Tate-isms

I say some pretty funny things.....without even knowing it.  Here are a couple of my latest          "Tate-isms".

1)   Mommy, I can feel my heart beeping.

2)  Cross my heart, hope to fly.  Stick a cupcake in my eye.

Snug as a Bug

Mommy's friend, Claire, made this extra-special, extra-cozy blanket for baby Lexi.  She love

s it!! 

Brother and Sisterly Love

Tripp sure loves our new baby as much as I do.  Today we were having some fun during one of mommy's many mini photo shoots. 

Papa

Our sweet Papa passed away today unexpectedly and mommy went straight to Houston.  He had been sick for some time but he was getting better and was supposed to go home today.  When Aunt Bunny called mommy, she thought it was to update her on the move but instead, it was a much harder conversation and one that wasn't expected.  I guess Papa did go home - just not the home we were expecting.  Mommy is sad.  She sure loved her daddy and thought she had a lot more time with him.  She's also very sad because he never got to meet our new baby.  I know Papa is in heaven watching down on us and I hope he's smiling as he watches us grow and navigate life.  We sure love you Papa.  You were a special Papa and will always be in our hearts!

First Smile

She's only 20 days old but she is smiling!  And no, it's not gas.  Lexi has the most precious smile and we can't wait to see more of it.  Unfortunately, we're not quick enough with the camera so you will all have to just wait and take our word for it.

Lexi's 2 week check up

Time is sure flying by.  Our precious mon-chi-chi is 2 weeks old today and is doing great.  She had her doctor's visit and most babies are just hitting their birth weight right about now but not our girl - she's gained another 7 oz so she's a healthy 8 lbs 8 oz.  Her belly cord fell off yesterday too so now we get to take a bath with our big girl.  Really, she's just my own personal dolly to play with, bathe and dress as I please.  Mommy is hoping she's a girlie girl like me and not a tomboy because if not, we'll have some real issues in the years to come.  

Good bye, Grammy and Aunt Courtney

Today Grammy and Aunt Courtney had to head back to Wyoming and we were all sad.  We sure love having them here and wish we could see them more often.  Mommy was the saddest and I found her in the kitchen in tears.  Being the sweet 4 year old I am, I went up to my mommy and put my arms around her and said:

"Mommy, don't be sad.  I know you miss your mommy but you'll get to see her again soon.  You leave me sometimes and I'm sad but I know you're always thinking about me and loving me when you're not there".

Wow!  That's why mommy says I'm her sweet angel. 

Fun with Baby Lexi

Baby Lexi is really little and so we had some fun with her tonight.  We put her in my baby doll bed and she was a perfect fit so then we gave her a little 'stroll' in the baby doll stroller.   She was so darn cute and we had to take advantage of the opportunity while she was still small.  One day she'll look at these pictures and just shake her head.  These things happen when you're the fourth baby!

Jammin' with Grammy

Did you know our Grammy has an amazing voice and can play the guitar? Yep!  When she was younger, she used to play her music in coffee shops - how cool is that?  Bubba loves the guitar and got one for his birthday so when Grammy was here to visit, she taught him a thing or two. 

First Bottle

You're giving mommy a run for her money in the nursing department so you got a bottle a little earlier than planned.  Mommy pumped and then realized she didn't have any bottles with nipples yet......but then found one to use.  And then she thought, "what if baby Lexi doesn't like a bottle"?  Not a chance!  The girl loves to eat and took to the bottle like a champ.  We are very excited too because that means we can feed her from time to time. 

Bubba and Lexi

Dear Lexi Jane

Lexi, Lexi -
We are so in love and thrilled you've made your way into our family.  You really are a sweet baby girl and you seem to be pretty easy going.  Of course, you're only a week old and probably have us completely fooled but we appreciate the personality thus far.  You're on a pretty standard 3 hour rotation but at night you like to be up more often than mommy would like.  During the day, you tend to sleep solid for 4 or 5 hours and I'm amazed that you sleep through all of the chaos and love from your older siblings.  Tripp, Tate and Levi adore you and we call you "Levi's baby".  We were really concerned about how he would react and what he would do, BUT he is so incredibly sweet with you and loves to pat your head and give you kisses.  He'll probably try to smother you but I promise, he means well.  Tate pretty much thinks you're hers. She loves to baby you and rock you.  She also loves to sing to you and I think you enjoy it as well.  Tripp is the all protective big brother and wants to hold you and feed you all of the time.  I wasn't sure how he would be considering he's now been through this 3 times but he has such a sweet and sensitive spirit and loves his new baby sister.  You really are very fortunate to have all 3 of them as your siblings - and I know they'll be there for you every step of the way. 

Sweet baby girl, I didn't know it was possible to love another human so much and completely.  I have 4 incredible children and God has definitely blessed us with each one of you.  I look forward to being your mommy and helping you grow and navigate life.

All my love today and always,
Mommy

The first of many 'firsts'.....

Our big girl is already holding her head up some and even trying to crawl!  I kid you not.   Grammy was giving her a bath and when she's on her tummy, she gets on her fours and scoots off the towel.  Daddy has it on video but mommy has no clue how to upload it to the blog so you'll just have to trust us.   I think she's just advanced, if you ask me. 

It's tradition (for you musical fans like mommy and Grammy, think "Fiddler on the Roof") that Grammy give all the babies their first baths.  It's not their true baths because of the belly cord but it still counts. Tonight, Grammy gave Lexi her bath and she didn't like it one bit!  She threw an absolute fit but I guess that was a good thing because it made her sleep a little better afterwards so maybe she wore herself out a bit.  She sure smelled great and I wish we could bottle up that new baby smell. 

 

Sweet Treats

Look at these fun cookies!

Lexi's first doctor's appointment

Today Lexi had her newborn check-up and she's doing great!  In fact, the doctors were very surprised because she's already back to her birth weight.  They said that typically you see babies reach their birth weight at day 10 to 12 but our girl is already there at day 5.  I think they used the word 'aggressive' when they were discussing her eating habits.  I think mommy would agree with that, too.  Way to go, Lexi!  Keep up the great work. 

Grammy!

Yeah for Grammy and yeah for us!  We're so excited that Aunt Courtney and Grammy are here for a little bit to help with the new baby.

Little Mommy

I'm sliding into the "Little Mommy" role rather nicely and am having so much fun dressing up my baby and brushing her hair.  I'm such a big help to mommy and she tells me all of the time how lucky she is to have me here with baby Lexi.  I love my new sister.

Lexi Pics