Don't give up on us...

I know that I am beginning to make you all think that you won't ever have anything to look at here again. I promise, that isn't the case. I'll get you up to speed in my typical long-winded style.

A few days after the last post we left town for a week to see family. That was a great time. We got to see my mom's brother and his family, as well as all of each of our immediate families. My grandma fell a while back and broke her hip and hand. We were able to visit her a few times in the rehabilitation center she is living in right now, too. The extra visitors were good for her.
David returned a couple days before Lexi and myself. Upon his return the contract for the project we have been waiting on was signed. It is finally official and we are ACTUALLY moving, probably by mid to late September. We mentioned moving before, long ago, when we first found out about this, but now it is finally happening. And we will be there for 1.5 to 2.5 years, at our best estimate. That's a long time in one place, eh? ;)

This means that as soon as Lexi and I got back we began searching for a house in our new location. The added confusion was what the location would be - which of the many towns within reasonable commuting distance for David would we live in? We have made a few 3 hour round trips in the car to look at various houses in various locations. We will be renting, not buying, but today we put in rent offers on a couple house options. We decided we would just offer less on the houses we really want and see if they bite. All they can do is say no, right? Maybe by tomorrow we will know where we are moving!

We have so many photos from our trip. Lots of great ones of all the cousins. One of the many highlights of the trip was celebrating Lexi's 1st birthday - a month early. We decided it would be fun to celebrate with all the family, even if it was a bit early. I made my first kid cake and it turned out well. A turtle cake, inspired my one of Lexi's favorite toys that is usually attached to her car seat, Turtle Guy. That is what we call him. He is actually a Baby Einstein toy. The cake doesn't look like him, but it is a bright green turtle. At the bottom of this post I will put the adorable photo series we got of Lexi in the grass on our trip and the cake. We will have to share some more later.

Alexa actually turns the big 1 on Thursday. We just can't believe it. yesterday, she pulled herself up to standing for the first time. That was exciting! Then in the evening she took a few steps holding on to her toy basket. It brought tears to my eyes! She is communicating so much now, with her pointing and sounds. She can even clap, patty cake/give fives, pat her tummy, her head, and the latest is her nose. Uncle Todd has been visiting since last Wednesday evening and he taught her the nose. It's fun having him here! She is biting, though - don't know for sure how to deal with that because it appears that she is doing it thinking it is affection or fun. Hmmmm.

My parents will be arriving on Lexi's bday so I will probably bake another cake and a healthy baby cupcake for her on Friday so we can celebrate Saturday. Lots to do!