10 Month Stats

Alaina went to the doctor for her (ahem) 9 month check-up today... yes, she is 10 months and 11 days old, but I had trouble getting an appointment. Anyway, here is how our little lady measured up today. 

Weight - 22 pounds and 10 ounces - 90th percentile 

Height - 29 inches - 75th percentile 

Head Circumference - 18.5 inches - over 100th percentile

This picture was on my phone from our recent trip to Hilton Head Island and I couldn't resist posting it. Alaina found her way into the bathroom of our hotel and then proceeded to shred the toilet paper. Harry and I feel foolish that we invested in a paper shredder; clearly we should just give Alaina all documents we don't want to fall into the wrong hands and she will keep our personal information safe while having the time of her life.

Hilton Head Island Vacation

Harry, Alaina, and I spent a long weekend at Hilton Head Island. It was just what we needed to relax and recharge and even escape the heat in Charlotte. Here are some pictures from our trip. 

 The walkway and entrance to Coligny Beach. It was a beautiful beach with a great park.

Alaina saw her first alligator in the swamp behind our hotel. She got a stuffed alligator to remember the occasion.

Snack time on the beach.

Playing with daddy. 

On Vacation

We are currently relaxing and chasing seagulls at Hilton Head Island. 

More pictures to follow when we return. 

10 Months Old!

Today, Alaina turned 10 months old!

 

 

Current Likes:
Cats and Dogs, Playing with other Kids, Lil' Crunchies, Climbing the Stairs, Playing Chase, Hugging her Baby Doll, Pushing Her Stroller

Current Dislikes:
Wearing a Bib, Being Told No

Here Comes the Hotstepper

Alaina was a very busy bee today. She started the day at home playing with her new car seat....

let's hope she likes it this much once it is installed. 

Then, she decided today was a great day to learn to climb the stairs all the way to the second floor!

It might be time for a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs.

Then, after a nap, it was off to the park for a picnic with Jessica and Liam.

Yes, she is stealing goldfish from Jessica.

Finally, it was over to the jungle gym for some swinging and a little driving.

 

Here, Liam is turning the wheel and making "vroom vroom" noises while Alaina danced next to him.

She should sleep very well tonight.  

Happy Independence Day!

We hope you all had a wonderful 4th. Harry had to work today so Alaina and I spent the afternoon with his family in Charlotte for the Winget family reunion. I didn't think to get pictures but I know some will show up on Facebook soon so maybe I can post some after that.

Once we were home, Alaina celebrated our nation's independence by having a little sing-along/dance party to Sesame Street. 

We then finished up the evening by visiting with friends for a cook-out (again, I didn't take pictures... I don't know what's wrong with me today). We enjoyed our day and are very thankful to all who have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we enjoy.

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.