A few more cute ones

In the last week or so, Alex has just loved to have books read to her. She liked it before but she would sit for about 10 seconds and that is it. Today, I actually read her an entire book. She went and got it and sat on my lap and I read it to her. She is starting to try to count too. We counted the 10 little lady bugs in the book. I take her finger and point to each one and she laughs. Ever since we got her I have always counted her toes and now we are starting to count other things. Yea!!! My diligence is starting to pay off. Or maybe that is just what 17 month olds do. (I want to think that it is my diligence)

She said her name yesterday for the first time. It sounds like she is saying Al-ya but she is definitely referring to herself. We were looking in the mirror this morning and I pointed to her and said her name and she said Al-ya. She loves to look at herself in the mirror. She tries to give herself kisses.

 
 
 
  

Holiday in the City

Last night Alex and I (mommy) went to Holiday in the City. This is a special event in Springfield, Ohio to start celebrating the holiday season. We went with our friends Stephanie, Katie, Audrey, and Steph's mom Suzanne. Audrey is about 8 months older than Alex. The girls were very cute together. Usually they don't interact too much but this time they were holding hands or should I say Alex was trying to hold Audrey's hand. Audrey shared food with Alex and they gave each other kisses and hugs. Very cute. You can see from the pictures we had a great time. Audrey loved the characters but Alex wasn't too sure about them. She would pull away if they tried to shake her hand. I am hoping we have better luck with Santa.
 
 
 
  

Super Shopper

Alex and I hit the mall this morning. It was her first day after Thanksgiving shopping spree. She lasted a few hours before Nana called me and offered to take her. Here are a few pictures. My girl is too cute. She had on her new sparkle jeans and sparkle vest and the cutest hat ever. Enjoy!!!!
 
  

A few more pictures from Thanksgiving

Grandpa Jim frying a turkey
Playing with Aunt Sissy outside
Daddy's girl
Pretty girl
 
 
 
  

Alex's First Thanksgiving

This was our first Thanksgiving with Alex and we have alot to be thankful for this year. We went to Willard to Grandma Winnie's and Grandpa Joe's house. Alex grazed all day. She really enjoyed her food. She loved pumpkin pie and jello salad. yum yum. She was so good all day. She gave hugs and kisses to everyone. She is very social once she gets comfortable with people. Especially when there is food involved. Here are a few pictures of our day. We hope everyone's day was full of joy and fun.
 
 
 
  

17 Months old TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!

The other day was kind of funny, I was out in the kitchen cooking or doing dishes, I'm pretty much always in the kitchen doing something because this girl is a little tornado. Well anyhoo, I was in the kitchen and like usual when it is quiet I know that something is happening that shouldn't be. Well I walk into the living room and see Alex standing at my computer chair staring at the computer (pictures flash on the screen as the screen saver) so I just figured that she was looking at the pictures, which she does from time to time. Well what I failed to realize was she had my wallet, well I hear her come into the kitchen and I look down and she has my credit card. Is this a sign of things to come???? This is the only thing that she pulled out of my wallet. I figured I would come back to the computer chair and find my wallet emptied on the floor, but no the only thing missing was my credit card. Hmmmmmmmmm??? Her mother is teaching her well. Kind of funny I think.
Yesterday I started putting the Christmas trees up, and want to talk about not knowing what to think. I put them up while she was taking a nap; so all she knows is that there are two (yes two) trees in the house now. For those wanting an explanation for two, I like a nice gaudy (sp.) Christmas tree and Faye like a very formal looking tree. So we put the nice pretty tree in the living room in the front window and we hide my gaudy tree in the den. Good thing about my tree is that we have been doing this since we have been married; the nice formal tree has only been around about 6 years. Last Christmas we didn’t even put a tree up because we were expecting our referral in Nov. or Dec. Who knew that the referrals would be LATE? That is all history now, this will be our first Christmas with little Miss Alexandria and we are so excited. I say gaudy because there is no real theme to it, we have colored lights and just about everything that we have collected over the years, the formal tree is all white lights with snow men and angels, that’s it. The best thing about the gaudy tree is that it gets all the presents put under it for Christmas morning; Santa Claus is a good judge.
Alex still isn’t really talking, but she is going to any day now, I think I said Christmas and we feel that is a good guesstimate. You have read below what words she is saying, but she doesn’t say them on a regular basis unless you ask her to say them for the most part. I think she will be talking and asking questions in about a month. We get the regular Ma and Dad, but I want to her that sweet DADDY come out of her mouth and mean it.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and look forward to seeing everyone this holiday season. Take care, Todd>>>>

P.S. I would like to welcome our friends Monte and Tara and their 4 little troopers home from Germany, yes Monte was the one I posted pictures of in Iraq this time last year, well Monte has retired from the military and they just arrived home to Michigan Wednesday. Welcome home; hope to see you guys soon.

P.S.S. GO BUCKS, sorry about your luck Michigan. (OHIO STATE – BIG TEN CHAMPIONS)

Sweet Girl

Alex and I met my mom, Aunt Mickey, and cousins Polly and Darcey and Darcey's son Braden. We all met up at Red Lobster in Mansfield which is the half way point between Columbus and Willard. We had a great time. You can see from the pictures that Alex loved her cousin Braden very much. She gave him lots of kisses. She also had her first sucker. Boy, she loved that. Thanks you Grandma for lunch and for the new musical book. Alex loves her new book. She dances to the music all the time. She is so cute.

Her newest things to do are:

If you ask her what a cow says she says"mmmmmmmm"
If you ask her what a monkey says she says" ooo ooo"
If she is eating and she likes it she says"mmmm mmmm"
She understands so much. I told her the other night-- let't go take a bath and she heads for the stairs, climbs them and gets her bathtub out of the closet.
She will also take her clothes off if I tell her to or at least will try.
She loves to help push the shopping cart. Of course, it takes me twice as long at the store but that's okay most of the time
She likes to give the store clerks the money or credit card to pay for things.
After she takes a drink she says "ahhhhhhh"
Usually whenever she hears any kind of music she starts dancing.
She will go get a book and sit in our laps.
I taught her to do ring around the rosie. She grabs my hand and we go around a circle and fall down. She likes the fall down part the best.
If she drops something and I say uh oh she will say " oh ".
She is really starting to try to repeat words. I am trying hard with please and thank you.
She continues to be the light of our lives.
 
 
 
  

Little Miss Ladybug

Yes, our princess had 2 ladybug costumes. (one for warm weather and one for cold weather.) It only makes sense to mommy to have 2 costumes. It is October afterall and the weather is very unpredictable. It has nothing to do with the fact that they were too cute. I just call it the mommy can't help herself, things are too cute not to buy defense. Daddy just doesn't understand.

I had to bribe Alex with candy to get her to pose in this costume. She really hates the camera sometimes. Oh well, hopefully it will get better.

I just loved the red tutu.