She Laughed!!

This video was purely by accident. I was trying to catch her rolling over - which she hasn't quit figured out yet - and she started laughing. (Don't mind my voice in the background.) For the last week or so she smiles and acts like she's trying to laugh but nothing comes out - finally it did and how cute is that!?! This video was taken just a few minutes ago - that's how adorable I thought it was and couldn't wait for everyone else to see her newest trick.

Our Adorable Little Copycat

A few weeks ago, the first weekend in Oct., Alexa started copying me when I stuck out my tongue at her. Trevor didn't believe me at first, but then she did it when he was watching and he was convinced that she knew what she was doing. It was super cute. So, now we have it on video along with her adorable "talking" and very animated facial expressions. (She also started drooling and blowing bubbles with it about the same time.)

This is Trevor & Alexa's other new trick - Trevor balances her on one had to see how long she can stay there. She tries to sit up a little, but usually ends up slumped over. Here's a video to demonstrate.

And yet another trick - we see how long she can stand up without trying to sit down. The video I took was taped sideways so we'll have to try again.

Alexa with her Grandpa Petersen.

For Family Night we decided to do a little canning. In the process we noticed that Alexa was about the same size as a #10 can. The family got a kick out of the comparison. There are several more pictures with her and the cans on the web album.

Our Happy Little Girl

How could you not think she's the most adorable thing you've ever seen? You'd never know she was fussy right before I took the picture. It was like she knew she was getting her picture taken.

Alexa is still enjoying our morning walks; it's probably b/c she gets to be carried in the sling most of the time. She's also decided that her pacifier is not for her - she'd rather lick her blanket as she falls asleep instead. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I'm getting excited about her laughing soon, well, who knows when that will be but she smiles so much sometimes it's like she's trying to laugh but nothing comes out.

Don't forget to check out the web album. We've added more pictures (they may not be in order) and videos.

What a Blessing

Melissa, Alexa, Analla, & Caroline on Alexa's blessing day.
Trevor was very nervouse but he gave Alexa the most beautiful and special blessing. There were many who shed some tears. I know I'm her mom, but the spirit was very strong and we knew how special this little girl is and how much she means to her Heavenly Father. It was no accident that He wanted her here on earth at the exact time He sent her. During the blessing I felt a lot of the same feelings rush through me that I had during the time Alexa was in the NICU, peace and comfort that she will live a wonderful life, and the knowledge of the overwhelming love that surrounds our little family.
It was so nice to have both of our families there and many of our wonderful friends.
Life couldn't be better for our little family.

Alexa and Trevor listening to General Conference.

Alexa smiling at her mommy.

Alexa is now smiling a lot more - mostly right after she's eaten. Now that she's 10 days from being 4 months, she's somewhere past 7 lbs (haven't weighed her for a few weeks) and seems to be getting longer by the day. She's still in Newborn diapers (it's just about time to graduate to the next size though) and still wearing Preemie clothes. We tried some Newborns on her and they are still too big, but the Preemies are getting a little short. She started sleeping a lot more and only waking up once at night (well, on the good nights).

It's been so fun to see her start to interact more. She likes it when we sing to her, but books are still not enough entertainment.
She watched her first movie a few nights ago, Cars, she liked the parts with a lot of car noises and lights, other than that she wasn't amused.

Ready to GO!

We've been walking at the "Y" with some friends the last couple of mornings and she seems to do pretty good in the stroller as long as we're moving. I got her all ready to go this morning (note the adorable shoes that now fit) and she decided to play (this usually only lasts 1.5-2 min). She's so much fun when she's smiley and happy - it makes everything so worth it.

I can't believe how big she's getting and how fast she's growing. She's now 3 months old and about 6 1/2 lbs., looking back it seems like she was just born a few weeks ago. We're planning to bless her on Sunday - something that seemed so far away.

Things continue to progress. She's still refulxing and her monitor goes off a few times a day - mostly when she's sleeping, but things are getting easier and we're doing better with a schedule on most days.

I love being a mother.

She's growing fast

It's been a while, so here's a few pictures to play catch-up. Alexa now weighs 6 lbs. and within the last 3 days she has started making eye contact when someone talks to her, looking around at her surroundings. She also kind of started to talk for a few seconds today, and earlier in the week she rolled from her tummy to her back, but there were no witnesses so we don't really know how she did it.
We went shopping for the first time this past week and it was just a little fiasco. Needless to say, I didn't get a whole lot of shopping done and it took 3 times longer than it should have. No more quick trips that's for sure.

The video I wanted to post is on the camcorder so is unavailable. I've been trying to get more, but every time I start recording he stops being really funny. I'll catch him in the act sooner or later.



Alexa started smiling more. Isn't she adorable?
Sometimes she really enjoys her swing, and mommy really enjoys that too.

She found a new sleeping position - face down. Whatever works.

Today was the fist time Alexa went to church. This was her new Sunday dress G-ma Petersen made her. I have no idea what's going on in this photo, but it's pretty cute. Trevor was trying to get her to do something.

5 Pounds and Much More

Alexa reached 5 lbs. last Wednesday. She continues to get bigger and become more like a new baby. Since she's now past her due date we can officially say she's a newborn. Just when I thought being a mom couldn't get harder, she now officially also has colic. Needless to say, we often have really late night, or rather early mornings, and we've spent a lot of time sleeping on the couch so Trevor can sleep. I've really been trying to live in the moment and not try to wish for her to get bigger or develop faster, but these are not the moments I want to last for very long.

A few days ago Trevor told me I created a monster. The following night we were up until 3:30AM. It was then that he understood that you do whatever it takes to keep her from screaming. Grandma LaRue gave her a massage, which she loved, and it seemed to help relieve some of her discomfort.

It's not all bad. When she's awake she responds a lot more to people talking/singing to her and seems to enjoy it. Especially her Grandpa Petersen. If we can get a consent a video will be posted soon.