Christmas Card Photo Session

This past weekend we had our (newly) annual Alexis Christmas card photo shoot. You'll have to wait until you get your Christmas card to see the photo we ended up using, but here are some other cute ones we decided not to use.




This was the runner-up. It is actually probably
better than the one we picked, but didn't work
as well with the card.












"I'm outta here"






Kung-Fu Baby!



"You people drive me to drink"

Alexis' First ER Visit

Today, Alexis had her first visit to the ER. We were at home depot when she fell down while walking. We helped her up, but she wouldn't stop crying. We then noticed that she wouldn't move her left arm. We went home to get her lunch (we thought maybe she was just tired and/or hungry) After two hours later and her still not moving the arm (and crying anytime she tried to move it -- she would only move it about an inch) we decided we needed to go to the ER. While at the ER, we saw the "magical" doctor. She came in and examined Alexis. She didn't do anything other than feel around Alexis' arm and try to lift it up. She decided she wanted to get an X-ray of Aleix's arm from the shoulder to below the elbow. As soon as she left the room Alexis was suddenly a brand new baby. She was laughing, playing, and moving her arm like nothing ever happened. We called the doctor back in and showed her. She cancelled the X-ray and diagnosed Alexis with "Nursemaid's Elbow". It is something that often happens to babies 1-3 years old. It is when a ligament in the elbow tears and part of it slides up and becomes trapped in the elbow joint. It is very painful. The doctor thinks that by straightening her arm and lifting it up in the air during the examination that it fixed the problem. Alexis has been back to normal ever since. Oh, the joys of parenthood.....

Christmas Parade

Every year Manassas has a big Christmas parade. We thought it would be fun to go so we all bundled up and headed out. We had a great time other than the fact that it was freezing! It was 28 degrees when we left the house at 9:30 and when the parade was over around 1:00 the car said it had gotten all the way up to 36 degrees. We were determined to see Santa so we stayed the 2 and a half hours to see the whole parade. The day ended with us getting our first dusting of snow for the winter. A few pictures from the parade are below. If you are interested in seeing all the pictures of the parade, check out our pictures here. (these are of the actual parade and not Alexis - you will need a snapfish account to see them)

To: Mommy From: Alexis

Dear Mommy,


I wanted to make you something special on your birthday, but Daddy wouldn't let me play with glue or scissors. So, instead, I made you this video to wish you a happy birthday (with just a little help from Daddy) Happy birthday to the best mommy in the whole world!


Love,
Alexis