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: