A day with Mommy...

These pictures are from a couple different days,
but they still represent a typical "Monday with Mama"...

First we get some laundry washed and folded,
then we go to Publix to get groceries for the week,
and to make dinner for Daddy tonight...
When we get home, we play with flash cards, crawl ball, read books... maybe jump around in my jumperoo or watch a Baby Einstein DVD for a little while before it's nap time.

When Daddy get's home, we go for a long walk/run with Hailey.
Then it's bath time! This is a video of Ali's bath in the deep end with all her toys.
Keep a close eye on the Shamu toy...

I'm really enjoying being able to do the 30hrs/week Reduced Work Week!
I feel like I get to spend lots of quality time with Ali on Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon,
then work Tues-Thurs and be with her in the evenings.
She gets a chance to make friends and be socialized a little,
but still be with me more than at the sitters.
We feel very fortunate to have this as an option!

Sweet Potoes... a success!

I believe that Ali is really starting to get the hang of eating from a spoon. We started her w/ oatmeal cereal mixed with milk, and this week we have been introducing some sweet potatoes. Just as we were finishing up the first tiny jar, she started choosing to open her mouth over sucking her thumb (with a mouth full, of course). So, stay tuned!

Ali's cookout w/ Bryleigh & Elliana

We enjoyed having some of our good friends over for dinner tonight!

Ali enjoyed playing with her friends Bryleigh & Elliana.
We definitely had the entertainment covered for the night...
just trying to capture all 3 girls sitting up at the same time was hilarious!!!
Bryleigh & Ali's attempt to crawl...
Elliana, Bryleigh & Ali
This picture is a little dark, but puts the crew together!
Eddie has perfected his Alice Springs Chicken on the grill... yummy!
Phil, Marja & Kristin enjoying the patio
Believe it or not, we all had dinner around the table! WOW!

Ali's Hoarse...

Ali is finding her voice!
She is making so many new sounds that she has made herself hoarse.
This video is a little dark, but you can hear that she is hoarse
and then see why... She is so excited to be talking up a storm!

So precious...I just have to take a picture!

This is just a precious picture of Ali in her jumperoo... she loves it!
She has gone from barely being able to reach the ground with her tippy toe
to now jumping around like a crazy baby from side to side...

Here is a little video of her talking up a storm and bouncing around...


Ali likes sitting in the sink and looking in the mirror.
More playtime...
Clean baby!
almost bedtime...
Ali is getting SO big, SO fast!
We are really enjoying our new little family.
I couldn't imagine my life without her!!!

Rough Day... Not for long!

Last Tuesday, I had a long day at work... I called Eddie on my way home,
and when I pulled in the driveway... this is what I found!!!
NOW, YOU TELL ME... how can you have a rough day after that???
Sometimes you just need a little laughter in your life -
and to top it all off, I could see Eddie peaking through Hailey's dog door in the background. He wanted to keep an eye on Ali and see my initial reaction!

CiCi & PopPop's Visit...

My parents came down from NC to spend the weekend with us.
They had reached their limit for being away from Ali!

CiCi & Pop Pop happy to have their arms around Ali!
Day 1: We did the unthinkable... spent a day at the beach!
You just have to know my parents, but it's hard to get them to sit still and relax!
We were able to talk enjoy the beautiful weather... not too hot, not too cool!
Then we went down to Captain Hiram's for an early dinner.
Ali enjoyed her long nap at the beach...
Her little hat was just flapping in the breeze...
Daddy & Eddie played round 1 of Bocce Ball, then I got to play the winner ;)
Nice action shot of Eddie's toss...

Yummy Toes!!! I used to be that flexible...
Sittin up all on her own... SO CUTE!

Day 2: Project time...
This was also Ali's big day - her first taste of anything other than MILK!
I think CiCi really enjoyed her time with Ali...
Ali loves her PopPop!!!
Ali walking on Pop Pop's shoes
Eddie called Mama & I into the room to see what Ali was doing...
he and Daddy were playing Peek-A-Boo with Ali and she could see it coming and would laugh so hard... This is a little video of her fun game -->

Ali's first taste of something other than MILK...

OK, so we're not branching out too far by feeding her Oatmeal mixed w/ milk, but it's a start...

We sat her up in her little highchair (thank's NANA!) and put on her bib, CiCi loaded up the spoon and Ali opened her mouth just like a little bird!

CiCi gave her the first few bites, everyone else had to have a turn...

Videos of Ali eating/talking...

Can you imagine having nothing but milk for 5 months?
It's so amazing how God designed us! It's hard for me to believe that I have been Ali's only source of food and have been able to supply enough nutrients in milk alone for her to double her birth weight plus some!

Ali's a fish!

Tonight marked a new milestone for Ali...She held her breath & went underwater for the first time!
Ali will be 5 months old tomorrow and is really enjoying the water.

Here's a little video clip of her first dip underwater...

Eddie & I took Ali to meet some friends at the pool after work.
Chris & April brought Bryleigh & Elliana. Tiffany and Kristin came to play with their little neices in the pool! Caroline brought Anna and Chris. We had a great time!
These are a couple more videos of Ali in the water...


After we got home from the pool, Ali and I read some of our bible book...
she likes to lie on my back so that she can see over my shoulder.
She likes story time!

Another trip to the Zoo!

We are officially members of the Brevard Zoo!
Eddie and his parents taking a close look at the "Tropical Birds"!
The crazy pink/orange spoonbill birds from Ali's point of view...
Eddie & Ali were checking out the new Paws On Exhibit at the zoo. This will be lots of fun when she gets a little older!This time, I think the rhino's were Ali's favorite... they were out and active, when we usually can't even find them in their little habitat!
These are a few pictures from the "Wild Florida" exhibit...
And we had to stop by and visit our long legged friends!
Mr. Giraffe looks like he's talking to Ali...
now she's petting him and he's sticking out his 18" tongue to get the cracker from Eddie... Tired girl...