Baby we have lift off

Alexis crawled for the very first time tonight!  My baby is mobil!  It was amazing watching her finally figure out how to move her legs and arms in just the right way.  She was so excited.  I have a feeling that life just got really interesting!

Alexis is 9 months

Alexis has the sweetest most laid back personality.  She is content to be taken anywhere or do anything.  I love my "easy" baby.  We are getting ready to lower her crib because she is so close to being able to pull her self up.  She does something new every day.  I can't believe we are getting ready to celebrate Alexis' first Christmas!  I'm so excited.  She is at such a fun age.  She can sit on her own and likes to play with paper (but you have to watch her or she tries to eat it)... Unwrapping Christmas presents is going to be so much fun!  I know a sweet little boy who is going to LOVE helping her this year!!!!  Hudson and Alexis have gotten extremely close over the past month or so.  Alexis searches for him right when she wakes up every morning.  She starts scanning the room trying to find her big brother.  Hudson will hop right out of bed and head to her room to see her.  They get soooo excited to see each other ever morning!  Its sooo cute!

At 9 months Alexis:

• weighs 20lbs
• is 27 inches long
• is in some 9 month but mostly 12 month clothes
• wears size 3 diapers
• does NOT use a paccifier
• can sit up all by her self
• is so close to crawling
• loves to play with toys 
• copies you when you fake cough :)
• eats 3 meals a day
• nurses about 4x a day
• can clap her hands
• has 5 teeth

I am so in love with my lovable, sweet, happy baby girl!  Alexis you bring so much joy to my life ever time you smile or giggle.  I couldn't love anyone as much as I love you and your brother.  Each month, watching you learn new things and grow, is amazing.  I love how exciting discovering new things is for you.  Seeing someone discover the world is awesome.  I love seeing everything through your eyes.  It is a great reminder to not take anything for granted and really appreciate everything even the little things.  Alexis, I love you more than you will ever understand.  

Love,

Mommy

Alexis is 8 Months Old

Where has the time gone?  First I would like to say Alexis, I'm sorry that I haven't been posting every single detail of your life.  To be honest Im enjoying every single milestone and sweet moment, but time runs out before I have time to write about it.  I love you so much and really am enjoying all this precious time we have together.

At 8 months Alexis:

• wears size 3 diapers
• wears size 9-12 clothes
• LOVES hair bows
• Laughs (I mean serious belly laughs) ALL THE TIME
• Has 4 teeth!  2 top and 2 bottom
• BITES EVERYTHING
• Has found her voice, loves to talk
• Sleeps like a champ all night, but naps are hit or miss
• Loves her big brother
• can sit up all by her self
• can move around by scooting on her bottom :)

Protecting the innocent

I'm going to be real with you.  The world is a beautiful wonderful place, but there are also some things out there that are just plain scary.  Evil is everywhere and bad things happen... all the time.  I never paid much attention to anything outside my own sheltered little bubble, but after having kids I have become hyper aware of any potential threat to the well being of my family.  Between deadly viruses and terrorist groups threatening our safety, Im spent.  Worrying is EXHAUSTING.

I want to protect my children and family for all the bad that is out there.  I want to shield them from all the evil of this world.  I want to protect their innocence, like my parents did for me.  As a parent, I feel absolutely helpless right now.  There are things of this world that are absolutely out of my control and it drives me crazy.

At bible study tonight we discussed how everything that is happening is all part of God's plan and how He will use all circumstances for His good.  It is hard to imagine that bad situations could somehow be turned around to glorify him, but they are.  Nothing happens by accident.  We must pray.  We must have faith, and we must remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

"Let Go & Let God"

Lord,

I'm afraid.  I worry about things I can't control.  Please bring me peace.  Help me to rely on you and not on myself to "fix" problems.  You are all powerful.  You can do anything.  Not one leaf falls without your knowing.  Nothing on this earth happens without you being completely aware.  Lord I pray that you will bring comfort to those who are burdened by grief or fear.  Heal those who are sick.   I pray you will protect those who love you Lord.  Please protect my children.  Keep them safe from harm and keep them healthy.  Lord bless us.  protect us.  Give us wisdom and understanding.  Lord please guide the leaders in the country and be with those fighting to keep us safe.  Give them wisdom to know how to effectively handle the situations we are in.  Thank you for my family, church, friends, pets, home, neighborhood, and this country.   Thank you for carefully planning my life in accordance with your will.  Please help me to always look to you for guidance.  Thank you for giving us hope through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.

Amen

Alexis is 7 months old

This past month just flew by!  We took a week long trip to the beach where Alexis got to see the ocean and play in the sand for the very first time.  It was really fun to watch her react to all the new surroundings.  She loved it for the most part.

Alexis gets more and more beautiful each day.  She gets so many complements about her long dark hair, big beautiful blue eyes, happy smile, and tan skin.  I’m not kidding, this baby is a doll!  It doesn’t hurt that she is the most laid back and happy baby that ever existed.

I love going to get her in the morning and seeing her face light up.  Her laugh could light up a room.  We are beyond blessed to be this baby girls mommy and daddy!

At 7 months old Alexis:

• Wears size 6-9 month clothes
• Wears size 3 diapers
• Sleeps all night long (minus the past two weeks because she has two more teeth coming in)
• Eats most types of stage 1 and 2 baby food
• Nurses about 5 times a day
• Loves bath time
• LOVES being held and cuddled
• Sleeps in her own room in her crib
• LOVES her mini mouse toy
• Chews on everything
• Tries to copy sounds
• Loves being tickled
• Laughs all the time
• Has two teeth and is getting two more on top
• Naps twice a day (usually)
• HATES BEING IN HER CAR SEAT for and significant period of time
• Sits up on her own and is very stable
• Doesn’t mid being on her belly so much any more
• Likes to grab faces
• Likes being kissed
• Has very good eye hand coordination and has very controlled movements
• Likes to eat bananas, apples, carrots, peas, and green beans
• Puts everything in her mouth
• Likes standing and jumping in her bouncer

Alexis,
We love you more than life itself.  It is wonderful watching you grow and develop your own personality.  We cherish every second we have with you.  Hudson and you actually interact now and make each other laugh.  It is really sweet.  We love you LEXIS!

Hudson is THREE!

To my beautiful boy on his THIRD BIRTHDAY!

Hudson, 

There are not words to describe all the joy and happiness you have brought to our lives.  You are a funny and smart little guy who is ALWAYS busy.  You keep me on my toes.  Each day there are moments of frustration, because you are very strong willed, but that is nothing compared to the times you make me laugh uncontrollably because you are just so funny!  I love watching you grow and discover new things.  It is amazing to see the world through new eyes.  Hudson, we love you so much.  Happy 3rd Birthday!

At 3 years old Hudson:

• Can count to 20 (and backwards from 10-1)

• Knows his ABC’s

• Can distinguish many different shapes including parallelograms and trapezoids 

• Knows all the basic colors and a few that are just fun to say

• Knows how to spell HUDSON

• Knows when his birthday is

• Is working on potty training (size 6 diapers)

• Wears size 4T clothes

• Is just under 38lbs and 3’2” tall

• LOVES Trains, Planes, & automobiles 

• Has a new affinity for anything construction related (bulldozers, dump trucks…)

• Says many 5 and 6 word sentences

• Has come up with many ways of saying “No” without actually saying it…

o Maybe Later

o No Thanks

o Not right now

• LOVES Chicken (or any meet that looks like chicken) and ketchup

• LOVES anything chocolate

• Drinks chocolate milk daily

• Doesn’t care for vegetables, but does a good job trying a bite or two when asked

• Still uses a cup with a lid & straw

• Is in the “MINE” phase

• Likes to sing songs

• Enjoys watching movies (toy story, old cartoons, cars, kung foo panda, frozen)

• Has a growing imagination

• Sleeps with a truck or train every night

• Sleeps in his very own big boy bed (with rails)

• Loves cheese

• Has the sweetest smile and silliest crazy face

• Wants to be a car for Halloween

• Wants a train table for Christmas

• LOVES preschool and childcare at the Y

For Hudson’s birthday this year we were on vacation with family.  We decided to just throw him a family party at the beach.  A construction cake was ordered and party decorations were put up in the conference/breakfast room in the hotel where we stayed.  Both sets of grandparents were there along with a great aunt and uncle, aunt, uncle, cousins, and family friends.  Hudson got to blow out the candles, eat cake and ice cream, and unwrap lots of gifts for his special day.  

We tried to make the whole day special for Hud, not just his party at night.  We decorated our hotel room with balloons, a banner, and streamers.  He woke up to us singing happy birthday and received a birthday hat, shirt, and special birthday boy pin.  We went out for a very special birthday breakfast where one of the waitresses gave Hudson a dollar to put in his birthday pin.  He got another dollar from the hotel staff.  It was really sweet.  Hudson spent the majority of his birthday playing with his two older cousins in the sand and ocean.  I don’t think He could have asked for a better day.  

We are so thankful and blessed that God chose us to be this sweet little boy’s parents.  xoxo

Alexis is 6 months old!

Six MONTHS OLD!  1/2 a year!  WHAT?!?!?!

I am in shock that we have a soon to be three year old boy and a six month old baby girl!  I didn't think it would be possible that Alexis could have brought so much joy to our lives over the past six months.  What can I say other than we are all head over heels in love with this bundle of giggles.

At 6 months old Alexis:

• has her very first cold and had to get on antibiotic eye drops for the first time 
• wears size 6-9 month clothes
• wears size 3 diapers
• has 2 teeth (bottom front)
• is sleeping in her crib instead of the pack n play (starting tonight)
• can pick up and grab objects
• is gaining more control over all her movements
• can sit up on her own for a long time unassisted 
• is slowly getting interested in eating solid foods, so far just carrots
• can lift most of her body up when laying on tummy
• can roll from side to side and has rolled completely over a few times
• LOVES her feet and fingers
• has the longest hair on a baby i've ever seen
• has the most beautiful blue eyes, just like her brother
• smiles and laughs when you tickle her
• talks all the time
• puts every thing she touches in her mouth

Alexis, 

You are such a joy and bring such happiness to our lives.  We are blessed beyond measure to have you as our daughter (sister, granddaughter, niece...).  Watching you grow and seeing your personality blossom is so fun.  You are the sweetest most lovable baby on earth.  Unfortunately, you recently caught your very first cold along with the rest of the family.  You seem to be doing much better than every one else though, so that's good.  I am a little sad that the past six months have gone by so fast, but look foraged to every tomorrow.  :)  WE LOVE YOU ALEXIS, you beautiful funny baby!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy 

Hudson's First Day of Preschool

This morning I woke up extra early to make a very special breakfast for a VERY SPECIAL little boy.  Today was a BIG DAY for Hudson!  It was his very first day of preschool!  We ate breakfast, then I cleaned Hud up really well so we could take first day of school pictures.  Hud was not all that interested in getting his picture taken, but was exited about his "very own" new blue back pack.  :)

The ride to preschool was oddly quiet and Hud didn't make any sounds walking into the building either.  When we got to his class room he stayed by my side and watched all the other boys and girls sitting in their seats playing with play-dough.  Some kids were crying and I think it made Hud a little nervous.  He never once cried, and as soon as I got him to his seat with "his stuff" he quickly forgot I was there.  I kissed him and slipped out of the room while he was grabbing for cookie cutters and other utensils to use on his dough.

When I went to pick him up in the afternoon, he was playing cars with other kids.  He saw me and instead of getting excited and running toward me, he said "NO!!! I don't want to go home!  I'm playing".  Nothing feels better than your child NOT wanting to go home with you.  Seriously though, it is wonderful that he wants to be there with his teacher and friends.  It makes me happy that he is independent and confident enough to be away from me.  Hopefully he will always have a love (or at least like) of school.  That would sure make Jr. High School and High school so much better if he actually wanted to go.

All in all, Hudson had a wonderful day.  He got Chocolate milk and apple slices as a special treat after his fun first day of school.  He still refused a nap, but crashed hard at bedtime.

Total SUCCESS and ZERO TEARS!

Alexis rolled over!

Roll Over, Roll Over!

Alexis rolled over for the very first time this afternoon!!!  She is growing so fast!

the prayer

At prayer time before bed, Hudson said his very own prayer all by himself.  It was so sweet and beautiful.

He thanked God for each of his family members (including Sadie and Milo), health, safety, trains....  It was too cute for words.  Hud prayed for 5 minutes strait as tears were streaming down my cheek in the dark.  Every few minutes he would say "dear Lord" and continue talking to God.  After he said all of the "proper prayer content" Hudson started talking to God about how much he loves his trains and how the train cars connect.....  haha it really was funny.  "Jesus is coming to save us"!  Amen to that.

I love that little boy so much.

Alexis Grace is 5 months old!

At this exact moment 5 months ago, Steve and I were at the hospital anxiously awaiting our precious baby girl.  We knew absolutely nothing about her, other than her approximate weight and that she was perfect.

It's so hard to remember life without her.  And there was life before Alexis.... 28 years of life before she came along.  But, some how all those other years have been blurred and the past five months with both Hudson & Alexis have been the best months of my life.

Alexis is growing and changing every day.  She can now sit up for a few seconds and holds her head up really well.  She can almost roll over, but not quite.  She still doesn't enjoy tummy time.  Not that we have gotten to have tummy time much.... Things are a lot more difficult with two.  Instead of tummy time, we put alexis in her bumbo sitter or her jumper so she can look around and see what's going on.  She LOVES her jumper.  I don't know when we first put Hudson in it, but Alexis has been using it for a month now and thinks its just great.

As of now, Alexis is still sleeping in our room.  Hud slept next to our bed until he was 6 months old, but I think Alexis is ready to make the transition.  It will be so weird not having her right there, hearing her cute sleeping sounds.  I don't know that I'M ready to not have a baby in our room anymore.  It's just another phase we are transitioning out of and I don't know that we will ever be in that phase again...  does that make any sense.

We are pretty sure that TWO is our magic number, so every milestone, while exciting, is a little sad because not only is that child growing up, but we will never agin use the newborn clothes or bassinet.

Anyway, At 5 months old our beautiful baby Alexis:

• has 2 teeth
• wears a size 2 diaper, but we are transitioning to size 3
• wears 6-9 month clothes
• sleeps all night long (8:30pm-6:00am)
• takes one long nap and one short nap each day (usually)
• enjoys playing on her activity mat
• laughs and smiles a lot
• can sit up with some assistance (bumbo or pillows)
• loves bath time
• hates being cold (after a bath)
• rarely cries unless she is hungry or tired
• can intentionally grab things with her hands and pull whatever it is to her mouth
• loves Hudson
• likes to know where everyone is and what's going on
• has started trying to copy sounds and facial expressions
• tried rice cereal, but didn't care for it.  We will try again soon.
• sits at the table with us in her special seat while we eat dinner
• goes to the church nursery every sunday
• loves the staff at the YMCA and they adore her
• thinks Hudson is hilarious (and he is)
• drools a lot
• laughs at mommys singing and enjoys being sung to (wheels on the bus, patty cake...)
• is still nursing really well (no biting yet), but will also take a bottle without problems

Our whole family has fallen in love with the newest addition to our family.  Her Grandpa Frank has even given her the nickname "mini mouse".  I can't say I know why, but it's really cute.  Over the past five months, she as filled everyones hearts with such joy and love.  Each day with Alexis is a happy adventure.  We can't wait to see what she discovers next.  Alexis Grace, we love you more than words will ever be able to describe.  You are the most perfect little girl and we are blessed to be your parents.

Love,
Mommy

I should be cleaning....

There are so many things I NEED to be doing right now, but instead I'm hear writing.

Summer is coming to an end.  School has started back up, and it just made me realize how fast days are coming and going.  Hudson is moments away from turning three and Alexis is almost 5 months old!  Life is just moving too fast and I have to stop to think and write things down or I'm afraid I'll forget how beautiful, ugly, chaotic, fun, crazy, joyful and amazing this time is.

We received Hudson's preschool information in the mail this week.  We have instructions as far as parent orientation, visitation, drop off and pick up, his teacher, and classmates.  I keep telling myself Hudson going to preschool isn't a big deal.  He'll only be 3 years old.  It's just like taking him to the gym with me and putting him in child care....  BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL!  My baby, my little boy, my first born is starting preschool!  He will be off with kids his own age, learning and playing.  I am so excited for his new adventure.  I'm also terrified.  A)  I will miss him like crazy.  B)  Kids can be so mean.  I want to protect him and keep him in a bubble, but I can't.  Him going to preschool means that not nice things will more than likely be said and done to him.  It kills me to know that while he will have a lot of fun ( I hope)  he will also experience some hurt.  I don't like that at all.  I know it's necessary for his social development...blah blah blah, but I'm his mommy and I want to keep from all the bad stuff in this world.  Anyway, Hud couldn't be more excited.  He is ready, and asks to go EVERY SINGLE DAY.  He tells me "I will never leave you mommy" all the time.  I only wish that were true.

Alexis' little teeth FINALLY stopped causing her so much pain and popped through.  She now has two tiny bottom teeth at 4 months old!  Holy Cow!  For an entire week my sweet, easy going, princess was a screaming ball of tears!  It was horrible for both mommy and baby.  She cried and screamed pretty constantly all day and all night.  Sleep didn't keep the pain at bay either.  She would whimper and scream/cry in her sleep.  I felt totally and completely helpless and in new territory.  We used ice in a mesh teether, freezer rings, teething tablets, Tylenol, a cold washcloth....  Nothing seemed to help her.  She didn't want to nurse, and she had really bad tummy issues.  Poor baby.  Thankfully that seemed to only last a week.  Now that her teeth have broken through, she is happy again.  All is right with the world and she is sleeping through the night again.

Alexis is napping in her room right now for the very first time.  We got her a little noisemaker fish tank for her crib to keep her entertained and hopefully help her fall asleep.  It worked like a charm.  Now If I could only figure out a way to keep Hudson from wanting to play with it all the time?!?!?!

I am so thankful to have two healthy and happy (most of the time) kids.  This morning as I sat in bed with Hud while nursing Alexis, I thought "this is probably on of the most ordinary moments, but it is one of the happiest of my life.  I never want to forget it".  It is so easy to take life for granted.  It is all to easy to miss all the beautiful moments, because we are all too often looking at the next BIG thing.  Well, I stopped to take it all in this morning.  It was wonderful.  I smelled and played with Alexis' hair.  It's getting so long.  I tickled her neck and watched her eyes sparkle as she laughed.  I showered Hudson with kisses and hugged him tight as he tried to wiggle away laughing.  I watched him get so exited when he thought he did something so funny.  I saw his eyes focus so intently as he played a game on my phone.  He is so smart.  My heart completely melted when my two babies kissed each other and really interacted.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful husband who works so hard for our family.  I am so thankful that I get to stay home and watch these two amazing babies grow up.  I am so thankful to God for choosing me to care for and love my children.  I am so undeserving of it all.

Rice Cereal...take one

This morning Alexis was really showing interesting in eating like a "big person".  She was watching us all eat breakfast and smacking her gums.  haha  The pediatrician mentioned that this would be a sign that she might be ready to start eating food.  I use the term food lightly because it is tasteless runny rice cereal that looks like dry powder mixed in milk.  Nothing to get overly excited about.

Anyway, We decided to give it a try today.  Alexis laughed and had fun pushing the liquid cereal back out of her mouth every time I gave her the spoon.  She really acted like she was going to eat it though.  Every time I put the spoon up to her mouth she would open wide and then clamp her little gums down around the spoon, but as soon as I took the spoon out... she wad start drooling milk.  haha

We will try again tomorrow....or in a few days.

FIRST TOOTH

Alexis is getting her very first tooth!  It seems so early for her to be teething...  Hudson didn't have his first tooth until he was older, so this is new territory.

She is pretty easy even when she doesn't feel well.  She only had one or two rough days where she was really grouchy and wanted to sleep a lot.

Alexis is 4 months old already!

Alexis is FINALLY laughing!  It is wonderful, amazing, awesome!  Hudson loves to make her laugh and smile.  O-she has the biggest smiles.

At 4 months Alexis:

• wears size 2 diapers
• wears size 3-6 & 6 month clothes
• sleeps in our room in the pack n play
• is strictly nursing
• sleeps all night long, but we have had a few nights where she wakes up to eat
• naps a few times throughout the day
• LOVES standing and pushing down with her legs (that's what makes her laugh)
• can almost roll over
• started using the bouncer
• coaxes with her hands, voice, and facial expressions
• wants to be held a lot, but at bed time just wants to be laid down
• still has a sweet easy going personality

I am the luckiest mommy in the world.  Not only do I have a perfect little boy, but I also have a perfect little girl.  Each day I look forward to seeing her bright and smiling face.  She is so happy and full of excitement that you can't help but be excited about life too.  Alexis is a great sleeper which Steve and I really appreciate.  We are so in love with her.  It is now impossible to remember what our lives were like without her.  She is so much a part of our family now.  We just love her developing personality.  Hudson loves to make her laugh, but still laughs like a hyena when she cries....  Anyway, Hudson calls her A-Lex, or Alexie.  He recently started to referring to her as SISSY.  It is so cute how much he loves her, and beyond adorable at how adoringly she will stare at him and smile.  

PS.  PLAYING DRESS UP WITH LITTLE GIRLS IS SO FUN!!!!!

Alexis' 4 month check up is this Friday.  I can't wait to find out how much she has grown, but am very much dreading her getting shots.... :(

****Alexis Update****
Height:  24 1/2 inches long 56%
Weight:  15lbs 11.5oz 88%
Temp:  94.7

4th of July

This year was our first 4th of July as a family of FOUR!  It was a lot of fun!  We did the usual, get together, concert, parade, cookout, fireworks....

Hudson is at a really fun age, so this 4th was extra fun!  The week leading up the the 4th of July, Hudson and I talked about what all we were going to do and see and hear.  He kept telling me he was afraid of the fireworks.  Hud had never had a problem with them before, but earlier this year some low flying jets that were really loud freaked him out.  Not he gets nervous when he hears loud noises.  Well,  the fireworks started and Hud LOVED THEM!  He kept yelling:

"WOW, did you see that guys?"
"Get in my hand colors"
"Look at the fireworks!  They are AWESOME!"

I've never seen a child so excited about anything and it really made the Holiday special.  I like fireworks as much as the next person, but there is something so amazing about watching a child enjoy the world and see everything in a new light.  I will never forget Hudson's excitement that night and the joy he got from watching the "pretty colors" explode in the sky.

Alexis had her very first 4th of July ever!  Honestly, I don't think she cared too much.  During the concert,  we had to take her to the back and walk her around.  The music was just too loud.  We even tried noise canceling headphones, but she only tolerated that for so long.  hehe  Believe it or not, Alexis slept through the fireworks.  the poor little thing was soooo tired after such a fun couple of days.

I had so much fun shopping this year for coordinating kids clothes.  There were so many adorable options for girls (OMG, there were some seriously cute outfits), but I had the hardest time finding something for Huddy.  Eventually, I settled on some baseball shirts and a red and white striped polo shirt.

In my opinion, Huddy and Lexis were the most adorable kids in the whole state of Indiana, but I might be a little biased.

Hudson's First Dentist Appointment

Hudson had his very first dentist appointment.  He did extremely well.  The dentist mentioned that he had a little bit of an open bite and over jet due to him still using his pacifier, so as soon as we got home, I snipped the tip of it.  ***He completely stopped using his pacci on July 6th***

Hudson cried for just a second, then proceeded to laugh the rest of the time.  He had no cavities and even got a brand new toothbrush.  :)

Alexis is 3 months old!

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!  How is this happening?!?!  Time is going by so fast.  I feel like with two, I'm loving life, but it is so busy there isn't time to sit and think about everything.

My sweet happy girl is 3 months old!

She is always happy and lis really starting to smile and coo to get attention.  It is so stinking cute!  Every once in a while she will even start to laugh.  It sounds more like little grunts, but I don't think a full on belly laugh will be too far away.  :)

At 3 Months Alexis:

• wears size 2 diapers
• is in 3, 3-6 month clothes
• Hates being swaddled because she doesn't like having her arms wrapped up
• Still sleeps all night 8:30pm-8am (not to shabby)
• Can go between bottles and nursing without any problems
• Only wants a pacci sometimes....  She does't NEED one
• Is having less poopy diapers (thank goodness)
• smiles and "talks" all the time
• LOVES her big brother Hudson
• Has started fussing in the car (she's not a fan of the car seat anymore...)

I think the biggest change between last month and this month is that Alexis will now look at you and smile at you to either make you smile or in reaction to you smiling at her.   She is so even tempered and just the sweetest little thing.  We all lover her so much.  Hudson has gotten more protective of her.  Ever time we leave the house he tells me not to forget Alexis.  He also doesn't want strangers messing with her.  The first thing he wants to do in the morning is go find her.  It is just so cute to see how much Hudson loves her.  Hudson is proving to be a great big brother.  

How did we get so lucky to have the best kids in the whole world?!?!?!

Alexis Grace is 2 months old!

At two months old, Alexis has quite the little personality!  She is so incredibly sweet and HAPPY!  She has really started to smile and every now and then you might catch her laughing.  When she smiles her whole face lights up.  She smiles a lot when she sees my face, but she also smiles at the ceiling fan, so....yea.

Alexis had her 2 month well baby check up and she here are her stats:
Temp:  97.9F
Resp Rate:  26 bpm
Weight:  12lbs 14oz  88%
Height:  24 inches 92%
Head Circ:  38.7 cm  41%

The doctor went on and on about what a cute baby she was and OH THE HAIR!  haha  Alexis has a clean bill of health.  Then came the shots.   When Hudson had them, he cried for a second then passed out.  At least that's how I remember it.  So, I thought that Alexis would react the same way.  NOPE!  My sweet and quiet little girl screamed, and I mean SCREAMED!  She has a good set of lungs.  I gave her a pacci and thought all would be well.  BOY WAS I WRONG.  She was a disaster the rest of they day.  She cried and screamed and cried some more.  Finally after a few hours of this, I gave her some medicine.  Exactly four hours after her first dose she was back to screaming uncontrollably.  It was a rough day for her and everyone else to say the least.  Poor Hudson hated seeing his little sister so upset. He held her hand and tried to make her laugh at the doctors office while the nurse was giving her the shots.  It was really sweet.  I love how much he loves her.

At 2 months Alexis:

• Sleeps all night long most nights (9pm-6am for feeding then 6:30-8:30am)
• Smiles all the time
• Laughs
• Has extremely good head control 
• Is starting to grab things and hold on
• Is getting really good at tracking
• Coos and makes all sorts of sweet noises
• Makes her big brother laugh having some gas/tummy issues :) 
• Wears size 2 diapers
• Wears size 0-3 month clothes
• Still has really dark hair, but it is starting to come in lighter at the roots
• Has BIG BLUE EYES
• Dislikes tummy time

Alexis,

You are such a sweet baby.  I can't get enough of you!  My love for you seems to grow and grow ever single day.  When you look up at me and smile, I know that there is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for you.  I would give all I have to keep you safe, happy, and healthy.  I remember write a while ago that I was afraid that I wouldn't be a good enough mom to both you and Hudson.  I wrote that I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to teach you everything you needed to know.  I realize now that my insecurities are all in my head.  God chose me to be your mommy.  Someone recently pointed out that the parent/child (and I guess sibling) relationship is the only relationship that we do not get to choose ourselves.  We choose our spouses, friends, in-laws, neighbors, co-workers..., but not our childcare/parents.  That is a "God Thing".  He doesn't give us anything we can't handle.  It's very comforting that even though I feel inferior at times, God has confidence in me to raise his children.  He chose ME to be mom to two of the most amazing children on earth.  Alexis, We love you so much.  You have stolen all our hearts.  It brings such joy to my heart to see you and Hudson smiling together.  I look forward to watching the two of you grow together and form an unbreakable bond.  There is something so special about a sibling relationship.    

Happy 2 months my beautiful happy girl.

Love,

Your mommy