Wednesday, June 18, 2008

PARTY TIME!




First of all I would like to send out a HUGE thank you to all of you that helped me with Alida's party!! Matt and I are so incredibly lucky to have friends and family like all of you!!

The party was a success! The balloons were deflated when I arrived in the morning....who knew that helium wouldn't last over night??!! i was tempted to run out and get more balloons but there just wasn't enough time! The day started off with some family pictures (the Lewandoski side) taken by my friend, Suzanne Collier. The picture process reminded me just how hot it was outside! UGH! It was pretty humid which made matters worse. Alida was quite clingy and not her usual self throughout the pictures but she didn't meltdown, which was good! The rest of the day is quite a blur. I'm not sure if I sat down or even got to talk to anyone. I felt like I was running around with my head cut off before the party even started. This is apparently common at first birthdays! Thank goodness it only happens once for each child :-) I think (at least I hope!) everyone enjoyed themselves, the food and was able to keep at least somewhat cool. The kids kept themselves busy in the baby pools....thank goodness we had them! We only forgot two things all day...the ice cream and the DVD. Considering the cake was huge and my wonderful sis-in-law, September, baked some absolutely delicious desserts I don't think the ice cream was missed. As for the DVD...since no one really knew it existed it wasn't a big deal. But we really wanted to show off our hard work in creating a slide show for her first year. I am hoping to figure out a way to download it to the blog....haven't been able to do it yet. But...all in all the party went quite well.

Alida held herself together quite well. She didn't nap as perfectly in the morning as I had hoped...I knew that would happen. But, she pulled through.....I don't remember any tantrums!





Thursday, June 12, 2008

The little bubble blower

12 month stats

Alida had her 12 month well check-up this past Wednesday. She was a handful in the office! Waiting for the doctor to come in never felt so incredibly long before! This girl does not sit still these days! The past couple of nights have been a struggle getting her to bed….she just wants to stay up and play! We try to get her down at 8 pm or so but it’s been more like 9 or 10 pm these days!

Without further ado:
Weight: 18 lbs 10 oz (10th percentile)
Length: 28 inches (also 10th percentile)
Head: 18 ¾ (90th percentile! this girl's got brains!)
Teeth: 4 total

There is one thing that is a bit of a concern though. Alida does not use her left hand as efficiently as her right. At her age it is a cause for concern because handedness shouldn't be as apparent until babies are at least 3 years old. We have been referred to an Occupational Therapist who specializes in fine motor skills. Hopefully we are making a mountain out of a mole hill…but the doctor thought it best to get things checked out in case we can do something to increase her ability to use her left hand and avoid future problems. Besides that she has gotten a clean bill of health. She will have to go and get blood work done for the first time though....not looking forward to that!



Monday, June 2, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALIDA!!

It has come and gone....just like that. A whole year before our eyes. Alida has grown from a tiny (surprisingly! wasn't my belly huge??!) baby to a petite toddler. WOW! I thought by now I would certainly feel like a 'mom'. But....I am still amazed that she's mine. Matt and I thank God every day for allowing us the gift of bringing such a beautiful, little angel into this world! To watch her grow is the most indescribably amazing thing I have ever witnessed. God's little miracle! I still look at her tiny features, play with her little fingers and toes, smooth her silky hair and just revel in HIS masterpiece. AMAZING! That's all I can say!! I am sure that Matt would agree....she has changed us (inside and out!) FOREVER!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our miracle....we love you Alida Marie...more than words will ever say!



Check out Alida enjoying her first cake! She LOVED it!!! Not too sure what to do with the candle but she loved the singing (imagine that - Matt and I are NOT singers!) and the cake!