4 Months Old

Time just keeps flying!!  Alessandra turned 4 months old on Friday...and she is cuter than ever!  Four months to the day, we had her check-up at the pediatrician and we are happy to report all is well!  The doctor couldn't believe how strong she is and how well she can hold her head up.  She was also impressed by how well she can roll over to her stomach and how high she holds her head up.  Alessa weighed in at 12 lbs. 9 oz. (still in the 25th percentile for weight) and a little over 26 inches long (97th percentile for height).  No surprises there - we can't get over how long she is.  Her teachers at daycare are so excited to hear the report from the pediatrician, because they can't get over how long she is either!



Laughing at Mama



 

Rockin & Rollin!!!!!

So, I literally finished writing the last post and went to the living room for a quick minute, leaving Alessa on her activity mat in her bedroom, and when I came back in the room, I found her on her stomach with her head held so high.  She rolled over!!  Yea!!!!!!  Her teachers at daycare say she does it all the time from her stomach to her back, but we haven't been able to see her roll at home.  Greatest Mother's Day gift!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

Can't believe Mother's Day actually applied to me this year!!  It was the GREATEST day today - really enjoyed spending time with my two favorite people.  I couldn't have asked for a more special day!  I am the luckiest mom in the world!  And Alessa even made me her first peice of artwork at daycare - it was so cute!

Baby's first picnic (Lake of the Isles)

 

The rest of the weekend has been really fun, too (which was SO needed after a VERY LONG first week back at work!)  On Friday night, the three of us went out to dinner and Alessa was a perfect angel.  And we had a crazy busy Saturday!!  My friend Aleesha and her stepson, Gabe, stopped over to see Alessa.  There is seriously nothing cuter than seeing Gabe with her.  This 10 year old boy loves her so much and is so sweet with her.  He REALLY wants a baby sister! :)

 











Then Alessa and I headed over to my friend Christen's house for Ladies Day at the "track."  We all wore fancy hats and bet on the horses racing in the Derby.  Amazing that my horse won!!!!!

And then we rounded out the night by having Alessa's friend, Parker, over to play while his parents went to dinner.  The kids were SO funny.  They played on the activity mat for a while - Parker fascinated with the hanging toy and Alessa constantly trying to touch his head and grab his ear.  And you should have seen Alessa try to vie for daddy's attention when he was holding Parker.  I have never seen this little girl become such a little ham - she was being so talkative and active..."look at me! look at me!" 

 

Easter Bunny

Alessa met the Easter Bunny yesterday at the Mall of America.  We weren't sure how she would react, but she was perfectly happy sitting in his lap.  She didn't make one peep!  She is all ready for Easter next weekend!

3 months old

Can't believe that today is Alessa's big 3 month birthday!!  Where has the time gone?!  She changes every single day and is becoming such a big girl!  She transitioned to the crib this week (and yes, I cried that night) as she already outgrew her bassinet!  And she is talking up a storm these days - even beginning to shriek!  She is also getting really strong - she can hold her head up and even tries to stand on her legs.  We only have 2 more weeks together before I go back to work :(.  We are trying to enjoy every last minute!

First Walk!

Finally, spring weather!!  The weather was just gorgeous outside...high 60's, sunny, no humidity...so we took the drive to Lakeville to meet Minnesota Grandma Karen and go for Alessa's first official walk outside!  She loved it and relished taking a little nap in the fresh air.  And first time she was around a dog, too!  She will definitely get to know Tig well over the coming years.  Now if only this weather were here to stay - ha!

 

Alessa's first roadtrip

What a great week the week before last was!  Auntie Giugi came to Minnesota to spend her spring break with us and we had so much fun!  Most days, we just laid low and hung around the house, but we were able to get in some fun girl's lunches and shopping.  We even took Alessa into my work so she could meet all my coworkers.  I was super nervous about bringing her in (noone wants a screaming baby at the office), but she was the perfect little girl!

Alessa just loved spending time with her Auntie - especially singing songs with her everyday.  And I LOVED having the extra set of hands to help out. We miss her so much already. :( And Auntie took so many great pictures of Alessa throughout the week!!


One of the great pics Auntie Giugi took



The girls singing "We Go Together" from Grease

On Thursday evening, we made the 5 hour car ride to Rockford, IL which was the start of our weekend in Indiana & Chicago.  This was Alessa's first road trip and she did great!  She actually slept the whole way...and Auntie Giug was able to give her a bottle in the backseat while Alessa was still sitting in the car seat.  We were efficient!  We spent the night at my grandma & grandpa's - it was great to spend time with them.  Grandpa met his great granddaugter for the first time and he just adored her!  And of course, great grandma just couldn't stay away from her.

On Friday morning, we made the drive to Valparaiso, IN to see Sean's side of the family.  Sean's mom just purchased a new house, so it was so nice to be able to see it!  In addition to Sean being able to help his brother move some of their mom's furniture, Alessa was able to spend some quality time with Great Aunt Pat, Uncle Joel and Grandma Deb...and got to meet her cousins, Lauren, Courtney & Kevin and Great Uncle Ken as well!

Cousin Lauren

Alessa loves Uncle Joel

On Saturday, we headed to Chicago to round out the extravagant tour. :)  My best girlfriends stopped over on Saturday afternoon and we had an absolute gas talking about mommyhood.  Oh, the stories we shared!  And we were expecially lucky that Auntie Nat flew in from D.C.  Miss these girls so much and wish we all lived closer. :(

So excited for baby Pinto bean to arrive!

Alessa loed Aunit Nat's Elmo voice!

The whole snarf crew

 

On Saturday evening, my best girlfriends from Purdue along with some of Sean's college friends came over to my dad's.  It was so fun getting together and having the three kids together (Carson, Jack and Alessa).  My, how our lives have all changed so much since college! :)  Miss them all lots, too!

Carson admiring Alessa - so sweet!

All the girls minus Kristine

 

 

Got her first pair of shades from Soraya & Danny!

On Sunday, my dad hosted an "open house" for Alessa so our friends and family could stop over to meet her.  Throughout the course of the day, we had about 60-70 visitors stop by!  Sean and I are so thankful to everyone who stopped over.  It was SO great to see everyone!  There were so many people that we hadn't seen since our wedding in 2008.  As expected, we took a million pictures, but below are just a few highlights.  A HUGE thank you to Nonno Gino for hosting such a great day!

Alessa meets her new bestie - Hailey Gavin

 

 

My dad and three of his siblings

Mia is such a great cousin!

Come Monday, we had to make the long drive back to Minneapolis...we were so tired and so sad to leave everyone.  Alessa was such a trooper during the car ride, though, even singing along to Sean and I singing "Old McDonald."  She loves e-i-e-i-o! :)

Singing along to Old McDonald while in the backseat :)