The Fair

On Monday two of my good friends and I took our kids to the Bloomsburg Fair to see the farm animals (and to get some yummy food of course!). We first ventured to the children's ride area hoping to see an elephant show. Unfortunately it wouldn't begin for a while, so we just watched the elephants being bathed by their trainers. I was so sad to think that these elephants probably travel all over the country for fairs like this one. They did not look as healthy and happy as the beautiful elephants at the Audubon Zoo in NOLA.

The Stroller Brigade

After seeing the elephants we wandered around in search of a snack for the kids. One thing is for sure: you do not come to the Bloomsburg Fair without planning to eat. I still have my favorite fair foods from the past. We stopped and got Kohl's Orange Drinks and than continued on for some fresh cut french fries. Alex LOVES french fries which proves that he is most definitely my child. He polished off a small fry almost all by himself. He was kind enough to share a few with his pal Natalie though.

Next, we were off to the animal exhibits. We first saw the show dogs and then made our way to the dairy cows. I never realized how large cows are up close! Alex was entranced by them and kept pointing at different cows and looking at me with wide eyes. Toward the end of the exhibit there was a sweet four week old calf. The owners of the calf were allowing people take their children's pictures with her. Our three babies were so cute loving on this little cow. They petted her and had the best time! Alex still needs to work on his gentle touches though!




Being the social butterflies they are, Natalie, Alex, and Jacob were loving the attention passing fair-goers showered upon them. I guess living like a calf isn't half bad, because they would have stayed there all day playing in the hay and saying "Hi" to everyone who cared to look at them!


The next part of our trip was spent with the pigs. Normally, I consider myself a fan of pigs, but boy do they stink! It always catches me off guard because when I picture the fair pigs I have this whimsical view of Wilbur and Charlotte at the County Fair. I never imagine Wilbur smelling so awful!

We finished off our afternoon with a llama followed by some yummy funnel cake and ice cream. Alex had his first major public tantrum (are they really supposed to start at 11 months????) because he did not want to sit in the stroller, or leave the baby cow, or walk the way I wanted to walk, etc., etc., etc. I certainly have a strong-willed boy!

Natalie and Jacob watching the llama.

Jenn and Jacob

Enjoying some funnel cake

Holly and Natalie

Alex playing with his ice cream spoons.

Thanks for the great pictures Holly! We had a great time at the fair!!!

Growing up so fast!

Recent pictures of Alex:

How do these wheels turn?

Such a big shot running around outside!

What? I'm just checking for leaks!

A big Alex grin!

Hanging upside down from Daddy's lap

Alex is changing right before my eyes and its hard to believe that my little baby will officially be a toddler in a little over a month He is walking(running) everywhere and is suddenly so independent. He loves to play with toys and will take out one by one until you can no longer see the carpet in the room!

He loves to play outside and often stands at the door pointing at the doorknob long before we have even changed out of our pajamas. I guess I'd better get us some good snow pants, boots, and warm coats because I think his love for outdoor play won't be thwarted by cold weather.

Last week Alex cut another tooth. He now has three on the bottom and four on top. With this latest tooth he had a cold which led to his first double ear infection. Poor baby! He's been such a trooper taking his medicine for Mommy and Daddy. After a week of interrupted sleep and trying to comfort a cranky and sick baby all day, I also came down with a sore throat and bad headache. My wonderful hubby even stayed home from the Penn State game on Saturday to help me rest. (Of course, when Penn State and he didn't have to ride home soaked from the rain. I believe he was glad to be warm and dry at home).

Walking!!

Taking some steps:
(He really wanted Mommy's running shoes!)

First Steps!

Last week my big boy took his first steps! I am not ready for him to be so grown up, but I am so proud to see him accomplish big milestones. After dinner we were on our screened-in porch playing. Alex was walking with his dump truck push toy (it was my brother's 18+ years ago!). I was sitting on the floor watching him. He stopped pushing, smiled, and took 3 big steps right to me! He beamed with pride and has been taking steps ever since. I wouldn't call him a "walker" yet, but he is up to 9 or 10 steps at a time. He's getting braver and more confident every day. It won't be long now! I have a feeling that my "rough and tumble" boy won't really walk though, he will RUN!

I will post a video of him taking steps soon!

Nine Months Old!

Alex is nine months old! He is so full of energy and such a happy, pleasant baby. In the past month he started saying "Hi!" to everyone we meet. He loves to "socialize" when we are out shopping and always makes everyone's day with a BIG smile.

This morning Alex was playing in the living room and I was sitting next to him. He started to crawl into the kitchen and stopped. He turned around and waved to me. Clear as day, he said "Bye Bye!" and kept on crawling!

Other words he's "saying" are "Da" or "Day" for Daddy, an occasional "Mama", and "Ba" for his bottle.

He is getting VERY close to walking. He can stand on his own for about 10 seconds before he plops down on his tush. He is cruising, pulling up and loves to push his walking toys around the family room. I watch my friends with little ones who are walking (running) everywhere and I know I am in for it soon!

Happy Anniversary Kelli and Stephen

One year ago today...

Sand isn't so bad after all!

Last night we celebrated Gram and Pop Tripoli's 50th wedding anniversary with a lovely surprise party. They are still so in love after all of these years (and 8 children)! Alex had a great time with his great uncles, aunts, and cousins. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera! The D.J. gave Alex a tambourine and he went crazy! He ran (with Mommy or Daddy helping) all over the dance floor shaking his tambourine and "dancing" with his great aunts.

My handsome boys ready for the party!

Alex looking cute in seersucker

Today we went to the Knepp Family reunion at R.B. Winter State Park. There is a small lake with a sandy beach and Alex had a great time playing in the water and in the SAND!

Mommy and her water bug!

Sweet Lauren posing as "Ariel" (notice the sand fin)

Alex playing in the sand

Playing with Daddy

Ethan playing in the sand

Beach Bums!

We spent last week in Ocean City, MD with my family and had a fabulous time. The weather was beautiful and experiencing Alex's first trip to the shore was so much fun! Alex loved swimming in the baby pool and wading in the bay, but did not take to the sand or the waves. When we would try to put him down on the beach he curled up his little feet in protest! It was so funny. However, he LOVED to play on the beach chairs and could easily have spent all of his beach time doing just that.

Having a blast on the beach chair

Swimming in the baby pool with Daddy

Swimming in the big pool with Mommy

During our vacation Alex was quite spoiled by his Grammy and Grandpop Jensen. Not only did he have an almost constant audience to show off for, but he tried many new foods too. He had pizza, doughnuts, macaroni and cheese, and french fries all for the first time! In fact, now that we are home Alex doesn't seem to like his usual healthy fare as much. Hmmm...I wonder why??!

In my mind, one of the best moments of vacation came on the very first day. We were waiting for our order to arrive at our favorite breakfast spot, The Dough Roller (YUM!). Alex was sitting with my mom and getting very antsy. To entertain him she picked up a crayon from the tin on the table and started drawing on the paper placemat. In that moment, Alex's eyes just lit up. My mom handed him the crayon and he drug the crayon back and forth across the paper. His eyes got so big when he saw that HE was the one making those marks. He LOVED it and laughed with such pleasure! Seeing Alex learn new things just melts my heart! My baby boy is growing up!

Alex Coloring:

Busy month!

Things have been pretty crazy around the Tripoli household. We closed on our new house at the beginning of June and are (finally) getting settled in. The move went very smoothly until I sprained my ankle stepping down from the fireplace hearth (I'm such a klutz!). I am finally recovered from my injury, but was moving slowly for a few weeks! Last week I began teaching mommy and baby swimming lessons at the Community Center. It is so much fun! Alex is my "helper" and we get to play with other babies in the water every day! He loves swimming! He splashes in the water and kicks his little legs like he's been swimming all of his little life! He's a natural! Of course, Daddy wants him to be a wrestler and Grandpop wants him to be a baseball player. I still hold out hope that he'll take up mommy's favorite sport!

This month has also been a big one for milestones! Alex hit 7 months and simply decided he wanted to start GOING! He started crawling at 7 months and 1 week. The next day he started pulling up on furniture and now he is cruising! Slow down little boy! You are growing up too fast!

**I will add pictures of our new house and Alex crawling ASAP! Our home office is not quite organized yet and I can't find the USB cord for the camera.

Cousins!

Last week Alex met his cousins Ben and Tyler Weader for the first time. (Actually, they are Matt's first cousins, but are close in age with our little guy) Ben is almost 2 1/2 and Tyler is 5 weeks old! They are both such sweet boys and we enjoyed spending time with them. I loved hearing Ben say "Baby Alex" in his sweet little voice!

Little Tyler

Alex and Ben

Alex also took his first trip to Knoebel's Amusement Park with Ben, Tyler, Ethan, and Lauren. Knoebel's is a such great place! I spent many, many fun days there as a child. Being there with Alex made me so excited for all of the fun times we will have over the next few years! Alex loved watching all of the activity.

We played the fishing game (everybody wins!)

We watched Ben ride in the red car.

We also were soaking wet because of the unexpected rain! We waited out a few heavy downpours under various covered locations (food stands, ticket stands, trees) and then finally decided to take Alex on the Merry-go-round. Just as the ride was about to begin Alex fell asleep on Matt's lap! Oh well! We will certainly be back to Knoebel's again soon!

Daddy and Alex at Knoebel's

Mommy and Alex

What a big guy!

Alex had his six month well-baby visit yesterday. As we expected, he is at the top of the charts for weight and length! He is 27.5 inches long and weighs 22 pounds. Our pediatrician was very impressed with Alex's development, but was surprised to hear that he still wakes up two or three times per night! She wants us to try feeding him 3 meals a day of solid food and see if it helps him sleep through the night. Mommy and Daddy are trying to hold out hope, but are pretty sure our guy enjoys his middle of the night cuddles. I'll keep you posted!

Six Months Old!

Alex is six months old today! He is growing up so fast. Alex is such a blessing and Matt and I are so thankful for our wonderful boy! Here are some "then and now" photographs to showcase just how much change took place in these short months.

Playing

Then (watching the ceiling fan)

Now

Laying on the Boppy

Then

Now

Swinging

Then

Now

The Little Red Wagon

Spring is here and the weather is finally taking a turn for the better. I've been desperate to spend time outdoors with Alex, but its been a cold spring. I suppose I've gotten used to the warmth of Louisiana, so the cool weather is a shock to my system!

With warm weather in the forecast, Matt and I decided to buy Alex a red wagon this week. I think every little boy needs a wagon! Today was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 70s and plenty of sunshine. Alex and I spent most of the day outside and we took his new wagon for a spin. Alex loved his wagon ride and its something we will do often.

Faster Mommy! Faster!

This is so much fun!

I could get used to this!

Mommy, how many pictures of me in this wagon do you need to take?

Alexander Cole Tripoli arrived on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

First Family Portrait

Alex and his godmother, Mary Noller Gerth

Alex and his godfather, Justin Gerth

Alex meets Papa John and Grammy Wendy

Alex meets Grammy Sue and Grandpop

Soon after Alex's arrival we moved to Pennsylvania.
Alex and Mommy flew together for the first time. What an adventure!

We were lucky enough to be in Pennsylvania for Alex's
first Christmas. We spent a lot of time celebrating with our family.

In January we traveled back to New Orleans for

our goddaughter Frances Gerth's christening.

The Gerths came to Pennsylvania

in March for Alex's Christening