Baby Kate!

I just realized that I never put up any pictures of Baby Kate.  Yes, we actually call her "Baby Kate".  And by we, I mean everyone in this world other than Nick.  He calls her Katelyn because he thinks that she is not going to know what her real name is if we call her Kate.  The whole Baby Kate thing started because that's what I called her when speaking about her to Alexa when I was pregnant and then she was born and it just stuck.  For some reason, it's completely appropriate for her.  I don't know why.  So, anyway, here's a bunch of pictures that I took as I was trying to be a photographer.  Some of them my mom edited.  It's pretty obvious which ones those are.  There are a couple of Alexa thrown in there (obviously).  Lexi started off kind of jealous but she's turning out to be a very good big sister...most of the time.  Baby Kate is super cute, she's always happy.  Unless she's trying to sleep.  Then she screams.  A lot.  The kid hates to sleep, which is not good for my psyche.  She likes to take cat naps during the day and then she likes to wake up at least every three to four hours at night.  I haven't slept more than 4 hours straight in the past 5.5 months.  Alexa was such a champion sleeper.  By the time she was this age, she was sleeping 12 hours through the night without waking at all.  I used to think to myself that all these women saying that they are so exhausted after having a baby are nuts!  They must either be really bad at this parenting thing, or I was really good at it!  Well, that was when I had a sleeper and now that I have a non-sleeper, I would give anything for 8 straight hours of sleep.  This Q4hr wake up crap is getting really old.  I feel like I have tried everything, but if anyone has any advice on how to get a baby to sleep for a long time, I'll take it.  The lack of sleep is really starting to turn me into a not so nice person...in life.

The Beach and 4th of July

We have had a lot going on in the past month or so, hence the lack of blogging.  Also, I was going to put up some super cute pictures that I took at the end of June but kodakgallery.com closed and did not transfer over my files yet (as they implied they would).  Very annoying.  So we will have to start with family vacation to the beach:

 Getting ready to go to the beach!!!

 The first day we were at the beach the waves were huge!  Alexa went up to the ocean and got splashed a couple of times.  She did pretty well considering she had never seen waves like that before.

 She totally enjoyed all the fun beach activities like collecting shells to put in Nick's pocket and she loved stepping in "Daddy's feet".

 OK, so Nick got an ipad. Which is a story I would really rather not get into right now.  The short version is that he finally convinced me that he needed it for the masters program that he's in.  I still think it's a complete waste of money - although it was the cheapest of many computer options - but I was playing with the iphoto app on our way back home and look at how pretty my picture is!!!  I guess the ipad is growing on me a little bit because I named her Susanne.  You see, my itouch is named Susie, so I thought it was appropriate.

 Our parents met us at the beach and Alexa had lots of fun hanging out with her grandmas and grandpas.

 The beach that we went to just happened to be down the street from my aunt and uncle.  So of course they came over one day with their grand kids to play in the sand.  This is one of the only pictures that actually has all of them in it (plus my dad...obviously).

 After the first day at the beach, it kind of lost it's magic and apparently the pool was the place to be.  Alexa constantly asked to go to the pool.  After she got tired of everyone telling her that we weren't going to the pool right now, she changed her tactics.  Instead she would go up to someone and say "walk?"  then when that person would say "Sure, Alexa, we can go on a walk" she would grab their finger and lead them up to the stairs to the pool.  Crafty little thing.  This picture is her pointing to the pool when, after a day of misled walks, Nick asked her where she wanted to walk to.

 Finally, we gave in.  She really did love the pool.

 And she loved swinging from the railing...

 ...and giving Uncle Nicky high fives...

...and the occasional economics lesson from Uncle Ricky. 

 We got home just in time for the 4th of July and Alexa walked (rode) in her first parade!  As you can see, she was thrilled.

 After nap time we went over to Aunt Kim's house for hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork.  Nick's other sister, Dani, was in town with her two kids and Alexa had lots of fun playing with them (especially Sami).  This picture is of Alexa trying to be slick.  We told her she was not allowed to touch the cable outlet so she snuck up on it and did this instead.  Apparently if she isn't looking at me, she thinks that I can't see her.

 Silly girl.

 Alexa and Sami playing on Chase's bed.

 Alexa loved ALL the food (and I love Sami's face).

 Yummy, cupcakes!

 The next day, the cousins came over.  Alexa and Sami played in the little pool, with the water table and with bubbles while the boys played in the big pool and on the super long (and lubed up with dish detergent) slip-n-slide that nick put together.

Recital/Bridal Shower Weekend

 My parents and Katie came up the other weekend for recital and Jenifer's shower.  I haven't talked about Jenifer that much but she's my best friend since Kindergarten.  (Hi Jen!)  I mean, my best friend other then my mom and Katie.  (Hi Mom and Katie!)  Anyway, Jenifer and I went to UF together and then we both  (coincidently) ended up moving to Tallahassee around the same time.  She is getting married in July and I'm her matron of honor!!!  I was pretty excited (and still am) until I realized that I would have to make a speech in front of a whole lot of people.  My mom said that I wouldn't have a problem writing the speech, it's the public speeking part that would be difficult.  Great, thanks for the vote of confidence, mom!  ;)  Back to Jenifer.  She just moved to Crawfordville, which is exciting, especially since the house that she is renting has a bad ass swing set in the back yard.  And it's exciting because what are the chances that Jenifer was going to move to Crawfordville?  I mean, seriously.  Who do you know, other than me, that just up and moved to Crawfordville?  No one.  Exactly.

See?  It really is a pretty bad ass swing set.  And that was Alexa's first time on a big girl swing!!!  She was obviously thrilled.  Can't you tell by the look on her face?  OK, back to recital weekend.  Nick met Alexa and I at dress rehearsal and the stage is now Lexi's new favorite place to be.  Every time she saw me, she asked "back?".  Meaning, 'Mommy, will you please take me backstage with you so that I can watch the dancers?!'.  (Wow, she sure is polite!)  Apparently, even during the actual recital she liked watching the dances and was really good.  Or so my parents, Katie and Jenifer say. 

 Me and my Lexi Lynn after the show.  Can we all please notice how light her hair is getting?!  Maybe she will have some red in her hair after all.  That would make my mom happy because you know, those red heads are going to become extinct.

 Baye and Alexa checking out the stage.

 We had our first missing baby scare.  Well, it would have been a scare had we realized Rachel was gone before we saw her sitting on the lost and found table.

 Bath time after the recital.

 We had Jen's shower at my house on Sunday.  Do you like her sash?  Mom and I made it.  You can't tell from the picture but it says 'Future Mrs. Fortenberry'.  How jealous are you? 

 Jenifer, myself and our moms before the shower.

 We had a lot of fun, played games, typical shower stuff.  (Although, I think our games were pretty awesome!)  The reason why I put this picture up is to illustrate Alexa's need to act like a fool when surrounded by strangers.  She felt it necessary to throw herself around, roll on the floor, arch her back, etc.  All in a happy, kind of drunk looking way.   Which, I know is much better then her acting like a screaming, crying crazy, but still strange.  It makes me very worried for what's going to happen at Jenifer's wedding where Alexa will be a flower girl and expected to walk down the aisle.  Maybe she'll roll down the aisle.  Or dance down the aisle.  She can do summersaults now...I can totally see her summersaulting down the aisle. 

Oh yes, and somebody (named Alexa) is obcessed with Abby Cadabby which means that somebody else (named Janeth) feels the need to buy Abby socks, a wand and an Abby potty book.  Which Alexa loved, of course.  I'm really enjoying the crossed ankles while sitting on the toilet but not so much the sickled feet.  We are going to have to work on that.

Pictures of Wolfie