Hey, watcha doin chicken?

Alex and I cut the grass today for the final time this season. It took approximately 30 minutes.

That was 30 minutes for her and her needle-like fingernails to be picking at the mole on the back of my neck. SERIOUSLY THE ENTIRE TIME.

The way I figure, it will only take a couple more "backpack sessions", and she will have my mole entirely removed.

Teenager baby

Our little teenager baby loves talking on the cell phone.

the leaves continue to fall

My little buddy was real helpful today raking leaves. We both came inside looking like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown (the kid that always had the cloud of dust around him).

Gimme the rock

Alex loves giving people the rock. She will give her duck the rock. When she's eating, she will take a bite, then reach out to give everyone at the table the rock. We're trying to teach her how to "blow it up" after the rock is given.

Cuz she's my be-est friend..."

Yes, this picture is a good indication of Alex's love for her new stroller for Rae. Alex periodically will stop, bend down to Rae, give her kisses, then she will continue on her way.

This picture reminds me of that song, "...cuz she's my be-est friend!"

dog and pumpkin

Jack and Alex will love Halloween as soon as their parents let them eat candy.

This picture is going to look amazing when I put it next to their Prom picture together in 15 years.

pumpkin and her dolly

BFF and I dressed Alex up as a pumpkin and went trick or treating, urban style. It's where all of the vendors in a trendy part of town, hand out candy. I'm not sure where exactly this picture was taken, because, seriously, it was standing room only for most of it.

I was excited for Halloween, but mostly I am looking forward to switching our clocks back to standard time. That means Alex goes to bed 1 hour earlier!!!

Who is it?

It's Bapa and Nana behind those masks.

First soaker

If you're a Keeley, or married to a Keeley, you know what a "soaker" is.

It's when the water that you have just accidentally stepped in, penetrates through your shoe and sock and soaks your foot. With all of this snow melt, Alex was bound to get her first soaker.

Storm Force 2009

Today was a full on "snow day" in Colorado. Even the schools were cancelled. I was real excited to be outside building snowmen, and sledding, and then coming back inside only to burn our tongues on hot chocolate and making forts in the basement out of old sheets and blankets...

Instead our day went something like this:

9:00 am home from work

9:10-9:30 read books and play

9:30-9:45 share a bowl of flax seed oatmeal and Mama drinks coffee (coffee is the sweet, sweet nectar of life, not enough in the world for me this morning to keep my eyeballs open)

9:45-10:30 tickle time, and begin to gather snow equipment for playing outside.

10:30-10:42 chase Alex around the house attempting to put on socks and boots for outside activities

10:43-10:48 wrestle Alex into hoodie and snowsuit

10:49 OH CRAP, FORGOT TO PUT MITTENS ON BEFORE SNOWSUIT

10:50-10:55 take off snowsuit, put mittens on, then snowsuit

10:56-11:03 Alex sweats bullets and cries while Mama gets into her winter gear

11:04-11:06 Put a crying, screaming Alex into sled, because, DAMMIT, this is gonna be fun

11:07-11:09 Alex is moderately happy being pulled around in 2 feet of snow, Mama is dripping sweat and desperately needs more coffee

11:10-11:13 ALEX IS NOT HAPPY. WANTS TO GO INSIDE. IMMEDIATELY.

11:14-11:18 Go inside, take off snow suits

11:19-11:29 Lay in bed with a bottle, turn on Madagascar, and we both take a nice long sleep...sleep....sleep

1:00 Wake up from nap and make mac' n' cheese

Summary:

It took 36 minutes to get ready to go outside.

We "played" outside for 8 minutes, 8 very long minutes.

25" and still snowing

I saw my hometown of Golden, Colorado on the National news this morning while I was at work.

The media is calling it "Storm Force, '09".

my little buddy

Alex and I had fun outside today. I mulched the leaves with the big-girl mower, and Alex made the mower sound with her lips while she walked behind her truck.

Rental car

Don't get too attached Alex, it's just a rental car.

CHUCK EE CHEESE

Alex was invited to a birthday party this weekend at CHUCK EE CHEESE. She did not know such a place existed, until now. She strapped on her feedbag at the pizza bar and was totally enamored with the singing mouse.

Sally's swag

Sally June is going to ride her bike in the cold this winter and she needed some warm riding gear. Since those days are over for me, (thank the Lord) I was happy to help Sally spend her money on bike swag. I did manage to find several cute outfits at the swap this year.

still lookin' good

I see my Prom date from high school every year at the Velo Swap in Denver. And each year, we take the obligatory uncomfortable photo just like we did in high school.

You're still looking good Justin.

New magic shoes

Alex turned a major corner today. She's on the move folks. Because of these new shoes on her feet, she can walk, well actually it's more like a run. She's still perfecting a few details, but she's doing it!

Dolly Rae

This is Alex's new dolly, named Rae (after our friend Billy Rae).

Look at my hair you guys

We played a pretty intense game on the window that made Alex laugh.

the blowfish game

The "blowfish on the window" could have gone on for hours.

crime scene

This was the crime scene this morning. Alex shoved her doll, Rae, into the trunk of her car.

pot and the kettle

Alex and I packed up the car today and drove to Boulder to hang out with Sam and his Mommy.

Same kept calling Alex "baby".

As in, "Where's the baby?"

Not as in, "Hey baby, wanna hang out?"

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Question?

Alex is dreaming of the ring she will pick out someday.

Question? Who pays for the wedding? Is it the Bride or the Groom's family?

I can never remember such details.

Chuckee

Halloween is the strangest holiday. Pictured next to Alex, is a baby crib fully of crying, talking, Chuckee dolls. We weren't scared though. (Well at least Alex wasn't.)

Oh yeah, and on Alex's lap is a scary black cat that Beth put in our stroller. We almost made it out the door with that darn thing before I noticed it.

Billy's back

The chicken and I watched Billy Rae race her bike, she looked real fast to us.

hi

Um, hi.

kick his ask

I can't wait until I can understand all of the jibberish coming out of Alex's mouth.

8'11"

Alex loves music, like for real, she LOVES it. Her most favoritist thing in the whole world is the Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours" video. (She thinks she is the lead drummer, and she does background vocals. I know her drum set is ghetto, but times are tough.)

This is 8 minutes and 11 seconds to myself, where I can do whatever I want to do. Sometimes I will unload the dishwasher, sometimes I will go to the bathroom (by myself), and sometimes, if I'm feeling CRRRAAAAAZY, I will eat while I'm sitting down...BECAUSE I HAVE 8 MINUTES AND 11 SECONDS TO MYSELF.

nose hole

We went to the Museum today to say hello to the farm animals.

I had to hold Alex's hand, because she would have totally jammed her fist up poor Donkey's nose hole if I didn't stop her.

Hulk on a car ride

Just a little taste of Alex's world with the Incredible Hulk.

This kid cracks me up.

Thanks for the reminder Doc

At Alex's most recent visit to the Pediatrician, one of the routine questions was, "How much television does she watch each day?".

That reminded me, she hasn't watched TV in a while. Thanks for the reminder Doc.

My baby is all grown up

The Denver Aquarium is more fun every time we go. Alex made fish lips in front of the Rainbow Trout tank, and she said "MA-CAAAWWWW" to the Toucan. She's basically all grown up now.

Next thing I know, she'll be all,

"Hey Mama, can you not wear those pull-up pants when you pick me up from school? Oh, and don't EVER wear socks with your clogs...people are talking. Thanks."

October 14, 2008

Alex flashing gang signs. This picture was taken exactly 1 year ago today...holy smokes her legs were so skinny!

It's freeeeeeezing in Colorado

Winter is here. Put away your sundresses Virtual Friends, and gather your fuzzy coats and slippers.

a 30 inch security blanket

So most kids become very attached to a blanket, or part of a blanket, or a little stuffed animal...Alex has become inseparable with the Incredible Hulk. This makes changing her diaper, changing her clothes, meal time and car rides difficult, but in the name of security (and potentially years of therapy for her), we shall adapt.

everything is just so cool

Alex has been having a hard time shutting her brain off at night. She has been renewing friendships with all of her stuffed animals, she has been cleared by the Doctor to eat EVERYTHING, she is learning new words, she loves dancing to music...just about everything in her day is soooooo darned exciting, she wants to tell us all about it into the wee hours of the evening.

BFF AND I ARE TIRED, WE ARE VERY TIRED.

Little Miss Talkuntilmidnight

Dear Little Miss Talkuntilmidnight,

Talking until the wee hours of the night is totally unacceptable until you get your first cell phone. I know your big, fat, brain is on overload with all of the new words you are learning, but are you sure it can't wait until morning? Yes, I am glad that you didn't cry until midnight, but your talking was interrupting the 47th time I've watched Top Gun. You're probably gonna learn some cool stuff EVERYDAY, AND I WANT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT, I am just making myself crazy trying to keep you healthy this winter. So tonight, after story time on the bed with Mommy, you can talk all you want in your dreams, and I will be here to listen to you in the morning. Deal?

Goodnight.

Love,

Mama

Thanks Sally June

Sally June convinced me to spend a couple hours away from Alex today to enjoy the views at the top of Green Mountain. I used to know this mountain so well I could have ridden it with my eyes closed...oh wait, they are closed in this picture.

Oh yeah, the Softball Coach from the 80's called and wants her glasses back (I thought I would say it before my Virtual Friends had a chance to post their comments).

Thanks for the great ride today Sally.

sword practice for me tomorrow

This was a guy practicing with his swords at the top of the mountain today. I should have asked him if he needed a piece of tape, because he was ripped.

(Note to self: practicing with pretend swords will give self an amazing 6 pack and super-defined shoulders)

Alex and Dora turned around

Look who turned her car seat around. Alex is so super psyched to be forward-facing in the car. Sometimes I look back at her and say, "I love you Alex", and she gives me the sweetest smile in the whole world.

Anyway, Alex and Dora are on their way to a Doctor's appointment for a 1 year check up. I always feel so guilty driving Alex to the Doctor when she has to get shots. She was extremely brave though.

Pertinent stats:

Weight 50%

Height 60%

Head Circumference 96% (We don't think she has a big head, she's just real confident.)

Alex loves the cats sooooooooo much

Here is just a little taste of what our cats endure on a daily basis. This full body tackle is 21.5 pounds of pure love. And don't feel bad for Bobby Bin Laden, charma works in many different ways.

paper shredder

We can cross the paper shredder off of our Christmas list, we now have Alex who happens to LOVE opening our mail.

crop circle afro

Alex began her nap with straight hair, and woke up with an afro, I KID YOU NOT.

This is much like the crop circle phenomenon. I have no idea how an afro or crop circles are created WHILE WE SLEEP.

Funcle and the chicken

Funcle Travis came over for tickle-time with Alex. He brought a book titled, "Clara the Cow Gets a Cold", it's hi-larious. The chicken was seriously tuckered out after her exercise session with her Uncle.

Pumpkin Fest "09

Alex picked out her pumpkin with a little help from the K-Man, thanks buddy.

Minnie Mainella

Minnie was in town for a "1 night only showing". Minnie goes to an all-black college.

It was great to see her and all of our peeps.

hi jack

Alex will stand at our front door and say, "Jack". Jack will stand at his front door and wave. Jack is the gentle little boy who lives directly across the street.

music class update

Music class is hilarious. ALEX WILL NOT COME NEAR ME. She only wants Danielle. This leaves me singing and dancing by myself while Danielle has 2 kids in her lap...very funny Alex.

That's silly Ms. Leslie

BFF and Grandma were able to come to story time at the Library today. The Librarian, Ms. Leslie, asked if BFF and I were sisters.

You're silly Ms. Leslie.

no turnin' back now

1st birthday cake. With the introduction of sugar, life has officially begun.

Hello Paparazzi

The Paparazzi was in full effect last night.

there's no crying at birthdays

I think Alex loved her cake so much, it brought her to tears.

bath rentals

These bath toys are rentals, her pink duck is gonna be empty for a few days until the next shipment comes in. Do you suppose Alex is going to have attachment issues? hmmmmmm

G-pa

Alex and her Grandpa Franco.

Um... uh oh

Um, UH OH. This kid can climb, like it's her job.

new playground

The chicken loves her new craigslist playground.

birfday

Alex turns 1 on Monday. Today in the mail, she got barrettes from her Great Mimi, and a special note from her Detroit peeps, Aunty Netty and Michelle.

Gender neutral toys

This is an attempt by 2 Moms to create gender neutral toys. As you can see, we have positioned "Dora" and "Grocery Store Nelly" on a Firetruck. Dora is on the ladder, and Grocery Store Nelly is on the hose bed. Alex pushes this around and makes the sound of a truck with her lips.

(I bought that Puritan-looking doll at the grocery store one day, and affectionately call her Nelly cuz I think she looks like that real mean girl from Little House on the Prairie named Nelly Olsen.)

Life has not been the same since Mac n' Cheese

Life for the chicken has not been the same since her lips touched Mac n' Cheese. She can really strap on the feedbag when those little orange noodles are in front of her.

What's up Hollywood?

Hollywood called, they want their glasses back.

Thanks Carousel Lady!

Dear Carousel Lady,

Thank you sooooo much for letting us stay on for a second ride (for free). Alex was pretty upset when the music stopped, and we had to peel her little fingers off of the snow leopard and tell her the ride was over.

Love,

Mama

Thanks Melanie

Thanks Uncle Melanie! We had a great day at the zoo, and Alex loves her Anaconda. Now she crawls around the house and sounds like she has a leak.

Alex hearts Bosley

We had a playdate with the kid across the street today. ALEX DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE. Alex loves their dog, Bosley. Here she is, at their door, pining for Bosley's love. I really wanted y'all to hear to the inflection in her voice when she says "HI" to a dog. It's much different than her human "HI".

a case of the giggles

Sorry for the motion sickness, we were on the swing when Alex got a case of the giggles.

Ouchy

Alex has a cut on her toe that needed a band aid, a "Diego" band aid. We're also still working on the tooth brushing concept.

Too close you think?

How close is too close exactly? This is right where Alex wanted to watch her Baby Einstein program.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA-LEX

Kids are hilarious. Alex and I were taking a nap this afternoon when we were awoken by the neighbor kid (Alex's BFF, he's 3 years old). He wanted her to come and play. So this funny kid stood at our back fence and yelled at the top of his lungs, seriously, as loud as he could, "AAAAAAA-LEX! AAAAAA-LLLEX! AAAAAAA-LLLLLEX!"

When Alex opened her eyes and heard her little buddy, she couldn't get out the door fast enough, she was trembling she was so excited.

Oh the sweet taste of Victory

We don't let Alex touch the remote controls, because one time she switched the settings on our highly complex stereo system, and we didn't have volume for over a week. Somehow, she managed to find this remote, and you can see the sweet taste of VICTORY in her eyes. And she has superhuman grip strength when there's something she wants.
(This video is actually from about a month ago, I don't have any new pictures to show y'all today.)

Arrrrrgggh, I'm a Pirate

I missed baby story time today, but we made it on time for toddler time. The theme of story time was "hats", so we got to make Pirate hats.

The Librarian put Alex's hat on, and I was all, "Oh, she's not gonna keep that on very long."

She proved me wrong for the next 30 minutes. AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHH!

Oh yeah, this kid LOVES to carry around crayons. She won't go anywhere with out them for like the past week or so.

RAAAAM

We went to the Littleton Museum again cuz they have animals and it's free. This Ram reminded me of America's Funniest Home Videos where the Ram came up behind the unsuspecting videographer and "rammed" into the fence with all of its might. I can't wait until I can watch that show with Alex and laugh until we puke.

New cars for everyone!

Now the whole family has new cars! Oh yeah, and Alex got a house.

Hooray for music class!

10 weeks of intensive music class hath begun. Egos and inhibitions not welcome.

(It looks like I had to blur out the ladies' butt behind me for some reason, but it's actually just dust on the lens.)

We'll miss you Pretty Lady!

Here's Pretty Lady carrying all the beer for us on the cruiser.

Our friend Pretty Lady has been staying with us until she moves out to San Diego.

She and Dawn the Great are making the drive together...in SKIRTS AND DRESSES, because, and I quote, "...they're just so comfortable."

This is soooooo not the road trip uniform of my people.

51 MILLION

This slide was the best thing EVER. Alex could have gone down this thing 50 million times, seriously, 50 MILLION TIMES.

Slipper season

Alex was rifling through all of her shoes in her closet today. Thank goodness her slippers still fit, it's almost slipper season.

An entire banana

Alex ate an entire banana for a snack today. I don't know where she's putting all this food.

NOT A WORD ABOUT HER THIGHS...GOT IT READERS?????...

Summer's over

Summer's over. Say la summer.

The girls

"Go brave Mommy!"

Alex and I were watching brave Mommy weather the rapids and the freezing water.

The no-petting farm

We had a playdate at the Belleview Farms today with Alex's friend Sam, and her new friend Ellie. Only, we wouldn't let the kids touch the animals.

Those sheep would have never seen Alex coming. She would have snuck up on them, and pulled their wool right off their skin. Just ask our cat Bobby Bin Laden.

Stella the Swine

Sorry they named the flu after you Stella.

Lion Pride

I let Alex hold onto the "golden ticket" while we were waiting in line for the LION PRIDE.

When we reached the front of the line, no ticket. Thankfully this wasn't the Conductor's first day on the job, he's seen these types of shenanigans before.

Tuesday trash day

Trash days are a blast.

The talent was on the move

"The talent" was extremely restless today during her 11 month photo shoot with the Hulk. This girl is on the move. I have about a dozen more pics like these.

Today she was sitting in the hallway being suspiciously quiet for a couple of minutes while I did something in the kitchen. I came around the corner to find her in the bathroom with both of her arms stuck in the toilet playing in the water. She totally knows that I'm a rookie and she plays me like a fiddle.

September of 2009

September of 2009.

September of 2008

September of 2008.

Alex and her BFF's

Alex and her BFF's who live next door. That little girl is a total work horse. She's carrying at least half of her body weight on her back because her little brother wanted to do what Alex was doing.

The offspring

All of my siblings are in this pic. Angela, Joyce and Funcle (Fun Uncle) Travis. Joyce leaves for Seattle tomorrow for her freshman year of college. We're gonna miss you Joyce.

Hi Nana

From the left: Nana, Alex, Joyce, Jamie, Angela and Ethan.

Nana is one of the words that Alex LOVES to say. Her fav right now is "HI. HI. HI. HI. HI."

feel the beat

I'd like to give a "Holla" to Petite Musicians, they put on a rockin' music class for kids of all ages. Alex LOVED it! She danced in her own special way which was hilarious to me.

"Mama, where do babies come from?"

I was trying to teach Alex where babies come from using some visual aids.

"You see Alex, when a woman and a woman love each other VERY MUCH..."

Snort!

When the chicken laughs, it's like someone is wringing every last giggle out of her lungs, sit back and enjoy.
Also, check out those choppers up close...they're sharp, just ask my shoulder.

Thanks peeps

Don't worry readers, you can't catch TB over the internets. I'm negative anyway. Turns out, I'm allergic to whatever it is they inject under your skin. Thanks for your support peeps.

The Gang

The gang.

(From the left) Joe, Jon, the Chicken, Leigh and Vinnie.

It was fun boys. Good luck getting up 6 hours earlier than you have all summer in order to make your 1st period class.

The gift

We had to get Vinnie up at the crack of 11:30. Teenagers have the gift of sleep.

armpit farts

Alex had 2 parties in as many days. They were both for her 1 year old friends. Partygirl had a bit of a meltdown when we took Mama's beer away from her at Jack's party. Aidan had to make armpit farts to get her to stop crying.

dreamer

Oh yeah, she can totally make this car go by herself now. She's just not a real good driver yet.

Curly haired helper

Our little curly-haired kid loves to unload the dishwasher. She unloads the dishes onto the floor and then bangs them together.

Dora the dolly

Look who got a dolly!

Alex really likes her Dora the Explorer doll. When it arrived in the mail, she sat on her bum holding Dora and twirled in circles giggling.

Thanks Grandma Sunshine.