Independence day for my independent girl!

I love the 4th of July- it has always been one of my favorite holidays. So many happy memories from that day: watching fireworks sitting in a dental chair at Dr. Steury's office, going to the AHS stadium with friends, holding hands with Mark at the St. Simons pier (knowing I was going to marry him), and watching Alexa, at three months old, seeing the colors in the sky and the hot air balloons light up at the Balloon Glow. It is a special day for me... this year, Mark's family was all in town from North Carolina, so we had a very busy weekend for the fourth. On the actual 4th, we had a cookout for a cousin's birthday during the day and got together with friends on the beach for fireworks. We were able to see about 7 cities fireworks displays from where were sitting, plus people had their own fireworks they were lighting on the beach all around us. Since Alexa has a pretty set bedtime, she was a little cranky and tired, but we still had a great time. She was scared of the sand and wanted us to hold her the entire time--

She had a great time taking fun pictures with daddy





So we now have a new memory to add to my favorites for this holiday-- walking on the beach at night, holding hands with my husband, holding my amazing little girl, listening to her laugh as we watched the fireworks in the distance... a perfect day.

Chattanooga Aquarium and a new nephew, what more could a girl want?

For a Father's Day present, I planned a trip to Chattanooga, TN to check out the Tennessee Aquarium there. I had heard that it was supposed to be a great one, and Mark loves aquariums, so I thought it may be a good surprise! To make it even better, my mom's dear friend Jane was able to hook us up with free tickets to the aquarium and the IMAX theater. So, we were able to have a great day together, for the cost of food and gas only! You can't beat that!

We have a season pass to the Georgia Aquarium here in Atlanta- and we've been there 3 or 4 times- so I wasn't sure what we would think of the one in Chattanooga. I knew the GA one has the biggest single aquarium in the world. It is beatiful, and it is definitely worth checking out when you are in Atlanta, but it doesn't compare to the experience in Chattanooga. Each exhibit is an experience- complete with sound effects, temperatures similar to what you'd experience in nature, and even live trees and plants throughout. You would walk through the doors and feel like you are in a rainforest in South America, or in the Everglades in Florida with gators! The Tennessee Aquarium is smaller, but you get to experience the different aquariums from all levels to really see the fish. They also have a butterfly exhibit, which was my favorite part of the day by far- not only are there beautiful butterflies all over, you can actually see them coming out of their coccoons! I have never seen that in person- and it was pretty amazing, especially since butterflies have been so meaningful to me for the past few years. Alexa was scared of the butterflies- which was adorable! The whole aquarium was amazing- we really enjoyed every minute of it. The IMAX movie playing was a 3D ocean one- Alexa didn't really care to watch it. She made it through about 30 minutes of it (which is an improvement over the first movie she watched) but was really wriggly and squirmy. So I let her daddy finish the movie while we walked around outside. All in all, it was a perfect day!







To add to our good day, we got the news while we were at the aquarium that Alexa had a new baby cousin! Thomas Christian Kauffman (T.C.) was born at 3:04 pm on 6/28/09 (on the actually due date, amazingly enough). Megan did a homebirth, and considering TC was 8 lbs. 15 oz, I told her she was superwoman! That was a big baby, especially with no pain medicine at all. But he was healthy, so that is all that really matters. It was very hard for me to be gone during that time, but I know I will get to see him soon. I think it is so wonderful that he is named after my dad- who was Thomas C Kauffman- I know it would have made my dad so happy to have the first grandson named after him. I only wish he could have been here to hold him.

Impromptu trip to Ashland!

So, I haven't done much better at updating my blog, but this time, at least I have an excuse! On a whim, on June 11, Alexa and I decided to make the long drive to Ohio to see my family! Christen (Matt's fiance) was graduation from OSU and I just missed my mama! The anniversary of my dad's death is June 11, so I think that had something to do with it. Mark was working really late hours that week and had to work all weekend, so it seemed like a good time to get to Ohio!

The drive was fine, a little longer then I expected, but Alexa was not a happy traveler. She usually sleeps great in her carseat, but on this particular trip, she decided she would only be happy if she was holding my hand. I had to be a bit of a contortionist to reach her in her rear facing carseat from the driver's seat, without putting our lives in danger. I was so excited to finally make it to Ashland!

We headed down to Columbus to surprise Christen- which was very fun. She took one look at us and said "You're not supposed to be here!" It so nice to be able to see them. Matt, Christen, Mom, Alexa and I went to the Columbus Zoo, which rocked! So much better than the Atlanta Zoo! Alexa was a little cranky, so we didn't get tons of great pictures, but here are a few highlights!

Seeing the baby elephant:


Up close and personal with kangaroos:










Seeing Aunt Christe and Uncle Matt:




We got to see Uncle JT and Aunt Megan during this trip, to short of a visit with them, but nice regardless of the length. Megan and JT were expecting the birth of their son anytime (he was born Jun 28, 2009- more on that later) so we took a trip to Babies R Us to get a few last minute things.

Uncle Curt made the trip to Ashland a few days later- Alexa LOVED reading with him! They sat and looked at books for a really long time- the two of them really seem to have a special bond.







It was a bit of a short trip, but totally worth it. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks to see everyone again and to meet my nephew! I always love showing off my amazing little girl too.

Little Miss Independent...

I have a very independent girl on my hands. My mom lovingly reminds me that I too was a very independent and fearless child, and got a broken leg to prove it. Alexa has shown her independence since she was about 8 months old. She didn't like for me to feed her baby food... she wanted to feed herself. We started finger foods pretty early because of this- I knew she needed to eat, and if she wanted to feed herself- so be it. She would let me get a few spoonfuls in, and then eat whatever finger food was there. About a month ago, she decided that SHE wanted to use the spoon- no more letting mama do it... so we are in the process of Alexa learning how to use utensils.


She has the spoon to mouth coordination surprisingly down pat.



She just doesn't always have the spoon the right side up...



or get the right side into her mouth...



but she loves doing it and she is very proud of herself!


I am ready for her to get the hang of it-- taking three baths a day is a lot for a little girl (and her mama!)


Along with her independent use of a kitchen utensils, Alexa is quickly picking up new signs to communicate with me. Her repetoire of signs now consist of: more, all done, drink, fish, milk, dog, love, teeth, brush teeth and please. She kind of knows water, which is a taking a "W" and putting it to your chin. She knows it has something to do with putting your fingers on your chin, but her fingers usually just end up in her mouth. It's pretty dang cute.

I have had a few naysayers talk to me about how signs could delay her language and she could focus to much on signing rather than talking, etc. but I think it is an awesome thing. I have done some research on the benefits of baby sign and research shows that the use of baby sign actually can increase a child's language expression skills and IQ and help them be more prepared for kindergarten, but that isn't why I am choosing to teach her signs... I am choosing to teach her signs so she can tell me what she needs, wants, and likes. She can point to a strawberry and sign "please" to let me know she wants it, rather than just whining about it while grabbing for it. Sure the whining occurs too, but she knows that asking for it with her signs is the only way she will get what she wants. If she wants a drink, all she has to do is ask. It seems like it makes both our lives easier- she can let me know what she wants, and I don't have to play a guessing game.

As far as it delaying her language skills, I suppose that could happen, but Mark and I are already expecting a slight delay in her language expression skills because we are teaching her two languages (Mark is fluent in Spanish). We know that the best time for a person to learn a language is NOW and we both believe that Alexa speaking Spanish will benefit her in the future in many ways. Her pediatrician told us that what we are doing is absoultely the best thing for her in the long run, but we can expect 2-5 month delay in her expression as she tries to sort out the languages. To me, it's worth it because I know it will help her in the future.

Walking!

(This post is a little old, I wrote it a little over a month ago, but must have forgotten to post it!)

So I officially have a toddler on my hands. It is hard to believe that just a year ago Alexa could barely hold her head up, and now she is toddling all over the place. My little girl is growing up! She took her first steps on April 16, two weeks after her first birthday. The steps were unassisted, but Mark and I were sitting right there encouraging her. Over the next few weeks, she started to get a little bolder, would walk like 4-8 steps at a time and then get down and crawl. This past week though, she is a walker! Now when she falls, she stands back up and keeps walking... it is pretty neat to see her persistence in continuing to try even after she falls. She has a hard time outside because of the uneven ground and different textures, but she sure tries! I love seeing her walk, although walking has sure brought out Alexa's independent streak. She has had a mind of her own for months now, but now that she is aware she can go where she wants... there is no stopping her! She is a brave little girl and has no fear of getting hurt. I love that she is willing to try new things, but I do worry she may hurt herself... I guess I just have to keep a close eye on her!

Here are a few pics of Alexa walking!

Birthday fun!

I really wanted to catch up a little more from Alexa's birthday-- a quick snippet didn't really seem to do it justice.... we had a crazy couple of weeks around the time of her birthday (Brooks' wedding, bachelor and bachelorette party, Mark's dad's birthday, etc) so that whole time seems a little like a blur. One of the highlights for me was getting to see my mom for a little over a week to help us celebrate Alexa turning one!

On Alexa's actual birthday, her daddy got to take the day off and spend it with us! We had a lot of shopping to do for her party, so she came along for the ride. We had gotten a shirt that said 1st Birthday and bought her a Pink crown to wear-- she even wore sunglasses around! She knew she was cute!



We had a cupcake for her around 10:00 at night, so needless to say, she was pretty grumpy! We got a few good shots in before bedtime!





And the grumpiness starts...


Her actual party was the day after her birthday at her Bamma and Papa's house. I wanted to do a party for our family and close friends-- sounds pretty easy right?? Well, not when you consider Mark's family alone bring about 35 people along with it! So add in the friends and our own family and we were expecting around 50 people! It was crazy and I don't think we'll be doing it again anytime soon. We planned a luau (Mark's request) and wanted everyone to dress in the Hawaiian clothes. We had tons of food, and I made a hula girl cake. I think it turned out to be quite the success!

Dancing with Charley (her cousin)...



The cakes- one to smash, one for everyone else!



We weren't sure how Alexa would do with the cake- she hasn't ever had sugar like that before... SHE LOVED IT!!!


She was on a sugar high while opening gifts... it was pretty funny-- she couldn't get them open fast enough so she would use her feet! She got WAY too many toys, but we sure appreciate them all!






One year of precious, amazing memories down... countless more to go. I knew having a baby would change my life-- I never thought it would inspire me to be the best I can be.

A night without Alexa...

Mark took Alexa home to Woodbine until Monday, so I am faced with the first time I will be away from my little girl since she was born. Well, that isn't exactly true, about 3 months after she was born, I spent the night in a hotel in Jacksonville and was away from her for like 12 hours. But this will be the first extended time away from her ever... and I'm not sure what to do with my time. I'd like to say I have books I've been meaning to read, or hobbies to do, but I really don't. I'd love to catch up on her scrapbook, but the pictures I ordered haven't come in yet, and I don't really have anything new to try... which leads me to the discovery.....

I'm beginning to get a little stir crazy in my stay at home mom job. Don't get me wrong, I love it so much and wouldn't trade it for anything... but I don't really feel like I have much of a life apart from my daughter. I really need to get involved at church or volunteering or something, but it is hard since we don't know how long we will be here in Atlanta. I guess I just need to find a new hobby and wait my time out... I am going to try a new church tomorrow here in Atlanta so maybe that will be a good place to start.

Anyway...
I do have some news about Alexa... she is really starting to walk well and learned two new signs, "milk" and my favorite "love!" Now she can sign love to me!!! That is pretty fun. I'm so glad I decided to teach her signs- she seems to really enjoy communicating with Mark and me and it is fun to let her communicate what she wants. We only have a handful more that I really want her to learn (thank you, please, sorry, help and potty) but I'll keep working with new ones as long as she wants to learn.