Cheese from Alexa

Now it's Alexa's turn...

our happy little girl...

and her silly older sister.

Say Cheese

Annika just recently connected "cheese" with the camera.
Except she says it "chee."

What happens when Mommy doesn't show her the result fast enough... She is VERY cheesy.

Getting goofy.

Cheesy with her backpack. Or "pakpak" as she says it.

Don't you just wonder what's going on in their heads?

Annika does some weird things. I totally wonder what goes on in her head...

...insists on wearing a jacket/hooded sweatshirt no matter how hot the weather... and the hood must be up...

...Necklace and hat maybe?
...Goggles are just cool...

...Don't you love this look?! Like I'm the weird one...

...perhaps she thinks she's a celebrity: wearing sunglasses indoors, dressed wildly, strange behavior, and running from the paparazzi (aka me).
Oh, but I love her!

Sisters!

Another question we get a lot is how Annika is doing with her little sister. She has done better than I ever anticipated! Whenever she hears Alexa cry, she'll say "Oh! Sissy..." and go and give her a kiss. Sometimes she even shares her toys and shoes (I'll often go to the pack & play to find Annika set a shoe in there!).

Happy Birthdays!

Tuesday was Dad's birthday. We went to Peoria to meet Dad for lunch. We ate from the carts downtown. How fun!

Can you tell someone is ready for a nap?

And Alexa, the two month old...

(Weight: 13 lbs, 5oz- 96%; Height: 22 1/4", 50%)

I put her in the same outfit Annika was in when she was two months so you can compare and see if they look alike.

And here's Annika at two months:

And back to Alexa. Fauxhawk baby!

In other news: I went to the hematologist last week, and I was at a 10.3 (up over a point in just a week). He concluded that it was in fact due to pregnancy (apparently very rare), and expects a full recovery. That's great news- the bad news is that if there are any more pregnancies, it's very likely I'll get it again.

It's been six months now in my new stay-at-home mommy job, and I've been reflecting on the time that's passed. I never expected it to be so amazing. While yes, there are some days that aren't perfect, I feel like with my energy coming back, I'm kind of getting into the swing of things. I really never thought it could be this great, this challenging, or that with this one step of obedience I'd get to see God provide in ways I never imagined.

Wow, God.

Saturday

Saturday Uncle Brock and Aunt Jen came down on the train to visit! Our first stop was the Children's Discovery Museum. It was Andy's first time there, and I think he really enjoyed it.

Brock posing next to... himself.

Annika loves to wear jackets (preferably with a hood, though)... here she is modeling Aunt Jen's! What a character.
Alexa had a great time too.

As if our big day wasn't enough, then they sent us out on a date night! So fun, and much needed.

Some snuggle time- so sweet.

Thanks, Brock and Jen, for a great day!