Hugs are Free

New Cousins, Same Bragg

This past weekend, Harry, Alaina, and I visited my sister and her family in Fayetteville. They just recently moved back to the area from Yuma, AZ after Edward, my brother-in-law, was transferred back to Fort Bragg. He will be deploying to Afghanistan mid-July so we wanted to visit them before he left. 

This was the first time Edward and my niece, Madison, and nephews, Luke and Alex, were able to meet Alaina; all of the cousins had a great time getting to know each other. 

Luke, Alex, Alaina, and Madison playing together with Alaina's new iPod. 

There were a lot of hugs this past weekend, especially for Alaina. 

Alex and me after a nap (his, not mine, unfortunately).

 

Martha and Alex after a tattoo session; thank goodness for washable markers.

Madison, Harry, and Alaina all look pretty happy.

Our Water Baby

Since I'm on summer vacation (yay!) Alaina and I have been spending a lot of time at the pool. Alaina LOVES swimming. She is learning how to kick when we hold her out and loves to splash and chase her swimmy turtle around the pool. She is not a fan of adult swim time (10 minutes each hour). She wants to be in the pool or crawling around the pool, which would not be so good for the skin on her knees. 

Here, Alaina is impatiently waiting for adult swim to be over; as you can tell she was talking up a storm and was most likely saying how unfair it was that she couldn't be in the pool. (How cute is she in her bathing suit?!)

Happy Father's Day!

To all the wonderful dads out there... thank you! Especially these great dads:

My dad, Martha, Clay, me and our horse Hasan

Harry's dad and Harry

Harry and Alaina

Dancing Queen

Today, Alaina showed off her dancing skills while listening to Harry's computer (he was listening to Lady Gaga).

You know you are tired when...

...you fall asleep like this.

(And yes, those are tiger kitties in submarines looking at fish on her PJs.)

Strolling Along

Alaina got a stroller/walker from my parents a few weekends ago and is just now getting into walking with it. Up until now, she has played with it while sitting on the floor or stood with it; but the past few days she has been walking with it.

Before very long, she'll be walking unassisted!

9 Months Old!

Today our little Alaina turned 9 months old. She is crawling, pulling up and standing, and talking... a lot!

Current Likes:

crawling, playing, swimming in the pool (both baby and big), opening and closing doors and cabinets, eating finger foods, and being independent

 Current Dislikes:

her car seat and any other restrictive device and getting out of the bathtub

Jump, Alaina, Jump!

Alaina got a new toy at Target today, a Johnny Jump Up. We've put off getting one since we only have 2 door frames downstairs (our bathroom and laundry room); however, with summer coming, I know I'll spend more time at home and upstairs where Alaina can enjoy it.

She had a hard time using the jumper for its intended purpose; she wanted to walk in it more than jump. Harry commented that it is acting more like a tether than a jumper, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Happy Memorial Day

This weekend Harry, Alaina, and I headed to Wilmington to visit my parents for Memorial weekend. We spent our time relaxing at the house, going to the beach, and eating seafood. It was wonderful.

 Alaina waited a whole 15 seconds before eating her first fistful of sand.

 It was a little windy so Alaina felt the need to hang on to the umbrella. 

 One sandcastle, destroyed!

 Sitting in the water with Harry.

 She loved the ocean here... not so much as we went further out.

 Sleepy eyes.

 She was so tired she put her head down on the beach chair.

 Hanging with grandma getting a bottle. 

Looking very innocent.

Mowing

Today, Harry mowed the lawn and Alaina loved watching him through the glass door. 

(Make sure your volume is turned up, her little excited noises are too cute.)

A Trip to Pinky's

Today, Harry, Alaina, and I made a trip to Pinky's Westside Grill downtown. This is one of our favorite restaurants (for those of you familiar with Charlotte, Pinky's is owned and operated by the former head chef of the Penguin Drive-In). While we were there, Alaina had her first ever french fry... she LOVED it. It was a sweet potato fry so I don't feel too guilty; hey, a girl has to splurge every now and then.

Taste-Testing

Yep, she liked it!

First Timer

Today, Harry and I took Alaina to Jetton Park for a walk and for her first ride in a real swing. She had a blast!

Here we are by the water... she was taking an awesome nap. 

Her face says it all!

8 Months Old!

Today, our little Alaina turned 8 months old! She is getting so big and growing up SO fast!

Current Likes:

crawling!!!, standing (especially in the crib and at the coffee table), pulling up on anything that stands still long enough, peek-a-boo, toast, crunchy snacks, her kitties, remote controls, phones, cameras, bath time, and her pacifier

Current Dislikes:

her car seat (I don't know what that thing did to her), getting out to the tub, being tired, cutting new teeth (she currently has 4)

This picture was taken today as she was crawling all over the living room. She is all over the place and I can tell she is going to get into everything. We love her so much... happy 8 month birthday, sweet baby!

Our Little Jumping Bean

I'm pretty sure this wasn't the intended use for the exersaucer, but it makes Alaina happy so who are we to stop her.

Crawling and Standing!!

A Weekend of Weddings

This weekend, Alaina participated in not one, but two weddings! Of course, we watched the royal wedding on Friday; however, she went to her first wedding on Saturday to watch our friends Katie and Kevin get married. Harry was a groomsman, so Alaina and I were in the audience flying solo. She was on her best behavior and didn't make a peep during the ceremony. She then stole the show after the wedding by simply playing her the grass outside the chapel. 

I know I'm biased, but this is the CUTEST baby ever!

Starting to Crawl!!!

Oh no... it has begun! 

Happy Easter!

Today, we celebrated Easter with an Easter Egg hunt, church, and then lunch with Harry's family. Harry and I really enjoyed showing Alaina how to hunt for Easter Eggs. It was lucky for her that the bunny didn't make the hunt that difficult.

 Most of the eggs were scattered on the living room floor.

 Yay! The Easter Eggs had puffs or yogurt melts inside! 

 Joey thinks this is his Easter basket...

 and Phoebe is convinced the eggs are on the floor so she can bat them around.

 Thankfully, there were some new teething toys in the Easter basket; the Easter Bunny must have talked to the Tooth Fairy and knew that Alaina needed these.

 

Alaina found one of the hidden eggs.

 Woohoo! Two more hidden eggs!

The Easter Bunny also brought Harry a chocolate bunny... his favorite. 

Another Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Today, Alaina got her third tooth! She has been a little fussy all week long (and hasn't wanted to nap... adding to the fussiness) so I was relieved to see the new tooth make its appearance today. The latest edition to her set of chompers is the left upper incisor. She has yet to show it off proudly, I'm guessing it's still a little tender, but I got to finally feel it tonight when I brushed her bottom teeth. I'll post a picture of the newest tooth as soon as I can get a decent one. Until then, enjoy this picture of Alaina in her Beatles onesie with Harry in his Avett Brothers t-shirt.

 

Sometimes, people tell me that Alaina looks like me. When I see a picture of her with Harry, I know that those nice people are lying to me. She is all him and that's just fine with me.