You Be The Judge

As with all babies, the last three months have been filled with, "who does she look like?" I just couldn't tell, but the overwhelming response was always, "Brian." I definitely think she has his mouth! But, my mom was digging through some old pictures of Maw Maw's and found some baby pictures of me. And, if I must say so myself, I think we could pass as twins. Maw Maw passed away 5 years ago this 4th of July and this was a very hard year for me. I think I cried ALL DAY!! Maybe it was my hormones, but I just wish she could be here to hold Alexis and I really wish Alexis could have known her. She was the best Maw Maw ever!

This is Alexis's lake house bathtub and she loves it! She even put her head under the water and didn't even cry. Of course, I didn't mean for her to dunk herself, but I'm just glad she loves water. She is going to be a water baby, just like her Mommy.

Alexis and her Grandma

Me and Maw Maw.

I think this looks just like her

Three Fords...Yes, my hands are blocking my face. Remind you of anyone?

This was the shirt that Brian wore at 3 months, so we had to get a picture of Alexis in it. Unfortunately, she isn't smiling like he is, just yet. Hopefully she starts smiling soon.

Brian at 3 months

Now, just when you think you have it down, here is Brian. This looks JUST like her! Check out that mouth!!

So, what do you think?

Rolling...

It has been a rough week in the Mannion house. Alexis has been super fussy! One night I even called the after hours nurses because she literally cried the whole afternoon. I'm not sure if she is teething, has a bug or is just trying to prove me wrong for bragging about how great of a baby she is!! Considering she was 2 months premature, I know it is really early to assume she is teething, but my typically happy, content baby has had a seriously rough week. She doesn't like her swing or her bouncy chair. Hopefully this passes soon!

We finally got her video of her rolling uploaded. Now that I took this, she hasn't done it all week. Tummy time is only good in the morning when she is in a good mood. But, I swear, she has rolled several times and I'm not just bragging!! Sorry it is so long!

12 Week update

Alexis has had a busy month! She has been to her first birthday party and learned to roll over! Mommy and Daddy spent their first weekend away and Grandma and Grandpa (name to be determined) Mannion stayed at the house with Alexis and the dogs. They all did a great job! Between my parents and the Mannions, we are so thankful to have such great Grandparents at our disposal!

She is now up to 9 pounds and 9 ounces with her shirt on! I can hardly believe how fast she changes! I LOVE her many faces, as you can see in her slide show from her morning wake up. It really makes me laugh every morning. This past week, she has slept till at least 9 each day! I'm getting spoiled from sleeping so late, but this just makes me stay up that much later, hence the last two blog posts! She is also finding her voice! She is starting to cry more and more at night! I don't know if it is because she is tired or if this is just normal! She has such a great day and then right before bed time the last couple of nights, she hasn't wanted to go down. I'm not sure it is a phase or if we are doing something wrong. I've been doing tons of research on babies sleep routines and who knows who is right! Being a mother is so interesting, you learn new things all the time!

Today was also a bittersweet day. I feel so odd not going back to work with everyone else! I know that I am doing what's best for Alexis by waiting till October, but it just feels weird and scary to not be back at work. I'm sure I'm going to have TONS to do later and I'm super worried about giving up control of my classroom and worrying about how it is being done wrong for the first 6 weeks!

I have my 2 nephews here this week, they are 7 and 9! I still remember the day they were born, thinking how I could never love something so much. Oh how things have changed! They are a handful, but I'm super excited to spend some time with them. This is the first time all summer that we've had some extended time together. They usually spend at least one week with me each summer and I didn't think I was going to get that chance this year . I guess Bryce didn't come last year and when I was putting them to bed, Bryce said to me, "we've never spent the night here before." Brody and I reminded him that he had, he just doesn't remember! Kind of makes me sad, they are growing up so fast, I still think of them as toddlers! I will let you know how it goes with a newborn and two boys, when I come up for air!!

Here it is almost 10 a.m. and Alexis has been asleep since 10 p.m, with one feeding! She is passed out and I am having to force her awake! She is still swaddled, having barely moved since 3 am! She has been in her crib for 2 whole weeks now and we are doing great!

So big! Mom!! Turn the lights off!

Just makes me laugh!!

I love it when she yawns!

Her first birthday, William's 5th. We went bowling and she hung out in her stroller the whole time. No problems! It was rock and bowl with lights flashing and loud music and she didn't mind one bit...I wonder if I should be happy or worried. She can either sleep through anything or she is going to grow up to love raves!! She finally got to wear her tutu in public and I'm about to order some game day tutus from my friend, Carrie! I can't wait to dress her up for all her favorite football teams, The Texans, Saints and Tigers!

Watching Mommy dry her hair and put make up on, both of which she hardly does anymore...One bonus of not working right now!

Rolling over...As soon as I figure out how to post the video, I will.

She has found her tongue and moving her arms and legs much more. This is just the cutest outfit and the first one that she is starting to grow out of!

Garden Naps

As I've said before, Alexis's Aunt Deanna is an awesome photographer! Not only is she one of my oldest and bestest friends, but she also had her second baby, Ryder, one month after I had Alexis. These are their 2 and 3 month pictures, their "first date." Thank you Aunt Deanna for documenting me grow! Here are a few of my favorites! I am trying to find time to actually print some of her amazing work to put in frames! A mother's work seems to not end! And I thought I was tired teaching school! But, I wouldn't change it for the world!

As you can tell, Alexis slept through it, as usual! I'm really trying to keep this child up, but she just LOVES her sleep! I hope you keep hearing that! That means that she is growing!!

2 Month Check Up

Today was our two month check up complete with shots and Alexis did awesome!! She is now weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and is 20.5 inches long. I knew she was filling out but I had no idea she would be over 8 pounds! She is now in the 3rd percentile for everything. I know that may not seem like a lot to some of you, but considering that she wasn't even on the charts last month, I couldn't be happier! She did really great when it came to getting her shots and the nurse was so great with her. I was very thankful to have such a sweet nurse. Of course she cried when she got them, but she settled down when I was able to pick her up and soothe her. We got home and and I gave her Tylenol and a bottle and she has been out for two hours. Hopefully she won't feel too much pain for the rest of the day and she will be able to just sleep it off. Mommy could use a little nap right now too!!

Here are some pictures of the week showing some of Alexis's cool tricks.

On most good days, she loves swinging in her lamb swing.

Her favorite time of the day, bath time! Notice, no crying, it really does relax her. I'm looking forward to her giggling in the bath tub.

Now, coming out of the bath tub is a completely different story! As soon as you pull her out and start putting lotion on her and getting her dressed, she throws a minor fit!! But the good news is after a bottle, she is so worn out, that she just goes down for the night (3 hours at least) with out me even having to rock her.

I think this picture says it all....It's time for a nap! This girl LOVES to sleep, she gets that from her Daddy. I've truly been blessed, at night time, she goes right down after every feeding, as long as she has been burped. Sometimes she does have trouble burping and she gets gassy so it hurts her belly, so she gets restless till she feels better. As long as she is swaddled, most nights she is down for the count.

Playing with her Lamby

Some Daddy and Alexis time

Enjoying her crib. Tonight I'm going to put her in here all night, well, I'm at least going to try. I have faith that I can keep her in there all night. I will keep you posted.

Sleeping on her tummy

Play Time

It's so hard to believe that last Saturday was supposed to be Alexis's due date and yet she is quickly approaching 2 months old! I've held off on posting this because I was really scared to jinx myself, but I truly believe I have one AWESOME, perfect baby! She is so easy! At first I was thinking it was because she was a preemie, but the older she gets the easier she becomes. Now, don't get me wrong, I am still VERY tired, but that is to be expected, right? This baby loves to sleep and eat plus she loves bath time, as long as she is in the water. She is hardly ever fussy and as long as she is full or has a clean diaper, she is just chilling out! She is still sleeping a lot, but there are many days when she sits for hours awake in her bouncy chair. She even loves to watch her Mommy cook!

We just got home from the lake for a week and a half. This past weekend we had some friends up to celebrate Uncle Nathan’s 33rd birthday. Alexis had her first sleepover at Mimi and Papa B’s house on Saturday night. It was very bittersweet. I was excited to get a good night’s sleep, but I got a little choked up seeing her leave, even if it was only for the night. It’s odd how quickly you get into the habit of waking up throughout the night. I still woke up several times even though she wasn't in the bed next to me. I guess my days of solid nights sleep are over. But, I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.

She is now taking a good solid four ounces of formula and I've been trying get out of the NICU schedule of feeding every 3 hours, especially at night. I'm trying to get better at letting her cry out instead of just stir. Like I said, she is such an easy baby I hardly ever hear her cry. So, now thanks to the advice of some pros, I'm letting her go a little longer and letting Alexis tell me when she is hungry. If only there was a Mommy Handbook, but that is what friends are for!!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend playing on the lake and Alexis enjoying some play time as well.

She finally let the pacifier take her away, for a few minutes at least. Little did Mommy knew she was fussing because she had a BIG surprise waiting for me!

Alexis isn't big on the pacifier, but there are times I catch her trying to put her thumb in her mouth. So, I force the pacifier instead. I do not want to have to break the thumb! You literally have to hold it in her mouth for a couple of minutes before she starts going to town.

Some Boppy time

She is finding her tongue.

She is growing and stretching constantly. We go back to the doctor next Monday for her two month check up, where I'm hoping she is well over 7 pounds. I know I'm going to cry when she gets her shots.

FLYING...Her neck is getting so strong!

Tummy Time! Smile!!

Such big eyes you have

Belle and Cole. My 11 year old lab will most likely have surgery on her CCL next week. We go back to our vet this Thursday to have him look at her. We went while we were at the lake to my parent's vet and that was his diagnosis. If my vet agrees, then she will have surgery next Tuesday. She is so pitiful, she won't get off the rug because she refuses to walk on tile or wood because she slips. However, there are times that she takes off running, so I think some of it is for sympathy. As you can see in the picture, it didn't bother her to jump on the couch, even if it was the first time in over 2 weeks!

Aunt Tracy made a surprise last minute trip to the lake and Anna was helping give Alexis her bottle.

I LOVE this picture. Anna was being grumpy and refused to take a picture for me, so I said "fine, I will just get Riley" and she quickly swam back into the picture.

Me and Cole

Fun in the Sun

It has been a busy week for the Mannions. A lot has been going on from birthdays to engagements. Last week Uncle Grant proposed to Aunt Kenzie and we celebrated their engagement and Uncle Grant's July 4th birthday at the house. Then we made our yearly trip to the lake and we will be here for the next couple of weeks. Last week was Daddy's first time out of town since Alexis was born. The Mannions drove up to the lake with me on Wednesday to help me out. I finally got a nap in on Friday afternoon. Believe it or not, that was my first nap I've had since Alexis has been home. I think I'm finally starting to reach the exhausted Mommy stage. I must be running out of adrenaline.

Alexis is doing GREAT. I personally think she is perfect! She is gaining weight, eating and sleeping like a champ. She is almost up to four full ounces. We weighed her on July 4th, with clothes and a blanket, and she weighted 6 lbs and 4 ozs, so she is well on her way to 7 lbs!! Her next doctor's appt is July 26th. On Sunday she was beginning to eat every 2 or 2 and a half hours and she was up every two hours, so I just knew it was time to increase her feedings. She still only fits into newborn onsies and it is driving me crazy. I'm just dying to put her in her cute dresses, but they are still a tad bit too small. Below is a picture of her in one of dresses and her sun hat. You can see it is still too big, but she has to dress up sometimes, after all, she is her mother's daughter. She is sitting in her little lamb bouncy chair, which she loves. She also enjoys spending time in her swing. Her Mimi even went out and bought one so she can swing when she watches her.

On Saturday Mimi watched Alexis so Mommy and Daddy could enjoy some lake time. Grant, the Campbells and Julie, Norm and the twins came up to the lake so we spent a couple of hours floating and drinking. It was a lot of fun. This coming weekend is Uncle Nathan's birthday so we will be doing it all again. The lake is so fun and I hope she loves it as much as her Mommy does. Stay tuned for some more pictures from next weekend.

She loves her little lamb bouncy seat and you can see the excitement in her eyes for her cute outfit!!
My baby cousin turned 17 on Sunday. She was born just as early as Alexis and I still remember visiting and holding her at Herman Hospital 17 years ago. She is an awesome softball player and will hopefully be playing in college, possibly following in her favorite cousin's foot steps at Sam Houston. I couldn't be more proud of her and it makes me a tad bit sad knowing that she will be 18 next year and going to college in 2 years. She is an amazing girl and I can't wait to see all the great things that Alexis will be doing when she gets to be her age. If Kelsey has anything to say about it, she will be playing softball too! This was Kelsey's first time ever wakeboarding and she did GREAT! I guess it helps when you don't even weigh 100 lbs! Check out her body!

Silly Daddy! He enjoyed himself on the lake! We can't wait to do it again this weekend!

Uncle Michael, Aunt Kristi, Aunt Julie, Caige and Mommy enjoying the water. Caige wasn't as excited to pose for the camera as we were!!

Mommy and Aunt Kristi

Uncle Grant. This won't be the last time you see him with a drink in his hand, even if it wasn't exactly legal!!

Caige

Asher, who threw a fit when Brian had to drive the boat. Apparently he wanted to drive it ALL BY HIS SELF, and he is only two. He is definitely his mother's child! Thanks Julie and Norm for finally coming out and hanging with us. Hopefully ya'll will come back soon!!