Back from a (Photo) Blogging Hiatus!

Hey Everyone!! I'm back... and ready to do more photo-blogging. :) It's been a busy few months for sure! And, here's some recent photos from Mother's Day that Doug took of Alexa & I and a few extras. Alexa is now 7.5 months! She LOVES to walk (she holds our fingers and will walk for hours a day), still dislikes being on our tummy (we wonder if she will want to crawl!) and has said a couple words "Mom" (pronounced ...'MAAHHMMM') and "Hi" (pronounced as 'Hi-ah'). I honestly can't believe she hasn't said "Dadda" yet....she loves her Daddy! She has lots of personality and is very strong (and strong-willed!). We love her so much, and as Doug said recently "Alexa's default state of being is JOY...that's a good example for all of us."

Enjoy the pics!

Kate & Alexa (blogging buddy)

personality?!

Aaron (Doug's old roommate in Chicago) & Alexa

Papa (Doug's Dad) & Alexa this past Sunday

One of my favorites taken at 7 months :)

PHOTOS! Pine Island, Sanibel, Family, First Food!

Here's a snapshot of our February :0) Happy Sunday to you! Enjoy :)

Family Photo in Florida this past week

Alexa's first stroller ride in shorts :)

One handsome Daddy and one fashionista beauty baby

Alexa and I in Sanibel

Another Mommy & Daughter photo at the Garlands

Family Dinner on the Smith side

Four generations on my Mom's side...definitely treasure this

Grandma & Alexa

Doug & I in Florida last week...out to eat with Alexa, Gram & Papa (Doug's parents)

Alexa loving Sanibel beach

My sister, Erica's new daughter, Chloe Christina...just 3 days old and smiling.

Papa & Alexa at the house in Florida this past week

Gram & Alexa on the dock :-)

Three days ago, after Alexa's first food (rice cereal)....she was a happy camper!

Alexa is 4 months old!

Four months ago today, I was at the hospital with Doug ...in labor and anxiously awaiting to meet Alexa. It was truly one of the most exciting and wonderful days of my life-- I loved the entire journey of that day from start to finish :) And...the last four months have been hard and wonderful all at once....and a huge learning process in so many ways. We just can't believe our little girl is four months old!

And today, Alexa had her four month appointment, and she is the picture of health...here's her stats:

Head Size: 95%, Height: 95% (surprise surprise...she has a 5'11 Mom & a 6'5 Dad), Weight: 90% (Here's to the wonder of breastmilk!).

Our pediatrician and, of course, Doug & I are so pleased with her growth and how healthy she is...we are so thankful to God and do not take this for granted.

Things overheard today at her 4 month appointment by the nurse and doctor:

*"She is so aware, wide-eyed and observant." (yep, that's what everyone's said since Day 1!)

* "Hmm...She must look like her Dad and his side of the family..." (LOL--I have also heard this one quite a few times!)

* "She is such a happy easy going baby...look at her...always smiling and entertaining herself !!!" (I think she was just showing off for the doctor, but I'll take it ((wink)).

* "Your buying her the next size up car seat soon (the convertible car seat), right? She's almost too long (tall) for the infant seat!" (We know...and we are...thanks. :)~

Happy Thursday!

Kate

It's been a long time... :)

It has been a long time since my last post (Alexa is now 3.5 months!!), and as I am typing this while Alexa is in her 'baby gym' talking (AHHH!!!, EEEoooo!, etc.) and playing with (or should I say, 'putting in her mouth') all of her hanging toys. I've said it before, but she is one aware and alert babycakes!

Here's some of what I am learning about our Alexa...

-Loves when people sing to her and often sings along with "Awwhhhww" (Disney songs and Musicals...namely, "Sound of Music" tunes)

-Truly enjoys breastfeeding and is a fantastic eater (which makes me very happy--it's my POLISH side!)

-She and her Daddy are best buds and no one makes her smile as big as he does (yay Daddy!).

-Diaper changes are one of her favorite activities (instant smile when we hit the changing pad and often lots of cooing!)

-Bathtime is another favorite time of hers...She LOVES the water!

-Doesn't cry that often, but hummm/grunts loudly instead (it's slightly amusing...a complaining sound)

-Does not like her car seat for long periods of time (She does cry a lot in this seat...tears and all)

-Loves being held and smiles often at others!

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

Kate & Alexa (blogging buddy)

Any Given Sunday... :)

Doug and I had a great outing with Alexa on Sunday...lots of walking downtown, brunch and even the mall. She was a trooper, loved seeing all the people and sites and also slept quite a bit. Isn't she a little sleeping beauty (biased Mom talking--hehe)?

A tired babycakes after a long day :)

Alexa & I on State Street for a casual stroll (obviously Doug snapped this photo while we were walking).

Doug holding Alexa as she takes in the sounds and sites of our favorite casual restaurant the "Old Fashioned"

One bundled baby girl :)

Hope you are having a great week!

Kate & Alexa (my blogging buddy)

A few recent photos!

What a busy wild time!
Alexa is sitting on my lap with me as I post this...She is staring at the photos, so the 'photo descriptions' are from her. :)
Enjoy!

Daddy dressed me this morning...can you tell?! :) Hehe

BUT...he loves me and I'm Daddy's Girl , so I don't mind :)

This is my Great Aunt Frud & Uncle Fred who came in all the way from Charlotte, NC. They brought me so many sweet gifts including my new favorite GUND Teddy Bear, "Goldie" (Aunt Frud gave my Daddy one when he was a baby too!)

This is my sweet Great-Grandma Lydia and me (the first time she held me). Mom startled me with the flash on her camera. My Mom takes so many pictures of me, you'd think I'm a celebrity.

Mom, Dad & I partying :)

One of my Mom's Best Friend's, Erin, Paul and her Mom &Dad. ERin flew in from Virginia to hang out.

Photos of Alexa at 2.5 weeks old!

I am typing with one hand these days...holding Alexa!

Here's a couple updated photos of Alexa at 2.5 weeks :) She is such an ALERT baby girl and loves to always be on the move with her Mom and Dad! Alexa has the cutest expressions and we are just having a lot of fun learning all about her. And like most new parents, Doug and I are also learning how to adjust to a new sleeping routine (or lack of one--haha).

HUGS,

Kate & Alexa

Introducing Alexa Katherine Smith

Introducing...Alexa Katherine Smith!

09.28.09

Kate and I are overjoyed to announce the birth of Alexa Katherine to the world. She's gorgeous weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz and 21 inches long.

39 Weeks--Baby Update!

A picture that Doug took of me in front of our fireplace after dinner with friends on Friday night. I was EXHAUSTED (not my best picture), but you can see how big I am/my belly is!

Well, we are 39 weeks and one day! And, according to my doctor, it looks like Baby Girl Smith will most likely be arriving rather fashionably late. Although her official due date was 09/27/09, it appears that she will have an October birthday instead. We are SOOO excited to meet her, so waiting a FEW more weeks feels like forever right now, but we are very happy to learn that she is in great position for birth and that at 38 weeks she was already estimated to be 7lbs. My Mom tells me that I, myself, arrived two weeks late and was well over 9 lbs. SO, she just might be following in my footsteps in this way?! We will see... :)

~Kate

Last Couple of Weeks in Pictures...

Celebrating Mom's birthday on September 7, Labor Day, and her actual birthday!

Mom, "Grandma" (one of my nieces only thinks she can ONLY be "Grandma"...not "Mom"--LOL) getting help from her grandkids with her candles.

Nephew, Liam (Valerie & Steve's son), and Niece, Alyse (Derek & Michelle's daughter) awaiting birthday cake #2 for Alyse.

BROTHERS: Blake & Doug...grilling out in our backyard after the Farmer's Market last Saturday. It was a beautiful day :)

Blake & Doug

Remember when I said I was going a garden this year? Well, here are just a few of the tomatoes that came from that (Literally...just a few!)

Yummy! A tasty way to eat local and go green :)