Tour of the Town

Since Granny is going home Sunday, Russ thought it would be a good idea to show her a little bit of the city. It was a beautiful sunny day, but boy...was it cold! That didn't stop us. As we were journeying through the city, pointing out the sights, Lexie entertained herself in the car.


Reading her book...


That must be some story!!!


Are we there yet?


According to our tour guide, this is supposed to be one of the top 5 best views in the USA.

Party Time...or is it Potty Time?

It is amazing how quickly our little girl is growing up and it is scary just how much she understands! While she isn't quite speaking full sentences...or more than a few words for that matter...she is able to communicate with us. When we ask her various questions like, "are you all done" or "do you want down" she replies "all done", or "down". It seems like overnight she is learning more and more things!!

Most recently, if we ask her if she needs to go potty...and she does, she says "yes" and runs straight to the bathroom...it is hysterical!!! If we catch it in time, she will even go potty...ON THE POTTY!!!




She likes a little reading material...just like her daddy!!! (She is going to hate these pictures later!!)


Now, don't think we are "those" parents...you know the ones that push their children into something they aren't ready for. We don't actually think we are able to "potty train" our 16 month old...we are just laying the foundation for later. For now, she has really taken a liking to the potty and seems to enjoy "being a big girl".

Rock Band 2...Toddler Edition

Today was the last Toddler Time class for this session. Lexie has so much fun during toddler time and manages to find new and exciting instruments to play with every week. This week, the guitar was her instrument de jour. Maybe it is because daddy just bought Rock Band 2 for the Wii. (After playing it once with some friends we were instantly addicted!!!). Below is a video of Lexie trying to figure out how to play the guitar. Thankfully, daddy was there to show her how to jam!


(be sure to click the play button to see Lexie in action)



Lexie got a certificate for completing Toddler Time (it is laying on the floor next to her brand new stylish shoes...THANKS GG and GPA!).

Chip off the old block

Some people think Lexie is a spiting image of me, others only see Russ, and some think she is a good mix of the two of us...BUT...in these photos...she is ALL RUSS!!!

Much like her daddy...she LOVES the bathroom...


and drinking (okay so she might get that from me too)


Good to the last drop

Personality Plus

The last couple of weeks have been great watching Lexie grow and change. She is into everything (not much new there), talking a bunch and really letting her personality show! Her expressions vary from completely animated to sheer confusion. It is really adorable!!! There have been a few not-so-adorable moments as well, but they have been extremely rare (Russ has chalked them up to the beginning of the Terrible 2s). She is learning and testing her independence, which at times can be very trying and is taking years off of my life. She wants to feed herself using her own utensils, walk upright up the stairs, and has even used her own potty once (too good to be true right?). Our little baby isn't so little anymore!!!


Full of giggles!


Showing off her new Pooh shoes


Walking in Daddy's Shoes


A little bit of much needed down time...cookies on Granny's lap


Our little artist

More Completed Projects

We have been keeping super busy with all these fun projects!!! Here are pics of the latest completed projects...only a few more rooms to go!!!


Valences in the great room...now all we need are the wood blinds!!!!



Some much needed curtains in one of the guest rooms!!!

Projects, Projects Everywhere!!!

After spending sometime in Kentucky with my family, Lexie and I dragged Granny back with us for a few weeks. We have been busy busy busy working on various projects ranging from making Lexie some clothes, to touching up some painting in the basement, and even making window treatments! While there have been days when I think to myself, why are we doing all of this...we are starting to see the fruits of our labor!

We finished the valences for in the kitchen and have already started on the ones for the great room. I have to say, they look amazing (not to pat myself on the back)!!! They really add so much "character" as Russ put it! I can't wait to see what the rest of the house will look like soon! Be sure to check back for more pictures, but here are a few for now...





Here are a few of the new outfits for Lexie...a few fun dresses and a couple of shirts for spring...there are also some pants and an Easter Dress...but not to fret, I have a back up dress incase the home made one doesn't work out!!!

Who needs Hallmark for Valentine's Day/Weekend???

This Valentine's Day/Weekend was filled with lots of exciting adventures! On Friday, Lexie, Granny and I headed to Ohio to visit with Nini and Aunt Allie. Gran had never seen Allison's new house so we went up for a visit. Nini treated us all to a nice dinner out on the town...and afterwards, Lexie got to play with Oscar. Saturday morning we met up with Aunt Allie and Granny for breakfast before we headed home so I could get back for my big date!!!

Russ and I went to a fundraising event, hosted by a friend of his he met while doing his residency. It was great to get out...just the two of us...while Granny and Lexie enjoyed some one on one time! We didn't stay out too late since Russ had to work the next morning, but we did enjoy our evening!

Thanks again mom for dinner, Granny for watching Lexie and for the ADORABLE outfit, and GG and Gpa for sending Lexie a little something special...I will let you know when we get her new shoes!!!!

Check out Lexie's new sweater...the rest of the outfit hasn't come in yet...but it is just as cute!

Ready for Spring!!!

After all the snow, bitterly cold wind chills, freezing rain, AND damaging wind storms...I think someone is ready for Spring!!!


These adorable sunglasses were a gift from my dear friend Marissa...and while we have tried to use them before, Lexie is LOVING them now!




Here is our little movie star blowing kisses to all her adoring fans!





Waving bye-bye!

Bye-bye binky...Hello Straws!

While packing to head down to Kentucky, I managed to grab everything except two of Lexie's favorite things...her music machine and her BINKY!!! While they aren't MUST haves, they sure do make sleepy time much easier!!! We managed to get by with an old music box Granny had at the house, but I was determined to not cave on the binky. While she only used it for naps and at night, we still thought it was a good idea to break her of it before she was 18 months old. (That coming from the pediatrician)
In any event, we are happy to report that she has been BINKY FREE for almost a month now...though I have to admit, I almost caved a few nights ago when her last molar broke through! I think....or hope...we are home free now!

While we were out for dinner the other night I gave Lexie a straw to play with/chew on. Russ filled it with water and would "drop" some into her mouth. One time she didn't get him a chance to release his finger off the end of the straw and instead sucked a bunch of water through it. Ever since, she has been drinking out of her new favorite cup...I don't go anywhere without it!!!
Thanks GG for the Buckeye cup...we didn't have to take her to Knott's Berry Farms in order for her to learn!!! (That is where I learned to "kiss" my straw to get it to work)