15 Weeks ...still sweet.

Lexi's third month has been full of firsts. We returned from Dominica with no solid plan for child care. J's mom was back in Freeport and we were still on waiting lists at the daycares we wanted. But things have a way of working out. I checked my office voicemail and found out that one of the centers we'd visited had an immediate opening. It wasn't our first, second or even third choice, but in the week since Lexi's been there, she's bonded with the ladies who take great care of her. She seems well adjusted and happy, and that's all we can ask for.

The trip and her new daycare schedule have completely messed up her sleep pattern. In Dominica she slept 8-10 hours at night. I'd have to wake her up in the mornings. Since we got home she's started going to bed at 6 p.m., wakes up at midnight and wants to play for a couple of hours before going back to sleep. Then she's up again at 5 a.m. I'm so sleep deprived I can't even think straight most days. But when she wakes and flashes that toothless grin, there's nothing I can do but smile along with her. Here are some photos from Lexi's 3rd month.

We're Back!

After 17 days away from Baby Daddy, Jackie and Sophie, Lexi and I are back home. Thankfully, our trip home was not as eventful as the trip to Dominica. This time we made it home in 16 hours, including 4 flights, another unscheduled stop in Antigua and a bus ride through the Dominican rain forest. Lexi was a trooper most of the way, but by the last leg of our journey she'd had about enough.
Lexi's travel stroller was a lifesaver during the various legs of our flights.

Lexi had lots of firsts in Dominica -- first sit up attempt, first roll over, first birthday party, first literary festival, etc. Here are some highlights from our trip:

This is the first of a long string of photos of Lexi being held by various aunts and great aunts. With Aunt Martha
With Aunt Ima.

Tender moments with Auntie Pia
Proud uncle Craig
Beautiful Nevissa Gregoire
Lexi with her cousins Nevissa and Ciara.

Pinky just had to meet Lexi. She made it just in time.
Darin and Lexi had lots of bonding time.

Lexi helped keep her Nona's spirits up. Lots of smiles for Nona.

With my godmother, Auntie Tora.
With the one and only, Auntie Reverend Janetta James (Nona's sister) and Jaida.
With sweet Auntie Anthelia (Nona's sister)
Lexi with Auntie Lyn (my godmother and Nona's godmother as well) and Leah
We didn't have a lot of opportunities to enjoy Dominica's natural beauty on this trip but we snapped a few cool shots we wanted to share.

There's a reason Dominica's called the Nature Isle

Mommy was busy tending to Nona, cleaning house, running errands, etc., but she did find a little time to enjoy a nighttime seabath and a trip to Screws natural hot springs.

Completely Gratuitous

I'm not sure who's cuter, Lexi or Papa. They both look pretty buff.

Island Girl

Something in the Dominica air is spurring Lexi to do all kinds of exciting new things. She's rolling over from her back onto her side and has almost figured out how to go from her side to her stomach. She's holding up her head on her own and has figured out how to sit up when she's being cradled against our arms. She's discovered her fingers and her toes and spends huge chunks of time playing with her fingers and fussing when she can't reach her toes. Her hand/eye coordination is improving. She's able to reach for and hold onto things as she gains more control of her arms.
And maybe it's the heat, but she's developed quite an appetite. I'm actually considering feeding her something other than milk from Mama's Cafe. Especially since she's finally noticed that I'm eating something different from what's in her bottle.

Nona's home from the hospital and Lexi keeps her company.
She and her grandpa, or Papa as he wants to be called, have bonded.