Oh how far we have come

and by we I mainly mean Alexia.  Ever since she has taken those first 3 solo steps she is a wobbly walking machine.  Granted it only comes in spurts and sets of 5 or so, but still she tries so hard and gets the biggest smile on her face when she is doing it! Not only is she walking more but she is now standing up on her own, she no longer always needs the help of the nearest couch, table, or anything she can pull up on.  It amazes me how much she has changed in just the last week. 

I am so excited for Saturday.  My mom is coming down to babysit Lexi while Lew and I join some friends at the Coyotes game.  Our first night out together in a while.  I can't wait and most of all I can't wait for mom to see all that Lexi does now.  Since Thanksgiving she has accomplished so much.  Good luck watching her mom, she is a crazy woman with the push toy! Especially when she starts going after the dogs, but it is so much fun to watch her be so independent. 

Lew has started a new position at his company and gone back to the dreaded 9-6 shift.  ARG.  I miss having him home around 5 and there for dinner.  Now he gets home about when we are getting into pj's.  The worst part is not being able to eat as a family.  The best part is, he is home all day Saturdays now! 

The countdown to Christmas continues.  I finished wrapping all our gifts today and I was kinda sad!  I have really gotten into the Christmas spirit this year and have been enjoying every minute of it. 

family photo op

Kim showing Lexi the tree

hanging with Sonny

what is this thing on my arm?!

fun time at the park

11 months old

Today my little darling is 11 months old.......

So far she......

has eaten just about everything
crawls like a little machine
stands up and walks along anything she can pull up on
walks like a pro with her pushing toy
climbs up and down on anything she can possibly get her little legs up on
has had her fair share of falls, spills, and head bonks
babbles so wonderful
says mamamamama and dadaadada along with many other fun sounds
points if she wants something
shakes her head no
copies you if you make facial expressions
claps her hands
plays patty cake
hands you toys or food
had her blood drawn

I'm sure there is so much more but that is what stands out...last BUT certainly not least

ALEXIA TOOK HER 1ST 3 SOLO STEPS last night!!!!! It was absolutely amazing and so exciting to watch.  She was so proud of herself and then was so excited she would just start lunging instead of walking, it was adorable!! 

Alas, little Lexi still has NO TEETH!!!  Her 2 younger friends (by 3+ months) have gotten their first couple of teeth and left her in the dust.  I love that huge gummy smile but I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first tooth. 

In one month my daughter will turn 1.  How is that even possible?!?!?! I am already in party planning mode and can't wait to celebrate the day with family and friends.  I have never been this excited about a birthday before in my life.  Another thing I am super excited about for the first time in a long time is Christmas!  This year is going to be the best Christmas and I am sure all the ones to follow will be equally as exciting and memorable. 

I have some new pictures but my camera is in my diaper bag in the car and with Lexi napping after her first blood draw there is no way I am risking the dogs barking when I go out and get it! I will upload them soon.  Man they don't tell you they are going to draw the blood like they do adults.  A little heads up would have been nice.  I don't know what I thought they would do, I guess stick the foot like they did for the allergy one.  That was not a fun 10 minutes.  I don't even think the actually stick and blood draw part really bothered her, it was the strange people in white coats that had to hold her arm straight out and down really hard so she couldn't move.  She was not having it!  Lets just say next time I will be making her appointment for the afternoon so I can come home and have a glass of wine!!  Holy smokes.