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 :)

Lazy Sunday



Napping together

Alessa is enjoying a lazy Sunday with daddy and Auntie Giugi!  

 

Boiler Up!

Watching the Purdue basketball game with daddy...and giving Uncle A some grief about his team.  Not everyone was so lucky to go to Purdue.  Let's go Boilers!!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today, my little lucky charm :) and I visited my friend, Leslie, and her son, Damon.  Damon just loved baby Alessa and she was soaking up all the love.  He is two and a half and will be a big brother this summer...and from what I saw today he will be the best big brother ever!  He was so excited to hold Alessa and to show her a picture of him from when he was a baby.  He even gave her an impromptu kiss!  It was so cute!

Here are some pictures from our visit...