Look What I Can Do!

Lexi is so funny! This morning she was "bear walking" (if you're not in the know, that is like crawling, but on your hands and feet instead of knees) and doing headstands. She's been trying to do somersaults, too, but that makes Mommy very nervous, so for right now she is getting some major assists with her gymnastic endeavors.

Waking Up Is Hard to Do

Mommy's first day of school, Lexi's first day of waking up REALLY early.

Sugar High

We have created a monster. Alexis LOVES ice cream, but doesn't get it very often, so when she does it's a pretty big deal to her. This afternoon we stopped by Braum's for a little Sunday afternoon ice cream treat.

Once we got home, she was giving her Daddy kisses so he would give her some ice cream.

Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again . . .

So it's important to preface this video clip with a little background info. First, you should know that Lexi is getting her two top teeth - at the same time - and has been OUTRAGEOUSLY cranky. Poor thing has been chomping on anything (or anyone) she can get her hands on.

The next thing you should know about Lexi is that she LOVES LOVES LOVES the movie 'Mamma Mia.' Yeah, as in Meryl Streep, singing, dancing, ABBA, and completely inappropriate material to present to a one year old. We have watched this movie at LEAST once a week since the beginning of summer. Lexi dances along with all the songs and is mesmerized by the pretty colors. Mostly, though, she really goes for the soundtrack.

Fast forward to this afternoon: Lexi wakes up from her nap (cranky) and won't eat, drink, sit, stand, or be held by Mommy. She wants nothing to do with her toys or books. My baby was inconsolable - until I put on "Dancing Queen." She was literally crying her eyes out - tears streaming down her face and wailing - 30 seconds before this was taken.

Mamma Mia, here I go again! My My! How can I resist ya!

My Fair Lady

Our little family spent the weekend at the Cherokee County Fair in Columbus, Kansas with Grandma and Grandpa Holding. Lexi liked all the animals, especially the rabbits (BUNNY!). We also saw goats, sheep, ducks, cows, chickens, geese, and a turken (a turkey crossed with a chicken for those of you not in the know). Lexi met lots of people and managed to charm most of them with her smiley face and "HI" and "Bu-Bu-Bye."

shortly after this, Lexi stepped in poo and got it on Mommy's legs and Daddy's shirt

the poultry barn

this sheep jumped out of it's pen and Daddy and Grandma helped wrangle it back in - Mommy watched of course.

YES!!! FUNNEL CAKES ARE AWESOME!!!

Lexi makes friends everywhere she goes!

Babe!

These are Grandpa's cows!

Sunday morning in Grandma's garden

It's The Climb

Lexi spent her morning at the park climbing all over the fun equipment (and going down slides head first - I think we have a daredevil on our hands). This afternoon instead of playing with her fun toys, she only had eyes for the laundry basket. She flipped it over all by herself, too (impressive)!

Walk This Way

While Mommy makes dinner, this is what Lexi does to keep herself entertained. She circles from our kitchen, to the office, through the living room, past the front door, rounds through the entryway, and the dining room before an occasional quick 'hi' to Mommy and then she's off again. She can get moving pretty fast now that she's been walking for a whole month!

It's So Fun to Be One!

What a difference a year makes!

Can you believe it's already been a year? Alexis turned one on June 22nd, but we had her party the Saturday before. She had a great time -playing with the other babies and swimming in the pool. At her one year checkup, she weighed 21 pounds (52nd percentile) and was 29 inches tall (50th percentile).

Here's a video of Lexi with her cake - Mommy has her trained so well, she had to be coaxed into getting messy!

Here are a few pictures from the festivities:

sharing Papa's dinner

I'm ready for my cake!

BEFORE

AFTER

That's my girl!

The big cake

Cake, at home, with Mommy and Daddy on her actual birthday:

Play Date With Kate!

As if there was ever any doubt that Lexi was my daughter - the girl loves Kate Spade purses! I gave her a small handbag of mine and she carried it around with her last night - it was so cute!!!

And this was too cute not to share - this was how Lexi and her daddy were watching Finding Nemo last night - so precious!

What Does That Mean?

So this is what lunchtime is like for the Holding girls. Lexi spends more time talking (your guess is as good as mine on what she's saying - it's definitely not English) and trying to feed the puppies ("No, No") than eating. Add this to the fact that she is a very slow eater and lunchtime is not Mommy's favorite part of the day.

So here's your chance to play, "What Does That Mean?" with Alexis - remember, it's not always obvious (trees are pronounced 'bezz') and rarely as simple as it seems! Good Luck!