10 months old

Presley turned 10 months old today! She is growing so fast. Everyday I see more and more glimpses of who she is going to be as a little girl, teenager(scary), young adult and even a mommy. Presley is always up for an adventure. She is always taking on new challenges. Everyday, with me, Dallas, her friends and even the dogs she shows her love for us with incredible passion! When Presley loves and cares for you she really loves and cares for you!! She is so fun to be around. When she is into things man is she into them! This is where "Destructo Baby" comes from!! She is our little explorer! Presley loves people. She has been social from day one. This has only grown as her emotional development has grown! Everyone who meets Presley loves her the first time they encounter her! Her mommy especially loves that trait!!! Ok, ok...enough bragging. We all know she is the love of my life next to her Daddy and that I am proud of her. Sorry for having to hear my bragging!!

Here is what she is doing at 10 months:

Walking

Trying to run

climbing

singing

dancing

saying mahmamama, dadddah, hi

responds to simple commands

when you say "let's eat" or "lets get a bath" she grins and walks to us

loves hugging her little friends

loves stacking her cups
putting her blocks in her buckets

playing ball

loves swings/slides

can stand up from a sitting postion

can sit down from a standing position

loves to read her books

loves to tear up magazines

loves to chew on dog bones and get in their water bowl

Oh and did I mention that for her 10 month "birthday" she got a double ear infection as a gift. Yes, this is her second one. This one didn't have the same symptoms as the other one or I just caught it before it got that bad. Poor baby.

I was planning to go and help my friend Missy this week but got a funny feeling when I got home that I should stay. Not an hour after that feeling Presley spiked a fever. We watched her all weekend and she had a fever but was able to keep it controlled with motrin. However, her little cough would not stop. So, I thought I should go and check the cough out. Well, the cough was the least of poor lil' P's problems. The doctor said her ears were "screaming" at her. Anyways, so we are on the mend. Please still be thinking of my friend Missy. She has another week 1/2 on bed rest!! Hope everyone is doing well!
I forgot to add this video.....I have been videoing the progression of Presley's walking and today I was able to catch her with her shaker. You know how most kids "lovies" are soft and cuddly? Not Presley!!! Her's is a hard, wooden, NOISEY shaker!! Now that she is walking I hear the shaking follow me everywhere I go!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update on Missy...

Hey everyone! I just wanted to update you on Missy. She just went back to the doctor today to check and see how the week on bed rest did for her and her little angel. Well, while she was at the doctor she had another strong contraction while laying on the exam table. The doctor was concerned that the little activity from her house to the doctor's office made her start contraction and decided to put her on another 2 weeks of bed rest. I had it all planned to hop in the car in a few days and head up there to help her the first week, but then Presley decided to spike a fever tonight and I think she has another ear infection. I will have to wait and see. I am hoping to still get to go and help but I have a feeling that it may not be in the cards. That is fine because she is surrounded with amazing friends and an incredible church full of people who love her and the rest of the Smith family! Who wouldn't love her?!! Well, there you are. I will keep you all up to date on Missy and her little girl!

Prayer and Visiting with a friend

Before I begin my next blog I wanted to pause and ask you all for prayer for my friend Missy Smith and her family. Missy is 24 weeks pregnant and went into labor last Saturday. They were able to stop it and she is on bed rest now. This isn't a great scenerio seeing as she has atleast 13 more weeks to full term. The chances this may happen again are likely. Please, please pray for her. With all of her obligations at the church and to Bailey and Bella this is tough. If you want more details you can go to her blog by click on MammaMissy on the right side of the page. We love you Missy! Hang in there!!!

On a side note-I went to Jacksonville today to visit an old high school friend-Shameeka Scott. I haven't seen her in nearly 10 years. She and I cheered together and were in Symphonic Band together for all four years of high school. I have to tell you she was a classy young lady in high school and very admirable. She is just as much so today if not more. She still has the same warm friendly smile and just spoke with you yesterday personality. She got to meet Presley and I got to meet her little girl Reese, who is 7 months old. Reese is so beautiful. She looks like she belongs in a magazine! NOt only that, but when we were taking pictures of the girls Reese flashed the biggest grin almost to say "I am ready for my close up!" Too cute! I am so glad I made the trip to see her! More importantly I am greatful to her sister, who had just had a baby 6 days ago(the reason Shameeka was in Jacksonville)for letting me come and visit with Shameeka at their house. Their family was so kind and welcoming. It was a wonderful afternoon!

Visit with an old friend

click to view the pictures!

Our Walker

Some of you have asked that I blog Presley walking. So here is a quick clip. Ask my mom and dad or my sister and they will tell you she is a speed demon and walking EVERYWHERE!!! Oh man! If you are wondering they watch her on web cam! It is incredible once they take those first few steps how quickly they pick it up. I would say Friday Presley finally let loose and hasn't looked back! She still falls occasionally and crawls but not too often! Oh man, my world is changing!! Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! We love you all!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

9 months going on 18

Presley had her 9 month check up yesterday. Yes, it is two weeks late. I had some appointments that needed to be taken care of and had to push her appt. back. Anyways, she did super good. Here are her stats:
weight: 17 lbs 1 oz (20th percentile)
height: 27 in (40th percentile)
I don't remember the size of her head but it was in the 40th percentile too!

When her doctor was going through all the nine month check list she was amazed at what Presley is doing. She asked "Can Presley do the pincher grip?" Just as she said it she did the motions to show the index finger touching the thumb. Before I even had the chance to say yes, Presley was mimicking back to her the pincher grip. The doctor then asked, "Is Presley working on crawling?" I said, "Umm....ya....she is trying to walk and is climbing!" As if on cue (I had Presley standing next to the bench) Presley pulled up on the bench and was trying to put her leg up on top of it!!! The doctor then looked at me and said, "ok, lets just move on the the 12 month check list. I don't know why Presley is in a hurry but she thinks she is 12 months old." She then went through most all of that check list. Leaving a few for Presley to learn!! Before we left she said, "if you consult a milestone checklist for ideas to encourage her development you need to look at the 18 month list. Not that you need to do much encouraging, but Presley is starting those things already!" I was proud and then thought....AHHHHHH!!!!

Her walking is getting lots better. Most of the day she takes 4-5 steps and then falls. Then at night or in the early morning she will just wobbly all over the living room. We try not to encourage it too much, but it is really fun to watch her figure this out. One thing is for sure-now that we are attempting to walk our "Booboo Bear" gets used A LOT!!

Out on the town

My cousin Alicia was in Florida this weekend. She was in Jacksonville with a friend of her's from Maine who was here looking for a house when her and her husband move down in June. We only had the opportunity to see Alicia for dinner but it was perfect. We sat and got to catch up over a really great meal. It was so great to get to see her. I don't often get to see my extended family because my immediate family doesn't live near them. Anyways, so I was super pumped to see her!! She is looking fantastic and like such a classy lady these days!!

Shannon, Alicia's friend, is super sweet. She is 5 months pregnant with her first baby, so it was fun to talk to her about pregnancy stuff that seems like many moons ago for me!

Dusty came to dinner also. We spent the majority of the day with him since we were in his stomping grounds. Let me tell you, as soon as Presley saw Dusty she lit up. She knows who her Dusty is. Well, just wanted to give you a wrap up of the weekend!!

Presley shakes her thang!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Ok, so I totally just caught Presley's music time on video. Every day I think to get this on video and can't get the camera in time before she is done. I try to do some sort of music time everyday with Presley. I also try to get her to dance and get used to moving her body in ways that are fun and exciting. So that, when she is older she will enjoy being active. Well, I finally got her shaking her bum! What is even better is that she has horribly bad bowed legs (thanks Dusty and Shasta!) and looks like she is shakin her booty on top of a horse! Gosh, I love her!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Welcome Alexa Aileen

Welcome to the world Alexa Aileen Chetelat

Alexa was born December 29, 2008 weighing 8lbs 2oz and was 18.8in long.

I do need to apologize to those of you who have been waiting for pictures. Most of you who are mutual friends of Sandra and me already know of Alexa's arrival. However, the other day I was checking Sandra's childhood friend's blog and realized I still hadn't posted a picture. So, after trying with no success to use the pictures I had I finally got some from Sandra that would work.

I think most of you will appreciate this one with her and Mia. This is the most recent picture of the two of them. I have not had the chance to visit Alexa, but Sandra says they look so different. I personally think their profiles are identical, but have to agree that even their skin tone is very different. Mia seems to be such a good big sister already!! Can you believe Mia is three? I think it will be tough for me to quickly forget that dark headed, stubby legged baby chasing birds in the piazza!! I can't wait to make more memories with Mia and make some with Alexa as well.

Mom and Dad are doing wonderful. Except, I think they are ready for some quiet family time!! They have been overwhelmingly blessed with family and friends who came to visit and help take care of them and Mia during this transition. Sandra says she has really been loved!