Christmas Videos

Here are some videos of Alex's first Christmas:

Feeling snow with Grandma Brady:


At the Como Park Conservatory with all his Minnesota Grandparents


Kissing Aunt Jean


Meeting Buddy the dog


Talking to Aunt Maureen on the phone

Alex's 1st Christmas in Minnesota

Alex is really enjoying his trip to Minnesota. He is fascinated by the snow, the fish tank, and all the holiday lights. The airplane flight went pretty well, although the boarding process was a little traumatic. We had to wake him to go through security so he was out of sorts. Then he got a nose bleed and wouldn't stop crying. But, he fell asleep once the plane doors were closed and didn't have any problems after that.

The first night in Minnesota, Alex went to the Holidazzle parade. He was very cute bundled up for the very cold temperature. Unfortunately, he slept through most of the parade. Yesterday he went to a fancy restaurant for brunch and was very well behaved - he even sat on Santa's lap and gave lots of smiles and sucked on Santa's hand. He also went to the conservatory and zoo for the first time. He really liked the fish and the baby monkeys. Mostly, Alex has been hanging out with all of his relatives. He loves smiling and being held and has had a lot to say to everyone. So far, he has spent a lot of time with Grandpa Stewart, Grandma Jane, Grandma Brady, Aunt Emily, Cousin Diane, and Aaron. Last night he had dinner with the extended family - Jean, Dan, Colleen, Maggie, Claire, Erin, and Warren. He also got to meet a number of dogs and didn't mind being licked.

On Vacation

Alex is going to visit both his sets of grandparents for Christmas. He is going to take his first flight to Minnesota tonight and then he will fly to California next week.

Holiday Party at School

Alex's room at school had a holiday party today. Activities were frosting cookies, looking at a pine branch, playing with wrapping paper, and fingerpainting. Alex liked the wrapping paper, the pine branch, and then he helped frost a cookie (too bad he could not eat any of it).

One week until Christmas!

Alex is starting to like to do what he sees adults doing. He likes to take assisted sips from adult water glasses. If he is near a computer, he likes to be on the keyboard. YouTube has a number of Sesame Street videos that are good for sing alongs.

He did not like solid food this evening. We are not sure why.

He had a lot of fun in the bath last night. The most splashing and shouting he has ever done.

Dec 15

Saturday, Alex was busy all day. He played with presents in the morning, he went shopping with Mom and Dad, he played with his toys, he moved around on the swing, and he ate more solid food. Unfortunately, his routine of the last week was broken when he woke up for a couple hours around 3 a.m.

Here he is playing with a present from his friends in Detroit: Harrison, Ava, Jeff, and Johanna.

And on the swing:

And eating:

Stable Routine

Alex has been in a stable routine over the last week. He gets up at 6:15 for breakfast. He leaves for school at 7:00 and gets there around 7:30. He has 2-3 naps and 4 bottles through the day and then he goes home around 6:00in the evening. He will play with his teachers and by himself during the day.

He then plays with Mom and Dad (rolling, standing, talking, books, toys, etc.) until around 7:45 when he has a final meal. Most days he has some rice cereal around 7:00. He goes to bed around 8:15.

On Friday, Alex left school early and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Felton because he was not feeling very well.

Here is a video from Thursday, Dec. 13 of Alex becoming an expert at eating solids.

Dec. 12

Alex has had a good couple of days at school. In the evenings, he has been practicing his (assisted) rolling and talking. He likes to laugh at Dad and Mom when the look funny or make funny noises. Tonight he had the most solid food in a single meal that he has ever had. He really liked it and was very excited throughout the meal. He got upset when we ran out of prepared solid food.

Full Day

Very full day: Alex wore a holiday outfit this morning for taking Christmas card pictures. He had a good time playing with the wrapped presents. The bright-colored and 'crinkley' presents may be more fun wrapped than unwrapped.

We also went to sign language class and learned about animals. Alex practiced his sitting and talking. In the evening, Alex had some rice cereal with a thicker consistency than he has ever had before. So far so good.

Holiday Spirit

Alex started to get in the holiday spirit on Saturday. He visited Santa in the mall (pictures later), he helped decorate the house, and he went shopping in the evening. He also ate more solid food (rice cereal again) without problem. He had two long naps, but we think he was just catching up on sleep he lost during the week.

"Giggles"

Alex's report from school today said that he had a lot of "giggles" so we think he had a good day. Since the last Blog report, Alex visited his baby friends in PEPS, Mom learned not to eat Brussels sprouts, and he slept through the night every night.

Alex is starting to get very excited about Christmas:
-- He is going to visit Santa tomorrow
--Grandpa and Grandma Felton brought him a Christmas outfit to wear
-- He is getting excited about visiting his family in Minnesota in a few weeks

School Days

Alex had another good couple of days at school. He has been in a very happy mood most of the time the last few days. He seems to be a favorite of his teachers (or so they make us think) because he smiles at everyone and is not fussy. One of the teachers told Joanna that Alex is her favorite. She always looks forward to spending time with Alex because he is so social and happy. In the evening, Alex played with Mom and Dad and practiced his shouting and standing.

Volunteer Work

Today Alex helped Mom with the voluteer espresso stand at the Phinney neighborhood fair. He also played all morning with Dad and watched some football.

He is definitely starting to show strong preferences at times. Tonight, while he was watching Dad type some emails, Alex started using the computer keyboard. He got quite upset when he eventually had to leave the computer.

First Solid Food

On Saturday, Alex ate his first solid food. The food was a small amount of rice cereal for babies mixed with milk. Although he did not eat very much, it was a good start.

Also on Saturday, Alex saw his first snow. I picked some up for him to grab on to. He shoved his hand right in and then got upset. Snow looks better than it feels.

Preparation for eating:

First "bites" of solid food:

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