A Girl That Knows What She Wants

While I was playing with Alexis this morning, she decided that she wanted my phone, which was across the mat. So, what does she do? She goes and gets it! I couldn’t believe it. It was like she decided right then and there that she wasn’t going to wait for what she wanted, she was going to go after it. She did the military crawl all the way across her floor mat!! I’m so happy that I was home to witness this. I’m really going to miss her when I go back to work! I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot this Christmas break. She’s sitting up longer, she’s playing more with her toys and I finally have her on a regular morning and afternoon nap schedule. I pray that she can keep it up with Grandma. And despite what BOTH grandmas say, she really does enjoy being swaddled!! She wouldn’t go down so easily if she didn’t. (cough…cough) Let’s not forget she is like a kangaroo in and out of her jumperoo! She loves to jump!

Merry Christmas...At Last

Alexis's first Christmas has come and gone but I can definitely say that it was a successful. We saw all our family and she loaded up on clothes, educational toys, stuffed animals and decor for her room. Well, that may have been more for Mommy, but it is going to look so cute when I get it all put together, not that she needs anything more in there!! She also received more shoes than any baby ever needs! Hopefully I won't have to buy any at all next year.

We started the Christmas festivities on December 22nd with Santa Clause. We ate an awesome dinner with my family and celebrated Jesus's birthday with a cake. Then we drove back to Katy for Christmas Eve with the Mannions. She missed the presents because she refused to take a nap earlier in the day and had to go down for a nap in the middle of opening. We drove back to the Lake that night and Santa visited us at my parents house. We had a big breakfast with my family and then cooked Italian food for dinner for the rest of the family and we ended up staying up a little too late playing Phase 10 with my cousins. We were some game playing fools this holiday.

All the loot she got from Santa. The dog on the chair is stuffed, the one on top is my parent's dog Cody. Santa took Cody's chair, but he didn't mind too much! He just took his spot back!

As happy as ever! She just loves her Belle! She is scooting around in the walker. I tried to buy her one for Christmas, but they didn't have any when I went to buy it. That will be a late purchase!

Alexis got plenty of love this Christmas!

Aunt Missy and Uncle Michael

Brody and Bryce getting in on the action!

I cooked for 5 days straight during the holiday and I've had no time to do much of anything else. Our Christmas cards will be a little late this year, but they are on their way. Sad thing is, they've been done for almost a month!!!

Happy 7th Month Birthday

Alexis had her 7th month birthday on Christmas Eve. We've been at the lake for a week and a half and traveled back to Katy for Christmas with the Mannions on her birthday. Considering there have been a constant flow of people coming and going daily, she has done a great job and continues to be such a happy baby. She is now eating some stage 2 fruits and veggies, and they haven't slowed her down one bit. She is also sitting up on her own for over a minute. She is still one wobbly baby, but A is going to be pulling herself into a sitting position before I know it. She already sits up if she is at a slant, it's just a matter of time before she can do all by herself. Her motor skills are definitely increasing as well. She plays with her toys and reaches for everything, even Daddy's glasses. She loves her toys and lovez and they typically go straight to her mouth.

Enjoying her breakfast in her Santa PJ's.

Tummy Time is still one of our favorite times of the day. Here she was laughing at Belle. And this is just one of the faces that she has that makes me laugh. I finally got it on camera. This lion is one of her favorite toys.

More Tummy Time

This was my attempt at getting pictures in her Christmas dress that her Aunt Terri got her. This is proof positive that my child does get bored of picture taking. She just wasn't having it! At least the tree is still up so we can try again when we get home.

Santa...Take Two

Last Tuesday we restarted our family tradition of Santa Clause. It was a mix of celebrating Jesus's birthday and my birthday while getting to see the big man! It was so much fun! I love getting together with family! We even had a birthday cake for Jesus and we cooked prime rib! It was so delicious!

We actually got a smile out of A this time. She seemed to like her Gi Gi doll. She went right for her mouth with it, but then again, everything goes in her mouth these days. I've been saying it for a while now, but her teeth are coming in. She doesn't like taking bottles and she was cranky yesterday. Her gums seemed to be swollen, but what do I know. Too bad Mommy washed the doll and her hair didn't quite hold up so well! Mommy thought the Gi Gi doll was kind of scary though, sorry Mimi!!

My cousins and I. Jamie is due January 21st and Rachel is due July 15th.

Rachel and Kelsey

Alexis loved Santa's story time. She watched him the whole time he read "The Night Before Christmas"

Brody was more into the gifts than Santa himself. He is growing up too fast!!

Bryce was pretty funny! He was waiting patiently for his gift! Once Brody and Eli had received their gifts, he was starting to get worried. He had to sneak over Santa's shoulder to make sure he wasn't forgotten about. Then the family told Santa to tell Bryce he needed a hair cut and Bryce was adamant that wasn't happening. He told Santa that his room is dirty because of Brody, not him. He was definitely animated this year!

Everyone, even Belle, was quietly listening to Santa's story. Bryce helped turn the page because Santa's gloves were getting in the way.

The McManus Family Visit

One of Daddy’s best friends, Ryan, and his wife Jen came into town, so we left the lake one night and trekked to Kingwood for a quick visit. The first time Alexis met Uncle Ryan she wasn’t exactly thrilled. She cried both times he tried to hold her, but this time she was back to her normal self. She was in her typical great mood. Ryan’s mom, Mrs. Amy, made homemade ravioli so we dined on some true Italian food. A big thank you to Mrs. Amy for sharing her famous ravioli, from what we heard she can be really stingy with them, but she was very generous with us! We are very thankful that we got to spend some time with the Mc Manuses. We don’t get to see them all that often because they live in Chicago. Thanks for sharing your family tradition with us. We love ya’ll!

Here are some pictures of the eclipse. I got some great shots as it was covering, but of course I stayed up all night to see the Lunar Eclipse and as soon as it was fully eclipsed the clouds completely covered it. I could only get a glimpse of it and not long enough to snap a picture!

This first picture was the next night of the beautifully full moon, of course there wasn’t a cloud in the sky!!

Uncle Ryan

Aunt Jen...Thank you for my lovee and teddy bear, I love them!!

We already miss you!

Busy Bees

As with everyone, we've been super busy this Holiday Season. I haven’t had much time to blog, so today I’m playing catch up. Last week I was a single parent while Daddy was down in the Valley for work. That made for late nights trying to get ready for the Christmas party we hosted with all our friends. It was nice to get out with our 300 Justice Road friends and our new babies last night.

A has been having a difficult time napping these past couple of weeks. We can get her down quickly, but then she is up about 45 minutes later. I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions would be helpful. She is doing great at nights, we've been having a few more late night snacks than normal the past couple of weeks, but over all, I can't complain, I just wish I knew why she wasn't napping.

She is now eating baby food 3 times a day and there doesn't seem to be anything she doesn't like. I haven't tried the prunes, more so because I'm scared of the blow out, but if it's on a spoon, she eats it. She's becoming more independent, when she isn't tired, and can entertain herself for longer times on the floor and in her jumperoo.

Here are some random pictures from the last two weeks. I love these PJs. I'm not sure where they came from, but I had to get a picture. And you know how much I love bath time. She is much more active in the bath tub these days. She props herself on her elbows and just kicks, making the biggest splashes. I actually have to scoot back so I don't end up wetter than her!

Click on the links to see our last 2 weeks. Alexis is quite the social butterfly, just like her Mommy and her Daddy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she isn't napping. She's probably worried that she will miss out on something fun.

Train Station Photo Shoot
Santa Jim
Lights in the Heights
Gage's 2nd Birthday

Katy Train Station

This morning we took A to the Train Museum in Old Katy. This outfit was given to her by one of Donna's Friends, so we dressed her up and took her out for a quick photo shoot! It was cold and windy, but she did great! I love these pictures!

Christmas Party

As everyone knows, Christmas is my favorite time of the year! I love every part of it, especially the traditions! Growing up Santa always visited our house on Christmas Eve. I couldn't wait to start this tradition with Alexis. So, we got our friends together this year and had quite the turn out! It was chaos! But, it was every thing that I remembered. We even had crafts and cookie decorating. I think the kids definitely enjoyed themselves.

We will be doing Santa on December 22nd with my cousins at my parent's house. Next year will be even better with Rachel and Jamie's new babies. Our family is growing so fast and I can't wait to carry on the traditions of the Ford family with the next generation of Fords. If only Maw Maw were here now. She would be so proud of each of us and she would be so happy to know that we are as close as ever. We miss you every day and we know you are watching over us and smiling down.

Alexis was more phased by Santa's "bling" then she was of the man himself. But, luckily she didn't cry. I'm sure she will next year. As for Makena, Gage and Keely, well, that is a different story! But, it makes for great pictures and it's just another tradition that makes Christmas so great!

I think this is a pretty good attempt at getting all the kids. Granted, we are missing a few, but you take what you can get.

The adults had a good time with Santa too! We are so excited for Aunt Kristi and Uncle Michael. Next year we will have two more babies to add to the party! I'm not sure whose bigger, Aunt Michelle or Santa, it's definitely a closs race!

High School Harrys and their families

Lights in the Heights

300 Justice Road hit the streets last night for Lights in the Heights. This is a little hidden gem in the heart of Houston. We've never heard of it and we thought we were just going to check out some Christmas lights with our friends and the next generation of 300 Justice Road. But what we discovered was a mini Christmas Mardi Gras in our very own Houston. It was a blast! People were dressed in costumes, including hula dancers and one very disturbing Santa Clause with tight shiny gold pants. Thank God Alexis didn't see him, but I feel very sorry for those kids that did. Others were in roller skates and Christmas lights. There were bands on every corner and on front porches. We even saw bag pippers!! I think the goal is to not only out do your neighbor in tacky Christmas Lights but the inventive way people decked out their coolers was even better than looking at Christmas lights. I think the lights just give these people an excuse to party in the streets and have your kids see Christmas Lights. It's a pretty good compromise for parents and kids.

Our friends Jason and Kaley have been patiently waiting for this bundle of joy for as long as I've known them! Introducing Van Frederick Huette. He is absolutely handsome and so sweet!! He will be the future brisket cooker while Reagan and Alexis man the chili team. All three babies did great on our journey through the Heights. Alexis slept just long enough for me to get this picture, but other than that, she decided that she wasn't napping yesterday but was still in a great mood! She was very smitten with Mr. Beau too! She just smiled at him every time he looked at her!

High School Harrys

This blog is a tribute to my Daddy and my besties. He laughs every time I tell him I've got plans with my girlfriends, who just so happen to be my best friends from high school. I've said it many times before, we aren't just friends, we are the sisters we never had. My closest, dearest and oldest friends are all the ones that I graduated high school with and I wouldn't give them up for the world. My dad calls us the High school Harrys. He thinks we should move on! But, we have a unique bond that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Luckily this Holiday season, I got to spend more time with Joy and Megan who are the only two that don't live here. Strangely enough, I miss them more when I see them! I wish they were here all the time so I could see their kids more and hang out with them more, but I cherish the time that I get to see them when they are here. Chalk it up to that time of the year or having a baby, but having them around and playing with each other's kids makes me so happy! I can't wait for the next time we're all together again.

These are pictures from Gage's 2nd birthday. It was the first time we got to celebrate with him and the kids had a great time. Alexis already can't decide which boy she likes more, but I don't thinks she wants to share!

Makena 11 mos, Nate 3 mos, Alexis 6 mos, Ryder 5 mos

Nate

Makena, she is just so beautiful and she has the most amzing eyes I've ever seen!

Check Out My Cool New Tricks

Alexis is just a ball of fun these days! I know I've said it before, but she is just such a happy baby!! Here are some of my favorite times with her!

She has been laughing a lot more. It's hard to get it on camera because she stops when I pull it out. Hopefully I can get some better ones later. We love to get her going!

She is spending more time on the floor grabbing, rolling and playing. She is going to be all over the place before we know it!

This is by far my favorite time of the day! I LOVE to wake her up in the morning! I secretly wish I could wake her up when I leave for work each morning. However, Daddy is still sleeping so most days I just let her sleep in.

A is DYING to sit up! We have been working really hard on balancing in the sitting position, but when she is playing by herself, we catch her doing sit ups. She was doing them on que! I guess it's never too young to start on that six pack!

It took her a while to really enjoy her jumperoo, but as of last Tuesday, she been jumping, laughing and actually enjoying it. It's like she finally figured out what to do. Even though she is a little string bean, she still needs the pillow to reach the ground.

Happy Thanksgiving and 6 Month Birthday

Not only was last week Alexis’s first Thanksgiving, but she also celebrated her 6th month birthday. Last Monday she had her 6 month check up and to say that I was shocked, is an understatement. She is weighing 14 pounds, 25th percentile, and is 27 inches long, which puts her at the top of the charts in the 95th percentile. I knew she was tall, but I would have never guessed that tall! She did great on her shots once again and after a bottle she acted as if nothing happened. We even went shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.

On Wednesday A watched her daddy make her a gingerbread house. This is a Mannion tradition and Brian couldn’t wait to make one for Alexis. I have deep rooted traumas when it comes to building gingerbread houses so I didn’t participate. Maybe another year!

Thursday we hosted Thanksgiving at our house with the Mannions and the Catheys and Friday we went to the Lake to do our 2nd dinner with my whole family. We had a great time at both and it was by far my favorite yet!

A is learning so much! Just in the last week she has started jumping like crazy in her jumperoo, she has begun teething, she holds on to things for longer periods of time and she loves to laugh. I’ve got a few videos that I need to upload, but I will save that for the next post. She is very close to sitting up and she is starting to get on her knees when she does tummy time. All in all she is still a very happy baby. We are currently going through our first snotty nose. I feel so bad for her. Tonight she had a hard time getting to sleep, so I had to rock her. Hopefully that goes away soon.

We have so much to be thankful for this year. At the top of the list is Alexis! She has brought so much joy to our lives. We are so happy and we love her so much. She brings a smile to my face every time I think about her.

Her 6 Month Birthday Bath picture. She still loves her bath time. She is getting much more active and Mommy ends up getting pretty wet too!!

My first two babies! I LOVE this picture. This will probably appear on our Christmas card. Belle is almost 12 years old and Ranger is 8. They are getting old but they still love to play.

Alexis on her first Thanksgiving.

Making gingerbread houses. Notice Daddy's LSU and Aunt Missy's Ole Miss. They all had a blast!

Buffalo Bayou

I love Houston! And I love the sky line even more! I wanted our wedding at the Petroleum club because I wanted to be able to look out at the city and it’s the only building Downtown that allows you to do that. I’ve been dying to take pictures in front of the buildings since Brian and I got engaged, but I just never knew where to go! Well, after driving around for two hours Saturday, I found it, Thanks to Aunt Tracy!!

Alexis had quite the weekend! She was way off her schedule, however, you couldn’t tell because she was such a happy baby. I think she had a great time! She was quite the social butterfly; unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of her with all her aunts and uncles! I will do better at Thanksgiving and Christmas, I promise! On Friday night we met Uncle Ryan and his mom at Lupe Tortillas and Saturday we spent all afternoon with Aunt Tracy. We had a brief photo shoot at Buffalo Bayou (I think that’s what it is called) and then we went to the Original Ninfas, where we got to watch the end of the LSU and Ole Miss game. GREAT GAME!! Today was my cousin, Jamie’s, baby shower. So, she got to spend time with all her aunts and Mimi. We were super excited to see Aunt Debbie! We’ve really missed her!!! We ended the weekend at Berry Hill with Aunt Deanna, Uncle Chris, where we had a MAJOR blow out in our car seat! I was scared to get her out because I was afraid it would get all over the place. That was definitely a first, of many, I’m sure!

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from our shoot! She is such a ham; it was very hard to choose! I think I’m going to blow this first one up and get a gallery wrap for her wall!

What?? You don't like to chill out in your favorite chair? So, it happens to be in the middle of Downtown Houston.

Just kickin' my feet up!

Oh Geez, Mom!! Are we done yet?

Such a happy baby! I pray her eyes stay blue!

This girl LOVES her dresses and lovez!