not sure why)
DressedUp4JessBDay

Now the troops are deciding what to heat up from the freezer...
DecidingWhat2Eat

Tuesday 5/8/2007

Getting tickled...
GettingTickled

Whew! Well, that's all for Alexandra's First Year! I never did really get the second year going, though I did switch to a blogging type site for that one. Finally got it together starting with her third year (when she turned two). See the links below to catch up on her & the Cooper-Sanchez family!

Alexandra's Second Year

CooperSanchez