Sweet Pea's first trip to the beach!

My precious little girl has gotten to experience some big FIRSTS in the past couple of days.

Every year my Dad goes to a huge dermatology convention at the Hilton at Sanddestin. It is always the weekend before the 4th of July. For the past 3 years, Dave and I come down with my parents and stay through the 4th. This year is much more special due to the precious little girl we now have.

So Lexie and I drove down to Opelika on Tuesday afternoon in order to follow my parents to Destin on Wednesday. Needless to say, she did wonderful in the car! She slept the entire way (besides stopping at McDonalds for lunch) - though it was only a 3 1/2 hour drive.

Unfortunately Dave is not here. He won't get in until Wednesday evening. My parents are leaving this afternoon. It looks like it'll be me and the munchkin at the beach for a couple days.

Little A was sleeping through the night last weekend at the Benner's lake house as she did the two nights at home. But Tuesday through Friday night she was waking up again (only once - which I'm not complaining about). I don't think she woke up because of hunger, it was because of a wet diaper. This child HATES to sit in a wet diaper. My Mom said I was the same way. I should be thankful. Many of my friends have babies that don't mind sitting in a wet diaper and then they end up getting diaper rashes. No diaper rash to date. . . .knock on wood. Maybe Lexie is going to have my type A attitude when it comes to cleanliness? Anyway, last night she went to bed at 8:30 and woke up at 5 AM! All the traveling might have knocked her off schedule a bit.

On to Lexie's firsts:

First time my toes felt pool water!

First time dipping my toes in the Gulf!

First time to smile on the beach (maybe b/c Papa John was holding me)

First time my toes touched the white sand of Destin with my Papa John!

First footprints in the sand

First footprints in the sand with Mama's

First time in a picture with Papa John and Su Su on the beach

First time sitting in my Bumbo chair like grown ups!

First beach hat like my Su Su

First beach picture with Mama

First time (Mama) capturing a cute picture of me smiling (I'm not fond of the camera at times)

First time falling asleep sitting up

First Bikini

First Two piece

First one piece

And some more cute pics:

Look at my big, blue eyes!

We miss and love you, Dave! Can't wait to see you on Wednesday!! xoxoxo!!

Good friends and a fun time at Lake Sinclair

This past weekend, Jake and Courtney Benner invited us out to their lake house at Lake Sinclair. It was nice to finally go to the lake and see the sun. Even though the heat felt like a blow torch in your face.
I think that Lexie has a new friend. Jake and Courtney have Grant, who is exactly one year and one day older than Lexie. He was such a sweetie to Lexie. I have a feeling they will be hanging out a lot in the future. We tried to get some pictures of them together - they turned out pretty funny. I don't think Grant knew what to do.

Jake and Courtney have a boxer, Roscoe. He was so protective of Lexie and always laid down right next to her bouncer while she slept.

While we were there, Lexie slept through the night both nights!!!!! And she did it again last night. She slept about 7-8 hours the past 3 nights! Yay!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day
A Dad is a person who is loving and kind,
And often he knows what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens, suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient and helpful and strong in all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him deep in your heart.
And each year that passes, you're even more glad,
More grateful and proud just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...for listening and caring, for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father's Day

Me and my sweet Daddy (3 years - I think). Lexie and Dave (2 weeks)
Happy FIRST Father's Day to my wonderful husband! Lexie and I love you so much!

Random

Last week, Dave and I looked at the weather for the weekend. It said 20% chance of rain on Friday, 30% chance of scattered showers on Saturday, and 20% scattered showers on Sunday. I can safely say the forecast was so wrong. It was basically a torrential downpour on Saturday (until about 6 PM) and a hurricane on Sunday. I'm not kidding about the hurricane. The waves were crashing on our point about 7 or 8 ft high. On our west dock, the waves were coming over the walkway. On our east dock (where the water is always calm) the waves were white capping and crashing onto the dock. Debris was every where. Dave told me to take Alexa and stand away from the windows. It was quite a powerful storm. I'm getting the feeling that the rainy clouds follow Dave and me to the lake whenever we go. This is the second time we've gone this year and have yet to enjoy the sun. I told Dave that maybe it's God's way of saying I shouldn't be in a bathing suit just yet! :-)

But as luck would have it, the sun decided to shine around 6:00 PM Sunday night. I was able to get this pretty picture from our west dock. My Dad's new toy. Him and Dave couldn't wait for the sun to come out on Sunday to get this bad boy in the water. Apparently they can get this toy up to 70 mph! My Mom and I were laughing how these two guys were like little kids in a candy store with this wave runner.

Lexie likes to pretend she's a big girl by sitting up. . .

Lexie found her thumb. . . . .

I've posted a lot of beautiful things that my Mom has made. Now I must show some beautiful things my sweet mother in law made. Mrs. Kathy made this for Lexie. This picture doesn't do it justice. It also matches Lexie's room perfectly! She also made this cute, pulley blanket. Dave loves his Alaska fishing, so she made a "fish themed" blanket. Too cute !

Prayers Needed

One of my dearest friends from childhood (April) husband is having to go through something I can't imagine having to go through. . . . He has cancer. They got some pretty bad news yesterday. Please keep him, April, and their 5 month old son, Trent in your prayers. You can read April's blog.

2 Month check up

Poor Lexie was tormented on Thursday as we went to the Dr. for her 2 month shots. But she is finally starting to feel better - after lots of infant tylonel! Dr. Mekleburg was so impressed with her motor skills. She said that Lexie has motor skills of a 3 or 4 month old. She has great control of her neck (I guess tummy time has paid off) and when you hold her on her feet, she locks her legs as if she wants to stand. She said that Lexie will probably be rolling over pretty soon. Lexie is in the 98th percentile of her weight - weighing in at a whopping 13 pounds, 15 oz.! She measured 23 1/4" in length. So we aren't having any problems with the growth issue. She is getting heavier (maybe that will help tone up my arm muscles).
I can't imagine how much she will weigh when we go back in 2 months for her 4 month check up. . . . .

Sweet Pea meets Auntie Brit!

Last night my best friend, Britney was in town for a conference. Britney was able to get out early and come over. She finally got to meet her niece! I got some cute pictures. . . . Lexie going vintage :-) - another one of my dresses.

And below - you can see who runs the house now. I've been dethroned!

Already took a liking to her Auntie Brit!

A few things. . . .

Two weeks ago while I was at my parents for the week, I was able to introduce Alexa to three of my dearest and sweetest childhood friends, Sarah, April and Scarlotte. In the first pic below is our lunch outing with Say and April. The second picture is when Scarlotte dropped by (and brought some DELICIOUS cheesecake Mrs. Anita had made). I miss all three of you so much!

Lexie is ALMOST sleeping through the night. She is only waking up ONCE! Wahoooo! It's amazing how those extra few hours of sleep make a difference.

Sweet pea is about to turn over onto her tummy. I caught her in her crib on her side. She's trying so hard to turn over but just can't quite figure out to get over her shoulder.

My Mom has finished her masterpiece!!! She has been working so hard on little A's christening/baptism dress. It turned out more beautiful than imagined (if that is possible). She also made a sweet lace bonnet to go with the dress (Church and date TBD).

Detailing at the bottom of the dress.

On to a cheesy picture moment. . . . . Yes, we have matching pj's! My Mom bought them while I was in the hospital. I have to say mine are super comfy and Lexie looked so cute in hers. We had to get a picture. I'm such a Mom!
A few pics from last week. . . . This morning, sweet pea held her rattle! It was too cute. I was able to capture the moment.

Lexie is growing so fast! I can't believe that she is already 9 weeks today! It seems like yesterday when she was born. Motherhood is definitely the most rewarding thing I've ever experienced. The minute that precious little girl smiles at me or at Dave, every care or worry disappears. She is pretty happy most of the time (now that we got her gassy tummy under control). I love this little munchkin so much! For more pictures, you can check out her website.